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Franklin Park Conservatory & Grand Oaks Events

bosh.14bosh.14
First Comment
in Ohio-Columbus
Hi everyone! My fiance and I are making a tough decision right now between going with Franklin Park Conservatory or Grand Oaks Events (not open until next month) for our ceremony and reception in December.

We have visited FPC and both loved it, but it is pricier.  However, we got a Sunday night for $2000 and got them to remove the $1000 minimum beverage fee.  They are also allowing us to use the caterer my fiance works for (which will charge us at cost) but then we still have to pay 22% of retail value of the food to FPC.

Grand Oaks Events in Grove City is a brand new facility (grandoaksevents.com) and is scheduled to open next month.  My fiance and I are currently trying to set up an appt to view pictures and the current progress on the building.  This place is $750 for a Sunday and we can use our own caterer with a 15% charge. 

The thing I am worried about is losing the date we want at FPC by waiting to look at Grand Oaks. BUT Grand Oaks is so much cheaper that I hope I fall in love with that place too b/c we are on a tight budget. :-)

Anyone have suggestions or experience with either venue?

On a side note, does anyone know how much it is to have a ceremony only in the palm house at FPC by chance?

Thanks!!!!
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Re: Franklin Park Conservatory & Grand Oaks Events

  • osumegsosumegs member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I may be wrong, but I think they told me that you still have to pay the full time slot rental to have just the ceremony at FPC. There also was a $500 ceremony fee. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that's the case. If you are looking at a non-holiday Sunday at FPC, I think it would be worth riding it out for a few days. It all would depend on how soon you can get into the new event space (or at least see pics)
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  • Myroni03Myroni03
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    FPC is a beautiful venue but I think you and FI really have to decide if the numbers make more sense either way. For me if I had this decision I would likely go the cheaper route because I would enjoy having my wedding at a new venue. If most of your guests are from the Columbus area some may have already attended a FPC wedding so GOE would be a new experience.

    P.S. I would melt in the Palm Room for the ceremony. I could suck it up as a guest but as the bride I would totally melt and look/feel sweaty.
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  • Mrs KNSMrs KNS
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We are having our wedding at the FPC, but with smaller numbers, using the veridian, bride's garden, & grove.  I would consider the month of your wedding.  The Palm House can be VERY HOT during the humid months - if that's the case, I would choose the other location if you love it or change the wedding date to a coolor month.  Something the FPC let me do is place a temporary hold on our date, so we had time to contact a caterer and such.  See if they will let you do that, it's no cost !!
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  • heidianddetailsheidianddetails member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Palm house was really hot.  I live in Grove City and Grand Oaks is looking really nice.  Lots of parking and close 71.
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