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Champagne taste on a beer budget - Venue help!!

LEdge8285LEdge8285
First Comment
in Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
Hello all -

I recently got engaged to the man of my dreams <3. We live outside of Philadelphia, towards King of Prussia area. We're not planning to get married until 2012, but I want to get the venue squared away ASAP. The funny thing is, now that the day is finally here when I actually get to go and visit the venues I've always dreamt about, they are 100% not in my price range (e.g.: Philadelphia Belle, Philly; Cescaphe, Northern liberties; Congress Hall, Cape May; Bonnet Island Estate, LBI; Appleford Estate, Villanova). My budget for a venue/catering cannot exceed $100 per person.
 
So my question is.... Where can I find an all-in-one ceremony/reception location in and around the city/suburbs/NJ for under $100 pp? Something other than a banquet hall/hotel.  It has to have a "wow" factor.... something that would blow me and my guests away!! I'm flexible with the time of year and love historic/artsy/unique/outdoor places!

Any suggestions would be wonderful!! Smile
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Re: Champagne taste on a beer budget - Venue help!!

  • Stacylynn702Stacylynn702 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    For your price range, you'll probably have to go for a Friday in the off season if you want it in the city. There are places outside the city that are in your price range on a Saturday.  I'm assuming golf clubs and hotel ballrooms are out?   What is a "wow factor" for you?  You should pick up a bridal magazine with a vendor guide and start calling around. 
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Does the $100 pp include tax and grat?  Make sure you are thinking if the place has a rental fee or not as well. 

    Besides off season consider cutting your guest list or waiting a bit longer.  
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  • paprika28paprika28
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    If you're willing to travel a little, chester county has some awesome golf courses that are in that range- The Farmhouse is beautiful, as well as Hartfeld, Greystone hall, Chase Center on the Riverfront, Tyler Arboretum, Brandywine Manor House,
    Winterthur Museum, Clarion in DE, Mendenhall Inn, (the ballrooms are beautiful)
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  • Amerbutt81Amerbutt81 member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    How many people are you expecting to invite?

    I was able to do Normandy Farms for about $100 pp and that included open bar, cocktail hour food, two entrees and cake.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    5000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Graystone has a $5000 rental fee, plus the pp cost.  I looked into it...
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  • Stacylynn702Stacylynn702 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yea, I looked into Greystone too as a last resort and it was pricier than places I found in the city for a Saturday in early November.  Mendenhall was still over $100 too.  Concordville Inn was a little under 100 bucks per person.  I don't think Concordville in had any "wow" to it though.  That could be b/c I'm from WC and all the places out there look the same to me.

    The doubletree on Broad St. was about $100 per person and although it's a hotel,  I think the location is WOW!
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  • jolenedownsjolenedowns
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    The Doubletree Plymouth Meeting has great priced packages starting at $81.00 per person. They include everything from a 5 hour premium bar, stationed hors d'oeuvres, butler passed, appetizer, salad, entree, dessert and wedding cake! They will even be happy to customize a package to suit your taste and budget! they have a gorgeous atrium...you go up a beautifiul flight of stairs (perfect for photos) to cocktail hour with a 6 story ceiling with a skylight! The ballroom is beautiful and neuatral-so perfect for any color! I have worked with Amelia and Mercedes there and they are absolutely wonderful! Hope this helps!
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  • Stacylynn702Stacylynn702 member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I want to add that most places in the city have valet parking.   If you don't want to ask your guests to cover their own parking, that price will be added to your cost.  We  paid for our guests parking and it was about $12 per car.
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  • ooodsieooodsie
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    If you can do the Ballroom at the Ben in off season on a Sunday, you can get your price.. Otherwise I'm not sure about anything else possible in center city.
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  • LEdge8285LEdge8285
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thank you for all the responses!!!

    I am certainly open to a hotel if it has some sort of detail that sets it apart from others... Something like high ceilings and nice decor! I am open to just about anything that is unique and different! 

    Lately, I've liked the idea to have a winter wedding (off season + I love the fur wrap idea) in either a chapel or in front of a fireplace.... lots of candles, dim lighting... very romantic feel. And then I really wanted to have the reception right on site (cut out transportation expense). Something like... Knowlton Mansion's conservatory, but don't know the cost - Has anyone held their wedding there??  http://www.conroycatering.com/docs/venues.html

    Otherwise, I am willing to travel within 20-30 miles of Philly in all directions! I like the look of Normandy Farm and its only 10 minutes from my house, so I'll def. look into it. Another unique site is Brossman Center (chapel on site). Right now my guest list is at 175, but I am going to trim it down to no more than 130-150!

    Love the ideas so far and thanks again!!
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  • BethtoWedBethtoWed
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Columbia Station in Phoenxville charges less than that for a Saturday night wedding.  It's a beautifully restored train station - definitely different, and their food is great!
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  • CaitC21CaitC21 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You could look into an off season wedding at
    The Manor House at Commonwealth
    http://www.commonwealthmanor.com/
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  • CmaugeriCmaugeri member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Look into Penn Oaks Golf Club!!  Per Person cost ranges from 90-100.  This includes tax & grat...it also includes;
    5 hour open bar
    passed hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour
    signature drink
    chair covers!!
    center piece (candles w/glass vase)
    wedding cake!!
    and....a honeymoon suite at a hotel of your choice (from a list provided)
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  • ken4poohken4pooh member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We booked our wedding at The Brossman Center , and it has been fantastic so far. We have a fantastic and VERY affordable caterer from their list of exclusive caterers. I will give you the details and cost breakdown feel free to send me an email at kenya..odom@gmail.com
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