Hello Everyone! So, me and my fiancee haven't decided on a reception venue because we are stuck between these two.
Both of these venues have roughly the same price-point. I will include as much details as I can for each venue. Need help in choosing or advises.
A little bit info about our wedding: We are looking at 80 people (with their kids). Half of our guests are from different provinces (Manitoba and BC mainly) since we are travelling carnival workers. We want a formal-attire wedding because our theme is "A Hint of Disney". We both love Disney so much so we are gonna incorporate that with little touches here and there... without it looking like a children's party. On our reception, we want to possibly have karaoke and/or dance. (I still don't know how I am going to do that). It doesn't matter to us if it is round or rectangle tables. We don't have a wedding planner nor planning to hire one. We are doing everything ourselves with the help of our friends. Also, we have a puppy who is going to be our ring bearer for the ceremony (outdoor venue) that we already booked. We have someone to go back and forth to the hotel during reception to take him out. If you need more information, let me know. Happy to answer questions.
Option 1: The Commons Calgary is a hidden gem, building looks like an industrial area in my opinion but the inside is just "WOW!". The main hall (Hemingway Hall) is a large open space, with high ceilings and beautiful chandeliers (that you can adjust to go higher or lower). 2 sides of the walls is red brick walls and the other 2 is plain white walls. There is ample free parking beside the building's parking lot. They have 2 other rooms for rent (extra cost), a lounge area and a bridal suite/meeting room. We are not looking to rent the two extra rooms because of our budget. Since it is a big open space, we were thinking of having some kind of dividers if we want a karaoke area or a game lounge for the kids. Rental includes Day Before, Day Of, and Day After. We can bring our own alcohol with no corkage fees. Rental also includes rectangular tables and clear folding chairs, no linens or chair covers. It is a Dogs-friendly venue, and hotels are 5-10 mins drive away.
The Commons Calgary
Option 2: The Pioneer Calgary is located in the heart of downtown. The outside of the building looks like a historical building which is really beautiful. Paid-parking is available on the streets or on the parkades around it. (Parking downtown is Pricey!!!) Although, the hotels around the venue are just walking distance away. I think there are roughly 4 hotels close by. The venue includes all 3 levels... the main level is main hall which is huge and can be closed off with a divider as well. The top level is like a lounge area with tv... we were thinking it could be a game room for the kids. The lower level has a high ceiling... and is great for cocktail hour and for the dancefloor. The dancefloor could either be on the main level or the lower level. We were thinking of having the karaoke on the lower level, and the dance floor on the main level with the dinner set up or the other way around. I do love the staircase! I always imagine myself walking down the staircase on my wedding day. (Places with grand staircases that we looked at are just way above our budget.) The venue has plain white walls and the 2 stony walls (only in the main level) in the picture. My fiancee says it's too white for her but I love the white walls. I've been bugging her to have white walls in our future house. hehe Rental only includes the venue on the day of... no chairs, tables, etc. I am still waiting on their reply on whether our dog is allowed, although it doesn't matter because hotels are super close by!
The Pioneer Calgary
Okay, I know it is a lot! Thank you so much for making it this far! Phew! 
So overall, it's basically staircases vs chandeliers. I love the chandeliers on The Commons and the staircases on The Pioneer... which is why I can't decide. Another reason I can't decide, is if I want a huge open hall vs 3-storey hall. I like the open hall because you can see everyone in the dancefloor, karaoke and game lounge area. (I mean with the open hall we will just have the karaoke and dance mixed together) I like the 3-storey hall because we can have karaoke downstairs, a dancefloor on the main hall and a game lounge upstairs which gives everyone separate spaces to hang out at. And my fiancee says she loves them both and that I should pick the reception venue because I let her decide and pick on the ceremony venue. Both of them are the same distance away from the ceremony venue.
I am open to any suggestions, advices, or votes on which venue to pick.
