In my last post I threw a fit about caterers not adhering to my demands that they respond within minutes to my inquiries, and also make up a song about me and send flowers to me. Ravishing Raddish just got back to me today, a billion weeks later. No good, guys.
I issued a challenge to Shooby Doo Catering in that same post, and to my delight, they have come through for me. I got an email four hours later (at 2 a.m.) from one of the owners with an itemized quote AND answers to all the questions I had rattled off. It wasn't a cold profeshonal email, either... there were exclamation points!!1!one
We have an appointment to meet with them this Saturday to discuss the menu. And that's how business is done.
I picked up my dress today. It's mine, my very own! I was a size 20 when I tried their sample on a few months ago... but I was a small size 20, and the salesgirl was confident that I could be laced into an 18 if they had one on hand. So I got ambitious and ordered a 16.
Now it's now and I'm a solid 22, and I was dreading the dress pickup because I wasn't going to be able to try it on. It had also been a shitty day and I just walked in to Alfred Angelo pissed off to begin with. But magically, as if to deliver me (if only for a moment) from traffic and rain and all the other things going wrong, the size 16 fits over my hips and can be laced loosely enough to fit myself in it. I could not lose any weight between now and July and still be able to rock this bitch down the aisle, ya'll.
Moral of the story: that's why you always get a lace-up wedding dress.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Time for Wedding Talk
Random update: the NPO is paying me a wee bit o' cash for work during November, so I'm not homeless and starving yet. They're going to review my contract at the end of the month after the big fundraiser, and see if they can continue to use my help. It hasn't been glamorous pay, but it keeps me blissfully busy and lets me leave my stress at the office... so that I can come home and devote all my worry to the wedding.
We have a venue that is not at all what we thought it would be! The Theater Off Jackson just never got back to us, so we gave up hope. After scouring the city multiple times for places to get hitched, a random new place popped up in my searches. Within Sodo is an event space within Sodo (hur) that looks like a warehouse with an art collection in it. It has a rooftop deck with a view of downtown Seattle and the Starbux building, and enough random things hanging from brick walls that it doesn't feel empty. Also there is a fish tank full of koi!
We started talking to the manager, Brian, back in August and he's been great to work with. The date we booked is July 14, 2012. Here are some reviews.
It was thanks to Within Sodo that I stumbled across photographers that we are going to reserve before anyone steals them away. I was searching for pictures of the venue because I can't complete my OCD-level accurate floor plan without a vision of what the walls will look like or whatever, and I came across this wedding inspiration shoot that had happened right there AND WAS GORGEOUS.
Oh neat! It looks like JayLee traveled forward into the future and caught my sister and I enjoying a sibling moment at my wedding! (Kidding. The original foto is (c) and (tm) them.)
We're still deciding on a package with them, but we met them in person and I was overwhelmed by adorableness.
You know who hasn't completely impressed me with their personalities or at bare minimum an interest in my business? Caterers. I understand that my price point is only slightly higher than Taco Bell, but if I were to serve 120 people Chalupas and fountain drinks, that would still be $400 that CATERERS WILL NOT GET FROM ME.
Celebrations Catering was my top runner because they catered a baby shower I went to and the food was delicious. Also the price was not awful. I had talked to them at person during my last job, and when I emailed them an inquiry for the wedding they sent me the standard response with pricing info and etc, including a lovely note that the consultation and tasting would be included in the cost of the event. I reminded the contact that I had discussed all of this with her in person and asked how much those would set me back if we decided to go with someone else. Two days later I got an email telling me that tasting dates were available in January and completely ignoring my question. I don't think there was even a salutation.
I get that it's the pre-holiday season and caterers are swamped. But I would have liked a quick "Sorry, can't talked, up to my neck in cranberry sauce, will get back to you soon with more details!" I don't think I'm a priority for them, and now I'm paranoid that my previous employer blacklisted me from all the caterers she knows, and I will truly have to serve Chalupas at my wedding.
Also, Dear Ravishing Raddish, I filled out your e-form a week ago. You are now also off of my list.
Next try: Shooby Doo Catering. They were recommended by a friend who ate their awesome appetizers at Wine World. I have filled out their online form justnow, so we'll see what response I get. I hope they want to talk to me - their food looks amazing.
And I really don't want to have to resort to Taco Bell.
We have a venue that is not at all what we thought it would be! The Theater Off Jackson just never got back to us, so we gave up hope. After scouring the city multiple times for places to get hitched, a random new place popped up in my searches. Within Sodo is an event space within Sodo (hur) that looks like a warehouse with an art collection in it. It has a rooftop deck with a view of downtown Seattle and the Starbux building, and enough random things hanging from brick walls that it doesn't feel empty. Also there is a fish tank full of koi!
