Archive for the ‘Venues’ Category

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Piper’s Manor Is Grand

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

The last of the major decisions is finally off our plate! On the 1st of this month, Shane and I sat down for a tasting and contract signing at Piper’s Grand Manor for the reception. The details will surely unfold over the next few months, but it feels so good to finally be done deciding! It sure did take long enough!

You can see pictures of the Grand Manor on their website. It really doesn’t look like much at all from the outside. I never would have gone to look at it had it not been for the Greenwood Chamber holding an event there last fall. Actually, I didn’t even know that the Grand Manor existed; I just thought that it was a restaurant. Even so, the exterior definitely does not do the interior justice! Their food is scrumptious, too!

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I’m So Excited!!!!

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Of all the places Shane and I have looked at for a wedding/reception, not a single one of them really seemed to “fit”. Not even with the Scottish Rite was I completely ecstatic and overcome. (Had the Lounge been decorated for a wedding while we were there, I most likely would have been….until I heard the price.)

Today I went to a luncheon at Piper’s Cafe & Grand Manor; the luncheon was held in the Grand Manor. I must say, I’m rather ecstatic. The entire time I was there, I couldn’t stop looking around and thinking “I have to have my reception here”. Shane still hasn’t seen it, so it obviously is not final by any means. It just is the first thing I’ve seen that is just my style: beautiful, but not over the top. And the best part is that, just from the quick glance that I gave the (absolutely beautiful) information packet, the price is better than any we’ve seen thus far as well.

There is much discussion to be had and even more research to do, but for the first time in months I feel at ease that there is at least Piper’s to fall back on if we can’t find anything in our budget that Shane loves. I’m pretty sure he’ll like it; definitely more than the IMU, but not near as much as the Scottish Rite. The best part is that it is literally right down the road from our house, at Southport and 37.

As far as the ceremony goes, they have pictures of a ceremony and reception that were held in the Grand Manor, but I’m not really too sure about that. I think I’d rather have it at the Winchester Place, another local venue that a contact of mine at the Greenwood Chamber owns and runs. It has a beautiful outdoor/garden area. Time will tell.

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It’s Officially Unofficial….Again

Monday, July 27th, 2009

I spent a good part of last week hassling with the caterer for the Scottish Rite. After finally getting the quote from them, we saw that it was well over the minimum amount of $8000. I ended up getting a second quote for 70 people, if we just invited close family and friends, which ended up being right at the minimum. But the person sending these quotes made it very clear that all prices (even minimums) were subject to change in the next two years. That is to be expected, but their prices are already beyond our budget. Also, if they’re already charging almost 200% for the same linens as somewhere else, I’m expecting their inflation rates are almost double as well.

After all the emails back and forth, the lack of response initially from them, and especially the fact that the Scottish Rite endorses a company such as this, I was so stressed that I actually cried. I didn’t even want to think about the wedding at all. I wanted so badly to give Shane what he wanted, but I just don’t see it leading to a good, happy experience.

While hanging out watching TV yesterday, Shane said for a second time that we should just go with the IMU for a venue. I know it isn’t what he wants, but I also know that he doesn’t want either of us to be so stressed out over this that we don’t enjoy it. It only took me roughly 30 minutes of thinking about having it at the IMU to get excited about all of it all over again, and I think that is enough of a sign to me that it is the right decision to make. I must say, I’m really disappointed. Not as much as Shane is, I’m sure. But I think it is the best thing for us to not have it there.

It is still unofficial because the IMU doesn’t book events until a year before them. That and the fact that there’s a chance of Cream and Crimson being on that same weekend makes me rather nervous, but that isn’t anything we can’t handle if it comes down to it. Also, that gives us a year (almost) to relax and not worry about it. Then again, a year from now is when a lot of other things will need to be planned, so its a double-edged sword. Whatever. It will all work out, and it will be worth it in the end, I’m sure.

