What would you do?! (wedding venue)

[starsthrumysoul]

So my fiancee and I have looked at over a dozen different places to have our wedding and reception, and have finally limited it to two. I am TOTALLY back and forth between the two. I thought that if I wrote down the pros and cons of each place, it might help to decide. And by doing it on here, I might get some input I might not have previously thought of. I'm not asking anyone to make the decision for me (obviously), but comments might be helpful!!!
One issue is that my family and his family are about an hour and a half apart from each other.

Place number 1:
Pros:
- Smack dab in between where I grew up and where he grew up
- Affordable (almost 20% cheaper than place 2!)
- Brand new (it's an established restaurant/hotel, but they've just added on a brand new ballroom and ceremony area)
- Comes with a hotel room (gorgeous!!!)
- Ceremony area is pretty
- Restaurant is known for it's great food

Cons:
- Ceremony area is on an incline with the "alter" at the top (I'm very concerned about the safety of people sitting in chairs on a hill)
- We would only take some of our pictures there and would have to leave the site for the rest
- Not as much "wow" factor as the second place (it's a typical ballroom)

Place number 2:
Pros:
- On a golf course (which I think is so cool) which is beautiful and gives us some really great photo opps.
- Beautiful site! Large ballroom that opens up entirely on three sides (the walls go up!!!) which is something I haven't seen anywhere else. One side looks out onto the entire golfcourse, and one side looks out onto the grass/garden area where we would have our ceremony
- Ceremony area is beautiful, with a little waterfall and garden in the backdrop
- Has more of the "wow" factor

Cons:
- Pricier than option 1, though still within our budget
- Food seems a bit simpler than option 1
- No hotel room on site, so we would have to get ready about 5 min away and then come to the ceremony

SOOOOOOOOOOOO that's where we are. If it weren't for that "wow" of the second place, I think this would be a lot easier :-P

Any thoughts?

[starsthrumysoul]

Oh, and place number 2 is a little farther from my family and closer to his.. though not by tooooo much (15 min or so)

[lesliek0211]

just from reading your pros and cons I would go for place #2. I'm all about the WOW factor... do either of these places have websites, so maybe we could see pictures?

[Heywie]

You sound like your subconsciously already choosing #2. It sounds better to me for the picturesque quality, but price and food is a big deal. I'm having my ceremony smack dab in between my FH's family and mine and I'm getting slack from both sides so you really can't win. Neither group wants to drive. If it's really only a matter of 15 minutes, choose the one you picture in your wedding photos. I'm a very visual person so I make every wedding decision by visualizing it first!

[Going2BeMrsEshraghi]

Granted number 2 has the physical aspects going for it.....

I will tell you this, and I work for a catering company....

People will remember your wedding for 2 different reasons: the food, and the cake.

If it is bad, your wedding will be remembered negatively, but if they are good, that will create a lasting impression.

I know that is pretty horrible, but I am being honest. I have been to numerous weddings in my (short) lifetime, and I can tell you that I don't remember the dresses, the flowers, the brides attire, the favors etc... I remember the food (especially if it was bad) and the cake.

Is there a way that you can send a link to their menus? A lot of reputable catering companies have websites that will have menus on there. Also, check to see with your 2nd selection if you can customize the menu. If all they offer is what is on the menu, I would be wary. A good caterer has their "standard" menus, but can basically do anything the client asks.

There are more important things on there that you didn't list that you really should consider:

Tables & Chairs - do you have to rent? or do they provide them in the price?

The china, glassware & silverware - are those rentals??

Linens - same with tables & chairs.

Room rental?

Cake cutting fee? - Do they even allow you to bring in a cake from another baker??

Do they allow you to use your own vendors, or do they have their own list of vendors you HAVE to use?

What is their service charge, and is it taxable? (Also, is the service charge a gratuity, or does it go to the house to where you have to tip additionally)

Those are hidden things a caterer sometimes won't mention in order to get your deposit, which in turn would more than likely be non-refundable.

I don't mean to come off as negative, I am just trying to make sure you don't get jipped on a location just because there is a "wow" factor.

Good luck!!!

[RosieAngel]

As a repeat bridesmaid and a regular wedding attendee, I think the most important aspect of any reception is the food (and the bar)! So I would personally choose the place with the best food. :)

Could you have your ceremony and reception at different places? #1 would be an ideal reception venue, but I agree with you, I don't want to see your guests falling backwards to their dooms on your wedding day.

[snowflakebride]

Even with the pros and cons, it seems like you may be much happier with number two. Maybe it's just me, but I've only been to three weddings I honestly can't remember what I even ate at any of them. I do remember where they were located, and one of them I wanted to get married at myself, if it weren't in Oregon. If it really comes down to it, try to see if you can have a food tasting at both places to see what you enjoy better.

[starsthrumysoul]

You all make it sound so easy :-P

I think the biggest thing holding me up is the money.

