What do you think of this business idea.

[tc]

A wedding chapel/reception hall. Non-denominational. Made only for weddings. It would seat 300-375, with reception area in walk-out basement. The chapel would be designed with weddings in mind. The stage area would be intimate with greenery and candles to choose from. There would be areas for videography and photographers w/o being obtrusive. A bride's room and huge mirrors and dressing tables. Even a groom's room.

The reception area would have a microwave, industrial dishwashers, industrial refrigerators, sinks, tables, chairs, linens, place settings (for sit-down, catered meals), dance floor, sound system, etc. Everything you need, no rentals necessary. It would walk out to a beautiful garden that could be used during Spring/Summer/Fall to weddings or receptions.

When flowers are ordered, they could be sent directly to the chapel, and stored in the huge refrigerators, tuxes would be sent there too, and stored in the grooms room.

We'd have a website that would allow the bride and groom to have a mini website stating where their registered, time/date of wedding, hotel information, etc. A one stop shop for guests.

The building would be about the size of a church gym. You could rent it out for just weddings, or wedding/reception or proms/dances/church events, etc.

The price for rental could range, depending on how much is used.

We are looking at an area between Topeka and KC. Many college towns around, inexpensive land, Winter not as long as Colorado, and, of course, near my daughter who is getting married and will have babies in a few years, and I want to be near them.

Do you think this will go? How much do you think it should rent for?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since some folks seem to be forgoing religion these days, it might work. I personally wouldn't be interested, but I am sure there are lots of folks that would.

 

[CamColt]

Sounds like a great place. If its along the lines of what Im thinking, there is a place in NH similar to that. Ive been to 2 weddings there. One had the ceremony and reception there and the other just had the reception.

 

[aunt lissa]

Not exactly sure on what the rent would be I would need to do research on all that stuff to figure a price. The idea in itself though sounds wonderful!! I would have used it when I got married!! Maybe if I ever do decide to get married again I'll come right on up there and do just that!! But it's a wonderful idea I say go for it!!

 

[Planogirl]

There's a chapel geared for weddings and receptions in our town and I've noticed that they've been advertising themselves for Christmas parties too. I've never been there but I think it's might just be a great idea particularly the website features that you mentioned.

Here's their website: Wedding Chapel They do mention some pricing.

 

[tc]

Thanks for the link, Planogirl. That is far more than we'd charge, but they offer more services than we would. We were thinking of $1200 $1500 if you use all the services, i.e. chapel, videography/photography, reception area with use of dishes/tables/chairs, decoration on site, use of gardens for photos, etc.

We would charge as little as $500 for use of just chapel and decorations, and then it would range depending on what is used of the reception area. If it's more work for us, it's more expensive. Also, different times of the year would cost more or less depending on how much it's used. Maybe discounts in Jan/Feb/Mar when it's colder and less weddings happen. More during the Spring/Summer and Christmas. We would not do the cake, food, etc., that would have to be catered. But we would provide clean up, coordination of vendors, etc. Eventually, we thought we have an old fashioned car or town car for transportation to the airport or other hotel. Also, we considered allowing alchohol in the reception, but we would not provide barware (maybe glasses only) or the actual alcohol. AS it grew, we'd probably add more services.

 

[moinab]

One potential problem that comes to mind (after many years of catering/banquet experience) would be having only one reception space. That would limit you to, at most, two functions/day. Most weddings are Friday evening, or on Saturday. I suppose you could still rent out the chapel for services, but it would depend on the set-up. It could be a turn-off to have a ceremony while another reception is going on (parking, etc.) These problems could be overcome, though. I've worked in a couple of different banquet houses where we've had many functions going on at the same time.

Good luck!

 

[tc]

We considered a separate reception area, adding it later. We thought we could only do two a day, morning and evening. But not at the same time. Like a wedding brunch, then clean up and do an evening wedding. But nothing more.