The Charms and Perks of Choosing a Non-Traditional Wedding Venue: A Look Inside Metro Bis Restaurant in Simsbury, CT

The Un-traditional Wedding Venue:

In front of 40 friends, family, and their dog Drax, Jessie and Austin married at Metro Bis Restaurant in Simsbury, Connecticut. This New England venue is considered "Untraditional" for weddings as it is a multi-use space. Let's talk about what there is to love about un-traditional venues and what this one offers New Englanders!

Overall, there are so many reasons to love un-traditional wedding venues, let's talk about it using Metro Bis as an example:

It's easier to book your dream wedding date.

Austin and Jessie decided to get married in a short time frame(we're talking under 5 months), and Metro Bis had availability at the height of the October wedding season, which in New England is as rare as a high-end steak dinner.

While keeping in mind that the availability of a venue changes month to month, Metro Bis isn't exclusively geared toward weddings. Thus, it's still more likely that you can find dates in your preferred wedding season.

It's perfect for micro weddings with its intimate, smaller setting.

While we all love getting together with our extended families and hometown friends during the holidays, it's only sometimes financially viable to invite 150+ people to a wedding. A smaller venue is a way to keep your guest list to your closest people.

If you're already planning a mico wedding(50 or fewer guests), many of the venues you would inquire about will likely be TOO spacious. A venue with excess space can leave guests feeling awkward(think about walking across a big, open floor as everyone watches you enter the bathroom).

On the flip side,

A small space with good mood lighting feels cozy and inviting while still accommodating a decent number of people. But what if you need more room to get down on the dance floor? In my experience as a wedding photographer of 12 years, The typical dancefloor provided at weddings is more significant than it needs to be. Guests typically aren't on the floor all at once, and many will skip dancing altogether. "But Phoebe, my people like to get down and be funky with it!" Honestly? Same! Get a few people to move tables and BAM, you have room for grandma to cut up that proverbial rug alongside your 4-year-old niece. Everyone gets to party!

Another big plus of a smaller venue? It's cost-effective.

Of course, the number of guests you invite to your wedding is the main reason for having more wedding costs, but evenwith a moderate (65-100) guest list, you can find venues, such as Metro Bistro Restaurant, that can accommodate your guests with a unique experience while keeping money in your pocket.

A non-traditional space feels less stuffy and formal.

While most of us love to dress up for an event, sometimes a large-scale venue can make you subconsciously feel out of place. But change the location to something like a charming historic building with an art-centered design, and you'll likely feel quickly at home and excited to engage with your fellow guests. Extra points if your non-traditional venue has a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces like Metro Bis.

More about Metro Bis Restaurant: Charming, Historical, Accommodating

Owned and run by Chef Christopher Prosperi, Metro Bis is a designated American restaurant inside the historic Ensign Parish House. The building has its original floor plan on the ground level, meaning there are differently sized rooms perfect for private events and weddings. The building's basement is home to Rhenium Salon & Spa, which offers another multi-service space for yoga, massage, skin treatments, hair styling, and more(um, when can I go?!). Metro Bis owns and operates seven rooms for rent; one room, the Ensign House Room, resides on the top floor of Metro Bis, and the others are just 2 minutes down the road at the Powder Forrest Guest House. At an average cost of $180 a night for each room, these quaint accommodations are competitive with surrounding hotel deals. (I would personally choose to stay in room 4) With all these accommodations paired with a romantic Fall setting, Metro Bis is a unique choice for any non-traditional wedding in New England.

As a photographer who grew up in New England,

I offer travel savings for couples who book me for this and other Connecticut venues. Look HERE to see more about my wedding offerings! Ready to book?