Congratulations on your engagement!! You have celebrated with your family and friends so now comes the fun part. Planning! While it may not be the most exciting part of the process when compared to dress shopping or cake tasting, it is important in the initial planning stages to compile a guest list prior to venue site tours.
One of the first questions we ask as Venue Managers during a site tour is approximately how many guests the couple forsees attending their wedding. While it does not have to be an exact count, this number is a generalization that helps narrow down which ballroom or space at a venue is suitable for the event. This is why we recommend that you write down the names of those you would like to invite while also keeping in mind your budget and potential venue locations before booking site visits.
At Rockies + Rosé Events we believe it is important to plan ahead in order to prevent any stress that can arise if you fall in love with a venue and then have to largely adjust numbers to fit the space. We will work with you from the beginning of working on your guest list.When we were Venue Managers there were many couples who would fall in love with a venue only to be frustrated and disappointed when they are forced to slim down their guest list or try to add more guests to fill their space. We once had a couple find their dream venue and booked the the Beauvert Dining Room at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge only to realize they did not have enough guests to fill the space. We were able to create a floorplan to meet their vision despite it being a large room, this was a stressful situation for the couple. While not having enough guests to fill the space can pose a challenge, it can be even harder to cut down your list. We have seen couples who thought they had found their perfect venue such as at Cilantro Cafe at Emerald Lake Lodge, only to learn that their numbers were too large for the space. This resulted in the couples having to make the decision of finding an alternate venue or removing guests they envisioned having with them to celebrate. The last thing you want to worry about when you are excited about sending out invitations is deciding which names to erase.
Prior to booking a venue, we would recommend viewing the space; however, we realize this may be difficult when couples are booking destination weddings in the Rockies and may have to book sight unseen. If this is the case, hiring a wedding planner will help to alleviate this stress as they are often already familiar with the venue and can coordinate with the venue manager on your behalf. At Rockies + Rosé Events we will work with you to find your dream venue that fits your guest list without compromising! Let us assist you and have one less thing to worry about during this wonderful time in your lives.
Photography: Stephanie Couture
Venue: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge