Reception recommendations/reviews (I'm new!)

juliatrapold · November 2009

Hi,This is my first time on the boards - I'm Julia and my fiance is Joseph. We got engaged in October, and we're hoping to get married summer/fall 2010.I live in Atlanta but am planning my wedding in Pittsburgh, where I grew up. It's difficult to find possible reception locations long distance, so I would appreciate any recommendations. I'm coming up in December to visit sites and hope to get a date set! We'd like to find a unique venue, and we plan to have the ceremony at the same location.So far I've looked at a ton of places (list following), but a lot seem to be fully booked already, so I'm hoping to find some more possibilities. Also, any reviews of places would be great! I can't seem to find any of those online.Places I have appointments with:- History Center- Andy Warhol Museum- Phipps- Schenley Park- Pennsylvanian- Renaissance hotel- PGH Athletic Association- Twentieth Century ClubI've also looked at and am considering:- Carnegie Museums (fully booked)- Concordia- University Club @ Pitt- Grand Concourse- Any theater (Heinz Hall, Benedum, Byham)- Heinz Field- PNC Park- Aviary- Pittsburgh Golf Club- Soldiers & Sailors HallThanks for any feedback!Julia

jennybean2010 · November 2009

hi & welcome!! many of the girls here have planned their pgh weddings from afar, so they'll have tons of advice. i am not super familiar with alot of these sites, but i know about a few of them. it's going to depend what your budget is, ultimately. the pennsylvanian costs 5k just to rent, and comes as an empty space. you also have to pay security hourly wages to be with you while you set up. it's beautiful though, no doubt! we met with tony at the renaissance hotel (nunu is friends with him, i believe). again, gorgeous. but we couldn't swing the cost. it was going to cost approx $125 per person. we are getting married at the lemont ourselves. it turned out to be cheaper than any other place.

kbielak17 · November 2009

Just want to say hi & welcome! I'm not familiar with those places but we had our reception on the Gateway Clipper and LOVED it! I planned from afar (Arizona, then Texas) and my best advice really is just to be organized and don't leave very much to the last minute

Good luck & I hope you will continue posting!

AP910 · November 2009

Hi Julia,I am not too far in my planning yet, but I am having my reception at the Twentieth Century Club. It is definitely a unique place. There are 2 main spaces, a ballroom and a dining room upstairs. I've seen pictures of the ceremony in the ballroom and dinner and dancing upstairs, and it seemed pretty neat. The max number of guests you can have that way is 150, but it is higher if you do the dancing downstairs, which we plan to do. It is a little older looking than some of the other places, but like I said, it is unique, and it is a pretty good value. The University Club is absolutely beautiful, but depending on the number of guests might be a little small to do everything unless you are creative with the space. They do have a beautiful lobby and rooftop. You can have either for cocktail hour for an extra $700 (I think). The Pittsburgh Golf Club is also BEAUTIFUL. It gave me the warm-fuzzy feeling you are supposed to have! They have a main room and two other spaces that are attached but kind of have an open wall, if that makes sense. You have to pay extra for some things that are typically included in packages (coffee, etc.). In the end, we couldn't justify spending that money when we need to buy a house! Sorry this is so long! I hope it is somewhat helpful!!!

AP910 · November 2009

Oh, and I think the Concordia Club was purchased by Pitt, and there was a question as to whether they were still going to do weddings..... Does anyone know for sure?

kwynn · November 2009

Hi! Welcome! I had my ceremony and reception at Heinz Field and it was perfect in every way. Their booking process can be a little tough (can't book more than 12 months out), but I had a shorter engagement than many, so it worked for me.I highly, highly recommend Heinz Field. It was perfect.This board is busier during the work day. We can probably help you narrow it down if you have a certain number of guests in mind or a certain price point. I pretty much love every venue on your list and also wanted to suggest to you:Pittsburgh Zoo and AquariumThe Duquesne ClubFrick Art and Historical CenterOmni/William Penn Hotel (if you have the budget)I've been to a lot of the different venues for events and knew that I wanted Heinz Field because of how smoothly the event was run, the great deal on prices, and the delicious food. (You would think Aramark/stadium food would not be good, but their event menu is delicious).You can email me if you want any additional info. My email address is knottiekwynn@gmail.com

slm13 · November 2009

Hi, Welcome and Congrats! I, too, was an out of town bride (we live outside of Philly) and couldn't get into Pgh very much. We had our reception at the Grand Concourse this past June and it was wonderful and very affordable. They were so easy to work with and so laid back. If you want to look, I have pictures of our reception up in our bio (the date link in my sig). It was amazing. the best part was that there was so much decor that we didn't have to do much, and it totally fit our style which made it even better. We didn't have our ceremony there (we were married in my parents' church), but from what I understand, they set the ceremony up on the grand staircase.

