NH Wedding Venue: Atkinson Resort & Country Club

The Atkinson Resort and country Club is a nice country club located in southern NH. It has a modern feel with dark wood accents. Everything seems clean and well kept. There are many different places for you to hold your reception. The largest ballroom can hold 450 people but requires a $25,000 food and beverage minimum on a Saturday night. There are two places to hold your ceremony outside. The most popular is the Trellis Area. It is a really pretty dark wood trellis set on a circular stone patio with a nice stone walkway to serve as an aisle. The ballrooms are pretty typical, the largest ballroom has very high ceilings and a lot of light but the restaurant is right outside the doors and even though they say they put up a wall in between it isn't totally private. The downstairs ballrooms have low ceilings and also don't have as much natural light. They do have a more secluded outside area for cocktail hour. They also hold more than one wedding reception a day but only one ceremony. We didn't choose the Atkinson CC because we didn't want a ballroom wedding but I would suggest this venue for the bride who needs space for a large wedding party and has some money to spend. Details below!

Information					Comments
The Venue: Atkinson Resort and Country Club					A nice country club done in a exposed beam country motif.
Location: Atkinson, NH					A cute rural area in southern NH.
Prime Season: May-October
Ceremony Onsite: Yes, indoors or outdoors.					The outdoor space is near a really pretty wood trellis with circular stone patio.
Capacity: The facility can from 450-50 people.					There are a total of 4 reception areas that you can choose from. They hold more than one wedding at a time.
Guest Min Required? No
Bridal/Groom Rooms? Yes. They have suites to get ready in. They also comp a room at the resort for the bride and groom.					One bridal suite has a balcony overlooking the ballroom which is cool, the other one is downstairs and doesn't have much natural light.
Function Rental Fee: Included in the package fee.
Overtime Fee: Not specified					You have a 5 hour period.
Ceremony Fee: $600
Catering: All food provided by resort. Packages range from $95-$75 per person.					1 hr of open bar is included with both packages.
Alcohol: Open bar ranges from $23-$17/p for 3 hrs.					You can also have a consumption or cash bar.
Food/Beverage Min? Yes, ranges from $25,000 - $7,000 for a Saturday night reception.					Depends on which room you rent.
Not specified.
Extra Fees: 5% state tax, 14% gratuity
Accommodations: 16 rooms.
Venue Contact: Nicolette Burns					Nicolette@atkinsoncc.com

    

VT Wedding Venue: The Woodstock Inn

The Woodstock Inn is a really great resort located in the idyllic Woodstock, VT. This town is a touristy location but it cater's to everyone stereotypical ideas about a chic Vermont town without being too obnoxious. There are a ton of cute shops and old churches in town and it is a lot of fun to walk around. We visited the inn and I really loved the feel right when you walk in. There is a large wood burning fireplace that burns small trees instead of logs due to its' size. Everything is decorated country chic and the staff is attentive right as you walk through the door. They have multiple outdoor ceremony spaces, one in the front of the inn and one in the back. I like the back space more because it was more secluded but both were pretty. They have some off site locations for receptions of smaller parties, but I look at the two large onsite indoor spaces. One is the Rockafeller room which is on the first floor and has great large floor to ceiling windows and can hold 160 but less with a dance floor. I liked the room but it was laid out weird and guests of the inn will walk right by your cocktail hour as it is outside the room. I didn't get a feeling of privacy  even though they assured me they would rope it off so people didn't actually walk into the cocktail hour there still wouldn't be a visual barrier. Downstairs is the ballroom which opens out into the courtyard for cocktail hour, which was great but the ballroom has no windows and a low ceiling. It was clean and nice but just so typical and stuffy. The hall outside the ballroom has great stonework and it gorgeous but the ballroom failed to impress me. We chose not to go with The Woodstock Inn because we didn't really love any of the indoor spaces and didn't want to compromise for the price we were going to pay. I would suggest this venue for someone who loved the rustic chic feeling and either has a smaller party (125 or less) or doesn't mind a typical ballroom in a very pretty Vermont town. Details below and happy hunting!

