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Getting burned out on looking for a venue!

BeckityBeckity
100 Comments
in Arizona-Phoenix
Hi ladies!  So- I feel as though I've searched up and down for the right venue and still am having little luck finding something that will fit in my budget.

We are looking for a garden-like, nice venue that will hold around 175 people for both Ceremony and Reception.  We would like it to be somewhere in the greater Phoenix area, so we are pretty open: as long as it's in the Valley.

We looked at Venue at the Grove and so far that's our front-runner; however, we'd like to see if we can find a place comperable but less expensive.  VatG will come out to about $13,500 for the venue, catering, and alcohol (all taxes incl).  Does anyone have any suggestions???
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Re: Getting burned out on looking for a venue!

  • belgirlbelgirl member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Regency Gardens in Mesa is where I am getting married.  Best deal around and beautiful venue. 
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  • Cola1511Cola1511
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I felt the same way looking for a venue - it was the least fun part of the whole planning process.

    I am getting married at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale. Not quite a garden BUT they do ceremonies on the green (overlooking a lake and Camelback Mountain) and then they have an outdoor reception venue (think tent / giant gazebo - like structure that holds up to 300 or 400 people). For 150 guests, and with our Sunday event discount, we are probably ending up at about $13,000 (for venue, food, and a 4 hour open bar).

    I also saw an advertisement for Starfire @ Scottsdale Country Club and they had really reasonable prices as well. Again, not a garden, but a very nice outdoor venue.
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  • FutureMrsL.R.AllenFutureMrsL.R.Allen
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I am going to suggest the Desert Botanical Garden again just because I love it so much!  They have a few different venues.  Starfire is beautiful as PP said, but it is very small, my 120 person wedding would have been very cramped in there.
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  • janjan550janjan550
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I feel your pain.  Venue at the Grove is my front runner as well, but still undecided.  We also really liked the Botanical Garden and the Starfire at Scottsadale Country Club.  It seems like Venue at the Grove will be the least expensive of those for us.  We also just went and saw the Phx Zoo over the weekend, but were not overly impressed, but other people seem to love it.  Maybe we just did not have enough vision to see past all the kids and what not.  From the websites, we also like the Waterfront in Tempe, and http://www.mprc.net/. From what I have seen, Venue at the Grove is a pretty good deal, unless you can find somewhere that really lets you choose your own caterer AND bring your own alcohol.  Seems hard to find unless you pay $7K-$10K just for the venue.

    We have two appointments this Saturday, and have started the search for renting a private home possibly, so hopefully we can make a decision soon.

    Good luck!  When is your big day?
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  • Mrs_AFMrs_AF member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    The Sheraton Four Points is really nice, and the ceremony is in a courtyard area with lots of flowers. The Sheraton Crescent is right across the street on the 17 and Peoria, and has a large garden area for the ceremony. Hope this helps!
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  • runningmangorunningmango
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens is an amazing venue as well! It's off of the 51 & Bell.  If we were getting married in Phoenix instead of Sedona, I would have booked with them.
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  • fisktobefisktobe
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had a similar issue when venue hunting.  We wanted to not spend too much money.  We booked with Dobson's Restaurant at Dobson Ranch Golf Course in Mesa.  http://www.dobsonsrestaurant.net The private restaurant is a patio setting but has a garden feel to it....they have fountains and flowers.  The ceremony takes place in front of a gazebo and both ceremony and reception are at the same place.  They have onsite catering.  I know they've done weddings with 200 guests.  Ours for 100 planned people was around $4200.  Sabrina is the event coordiantor there and has been easy to work with.  My only complants are from when we first began talking with them, there was an ownership change and it made it very difficult for us.  And due to that, there is another event booked the morning of our wedding (so I would just verify with them that nothing else will get booked if you decide to call).  And I just found it strange to do a food tasting.  While they assured us we could have one, it ended up being during another bride's wedding, we sat in the bar.  But otherwise, I have no issues with them.  HTH!!
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  • alschmidalschmid member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    No one has mentioned my venue yet - Val Vista Lakes...

