Wedding Wednesdays: The Venue

This may have been one of the most stressful decisions of the entire wedding. I had always dreamed of this picturesque view of a pond with a giant weeping willow tree, dinner by hanging lanterns and dancing under the stars. Obviously with a December wedding (in Virginia) in the works, this wasn't an option - unless we wanted to be ice skating on the pond and bundled in our parkas. So, no outdoor venues, which automatically cut 75 percent of the options (including Mike's dream of renting a big house on the Ocean and having a week-long wedding celebration...darn :).

My number one choice was the Woman's Club of Portsmouth. This gorgeous venue was recently renovated and would have been perfect for our vintage chic theme. Mike immediately canned the idea of Portsmouth in general, but I called for details and found out we wouldn't be able to stay past 11 p.m., which simple wouldn't do for our NYE wedding.

The Obici House in Suffolk, top
Yacht Club at Marina Shores, bottom

We considered the Yacht Club at Marina Shores, but this venue really shines with warm-weather weddings when you can enjoy the deck and water views. We talked with the event planner at the Obici House in Suffolk, but dates, the commute and rising rates within a week, left us unable to commit.

From top left, The Parlor on Granby, pretty warehouse wedding ideas, The Wells Theater and Vintage Kitchen

We decided it was really important for all of our visiting guests to see where we met and have built our lives together, which narrowed it down to Norfolk-only venues. I tinkered with the idea of the Arts District...a loft, warehouse style wedding? The Parlor on Granby wasn't able to hold our growing guest list of 150. The Texaco Building wouldn't be completed in time. Vintage Kitchen wouldn't return our phone calls. But perhaps The Wells Theater? We were good on dates, fees, it was in our beloved Norfolk ... but we might not have use of the theater because it'd be between shows and sets would be under construction.

Somehow I came across The Woman's Club of Norfolk website, which didn't help one way or another. It was hard to get in touch and schedule an appointment, but when we finally met with Mrs. Miller and walked around the house I started to foresee a wedding. That is, until we saw the reception hall. It was dingy, dirty, the floors were in bad shape and the "stage" was covered in a dark brown poop carpet (the color, not the smell) that was frayed and frankly, terrible. I said thank you and left without a second thought. Mike, on the other hand, was totally in favor. We'll re-carpet the stage, they'll clean the house, we'll rent furniture and have them de-clutter the rooms. These seemed like pretty lofty requests to me. However, as I started to show pictures of the house to family and friends (one being an interior designer), I gained some assurance it wasn't really as bad as I thought.

The reception hall of ugly.

The main house was beautiful and full of history, stunning antiques and pretty much my idea right before my eyes. Once we added decor, food and 150 (drinking) guests, you'll never notice the other stuff, they said. I prayed they were right because we signed the contract and promised myself I wouldn't question it. But I did, until the day of setup.

#28: Fish market

The last time I went to this fish market was more than 5 years ago. I had a friend in town visiting and we ventured in to buy some mussels. I remember they were inexpensive and didn't make me sick, so it was a success. Today after my monthly trip to the grocery, I stopped in and bought a pound of shrimp. I was tempted to buy scallops, but decided against it since we are going out for dinner tonight. The shrimp will be a little treat for Mike and his dad after their afternoon of toilet repair.

Fish Market is off the list!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about it here.

Monday Musebles

#91: Farmer's Market

The past four days were packed full of Hampton Roads must-dos for my visiting parents. Lucky for me, there were also a lot of 92 Days items to cross off too. Here's a short preview of trip (including running the boardwalk, visiting Yorktown and Fairview Place's anniversary). We went to the Portsmouth Flea Market, which is in Olde Towne, the first Saturday of every month. Mike and I hit up this market a few years back and boy has it grown! I was so excited to see the entire first floor of the parking garage full of vendors with loads of people.

#49: P*Town Flea

We picked up a few small things for house (glass milk bottle, wire basket and some mint), while my Mom purchased a gorgeous windmill locket. The prices are pretty reasonable and most vendors were willing to haggle. I think we might have missed out on a nice iron piece for above the bed, but I'm not 100 percent bummed we didn't buy it.

I think it's a crime not to have been to Chick's Oyster Bar as a visitor! We corrected that on Sunday afternoon with lunch and the infamous Bloody Mary bar.

#36: Freebie: Drive a Convertible

I played chauffeur on Friday when I took my parents to Yorktown. Lucky for me, I got to drive their brand new VW Convertible! That is a treat I could definitely get used to. Although, I have to admit, driving with the top down through the tunnels was terrifying.

#58: Watch a Movie

Okay, I will admit Henry Cavill made this movie worth watching. All the doom, gloom and destruction that today's Superhero movies must include is really just not my thing. I needed more Superman flying through the air with Louis Lane in his arms :)

#84: Go for a Walk

I love that when my Mom comes to visit we stay so active. The first morning we woke up, drove down to the Oceanfront and ran the boardwalk. On Friday we walked around the neighborhood, gawking at the houses and getting ideas for my yard and future plan of adding a balcony to the front of the house.

And of course, plenty of time relaxing (#13) in the sunshine. I'm working on the healthy tan this Summer, and making a good habit of applying sunscreen before heading outdoors. So far, it's working!

 I'm participating in my third 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about the project here.