AP910 · November 2009

I have a correction to my post. I just came across some pictures of a wedding that seems to have just taken place in the Concordia Club! I guess they are still open!

cobrien1976 · November 2009

I had my reception at Soldiers & Sailors. It is a beautiful venue. If you want to know more information, you can email me at cobrien1976 at yahoo dot com

juliatrapold · November 2009

Thanks for all the tips!I'm thinking I will have about 150 guests and would like to keep the reception cost between $10-$15K (for rental, food, beverage, tables, linens, etc). Not sure how feasible that is - everything seems so expensive!I also want to have it downtown or in Oakland, since I'll have many out-of-town guests and want them to be able to see the city.

king26 · November 2009

Hello and welcome! I am a June 2010 bride that is planning from out of town. I think Phipps is a beautiful venue, Heinz Field is great, I've heard good things about Grand Concourse, and the Aviary. Good luck on your search! My reception is at my father's airforce base, so I'm not much help with the venue:-)

slm13 · November 2009

To add to my post due to your response - my reception was right inside your budget at the G.C.

kwynn · November 2009

My reception was inside your budget as well at Heinz Field. I had 140 guests and full bar for under 13k including rentals, food, tips, apps, etc. I could have done it for even less, but I offered each guest three entrees. I was looking in your budget range, so I might be able to throw out some suggestions.The Aviary will fit your budget, but they are having some renovations done, so I don't know if they are taking bookings for your time frame.PNC Park was definitely more expensive than Heinz Field. I think their food was closer to $80pp when I was looking last year, so I don't know how they would be on budget.Phipps is pretty expensive too, if I recall correctly. The History Center uses Common Plea Catering and their extra expenses add up fast. I love the History Center, but they nickel and dimed you on charges.Awhile back, a Knottie had her reception at Heinz Hall in the afternoon and said it was pretty reasonably priced.I think if you are really locked into that budget, the Pennsylvanian will be too expensive. They are 6k to rent with nothing (no linens, no food, etc) The Circuit Center in the Southside is really nice and they might be able to work at that budget. I forgot to say I love that venue as well.

reannalynne · November 2009

I am getting married on the 28th, so if you stick around I can give you a review and what the total cost ended up being for us. We have right around 150 guests, and are having the ceremony and reception at the same place. The George Washington Hotel , in washington, PA.[url]http://www.thegeorgewashington.com[/url]

KimWard · November 2009

Congrats and welcome! I'm no help on venues, since my reception was at a firehall in Monroeville, but just wanted to say hello and good luck! (I too planned from OOT- Washington DC area.)

asochats · November 2009

A few of us here had our receptions at the PAA. I only have good things to say. About 60% of our guests were from out-of-town, so they stayed at the Holiday Inn in Oakland. They all loved being "in town" because they could walk to lots of places of interest and could easily get breakfast/lunch/dinner, as most took a long weekend in PGH. I planned from DC, so I understand your concerns.

jlbaxter33 · November 2009

Hello Julia!I am somewhat new as well. I am planning a wedding for May 2011. I live in DC so also planning from afar. Your list is VERY similar to mine. Please keep me updated on how your searches go. Over Christmas, FI and I are planning on looking at some of those places. I'll let you know if I stumble on anything that is worthwhile.Welcome to the boards!!

KRMac · November 2009

Congrats and welcome, Julia! I planned from OOT too. It can be overwhelming, but this board is so helpful.Our reception was at the Circuit Center on the South Side, which I highly recommend. Not sure of their price increases since 2006, when I booked them (forever ago, lol!) Pics in my married bio or feel free to email me with questions - mcbridetobe at gmail

Reception recommendations/reviews (I'm new!)

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