Embarrassing decision

So I have a confession. I knew a winter wedding was going to be expensive in my hometown. I knew it.

I knew it so much that I chose purposely to ignore it. I didn't want to believe that our wedding would be an event that family members might not be able to attend because of the cost. But yesterday I became VERY aware of just HOW expensive it would be to have our wedding in February in Vail, Colorado.
Mr. Champagne (Champ) kept telling me that we needed to consider out of town guests and the cost it would take to get them to our wedding. We've been engaged for about a year and a half and I had all this time to pick the perfect date. So what do I pick? The busiest weekend in my hometown, where it's estimated that almost 2 million people will come to ski (and that factoid is from 8 years ago). YIKES!!!

So step one is done- the date is picked. Next, we waited for hotel prices to be released so we can get rooms reserved at a semi-decent rate. They were released a few weeks ago, and almost hit the floor.

Champ and I have been to many weddings in the past few years, and I think the most expensive hotel we stayed in was the W in Chicago. I think we paid like $350 a night and that was a great deal for such an amazing room. We actually got to stay on the lakeshore side (which I HIGHLY recommend), and the wedding was the same weekend as the Air and Sea Show. We had F-16s flying RIGHT next to our window- Mr. Champagne was in heaven! Also, the W was unlike any run of the mill hotel. The whole feel was just "sexy" if that makes sense. Very modern furniture, no true door to the bathroom, shutters you could open into the shower area, and a tres chic bar on the top floor. Totally worth the money and I hope we go back.

So I thought that $350, although a hefty pricetag, might be worth a ski weekend in Colorado for some of our guests. The hotel closest to our ceremony site is so beautiful and located right in the heart of the town. No cars are allowed on the streets of Vail, and the streets are heated, so being right in the center of all the restaurants, shops, and bars would be a really neat experience for out of towners. That is until I heard how much it would REALLY cost per night. Let's just say it's at least double the number above plus a few- and that's for a regular one bed and bathroom hotel room! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!?!?! I better be staying in the presidential suite with a personal butler for that price.

And this is why I'm actually kind of embarrassed to write this. I felt like I should have known better, and I will be looked at differently by members of Mr. Champagne's family for deliberately choosing such an expensive travel weekend. I felt like I almost thought I was invincible, like I would be able to get a good deal no matter what. I'm a local for pete's sake- for peet sake? for peat sake? whatever. I'm embarrassed. The phone calls with hotels have been intense, and I'm not gonna lie- I cried. The woman from our ideal hotel told me things would be ok, and that her sister was planning a wedding too. Thoughtful of her, but I was still upset. I called our wedding planner and our reception site to see if we could change our date. I actually considered changing our date. Have I gone mad? Our chapel, photographer, and reception site are reserved, the STDs are done, and family has been planning this weekend for a while now. I can't change the date.

Then I found on Travelocity that I could use the Holiday Inn Apex Vail for around $200 a night. Alghough it's not quite the same experience, it's still a gorgeous hotel and unlike any Holiday Inn I've ever seen. It's got a big "lodge" feeling, full of fireplaces and leather couches.

So we're back in business. But that's the only hotel that is reasonable.

Am I being too hard on myself, or should I be feeling the way I feel?

Anyone else feel the stress of planning a wedding you know will be expensive for your guests?