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Venue Ideas for SMALL (20-30 person) Wedding?

mcliammcliam
in Wisconsin
Ben and I went on our first date on April 2nd, 2005.  Got engaged April 2nd, 2010.  Now, after putting off wedding planning altogether for the last year, we decided yesterday to invite our family for an impromptu wedding on...  April 2nd!  All of the plans we had are out the window, and I'm looking for suggestions on where to hold the ceremony and reception in Milwaukee (perhaps just a restaurant with private or semi-private dining options).  We're very informal, and HATE being the center of attention.  Looking for 10-15 minute ceremony, then dinner and drinks with the fam.  Anything come to mind?
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Re: Venue Ideas for SMALL (20-30 person) Wedding?

  • gundy21gundy21 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    We thought about doing something similar- and Bacchus would have been the place we chose (figured we could really splurge if there were only 25 people).  For less formal and more budget friendly, you could check the Milwaukee Ale House - the Hop Side Down (lower level), Libiamo (private rooms), or Alioto's (private rooms).
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  • msteph82msteph82 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Also check out Hotel Metro and the Water Buffalo.  Water Buffalo has amazing food and service and atmosphere.
    ~ Missie

    Welcome Baby Grace to the world! (via emergency c-section @ 38w2d)
    2/24/12 12:03pm 5lbs, 9oz Birth Story
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    Linky--> EP FB Group - March '12 FB Group <---Linky </b>
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  • jcrew_shopaholicjcrew_shopaholic member
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had the same "image" for my wedding, and I used Zen on 7 at Hotel Metro.  It was beautiful, you can host both your ceremony and reception there, and it accommodates 30 people seated for dinner and 50 for an appetizer reception.  It was completely private and you get gorgeous view of downtown for pictures.  I would highly recommend it!
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  • gundy21gundy21 member
    1000 Comments Third Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    The other place I forgot to mention was Paddy's Pub.  The upstairs is charming.  My FBIL was considering it for his low-key, small wedding.
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  • browneyedbride7browneyedbride7
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    Bacchus
    Charro (has a private space downstairs)


    My friends had their RD at Water Buffalo, and might I say that IT SUCKED!!!!  The couple had reserved the area downstairs for 30 people and it can't even FIT 30 people.  The tables and chairs were not set up.  When my friends had approached the manager about how poor the service was, the manager had the guts to tell my friends that they would've never reserved the downstairs area for a RD and that if they were over 30 people they'd have to charge a minimum of $1000 for the dinner and space.  Don't get me wrong, I've eaten at Water Buffalo before and the food is great so I was really looking forward to eating there for the RD.  However they really let me down at my friends' RD and I haven't been back there since.

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  • msteph82msteph82 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_wisconsin_venue-ideas-small-20-30-person-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:118Discussion:3c4b317d-c488-492c-b0cd-5eef9fd9b2daPost:d663e760-b21a-4c0e-baa9-db7d6be4fdd3">Re: Venue Ideas for SMALL (20-30 person) Wedding?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Bacchus Charro (has a private space downstairs) My friends had their RD at Water Buffalo, and might I say that IT SUCKED!!!!  The couple had reserved the area downstairs for 30 people and it can't even FIT 30 people.  The tables and chairs were not set up.  When my friends had approached the manager about how poor the service was, the manager had the guts to tell my friends that they would've never reserved the downstairs area for a RD and that if they were over 30 people they'd have to charge a minimum of $1000 for the dinner and space.  Don't get me wrong, I've eaten at Water Buffalo before and the food is great so I was really looking forward to eating there for the RD.  However they really let me down at my friends' RD and I haven't been back there since.
    Posted by browneyedbride7[/QUOTE]

    That totally stinks!  Every events we've gone to there has been wonderful. 

    How sad!
    ~ Missie

    Welcome Baby Grace to the world! (via emergency c-section @ 38w2d)
    2/24/12 12:03pm 5lbs, 9oz Birth Story
    imageimageimage
    image image image
    Linky--> EP FB Group - March '12 FB Group <---Linky </b>
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  • portialoveschrisportialoveschris
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would highly recommend Bacchus.  You can have your ceremony/reception under glass in the conservatory room.  We had our RD there in the Lakefront dining room, it was gorgeous and the food was DELICIOUS!!  The conservatory would have been too big for our guest list, but I think if you need it to double as a ceremony location it would be perfect.  Also, Tricia Smith is the coordinator and she's awesome. 

    Hope this helps!
    Good luck and congratulations.

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  • HPollenHPollen member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I know people have already said it by I would agree Hotel Metro would be a great place!  Lake Park Bistro might also be a nice place to go too.  Joey Buona's is another idea.  Good luck with your search :)
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