Weddingbee boards

I'm super stressed out even having bad dreams and waking up in the middle of the night because of not having a wedding venue yet and trying to decide between a few places.  I'm planning a fall 2012 wedding with an outdoor ceremony, in or out reception, and lodging all in one spot for around 150 people in a wooded/mountainy environment. Nothing so far is perfect but here's the pro/cons of each:

Venue 1:* Distance: 1.5 hours drive from the major city/airport, half hour from smaller airport* Ceremony: Outdoor patio in wooded area so not as woodsy as I want but still nice* Reception: Adjacent to ceremony space and nice room with huge windows to mountain view.*Lodging: can only block 20 rooms off the night of the wedding on-site so that makes me nervous since many of our guests will be coming from out of town but hotels nearby so can block rooms there. Pro: the location in a state park and the fact it will always be there won't be developed 50 years from now, the mountain lodge feel, being in a wooded area, only do one wedding a day, very reasonably priced.Concerns: Popularity of the park could mean unwanted nearby crowds/traffic, limited room blocking option, October is booked but can do the first weekend in November with outdoor heating lamps and tent if needed for ceremony, like but don't love the ceremony space.

Venue 2:*Distance: 2.5 hours drive from the major city/airport, 1.5 hours from smaller airport * Ceremony: Awesome beautiful woods area next to stream under the trees *Reception: Adjacent to ceremony space with large heated/cooled tent and globe lighting *Lodging: half to guarantee min. of 33 rooms all cottages and houses where I assign guests their rooms so definitely that retreat feel Pro: location in mountains and non-crowded area, only do one wedding a day, my preferred wedding date in october is available, okay pricing, fire pits and outdoors hiking activities. Concerns: distance from major airport, closest cute town is 40 min away, onus of guaranteeing guests and rooms, the lodging itself is simple and country (no tv's in rooms, etc.)

Thanks so much for your help!

@ella86: Yes guests will be paying for their own rooms and the prices are reasonable for both places ~ $160 a night (in NY area that's really good) as well as more frugal options nearby for venue 1 but additional lodging for venue 2 would be further away.

@oracle: Most of the guests will be coming from out of state and will need rooms at least 75% I'd say.  As for the local guests they are mostly friends who most likely spend the night so they can drink but if they do drive home venue 1: is 30 minutes for NJ/NY guests to 1.5 hours for NYC guests with traffic and venue 2: is 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours for NYC guests with traffic. 

For most of my guests this will be a "destination" wedding as they will be flying in.  I imagine I'll need 25-50 guest rooms?  Maybe more?  Both venues I can get more at or nearby but I can't guarantee more at venue 1 (even though more are availlable up to 63 rooms) and have to guarantee at least 33 at venue 2 (up to 52 rooms available).

@BayStateBride: Mostly likely yes. Trains and bus are an option with a cab but would be inconvenient. 

@PinkMagnolia:  I really want a wedding out of the city.  Most of the out of town/state guests are family that would share a rental car and hotel rooms, but yes rental cars and hotels would be needed

Definitely #2...just because by the way you describe it, you can tell how much more you love it! :)

@oracle: First weekend in November so ~ 3 weeks before Thanksgiving.  It might be brisk, but snow shouldn't be an issue that early.  Yes the majority of the OOT's are family who wouldn't miss it - type guests.  Example all the same family would attend who flew to South Carolina for my cousin's wedding on an island (with car rental and hotel rooms). 

The second place seems to be the best fit overall and as far as the long drive from the airport goes? It's only a one time event; so guests can (and probably already have) go out of their way for a one time event esp. a wedding. I'd keep looking because you don't seem satisfied but I think most people end up with a venue they like; not necessarily love. On that day, your friends, family and vendors will change it into a place that you love regardless of where you choose to marry.