Pros/Cons - Reception Venue only VS. Hotel all-inclusive Reception (HELP!)

As amazing as the first option is- having everything right there on site is amazing.

Totally worth absorbing a lot of "negatives"

I'm too much of a pragmatist to endorse option A. Option B may not look the same, but will save you a whole lot of time, money, and stress because you don't need to deal with logistics. No one will be looking at the floors (and there be less floor to see once tables are in place); yellow walls don't look so yellow with event lighting; and you can still decorate with a free hand. Bring in an archway with some greenery and *boom!* That's where your guests eyes will be drawn.

A

So I guess I'm going to go against the majority so far and say that, while A definitely looks amazing, B seems like it has the overall best scenario going. You won't have to do much, and in your pro/con list for it you seem very positive about everything. I mean honestly if the only thing holding you back is the color of the carpet clashing with stuff, I think that says everything.

In my opinion, the cons of A are much more of a hassle to work around. And if you think about it, once you have tables, dance floor, and all the other stuff in the room, the carpet in B will be so much less noticeable. It seems like B is full of pros, while the pros for A are pretty much that it looks nice. To me that's not enough.

Good luck with your decision! No matter what you'll have a beautiful wedding and be married!

B- Simply for the convenience.

You can always change the look of something, but you cannot change where it is located.

Also, the all inclusive is a HUGE benefit!!!!! You will be so thankful!!

Here are some pictures I found online of the hotel venue when it's all set up. As I said, the hotel is less than 3 years old, so there weren't a whole lot of pictures available.

If Option A had a hotel across the street or something within walking distance, this wouldn't even be a discussion. But I just love the convenience of the hotel, it's just not exactly my style

After reading your pros and cons, I think you should keep looking. B has all the convenience, but I agree with you that the carpet is ugly and it feels very bland.

A is very nice, but has some pretty serious drawbacks. Have you talked to any of the preferred vendors for A? You'll want to figure out some pricing before you commit. It would be terrible to put down a deposit and then find out that the preferred vendors put you overbudget

Initially I would say option A but after reading all of your pros/cons I would say option B, it comes with way too many pros that far outweigh what A has.

Yes hotel carpets arent cute. You have to share the parking. Random people could just walk in. many events could happen at the same time and in the same building.

A

I vote B based on the pros and cons. I understand you hate the carpet, but no one will notice and at the end of the day I don't think you'd really notice it either with everything else in there. I agree having the hotel rooms is a huge pro

A!!!!

I initially wanted to pick A, because it's so pretty and would go perfect with what you want. I'm going to go with option B, because you can decorate the heck out of that place, won't have far to go afterwards for you or the guests. I wouldn't worry too much about the carpet, because most likely it will be dim in there during the reception. Ask your DJ about uplighting as well it can transform a room! Best of luck!

Ok big thanks to everyone who has commented so far!! I am so totally torn, but some of you have had some great comments about things that I haven't even thought of!

My mom likes A better, BUT she also likes B and is telling me to choose whichever one I like best (she's paying for reception). My friends who are married (and will be in my bridal party) like the convenience of B. They both got married in a hotel ballroom because of the inclusiveness of it all and have told me how much easier planning was and how less stressed they were because of it all. They have also told me that decorators can turn the room into anything I want....I'm just not sure if they could turn it into a garden-theme.

Venue A has preferred food vendors that we will have to go through. I've heard good things about one and so-so things about the others. I will definitely have to do more research on them. I went to a wedding recently where one of the vendors listed was their caterer. The food was good, but they also did a buffet where as I want to do a plated dinner.

Venue A is also a bakery on the lower level. So you HAVE to get your cake through them. Although, they are honestly the best bakery in town so I'm not too upset about this lol. But they are a pricier bakery.

Last question (sorry if I'm being annoying)...would it be OK to contact a wedding decor vendor and send them pictures of the hotel ballroom and then pictures of my theme/decor vision and see if it could be done? And just ask their professional opinion?

Side note: I would use this specific vendor regardless. But maybe email and ask and see if they think my vision could be replicated in a ballroom vs the Option A venue?

Completely fine, and a good idea! Although I think a better question would be "ballpark the cost of creating something like X" rather than just "can X be done." Because I promise you it can be. The only real question is would it be $5K or $25K.

@StPaulGal haha, good point!!

I think is based on what they offer also and what exactly comes with the package we lost our deposit because 1st venue was too strict on vendors and alcohol now we're happy our venues is open. Good luck

I think B, if the only real con is the carpet. My friend had her reception at a hotel with HORRIBLE carpet, and no one even noticed it at the reception, because there were so many other pretty things to look at.