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[–]3rdOctJaded 277 points278 points ago

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I have a 5 acre farm in Punta Gorda just off the interstate about 2.5 hours south of Tampa. I LOOOOVE a good party. PM me if you are really interested

[–]Ricksauce 24 points25 points ago

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Who knows how to party? This guy! I think a PM is in order.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points ago

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it's always a party when the ricksauce arrives.

[–]myneighbormrpopo 516 points517 points ago

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USF allows weddings on the campus. You may want to see if there's anything available at UT as well, just for the amazing backdrop. And a friend who was looking into a wedding here in a Tampa found that if you have it at the zoo, you get penguins at your reception.

Or what about an outside wedding on any of the beaches or parks (does Lettuce Lake Park allow weddings?)

[–]JMango 311 points312 points ago

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Upvote for penguins!!

[–]KUARCE 284 points285 points ago

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I am suddenly very sad that I didn't have penguins at my reception.

[–][deleted] 179 points180 points ago

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Two awesome things will be at my wedding.

  1. Streakers.

  2. Motherfuckin' penguins in tux's.

[–]omittoyou 87 points88 points ago

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But, they're already in tux's. That's just putting a tux on a tux.

-waiting for a bad inception joke-

[–]theytookmuhname 54 points55 points ago

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Intuxion?

[–]OKImHere 85 points86 points ago

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So you're saying they show up at the R E C E P T I O N?

[–]Lentil-Soup 229 points230 points ago

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I N C E P G U I N

[–]axv136 15 points16 points ago

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How does one pronounce that?

[–]jafars_mustache 118 points119 points ago

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like this incepguin

[–]YPD 19 points20 points ago

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Thou shall not take the name of our Lord, the Incepguin, in vain.

[–]TheHippyInTheSuit 11 points12 points ago

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Yo dawg, etc.

[–]oldpictures 10 points11 points ago

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How come you have a red check mark sir?

[–]emimacherie 47 points48 points ago

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You may have just convinced me to get married.

[–]manicjunkee 36 points37 points ago

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The Florida Aquarium in Tampa will do wedding receptions with animal encounters:

http://www.flaquarium.org/cm/templates/planvisit.aspx?articleid=15&zoneid=44

You can get 2 penguins and other animals as well. I think this would be an amazing place for a reception.

[–]jacquelinesarah 56 points57 points ago

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you get penguins at your reception.

shit just got real.

[–]G_O_B_Bluth 1110 points1111 points ago

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My parents live in Lutz and rent their lake home for weddings. I had my wedding there... here's a couple pics. It was awesome for our 120 or so guests but may be trouble for 200+. PM me if you want details.

[–]poubelle 178 points179 points ago

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Holy crap, dude. That's lovely. How enterprising of your parents!

[–]phrakture 197 points198 points ago

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Holy crap, dude. That's lovely.

I have never seen a more perfect example of the word "juxtaposition"

[–]junglepoon 12 points13 points ago

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Clearly you haven't seen Clerks.

[–]angrytortilla 31 points32 points ago

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Holy festering pussblisters! That's mind-bendingly gorgeous!

[–]florence0rose 282 points283 points ago

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But whatever you do, don't let this guy perform any magic tricks.

[–]mattscaz 387 points388 points ago

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They're illusions. Tricks are what a whore does for money.

[–]sw1tched0n 86 points87 points ago

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or... candy.

[–]anton_d 66 points67 points ago

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Or cocaïne!

[–]rayfe 40 points41 points ago

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I wouldn't trust his parents either. His father is under house arrest.

[–]ada42 23 points24 points ago

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Instead of building houses, maybe you should be building land. On the ocean. There's no land on the ocean.

[–]MananWho 78 points79 points ago

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Are we really going to take wedding-planning advice from the guy who can't even remember his wife's name?

[–]RedditGoldDigger 12 points13 points ago

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Come on!

[–]OmgMacnCheese 29 points30 points ago

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Yeah, like I'm going to have 150 people at my mansion while wearing a $5,000 suit! COME ON!

