Week 9 - Getting somewhere

This weekend has been fun-filled with wedding ideas and plans. Whilst i know i'm going to hit a period where everything calms down this is certainly not it and it's not stopped. Therefore i'm going to spread this last weekend over two blogs one about Saturday and then next week shall cover Sunday.

Saturday me and Luke took mother and mother-in-law-to-be venue shopping. I have been getting a little edgy recently, i'm well aware that i'm not only contending with this years brides but all those who didn't want to get married in the 2013 year.

We crammed in three venue viewings and the result: We provisionally booked one! I have decided to go through the three although i don't think it takes a genius to understand who we went with.

Venue Number 1: Orton Hall
We pulled up to a beautiful 17th century looking house and was shown around by the charming duty manager. We were escorted through to the orangery, where welcome drinks would be held and then viewed the outdoor terrace and grounds. This was followed by the main room, where the feeling was maybe snug but stunning. I'm a person that grew up visiting stately homes on family days out, i loved it. I still do! It's a little part of me (be it slightly nerdy) that appreciates the history. When i see the striking fireplaces, pieces of art and thick draped curtains i try to see past the smaller room an the character it brings. It could mean a compromise.

Venue Number 2: Haycock Hotel
Situated in the prettiest village i have ever been to. Beautiful church travelling over quaint bridge - the drive to the Haycock was certainly exciting and the images in my mind for photo's on the day were on creative overdrive. The Haycock had a class, and we were fortunate that a wedding was happening a few hours later so we could see it all set up. Walking into the main function room you could certainly appreciate the effort. Much larger than the last place the room had fairy lights and drapes. However, the set up was for 120
seated and there was still a lot of room - too much ? The gardens were lovely and quaint with bowers draped although it's difficult to imagine how it may look when it's bloody cold outside. It was a fairly dark room but do we choose space over the za za zhu?

Venue Number 3: Barnsdale Hall
Wow what a drive! Situated on Rutland water there was a concern about distance, but pulling up we were welcomed by lake views and a beautiful country house. Breath taking. Unfortunately that's about as far as it went. Firstly, we didn't get the most welcoming greeting however, to make sure i don't speak to out of term and don't judge on someones character i will focus purely on the venue. It turns out that it's was a holiday campsite and you don't get married in the beautiful building nope, round the back in a Butlins style camp. Oh and the second room that was an option - noooope can't show us as there was a conference (we bloody booked to look round) this was attached to a spa and as Luke put it "we love our wedding with a side of chlorine"

So out of the three - drum roll please. We have decided to provisionally book venue number 1. This gives us two weeks to make a decision so stay tuned.