So I *think* we figured out where we’re having our after-wedding dinner. (Notice it’s not a reception. Since we can’t invite everyone from our 200+ guest list!!!!! But we’ll have our close family and wedding party members there.)

We went to Buca di Beppo in downtown Indianapolis. I, being from Jersey, tend to stay away from chain Italian restaurants. When I smelled the garlic, I wondered why… it smelled like home! (I’ll just put it out there… I’ve lived in Sicily (a summer) and New Jersey (my whole life until a few years ago) and there’s nothing like REAL, homemade Italian food. I thought chains couldn’t provide that. I was WRONG!)

I’m a new meatball fan. But even my zest for meatballs couldn’t handle this 1/2 pound (literally) beauty!

I saw this picture on the wall during our tour and laughed out loud… that’s how I felt trying to finish it!

The manager took us around the maze of a restaurant, looking at rooms. They were all semi-private, and family-style. This room, below, was my favorite… it holds up to 65. Sadly… we might be over that number. It all depends on the family members who decide to come!

The below room is huge (you see one side of it in the first picture below) and holds total about 200. You can do a small dance floor or beverage station though. We are just looking for a dinner… but if you’re having a smaller wedding with an actual reception, that would be a great idea- you’d need little to no decor!

Here’s Brian, annoyed at how long my camera is taking to take the photo! This is the other half of the L-shaped room for 200. She said she’s give it to us for 80 or more.

I didn’t take a picture of this part, because there were people eating, but there’s a great “Pope’s Table” which is round, with two rooms to either side, that we could have for about 80 as well. This is my favorite of the “80+” rooms! (The picture is from their website.)

I wish we had more of an idea of the number of people to expect! I’m working on getting info from my Mom, and Brian is going to contact his family members as well. I am nervous that we’ll be above 65 but below 80- there were no options for parties of 66-79. At that point, we might just have to say 80 and have some “no-shows” to pay for (or invite a few close friends who aren’t in the wedding?) Luckily, there isn’t any room rental fee whatsoever!

I love the bright colors and fun wall art, and the staff were so friendly. Also, there’s a parking garage CONNECTED to the restaurant… convenient if we have bad weather. And there are tons of photo-op worthy areas in this restaurant. This will be a great place to intimately (sort of) celebrate our wedding. After that… the bars! What on earth will I wear…