Back to this whole $10,000 dollar thing. Let's just move on down the road to $15,000 shall we? Mark and I finally got a chance to take a look at our budget, and our pending meeting with the Iron Horse, and it looks like there is just no way to host the type of affair we would like at that venue for our initial budget. I can't help but feel enormously stereotypical here.
"I want to have a very small wedding, 50 max." Have I mentioned my 146 person guest list?
"I can't imagine spending more than $10,000 for a wedding." Well, apparently, my imagination is growing.
There are other options. We could host the event somewhere else for almost half the price of food and beverages by having it catered. But where? So far, everything we've looked at just isn't "us." So, cross your fingers, I'll have updates on Friday as to our meeting with event staff at the Iron Horse.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Location, Location, Location
While, so far, this has yet to be too frustrating an experience, we have definitely hit a few road blocks. It turns out, Wedding Scout isn't just clever name based on my nickname, but it is slowly becoming a well earned title.
We started our planning with seriously looking at my dream location. I hate to even call it that, the word dream is so hokey, but really, it's perfect for us. Since we moved to Milwaukee four years ago, I've kept the Public Library in the back of my mind as a wedding location.
It is civic, gorgeous, and the perfect location for a night time cocktail reception. It's grand entrance rises four stories, with columned balconies and apexes in an amazing domed ceiling. I see cocktail tables with candles glimmering in each arch, my friends and family congregating on the higher floors for a champagne toast as the reception chairs are cleared for a night of dancing under the candlelight. I see a fitting location for a scholar and a designer. And, I hear the woman on the telephone telling me that they simply do not have weddings, the morning after Mark's proposal. While I never quite let my heart get set on it 100 percent, it's still a blow to hear that your perfect spot is simply unattainable.
So we head back to the drawing board. My friend Jonathan knowing our affinity for the library suggested that we check out the Milwaukee County Historical Society, another multi floored, columned building. The prices are great, just $400 for the night, until we find out that they are not booking events until 2010, due to construction. This we find out after a week of emailing the curator.
And that is where we were today. Today was the first time we have had a day together to chat wedding plans over and go hunting for locations. We searched the web, trekked the streets, and made a list of over 20 potential locations, almost all of which were too something or other, or far too expensive. We've toyed around with the idea of hosting it at a swank restaurant on the river, a glass conservatory on the lake, a park, a supper club in the suburbs, and a grand movie house, all of which seemed not quite right. But this afternoon, we might have found it.
Overall we have a few things in mind that we really want in a venue. We want a civic, urban vibe, a multi floored space, somewhere that has gravity and that feels important and elegant. And a place with a few different areas to mingle in, but that doesn't feel too spacious for an event without a sit down dinner.
And, we think we may have found it (at least, pre-price tag) The Iron Horse Hotel. It is a boutique hotel that just opened in Milwaukee, and it is gorgeous! The space is an old factory setting filled with sanded beams, cream city brick walls, amazing lighting and best of all reclaimed industrial era everything. Imagine a modern loft filled with polished antique factory chairs with worn wooden seats and metal bases complete with metal wheels. Edison bulbs hang from every few feet with their enlarged filaments and cloth covered cords. Leather seating meets reclaimed 2x4 flooring, in a polished rustic mesh. It's flat out gorgeous.
The areas we are considering are the lobby, the restaurant area called Smyth, and the patio with three huge gas torches that come out of the rock garden. Maybe even the fireplace adorned library. While the space is intended to be a haven for hog riding Harley enthusiasts, it has definitely struck a chord with both of us. The perfect mix of chic modern styling with antique metal machine parts and rolling carts, it's simply stunning. Here's hoping that we can match a beautiful space with a $10,000 budget.
We started our planning with seriously looking at my dream location. I hate to even call it that, the word dream is so hokey, but really, it's perfect for us. Since we moved to Milwaukee four years ago, I've kept the Public Library in the back of my mind as a wedding location.It is civic, gorgeous, and the perfect location for a night time cocktail reception. It's grand entrance rises four stories, with columned balconies and apexes in an amazing domed ceiling. I see cocktail tables with candles glimmering in each arch, my friends and family congregating on the higher floors for a champagne toast as the reception chairs are cleared for a night of dancing under the candlelight. I see a fitting location for a scholar and a designer. And, I hear the woman on the telephone telling me that they simply do not have weddings, the morning after Mark's proposal. While I never quite let my heart get set on it 100 percent, it's still a blow to hear that your perfect spot is simply unattainable.So we head back to the drawing board. My friend Jonathan knowing our affinity for the library suggested that we check out the Milwaukee County Historical Society, another multi floored, columned building. The prices are great, just $400 for the night, until we find out that they are not booking events until 2010, due to construction. This we find out after a week of emailing the curator.
And that is where we were today. Today was the first time we have had a day together to chat wedding plans over and go hunting for locations. We searched the web, trekked the streets, and made a list of over 20 potential locations, almost all of which were too something or other, or far too expensive. We've toyed around with the idea of hosting it at a swank restaurant on the river, a glass conservatory on the lake, a park, a supper club in the suburbs, and a grand movie house, all of which seemed not quite right. But this afternoon, we might have found it.
Overall we have a few things in mind that we really want in a venue. We want a civic, urban vibe, a multi floored space, somewhere that has gravity and that feels important and elegant. And a place with a few different areas to mingle in, but that doesn't feel too spacious for an event without a sit down dinner.
