Committing to the venue...

We only checked out two venues. Venue #1 was my dream venue that I wanted since high school, but they were pretty flaky with emails, followups, etc so I got worried and wondered if it was worth having. FH and I checked out our second venue and it turned out to be a little more expensive than my dream venue. My FH and I asked each other, "If venue #2 was offered at the same price, would you choose venue #2?" FH both knew, even with the flakiness, we really loved venue #1 so we decided to put a deposit down for it! They gave me their personal contact in case I had any questions that were more urgent

Since you haven't booked the venue yet, I would suggest looking into the historical weather records for each month and determine which one would work best~ Depending on the venue, some weather may be easier to adjust to than others. Weather can make or break your wedding day!!

View Quoted Comment Did you ever second guess your decision after you made it? It rained on the day in 2014 so not so far in the past where it’s unlikely. It’s literally the only thing holding me back is the weather. I’m scared to commit and then regret it.

Hi Erika! I think that is totally normal to be indecisive when it comes to venues, especially because of the weather issue! Is this without a doubt the place you want to get married? If so, I would maybe start thinking of your own backup plan! Could you rent tents in this space if it were to rain?

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Oh good to hear! Yes, we definitely want it to be at this venue it is a matter of committing to the indoor space that fits 80 comfortably/100 tightly or the outdoor space that easily fits 100-125. Our guest list is at 100. The outdoor space can't accommodate a tent so if we go with that- there are no other options.

If it's important to you to be in the outdoor venue, are you open to changing the season you're looking at? You can't fully predict the weather and it's always taking somewhat of a chance, but depending on where you are it may be a safer risk during a different season.

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We've thought about it but we really want to get married on our anniversary in November. Usually, in California, it's nice during that time of year but you can't really ever predict it. If we play it safe and go with the indoor then at least we don't have to worry about the weather but if it ends up being beautiful weather that day I'll be a little sad we aren't outside.

I second guessed my venue afterwards. I ended up postponing which was a blessing in disguise to be honest, for several reasons. but we lost our deposit so that is NOT fun. Since your wedding is in November i would be very concerned if they provided no backup plan. They didn't even suggest your renting a tent to could have there in case it rains? I second guessed the reception room and i thought about how much extra i was going to have to spend to cover up some things i didn't like. I second guessed the food. Even though i still loved many other things. I even began second guessing the price lol. I'm not really a person that second guesses myself, because i do so much research. But for the wedding i have, including my dress (which is beautiful). I think it's because it was a decision i had to make so early and there are so many options and thing that come into our head that we get concerned if it was the right choice. Sometime's we may be over analyzing and sometimes it may be for good reason. I just remember the reasons for us chooses and try to focus on the good things about it and what might be done to fix those things of concern. I'm surprised your venue wouldn't book you for the outdoor but have it on a contingency basis for if it rains. They must do a few weddings at the same time. I know my new venue has 2 outdoor locations and you must pick 1 reception based on your outdoor ceremony. But they would let us use our reception room for the ceremony if it came down to it. I just tried to pick a warm month since i 100% want it outside.

Is your venue renting the inside space on the same day at the same time? Seems to me you could commit to the outdoor space and squeeze in to the indoor space IF it rains and you need a back up. We’re also getting married in CA in November outside. We’ll have to rent tents if it rains...is that an option for you guys?

View Quoted Comment I totally understand that. What part of California? We're getting married in SoCal in late October next year but only the ceremony is outside. From what I saw, it rains an average of 1-2 days in October where our wedding is. Maybe check out monthly or weekly averages for November? I know that where we are is actually more likely to be fire season and hot than rain. Unfortunately southern California weather is so unpredictable because we don't have real seasons so we had to take a small risk and if we absolutely have to move the ceremony inside, we will.

Can you cut your guest list some so that everyone can fit in the indoor space if you have to move for weather? I think this would give you some peace about the venue working for you.

View Quoted Comment If the venue space can't accommodate a tent I would decline.
Go with a space that you can rent a tent or two for. Check the refund/cancelation policy. If you can cancle within a week...after checking the weather and get a full or partial refund then you'll save money if it's sunny.
But imagine spending all that money on a venue, plus food, band/dj and flowers and having it rain. You would have to scramble to find a last second place or reschedule the wedding and lose all your deposits.

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I'm still in the early processes of planning so as of now, no. I do know if I went with the other venue I'd be second guessing it.

I just read your comment on how " indoor space that fits 80 comfortably/100 tightly or the outdoor space that easily fits 100-125" and I would say go for it! Especially since it's only rained once in 2014. Of course, you'd have to do a lot of adjustment if it ends up raining, but maybe you can do things like not having a dance floor until the end of the program (just move the tables to the side), having your maximum guest count at 125 (so that less than 125 attends), or having long tables as opposed to round tables (if that wasn't already in your plan). There's a lot more ways to adjust! Luckily you have a lot of time to think of some backup options so I say go for it )

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I asked if it rained could we move indoors and they said yes if it wasn't booked by another party. So there is an option it's just not set in stone. Unfortunately, no tents allowed in the outdoor space.

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San Diego is where the venue is! We're Nov. 2 so early in the month. I know the weather is so unpredictable...especially in Southern California.

I would talk to your venue about your concern. You can provide umbrellas for your guest, just in case.

I would see what the venue can do, to help your concern. I personally booked a venue that has a backup plan because of weather.

However, I live in upstate NY in October, so it can rain and snow hahaha

do do what is in your heart and be confident

View Quoted Comment Got it. I checked the weather in SD in Novembers and the chance of rain is low but it may be a little cold... the average high is 70 so especially if it's in the evening it'll probably get to the high 50's or low 60's then. I think you may need to compromise on something... whether that be the venue or changing the wedding date. I know it's a bummer. Good luck though!!!

I havent second guessed since booking but did about looking at it. I really wanted a castle and there are only 2 in our area, I had initially been looking at the other as a possibility (it is more Late Georgian/early Victorian style than the Medieval/Renaissance style I really wanted but it is closer to the church) but then I learned it had permanently shut down so I looked at the one I picked which is a further drive but completely Medieval styled and gorgeous - and has no preferred vendors so we could bring in whoever else we want.