So after traipsing endless through possible hotels, venue... even museums! We probably are closer to finding a venue but still not there.
I would say the best source is using tripadvisor... they have a huge database and you get a feeling of how the basics of service (never mind your wedding!) work in each hotel.
So question is, good deal or ideal?
Lets face it ideal is pretty much always going to cost you more...(see previous first look blog!) Kind of like the way everything that tastes nice is bad for you! (currently dieting with wedding incentive!)
I have found a deal that gives you everything THAT'S EVERYTHING cars, cake, men's suits... for £7,500... That is an amazing deal BUT then you have to accept all the recommended vendors that the hotel has within the package :/ The hotel is ok, just not IDEAL when I say ideal I mean not visually stunning or unique and I really would rather have the choice of vendors...
For starters the last thing we would want is a generic Pop/Dance DJ... school disco stylee...
In case you don't know our musical preference is classed as 'mosher' music LOL
obviously we would like to cater for all to some degree (its our wedding ok!!) but would like a band.
James would like medieval style clothing so I doubt the suit hire company (I know the place) would have such attire!
We could go for their less included deals but we will just see, I intend to have a visit to the place and see what its like in person.
Ideal places for us have character and tend to be smaller as they are definitely NOT commercial chain hotels (see 7,500 package above!)
The fact that these ideal venues seem to be smaller causes another problem... wedding list size.
Obviously ALL guests whom are being invited from England (and Wales Nez ;) ) are going to be at all the festivities so that makes our numbers pretty definite to an extent, but we do not know who will being coming yet.
These small venues have a capacity of about 100 so anything over that is not possible, our list is 120ish...
So we have decided to send people a 'feeler' email/letter to get an idea of numbers even thought we have no date or set venue. It will basically tell them the wedding will be within the next two years and is definitely in Northern Ireland. After all we never know there may be people that don't like to fly or sail so would not come... best to do it and see.