And, we think we may have found it (at least, pre-price tag) The Iron Horse Hotel. It is a boutique hotel that just opened in Milwaukee, and it is gorgeous! The space is an old factory setting filled with sanded beams, cream city brick walls, amazing lighting and best of all reclaimed industrial era everything. Imagine a modern loft filled with polished antique factory chairs with worn wooden seats and metal bases complete with metal wheels. Edison bulbs hang from every few feet with their enlarged filaments and cloth covered cords. Leather seating meets reclaimed 2x4 flooring, in a polished rustic mesh. It's flat out gorgeous.
The areas we are considering are the lobby, the restaurant area called Smyth, and the patio with three huge gas torches that come out of the rock garden. Maybe even the fireplace adorned library. While the space is intended to be a haven for hog riding Harley enthusiasts, it has definitely struck a chord with both of us. The perfect mix of chic modern styling with antique metal machine parts and rolling carts, it's simply stunning. Here's hoping that we can match a beautiful space with a $10,000 budget.
A Dress
Well, it turns out that finding your wedding dress in 3 hours is possible. I just spent a great Saturday in Chicago with my five best girlfriends wedding dress shopping. It really was a dichotomous experience.
We started out day at Dimitra's Bridal on Rush Street, and while it wasn't a horrible experience, looking back on it, there was a reason I left frustrated and a little stressed. Perhaps it was the sales woman telling me that I don't know what my style is, because after all, she had just chosen every dress they had with a "vintage" look for me (which were all terrible, and nowhere close to the look I had shown her). Or maybe the fact that upon revealing my intended budget, she promptly told my friends that I could not try on a gown without her (bluntly) stating the price first. And that the trunk show gowns were off limits. Or when she scoffed at my not wanting to buy a shabby sample gown that was falling apart, "did you really think we would sell it to you like that?" But my all time favorite was her pointing at my breasts and telling me how no dress would ever fit me because the designers simply do not make them that small. Honestly I spent most of my time there appoliogizing because I felt like I was more trouble then her worth.
So from hell to heaven, and to what I can only imagine is the best bridal boutique in Chicago, ah, White Chicago. From the moment we entered the subterranean, clean modern showroom we were completely delighted. All glass and white lacquer, and complete with a rack for your shoes and a selection of fresh white socks. My entourage and I called ahead and asked if we could celebrate with some bubbly. Not only was the woman on the phone courteous, but she invited us to come early and enjoy one of their private lounges while we toast. We popped the cork and toasted and began dress shopping the way it was meant to be. While sitting on the white modern sofa, in the all white room, I handed out small cards to each of my best friends asking them to be my bridesmaids, "check yes or no." It was so adorable. I have a picture of each carefully checking yes. Then myself and a few of the ladies were invited back to their gallery to take a look at their selection of new samples, and once wed dresses. The selection was fresh and designer, and most of all gorgeous. Even my ring left happier after a fresh cleaning!
I tried on each dress and walked the catwalk before the ladies, and it was super fun. The saleswoman even suggested I show off the ones I didn't love, so that my friends could at least see them. She understood that it was all about the experience, not just the dress. Each gown had things to love and like. But in the end, it was the last one that won my heart. I had actually seen it on the bride before me as she pranced down the catwalk in it. I can't imagine what she thought when we all pointed and screamed, that's the dress! Thank you White Chicago for such an amazing, and perfect experience!
Photos: White Chicago
We started out day at Dimitra's Bridal on Rush Street, and while it wasn't a horrible experience, looking back on it, there was a reason I left frustrated and a little stressed. Perhaps it was the sales woman telling me that I don't know what my style is, because after all, she had just chosen every dress they had with a "vintage" look for me (which were all terrible, and nowhere close to the look I had shown her). Or maybe the fact that upon revealing my intended budget, she promptly told my friends that I could not try on a gown without her (bluntly) stating the price first. And that the trunk show gowns were off limits. Or when she scoffed at my not wanting to buy a shabby sample gown that was falling apart, "did you really think we would sell it to you like that?" But my all time favorite was her pointing at my breasts and telling me how no dress would ever fit me because the designers simply do not make them that small. Honestly I spent most of my time there appoliogizing because I felt like I was more trouble then her worth.
So from hell to heaven, and to what I can only imagine is the best bridal boutique in Chicago, ah, White Chicago. From the moment we entered the subterranean, clean modern showroom we were completely delighted. All glass and white lacquer, and complete with a rack for your shoes and a selection of fresh white socks. My entourage and I called ahead and asked if we could celebrate with some bubbly. Not only was the woman on the phone courteous, but she invited us to come early and enjoy one of their private lounges while we toast. We popped the cork and toasted and began dress shopping the way it was meant to be. While sitting on the white modern sofa, in the all white room, I handed out small cards to each of my best friends asking them to be my bridesmaids, "check yes or no." It was so adorable. I have a picture of each carefully checking yes. Then myself and a few of the ladies were invited back to their gallery to take a look at their selection of new samples, and once wed dresses. The selection was fresh and designer, and most of all gorgeous. Even my ring left happier after a fresh cleaning!
I tried on each dress and walked the catwalk before the ladies, and it was super fun. The saleswoman even suggested I show off the ones I didn't love, so that my friends could at least see them. She understood that it was all about the experience, not just the dress. Each gown had things to love and like. But in the end, it was the last one that won my heart. I had actually seen it on the bride before me as she pranced down the catwalk in it. I can't imagine what she thought when we all pointed and screamed, that's the dress! Thank you White Chicago for such an amazing, and perfect experience!
Photos: White Chicago
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