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Ceremony/Reception Site on a Budget

[Deleted User][Deleted User] member
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in DC
I'm looking for an inexpensive site for a ceremony/reception.  Prefer a place with natural or garden views with some type of outdoor space (patio/pavillion).  Doesn't have to be fancy, just simple and not tacky.  I'm open to sites that include their own catering or where you bring in everything yourself.  Budget is the main concern, unfortunately.  I'm trying to stay around 10-12K for the entire wedding.  I'm hoping to have 100 guests but may be able to carve it down to 85-90.  I'm open to Northern Virginia, DC, Maryland.  Help!
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Re: Ceremony/Reception Site on a Budget

  • ChristineBride2BeChristineBride2Be member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011

    We're having our reception at the American Legion in Fairfax. It's not a bingo hall. High ceilings, dance floor, on site catering. It's one of those you have to see to believe.

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  • bind9449bind9449 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    ChristineBride2- may I ask how the rates are at Am Legion? 
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  • tracy_ktracy_k member
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you're open to something a little farther afield, check out Overhills Mansion near Baltimore (www.overhillsmansion.com).

    I'm having my wedding there next Saturday, we're having 125 guests and our budget is coming in at just above $12K for the whole thing. We're doing a stations-style reception (dinner-type food, cocktial-party style, no assigned seating) and an open bar.

    They have their own in-house caterer (very reasonable, our per-guest cost for dinner and two late-night snacks is $32), and they allow you to bring in your own liquor (we've been quoted $700 for a 4-hour open bar with vodka, rum, gin & bourbon, 3 kinds of beer, red & white wines, plus a few bottles of champagne).

    I'm saving tons of money by doing my own flowers (bought all the flowers for less than $500, and they will be gorgeous!).

    I'm having cupcakes instead of a cake (I have a side business baking cupcakes, so that's a no-brainer for me... plus the per-guest cost is $1.90 instead of $4+).

    I designed my own invitations and had them printed at vistaprint (then mounted them on cardstock so they would be larger and heavier).


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  • tracy_ktracy_k member
    Seventh Anniversary 500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Other reasonably priced venues include Old Town Hall in Fairfax, and the Knights of Columbus Hall in Arlington. Both allow you to bring your own liquor, which saves TONS of money. :)

    Old Town Hall allows you to use any caterer, I think the K of C hall has its own. But both are between $1-2K for the hall rental.
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  • kellwed10kellwed10
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Check out Fort. CF Smith park/historic house in Arlington. Much nicer that just a pavilion, it's private, and fits your wedding size perfectly.
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  • esthersandy12esthersandy12
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Try Patuxent Golf club in Laurel, MD.  I think it's Laurel.  Anyway it's really nice and we were really considering it but it wouldn't hold our growing guest list.  It hold up to 120 people with a dance floor.  The grounds are beautiful for pictures.  They have a patio for ceremonies.  Their prices were right up my ally as far as my budget was concerned.  Good luck and happy planning. 

    http://patuxentgolf.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=812&page=45760
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  • misssyahmisssyah member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Hi. check out the Westin Grand on M street NW... it's really nice and modern with a touch of old charm... (only a touch) they have a really nice terrace/ garden.

    Carolyn is AWESOME too.
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  • mayabearmayabear member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    What about Glen Echo Park? www.glenechopark.org or see longer link below for their pricing :)

    http://www.glenechopark.org/pdfs/FacilityRentalsPricing2010.pdf

    Also, in VA there is Hollin Hall... which has good pricing too...

    http://www.hollinhallweddings.com/
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