ceremony/reception venue

kirab2 · July 2011

Hi, I am looking for some advice. I would like an outside ceremony and reception, but will definately have a tent on hand in case of bad weather. We are planning a Sept 2013 wedding. Will be booking a venue this Sept. Our top choice right now is Grounds for Sculpture (although I have not yet visited the site). We are looking to have our total budget around 25-30k. 75 guests. The problem is I dont like the typical reception. I dislike the round tables, chair covers, wooden dance floor, large floral centerpeices. Most venues are pretty much set up for all these things i dont like.
Has anyone used the glen foerd mansion's conservatory? thoughts?

thanks in advance!

Amerbutt81 · July 2011

I would check out Boilingbroke Mansion and maybe The Farmhouse at People's Light and Theater company. They are a little more "rustic" then the Glen Foerd mansion, so I'm not quite sure what style/feeling you are going for.

kirab2 · July 2011

I guess what I envision for my wedding is simple and elegant. Single tulip and candle centerpieces. Most things white with light pink and gold accents, looking for a slight vintage feel. I do like the rustic looking venues like aldie mansion. There is a restaraunt in bucks county, the bridgetown mill house that I love the look of.
I dont think i have a clear view yet of what I want.... still very early in the planning process. We are actually starting to plan before he has officially proposed.

Amerbutt81 · July 2011

I would get a ring first.

kiskra · July 2011

The Bridgetown Millhouse is a place I always slow down when I drive by it. But I have never eaten there! I do admire the grounds from my car though!!! I requested a quote for a wedding for them and never got a response. I didn't inquire through them directly though- I filled out a form online through a 3rd party site. I am curious now if they were in my budget- now that my guest list dropped from 153 to 80! Still waiting to hear from a dozen or so more guests but I am almost at the two week mark. Good luck with your planning. If you do go with that venue i would looooooove to see pictures.

kira2 · July 2011

the ring is coming...and we actually just opened up the wedding savings account and HE deposited the first $1,000. So I have no issues with his choice of looking at venues before he actually proposes.

I drive by the bridgetown milll house every day and I just LOVE it. Now im gonna have to look into it! Will let you know what I find out!!

paprika28 · July 2011

tbh, I agree with amer on this one. I'd wait until you physically have a ring. There are so many things that could change between now and 2013. (job situations, someone could get laid off, an emergency could come up...)

You may want to wait until sept 2012 to even book. I booked my venue in July, a year and a half before our wedding (in December) and I get 'buyers remorse' every now and then because I realize that with what we've been saving, we could have afforded something else way bigger. We also ended up booking my family church... and hour away from the reception venue.

hope that helps...

kirab2 · July 2011

not to be rude, but the question i asked was not whether to start planning now or not. it was advice on trying to find a venue that suits my non traditional taste. I will look elsewhere. Thanks anyway.

paprika28 · July 2011

You're totally right on that one. I guess from experience in my first wedding, I could see how planning 2.5 years before your date could go awry.

As far as location, where exactly are you looking? I'm in southern chester county and I could give you 10 examples, but if you're looking in Montco or CC, it wouldn't help you at all.

kirab2 · July 2011

We really just want to pick a venue so we can start to estimate cost. We have 3 kids, 2 in private school, one in daycare. My boyfriend works as a financial planner, so he just cant help himself but to be able to plan like this so we know how much money to put away each month. I dont plan on picking anything but a venue, and just collecting ideas until we get closer to the wedding. I can definately see myself changing my mind on things 100 times and dont want to waste money.

What I am really looking for is something not so traditional in the Bucks or montco area. I want simple and elegant. I wont be having bridesmaids, just us and the kids. We are not religious. I want an outside ceremony, tented reception. I want a beautiful venue, great food and great music. I do like the look of "mansions" glen foerd, aldie...

mana8503 · July 2011

My FI and I decided we were engaged without a ring in the beginning. Our familes knew, but that was it. We both decided to look at venues in the meantime.

I say this because I think a few venues didn't give us the time of day because of this fact. FI even came with me to all of them. One didn't even show us pics of other weddings there... just walk through and shoved a packet in my hands and said to call back with questions. I literally stood there trying to quickly look through it for questions as she was showing us out the door. Of course I was glad because why would I give them my money, but be wary of that... sucks but it happens.

kirab2 · July 2011

thanks mana. I wouldnt have guessed that, so good tip! I imagine we will be officially engaged by the time we are vendor shopping, so hopefully that wont be an issue. I really consider us engaged, just waiting for the jewelry.

Amerbutt81 · July 2011

I'm pulling People's light and Theater Company from my list... I don't think it's what you are looking for. But I really really suggest you check out Boilingbroke. It's small and quaint. The backyard is so pretty and simple, and they also have a great porch on the side that would look great with family style seating.

Also, maybe the Merion Tribute House? They might allow you to do a tented reception on the front lawn, but I'm not sure.

kirab2 · July 2011

I definately like bolingbroke, am adding it to my list to visit! thanks!!

brizzie918 · July 2011

Hey. A few nontraditional venues i looked at for our wedding in montco that were very reasonably priced, accommodated both an outdoor/indoor wedding, and perfect for non religious ceremony were 1) The Highlands (http://www.highlandshistorical.org/); 2) The Morris Arboretum (http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml), and 3) The Brossman Center- GORGEOUS, PM for more pics for this venue (http://www.brossmancenter.com/).

kirab2 · July 2011

i love love LOVE the morris arboretum!!!!!! thank you!!

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