Rick & Julie - June 2008

[Julz518]

Well, I've finally decided to start MY wedding thread - mainly because I need someplace to compile my thoughts and share ideas with Marge so she can start on all the work!

So, I haven't set a date yet, but I'm hoping for June 21, 2008.

My first choice location is:
http://www.willowpondfarm.net
I love the setting and that the entire facility can be rented from Thursday night through Sunday afternoon so there's plenty of time to set-up and that it's an all-in-one facility. But it's a little expensive ($3,500), so I'm still deciding if it's worth the money. I have more pics of it at home that I will try to post tomorrow.
Pros: Can stay there all weekend to decorate/get ready. Guests can camp on the grounds as well. Kennels are available for our dogs to stay with us and our guests. PERFECT, BEAUTIFUL setting!
Cons: Cost! Remote location means limited hotel choice & high probability someone will get lost. After party with friends at hotel or local pub is unlikely - though possible to do on-site.

My second choice (which my mother and sister don't like) is:
http://www.oglebay-resort.com/wheelingpark/picnic.htm
The Sonneborne shelter (top) has an adjacent field in which we could set up a tent - though I don't know how large. I think this would give a similar effect to the above with the barn (shelter) and tent, if decorated well. I assume we could rent the shelter for the whole weekend ($250/day) and decorate early - though security would be an issue. There is an amphitheater at the "base" of Wheeling Park, next to a small pond, where we could have the ceremony ($25 rental). So the whole event would be similar to Willow Pond at a fraction of the price, but the logistics would be more difficult.
Pros: Low cost. Close proximity to hotels & recreation. Catering available.
Cons: LOGISTICS (would need a day-of coordinator), Security, not as "pristine" a location.

My third choice (and I haven't explored this option yet) is:
http://www.oglebay-resort.com/weddings/index.htm
Oglebay has very strict rental rules. We would only have 1-2 hours to decorate on the DAY OF the wedding. We would have to use their caterer and choose one of their menus... and it's not cheap... but it may be cheaper than WPF.

[Julz518]

Details of the Ceremony:

We are going to have a handfasting - I think I am going to make my own cords, but they will look something like this:


It will be an outdoor ceremony, in a circular setting. I plan to have an "altar" for each of the four corners (north, south, east and west) with items representing the blessings of each (check out http://www.secularceremonies.com/sample.html and http://paintscape.net/handfasting/page2.html for details on handfasting in general).

For programs we will give out fans like these:
with the bridal party info on one side and handfasting info on the other - I may also see if I can make it so they open up (secure with velcro?) so there is more area to write on.

In lieu of rice or bird seed, everyone wil be given a packet of herbs (in a small coin pouch with an explanation of their symbolism) that they can either throw at us or take home as a sachet or for herbal tea.

I also like these Rose Petal cones, but I think they would be a pain to make:

They hold more than the coin pouch, but people really wouldn't be able to take them home.

We will also have drinks & snacks available before and during the ceremony, and will encourage people to get up and stretch their legs, take pictures, and whatever while it's in progress. Since it will be outside and I don't know how long it will take, I don't want anyone getting heat exhaustion or anything.

[Julz518]

After the ceremony, the guests will go to the barn for drinks and hors d'ourves. I would like to decorate the barn something like this:


I like the simplicity of the white paper lanterns and white Christmas lights. I would also like to throw table cloths over hay bales for sitting, to save onthe cost of renting chairs.

I haven't decided if we will have a seating chart or not, but I think with this many people, it might be a good idea. So, instead of laying the cards out on the table, I'd like to do something like this:

It's a ribbon board and each place card is just hung on the ribbons! I think it's easier to read for our guests (esp. if we put leters at the beginning of each row) and we can do it ahead of time!

I also like this for the Table Decor (though not in these colors):

I think I would do solid color fabric (or wrapping paper) squares - maybe in different colors for each table) and potted plants with a swatch of the tartan tied around the base of the pot. I don't know about the pace setting, but if we have a need for napkin rings, I would like for them to be simple (not the birds shown) with our monogram (like the program fan).

We plan on doing charity favors, but I would like to do something small as well, like mints. I was thinking of doing a bag like this with mints in it and an explanation of the charity favor onthe back:

I also like these charity favors, but I think they would be a lot more difficult to make:


Food would be "fancy" BBQ fare, like chicken and shrimp or salmon... I haven't talked to ANY caterers yet, but I hope to have on-site grillers.

[Marge129]

Did Mom give you the CD with the Willow Pond pictures and your party pictures???

[ljeagle]

Here is a few cones from this site for sale.

http://www.blissweddingsmarket.com/store/000038.htm

http://www.blissweddingsmarket.com/store/000445.htm

[Julz518]

I have no idea what I will be wearing... except most likely flowers in my hair :-)

I think the bridesmaids will wear short sundress-type dresses, with a tartan sash and some kind of pin. I'm thinking of having the dresses made or just giving them the tartan and telling them to find something that matches. That way they can each get something a little different that they can wear again that doesn't break the bank. If we get them made, then I can also buy fabric to match them for the tables and other decor. Here's an example bouquest I like, though I think we may just go with daisies:


The guys I think instead of tuxes (which I hate) will either wear black suits or just black pants and a color shirt to match the girls - with ties and sashes of course.