[–]zulhadm 420 points421 points ago

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I read

my parents live in Lolz

[–]phisigmacutiepi 131 points132 points ago

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Lutz is right next to Land O Lakes, I think Lolz would be an excellent term for the space between them.

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points ago

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of love their butter.

[–]jafars_mustache 17 points18 points ago

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butter not be lying

[–]Iznomore 24 points25 points ago

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I Can't Believe You're Not Lying!

[–]flapjackery 29 points30 points ago

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George and Lucile Bluth own a lake home?

I can see how a model home might have trouble supporting 200+ people.

[–]MeGrimlock4 19 points20 points ago

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To solve the 200 person proble, just split the people into two groups, and have wedding a and wedding b. Or video conference them in...

[–]TheEllimist 32 points33 points ago

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Chop the guests in half.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points ago

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Was this were they filmed the weeding scene in Cop Out?

[–]NotInMyGarden 79 points80 points ago

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Don't let $1,500 in liquor ruin your wedding, if you don't need that money right now. You'll be able to sale it, or use it as gifts for various occasions over the years.

[–]saintdog 74 points75 points ago

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I approve of any piece of advise that advocates stock-piling large amounts of booze.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]ajgator7 60 points61 points ago

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I read that as "the place that the Budweiser Clydesdales are stabbed"...and got really upset for a second.

[–][deleted] 237 points238 points ago

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Try the Gibbons Alumni Center at USF, I went to a friends wedding there. They were able to bring there own boose and DJ. Maybe tight for time, but there is an Embassy on campus too. Good luck.

http://usfweb2.usf.edu/alumnicenter/ http://usfweb2.usf.edu/alumnicenter/

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 85 points86 points ago

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I just messaged a friend who is on faculty there to see if they will look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.

[–]ungr8ful_biscuit 226 points227 points ago

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I was in the wedding business for a decade (DJ). What I would do is reach out to every vendor who's helping with your event. Explain the situation. And explain that you're looking for a new location. Unlike you, these people know every out of the way spot where weddings take place. They also might know where not to call as their company is already booked there. Either way, they can get you a lot of info regarding venues.

[–]UckFay 16 points17 points ago

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This is a good suggestion

[–]Wifflepig 15 points16 points ago

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That was a great suggestion.

[–]grantimatter 17 points18 points ago

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You can also try the gorgeous campus of New College of Florida, which shares some stuff with USF. It's in Sarasota, less than 45 minutes south of Tampa.

[–]foxyourbox 5 points6 points ago

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NCF sure will be gorgeous tonight..

[–]YawnSpawner 5 points6 points ago

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As an alumni of USF I'm allowed to crash all parties in the alumni center right?

[–]claudemonet 122 points123 points ago

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hahahaha boose.

i dont know why that made me laugh so much.

[–][deleted] 49 points50 points ago

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Boose.....It's the classy version of Booze!

[–]Borax 143 points144 points ago*

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Boosé

[–][deleted] 15 points16 points ago

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You really want Boosé.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points ago

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it's funny because usf students can't spell.

[–]jafars_mustache 21 points22 points ago

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DON"T MACKE FON OF USF, WE ARE VARY SMART

[–]foxinHI 17 points18 points ago

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Amuse boose.

[–]myweedishairy 296 points297 points ago

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How big is your wedding party? My uncle has a pretty big/extremely beautiful house in St. Augustine.

[–]MasterGolbez 530 points531 points ago

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"Hey Uncle Joe, do you mind lending your house out to some strangers from the internet I've never met and their 150 friends?"

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 163 points164 points ago

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Can't hurt to ask, right?

[–]Scary_The_Clown 287 points288 points ago

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"Gonna cost you a bottle of scotch, $300, and two bridesmaids"

[–]Delta-9-THC 108 points109 points ago

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...depending on how easy the bridesmaids are, that's not actually a bad deal...

