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King Hippo and I tossed around the idea of a destination wedding. The Mr. thought it would be amazing to get married in Italy, and while I TOTALLY agree, it would be a decision that would prevent a lot of our loved ones from attending. Not only would it be expensive for our guests, but a lot of my close friends (and all of my bridesmaids) have children, and asking them to either cart their kids halfway across the world or be away from them for an extended period of time just didn’t seem o.k. I know it’s “our day,” but that just seemed like a decision that was just too selfish.
Once we decided to keep it in the country, we had to decide the city. My family is spread out all over the country, so there’s no one location that would be more convenient than another. The two cities that were really the big contenders were New York City (where we currently live) and Dallas (where we both used to live prior to moving to New York).
I would LOVE to get married in New York City.
Not only could I have fantastic photos like this, but it would be the easiest place logistically for planning since we live here. And our friends from Texas would love to come to New York for the festivities. The biggest downside is that it is ridiculously expensive. Venue rentals, flowers, catering, EVERYTHING just costs more here, and since we are trying to have a really nice wedding without going one dime into debt, the fact that it is just a more expensive place matters. It would also be more expensive for our guests, as hotel rooms are pricier and the majority of our guest list would have to fly in. Sadness.
Dallas seemed like the better selection because of the convenience factor for our guests and our pocketbooks. I could fly to Dallas a couple of times to take care of planning details and STILL save a ton of money compared to the same caliber wedding I could have in New York. I have several good vendor connections in Dallas (wedding dress, flowers, event rentals), so that’s helpful, but the downside is that it’s just not as “sexy” of a city as New York. Don’t get me wrong, I love Dallas. I went to college there and ended up staying there for another 10 years after graduation, but when compared to where I live now, Dallas is kinda…meh. I know we made the smartest decision for us financially and for our guests, but it still bums me out a little bit. I am getting over it…slowly.
Did you make compromises on your wedding location based on price?
My fiance and I live in Houston but I’m from southern CA and he is from Australia. I originally wanted to get married here in Houston, and price was the biggest reason. Somehow I was convinced by FI and my family to have the wedding in SoCal. It is definitely costing more, but I think it was a good choice for us in the end. Can’t wait to hear more about your wedding!
Hi Miss Hippo!
I feel you! I went to college in NYC and most of my friends (and bridesmaids) live there. My fiance and I both grew up in Dallas and will be getting married in the big D next summer! Ultimately, it just made sense. And honestly, a big Dallas wedding can be super chic and sexy and my East Coast friends are thrilled to come see a big Texas wedding.
Good luck with the planning! I’m curious to see your venue/vendors/etc since we share a city!
My fiance and I live in Houston but I’m from southern CA and he is from Australia. I originally wanted to get married here in Houston, and price was the biggest reason. Somehow I was convinced by FI and my family to have the wedding in SoCal. It is definitely costing more, but I think it was a good choice for us in the end. Can’t wait to hear more about your wedding!
oh - and I’ve had that “Going through the big D and don’t mean Dallas” song by Mark Chesnutt stuck in my head since I read the title of your post 
We actually had to make compromises on everything else because we chose a pricey location. When I go to other weddings with amazing food and awesome bands, I sometimes wish I went with a less expensive locale, but then I realize I wouldn’t be happy otherwise. I think no matter what you do there is going to be some type of compromise and what ifs (I constantly have what ifs in regard to our location choice) and you just have to be happy with what you choose! I think a Dallas wedding sounds awesome and the right choice for you and your guests. I’m sure your guests appreciate it!
i was in the same exact position as you! i really would have loved an nyc wedding but DAMN this city is expensive. when it came down between a nicer venue in bay area and a not-as-nice venue in nyc for the same price, we decided bay area. i think dallas will be a great location for your wedding. from one long distance bride to another, it can be done! can this comment be any longer.
I got married in my hometown, AKA Middle of NOWHERE! So I was totally limited in vendor choices…Ultimately, we all have to sacrifice one thing for another, ya know? But on the plus side, you can totally have a cowboy themed rehearsal dinner if you want!
