Weddingbee Blog

 
So I have a confession. I knew a winter wedding in my hometown was going to be expensive. But yesterday I became very aware of just how expensive it would be to have our wedding in February in Vail, Colorado.

We had been engaged for about a year and a half, and I had had all this time to pick the perfect date. So what did I pick? The busiest weekend in my hometown, where it’s estimated that almost 2 million people will come to ski. YIKES!!!

So step one was done - the date was picked. Next, we waited for hotel prices to be released so we could get rooms reserved at a semi-decent rate. They were released a few weeks ago, and we almost hit the floor.

Champ and I have been to many weddings in the past few years, and I think the most expensive hotel we stayed in was the W in Chicago. I think we paid like $350 a night and it was a great deal for such an amazing room. We actually got to stay on the lakeshore side (which I highly recommend), and the wedding was the same weekend as the Air and Sea Show. We had F-16s flying RIGHT next to our window—Mr. Champagne was in heaven! Also, the W was unlike any run of the mill hotel. The whole feel was just “sexy” if that makes sense. Very modern furniture, no true door to the bathroom, shutters you could open into the shower area, and a tres chic bar on the top floor.

So I thought that $350, although a hefty price tag, might be worth a ski weekend in Colorado for some of our guests. The hotel closest to our ceremony site is so beautiful and located right in the heart of the town. No cars are allowed on the streets of Vail, and the streets are heated, so being right in the center of all the restaurants, shops, and bars would be a really neat experience for out of towners. That is until I heard how much it would really cost per night. Let’s just say it’s at least double the number above plus a few - and that’s for a regular one bed and bath hotel room! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!? I better be staying in the presidential suite with a personal butler for that price.

And this is why I’m actually kind of embarrassed to write this. I felt like I should have known better, and I will be looked at differently by members of Mr. Champagne’s family for choosing such an expensive travel weekend. I almost thought I was invincible, like I would be able to get a good deal no matter what. I’m a local for Pete’s sake! So I’m embarrassed.

The phone calls with hotels have been intense, and I’m not gonna lie—I cried. The woman from our ideal hotel told me things would be okay, and that her sister was planning a wedding too. It was thoughtful of her. I called our wedding planner and our reception site to see if we could change our date. We actually considered changing our date. Had we gone mad? Our chapel, photographer, and reception site are all reserved, the STDs are done, and family has been planning this weekend for a while now. We couldn’t change the date.

Then I found on Travelocity that we could block the Holiday Inn Apex Vail for around $200 a night. Although it’s not quite the same experience, it’s still a gorgeous hotel and unlike any Holiday Inn I’ve ever seen. It’s got a big “lodge” feeling, full of fireplaces and leather couches.

So we’re back in business!

Anyone else feel the stress of planning a wedding that you know will be expensive for your guests?

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