The third instalment in Paula's wedding story (have a read of 'The Proposal' and 'Family Involvement' to catch up) takes us through the thought process of finding and selecting a venue that is suitable for the wedding that she's planning.
The Venue
Making a list of venues to visit has been the most exciting part of wedding preparation so far. First big decision was whether to get married in Dublin where we're from or in the Midlands where we live. Knowing my family would always follow a party, it would be easier (and cheaper) to critique venues locally, so Mansfield it was. I honestly haven't a clue what I'm looking for. My memories of when I was younger and my sisters and brothers got married consist of churches, long, impersonal sermons, endless posed photographs and a sit-meal meal with a LOT of relatives that I didn't know. As much as I would have liked a church wedding, that isn't possible as my financé is divorced and I knew that I didn't want any of the rest of it. I want everyone I love to be there. I don't want to be at a "top table" looking down on them, I want to be in the middle of them. I want to spend the whole time on my feet and don't want to be standing still for photos - I want action shots!
There are many options even in a town as small as Mansfield. We took a Saturday off and booked as many appointments as we could arrange within a week. I planned to stay grounded and practical. Little did I realise how emotion takes over where affairs of the heart are concerned!
We managed to narrow it down to three from that day. The first venue was the most sensible option - a big room; big enough to accommodate even the long lost, never-before-met cousins. It had a huge wooden floor for dancing, a long bar and a snooker hall behind with mates rates for those who got bored. It wasn't in a fancy location, but it had an affordable menu.
The second venue was kind of a wishful thinking. Sherwood Forest. The actually Sherwood Forest. In Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire. I mean, if it's good enough for Robin Hood and Maid Marian, it's good enough for me. The room wasn't really big enough - it's the restaurant with all the tables moved around - and the bar would be tiny, not ideal for a huge family of Irish drinkers. But it was Sherwood Forest!! It was muddy when we went, not great for heels (not mine, I might add - I'm planned on wearing Converse but that's another story) and our wedding date will be around the same time next year. But, seriously, did I mention it's Sherwood Forest?!
The third venue was the rank outsider. It's the local big hotel. It's beautiful, on the grounds of a fabulous park with a fantastic view. It's recently been renovated. And a wedding booking books the whole hotel - all ten rooms including the Bridal Suite. The food is good and it's not unreasonably priced. But the reception room is small. They could only give us 75 chairs. Our wedding list, at it's tightest squeeze is 150. Much as I fell in love with the pipe dream, it was just that. Totally impractical.
When you pick a wedding venue, its so much more than somewhere to gather. It's creating the memory, one that will last for the rest of your life. Damn, this stuff is hard!
Come back next Wednesday for the next instalment
Follow Paula on Twitter : @paulamaher
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