Thanks for the positive feedback, lovely ladies. Now I need your help with the first big decision: Where does all of this go down? This is our big goal this weekend: to decide between the beach, the "mountains," or here in the 'ham. In my head, I imagine everything else will start coming together as soon as we make this decision, but so far both Russell and I cannot make up our minds. I know some of you already heard me go on about this last Wednesday, but I'm opening it up to a bigger discussion in hopes that someone helps me unbalance my pro/con list. Yes, there's a pro/con list. And it's literally on a pad of paper that comes preprinted with "pro" and "con" that my boss regifted to me. This notepad is a physical manifestation of what is constantly going on in my head.
A little background before we get to the pros and cons: I know some of you think I am crazy, but we would like for the wedding to happen in the spring. Next spring. Like six months from now. It can't happen in the fall (my favorite time of year) because I'm not going to compete with screams of "touchdown!" in the middle of the ceremony. And it can't happen in winter because that's too soon. And it can't happen in the summer because we would all melt. So that's why I am thinking early/mid-March to mid-April (or maybe June), a tiny window of time where I shouldn't have to be travelling across the country for work. Let's hope not.
"Mountains"
There are quotes around that because it's not really hardcore mountain-y. It's a place my sweet mom found in Southern Living last week, Gorham's Bluff.
Pros
- It's really pretty, or at least looks that way from the Web site.
- It's something different that none of my friends have done before.
- Should be nice up there in the spring (though that's 'nado season in 'Bama).
Cons
- I don't know how much it costs because they won't answer their phone (first major pet peeve of the planning process: places that don't list prices on the Internet so that I cannot keep with my plan of minimizing interaction with strangers).
- It's a two hour drive to the middle of nowhere for everyone.
- It somehow feels a little 80s to me (not like Madonna, more like fluffy-sleeved bride's dress), but I have no idea why.
Birmingham
I am currently considering B&A or Gabrella Manor...any other suggestions (have already looked into Vulcan and The Club)?
Pros
- I love Birmingham.
- More peeps could come. (see cons)
- Easier to get to.
- More day-to-day control over planning.
Cons
- Probably a little more expensive.
- Everyone's already gotten married in these places, and while I loved these weddings, I worry it will be just another wedding or won't be "us" enough.
- More peeps would come. (see pros)
Beach
I am thinking near the 30-A/Seaside area. This is slightly ahead of the other options right now.
Pros
- Low(er)-key?
- Should be very pretty, natural setting
- Not hurricane season then
- A destination peeps (hopefully) don't mind driving to (tell me if I am wrong!)
- Would be more guests who actually want to be there vs bored/obligated in town
- A little less expensive?
- Could do a package deal from one of many places that decides everything for you
- Not many people I know have done this, surprisingly.
Cons
- Less control over day-to-day stuff
- Would have to go down there a few times to taste stuff (though, really? hasn't all cake everywhere tasted the same since the beginning of time?) and make decisions
- At the mercy of the weather
- Guests have a five hour drive and have to pay for place to stay
- Don't want to get trapped into overly beachy/slightly cheesy theme
I am at home waiting for the alarm guy to come and switch something out. Maybe he will have an opinion...
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13 comments:
here is a pretty comprehensive list...
click here
I loved my reception at the B&A, but then I also had a Mother In Law with a warehouse of decorations, so I was super lucky. One of our friends got married at Sloss Furnaces in April. The weather was perfect. It made for some really intersting pictures and I think you can get whoever you want to cater, which is nice if you have someone already in mind.
My best friend and her husband got married on St. Simon's island. He grew up vacationing there, and they go there every year for their anniversary, which I think is pretty neat.
It all comes down to what you and Russell want and what you think will leave you with the best memories and the best pictures. (At least for me, the pictures were most important). By the way, don't use Frank Allen as your photographer, unless you are willing to wait a year and a half to get your pictures. I have a couple friend who do wedding photography and I'll try to post their websites soon so you can take a look.
The most useful book I found was Wedding's for Dummies.
I'll try not to leave such a long comment next time!
Beach!!! (Although I really like the Sloss idea)
p.s.- Do you know of Arden, who does photography? Her work is the best.
hey, its chelsea. b&a is really neat, but something to think about was mike's b'day celebration. we all had to walk through the wedding reception to get to the room and there was another room booked in the back. the cool part is that they have a built in caterer and weather doesn't affect it.
i really liked gabrella, but of course i'm going to be partial. they were good about working with me. they also had a preacher on staff if needed and plenty of lists of others (like musicians for the ceremony -- we just had to tell them what instruments we wanted). it made it way easy.
cross off the mountains. two hours isn't bad, but if you can't get in touch with them now you can't be sure they will be easy to contact later and it sounds like the one you are least excited about so eliminate it early. Yeah beach though.
what about at vulcan park?
I love the beach idea but agree that you may have to work hard to keep it from getting kitsch. I have been to (and helped organize) two beautiful weddings at Sloss (Allison/Stuart and John Stewart/Amber)and they do a great job there. I also know the events coordinator at Vulcan if you need any assistance on that end...
wow, i looked at the list amy posted and i'm not even into cars but Ted's Garage looks spiffy!
it's really hard to have a wedding in birmingham that hasn't already been tainted with someone else's memories. I think you should think of the place that means the most to you, it doesn't HAVE to be a place that "does" receptions.
it's your day and it should be sincerely special. if you think of a place you'd like, but you don't want to talk to them, tell me and i'll call and find all the info!
For some reason, a wedding at Sloss sounds like it fits. But you may have already crossed that off your list.
I think the beach would be more relaxed than anything by default.
I'm voting for those 2 as of now!
hi here are some of my thoughts:
beach would be nice, but could be hard for some to get to (older family members?) and more expensive for out of towners to travel to.
i loved the mountains idea but am also deterred by them not answering the phone...
so in b'ham, i think you can find a neat place and make it your own. i thought vulcan was nice. and sloss rules. both weddings lauren referenced at sloss were so different that i think it can be done again but done in your own way.
i will say that logistically speaking - and there will be LOTS of logistics - i might be easier to do it in a place that has done either a wedding or a major event before. i think that will take out some headaches.
hope that helps.
did the alarm guy have an opinion?
gorham's bluff is BEAUTIFUL. that is where jon and i went for our honeymoon. the view is spectacular and it is very peaceful out there. it also has a secluded feel which could enable a very intimate ceremony. the room we stayed in was lovely (remote control operated fireplace, jacuzzi tub that fits two, yeah buddy!) and there are several rooms in the event that out of town family members or whatever could stay the night before the ceremony if you wanted. keep calling them, they get my vote!
and the beach gets my 2nd runner up vote - whatever you choose, i say lets get out of bham! it'll make it seem like a special vacation getaway for everyone that is able to make attend :)
Gorham's Bluff is $25,000! Yes, that's right. That rents out rooms for everyone.
I love y'all, but that's crazy! It is really beautiful, though.
HOLY CRAP!!! $25k??!?!?! that is the stupidest thing i've ever heard! the rooms are something like $200 a night, i can't believe that they actually are asking for that price. insanity. at least that helps narrow your options down some more :)
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