Everybody Loves A Nutt: Wedding: Location, location, location!

After Travis and I got engaged, we didn't really worry about setting a date because we had planned on having a long, long engagement and maybe get married fall of 2013. We didn't really want to wait that long but we didn't feel like we had a choice because we'd be paying for everything ourselves. After being accosted by friends, family (mostly his) and coworkers, we decided that 2013 wasn't what we wanted and if we took advantage of time and started planning now, we'd be able to pull off a beautiful September wedding in 2012. [Although it still isn't good enough for his mother!]

First thing was first. Where are we going to get married? The venue is probably the most important part of any wedding. It sets the whole feel for the day and reflects back onto the couple. This was a pretty difficult process for us because Travis is from the Ogden area and that is pretty much where ALL of his family is. I am from Salt Lake/West Jordan and I know the family and friends would travel for me for the one day without complaint. [My family is mostly out of state and I don't think a lot of them would be able to come, and for the ones who did it wouldn't matter where we had our wedding.]

But Travis wasn't so sure that a lot of his family would show up if we got married in Salt Lake.

This was particularly heartbreaking for me because I had my heart set on getting married in Memory Grove Park's Memorial House. Its the cutest historic building and you can set up your ceremony anywhere in the park and have your reception in the house... It was perfect, just what I wanted! But we needed to find somewhere in Ogden. I could live with that...

After a few tours of a couple different places, we decided one was ok. I know, just ok. But if that made Travis happy because his family could be there then I was all for it! After trying to make it work for what we wanted, dealing with difficult staff and being frustrated with their catering [they have a catering company and you HAVE to use their catering. I hate when venues do that and so many of them do and the food is just "ok". Its typical, bland wedding food. You think you're getting a good deal on the rental of the building then you pay out the wazoo for the food because you have to use their catering and they can charge whatever they want. Sneaky bastards.]

Travis told me that he knew I didn't want to get married there and if his family wouldn't take a drive for him for just one day then they didn't deserve to be there anyway.

Back to square one.

We started looking at other places in Layton and Bountiful and everything was just ok. No one had anything more/different to offer than the others. They all looked the same! I was determined that the only solution would be in Salt Lake.

Yess! Memorial House! Well the more we crunched the numnbers we knew we'd have to wait until 2013. I had my heart set on a september wedding and I didn't want to push it back another year. Spring is too iffy with weather [this years spring was basically WINTER] and I don't love summer weddings. Its always too hot if you want it outside at all. I want my guests having a good time. Not all sweaty and sticky! Needless to say we kept looking. :[

I was about to give up and then one day I came across this place, Chateau Faire Art and Reception Villa. [How official and cute is that name??]. I had never even heard of it but after looking at their website I saw its an Art/Antiques gallery in Holladay, Utah and they just opened up their space for weddings too. I had to take a tour.

It blew every other venue we had looked at out of the water! Everything is done old european style and we get to use all the antiques and artwork for decor at our wedding. Not having to decorate and they build you your own custom centerpieces? I was in LOVE! The only thing it was missing, no outside. I voiced my one disappointment to the owner- then to my surprise she laughs and tells me about the whole addition to the building they are making including a garden/patio area. SOLD. Travis loved it too and we had his parents come see it a week later and they loved it so much they offered to give us the money to put the downpayment to save our date. Awesomeness :]

Here are some pics I stole from their facebook.

This is a picture of the entrance. Its so adorable!!!

At night its all lit up with white lights!

You walk in onto the black and white tile.

The signing table, straight shot from the front door.

Just to give you an idea of the flow, make a right at the signing table and you will be standing right next to our cake [on top of the antique cake table from Brazil!] The room with the black and gold rug is the room they use for inside ceremonies. Seats 75. 100 with seated and standing guests. The balcony you can see in the 2nd pic is to THE BRIDES ROOM! Amazing :]

This pic is set up for Christmas but I wouldnt mind it being a little chilly and being able to use their big fireplace!

Another shot of the cake table display/room and the flatscreen on the wall will be playing our photo montage!

This is the bay window of their "Sun Room". [Now it is decorated with old hainging birdcages and other fun stuff!]

Here is a shot at night. With seating for dinner!

This is a walkway leading to the additional inside seating.

This room is larger than the other with more seating. This is where they plan on building an addition and french doors for a 2nd patio entrance. [the first tour we took Travis and I were wondering around and we came down here and it started pouring rain so hard that water started pouring out from the white vent! Luckily we saw it and the owners were able to stop it.]

Here is the grooms room!

Now lets go upstairs!!!!

This is the bridesmaids room! They get their own area too.

Just a few short steps down the hall...

past the chandelier...

The Brides Room!

View from the bridesroom.

Here is the unfinished patio [due to the rainy June weather, they were unable to finish the patio this summer so here is the rought draft. Usable but not finished! Can't wait til next year to see it!]