The Wedding Blog
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Update - Performance Dates and Venues
So I've been working on this all week and thought I'd post an update. Suggestions are highly welcome, as we've not found anything yet that's ideal.
NOT AVAILABLE ON ANY DATES
Old Brick (dammit).
The lodge at Palisades-Keppler.
The clubhouse at Pleasant Valley. Though this one is interesting: on their website, they state: "Pleasant Valley Golf Course offers a Great Room for parties of 100 or more from October through March." But this is the email reply I got:
I've sent a follow-up email pointing this out and asking what the deal is. More information pending (I hope).
NOT LARGE ENOUGH
These seat 100 people or less, according to their statistics on the Iowa City/Coralville Visitor's Bureau .pdf file.
North Ridge Pavilion - and they won't let us rent additional tables or put up a tent. I called.
Canterbury.
AmericInn.
Baymont Inn and Suites.
Country Inn and Suites.
Holiday Inn Express.
Travelodge. (Yes, I'm looking at all the options).
OUT OF OUR PRICE RANGE
These generally demand over $20 per person for even a buffet. Multiply that by 200 people, and you get over $4000, and that's without the liquor.
Hotel Vetro
The Sheraton Inn
The Mariott
The Holiday Inn
Probably Brown Deer Golf Club - they require the Mariott to do all their catering.
Riverside Casino. Their buffet prices start at $26. Besides, they have weird-ass alcohol policies, like: "You can only have 1 drink in your hand or in front of you at a time, No more than 1 drink every 20 minutes, You can only host a bar for a maximum of 3 ½ hours." This is from a document they emailed me, along with the enforcement: "The guest will have three options after being escorted off the floor: Go to their hotel room escorted or rent one if they wish where they must stay a minimum of six (6) hours. If they leave their room law enforcement will be notified." While I'm not fond of drunken scenes at receptions, I'm sure as h*ll not going to have the booze nazis patroling the room.
POSSIBLE BUT NOT IDEAL
The Elks Club - they only seat 150, and with Don's family alone taking up 100 spots on the invite list, we're probably looking at closer to 200, unless we keep the list to family only and I get half what he gets. No, they can't cut it. I've asked. Also, I've been told verbally by the club that their buffet prices range from $18 to $25. Not much different from the expensive places. You can use an outside caterer, but they charge $75 per hour to serve the food if you do. All alcohol must be purchased from them. Finally, the only date they have open is August 30th - one week before Don's niece's wedding. Not exactly ideal. I'm getting more info by snail mail, but this doesn't look like a good option.
The IMU (which has an adorable picture of Aprille and Denny on their wedding page). But the only thing below $20 per head is the "featured menu" spring buffet. $18 a head for that one. Actually, I'd had them in the "too expensive" column until now, because I hadn't seen that option until this morning, so I have no idea on availability. But again, it's more than we wanted to spend, though I suppose we may get cornered.
The Highlander - they have July 26th open, and while it cuts close to Don's and Nelle's birthdays, it's doable. Their prices for buffets can get as low as $16. Funny how what seemed too expensive before is now seeming reasonable, compared with the rest of the market. It is possible to cut costs by using a carving station and hors 'd ouvres and no buffet, but I'm skeptical on how that would work. The room rent is $1000. I've emailed about the possibility of using outside vendors, but I don't think they allow that.
Hunter's Ridge Golf Course. Actually, the venue is ideal. It rents for less than Old Brick, it seats the right amount of people, there's no requirement you use their caterers, it is available August 23rd, and it is gorgeous. Seriously, take a look. But it's in Marion, and the wedding's in Riverside. Probably too far. Or is it? Opinions?
NO INFORMATION YET
Neither the First Avenue Club nor the American Legion in Lone Tree (no website) will return my calls. Sorry, Nelle, but I'm also very skeptical of the First Avenue Club right now - their website is down and there's nothing but a recording on the phone, and I've both called and emailed multiple times. I don't think this is a good idea at all. Look on the bright side - if we find a place we can bring in our own booze, we can choose the brands. I've left a message on the American Legion answering machine - no email either - but have gotten no response.
Brosh Community Center in Solon. I just emailed them yesterday, so no response yet. I'll work to follow up today.
OTHER IDEAS
Anybody know how big Gazebo on the Green is? I know it's probably a) expensive, and b) booked, but I'm trying just about everything.
I am going to look at the Fairgrounds, appropriate because of the Community Theatre theme. But I really don't like the concrete floors and warehouse look. Hard on the feet, a bitch for acoustics.
The Amanas. I need to look at this closer. However, if we're counting Marion as a drawback because of the distance, isn't this six dozen of one, half dozen of the other? (It's 32 miles away, Hunter's Ridge is 48.)
Can anybody think of anything I haven't checked? Anyone feel like making a few phone calls to places that won't answer me, or have any outside connections they want to research or call on availability?
