Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a few months now, and have definitely found some great information and ideas, so thanks for that! After a few weeks of frustration, I finally decided to post and ask for help...
We are planning from Minneapolis. So it's definitely been a challenge! We have a reception venue, caterer, DJ, and photobooth nailed down. I'm having THE HARDEST time finding a pretty (as in scenic), inexpensive place for our ceremony! And, by inexpensive, I'm actually hoping for as close to free as possible! I've looked through all the posts and comments here and have contacted many of the recommended places. However, most of the "budget" type places won't accomodate a ceremony only.
Here's what we'd like to do: Have our 125 guests gather around us outside, standing (no chairs needed), say our short and sweet vows, then take some family portraits. I would really like somewhere pretty and somewhat private, and I've seen some gorgeous places, including golf courses. I would also like it to be as close as possible to Old Town Scottsdale, or near Scottsdale Ranch, to minimize travel for our mostly OOT friends and family. I've emailed a ton of places, and pretty much every place has emailed me back their pricing for their packages, even after I specifically say almost exactly what I just said about wanting a ceremony only. So frustrating!
Some places are simply not available on our date. No problem. But I'm starting to hear back that these places just won't do "ceremony only". Or, if they do, it's over $1k (Boojum Tree) even after they give a discount for not needing chairs set up. I'm asking for 1-1.5 hours tops. No decorations or anything.
Scottsdale Civic Center would have been perfect- but our date is on the weekend of the Culinary Festival.
I do have a friend scouting Chaparral Park soon. I'm waiting on hearing back from Ancala Country Club, Orange Tree, and Talking Stick. Sassi says they don't do ceremony only, which is fine, because they are farther away than I am hoping for anyways.
Our reception is at Scottsdale Ranch Community Center, which does have a pretty view of Lake Serena, but our guests would have to stand in the parking lot... (which I assume is already going to be filled with cars).
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks for reading and thanks for any help!