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Wedding Reception Forum

Which Wedding Venue to Choose???

So I need some help with a dilemma I am having. I am completely torn between two wedding venues which both appeal to me on completely different levels.

Venue #1 is sleek, stylish, and modern, and everything I could want from a reception venue. I feel in love with this place the moment I saw it because it’s so unique and definitely has the "wow" factor.  I love that it's across the street from a park in the city because I think the photos would be amazing. I love the incredible drama of the space (very high ceilings and tall marble columns) and the fact that I know no one would ever forget a wedding here. I think the food/drink package is amazing and I love how all-inclusive it is. I think this is the kind of wedding people would be talking about for a long time afterwards! Everything I've heard about this place online is fantastic, not even one negative review. I think it really does say a lot about them. Certainly I think the style of this place reflects my fiancé and I very well too, which is important to me...The biggest concerns I have with it are the cost, which is doable but significant when you add  in all the things I would have to add like the lighting/centerpieces/music/etc. Of course there is the city travel too, which both my parents and future mother-in-law are concerned about, particularly with some of the older relatives. Most of our guests also have to travel pretty far, so they would need an affordable hotel to stay at and transport to and from the venue, which of course ups the cost.  

Venue #2 on the other hand is totally different, as it is more classic and elegant. It is in the suburbs closer to some of my relatives which makes the travel much easier. The main ballroom is lovely, the entrance way is beautiful, and the outside area is very pretty too. It is a bit more affordable, even with their upgraded "platinum package" which is the one I would go with as it includes lighting, a longer event, tons of food and drinks, and more. The other the thing I love is the warm family atmosphere that I got from the place, and the fact that they are incredibly flexible and willing to add things without upping the price a lot. I know my family really loved this venue a lot and although they weren’t trying to push me to pick this place, they strongly hinted this would be their preference...The biggest concerns I have with venue #2 are the fact that although it has some drama, it is not at the level of Venue #1. Also, there can be more than one event there a day (as they have multiple ballrooms). Although no two events can start near or at the same time, this is just something I said I never wanted and is probably my biggest concern.The outside area I love is not connected to our favorite ballroom so if guest went outside they would most likely run into guests from the other events.

So that is my dilemma and I honestly have no idea what to do! My dad is paying for a good portion of the cost so I want him and my family to love the venue. Everyone liked both venues but I suspect they want me to pick Venue #2 as they loved everything about it. The problem is that something is still holding me to Venue #1, and I guess it's just that I've been in love with it for so long. My fiancé likes the style of Venue #1 better but does admit Venue #2 is easier to access. I think he would honestly be fine with either since I am handling all the wedding details, but that only makes it more difficult because I have to make the decision. What should I do? Any advice would be appreciated!

Re: Which Wedding Venue to Choose???

  • Wow, that's a hard one!

    I think the best thing to do is to sit down with your fiance', your dad and everyone else involved in the wedding planning and discuss the pros and cons, what they liked, what they didn't, etc. together. The people you took to look at your venues may not have wanted to push their thoughts too much on you as the last thing they want to do is stress out the bride, but they probably have some thoughts on both and some other good arguments as to why they like one better than the other that you haven't thought of.

    Ultimately, it's your's and your fiance's decision, but it's good to get all of the points and opinions from the people who matter to you.

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  • Yeah that's probably a good idea. I myself made a pro/con list but maybe I should have everyone else make one too to see if there are things I just didn't think of. Thanks!
  • erinlin25erinlin25 member
    500 Love Its 1000 Comments Third Anniversary First Answer
    edited April 2014
    you need way your options in terms of if  I go with venue #1 will I be OK if guests will not be able to come? While you may have the idea that people "will remember my wedding forever" based on the venue itself I think you are over-thinking that approach.  People remember weddings based off the overall appeal I think-- not just the way the venue looks.  Even the nicest weddings I have been to I could not tell you exactly where it was, but do remember them from all the fun I had with my friends that day-- being well hosted and having fun makes it memorable IMO.

    If your dad is paying a large portion he definitely needs to have say in this decision, or you and FI need to know you can comfortably afford the extra cost.  I would probably go with venue 2 knowing I could get more for my money, host my guests well and have some money saved at the end of the day. 

    The bright side is it sounds like you can't go wrong either way! 
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  • Can you try the food at both place to help decide? It won't matter how pretty a place is if the food isn't up to par. FOOD is what people remember more
  • Make a list on paper - pros and cons for each venue.  Do the numbers about $$$.  That should help you decide.  Personally, I think I would choose what is easiest for my guests.
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  • I would go with venue 2
  • Honestly my venue does 3 a day and I'm not worried about it at all. They all have the same ceremony space at diff times then diff reception spaces and yes the bathrooms and outdoors are shared but it doesn't bother me at all. I don't think that should be such a concern. And all the guests will be wowed either way I don't necessarily think the venue is the only wow factor.

                                                                     

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  • Also clarify with your VIPs on their ability to attend if you went with #1. This might be the deciding factor for me. If someone really important to me would be unable to attend or have major difficulties attending (financial, travel, accessibility, etc), then I'd certainly put them above drama. #2 venue will become special to you when you're there.
  • Thanks everyone for all of the advice! I made up a pro con list, but of course both venues ended up coming out almost even so it didn't help me too much! I would say that out of everything the food is the most important thing to my fiance and I, which has made it tricky because both places have amazing and very extensive food options. The nice thing about venue #2 is that it does include a decent amount of food for less money than venue #1, which is certainly something to consider. The lighting package is also more reasonable at venue #2 which is another factor since we both want up-lighting in the room.

    As far as the travel goes, most the VIPs are local and would be able to make it to either venue, it's more so out of town family members that we don't see too often that I was initially worried about getting to venue #1. However, I had originally thought the non-local guests would be driving out here for the wedding, but now it sounds like a lot of them would be flying out here instead. Venue #1 is actually much more easily accessible to and from the airport, which would actually make it easier for out-of-town guests. What I am now looking into is pricing on renting a bus or shuttle to transport guests to and from the hotel to the venue, as if this is affordable it would solve the main concern that everybody has about venue #1.

    The good thing is that our wedding is going to be 2.5 years out from now, so there's no need to rush to book anything at the moment unless we want too! In the meantime I have decided to visit both venues again for a second time to ask more questions that I have and see which one feels right to us both at this point.
  • Guests will remember how you made them feel at your wedding more than they will remember how impressive the marble columns were, so I would lean toward #2.

    Is #1 someplace you could get engagement pictures taken, since it reflects your personal style so well?

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  • Thank you lolo883, that's a really great idea! Maybe if I don't go with venue #1 I could at least have engagement pictures taken there or on the flip side, if I do go with venue #1 I could probably use venue #2 to host one of the other wedding-related activities. I know they do host bridal showers and rehearsal dinners there so maybe it is possible to have my cake and eat it. :)
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