I had my wedding reception at the Grapevine Arbor Park and it was a beautiful setting for my rustic, garden theme. It's also a good place to hold both a ceremony and a reception. It's a charming area that is closed off to the streets and other areas by walls, so the party felt private and secluded. Keep in mind the beautiful grapevine arbor tree goes dormant during the winter months. I first viewed the grounds in late May when the tree was full of lush, green leaves, but during my wedding the following year in early April, it was mostly dried branches with few green leaves.
Pros: City owned so the rental fee is very affordable. Rental fee includes plastic chairs, tables, a bar. The fee does not change when the season changes, so even if you book during the peak wedding months, you will still get the same rate. A lot of weddings are planned here so the city knows the drill and provides you with a list of their recommended vendors that they work well with. A lot of different little areas for rustic photo backdrops, in fact, many couples make this a stop just to take wedding photos.
Cons: It's pretty much a blank slate so it allows you to be creative, but if you want easy and all-inclusive this is not for you. Unless you go very basic, you will likely have to coordinate rentals, caterer, entertainment yourself. Also, you will have to pay extra for bringing in lighting, dinnerware, dance floor, linens, decorations, etc., so factor that in when determining overall costs. There are rules and limitations set by the city, such as alcohol limits and no parking when there is another event. Make sure you understand and accept them before signing the contract. read more