Anyone with experience having a wedding at a fire hall or something like it?

Question

I will be getting married in October of 2009. My fiance and myself are looking at various places mostly full service catering halls where the food and alchool is included.

I guess I would just like some opinions on having the reception at a fire hall and getting everything else one by one such as caterer, alchool, DJ or should we just go with a full package deal that can save sainity but end up costing more?

Answer 1

My bro and his wife had their reception at our local fire hall. It was nice, we decorated ourselves with tulling and bows and ribbon and lights. We also did the centerpieces. He hired the ladies auxilary of the fire company to cook, the food was buffet and all amazing comfort food (ham, mac & cheese, stew, etc). My mom knew a lady who bartended as a side job so she did it for like $100 and my dad bought all the alcohol and drinks as a gift to my bro. My aunt gave the cake as a gift. My bro and his fiance used the station's soundsystem and hooked it to their laptop (this was before iPods) and played mix CDs of their choosing. I remember that the music was great and I was also pleased by the lack of smoky smell that sometimes accompanies firehouses (they aired out the place pretty well!). I think the entire wedding was about $1500 and that includes the brides dress. It was a great time and it was pretty inexpensive, a good option if you know people!

Good luck

Answer 2

Hi.  Yes, it's done all the done where I live.  Yes, it will, most likely, be cheaper.  However, no matter how much you decorate, etc., it is STILL a fire hall.  You really cannot "transform" it.

If it was me, I would go with the full service catering hall.  Much less hassle and (hopefully) nicer looking.

Answer 3

It's definitely cheaper to just get a hall and do it yourself.  My family has done that for numerous weddings, because we live in the country and don't have many options.  If you've got a big, supportive family, everyone chips in.  My family always divvies up the food and everyone makes something.  Then we buy our own alcohol and hire a DJ.  It's always a fun time, but not nearly as fancy as other wedding receptions I've been too.  But then again, we're not fancy people.  If you don't have a big family, and you'd be doing most of the work yourself, I'd save myself the hassle and just buy a full service thing.  Good luck to you, whatever you decide to do.