Some Good and Some Lack-Luster

Sorry this post come a little after the fact, but last week I got in touch with the event coordinator for Brookside Gardens and I wanted to let you all know my thoughts.

First of all, the gardens were gorgeous. There was a Japanese style "tea house" set in a Japanese influenced strolling garden. It was so much fun just to explore all the little paths and bridges, and it was the perfect spot to have some wedding pictures taken. However, the tea house has a standing capacity of 50 people, so we wouldn't even be able to have our ceremony there. The only ceremony spot that would fit all of our guests is the "Wedding Gazebo," which was nice, just not quite as exciting. That was only the first downside.

When I called this week I discovered that the tent which was shown in their pictures and mentioned in their flier had to be rented separately along with the tables and chairs. Plus, as the rain plan, our wedding would be held in the visitor center with the reception out under the tent. While I'm sure we could supply plenty of umbrella's I wasn't thrilled about the visitor center or the walk from it to the tent in the rain. So a long story short, I can't wait to go back and visit the gardens in the spring, but it's not on my list for wedding venues. That means our #1 choice is Woodend Sanctuary and our #2 is Gramercy Mansion. I've already made appointments to show both places off to my and Mike's parents! I'm definitely happy with how things are turning out so far.

We've found our #1

Turning into the drive way of Woodend Sanctuary (owned and operated by the Audubon Society), you are welcomed by the white portico and shining windows at the top of the hill with a beautiful lawn and trees spread out before you. Going up the driveway you pass a Nature Center, too. Right away I liked this place, but when we got inside there was no one there to meet us! It took me until we got home over an hour later to realize we had shown up at the wrong time. What could have been a disaster, though, turned out to be a very good thing.

Our first round at Woodend Sanctuary was at 11 a.m. Though the person we expected to meet was missing, a former events manager who was working at the gift and bird seed shop answered a few of our questions and showed us the main rooms. The house was empty except for some paint covered tables in a side room where kids activities were set up. As we walked through the main hall I was a bit disappointed by how plain it was. There are nice glass doors opening onto a pretty tented patio. The rooms all have beautiful wood floors, too, but at the time there were no tables or chairs- it was just empty. It was simple, which I liked, but maybe too simple.

From the patio we headed outside and began to stroll the grounds. They are perfect! The mansion is on 40 acres or woods and fields. We walked down a field stone path to a majestic stand of trees. This was the ceremony site. Beyond the circle of trees, there are benches scattered around where you can sit and enjoy the natural scenery. Pleased with the setting, but confused about the absence of the Event Coordinator we headed home only to realize our mistake.

We liked the grounds so much we decided to go back at our appointment time of 4:30 p.m. to find a very different scene than in the morning. Andrew, the Event Coordinator, met us in the main hall, which had been transformed. There was going to be a Bat Mitzva that evening and the caterers were getting set up. With just a few cocktail tables and bright linens, the room looked cheery and full of color. The patio was warm and welcoming filled with dinner tables and fun center pieces. Andrew answered all of our questions and gave me the impression that they were flexible and easy to work with. He also told us about the walking paths that cover the 40 acres and mentioned that some people encourage guests to bring a walking shoes! By the time we left we were already calling Woodend our number one choice. With the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor space, the elegant simplicity of the building and the grounds, and the easy rain plan we felt really good about our new favorite venue.

For those of you who I talked to before this weekend, you might remember that Mike and I were also planning to go to Brookside Gardens yesterday. Because of our time mix up we didn't make it to our appointment, but we did stop by the gardens to walk around. I will be calling their office this week to ask my long list of questions and get a better sense of their rain plan. Once I have all my information together for the gardens, I'll let you know what I think.

Until then, comment away!!

PS- We did not take pictures while Woodend was being set of for the Bat Mitzva, but if you want to see pictures of it all dressed up, click here.

One Down

So, I am officially taking one venue off the list. If I'm not crazy about a venue, then it should go.

Though Linganore's rolling hills were beautiful and the simplicity of the buildings were charming, the rain plan made me nervous and the pavilion was too plain.

But don't be fooled into thinking I am any closer to picking a venue! (That would be too easy and definitely not enough fun) I am visiting Woodend Sanctuary and Brookside Gardens on December 12th.

Stay tuned for stories and photos!

The Essential Criterion

The one thing I have always known about my wedding is that it would be outside. Both Mike and I love being out in nature. I mean come on, we met in an outdoors club. Our weekends and vacations are filled with hiking, camping out, and exploring national and state parks. It only seems natural that this important event in our lives, and the party that follows, be out of doors. So to fit this essential criterion, we looked at vineyards, gardens, farms, and any other venue with a beautiful and unique outdoor space. We managed to narrow the list down to five places, three of which we visited today.

Our day of exploration began at 9:30 am at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Philip Merrill Environmental Center. It is the Foundation's national headquarters. I realize that a "national headquarters" and "beautifull outdoor space" do not seem to go, but it does. The building is right no the bay with a huge wall of windows facing out towards the water and the beach. There is a large deck, separate events room (used for the dining space), a private beach and a dock. Though a bit industrial, the outdoor space is stunning. The deck is tented and can be sealed off in case of rain. In fact, being in the dining room and enclosed deck during a storm could be as romantic and breathtaking as on a sunny day. The only downside to this place is that we would have to rent all tables and chairs, which could add up.

Next we headed to Gramercy Mansion in Stevenson, Maryland. This is a historic mansion now run as a b&b with 45 acres of land and ample gardens. The building is ornately decorated and feels like it belongs in another decade (yay vintage!). It is elegant and cozy all at once and the whole back of the house opens onto the gardens. Even with the gardens mostly dead for the winter, it is a majestic space to stroll through. I can only image what it would be liked filled with flowers and music. This is certainly a place where we could go light on our own decorations! In fact, the decoration was so ornate, it was a little dizzying. While it was a truly beautiful place, I don't know if it embodied "us."

