Interesting Offer

[Gypsy]

While I was back east earlier this week, we got an interesting offer. I''m not really in a place to make decisions about this right now... but, I thought I''d float it by you guys to see what your thoughts were, as you all are so thoughtful....

As you may know we''ve had some bumps and hiccups with the whole getting to the altar thing...

And we''ve talked about eloping to Mexico for a DW wedding, or doing a destination-type wedding in DC where we met and lived for the first three years of our relationship.

We have a guest list of about 68 people that can''t be pared down farther.

We were considering DC because we wanted both our grandfather''s to attend, but well... that''s a little less of an issue at this time. We would have done a brunch somewhere right in the city.

I wanted Mexico because I just wanted to get away and with all the lovely DW/eleopements on here I really thought this would be cost effective and lovely. But John doesn''t want to be trapped on a resort of cruise ship with our families on our honeymoon. He wants us to be able to LEAVE them all after the wedding.

So we were offered his cousin''s estate in Nashville for the wedding yesterday. His cousin''s house in DE is where we got engaged, and well... this would be an interesting kind of build on that.

It''s an enormous estate (don''t recall how big but it could easily hold a 200 guest event). And lovely and historic (never been there but have seen photos).

There wouldn''t be a rental fee for the space and cost of living, etc is much lower down there so... it would probably be cost effective. Most likely more so than either other option... and flights to Nashville are fairly convenient... so.


Do you guys have any thoughts on a Nashville wedding???

I''ve only driven through Nashville, and that was only once. Other than DF''s two cousins... no one else lives within 12 hours drive of Nashville.

 

[oshinbreez]

That sounds great. Without venue fees, you''ll save quite a bit. More money for wedding or honeymoon.

 

[peridot83]

I think it sounds beautiful. My wedding dream is to have it take place on an estate. Ithink you should totally go for it!

This is the only concern I can think of: The only thing is vendor recommendations in Nashville if you are not familiar with the area ,and there isn''t even much family there to give you recs. Along with that, do y''all know the cousin well enough to impose on him/her not only for wedding site but for guidance in navigating an unfamilar city, helping narrow down vendors etc? Also if you had any hopes for foods where there may be less options in Nashville and therefore may be more expensive (sushi etc.)

 

[Gypsy]

The cousin himself offered, so I think the imposition would be fine. I was concerned about it, but he assured me he wouldn''t have offered if he didn''t mean it.

Vendors are going to be a problem as both cousins just moved down there in the last couple of years. The knot would be a valuable if annoying resource. As for food.

Not so much into BBQ for wedding fare. But Nashville is a pretty diverse-ISH right??? Maybe not. I wonder if we could do a brunch out there. Breakfast foods and tenderloin??? Seafood''s gotta be expensive down there though. I bet FSIL would be happy to drive down some seafood for a cold seafood display in a cooler though, if the caterer would work with us. We could fly out some fruit ourselves for a nice fruit display.

Hmm. This getting to be logistical.

Thanks for bringing that up. Would definitely need to work that out.

Any other issues you can think of? Is TN a dry state or anything like that? Would we have to fly out wine and champagne from CA?

Wonder what the weather is like in spring out there. Maybe something in late May next year? Memorial Day???

Hmm.

Any other thoughts or comments would be really helpful.

 

[peridot83]

Hopefully someone from Nashville will come on to help you out =/ I do have a friend from Ohio and she says the selections on wines there are poor and much more expensive than what you can get in CA. I imagine it''s the same in TN, the cheaper wines are of a poor quality, and the good quality wines have qutie a mark up. Also, Ohio has shipping restrictions, so I guess she can''t order wine shipped in? (this was a vague conversation she might be mistooken) I don''t know how TN is though.... I guess your family could all take like 6 bottles with em on the plane .

I know a lot of states, its not the whole state is dry, but certain counties are dry. And I''d stake $100 that Nashville is not dry =P

A school friend from Tennessee says the summers there are pretty humid , but I don''t know when you''d have to go to avoid that (i.e. is Memorial day early enough).

 

[oshinbreez]

If I''m not mistaken, Jack Daniels is made in Nashville. That''s about as non-dry as it gets.

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Hi Gypsy-

I live in Nashville, and thought I'd chime in and say that it's not a dry town. I think there are some rural counties that may be, but ones near the center of town aren't. Do you know what part of town the estate is in? Nashville is a diverse, and fairly cosmopolitan city these days
By the way, May in Nashville can be HOT, not even just warm. Early May still has its fair share of showers usually, but it is not abnormal to see highs in the upper 80's/low 90's this time of year. I attended a wedding in late May once and it was a high of 94, and honestly very uncomfortable. But I think that was more an exception than a rule. I just would be sure that you have tents/proper refrigeration in this case.
I agree, though, an estate wedding sounds really lovely!

Maybe you could page Turtledazzle and MrsSalvo, too-I think they're in town also?