[–]jutct 70 points71 points ago*

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If his bridesmaids are prudes, I can call some of the bridesmaids from my wedding. I may as well have been married in a brothel.

Edit: How about every single one banging at least one guy from my wedding party? A fun time was had by all ...

[–]ClogGear 34 points35 points ago

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Go on...

[–]mundane1 18 points19 points ago

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No, I don't think you understand. He won't be "returning" the bridesmaids, they're his.

[–]rythmik1 31 points32 points ago

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bridesmaids are always desperate and easy. amirightguys? o/

[–]ZeiferRei 90 points91 points ago

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Hate to see a guy left hanging.

\o

[–]Adonets 36 points37 points ago

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\o/ Steve Holt!!

[–]JennaSighed 43 points44 points ago

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\o/ Harold Holt (Australian prime minister who drowned while in office)

[–]TheHaberdasher 14 points15 points ago

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"hive five": [5]

...

...

...

[5]

[–]gigaquack 780 points781 points ago

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"... are they white?"

[–]ItsOnlyNatural 242 points243 points ago

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"I never let a bunch of white people into my house. History shows it's the best way to be fucked over."

[–]whatisyournamemike 48 points49 points ago

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A friend of mine had some relatives back in the old country that had some white folk invite them on to their boat....long story short that's how they got to the Americas.

[–]GodOfAtheism 31 points32 points ago

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Short story long, anything by Dickens.

[–]gsfgf 14 points15 points ago

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I know. They end up with sauvignon blanc and fois gras on the ceiling and steal all the hand sanitizer.

[–]pefyeah 34 points35 points ago

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Only if you aren't white!

[–]skepticaljesus 15 points16 points ago

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Easily the best comment reply I've read all day.

[–]BlackbeltJones 30 points31 points ago

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It's a wedding! Uncle Joe's gonna get drunk, get laid, and mail BigPapiC-Dog the cleaning bill .

[–]ULTRA_Lenin 7 points8 points ago

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Doesn't have to be for free! Might be a holiday home, and he might have done that sort of thing before.

[–]purzzzell 34 points35 points ago

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If St. Augustine is in the cards, message me, I have family that manages a hotel there.

I could imagine though relocating 150 people, a dj, caterer,etc that far would be unrealistic though.

[–]Scary_The_Clown 23 points24 points ago

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No way man - party bus!

[–]trshtehdsh 13 points14 points ago

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Upboat for being a kind person. Hope you get some real life karma too.

[–]ranalicious 7 points8 points ago

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that's a kind gesture but pretty far from Tampa.

[–]PrettyBigDuck 111 points112 points ago

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The best reception I ever went to was in a big open field. They had a bonfire, live music, food was out on some foldable tables, and the dance floor was a bunch of bamboo mats thrown on the grass. It was a blast. You don't need to have a big hall. It's about the people you're with, not the place you're in.

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 26 points27 points ago

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This sounds fucking amazing. I dont know about the bonfire in FL in June, but the whole idea of this field in the middle of nowhere is very appealing. I am going to seriously think about this. I would love to just pull an amazing thing like this out of my ass at the last minute.

[–]mbcs09 85 points86 points ago

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^ Hey, you should really do that! I think it'll turn out to be a really good decision!

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 28 points29 points ago

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I wish more people would get to see this comment, because it is hilarious.

[–]mbcs09 20 points21 points ago

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Thank you sir, and congratulations on the wedding. I only hope that mine is a fraction of as fun as yours obviously was! I didn't see your original post about it until today, but I'm glad everything turned out.... better than expected.

[–]AppDeveloper 103 points104 points ago

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Post this in r/Tampa let us know how it goes. r/tampa appears to have 633 readers, so you stand a good chance of someone there being cool and helping you out.

[–]regnillub 101 points102 points ago

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How about a local or state park? Some of my favorite weddings have been outdoors. Surely you can find a gazebo somewhere in a nice setting? Good luck.

