So now that I actually have people reading my blog (skyrocketed from about 40 page views (which were probably mostly me while getting it set up) to 130 since I shared the link on facebook yesterday - woo hoo!), I figured I would use it to do a little market research and reap some benefits - other than just stress relief and the enjoyment of chronicling this process.
I don't know about any of you, but I constantly feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. It's not just that I can't get done what I need/have to do, it's that I never feel like I have (or always feel guilty for taking) the time to do the stuff I want to do ... just for ME. Even if it is watch an entire day's worth of a Law & Order: SVU or Sex & the City marathon, and not bother to eat any form of a proper meal. I will admit, I am probably better than most women at talking myself into how I deserve to a) be a lazy bum, or b) get that dress/pair of shoes/new makeup/facial. But I do still feel guilty (at least a little) just about every time I do it. And thus the whole drill of taking that time or doing that special something for myself becomes somewhat wasted.
Back to the need/have to do, though. As mentioned in a previous post, I am not a morning person, so any time I have before work, as far as I'm concerned, does not count. I work 9-6 Monday through Friday, and sometimes on Saturdays, and most days I don't really take a lunch break unless I actually need to run an errand downtown or I forget food and have to go out to get something before I starve. By the time I get home most days, it's almost 6:30, I'm fairly mentally exhausted, and of course Johnny, who gets out of work around 4, is starving. I usually am too, due to that whole not taking a proper lunch thing I do. Between making dinner, cleaning up, and just thinking about the chores I should do to get/keep the house clean, or stay on top of our laundry, I'm exhausted about that before I even make it up the stairs and change out of my work clothes. Then there is the small matter of things I basically never have time to do (constant source of stress & anxiety), because apparently most people don't have jobs during normal business hours (?) - such as, register my car, state inspection, register my dog (yes, really.), drop off or pick up dry cleaning, get my car fixed, oil changed, trash to the dump (ok, I don't really do that, Johnny does, but still their hours are limited) ... and the list goes on. Did I mention grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, teeth cleanings, filling prescriptions, getting the dog groomed, getting my own hair cut, working out (ha.ha.ha.), doing my taxes... and so on, and so forth, et cetera, et cetera .... and altogether now, one collective, AHHHH!
Okay, so you know what I'm talking about, right? Because whether you are 25 or 45, whether you have a job (or 2 or 3), are in school, have a significant other, pets, children, or all of the above, seriously, how do we EVER find time to add ONE MORE THING?! But we do. And for me, now, it is planning a wedding. Which overall is exciting, but definitely overwhelming, and to get to my point, I really could use all the help and advice I can get!
So here's the deal. I made a list of the top ten (or just ten) reception venues in the York area that I (we) feel semi-remotely to very interested in checking out. Since we are trying to get this whole venue/date thing figured out as soon as possible, I thought I would turn to you, the internet, my friends, whoever you are reading this, and ask for your input on these places, if you happen to have some. Whether you know me or not, or know anything about what Johnny & I might want for our wedding... Whether you've had a wedding, been to a wedding, visited the place while planning your wedding, or just happen to feel like you know something about it, I would love to hear your opinions and advice. Anything that will narrow down our search (like - don't even bother checking that place out it's absurdly expensive, or they only let you use chairs with those awful chair cover things) will be greatly appreciated. Because I doubt you can get me that more-hours-in-the-day thing that would actually be of the greatest benefit. ;)
Without further ado, in no particular order, 10 places Sara & Johnny might just possibly consider having their wedding reception in 2012:
1. Greystone Manor, Cape Neddick, large property overlooking the ocean, with a view of Nubble Light
2. Clay Hill Farm
3. Union Bluff Meeting House
4. York Harbor Inn
5. Cliff House Resort & Spa
6. Dockside Guest Quarters
7. Stage Neck Inn
8. York Golf & Tennis Club
9. York Harbor Reading Room
10. The Fairbourne, a classic Maine antique oceanfront home on Shore Road in Cape Neddick, available for weekly vacation rental in the summer (next to St. Peter's-by-the-Sea, which is the church we are considering for the ceremony)
1- I love your blog Sara and it is entertaining my post lunch blah time at work so Thank you!
ReplyDelete2- I have never been or seen any of these places- granted I don't live in or near Maine, but I know you and know you will choose a great venue!
3- email coming soon, promise.
I know my Mum and my Aunt Leslie both had receptions at YHI (granted they were 15 and 22 years ago), but I'll have them e-mail you. :-)
ReplyDeleteHaving never been to any of these places, I'll just let you know what I think by reading your list: 10, the Fairbourne, sounds fabulous. I googled, and the photos are awesome. What a gorgeous sea view! Mostly the reason I like the idea of it is that it's close to your possible ceremony site. This makes it much easier for guests to get around. Just my two cents. :)
ReplyDeleteKate - email, now. please & thank you!
ReplyDeleteAmy - haven't heard from them, but as you know we pretty much decided on Greystone, possibly still thinking about the Reading Room, but we really want the outdoor/tented thing.
Allison - That was my first choice, originally. I heard about it from some customers last summer and thought oh my gosh, that is perfect. We haven't been there in person, but I found out from the owner that he will not reserve any 2012 dates until after the end of his 2011 season (October). Way too stressful for me to wait that long to book (mainly because if it didn't work out, everything else around here would be booked for the season by then)! So at this point we are keeping it in the back of our mind ONLY if something falls through or you know, anything else disastrous.
BUT, Greystone, which we have sort of chosen (the guy still hasn't called me back to confirm...) has probably an even better view (direct view of the Nubble Light - one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world) and it is a bigger property (I think) with plenty of parking and a great deck and indoor space as
well that we can incorporate into cocktail hour.
Also, it has HUGE meaning to us, because I grew up in the same secluded neighborhood, just down the street. Johnny & I also used to drive out there and walk on the rocks all the time when we were first dating. So long story short, assuming it all works out, I think it's really the PERFECT venue for us. But I'm still glad we have a couple good backups! :)