Where I am so far- Part two- The other Venue

So I last left you at Vista House- Our awesome reception venue. What I left out is that we aren’t having the wedding itself there. There just isn’t enough time.

We started our search for ideas right up in the gorge. I had this vision of a beautiful white tent in the lawn near vista house-

We would get married in the tent and then everyone would follow us inside to celebrate! No driving it would be perfect! Then I had another vision- the gorge’s notorious wind blowing a tent full of wedding guests over I-85 into the river. Hmm- not so good.

So we started to search the area.
I thought we had hit pay dirt when we found the Viewpoint Inn. It is gorgeous! Historic! Amazing! Did I say gorgeous? Because it is!

And then we found out the price- we could have all the rooms to get ready and have the ceremony there- for $1500. For the location and how beautiful it is, that is not too bad.

But just cookies and cocoa for 50 ish people would be another $500. ($10 per person for a cookie?)

And then I looked at the online reviews. Now let me say- for the record that I have no idea if any of these reviews have any basis in fact. For all I know they are all by some disgruntled ex employee or crazy person, but they scared me. Brides not getting deposits back was the biggie. But some bad posts about management made me shy away too. The wedding coordinator has yet to notice I never gave her an answer on the place, I guess they didn’t miss us.

And it wasn’t really in our budget to pay an additional $2000 for just a ceremony site- so the Viewpoint Inn fell by the wayside.

My next plan was the Colombia Gorge Hotel. All it would require would be winning the lottery and it would be no problem! (Don’t I just have champagne taste?) You see it cost even more than the Viewpoint Inn. And before I could contact them to see if I could do some sort of toned down package in my budget- they closed.

(i couldn't resist the vintage postcard- this place is so pretty!)

I am still sad when I think about it. I have ALWAYS loved this place. I used to play on the grounds when I was up visiting friends who lived in the area when I was like 5. To me it is the perfect hotel. And now it is empty.

And I still didn’t actually have a place to get married.

My dad suggested I look at vineyards. I learned quickly that if my wedding was only 2 weeks later in the year we could be wed in the gorgeous blooming vineyards in the gorge. But that weekend in March that we chose- All it is-is sticks in mud.

However in my vineyard search, I discovered a new type of venue. You see the Oregon chain McMenamins makes brew pubs in cool historic buildings.

They have one that is about a 15 minute drive from vista house. And it’s a hotel. And a vineyard. And has 3 pubs. And a pool hall. And a spa. And has a golf coarse. And they have a movie theatre. And the movie theatre will hold all my guests. And I can get married there just by buying $300 worth of food. And $300 would cover the cookies and cocoa we wanted to serve in lieu of a cocktail hour.

So we went, and checked it out- and it rocks.

We can block hotel rooms for the guests! And there is plenty to do onsite! (Did I mention glassblowing?) And after the wedding ends at 11, everyone can continue the party at the pub if they want!

And that is our happy venue ending.

Next up- The dress!