[–]seefresh 87 points88 points ago

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Hot as fuck down here in June

[–][deleted] 53 points54 points ago

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It's hot as fuck right now.

[–][deleted] 55 points56 points ago

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I'm hot as fuck right now.

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 36 points37 points ago

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This. However, it was going to be at dusk, so that helps a little. We were going to try for outside at the original location, but could have moved the reception mostly inside and to the pool if it got too hot.

[–]dbfish 63 points64 points ago

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Bring mosquito repellent, they bite at dawn and dusk. Skeeters are Florida's State Bird.

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 40 points41 points ago

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We already purchased 100 tiki torches with citronella oil and 15 cans of bug spray to go around.

[–]kentrel 85 points86 points ago

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Romance isn't dead when you've got bug spray

[–]trx430ex 36 points37 points ago

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Good lubricant too.

[–]tosss 38 points39 points ago

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he already said bug spray.

[–]g1zmo 27 points28 points ago*

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Skeeters are Florida's State Bird.

It' funny, because the OP is from Minnesota and they say the same thing up there. I'm from Texas, and you here that down here too. Skeeters are everywhere.

Another thing you hear no matter where you go in the US is "if you don't like the weather in ________, just wait a few minutes."

EDIT: I can't believe I wrote "here" when I meant "hear". Seppuku for me.

[–]Sonoluminescent 12 points13 points ago

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people who live in _______ are terrible drivers

[–]F2a 16 points17 points ago

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Florida. What do I win?

[–]gilbertcross 7 points8 points ago

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Another thing you hear no matter where you go in the US is "if you don't like the weather in ________, just wait a few minutes."

Not true. I heard it all the time in the Midwest, but now that I'm in Northern California, I haven't heard it once. There are basically 2 kinds of weather here - hot and dry or chilly and wet...with not a whole lot of in between.

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points ago

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On the contrary. I now live in California's Antelope Valley. We have no Skeeters, and the weather is pretty much hot as fuck all the time.

Pretty much everywhere else though.

[–]Volume_six 161 points162 points ago

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The owner of the mansion was offered more money by someone else to host another wedding or some other event. He fucked you over.

Could you rent a big field and put up a tent or something?

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]boatstrumpgirls 50 points51 points ago

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Sounds like you've had this problem before, Gaddafi

[–]Gitwizard 17 points18 points ago

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Gadaffi found out that some bastarding Westerners were trying to invade his secret hideout for a booze-fuelled orgy..

[–]fe3o4 7 points8 points ago

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Arnold has another mistress staying there in June

[–]jafars_mustache 11 points12 points ago

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he'll be back

[–]mrnoodlesnsauce 3 points4 points ago

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The owner likely didn't know that it was being rented out for a wedding and cancelled when he realized what was happening. Renting a mansion for a wedding usually includes a hefty free for the permission alone.

[–]bluescholars 34 points35 points ago

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If you signed some type of contract with the property owner, is there a clause in that contract that describes the leasor's ability to cancel the contract? Like do they have to give you a certain amount of notice? Or could you schlep some of the cost/responsibility onto them?

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 114 points115 points ago

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Yeah. But, this is kind of a secondary concern right now. I am probably going to talk to a lawyer about it. If I contact this guy now, I will probably say something that I'll end up regretting, and it won't change anything in the immediate future. I need to reread the contract, and if he was renting the house out for weddings knowing that it was against the law, then I am certain that I will have some recourse against him. For right now, he is refunding everything, including the non-refundable deposit (I know, "well no shit", right?) and I am going to track the specific expenses of changing all this stuff last minute.

I am just trying to take a measured approach to that side of it because otherwise I don't see it ending well for anyone involved.

[–]radeky 86 points87 points ago

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Dude. Props for this. So many people blow things so out of hand by reacting too early. Also, it's made easier in this situation that he's refunding all the money.

You're definitely on the right track with this. Document your expenses, re-read the contract, call lawyer if you've got a breach of contract but stop dealing with the guy who fucked you. Good damn call.

