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Briana
Savvy October 2021

Venue closed less than a year away from our date..

Briana, on March 10, 2021 at 10:33 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 1 26

Hi everyone! So...COVID has foiled part of our wedding plans for 10/31/21 in NY. Our venue sold their building and they are essentially giving us 2 days to figure out if we want to go with their new outdoor tented wedding venue that is only 2 miles away from the original location with less than a year away..


Here's the pros:

-Dance floor

-Cocktail hour area

-Most likely no ugly carpet (I couldn't get over the hideous red and yellow swirl carpet they had in our reception room)

-It's now on a waterfront

-They are honoring the same rate for us

-No covid testing or proof of vaccination will be required for our guests since it'll be outside (that's both a pro & con I feel like)

-They have heaters

-They'll tent the ceremony area (which is also outside) if there's bad weather

-We can have 100% of our payments we've made so far back if we decide not to go with them

-We can go to their sister sites but i'm assuming that's only if our date is available (doubt it)

Cons:

-We have no idea what the venue looks like because it will be built this Summer, they told us to look at their sister sites to see what their tents look like (really nice)

-It's in the Fall 10/31 in New York, so it can get chilly and/or rain/freakishly snow (but there's heaters)

-Our wedding is less than a year away and there's no way we can find a place with our date and at an affordable budget

-We have until Friday to decide if we want to move forward with their new venue without seeing it, and it's first come first served..so seems like i'm basically then competing for our date?



The bridal party tent is 20x20 (is that even big?), the 'luxury restroom trailer' is 20x30 and the reception tent is 60x120

I've never been to a wedding with a tent, nor have I been to one outside in NY in the Fall. Any opinions? What would you do? Regardless we are getting married on 10/31




26 Comments

Latest activity by Kari, on March 13, 2021 at 2:48 PM
  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    If the weather is that unpredictable, I would go with a different venue

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  • Eyonna
    Devoted May 2021
    Eyonna ·
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    I just heard about this an hour ago! We looked at them also but decided to go with another venue (that carpet was really hideous). I’m so sorry to hear that in addition to the pandemic this is another obstacle you have to deal with. October is so iffy in NY; we could get a snow storm! I feel for you. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable in a tent in October (tents are nice but I know you want to keep your date). This is awful. I would have to chose another venue; thankfully you will be getting your money back. Keep us all posted and good luck!
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  • Elmarose
    Expert July 2022
    Elmarose ·
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    Honestly I feel that since you stated that regardless you are getting married on your date 10/31 just go with either the new venue or see if the sisters venue has your date available. You also have way more pros over cons. I understand that wedding planning is so stressful and how hard this must be for you and your partner for your venue to have sold but on the bright side at least they are giving you three options. New venue, sisters venue, or your money back. Many couples didn't have these options or even money returned so that is definitely a blessing in disguise. I truly hope that which ever choice you make that your wedding day will be amazingly special and shine on you and your partner. Also, on your questions those sizes are pretty big and many have tent weddings here in California and they are stunningly beautiful. Pinterest has a bunch of options you can see. I just don't know about New York and you know their weather the most. 😞 Best wishes🥰✨🌷💗

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  • Katie
    VIP August 2020
    Katie ·
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    Hi Briana, I had an unexpected tent wedding as well and it turned out to be wonderful! I have gone to a tent wedding in Philadelphia in October years ago and it turned out well. They too had heaters and hot food to keep us warm. I remember it wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be under the tent and it was comfortable.


    A question to ask them is about sides on the tent. If it snows or rains, sides make a big difference. I would also ask how the tent will be anchored, as ours had large cement blocks that we ended up covering with white fabric.
    The large size tent is similar to the size we had. We too were on the water so keep in mind there is wind that comes off the water so our centerpieces could not be tall.
    If you decide to go with it, you could see it this summer to make your plans in preparation for October.
    Here are photos of our wedding so you can get an idea. My florist hid the cement anchors that held down the tent with white fabric and dressed it up with market lights and greenery/trees.Venue closed less than a year away from our date.. 1
    Venue closed less than a year away from our date.. 2Venue closed less than a year away from our date.. 3


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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    If you live in an area where the weather is unpredictable, then I wouldn't risk it.
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  • Chantelle
    Devoted October 2021
    Chantelle ·
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    Hello! So sorry to hear your original venue building is closing Smiley sad Based on how you worded your question/explanations, it seems you kinda want to go with your venue’s backup plan proposal. I think the tented choice sounds fine! I have faith that it will be a beautiful day no matter what. You should ask them to see a new contract for this tent option event (if you haven’t already) and make sure you are protected in the contract somehow. I wish they would have given you more than two days to decide. Good luck!
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  • Rebecca
    Savvy May 2022
    Rebecca ·
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    Hey girl you are not alone!! My wedding is set for Nov, and I can't decide what to do. We are flexible with moving our date, but I don't know if I should move to a sister venue or get my refund and find somewhere new. Here's my thought process, tents are beautiful and by the water is lovely, but it's New York in the fall by the water, very unpredictable and you don't want to have to worry about what the weather's going to be. But since you are going to keep your date no matter what, what's a Covid wedding finale without a little suspense and unpredictability! Best of luck 💕
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  • Mrs.a
    Master October 2021
    Mrs.a ·
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    Oh wow! We have been dealing with this as well as the event space we chose may no longer be open/available although we were given a better option by having it in a larger indoor event space.

    October can be so unpredictable. I would want to have it in an indoor venue tbh. Good luck!

