venue brain dump :)

Brain dump!

Venues to visit - top choices so far

Oak Canyon Nature center in Anaheim (<1k)

(ceremony only) outdoor amphitheater  cheap, bring umbrellas if worried about rain, though they do offer a reschedule  No dogs.
http://www.anaheim.net/images/articles/4219/OCNCWeddingFlyer.pdf

Maxwell House

(ceremony + reception or just reception perhaps) ($2600 flat fee, some other fees if staying for reception - insurance)
 55 South Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA

1. Call or email to check on date availability: 626-356-8014 or 626-584-7494, ext. 10 or info@westernjustice.org to Arrange a site visit.

http://www.westernjustice.org/rent-the-maxwell-house
http://www.westernjustice.org/facility-details

LA Arboretrum (ceremony only) (<1k)

301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia CA
(season limitations april - october) limited locations for ceremonies allowed - would want to check them out

Locations: Bauer Lawn (surrounding fountains), Baldwin Lake, Rose Garden, Special Event
Lawn/Wedding Garden, Waterfall/Meadowbrook, Queen Anne Cottage lawns, Zen Deck, and the
Sunset Celebration Garden. The capacity varies according to event type and location.

http://www.arboretum.org/index.php/visit/wedding/

Highland Resort in Cherry Hills (north of Beaumont/Banning) (Mon-thurs wedding $1500 ceremony only - includes chairs and whatnot)

1100 year old oak for ceremony (or lawn)
site for possible reception, but exclusive catering on top of 3k reception fee
details http://www.hsresort.com/hsr_wedding_2014.pdf
http://www.hsresort.com/weddings_photos.php
10600 Highland Springs Ave  Cherry Valley, CA 92223

Requested more info from/would go visit

Clark Estate (Santa Fe Springs) (<3k for reception venue rental + ceremony)

Courtyard ceremony and dance and dinner (venue approx 1k - potentially less - includes nothin, just space)

Photos http://www.bellapictures.com/clarkeestatemontage

Details: http://www.santafesprings.org/cityhall/community_serv/facility_reservations/wedding_receptions_and_more/clarke_estate_rentals.asp

10211 PIoneer Blvd.
562-868-3876

Wayfarers chapel 

5755 Palos Verdes Dr S  Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 Monday Special - Monday weddings are now $1,500. (excludes Holiday weekends)

The cost of a wedding during the weekend is $2,900 (Friday – Sunday) and during the weekdays it is $2,200 (Tuesday – Thursday). Your wedding contribution includes the use of the Chapel for two hours, the Chapel Minister, wedding staff to guide your rehearsal, wedding music (played by the Chapel keyboardist), candles on the altar and your conferences

No extra decorations. Up to 100 ppl only

Creepy religious alter but otherwise STUNNING

http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/weddings/weddings-photo-gallery/?nggpage=2

Edward Dean Museum in Cherry Valley (<4k)

Includes tables chairs and dance floor, would need to inquire about ceremony site only fees

If had reception there, there is indoor banquet hall or outdoor pavillion.

info http://www.edward-deanmuseum.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=wrNLGFw6fis%3d&tabid=62

site:  http://www.edward-deanmuseum.org/Weddings/FacilityRentals/tabid/62/Default.aspx

photos http://www.edward-deanmuseum.org/Weddings/PhotoGallery/tabid/77/Default.aspx

Waiting on more info from:

Smog Shoppe - Culver City

this is clearly one of my favorites so far from pictures, but not only have they not gotten back to me with quotes, I get a sense they are going to be pretty expensive!!

http://marvimon.com/smogshoppe

/Marmivon (sister property to smog shoppe- looks even fancier)

http://marvimon.com/marvimon

Hidden Creek - emailed, waiting to hear back

http://www.pinerose.com/hidden-creek-weddings/

Other considerations

Aquarium of the Pacific 

(1k, with tables and chairs, add-ons for other areas of the aquarium "cocktail hour")

Big tank is cold reef- not my favorite.. aaaand there is totally a giant whale invited :P

3 far too flowery examples of weddings at AoP

http://papernotephoto.com/2012/02/01/dave-mona-aquarium-of-the-pacific/

http://www.furiousphotographers.com/long-beach-aquarium-of-the-pacific-wedding-photography/

http://www.kevinlevuweddings.com/2013/03/mang-allison-aquarium-of-the-pacific-wedding-long-beach-photography-kevin-le-vu-photographer/

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden

http://www.rsabg.org/documents/visitorservices/facility_rental_pack_2011.pdf

Nicer garden area $1200, no chairs, but tram service is included.

For ceremony only I imagine (restricted catering, etc)

What about Lucille's catering?

Altadena venue a no-go *darn!

Quick update- Deodar's declines

the private walled off secret garden feeling headquarters nearby cheap and full of family history has declined my hopes of being married there.

Thinking about state parks maybe?

What are the base requirements of a venue for a ceremony (if the reception is held there, that is different too!)

bathrooms
seating
light
shelter (?)
parking

things to consider anyway!

brainstormin'

Just jotting down more ideas - organization of them will come later I am sure *taps nose knowingly
Some are repetitive and refining of previously mentioned ideas. But this is brainstorming, I get to repeat myself and be disorganized and exited and dream and imagine :D

* Game night/reception - board games, word games, lawn games, sack races - get people to interact- that's the kind of stuff we will remember
* Food ideas - huge bowls of fresh salad, fruit, nuts cheese, and how about some HAAAAM (I am on a ham kick right now- may fav meal of the year is thanksgiving- I looOooove turkey and ham! :D this could still have the tea party/sit at picnic blankets, eat whenever you want effect
* Avoid awkwardness- no name tags, no designated seating, no everyone has to do this or that at this time. Minimize requirements to the essentials (ie photo shoots!)
* Maybe not have Pops do photography, as I want him to be able to mingle and be involved! will have to ask what he would prefer
* Plant succulent cuttings months and months ahead to be used
* Have some kind of stamp or signature on invites - not just printouts - give a personal touch (something cheap, easy and fun to do with prep-crew!
* Would love to get tasteful pin-up boudoir photos made for John
* I am so much more attracted to ivy, greenery, bark, stumps, branches, and leaves than flowers
* Simple and elegant decor- dried/paper leaves in a clear vase. Amber glass with branches and leaves.   (don't get me wrong, there are PLENTY of more complex decorations that I am attracted to, but I want to under-plan rather than over-plan - focus on the important stuff!

