Today, Julia is stopping by to tell us about how she selected a venue. This is often one of the first decision a bride makes, as it often determines the date, and sometimes the size, of the wedding.
Here’s Julia…
Only after 5 seconds and the word “Congratulations” did the questions start flowing at my surprise engagement party. “Where” and “when” were now the immediate hot topics. I overheard Chris answering those two questions as we made our way among our guests. He kept saying that he wanted to get married within the next few months. “Why wait to get married?” he kept asking everyone. As much as I could agree with that reasoning, the obvious answer is the time it takes to plan a wedding!
Good thing I was fully prepared to swept up in the tornado of all things wedding. I’ve performed at weddings at almost every venue you can find in our area. I’ve even performed weddings at places that you would not expect like Clore Brothers Outfitters (picture on right, below) on the banks of a river where people kayak and drink beer while being pushed downstream. Or at the most beautiful, fantasyland type of venues like Galleria at Lafayette Center (picture on left, below) in Washington, DC.
I always dreamed of walking down the big staircase adorned with thousands of candles, while beautiful light fixtures and flowy draperies hung from the glass-domed ceiling.
But, back to my reality. Chris and I had talked about our wedding probably starting in the first few months of dating. It always came down to a winter wedding. Of course, I knew where the ceremony would take place – the church I grew up in, Centreville United Methodist Church. But, that presented some challenges. At the weddings I’ve attended as a guest, I’ve always appreciated when the ceremony and reception where close in proximity. The less the guest has to do, the better the event, I think. So, that would definitely slash out my fantasy venue locations in downtown DC. I started scouring the Centreville/Fairfax area for venues – to which there are considerably fewer options than in the city.
And how did I find the venues? The best resources were:
1) Scoured every magazine I could find at Barnes & Noble.
2) Searched google for any random page that talked about “Northern Virginia Wedding Venues” to make sure I hadn’t left any rock unturned.
3) I viewed area caterer’s websites to see their venue lists.
4) I drove around the area to make sure I hadn’t missed any venue.
It came down to 4 venues: Crowne Plaza Dulles, Hyatt Fair Lakes, Marriott at Fair Oaks and the Hilton Garden Inn Fairfax. I made appointments for Chris and I to meet with all of the venue event planners starting early one morning and made a spreadsheet comparing all of the contract items so we could be prepared with questions.
But, first and foremost, it came down to how we envisioned our wedding as we stepped into each venue. Of course they all had their strengths and the venue event planners were all so responsive and helpful. I think lovely weddings could certainly be held at each place. But, we wanted the grandest space for the budget my parents so generously bestowed upon us. (Or as my parents say, I have a “champagne taste” and I was determined to stretch the budget as much as possible to get a “gulp, not a sip.”)
The Marriott at Fair Oaks had the wow factor. The hotel is contemporary and fresh. They have a courtyard in the center of the hotel, where the cocktail hour is held that has marble floors, modern furniture, columns, trees and a large fountain. We instantly felt like it was the place for us.
You’ve chosen a great venue, Julia! We can’t wait to hear your plans for decorating the space!
