The Place

After the engagement and selecting our date, we jumped into wedding planning. The first thing on our list (or I should say "the knot" list), was to find a venue. We knew we wanted something that was different, something outside of a hotel and that could accommodate both ceremony and reception. We both LOVE the city and the urban lifestyle it offers, so we wanted our friends and family to get a taste of what appeals to us.

Website, after website. Idea after idea. We came across a venue that neither of us heard of before. Stranger still, the site address was not far from home AND only blocks from my work at the time. Joyce had visited a couple sites and we were definitely narrowing our choices down. We actually were getting close to a decision. So when I walked up the street on a lunch break to check out the latest find, it was more an act of due diligence than a hope to find the perfect spot. I honestly almost turned around as I approached the building as it appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary from your typical downtown building. I should've known better than to judge a book by it's cover, because I was take aback by what I saw upon entering the facility.

I was standing in an art gallery, a big open box.... the wheels started turning. There were so many things that could be done to put our own personal spin on a non-traditional wedding. I HAD to call Joyce. One, because I wanted her to share in the excitement and, two, because there was already someone holding the spot for 07.07.07!! The event manager mentioned that the hold was simply that... a hold... and that no money was put down. So depending on how serious the other party was, there was a chance that it could be ours.

Joyce came the SAME day right after work and I met her there. Together we talked with the event manager, we toured the facility, became even more excited, and crossed our fingers that the other party wouldn't commit to monetarily holding this spot.... which they didn't!! Terra Event Center was the place!

That got the ball rolling on finding all the other vendors. We were able to get them booked within a couple months period of time and a about a year out from the actual event, which was great because ALL of them said that they had to turn down the most requests for one date EVER!

Next was our photographer...

then our officiant (who honestly deserves an entry of her own so check back)

then the caterer

There are a few other vendors that we had to book, but I don't want to give away all the details. We'd like to maintain an element of curiosity and surprise!!