70 days, invitations out, & changing venue - LONG Story

"Are they bolted down?" When her answer was no. I checked out of the conversation. Her mouth was still moving but all I heard was "Wah, wah, wah, wah" (think adults on Charlie Brown). I went home and checked my contract. If I cancel 61 days or more out, I lose my deposit which is less than $1000. So I called and asked some questions and she said having it this way would be fine and sent me this picture of how wonderful it would look with the dance floor and my guest in 2 different rooms. Again, I began to hear "Wah, wah, wah, wah" Cont'd

I then called my decor coordinator to let her know we were going to have some issues and how to work through them or find somewhere else. Well I did! I found the Marriott downtown. They are delighted to have my business as they had chalked this up as a no wedding weekend for them. So they are bending over backward to help me. They are going to do it for my budget. They are going to give us the hotel room for the night and breakfast the next morning (remember the place we were going to go got hit by lightning and will be closed for 6 months to rebuild) and since we are staying there we don't need transportation! They are also giving our guest a reduced rate if they want to stay there too.

It actually gives us double the space we would have had. My decor person is a preferred vendor for the hotel, and it gives us a downtown landscape for our pictures! I am so breathing a sigh of relief!

But here is the kicker. When I told the original venue that I am thinking (cont'd)

About leaving, suddenly they CAN move the chairs if I pay $200 for labor. Well you should have said that the first time before I found someone else who is so willing to be so accommodating! So I am eating my deposit and moving on! Sorry for the long post but I needed to get that out!!!!

Glad that the Marriott worked out for you! It seems like you made the right decision! And yay for them bending over backward for you! I think it's going to be fabulous!

Good for you! Glad you found someone willing to work with you. I had looked at a venue that I really liked until I was told that all of their gaudy silk flower arrangements could NOT be taken out of the space. Who wants dusty mauve roses and eucalyptus as centerpieces?! Not me... so like you, I found somewhere that was willing to accommodate me!! Congrats

We have the same date!! sometimes its better so lose a little money to be comfortable and have that feeling of everything will be perfect! I think I would have done the same

OMGosh we are having the same issue!!! the ballroom only holds 130 ppl, We were going over our guest list and realized we are at 155. There is a side room that can seat up to 40ppl but they would not be able to see anything. I don t know what is better to not invite ppl or seat them in that room???? At this point we can move venues. Everything in my area is booked. And we are at our max anyhow.

We had to change the location of our wedding and reception also, after our guest list exceeded the maximum capacity. Fortunately, it's still within the same venue. We had already sent out the invitations, but we found some neat little postcards on ebay (custom printed), and sent them to our guests.

Thanks ladies for confirming I made the right decision.

@Virnell, Unfortunately our invites went out about a week ago and I have only heard that 4 people are not coming. We invited some people we just knew would not come but had to be invited anyway. The thing is THEY ARE COMING! Who woulda thunk it! That's what has our numbers up. But even if we do not get 150, whoever is there will have more space and just a nicer place anyway!

Glad it worked out for the better EDubbs!!

Yea, and it seems fishy that they would nt want to move tables in the first place. And 200 bucks to do so is crazy! I m sure you will be happier at the new venue

@Crystal, we are going to send out a mailer to everyone telling them the location change. I will do that DIY in about a month. Doing it then will also remind people who have not done so yet to RSVP! It will literally give me an excuse to pressure them into telling me one way or another!

@AbZ thank you. You see why it was so much easier to go look at dresses??! LOL.

I'm glad that you were at least able to find a great solution to a could-be disaster - the guests "thrown into" the other room would most likely feel alienated, then comes the possible hurt feelings and drama.

@Kristen we are doing table names partly to avoid the "Why is she at table 2 and I'm at table 6" thing! So this would have made things UNBELIEVABLY drama filled! I just could not wrap my head around how she thought that would be OK.

Look at GOD!!!!

LOL@Beth! I say that ALL the time! Too funny! And yes! Look at Him -- working stuff out for my good! ;-)

EDubbsGirl, I am happy everything is working out in your favor....when you have GOD in your life and you put him first he makes things happen.

I'm glad you were able to make a change to a better place. I was a guest at a wedding last year that had the looking through doors seating. I was in the outer room and felt like an after thought. I spent most of the time outside with the smokers and had a blast, but missed ALL of the events.

@Slthompson you are so right!

@Amy...W. That is EXACTLY why this would never do! Most of my guest are OOT so they would travel 300-500 miles to look at us through a doorway?!?! NO WAY! I want my guest to have a blast... but inside with me!!!! LOL!

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! I am glad the new venue will work out.... sounds nicer anyhow.... i cant believe they wanted to split your guests up.... "ummm Grammy you get to sit here but uncle tony, i dont like him so much he can sit in THAT room..." lol