More expensive “perfect” venue or cheaper with more flexible budget?

I would hard pass on the expensive food/drink minimums. Especially since they don't usually let you taste anything until after you book them and then you lose deposit if you decide you don't like it.

Go with the less expensive flexible venue. Once your guests are there enjoying themselves, they won't even notice the scenery.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! We still have to use catering through the second option but it’s $36 per person versus $13,000 no matter what (the golf club).

Are the tables and chairs included in the prices for each place? Linens? Plates and silverware? Separate rental fees? Will one place require more decor than the other? Double check these small things and make sure you know exactly what is included in each venue or catering company, as these rental fees, etc. can add up!

View Quoted Comment Yes! After doing the math of all the costs for our wedding day, we’d spend $9,000 more if we go with the golf club option.

You should weigh out what's most important to you for your wedding! If you get the more expensive venue, are you willing to skimp on the quality of a photographer or do more DIY decor to meet your budget? Or are you okay with having not as great food and an okay venue but having a bigger budget for your flowers and being able to maybe throw in something extra like a videographer?

I'd make a list of all pros and cons. Maybe it's because I'm in a super high cost of living area, but I would have killed to find a nice venue with a food and beverage minimum under $25k! Something else to consider will be decor: assuming you wouldn't need much (or any) extra decor in the picturesque golf club venue, would you need to spend a bunch on decor for the other place if you're not thrilled with how it looks? You'll also want to find out if linens, chair and table rentals are included or separate with each venue/caterer, because those can add up very quickly. One final thing to consider is that if your main worry about the second venue is that it's less picturesque for photos, then you can always schedule some time into your timeline for photos at a different location before your ceremony. We booked an hour for photos at a botanic garden for wedding party photos.

I’d go with the cheaper option.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! Oh yikes! Most venues around here charge about $25-$50 per person for catering but the golf club is about $75 per person.


Venue 2 still has landscaping and is near a river and waterfalls but doesn’t have maybe as much like a rose garden. Still very beautiful though.
After factoring in decor and the table cloths/linens, the golf club would be $9,000 more than the river venue.
Thanks again!

Forget the golf club

Definitely the cheaper. Use the money for something for the two of you.

Can you choose another day to reduce the F&B costs? You’ll love saying your vows and having gorgeous photos from the picturesque venue!

View Quoted Comment We can but we’re pretty set on the summer Saturday because most of our guests are coming out of town and we live in Portland, OR, so weddings outside of June-September are a big gamble for rain.

View Quoted Comment Ah, got it. I’m still all for the dream venue. It it depends what your priorities are. 😃

Skip the golf club! It’s way to much money I would definitely save that up or use it for a big purchase that can benefit you/ur new husband. The other venue may require a little more hands ons due to catering and stuff but at the end of the day you get to choose what kind of food you want without any restrictions! No shade but I personally feel golf clubs are a little cliché that’s just me tho I have a different style. They are very convenient and nice looking but one think you want to make sure that the cheaper venue have good clean bathrooms😆!

View Quoted Comment Wow! That’s a big difference! I’d go for the second venue!

I would go with the prettiest. A beautiful venue was a top priority for us. Remember, this venue will be in the backdrop of all of your wedding photos...

View Quoted Comment Thanks! They’re both beautiful but one basically has more expensive food