We started talking to the manager, Brian, back in August and he's been great to work with. The date we booked is July 14, 2012. Here are some reviews.
It was thanks to Within Sodo that I stumbled across photographers that we are going to reserve before anyone steals them away. I was searching for pictures of the venue because I can't complete my OCD-level accurate floor plan without a vision of what the walls will look like or whatever, and I came across this wedding inspiration shoot that had happened right there AND WAS GORGEOUS.
We're still deciding on a package with them, but we met them in person and I was overwhelmed by adorableness.
You know who hasn't completely impressed me with their personalities or at bare minimum an interest in my business? Caterers. I understand that my price point is only slightly higher than Taco Bell, but if I were to serve 120 people Chalupas and fountain drinks, that would still be $400 that CATERERS WILL NOT GET FROM ME.
Celebrations Catering was my top runner because they catered a baby shower I went to and the food was delicious. Also the price was not awful. I had talked to them at person during my last job, and when I emailed them an inquiry for the wedding they sent me the standard response with pricing info and etc, including a lovely note that the consultation and tasting would be included in the cost of the event. I reminded the contact that I had discussed all of this with her in person and asked how much those would set me back if we decided to go with someone else. Two days later I got an email telling me that tasting dates were available in January and completely ignoring my question. I don't think there was even a salutation.
I get that it's the pre-holiday season and caterers are swamped. But I would have liked a quick "Sorry, can't talked, up to my neck in cranberry sauce, will get back to you soon with more details!" I don't think I'm a priority for them, and now I'm paranoid that my previous employer blacklisted me from all the caterers she knows, and I will truly have to serve Chalupas at my wedding.
Also, Dear Ravishing Raddish, I filled out your e-form a week ago. You are now also off of my list.
Next try: Shooby Doo Catering. They were recommended by a friend who ate their awesome appetizers at Wine World. I have filled out their online form justnow, so we'll see what response I get. I hope they want to talk to me - their food looks amazing.
And I really don't want to have to resort to Taco Bell.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
No, really: sometimes these things are for the better
I apologize for my unholy hiatus.
A quick recap of the past few months: I have quit my job (again), I am back at the nonprofit (again), and for some reason, Mr. Fiance has not run from my apparent need to cry about everything (still).
What to discuss first? I started this blog talking about the lofty reasons why one must quit a job if it becomes more trouble than they can bear. This was That, Version 2.0. Bad relationship with boss. Felt bullied in the workplace. Led to increased anxiety and panic attacks.
The common denominator is me? Don't think I haven't considered it. That was probably the most stressful thing about it - thinking that I should be able to handle it, and not handling it somehow indicated laziness or bad social skills or some other problem on my part. But after a lot of therapy and support from friends/family and some AMAZING pills that make it easier to breathe when I can't, I realized that no one can treat me like that, even if I am lazy or socially inept or whatever. Which I'm not.
So I quit, in somewhat less of a fiery blaze of glory than the last time, but it was still glorious. I feared ostracism in the Japan community here, but so far I've had no backlash. In fact, on Day 3 of Funemployment, the NPO I used to work for called me up, and it went a little something like this:
NPO: "Hey, whatcha doin'?"
Me: "Not much. Lookin' for jobs. Hanging out with the cats."
NPO: "So our biggest fundraiser is coming up in six weeks, and it turns out we have no idea what to do AND can't use databases. Would you happen to know about databases?"
Me: "Sure, I'll come in a few days a week and fix all your ish."
I was very glad to have something to do besides Craigslist and kittens. Secretly, I felt like a superhero, being the one person in the right situation able to assist them with what they need. They may end up paying me for the work I'm doing with them; one person called me about it today, but I didn't answer because I've been afraid of the phone for the past few weeks. Irrational?
The first time I stepped into that office and sat down at the computer, all the parts about the job that I loved came racing back to me. The graphic design, procuring auction items, and DATABASES. I love a motherfucking database, and I realized that being able to say that without a hint of sarcasm meant I should probably look into some sort of class, or a series of classes.
It's been a few weeks since then, and this Life Plan that I'm developing is constantly in a state of evolution, but here's where I stand so far. I feel better, mentally, than I did 3 months ago. I have found some Database Admin certificate programs at local schools and online, and I'm thinking I need to get in on that, as soon as possible. I've got some sort of income for the next month, and after that, depending on what sort of DBA course I take, I can get a part-time job or something to bring in a little extra cash while I learn what, exactly, SQL stands for.
