Last we left off, Frogger and I were feeling very frustrated and disappointed that our dream venue wasn’t going to work out.
**side note – I’m being forced to watch some Ultimate Fighting match and seeing the brutal hits these men take is extremely difficult to watch. Why would anyone put themselves through that? Men come up with some really creative ways to injure one another.**
I apologize for the visual (trust me it could have been worse, I’m being kind – don’t believe me? Do a Google image search for “UFC” and see for yourself, yikes) and besides, misery loves company.
Ahem. So we decided it was best to wait until we were there on a vacation to really roll up our sleeves and hit the street to find our venue. Luckily, our vacation was just a few weeks away so we didn’t have to wait long.
Does this help to distract you from what’s above? You’re welcome.
When we arrived we were finally able to meet our wedding planner in person. I can’t tell you how nice it is to have someone there to help plan while we are 2,000 miles away. Can you say relief?
We talked about the possibility of having the wedding at Frogger’s lake house but with the way the lawn is sloped, it would have been very difficult to create an aisle, easily accessible seating area, dance floor, and the list goes on. We loved the idea but it just wasn’t the right fit for our needs. Don’t worry, we’re incorporating the house in another way (I’ll fill you in on that fun later).
Our planner then told us about some options that were off-lake. At first we were really skeptical because our whole reason for choosing this area was so our family and friends could experience the magic of the lake. We gave her a chance to tell us the options and agreed to drive around and check them out. That’s when we found it.
And the heavens opened…
Amy’s Manor, meet my stalkers friends in the blogosphere.
Blogosphere, meet our dream-come-true-venue Amy’s Manor.
The Manor (as we now like to call it – we’re very cool), was built in 1929. It was originally owned by the current owner’s grandparents so it has passed through three generations – which I just find completely charming. It went through quite a few different lives as a home, restaurant, bed & breakfast and now event space. The grounds are truly incredible and our photos really don’t do them justice but I’ll try my best to walk you through.
The Manor is located at the top of a mountain and overlooks a river (which will be in the background of our ceremony area). I’ll pretend we are at the wedding day and you’ll see how we’ll move through the property…oh yes, this is very fun (hopefully not just for me)!
Begin winding your way up the steep, hilly driveway
As you come over the top of the hill, you start to see a quaint little house and a whole lot of green!
Take a messy, blurry glance to your right and see a glimpse of the lawn where the ceremony will take place
Look further up on your right and get a better view of “The Manor” as the cool kids call it.
Park and follow your heaven-sent wedding planner into the house
Before you get inside, say hi to the resident kitties – this is Charles.
Claim one of the Victorian-style rooms and get ready to walk down the aisle
Approach the altar where there will be a beautifully decorated arch (right near that small rock wall over looking the river)
Get a little closer so you can see said river.
Post-ceremony head to the far side of the property and take fancy-pants photos in your new duds with the beautiful scenery as a backdrop
Head over to the reception area (on the other side of the drive) and pretend it looks pretty and set-up under the tent
Look off to your right and check out the dance floor – this whole area used to be the home’s tennis court and see that adorable old barn in the back? We’re totally taking pics there…it.is.awesome.
Then look to the left of the barn and see the cutting/vegetable garden that’s grown on-site and used for the yummy meal we will be eating.
Finally look off to the left of the reception tent and check out the apple orchards where we will be taking super cute pics
So there you have it kids, a full-out tour of our wedding venue and I must say, after going back through the photos, I honestly can’t WAIT until we are there in July making our trip up the hilly driveway.
How long did it take you to find your dream venue?
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