Only ~120 days, need to choose between two new venues!

Venue 2 looks really beautiful! I love the atmosphere better than the first one

Venue 2 is really unique! My fiance prefers that one. I used to but I keep dreaming about the speakeasy and patio in Venue 1 and I don't want to regret not having those.

I personally like the first venue better, but it might just be because venue 2 from the photo looks rather small. However, you did say that it doesn't include the setup for round tables or the food area. We were never torn between venues though. In fact, I knew which venue I wanted just by looking at photos of it before we toured any venues.

Do you have any idea what kind of decorations you want on your tables? If so which venue does it suit better? I think both venues look amazing but are very different styles what kind of wedding are you having? Which one fits the overall style of your wedding? I can totally see why this is such a hard choice! I hope it all works out for you

View Quoted Comment

I think they're actually pretty close in size - both are plenty large enough for our intimate wedding. We definitely knew what we wanted on sight before our old venue closed - now it's like there's way too many options since our original vision is out of the question!

I was in the same type of situation. I wanted venue A and groom wanted venue B. And they were literally on the same street as one another. Ultimately we went with his because I let him have it ahah. His was nicer and better parking anyway, mine was just cheaper and more inclusive of costs. However it was a blessing in disguise because my choice ended up shutting down.
For you the way you described the first venue as more banquety made me already choose that because the second one you said was cocktail-y (unless you only have cocktail hour and not a whole meal).
When deciding, I looked at layout and menu and pricing and just overall convenience like how's the parking situation and location .

View Quoted Comment

Originally we were going with an Irish theme - we got engaged in Ireland and our old venue was an irish pub.

We would still like to do low-key centerpieces: some greenery with hand-dyed sola wood flowers scattered throughout and some candles. That might change depending on what we pick though - I feel like everything is up in the air now!

If we do the more cocktail style venue we might incorporate some games in the loungier areas because we're huge on games and so are a lot of our friends. Our wedding will be intimate and laidback no matter what. We'll have dancing and mingling, ideally.

Thanks!

View Quoted Comment That sounds perfect for venue 2

I like 2. It way pretty.

How do you guys feel about the cocktail style reception, though? I've had some people bring up concerns about not having assigned seating, etc. There's actually plenty extra seating but the tables that are available will only allow for ~36 of our 50 guests to be seated at traditional tables which we will probably use for mostly family rather than friends.

View Quoted Comment I’m having tables for people to sit down but we’re making it very casual and there are no assigned seats. I think in venue 2 it’s made for people to be up walking around and mingling anyways. Go with your gut. It will all fall into place and I promise your guests won’t notice anything like that they will just be happy to be celebrating with you.

I can’t imagine having to choose another venue after falling in love with your initial choice, it can’t be easy. I love the sound of the first one for cocktail hour but ultimately I would choose the one that better suite your needs for dinner and dancing seems how that’s where you’ll spend the most of your time. I fell in love with the outside of a venue, the outside area was huge with so much to look at (vintage items in one area, gorgeous landscape garden in another area, swings) and so many great options for photos. However the inside seemed cramped to me and I wasn’t in love with it. The location I ended up choosing wasn’t as nice outside but the inside was just what I wanted and since that’s where most of my time would be spent that’s what I ended up choosing. Just remember no matter which you choose you’ll make it your own and it will be gorgeous.

View Quoted Comment

I dislike any dinner without assigned tables, and if you do not assign tables, then you need MORE seats. What would you do, put little signs on the table, family only? or reserved? Please do not go with this option. Yes, people walk around, but many will not be able to juggle drink, plate, purse. To reserve a seat for yourself but not your guests is rude. And don't count on someone ignoring reserved sign.

I was torn between two venues also. But when I let all the thoughts settle in my brain, stopped thinking about it for a little bit and just took some time to close my eyes and envision our wedding I immediately knew which one was right. As with everything in life, follow your gut. Whichever you decide I'm sure your wedding will be fun and amazing.

View Quoted Comment

I wouldn't go with something that doesn't have enough seating for everyone. It wouldn't be fair that some people get to sit, but others have to stand. I wouldn't want to go to a wedding where I was expected to stand while others got to sit. Assigned seating is more common. I have only been to one wedding that didn't have assigned seating. We had to walk around and ask people if seats were taken. It was more of a hassle than anything. I would much rather be assigned a table than having to find one myself.

View Quoted Comment

Thank you for the positivity! I've gotta sit with it for a while and figure out which we both will love the most.

View Quoted Comment

There are excess seats and a variety of excess tables (hightop and coffee style), actually. The more I think about it, if we did do this option we would still assign seating. It would just be that some guests would be assigned to loungier seating. I do have a hang up about this, which is why I asked, so I'm not sure why the aggressive tone.

View Quoted Comment

I would never consider somewhere where any of my guests would have to stand. There is plenty of extra seating at the cocktail-style venue. The non-table seating would only be for ~12 guests, all of whom are close friends who we typically hang out with in the context of couch and floor seating (which is not to say floor seating is something going on at this location - just context). I am iffy about the idea but this alternate seating isn't horrendous. It's large couches around a central table and I imagine we would still assign the seating - it would just be a bit non-traditional.

View Quoted Comment

Hi there GalwayGirl! Did you and your FS decide on a venue yet? Which did you go with?