Think I've got wedding overload

SaLoGo

Ok, only been at this a week and half and I'm already in tears!

We're torn between 2 venues and want to make a decision by Friday. Both are very lovely venues, ones a country hotel in very grand settings, the other is more inner city but just stunning inside. I personally have a firm favourite.

I sat down this afternoon to work out the detailed costings of both venues, went out for a ciggie after and just burst into tears! I have no idea what came over me!

I think I feel kinda overwhelmed by it all. We had a very busy weekend seeing 1 venue Friday, 2 Saturday, 1 Sunday and a wedding fayre, 2 Monday plus our meeting with the vicar and this is really the first day I've had to relax and let it all sink in.

Did anyone else have trouble choosing a venue or am I taking it all too seriously?

We're off to the Canary Islands in 5 weeks and I can't wait to get away from it all!!! I'm ready for a break!

White_Sapphire

That's a lot of weddinging to do in one weekend, hun! Personally I've found finding the venues to be the worst part so far; going round and looking at them isn't so bad, but working out costs, logistics, suitability for infirm or disabled guests.....ugh!

Do you HAVE to make a decision by this weekend, or is that just a deadline you've set yourself? Could you cut yourself a little slack and think it over for a bit longer before deciding?

Once you've got this bit out of the way the next part of planning is much more fun!

MaggieBaking

I presume they're holding the date for you and that's why you've got until the weekend to decide? Write to them both and say that you're strongly considering their venue but that you need to consult with your parents and ask if they can hold the date for an additional week and say that if they can't you will understand.

If someone books one venue the meantime that will surely make your decision easier?

For me you can't beat a venue who has a wonderful coordinator and the flexibility and creativity who wants to help your dream wedding come true. If you get that vibe from one of the places and not the other - run with it!

To help you decide also spend a lot of time thinking of - costs per house bottle of wine/sparkling champagne, price of the bedrooms, ease of travel for guests, proximity to the Church.

Your firm favourite - is your OH not agreeing with you? Why not just stop the stress and go for it??

anibell

I agree...that's a lot of wedding stuff in one week!! But I understand that you want to get the venue organised because that's what me and the OH were like! Btw It took us 5 weeks to find a venue we both loved

Calm down and breathe........

We felt we needed to book the venue and date so it felt like the wedding was actually happening - is it the same for you?
Do you need to make a decision by Friday?
It's such a shame that you want to get away from it already.....I ditto White Sapphire by saying it's more fun planning after this

I hope it all goes well for you. Enjoy your holiday :j

alipops1986

I know EXACTLY how you feel! After my first meltdown the other week, I just sat down and gave it a break. Made a list of pros and cons, worked out the sums, got upset at the sums and then took another break.

Since then, we've booked a date with the church and have a definite favourite in terms of our venue. So, we've decided to visit the firm favourite again - to have another look and see if we feel the same, going on Saturday. I'm conscious that we need to make a decision because said venue already has 3 wedding in August 2013 and only 2 friday's left, one being our date!

PS: Does anyone know if it's common practice for a venue to hold a date for a week or so?

Thanks,
Alipops x

anibell

Some venues will do a provisional booking - ours did it for 14 days without paying any deposit

White_Sapphire

Both our venues did provisional bookings, which were guaranteed for two weeks, after which we still got first refusal if anyone else showed an interest in the date.

SaLoGo

Thanks guys. OH came just as I had another meltdown (have accidentally put a wash on with my fave jeans in at 90 degrees! hope they don't shrink) and gave me a big hug so I feel loads better now! It's getting to TTOTM too which really doesn't help!

I did it all in one weekend because OH works 4 on, 4 off and I wanted to see all the venues and have them all fresh in my mind. 4 of them were easy to discount but the last 2 are so nice in their own ways. The coordinator at one of them is amazing and I think that may swing it for me. She even letting us have the weekday package for a Saturday wedding! there's no 'extra's' to conside with either venue because they both have it all included in the package. I do have to consider accessibility as have an aunt with limited mobility but both venues are accessable. They're both about the same distance from the church.

We want to make a decision by Friday as we have got so much going on in the 6 weeks upto xmas I just want to get it booked and enjoy the rest of the year! I haven't asked OH which he prefers yet but from the way he talks I think he prefers the one I like too lol.

sugarwalsh

Don't rush it - a wedding can beorganised in a matter of weeks, never mind almost 2 years! We decided in August to get married in March. We provisionally booked a place for the ceremony and a place for the reception. i changed my mind about the reception place, so let the first guys know and booked chosen venue. The place we are having ceremony (Town hall) have us pencilled in and agreed to let us know if anyone else wanted date. I'm going on Friday to have another look (Ideas for decoration etc) and pay deposit. Everyone has been pretty cool about it.

Don't stress, you have many, many months to get things organised, you really don't have to have it booked by Christmas. Ask the one you are really keen on to pencil you in and let you know if anyone else wants your date. Then you can make your mind up. Another venue or idea may crop up in the meantime, especially once you have had your holiday and Christmas is out of the way. It is a once in a lifetime chance, don't make a rash decision because you have given yourself a time restraint.

MEgan

wanchai_2

SaLoGo - your threads so far have been very stressy and I really feel for you. It is really hard to decide on a venue - our first choice (totally DREAM venue) was too small capacity-wise, we were gutted but have moved on to somewhere else which may not be as WOW as the first one but we really love it.

Our wedding is 13 months before yours and to date we haven't sorted the following: dress, accessories, jewellery, shoes etc for me and my BM, suits etc for the boys, rings, stationery, timings, cake, a singer for the church, videographer... the list goes on and on!! But you know what? I just know that it will be alright in the end. You have absolutely AGES, just take a deep breath when it all gets too much and remember why you're doing it.

One piece of advice - sort out the venue first and then all the things that need to be *booked* for that date - priest/vicar/registrar, florist, photographer, band/DJ, cars etc etc. Then you can relax. The rest can be done at your own pace!!!

Most of all I want to say - have FUN planning!

It will all work out, I promise.

SaLoGo

We have booked the venue!

We went back to see one of them today and it just didn't feel right whereas the other felt right every time we have been there. I do feel like I can breathe now! Not doing anything 'weddingy' til after xmas now. It's my bday next week and we're spending a night in a hotel and OH has booked me in for a massage at the spa! Looking forward to relaxing now!

I am quite a stressy person, I want things done yesterday! Well, we have 21 months to sort out the rest of it so gonna enjoy taking our time with it all