I''m pretending this isn''t happening

[mrowmrowsmom]

Three weeks from my wedding. Construction outside my reception venue. The room where the reception is to take place is partially outside, along the river. What used to look beautiful is now covered in chain-link fence, dirt, and machinery.

There''s nothing I can do. None of the other rooms at the venue are appropriate for our party size and needs. I called the city, and the construction is not supposed to be finished until October. I have looked into every alternative, and I don''t have any viable options at this point.

I''m so sad, because the room is COVERED in windows that look out to the river, now they look out onto a construction site.

I attached a picture that my mom took. Please tell me that this is ok, no one will notice, and it won''t matter in the end. I know it won''t really matter, but I really loved this place, and now I hate it.

 

[mrowmrowsmom]

Oops, I forgot the picture.

 

[mrowmrowsmom]

Omg, that''s huge, I''m sorry!

 

[Clairitek]

I am at a loss for words for you.

So so so so sorry about this.

I am inclined to believe that after things get started at the reception you and your guests won''t notice. Everyone will get wrapped up in the celebration.

 

[merrymunky]

Oh hun, how rotten that they have started work right before the wedding.

I am sure that everyone will be having far to much fun to notice what view they have from the window. If it bothers you that much, is there any way you can add drapes to the window or something just to reduce/block the view?

 

[MagsyMay]

Oh sweetie, how unfortunate

I do think that most people will be so caught up drinking, eating, and chatting with friends that they will hardly be staring out the windows all evening, but I know that''s of little help!

I like the idea of seeing if you could put up drapes or some type of sheers over the windows to partially obscure the view. You could also rearrange the layout (if possible) so that the construction is at the back of the room and all attention would be focused towards the other end of the room? Try not to worry yourself too much, it''s just one little thing that is beyond your control and you''ll be so caught up in the moment that day hopefully you''ll forget all about it!

 

[mrowmrowsmom]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Window coverings were the first thing my mom and I thought of, but the room is sort of round, and the windows cover a whole wall. There''s no place to hang curtains (no rods), and the venue isn''t willing to install them for the wedding.

I don''t really blame them, honestly. They''ve been very helpful and given us a large discount because of the construction, but it''s the city that''s doing the construction, so there''s really nothing the hotel can do about it.

Also, I didn''t mention that we need to seat guests on that patio outside by the chain link fence. The inside is simply not big enough for everyone, so we''ve planned to put tables out there. Obviously, I was fine with this while it looked amazing outside, but now....

I know I''m just supposed to worry about getting married, but it''s just not what I wanted. I guess this is God''s way of telling me that I don''t always get what I want.

 

[elrohwen]

I''m so sorry

I don''t even know what to say to make you feel better because I would be very disappointed as well. Just try to focus on all of the positive aspects of your wedding and think about how much fun you''ll have!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Hmmm, what time of the day is the reception? What about some combination of drapery, or trees (maybe you can rent potted trees from somewhere?) and white Christmas type lights? That''s why I''m wondering if it''ll be closer to evening?

Is the venue having any other weddings during this time period (before construction ends)? What are other brides doing?

 

[marlie]

So sorry to hear about that. I can imagine how you must feel.

My suggestion would be to head to your venue with your florist and see what they can come up with. I bet there is a way to disguise it using flowers, greenery or branches or draping a beautiful fabric.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Aw, so sorry!

I''m sure the party will be so great that people won''t notice, or if they do, nobody will remember it once you two enter the room!

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Awww that SUCKS! I would be bummed, too!!

I wonder if it would be possible for a plant service to bring in a bunch of tall plants for the day. Not sure how much that would cost...but I could see a row of tall junipers surrounding the outside. You could even put sparkly lights in them and/or decorate them - it would look really pretty!! But, maybe with the discount they are giving you, you could work it into the cost.

 

[Octavia]

Oh, wow -- I'd be pretending it wasn't happening, too! My first thought was draperies, but since you said you can't do that, could you rent pretty folding screens from somewhere? You know the ones that have three hinged panels and stand by themselves? I have no idea if it's an option, but it would be a lot easier to put up and take down than fabric would be. I hope something works out for you!

ETA: Large potted plants as suggested above are also a good idea, or maybe a combination of screens and plants?

 

[shimmer]

Wow, you are handling this very well, I would be

I would try to block the fence with some type of decoration or drapery on the fence. I like Loves Vintage''s idea. Here''s a pic I found googling.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Okay...no need to panic...what if you lined the patio with potted shrubs of some sort (bet you can get them at Lowes or Home Depot at an end of the season steal!)...high enough to distract the eye from the construction or block the view, and did the twinkle lights around them to further distract from the dirt/machines/fence/mess?

 

[Rock_of_Love]

Yeah...I think a combo of folding screens and potted plants would look great. The plants I was thinking of are Italian Cypress. You can even find them as topiaries. You cold also decorate the screens with pics of you two.

 

[dani2142]

Argh! Sorry to hear about all this. But hey at least you got a discount right? I really like the panel ideas everyone has. Maybe you could find some panels/screens (whatever they are called LOL) that have pretty mountains or ocean or river paintings on them... to give it a pretty outside feel again....

