Reception location ideas

This was the first thing we figured out.  Well after a date.  I've heard getting married not in the summer is a really good way to save money.  Many of the places I looked at didn't have lowerprices in the "off season," and getting married in the summer just honestly worked for us, and our life goals and plans, so thats what we chose.  
So, although Tom and I are getting married in July and in Lexington (which is a suburb of Columbia- "Famously Hot"), I wanted an outside reception.  I have always imagined that outdoor wedding and the garden and flowers and candles and such things.  So that's where we started.
After talking with my family, and with Tom, and really just thinking about it, we decided to tie the knot in Lexington, where my entire family is.  The more we get into the planning process and start nailing down details, I'm really glad we did.  Its a little more traditional to do it in the brides hometown, as traditionally her family funds the wedding, as my family is.  So, cheers to tradition.
So here's my rules to finding a great reception site:

• Google is awesome, but it can't be your only tool.
• I HATE talking on the phone, but when looking for a great site for a good deal, you've got to pick up the phone, then pick up your keys.  Start with the web, but be prepared to make phone calls to get quotes, as well as go visit and such things.
• Don't visit too many places
• We visited three places.  And it was SUCH an easy decision.  We found three places online that seemed like what we were looking for, called, made appointments, and visited.  But it was just three.  
• Bring a camera
• My best friend and my mom came with us, which was great, because my best friend brought her camera.  It was really nice to know that we had pictures to look back at.  We didn't need them, but if we had it was nice to know they existed.  
• Check out some all inclusive places
• While we didn't end up choosing one, they are pretty sweet deals.  Flowers, food, cake, ceremony, reception, planner, decor, pretty much everything you need.  If we had chosen it, it may have even saved us some money! I am much more of a diy person, and so it means more to me to have an empty space then one where its all taken care of for me!

Thats my rules, and I think its a good one.  Worked for me!
Places to look- Town/City properties, Chamber of Commerce website, photographers in the area's website, or just google :-)
Here's where ours is!
So yay.  Receptions!