Traditional vs. Non-Traditional: 5 Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Wedding Venue

Spotlight

Sponsored by The Nines

“Location, location, location”… said to be the three most important qualities for a piece of property. The phrase could just as easily been coined for selecting a wedding venue, potentially the most important of the many decisions to be made when planning a wedding.

These days, there's no shortage of wedding venues at your disposal. While non-traditional venues can be exciting, some host weddings as a secondary business focus. As a result, you'll want to be sure the service you're receiving isn't a secondary focus as well. No matter where you choose to say "I do", you'll want to be careful about your decision, so that executing your vision doesn't turn out to be more than you bargained for. Here are 5 reasons to consider leaving your big day to the wedding experts:

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1. Professional expertise: Hotels and most traditional wedding venues have the distinct advantage of having a certified wedding professional on staff to offer advice on wedding trends, help the bride and groom create their vision, coordinate timelines and organize the numerous vendors. If your venue doesn't provide a wedding coordinator, you'll want to consider working additional funds into the budget for a wedding planner, as executing the details on the big day may be overwhelming.

2. Inclusive pricing and customization: With a tradition venue, most everything is presented in one inclusive pricing package. The catering price includes food and beverage, service, set-up and breakdown, centerpieces, tablecloths, etc. There are no unanticipated expenses that can cause “budget creep”. Additionally, hotel culinary teams tend to be open to menu customization and theming.

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3. Full scope of services: Traditional venues can curate the entire experience, not only on the day-of, but from the time the first guest arrives and the last guest departs, turning your wedding into an experience. A hotel can provide guestrooms, a sense of place and gathering, unique photography opportunities, seamless transitions from “ready rooms” to ceremony and ceremony to reception with a simple elevator ride. Full-service venues can even accommodate brunch the next day.

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4. “Traditional” venue does not equal “traditional” wedding: From modern to classic and everything in between, there are a variety of traditional wedding venues that provide beautiful interior and exterior landscapes that can be transformed to complement any wedding. These spaces also have contingency plans for any outdoor events that may be affected by weather. Bonus: Most hotels and wedding facilities have on-site audio-visual companies that can work magic with simple, cost-effective lighting packages.

5. Extra perks: Traditional venues with guest accommodations generally provide a complimentary room (many times a suite) the night of the wedding with lovely, congratulatory in-room gifts for the bride and groom. Hotels also have loyalty rewards programs that provide loyalty points and incentives that can be used for the honeymoon, which can provide considerable savings.

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Your special day is sure to be the enchanting, unforgettable event you always imagined when you host your celebration at one of our Portland wedding venues. Your journey begins at The Nines, where our exceptional team will provide personalized, impeccable service. Whether you are planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, let our wedding specialists help make your dreams come true.