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Close your eyes. Picture your FI standing at the end of the aisle. Think. What are you wearing? Who is standing up there with you? Are you outside? What things are really important to you? To your FI?
I had a hard time getting started too... there were too many different ideas, too many variables. We also are having a 2 year engagement- so there was too much time to change our minds! We looked at about 12 different venues. My #1 sticking point was cost (what's included, is it out my range, etc.) His #1 request was having a rugby field so we can all play touch rugby at the end of the reception. We ruled out at least 3 venues because there was no grass field nearby.
We ended up going with a country club. We don't have to look for our own caterer, we don't nee to rent tables/chairs/linens/plates/silverware... we just pick out the food, bring in some centerpieces, and get married! The drawback is that the bar is a little pricey, so we were going to host beer & wine only. We were ok with that, but thankfully his parents stepped in and said they'd cover the bar bill so that we can have the wedding we really want.
Don't be afraid to look at unconventional locations, like recreation centers, museums, cultural arts centers, historical sites. Write down a few things you MUST have, and have FI do the same. Start eliminating venues based budget, capacity, and your 'must-have' list. Good luck!
@purpleDP: I will say that I got the "just know" feeling when we visited our venue. My FI got it too. But we only visited venues that were the look and feel we wanted (glamourous, italian-style places). We started in this direction because we both love italian food, so we wanted somewhere that would serve that. That might be one way for you to narrow it down. Also, think about how formal your wedding will be. We wanted a pretty formal affair. And I highly reccomend somewhere that does some sort of package. As a low matainence bride, its nice to have a lot of choices made for you. Our venue includes the food, a choice of 4 colors of linens, the cake (they let you pick the design and the flavor) and open bar. Not having to worry about picking that stuff (or at least picking it from a limited list)makes it so much easier. And a lot of places are willing to work with you as far as the menu goes, so you can still make the food "you". And lots of places let you mess with the decor to some degree, so you can still add your own personal touches in the centerpieces ect.
Thanks for the suggestions. We've narrowed it down to two in Anne Arundel County, MD - and one in Richmond, VA for giggles. None of them gave me the warm and fuzzies, but it seems that I might not get "the feeling" from the location. But that's ok, the groom gives me enough for everything :-)
Thanks for the suggestions. We've narrowed it down to two in Anne Arundel County, MD - and one in Richmond, VA for giggles. None of them gave me the warm and fuzzies, but it seems that I might not get "the feeling" from the location. But that's ok, the groom gives me enough for everything :-)
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I'm feeling pretty stinkin overwhelmed right now, so even though I'm a dedicated lurker, I thought a post might help me out:
Since we got engaged, the "when's the date" question has been the bane of my existence. I'm happy to be engaged, but entirely too high-strung (? I don't know if that's the right word) to be bombarded with that question over and over. So in an effort to "feed the vultures", my goal for the month is to pick a venue and set the date.
The problem is, I have no idea what it is that I want. The things I care about (sunny day, great food, awesome friends & family, good music) are all pretty much unknowns: you can't control the weather, you often don't know how the food is going to be until after the venue is set & while my friends are easy, my family kind of is...unpredictable to say the least. We've visited 7-8 places so far, with at least 4 more in the next week or so. I'm no closer to knowing what I want than I was before.
Is the venue a "you just know" kind of event, or is it entirely related to rational thought? If rational thought is required, how do you weed out the losers? All the places I'm looking at are large enough for our guest list (~120) and able to host both the ceremony & reception. Each one is unique, with it's own pros & cons. Ideally I'd like to be a hands-off bride (Anyone who wants to do this for me is more than welcome. I'm a size 6. Tell me when to show up, I'll bring the check.), but I also don't want the cookie-cutter wedding package - I'd like it to be "us"...but again - dunno what "us" is. We don't like the city, but country isn't our style. I'm very dramatic, but mostly as a joke so a super formal occasion seems out of place. He's traditional, I could give a ...care. Neither of us are religious in any way, so a church would be out of character.
Any suggestions would be appreciated (and save my future make-up doer the problem of covering up the forehead bruise from constantly smaking myself in the head). I toyed with the idea of making a ranking system, but there are so many variables every stinking one came out even: this venue allowed outside catering, but no red wine; this venue didn't have tables and chairs, but no one had ever done a wedding there; this venue had a creepy owner, but the waterview was spectacular.
Please. Help!