Wedding Planning Thread

[Mr. Colby]

My fiancee is doing a registry for her shower and nothing for the wedding... straight cash homey.

So anyway we found a place we loved in April but they are an entertainment venue whose own schedule comes first. Their 2015 schedule was supposed to be released by mid-summer. After that time, dates for 2015 are released. We are currently on an "October 2015 waitlist". We are 5th on the list, but it requires no down payment to be on the list, so who knows what the other 4 people are thinking. We emailed the guy in early in August and he said he should know by the end of the month. It's now 9/2 and we are both kind of freaking out. Not to mention I wasn't sure the place was big enough in the first place.

We are currently seeking a "rustic style" venue. She loves a barn or something with a lot of windows and and outdoorsy feel to get the whole colorful leaves/crisp autumn experience. Great for me because it will hopefully be cooler and i won't need to change my suit 4 times.

We are probably going to check out Mac's venue, but all Saturdays are booked. We could do it Friday there if we love it. It isn't really that much in savings though, maybe $1500. We are at 180 on the "definitely invite" list and 225 on the "would like to invite" list. No need to go over 225.

Anybody have any suggestions within 1:00-1:15 of the city of pittsburgh, any direction?

2 Prerequisites:
1. Goal is for food to be ~$50, can increase to $60 or a little more if necessary
2. We bring the booze

[Mr. Colby]

BTW i'm looking into having all my groomsmen buy suits. I am keeping my eyes open for great deals on nice suits. For example I purchased 2 very nice Hugo Boss suits at Saks off Fifth for like $400 total a year or so ago. If I can find a deal on suits where everyone gets one for <$200, I'm doing it. I'll pitch in a few bucks a guy if need be.

Reasoning:
1. Tuxes are unnecessary
2. Renting a tux that looks half decent is damn near $200 anyway
3. You can get a ton of use out of a suit
4. I'll let everyone wear their own shoes and just try to coordinate as closely as possible on color/style - i won't be picky here (probably buy a pair for myself and let them either find something similar or wear something they have that's close)
5. You don't have to worry about returning your tux the next day still drunk
6. Everyone can wear their own white dress shirt
7. I'll buy everybody's tie (thanks Shyster for introducing me to The Tie Bar)

[mac5155]

Tux rentals have gone way downhill. All the tux rentals I've gotten In the last 3 years have been crap except for my own wedding which we got from a local tux shop, not a national chain

[count2infinity]

You sound like you're looking for exactly what our venue was like... unfortunately ours was in Patton, PA, so that's a bit outside your range. Also, I wanted to go that same route for tuxes, just have everyone wear a suit they own and I'll buy the ties, but my wife really wanted completely matching tuxes, so that was fine. We managed to find a nice place here in town that did rentals for pretty cheap, $100 for a nice tux. I bought everyone's socks as a part of their groomsmen gift.

[mac5155]

If you are near my venue then you might be near uniontown pa, Ptaks tux shop was really good and I think my guys paid $118 even with a special (camo of course) vest and tie. Plus mine was free

[count2infinity]

oh yeah... now I remember why it was ~$100 each for the tux, mine was free and rather than take the free tux, we just split the savings. 4 tuxes, 5th free, each tux was like $125, so came out $500 split between 5 of us.

[Pavel Bure]

My fiancee is doing a registry for her shower and nothing for the wedding... straight cash homey.

So anyway we found a place we loved in April but they are an entertainment venue whose own schedule comes first. Their 2015 schedule was supposed to be released by mid-summer. After that time, dates for 2015 are released. We are currently on an "October 2015 waitlist". We are 5th on the list, but it requires no down payment to be on the list, so who knows what the other 4 people are thinking. We emailed the guy in early in August and he said he should know by the end of the month. It's now 9/2 and we are both kind of freaking out. Not to mention I wasn't sure the place was big enough in the first place.

We are currently seeking a "rustic style" venue. She loves a barn or something with a lot of windows and and outdoorsy feel to get the whole colorful leaves/crisp autumn experience. Great for me because it will hopefully be cooler and i won't need to change my suit 4 times.

