Venue Help

diamondx423 · February 2010

Hey Everyone! My fiance and I got engaged December 5th, and are planning to get married June 29, 2012. We're doing all the venue hunting now since I'm in graduate school so its either look now or wait until the semester is over...

So, we looked at 6 different venues. Two were "NO WAY" the second we walked in, one is wayyy out of our budget, 1 is right on the beach and reasonably priced but the layout is weird and my mom doesn't like it, and the other two...

Last night I had made up my mind, to go with the more expensive one at the best location. Its beautiful, we all love it. However, its roughly $125 a person so we'd need to cut down our guest list, but I wasn't super concerned since we've got 2 years to figure out who we talk to.

Then, today I get an email from the other venue (our number 2) saying that we have the opportunity to spin a discount wheel. As of now its about $120 a person, so not a huge difference... but spinning the wheel could give as much as 20% off which is a giant price difference.

So, now what?? I made up my mind, but I'm scared that I'll be spending way more money than I need to. And, what if I do get 20% off? I'm afraid I'll stress for a month about what venue to pick!

Anyway, my fiance thinks that we shouldn't even bother spinning the wheel. We decided where we wanted it and not to stress myself out making a decision all over again.

What would you do?

emilyinchile · February 2010

Honestly, I would do nothing for another 6 months to a year. I know people talk about getting lower prices if you book way ahead, and some venues do book up, but SO MUCH can change in 2.5 years. You could change what style of wedding you want, where you want to have it, budget could change (for better or for worse)...just way too many variables. Now it's great to start getting an idea of what kind of places you like and what's available within your current budget, but I don't think it's a good idea to lock yourself into anything yet.

AmoroAgain · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_just-engaged-proposals_venue?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:683Discussion:26faedbd-54a1-4f0c-adbd-0454d20661b5Post:d45410d0-3f72-4bee-b735-e80974bf0ae1">Re: Venue Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Honestly, I would do nothing for another 6 months to a year. I know people talk about getting lower prices if you book way ahead, and some venues do book up, but SO MUCH can change in 2.5 years. You could change what style of wedding you want, where you want to have it, budget could change (for better or for worse)...just way too many variables. Now it's great to start getting an idea of what kind of places you like and what's available within your current budget, but I don't think it's a good idea to lock yourself into anything yet.
Posted by emilyinchile[/QUOTE]

I agree with this completely. You need to put the brakes on and just sit back and relax for a while. Right now, you won't believe me, but you will honestly be so sick of planning your wedding in a little bit that you won't want to do anything. Just chill out. :)

I <3 Seabass · February 2010

Personally if I had already made up my mind then I wouldn't bother spinning the wheel. But it doesn't sound like you're 100% sold on your pick so in your situation I would spin the wheel and see what type of deal you can get and see if that sways your decision at all.

I'm from NJ (and had my wedding there) can I ask what venues you' looked at? Also, being that you're in NJ there are litterally 1000s of places to have your reception so if you're not in love with what you've seen you could also keep looking.

Lastly I do agree with pp that 2.5 is early to be booking a venue but in NJ places really do book up quick. When I was looking in '08 to get married in '09 so many places didn't have a free sat night available until late 2010 so I don't think you're crazy for looking now.

mwhitson14 · February 2010

Yeah, I was in college too for the majority of our engagement and I still don't see the big deal about picking a venue right this minute. I get that school is a lot of work but it still didn't take up 24/7 of my time.