When deciding where our guests would stay the night of our wedding, we wanted somewhere close to the Curtis Center, so if it is nice out our guests could walk to and from the wedding if they wanted. One of my bridesmaids got married a few years ago at the Downtown Club, which is right next to the Curtis Center. After her wedding, we stayed at the Omni Hotel and walked through Independence Park back to the hotel, which was the perfect way to end the night. Once we settled on our venue, I knew the Omni was going to be our best option. We immediately blocked a group of rooms for our guests to stay.
Guest room at the Omni Hotel at Independence Park
Then, we had to figure out where we would stay, the night before and the night of our wedding. Once, Mr. Ly actually said to me that he thought we would just come home after our wedding. Ha. I quickly convinced him otherwise. (There was no way I was going to come home to a pile of laundry and a messy house the night of my wedding!) Before we could make any decisions, we needed to figure out the details of where our rehearsal dinner was going to be, and I needed to figure out where the girls were getting hair and makeup done. Once we got all those details settled, we decided it made the most sense to stay over the night before as well as the night of our wedding.
Mr. Ly and I are not staying together the night before, and having such a large bridal party, I knew I would need a big room for the girls to get ready. When I finally called reservations, they told me they had no availability for any of their suites. Cue: freak out. I was so angry at myself for not booking our accommodations when I blocked the rooms way back in March. However, I decided before I had a total melt down I would speak to our coordinator, Chris, who had blocked the rooms for us. Thankfully, they hold some of their rooms for their weddings, and they still had availability. Chris was able to make some suggestions for our stay. We had a few options—the conference room attached to a guest room, three connecting guest rooms, a junior suite with a connecting guest room, or the penthouse suite. In considering pictures and video for getting ready, I was immediately drawn to the penthouse despite it being the most expensive option. The conference room would be the most cost efficient option, but I wasn’t loving the idea of it for pictures. The attached rooms wouldn’t give us the “together” feel I wanted for the morning, so that only left us with the penthouse. Nice how that worked out, right?
I didn’t think it was too fair that I would get to stay in the penthouse and Mr. Ly would not—and we only get one wedding night—might as well make it count! So, we booked the penthouse for our wedding night as well. The good news is since we are getting married on a Sunday, the penthouse doesn’t cost nearly as much as it does the night before. AND since it’s enormous, if we want to continue the party after the reception is over, the penthouse is big enough for an after party!
There are no really good photos of just the penthouse, but there is this tour of it that I found on YouTube. I don’t know these people, and they don’t give it the best review…but it gives you a really good idea of the size of the suite. Just imagine it filled with a bridal party, makeup, music, flowers, dresses and champagne!
Penthouse Tour, Omni Park, Philadelphia
I am really looking forward to our stay here, despite it costing us more than a regular room or a smaller suite. Yes, those funds could be spent elsewhere and we could have just gotten ready in the conference room, and I’m sure I wouldn’t miss out on any really spectacular photos, but this was one splurge I didn’t want to give up.
Anyone else splurging on wedding weekend accommodations?
We got an absolutely amazing deal for our hotel’s largest suite, so we booked it for two nights before the wedding and the night after as well. It was two floors with a private balcony overlooking the river, plus a kitchenette and dining room.
I am completely glad we did. Family came over to help us finish assembling the programs in the living and dining areas, the bridesmaids and mothers ate breakfast with me there the morning of the wedding, and we had an impromptu after party with about a dozen friends after the reception. With so many people coming and going, we really needed the space. Especially once I was in a big dress and had two photographers and their equipment, mothers, several friends, and bridesmaids all in one place!
Good luck with everything at the Omni, Miss Lyre! I work for the company that owns the hotel and they have a wonderful reputation for always doing a great job. And you’re definitely in good hands with Chris and the rest of the crew down there 
The Penthouse is definitely worth splurging for!
great room!!! but what a bunch of rude and unpleasant women making that video! lol
It’s one night, your wedding night, you’re allowed to splurge
I think the penthouse is perfect! And I agree with Terryal87 –what a bunch of condescending women! 
*hangs head in shame* I’ll have to watch the video when I get home tonight. Hopefully none of those women work there anymore!!!
This looks amazing, you definitely deserve the penthouse for your wedding night!
@ScarletMiller: I don’t think they were Omni employees, rather guests who were unnecessarily critical of the decor and accommodations.
We spent the equivalent of a mortgage payment on 3 nights in our hotel, and it was worth Every. Single. Penny. Just to have all that room for myself and the girls to get ready, sprawl out and then afterwards to feel like we were truly pampered. It’s your (hopefully) only wedding weekend, when will there ever be a better excuse to splurge?
My fiance’s parents have been very generous and booked us a house that is about two minutes walking distance from our church and reception venue. It’s beautiful place that will not only host our rehearsal dinner but where my bridal party will sleep and get ready the morning of the wedding. I’m positive it wasn’t cheap since we’re getting married in St. Andrews, Scotland but it’ll be a perfect backdrop for pictures and convenient for us.
Your penthouse looks nice. I’m sure it’ll be totally worth it.
If we didn’t have space at the venue to get ready, I would have totally booked a suite. Can’t believe how expensive hotel rooms are without a group discount or reserving months in advance.
oooh, it’s so pretty. We’re trying to decide whether or not to book a suite in our venue, just so we have somewhere to get ready. I’m glad people think it’s worth the money!
i am! we’re doing a pretty similar thing – although we’re changing suites.
That sounds fabulous!!! I love the idea of the penthouse!
Mrs. Lyre, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 31, Librarian Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Government Employee Engagement Date: November 11, 2011 Wedding Date: January 2013 Venue: Atrium at the Curtis Center About Me: I’m a book loving, photography obsessed, artsy/crafty bride to be, who was dating all the wrong men, until I met the right one, and where one story ended - our new life together began. He’s a video game loving, quirky t-shirt wearing, movie quoting geek who stole my heart, and welcomed me into his. Together we are a happily co-habitating couple, who live in South Jersey, and are planning a wedding in Philadelphia in January 2013. We love to cook, share a bottle of wine, and watch way too much TV; we laugh all the time, don’t sleep nearly enough, and cannot wait to begin our lives as husband and wife!
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