Diving into planning - Venue help!

abwatts · June 2012

So we have been engaged less than a week and we have about 6 venues to go look at this weekend!!!!

So here is where we are going
1) Northeast Wedding Chapel
2) The Room on Main
3) Lofty Spaces
4) Off the Grid (owned my the same guy as Lofty Spaces)
5) Piazza in the Village
6) Chapel de Fleurs

Does anyone have any feedback on any of these places? good or bad?
I am finding it frusterating because looking through all the magazies all the venues we like are in the Hill Country!!! Every stinking time!

We would prefer a place that has a ceremony/reception area, and not ridiculously priced. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

THANKS!

cwaggoner07 · June 2012

Do you have a guest list yet? I don't know much about any of those places... we knew where we wanted to get married as soon as we got engaged, so I did zero reserach.

angelsong21 · June 2012

If Plano is a possibility, Reflections on Spring Creek is awesome. We are still getting feedback from guests on how much they loved the space and the food. They have an outdoor space, and indoor ceremony space, and a reception hall. HIGHLY recommend!

aeliza06 · June 2012

Um, first, Carrie, your wedding planner is tops. If I get married again, I call dibs on McFly.

Second, what type of venue are you looking at (i.e. why are the ones in the hill country the ones that you like?).

Personally, I love the Room on Main. It is huge, open and the food is great.

We have had quite a few knotties get married at Piazza and they have given pretty good reviews.

If we knew your guest count and budget (range) maybe we could help you narrow it down or give you suggestions based on what you want.

abwatts · June 2012

I have looked at Refelctions! Its on my list for sure!

I love the hill country venues becuse I love the outdoor rusticness of them. the big stone buildings and exposed beams. I would love to have my wedding in a barn.ranch situation.. but everything i have found around Dallas is too country (does that eve make sense?)

I want something with some sort of outdoor space so that people can go outside and mingle nad drink, and still be apart of the party.

I am still waiting to get a guest list back from our mothers but we are hoping to keep it between 125-150.. budget approx 15,000...

Thanks so much for the input guys!

abwatts · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:6715e8a1-c4ff-4f5a-86a6-5049fb1a043b">Re: Diving into planning - Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you have a guest list yet? I don't know much about any of those places... we knew where we wanted to get married as soon as we got engaged, <strong>so I did zero reserach.
</strong>Posted by cwaggoner07[/QUOTE]

Your LUCKY. I jusst moved here about 3 years ago, and neither of us have been to any weddings in the area so I am starting from scratch here!

cwaggoner07 · June 2012

Based on your description, you might look into the Filter Building. I'm such a whore for that place, I love it so much.

crash2729 · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:86a7caa7-45af-4384-aac0-f7cff3db0f65">Diving into planning - Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]So we have been engaged less than a week and we have about 6 venues to go look at this weekend!!!! So here is where we are going 1) Northeast Wedding Chapel 2) The Room on Main 3) Lofty Spaces 4) Off the Grid (owned my the same guy as Lofty Spaces)<strong> 5) Piazza in the Village</strong> 6) Chapel de Fleurs Does anyone have any feedback on any of these places? good or bad? I am finding it frusterating because looking through all the magazies all the venues we like are in the Hill Country!!! Every stinking time! We would prefer a place that has a ceremony/reception area, and not ridiculously priced. Let me know if you have any suggestions! THANKS!
Posted by abwatts[/QUOTE]
I had my wedding here.
I gave them a C+ (I believe) in my reviews.
They are extremely inflexible, it's their way or no way pretty much. <div>
</div><div>The building itself is gorgeous, but for the money I paid I would have expected better service. The planner really let a lot of things go (i.e My music was supposed to be picked two weeks prior. So when I gave her the list at 5 days prior It was "If they could get the music" They buy the music off Itunes. I would have at least expected an email at two week asking me if I had made those choices yet).
</div><div>We also had some problems between them and my photographer, the venue was pretty rude to my photog...and I really didn't appreciate it.</div>

fallbride1109 · June 2012

Here is some feedback gathered from Knotties in the past, plus just my own $.02.

1) Northeast Wedding Chapel
Capacity 200. No outdoor space. Do more than 1 wedding on the same day. Reception can only be 3 hours long. Price includes tables/chairs and black or brown linens only. No alcohol.

2) The Room on Main
I personally love this space. I think it's a blank slate that you have to rent everything for though. If it had been around in 2009, I would have looked at it.

3) Lofty Spaces
Another blank space. You can BYOB. Has a courtyard area for ceremony. It is not recommended that you use the owner for anything other than renting the space itself.
Knottie review: B+

4) Off the Grid (owned my the same guy as Lofty Spaces). Same as above.

