Wedding reception site in MN that allows own catering

Question:

Dear Rev. Coleman,

I'm looking for a Minnesota wedding reception site that allows you to bring in your own catering, and found your wonderful blog. I am attempting to book my wedding/reception at a place you mentioned, The WaterfallView in Anoka, but they seem to not answer their phone, return messages, or answer e-mails on a timely manner... I have been trying for several days! The reason I want to work with them is because they allow you to bring your own food. Well, at this point I'm not sure if I want to book with them anymore... Do you know of other reception locations (approx 200 guests) that allow you to bring your own food? I'm not looking for anything fancy, I am just looking to save on a caterer.

Thank you,
Bride With a Small Budget



Answer:

Good afternoon, Bride With a Small Budget,

Thank you for your e-mail! I am so sorry that The Waterfall View in Anoka has been so very, very bad at returning messages. That is really unprofessional.

Unfortunately, it is really difficult to find a site that permits you to bring in your own catering, even though many brides are looking for such a site. There are so few premiere wedding reception sites in the Twin Cities, and all of them make their money from the food, not from
the rental fee, so if you are looking to pay only the rental fee (and not $10-12,000 food and beverage minimum), then you are usually looking at sites that are not as high-end. Which makes sense, I guess... a site that makes $12K on food is going to be a really nice place, while
a site that makes $500 (just for the rental fee) is not going to be as high end...

I am sorry about The Waterfall View...it is the nicest site I have heard of that allows you to bring in your own catering. Other than that, it is VFWs and such that would permit it...

I am sorry that this is not the answer you wanted, and hope it is at least helpful!

Warmly,

Pastor Tomkin Coleman
MN Wedding Officiant & Planner




Follow-Up:

Dear Reverend Coleman,

Thank you so much for your reply!

I have decided to go with the Shoreview Community Center. You can bring your own food, but it has to come already prepared with no use of their kitchen, which we could make work. You may use this to inform you're other brides who inquire this information. And rental fees are very reasonable.

Thank you so much for the response, I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Bride With a Small Budget