Venue - Searching for a venue...what a headache!!! - MZ2HANDGRIP's Blue Wedding by Color Blog

Searching for a venue...what a headache!!!

Maybe the first thing I should have been doing was booking a venue instead of trying on dresses! Seems like all the venues I am interested in are totally booked next year or way too expensive for an event that only lasts a few hours. I must say I am experiencing quite the price shock lately. I feel like I have to compromise on everything I thought I ever wanted on my wedding day. But I am hopeful that everything will work itself out and i'll have the most beautiful venue.

My dream venue is the Milwaukee Art Museum. Gorgeous venue over looking Lake Michigan, but with a Saturday rental rate of $10,000 for just the space I quickly woke up from that dream. Thats not even including the near $14,000 food & beverage minimum. That seemed to be a common theme with venues on the lake front or just downtown Milwaukee period. The next closest affordable option would be the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center. I could have the wedding on the outside plaza overlooking the lake as well as cocktail hour, and the reception inside the ballroom. Sounds reasonable, especially being only a fourth of the Art Museums rate. Only problem is all the saturdays are booked, except for one which happens to be Harley Davidson's 100th anniversary weekend (Can you imagine the noise & traffic?). Only options left are very limited Friday evenings, which I'm open to. But I think I should explore more options before commiting.

So far my search has given me a headache. These are some of the issues I'm having:
*Not impressed with the location
*Use of their preferred caterers (prices are ridiculous)
*Venues I like are only available during winter months (This is Wisconsin...its COLD)
*Restrictions (no decorating, no floral, no hanging, no red beverages, no flash photography, no parking, no..no..no..no)
*Affordable locations too far from city

I am almost to the point where I just want to go to Vegas and call it a day! Any suggestions form anyone in the Milwaukee area? What issues have you experienced when sarching for a venue?

I totally understand, i hate compromising on something like my wedding but i had to say that being married is more important

When,I was looking at Venues I noticed beautiful places that otherwise would been out of our price range were giving significant discounts on Thursday Night weddings. So we thought long and hard amd decided to go for it. Family and friends are all down for it. Its giving us the opportunity to have the wedding of our dreams. FYI our venue on a sat is over 100PP we are paying 65pp. We have,to live after and thats what you have to think about Whats,best for you and your FH pockets

Thanks ladies...I'm trying not to stress too much...I still have 14 months to go! lol

You will find the right place trust me

have you ever thoug about a sunday wedding. I know I was totally against it but it is way cheaper, my weddding is in 13 months on a Sunday and Im in Dallas, Texas so things can be huge over price in and out of the city. I am having my wedding on the 42nd floor of a skyscrapper. The prices for a saturday weeing for 150-200 ppl would have cost me and the FH around 20, 000 and its a little less than half that with food, valet parking, and drinks, chairs, linens, candles. etc. Like I said I ws like no I want a saturday wedding but once we factored the huge difference we was on board for sunday. Good luck lady, I hope it works out.

Thanks! I'm definately open to Sunday. I've been looking at Friday evenings so far, which is also less expensive. Hopefully something will become available soon!

I felt the same way as soon as I started. It seemed as though every single place was WAY outta our price range. Of course a Sat would have been ideal, but I was open to just about anything! We ended up choosing a Fri night also and it's a big savings. Plus I know each bride has their opinion on Cash/Open bar. Just weight your options. Girl, I thought about everything to save money. and then compared each option. Sunday Brunch would have been an option for me too. but you really have to weigh pro's and con's.Also thought of really nice/fancy restaurants that have a banquet room for a smaller intimate party. Keeping the list small.. sometimes the best option to get what you really want.

One thing I will say is.... DON'T GIVE UP!!! Keep looking. Go to bridal shows. Get those magazines. Look @ Weddingwire.com. I'm telling you, it ain't easy. But the place will come and you'll have the wedding of your dreams!

Yes, I know! Finding a venue can be a headache, but the sooner you do it the better you'll feel and you'll be sure to have a place. Places book up so fast! It's good when you can find a place way ahead in advance and then make payments on it up til the wedding. At least you'd have it booked and time to pay it off that way.

Thanks for your kind & comforting words. I was really stressed but I feel so much better now. Just posted a blog about finally choosing a venue, which is the one i originally wanted but continued searching listening to other people's opinions. I'm finally doing what I want to do and I feel so much more relaxed!!!!