Book wedding venue sight unseen?

We booked our venue in Delaware without getting to visit it first (we love in Arizona). But, my parents toured it for us and met the amazing wedding planner (who lived up to her WW reviews), and I got to see lots of pictures of it on WW, their website, Google, and from the email the planner sent me. I also am getting to tour it next month.

Maybe continue to tour venues for a bit to see if you're completely convinced it's the best option? Is the venue getting a lot of bookings, yet? You might have a little time before a decision is necessary.

I would be more scared of a staff that doesn't have much experience than anything. Is this an inclusive venue? Because then you have a chef that will be new to the venue. The vendors won't be familiar with it either. This is just something I would be thinking about.

That being said, I, like Samantha, committed after my parents toured for me. They sent texted photos and we decided it was the right place!

Would you be their first wedding? Or do they have others before you? I probably wouldn't book if you are one of the first weddings as you would be the tester wedding for the venue. If they have a bunch booked over the Summer, then I would probably be less hesitant. I agree to keep looking and see if this one still is your favorite after you see a few more. Any chances of visiting one of the other locations?

I really recommend not doing it. I saw a venue that I was absolutely 100% in love with, I almost booked it sight unseen (but have seen a thousand pics online and they're STUNNING).

In person not only was the venue less than stunning, but their claims of accessibility were grossly inaccurate--my guest in a wheelchair would have made it to the ceremony, but not to the reception, which was up two flights of narrow stairs and no elevator. So glad I didn't book it.

I am aware of NOAH'S if you are talking about the ones in TX. Not sure if they are in other states. But I would go with current locations they have instead of what they are opening in the future. To me pictures online are great, but nothing in comparison to seeing the venue in person.

We booked our wedding venue before ground was broken on it. There's another venue in the area with the same builder and I went there to check it out. Ours will be open May 2016 and wedding is October 2016. I figure that gives us plenty of time if something happens and building deadlines are pushed back. Edit: Also, the place we're going has hosted weddings before, they just did tent weddings. There was a demand for barn so she cut last season short to begin work. So, experience was important to us.

Normally this would make me nervous to book a venue without seeing it (and being one of the first weddings). However, NOAH's has a ton of locations across the US and they are all gorgeous. They are super well-versed in the wedding business and crank out weddings all the time

Thank you ladies so much for the advice. We decided to keep looking. For one the venue was a little over our budget & doesn't include EVERYTHING for the high price. Plus the fact that we can't see it until Feb 2017 & our wedding is Oct 2017 just doesn't sit well with me or FH.

Good call. I want no surprises in wedding planning.

Loads of people book destination wedding without seeing it first so nothing wrong with doing that

I would be worried the project would stall or be cancelled so the venue wouldn't opening time.

I booked mine unseen. My sister also got married at Noah's in their new IL venue. She booked unseen and had a nice experience.

Please change your avatar to something other than the rings. The rings are associated with spam/trolls, so it will help you get more responses!

Hmmm @annakay551 on the app my avatar shows up as pic of us. Well at least I thought it did. I'll look into that. Thanks.

I've seen them online as well they do look nice! My concern would be with the construction. They're "supposed to" Feb 2017 but what if they don't? Maybe it's just construction around here but it doesn't seem like things always go as planned. What if you book it and they don't/can't/won't open on time?