ALSO NEEDED
I've got to find out if the outside caterer thing is even an option, and I haven't started calling them yet. If there's no outside caterer that's open, we should stop comparing venue's prices to what we could get using an outside caterer, and we should focus only on venues that provide their own catering.
Don is fond of the idea of using Jerry and Marge's, both because of the price and because it's what his family likes and has used for years. I'm not so much because it's not the kind of food I like best. I'm more a "spring greens tossed with walnuts and feta and a balsamic vinagrette" than a "macaroni salad" kind of person, and I'd prefer to have the kind of food I really like at my own reception. (Yes, it's mostly for him, but there are a few things I'd like too). That said, the prices are good, so I'm not ruling them out.
The Cottage might be a good compromise. Because sides are priced separately, it'll be more expensive than Jerry and Marge, but we control how much.
Custom Catering lists no prices, so I need to find out not only if they're available but what they cost.
I really like Chef Mickey's, and just a week ago or so I was able to get at the pricing - they seem to have taken them off the website now. Basically, I could get a buffet I liked for $14.95. And there is a community theater history there. Think we could get a discount? Are they available?
Then there's New Pioneer Coop.
Yes, I'm aware of Ms. Susan's, but it seems pointless to look into since it about equates with Jerry and Marge and if I'm going to go that route, I'll use them.
So, I've got two hearings today and one each tomorrow and Friday, GAL reports to write, and so forth. If anyone has time to make any calls to these people to find out if they're available on any of the target dates, that will be one less thing on my list and a huge help. Do NOT take time from stuff you need to do, but if you're dinking around on the web anyway . . .
FINAL THOUGHTS
BTW - Apparently we also have to avoid the dates of July 13-18th, as it's the Washington County Fair and some of Don's family are showing.
I realize that in comparing prices, we have to take into account the bundling factor - for example, the Mariott includes in it's prices for the buffet a suite for the bride and groom. Hotels offer setup and strike and serving, whereas we'd have to do it ourselves or hire someone in some outside venues. But at this point, I'm looking at broad strokes to narrow ourselves to two or three, compare as best as we can, and decide this weekend. As Don pointed out this morning, if we had a ton of time we'd be doing a ton more work - actually visiting the sites and meeting with vendors, etc. I'll only do that if we have one in the final running we've never been to - like Hunter's ridge.
UPDATE
Email from the Highlander - they do NOT allow outside vendors.
NOT AVAILABLE ON ANY DATES
Old Brick (dammit).
The lodge at Palisades-Keppler.
The clubhouse at Pleasant Valley. Though this one is interesting: on their website, they state: "Pleasant Valley Golf Course offers a Great Room for parties of 100 or more from October through March." But this is the email reply I got:
Hi Kristin, We have some dates open, because of the golf season we do not rent out the room for large wedding receptions during the busy golf season. If you would like to reach me here so I can assist you better please contact me at Pleasant Valley 319-337-2622. Thank you Johnita Quinlan
I've sent a follow-up email pointing this out and asking what the deal is. More information pending (I hope).
NOT LARGE ENOUGH
These seat 100 people or less, according to their statistics on the Iowa City/Coralville Visitor's Bureau .pdf file.
North Ridge Pavilion - and they won't let us rent additional tables or put up a tent. I called.
Canterbury.
AmericInn.
Baymont Inn and Suites.
Country Inn and Suites.
Holiday Inn Express.
Travelodge. (Yes, I'm looking at all the options).
OUT OF OUR PRICE RANGE
These generally demand over $20 per person for even a buffet. Multiply that by 200 people, and you get over $4000, and that's without the liquor.
Hotel Vetro
The Sheraton Inn
The Mariott
The Holiday Inn
Probably Brown Deer Golf Club - they require the Mariott to do all their catering.
Riverside Casino. Their buffet prices start at $26. Besides, they have weird-ass alcohol policies, like: "You can only have 1 drink in your hand or in front of you at a time, No more than 1 drink every 20 minutes, You can only host a bar for a maximum of 3 ½ hours." This is from a document they emailed me, along with the enforcement: "The guest will have three options after being escorted off the floor: Go to their hotel room escorted or rent one if they wish where they must stay a minimum of six (6) hours. If they leave their room law enforcement will be notified." While I'm not fond of drunken scenes at receptions, I'm sure as h*ll not going to have the booze nazis patroling the room.
POSSIBLE BUT NOT IDEAL
The Elks Club - they only seat 150, and with Don's family alone taking up 100 spots on the invite list, we're probably looking at closer to 200, unless we keep the list to family only and I get half what he gets. No, they can't cut it. I've asked. Also, I've been told verbally by the club that their buffet prices range from $18 to $25. Not much different from the expensive places. You can use an outside caterer, but they charge $75 per hour to serve the food if you do. All alcohol must be purchased from them. Finally, the only date they have open is August 30th - one week before Don's niece's wedding. Not exactly ideal. I'm getting more info by snail mail, but this doesn't look like a good option.
