Location, Location, Location

I realize that I should probably have an introductory post, but there's something on my mind that is pretty much the catalyst for me creating this blog, so I'm going to get that out of my system first. Simply put, I've been engaged for almost 15 months and I don't have a venue.

When it comes to venues, I'm still stuck. I've toured about 25 options, and I'll estimate that for every tour, I've chatted with four other venues that I've set aside. Beyond that is the raw number of places that I've internet stalked. It's a problem. Currently, we like three places and might like a fourth, which we can't view until it's completed in March. Why don't we just stick with the three we like? Well, there are some problems...

The one I like the best, the Chateau at the Place (http://www.thepalaceok.com/), requires that I use their in-house catering. I'm not impressed with their menus. It feels very generic, kinda like the stuff that I'd get during extracurricular events in college. I'm a foodie that has been working against a fairly serious health issue that I let go for way too long. So not only do I want the food at my wedding to be delicious, I want it to be healthful and that often comes with quality. I can't say for sure that the quality of their food is sub par. I haven't asked to set up a tasting, which is definitely something I'll require from any caterer. However, the menu isn't selling me. I'd rather have action stations than buffet options, because action stations offer fresher food.

The Chesapeake Boathouse (http://www.chesapeakeboathouse.org/index2.html) also holds our interest. It's completely different from the Chateau, which has a rich and rustic Tuscany feel. The Boathouse is comprised of clean lines, is very bright and airy, and lies along a stunning river. However, said river is owned by the city, who sometimes likes to drain it, regardless of when your wedding day is. It also has a closed space between the dance area and the reception/dining area. I don't like it being closed off in this fashion. Not only does it seem to me like this will create a safe haven for those who are more nervous about dancing, but I'm concerned that it's a guarantee that my guests will not mingle. On the flipside, I can totally bring my own caterer here and I have an appointment today with Johnnie's Catering (http://www.johnniescatering.com/) today to see what they can offer me.

The last one is in another city. The Magnolia Hotel (http://magnoliahoteldallas.com/dallas.aspx) in downtown Dallas has been our must-stay location for nearly three years. Their Pegasus Room is pretty stunning and, best of all, completely free of charge. While the Pegasus Room is a great reception area, the catering manager didn't seem sold on me using the room as my ceremony venue as well. The options she showed me I was not crazy about. So I need to revisit with her regarding this and see if we can figure something out. Regarding it's pluses, it has fantastic catering that is fresh, healthful, and affordable. My concerns lie within the other planning aspects of my wedding. Can I really make 150 cupcakes and travel three hours with them? How expensive is a DJ in Dallas going to be? We have a photographer, Mandy Davis of Dinsmore Studios (http://www.dinsmorestudio.com/) and she will travel, but tack on traveling costs and the price of her room for the night and it's just one more tiny dent in our budget.

This fourth option I'm very interested in. The Sand Plum (http://www.thesandplum.com/) in Guthrie is stunning. We loved viewing it last January, but in no way could we afford their ballroom option with decent catering and their smaller option is just a bit too constricting. They are opening up a new section that should be an in-between, and so I'm holding out to see it. I'm not sure that it will be our golden ticket, but it's definitely the last on my list of venues to consider.

The important task I have now is to figure out where we'll get married if The Little Sand Plum isn't our saving grace. The boathouse is probably my least favorite option now, even though they are definitely extremely customizable. That makes me wonder why I'm visiting this caterer today. However, perhaps if my tasting with The Palace backs up my fears, I can make a plea to use an outside caterer (providing that Johnnie's is as impressive as I've heard). The Magnolia is pulling at my heartstrings, but I'm just really afraid of the additional costs of holding a wedding in Dallas. Joseph and I have no one to even ask for financial help from, so this is completely up to us and we're limiting ourselves so that we can have a nice honeymoon and start house hunting.

I've been thinking of ways to get friends to help. But unlike everyone who "pulls off" a large wedding for a low price in my wedding magazines... I know no one who can hand press beautiful invitations for me, etc etc. I'm not lamenting my position. I have well over 400 days to put this baby together. I can do this, but I'm probably going to have to blog out a lot of thoughts in the process.