Wedding and Reception on a Military Base Question

[Kestryl]

Some things to ask: Are there guest restrictions? What kind of identification do they need? Is a Real ID necessary? Is there anyone on the list who is not a US citizen, and will they still be allowed to attend?

 

[kirstenb1]

FIL was retired from the Marine Corps, and my sister in law was married on base. This was 25 yrs ago, way before all the current security measures. The guest list was small, about 50 people. Nowadays, not sure how it would go

 

[Christine]

https://www.quantico.marines.mil/Ne...8162/clubs-at-quantico-opens-doors-to-public/
Looks like some of the military clubs on bases or starting to open doors to the public to remain financially viable. The link of above is to one near where I live.

Besides weddings, we've gone to a few functions on military installations (work luncheons, funeral, etc) and the organizer just provides a guest list to base security and you check in and show ID at the gate. If you are on that list, you are good.

It's obviously going to depend on each military installation, but I just don't think this whole thing is as strict as you might think.

I know not a wedding, but we had a military person host a bowling party on base and he rented out the whole place and about 50 non-military folks could come on base and be part of the party. Just had to turn in a guest list.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

OP here - just to give a little more info.

First, I would never presume to try to use or take a benefit that was for military only and was rightfully earned by them through their military service. I have too much respect for our soldiers to do anything like that. That’s exactly why I asked the question.

@jen7233 is correct; the place I asked about is a community center run by MWR. This is what it advertises on their website:

“Family and MWR welcomes you to The Lee Club
Let us host your special event
Wedding, Graduation, Birthday/Sweet 16 Party, Military/FRG Function, Corporate Party, Job Fair, Conference, Anniversary, Bridal Shower, or Baby Shower”

“Corporate Party” made me think that the facility was open to the public or that a qualifying military member could sponsor such an event. I never mentioned using the chapel.

Second, my Air Force retired father-in-law would be over the moon and so very proud to do this for a family member. I don’t even want to mention it to him because he’d be crushed if one of the kids picked a different venue. He is incredibly proud of his military service.

Third, nope no engaged kids yet. I expect that’s a couple of years away. DH has friends who are helping plan children’s weddings now. He told me last night we need to start taking notes and saving! We are big planners when it comes to the financial stuff. The place I asked about was mentioned by a friend during a general discussion about venues, so I checked it out.

Fourth, my kids will get to plan their own weddings. If they ask my opinion I’ll share it; however, the choices will be up to them. BUT since DH and I will be paying for the bulk of it, I’d like to be able to say, “This is how much money we have to spend, you could afford 150 people at this place but no open bar, or a 100 people at this place with an open bar, or 125 at this place with just beer and wine.” DH and I are trying to gauge how much things cost, so we can save enough for them to have options.

Thank you to all the folks who responded to my question. The info about ID to enter the base is something to check out for sure. Lastly, to those military families who answered - Thank you for your service!!!!

 

[Christine]

OP here - just to give a little more info.

First, I would never presume to try to use or take a benefit that was for military only and was rightfully earned by them through their military service. I have too much respect for our soldiers to do anything like that. That’s exactly why I asked the question.

@jen7233 is correct; the place I asked about is a community center run by MWR. This is what it advertises on their website:

“Family and MWR welcomes you to The Lee Club
Let us host your special event
Wedding, Graduation, Birthday/Sweet 16 Party, Military/FRG Function, Corporate Party, Job Fair, Conference, Anniversary, Bridal Shower, or Baby Shower”

“Corporate Party” made me think that the facility was open to the public or that a qualifying military member could sponsor such an event.

Second, my Air Force retired father-in-law would be over the moon and so very proud to do this for a family member. I don’t even want to mention it to him because he’d be crushed if one of the kids picked a different venue. He is incredibly proud of his military service.

Third, nope no engaged kids yet. I expect that’s a couple of years away. DH has friends who are helping plan children’s weddings now. He told me last night we need to start taking notes and saving! We are big planners when it comes to the financial stuff. The place I asked about was mentioned by a friend during a general discussion about venues, so I checked it out.

Fourth, my kids will get to plan their own weddings. If they ask my opinion I’ll share it; however, the choices will be up to them. BUT since DH and I will be paying for the bulk of it, I’d like to be able to say, “This is how much money we have to spend, you could afford 150 people at this place but no open bar, or a 100 people at this place with an open bar, or 125 at this place with just beer and wine.” DH and I are trying to gauge how much things cost, so we can save enough for them to have options.

