Wedding Venues My Fiancé & I Toured: Part 1
Welcome to a new installment of, venues my fiancé and I toured for our 2025 wedding!
Right off the bat, we are starting with my FAVORITE of all that we saw: Valley of the Eagles Golf Club in Elyria, OH.
Wow, when I say I fell in love, I feel like it’s just not enough to describe how I felt about this place. It was absolutely stunning, to say the least. Very classy, very posh, elegant (very demure 😉), and just such a gorgeous venue. We had already toured I think one or two before seeing this one, and this was truly the only venue that made me think, “I can see us getting married here.”
They would’ve taken care of everything, would’ve had a planner, they would cater and bartend, we’d just have to bring in a DJ and photographer and obviously the cake. I could justify it being that much just because they included all of that, and plus the venue and the grounds are just beautiful. But unfortunately, we just didn’t have the money. We almost fought with our parents to make it work but it would’ve been a financial stress so we had to make the difficult decision of passing on this one.
I was gutted. I think I even cried about it because I truly loved it that much. But I didn’t want the financial burden of going after something none of us can afford, you know?
I’d like to think in another life my fiancé and I got married here. I’m very happy with the venue we ended up choosing, but this one is definitely the one that got away!
#wedding #lemon8challenge #wedding2025 #bridetobe #weddingvenue
When my fiancé and I started our wedding venue search, we quickly learned that falling in love with a place is one thing, and affording it is another! Valley of the Eagles Golf Club in Elyria, OH, was truly the one that captured my imagination. I immediately envisioned our wedding day there, from the grand entrance to dancing the night away in their stunning reception hall, which boasted beautiful natural light and high ceilings. Touring Valley of the Eagles was an eye-opening experience. The venue promised so much: a dedicated planner, in-house catering, and bartending. It felt like everything would be taken care of, making the planning process so much smoother. I especially loved the idea of their gorgeous bridal suite, which looked perfect for getting ready with my bridesmaids, and the unique space they had for groomsmen, complete with a golf simulator! We even pictured using their outdoor ceremony space for a beautiful May wedding, weather permitting. However, the reality of the cost quickly set in. While the all-inclusive nature was appealing, the overall price tag was simply beyond our comfortable budget. It taught us a valuable lesson about wedding planning: sometimes, you have to make tough decisions, even if it means letting go of a dream venue. Our parents were supportive, but we knew better than to put ourselves under significant financial stress for one day, no matter how special. For anyone else touring venues and facing similar budget constraints, here’s my advice: Ask for a detailed breakdown of everything included. Sometimes, what seems all-inclusive still has hidden costs for upgrades or specific services. Don't be afraid to discuss your budget upfront. If a venue is too expensive, consider asking about off-peak dates, weekday weddings, or smaller packages. While Valley of the Eagles didn't work out for us, the experience helped us clarify our priorities and understand what we truly valued in a wedding venue. It also pushed us to explore other amazing options that fit our budget, proving that you can still have a beautiful, memorable day without breaking the bank.