Lastly we headed all the way to Linganore Vineyard, just outside of Mt. Airy, Maryland. On the way there, I said to Mike, "This place had better really impress me." I had been so wowed our previous two stops and I had some reservations about the set up at the vineyard. However, I was impressed. After the slightly cluttered overwhelming-ness of Gramercy, Linganore was a breath of simplicity. The vineyard is set among rolling hills and farm land and the building itself is a simple but charming converted barn. There is a large covered pavilion between the rolling hills and the main building, which we would set up for the reception eating and dancing. The ceremony would take place out in an open field with the vines as a back drop. If it rained, we would be under the pavilion, and moving into the main building could be an option too. Of the three places, Linganore would be the most confining if it were to rain. The pavilion was also very plain. We would need to get there early the morning of the wedding and do a lot of decorating ourselves.

At 4 pm we took one last look around Linganore and got back in the car to head home. It was a full day and it left us with a lot to think about. I had hoped we would dislike one of the places today and cross it off the list, but it looks like the decision is not going to be made so easily. Plus, there are still two more places to visit! So stay tuned, and comment away!!

Me fastidiously taking notes in Gramercy Mansion's garden.

It's All About Lace

Pulling on the very first wedding dress I ever tried, I was shocked by the weight, the stiffness, and the shear amount of fabric. This dress was clearly not for me. Though pretty, this full, billowing creation was far more than I could handle! Luckily there were plenty more dresses to come. All in all I tried on about 20 dresses this Saturday between two different boutiques. Whitney, Laura and I started our day at a shop in Alexandria and ended in Georgetown. We had enough time between stores to stop for brunch at Bread and Chocolate, one of my favorite cafes. I had no idea what to expect heading into the first store. I ran in late, due to parking, and I really hadn't thought about what kind of dress I was looking for. So the sales woman and I went through the store and picked a wide variety dresses. Whitney and Laura were really helpful too, putting in their two cents. My head was spinning too much to have a opinion yet. But pretty soon I started to understand, I wanted lace. There are so many different lace dresses and my quest for the perfect (and perfectly priced!) lace dress is far from over. I'm glad I now know what I'm looking for.

Wearing a wedding dress, even in the store, is a incredible experience. In the dresses I liked, I felt divine. Really. The fabrics were smooth and soft next to my skin. The ivories, lattes, and whites all glowed, and the texture of the lace hung, pulled, parted, and flowed in all the right places. I can now understand why my friend Melissa she said she wanted to wear her wedding dress every day.

I figured out a lot more than just "lace" after 20 some dress. The dress I am looking for will have a V or sweet-heart neckline, a form-fitting bodice, a low back, and a vintage feel. I also discovered that I like having a train. I really didn't think I would like a bunch of fabric following me around, but as some of the scallop edged lace trains and interesting split trains spilled out from the body of the dress, I got a much better appreciation for them. Below is a list of designers that stood out to me. Tell me what you think!!!!

Now the hunt is really on!

Designer: Marisa
Dresses: Christina 2900, Denise 2900
This site doesn't have either of the dresses I tried on, but you get the idea: http://www.fashionweddingdress.com/Marisa-Bridals-Dresses-9.html

Designer: Junko Yoshioka
Dresses: Christina (pictured)
http://www.junkoyoshioka.com/

Designer: Jenny Lee
Dresses: 915 (pictured)
http://www.brides.com/fashion/dresses/gallery/wedding_dresses/vendor/designer/jennylee/detail/185667?offset=8

Designer: Miranda
http://weddings.theknot.com/Dresses/Wedding-Gowns/results.aspx?type=31&Dresses+Gown+Type=Wedding+Gowns&p.Gown+Designer=Monique+Lhuillier&TM=31

The Proposal

The proposal story begins on September 12th at 6:25 am on Rehoboth Beach. We got up early and rushed down to the beach, blanket and camera stuffed into a bag. We were aiming to watch the sun rise over the ocean. That morning, however, was overcast and the thick band of rain clouds lay along the horizon. Small patches of florescent pink struggled to burst thought the otherwise grey sky. Curled up on our mustard yellow blanket we watched the waves pound the short. In the lacy edges of the waves, the slim beams of the sunrise were reflecting pinks and golds. On the beach blanket, Mike drew me close to him and kissed me passionately. I could feel one of his hands dig into his jacket pocket.
"Leah, Will you marry me?"
And of course I said "yes!"
And in his hand was the perfect ring of blue and green.

That was the beginning of a beautiful day! For the rest of the day we lounged around on the house, read on the beach, took walks, and enjoyed our peacefully day alone. I was in the clouds; always shocked over my ring and the man who gave it to me. That day nothing could be bad. The cloudy weather was just right. The little bursts of rain came only when it was convenient. And Mike and I were happy in every minute of the day.

Why a Blog?

I was never the type of little girl who dreamed about her perfect wedding. For most of my childhood I was actually convinced I didn't want to get married at all. Eventually, boys stopped having cooties and I guess I became a bit more interested. But this is all to say that until not too long ago, I had no real idea of what my wedding should be like. On September 12th, I got engaged and it was really time to start day dreaming, plotting and searching. Fortunately, I have until 2011 to figure it out.

I hope this blog will be my creative space to explore not only the process of planning a wedding, but also the journey of the next two years. I look forward to sharing my ideas and adventures, and I hope that you will add your own comments, advice, and points of view.