Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

here's the deal 🙂
I was part of a bridal party at this banquet hall in Austin a few weeks back. xD
Zero complaints from my end... everything was beyond great. The couple paid me exactly $75... we were loaded up with platters (lamb, pork, steaks... I think there were two salads and three sides, plus all the soda and liquor). Since most of us were from the South, we absolutely demolished that lamb, haha... they kept bringing more out constantly... we even had leftovers for lunch on Sunday at the venue. The price covered those fancy chair covers everyone talks about, plus the decor. The whole place looked stunning, mostly green and silver 🙂
....they also did a buffet. They have those carved centerpieces and watermelons on the tables—looked high-end. They didn't kick us out early either; we stayed until 6:30 PM. A local rock band was playing, maybe something like Lynyrd Skynyrd, but we had a blast. There were about 190 of us, though I think the room holds closer to 240. They offer cheaper packages too, but ours was the premium menu... if you're looking, go for it. They do whatever you ask. We were bugging them for days leading up to the wedding and they never complained. Truly good people.
The venue itself is beautiful. It’s in Austin, but they have a massive parking lot so you don't have to hunt for spots on side streets. Once you walk in, you'll see it's easily one of the nicest places around. The value is killer for what you get. We're actually getting married next year, so we'll probably book them again.👍👍
That's all I got. peace 🙂

Joseph Reed87 said:here's the deal 🙂
I was part of a bridal party at this banquet hall in Austin a few weeks back. xD
Zero complaints from my end... everything was beyond great. The couple paid me exactly $75... we were loaded up with platters (lamb, pork, steaks... I think there were two salads and three sides, plus all the soda and liquor). Since most of us were from the South, we absolutely demolished that lamb, haha... they kept bringing more out constantly... we even had leftovers for lunch on Sunday at the venue. The price covered those fancy chair covers everyone talks about, plus the decor. The whole place looked stunning, mostly green and silver 🙂
....they also did a buffet. They have those carved centerpieces and watermelons on the tables—looked high-end. They didn't kick us out early either; we stayed until 6:30 PM. A local rock band was playing, maybe something like Lynyrd Skynyrd, but we had a blast. There were about 190 of us, though I think the room holds closer to 240. They offer cheaper packages too, but ours was the premium menu... if you're looking, go for it. They do whatever you ask. We were bugging them for days leading up to the wedding and they never complained. Truly good people.
The venue itself is beautiful. It’s in Austin, but they have a massive parking lot so you don't have to hunt for spots on side streets. Once you walk in, you'll see it's easily one of the nicest places around. The value is killer for what you get. We're actually getting married next year, so we'll probably book them again.👍👍
That's all I got. peace 🙂

Joseph Reed87, you sound like you're telling a fairy tale.😂

I was there recently and honestly, it was a bad experience.
The first course was okay, but the portions were so small it was almost a joke.

There were no refills...which actually shocked me.😲
Two little scoops of leftover mashed potatoes for an entire platter meant for 8 people...I suspect it might have been one of their budget menus...there were fewer steaks on the plate than there were people at the table.🤣

Since everyone at the table was eating moderately, my conclusion is that the first course was WAY TOO LITTLE food.

The second course...well, that was just BAD COOKING.
I didn't think you could mess up cabbage rolls this badly, but it was terrible. Greasy broth and the meat was way too dark. Horrible taste...just awful.👎

I was at a wedding just yesterday and the difference is massive (not trying to promote another venue—unless I snag a 😁 discount) it's like night and day.👍

Also, I have to mention the vibe of the hall—it has a slightly "dated, old-school" look.

Maybe Joseph Reed87 hyped the food up so much that my acquaintance ended up taking the "budget" menu option.🤣
BUT REGARDLESS, A VENUE LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T ALLOW SUCH A SCANTY WEDDING if they actually care about their reputation.😠

Whether it was agreed upon or not, the lack of food during the second course was unacceptable...that is a HUGE FAIL for the kitchen at that venue.👎

Madonna, aren't you facing some kind of conflict of interest regarding that sale? 😂

I can tell you're a photographer, and it clearly bugs you when someone else outshines you. Peace.

