Question for a Friend - Venue

calindi · September 2011

My friend is looking for an inexpensive venue - she'd like to keep her whole wedding under $5000 for venue & food & drink. She would like a venue where she can bring in food from outside (pick up from a restaurant or something).

What venues do you know of in Rhode Island that are inexpensive to rent and allow you to bring in your own food?

RoyalOrient · September 2011

My venue, Easton Beach Rotunda allows outside catering. We used Jacky's Galaxie for our dinner reception (for traditional and authentic Asian cuisine) and B & M clambakes and catering for cocktail hour. We saved money by having our wedding on a Sunday night but generally the venue fee is between $4,000-$4,500 on a Saturday. You save almost 50% if not more booking on a weeknight or Sunday so Easton Beach is still possible for her budget. Both my caterers were reasonably priced too. The rotunda has more info on their website with pricing and insurance info, which you have to buy but it is inexpensive. Also, depending on the size of her wedding, The Meeting House in Tiverton is beautiful. I also like Roger William casino. I recall them being relatively budget friendly on a non-Saturday.

http://www.cityofnewport.com/departments/economic-development/ballroom/home.cfm

http://www.clambakeco.com/

calindi · September 2011

Thanks! I think she's set for a Saturday, as her church is in Providence and that's the day they'll give her.

She's open to VFW halls and the like, alternative venues, anything that will be low cost and open to letting her bring in outside food.

musictchr25 · September 2011

RW Botanical Gardens is around $3500-$4500 depending on residency, but that doesn't include chairs or tables. Those would have to be brought in from a rental company.

calindi · September 2011

That's way too much - she wants $5000 including food, tables, chairs, etc.

LOMLBOAT · September 2011

I looked @ the Meeting House in Tiverton & they were super nice. They have tables & chairs, you bring in your own vendor, it's nice & rustic. I believe their site fee was a few thousand, but again, if your friend looks into off-season or maybe a Saturday day wedding, she may be able to to save. I looked at about 12 venues, all ranging, and you really can't get a venue w/o a site fee of a few thousand. I did a company picnic @ Colt State Park in August, we reserved a site that could hold up to 100 people & the site fee was only $75. We used The Picnic Company as our vendor (about $1500 for 101 people). We used the picnic tables that were there & just decorated the space. I only bring it up because it's such a cheap & fun option that leaves her money to create what she wants with a blank slate. Good luck to your friend!

dberrett · September 2011

I don't know how much it costs, but Colt State Park in Bristol might work, too. I will say, though, that she has quite a tall order for only $5,000. That's a site fee alone for most places that I know of, but it sounds like some other ladies have some ideas. What month is her wedding? State Parks might be a good option but obviously only if it's nice out. Good luck!

bean6687 · September 2011

I believe the South County Musuem is pretty affordable...a few hunderd maybe. I am not sure what is and what is not included. Here is contact info.

http://www.southcountymuseum.org/wedding.htm

DiLynn83 · September 2011

For $5,000 she's most likely going to be limited to VFWs and Elks Lodges, etc.

I looked into renting the VFW in Mystic, CT for a party, and the fee was under $300 if a VFW member booked it for you. About $500 for an outside person to book. And this was Mystic. So I think a VFW would work well for her, but make sure she looks at several because the "niceness" varies GREATLY from hall to hall.

RoyalOrient · September 2011

The Hope Artist Village in Pawtucket has loft spaces available for weddings and events. Also, Aldrich House in Providence is perfect for intimate wedding. There are a few other spaces from the historical society too. I am not sure the rates for the venue. In Bristol, there is Herreshoff Marine Museum which is totally off people's radar but they can handle anywhere between 60-500 guests with several different options. I don't know what the new rates are but when I inquired two years ago, they were a lot lower than say Glen Manor and Linden Place. Your friend might have to do a bit more research here.

http://www.rihs.org/rentals_rentals.html

http://www.herreshoff.org/schedule_event.html

calindi · September 2011

Thanks ladies! I'll give her those ideas. Yeah, she knows she can't expect lobster and caviar with that budget, but she's just looking for a way to have a party to celebrate. As she and her FI are both full time students, and are paying for the wedding themselves, it's nice to see that they're trying to do it cost effectively.

JandA7406 · October 2011

I know I am late but have her check out Crestwood Country Club. They are waiving their site rental fee right now. You can't bring your own food but the food is good and the prices are reasonable.

lizr7313 · October 2011

I'm late also, but check out the Elks Lodge in Newport. We had our rehearsal dinner there and used Becky's BBQ (in Middletown). We had about 60 people and for open bar/ food/ fees it was definitely under 5k. We rented out their function room and also the lawn, which meant we had seating on the porch and the front lawn. It probably won't work if she's planning on a lot of people, but there was plenty of room for our needs. It is also in a great location and has free parking in the back. It is pretty casual, but might be worth a look.

Question for a Friend - Venue

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