AW/PIP - we found our venue!! Whoop!!! UPDATE in comments

Re: AW/PIP - we found our venue!! Whoop!!! UPDATE in comments

• pinkcow13 member

  

  February 2015

  Congrats! That looks like a gorgeous venue! I think I would choose the champagne toast and the passed hors oeuvres since it would benefit everyone the most.

                               

  

  
  

   

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• labro member

  

  February 2015

  Congrats on getting your venue! I'm a fan of either the extra hor d'ouvres or the brownie/cookie station personally. I feel like the toast is unnecessary since people will probably already have a drink in their hand to toast with. Unless you're not offering alcohol otherwise?

  
  

  
  

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• dcbride86 member

  

  February 2015

  That venue is gorgeous!!  Congratulations!

  I would probably go with the toast and then either the deserts or hand-passed hors doeurves

  <a href="'>http://www.theknot.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Free Wedding Vows">

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• charlieyankee03 member

  

  February 2015

  I'd go with the passed hors d'ouvres and the cookie station. You can't go wrong with food.

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• novella1186 member

  

  February 2015

  That's awesome! Congrats! 

  

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• charlottesmom0626 member

  

  February 2015

  Congrats!
  
  I would go with dessert bar because: amazing.
  
  I'm not a fan of champagne, so our toasts will everyone's drink of choice from the open bar; which seems like an option for you too..
  
  

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• emmaaa mod

  

  February 2015

  That is gorgeous!

  
  

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• huskypuppy14 member

  

  February 2015

  I would go with the champagne toasts, because you can't just offer it to your wedding party. 

  
  

  I would also do the passed apps, unless you already have that covered. People usually like a little more than cheese and crackers and veggies.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• LabLove86 member

  

  February 2015

  Thanks guys! I'm so excited!!

  
  

  @LaBro - our package would include an open bar - so they will have the option to get drinks during cocktail hour.

  
  

  I have to talk to Fi about what options to choose - I'm thinking he will go for the dessert bar and passed hor's d oeuvres . . . . which I'd be ok with.

                                  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• lovegood90 member

  

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  That venue is stunning! Good choice! The package sounds awesome. I personally would choose any of the extra packages that include food, muahaha.

  Formerly martha1818

  

  
  

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• southernbelle0915 mod

  

  February 2015

  That venue is beautiful! Congratulations!!

  
  

  I would go with the passed apps, for sure. For the other, I'd probably choose the tall centerpieces. That would cut your floral bill significantly. And I think tall centerpieces really make an elegant statement. The reason I didn't choose cookies/brownies is because cake. If you save all that money on your floral and cocktail hour, you could get one hell of an awesome cake.

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• photokitty mod

  

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  pinkcow13 said:

  Congrats! That looks like a gorgeous venue! I think I would choose the champagne toast and the passed hors oeuvres since it would benefit everyone the most.

  Agreed. And if you don't get the toast for everyone you really shouldn't have it just for the bridal party. It's rude to sit up there and basically say watch us drink champagne while you drink whatever you picked up at the bar. You shouldn't have anything you aren't serving your guests.

  
  

  ETA - if your guests can get change at the bar then that's ok. I should have read all the way through. I assume that's what you meant, but you might want to verify that open bar includes champagne. It does not at a lot of venues.

  ~xoxo~

  
  

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• LabLove86 member

  

  February 2015

  photokitty said:

  pinkcow13 said:

  Congrats! That looks like a gorgeous venue! I think I would choose the champagne toast and the passed hors oeuvres since it would benefit everyone the most.

  Agreed. And if you don't get the toast for everyone you really shouldn't have it just for the bridal party. It's rude to sit up there and basically say watch us drink champagne while you drink whatever you picked up at the bar. You shouldn't have anything you aren't serving your guests.

  
  

  ETA - if your guests can get change at the bar then that's ok. I should have read all the way through. I assume that's what you meant, but you might want to verify that open bar includes champagne. It does not at a lot of venues.