I haven't seen an ad this bad in forever... 🤣nice job, sweetie... 🙄
first you drop three posts pretending to be Monica41, then four more acting like user123 🙄

and then there's this last part, seriously... 👎

if you'd actually looked at any of their work, you wouldn't be saying this—especially if you saw the shots he took for one of the girls on here 😁

alright, we get it, Ivan is the absolute king of the whole Indianapolis area and nobody even comes close to him 🤣

and honestly, I went through an entire album he shot and I wasn't impressed personally. His style hasn't changed at all; it's just the same basic stuff from years ago 😛

feralfox832 said:Why bother with traditional weddings? It can all just be one big party, like mine was (even though most of our guests were total old-schoolers). Forget all that stuff about "buying" the bride or whatever nonsense.
Our first dance was actually seven different mashups—everything from rock and disco to house and reggae—and everyone absolutely loved it.
We didn't hire a band because the ones we actually liked were insanely expensive, like $12,000-$6000. Instead, we went with a DJ. The older folks weren't thrilled at first—prejudices and all that—but in the end, they were happy because he played everything we wanted, straight originals. Plus, we saved a ton of cash; we only paid the DJ $833, so you do the math.
There weren't even any breaks; the guy said he didn't even have time for dinner. The sound system was solid, and the lighting made it feel like we’d stepped back into the disco era—strobe lights, fog machines, a disco ball, and a few other effects.
We got our gifts while we were taking photos after midnight. People would pose with us and then leave their gifts, mostly envelopes with varying amounts of cash.
The music covered everything from hits from the 60s to today's top tracks. We kept the sets to about 20-30 minutes so people wouldn't get stuck in one rhythm and get bored.
My main goal was making sure the older crowd had a good time, and they did—they were on their feet all night because the DJ really knew how to hit the right notes.
The whole thing lasted until 5 AM.
Bottom line: it doesn't have to be traditional. You're the ones getting married, not your parents. You have to explain to them that some of these old customs are totally unnecessary. If you try to follow every single rule, it just kills the vibe and drains your bank account—just look at the price difference between a DJ and a live band.
We didn't hand out wedding DVDs to everyone; there's no need to beg people to take them. We just gave everyone one photo and a CD with a selection of shots from the night. If people want more, they can make their own or just look at them on their computers.
So, that's the short version: simple, cheap, and fast.
We had a great time.

Hey, which DJ did you go with? It's important to me that they play more than just fun tracks—I want some high-energy, "shocking" music too, like line dancing or country style. (We are in the Midwest, after all...) if that's even possible.😁

Hey everyone! Does anyone happen to know what the prices are like for sales at the local FBI department store, and how are their menus generally? Also—if anyone’s been to the Joe hall near the stadium—what was your experience like there?

Nancy Cook51 said:Hey everyone! Does anyone happen to know what the prices are like for sales at the local FBI department store, and how are their menus generally? Also—if anyone’s been to the Joe hall near the stadium—what was your experience like there?

From what I gather, renting a hall at the FBI building is roughly $2333, which usually covers the space and the staff... though you'd have to handle all the other details yourself. As for the food prices, I'm honestly not too sure about those options.
I actually attended a wedding there once, and the food was pretty tasty—nothing fancy, but decent enough... my only gripe was that to get to the main hall, you have to walk through this hallway right by the restrooms.👎
If you're looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, Ben is a good shout, or maybe the Hilton—they have a really lovely ballroom, and the rental starts around 14 $0.00; I suppose it all really depends on how many guests you're planning to invite...

quietangler8 said:Joseph Reed87, you sound like you're telling a fairy tale.😂

I was there recently and honestly, it was a bad experience.
The first course was okay, but the portions were so small it was almost a joke.

There were no refills...which actually shocked me.😲
Two little scoops of leftover mashed potatoes for an entire platter meant for 8 people...I suspect it might have been one of their budget menus...there were fewer steaks on the plate than there were people at the table.🤣

Since everyone at the table was eating moderately, my conclusion is that the first course was WAY TOO LITTLE food.

