Deciding on a Venue

musicalsunlight

So, no one warned me that deciding on a venue would be so difficult! It seems like every time my mom and I (we are making the decision together because she is paying for the majority of the wedding, much to my gratitude) get close to making a decision, something happens where we keep finding new places to look into. I think I should stop researching and just stick with the final few contenders that I have! It seemed to be "all systems go" for the Millennium Hotel, but then we found out our guest list is gonna be about 40 over the max for their gorgeous domed room.

One of our other top choices was PEC, and since I've seen so many rave reviews here from you Knotties, I've been a big proponent of it. My mom and I went to tour it the other day and I really like the Diamond Hall, well, my mom really liked the Casablanca Hall, though it was harder to get an idea of what it will look like when my wedding would be because they were doing a ton of construction to add on a balcony and such. I liked both, but really liked the intimacy of the Diamond hall, while my mom loved the side bar area down the hall in the Casablanca area. I think I'd be ok with either, because I really liked the space, but my mom seems hesitant for some reason. PEC is also neck and neck with the Landmark Center. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to have my wedding at Landmark(in the Atrium), but since the beginning of my planning, I've thought it was way out of my budget. But after doing some number crunching, it seems that it really wouldn't be much of a difference and my mom seemed willing to take it as a contender.

Argh, and then my mom has about 3 others she wants to look at, but I just want to make a decision and choose between PEC and Landmark! I'm going to take FI to see the Landmark maybe later this week (He's from WI so has never been there), and he has seen plenty of pictures of the PEC so he doesn't need to tour there. I just keep imagining how romantic and gorgeous Rice Park/Downtown St Paul would look for my winter wedding (I'm going for a romantic/elegant feel), but I love the funkiness and "cool" vibe of the PEC (which totally doesn't make sense for "romantic and elegant" but oh well :P)

Ah, ok just had to write all that out to feel my brain out a little. Or something. Here's to hoping I make a decision before the new year!

leggwilliams

I vote PEC but I'm a little biased since I'm having my wedding in the Diamond Hall next September ;-) but definitely do what's right for you and FI! Good luck and keep us updated

SuperRNluvsChef

I'm also partial to the PEC, we're in the Diamond Hall next September as well.  BUT I think the photos I've seen from the Milenium Hotel are absolutly gorgeous.  However, you said your guest list is more than the max capacity.  Granted not everyone will be able to come but I don't think you should ever book a venue where your guest list exceeds the max capacity.  Theres always the big WHAT IF everyone comes.  Then you wouldn't have enough room for everyone=not good.  I've never seen the Landmark Center but I've heard good things about.  Anyways that's just my 2 cents, GL with your decision and keep us posted!

martiac225

Well, I am a future PEC bride too (Casablanca room) so of course that would be my choice   One thought about LC...I was at a big wedding there 2 winters ago and it was beautiful, but there were a couple of things I didn't like about the venue (for a reception), it was almost too big, everything was pretty spread out and the restrooms were SO far away from where everything was happening (pet peeve) and it was freezing!  We would start walking to the restrooms before we had to really go, because it was such a jaunt and if there was a line, it was even a longer wait. Silly maybe, but I thought I'd share. GL!

musicalsunlight

Yeah, one of the biggest reasons why I know my wedding would go well at PEC is because so many girls, including you girls, are planning/have planned weddings there! I also really liked Heather, she was very enthusiastic and I like that in a person. After thinking more about it, I think I would be happy with either room there, but my mom I think is most concerned about hotel space for our OOT guests. She doesn't much like the Days Inn next door, but I noticed on the PEC website that they have a discount deal with the marriot downtown, which would be nice. I think because it is going to be in the dead of winter, she just likes the idea of having lots of hotel options (in different price ranges since guests will range in income quite widely) within walking distance so that in case something happens like this past weekend (God Forbid!), people would just be able to walk to the wedding. I think that is why she likes the Landmark because there are tons of hotels within a few blocks downtown (And of course why we liked the Millennium, since it would be right there!). I don't think it would be THAT big of a deal if we hired a shuttle, but we'll see. I like the PEC a lot. But I also like the Landmark alot!

Martiac-- Yes, I've read several reviews about Landmark commenting about the bathrooms---I'm gonna take a little walk when I take the FI to see just how far the closest bathrooms would be, it would be a little annoying if it is too far. Thanks for the insight though!

I Want Cake

I'm partial to the Landmark Center.  I work for the county, and we have a ton of events there, so I'm there all the time.  If you're going for a classic and romantic feel, you really can't do much better, especially with Rice Park just out the door with the twinkling lights in the trees and all the old-school architecture around that area of downtown between the St. Paul Hotel and the Hamm Building.  At least for me, the Landmark Center screams "wintery class" to me.  The bathrooms are a bit of a jaunt (I've always used the ones in the basement down the hall from the auditorium), but there are plenty of stalls in them.  It can get a bit chilly, since it's such a huge open space, but there are other benefits like a more open catering policy, and when I was at my cousin's wedding a few years ago, they were able to have wine on the tables, so you may not need a liquor caterer if that policy still applies.  If you're looking into decorating, especially with draped fabric, there really is no other place like the Landmark.  I can't say enough good things about it.

The only reason we're not doing our reception there is because my cousin already did.  If he hadn't, it'd be a contender.  Definitely check it out and give it a chance. 

graysquirrel

I used to work at the Landmark Center in the school upstairs, and I know how awesome the place looks for weddings. They do amazing draping and lighting all over and the whole place looks like something out of a movie. Our school had its prom there and it was magical!

musicalsunlight

Iwantcake & gray- Thanks for the info! Yeah, I have been there a few times, never for a wedding but for other random events. I agree it has the perfect "wintery class" to it, which is a huge reason why I love it. I think I'm gonna go check it out in a little bit today with the FI, so that he can get a feel for it. I'll let you know what he thinks!

Cascasbaby53

I'm a PEC Casablanca bride, so there is my vote.

My suggestion is to contact Heather and see if you and your FI can go there as well. It's always different in person. Just have the two of you go to both. See where it feels right to have you two standing in the room together.

If there is one you both love, I'm sure your mom will understand and get behind the idea (hopefully)!

alxabrw

whats PEC stand for??

leggwilliams

PEC=Profile Event Center