The Factory is the cheaper option of the two, falling well under budget while still being a very pretty facility with lots of character. I have loved the Factory from the beginning, but it does come with some complications that I didn't foresee. For one, it is an open venue - we would actually be in the Commons Area of the Factory, which is the middle section that is surrounded by other venues, restaurants, and shops. The shops close at 6 pm, so they wouldn't present a problem, but the restaurants will stay open, so we may see some traffic in and out of those. Thankfully, we can rope off our area so that no one will randomly wander into our reception. Plus I really don't see a lot of visitors getting in the way; there are typically just a few here and there. The real problem may be the adjoining facility - Jamison Hall - which is already booked for our night, and I think for a reception also. It is a huge venue that is literally right next to the Commons Area, and though its doors must stay shut during events, I can't help but worry that their start/end time will coincide with ours and 200 people will suddenly flood into our "space" while Collin and I are trying to cut the cake or have our first dance. We would definitely need to coordinate with them somehow, which I'm hoping the event manager could help us do. However, she isn't typically on site during evening events, so how would we know for sure that everything would go off without a hitch? Without someone there to ensure the events stay separate, I know I would constantly be paranoid about the other reception ruining ours. The last thing I want to be feeling on my wedding day, after all, is overshadowed.
In addition, we will undoubtedly have to hire a wedding planner if we use the Factory since it is an open venue. We have the facility reserved all day, but who is to stop someone from coming in and messing with our set-up until we get there? What if someone steals flowers off the tables, or a hungry 5-year old grabs a fistful of icing from our poor, defenseless cake?? Obviously we would need someone on site to make sure everything gets delivered, set up, and left alone. Basically, we need a babysitter for the facility. However, we will also need a coordinator for the ceremony (I don't think the church has one, though they are trying to hire one) as well as one for the actual reception. What all of this boils down to is: we will probably need a professional. And they don't run cheap. So suddenly the Factory is seeming like less of a steal.
Old Natchez, on the other hand, is a lovely facility that is very large and perfectly arranged and even includes an outdoor porch with a fantastic view. It is much more expensive than the Factory, though, and may actually put us over-budget. But is it worth it to pay more for a venue that is all-inclusive and stress-free? Old Natchez has a wedding coordinator who will be on-site during the event to make sure everything runs seamlessly - from cake cutting to bouquet tossing to packing to-go boxes for Collin and me when we leave. She will be the one to communicate with all our vendors and oversee set-up, and she even said that she will sit down with me to plan out a specific timeline for the night way in advance of the wedding. She is awesome, in other words. Furthermore, the venue itself is ideal for a reception, with separate (but open) "areas" for the tables, the bar, the dance floor, the cake presentation, the buffet, and the lit patio. But going with this venue could mean cutting costs in other areas, some of which may prove to be very difficult to fit within a reduced budget. Plus this venue would require a little more decoration than the Factory, which is already full of interesting decor.
I'm so lost on what to do!! We really need to make a decision this weekend or we run the risk of losing both facilities. Tonight I'm going to sleep on it, pray on it, and hope the solution comes to me by tomorrow... If you have any input, please comment!
Wish me luck!
C & A
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