5) Piazza in the Village Beautiful and expensive but love everything about it from a visual standpoint. ETA: Knottie reviews: A+, A+, B+, B+, C+

6) Chapel de Fleurs Gets mixed reviews on WW because of the owner. I personally don't like venues that don't do anything but weddings and where you don't have your choice of caterer, but that is JMO. It is pretty though.

The thing about these choices is you will need to weigh the cost of bringing in everything to places like Room on Main or Lofty Spaces versus the more expensive, yet more inclusive places like Piazza.

crash2729 · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:38c9aaf0-6ed0-4405-992f-3c858ab3f589">Re: Diving into planning - Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]I have looked at Refelctions! Its on my list for sure! I love the hill country venues becuse I love the outdoor rusticness of them. the big stone buildings and exposed beams. I would love to have my wedding in a barn.ranch situation.. but everything i have found around Dallas is too country (does that eve make sense?) I want something with some sort of outdoor space so that people can go outside and mingle nad drink, and still be apart of the party. I am still waiting to get a guest list back from our mothers but we are hoping to keep it between 125-150.. <strong>budget approx 15,000... T</strong>hanks so much for the input guys!
Posted by abwatts[/QUOTE]
<div>Which room are you looking at for the Piazza?
What day is your wedding?</div>

Jen6862 · June 2012

From what your describing Delaney VIneyards in Grapevine might be a good fit, but I'm not sure if it is in your budget.

It's really pretty from what I've seen in pictures with wine cask and exposed beems, etc. I think the issue is they charge for everything.

Pictures from a wedding online: http://christinashippeyphotography.com/blog/?p=106

professorscience · June 2012

If you like "outdoor rusticness," Winechic got married at La Buena Vida in Grapevine and it was just beautiful. I don't know about their capacity, though. It is ALL outdoor with no plan B option (although I'm certain you could rent tents), so no summer wedding there, please!

abwatts · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:5d3f7cc7-a78e-4872-b312-5e6c6f844df8">Re: Diving into planning - Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Diving into planning - Venue help! : Which room are you looking at for the Piazza? What day is your wedding?
Posted by crash2729[/QUOTE]

We dont have a date set, we want March 2012, but are flexible on the date itself. But definitely a Saturday evening.

As for the room I am not sure... suggestions?

aeliza06 · June 2012

I've always had a thing for Howell Family Farms: http://www.howellfamilyfarms.com/

http://www.jonathanivyphoto.com/slideshows/hearn_wedding

and the McKinney Cotton Mill http://f8studioblog.com/2012/06/13/reese-chris-mckinney-cotton-mill-wedding-by-ashley/

There are other Rustic venues but it just depends on what you're looking for!

I have heard that the Off the Grid/Lofty Spaces guy is pretty hard to get a hold of sometimes and as others have said, it is completely DIY.

Good luck!

crash2729 · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:e934b865-e551-4541-acde-071fed12e559">Re: Diving into planning - Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Diving into planning - Venue help! : We dont have a date set, we want March 2012, but are flexible on the date itself. But definitely a Saturday evening. As for the room I am not sure... suggestions?
Posted by abwatts[/QUOTE]
Well, a Saturday evening in the big ballroom has a $15,000 Food and beverage minimum. That's before your chapel rental and room rental.

The Village ballroom (where I had mine) was a $6,000 F&B min. but my ceremony started at 3p which is the only option for that room (when I booked at least). That room will only hold 120. BUT with tables and chairs, I'm not sure how that will work. I would think it would be tight. We had tables and chairs for 100. I'm not sure how they would fit 2 more tables.

crash2729 · June 2012

Also,

You might want to try OW ranch in Grandbury. I'm not sure what they charge, but it was awesome.
There is also Rough Creek Lodge in Glen Rose.

abwatts · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:dc827eee-f52e-4dce-9784-1fc9bfc8faf0">Re: Diving into planning - Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]I've always had a thing for Howell Family Farms: <a href="http://www.howellfamilyfarms.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.howellfamilyfarms.com/</a> <a href="http://www.jonathanivyphoto.com/slideshows/hearn_wedding" rel="nofollow">http://www.jonathanivyphoto.com/slideshows/hearn_wedding</a> and the McKinney Cotton Mill <a href="http://f8studioblog.com/2012/06/13/reese-chris-mckinney-cotton-mill-wedding-by-ashley/" rel="nofollow">http://f8studioblog.com/2012/06/13/reese-chris-mckinney-cotton-mill-wedding-by-ashley/</a> There are other Rustic venues but it just depends on what you're looking for! I have heard that the Off the Grid/Lofty Spaces guy is pretty hard to get a hold of sometimes and as others have said, it is completely DIY. Good luck!
Posted by aeliza06[/QUOTE]

Iloved Howell family Farms.. but I got a quote and they are EXPENSIVE!
McKinny Cottomn Mill is completely booked when we would want to have it... :(

cwaggoner07 · June 2012

You'll definitely want to book asap for a Saturday this coming March. I got so lucky getting my Saturday summer date 7 months out. I also think I had a little luck that it is an outdoor ceremony space and July can get a little toasty...