Information					Comments
The Venue: Woodstock Inn					A very upscale inn, 4 diamond resort with two amazing restaurants and full spa.
Location: Woodstock, VT					Super cute and chic Vermont town.
Prime Season: May-October
Ceremony Onsite: Yes, indoors or outdoors.					Two outdoor spaces, one in the front of the inn and one in the courtyard.
Capacity: The facility can hold up to 200 in the ballroom.					There are other smaller rooms for smaller parties. Up to 3 different locations.
Guest Min Required? No
Bridal/Groom Rooms? Yes. It is a room you rent there.					The bride and groom's room is one of their big suites. It is very nice and spacious.
Function Rental Fee: Prime: Sat $8,500, Fri&Sun $7,5000, Weekday $6,500. Off season: $6,000					One wedding a day. You choose the 6 hr period  Events must end by 10 pm.
Overtime Fee: Not specified					You only have a 5 hour period.
Ceremony Fee: Included in rental fee.
Catering: All food provided by resort. Packages range from $85-$100 per person.					A cake is included in all of the packages.
Alcohol: Open bar ranges from $51-$41/p for 5 hrs to $15/p for 1 hr.					You can also have a consumption or cash bar.
Food/Beverage Min? No
Bar Fee: $50/bartender for the first 2 hr, then $30/bartender or 20% of your bill which ever is greater.
Extra Fees: 9% state tax, 20% gratuity
Accommodations: 142 rooms.					Rooms range from $200-$600 a night.
Venue Contact: Devon Harrison					dah@woodstockinn.com

Ballroom

Rockefeller Room

ME Wedding Venue: French's Point

French's Point is one of my favorite ME venues. I attended a wedding here and was completely blown away. This venue is amazing! The ocean views are to die for and the ceremony space is on a point that has a beautiful gazebo. The outside space has large sloping lawns and great stone patio for cocktail hour. Inside the estate there is one large open room where dinner and dancing is held. It is all dark wood with a grand built in bar and floor to ceiling windows to keep the ocean close. It is all elegance and sophistication while still maintaining a rustic Maine feel. I would have picked this venue in a heart beat but there were a couple of factors that we couldn't over come. The biggest was cost. We wanted to spend around $25-30k for the whole wedding and that is the average for just a reception here. The food minimum for a Saturday during prime season is $20,000! In addition to the cost, is the remote location of the venue. While this is part of the charm it also makes it difficult for guests to find decent hotels. We staying in a cheap hotel (Holiday Inn?) that was ok but not my preference. The couple who's wedding we attended bused people to the venue and back which would be a must because it is at least a 20-25 minute drive to the venue from the closest hotel. I would suggest this venue to any bride but it is only practical for those who have a big budget. Details below!

Information					Comments
The Venue: French's Point					What I think is the one of the most elegant and beautiful ME venues.
Location: Stockton Springs, ME					Very far up the ME coastline.
Prime Season: Memorial Day-Columbus Day
Ceremony Onsite: Yes, indoors or outdoors.					The outdoor space is to die for with a gazebo and 210° view of the ocean!
Capacity: The facility can hold up to 300.					The ballroom, music room and rose terrace and the spaces that your rental fee includes.
Guest Min Required? No
Bridal/Groom Rooms? Yes. It is a room you rent there.					They comp your room on your wedding night.
Function Rental Fee: Prime: Sat $8,500, Fri&Sun $7,5000, Weekday $6,500. Off season: $6,000					One wedding a day. You choose the 6 hr period  Events must end by 10 pm.
Overtime Fee: Not specified
Ceremony Fee: Included in rental fee.
Catering: All food provided by resort. Packages range from $146-$168 per person.					Each increasing package includes more courses up to a total of four.
Alcohol: $45 pp for open bar, $30 for beer and wine, both are for 5 hours of service.					If you have open bar it is required for at least 3 hours.
Food/Beverage Min? Sat: $20,000, Fri&Sun: $15,000, Weekday: $8,000, Off-season: $8,000					The totals are before tax and gratuity.
Bar Fee: None
Extra Fees: 7% state tax, 20% admin fee on food and beverage.
Accommodations: 30 person farm house onsite available for rental.					Weekend: $8,500, Week: $11,000
Venue Contact: Eric Z. Joy					service@fpmaine.com

   