I have no idea how this is going to pan out. I worry that going from a fluffly liberal arts education and a background of office assistance to a hard technical career will be too challenging. Hell, I'm worried that any course I take will be too challenging. And then I remember that the thought of being a receptionist or anyone's assistant, ever again, makes me want to shoot myself in the head. And then I go read course descriptions for UW's DBA program, and giggle to myself because it sounds so interesting.
More on wedding plans later. I've got my life to think about.
A quick recap of the past few months: I have quit my job (again), I am back at the nonprofit (again), and for some reason, Mr. Fiance has not run from my apparent need to cry about everything (still).
What to discuss first? I started this blog talking about the lofty reasons why one must quit a job if it becomes more trouble than they can bear. This was That, Version 2.0. Bad relationship with boss. Felt bullied in the workplace. Led to increased anxiety and panic attacks.
The common denominator is me? Don't think I haven't considered it. That was probably the most stressful thing about it - thinking that I should be able to handle it, and not handling it somehow indicated laziness or bad social skills or some other problem on my part. But after a lot of therapy and support from friends/family and some AMAZING pills that make it easier to breathe when I can't, I realized that no one can treat me like that, even if I am lazy or socially inept or whatever. Which I'm not.
So I quit, in somewhat less of a fiery blaze of glory than the last time, but it was still glorious. I feared ostracism in the Japan community here, but so far I've had no backlash. In fact, on Day 3 of Funemployment, the NPO I used to work for called me up, and it went a little something like this:
NPO: "Hey, whatcha doin'?"
Me: "Not much. Lookin' for jobs. Hanging out with the cats."
NPO: "So our biggest fundraiser is coming up in six weeks, and it turns out we have no idea what to do AND can't use databases. Would you happen to know about databases?"
Me: "Sure, I'll come in a few days a week and fix all your ish."
I was very glad to have something to do besides Craigslist and kittens. Secretly, I felt like a superhero, being the one person in the right situation able to assist them with what they need. They may end up paying me for the work I'm doing with them; one person called me about it today, but I didn't answer because I've been afraid of the phone for the past few weeks. Irrational?
The first time I stepped into that office and sat down at the computer, all the parts about the job that I loved came racing back to me. The graphic design, procuring auction items, and DATABASES. I love a motherfucking database, and I realized that being able to say that without a hint of sarcasm meant I should probably look into some sort of class, or a series of classes.
It's been a few weeks since then, and this Life Plan that I'm developing is constantly in a state of evolution, but here's where I stand so far. I feel better, mentally, than I did 3 months ago. I have found some Database Admin certificate programs at local schools and online, and I'm thinking I need to get in on that, as soon as possible. I've got some sort of income for the next month, and after that, depending on what sort of DBA course I take, I can get a part-time job or something to bring in a little extra cash while I learn what, exactly, SQL stands for.
I have no idea how this is going to pan out. I worry that going from a fluffly liberal arts education and a background of office assistance to a hard technical career will be too challenging. Hell, I'm worried that any course I take will be too challenging. And then I remember that the thought of being a receptionist or anyone's assistant, ever again, makes me want to shoot myself in the head. And then I go read course descriptions for UW's DBA program, and giggle to myself because it sounds so interesting.
More on wedding plans later. I've got my life to think about.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Little By Little May Be My Undoing
Mom sent me a coupon for World Market, and I used it, spending $29 and saving $19 on two large orange vase/votive-things and a string of 35 mini lanterns with all the hardware. While checking out, I signed up for their rewards program thingy, and they will continue sending me coupons. This could get dangerous.
The other day I found some other great things at Goodwill - a beautiful aqua votive, some smaller aqua tealight votives, and two unused orange candles plus vintage plates to put them on, all for $10. The savings are intoxicating, but that puts my total wedding spending at $39 this week alone.
Making the decision not to have identical tablescapes has been liberating; it gives me the freedom to pick what I want where I can. But the odd things I've purchased so far still don't fit into any scheme - no matter how loose my definition of 'scheme' is - and I wonder if I'll just end up with closets full of orange- and blue-colored things that I don't end up using. The space (crossing fingers!) is versatile enough that I think I can find places for a variety of things. In the bathroom, for example! On the bar! On little side tables, at the front entrance, on a random counter that just happens to be there. But to what end?
Also, our preferred wedding date is over a year away. The things I'm buying now will literally just take up space until then.