I'm still debating on the tartan to use and the color scheme... though I'm leaning towards the Fitzsimmons tartan (and maybe the MacPherson tartan for my fam) with gold dresses/shirts... I just don't know how everyone wil look in gold...
Here's the tartan:

[Julz518]

The article that had the barn pictures also had a few outdoor shots - I like the idea of having tables scatered throughout the lawn and down by the pond (if at WPF), like in this picture:

BTW, that pic is actualy of a drink table - with tea, lemonade, & punch in large glass containers... cute, but how would you keep it cold?

I also like the idea of hanging lanterns and glass jars with flowers from the trees and edges of the tent... I saw a picture of it online earlier, but didn't save it

Around here, cookie tables are also very popular - I'd like to have one, but set it out withthe cake, and have boxes for people to take cake & cookies home in afterwards so I don't have to eat it all myself

Here's a picture of some pretty boxes, like what I'm thinking of:


Well, I think that's about it for now! I welcome anyone's input!
Thanks!

[Julz518]

Originally Posted by Marge129

Did Mom give you the CD with the Willow Pond pictures and your party pictures???

Yes, she gave it to me - that's the pictures I have at home that I referred to earlier. I haven't even looked at them yet!

[Julz518]

I found the picture of the hanging flowers:

I'm hoping to develop a green thumb next summer, and hopefully grow a lot of my own flowers - the daises won't be a problem, they're everywhere!

Does anyone know what flowers are common to the British Isles (besides roses)? Is it basically the same as here?

[breezy]

We made those programs for our wedding. I printed all the pages and started to cut the rounded edges then decided to have them cut... finding someone that cut rounded edges was tricky, then they weren't cut to my liking but I had to accept it since our wedding was that week. So either have them printed and cut at the same place or make lots of time to cut all the edges

Everything looks awesome!

[Complicated Woman]

Everything you have planned looks so, so beautiful! I LOVE the first location. It's awesome.

[Julz518]

Originally Posted by breezy

So either have them printed and cut at the same place or make lots of time to cut all the edges

Yeah, I've thought of that - I figure since I have until June 2008, we can start on the programs (and some of the other little things that will keep) next summer I just have to try to have the ceremony planned by then, which shouldn't be too hard.

[Julz518]

Here are some pictures of our visit to Willow Pond Farm. This is the ceremony location, next to the pond.


The house is up a small hill to the right, a stream is on the left, and the driveway is behind us. The "altar" would be under the Willow tree, but since we're using a circular form, I'm not sure how it will work...

Here is a shot of the house. I envision processing out of the back door of the house and coming out between the two pine trees - so we'd be processing in front of the guest, not down and aisle through them. We'd probably have the guys meet us at the top of the hill tomake sure we don't fall. I'm hoping for a string quartet for music - which would be placed in the hillside as well, though I may also have to put guests there.

[Julz518]

Here is a shot of the barn from the ceremony site. The entrance is on the other side, and the building behind it has the bathrooms.



Here's a shot of the inside of the barn - I think Hors d'ourves would be served here before the reception. There are two large barn doors that open up on the far end, so there would be plenty of access and light.



And here is a shot of the reception "field" - we would have to set up a tent. It is immediately beside the barn, up the hill fromthe pond. Parking is furhter up on the hill from here.



Electricity is available throughout the facility, even in the field :-) And the parking lot is well lit.

[555Ann555]

That is one of the prettiest locations I've ever seen!

[Leslee&Jake]

You are lucky to have open beautiful areas like that! In Chicago I am not sure what I will find we might have to venture out to the subarbs!
I love that Barn! It is going to be SO beautiful!!

[labeadel]

Julz, that site is gorgeous!

[Kim&Bob2004]

I agree the setting is lovely!

[Julz518]

It's official: We're getting married June 21, 2008!!! I finally reserved Willow Pond Farm yesterday, and while my mother still wants me to "shop around" I'm 99% sure this is where we're gonna go. So I went ahead and set up my ticker and told Rick... he was suprisingly interested! He even asked me where we're getting married! I got the names and phone numbers of the caterers and rental places as well, so I guess I'm set to start planning!

I also set up a weight loss ticker... I would like to lose about 10 pounds before I buy my wedding dress (probably next spring) and 20 total before the wedding. Now that I have a date set in stone, I am much more motivated to eat right & work out! YAY!

[birdie]

The barn is beautiful! My reception is in a barn too with the ceremony just outside under big oak trees. congrats on getting some major things done (or almost done!)

[Yelycrazygirl]

The place is gorgeous... I'm pretty sure everything is going to look great....

[AngelRoseFyre]

It is a georgeous sight!!! Everything looks great!!!! Congrats of officiallizing your date!!!!

[Leslee&Jake]

Congratulations!

[MyManandMe1007]

Oh how exciting! The wedding site looks gorgeous! Good luck on the weight loss!

[maroki13]

How exciting to set a date!!! The site looks gorgeous.