Venue

Once upon a time, I thought I had the venue all figured out. It turns out, with a dash of rain, the outdoor area I had envisioned for the grand affair turns to swampland. To eliminate the possibility of accidental mud wrestling we chose to find another venue.

Since my blood pressure was climbing daily knowing we didn’t have a location or a date yet, I knew we had to get this squared away - and soon.  G and I took a day last week to visit a couple of venues, and we BOTH liked them both! I left my trapper keeper planner stuffed with photos and lay-outs in the car per G’s request to appear normal:)

Option 1: Park Farm Winery, Bankston Iowa

Pros:

• TENT – already set up, overlooking a gorgeous view.
• Absolutely gorgeous setting!
• The location “felt” right – it had a very romantic feel, and G was content knowing there’s “record book bucks” in the area. (Did I mention he’s a bit odd?)
• Ample parking
• Easy favor idea: mini bottles of wine with custom labels.

Cons:

• It is somewhat difficult to get to for guests from out of the area, (or from the area for that matter).
• We would have to chop our guest list – the venue doesn’t comfortably fit many guests in the small indoor area and tent.
• Restrictions on alcohol: Although we would get a ton of free wine to serve, and beer is okay at a charge, there is absolutely no hard alcohol of any kind due to their liquor license.
• Although the venue was gorgeous,  a “winery wedding” didn’t fit the overall feel I’m going for. 
• Weather wild card.

Park Farm Winery Photos: Isn’t it pretty?!

 

Option 2: The Palace Ballroom, Farley, IA
Pros:

• Easy to find.
• Large space.
• Full-service bar
• Freedom to make the space our own with decorations and creative extras.
• We’ve attended a gorgeous reception here before.
• No weather wild card.

Cons:

• No tent:(
• Not exactly a scenic location – located right by the Farley Race Track.
• Must use on-site catering (although it looks great so this shouldn’t be a problem).

 

 

VERDICT: The Palace Ballroom, June 18, 2011 (!!!!!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t snap any photos of this location, although I should have! I’ll definitely need to make a few more visits  as we’re preparing.

Next Step: Confirming awesome photographer – more on her soon!

New worse case scenario: I’ll be at the venue, in my dress:)

A tented affair: A challenge

I’m always up for a challenge! I’m set on having a tented wedding. They can  be simply gorgeous, and I’m learning, they can also be simple headaches. Yes, even before the ring, the details of a tented wedding have me popping asprin and have spurred the creation of a 3-page to-do list. The more research I do on tented weddings, the farther up “wedding planner” moves on my list of  ”must haves”. 

Advantages of a tented wedding: 

• A clean slate: We could truly create a wedding unique to us as a couple
• Opportunity to have a unique location
• Could eliminate the need for a wedding and reception location
• Not limited to using a facility’s food or beverage service
• No facility rules to follow (set-up/clean-up times, allowable decorations, time limitations)
• SO PRETTY!

Disadvantages (Boo!) 

• Cost – Since we would be building it from the ground up, we would have to rent everything from the floor and chairs to the restrooms (I now know more than I could have ever wanted to know about portable restrooms – who knew there were such involved calculations?!)
• Location in Delaware County, IA: I thought I had the venue all figured out, but this could be one of the biggest challenges. We are on the hunt for a tent location, preferably not a corn/bean field.
• Back-up plan. I tend to have fairly bad luck, so golf ball sized hail on my wedding day is definitely a scenario we will plan for. This is yet another expense and detail that could potentially throw a wild card into our invitation if it’s at a different site than our tent location.

I’m inspired by the strokes of tent genius below by Table 6 Productions (LOVE THEM!) as featured on The Southern Wedding Blog. 

 

Simply breath-taking

  

I love the lighted path to the tent

  

I really like the idea of having multiple tents, especially if the venue doesn't have a building

  

I'd also like to incorporate water somehow - it's a great effect with the lighting

  

Now this is a "grand entrance!"

  

Check out the checkered floor!