Not excited about the venue

We ended up with a more logical choice for venue versus the one I was really "wowed" by. However, I do really like the venue that we chose. I think once you have your vendor team filled with vendors who can really help bring your vision to life, you'll feel a bit better about the venue.

I 100% got the “wow” feeling! I loved the venue instantly and was already envisioning what tables and decor we would get and where everything would go. I left super excited and knowing it was “the one”!

I was quite happy with our venue both right after, and
long term after the wedding. But no magical moments, special excitement over this one versus another. I had a checklist, and this was one of 5 that met most all requirements. 2 we disliked on viewing, atmosphere and personnel. The other 3 things were tradeoffs, a problem we could eliminate by spending over the minimum. One management ßtaff was continually more helpful, the others waiting for up, so we went with them. But the other top two would have worked as well. We were ot looking for a fantasy. We wanted an older mansion or Inn, with an elegant formal dining area for 175-200. We wanted sparkle of glass and silver and formal white napery in an elegant setting. We got it, and moved on to equipping it.
It was an excellent business decision, since after venue fees we spent another $12,000 there for food and such. We came in just under budget with everything we had called a priority. And a wonderful time.

During our venue tour, my fiancé and I turned to each other like "yup this is it." Though I'm we're excited about the venue, it's not required. All you really need is a space that's functional and holds your guests comfortably. What exactly about your venue aren't you excited about? What is missing?

View Quoted Comment Thank you, Nicole! This is really helpful! I do think once it’s decorated and I can implement my vision, I will feel better about it!

View Quoted Comment Thank you, Judith! This is extremely helpful! I guess I was looking for that “magical moment”, but maybe that won’t be my experience. The terms “business decision” definitely makes sense.

View Quoted Comment Thanks, Ava! This is helpful!

View Quoted Comment Thanks, Nicole! Your feedback is helpful! I think it’s more so that the venue is kind of dark. I want a light airy feel. Also, I’m a visual person so I’m trying to envision all the pieces coming together which is what I will need to create for my vision. My fiancé loves the venue by the way. So maybe he sees the vision and I’m still trying to get there. 😊

Same thing happened to me, except I found 2 "WOW" venues I loved, but in the end got stuck with one that is very bold and dark with a black staircase. I hate it. I should've fought harder, but we are now over 14,000 dollars in, so no changing. Just really really hoping that I find a great floral and decor team who can brighten it up.
I thought that once we payed for it and officially told people we had a venue that I would get excited and start loving it, but it's the opposite. I dread telling people. Even though it IS a great venue, it just isn't me and I don't like it. Every day I think about it and get sad.


Basically, I regret picking a venue I wasn't wowed by. It's worth it to keep looking.

View Quoted Comment Dawn,


What made you choose the dark venue instead of the venues that “wowed” you?

View Quoted Comment So we had 3 venues to choose from once all the tours were said and done.. each of them met all of our basic needs.. One venue we toured gave us the wrong availability and ended up not having any availability within our 5 month time frame (its a performing art center, so they already had shows planned)
The other one was about 20k more expensive for the exact same catering strictly because of the exclusivity the venue provides, and the fact that the caterer would have to bring in kitchen equipment (no on-site kitchen at the venue)
The dark one is the same caterer as previously mentioned, but less expensive (not an exclusive venue, and they have an on-site kitchen) it still met the needs for the capacity, had dates available, and my FHs family likes it.
So at the end of the day, availability and 20k made the decision.

View Quoted Comment Makes sense! Have you thought about adding some draping? That may help lighten up the venue. Most things for my venue will be outside. Is that an option for you? Also, once everything is in place and the day comes, I’m sure you will be excited!

View Quoted Comment Yep, my FHs uncle is building a 20foot by 10 foot structure for draping to create a backdrop for the ceremony, so at least those pictures will be pretty. For the reception I just kinda have to deal with it. We are interviewing florists and other decor teams to see what we can accomplish within our budget

View Quoted Comment Sounds great! I am sure it will be a beautiful day no matter what! Keep me updated!

Since we ‘re having a destination wedding, we flew out and viewed 8 venues over a weekend stay. Ultimately, the very last venue was immediately a “yes”. But it’s not as if I cried over it or anything. We just knew it was the perfect, unconventional style we were looking for.


But keep in mind that most any venue can become a “wow“ based on the decor you use.

I had to have the WOW for everything I picked out. Basically if it made me cry, i said yes lol. My dress made me cry, the song i am dancing to with my father, i cried, the venue, i cried.. you get the theme here hahah. But you can always make a space what you want it to be with the decor. You can really transform a room with a good florist

I can relate. I'm not in love with our venue choice. I especially feel that way because I haven't seen it in person in 2 years because we moved out of state just a couple weeks after seeing it (and postponed - COVID). We ran out of time to look at venues before we moved and didn't feel comfortable doing virtual tours or sending a family member. We also looked at venues in winter knowing we wanted a summer/fall wedding. I know it'll be a beautiful day no matter what, but in hindsight I do wish we hadn't pushed off looking at venues until we were crunched for time and during an undesirable season (for an outdoor NY wedding). We can "wow" it up with decor and I think I'll be otherwise so swept up in the fun and excitement of seeing family/friends.

I think it's definitely a bit different for everyone, and some people just care more about the logistics and less about the wow factor. What made our decision really easy was the venue coordinator. FH already knew him because FH is a plumber and has done work at the venue, so they'd met when FH was there for a job. It was very apparent that the venue coordinator knew what he was doing and we trust him completely for our day. For me, that's way more important than a wow factor. Or, alternatively, that trust and confidence in the person "running" the day IS the wow factor for me.