The IMU (which has an adorable picture of Aprille and Denny on their wedding page). But the only thing below $20 per head is the "featured menu" spring buffet. $18 a head for that one. Actually, I'd had them in the "too expensive" column until now, because I hadn't seen that option until this morning, so I have no idea on availability. But again, it's more than we wanted to spend, though I suppose we may get cornered.
The Highlander - they have July 26th open, and while it cuts close to Don's and Nelle's birthdays, it's doable. Their prices for buffets can get as low as $16. Funny how what seemed too expensive before is now seeming reasonable, compared with the rest of the market. It is possible to cut costs by using a carving station and hors 'd ouvres and no buffet, but I'm skeptical on how that would work. The room rent is $1000. I've emailed about the possibility of using outside vendors, but I don't think they allow that.
Hunter's Ridge Golf Course. Actually, the venue is ideal. It rents for less than Old Brick, it seats the right amount of people, there's no requirement you use their caterers, it is available August 23rd, and it is gorgeous. Seriously, take a look. But it's in Marion, and the wedding's in Riverside. Probably too far. Or is it? Opinions?
NO INFORMATION YET
Neither the First Avenue Club nor the American Legion in Lone Tree (no website) will return my calls. Sorry, Nelle, but I'm also very skeptical of the First Avenue Club right now - their website is down and there's nothing but a recording on the phone, and I've both called and emailed multiple times. I don't think this is a good idea at all. Look on the bright side - if we find a place we can bring in our own booze, we can choose the brands. I've left a message on the American Legion answering machine - no email either - but have gotten no response.
Brosh Community Center in Solon. I just emailed them yesterday, so no response yet. I'll work to follow up today.
OTHER IDEAS
Anybody know how big Gazebo on the Green is? I know it's probably a) expensive, and b) booked, but I'm trying just about everything.
I am going to look at the Fairgrounds, appropriate because of the Community Theatre theme. But I really don't like the concrete floors and warehouse look. Hard on the feet, a bitch for acoustics.
The Amanas. I need to look at this closer. However, if we're counting Marion as a drawback because of the distance, isn't this six dozen of one, half dozen of the other? (It's 32 miles away, Hunter's Ridge is 48.)
Can anybody think of anything I haven't checked? Anyone feel like making a few phone calls to places that won't answer me, or have any outside connections they want to research or call on availability?
ALSO NEEDED
I've got to find out if the outside caterer thing is even an option, and I haven't started calling them yet. If there's no outside caterer that's open, we should stop comparing venue's prices to what we could get using an outside caterer, and we should focus only on venues that provide their own catering.
Don is fond of the idea of using Jerry and Marge's, both because of the price and because it's what his family likes and has used for years. I'm not so much because it's not the kind of food I like best. I'm more a "spring greens tossed with walnuts and feta and a balsamic vinagrette" than a "macaroni salad" kind of person, and I'd prefer to have the kind of food I really like at my own reception. (Yes, it's mostly for him, but there are a few things I'd like too). That said, the prices are good, so I'm not ruling them out.
The Cottage might be a good compromise. Because sides are priced separately, it'll be more expensive than Jerry and Marge, but we control how much.
Custom Catering lists no prices, so I need to find out not only if they're available but what they cost.
I really like Chef Mickey's, and just a week ago or so I was able to get at the pricing - they seem to have taken them off the website now. Basically, I could get a buffet I liked for $14.95. And there is a community theater history there. Think we could get a discount? Are they available?
Then there's New Pioneer Coop.
Yes, I'm aware of Ms. Susan's, but it seems pointless to look into since it about equates with Jerry and Marge and if I'm going to go that route, I'll use them.
So, I've got two hearings today and one each tomorrow and Friday, GAL reports to write, and so forth. If anyone has time to make any calls to these people to find out if they're available on any of the target dates, that will be one less thing on my list and a huge help. Do NOT take time from stuff you need to do, but if you're dinking around on the web anyway . . .
FINAL THOUGHTS
BTW - Apparently we also have to avoid the dates of July 13-18th, as it's the Washington County Fair and some of Don's family are showing.
I realize that in comparing prices, we have to take into account the bundling factor - for example, the Mariott includes in it's prices for the buffet a suite for the bride and groom. Hotels offer setup and strike and serving, whereas we'd have to do it ourselves or hire someone in some outside venues. But at this point, I'm looking at broad strokes to narrow ourselves to two or three, compare as best as we can, and decide this weekend. As Don pointed out this morning, if we had a ton of time we'd be doing a ton more work - actually visiting the sites and meeting with vendors, etc. I'll only do that if we have one in the final running we've never been to - like Hunter's ridge.
UPDATE
Email from the Highlander - they do NOT allow outside vendors.
posted by Me at 4:26 AM
1 Comments:
Hey chica - I started doing some searching - looked through Washington to see if there was anything big enough and couldn't find anything - I'm just starting on the Iowa City area - but a thought - you may have better resources to check - what about Kalona? Is there anything there that would work? I'll keep checking tomorrow. TTYL
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