Wedding Hint Wednesday: Venue Spotlight on Hotel Settles

Does anyone else get giddy when they hear these words? Vintage. Restored. 1920s Glam. All words used to describe the fabulous Hotel Settles (hotelsettles.com) in Big Spring, TX. I’ve been to dinner there several times now, and my husband took me there just last weekend for our third anniversary. Every visit, I feel like I’m in paradise…in BIG SPRING! So for this Wedding Hint Wednesday, I’m shining a venue spotlight on a small West Texas town, who deserves to host a few thousand weddings in my opinion.

When I got married in 2011, there was nowhere even near Midland, TX for me to have the vintage hotel wedding that I wanted, so I got married at the Victor Inn in Guthrie, OK. I’m not complaining—I LOVED my venue, but I would have killed to have a gorgeous West Texas wedding venue closer to home, like the Settles.
West Texas is gaining wedding venues slowly, but the great thing about Hotel Settles is that it’s one of a kind to its area. They’ve done a tremendous job restoring the place to all of its glory. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by gorgeous chandeliers, a grand staircase, and luxurious flooring, seating, and fabrics, all containing their own 1920s details.
The ballroom on the second floor is THE BEST ballroom I’ve ever been in. EVER. If you’re looking for upscale vintage style, congratulations: you have found it. Even after being greeted in the lobby, going up the beautiful staircase, passing the grand piano upstairs, you turn to enter the ballroom and your breath is again taken away. There are obviously so many advantages to having your wedding at the Hotel Settles, but here are just a few listed:

1. When you have your wedding somewhere as exquisite as Hotel Settles, you don’t have to worry about adding decor nearly as much. Think about this. Most of the venues in West Texas really need sprucing up for each event, including flowers and other decorative items. This gets expensive fast, and even if you save money by decorating yourself, it’s a huge time-spender! Hotel Settles really requires almost nothing to make your wedding day perfectly styled.
2. Big Spring, TX weddings. I know it’s not many people’s first thought for the perfect town for a wedding, but as a photographer, please trust me: This town has a plethora of photo-op locations. Big Spring is so full of character, and a charming place to have your wedding. And a plus to this small town? Any out-of-town guests will have a breeze finding your venue, because Hotel Settles happens to be the only building in Big Spring that’s over 3 stories tall. Actually, it’s 14 stories tall. Quite easy to see! (Parking is also a breeze.)
3. Amenities. Having a hotel wedding (especially a Settles wedding) allows everyone stay close together during your wedding weekend, which always decreases stress! The rooms are huge and just plain perfection. There’s also a very warm outdoor pool, as well as a hot tub. Inside, there’s a very plush bar, with a billiards and poker room attached. A PERFECT man-cave for the gents and especially for the groomsmen getting ready and hanging out come wedding day. The Settles Grill is the restaurant attached to the hotel. It is fantastic (especially the breakfast). I’ve eaten there about 5 times and have enjoyed every dish I’ve had. The service is kind, courteous, and timely. There’s also a private dining room attached for large groups (or rehearsal dinners!)

To sum it up, Hotel Settles as a wedding venue serves as a “one-stop-Hop” for your entire wedding weekend. There would be no need to hop around to different restaurants, hotels, venues, etc to round everyone up. My suggestion? Have the ceremony on the staircase, and the reception upstairs in the ballroom. If you want the ballroom backdrop for it all, have the ceremony in there, with a cocktail hour in the restaurant while the room is flipped. Piece of (wedding) cake. And hire me to take the photos. Because no one loves vintage hotel weddings more than I do.
With joy, Lizard