 

[dani2142]

maybe something like these...

 

[dani2142]

if i could help you, i would!!

 

[Anastasia]

I would try to rent trees. I like the idea of screens, but I think you should go with a more natural look. If the trees would cut into the room too much, you could put them outside of the windows, or maybe even right in front of the fence. Is your reception at night? White twinkle lights would be beautiful!

I''m so sorry this is happening to you, but I really think you can make the room look beautiful!

 

[rhbgirl24]

Oh my! I can't even imagine. I would freak out too! I'm so sorry you have to go through this.............. Is there anything the venue can do to beautify the location. Drape over the fence, add potted plants, something? I know they gave you a discount, but there is no WAY you could have foreseen this!!! I think everyone has great ideas - esp the trees!

Sorry Im not more help! Best of luck. I'm sure after people are drinking, eating, having fun - no one will notice. and years down the road it will be just something funny you'll remember!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

Can I just say that I think you are handling this well, all things considered? It will absolutely be okay and hopefully you can look back at this and say "that wasn''t so bad".

I''m loving this potted tree with lights idea--I think it''s probably the best solution for this problem. 1.) It still provides a natural backdrop 2.) You can line the edge of the patio with them, which still provides room for the tables and 3.) It''s relatively inexpensive

I got my flowers through a local nursery and looked into renting large potted plants (they were kind of like topiaries) and I seem to remember them being $50 a piece which included drop off and pickup. They had trees you could rent in all sizes, some over 6 feet tall, though I''m sure those were probably more expensive. Still, I think it''s worth it to call around and see what kind of prices you can get and apply some of the venue discount towards creating your own natural backdrop!

I''m so sorry this happened!

 

[Loves Vintage]

Looks like you''ve come to the right place with this problem!! Lol. Look at how many great ideas you have already?! I think this is a definitely a making lemonade out of lemons situation! Maybe you''ll wind up creating an even more lovely venue than you originally expected.

Here''s another idea for you. The pic will probably be too small, but you might try contacting a tent vendor, maybe they could set up one wall of tent and attach fabric and lighting . . . sort of like this but just one wall.

 

[jmtomaui]

I''m sorry you are having to deal with this so close to your wedding! The others have made some very good suggestions.

We have a picturesque little town not too far from here that is very popular for weddings due to the scenary and beautiful wedding views. Unfortunately, one of the most popular venues was faced with the same issue. The venue did all that they could to help mitigate the "damage". They worked with the city and the construction company to arrange that every weekend, all of the construction equipment was stored someplace else. Still on the construction site, but not in view of the reception rooms. This is something you could easily ask the venue to try and address with the construction crew. If the venue is not able to make other plans, maybe the tears of a nervous bride to the construction foreman will help get the heavy equipment moved.

Maybe the venue has contacts with rental sites or florists that can help with the suggestions the other posters have suggested? I suspect this will impact other brides as well and the venue may want to work something out to the advantage of the venue and all other brides. And if you do not want screens to block the river view completely, maybe the venue has some sheers or fabric that could be used to hide the chain link? Or maybe some trellis fencing could be attached to the chain link? That could give it more of an outdoor living space feel.

Good luck with it all! Regardless of what the results are, I wish you and your DF a lifetime of happiness! And laughter over all of this in the years to come! Maybe you could use construction hard hats as favors for a joke!! Painted in your wedding colors with your names and date stenciled on? I am kidding but I hope it gives you a grin...

 

[junebug17]

Wow, you ladies are good! So many great suggestions...I too was thinking that maybe, just for the day, the construction stuff could be put in another area, maybe the fence could even be taken down (might be hoping for too much) but I also like the idea of potted trees, and the tent suggestion is good too. I really think you''ll be able to come up with a way, if not to totally cover up the view, to minimize it. Keep us posted! And big hugs to you!

 

[tlh]

oH NO!!!! Maybe they can create like a fabric canvas or plants to create like a backdrop that won''t be so noticable... or even icicle lights on a couple fake trees? I think that would be lovely, and make it a nice backdrop where the guests won''t really notice the fence and construction.

I''m sorry, this is definately something no bride wants to deal with. HUGS!

 

[Amanda.Rx]

Oh Gosh! I''m SO sorry! What a bummer! Will it at least be dark outside?

 

[Camille]

How sad, similar happened for our parents 50th

we went to a family owned nursery near by and rented poted Bouganvilleas on trellises [6'' tall /white] used to block commercial compost piles. We only used 5 at $40@ delivered.

 

[swimmer]

You are being a real trooper!

I bet the fence is required for insurance and the company can''t do much about that, esp on a govt job, and you don''t want tipsy guests falling in the mud/into the river. But do ask about moving the vehicles! The suggestion of renting potted topiaries or trees, esp with the glitter of lights, would be great. It would really create a romantic area. You could look up what time sunset will be on the 12th, long before your reception ends no doubt. Good luck!

 

[charbie]

agreed that people on here have come up with great ideas. did they at least tell you before you booked that this would happen??? i''d be very angry and understand where you are coming from. i guess the discount is a positive! let us know what you come up with. and remember...don''t sweat the small stuff, because in the end you''ll be married to the man of your dreams and have the best day EVER!