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.