Post # 1

Member
329 posts
Helper bee
We are having our wedding in our home town, which is not a small town, but not a big city by any means…more like a big town, if that makes any sense. Anyway, there are not many venue places there, only a couple country clubs (that are RIDICULOUS in price), and hotels banquet halls (also, RIDICULOUS in price. Really the only nice one is the Hilton). One place that is very famous in the town is this old opera house that they have concerts and lots of wedding receptions and such. It is very pretty, and cheap, and holds lots of people. Basically, its perfect. The only thing is, my brother and SIL had their wedding AND their reception there in 2010. We would only be having our reception there, and in 2014. Do you think this would be a little wierd? I mean, obviously everyone from my side of the family has already been to a wedding there. My SIL is the nicest girl ever, and I’m sure if I asked her if it would be alright to have ours there, she would say of course. It just makes me feel a little like, “I am copying your wedding.” I guess I really only like it because I loved their wedding so much, so wouldnt that be a compliment to her? Does this seem alright to do, or should I try and give my wedding a whole new look and feel instead of basically the same thing? I don’t want family and friends looking back and not being able to keep the weddings apart and distinct, you know? Am I just thinking a little too much into this? Please help!
Post # 3

Member
2254 posts
Buzzing bee
@shrubfish09: It’s not a big deal. My reception was the same location as my sister’s when she was married in 2011. I was married in 2012. There were some comparisons (mostly made by my sister) but at the end of the day, the wedding was mine and my husband’s. If you’re worried maybe check to see what type of decorations you can do to put your stamp on it. Maybe try draping or a different seasonal theme. It doesn’t matter who had their wedding there first as long as you and your Fiance love it.
Post # 4

Member
1832 posts
Buzzing bee
@shrubfish09: Not a bid deal at all! If its perfect there is no issue with getting married at the same venue as your borther, plus everyone already knows how to get to it!
Post # 5

Member
22 posts
Newbee
Coming from a small town too, it’s not that big of a deal. I can’t count the number of times Ive seen the same church, venue, caterer, cake shop, photographer, etc repeated. There’s only so many places to work with and everyone unerstands.
Post # 6

Member
3081 posts
Sugar bee
I definitely don’t think it’s a big deal at all, but if you’re concerned, you can definitely check with your SIL first.
Post # 7

Member
130 posts
Blushing bee
I don’t think it’s a big deal. Decorations will completely change the look of the site anyways, so it will look unique regardless.
Post # 8

Member
12954 posts
Honey Beekeeper
No, I don’t think it matters that much, especially since there’s a 4 year gap in between them!
Post # 9

Member
4194 posts
Honey bee
- Wedding: July 2012 - Baltimore Museum of Industry
Not a problem at all- sounds like a perfect venue, SIL is fine with it, so book it!
I’ve been to two weddings at the same venue within two years- you might want to consider is doing a little different layout, if possible. Meaning- if your brother had cocktail hour in room A, see if yours would work in room B. Even if you can’t…after a year or so, people forget how weddings were.
Post # 10

Member
186 posts
Blushing bee
@shrubfish09: Yes, you are “thinking a little too much into this”. . .you can make your wedding different than your brother’s even in the same venue. I think it’s a nice gesture to ask your brother & SIL but you don’t HAVE to. . .I mean, they don’t own the place do they?
Post # 11

Member
399 posts
Helper bee
I don’t think that it is a big deal at all.
1) it is cheaper
2) it is nicer
3) you love it
It shouldn’t matter if you have your SIL blessing or not (i’m not trying to get b****y here at all). You love the place and that is all that matter.
I don’t get the impression at all that you are doing it to copy her wedding. It sounds like you believe that it is the best place to have your weddring reception. I don’t think that you should have to go someone else that you are not in love with and pay more just so you won’t have the reception at the same place as your brothers.