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Iowa-Quad Cities

Ceremony and Catering

Looking for suggestions!  We've found our reception venue (University Club of Moline on Aug. 4th 2012- SO EXCITED!), but I'm stuck on ceremony ideas.  We're looking for something non-denominational; I've looked at The Botanical Gardens, but their 'ceremony only' times are early in the afternoon (I think between 12 and 3 are the time slots they have available), but I wanted my reception to start around 5.  Is that too much time inbetween?  Any other suggestions for ceremony locations?
Also... I'm on the hunt for good (yet affordable:) catering.  I've heard Bridges does a pretty good job- anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks ladies!

Re: Ceremony and Catering

  • edited December 2011

    Not sure if you want to stay on the Illinois side or not, but in Davenport, I've been to weddings at Vanderveer Park and Conservatory, its very nice there, and I think there rental fee is very reasonable. As far as catering, I just went to a wedding over the summer who used them, and I thought the food was bland at best. And, it was barely even warm when it was served. It might have just been an off night for them, because they have been around awhile.

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  • JoanerMarieJoanerMarie member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'd also suggest Duck Creek Park Gazebo for an outdoor wedding.  Also, I'm not exactly sure, but I've heard of weddings happening along the riverfront (Bass Street Landing) in downtown Moline.  We're using Bridges for our June 2012 reception.  They cater to many different venues in the Quad Cities and have a lot of great choices!  There were a few things we wanted that weren't on the menu and they were able to customize our menu for us.
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  • edited December 2011
    Bridges is still around because they are cheap, but you get what you pay for. I agree with the bland comment and their customer service is terrible. They single handedly ruined my reception and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.

    They do so much business that they don't have time to be personable. I had been led to believe the lady we worked with the whole time would be at my wedding but instead she sent some rude old lady who YELLED at my husband and my mom on our wedding day when they tried to correct her for setting everything up wrong. She refused to fix it so I got a buffet instead of stations like I had planned for (big deal when you're only serving appetizers -- do you know how ridiculous it seems to stand in line and wait to get appetizers??). The beer from the keg was so warm and flat that my guests actually went to the gas station and bought beer to bring back because it was undrinkable. Afterwards when I contacted the owner and told her what happened she offered to pay for our head table's champagne...are you kiddding me? $50 worth of champagne makes it ok??

    Sorry for the rant I would just hate to see anyone have the regrets over their wedding that I had with mine.
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_iowa-quad-cities_ceremony-catering?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:93Discussion:7bbee152-703d-45f3-8153-f91f31455bbePost:0efef946-9e43-41bb-90cf-9da975a781a5">Re: Ceremony and Catering</a>:
    [QUOTE]Bridges is still around because they are cheap, but you get what you pay for. I agree with the bland comment and their customer service is terrible. They single handedly ruined my reception and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. They do so much business that they don't have time to be personable. I had been led to believe the lady we worked with the whole time would be at my wedding but instead she sent some rude old lady who YELLED at my husband and my mom on our wedding day when they tried to correct her for setting everything up wrong. She refused to fix it so I got a buffet instead of stations like I had planned for (big deal when you're only serving appetizers -- do you know how ridiculous it seems to stand in line and wait to get appetizers??). The beer from the keg was so warm and flat that my guests actually went to the gas station and bought beer to bring back because it was undrinkable. Afterwards when I contacted the owner and told her what happened she offered to pay for our head table's champagne...are you kiddding me? $50 worth of champagne makes it ok?? Sorry for the rant I would just hate to see anyone have the regrets over their wedding that I had with mine.
    Posted by 7river7wed7[/QUOTE]


    wow like I said, the wedding I went to the food was cold and didnt taste very good.  i have been to events in the past catered by diane deborg out of rock island, and was very impressed by her. not sure if she is still doing it , but i'd check her out.  also check out places like the machine shed. they cater, and prices are pretty reasonable,
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  • hz80408hz80408 member
    5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I would also stay away from Bridges. I think the food is terrible.

    What about even Hy-Vee?  If I recall correctly; does univeristy club only allow buffets or can you do a plated dinner and which do you want?
  • hz80408hz80408 member
    5000 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Oh, I just thought of anoter caterer that I know UC works with, Reefies (I'm not sure if that's the right spelling).  We had it at a wedding at UC in Sept and the food was surprisingly good!
  • edited December 2011
    Riefes is really good, we've been to the restaurant.  We had DeBord Catering cater a family dinner for us in the spring.  They were fantastic to work with, came up with a menu within the budget I told them I wanted to stay in, had everything ready to go when we arrived.  They are in Moline.
  • edited December 2011
    Yeah Riefes food at their restaurant is reasonable, and its fairly good, so I'm sure their catering is great too. 
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  • I second the idea of doing Hyvee catering.  We almost went through them, but then ended up out at Tanglewood, which doesn't allow outside catering.
  • I dont know what style of food you want but we used BBQ This out or Cedar Rapids [ we had a destination wedding to Hawaii and wanted a luau theme back home] and it was AMAZING. Everyone loved it, check out their menu. Its delicious and cheap!
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