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Florida-West Coast

Venues!

Hello all!

I have been engaged since December 18th. My fiance and I are planning to wed this upcoming December. I have been having the biggest problem trying to figure out how to find the right place and finalize a date. I am not sure what to do about choosing a place for the ceremony and reception! I would like them to be in the same place, but obviously if they can't be, they can't be. We aren't getting married in our church because it was too big for us, and we really don't want to do the typical Florida beach wedding either. I am totally lost.

Does anyone have any ideas about how I should go about choosing a place, or any ideas for places? I'll take anything. It doesn't even have to be a specific place, just a general direction to go in. I just want to get the ball rolling...I feel like once some of these bigger things are taken care of, the smaller things will fall into place. I should also mention that we are trying to keep the wedding as low-cost as possible, so that is a big factor as well. Thanks ya'all!!

Re: Venues!

  • mitchsbridemitchsbride member
    Third Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    You can get married and have the reception at places like the Rusty Pelican, Isla del Sol, A La Carte Pavilion, and probably all the hotels in the area. 
  • AmandaG225AmandaG225 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have you thought about country clubs?!?!
    Anniversary
  • Nessa90Nessa90 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Kind of...I didn't know if it would be any less expensive at a country club and what all services they provide, etc.
  • Christinab22Christinab22 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are getting married at Saddlebrook in Wesley Chapel (it's a golf/tennis resort). The have a few different options for ceremony location and reception location. I liked the fact that we could not only do both the ceremony and reception at the same place, but also that we and our guests can stay there that evening (since FI and I are coming in from Chicago for the wedding). Their prices vay depending on what you are looking for food and drink wise. Just something to look in to :) Good Luck!
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  • Angie.LapkovAngie.Lapkov member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Where are you at? Have you thought of gardens or country clubs?
  • M1ssJM1ssJ member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary 100 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    Ditto PP. My list of off the beaten path places without the ridiculous extra fees:

    Tampa sunken gardense
    Davis island garden club
    The st.pete times forum
    The Florida Aquarium
    Any museum
    Mirror Lake Lyceum
    Tampa Bay watch
    Yacht Starship

    I think you should sit down with FI and make your guest list - this will give you an idea of how big of a space you need. Second decide on your budget and your priorities for what you want the wedding to look like. After that you should check out the venues taht are in your price range. Good luck
    577906 10151197172303105 844768324 n Follow Me on Pinterest www.shoplovelivelearn.blogspot.com Anniversary
  • bella3609bella3609 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Agree with PPs. Also check out museums, botanical parks, historial societies. First, we looked at all the venues listed on TK. Then, we did searches by city: Tampa museum, Tampa historical, Ybor historical, St Petersburg museum, etc. Finally, we ended up finding our venue - Palma Sola Botanical Gardens - from a friend who'd gotten married there. After we'd found maybe 80 venues on our own, none of which were quite right! Go figure. So there's another tip: Mention to everyone you can that you're engaged and looking for just the right venue.

    We love Palma Sola not only because we can have our ceremony on the gorgeous back lawn and our reception inside the attached Galleria building, with dancing on the covered deck, but also because we got the whole place, plus the bride's room, from 9 a.m. to midnight for under $2500.

    Just be patient! The right place is out there for you :)
  • edited December 2011

    When I was searching, I really like the Filipino Cultural Center.  I forgot what it's called.  You can do the ceremony there as well.  Like most places, they will charge you to move the chairs.  If it's a Saturday event, I believe you have to rent the entire hall.  If it's any other day, I think you can just book half the hall.  They were really friendly and let me take a look when they were setting up for a wedding.

    I, however, went with the Florida Aquarium.  I think it's just more fun than just a pretty hall.  But I would have been happy with the Filipino place. 

    Good luck!

  • AmandaG225AmandaG225 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have you set a date yet? If you pick an off month like July or August most venues & vendors in general are willing to work with you since they generally aren't as busy during that time. I'm getting married at the Hunter's Green CC in August....I'm the definition of a bride on a budget & they really imp[ressed me with how much they are willing to work with me. You could also look into the Tampa Palm Country Club. Good luck!!! :)
    Anniversary
  • edited December 2011
    Definitely check out the Mirror Lake Lyceum.  Go see it in person and talk to Brian.  You won't be disappointed!  www.mirrorlakelyceum.com
    Brooke + Chavis
    est. 10/10/10


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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_florida-west-coast_venues-3?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:62Discussion:ed9edeef-1c87-4465-93c4-a65850b5ac3fPost:b34dbe0e-4950-4592-8a5a-7f5d164030f1">Re: Venues!</a>:
    [QUOTE]When I was searching, I really like the Filipino Cultural Center.  I forgot what it's called.  You can do the ceremony there as well.  Like most places, they will charge you to move the chairs.  If it's a Saturday event, I believe you have to rent the entire hall.  If it's any other day, I think you can just book half the hall.  They were really friendly and let me take a look when they were setting up for a wedding. I, however, went with the Florida Aquarium.  I think it's just more fun than just a pretty hall.  But I would have been happy with the Filipino place.  Good luck!
    Posted by teetooshort[/QUOTE]

    <div>Here it is:  <a href="http://www.bayanihanartscenter.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.bayanihanartscenter.org/</a>   <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif" border="0" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /> G/L</div>
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