Anyway, here are links to the two websites:
1) The Big Tree Inn http://www.bigtreeinn.com/ (and we would have the bethia suite for the night, plus another room where all of the girls (or the guys if the girls are in our room) can get ready.
2) Ravenwood Golf Club http://www.ravenwoodgolf.com/event/weddings.aspx

Also, as far as money goes, we have added up ANY different charges and fees that they could possibly throw at us (ceremony fee, chairs, set up and tear down fees, bar, hors d'oeuvres, champagne toast, dinner, coffee, cake, the room for the night, the cake cutting fee, bartender fee, and service charge. Neither place has any other charges besides these). After tax, the Big Tree will cost us about $9,500 and Ravenwood will cost us about $11,600.

So that's that :-P

[RevMatty]

Granted number 2 has the physical aspects going for it.....

I will tell you this, and I work for a catering company....

People will remember your wedding for 2 different reasons: the food, and the cake.

If it is bad, your wedding will be remembered negatively, but if they are good, that will create a lasting impression.

I know that is pretty horrible, but I am being honest. I have been to numerous weddings in my (short) lifetime, and I can tell you that I don't remember the dresses, the flowers, the brides attire, the favors etc... I remember the food (especially if it was bad) and the cake.

Is there a way that you can send a link to their menus? A lot of reputable catering companies have websites that will have menus on there. Also, check to see with your 2nd selection if you can customize the menu. If all they offer is what is on the menu, I would be wary. A good caterer has their "standard" menus, but can basically do anything the client asks.

There are more important things on there that you didn't list that you really should consider:

Tables & Chairs - do you have to rent? or do they provide them in the price?

The china, glassware & silverware - are those rentals??

Linens - same with tables & chairs.

Room rental?

Cake cutting fee? - Do they even allow you to bring in a cake from another baker??

Do they allow you to use your own vendors, or do they have their own list of vendors you HAVE to use?

What is their service charge, and is it taxable? (Also, is the service charge a gratuity, or does it go to the house to where you have to tip additionally)

Those are hidden things a caterer sometimes won't mention in order to get your deposit, which in turn would more than likely be non-refundable.

I don't mean to come off as negative, I am just trying to make sure you don't get jipped on a location just because there is a "wow" factor.

Good luck!!!
I agree, however from an officiant/minister viewpoint. Outdoor weddings are IMO a lot beter then indoors, but come with risks. Heat, slippery grass, bugs, weather, etc.
A hill can be beautiful put dangerous. I'd recomend a more flat surface then anything, a slight incline is ok, but not a steep one.
Take a look here these are from a wedding I did on a golf course.....
http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=10383

[mtigercat]

It sound like you are wanting #2. You are a little more descriptive in place 2. And i can almost see your face light up just reading what you wrote. Of the few weddings I have been to I don't remember any one thing. I look at the whole experience. How everything fit together to make the whole thing memorable. Which place will allow your guests to be comfortable? Look at everything you are getting for the money you are spending. Most importantly what do the 2 of you want? Close your eyes and picture your wedding day? Which place sticks out in your mind more? Which place will give you that "perfect day" feeling?

[Lady_Movements]

I say you should go with #2... the wow factor is there and if you're worried about the food, it says on their website that you can customize it if you are unhappy with the given choices... remember, you can always work around things such as cake, food, bar, entertainment, etc... you cannot redesign your chosen venue...

[RosieAngel]

You all make it sound so easy :-P

I think the biggest thing holding me up is the money.

Anyway, here are links to the two websites:
1) The Big Tree Inn http://www.bigtreeinn.com/ (and we would have the bethia suite for the night, plus another room where all of the girls (or the guys if the girls are in our room) can get ready.
2) Ravenwood Golf Club http://www.ravenwoodgolf.com/event/weddings.aspx

Also, as far as money goes, we have added up ANY different charges and fees that they could possibly throw at us (ceremony fee, chairs, set up and tear down fees, bar, hors d'oeuvres, champagne toast, dinner, coffee, cake, the room for the night, the cake cutting fee, bartender fee, and service charge. Neither place has any other charges besides these). After tax, the Big Tree will cost us about $9,500 and Ravenwood will cost us about $11,600.

So that's that :-P

LOL, sweetie, decisions are ALWAYS easy when you're making them for someone else!

Now that I've seen pics, I'm leaning towards the golf course, too. It's BEAUTIFUL! But that is a lot of money, especially if you're worried about the food! Can you eat there with your man before you book?

[starsthrumysoul]

Ooh Rosie that's a great idea - I don't know why I didn't think of that!!!

Update: My mom was in town today so we decided to go see Ravenwood for a second time so that she could see it. I totally fell in love all over again and am REALLY leaning toward it. That "WOW" is so amazing - my mom didn't want to leave!

Decision to follow.

[RosieAngel]

Tell us when you decide! :D I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose.

[starsthrumysoul]

#2 it is :)

My mom dragged us to one last venue this past weekend. She loved it, but I had envisioned my wedding at Ravenwood SO much that I couldn't possibly see it there. And my FH is just an indecisive person to begin with, so I told them that I wanted Ravenwood, that nothing would change my mind, but that if they both agreed on another place then they could veto me (which I know they would never do because they both love me and could tell how much I loved it.). So we're BOOKED! June 27th, 2009! WOOHOO!!!!!

Thanks everyone :)

[snowflakebride]

Congratulations!

[mtigercat]

I am so happy for you. It will be the perfect place for the perfect day!!!

[Ninedays9]

Awesome, congrats on making the decision and getting your date set!