Potential Reception Venues!

I know, right? Reception! We don't even know what, or more importantly where these two crazy kids are having the ceremony! All in due time, all in due time. We're still well down the destination path, but I'm not ready to disclose anything yet. Basically, I'm still a little bit non-committal.

So, let's talk reception, shall we. A few weeks ago The Stallion and I went to an open house at The Terrace on Grand with my family and his mother. It was a pretty great space. It's real selling point is it's rooftop terrace.

It really is spectacular. It has a virtually unobstructed 360-degree view of downtown Kansas City.

The indoor portion of the space is the top floor of the building. It's your typical loft space, with big windows on the east side.

Rental fee: $4,000. It includes tables & chairs and use of the kitchen by their catering company or an approved caterer. We'd be able to stay until 1:30am. They have yet to get a website up, so I've offered The Stallion's services in trade - we'll see if they bite!

Things I like about the Terrace on Grand:

1. The rooftop. It really is gorgeous. Such a view, and it would be perfect on a summer evening.
2. Location & Ambiance. It's centrally located in the KC area.

Things I don't like:

1. Um, PRICE. I would like to be able to spend more of our budget on food and refreshments.
2. The two areas (rooftop and indoor) are so separated. I think it's a great venue for couples who plan to have their ceremony on the terrace, then move downstairs for their reception.
3. Entrance. First, it's right across from a flashing neon 'TOTALLY NUDE' sign. Plus, the hallway you take to get to the elevator to take upstairs leaves much to be desired. I guess the 'wow factor' comes when you walk out onto the roof.

Ok, so that's the one I've actually been to. Here are a few others at the top of my list.

The Arts Incubator event space. I just found this place last night. I've actually been there, I think. My friend Lauren, a singer, had a show there a few years ago.

It's another loft venue, right in the heart of the Crossroads Art District, just a few blocks south of downtown Kansas City.

Rental fee: $1600. Includes nothing. Which is a good thing and a bad thing. Good because I have no limitations on vendors for anything; the drawback is the increased amount of planning and orchestration it would take.

What I like about the Arts Incubator:

1. It's a non-profit. I love, love, LOVE the idea of where our money will be going if we were to select this venue - directly back to Kansas City and to further the development of local artists. It really makes me sick when I look at most venues pricing schedule and the rental fee is $500 on a weeknight, compared to the $5000 they charge for a Friday or Saturday night. I know that's not where the demand is; I know it's straight economics. I just don't like it. I'd prefer not to know.
2. Good location, great ambiance. I can work with one of their artists to have their work on display during our event.
3. I could get really imaginative and frugal with this place. I could even go so far as to buy everything from Costco and just hire servers and bartenders for the night.

What I don't like:

1. Increased stress and organization. We'd have to ensure everything was cleaned up. That means family members would offer to do it just to save us from a 'crazy expense' like hiring someone to do it. And I want everyone to enjoy themselves that night.

Here's the Hotel Phillips:

One of these things just doesn't belong here, one of these things just isn't the same.... This was one of my top choices when I first started combing through possible venues about a month ago. Now I can't really remember why. I know I love the idea of having it in a hotel - especially for out-of-town guests. It's so nice to go to a party in the same building where you're staying. Just an elevator ride home! I still really like it, I just don't know that it sets the tone we want to have for the celebration.

I have no idea what their rental fee is. I would assume that since they have a restaurant and they're a hotel they'd probably have some kind of all-inclusive package on a per person basis, but I really have no idea.

The last candidate on the docket right now is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art.

The more I see of this place, the more I fall in love with it. Quite a few of my friends have had their receptions here, and I can totally see why. I've actually never been there. Ha!

It's another one that I would feel better having our money go to. Again, going toward the arts in Kansas City.

They acutally let you have the run of the museum for the night. I wonder if there's a bunch of security guys. Or, maybe you can run around touching all of the art! I'm totally kidding. I would never want to do that. I'm not a rebel. I live to follow the rules.

I have some more investigating to do, but I'm pretty sure that you buy their Special Contributing membership - $2,500 for one year. That includes the ability to host a private event at the museum once during that year. I have no idea what that would include/not include.

Things I like about the Kemper:

1. Non-profit. For reasons aforementioned.
2. The space. It's modern chic with an artsy, unique flair. It's a little bit more sophisticated than the loft spaces.
3. From what I've seen so far, it seems to be a good medium in the price/inclusions department.

Things I don't like:

Nothing yet! Hmmm...guess that bumps it up to the top of the list?

Where did you have your reception? I want to hear all about it! If you're not in KC, what feature wound up being the most important that night? Pass on that wisdom, friends.