We are probably going to check out Mac's venue, but all Saturdays are booked. We could do it Friday there if we love it. It isn't really that much in savings though, maybe $1500. We are at 180 on the "definitely invite" list and 225 on the "would like to invite" list. No need to go over 225.

Anybody have any suggestions within 1:00-1:15 of the city of pittsburgh, any direction?

2 Prerequisites:
1. Goal is for food to be ~$50, can increase to $60 or a little more if necessary
2. We bring the booze

I can't remember the specific name but there's a barn style place right outside of New Stanton PA that people seem to like. We're going to two weddings there coming up in the next couple weekends. Will report back on how it goes.

http://www.thebarnatmadison.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Website

BTW i'm looking into having all my groomsmen buy suits. I am keeping my eyes open for great deals on nice suits. For example I purchased 2 very nice Hugo Boss suits at Saks off Fifth for like $400 total a year or so ago. If I can find a deal on suits where everyone gets one for <$200, I'm doing it. I'll pitch in a few bucks a guy if need be.

Reasoning:
1. Tuxes are unnecessary
2. Renting a tux that looks half decent is damn near $200 anyway
3. You can get a ton of use out of a suit
4. I'll let everyone wear their own shoes and just try to coordinate as closely as possible on color/style - i won't be picky here (probably buy a pair for myself and let them either find something similar or wear something they have that's close)
5. You don't have to worry about returning your tux the next day still drunk
6. Everyone can wear their own white dress shirt
7. I'll buy everybody's tie (thanks Shyster for introducing me to The Tie Bar)

I like the suit idea but anything approaching $150 is getting pricey as far as what groomsman have to spend. I suggest Jack's Tuxedos in Monroeville. Very cost effective.

[pittsoccer33]

We are currently seeking a "rustic style" venue.

I'm kind of curious in general what's driving this. I've seen a lot of pictures and have been to a few outdoor weddings like this. You listed specific reasons why you personally are interested in it, but I'm just kind of curious. Lots of weddings that look like a Mumford and Sons video shoot (which I think is pretty rad).

There are a few places like that going out Route 28. I have no idea what they cost, but off the top of my head I can think of Lingrow Farms, Armstrong Farms, Blackberry Meadows Farm, and the 1844 Restraurant

BTW i'm looking into having all my groomsmen buy suits.

When one of my friends got married in 2011 everyone in the wedding bought tuxedos. We just all got similar classic styles that aren't going out of fashion any time soon. Since most of us were in each other's weddings they've all been worn a few times. I've worn mine to another wedding I was invited to and I'll often wear the jacket with dark jeans and a tshirt when I go out

[count2infinity]

here's a few pictures of our decor Mr. Colby if you're looking for any ideas:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4186_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos ... 0904_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 1169_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 2488_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos ... e=54619BAD" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 1363_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos ... 7679_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 7925_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 3868_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would embed them, but they're fairly large. My mom grew all the pumpkins and gourds. My wife's aunt did all the center pieces and decorating as a wedding present. My wife's boss's wife (if that makes sense) did our cake as a wedding present. We paid the lady that owns the barn to do the bouquets and boutonnieres, we pretty much told her anything that looks like fall, here's the colors we like, do whatever you want with them, and she did an awesome job.

[Mr. Colby]

here's a few pictures of our decor Mr. Colby if you're looking for any ideas:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 4186_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos ... 0904_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 1169_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 2488_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos ... e=54619BAD" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 1363_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos ... 7679_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 7925_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 3868_o.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would embed them, but they're fairly large. My mom grew all the pumpkins and gourds. My wife's aunt did all the center pieces and decorating as a wedding present. My wife's boss's wife (if that makes sense) did our cake as a wedding present. We paid the lady that owns the barn to do the bouquets and boutonnieres, we pretty much told her anything that looks like fall, here's the colors we like, do whatever you want with them, and she did an awesome job.

All of that is right up her (our?) alley.

Where is that place and what is the capacity?

