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Venue ideas?

LinneyKimLinneyKim member
First Comment
in Maine
Hi Knotties!

I know this topic keeps coming up and i've read all the venue posts but I feel like I still need help.  So here goes...

I'm getting married in Kona, Hawaii with the bridal party and immediate family on August 26th of this year.   I'm originally from Maine (so is he) and just moved to Boston last year so we're also having a reception in Maine for extended family and friends.  We're looking into the end of September or the beginning of October.  It gives us and our family a little break to recover our funds but not too much time away from the original wedding.  I'm having a little trouble trying to figure out a venue that will fit my budget.  

Our budget is 8K which I hope to include venue, catering, flowers, beer/wine, centerpieces, and band for 120 people.  The locations we're currently looking at are Portland, South Portland, Falmouth, Auburn, Brunswick, and Bath... maybe even Freeport.  I'm currently focused looking in the Portland area as we have family flying in and/or commuting to Maine and it would just be easier to have it somewhere near the airport.  So I guess you could say it's what we prefer but it's not required.  

We've looked into the Wyndham and the Eastland but they just seemed way over budget.  The Marriott at Sable Oaks looked pretty great as well, but again over budget?  I really liked the Portland Company and it's rustic feel, but we'd have to coordinate the vendors and set up ourselves which might be much more of a hassle while we don't live in Maine right now.  Restaurant Grace also seemed amazing but way over budget!!  I also have thought about the Hilton in Auburn because it seems slightly cheaper ($40 per person for a 3 entree buffet).  

I think i'm just overwhelmed and exhausted at this point.  Any ideas?

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Re: Venue ideas?

  • jpickering8jpickering8
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I know how you feel!  When I started I got exhausted looking at all the places I wanted to have my reception and dealing with prices. 

    A couple of options I found were the Clarion Hotel in Portland (started at $34pp I think?) , The Holiday Inn West (now Fireside Inn & Suites) in Portland (in the $20s I think) and Keeleys Catering in Portland (started around $18pp).  All of which have catering, beer/wine and a venue.  You'd have to negotiate the bar pricing I'm sure but it's on site.  And some (or all) might have mirrors & hurricane vases but you'd have to bring new candles and anything extra.  Flowers shouldn't cost you anything if you do candle centerpieces and you don't need bouquets.  Then the band would be the only expense left but they can be much more expensive than say a DJ. 

    Good luck!
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  • hcorr34hcorr34 member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    I'm having my reception at the Portland Convention Center at the Howard Johnson Plaza on Riverside St in Portland.  When you factor in the rental charge, it's about $30ish per person (plated meals start around $17 - buffet is more expensive).  It's not the Eastland by any means, but it's a whole lot cheaper and still has the ballroom feel.  I'm pretty sure the Fireside Inn and Suites (used to be Holiday Inn Portland West) is pretty comparable in price.

    Mariner's Church Banquet Center in the Old Port is more reasonable than some of the local hotels in the Old Port.

    I know a few people who have been to receptions at the Italian Heritage Center and have said it was a nice space and I think it was pretty reasonable when I was doing research.

    I know these places might not have the feel you're going for, but with an $8000 budget, I don't think you can find a place with an Eastland Park feel.  That is pretty much the budget I'm working with and quickly realized what I could and couldn't afford.
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  • dmcpheedmcphee
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I have a friend who is getting married at the Falmouth Country Club.  She said it is really nice, and I think her budget is around 10k, so maybe it would work for you. 
    Here is the website:
    http://www.falmouthcc.org/falmouthcountryclub_index.php
    Good luck!
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  • schadbourneschadbourne member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    well Old Orchard Beach is about a half an hour away from portland but I am having my reception at The Captain's Galley

    plated meals are 16-25 dollars. And the seafood is fantastic. Like others have said it is no eastland but i am not going in debt for an even of food and fun with my friends and family.

    I would also look into places where you can bring in catering like Camp Ketcha. They have very reasonable prices and you can bring in a bartender and cateror.
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  • HE&MEHE&ME member
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Is there any space inside Merrill Auditorium for a function?  I don't know why I think that, maybe someone mentioned it once?  I think someone else mentioned the Museum of Art having a cool space.  Probably worth checking into it.  That area is such a cool place.  Good luck.
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  • hcorr34hcorr34 member
    2500 Comments Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_maine_venue-ideas?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:98Discussion:66d539c1-4d9b-4668-8356-4fae3cfbefabPost:30ab9aa8-66d7-42a0-9d32-591074b4fd08">Re: Venue ideas?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Is there any space inside Merrill Auditorium for a function?  I don't know why I think that, maybe someone mentioned it once? <strong> I think someone else mentioned the Museum of Art having a cool space.  Probably worth checking into it.  That area is such a cool place.</strong>  Good luck.
    Posted by 7721020560442003[/QUOTE]

    The Museum of Art is quite expensive.  They charge $7500 to rent the space and that doesn't even include food. 
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  • Dolly1Dolly1
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Martindale country club in Auburn is really nice and may be within budget. 
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  • LinneyKimLinneyKim member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi again everyone!  Thanks for all of this input! 

    The Eastland is not really my style.  We just checked it out because of the convenience of it being downtown, the rooms available for out of town guests and yadda yadda. 

    I've been looking into the Portland (Yacht) company and am in the middle of geting quotes on catering/setup/breakdown/bartending from A Moveable Feast.  So far it's looking like it may be within budget, but we'll see once I get the quote.  They both actually have the date we're looking at avaiable.  Plus it's only 200 ft from The Residence Inn by Marriott (for overnight guests) which is where a good friend of mine used to work at who also recommended The Portland (Yacht) Company and A Moveable Feast.  I must be on the right track!! 

    I'll give an update if the above ideas come together and are finalized.  Cross your fingers!  Or get more ideas ready.... either way!  Cool
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  • SheilaCarrascoStamellSheilaCarrascoStamell member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Hi Linney!  I'm planning our wedding for next fall and I'm looking at the Portland Yacht Company.  I love the look and feel of it.  Wondering how it all turned out for you and if you can recommend the vendors that you used.  Thanks!!!

    Sheila
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