The second course...well, that was just BAD COOKING.
I didn't think you could mess up cabbage rolls this badly, but it was terrible. Greasy broth and the meat was way too dark. Horrible taste...just awful.👎

I was at a wedding just yesterday and the difference is massive (not trying to promote another venue—unless I snag a 😁 discount) it's like night and day.👍

Also, I have to mention the vibe of the hall—it has a slightly "dated, old-school" look.

Maybe Joseph Reed87 hyped the food up so much that my acquaintance ended up taking the "budget" menu option.🤣
BUT REGARDLESS, A VENUE LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T ALLOW SUCH A SCANTY WEDDING if they actually care about their reputation.😠

Whether it was agreed upon or not, the lack of food during the second course was unacceptable...that is a HUGE FAIL for the kitchen at that venue.👎

Madonna, aren't you facing some kind of conflict of interest regarding that sale? 😂

So, clearly, the menu is where they differ. 🙂
Yeah, we had stew, so I don't know... maybe stuffed cabbage really is just bad.

All in all, we had a blast. The room was gorgeous. I don't really get what you mean by "communist vibes," though. What are you on about?

We didn't have any complaints. 🙂

I have a quick question for everyone—when you were putting together your wedding albums, did you just stick with your photographer, or did you end up sourcing them from somewhere else entirely? I’m also curious if anyone knows where I might find some of those larger, high-end wedding books around Indianapolis, and maybe a ballpark idea of what the pricing looks like these days...

latest 🙂
I needed one just like this for a christening gift, and I managed to find an identical version at Photo C over in the county seat, $130 a large beige edition with beige pages, and the same beige style but set against black pages $97. You should go take a look.
There is also something in the photo shop window, for $66, white with a zircon heart centered on the cover... it is quite lovely, though significantly smaller than these.

p.s. I simply took mine as part of the photographer's package.

David Ramos25 said:latest 🙂
I needed one just like this for a christening gift, and I managed to find an identical version at Photo C over in the county seat, $130 a large beige edition with beige pages, and the same beige style but set against black pages $97. You should go take a look.
There is also something in the photo shop window, for $66, white with a zircon heart centered on the cover... it is quite lovely, though significantly smaller than these.

p.s. I simply took mine as part of the photographer's package.

Thanks so much! I'm really leaning toward the one with the black pages, and honestly, the price is great. If we had gone through the photographer, it would've been around $233. I'll definitely head out and check them out.
How much did your album end up costing, and do you think it's better quality than the ones you can buy separately? For me, the most important thing is that it feels high-quality and sturdy... but if they're basically the same thing, then there's a huge difference in price...

Olivia Gomez2 said:I have a quick question for everyone—when you were putting together your wedding albums, did you just stick with your photographer, or did you end up sourcing them from somewhere else entirely? I’m also curious if anyone knows where I might find some of those larger, high-end wedding books around Indianapolis, and maybe a ballpark idea of what the pricing looks like these days...

I’ve checked out places like Best Buy, Walmart, CVS, and Intermarché, plus that Photo C everyone keeps mentioning.
The pricing is all over the map, starting from $33 and up. If you want the decent quality ones, expect to shell out about 250-$100.

My experience:
We had our wedding there back in May. Aside from one minor hiccup regarding my drink selection, everything was fantastic—the food, the portions, the service, the friendliness, the cleanliness, and the speed. That’s exactly why I picked this venue; the servers are upbeat and fun, and the food actually tastes good. I’ve been to plenty of weddings, both personally and for work, so I’ve seen my fair share of venues, staff, and the whole circus that comes with it.
I could get a hold of the owner whenever I needed to. She was incredibly easy to talk to and willing to accommodate just about any whim we had.
The food was plentiful. Everyone told us they were stuffed, which makes sense since we went with a diverse menu.
If you're looking at fancy halls or hotels in Indianapolis, do your homework. Check them out in person, ask friends, check with acquaintances, and obviously hit the forums. A lot of what they pitch to couples during a quick 10-minute sales pitch doesn't match reality.
Hope this helps someone. 😉

Olivia Gomez2 said:Thanks so much! I'm really leaning toward the one with the black pages, and honestly, the price is great. If we had gone through the photographer, it would've been around $233. I'll definitely head out and check them out.
How much did your album end up costing, and do you think it's better quality than the ones you can buy separately? For me, the most important thing is that it feels high-quality and sturdy... but if they're basically the same thing, then there's a huge difference in price...

