Which venue do you like better? (Lots of pictures!)

[luvthemstrawberries]

I''ve been on a brief hiatus from PS for a while due to business at work, trying to prioritize my short evenings, looking at wedding venues, and trying to plan a winter vacation. We''ve been on the road for the past 2 weekends looking at venues a couple hours away in our state, because nothing around home has seemed like what we want. But while booking our flights earlier this week, I came across something 5 minutes from home that almost seems perfect - except for the fact that we found one other place we really liked last weekend too. So I need your opinions!

The 2 choices are an aquarium on the North Carolina coast or an airport terminal (read on, it''s much better than it sounds

).

You can rent the entire aquarium facility after 5PM when they close. We loved it because we''re both very earthy people and water relaxes us. Plus our dream is a huge saltwater aquarium in our house one day. This place is a great way to entertain people who go ahead to the reception before us, and there''s plenty to entertain people during the reception instead of just eating, music, and dancing. It''s very romantic with the water and low lighting, and candlelight looks great there. Plus it''s so unique.

The airport place is the General Aviation Terminal at our local airport. This place is special to us because we like to go to the observation deck that overlooks one of the runways and hang out all the time and watch the planes. The observation deck is also where he proposed to me, and it''s about 200ft down the road from this Terminal that holds events. I''ve been in the Terminal twice, once with him. It''s small (only for general aviation, not for public airlines, etc.) and the public can come in to watch the other runway from indoors or from a deck outside. I think this is also very unique. It''s a much more modern feel than the aquarium, and there''s not as much to entertain people, but you have floor to ceiling windows to watch planes and an outdoor deck. Plus it''s not 3 hours away (haven''t decided if distance is an issue yet...).

And... now for the pictures! Brace yourself, there''s lots...

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

First, the GA Terminal. This is the deck facing the runway and a view from the balcony inside.

 

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View as you enter the terminal - the artwork above is called "Dream of Flight"

 

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Terminal from the runway (which people probably won''t be able to walk out here and see this view, but it''s very pretty)

 

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Same view during the day

 

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Outside of the building from parking and where you walk in

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Remember, the venue sets the tone...

The GA Terminal is very modern and almost industrial in its clean lines and sharp edges

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

Well it won''t let me upload the one picture I have of a reception setup in the terminal, but just picture round tables and chairs set up around the floor and tablecloths and lots of color...

Just for kicks, this is the observation deck overlooking the other runway. Spectacular sunsets - would be a great places for guests to spend some time, easy to walk to.

 

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Observation deck has mini runways and a playground and tables. Very fun place

 

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One more inside the terminal, good view of the artwork above

 

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Now for the aquarium! This is the coastal section, the part where reception tables/dance areas are usually set up.

 

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A wedding picture

 

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Pic of a setup - aquarium provides chairs, tables, white linens, food tables, even some candles and vases

 

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Multi-use room, but no real aquarium things in here, so we probably won''t use it except for setup - but still a fun room, it looks out over the boardwalk

 

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Outside the front

 

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Fish out front

 

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In the "mountains" section - what you see/hear when you first walk in

 

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More in the Ocean area (what I accidentally called Coastal earlier) - you enter through the Mountains, then the Piedmont, then the Coastal, then Ocean (where most receptions are focused) - the other areas have lots of other fish, plus lots of reptiles, even otters!

 

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You can add on a diver show with a narrator during your event

 

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You can also have the touchtanks open during your event - stingrays, crabs, etc.

 

[miss_flo]

This is my personal bias speaking, but that terminal is absolutely stunning. The personal/emotional component of your proposal also made me think of how special it would be to host your wedding there. While I think the aquarium is gorgeous too, it's a bit dark - although that might be something you like. Keep us posted on your final decision, your wedding is going to be stunning at either venue

ETA: I'm sorry for interrupting your photo posts!! Eek, I feel terrible!

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

More touchtank - I just think this would be really fun, esp. for kids

 

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The view from the boardwalk - the aquarium is on an island but is located soundside, so this picture shows the sound in the background (beach is basically a 5 minute walk away across the street though)

 

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More animal pictures - they have turtles, of course!

 

[Morgie44]

I would go with the airport. I LOVE it! I think it is so cool and modern looking and would make a great visual impact as your guests enter and would set a unique tone and feel to the event without being overly theme-y. I also love that you have such a tie to it. While the aquarium is also very unique I think it has much less visual impact plus it is pretty far away... I went to an event at a museum once that was very cool, but the musuem kind of took centerstage and people were busy exploring it and very few people were dancing/mingling in the main event area.

ETA: Whoa run-on sentences! Can you tell I am excited about the airport?

 

[luvthemstrawberries]

(Sorry that last picture was so huge.)

Whew, last picture here! We love turtles.

Any opinions are appreciated!

 

[westjenn]

The Terminal, hands down!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Great pics! Okay I also

turtles and love aquariums, but I am also voting for the airport. Yes, it''s very modern..but it has sentimental value and is breathtaking. I also could see Morgie expressed happening in reference to the museum. I think people would possibly pay more attention to the aquarium than your event and the point is they''re there for a wedding celebration. Just my opinion, but

the airport!

 

[E B]

I vote for the aviation terminal, for a few reasons. First, it''s where your FI proposed, which is incredibly romantic. Second, it looks AWESOME- definitely modern and spacious and, well, wow. You also say it''s closer (right?), which is much more convenient.

My husband and I considered having our wedding at our city''s aquarium, but we had a big concern: the smell. I don''t know if this would be an issue at your aquarium, but if so, it''s something to think about.

 

[BeachRunner]

I''ve been to the aquarium in NC that you are considering, and while its very nice, I''d opt for a beach wedding since you are so close to the coast.

BUT...

The airport reception area was SO unique and beautiful, that IMHO, that tops the aquarium!