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Michigan-Detroit
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cocktail reception venue?

daygloangeldaygloangel member
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edited December 2013 in Michigan-Detroit
looking for cocktail reception possibly, downriver
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Re: cocktail reception venue?

  • Sue-n-KevinSue-n-Kevin member
    Seventh Anniversary 5000 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    Welcome to the Detroit board!

    I'm not familiar with any downriver area venues. Our venue was Greenmead Village in Livonia, which is a city owned historic park. They have an adorable small non-denominational chapel, and a home which they have converted into a reception venue. Both have max capacities of 100 people, and rental was roughly $1000 for a LIvonia resident when we got married in August 2011. You bring in your own caterer and linens, alcohol and servers/bartenders. If you want to see pictures, click on my Bio link below, there is a photo link on the first page.

    You don't say what a "limited" budget is. That can mean a different amount for many people. The type of venue you secure, as well as what time of day you are having your ceremony and reception will determine the costs.

    If you are looking into rustic venues, you will be bringing in your own caterer and alcohol. Not using an "all inclusive" venue, ie banquet hall or restaurant where the building is tied into the catering and all the items required for a reception (linens, tables, chairs, food, alcohol) can often be the same price, or even more expensive.
     
    Also, if you are thinking of having your reception at a "meal time", ie between 5 pm and 9 pm, an "appetizer and cocktail" reception can also cost as much as a buffet meal. A selection of appetizers at that time should be as filling as a meal, because your guests will not have time to eat otherwise. I've been on the Knot for over 3 years, and that's a standard comment on all the boards. Appetizers at a meal time need to be a selection of 10-15 per person, depending on how filling they are. And, they are not necessarily cheaper because each one is hand prepared, requiring a person to do that, their cost can be the materials plus more labor.

    When looking for a caterer to bring into a venue you find, look into gourmet grocery stores that also do catering. We had taste tests at both Joe's Gourmet in Livonia and Holiday Market in Royal Oak. They were equally delicious and the pricing was similar. We went with Holiday Market only because I had a better feel for their food prep and they were willing to make some things specifically at my request.

    Your best bet for an inexpensive venue for a guest list that size is a city park, in the summer, with a pavilion large enough for cover in case of bad weather. I'm not familiar with any downriver. But, I know that many brides downriver have loved Arnoldo's if you want an all inclusive venue.

    Check the permanent post at the top of this board with the stick-pin, marked "reviews/vendors" to see how people felt about their venue and catering.

    Good luck.
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  • SanB79SanB79 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    Not sure about cocktail only, but a couple of inexpensive places that my friend looked at for her "rustic" style wedding were The Pilot House Inn on Grosse Ile, and The Grand Hotel in downtown Trenton.  Both VERY reasonably priced!  Her Budget for the reception was around $3,000.
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  • daygloangeldaygloangel member
    First Comment
    edited December 2013
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