[–]SgtBanana 23 points24 points ago

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It's entirely possible that he received a higher offer than what you gave for his mansion, which isn't unusual at all. A few phone calls could clear all of this up and put you back into the venue you originally wanted if that's the case.

[–]apester 10 points11 points ago

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Or it could simply be that he got caught up in a bad situation, we had a local venue here that after one bridezilla started nitpicking over things and caused the entire venue to be shutdown pending an "investigation" which took 3 weeks go get scheduled and completed but turned up nothing in the end...most think she just didn't want to have to pay the rest of the money for the venue but code enforcement here tends to react first and leave it up to you to prove your not in violation.

[–]romodinho 124 points125 points ago

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I can buy your liquor

[–]Relevant_Hair_Metal 177 points178 points ago

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PM me if you do, I can help you dispose of it.

[–]steve_yo 103 points104 points ago

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PM me if you, I can hold your hair.

[–][deleted] 35 points36 points ago

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waves hand You will drink in my honour.

[–]F2a 9 points10 points ago

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Alternatively, give it away to guests as a present.

[–]i_am_jargon 194 points195 points ago

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Flash mob wedding!

Co-ordinate with all of your guests. Arrive at some outdoor location, BOOM!, leave.

[–]fuzzysarge 90 points91 points ago

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You mean something like this? improveverwhere wedding reception.

[–]i_am_jargon 29 points30 points ago

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Yes, but really real, for reals.

[–][deleted] 19 points20 points ago

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The bride looks and seems genuinely happy and excited. This makes me happy.

[–]rntksi 10 points11 points ago

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Had the same feelings too. Nothing better than a genuine, happy smile on anyone's face :)

[–]erynthenerd 14 points15 points ago

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That would be a blast. And imagine all the great stories! "Who are all these people in your wedding photos?" "Oh, just a bunch of people we don't know."

[–]theclansman 163 points164 points ago

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If the Lightning keep playing like they did last night than their rink should be open in a week

[–]thebillgonadz 60 points61 points ago

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HEYOOOOOOOO!!

[–]anonymau5 29 points30 points ago

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http://www.ybormuseum.org/garden

This MIGHT be what you're looking for. There's a nice Hilton a few steps from this venue.

[–]swaltz 28 points29 points ago*

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I work at the Henry Plant Museum on the UT campus. Weddings and receptions all the time there, but don't know for sure about the booze issue, it might be ok to bring your own. I actually got married there myself. It is short notice, but you can try calling Facilities Rental, Sandi Fernandez (813) 253-6238. http://www.ut.edu/facilities/

[–]mihoda 23 points24 points ago

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On the upside, you have $1500 worth of liquor.

[–]adamsimon 22 points23 points ago

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Some stuff you might want to mention:

Exact date/time you are looking for and how flexible you are.

Money? Is there a budget you're working with or do you need a freebie because the guy took your money and ran? It would be awesome if there was just a random millionaire on here to help you out, but I doubt that's happening.

Are you renting furniture?

Is this a typical wedding or something unusual?

Just some ideas there. I think you should not overlook lodges like Freemasons, VFW, Moose Lodge, Eagles, etc. They often don't use their halls and rent them out. We were married at a train station that serves as a museum and farmer's market. So you could contact venues for farmer's markets. You could also find a restaurant that is closed during the time or date and rent it. Contact the high school in town. The Ybor Factory Building is a historic landmark; maybe it'd be fun, it says it's vacant.

It sounds like your flexible with your location, so I think you'll be fine. Have some fun and I hope you end up at a very cool venue. (oh, and CONGRATULATIONS!)

Protip: Richard Cheese is excellent for formal dining music.

[–]BenGEE 21 points22 points ago

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Judgement day is tomorrow. Given that you're atheist .. you'll still be around afterwords. There will be TONS of empty houses.. just find a driveway with a car that has a Jesus fish, that house will most likely have no inhabitants as they have been taken to heaven. Problem solved.

