We need a venue!

AshandSteve2013 · February 2012

We are looking around CT like crazy trying to find a venue that we love! There are a couple on our list, like The Riverhouse, Saint Clements, and The Society Room, but there are things about each that have prevented us from committing just yet.

We started looking for other ideas....Has anyone ever been to or had their wedding at any of the vineyards in Stonington, CT? There are a few, Stonington Vineyards, Saltwater Farm Vineyard, and Jonathan Edwards winery.

There is also a new venue opening in 2013 called Aria, in Prospect, CT. Would it be crazy to book a place thats not even totally built yet? They said they already have people booked starting in March, and we are looking for July, but it is supposed to be done January 2013, they are just saving extra time in case. We were thinking about meeting with them to get some info but has anyone booked with Aria yet or have an opinion about this or had a similar situation?

theholograms · February 2012

I've been to a wedding at Jonathan Edwards winery and thought it was beautiful.

What about the other venues didn't you like or what you are looking for in your venue?

SB1512 · February 2012

The vineyards are beatiful, but I will warn you, very expensive so if you have a budget, take that into account. I got pricing from Jonathan Edwards and Saltwater Farm and to have a saturday evening wedding cost $10,000 just to rent the facilities.

Jaridds68 · February 2012

I haven't heard of Aria - I would be a little nervous of a brand new venue. If you meet with them I'd ask where they were working before Aria - hopefully that can give you a good sense of their experience and their background. I would also go through their contract with a fine toothed comb to make sure there's a clause in there about what happens if the construction isn't done, there should be something in there already about 'acts of gods' etc. but I would want that added in to have everything covered.

Our venue is the New Haven Lawn Club, it's gorgeous and I love it, but it doesn't really have outdoors elements to it except the front entrance - i'm assuming that's something you want since you're interested in vineyards and st clements.

s_hazeleyes · February 2012

I actually just spoke to Joe about 5 mins ago from Aria bc we havnt officially put a deposit on The Gershon Room yet... and he informed me that they are holding off until May 1st 2013. They have 2 Ballrooms and of course they are opening the grand ballroom 1st, followed by the smaller one in the fall 2013.

Early booking prices are as follows:

Thurs. night $59 pp ? p min.

Friday night $84 pp 165 p min.

Sat. Afternoon $74.95 pp Sat. night $89 pp 175 p min.

Sun. $74.95 pp 150 p min.

These prices will change in a few months he said...I'm guess they will get more expensive!

IMO, there person minimums are too high!

We are getting married on a Sun in March for $75 pp at The Gershon Fox Room in Hartford. We are putting down our deposit on Sat!

Im very excited for it to be official! Check it out! http://www.marquee-ct.com/

AshandSteve2013 · February 2012

hazeleyes...we actually live right in hartford and are going to check out the Gershon Fox room tomorrow. I have never been to a wedding there but it looks beautiful, we just want to make sure we could fit our large wedding of around 250 in there. How many people do you have?
Thanks for the info on Aria! We wouldnt have a problem meeting those minimums, but I agree for a new place they should be lower. I thought they originally said March/April and now it's May, thay makes me a little nervous.

AshandSteve2013 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_we-need-a-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:da3232d3-b08a-4f59-92e8-bfb7c69fc46bPost:64c49fb6-a4ff-423e-aa0a-0dc716c4022c">Re: We need a venue!</a>:
[QUOTE]The vineyards are beatiful, but I will warn you, very expensive so if you have a budget, take that into account. I got pricing from Jonathan Edwards and Saltwater Farm and to have a saturday evening wedding cost $10,000 just to rent the facilities.
Posted by SB1512[/QUOTE]

$10,000 just to rent?? WOW! I knew it would be expensive but holy cow...do they include anything in that price for you? Or is everything on your own?

whitneyf1 · February 2012

I'm pretty sure it is $10,000 just to rent. Saltwater has an actual room to have the wedding in. I "think" at Jonathan Edwards you have to rent a tent.

msmelissgg · February 2012

Yes, unforunatly those are the minimums just to rent. I remember when I first got engaged and thought getting married at a vineyard would be a unique, cool idea...I had no idea they were the most expensive places to get married ever

RIFallBride · February 2012

Agree with PP about Saltwater being very pricey, it is gorgeous. We didn't look at Jonathan Edward's but have been to other events there and loved it. We ended up booking Lake of Isles and couldn't be happier, if you are looking at the vineyards it would be worth looking at Lake of Isles if you are in the area.

AshandSteve2013 · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_we-need-a-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:da3232d3-b08a-4f59-92e8-bfb7c69fc46bPost:085320e8-01a0-40d5-8582-050b9ca903d4">Re: We need a venue!</a>:
[QUOTE]Agree with PP about Saltwater being very pricey, it is gorgeous. We didn't look at Jonathan Edward's but have been to other events there and loved it. We ended up booking Lake of Isles and couldn't be happier, if you are looking at the vineyards it would be worth looking at Lake of Isles if you are in the area.
Posted by RIFallBride[/QUOTE]
We thought about going to see Lake of Isles as well...but looked at their packages and they too seemed very expensive for what you get compared to others. Its hard since we are looking for prime time, saturday night in July...when is your wedding?

rswan412 · February 2012

There is a vineyard in Stonington- Stonington Vineyards- and I'm not sure but I don't think they are *too* pricey. Have you looked into the Mystic Seaport? That has a very rustic feel to it... I've also heard great things about Lake of Isles and of Society Room. There is also the Lace Factory and Bill Myer's Castle that are unique and I think they can fit large amounts of people!

RIFallBride · February 2012

Our date is 9/8/12. That's too bad, their packages definitely include a lot and their service has exceeded our expectations. We did book 2011 pricing for our 2012 wedding and I have not seen 2012 pricing to compare.

There is also a mansion on the coast that is gorgeous but the name is escaping me. Several knotties are planning their weddings there. GL!

s_hazeleyes · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_connecticut_we-need-a-venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:65Discussion:da3232d3-b08a-4f59-92e8-bfb7c69fc46bPost:8975f8e9-ce53-43d1-850c-902f85a68e8c">Re: We need a venue!</a>:
[QUOTE]hazeleyes...we actually live right in hartford and are going to check out the Gershon Fox room tomorrow. I have never been to a wedding there but it looks beautiful, we just want to make sure we could fit our large wedding of around 250 in there. How many people do you have? Thanks for the info on Aria! We wouldnt have a problem meeting those minimums, but I agree for a new place they should be lower. I thought they originally said March/April and now it's May, thay makes me a little nervous.
Posted by AshandSteve2013[/QUOTE]

We are getting married there in March 2013 on a Sun. for $75 pp.<div>
<div><div>The Gerson Fox Room is amazing! It is NOT typical in anyway and much more affordable than the Society Room without loosing charm! What I love about it is that you can have your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception in 3 different areas. </div><div>
</div><div>The ceremony takes place in the Atrium. The cocktail hour takes place in the Mezzaanine Lounge and the reception is in the Ballroom! They give you a complementary Honeymoon Suite. Their lowest price is $75 pp nad their highest price is $125 pp. There is parking in a private garage for your guests. The deposit is $2500. The Marriott Residence Inn is connect to their facility. 1 wedding at a time.</div><div>
</div><div>We haven't even officially booked yet and they have been so easy to work with! I'm super picky so this Sat. I am stopping in before a wedding to check out the set up! They are super flexible! </div><div>
</div><div>Let me know what you think! </div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div>If you are interested in The Society Room (right around the corner), here are some prices...It's also amazing but I think the space is too small for 250 ppl. Others don't think so. They seem super nice as well! I've heard great things about both places but we are choosing G. Fox bc it is more budget friendly!</div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div>2012 Price List for The Society Room</div><div>
</div><div>Ceremony Fee: $550 1/2 hour before reception.</div><div>Deposit is $2000</div><div>
</div><div>Add 20% service fee + 6.35% CT sales tax to all prices!</div><div>
</div><div>May 1- Oct. 1</div><div>Fri.-times open- 125 p min. $119 pp 2013- $125 pp</div><div>Sat. 11am-4pm -75 p min. $99 pp</div><div>Sat. 6pm or later- 150 min.$135 pp 2013- $139 pp</div><div>Sun.-times open- 125 p min. $109 pp 2013- $115 pp</div><div>
</div><div>Nov 1-Dec 31/ Apr. 1-30</div><div>Fri.-times open- 100 p min. $109 pp 2013-$115 pp</div><div>Sat.-times open- 125 p min. $125 pp </div><div>Sun.-times open- 100 p min. $99 pp</div><div>
</div><div>Jan 1-March 31</div><div>Fri & Sun-times open- 75 p min. $99 pp</div><div>Sat.-times open- 100 p min. $109 pp 2013-$119 pp</div></div></div>

s_hazeleyes · February 2012

I found this one in Stamford. Not sure of the prices but it looks pretty! I have not seen this mentioned before!

http://www.bankstreetevents.com/

deanna5776 · March 2012

I booked Aria for May 24th because all the dates I wanted in June were booked already.....

Foundation is in and you can walk the land and see whats going on....i was scared to death to book but its to beautiful to pass up....The owners do an amazing job with weddings. I figured we couldnt get a better deal....and i wanted something new and different from everyone else!!!!!

so very excited!!!!

hbqueenie · November 2012

We just went to Aria last weekend and I absolutely fell in love wtith the place! The progress is coming along beautifully! I was really only able to see the bones of the small ballroom since it will not be opening until Labor Day weekend but I was able to see how beautiful it was going to be! The small ballroom is going to have its own gardens and is totally seperate from the large ballroom so no worry about running into people if there is another event going on. The bridal suite will have a terrace so that you can look out into the gardens that is filled will all of YOUR family and friends. I can tell that they have really paid attention to every detail and really know what they are doing. Joe was great! he took us up to the mountain and gave us the tour.

I absolutely can not wait until September! We picked a Thursday wedding date because we are planning a small wedding 75 to 80 of our closest family and friends and the price was unbeatable! We never thought we would get such a beautiful venue for such a great price! Sometimes taking a risk is absolutely worth it and i have no doubt that this is one of those things. Dates are filling up fast too! they only had 2 dates available for Fri & Sat in October and November for the small room. Its the perfect location for a fall wedding because of the amazig view.

The minimum for the small room is 75, the above numbers must have been for the large ballroom. The prices were from $59.99 - $89.99 , with tax and everything I think you are looking at like $75-$109 for the prebooking special which includes a full menu! Absolutely worth it!

Sooo excited for our wedding day!

We need a venue!

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