Back from vacation and starting to get frustrated...pics too

[FacetFire]

Hey everyone. FI and I have been away on vacation in Maine and we just got back and are now starting to really think about venues for the wedding and reception. The problem we're running into is that everything books so far in advance. We don't really have time to go look at sites right now because we're going to move to DC in a couple weeks and we need to go up there and find an apartment and do all that fun moving stuff.

We wanted to get married in September of 2007, but I'm afraid that by the time we move, then start new jobs, and finally settle in, it will be forever before we can look at sites and they will be booked. I'm getting really frustrated. I don't want to wait till 2008 to get married, and neither does he. Any suggestions from those of you who have been through this kind of thing?

Oh, and just so this isn't an entirely un-fun thread, here are some pics from our vacation...

This first one is of the Inn that we stayed at in Maine.

 

[FacetFire]

This one was the view from the porch of the little cottage we stayed in...

 

[FacetFire]

And lastly, just a fun pic I took while we were kayaking...

 

[FacetFire]

Okay, I lied...there''s one more. This is a pic of FI and the pups on one of our hikes.

I had never been to Maine before, but wow, it was so great!!! Well, except the two days of driving it took for us to get there...

 

[BlueKeet]

Ok, I'm not much help with your problem, but Maine looks gorgeous. Green and peaceful. The outdoor activities look like fun too. I like how there aren't any other people in the pictures.

 

[Clarygrace]

Dear FacetFire:

Great vacation pics! Hope you had a great time! I live in the DC area and I can tell you that it will take a little time to get settled. Good news is that real estate prices are going down, but it''s still a pretty expensive place to live. Job market is always pretty good here so you should be OK. What field are you in?

As far as wedding plans go, are you planning a DC wedding? If so, get ready for sticker shock, the average cost of a wedding here is about $45K. Venues are expensive and are booked solid way in advance.

We''ve decided to wed in Europe, also because I have family there, and ours is Sept 1, 2007.

If you wish, let me know what your plans are and I can get you in contact with recruiters down here...

Best Wishes!
Clarygrace

 

[jesterjigger]

Maine looked great!!!

I don''t know what to tell you about venues. I''ve been having that problem with photographers. My top pick was booked by May for September of next year! I''m getting married on the 8th. Then my top two after that were booked around September...but I couldn''t book them yet because we didn''t have a location locked in. I didn''t want to book them and then not get married on that day.

I would just say focus on moving, and then look for a venue...if it''s meant to be it''ll be. You also might want to look at places not normally used for a wedding. My wedding is going to be at my favorite restaurant since I was a little girl...I never would have thought about getting married there if FI and I hadn''t gone to brunch there with my family and seen a bride cleaning up from her wedding the night before.

Sorry I don''t have any real advice to give...but good luck...this wedding stuff is something else all together.

 

[firebirdgold]

I don''t remember you saying where you want to get married? D.C. or home town? Is it still going to be about 50 people?

 

[FacetFire]

Thanks for your comments everyone!

BlueKeet, you hit it right on the head...peaceful and green...that''s exactly how it was!

Clary, at this point, we''re actually not planning a DC wedding. That''s part of what is complicating things...travelling to see sites. We really like the idea of Asheville, NC because we met in NC. Oh, and jobs...I''m looking for something in government relations or policy related. I have my law degree, but I don''t really want to be a lawyer.

Jester, you are so right...I am very intimidated by all the stuff I need to do to plan a wedding. Time forces us to pay attention to the immediate future right now and that means jobs and moving, but part of me knows I''ll be very disappointed when we have to put off getting married because of it. I just hate how far out everything books in advance!

Indie, wow, you have an amazing memory! We still are planning on under 50 people. That has been part of our problem actually. We want something formal and very classy, yet a lot of the sites I''ve talked to are structured more for larger weddings. Also, we really want to do something outdoors. Outdoors and formal is a bit of a tricky combo, I think. So, no DC wedding, probably too costly and less outdoor sites. I am really hoping something in Asheville works out for us. My favorite site was the Chicago botanic gardens (I grew up around there), but I called and the said they already didn''t have a single Saturday left in 2007 and they wouldn''t start booking 2008 until January of next year. Grrr.

 

[labbielove]

hi there,
sorry not much help as i''m not in that area,
but i would agree with the prior suggestion to think outside the box.

that is what happened to us- i never would''ve thought in a million years that the place we''re getting married would be an option, it''s not on any of our area''s wedding websites or anything,
then one day i saw a tiny little blurb in an obscure community newsletter about someone''s daughter getting married there- and voila.

that way you''ll end up with a unique place as well. btw, have you considered a city/spot outside of dc? those prices seem very high- it''s got beautiful country around- what about a ski resort or other scenic type venue that may have a very pretty lodge or restaurant available?? just a thought

good luck, keep us posted

 

[eks6426]

How about Morton Aboretum in Chicago?

 

[E B]

Facet,

I know you said you don't want a DC wedding, but since you'll be there anyway, this might be a site to check out (just in case!):

Sewall-Bellmont House and Museum

Apparently you can be married in the garden, and there's an outdoor terrace (that holds up to 60 people) that can be used for the reception. The terrace would be perfect for your guests (small and intimate) and you can have your outdoor ceremony. Plus, I checked the rates and they aren't too bad. Not cheap, but not incredibly expensive either.

I don't know, it might be worth a shot.

 

[firebirdgold]

Curse my poor memory... But my sister had her post-wedding party at mansion with extensive grounds that had been donated and is now a park. It''s somewhere near D.C and I don''t think it was terribly expensive. She''s riding at the nationals this weekend, but I''ll see if I can get ahold of her and get the info.

 

[firebirdgold]

Here we go... Rockwood manor. I didn't go but everyone who did gave rave reviews. It was beautiful, big kitchen, great outdoor and indoor spaces which were necessary because it started to rain. The food stations were inside but the party outside (to start). It also has some rooms for guests, my Aunt stayed for about $75 a night and the room was beautiful.

ETA: I got this from my Mom. She can't remember the caterer but does remember that it's hard to get a caterer because of all the embassy parties. Besides some of them can be super fancy schmancy, and snooty. The person they got was nice and connected to a local restaurant. The catering was about $7000 for 140 people including wait people and regular soda and such but not including wine and beer.