Thanks for reading and I’m glad my posting was helpful for you. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! You are very correct that embarking on planning a wedding is truly a journey where each person has a completely, unique experience.

I also want to respond to AC that when I was starting this entire process of narrowing down locations it was well over a year ago. So depending on when you started your venue search, services and options that may be available for you now may not have been possible when I started my process. Hotels regularly change their policies and promotions, so that’s also something to take into consideration if you’ve heard about a particular venue and may want to have your wedding there.

Kimberly

Yes you are right about them all being willing to do tableside, but the Seasons was one of the only ones that really didn’t seem to be too reluctant to take it on. The Ritz said that “they would do everything possible” not to book another wedding at the same time as yours. The Hay-Adams and St. Regis do offer wedding exclusivity, but we were concerned about maxing out and going over our numbers. You are very much correct about all of the venues being budget if you can make the right menu choices.

Thanks for taking time to post and to read my blog!

Kimberly

I was actually writing my response to CBR & KS and didn’t know you had posted. I couldn’t agree with you more about Julie. She’s going to work with me to make sure that we can get an affordable package for what i want to do that still allows me to hit those dreaded “minimum revenues” that is standard with all hotels. I totally agree that St. Regis and Hay Adams are totally Washingtonian, and would totally capture the DC feel I am looking for. The main reason I passed on both of them is that it seemed like our numbers were going to out grow both of the spaces, so I would rather find a place that would hold everyone I wanted to invite than have to cut at the last minute. I’ve tried to give my guests a “Washington Feel” by incorporating bits of Washington history into my Save the Date’s and will also do it w/my welcome bags for my guests. (more details to follow in a future blog)!

Thanks for your comments, and good luck to you as well!

To CBR – I really do appreciate your comments, and they are very well taken. Not sure if you started reading from my beginning blogs, but not only am I celebrating my wedding, but I am also celebrating my 40th birthday. I AM NOT marrying into the Trump family – HARDLY! I’ve worked hard for the past 18 months to save up for this special day. For me to be able to have all my friends and family together to help celebrate not one, but two milestones in my life is worth the added expense. Make no mistake about it, there are things that I know I have to have, but don’t want to spend lots of money on – flowers for example. I’m saving by opting to use lots of candles instead of flowers because at the end of the day, flowers don’t last. I’m also thinking about bringing in smaller trees to put on the tables or Manzanita branches with fall fruit in tall vases for my centerpieces to save on costs. In short, just because you have a wedding at the Four Seasons doesn’t mean that you don’t have a budget. Everyone has a budget…even Donald Trump. Trust me, I do! I appreciate you reaching out to share your thoughts, and I know that wherever you decide to have your reception, I know it’s going to be beautiful because you will be surrounded by friends and family that love you and your fiancée.

To KS – Let me expand a little about what made me go w/Seasons vice other places. Yes, a multi-course meal is available at all of the places I mentioned. You go to said Hotel and you pick out a chicken, beef, fish or duet-plate option for your guests. It goes on the RSVP card, which they send back to you and you let the hotel know how many of each. At the reception, folks get their requested meal choice when they arrive at the reception. What makes the Season’s different is that I am going to give my guests the option to choose their meal once they arrive at the reception. Think of it like you are going to any random restaurant in town. You come in, look at the menu and choose any appetizer, entrée and dessert. Every order is personally taken by the waitstaff and prepared to each person’s liking. The Four Seasons is the only hotel in the city that is able to do tableside service. For me, that was the “wow factor” that I wanted for my guests to remember. The second thing was like I said in my post – total use of the entire bottom space for the whole evening. I’m thinking about breaking up the bottom into small lounges where various activities might be going on – (some ideas could include) cigar rolling, dessert bar, coffee station, a DJ w/lounge area, etc. Most of the places save for one or two on my list you have to share the space with another reception going on simultaneously. I really liked the fact that I’ve got the entire place to myself. In the end, the tableside service is what sold me on the Seasons.

Thanks again for your feedback. I really enjoyed hearing from both of you, and hope that you will continue to follow my posts.

Cheers –

Kimberly