Hosting at your Family’s Estate or Winery?
Ah, the venue—a crucial decision that can make or break your entire wedding experience. You’ve got two enticing options: the family property, with its nostalgic charm and the whispers of generations past, or the exquisite winery, where you can toast to love while sipping on a glass of fermented grapes. Both have their merits (and their quirks), so let’s break down the pros and cons of each option with a sprinkle of humor to ease the stress of planning.
Option 1: Family Property – Home Sweet (Wedding) Home
Pros:
Nostalgia Overload: Celebrating your love where you grew up means plenty of photo ops featuring awkward teenage moments. Nothing says "happily ever after" like an image of you in pigtails next to your wedding cake.
Personal Touch: You can personalize every corner, from Grandma’s china on the tables to the backyard BBQ featuring Uncle Joe’s secret sauce. Who wouldn’t want a mystery condiment at their wedding?
Investment: The money that you would give the venue to rent their space can be invested in your property. This can go towards new plants, lighting, updates on the house paint and more.
Cons:
Cleanup Crew: “Who’s helping us clean up?” isn't the question you want to ask when you should be enjoying your first dance.
Space: You will soon learn that a family property is made for living and not for inviting 150 guests. The additional logistical headaches including creating water and power sources, building a tent, creating a parking lot, bringing in restrooms and more are not additional to dos you want to worry about.
Investment: You often spend more than you think you would because you are outsourcing everything.
Option 2: Winery's Event Space – Wondrous Grapes and Views
Pros:
Gorgeous Scenery: Nothing beats natural beauty!
Built-In Decor: Why worry about floral arrangements when the backdrop is vines bursting with ripe grapes?
Professional Staff: Trained professionals know their way around catering, clean-up, and, fingers crossed, managing drunk uncles. That way, you can be a stress-free bride
Cons:
Strict Rules: Venues often come with a plethora of restrictions.
Logistics: Think about transportation. How do guests get through the windy roads?
Just consider what vibe you want and how much chaos (or lack thereof) you can handle! Either way, it’ll be a day to remember!