Looking for a nice, affordable wedding location (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho: hotel, weddings)

[im4fsu]

Anyone have any advice? Already looking at Prairie Star and a few bed and breakfasts. Casa Rondena is ridiculously expensive and has a bunch of limits (like no electronic sound broadcasts - i.e. a DJ).

Any other ideas? I'm relatively new to the area and don't want to pay for a wedding planner.

[Chaparral]

Originally Posted by im4fsu

Anyone have any advice? Already looking at Prairie Star and a few bed and breakfasts. Casa Rondena is ridiculously expensive and has a bunch of limits (like no electronic sound broadcasts - i.e. a DJ).

Any other ideas? I'm relatively new to the area and don't want to pay for a wedding planner.

Maybe you could describe what you're ideal setting would look like? Time of year? Indoor/Outdoor? Traditional or quirky? Ceremony and Reception area adjacent to each other? How many people you estimate attending wedding/reception? Any budget constraints?

I'm sure we could offer multiple suggestions, but it just helps to have a better idea of what you're looking for.

Chap

[im4fsu]

Thanks for helping!

We are thinking late next spring, so April or May-ish. Since neither of us go to church, someplace we could do both the ceremony and reception would be ideal. This area is so beautiful, so I'd love a location that puts the beauty in the best spotlight (hence my looking at Prairie Star). I think it'll be about 75 people - maybe 100 if most of the people I don't think will show up end up coming.

We're trying to stay affordable - so under the $7k range if possible.

Hope that direction helps you help me with some ideas!
Thanks-
M

[abqsunport]

Well the Hotel Albuquerque would be able to handle the reception and the ceremony. However, I have no clue as to what the price range would be. You should check it out. Hotel Albuquerque is the hotel adjacent to Old Town. Hope this helps!

[finmqa1]

If you are inviting less than 100 people, it is hard to beat the Casa Rondena Winery in the North Valley. The buildings and grounds are gorgeous! Hotel Albuquerque is nice as well, which you should be able to budget under $7K. Also contact the botanical gardens/aquarium, and Sandia casino.

[Chaparral]

Well, if you're looking for a ceremony with an outdoors flair, you, finmqa1, and abqsunport have hit on many of the same ones I would recommend. (Believe it or not, I used to live in a renovated barn behind what is now Casa Rodena. The bulk of the land where the winery and vineyard now reside was an old alfalfa field. The transformation is nothing short of amazing.)

But here are a few others I'll throw out for your consideration:

• El Pinto restaurant (the food there is just OK, but the ambiance is fantastic)
• Rancho de Corrales (former Hacienda turned restaurant turned "event center") You can probably find a few B & B's in Corrales that may do the trick as well.
• Garduno's on the Green and/or the Int'l. Balloon Museum (located at the Balloon Fiesta park)
• Anderson Valley Vineyards (located just north of Montano on Rio Grande)
• Desert Greens Golf Club (located on the West Side of ABQ)
• Los Amigos Roundup (definitely more "cowboyish" in flavor but still a nice facility located in the North Valley)

You may also want to consider the Gazebo in the middle of Old Town, but you will have to hold the reception elsewhere.

And lastly, if you change your mind and want to move everything indoors, I'll recommend The Wool Warehouse downtown (operated by The Doubletree Hotel). No place else in town like it, loaded with character (and rumor has it, a ghost). It also happens to be the place my wife and I exchanged vows, so I am admittedly biased. Hope this helps!

Chap

[im4fsu]

Thank you everyone. Those are great ideas! I have looked at Casa Rondena but between not being able to have any music that plugs into something electric (because of the city ordinances) and their prices going up severely, I think that one will have to come off my list. But I will definitely look into the others. I really appreciate all the help!

[mmckenna]

Also, don't forget that New Mexico is famous for its golf courses. There are so many of them. Some are newer and bigger, some older and smaller, but all overlook beautiful green courses with gorgeous views. I bet you could find one like CHamisa Hills Country Club in Rio Rancho that can be done under 7k.

[mellanieblue]

Rio Grande Botanical Gardens is a beautiful outdoor setting and they charge about $1200 for a few hours, I believe.
I too, am getting married soon, and on a budget. I was actually looking for an even less inexpensive venue, as I have caterer and photographer friends.

[Zoidberg]

My take on weddings?

I'd rather go to a funeral than a wedding. Reason? Funerals aren't near as expensive for the guests (and nobody ever gets more than one).

I say, spend the $100 or so, have a judge marry you, and spend the $7k on a helluva nice honeymoon somewhere exotic.