Exclusive vs non-exclusive venues

[lurker101]

Hi,

I’ve just found out my preferred venue is non-exclusive. Has anyone had this before and has this impacted on your day at all?
Really unsure how I feel about it, one the one hand I think it’s not an issue and on the other I wonder whether or not it would over-shadow our day

[Mummyme87]

For me, it was important that our venue was exclusive use. Didn’t want other stuff going on in the same place

[superram]

Depends, I got married in a central London hotel. Lovely Americans in the lift-no onevelse in the rooms we were using. Didn’t see anyone else. However, put me off the lodge in Richmond Park as the cafe is outside the room. Depends on venue.

[EdwardScissorskills]

Ours was going to be non-exclusive, but timings so that we were in the entrance hall at different times and then at different ends of the hotel (which itself was open to other guests). So basically, we wouldn't see the other party.

In the event though the other wedding was cancelled on a couple of weeks notice, and we had both rooms and really spread ourselves!

Even without that though we obviously weren't bothered by sharing. Otoh, we were guests at another wedding where the two suites were next to each other and both had the room turn-around from dinner to evening at the same time, so both sets of guests were in the same foyer area outside the rooms waiting to be let back in for about an hour. Bridesmaids everywhere, and you weren't sure who was from which wedding. Also, the groom from the other wedding got into a fight with one of his guests between the two sets of automatic closing doors - the sensors kept being set off and the doors were opening-closing-opening-closing, it was very funny if you weren't either of the brides present.

[ClandestineAdulation]

I think it depends on the context. If you’re bothered about other people seeing what you’re doing, drinking in the same bar as your guests (unless you have a private one), or even guests bring in the lobby/reception area, then a non-exclusive venue isn’t for you. However, if the impact of other guests isn’t goong to affect what you do too much, I don’t think it’s a problem. Depends on the venue!

[Mummyme87]

superram Pembroke lodge in richmond park is a shame there is no privacy. People walking around where you have your photos taken. And Non Such Mansion the same in non such park

[BendingSpoons]

It wouldn't bother me, as I would just think, great someone else is having a lovely day too. Venues are usually good at keeping things separate. Worth checking about toilets, access, timing etc. We got married at a golf course, so no other weddings but people around. I didn't notice anyone on the day. It was far cheaper than the exclusive hire places!

[TakeAChanseyOnMe]

It depends on the layout. Hotels often have several function rooms. It’s different if they’re on opposite ends of the venue rather than right next to each other.

A hotel in my hometown has changed to one wedding per day despite 2 function suites (one under 100 guests, one over). The only limitation is for a Saturday wedding you need to use the large venue and pay the extra.

[SheWoreBlueVelvet]

Our reception was in an amazing waterfront restaurant ( in a village) It cost an extra grand for exclusive use so we had our party of 40 in the main section, with an amazing buffet tables set up, whilst the lower outside section was full of normal customers.
It worked really well as we didn’t notice them per se but they sort of added ambience.

[lurker101]

Thanks everyone! The different views are really helpful. The struggle is they have multiple wedding spaces throughout the venue, so I worry that it would seem less intimate if there are other weddings on the same day. But as others have said they do it professionally so it’s likely to be separate enough I guess?