I have no idea if I'll look back and think, "Why the hell did I buy all that stuff? I didn't use half of it - what a waste of money." I could look back and think, "Thank goodness I bought all that stuff when I did, because now I'm putting my money towards bigger wedding expenses/the orange stuff this season isn't what I want at all/I lost my job and I'm poor as shit." Who knows these things?
I tell myself that I'm being good. I don't scoop up every single thing that is made of aqua glass, because then I'd be the proud owner of a glass basket (what) that I saw at Goodwill the other day, and that is just dumb. I'm looking for specific shades and sizes and materials, and I don't put anything in my basket on a whim. Also I refuse to pay full price for anything. This is immensely emotionally satisfying and makes me feel successful at planning a wedding that my guests and I will find lovely. But I'm not sure, at this moment, that it's the best tactic.
The other day I found some other great things at Goodwill - a beautiful aqua votive, some smaller aqua tealight votives, and two unused orange candles plus vintage plates to put them on, all for $10. The savings are intoxicating, but that puts my total wedding spending at $39 this week alone.
Making the decision not to have identical tablescapes has been liberating; it gives me the freedom to pick what I want where I can. But the odd things I've purchased so far still don't fit into any scheme - no matter how loose my definition of 'scheme' is - and I wonder if I'll just end up with closets full of orange- and blue-colored things that I don't end up using. The space (crossing fingers!) is versatile enough that I think I can find places for a variety of things. In the bathroom, for example! On the bar! On little side tables, at the front entrance, on a random counter that just happens to be there. But to what end?
Also, our preferred wedding date is over a year away. The things I'm buying now will literally just take up space until then.
I have no idea if I'll look back and think, "Why the hell did I buy all that stuff? I didn't use half of it - what a waste of money." I could look back and think, "Thank goodness I bought all that stuff when I did, because now I'm putting my money towards bigger wedding expenses/the orange stuff this season isn't what I want at all/I lost my job and I'm poor as shit." Who knows these things?
I tell myself that I'm being good. I don't scoop up every single thing that is made of aqua glass, because then I'd be the proud owner of a glass basket (what) that I saw at Goodwill the other day, and that is just dumb. I'm looking for specific shades and sizes and materials, and I don't put anything in my basket on a whim. Also I refuse to pay full price for anything. This is immensely emotionally satisfying and makes me feel successful at planning a wedding that my guests and I will find lovely. But I'm not sure, at this moment, that it's the best tactic.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Entertainment During the Waiting Game
It feels like everything's on hold. I can research caterers and photographers and anything I want until my eyes explode, but we can't make any more decisions until we nail down the date with the Theater Off Jackson, and they can't help us - at least not for now. They're negotiating the renewal of their lease, and until that gets signed, our contract won't be signed, either.
They seem optimistic that we can get a date in August 2012, and they seem eager to work with us. In the meantime, Mr. Fiance has suggested - very practically - that we look at other venues so as not to put all of our eggs in one basket. I agree with him, but it's not like our initial search was just our top 4 from hundreds of possible spaces - we have a budget, and we have a huge number of people, and there just aren't that many places to choose from that accommodate both. Plus, I've spent HOURS with Microsoft Publisher trying to figure out how to fit the maximum number of guests into the layout, and I've finally found a plan that seats 120 comfortably, with room to walk and dance. How can I walk away from all of that work and start over?
Maybe it should be HIS job to look for venues while I worry about more important things, like decorations?
I found delightful inspiration for tablescapes from this picture, and as with everything else wedding-related, I've spent some time trying to figure out how I can achieve the same idea for cheaper. I love the idea of little oranges, but they'll be out of season, so I need summer-appropriate, local fruit that will be cheap and fit into the color scheme. I'm not sure what to do about flowers, but I like the orange-in-blue idea. And sure, I could get matching containers, but wouldn't a mix of thrifty finds be more interesting? Also, Mr. Fiance likes the soda bottle idea, and I love the little blue and orange votives - although I would like them more if they were gilded.
The goal: shallow, long containers filled with orange flowers, seasonal orange-colored fruit, and moss or some other filler; orange soda bottles; blue and orange candle votives
The solution: For the containers, I've started scouring Goodwill and TJ Maxx (My kingdom for a HomeGoods in Seattle!). Both of these places are most well-known for affordable clothing, but they also carry a large selection of home items and decorations. I found a surprisingly nice aqua-colored oval glass bowl that is very pretty at Goodwill last week for about $4, and TJ Maxx had some orange jugs in clearance for $5.50, so I got two and will tie some blue ribbon around the top to make them more festive. I love an excuse to window shop, so if I go back when I can - a few times a month - I'll probably find some really interesting items every time I go. This helps me spread the cost out over a long period of time.
