LOW COST VENUE HUNTING

Sometimes I feel like people lurk WW and then create a post like this just for attention. Seriously so many big no -no's in one post.

OP try pushing back to February or march (off peak) and u will probably spend less so u won't have to then make your loved ones slave away for your PPD

Young Halloween, no one is saying to spend money the OP doesn't have. Conversely, they are telling her to scale it back to something she CAN afford.

My date is fairly flexible as of right now. Many of the places I have looked into still have some October/early November days open, some of them just have some rules that I'm not super ecstatic with. I've looked at several parks, and some cool nature reserves! I was just hoping for a few suggestions just in case I'm missing anything perfect.

PS I'm sorry- I didn't realize that asking for nondiscouraging comments was so bad. i'll remember next time to not request anything, and just overlook things.

@Taylor - seriously check out the Plano Center. They had great prices. The food was absolutely delicious.

I'll cosign on the Plano Center! I've been to a few banquets there back when I was in high school.

What rules do they have that you don't like?

Wow, I seriously didn't realize I had done anything wrong by asking here. I am new to wedding wire, I am new to forums in general. I was simply looking for suggestions, and trying to avoid any hurtful/ discouraging comments. "pretty princess wedding" is not what I'm going for. I'm going for a nice day with people who I love, celebrating my day with the man I love. Sometimes it's not pawning off services when people offer, and WANT to do it. When you're paying for your entire wedding with no family financial help, it's not wrong to accept help from those who want too. Anyways. I genuinely apologize for offending anyone with my post.

To anyone who had suggestions, or tried to help-thank you. I will check out our suggestions. I really appreciate your help.

@youcancallmedot

I will definitely look at Plano Center! Thank you!!

@Taylor, a lot of us are paying for our own weddings without any family financial help, but we're still NOT making friends work for our weddings when they should be enjoying themselves.

ETA missed a word

Most people here are paying for their own weddings, and most of them will say to not use friendors.

@Taylor - most of us scrimped and saved to be able to properly host a wedding. The problem with friendors is that you are asking your nearest and dearest to work on your wedding day (even if they offered). If they end up leaving you high and dry you usually have no contract to fall back on, and even if you do have a contract would you really want to have to sue your friend?

Okay, well, again. I apologize. I didn't realize I was doing anything wrong. I will pull down this post as soon as I can get home as to not upset anyone else.

Thanks again to all who were helpful. I really appreciate it.

Taylor, I think most people here planned their weddings with no financial help from family. We say this because we've seen many people here where having a friend or family member to do something for free backfired on them. So please think about hiring professional vendors.

Don't hide your post. People took their time to respond to you and others can benefit from their advice.

Please don't pull it down. One of the big problems with hiding threads that contain hot button topics is that the same things get asked again and again.

@Taylor, you're not doing anything wrong. You posted to get feedback and we're giving you feedback! You did get some good advice in this thread, and of course not everyone is going to agree with you.

@Taylor. Here's the thing. A lot of brides and grooms on here are paying for their own weddings. That is not an excuse to make friends and family work on your wedding day. Wouldn't you rather have your guests enjoy themselves then work it?

What happens if uncle bob the photographer gets sick and can't come? Then you don't have a photographer nor any recourse. A professional with a contract will have a back up plan or will make sure they do their best to make it there as that is there livelihood.

We have loads of posters come on here and want their dream wedding and just can't afford to do it. They either make everyone work their wedding day or they cut the most basic hosting. You will see this many times but "have the wedding you can afford". If that means cutting the guest list then that's what you do.

I would have loved to have 150 people. I would have loved a flower wall. But what I really wanted? Was that my guests were fed and had a drink in their hand and were happy. The ceremony is for you. The reception is to thank your guests. They are your number one priority when thinking about the reception

I hear all of you. I totally understand the risks and etiquette for using "friendors" That being said... Many of mine are true business people, and may or may not be people I'm close too(some are close to my family or coworkers who are trying to be helpful or get their businesses jumpstarted). I have back up plans, and I also have money set aside for if/when something goes wrong. I'm not entirely uneducated, but I also think that each person/bride/groom and each wedding are going to be done differently. I see and know the risks involved, and am taking preventative measures for that. My budget isn't unrealistic for my guest list, I just wanted to find a venue that was going to give me more budget leeway.

Do you have a caterer already? They should have a list of venues that they work with.

There are so many lovely gated communities and condo complexes that have lovely club houses......... have you checked to see if anyone you know has access to one of those? You will probably have to bring in the majority of items, though, so it may be a toss up as far as total costs.

Also country/golf clubs like mine allow a member to "sponsor" an event which means there aren't any "rental/venue" fees, only the required catering. Maybe someone you know is a member somewhere that would sponsor your wedding.