This Indecisive Bride Decides on a Venue
I really wanted to have my wedding at Seasons in the Park. Until my fiance’s best friend had his wedding there, and then it changed everything.
We’ve had many an anniversary and Valentine’s Day at Seasons in the Park restaurant, located on a hill top in Queen Elizabeth Park. The view of Vancouver from the restaurant is amazing.
When I blurted out my favourite venue to our engaged friends, I had no idea they’d end up using it a year later. When Stephen and I attended their wedding, the food was great, the service was awesome, and the view was amazing at sunset.
They also had dancing in the room that I had originally wanted our ceremony to be held, and as a result, Stephen could no longer picture it as a place where we could say our vows to become husband and wife. Also, he wasn’t so sure about having a ceremony in a room in a restaurant. He wanted it to be more special.
At first, I was frustrated. I thought I had all my plans in place. So I looked into alternative places for my ceremony, and still have my reception at Seasons.
The Celebration Pavilion, a 3-minute walk away from the restaurant, was going to cost us $3,000, just for a 1.5 hour rental of the ceremony venue. It included some decorations, a marriage officiant, and a pianist. Unfortunately, I couldn’t justify paying that much for it. I did some research on the internet, and in addition to being only $1000 a mere 3 years ago , people were saying that the new management was less than ideal .
After much discussion, Stephen and I finally decided on the Diamond Alumni Centre at Simon Fraser University , a venue we visited a few months ago and actually both liked. I’ve read nothing but good things about the event coordinator, the food, and the view at this venue.
I knew it was the right decision. Vivian, the catering coordinator, followed up to all our emails promptly. She even let my mother in quickly before a wedding, so she could see how it looks set up for an event. I know we are going to work really well together.
It is going to cost a bit more than Seasons in the Park, which had a minimum spending of $4000 for an afternoon event for the two rooms, including alcohol.
Our new venue has a minimum spending of $5,000, excluding alcohol, for a Sunday event. But we get the venue for the whole day, it can fit up to 120 people (versus the 70 guests at Seasons in the Park), and it won’t look anything like my fiance’s best friend’s wedding.
Lesson one: don’t tell an engaged couple your favourite venue.
Lesson two: be flexible and open-minded.
Lesson three: Remember to do your research!
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