    Depending on what day of the week you are interested in the venue only rates vary quite a bit - $5800 on a Saturday night during prime season...

    But you can bring in catering and alcohol yourself, so you can save some money there - depending on what type of food etc you are looking for...

    Good luck!  Hang in there, you will find something!
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  • NillaWafer10NillaWafer10 member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    I absolutely love that I'm getting married at Val Vista Lakes haha! If you get married on a Sunday through Thursday it's half the cost as Friday or Saturday. 
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  • BeckityBeckity
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks so much for all of your suggestions you guys!  I will definitely be looking into some of those!  I recently was searching online and found on in Peoria called An Old Town Wedding and it appears to be pretty nice and also inexpensive.  I'm going to swing by there this weekend to check it out.
    I checked out Boojum Tree a couple of weeks ago and, although it was beautiful, the lay-out was a little awkward for my taste (couldn't handle that the reception area and dance floor were in two totally separate places).
    I also considered Val Vista Lakes- but eventually ruled it out.  I can't remember why.  I think maybe I'll have to look into that one again.
    I will also take a look at Sheraton Crescent.  That's actually kind of close to my house.
    Thanks again for all of the suggestions!!  I'll keep you updated.

    Oh- and janjan the big day is next year some day: preferably Spring if we find a venue that doesn't charge by season.  If not Spring then February.  My fiancee refuses to get married in the summer here (can't really blame him). :)
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  • NillaWafer10NillaWafer10 member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    Try to actually tour VVL if you can.  The website isn't fancy, but that's becuase it's a homeowners association.  It is a lot nicer than it looks online :)
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  • mgrdaz11mgrdaz11
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Try looking into Anthem country club.  It was decently priced and had a beautiful ceremon area that looked both desert like and beautiful tropical flowers.  The wedding coordinator-Kathy was super nice also
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  • BeckityBeckity
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks again for every suggestions! 

    I e-mailed Sheraton Crescent on Friday, still waiting for a response.  I also checked out Regency, but the ceremony area is just too small for our group.

    Desert Botanical Gardens had a few too many rules for our taste.

    We would like to check out Tempe Waterfront- but they were closed yesterday.  We also don't like how they handle the beverages at the bar (pay per drink- don't care for that).

    Thank you so much for recommending Val Vista Lakes so strongly- we checked it out and that's actually the front runner at this point. 

    We also checked out a place called Las Sendas (in NE. Mesa)- but that will not work out at all.

    I think we only have 2 or three other places to check out.  Thanks again!
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  • alschmidalschmid member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Beckity - we checked out the waterfront as well.  It was a nice location - but I thought VVL was much prettier.  I also felt the same way about the DBG - plus it seemed with needing to rent tables/chairs it could add up.   I've been to two weddings at Las Sendas - thought it was really beautiful - but far out there.

    Sounds like you are really making headway now though :)  Looking forward to hearing you decision!
    BIO: Updated 7/28 with bridesmaid dresses

    Amy & Ian

    image 133 Invited so far!
    image 48 Are ready to party!
    image 27 Will be missing out! (12 kids)
    image 59 Are MIA!
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  • beloved555beloved555 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    i checked out the boojum tree gardens, it is beautiful but the venue alone is 8 to 20k. It was out of our price range but was a beautiful place. 
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  • mitzilynn13mitzilynn13
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Much like you, we were struggling to find a venue. On an off chance we emailed Alchemy 360 at the Copperwynd Resort in Fountain Hills just because it was some place different. Not only is it reasonable they are totally willing to customize so your wedding is more you. We booked them and can't wait!

    PS Because their location is higher, you can pay Fountain Hills $150 and they will turn their famous fountain on for an hour during your ceremony and photos. Conveniently all of your guests will be facing it during the ceremony!
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