A week after I am engaged-I am already feeling the stress

mhaas412

A city hall ceremony sounds great right now.

My fiance and I have our  guest list as of tonight. We have 132 definite.
We would like to have the reception in the Pittsburgh area (including downtown and the city neighborhoods). We want a place that will allow us to have a ceremony and reception in one area (possibly a hotel). Budget is a factor like always-however is not crazy restricted.

I would like to have the reception around an area where there are hotels so my guests do not have to worry about transportation...but maybe thats a dream of mine.

Any suggestions?

LilyWater09

Suggestion One:  Take a deep breath.  Endulge in a drink or chocolate.  Tell yourself you are going to be alright.

With that said, anything is possible.  Hotels are always closer by than you think.  If proximity and free hotel transportation are a concern, have your wedding and reception at a hotel like you suggested.  When looking for my venue I reviewed the Omni downtown website, and I have also been there for many events.  Easy access to all of the beauty Pittsburgh has to offer.  They have separate rooms so you could have your wedding in one and easily connect to the reception.  Their website has a beautiful picture of one of the rooms set up with a chuppah.  It is my understanding that the rooms are nice too.

Good luck and feel free to vent here often  

Melis7683

Congratulations on your engagement!  Wow you are on the ball with your guest list already!

We got engaged on April 9 and are in the beginning stages of planning.  We set out date for February 9, 2013.  Its farther away because its was the only time we could get the venue we wanted.

The ceremony and the reception will both be at Pittsburgh's Grand Hall at the Priory.  Its a beautiful banquet hall/hotel that actually used to be a German Catholic church.  We see it as a sign as I'm Catholic (FI is not religious), but he is full blooded German.The venue has a huge organ, high ceilings, staned glass windwows and a huge "churchy feel", so it's a compromise.  It's on the north side of the city, close to downtown and other attractions.  It has its own hotel with 42 rooms and there are a few other hotels that are close by.

We chose to do their Winter White Wedding package (Jan/Feb/March of any year) as it was a huge discount and the decor is beautiful.  I highly recommend it and the venue in general.  Even if you don't do a inter wedding though, I still recommend them.  At least check them out with no obligation.  The venue is breathtaking and Heather, the coordinator, is awesome.

We just signed our contract last week and they cashed our check, so it's all a-go!

sarilynnep

Unless you plan on getting married in 3 months, there is no reason to stress ;-)

However I do understand where you are coming from. The most stressful part for me was choosing a venue. Look online for all the places that are downtown and around the Oakland area. Here is a list to get you started-

- Carnegie Museums - Oakland Museums, Andy Warhol Museum, Music Hall
- PPG Aquarium
- 20th Century Club
- Fairmont Hotel
- Renaissance Hotel
- Omni Penn Hotel
- Pennsylvanian
- Soldiers and Sailors Museum
- Lemont
- Botanical Gardens
- Heinz Field

There are plenty more than that, but those are some that tend to do a lot of wedding and have information online. I will tell you that many places will require a minimum for catering (I saw mostly $15K minimum for places and up to $30K for one). Just check and see what is included in the packages- will you have to rent tables, chairs, napkins, etc? Is alcohol included? Are tax and gratuity extra?

I have found that most locations will be able to hold the ceremony as well.

We might be able to help you narrow it down if you have some type of vision for your wedding. Are you looking for something modern or something with a more old world feel? Do you want to enjoy the outdoors with an outside area or balcony? Give us an idea of what you like and don't like and we might be able to narrow down some choices.

Flowerstar1023

I also second the idea that you need to BREATHE! You didn't mention when you're thinking about having the wedding, but as long as you're not having a very short engagement, you have plenty of time. I was in a rush to get all of the big stuff done and we were more than a year out (caterer, venue, et cetera). In hindsight, I think that was silly and I've calmed down considerably (We've been engaged for five months).

Also check out options on the Northside. There are other Carnegie Museums plus the Warhol, Children's Museum, Mattress Factory, New Hazlett Theatre, the Priory, the Parador Inn, and the Aviary (Not to mention the Lexus Club at PNC Park and Heinz Field). I'm obviously partial to the aviary since that's where we're getting married and having our reception. The nice thing about anything in downtown/Oakland/Northside is that there are lots of hotels nearby. We've got a block at one near PNC park which is perfect for the Aviary.

Good luck and don't forget to just enjoy being engaged!

mhaas412

Thank you for the suggestions-you all are awesome!

I am not sure what I want as far as a wedding goes. I have ideas here and there. I am very practical and could care less about fancy or elaborate weddings. However, I do not want a cookie cutter one.

My fiance and I have checked out the brochures online for some of the venues mentioned above and other ones. I am diasspointed in how much things cost as far venues, bar and catering.

mm4662

The zoo has a good price because food, bar tenders, rentals, tax, and tip are all included. You can provide your own alcohol too which is nice. However, they do not do ceremonies.

If you are willing to do a ceremony somewhere else, this could be an option.

mhaas412

We found a venue that will do the ceremony and reception. The Rivers Club in downtown.

Although it was not my first choice, we picked it based on practicality. They gave us the best deal!

jems139

I understand your stress as I just got engaged 2 weeks ago and there was a big push for a destination wedding.  After the hurdle of convincing the fiance and his family that I wanted my family to be there (as they do not fly) we got that settled.  But now to bigger and better things.  I agree it's difficult to find something reasonable price range and yet know what questions to ask.  It seems like every venue offers this and others offer that.  We went with the aquarium and now having trouble for a ceremony.  My fiance wants an engagement of no more than a year and we are seeingi weddings in Pgh are booked quickly.  My recommendation would be make a list and a lot of them. You'll find yourself continously going back and forth on ideas.  Good luck!!

williaam2

The Doubletree downtown just renovated their ballroom and it's BEAUTIFUL.  I was heartbroken that I was outvoted for it as our venue (my family isn't comfortable driving in Pittsburgh...don't ask...).  Their package is also significantly less expensive than the Omni William Penn or Pennsylvanian, although those are also beautiful venues.

We're having our reception at the Airport Marriott in Coraopolis (still very close to the city), and have been really pleased with the staff so far.  They also have a courtyard that works perfectly for ceremonies, or can do the ceremony inside if you prefer.