Next Task: The Venue
Okay.. so, I knew. But I didn’t really know how difficult it is to decide on your dream venue.
I have been scoping out places for years. I’ve been making mental notes; I’ve had more than my fair share of internet browsers open on my phone and my computer. However, actually pulling the trigger – saying “yes!” and putting down that deposit was by far, much more terrifying than I anticipated.
We have had a few more than one suggestion to just bag the big wedding idea and keep it small, or go off for a destination ceremony. We thought about it, we played with the ideas, but ultimately decided that we wanted our day. We want to celebrate with our people, we want a joyous reason to bring our families together, we want the pictures and the memories. And that is enough reason for me.
Now, planning said big day – I had truthfully fallen in love with idea of doing a lodge or cabin escape. A winter wedding in the mountains, surrounded by snow, trees, and nature. Somewhere we could rent a bunch of rooms or cabins and have all our families and friends staying for the whole weekend and making it a full experience.
Unfortunately, the more we thought about the reality of travel in the winter and the possibility of so many traveling in being stuck or unable to make it due to road conditions – it just sounded like something we didn’t want to stress about. We took our time with this process and to leave the door open for that big of a hinderance was just not worth it.
So, onto the next dream.
Obviously, a barn/farmhouse is the up and coming type of venue; and for a reason. It’s freaking adorable. But also vastly over played over the last few years. I absolutely love them, but wanted something different for us. We wanted somewhere we had never been to a wedding at before or known dozens who have been married there.
The search was hard and slightly depressing to be honest. It started to feel more and more like a reality that we were going to have to settle for something that was a little less than our ultimate “big picture” dreams. Which is fine and realistic.. but still a little heartbreaking. I had come across one venue I loved, but being over a year+ before we could start really planning, I wasn’t holding my breathe for it to come together.
Luckily – I was so, so wrong.
Maybe it was my guardian angel above, but somehow everything aligned for us to be able to book the venue that seemed too good to be true.
Somewhat local and easy access. Naturally beautiful facility. Easy. abundant, and safe parking. Gorgeous surrounding areas for all kinds of photos and amenities for guests. And a classic car show room, just to top it off.
If you know myself and my fiancé, as the owners of auto body repair shop, finding a venue that used to be a car dealership and then spent years transforming into one of the most beautiful buildings we’ve ever seen was just that next dream come true.
Big Windows and Natural Brick…
Slate Floors, Rafter Ceilings, and Sky-High Doors…
Separate Reception Space and Facilities…
Space for Him and Space for Her…
And Space to Make it Our Own.
The day we got to sign the papers and drop the deposit was one of the scariest and most exhilarating days of my life (so far.) As a girl, I have dreamed of my wedding day since before I can remember and trying hard to wrap my mind around the fact that it is finally coming.
And happening just the way it should, with the man of my dreams standing by my side.
The Northwest Mad Hatter 