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This Could Be It

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Yesterday Shane came to me with a website to look at for the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral, saying “this is my idea of beautiful”. And it definitely is! So today we went and took a tour, and luckily enough the event manager was in her office and able to meet with us after the tour. After talking with her we realized one of our best options is the South Lounge for both the ceremony and reception, with a cocktail hour in the Lobby while the caterer sets up for the reception. The price for that was fairly reasonable for the Indianapolis area.

Then, at lunch, we read through the information the event manager gave us and found the catering minimum for the South Lounge. $10,000!!!!!!

It took me all day to catch my breath from seeing that. And I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. Comparing it to the price of the IMU is just crazy. But, comparing the venues is absolutely no contest. If I get a job and we save $1000/mo together ($500 each) for the next 22 months, then we will be able to do it (based on the budget planner I’m using).

Two main things that are keeping me convinced that this is “it” are:

There is no more perfect place for Shane to get married. (That’s my opinion.) The precision of measurements in the architecture just screams “Shane” to me.

If we go anywhere else, I will be kicking myself in the butt for the rest of my life because we didn’t get married there. Along with it being something that Shane thought of, something Shane loves, etc, it is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in. It suits the “fairytale” concept perfectly, and it would truly make me feel like royalty. [Most people] only do this once in their life, and I will be one of those people. And if I do something, we all know I’m going to do it right.

Anyway, here are the pictures. The inside is much more beautiful in person, and looks even better when they’re set up for a wedding.

Scottish Rite Cathedral Tower

The original main entrance to the Cathedral. At night it is lit up in blue and green lights.

Scottish Rite Cathedral Towers

The towers at the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral.

Scottish Rite Cathedral Lobby

The lobby of the Cathedral. Very dim lighting inside, which caused some issues for my camera with focusing. But you can still see the general beauty here.

lobby ceiling

Some of the beautiful hand-carved detail on the ceiling of the Lobby.

South Lounge

The beautiful South Lounge.

Tiler Room

The Tiler Room, just inside the original main entrance. There is way too much detail in the entire building to possibly capture in a single photo.

Theater

The Theater. This is another option for the ceremony, but I think its too big. We’d only use the stage and the floor area in front of it, but it would still be too big for me personally.

William L Freese

Shane’s grandfather was a member of the Scottish Rite until just recently. We found his picture in the archives.

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The Indiana Memorial Union

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Today Shane, Xavier, and I went to Bloomington to see the Indiana Memorial Union venues and get some more information. There were a few issues that came up while we met with the wedding coordinator, Bari, that really could throw me for a loop.

First off, the room Bari recommended is one of my least favorite rooms in the whole building. But, with some careful planning of decor, it could be quite nice. Then again, one of my main goals was to find a place that needed as little decoration as possible, to save on money.

The next issue, and the biggest one, is that Bari said Cream & Crimson (the annual Alumni Weekend) is usually held the first weekend in June. That would mean that hotel rooms would be scarce and most banquet rooms would be occupied the entire weekend. However, this past June it was held the 18th-21st. So, there is hope that it won’t be held that weekend. There is the option of changing the date, but I am really, really excited that it will be on the anniversary of Shane proposing.

I think I forgot to mention on here that the Federal Room does not allow dancing. Though I’m not really sure just how many people will dance or how much, there’s no way we’re not having our “first dance”. At this rate, it really will be our first (slow) dance, and it might never happen again! I’m okay with Shane not liking to dance, but slow dancing with the one you love is a very emotional/romantic/etc thing for me, and it will just add to the romance of our wedding for us. Maybe not for anyone else, but for us it will. Or, at least it could, if we can manage to block out the fact that we have a bunch of our friends and family watching us. Lol.

So, the Federal Room is out for the reception, but (if we have enough money) I’d like to use it for either the Rehearsal Dinner or the Sunday Brunch. And, if we hit the lottery or my business starts taking off, both. :)

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