Post # 1
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
Hi all,
I am looking for a wedding reception venue in Milwaukee, downtown would be awesome. I have started to ask around for prices at some places, but I have already run into places that are too expensive for what I feel comfortable paying. Does anyone know of a nice venue that I should look at that will cost under $9,000 for food, drink, set-up, takedown, etc.? I would love for it to be in downtown Milwaukee, however I am open to the surrounding suburbs if there is a place worth looking at. Also, we will have about 140-170 guests, so the venue will need to be accomodating to a reception of that size.
Any information you have on a venue would be helpful; prices, contact info, website, etc.
Thanks so much!!
Post # 3
Member
652 posts
Busy bee
I don’t know if it quite fits the price specs, but we’re having our at-home party at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center (on the corner of Wells and Van Buren). To me, it’s the perfect blend of history and beauty. I’m so excited to have our party there in a few months!
Post # 4
Member
128 posts
Blushing bee
Check out the Bartolotta catering sites, like the Grain Exchange or Pier Wisconsin.
http://bartolottacatering.com/grain/served-dinner/
http://bartolottacatering.com/pier/served-dinner/
They have sample menus up so that you can figure out prices for the food at least. Julie at Pier Wisconsin will send you sample catering menus as well as a “wish list” that you can fill out so that she can send you an estimated price of what you want. It includes things like what type of chairs you want, if you want a late night coffee/snack/hors d’oeuvres bar, bar arrangements, etc.
Post # 5
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
@flying_hearts: Thanks for the tip! I’ve got a message in to Sandra. Hope to hear back soon.
Post # 6
Member
3 posts
Wannabee
Great question! I’m in the same boat. Hoping to get some more good leads. 🙂
Post # 7
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
Thanks for the tips! I will give these a look.
I really wanted the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown MKE, but they have a $10,000 food & drink minimum for a Saturday reception in August. And that’s before taxes and gratuity. Broke my heart a little. ha. But I have just started my search, so time to move on and find a place that is perfect!
Post # 8
Member
3551 posts
Sugar bee
Check out Zilli Hospitality group http://www.zillihospitalitygroup.com/ they cater a lot of the county’s properties like the domes and in 2014 the Boerner Botanical gardens. I just booked my venue, the Hubbard Park Lodge in Shorewood, their prices were by far the most reasonable of anyone I talked to. I did try Bartolotta’s, but their minimum for an alcohol free brunch for 100 was $10,000, I have no idea how you even manage to spend that.
Post # 9
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
@Eckle: If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of pricing did you get for August 2014 for the Hubbard Park Lodge. I haven’t looked at them yet.
Post # 10
Member
3551 posts
Sugar bee
@pinksprinkles: Sorry I missed this because you didn’t tag me (just hit the reply button and I’ll get a message that you tagged me). With our custom menu and their bronze bar package we’re looking at $46 per person with kids 13-20 are $40, kids 7-12 are $19, and 6 and under are free. I’ve got 30 children on my guest list so the kid pricing is important to me. The per person price includes hall rental, food, drink, set-up, and take down of the buffet, white linens, place settings, bartender, and cake cutting. It is $500 for the ceremony, for which they set up chairs near the river.
Post # 11
Member
196 posts
Blushing bee
@Eckle: (I see how to tag now, thanks!) And thank you for the information! I really appreciate it! I have a short list of places yet to contact and I think the fiance and I will set something up to view this location because it sounds very reasonable!
Post # 12
Member
3551 posts
Sugar bee
@pinksprinkles: I haven’t actually seen the venue yet (the joys of planning long distance) but my parents thought it was really nice and liked how secluded it seemed even though it’s pretty much in the city. I found
this couple’s pictures really helpful in getting an idea of what it looks like when they are hosting a wedding. My parents also went to their Sunday brunch to get an idea of what their food it like. My mom met with the caterer and manager for me and they were very accomodating in creating a custom menu (we wanted a brunch buffet). Except for a few misunderstandings via email they’ve been really easy to work with.
Post # 13
Member
762 posts
Busy bee
idk if your still looking but i just found my place. its the South Shore Park Pavilion. Its right on the lake downtown. the pics look beautiful. look it up in the milwaukee parks page. holds up to 210. the place itself is realitivly cheap depending on how many hours your planning on. im having the ceramony and reception there so im planning for 12 hours all together and im estimating around $2500. plus they allow for either caterers or for you to bring your own food which is what im planning.
Post # 13
Member
161 posts
Blushing bee
jbbs1222: i dont know if you’re still around but how did your wedding go at SOuth Shore?!