Thank you to all the folks who responded to my question. The info about ID to enter the base is something to check out for sure. Lastly, to those military family who answered - Thank you for your service!!!!

If you look further, their site says: The Lee Club provides an excellent setting for your function and is open to the public for private events.

So there you go, you can go there and you don't actually even need a military member to sponsor you. As I posted upthread, these military clubs/clubhouses are having to do this to stay operational. They don't receive federal funding and the military members don't do enough business there to keep them going, but the apparently they still want to be there for the military.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

If you look further, their site says: The Lee Club provides an excellent setting for your function and is open to the public for private events.

So there you go, you can go there and you don't actually even need a military member to sponsor you. As I posted upthread, these military clubs/clubhouses are having to do this to stay operational. They don't receive federal funding and the military members don't do enough business there to keep them going, but the apparently they still want to be there for the military.

Man, I looked all over their website and never found that info!!! That is exactly what I was looking for. I thought it might be open to the public because of the corporate parties or maybe needed sponsorship but wanted confirmation. Thanks again!

ETA: I did see “open to the public” the first time I read it through a couple of days ago, but I wasn’t sure if it meant the public could actually rent it or if the public could only be invited to events held there. I know military properties often have special rules.

 

[Searc]

If you're looking for a budget number to keep in mind, I'd say $30,000 is a good mid range number if you plan on paying for most of it.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

This is what I found regarding guests attending events:


Q: What about those attending non-Fort Lee events at the Lee Club like a chamber of commerce dinner?
A: “For a chamber of commerce dinner, normally those personnel will come through the Provost office and we know about them and we vet those people in advance. On the flip side, there may be a wedding at the Club, we’d have vet all those guests well in advance

 

[NYCgrrl]

My kids are in their 20s now. A lot of DH’s work and golfing buddies are just a couple years older than us. Many of them are in the middle of planning weddings for their children. DH and I are listening and taking mental notes when they talk about the planning and the costs and when we attend their children’s weddings because we’ll be there ourselves in a few short years. With college almost over, we figure we’d better start saving a little for the next phase in our kids’ lives.

DH’s dad was career Air Force (active duty and then reserves). He retired a few years ago with full military benefits. He loves staying in base housing when he travels and enjoys all the other benefits as well (like Shades of Green! He took DH’s sisters’ family there once). So my question is this: can he sponsor a grandchild's wedding at the local Army base, which has an outdoor pavilion, a gorgeous ballroom and full catering facilities? I know he’d do it in a heartbeat if allowed. If he can, it will go on our list of possibilities.

The information on their website says the venue is available to military members (active and retired) and their families. I just don’t know how they define family.

It can be great to anticipate and plan for later in life for many scenarios yet as I understand the situ you are contemplating your not yet born grandchildren's' weddings via your children who are not yet married. I think there are too many life variables to put that much thought into the plan at this time.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

It can be great to anticipate and plan for later in life for many scenarios yet as I understand the situ you are contemplating your not yet born grandchildren's' weddings via your children who are not yet married. I think there are too many life variables to put that much thought into the plan at this time.

No no no... starting to save for my own children’s weddings. They are both in their twenties. We figure we’ve got 2 or 3 years to save.

 

[NYCgrrl]

No no no... starting to save for my own children’s weddings. They are both in their twenties. We figure we’ve got 2 or 3 years to save.

LOL, guess you were day dreaming when you said it was for the grands. Yes, the next generation are fun too.

OK just call the spot you have in mind and ask them what the requirements are; problem will be solved and you can move on the next longterm life issue.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

LOL, guess you were day dreaming when you said it was for the grands. Yes, the next generation are fun too.

OK just call the spot you have in mind and ask them what the requirements are; problem will be solved and you can move on the next longterm life issue.

Exactly! So I can move on to the next big long term life issue (retirement maybe???).

I can now totally see why people thought I meant my grandchild. My post was about my father-in-law sponsoring his grandchildren (my children).

Haha! You’ll must have thought I was a little crazy!!!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not at all just dedicated to the "force". I'm already picking out colleges for DGD but but she hasn't, LOL.