  Yeah - I figure if we don't opt for the toast upgrade - I'll probably decline the champagne for the bridal party for this reason. 

                                  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• photokitty mod

  

  February 2015

  LabLove86 said:

  photokitty said:

  pinkcow13 said:

  Congrats! That looks like a gorgeous venue! I think I would choose the champagne toast and the passed hors oeuvres since it would benefit everyone the most.

  Agreed. And if you don't get the toast for everyone you really shouldn't have it just for the bridal party. It's rude to sit up there and basically say watch us drink champagne while you drink whatever you picked up at the bar. You shouldn't have anything you aren't serving your guests.

  
  

  ETA - if your guests can get change at the bar then that's ok. I should have read all the way through. I assume that's what you meant, but you might want to verify that open bar includes champagne. It does not at a lot of venues.

  Yeah - I figure if we don't opt for the toast upgrade - I'll probably decline the champagne for the bridal party for this reason. 

  My venue let me switch a wine out for champagne, we got 5 wine choices with our bar package. It never hurts to ask. Champagne is often cheaper than top shelf hard liquor and it could save the venue if they let you have champagne and have a per person open bar rather than consumption based. Pretty sure that's why mine did it - many people will drink champagne over mixed drinks if given the option at a wedding.

  ~xoxo~

  
  

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• LabLove86 member

  

  February 2015

  photokitty said:

  LabLove86 said:

  photokitty said:

  pinkcow13 said:

  Congrats! That looks like a gorgeous venue! I think I would choose the champagne toast and the passed hors oeuvres since it would benefit everyone the most.

  Agreed. And if you don't get the toast for everyone you really shouldn't have it just for the bridal party. It's rude to sit up there and basically say watch us drink champagne while you drink whatever you picked up at the bar. You shouldn't have anything you aren't serving your guests.

  
  

  ETA - if your guests can get change at the bar then that's ok. I should have read all the way through. I assume that's what you meant, but you might want to verify that open bar includes champagne. It does not at a lot of venues.

  Yeah - I figure if we don't opt for the toast upgrade - I'll probably decline the champagne for the bridal party for this reason. 

  My venue let me switch a wine out for champagne, we got 5 wine choices with our bar package. It never hurts to ask. Champagne is often cheaper than top shelf hard liquor and it could save the venue if they let you have champagne and have a per person open bar rather than consumption based. Pretty sure that's why mine did it - many people will drink champagne over mixed drinks if given the option at a wedding.

  Good to know! I will ask!!!

                                  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• esstee33 member

  

  February 2015 edited February 2015

  I would go with apps & champagne. 

  
  

  I would've said apps and dessert, except that your OP said this: "* Champagne or wine toast for all guests (toast for bridal party included in package) " which leads me to believe that the bridal party gets champagne to toast that isn't provided to the rest of the guests, which I don't like. 

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• sassyfrass2014 member

  

  February 2015

  GORGEOUS!!!! So pretty!

  
  

  

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• levioosa member

  

  February 2015

  Gorgeous! Congratulations! 

  
  

  
  

  

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• jenna8984 member

  

  February 2015

  woohoo congrats! Very pretty! And I'm all about the apps and cookies. 

                                                                   

  
  

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• buttercup1958

  

  February 2015

  I would do the food opitions. I love eating sweets with my coffee!

  

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• sophhabobopha member

  

  February 2015

  Its beautiful!

  

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• LabLove86 member

  

  February 2015

  UPDATE - 

  
  

  Officially signed the contract and put a deposit down for 9.16.16 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  We have wedding date!!! Yay!!!!!!

                                  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• themuffinman16 member

  

  February 2015

  Lablove.  Is this La Galleria?  It is absolutely beautiful there!  I love the wrought iron gazebo, as well.

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• LabLove86 member

  

  February 2015

  It is @themuffinman16!!! 

  
  

  
  

  We went to visit a few other places, and as soon as we walked in there Fi's face fell to the floor. We went through everything with them but didn't commit to anything last weekend - but as soon as we got in the car he turned to me and said "I can't imagine getting married anywhere else." So the decision was made pretty easily - as it was my favorite also. Do you have any experience there?? 