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  • M
    Expert September 2021
    Marianne ·
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    I haven't been to a wedding in a tent during inclement weather, but I have been to (well, I worked) other types of fancy events in tents in the dead of winter! Ask if they will have side walls and will pump heating (not just those heat towers) and when those would become available (in case they don't plan on installing until later in the fall/winter). As long as you have walls and some heat when it's super chilly out, it's just as comfortable as being inside a building!

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  • Ariel
    Devoted October 2021
    Ariel ·
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    I’d go with the new tented venue . The tent will be beautiful and you have a long list of pros. Plus the stress of not having to find a new venue makes it worth it. A lot of 2021 dates are booked due to all the 2020 delayed weddings. If your biggest concern is weather look up the weather for the city on that date for the last 10 years. I’m getting married oct 22nd and weather was a concern, but after looking at past weather for the last 10 years or so I felt better.
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  • Kenia
    Dedicated June 2021
    Kenia ·
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    I’m 99% we had booked the same venue as I received this terrible news yesterday as well. Except, my wedding was scheduled for just 3 months away....
    I checked out their link to the inspiration and yes the new place looks very nice. However, personally I felt that honoring the same price wasn’t actually a pro. Since we would be getting less now, and even the beautiful inspiration doesn’t compare to what the building had. Also I planned to have the ceremony there and outside so of course, another negative.
    I would say, maybe call a few places. I was able to find a potential new place 15 minutes after I received the phone call. Something I really didn’t think would be possible. Similar pricing, elegant venue, only 2 weeks earlier than our original date and because of covid, you’d be surprised just got much venues have cut their prices. It’s really frustrating and out of our hands. I’d use today to try and see what you can find and if you can’t find anything else, make sure you’re on that first come first serve tomorrow! Best of luck with the rest of planning!
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  • Lindsay
    Devoted July 2021
    Lindsay ·
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    Hi Girl! We have the same venue and my wedding reception is in July leaving me no choice but to take this option without having any idea what this actually looks like and I have been trying to email them to sit down and speak with them about everything and they aren’t answering me. I am so overwhelmed because I have to now make another invitation I’m like 800 dollars in with making invitations and I can’t take it anymore! As for you, you have some time so maybe you want to check out the sister locations first before you decide it is such a shame that this happened.
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  • Briana
    Savvy October 2021
    Briana ·
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    Hi! I messaged you!
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  • Katie
    VIP August 2021
    Katie ·
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    Since you don't want to move the wedding I'd go with the tent. Yes the weather is unpredictable but those heaters can make it pretty comfortable depending on how many they have in the tent. And it seems like there are more pros than cons. I live in upstate new york and been to a couple of tented weddings and they are just as beautiful.
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  • Emily
    Dedicated May 2021
    Emily ·
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    We’re you originally getting married at Anthony’s Pier 9?! I think the tents sounds perfect and is covid friendly for any guests who may still be nervous.
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  • Briana
    Savvy October 2021
    Briana ·
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    Yup! I was Smiley sad I think we’re leaning towards doing the tents. Prob going to look at their sister sites tents to get a feel for it.
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  • Briana
    Savvy October 2021
    Briana ·
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    Ugh! I’m sorry to hear that Smiley sad with most of us less than a year out this is really not ideal. How are we supposed to find a place with our same date? There’s slim pickings that’s for sure. The sister sites didn’t even have our dates. But honestly we have to remember they do the tent weddings at two sister sites already and know what they’re doing. If you look at west hills, and the grand view you can see how their sister sites look (coordinator told me to look at them) so I’m not too worried but it’s more bc of the weather. Good luck with everything!!!
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  • Lindsay
    Devoted July 2021
    Lindsay ·
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    Agreed I’m sure the tent will be beautiful! I’m actually going to sit down with them this weekend and ask questions I finally got a hold of them! I would recommend maybe having a sit down with them because your right trying to find a venue on our dates is almost impossible with all the 2020 weddings being moved on top of 2021 weddings already happening and I heard they had to move 260 weddings so it was like we had to make a decision so fast I didn’t know what else to do I was like ok fine just do it. But good luck to you as well hopefully they can let you know how they can accommodate you with the weather!
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  • C
    Savvy July 2022
    Claire ·
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    This must be so stressful! I’m sorry!


    I saw you said your venue was Anthony’s Pier 9. My current venue is one of the sister sites “the Grandview”. I obviously loved the grandview as we booked it but we chose the indoor ballroom for reception instead of their tent mostly for pricing as the tent was actually more expensive. Their tent was gorgeous and all the pictures I’ve seen have been beautiful. When we were deciding they shared that side wall flaps can be put down for inclement weather and that they had heaters and ac for any temperature.
    I know October in NY we can have mild fall weather or snow so that could be a concern but I also think about all the outdoor dining with heaters people have had to brave this year in the dead of winter. It’s doable and maybe with covid still lingering a better bet! Maybe you can have some blankets (those cheap ones you can find at bulk order sites) as a favor and to help with any chilly weather.
    All in all I’d see if the date is available at one of the sister venues so you can see it in person, otherwise go for the tent so you don’t have to go full on venue shopping again.
    Good luck!
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  • A
    Devoted May 2021
    Ally ·
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    I went to an outdoor wedding last September in NY and it was FREEZING. I dont mean to be a downer but just being honest we were pretty uncomfortable. However I am sure that you would be able to find some really good quality heaters, provide blankets, etc. and it would be fine! I dont think they had any heaters outside at this wedding
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