Is a Hotel Wedding the perfect fit for your special day!? Booking a hotel for your wedding can save a lot of headaches with bundled all-inclusive packages, being able to stay on property, their ability to accommodate large groups as well as multiple options for spaces to use throughout your event however there are also some downsides. Here we outline a few of the Pros and Cons to help you decide if a hotel wedding is the best fit for you: 

Getting married at a hotel often means you don’t have to plan every little detail. Hotels typically offer a more all-inclusive experience with in-house vendor recommendations & amenities such as catering, bar, decor, tables, and chairs, etc… Don’t worry, you still get a say in the planning process, you just don’t have to worry about every little detail. This option definitely takes a little of the pressure off so you can focus on other areas of your special day. Rather than having a blank canvas to work with you have a little bit of help to get started with.

Up front, a hotel wedding may seem pricey however this is because they typically offer all-inclusive packages for you to choose from. These packages bundle all your vendor needs into one cost. For example, the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception space, catering and bar needs, cake and desserts, staffing, and sometimes even an in-house coordinator. They may also include, room discounts and blocks for your guests and sometimes decor and entertainment. You can often even get discounts by booking through a hotel and using their recommended vendors.

This goes for the planning process as well as on the wedding day! Everything you need is on one property. Having everything right there is incredibly convenient on a busy wedding day. From where you are staying, to where you are getting ready, to the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception location it is all in one place. It is also convenient as an accommodation recommendation for any guests you have coming from out of town.

Hotels are so spacious and are made for hosting large numbers of people. This means there are more than likely multiple spaces on the property for you to hold each portion of your event. You can move from place to place for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, or do it all in one space. Additionally, if you choose an outdoor space there will likely be a convenient backup plan on the property in case of rain, which is something you always want to consider in Hawaii.

Convenience often means less flexibility – at a hotel, you get what you get, and having to use hotel-approved vendors or decor can limit some personality and creativity for your big day. Unfortunately, there will be changes you can’t make to most hotel’s in-house decor or set up regulations.

There will likely be some rules and restrictions put in place by the venue. At a hotel wedding, you must follow all rules and regulations (ie. quiet time, setup and breakdown access times, photo locations, etc.). There will be time limits on certain spaces, strict last-call and lights-out rules and some hotels will even require you to book a certain number of rooms on top of your package.

Let’s face it unless you bought out the entire hotel for your wedding there will be hotel guests around your venue during your big day. There may even be multiple weddings or other events going on at the same time. This takes away some privacy during your event. If you value privacy and want your event to feel a bit more intimate this may not be the best option for you.

Yes, this is a pro and a con. Depending on your hotel of choice the cost can feel a bit overwhelming. The bundled packages are a plus as they include many of the vendors you would have to additionally book but it can also feel like a lot when you see the entire cost upfront. Furthermore, some hotels may require you to book their vendors, pay extra fees, etc which you may have more freedom with at a different vendor. There is also often less wiggle room for vendor negotiations and personalization of your packages.

Every couple is unique, and the same thing for every wedding. We hope this list is helpful in deciding if a hotel is the right type of venue to fit your needs for your special day.

Photos by Oahu Photographs or the Halekulani Hotel

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