Ok, so let’s be honest, it took my boyfriend almost five years to propose…how the heck was I ever going to get a date out of him? I was shocked at how easy it was. We started with the year, 2014 or 2015. We both agreed 2015 was a little too far away for us. Then we figured we would–well that I would–look at venues and narrow it down first and then we would decide on a location. Then this would allow us to figure out which date might work, as we knew options were filling it up fast!
Eeeek! Now what? I should know what I want, I’m 30…I have been envisioning my perfect day for years…. Right?
Remember I said that Eric had mentioned an amazing tented wedding when I first started with the company? What I didn’t tell you was that I smiled and nodded, but inside I laughed and thought, “Yeah right! Not this girl!” Seriously, I have experienced tented weddings, why would I want to sign on for more stress worrying about rain, wind, humidity, or–my luck–hail!
The Traditional Wedding Route
I’ll be honest. I made it to ONE venue officially. It was a country club down in southern NH. They completely knew what they were doing, although I was not so sure I did! It was gorgeous, I could picture the ceremony and the trees down the drive in bloom, but the room only sat 140 people. The dance floor was where the dance floor was going to stay…it was glued down. The chairs were questionable. I could bring in my own, but would have to pay for off site storage for their chairs! Every dish they offered was served with red bliss potatoes and a vegetable medley and the only dates left were Halloween weekend or later. Did I mention the ceremony site was outside?
Then it hit me. Casey and I have no connection to a generic location that serves generic food and does not want to help us create a unique experience for our guests and ourselves. Plus, I have never golfed a day in my life, unless you consider a hot pink ball and windmill golf! I went home from my visit and started making a game plan with Casey.
History Repeats Itself
I guess I should back up a little bit. Twenty-two years ago my mom met the man of her dreams, and the best Dad I could have asked for. Two years later they married on the hottest June day I can remember on Lake Winnisquam at the Loon Sanctuary. My dad was waiting for Mom on a boat with his best man, and we all took a boat from our house on the lake to meet him. Guests followed behind my mom’s boat. They connected their boats and guests circled around them. After they said ‘I-do,’ the party followed. We all went back to the house, and my parents proceeded to swim, water ski, and even go tubing in their wedding clothes. I was shocked! I remember saying, “Mom you are ruining your dress!” She smiled at me and said “When am I ever going to wear it again?!” And she was right…and thank God she didn’t expect me to wear it! Thanks Mom for letting me off of that hook!
Everyone to this day talks about my parents’ wedding at the lake house. I have spent my last 26 summers there and now Casey has spent the last five years visiting for weekends and heading over there for dinners on the patio. That location has provided us with priceless memories of Lulu flying off of the dock for a tennis ball, late night campfires, trips to the sand bar, and many hours of enjoying the sun on a float.
I know what you are thinking…THIS is your location. I admit I can be stubborn, and I didn’t want to recreate a laid back second wedding, but after discussing our options, we both agreed there would be no better place to celebrate one of the most important days of our lives. We checked with a local resort and started planning backwards. We asked them to let us know which date they had the most rooms open. And our date was decided. September 6, 2014…one of Lakes Region Tent and Event’s busiest dates of the season!
One Final Tip
Think about what you and your fiancé love. Use your venue or location to speak to you and your guests. This way no matter what happens on your day–rain, sleet, humidity–you will be guaranteed to have a blast!