MA Wedding Venue: Cyprian Keyes Golf Club

Cyprian Keyes Golf Club is a small golf course in Bolyston, MA. I think it is better than most country clubs because the ballroom isn't a perfectly square, low ceiling, windowless room. The ballroom has nice high peaked ceilings with a lot of natural light and windows. On one side of the ballroom is the room where cocktail hour is held. It is a small room with dark wood accents and has a cool little staircase that would make for a good entrance and pictures. The ceremony is held outside overlooking the first tee and in between two rock walls. The outside area is nice but you can see into the restaurant which will be open during the reception so that might be a little awkward. The wedding packages they offer are really inclusive and I think that overall they offer a really good deal. If you get one of the better packages then you get to pick any 5 hours on the day of your wedding instead of them holding two weddings that day. Overall I would suggest this for a bride more on a budget who wants to have an inclusive package. Details below!

Information		Comments
The Venue: Cyprian Keyes Golf Club		Traditional country club venue.
Location: Bolyston, MA		Town just east of Worcester, very pretty and more rural.
Rental Season: No prime season specified.		I would assume the normal May-October.
Ceremony Onsite: Yes, outdoors or inside.		Most have the ceremony outside overlooking the fairway.
Capacity: up to 220.		This is for the Spring Garden Ballroom.
Guest Min Required? None specified.
Bridal/Groom Rooms? Yes, there are rooms to get ready in.		The bridal suite has a balcony.
Function Rental Fee: None listed, included in the package prices.		They hold two ceremonies a day on from 12-5pm or 6:30-11:30pm. Not sure if this is every day on the weekend or just Saturdays.
Overtime Fee: Not specified.
Ceremony Fee: $500
Catering: Food done by the CC. Packages range from $85-$150 per person. They offer buffet and plated options.		The packages are really inclusive. They have lots of linen options, a round of golf, anniversary dinner is included as well.
Alcohol: 3 of 4 packages include at least 1 hr of open bar. Add $20 pp to have an open bar all night.
Food/Beverage Min? No
Bar Fee: None
Extra Fees: 20% admin fee and 6.25% MA sales tax.
Accommodations: None
Venue Contact: Susan Piper		susanp@cypriankeyes.com

Negotiating Your Venue Contract

A couple of posts ago I talked about how there are extra costs in every venue that can really add up. Besides being aware of what to look for when you are scouting out new venues, always know that you can negotiate. Everyone thinks about negotiation differently, some people think it's tacky or awkward or even an absolute no. My view on negotiation is that the worst they can say is no, so why not try? You might end up with exactly what you want for the cost you want and who wouldn't love that?! I think most things are negotiable, including your contract. It is important though to be reasonable and do your homework! Below are some tips on ways to get what you want.

1. Ask: You can't get what you want if you don't ask. I understand some people are shy or feel uncomfortable with confronting venue wedding coordinators. I would suggest that if you can't come out and do it face to face then sending a polite e-mail is always and acceptable option. Make sure you are clear about what you want and if you are willing to make any compromises, and be polite! If you want a face to face discussion then bring a friend or family member. They will help diffuse any tension and can back you up if you need it. 
2. Read all the fine print: Make sure that before you ask for any changes you read through any contracts in their entirety. You would hate to ask for something that is already outlined in the contract. Make sure you fully understand all the details in the contract and if you don't ask a the venue rep to explain. If possible have a professional (could be a family or friend) review to make sure everything looks legal and is fair.
3. Know what you want: Before you ask for any changes, know what you want and be clear about what you are asking for. The more clear your requests are the more likely they are to be taken seriously. When I asked for changes in my venue contract, I supplied specific wording and changes things to exactly how I wanted them to read. This allowed my venue rep to know what questions to ask her manager and get straight answers. (mine was no, haha)
4. After the answer: So they say yes! Congrats you got what you wanted and it was worth it! They said no, don't worry things don't have to be weird.  My venue said no to my requests but I loved them enough that it wasn't a deal breaker. For some places it will be a deal breaker if they turn you down but for other places it will be no big deal. If you choose to do business with them afterwards, continue to act in a professional manner and be polite. Don't whine or complain about how they denied your requests. After all you chose to work with them afterwards. 

In short, I think it's always fair to ask for changes in the contract or policies as long as you are reasonable,  knowledgeable and polite. Here is a great article on what not to do when negotiating. Leave a comment if you've ever negotiated a contract and have an tips for future brides! Happy hunting!