The flowers are tricky. I have entertained going to Pike Place Market to get flowers without really caring what color they are, but I have friends who know about wholesale options. I don't like the look of silk flowers, but I really like wooden flowers, so those might work. I can use fake moss, or that green foam stuff. This is something that I'll have to figure out closer to the date, but needless to say, I will not be paying a florist to arrange centerpieces.
The internet tells me that apricots, peaches and nectarines will be in season here in Washington, and I can probably find those fruits in orange-enough shades to satisfy me.
Personalized soda bottles - like personalized anything - will cost $texas, and I don't really care if they say "Mr. & Mrs. Whatever". Thomas Kemper Orange Soda already has an orange label, so I could just set these out on the tables or in buckets of ice for easy, decorative refreshment. I could even make my own stickers or paint the cartons they come in if I really felt motivated. Plus this gives me an excuse to have my signature cocktail involve orange cream soda in some way. SCORE.
The votives are tricky. I love the idea of gilded votives like these, but at $4.95 a pop plus tax and shipping, they'll add up quickly if I want my tables littered with them.... which I do. These are a cheaper alternative, and if I find myself with a lot of free time and some gold leaf on hand, I found this tutorial on how to put gold on stuff your own damn self. I could also just tie ribbon or twine around them and call it a day.
Since I've already got a few vases at home and some flowers from Mr. Fiance that are on the verge of death, maybe I'll do a mockup of what this concept would look like?
They seem optimistic that we can get a date in August 2012, and they seem eager to work with us. In the meantime, Mr. Fiance has suggested - very practically - that we look at other venues so as not to put all of our eggs in one basket. I agree with him, but it's not like our initial search was just our top 4 from hundreds of possible spaces - we have a budget, and we have a huge number of people, and there just aren't that many places to choose from that accommodate both. Plus, I've spent HOURS with Microsoft Publisher trying to figure out how to fit the maximum number of guests into the layout, and I've finally found a plan that seats 120 comfortably, with room to walk and dance. How can I walk away from all of that work and start over?
Maybe it should be HIS job to look for venues while I worry about more important things, like decorations?
I found delightful inspiration for tablescapes from this picture, and as with everything else wedding-related, I've spent some time trying to figure out how I can achieve the same idea for cheaper. I love the idea of little oranges, but they'll be out of season, so I need summer-appropriate, local fruit that will be cheap and fit into the color scheme. I'm not sure what to do about flowers, but I like the orange-in-blue idea. And sure, I could get matching containers, but wouldn't a mix of thrifty finds be more interesting? Also, Mr. Fiance likes the soda bottle idea, and I love the little blue and orange votives - although I would like them more if they were gilded.
The goal: shallow, long containers filled with orange flowers, seasonal orange-colored fruit, and moss or some other filler; orange soda bottles; blue and orange candle votives
The solution: For the containers, I've started scouring Goodwill and TJ Maxx (My kingdom for a HomeGoods in Seattle!). Both of these places are most well-known for affordable clothing, but they also carry a large selection of home items and decorations. I found a surprisingly nice aqua-colored oval glass bowl that is very pretty at Goodwill last week for about $4, and TJ Maxx had some orange jugs in clearance for $5.50, so I got two and will tie some blue ribbon around the top to make them more festive. I love an excuse to window shop, so if I go back when I can - a few times a month - I'll probably find some really interesting items every time I go. This helps me spread the cost out over a long period of time.
The flowers are tricky. I have entertained going to Pike Place Market to get flowers without really caring what color they are, but I have friends who know about wholesale options. I don't like the look of silk flowers, but I really like wooden flowers, so those might work. I can use fake moss, or that green foam stuff. This is something that I'll have to figure out closer to the date, but needless to say, I will not be paying a florist to arrange centerpieces.
The internet tells me that apricots, peaches and nectarines will be in season here in Washington, and I can probably find those fruits in orange-enough shades to satisfy me.
Personalized soda bottles - like personalized anything - will cost $texas, and I don't really care if they say "Mr. & Mrs. Whatever". Thomas Kemper Orange Soda already has an orange label, so I could just set these out on the tables or in buckets of ice for easy, decorative refreshment. I could even make my own stickers or paint the cartons they come in if I really felt motivated. Plus this gives me an excuse to have my signature cocktail involve orange cream soda in some way. SCORE.
