Venue Dilemma Help

Pics of outdoor terrace and floor plan of terrace/adjacent smaller ballroom. Don’t mind all the leaves. It is dead of winter here and no events going on.

Can you just rent out the entire venue and have the cocktail hour and reception wherever you want? I would not want another wedding/event going on at the same time as my wedding. So I would either rent out the entire venue or keep your plans as is.

View Quoted Comment Thank you. I guess we could. Unfortunately the upstairs ballroom and lower level ballroom are seen as separate when it comes to bookings so each ballroom has its booking fee as well as an associated banquet catering minimum ($10,000-$12,000).

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I would ask your venue if they would offer then entire venue at a discounted rate. Many do that. Again, I would never want to share my venue with another event, so the extra cost would be worth it.

If I'm understanding correctly another event can go on at the same time regardless?

I agree with Meghan. I wouldn't want another event at the venue. I would at least ask the venue for the available options including renting out the entire venue. . . all they can do is say no and you're in the same boat you're in right now. But what if they say yes and they offer the entire venue at a discounted rate that works or you? Asking is definitely worth a try, and you have nothing to lose!

View Quoted Comment If I keep it how it is, the lower level isn’t up for grabs. Since my ceremony space (regardless) is the lower level outdoor terrace, I guess the fact that it is connected to the smaller ballroom, even if cocktail hour/reception move to the main level (how it is right now), the lower level isn’t up for grabs. The lower ballroom wouldn’t be able to set up or do whatever while my ceremony is going on next to it. Something like that. lol

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Don't move your reception then! Yes the downstairs may be nice, but its much more nice to not have to spend extra money and/or have another activity going on during your wedding.

Theres a popular farm venue thats lovely by me, but it's like 8-12k but the whole place remains open. I have gone apple picking and walked into a few weddings. lol

I wouldn't want another event going on at the same time. We booked the entire ballroom at our venue for this exact reason. The ballroom could have been made smaller with dividers, but then another event could have taken place at the same time as us. This wasn't something either of us wanted. If you don't have another event possibly taking place, I would stick with what you already booked. Your guests are already going to be around each other so I don't see a big difference between them being inside or outside.

Since the wedding is in October, hopefully more people will be vaccinated and the need for all outdoors will die down. Of course no one is saying things go back to normal. I wouldn’t like having another event going on and think it’s crappy they are saying they would host another event if you move it. You’re already paying and they can’t have another event so it shouldn’t be a big deal to them.

There should only be one event at a time. Unfortunately some venues try to get as money as they can which means double booking. I would eat the deposit and find another venue.