Raveneaux Country Club

This was probably the biggest bang for our buck. We were so incredibly happy with the venue even though I wasn't thrilled with having my guests in two separate rooms (we had a large group). I have absolutely no regrets. This is a great place and we got so many compliments!

This is how it works:
You meet with the coordinator and she helps out a lot.
You have to pick linens through their vendor (Perfect Touch) which was fine. They had great options and service however, their salesmen like attitudes really annoyed me. They try to sell you for every little thing. With our package, basic linens with sashes were included but there were many extras you could add - which they ALWAYS reminded you about.
You get to choose between their great cake vendors. We were very pleased with World Catering and Cakes. It came with the package and they were beautiful and delicious!
Their meal options are superb. We got many compliments on our plated dinner. The chef is amazing.
Everything else you can do on your own. The coordinator helps out with some of it, but she is CRAZY busy so you don't always get answers right away. She's so incredibly nice though.
The main room holds about 220 and their large dance floor (absolutely max probably). I thought the dance floor was a little small for my taste (we've got a lot of two-steppers). The extra room holds about 60/70 (max ish). Everything is beautiful - especially when it is all decked out. We played a slideshow on the main TV behind the bar and that seemed to be a hit. They really took care of us the day of and we were very pleased. I don't think we could have gotten this value anywhere else. All the other nice places are outrageous.

In the end, everything turned out perfect (centerpieces, linens, etc). In the packaging of your event, they give you list of vendors you can choose from: about 2-4 vendors for each: DJ, florist, cake, but only one linen comp. and the country club is the cook. You get alot of options. The event coordinator was extremely sweet, honest and very flexible, but since it's only her running the show (for all events at the Raveneaux it seems) -she can at times not respond back to you as quick as one would like because she is swamped. She does pull through in the end and keeps to what she promises you for your "Big Day" so that's the most important. My advice to future brides, be specific in what you want and always pay attention to what your paying for. No matter where you go, every venue will nickle and dime you to an extent, just depends how much. Compared to other venues I interviewed, the Raveneaux isn't that bad at all just double check the numbers on your calculator before you put down your check

Reduced services due to weather conditions three weeks before wedding, then canceled 3 days before wedding.