professorscience · June 2012

Yeah, March is a pretty popular wedding month, because the weather usually isn't unbearably hot yet.

abwatts · June 2012

Oh I know! Summer just doesnt work, and we dont want to wait till next fall! I am going to as many venues as possible and would like to book one ASAP.. We havent even been engaged a week yet, I just need that done and then I can enjoy it!

cwaggoner07 · June 2012

Coming from someone with a short engagement, the top things that need to be done asap is venue, dress, and photographer. Everything else can be spread out a bit.

nextrightthing · June 2012

I have been to a wedding at NE wedding chapel, and it was pretty, but the location left something to be desired. It shares a parking lot with an oil change place and is across the street from a very busy super WM. Have you looked at the Orchard in Azle, if you are willing to go that far? It is very pretty. Rustic but not too country. I think Piazza might be stretching your budget. Are you set on a particular location? If you are willing to go to FW, there are some really pretty venues.

aeliza06 · June 2012

Have you looked into the Belmont hotel, Hickory Street Annex, The Orchard in Azle (click), Lantana Lodge in Pilot Point (beautiful by the way), Texas Discovery Gardens, Cross timbers winery (pictures: click venue: click), or even the Nylo hotels (Plano or Las Colinas)? Also, there is the dallas heritage village (click).

Just some more suggestions

(P.S. I totally understand about wanting a "hill country" vibe. I was the same way and ended up with something completely different).

roseofdeborah · June 2012

I almost used Lofty Spaces but ended up going a different way. Bruce was nice and helpful, but Off the Grid is definately a different set up. More for a party atmosphere than wedding. It's also kind of in a secluded area. Lofty Spaces is completely DIY but very pretty and has moveable walls which was a plus for me.

abwatts · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:1ca0fc46-fec5-4181-8252-85c67867a22d">Re:Diving into planning Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]I have been to a wedding at NE wedding chapel, and it was pretty, but the location left something to be desired. It shares a parking lot with an oil change place and is across the street from a very busy super WM. Have you looked at the Orchard in Azle, if you are willing to go that far? It is very pretty. Rustic but not too country. I think Piazza might be stretching your budget. Are you set on a particular location? If you are willing to go to FW, there are some really pretty venues.
Posted by nextrightthing[/QUOTE]

Orchard is also a little pricy. I am thinking your right about hte Piazza. I am not really all that excited about so I not heart broekn over that one.

abwatts · June 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_diving-into-planning-venue-help?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f6a3d15f-8b42-475d-92cc-2562f9899079Post:ce6e8353-5f12-4265-96cf-661bd4fea8f1">Re: Diving into planning - Venue help!</a>:
[QUOTE]I almost used Lofty Spaces but ended up going a different way. Bruce was nice and helpful, but Off the Grid is definately a different set up. More for a party atmosphere than wedding. It's also kind of in a secluded area. Lofty Spaces is completely DIY but very pretty and has moveable walls which was a plus for me.
Posted by roseofdeborah[/QUOTE]

Interesting. We are going to go see both on Sunday. I am definitely feeling a little overwhelmed by it all!

cwaggoner07 · June 2012

Don't be overwhelmed! You could definitley eliminate a few just by looking at past weddings online (I would google "[wedding venue] wedding blog"), or calling and seeing what some of their pricing is, and what available dates they have in March. That way, you will only have to physically visit a handful of venues.

abwatts · June 2012

Things are definitely getting eliminated left right and center. ISome of these places are just FUNNY! I kow it will work out and we will find something thats right for us, DFW is just so big and ther eare so many places to choose from!

fallbride1109 · June 2012

Hickory Street Annex might be an option too. It reminds me of the Cotton Mill sort of. It does have an outdoor space, although it's not the greatest. (But at this point, you don't need more venues, heh).

Six is alot to consider. Personally, I would take NE Wedding Chapel off the list. To me, it doesn't really "go" with the others on your list and it's further out. Your middle 3 are all blank slates that you can make your own and your last 2 are more inclusive. So that's a good mix I think.

abwatts · June 2012

Has anyone gone to the McKineny FLOUR mill? I actualyl went to look it up agian this morning and the website has been disabled. Doesn't really bode well for them does it?

fallbride1109 · June 2012

I wondered the same thing. Here are a few weddings. It looks great.
http://www.stylemepretty.com/texas-weddings/2011/10/06/mckinney-flour-mill-wedding-by-sweet-pea-events/

http://www.allisondavisphotography.com/blog/2012/01/11/audra-calebfbc-mckinney-wedding-mckinney-flour-mill-reception-dallas-wedding-photographer/

http://kcassidyphotography.com/meghan-and-jacobs-wedding-flour-mill-mckinney-texas/

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