Wedding reception ideas?!

Hi!

I would like to find a nice rental to hold a reception for around 150 people in the Detroit and metro Detroit area this summer. Ideally, I could bring and serve my own liquor and hire my own caterer.

Any alternative ideas or venues are welcome and appreciated.

Wedding reception ideas?!

I have no idea how the cost compares to your budget, but we attended a company Christmas party a year ago for around 150 people at Henry Ford Museum, and it was amazing. It was after hours, so we had the entire museum to ourselves, and food was set up at buffet stations in the central open area, with tables scattered throughout for eating.

thehenryford.org/privateevents/…weddings.aspx

Wedding reception ideas?!

I love the Henry Ford Museum and actually did a corporate event for 150 people there; it was very expensive, but also very nice. Unfortunately, a really major cost is setting up and tearing down while the Museum is closed. You will have to hire a company to do this.

You won%26#39;t be permitted into the Museum until it closes at 5:00 p.m. and you have to set up very quickly for an evening event, then restore everything before opening time in the morning. These are very high costs that you would not incur were you to use another venue.

Many places will not let you serve your own liquor or hire your own caterer. I don%26#39;t know their policies re these points, but I recommend that you begin your research by looking at some of the historical homes in the metro area: Fairlane Estate in Dearborn, Meadowbrook, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe, etc.

All would be ideal for a summer wedding reception. Country clubs and public golf courses with nice banquet facilities would be other ideas. There are dozens of possibilities, but they fill up fast. (My daughter%26#39;s reception was at Fox Hills near Plymouth and both the setting and the food were excellent.)

These are just a few ideas.

That last post made me think of another. I don%26#39;t know about allowing private catering, but St. John%26#39;s conference center in Plymouth is gorgeous. They have several rooms that are really nice, and the atrium (actually downstairs when you enter through the main doors) is unbelievably beautiful. Brick with street-type lamps, and floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows.

Well we went to a wedding reception at the Lions Club in Washington township and were we surprised at how nice the venue was. Typically when you think of VFW, KOC, and lions Clubs you think of small crowded dingy rooms but this was not that at all. They also had a great outdoor patio area for guests and I am almost positive that they let the bride/groom bring in liquor and their own caterer. The web link is www.washingtonlions.org/banquetcenter.php.

You may also want to check the Club Venetian Banquet Hall near Royal Oak. Not sure what their policies but I thought my friend said that they were flexible as well

For catering I would whole heartedly recommend Cranks. They have two locations: Warren %26amp; Utica. We used them for our outdoor wedding reception several years ago and the price, service, and food were excellent. We were also able to rent linens through them at a very reasonable cost and we did not have to launder them prior to returning. With regards to the liquor, find a store that will allow you to return unopened bottles to save on cost. We used Manny%26#39;s Liquor in Rochester who provided delivery %26amp; ice as well.

Another option for your reception would be to hold an outdoor party under a large tent in someone%26#39;s backyard or at a park (I think Stoney Creek Metro has a tent set up for weddings during the summer). It would allow you the flexibility that you are looking for. We used Classic Rents (586-254-2775) in Sterling Heights and they provided the tent, tables, chairs, flooring, bar equipment. Very happy with the price and service.

If you find a place that will let you supply your own liquor, go to Canada to buy it. You will still have to pay duty when you bring it to the US, but it is under $3 per liter.

For example, a liter of Canadian Club whisky will run you at least $18 in Michigan - the price is fixed by the state so no chance of getting it cheaper. I picked it up at the tunnel a couple months ago for $11 CAD, or under $9 US with the exchange. Even if they hit me with duty (they were nice and didn%26#39;t) it would be $12. Not every liquor is a great deal, so check prices here before you go. Whisky, vodka and rum have always been good buys for me.

You have to cross into Canada to buy on the other side or the river. The tunnel is probably easiest due to construction near the bridge. Just make sure you declare everything you bought to Customs when you re-enter the US. Four of us brought back about 15 liters plus a couple cases of beer and the CBP officer was nice enough to not make us pay. Others have made me pay for less. It all depends on the officer%26#39;s personality, mood and how busy they are. (Saying you are getting married probably won%26#39;t hurt). If you do have to pay, it is a 5-10 minute stop at secondary - I think it is cash/check only too.

Bridge: http://www.ambassadorbridge.com/abdf/

Tunnel: http://tunneldutyfree.com/

Cranks is the caterer for Stoney Creek (and I believe the other metro parks). That is a good idea if you are okay with the outdoor tent idea. Cranks is a very good caterer with many choices of food.

I believe you also arrange your own caterer at the Van Hoosen Farm and Musuem in Rochester Hills. They have beautiful gardens and an indoor and outdoor area that can be used for weddings. (Cannot accommodate 150 inside - only outside.)

rochesterhills.org/city_services/museum/your…

If you end up going with a golf course I recommend two: Cherry Creek in Shelby and Twin Lakes in Rochester Hills (Oakland Township). GEORGEOUS facilities but expensive.

Less expensive options are: Rochester Community House (rochestercommhouse.org/Rentals/Wedding.htm

or Oak Arbor Church and banquet facility - you have to use their caterer:

www.oakarbor.org/weddings/catering/index.html

I have been to a wedding at Oak Arbor and was very impressed with their facility. They also serve family style which was different. People seemed to enjoy it.

Good luck.

Remembered one other place I heard about - The zoo rents out space for weddings:

detroitzoo.org/News%10Events/…

Longacre House, a historic house in Farmington Hills, often hosts weddings, showers, etc. Here is their link:

…farmington-hills.mi.us/Community/ParksandFa…