  
  

  
  

  Also - they just put up a new photo of the ceremony space! I love it so much!! 

  
  

  
  

                                  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• mrstrevor15 member

  

  February 2015

  LabLove86 said:

  Sorry in advance for the ginormous pictures!

  
  

  
  

  We found our venue this weekend!! I'm so excited!!

  
  

  All of the reviews we have read online have been fantastic, all of our friends feedback who have experience there have been fantastic, overall just seems like a wonderful, beautiful place! 

  
  

  My ONLY dispute would be that they do not routinely do tastings. Which I found out this weekend is not that uncommon in my area. About half of my friends never had tastings. And they don't have a regular dinner service, but they do a mothers day brunch, easter brunch, and one other brunch that I can't think of. . . . so Fi and I will go for one of those just to have a taste of the food. Moreso for my comfort than for his. 

  
  

  But otherwise - they have a bridal suite that I wasn't able to view because a bride was getting ready during my consultation; their packages are very inclusive at a very reasonable price (the package we are going to choose will include 4 hr premium open bar, cheese/crackers/veggies ect. for cocktail hour, served salad, buffet with carving station (with a crazy array of options may I add!!), cut and served cake, and coffee station later in the evening. They have 'Late-Night' packages and we are considering the "Taco Bar". 

  
  

  Question for the Knotties though - if we book before Feb 10th we get to take place in a promotion and we can choose 2 of the following - which would you choose??

  
  

  * custom drapery with uplighting (states up to $350 value)

  * 2 hand passed Hors d Oeuvres during cocktail hour

  * Tall floral centerpieces (usually $15/piece if we want to use them)

  * Cookie and brownie dessert station to be put out with the coffee station

  * Champagne or wine toast for all guests (toast for bridal party included in package) 

  
  

  I am between the passed hors d oeuvres, dessert station, and toast. . . . the other 2 . . meh.

  
  

  
  

  OK - now for the AW part: 

  
  

  Part of the room - thats the bar all the way in the back:

  
  

  
  

  Back up plan for the ceremony space if the weather is shitty - this is also the dance floor:

  
  

  
  

  
  

  This is the gazebo our ceremony will be in (excluding in climate weather of course):

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  this is the other Gazebo - if we would have booked the other room - By Fi and I both love the wrought iron look anyway so . . . the first one is more "us"

  
  

  
  

  
  

  AND - she just called us to book an appointment for Friday - tentatively booking for September 16th, 2016!! Yay!! I will update you guys on Friday with that news! Haha

  
  

  
  

  I would choose the drapery/up lighting and food for cocktail hour
  

  

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• doeydo member

  

  February 2015

  Re your question: if the bridal party is getting a fancy drink that none of the other guests get to toast with, then definitely get the toast drinks for your guests.  I'd also go with the hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour.

  
  

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• themuffinman16 member

  

  February 2015

  LabLove86 said:

  It is @themuffinman16!!! 

  
  

  
  

  We went to visit a few other places, and as soon as we walked in there Fi's face fell to the floor. We went through everything with them but didn't commit to anything last weekend - but as soon as we got in the car he turned to me and said "I can't imagine getting married anywhere else." So the decision was made pretty easily - as it was my favorite also. Do you have any experience there?? 

  
  

  
  

  Also - they just put up a new photo of the ceremony space! I love it so much!! 

  
  

  
  

  Unfortunately, I haven't had any experience there until you invite me. Lol. They were booked pretty solid, last year, so I did not even schedule a viewing with them.  I drive by there all the time, and I have seen photos of the inside.  It is such a romantic venue. I LOVE the courtyard for the wedding.

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• wrigleyville member

  

  February 2015

  I LOVE all that exposed brick in the reception space, and I agree that the wrought-iron gazebo is much better. It's really pretty.

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• loro929 member

  

  February 2015

  Gorgeous!

  

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