We're getting there... 201 Days

In 201 days, I will be joined officially with the love of my life. I can't wait! I have completely fallen in love with birdcage veils. They're fabulously feminine and edgy with a touch of retro flare. I think they'll work if I decide to chop off all my hair like I've got the itch to do.



I'm thinking of doing little bundles of cherry blossoms in vases, with the candles and flower petals (I'm thinking yellows maybe some pinks), and then the favors all around. They'll all be roughly the same height. Cherry blossoms have the colors I love -pinks and browns, with a little Asian fusion feel.



We've got the place semi-booked, we just have to give them a 25% deposit - shouldn't be too big of a deal. I've got my lovely bridesmaids, my dress, and lots of fun ideas for hair and such. Getting ideas together for centerpieces and a few ideas for fun favors together. I've been working on the playlist, I really need help finding some fun dance songs but absolutely no one wants to help me for some reason.



Did I mention we've got our cake picked out as well? I don't remember and am too lazy to check. Strawberries on top of pound cake. Just a small one, as everyone will get their desserts with meal. As soon as we get the deposit in we're going to make our invitations. I plan on getting my veil soon, and finding a fabulous headpiece to go with it. I've already got the earrings and necklace I'm wearing, I want to find some cool anklets or something as well. I need to get tan, and touch up my tattoos. Other than that and a bunch of tiny details things are starting to fall together. Now I just need to find large sums of money from somewhere...

Dilemma

I don't really care too terribly much about the reception location. I just want my perfect ceremony on the beach and for lots of gorgeous pictures to be taken and to have music and dancing and fun times. John wants to have a coursed meal for all our friends. So we know that the event has to be catered. Beyond that... it's pretty open. We have three main options as of right now.

The Loft: PICTURES It's open and large - space for 250. Due to our date, it's going to be $500 to rent for the whole day. Catering would be extra on top of this, as would decorations. There aren't any beaches close by so ceremony would have to be set somewhere driving's distance away.

Mcmenamin's SandTrap: PICTURES Same wooden vibe as the Loft, but with McMenamin's style decorations. Location is free with a $2,000 catering minimum. We would need to provide centerpieces and any additional decorations we felt necessary. Beach is fairly close by.

Cannon Beach Community Hall: PICTURES Wooden interior, much like the other two - fireplace (not that it'll be used in July). $600 to rent for whole day. Catering and all decorations would need to be provided by us. Easy beach access.

So, which should it be?

Where to have reception?

• Loft at Red Building - Astoria
• McMenamin's Sandtrap - Gearhart
• Cannon Beach Community Hall

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

Grand Lodge

McMenamin's resorts/restaurants/etc. are super well priced places to hold receptions/ceremonies. We went and checked out some places at the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove yesterday. They range from 1,000-1,500 minimums. You pay that much, the location is free. We'd definitely exceed that. The Children's cottage there was really cool, lots of nooks and crannies to go hide and play in, plus for an 1,800 minimum you get this entire huge building. Drinks, food, magic. Hurray! The ceremony could be held at another location on grounds, like the grove, or underneath the giant ceders outside the Children's cottage.

I really liked the space, McMenamin's has a great menu for catering, and the price just can't be beat. The Children's cottage had a pretty room that used to be a library right when you walk in. It's got a fireplace, and plenty of room for all our guests.

John hated it, thought it was too compartmented and cramped.

Well, that did that. Onwards and upwards!

We've still got the community hall in Cannon Beach - which has real promise. Apparently Chinook Winds has a cool set up... I'm checking that out... Now.

More locations!

Checked out McMenamin's Sand Trap today, or this evening rather. It's got the quaint rustic charm that the Loft had with the classic McMenamin's flair that I do love. The site overlooks the green hills of the golf course and is within walking distance to a fairly secluded beach.

Downside to the locale is that we do have to go with their catering to get the room covered, it's a $2,000 minimum. No problem with that really - we'll be able to do full course salad, meal, desserts with that in mind. It is an 18% gratuity as well so really it's $2360.

They do really cover everything there, including ceremony if we wanted. However, if we're not going to have it on the beach like I want - I'd rather do something closer.

Which brings us to the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove which we'll be checking out sometime this week. They have some pretty outside spaces as well which would work... Their minimums are $1,000 and $1,500 depending on the space. Definitely a cash saver, so we'll see.

Location Location Location

Johnathan and I went to Astoria today to look at locations to host our wedding reception. There aren't really any beachy beaches there, but we did see some pretty things.

The Loft: Situated right on the water, next to... some bridge it was really pretty. Big wooden beams and skylights. There is a large amount of potential to turn this place into...whatever we want it to be. It's quite large for the price and there's a dressing room and kitchen on site. We'd have to do catering though it seems -- or get preprepared trays from a grocery store. I'm totally okay with doing that.

Hotel Elliot: Cheaper by half, this place had a lot of stairs and a weird smell. It was in town with very limited parking. The areas themselves were pretty and a lot more intimate than the expanse of the Loft...but we'll pass.