[count2infinity]

It's in Patton, PA (so pretty much middle of nowhere a half hour outside Altoona). Here's the website: http://lafermerougepatton.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It says capacity is 400, but that's if you use the main floor as well as the very short ceiling upstairs which we used for my wife's/bridesmaid's dressing room as we got married there as well. We had about 100 there for ours and there was plenty of space that we could have invited more.

[Mr. Colby]

So you people who brought your own booze... how many people did you have and what did your booze purchase ratios look like? How much liquor/wine/beer I mean

[count2infinity]

So you people who brought your own booze... how many people did you have and what did your booze purchase ratios look like? How much liquor/wine/beer I mean

we did only wine and beer. We got a half keg of coors and half keg of good stuff, I think then we had 3 bottles of sweet moscato, 6 bottles of pinot grigio, and 9 bottles of red (pinot noir if I recall correctly). That was for 100 people both families are pretty heavy drinking families.

We had almost kicked the coors, we encouraged our friends to bring growlers for any leftover good stuff, filled about 5 growlers and it still wasn't kicked (but close), the 3 bottles of moscato were gone immediately, we had 2 bottles of pinot grigio and 6 bottles of pinot noir left over. BUT, it was better to over estimate than under. I'm curious how many people pregamed or brought flasks.

additionally, talk to your caterer... they'll give you good ways to calculate how much you need.

[Mr. Colby]

Yeah i have suggested ratios by the caterer but im asking all you folks for practical not theoretical.

I was told 1 bottle of liquor/10 people, 1 case of beer/12 people, 1 bottle of wine/2 people

[count2infinity]

Yeah i have suggested ratios by the caterer but im asking all you folks for practical not theoretical.

I was told 1 bottle of liquor/10 people, 1 case of beer/12 people, 1 bottle of wine/2 people

1 bottle win/2 people seems like a lot, especially considering our experience; however I think in PA, if you buy the bottles, you can return them in x number of days if they haven't been opened. That's just what I think I remember, double check that. Better to have too much than not enough.

[Mr. Colby]

Yeah i have suggested ratios by the caterer but im asking all you folks for practical not theoretical.

I was told 1 bottle of liquor/10 people, 1 case of beer/12 people, 1 bottle of wine/2 people

1 bottle win/2 people seems like a lot, especially considering our experience; however I think in PA, if you buy the bottles, you can return them in x number of days if they haven't been opened. That's just what I think I remember, double check that. Better to have too much than not enough.

Not to mention worst case scenario I end up with a bunch of alcohol to drink... sounds awful

[dodint]

Yeah i have suggested ratios by the caterer but im asking all you folks for practical not theoretical.

I was told 1 bottle of liquor/10 people, 1 case of beer/12 people, 1 bottle of wine/2 people

1 bottle win/2 people seems like a lot, especially considering our experience; however I think in PA, if you buy the bottles, you can return them in x number of days if they haven't been opened. That's just what I think I remember, double check that. Better to have too much than not enough.

Not to mention worst case scenario I end up with a bunch of alcohol to drink... sounds awful

We overbought the liquor, still have some in the bar at home. With the beer we had a kegs and then if we needed more the distributor had more on standby for us that someone could go and get.

[mac5155]

Pa state stores allow returns with receipt.

I feel like we used (opened, at least) about 2 gallon bottles each of rum, vodka, and schnapps. 2 good whiskeys, 1 bridal dance whiskey.

3 kegs, and maybe a dozen bottles of wine. We had a red white and blush wine, and they obviously favored the blush.

We had 200 guests.

[Troy Loney]

So don't need to have a rehearsal dinner, but having a dinner the night before for the two families to meet.

I'm having trouble thinking of a good place to host the event. Can anyone think of a restaurant in the city that would be a good spot to host about 30 people? The out of towners will be staying in either they Hyatt House in the south side or her mom's house in highland park.

Leaning towards E2 because they have a good space, but mostly drawing a blank.

[newarenanow]

I'll try to think. What do you consider "in the city". Do you want just downtown, or are places like Shadyside, Bloomfield, etc ok?

[Troy Loney]

I'm thinking Southside, downtown, oakland, shadyside, strip district and highland park.

Not interested in mt washington or north shore.