ETA: No liquor stores on Sundays, though! And you can only buy wine and liquor in one store and beer in a beer store, the supermarket or a gas station.

 

[labbielove]

It sounds beautiful, and what a generous offer.
I''ve never been to Nashville, but have heard only good things about it from those who have-
for me personally I would be sensitive to the time of year because I hate humidity & high temps, but that goes for any location

The other thing is to make sure you & fi still have 100% say in what/how/when and who- in other words, the family won''t try to control things because they''ve offered you this space.(i''m very leery about the whole "no strings attached" theory, because i''ve seen it go wrong too many times in my own family)

And if you were really content with your 69 person wedding, don''t feel you have to invite 200+ just because the space will fit it- keep true to your and fi''s vision, and then put the $ you''d save for a venue fee toward some other fabulous thing for yourselves!

good luck!

 

[therighttime]

I live *near* Nashville and would be glad to help you out in any way I could. I have several close friends who have planned big weddings within the past year so I''m sure they would have lots of vendor info. Nashville has many options for food... I''m sure your choices would not be limited to the stereotypical "southern" food choices.

As for the weather, I went to an outdoor wedding last Saturday and it was SO HOT! I''m getting married in July and made sure that nothing will require me to be outdoors for any length of time. It''s so humid in the summers.

Oh, and Jack Daniels is made in Lynchburg, Not Nasvhille

Sounds like a great offer to me. Let us know what you decide.

 

[turtledazzle]

Gypsy ~

I think a wedding in Nashville would be lovely ... but I''m biased -- I''m getting married in Nashville this weekend! Eeek!

So, I obviously do not have much time to post right now (I shouldn''t even be on here, but I am procrastinating trying to finish up a work project that I have to get done prior to family arriving tomorrow).

The Tennesse Knot board is actually very nice and helpful ~ and most there are from Nashville. If you decide to go this route, I''d be happy to help you out with some vendors.

Regarding alcohol, there are a number of dry counties in TN ... but Davidson (where Nashville is located) is certainly not one of them. However, you will probably find alcohol to be a little more expensive here -- there is a fairly hefty sin tax. And, while the selection probably is likely not as good as in other metropolitan areas, I don''t think you''d have a problem unless you''re really picky or something. Oh, and you cannot ship alcohol to the state of TN -- it''s against the law (a law I truly hate!)

Seafood ... well, that might be a problem. We''re fairly landlocked so I could see seafood being a bit expensive.

I think that the savings on the venue and the probable cheaper food (in general), entertainment, photographer, etc. would make it a fairly economical choice for you.

But a Nashville wedding certainly doesn''t have to be BBQ (though they can make fun rehearsal dinners)! We are pretty diverse.


As for the weather, it is hard to really say. May can be quite warm (but usually the humidity is not too bad yet -- July and August can be bad) but there can also be cold fronts (we''ve had both this year). Right now we''re in a cool front (storms came through last night) and the current temp is 68. For my wedding on Sunday, the forecast is a high of 84 and low of 58 with sunny skies and 10% chance of rain (note that May is the rainiest month). I love spring here ~ but do be warned that if you have allergies, if can be unpleasant!

Overall, though, I really like it here. I probably won''t be back on here until June ~ but I''d be happy to help you out after that if you choose to do it in Nashville.

Also, MrsSalvo is a Nashvillian as well.

 

[turtledazzle]

Date: 5/16/2007 5:43:11 PM
Author: Siamese Kitty
Hi Gypsy-

I live in Nashville, and thought I''d chime in and say that it''s not a dry town. I think there are some rural counties that may be, but ones near the center of town aren''t. Do you know what part of town the estate is in? Nashville is a diverse, and fairly cosmopolitan city these days
By the way, May in Nashville can be HOT, not even just warm. Early May still has its fair share of showers usually, but it is not abnormal to see highs in the upper 80''s/low 90''s this time of year. I attended a wedding in late May once and it was a high of 94, and honestly very uncomfortable. But I think that was more an exception than a rule. I just would be sure that you have tents/proper refrigeration in this case.
I agree, though, an estate wedding sounds really lovely!

Maybe you could page Turtledazzle and MrsSalvo, too-I think they''re in town also?

ETA: No liquor stores on Sundays, though! And you can only buy wine and liquor in one store and beer in a beer store, the supermarket or a gas station.

Yep, I was just posting slowly

. Hi Siamese Kitty!

And just to add, TN (as so many other states) does have weird alcohol laws. As SK said, wine and liquor are purchased in one type of store -- that store cannot sell beer (which is so annoying). But there is usually a supermarket or beer store nearby.

Yes, it can be quite hot in May ~ but it can also be quite cool. At my commencement ceremony the second weekend of May last year, I was wearing a sweater under my robe and it was very breezy -- I was pretty cold!