I still want to look at one location in Cannon Beach that has a fire-place and such. John really loves the Loft, but I'm not sure where we would have the ceremony if we did the reception there.

Also, I have now began to doubt the wedding dress. I think I need to go put it on again. I mean, when I looked at myself with it on (once we beat the zipper) it was like - yes please. Now after looking at wedding things and seeing all these long flowy dresses I'm starting to doubt myself. I don't know...

There are pictures and videos to come for the events of today. To be posted on our wedding site that is currently being constructed.

UPDATE: So... we're poor and don't have cash to pay for hosting so the wedding site no longer exists.

Working things out

Alright so we're thinking cutting back on wedding/reception costs and spending a bit more on the honeymoon fun that will probably be a Sandals resort.

Meet in Seaside, have a simple arch maybe with some flowers. Say our vows. Perhaps we'll rent some folding chairs for people to sit in.

Reception I'm thinking hitting up Costco for some burgers and dogs and sides and things. Pick up some plates and silverware, some booze and soda and there you go. Something relaxed. . . think along the lines of our unemployment party. But with music...well more audible music. At least for our first dance and such. Light up a bonfire, roast some S'mores... just have fun.

Get a room for the night and fly out in the morning to paradise.

With this plan we'll really need the support of our friends and family. Manning the grills and such. We're also thinking of asking one of our friends to be the photographer, if anyone has the nice equipment. Then we'll throw some disposables around for people to use and return to us.

If I can get a hold of a reception site on the coast that would work too...then have the 'after party' on the beach. Who knows.

Something simple, something fun.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm going wedding dress shopping tomorrow. Eep! I'm more so going to get a feel of what looks good on my frame. I was told by a wise one today that David's Bridal doesn't make the highest quality dresses, and they're hard to alter. So we'll definitely see. If I find 'the' dress, then perhaps a purchase will be made. Seeing has how we have no idea how we're making rent, it'll have to be a credit card purchase...but, yeah....

Paradise?

Not to say that the idea is entirely based on Michael Scott's outing... but a Sandals resort does seem pretty spectacular, right? White sand beaches, gorgeous blue water... all the food and drink you can shove in your face. If you stay six or more nights in a concierge level room, they just so happen to throw in a free 'basic' wedding. Which includes: Personal wedding consultant, Marriage officiant, Certified copy of marriage license, Picturesque wedding location, One 5"x7" wedding photograph, "Just married" T-shirts, Bouquet and boutonniere, Beautiful reception setting, Hors d'oeuvres & sparkling wine (for couple and two guests), Preparation of documentation, Caribbean Wedding Cake, Continental breakfast in bed, and Government / Administrative fees.

If you stay in a not concierge level room, then you pay the Government fees which range from $200-$500 depending on the location, so not too terribly much in the overall scheme of things.

Photography package is $1,200 and includes: (36) 5x7 prints, (6) 8x10 prints, Large ivory & gold matted album, (42) Digital negatives. This is a bit of cash.. but I believe we were planning on asking one of our photo gifted friends to take the pictures for us... and they probably wouldn't be able to afford the trip...

Which brings us to the seemingly only downfall of the entire scheme... guests. I would love to have all my friends and family there, but if we do it destination style, it's just not feasible for us to foot that kind of bill. Airfare is looking at ~1k per couple round trip. Wedding passes to the resort, if guests decide not to stay at Sandals themselves are ~$90. So we're looking at ridiculous numbers. Although, I think that with nearly a year to save, perhaps a few people will be able to put aside some money to have some fun. For four nights in the cheapest room (which is still fabulous) at Ochos Rios, for example it's ~2,500 including Airfare. So... it's a bit to ask someone to pay to come see us get married....

However, I think that people love the sand, the surf, and the sun and might just be in the mood for a vacation around July anyway. If they decide to join us in Jamaica, or wherever we decide, then that's fantastic. If not, then we'll Weddingmoon all by ourselves - and that's okay by me.

If we get 9 other couples, or just 9 additional rooms, then there's the additional perks of group-ness, but I doubt that will happen.

Anyway, it's kind of just a dream at the moment, but one that we could possibly complete. We'd just need to supply ourselves and our attire, which sounds kind of nice. Anyway, that's enough of that for now.

Adrianna Hill Grand Ballroom

Adrianna Ballroom: a fantastically wonderful little pocket in Portland that is super pretty. However, I e-mailed them for information and it also is a smidgen spendy. All we would need to do is show up with a couple dozen flowers, a cake, and ourselves, though. They do all the rest. . . We'll price out our other options, some of which look more afforable - although we haven't added food/decor into the mix just quite yet.

7-22-10

We wanted to do the wedding in 2010, rather than wait forever because we are excited. Since our guest list is rather small, and the location will most likely be free that leaves us open with availabilities even within the shorter amount of time.

The date will be July 22, 2010. Mid summer, less chance of coldness and/or rain. College friends (aka Brittany and Caity) will be here for the summer.

In addition, I've found a few dresses that I really like.

Now what?

-- Location of ceremony.
-- Check for permits if we end up needing one.
-- Find hotel/ballroom for reception
-- Look at tents/tables info for outside reception if desired