When we got back from Maui, Michael and I were elated... until we actually had to start planning. We had to start making decisions, the first being when did we want to get married?
I had always wanted a fall wedding at the coast because I liked the idea that it wasn't in the dead of summer but it was still nice weather. That brought us to the choice: do we want to get married in 7-9 months? or 17-19 months?
After much deliberation and wayyyy too much input from family and friends,
We decided on 8 months.
You may say that we are crazy since Michael won't be done with school until June I won't be finished with school until August and crazy we may be! But that was our final choice.
The first thing we did was research venues on the coast. The first place I fell in love with was at Cannon Beach. It had a lovely ballroom with vaulted ceilings and a great view of Haystack rock. My other love was in Lincoln City. A big room up a bit from the beach with floor to ceiling windows and panoramic views of the ocean. Then I found the Hallmark in Newport. Right below our favorite restaurant, floor to ceiling windows, right on the beach.
After driving my best friend, and maid of honor, Kelly to the Portland airport Saturday (1/12) morning, Michael and I began our trek to actually visit these venues. We started out by driving straight across to Cannon Beach where I expected to immediately fall in love with the venue and everything about it.
When we arrived however, I realized that the pictures were quite deceiving! The ballroom (although gorgeous!) did not look out at haystack rock but into a nearby parking lot. The event coordinator was uppity and acted like we were wasting her precious time, SOO we said goodbye to my supposed venue love.
Well Cannon Beach was a lot further from Newport/Lincoln city than we anticipated, so instead of visiting other venues then, we contacted the event coordinator at the Hallmark in Newport who got us a screamin' deal in a fancy room on the top floor with a balcony, where we stayed Saturday night. Point 1 for the Hallmark!
When we arrived, our fireplace was turned on and there was a bottle of champagne and a hand written note waiting on our table. Point 2 for the Hallmark!
After dropping our stuff inside, we immediately went on a scavenger hunt to snoop inside the "Sunset Room" (the even room) before going on an actual tour in the morning.
It. was. perfect. (At least from what we could tell in the night!)
In the morning (after we ordered room service... hum croissant french toast hellooooo yes.) we were greeted by Jeff, the super enthusiastic, friendly, and wonderful event planner. My family showed up right on time to go look at the ceremony and reception area which, as I previously thought, was pretty dang perfect. The ceremony cite is outside on a bluff above the ocean with a view of the Yaquina Head lighthouse and the reception is indoors about 100 yards away on the bottom floor with floor to ceiling windows, no wild carpets or paint. Just a blank canvas. Points 3 and 4 for the Hallmark.
However, unable to make a snap decision, we decided to visit the two other venues in Lincoln City, The Inn at Spanish Head and The Chinook Winds Casino Hotel. Both of which we found underwhelming (not in general, just in comparison to the Hallmark).
SOOO Long story short, Michael and I decided on the drive home that the Hallmark was perfect for us. One hour from home, a fantastic view of the ocean, catered by our favorite restaurant, a reasonable price, and a great event planner to help, and availability on the 24th of August!
I had always wanted a fall wedding at the coast because I liked the idea that it wasn't in the dead of summer but it was still nice weather. That brought us to the choice: do we want to get married in 7-9 months? or 17-19 months?
After much deliberation and wayyyy too much input from family and friends,
We decided on 8 months.
You may say that we are crazy since Michael won't be done with school until June I won't be finished with school until August and crazy we may be! But that was our final choice.
The first thing we did was research venues on the coast. The first place I fell in love with was at Cannon Beach. It had a lovely ballroom with vaulted ceilings and a great view of Haystack rock. My other love was in Lincoln City. A big room up a bit from the beach with floor to ceiling windows and panoramic views of the ocean. Then I found the Hallmark in Newport. Right below our favorite restaurant, floor to ceiling windows, right on the beach.
After driving my best friend, and maid of honor, Kelly to the Portland airport Saturday (1/12) morning, Michael and I began our trek to actually visit these venues. We started out by driving straight across to Cannon Beach where I expected to immediately fall in love with the venue and everything about it.
When we arrived however, I realized that the pictures were quite deceiving! The ballroom (although gorgeous!) did not look out at haystack rock but into a nearby parking lot. The event coordinator was uppity and acted like we were wasting her precious time, SOO we said goodbye to my supposed venue love.
Well Cannon Beach was a lot further from Newport/Lincoln city than we anticipated, so instead of visiting other venues then, we contacted the event coordinator at the Hallmark in Newport who got us a screamin' deal in a fancy room on the top floor with a balcony, where we stayed Saturday night. Point 1 for the Hallmark!
When we arrived, our fireplace was turned on and there was a bottle of champagne and a hand written note waiting on our table. Point 2 for the Hallmark!
After dropping our stuff inside, we immediately went on a scavenger hunt to snoop inside the "Sunset Room" (the even room) before going on an actual tour in the morning.
It. was. perfect. (At least from what we could tell in the night!)
In the morning (after we ordered room service... hum croissant french toast hellooooo yes.) we were greeted by Jeff, the super enthusiastic, friendly, and wonderful event planner. My family showed up right on time to go look at the ceremony and reception area which, as I previously thought, was pretty dang perfect. The ceremony cite is outside on a bluff above the ocean with a view of the Yaquina Head lighthouse and the reception is indoors about 100 yards away on the bottom floor with floor to ceiling windows, no wild carpets or paint. Just a blank canvas. Points 3 and 4 for the Hallmark.
However, unable to make a snap decision, we decided to visit the two other venues in Lincoln City, The Inn at Spanish Head and The Chinook Winds Casino Hotel. Both of which we found underwhelming (not in general, just in comparison to the Hallmark).
SOOO Long story short, Michael and I decided on the drive home that the Hallmark was perfect for us. One hour from home, a fantastic view of the ocean, catered by our favorite restaurant, a reasonable price, and a great event planner to help, and availability on the 24th of August!
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