[–]seefresh 18 points19 points ago

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I'm in Sarasota, about an hour away. If shit hits the fan and its crunch time I could probably help you find some sort of venue down here with a Facebook post out to all my friends.

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 8 points9 points ago

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I actually live down in Bradenton. The place we found was just so up our alley that we were willing to make the drive. Also, we both work in St. Pete, so lots of our friends live up there or in Tampa.

[–]seefresh 12 points13 points ago

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Bradenton? Now I really feel sorry for you ;)

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 63 points64 points ago

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Terrific. Kick a man when he is down. My dog died yesterday...got any zingers about that? (Since this is the internet, I am going to plainly state that was sarcasm, and yes, Bradenton is a shithole).

[–]seefresh 19 points20 points ago

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Damn man, I was feeling bad until that last sentence!

[–]TheWhyOfFry 31 points32 points ago

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Your dog got raptured and you didn't, eh?

[–]Rubbermensch 68 points69 points ago

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Is there a WWII German submarine still left in seaworthy condition? I think that would be the best wedding ever. $1500.00 in alcohol. You could take it through the Bermuda Triangle (affirming your skepticism!) and then disembark on a beach in Bermuda. That would be the best wedding ever.

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 64 points65 points ago

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To craigslist!

[–]Im_Sarcastic 80 points81 points ago

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You should rent as many pontoon boats as you can find and string them all together.

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 51 points52 points ago

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Are you being serious?

[–]papalkombat 183 points184 points ago

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That's irrelevant, do it anyway.

[–]DrakeBishoff 18 points19 points ago

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That's pretty awesome. For a sarcastic poster, you sure have some good ideas.

[–]HarborCityHotSauce 34 points35 points ago

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Another idea here You can bring your own alcohol, but you have to purchase insurance.

http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/st-pete-beach-community-center-st-pete-beach/faq/68b376a97bf5e531.html

[–]applessauce 14 points15 points ago

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Have you looked into museums? Most of them have venues for weddings, including Ringling and Mote Marine in Sarasota and the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. If you want to stick with Tampa, you could just find a list of Tampa museums and check their websites one by one.

[–]parasitic_spin 7 points8 points ago

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Mote Marine is one of my favorite places on earth, and I think that would also be very very fun for your guests. The shark tank situation could be a very cool photo backdrop. There is also a lovely botanical garden - the Marie Selby - also in Sarasota. It's like 30 minutes or so out of Tampa.

The Ringling Museum could also be beyond cool. The art Museum joins the Circus Museum - think of the photo ops!

[–]xerexerex 28 points29 points ago

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Good luck. I'm in Texas so I can't help, but I can upvote!

If I ever get married I hope it's to someone else willing to go the "quickie Vegas wedding" route. Would make things so much easier and I hate being the center of attention.

[–]DiabloConQueso 35 points36 points ago

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My wife and I did the "Vegas" wedding thing (and no, not all Vegas weddings are in cheesy quickie-chapels with Elvis officiants) at the Paris hotel. Not a drive-thru wedding, but rather a planned, speedy, elegant, and beautiful sub-10 minute wedding.

I was happy because the wedding took all of 20 minutes to complete, from the time I walked in to the time we walked out. Even got cab fare taken care of for the trip down to the marriage license office. Family and friends were there (my father's side are all big gamblers) and it was great being able to cut loose after the wedding and overtake a few blackjack tables with the family.

My wife was happy because her entire family was there from California. We flew into CA from TX (where we live), then drove in to LV a few days later and did the deed.

Memorable, awesome, and hey -- it's Vegas! I can't recommend it enough if you're lucky enough to land a "sane" girl that doesn't go ape-shit over "needing" a $20,000 wedding with a 3 hour ceremony. My wife doesn't feel any less important, wonderful, or feel like she didn't have her day in the spotlight.

TL;DR: not everything you see on TV about a Las Vegas wedding is true.

