Hotel weddings make it easy to create your dream wedding in a luxury venue, but how do you find the right hotel for your big day? Keep reading for tips on comparing wedding venues to find the perfect setting for your nuptials.
Here are a few of the hotel wedding venues you might want to consider as you search for your ideal location.
Rooftop Bars
Take the elevator all the way to the sky and host your wedding ceremony or reception in a hotel rooftop bar. This is the perfect wedding venue for couples seeking a romantic setting with breathtaking views.
Restaurants
Host your reception dinner in a private dining room at a hotel restaurant. This will offer a private and exclusive setting where you and your guests can celebrate the love story you and your partner share.
Ballrooms
A glamorous ballroom gives you a setting to celebrate your special event in opulent surroundings. Your guests will love the luxurious setting, and you won't find any better setting to share your first dance as a married couple.
Function Rooms
A function room can be decorated to suit your style—whatever that might be. But it also offers all the practical features you need for a stress-free event.
From Las Vegas to Key West, the best hotel wedding venues across the country offer everything you need for your dream wedding day. No matter if you're tying the knot at a luxury resort or an intimate boutique hotel, here's what to look for when choosing a space for your special day.
Location
Location is such a crucial factor when choosing a wedding venue, so make sure the space you choose is easy for guests to access. Consider travel time for those driving and any public transport links. And if you'll be hosting the ceremony elsewhere before moving to the hotel for the reception, make sure it's simple to move between the two venues.
Size
The size of a wedding venue matters depending on your guest count, but also to help you create the right atmosphere. Small celebrations can lack atmosphere when held in large spaces, while trying to cram a large group of people into a petite space is always a recipe for discomfort. Look for a venue that's not too big or too small, but just right.
Ambiance
Every event space at a hotel, whether it's indoors or out, has its own distinctive look and feel. This will set the tone for your guests from the moment they arrive, so find a wedding venue that provides the sort of ambiance you want for your special day.
Flexibility
You want this to be your dream wedding, so everything has to be just right. This may mean you need to hunt around for a venue that can be tailored to suit your needs, whether that means changing the furniture layout around or perhaps allowing you to decorate the space how you want.
Helpful Staff
Experienced event staff help ensure that your wedding is a stress-free experience and that everything goes according to plan. Hotel wedding planners can also be a massive help with organizing all the finer details, leaving you free to focus on walking down the aisle.
Cost
The last thing you want to do is start your life together as newlyweds with a nasty financial hangover. Make sure you find a wedding venue that is well within your budget and that you still have plenty of funds set aside to cover all your other wedding expenses.
Hotel wedding venues offer a host of important services you need in the one location—from catering to accommodation for your guests—while they also offer a flexible range of indoor and outdoor wedding spaces. Best of all, they let you tailor the space to turn it into your perfect wedding venue.
A boutique hotel provides a distinctive ambiance for an intimate wedding. But if you want to host your wedding under the sun or stars, look for a luxury hotel or resort with lush gardens or an idyllic poolside setting. It's all up to you and your partner, and what sort of experience you want to offer to your guests.
Next, how do you decorate a hotel wedding venue? You could always opt for a traditional look, but why not be bold and go for a distinctive decorative look? Splashes of color and unique floral arrangements can help make your wedding one your guests will remember for a long time to come.
Another more exotic option is to plan your dream destination wedding. Whether you head for the beautiful beaches of somewhere like Punta Cana or the bright lights of Las Vegas, a destination wedding lets you find your perfect location and tie the knot in your version of paradise.
Planning your wedding is a long and winding road, so use this checklist to make sure you don't forget any essential tasks.
Visualize Your Wedding Day
Sit down with your partner and work out what you want from your big day. Will it be a traditional celebration or something more laid-back and casual? Will you be tying the knot in your hometown or planning your dream destination wedding? Once you have a clear idea of exactly what you want, you can get down to organizing everything.
Create a Guest List
Before you start comparing wedding venues, put together a guest list to get an accurate idea of numbers. Send out save-the-date cards as early as possible to make sure everyone can make it.
Book a Venue
Now it's time to choose a wedding venue. Compare listings online, then visit your favorites in person to check if they're suitable. Book well in advance to make sure you secure the space you want.
Organize Catering
The beauty of hotel weddings is that food and drink is easily available on site. Work with the venue staff to tailor a menu and beverage package to suit your guests.
Book Entertainment
If you'll have a band at your reception or other games and activities, now is the time to make all your entertainment bookings.
Choose a Photographer
A great wedding photographer can capture all the key moments of your wedding for eternity. Compare a range of professionals to find the best person for the job.
Choose a Florist
Flowers also set the scene for your celebration, so compare local florists to find someone you can rely on to deliver beautiful bouquets. The hotel staff may also be able to provide a list of vendors they recommend.
Here are a few wedding venue options to inspire you.
Beachfront Bliss
Waterfront weddings are intimate and laid-back affairs. Look for a hotel or resort with its own private beach where you can say I do against a perfect backdrop.
Poolside Perfection
Host your outdoor wedding in the stunning pool area of a luxury resort. If you want to make the most of an idyllic outdoor setting, it's well worth comparing resort pools and garden spaces when choosing a wedding venue.
Rooftop Romance
Rooftop bars are intimate, private venues. They're also the perfect place for you to host a wedding in an open-air setting, with the city skyline stretching out into the distance behind you.
Beautiful Ballroom
A more traditional wedding ceremony is a perfect match for a ballroom setting. Where better for you and your partner to celebrate the start of your new life together with all your closest friends and family, and to share your first dance?
Hotel wedding venues can, unfortunately, be quite expensive. Here are a few simple tips to help you keep costs down when planning your dream wedding.
Create a Detailed Budget
Right at the start of the planning process, sit down with your partner and create a detailed budget. Break everything down into different expense categories, and be exhaustive with your approach to get a clear picture of how much you'll be spending.
Leave Money Aside
Things rarely go completely to plan, so leave some extra room in your budget to cover unexpected expenses that may arise. It's a good idea to set aside at least 5% of your total budget for emergencies.
Compare Wedding Venues
Don't just choose the first wedding venue you come across. Compare features and prices across different hotels, including what their wedding packages include, to find the best value.
Shop Around for Vendors
You might be surprised how much you can save if you compare photographers, florists, entertainers, and more. Compare a range of options to find the most affordable (but still high-quality) choice.
DIY When Possible
If there are any planning jobs you can comfortably do yourself, such as designing invitations or crafting table centerpieces, this is a simple way to save money.
The best hotel wedding venues can help you have the wedding day of your dreams. Compare hotel spaces on Giggster today to find your perfect wedding venue.