Venue Envy
January 18th, 2008 @ 1:10 pm by Mrs. Cupcake
Miss Hydrangea’s post from the other day brought up the interesting point that a lot of brides, at least at first, tend to be opposed to the idea of having their wedding reception in a hotel ballroom. I guess the issue with hotel ballrooms is that they’re not seen as unique as all of the amazing spaces people are using for their receptions these days. Warehouses, historical homes, tented outdoor spaces, and art museums are all on the list of extraordinary venues. And, since we live in an age where it is not uncommon to feel pressure to come up with the coolest, hippest, newest ideas, hotels often fall into the “not as cool” category.
Brother Cupcake and his wife got married in June at the stunning Angel Orensanz Foundation in NYC. The structure was originally built as a synagogue in 1849, and was converted into an arts/event space in 1992.
Photos via www.orensanz.org
Between the amazing venue and the personalized details, their wedding was nothing short of incredible, and I admittedly thought to myself “there is no way my wedding will ever be this cool!” That was alright with me, because they are two cool cats whom I expected would have nothing less than a spectacular and unique wedding, but I did feel a twinge of disappointment that I hadn’t looked at some of the more chic and unconventional venues in Philly before choosing a hotel venue.
But then, I started to think of the pros and cons of my reception space, The Desmond Hotel, and I again came around to realizing how great it really is. I realized that The Desmond can be just as much of a blank canvas as any other venue, if I stay creative. It is also such a nice luxury to not have to search for a caterer or rental companies for linens, tables, chairs, etc. The bulk of what we need is included at The Desmond, so I can spend more time coming up with creative ways to make the space more unique.
Another main reason why I am so glad that we chose a hotel is that we don’t have to worry about guests driving home after the wedding if they’ve had some drinks. A lot of our guests will be staying right at The Desmond, so we know they’ll be safe, and we also don’t have to worry about getting shuttles to transport people to an off-site location. To me, that peace of mind is worth the occasional venue envy, because it will still be beautiful and our guests will know that we tried to make things as convenient as possible for them.
Do you ever suffer from venue envy? How do you get over it?
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13 Responses to “Venue Envy”
I totally suffer from venue envy; I particularly love Mrs. Sweet Pea’s and Mrs. Bell Pepper’s venues - wowser. And um, the one you just posted pics of. Double wowser. But if I have to be in Tucson, I really feel like we’ve chosen the most beautiful option. So I just think of that. Plus, like you say, any space can be personalized. And you make a great point about transportation.
yes i have venue envy! like many other brides, who wouldn’t want a great beautiful venue to have your wedding at .. unfortunately, i have to stick to a chinese restaurant for my reception since FI wanted the traditional 12 course banquet.. but MAN, does it not make me sooo want to go for all those elegant locations out there when seeing everyone’s venue pick.. it would make decorating the venue so much easier bc I wouldn’t need to do so much to spruce up the area! what got me over it.. (sort of) was one.. we didn’t need to pay for venue rental cost and two.. food won’t be as expensive since we don’t have to go with $80 or more a head three.. we don’t need to worry about having a limit due to venue’s space capacity… four.. we don’t have to worry about contracts and such since we know the restaurant’s owners for some time now. I have a good amount of DIYs on my plate to make the reception personal so everything should be ok! fingers crossed!
My sister and I each had our weddings at small, historic hotels (in two different cities). In fact, I only looked at hotel venues, for all the reasons you listed above, and because 3/4 of the guests were going to travel. Preventing drunk driving was a big one for both of us… if something would have happened to one of our guests after the party, I would never have forgiven myself.
PLUS, at the end of the reception, it was soooo nice to just take an elevator and collapse in our suite!
Well, my venue is unique (the zoo !) and I always get compliments on it, I too suffer from the occasional fit of “it doesn’t have the “WOW” factor.
I think with the right decorations and such, though I can achieve a “wow” factor,
We chose it because
It was actually very cost effective, (all inclusive of tables, chairs, linens etc) and bottom line, I just want my guests to have fun (and I know they will, who can’t smile when they go to the zoo?!)
Even with my wedding long over, I still get venue envy when I see all the fantabulous options out there!! While i loved my wedding, and there were a million and one good reasons for us to choose our hotel venue… I still can’t help it!! hehe. oh well, c’est la vie!
I suffer from (recurring) wedding envy I must confess… especially in the land of suburban country/golf clubs. I sometimes pine for a swanky loft in the city or something more glamorous or modern than our location, but then I realize that our families aren’t so swanky or glamorous, or modern… but the beautiful landscape and design of the space fits our personalities!
man we have a lot in common! i’m a freelance illustrator/arts editor in philadelphia who is getting married in october. my big brother got married at that same gorgeous venue in nyc a few years back and i’ve been envious ever since. my boy and i are getting hitched at the chinese rotunda in the university of penn’s museum, which is pretty, but still doesn’t seem as absolutely breathtaking as the angel orsanz location. anyway, just wanted to share 
I am still in the process of picking a venue and I have major venue envy. Although I love the place that we are leaning towards booking, it seems like other cities have more options at better prices so I’m having a hard time committing. My biggest issues in choosing a venue are making it so that no one has to drive after the 5 hour open bar and being able to show my family why I love my adopted hometown (Philly girl now, originally from Michigan) so much. Plus, I would love to not blow 60% of my more than ample budget on the reception alone but that seems less likely with each passing day. 
My cousin got married at the angel orenzez foundation! It was beautiful. I think the lighting really makes the place. They got married during thanksgiving weekend because it was a steal that weekend!
Shannonpants — that is a funny coincidence! You are my wedding fraternal twin 
I’m sure your wedding will be stunning!
Wow! Your brother and SIL picked a phenomenal venue- those are gorgeous pictures.
[...] posted a while ago about the venue envy I have for my brother’s wedding venue, The Angel Orensanz Foundation in NYC. Wonderful Brother [...]
Mrs. Cupcake, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 27, Graphic Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Construction Project Manager
Engagement Date: February 10, 2007
Wedding Date: September, 2008
Blogging Since: December 7, 2007
Venue: The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA
About Me: Mr. Cupcake and I hit it off at a Halloween party and immediately began a long-distance relationship. After two years, he moved to my neck of the woods, and a year and a half after that, he proposed at the “place we fell in love.” I am a true perfectionist who enjoys designing and creating more work for myself, so wedding planning is my perfect outlet. Mr. Cupcake and I are both old souls, and we hope to weave that aspect of our personalities into our wedding day.
Yay for hotel weddings!