Venue problems, again :-(

Ive got a local bowling club booked for our reception. Its a pretty looking hall, nice big dance floor. We cant get access to the room the day before, which is a problem as we are decorating the hall ourselves. And we cant access the kitchen til 4pm as someone uses it during the day. Ive already spoken to them about early access etc and Ive been told it cant be done. We arent allowed candles or confetti, need to keep kids away from the bar, need to have the music finished for 11.30 and clear the hall for midnight. Some wee things that Im not happy with, but rules is rules.

So my dad phones me yesterday, drunk as a skunk lol. Says I can hire a local masonic hall, which used to be a church hall. Its not as nice on the inside, and it doesnt really look that nice on the outside. But we can access it the day before to decorate, the caterer can get in from anytime on the day. We can have candles, confetti, anything we like really. Went and spoke to the guy that runs the lodge last night and he basically said the bar and the hall closed when we decide to go home, so we can practically have a lock in! I know alcohol isnt the be all and end all, but our families like to drink at a party, so its a bonus!

So now I dont know what to do! Do I go with a pretty looking hall thats going to be a nightmare to organise (still dont know how I will get the hall decorated!) Or do I go with the hall thats not that pretty, but its so much better for access, and there isnt as many rules?

H2b is going to see the second hall tonight, but he said its up to me as Im the one organising it really. Ive already paid the £90 for the first hall, which I wont get back, but the second hall isnt costing anything to hire

Any replies welcome!

Hmmm, that's a difficult one! We're planning our venue with the opinion that we like our venue, and we're not appearing on Four Weddings, so no one can judge us. (its basically a gold club which has changed its name to country club to make it sound posher!)

I would say, have a look at the second one and see what you think. Maybe write an old school list of pro's and con's for both of them and see which way you are leaning towards then?

You'll be a lot less stressed if you can get in the day before, plus if you have a bit of extra time you'll be able to make it look even more lovely.

Personally I'd go for the easy access and later bar opening; I know I'd probably enjoy that more

I would go for the second one, sounds so much less stressful, I know its hard to decide in the end we did the same, went for the cheaper less stressful option, and the end of the day a room is a room, its the people in it that make the party x

I'd go for the masonic lodge.

If someone else is using the venue during the day, any problems they have are going to spill over into your celebrations. You have more control over events at the masonic lodge. And honestly? People don't go to weddings to see how pretty the room looks- they go to see you!

Thanks girls, youve all said what Im thinking really.

Went to the lodge last night with Wull so he could see it, and the bloody place was shut! Going to go back tomorrow me thinks!

Need to get onto ebay and get some organza for the tables etc, need to decorate the hell out of the hall!!

x