Outdoor, Unique Wedding Venue for Ceremony AND Reception!

Re: Outdoor, Unique Wedding Venue for Ceremony AND Reception!

• mcmeghan311 member

  

  February 2012

  We're having our wedding at Goldner Walsh garden and home center in Pontiac.  The ceremony will be outdoors in their amphitheater and the reception will be in a greenhouse.  They allow full use of all their stock, which includes tropical plants, trees, etc.  They've been more than accomodating and I couldn't be happier.  You can look them up on facebook or visit their website for photos.  The site rental fee for 200 guests is $2500, so for less than 100 it's cheaper.  You can bring in all your own catering, tables, linens etc so it's really affordable.
  
  If you don't lke that, have you looked into Belle Isle?  You didn't mention a date, so IDK if it will work for you because they tend to need a long lead time.  Same with the T-Plex, which is the old model T plant in Detroit.  They're completely booked for 2012 but have started taking reservations on 2013, I think.  
  
  Hope some of this helped!  Good luck!

  September 2012 Brides March siggy challenge: Fav registry item so far...Bunn Coffee Maker!
  
  

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• MMRoberts11 member

  

  February 2012

  I basically have the same budget, guest count (though mine is slightly larger), and overall feel.  I ended up going with Rivercrest in Rochester Hills.  The owner is great to work with.

  

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• mlynn1223

  

  February 2012

  Stone Creek Banquet Hall at the Flat Rock Recreation Center is where our ceremony and reception will be.  It is on protected wetlands and very beautiful.  You can have the ceremony for 150 guests outside for $800.  This includes set up and tear down of the chairs.  If you have the wedding on any other day then Saturday you can do it within your budget.  Saturday there is a 250 guest minimum.  If you do not have that many guests you still have to pay for the plates but can then apply that money to hors d'oeurves, late night pizza station, etc.  They do all of the catering and the food is amazing!!  

  
  

  Another option to consider is Shriners Silver Garden Events Center.  The stained class windows are beautiful and they can accommodate a smaller event.

  
  

  If you do not want to stay down state Castle Farms in Charlevoix (Northern Michigan) is amazing!!  I grew up just outside of Charlevoix and watched Castle Farms evolve to the beautiful place it is now.  That would be a unique outdoor wedding with onsite reception!  

  
  

  Hope this helps!  Good Luck!

  

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• gat0618

  

  February 2012

  I am in the exact same boat as you and am still searching. As others have said Belle Isle is a great option. You could also consider the Detroit  Zoo as they have reasonable pricing although they do have fees for transporting people.
  
  The average 100 person wedding at Planterra runs closer to 12k-15k so if you are serious about your budget I do not think it will work for you (although you could always contact them and see).  I know you  want catering with the location but it is worth looking into  places with outside catering because it could save you money (depending on who you go with).
  
  Good luck
  

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• mbjk29

  

  February 2012

  I was looking for the same type of thing, just with 150 ppl. we ended up going with the discovery center at Indian Springs Metro Park in white lake. it definilty out of the ordinary with floor to cieling windows on two walls and beautiful stained wood walls and cieling. the discovery center has a big deck around the outside that over looks rolling hills and a pond. you have to use Kosch Catering but so far they have been great, we are having a BBQ reception and they have been very good at accomodating what we want at the dinner.

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• leanaann2

  

  February 2012

  Hi, I'm 'having my wedding at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial and it's gorgeous, with the ceremony outside in back of the mansion with a lake behind us and the reception inside the mansion. They provide the food and chairs, tables, etc but you provide the alcohol. It is definately well within your budget. My wedding for about 50 people including ceremony, reception, cocktail hour, and fees is under $5k.
  
  Hope that helps.

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• carpediem27 member

  

  February 2012

  If Downriver isnt out of your area, try Silver Shores in Wyandotte. The outside ceremony space is right on the river and very pretty and the inside has exposed brick walls and and exposed ceilings so it is a very unique and un-banquet-y look.

  
  
  

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• TappaKappa member

  

  February 2012

  Thanks ladies!  This has helped a lot!  I tried to convince FI on a zoo wedding... but he wasn't having it.  He has a sensitive nose and is terrified that he would smell poop while syaing his vows!  Lol!!! 
  But I think I'm falling in love with Indian Springs in White Lake and the Grosse Pointe War Memorial!
  Keep 'em coming, girls!  This has been so helpful!  Thank you so much!!!

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• Milsey32

  

  February 2012

  I love Tina's Country House and Gardens!
  http://www.tinascountryhouse.com/

  
  

  and I second MMRobert's suggest for Rivercrest. We did not have our reception at their location, but used them as our caterer and they were GREAT to work with. 

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• chadandsarahm

  

  February 2012

  I came across Circa 1843 (http://www.circa1843.com/) when I was searching for venues. They provide vintage tables, chairs & linens plus decorations for an additional fee, but they don't have on-site catering. It seemed like a really different venue, but the only problem for me was that they only seat 50 people. I have 50 people in my close family alone! They can put up a tent outside, but we didn't want to worry about the weather. I didn't look into the price since I knew it wouldn't work for us, but I still loved the pictures. I'm not sure if vintage was what you were going for, but this is certainly different!

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• JackieTripi02

  

  August 2012

  I noticed the date of your entry, and then checked your info to make sure I still had time.
  Think about this if you want to go to Indian Springs, I know the grounds are beautiful and the Discovery Center is quite unique, but all that may not matter if you have the worst time, Kosch can make that happen.
  I love the MetroParks too, but its terrible that you have to use Kosch.  I would check into Addison Oaks, they have a gorgeous park with Willow Trees lining the driveway and they don't use Kosch!  I know that on their website they have all these glowing reviews, as well as on Facebook, but do not listen to them.  Trust me, I have insider information, I run a unit and do nothing the way they do.  I would never use them for my catering.  Most, if not all, of those "glowing reviews" are made up, by them!  Cass is an awful person.  He was their "Chef," but as soon they acquired the MetroParks and business really increased, the "Chef" ran away from the kitchen and went to the office.  When he was in the kitchen, the staff called him the "Shortcut King" because why would you make it from scratch when it comes in a can?  I would be very leery if you do use them, and ride their asses to make sure you get what you want.  Insist on everything being fresh, because they do like to reuse EVERYTHING!
     We are also planning our wedding, and we stayed away from all the venues that are tied with Kosch.  I know they claim to have 31 years experience, but I have no idea how that happened.  Whenever I would help out the Catering Kitchen, I would make sure that all the guests knew I had nothing to do with the food, I make much better, fresher fare.
     Also, for the people doing their "BBQ": Most if not all of their product will be a forzen reheat deal.  Let's see, the Brisket is a frozen pre-made product, the Pulled-Pork is a frozen pre-made product, the Ribs come in pre-cooked, they sauce them and reheat them, the "BBQ Chicken" is a frozen pre-cooked product, and then they hit that with sauce.  The sauce is also not house-made, and they just mix various sauces to get the ones they serve, this reaks havoc on your digestive system as there is usually too much vinegars and sugars and oils.
  Hope this helps you guys!

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• mimibrea

  

  October 2012

  I just wanted to take a second and respond to your post.  Our daughter is getting married in May at Indian Springs.  We have been dealing with Cass for many months and we have had no problems whatsoever.  He has been very accomodating and replied to emails quickly and professionally.  We attended friends of ours wedding there and it was beautiful.  The hall was gorgeous and the food was excellent!  I've read many bad reviews and many good reviews.  I will post in May, after our daughters wedding but if it goes anything like our friends did, I'm sure it will be fantastic.

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