Venue help!

mcmeghan311 · October 2011

So, we had a venue all picked out and we were really satisfied with it. The problem now lies in the fact that our event may have outgrown it :0/ When we sat down to do a guest list, we increased our idealistic 100 guest event to 150, but are now realizing that it probably needs to be closer to 200 because we underestimated how many people we actually know and care about. Mr. "I have a small family" has over 40 family members plus their guests and I have even more, so that would leave like 10 friends each once all was said and done. Our venue only comfortably seats 150 :0(

Anybody have any ideas where to have a decent wedding for about 200 people under $10k? I'm getting nervous and feeling overwhelmed like I want to just elope. Help???

TheFutureMrsB81 · October 2011

I'm not sure what area you're wanting to stay around, but I do believe the Sterling Inn will work with that budget as well as being a beautiful spot. Maybe also try The San Marino Club in Troy

mcmeghan311 · October 2011

We're most attracted to downtown Detroit, but anywhere in the metro area or Ann Arbor are open for consideration. I'm not the hugest fan of banquet halls, but I need to start expanding my comfort zone because I'm not made of money lol... I'm gonna go check those two out, thanks!

Sue-n-Kevin · October 2011

Try the Gazebo in Warren also. When I was looking their prices were reasonable, but I don't know about their accomodation sizes.

You are basicallly looking for a catered affair (with alcohol I assume) for about $40 per person. Once you add in all the tips, service fees and taxes that's about another 25%, taking it to $50 per person. That is going to be tough. However, as long as the economy is slow, the upside is that many venues will work with you on pricing. I highly recommend making appointments and going in with your budget (leaving about 10% wiggle room) and asking what they can supply.

You might have to alter your guest list a bit, as that may be the only way to reduce the cost within a budget you currently have. I'm not saying you can't find a place, but it's going to be tough. Perhaps look into a Friday or Sunday wedding, or months when there are fewer weddings like the winter.

Good luck.

Milsey32 · October 2011

Oak Arbor Church & Banquet Facility. It's gorgeous, you can have your ceremony and reception there, and you can find an off-site caterer within your budget [:

e3plus1 · October 2011

Try Club Venetian in Madison Heights. It is beautiful!! They have different package options- so you can probably do it within your budget.

Sue-n-Kevin · October 2011

I second the Venetian Club. I forgot about them. I've been to a wedding there and the food was good, it's nice inside and they seemed well run. It was a couple of years ago though.

mcmeghan311 · October 2011

I have the catering figured out, kind of, but I just need to figure out a venue that will hold 200 and let me use my own caterer. We're now back to considering September of 2012, so indoors is kind of important after the crap show that this September put up for weather... lol Any ideas?

StephLove12 · October 2011

Mine is at the Tplex in downtown Detroit. It's the old model t factory that ford built, the first one. They've turned it into a museum that houses the model t cars. i LOVE it. Orignal brick work, hardwood floors, and windows! They price based on the number of people, and it's pretty reasonable. For 190-220 people its about $2400 to rent. You get to bring in your own caterer, booze, deocrations. They provide tables and chairs. You get exclusive use of 2 floors (i think it's over like 20,000 square feet), plus you basically get free reign to do what you want. They're very laid back, and Pat, the events coordinator, is the sweetest woman I've ever met.

Meegles4 · October 2011

I'm glad Stephanie weighed in b/c I knew her venue would be a good option. I'm getting married in downtown Detroit and had trouble finding anything less than 20K for that headcount...BUT, I didn't want to deal with bringing in my own caterer so I was limited in my options.

You could also try
- The Guardian Building
- the roof of the Park Shelton (though 200 might be too many for that area)

entropicbeauty · October 2011

I second the Tplex! That is also where I will be having my wedding - if interested you should check into it ASAP though, they only book 12 weddings a year (according to my father's friend who is on the board)

http://tplex.org/

e3plus1 · October 2011

There is a venue in Rochester where you have to bring your own caterer... River Crest maybe??

mcmeghan311 · October 2011

Steph, thanks, I e-mailed the T-Plex to see what that's all about. Meegles, I've already contacted the Guardian building, waiting on a response. The Park Shelton never e-mailed me back, so I went in there face to face. They no longer do weddings for non-residents, which makes sense since its a condo unit, not a hotel. I wouldn't want my roof deck taken up by weddings every weekend either, I guess.

T-Plex ladies...what are you doing for parking and security? I haven't visited the site yet, so I imagine there has to be some sort of provision made because it's in a sketchy area of town. I'm leary of anything north of 94 without secured parking.

entropicbeauty · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-detroit_venue-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:88Discussion:64be47d2-8e07-4515-b4ab-aef83bd9584bPost:afe7ce99-106f-4f11-9b59-fa9e440cd738">Re: Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]T-Plex ladies...what are you doing for parking and security? I haven't visited the site yet, so I imagine there has to be some sort of provision made because it's in a sketchy area of town. I'm leary of anything north of 94 without secured parking.
Posted by mcmeghan311[/QUOTE]

For the night of your event there will be a guard at the entrance to the large parking lot. The parking lot is also fenced in, so it's quite secure. I felt 100% safe at the Tplex and knowing a guard will be around to watch peoples cars sweetens the pot for sure.

StephLove12 · October 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_michigan-detroit_venue-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:88Discussion:64be47d2-8e07-4515-b4ab-aef83bd9584bPost:afe7ce99-106f-4f11-9b59-fa9e440cd738">Re: Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]Steph, thanks, I e-mailed the T-Plex to see what that's all about. Meegles, I've already contacted the Guardian building, waiting on a response. The Park Shelton never e-mailed me back, so I went in there face to face. They no longer do weddings for non-residents, which makes sense since its a condo unit, not a hotel. I wouldn't want my roof deck taken up by weddings every weekend either, I guess. T-Plex ladies...what are you doing for parking and security? I haven't visited the site yet, so I imagine there has to be some sort of provision made because it's in a sketchy area of town. I'm leary of anything north of 94 without secured parking.
Posted by mcmeghan311[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Its funny that you mention parking and security. After we booked the place, I started panicking, and asked my mom 'do you think people will be too afraid of the area to even show up??'</div><div>
</div><div>I calmed myself down eventually. I'll admit the area is EXTREMELY sketchy, but the parking is very secure. It's lighted, they have cameras, there are people who watch over the parking lot the whole time. The entrance into the Tplex is within the gated parking lot, so you don't have to worry about being mugged between your car and the door :-)</div><div>
</div><div>The building itself will make up for the sketchyness of the neighborhood. Trust me, once you visit it, you'll fall in love.</div><div>
</div>

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