Nah to Lasagna

Hi ESB,

I am just beginning the process of wedding planning and I am stuck on finding a venue (duh, right?) Anyway, I am torn between picking a venue that has an all-inclusive package type deal or a venue that will require me to piece-meal shit together. So far, the one all-inclusive I have looked at seems a little janky and like we might have to be like "uh we don't want your weird lasagna tho" and then they'll be like "well fine but it's like $2000 extra then, guys." 

Any thoughts on pros and cons of the two different situations? I want the whole thing to be as simple as possible, really, but I also don't want it to be gross.

Thank you,
Nah To Lasagna

*****

Pick Any Two:

[  ] As simple as possible

[  ] As cheap as possible

[  ] Good



Rachel Rutt By Bec Lorrimer For Yen (November 2011) via Le Fashion — Anyone know who did the collage?

I'm getting married and I have a vision....

Dear ESB,

I'm getting married and I have a vision. I want to get married on a small lake involving row boats -- I love the idea of all our guests being in rowboats but understand that realistically that would be a nightmare and at least 10 people would fall in. So maybe my dad rows me in? The concrete part of the vision is that after we say "I do" we jump into the lake and later after my dress and his white linen suit dries -- they will be beautifully encrusted with lake residue forever.

The only problem is that this vision doesn't seem to exist in Southern California where we are planning on getting married. It's really more Northwest or East Coast. I have searched high and low for the lake but alas can't find anything that doesn't include jet skis and a kind of barren desert look. I'd like it to look like this... and all the better if it is private. Any magical lake ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks you and thank you and one more thanks....

Miss Lake Lover

*****

Pick Two:

[  ] A wedding

[  ] A Southern California wedding

[  ] A wedding on a small lake involving row boats

Also, please bear this in mind.

YOu're welcome.

Love,

Me

Photo by Christin Eide via Pretty Chic

How much does the venue matter?

Dear ESB,

My partner and I have been wedding planning for a few months now, starting with searching for a venue. 

Our initial sentiment was that we wanted somewhere really unique and wanted to take advantage of the natural beauty of the area (we're in the UK). The last thing we wanted was a cookie cutter wedding that mimicked lots of weddings we'd been to, we hoped for something more individual, something with character. After looking at half a dozen places, when we weighed up the options the choice that made the most sense (considering budget, logistics, etc) was a hotel on the beach. A close runner up is a fort on a cliff. 

We are really excited to be getting married and know that it'll be a great day no matter where we say our vows, but we also want it to be lovely and special. So we are left with a slight hesitation because we fear the hotel is too traditional an option and we had hoped for something a bit different (him especially). The fort is much more unique, but has a lot of drawbacks. 

I guess what I'm asking is, how much does the venue matter? Have you or any of your readers been to hotel weddings that were still unique and different? This is the one time we are going to do this, is a hotel special enough?

*****

Are you more concerned with a) getting your wedding published all over the blogosphere, or b) throwing a great party for your guests?

If B, the venue matters NOT ONE IOTA.

Photo by Mick de Lint for Fashion Gone Rogue via Jessica Goldfond