From outdoor gardens to executive meeting rooms, there are many different wedding venues available. The one you choose should reflect your personal taste and style. It should also be spacious enough to accommodate your wedding party and guests.
Knowing this, you might be looking at local hotels and wondering if you should hold your event there. Large-scale and elegant, most of these facilities also include designated rooms and ceremony locations that would be ideal for your big day.
If you're considering a hotel wedding, read on. Today, we're sharing a few questions to ask that can help you decide if this is the perfect event space for you.
Consider Out-of-Town Guests
Are you planning a big wedding with lots of friends and family who will be traveling from out of town? If so, a hotel wedding can be both classic and convenient.
Think about it: If you can reserve a row of rooms for your guests, then they can enjoy the ceremony and reception downstairs and then retreat to their comfy beds when the party is over. Especially if you plan to serve alcohol at your wedding, this is a safe and smart alternative to an off-site party that would require them to secure their own transportation.
Even if you choose to host your wedding elsewhere, you'll still need to help your visiting guests find a place to stay. It's much easier to check two tasks off your to-do list by using the hotel's reception space, too. Often, hotels will provide a discount on room stays if you book your event there, too.
Consider Atlanta's InterContinental Hotel, for instance. This venue boasts more than 31,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space as well as exclusive rooms and suites to pamper your out-of-town visitors. It's a one-stop shop that you know will deliver the ultimate in luxury.
Add Wedding Planning Costs
When you book hotel wedding venues, you can usually pay in advance for a whole host of associated wedding planning services. Booking a package like this can save you time, money, and sanity in the days leading up to your vows.
For example, when you reserve a time at The "W" Hotel in downtown Atlanta, you'll work closely with the facility's expert event and catering team to cover every detail of the day. From your rehearsal dinner to your post-wedding brunch, they'll take care of everything. Many times, this also includes floral design, catering, linens, and more.
This frees you up to actually enjoy the weeks and months before your wedding. You can use this extra time to spoil your wedding party with massages or facials at The "W" Hotel's on-site spa!
Determine the Type of Space You Need
Are you envisioning an intimate, small-scale wedding with just your closest connections? Or, do you picture a sprawling party in a space that has plenty of room for hundreds of guests?
Either way, you can find it at a local hotel. Usually, these facilities have a few different event spaces that are designed to accommodate a range of party types. Examples of these spaces include:
- Ballrooms
- Conference roms
- Executive board rooms
- Outdoor gardens
- Rooftop bars
The Crowne Plaza Ravinia is no exception. At this hotel, you can choose from a number of spaces, including the 12,000-square-foot Ravinia Ballroom, as well as multiple private function rooms for bridal showers, cocktail parties, and more. You can also exchange vows or toast to your union at the hotel's Terrace Gardens, surrounded by lush woodlands.
As you consider whether or not to book a hotel for your wedding, remember that you will also need ample space for your wedding party to get ready. While many venues will have a special spot for bridesmaids and groomsmen to gather, some will be limited in capacity. A hotel should have plenty of room for everyone to spread out, as well as quick access to snacks and water if required.
Brainstorm Your Wedding Week Schedule
Your wedding is more than just one day. Usually, it also includes a few events leading up to your ceremony, as well as some that occur afterward. These can include:
- Engagement party
- Bridal showers/couples showers
- Bachelor/bachelorette parties
- Rehearsal dinner
- Wedding ceremony
- Cocktail hour
- Wedding reception
- Post-wedding brunch
Looking at this list can be enough to make your head spin! It gets even more complicated when you have to reserve several spots all around town to host the various events. You can make the process much simpler and less expensive by booking hotel wedding reception venues.
As mentioned, these facilities are large enough to include different spaces for all of your various parties. Not only is this easier to schedule, but it can also save you money! Plus, your guests will appreciate the ease of having everything in one place versus driving all around the city to find various venues.
Add Complimentary Services
Yes, many hotels will require that you pay an extra fee to enjoy real-time access to their professional planning services. Yet, there are plenty of other amenities that are usually completely free.
For instance, many hotels will hold an evening cocktail hour for all of their guests, which can include your wedding party! Others will have free welcome bags available at no cost, while some will even greet incomers with warm cookies and vouchers for discounts around the city.
When creating your short list of local options, research those amenities and use them to help guide your decision. As you do, don't forget the value of free Wi-Fi. You'll need it to communicate with your wedding party, vendors, and family members on your wedding day.
Should You Book a Hotel Wedding?
A hotel wedding offers many benefits that range from financial to operational in nature. With these types of venues, you can spread out, take advantage of complimentary services, and rest assured that your guests will be pampered at every turn.
At Blue Sky Atlanta, we're happy to help you learn more about the hotels and other event venues around the city. We can also help you find some of the most talented musicians around, who are sure to make your special day even more magical. Feel free to contact us when you're ready to start planning, and let's take this step together.