Our album won't be ready until 🙂... I really need to update my signature with the date 🙂
I suspect it's nearly identical to the one from Photo C, just larger.
However, I opted for the package included with the photographer. I'm convinced I couldn't replicate their work quite as well... besides, those extra $233 would have ended up being wasted on something trivial anyway...

Did you manage to go take a look?

David Ramos25 said:Our album won't be ready until 🙂... I really need to update my signature with the date 🙂
I suspect it's nearly identical to the one from Photo C, just larger.
However, I opted for the package included with the photographer. I'm convinced I couldn't replicate their work quite as well... besides, those extra $233 would have ended up being wasted on something trivial anyway...

Did you manage to go take a look?

I haven't been to Photo C myself, but I did stop by that photo studio downtown—they have those large leather ones for around $500$217, though they have different styles too, I think some materials go up to $100, and there was one specifically lovely one for about $87. I'll probably browse through Walmart tomorrow to see what's available. We still have plenty of time to pick up those supplies...
We actually told our photographer that we'd likely go with her album, though we might change our minds later. She mentioned that even if we buy one somewhere else, she’d love for us to give it to her so she can arrange the photos herself—she’s really particular about everything looking neat and orderly. Honestly, I wouldn't even dream of trying to arrange them all by myself... I know I couldn't make it look nearly as organized as she would...
I happened to notice while passing by that you can actually buy these albums separately, so I'm just checking things out. My main priority is quality—if the cheaper options turn out to be flimsy or poorly made, we'll just stick with hers and call it a day...

Are we using the same photographers here? 😁

Fantasy Flowers in Columbus, does anyone have an idea of how much everything actually costs? I mean the full scope—wedding party, car decorations, bouquets, boutonnieres, the house, the church, the hotel...

I picked up two different bouquets for my mother's birthday recently, one from an Alstroemeria shop and one from Fantasy Flowers. $33 Each was fine. But the one from Fantasy was larger, more lush, and personally, much more beautiful...
What would you consider a reasonable maximum budget for flowers?

Hi everyone, I’m new here and I wanted to toss a question out to the group... Does anyone happen to know any good caterers in the Columbus area? We have everything else booked for our wedding, but we still need to figure out the food situation since we aren't paying per head... If anyone has some recommendations, I would truly appreciate the help 🙂

David Ramos25 said:Are we using the same photographers here? 😁

It's possible... we ended up booking Maya Perić!
I was over at Miller earlier this morning, and they didn't have any wedding albums in stock—I mean, they have a huge selection of photo albums in general, but nothing like those big, leather-bound ones you typically see for weddings...

David Ramos25 said:Fantasy Flowers in Columbus, does anyone have an idea of how much everything actually costs? I mean the full scope—wedding party, car decorations, bouquets, boutonnieres, the house, the church, the hotel...

I picked up two different bouquets for my mother's birthday recently, one from an Alstroemeria shop and one from Fantasy Flowers. $33 Each was fine. But the one from Fantasy was larger, more lush, and personally, much more beautiful...
What would you consider a reasonable maximum budget for flowers?

Since I'm apparently hopeless and completely forgot how multi-quote 😵 works, here I am again...
I’ve heard that Fantasy can be pretty pricey—someone mentioned a quote running as high as $20 $0.00 😕😕—though I don't quite believe that myself, so your best bet is probably just to head over there and ask.
Prices really vary wildly; it honestly all comes down to what you're looking for. Your best move is to decide on a hard maximum budget for the florals first, then pick out the types of flowers you want... a good florist will work within those numbers.
That’s how I handled it—I told mine exactly which flowers and colors I wanted and how much I needed (number of tables, number of boutonnieres, etc.), and she mapped out the whole vision, noted down the quantities, and gave me a total. I told her not to go over $2000. It ended up landing right around there, even though I went pretty big with my arrangements. I wanted them to look really full. I visited her shop, she walked me through her entire plan, and I was just thrilled with it... so yeah, that was it.