[–]xerexerex 61 points62 points ago

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I just want it to be quick, cheap and officiated by someone dressed as Darth Vader.

[–]vader101 36 points37 points ago

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I have reasonable rates

[–]StormtrooperDan 11 points12 points ago

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You need any stormtrooper security?

[–]darksober 11 points12 points ago

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I volunteer

[–]HarborCityHotSauce 13 points14 points ago

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Davis Islands Garden Club? http://www.digclub.org/events.html

I see a wedding there starting at 8pm, but what about an afternoon ceremony?

[–]ksalley 24 points25 points ago

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This place looks cool. And if you flexible about the day (say Sunday rather than Saturday) it actually looks like it might be available. http://www.ritzybor.com/Venue/

Alternatively a hotel like this: http://www.sheratontampariverwalk.com/ might have space for 150 people to meet for a few hours, especially if you don't mind being outside.

[–]PhilipOntacos 40 points41 points ago

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Have you tried local Legions or veterans halls, etc? Or a church with a hall?

[–]BigBisMe 12 points13 points ago

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If either of you are related to a Mason, you might want to try them too.

[–]jayofdoom 27 points28 points ago

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Not even if they're related. Just ask anyway :). (Signed, a Master Mason)

[–]ThreeHolePunch 5 points6 points ago*

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is :). a secret mason emoticon?

It does resemble the mysterious symbol used in masonic abbreviations.

[–]arriflex 10 points11 points ago

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[–]ur_killing_me_smalls 8 points9 points ago

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Check out the Tampa Parks and Recreation page and maybe reserve a park for your event.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points ago

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Well, I didn't see anyone say this, and since I don't live anywhere near Tampa, I'll just say you are not failing at all as a fiancee. The only thing that's gone wrong is where to hold the wedding, and it wasn't your fault. Everything else you've been able to hold in check. So congratulations.

[–]Chicken-n-Waffles 8 points9 points ago

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It stands to reason now that redditors will want to see the photos from this wedding.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 65 points66 points ago

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This is what I kept repeating to the future Mrs. BigPapiC-Dog over and over when I broke the news to her. In the end, I get to marry this amazing woman who I am head over heels in love with. That calms me. Then I worry that while all that stuff doesn't matter, I still have this overwhelming desire to make her happy and the day she has dreamed about since she was a little girl. So I start to stress. But then I remind myself that we are in love and getting married and that's all that matters.....

It's a vicious cycle.

[–]dirtyword 106 points107 points ago

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Mrs. BigPapiC-Dog is the funniest thing I've read today.

[–]MrsBigPapiC-Dog 267 points268 points ago

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Well, I'll give her this screen name as a present and see how that goes...

[–]nemoomen 66 points67 points ago

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I'll preload it with some karma for her.

What can I say, I'm generous.

[–]eekabomb 12 points13 points ago

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she'll love it more than the ring!

[–]captcha_fail 13 points14 points ago

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Seriously could not agree more. I had a fairy tale wedding and in the end I wish it had been less than a dozen people (not 300). It has to be about your relationship, not the venue, not how many people are coming, not making sure the catering is perfect. Looking back, we focused WAY too much on that stuff. I can't remember half of it and spent the whole day meeting people at my own wedding.

Pocket the money and elope, then take her on a "dream" honeymoon.

[–][deleted] ago

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[deleted]

[–]nimbusgirl 7 points8 points ago

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Maybe try an aquarium or museum in the area. I'm sure you already have checked these. Just an idea. http://www.flaquarium.org/cm/templates/planvisit.aspx?articleid=15&zoneid=43

[–]kryzchek 7 points8 points ago

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Try looking at boat charters. Even if you stay docked, it's an easy venue.

[–]foreignergrl 8 points9 points ago

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OP, we put you on the first page. Now you have to invite us.

[–]RemyJe 5 points6 points ago

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Your best man should run the property owner through with his sword.