I am going to do some re-organizing of my gathered ideas- stuff I can already put together with what I have/pull off almost free, stuff that is overboard but inspirational, boquet ideas, reception ideas, etc etc

*excited and happy :D

5/5/13 "I want you to have this book" (and the ring in it too)

Huzzah I am engaged! Now to revitalize and work the shit out of this blog MWAHAHAHA!

I shall forever remember our May the Fourth Be With you/Cinco de Mayo weekend of celebration and joy- a four day weekend for me in fact, starting and ending with relaxation and joy.

Firstly, for ease of gathering images/sites, I have a pinterest with many things gathered on it. I intend to keep trying to find and record the things I find most meaningful and desirable.

I got a pretty good list going in the posts below, so I will work form that. :) I have a google doc of potential invites- core family and friends, with the count at about 80 with all those random plus ones.

Have come to some good conclusions about wedding ideas:

* Interested right now in having the ceremony/tea party at Deodars (Altadena CA)
there are little to no public photos of the heqadquarters around, and I know they are protective about photos of some of their art and whatnot, but I will need to check with them. From what my grandmother has said, weddings have been held there before. It has big grassy lawns surrounded by huge trees, a beautiful garden, a nice big house we could crowd into if the weather doesn't cooperate, and even a big kitchen for the tea party stuff.

* no alcohol
* no dancefloor - instead have games (board games) or when outside, have lawn games - croquet, horseshoes, bocci etc
* Meal will be had at a venue/restaurant for "rehearsal dinner" (must come up with a better name for that), but at the actual reception there will be a tea party! cheese and fruit and nuts and olives and whatnot AND tea LOTS OF TEA hooray! I think I like the idea of a "cheeese cake" made of delicious cheese
* Would love a gathering/initiation for a bbq meat at Spa Morgan (leftovers could be provided to keep us fed during the next few days
* Would love to gather some core peoples (to come and go as they pleased) for a few days/week before to hang out, make crafts, prep food, have good fun and celebrate
* No tables with designated seats- everyone will be able to grab food and wander and sit with whoever they want whenever they want - currently very much liking the picnic blankets with occasional seating for people who can't sit on the ground (maybe ask people to bring beach towels or sarongs/umbrellas/blankets - mismatched and personalized is more fun!) Could have throw blankets and umbrellas (shade and warmth) for whatever the weather happens to be
* I want to work hard to stay away from over theme/over decorating/over detailing- I don't need too much stuff (even though it is so exciting) and the stuff isnt' what we'll all remember anyway!
* Could knit scarves or print zentangle stuff or use John's photos for favors/decor/thank yous
* I have a ceremony under the stars in my head- maybe just a few people, maybe just John and I - and hopefully with a fire. No idea where this would occur :P Little corona del mar beach? Hawaii on honeymoon I spose!
* Flowers- MEH! Not a big deal. If there are to be decorative flowers, I like funky weird flowers and succulents. I much prefer seedpods and branches to flowers
* Some time outside- depending on weather and location- hopefully barefoot. Maybe a prayer wheel? I like incorporating barefeet- obviously this would be otpional
* Yoga taught by Sandy
* Paintball in thrift shop dresses (heart not totally set on this, but it sounds fun)
* Board games night, brunch in pajamas morning (spa morgan?)
* No gift registry- instead pay for our honeymoon!
* Would love Steve and Erin to sing at some point
* I think I want dad and Catherine to dress up funny (and anyone else who enjoys that)
* I don't want to over-prepare for entertaining and comforting everyone, figuring out where htye will stay and what they will eat and blah blah blah- helpers can help with that part and generally- *gasp people can take care of themselves :)
* Some random ideas: pumpkin patch visit, pick pumpkins and have a carving party, use them for decor (sept 28-Oct 31 at tanaka farms)
* Music - would need speaker system - playlist is totally fine - jazzy tunes! (and a backup lawn games/dancefloor lawn mix)

Eventually I will get this down to things I want to have vs things I'd really like to try and have


Potential timeline
Have mom come out a few times - to help with announcements/crafts/dresses

Have pops take photos for announcements/at wedding(?)

about a week before ceremony:
Mom arrives, friends and locals come as they can
Camp out at spa morgan with the boys (or leave boys with John for the first few days)
Laugh and talk and make crafty things and puzzle and games and food
Help with people arriving, greet and eat with them
3-4 days before ceremony - John joins the fun at Spa morgan
events begin!
BBQ for people's arrival
Dog Park visit? Petting zoo? ZOO TRIP!? I love animals :D
Paintball
Game and movie night
Make food for parents
See the sights (go touristy places with people if they want)
Yoga class

1-2 days before ceremony
Prep! Gather things to take to sight
Prepare snackums and decor
yoga class

day of/day before
Deliver everything to deodars
set up and enjoy!
YOGA CLASS

things I need to check - how much can I take over spa morgan- especially with me and mom and friendvisitors when they might need to house their family that comes?
Money budgetses
Honeymoon schedules/ideas (does John even want to go to hawaii?)

nuff for now, much more to come :DDD