We are planning a large wedding on a tight budget - about $30,000 for 200 guests (which is apparently really difficult in this area). I am cutting corners on alot of things - I am ok with buying a second-hand or sample dress, I will probably order invitations on vistaprint or just DIY, I plan on making my own favors and escort cards, and also do not want to spend much on flowers or centerpieces. But I do not want to cut corners on my guests' experience - I want them to be well fed, comfortable, and entertained! We are still in the early planning stages, choosing a venue right now. We visited 5 and are choosing between our top two.
Venue A is absolutely beautiful. We love the hall's decor and abundant windows, the large deck for cocktail hour, the enclosed outdoor area that the ceremony would be held in, and the various photo opps throughout the property. My mom's coworker that got married there has nothing but good things to say about the venue and staff. There are nice B&B's in the area that me/FI and our families would stay in to avoid the half-hour drive home, and also a budget motel within walking distance from the venue for any other last-minute overnighters. However, the venue is already booked for our first few date choices, so we would go with a date that is less than ideal, but still fine. And, it's much more expensive than venue B, about 30% more. To get everything we want from them would put us about 10K over budget, which would come from my and FI's pockets.
Venue B is such a great deal for the price! We could offer our guest so much more in terms of hors d'eouvres and bar options, all within budget! And the outdoor ceremony gazebo is gorgeous, the reception room is pretty nice too, but the rest of the place (bathrooms, entryway, etc) is very outdated. The nearest hotel is a couple towns away, which is alright because most of our guests are local anyways, but nearby hotels would have been nice. Also, I read a couple reviews about one of the owners being rude and difficult to work with. I don't know that I would necessarily be working with her though.
So, we are trying to decide which venue to go with, and we are trying to think about what we might regret more - blowing our budget/making sacrafices, or skipping out on the place we like more. Just wondering what your perspectives were, having already lived through the experience. Thanks in advance for your input!