My fiancé and I are currently trying to decide on a venue. We have narrowed it down to two options and we are truly torn. I know it is ultimately our decision but would love some feedback and to see if there are things we might not be thinking about. Here is a pros/cons list for both venues:
Venue 1 Pros:
· Beautiful inside and outside (farmhouse style venue on a large field with a stream and mountain in the background)
· Suite on site for the bridal party to get ready and for me and my fiancé to stay in the night of the wedding (and separate room for groom and his groomsmen to get ready).
· We can get there as early as 8AM.
· Large field (for ceremony, cocktail hour and games) with fire pit
· Indoor and outdoor ceremony options
· Plenty of space inside
· Only wedding of the weekend.
Venue 1 Cons:
· 45 minutes to an hour away for most of our guests.
· Would have to figure out room blocks and transportation for guests.
· Not many options for an ‘after party’ (small town)
· Since this venue is further from us, we are unfamiliar with the catering options (they may be great, we just don’t know which is a bit of a risk).
· Reception must end at 10PM.
Venue 2 Pros:
· Conveniently located for most guests.
· Beautiful inside (refurbished barn with modern amenities and tons of fairy lights).
· We can get there as early as 10AM.
· Reception can go until midnight.
· Close to the city we live in so many options for ‘after party/bar hopping’.
· Familiar with their caterer (well known and highly recommended in the area)
Venue 2 Cons:
· Located in a tech park. So there are some office buildings and parking lots around (the ceremony site faces away from this and the background would be trees).
· Smaller space (our guest count would not be at their maximum limit but less space than venue 1).
· No space for the guys to get ready (there is a room for the girls to get ready).
Venue 1 is more expensive than venue 2. However, they do the day of coordination, while for venue 2, the coordination is done through the caterer. We would more than likely be spending more on the caterer for venue 2, which will make the total reception cost for both venues around the same.