[–]phisigmacutiepi 6 points7 points ago

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The Tampa Theater is GORGEOUS and would be a beautiful venue. Their site says no afternoon/evening events on the weekend, BUT it looks like their only show maybe at 1:30 on the 11th. Their staff is awesome, so with some explanation of your story, you may have some luck.

[–]markjaquith 13 points14 points ago

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I had my wedding reception at the Edson Keith Mansion in Sarasota. Maybe 35-40 minutes from Tampa. Pic. It easily holds 150. You can bring outside food and alcohol (in fact, you must). $3,250 + tax for the day. It's a charming, "old Florida" historical location.

There's next-to-no chance that it's available, but you should try your luck: (941) 316-130

[–]nickwest 19 points20 points ago

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Up voted to give you a chance at finding help (wish I could offer more help than that).

[–]HarborCityHotSauce 4 points5 points ago

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How about Wiregrass Mall? http://www.theshopsatwiregrass.com/

I know it sounds cheesy, but it is actually rather pretty.

[–]monochromatic_oeuvre 3 points4 points ago

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Lawyer up, and don't give up on your original venue just yet. Things can move very quickly when they need to.

[–]spoduk 4 points5 points ago

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Hey! I live in Tampa and I have a few suggestions:

  1. Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club - this is great because they also have rooms you can book for people staying over: http://www.clubcorp.com/Clubs/Tampa-Palms-Golf-Country-Club

  2. A La Carte Event Pavillion: http://www.alacarteevents.com/

  3. Check out Davis Island - they have a ton of beautiful mansions over there that are empty half the time (the owner of Taco Bell lives there...lol). I'm sure someone would be willing to rent out their mansion.

[–]kyrpa 9 points10 points ago

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How many guests are there going to be? Maybe look around see if you can rent a big-ass yacht for the day?

[–]many_questions 7 points8 points ago

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Good luck, I can't help from Minnesota. Up voted though!

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 14 points15 points ago

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I'm in Minnesota right now for work, which makes this that much more frustrating.

EDIT: Not the being in Minnesota part, just the not being at home part.

[–]etoiledunord 8 points9 points ago

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If you're in the Minneapolis area, my fiancé and I will gladly buy you a drink, as we are entirely sympathetic to wedding woes (getting married in August, haha). Good luck to you and your fiancée!

[–]BigPapiC-Dog[S] 4 points5 points ago

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I'm in Benson / Alexandria now, but staying in Minneapolis on Sunday night before flying out.

[–]BelgoCanadian 7 points8 points ago

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upvote, if push comes to shove, contact parks and have a standing wedding!

[–]JessuckaReally 4 points5 points ago

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If you are willing to commute over to Orlando there are a few options for you. I had a friend who got married, outside, at the maitland art center and you are able to bring your own liquor in. Also, most civic centers will allow you to do that for a fee.

Also, see about big open spaces. Refurbished warehouses and consider doing the ceremony in the same place as the reception. I had some friends who had a raised platform in the middle of the arranged tables in an old empty warehouse and it was very well done.

Just moved to Denver from Orlando, wish I could help more. :(

[–]anon515 2 points3 points ago

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Call hotels and golf courses. They usually have nice wedding accommodations.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points ago

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You could find a house that's for rent/vacant and ask the landlord if you could book it for the wedding and reception. There are TONS of rental listings on the internet, it shouldn't be too hard to find a decent place with an agreeable landlord.

[–]Oystter 3 points4 points ago

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I've been to great wedding at boy scout camp. The couple rented the whole thing. They put up a tent for the reception, ceremony in a nice corner of the woods, there was a lodge so they cooked their own food (pasta) in a kitchen that could accommodate a huge appetite, and all their guests stayed in the bunks. I believe boy scout camps start in july...so maybe. The google tells me this might be helpful to you:(http://boyscouting.com/properties.asp).

[–]sweatpantswarrior 4 points5 points ago

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Have you looked into Caladesi Island around Clearwater? Total shot in the dark, but it's close enough to Tampa, and that place is GORGEOUS.