The votives are tricky. I love the idea of gilded votives like these, but at $4.95 a pop plus tax and shipping, they'll add up quickly if I want my tables littered with them.... which I do. These are a cheaper alternative, and if I find myself with a lot of free time and some gold leaf on hand, I found this tutorial on how to put gold on stuff your own damn self. I could also just tie ribbon or twine around them and call it a day.
Since I've already got a few vases at home and some flowers from Mr. Fiance that are on the verge of death, maybe I'll do a mockup of what this concept would look like?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Venue Found: Theater Off Jackson
I had a hunch the first time I ever saw a show in the upstairs Exhibition Hall at the Theater Off Jackson that I would be planning a wedding there. It had so much to offer both of us: Mr. Fiance, an improv comedian, gets to get married on the stage downstairs. For me, ever the Asia enthusiast, I get the former site of the Wing Luke Asian Museum. I get some lanterns already hung up, and paint that match the color scheme I'm planning. I get a dragon boat on the motherfucking wall.
Here's how it looks standing on the stage in the front looking back:
Then in the back corner, there's a patio area? Except it's inside. There will be so many, many lanterns here.
Dragon boat.
The front of the room.
Photosynth is some nifty iPhone app that Mr. Fiance has, and with it he took a panoramic shot of the Exhibition Hall, where we would have our reception. Click here (you may have to download the viewer thingy).
We still have to discuss pricing and dates, but we're both thrilled about this space.
Here's how it looks standing on the stage in the front looking back:
Then in the back corner, there's a patio area? Except it's inside. There will be so many, many lanterns here.
Dragon boat.
The front of the room.
Photosynth is some nifty iPhone app that Mr. Fiance has, and with it he took a panoramic shot of the Exhibition Hall, where we would have our reception. Click here (you may have to download the viewer thingy).
We still have to discuss pricing and dates, but we're both thrilled about this space.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Great Venue Hunt
I’m on the verge of oversaturating myself with wedding ideas. Secretly, I’m thrilled that Mr. Fiance proposed when he did, because I have plenty of time to plan my attack on post-summer wedding sales. When all the June brides have come back from their honeymoons and need to get rid of decorations and aqua-colored table linens, I will be there to reap the benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Nothing is solid on the decoration front for that very reason, and so today I shall discuss the Great Venue Hunt undertaken by Mr. Fiance and myself last weekend. We made an appointment to visit one of our top two contenders, and decided on impromptu visits to some other locations just to see how we felt about them.
Venue the First: The Mercer Island Community & Event Center near Luther Burbank Park. The views and amenities were pleasantly surprising, but overall we felt underwhelmed with the actual space that would be used for the reception. It was essentially a gym, and would need serious camouflaging to fit MAH VISION™. Plus, I’d have to haul ass up a hill in heels to get to the sprawling outdoor ceremony space, and I don’t trust them to mow the grass before the big day. It would need curtains or drapery, a ton of decorations, and a golf cart turned into my own personal limousine. No hard alcohol allowed, nothing can be tacked to the walls. But it’s cheap, so this space will work only if nothing else does.
Venue the Second: We drove down to Georgetown Studios, a kickass crumbling brick building nestled in a small, flourishing neighborhood of restaurants and shops. There was a street fair going on in the parking lot, and we loved the feel of the place. We snuck inside to find a photo shoot in progress, and were informed by a photographer that the building is no longer allowed to be an event venue because it doesn’t meet seismic standards. Indeed, it felt as if the whole building would collapse if a strong wind went by, and we left dejected.
Venue the Third: En route to the last place, we decided to swing by the Theater Off Jackson, which was our top choice. We have an appointment to take a proper tour on Wednesday, but we tried our luck and managed to sneak in as a middle school play was letting out. The theater downstairs is delightful, seats 140 people and would be awesome for a ceremony. No one could let us in to the larger room upstairs, but it has blue walls and a Chinese dragon boat nailed to the wall – what’s not to love? My only concern is that it won’t be large enough for the 100+ guest list we have drafted.
Venue the Fourth: The lovely Edgewater Hotel sits on the Seattle waterfront, and for the sum of $95-$150 per person, you, too, can be married in this establishment. We drove our ratty El Camino up to the front, got JUDGMENT STARES from other hotel patrons waiting on valet, realized it would cost $5 to park with validation, and left immediately without going inside.
I'm sure we'll think of some other places to check out, but I'm excited for the theater tour tomorrow and it's our super-duper top first choice if things work out.
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