Yes I definitely feel you on this one. My fiance and I really wanted a beach wedding at a pricey locale about two hours away from us but after considering all the guests who would have to travel and all of their costs we decided to stay closer to home! It’s ok b/c I love our venue! You both will have a great time in the big D!
While I don’t think a wedding in Italy would be in selfish in the slightest (I’ve had friends do it), I think Dallas is a great choice An NYC wedding would be awesome, but SO expensive - yikes!!
How about doing a “trash the dress” session in NYC after the wedding (you don’t actually have to trash the dress, but you’ll get the beautiful pictures in the city you want!)
Price did play a role in where we decided to get married - basically the two areas that made logical sense were the New York / Westchester / Fairfield County area and the San Francisco Bay Area. Neither one was particularly economical. For awhile we looked at doing it further up in New England, to have more space / be more relaxed and save money, but it was just too much hassle to plan a Berkshires or Vermont wedding from Silicon Valley, and we went with California, partly because it’s a little less expensive and partly because we realized that’s what would be more fun day-of and more fun to plan.
I kinda agree with Carla- except maybe not an intentional “trash the dress” sesh.
You could do something similar to Mrs. Champagne who had taken photo’s twice. Once on her wedding day and another day in a totally different season. This way you can choose (maybe post-wedding) which day in “the city” (there is only one “the city”- c’mon now girl) you’d like to set up the photoshoot.
If you’re finding city photogs to be a bit pricey maybe you can look across the Hudson for some Jersey vendors (lots of talent on the Jerseyside)
I preface this with - every bride is different and has different priorities. We had a similar decision to make between NYC ( my hometown) and my husbands New England-much cheaper. After several long number crunching sessions we decided to wait an extra 6 months and cut out some litems (ie: photo-booths, video, and expensive dress) in order to get married in NYC. It was our dream location and I have to say I don’t regret for a second.I LOVED our NYC wedding. Every detail centered around NYC and even though we had to work on a tight budget I didn’t miss a thing. Everyone is different- for us NYC was a must and with some crafty planning and budgeting was closer in reach then we imagined
Hey, I’m like you. Older (early 30’s) and I lived in Texas for a while, college at UT Austin. Also, my family lives in Houston. I actually went to visit and started scouting out places. It’s TWICE as expensive in NYC and I know that I don’t want to go into debt for a wedding. So…., when I’m done, I will get here, pay one of these amazing wedding photographers about $300 and do a day in NYC for pictures all over the city I love. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Part etc, oh yeah, I’m doing those. I’m glad you are a blogging bee, I’ll go check out your other posts.
A little–our wedding is in DC but we’re rolling down the road a couple miles into VA for the reception. DC is so beautiful….and you get all the monument photos…but it’s so expensive!!
Yes, same boat here. Dreamed of the glamour and convenience (for me) of NYC but just couldn’t justify it based on cost for us and our guests. It worked out, vendors worked around our schedules and we used our 3 meetings with the Reverend as the 3 main trips down to Philly for planning.
My fiance and I were in the same situation. We looked at a bunch of places in NYC, but at the end of the day the quality was just much higher in upstate NY for the same price. You’re lucky that Dallas is a major city though — I’m a little worried about people making it upstate.
FH is from here, Chicago while I am from DC however I live here of course.
Look at there….yeah we didn’t compromise at all we just went with comfort cause either city is ri-dunk-ulously expensive
we live in chicago, but we’re both from a smaller town in indiana (only about an hour away from where we are). there was no question we’d do the wedding in indiana. we like to tell people it’s because that’s where we first met and our parents still live there, but reality is that life is WAAAYYYY cheaper in indiana. i can’t afford the wedding i want here.
I totally feel your “NYC… if only” pangs. I was so convinced I could make it work, until I received an eighteen-thousand dollar venue rental quote (not including tables). Yeah… hometowns are nice too!
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Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TX Age and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance IT Engagement Date: August 8, 2009 Wedding Date: March 2011 Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc Events About Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
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