So after a few weeks of research, I decided on three, very different locations to visit. The Athenaeum, The Clock Tower, and Grand Oaks. I figured I would give everyone some feedback on my tours for brides that are still searching.
Originally I thought it would be best to go with a venue that allowed you to do whatever you wanted, bring your own alcohol, find your own caterers - yeah, I was wrong.
The Athenaeum - Before we even arrived, I wanted to pull my hair out finding parking. Ugh. Haha. After that my first thought when we walked into the lobby was that is really old looking. That didn't throw me off right away because I am going for a very soft, vintage wedding but it went down hill from there. I really wasn't a fan of my guests sharing common areas and restrooms, and the only area that could fit my guests was this huge theatre with a lot of wasted space. The coordinator said typically couples sit on the stage, in my mind it felt like the bridal party would be too far away from the rest of the guests. I still do not really understand their pricing information, you can provide your own alcohol but they still charge for bar set up, which was like $7 per person. That was a red flag in my mind, my fiance did the math later and it came out to be more expensive than going with a venue that would provide the alcohol, and the set up, etc. Another thing was the tastings, they do tastings once a month - so if I wanted a chicken dish, they would invite me to the tasting that they are providing chicken. I felt like my wedding day deserved more attention than that, AND you don't get to pick your side dishes! All of that money, and you can't even tell them that your entire family hates green beans! Haha. So yep, that was a no go with The Athenaeum.
Grand Oaks - This is a really cool, updated venue. I think the best thing about it was the bathrooms! Haha. Unfortunately, you can't base your reception off of the hip, leopard print bathroom couches. My main reasons for not booking here was that #1 I HATE christmas lights, unless it's christmas, and they hang them from the ceiling in the ballroom, they use a portable bar that has neon lights around it, and that they have some crazy minimums. On a Friday in July, their minimum for just the rental space and beverages is $4,000. My entire budget for the reception is $8,000, so that left very little space for food, chair covers, linens, DJ, etc. One big plus was the outdoor space, very very pretty!
The Clock Tower - Ding! Ding! We found a winner
I was a bit skeptical on the location of The Clock Tower, but the pictures on their website swayed us to go visit - and I'm soooo happy we did. As I said early I'm going for a vintage, classic theme and this place is gorgeous. They have huge chandeleirs hanging from the ballroom ceiling, columns holding up beautiful sheer curtains, and for my fiance - the bar was perfect. Everything is in one location, which is really nice, the buffet room, the dance floor, the bar, everything. And it's a private facility, so unlike The Athenaeum you don't share anything with other parties. Kristy is our coordinator and she has been so helfpul, and really honest! After I told her where we toured she brought up some really good points, like how everything we do their is private - from the meetings, to the tastings, etc. Also that they have plenty of parking, so no worries on guests being late because they can't find parking, and that we would work with her the entire time, from start to finish. My cousin was married last year and she talked about how her coordinator that she worked with wasn't even their on the day of her event, it was some new lady that really didn't know all of the details they had discussed. I knew that this would be a priority for me as I feel myself slowing become a monster. Overall, we were able to get food, alcohol, all the linens, DJ, rental fee, and pastry chef there for just about $8,000. The best part- they run monthly specials, and their November special was half off chair covers! Just this alone is basically paying for my cake. (Quick math: chair covers are typically $6, I'm paying $3, and their pastry chef starts out at $3 per serving) Go me! Haha.
Well, I hope this is helpful!!! I think that each bride has her own taste and image for her wedding, it just so happens that The Clock Tower fit mine. (and my budget).