On a Budget and need Venue ideas

jenn215ifer · January 2010

Hi there-
I am newly engaged and very excited about all the wedding planning ahead. I have done a ton of online research and my probalem is that we are going to be footing about 2/3rd of the bill of our wedding and we have about a $10,000.00 wedding budget not including the rings. I really want to have the ceremony and recption in the same venue but its not a requirement. Also, food is not a huge priority but the alchol and music is pretty important. We want to have a wonderful, elegant venue with great music and we want to offer a limited bar. We have decided to do a Friday night wedding and we want people to think "Dallas glamour" when they come. So please let me know if you have any ideas. Also, is there an appropiate way to request money for the honeymoon or money in general instead of gifts. We have a house already and have most of our home items we need.

Ohh...and we are estimating about 100 to 110 guests.

Thanks for the suggestions! Any help is appreciated.

Jenn

juliebug1997 · January 2010

Stephiehall had a honeymoon registry and she said it was pretty well received. However, you really can't straight out ask for money. You can put a bug in a few ears that money might be preferred. You should also expect that some people are going to bring gifts no matter what. I suggest that you register for a few things at a store so that they have something to pick from. Otherwise, you could end up with a statue of the Venus de Milo with a clock in her tummy like in "Father of the Bride".

Congratulations!!!!

fallbride1109 · January 2010

Hi and congratulations! You could do heavy horsd'oeuvres with cake and desserts rather than a full dinner which would save money, since you say food isn't that important anyway. A Friday night wedding will be cheaper than Saturday so that will help too. I'm no help with venues although we did a hotel wedding with the ceremony outside on the terrace and the reception in the ballroom and it was very elegant and a lot of fun.

I did a honeymoon registry and I'd be happy to answer any questions, but you will get flamed if you talk about it on any of the boards so don't. The consensus here is that they are tacky and everyone will say that you are just asking for cash. They will tell you there is no polite way to ask for cash, however, they will also tell you to "just spread it through word of mouth that you want cash"--which to me, is no different than just plain asking, but whatever.

And I'm not talking so much about girls on this board, but the other ones. Everyone on this board is nice and really helpful.

jenn215ifer · January 2010

Thank you for the advice. I love the terrace idea....we were looking at the Venetian Terrace in Los Colinas but most venues have a food min. so that has been a little difficult. I have a really good caterer but I have to find a venue that would allow outside catering. Can you tell me what hotel you chose to get married in and do you have any suggestions about how to actually request the $ for the honeymoon?

fallbride1109 · January 2010

Basically like Julie said, just let your mom, FMIL, etc. know, hey we really just want cash for the honeymoon. Everyone loved my registry and no one had a problem with it. It really depends on how you think your family and friends would receive it. You can email me at stephiehall@yahoo.com if you have any questions. However if you are going to have a traditional shower, it would be best to do a small regular registry also--that is what I did. No one really wants to sit there at your shower and watch you open cards and travel vouchers! The "Registering and Gifts" board has a sticky post that suggest things to register for and it's a good list. Even though we already had everything too, I still found some traditional things to ask for.

I got married at the Melrose but I also considered the Stoneleigh (mralpha is getting married there this October). The minimums for a Friday should be lower I would think. I'm not sure who allows catering and who doesn't as I didn't really consider any other places. Other girls should have some ideas.

aphitx · January 2010

You might have better luck with a venue that allows catering, and they also let your bring in your own alcohol (as long as your have a TABA bartender serving) rather than a hotel. It's more work, but will allow you to stay closer to your budget.

That's actually what we are doing in McKinney.

We also did a honeymoon registry (I've had a place of my own for 7 years and mostly have what I need), but we also registered at 2 regular stores, as well. My thought is, if you don't like my honeymoon registry, then don't use it. It's also a great option for guests who arent coming to the wedding or those who have run out of time. :-) We are using Honeyfund.com.

Stephie is right--ALL the other boards will flame you for it. Just remember- it's ya'lls day and if you want to register for your honeymoon-- do it!!!

Good luck!

aphitx · January 2010

oops I meant, TABC bartender

ewinkler1977 · January 2010

Have you looked at the Old Red. That might be a place you can bring in your own caterer and alcohol. I think that says Dallas glam. The fact you are having your wedding on a Friday will help you save money.

Any hotel is probably going to make you use their caterer, with a food min, and alcohol.

The Filter Building at White Rock might work too.

BanannaP · January 2010

A lot of places that you wouldn't expect actually offer registries. I think Home Depot has a registry, which would be good if there's anything you need for your house. Also REI if you're into camping/outdoorsy things - FI and I are registering there for some badly needed new/upgraded camping gear.

hopeless_romantic_luv · January 2010

The Old Red courthouse is a great option...it's where I'm getting married

For Friday night you would definitely get a great deal, which to rent the whole 4th floor is $2450, which they have two seperate rooms that are perfect for a ceremony location and a reception area. Plus, you are able to bring in your own caterer and alcohol...as long as a TABC bartender is serving it. It would definitely be something worth looking into and has so much character...I love the black/white checkered floor on the first floor and the have a huge pegasus display there. I think it's beautiful, but I might be biased

www.oldred.org

If you have any questions let me know.

jenn215ifer · January 2010

Thank you for the information! I actually love the Old Red and I plan on making an appointment to see the venue! I wanted to use my own caterer and bring in my alchol so I could save money without taking away from the venue. I love that Old Red is historic with glam and its in Dallas. Thanks for your help and congrats on your engagement and upcoming wedding!

Jenn

BanannaP · January 2010

Looking at this again, I don't know why I didn't tell you about my venue! I'm getting married at Lakewood Theater in Dallas. Since it was built in 1938, it has a cool retro feel. It's $3100, but that's for the entire venue, for the whole day. You can bring in your own caterer, but you have to use their bar, which does drive the price up a bit. But, it's a cool, unique venue, and it's very "glam", IMHO!

hopeless_romantic_luv · January 2010

hey lady...I just realized that the $2450 is for a Sunday...Friday rental for the 4th floor is $3400, but I still consider that a great price for what you get. The whole 4th floor, a coordinator from the Old Red Courthouse to help with the layout of the reception/ceremony, bring in your own caterer and alcohol, a bridal suite and an area for the groom and groomsmen to get ready in with their own bathrooms...also includes tables and white garden chairs for both the ceremony and reception.

Jay+Marissa · January 2010

I'm getting married at the Old Red, and I highly recommend it. That being said, it might not be the best "bang for the buck" for a 10k budget. You can bring in your own caterer and alcohol--which saves a ton! That being said, it's working great for us because we expect to have 250 guests, so we can spread out the cost of just renting the venue among 150 extra people.

You might want to check out the Colleyville Center--it's only $1000, I think, There are a few other places in downtown Dallas that are good too, but they might not be all that affordable.

Check out 7 Senses (7senses.biz)--the place is AMAZING. They allow you to bring in your own alcohol and caterer. The rental price was $3500 for a Sat night when I checked, but it might be cheaper for Friday. Plus, you wouldn't need any decorations, just a few cocktail tables. The place is that great on its own. Check it out it person--the pictures don't do it justice and it is just so much fun to see!

For catering, you might check out Sissy's Catering. We are using her and she is feeding 250 guests, providing a bartender, setting everything up, and doing the table linens for about $3200 I think, It's a drive out to Azle, and her place of business doesn't look amazing, but I think she knows what she's doing. And she beat everyone else by about $1500.

On a Budget and need Venue ideas

Re: On a Budget and need Venue ideas

Choose Another Board

Search Boards