 

[peridot83]

I can''t edit my other post so I''m sorry to be overposting on your thread! I just wanted to add that I think this all totally depends on the type of person you are. For me, I looove these sorts of challenges. I''d poor over websites, figure out how to ship seafood in, find the best wine shops in Nashville etc. Figuring out whether everyone can be seated inside if it gets too hot... etc. Communicating with vendors through e-mail, phone & third party.

But you probably either have to be that type of person or pretty laid back about what happens at your wedding.

I''d do it in a heartbeat, an estate, for free!!!

(haha but keep in mind the context that that is my dream wedding location)

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks for the quick responses! Wow.

Okay so seafood would have to be driven in... but I don''t think that''s a big issue honestly as all of DF''s family would be driving down and they all love seafood. LOL.

They don''t allow wine to be shipped into TN. Does that include people driving or flying it in with themselves I wonder???

May can be hot or cold. Erm...

Is there a better month you all would suggest? Really flexibile over here. Just want to TOTALLY avoid humidity if possible.

I don''t know where in Nashville they are... I know that it''s an old estate and that he bought a ton of land (he''s a land developer) and there was something about steeple chases....

We want a small wedding so we would (hopefully) still keep the list under 75. I really don''t want a large event. AT ALL.

Photographer would be easy as other cousin''s fiance (just moved to Nashville) is a wedding photographer so he could recommend another good one in the area (I wouldn''t ask him to do it himself).
Hmmmmmmmmmm.....

 

[Mandarine]

I personally love the idea!!!!!!!!!!!

M~

 

[surfgirl]

Nville seems like a totally cool place and people could have plenty to do in the city in terms of music and BBQ, etc. so it would be a "colorful" DW...I''d love to go to Nville, for a wedding or otherwise!

 

[turtledazzle]

Date: 5/16/2007 6:31:35 PM
Author: Gypsy
Thanks for the quick responses! Wow.

Okay so seafood would have to be driven in... but I don''t think that''s a big issue honestly as all of DF''s family would be driving down and they all love seafood. LOL.

They don''t allow wine to be shipped into TN. Does that include people driving or flying it in with themselves I wonder???

May can be hot or cold. Erm...

Is there a better month you all would suggest? Really flexibile over here. Just want to TOTALLY avoid humidity if possible.

I don''t know where in Nashville they are... I know that it''s an old estate and that he bought a ton of land (he''s a land developer) and there was something about steeple chases....

We want a small wedding so we would (hopefully) still keep the list under 75. I really don''t want a large event. AT ALL.

Photographer would be easy as other cousin''s fiance (just moved to Nashville) is a wedding photographer so he could recommend another good one in the area (I wouldn''t ask him to do it himself).
Hmmmmmmmmmm.....

Gosh, I should REALLY be doing other things right now, but I love my Pricescope!

Gypsy -- regarding the alcohol transport, I believe it is technically illegal to transport alcohol across the state line into Tennessee (and I think this is true of a number of states). Now, is this ever enforced? I doubt it. I know friends who purchased their wine in Ohio near the Kentucky state line for their Nashville wedding (there is a Trader Joe''s in Ohio so wine was much cheaper), and other friends who have had family bring it down from other states. None had any problems.
I don''t know what the regulations are with flying it in ~ cannot bring any alcohol onto a plane as a carry-on because of the liquid regulations. I have no idea about alcohol as cargo, though.

To completely avoid humidity, I would probably suggest the fall. Weather is always difficult to predict, but the fall here really can be lovely. When the leaves change colors it can be beautiful (how pretty and when this happens depends on the rain and weather). I have been to some beautiful weddings in late September and October.

 

[Miscka]

I am from Nashville too, thought I would chime in. As mentioned, it can be HOT down here, so plan accordingly. I LOVE the food here, there are so many choices. If you do decide to do some more traditional local flavor for the reception or rehersal, you HAVE to do Loveless Cafe. It is out by Natchez Trace...biscuits and homemade preserves to die for! They catered a party for us, it was great. What part of the city/surrounding areas is the estate? That can make a big difference. But it is a great place and people seem to love it when they visit! Let us know what you decide, and I can try to answer any other questions you may have...seems the beverage ?s have been addressed!

 

[Gypsy]

Okay. So I've told John that I'm not against the TN wedding idea. That was the first question that needed answering.

Late Summer/early Fall around October 1st actually sounds lovely. Food doesn't sound like a big deal. Alcohol doesn't sound like a big deal.

Overall... this sounds like a viable offer. And I'm cautiously excited about it.


What about Tornados and Mosquitos? How best to avoid those? Does the beginning of October date allow us to avoid those problems at well?

This might just solve the Wedding Problem. Miracles may just happen!


You Ladies are the BEST!!! Thanks for all your help!

 

[oshinbreez]

In late Sept/early Oct, you won''t need to worry about tornadoes or mosquitoes.

 

[Gypsy]

Sounds like something to expore further then.

Unexpected and quite nice. Who knew?

Again, THANK YOU!!!