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In my mind, Mr. P’s and my journey would sequence like this:
Pretty simple and standard. Life had other ideas. Ideas that have reshuffled those events to resemble this:
You see that subtle shift? We took advantage of the dip in Seattle area house prices and bought our first townhouse. Woo hoo! …Except it took 80 days to close and tied up our $$ -read: Mr P couldn’t purchase a ring until the house was closed.
The other thing that happened was Seattle couples started booking venues 4-5 months earlier than normal. Many of these couples had put wedding plans on hold until they got a better sense of what the economy was going to do. This summer they felt comfortable to book venues for the following summer—almost 12 months in advance.
We had decided it wasn’t fair to invite out of town guests to visit Seattle any time of year other than summer, when the weather is at its best. We also figured that we had until October or November before we would need to tie down our venue. …Ummmm… not this year!
On a whim I called Pravda, our reception venue front runner, to see what their availability for the following summer was. The helpful gal on the other end of the phone told me there was only 1 date available for summer 2010.
*Insert mini freak out*
Poor Mr P had to listen to my crazy worrying—thanks to Mama Pretzel I got the worrier gene.
Miss P: What if someone books that date?
Mr P: Then we find another venue
Miss P: But that one was perfect!
Mr P: It will be OK, we’ll find another venue.
Ultimately we agreed that it was a priority for us to get married next summer so we would begin our venue search, even if he hadn’t proposed yet. Working with our families we had narrowed down the summer dates to 1 or 2 that would work. Thankfully one of the dates was the one date that Pravda had an opening.
When I called to set up a visit with Pravda I was crushed to find out that not only had they booked the date that had been open, but that there was not just 1 but 2 couples on the waiting list for that date. *cue foreboding music*
What. to. do.
What unexpected wrenches were thrown into your venue search?
Aww, bummer. Our venue search was easy-peasy, except for the sticker shock we suffered upon our first visit there. But it was too perfect–we had to make it work for us!
I cannot say that any of them compare to your issue, but Maine is also one of those areas where if you don’t book it a year in advance, you are sunk. I am a teacher, so having a wedding during the summer was a MUST. Once we got engaged and picked a possible date, everyone started coming up with different issues. Two weeks after we got our date secured, the rest of the month of July was booked solid. Yikes!
@Ms. Library: My sis-in-law/MOH is a teacher too and she’s out of town- so a summer wedding is definately a must- Where in Maine are you? My Mom’s family is in the Portland area.
Good call on picking summer for your wedding! July and August in the Seattle area are (mostly) beautiful and rain-free, I’d be much happier as a guest traveling then than during the rainy months. Good luck with your search, can’t wait to see what you find!
@Miss Pretzel: I am in the greater Portland area, more toward the New Hampshire border. I love this area! I live in the Lakes area, so we have tons of gorgeous spots for pictures, beach days, and - of course - weddings! One of my honorary bridesmaids (and our ceremony reader extraordinaire) is in Walla Walla, so it will be quite the journey for her!
ergh! venues! the search wasn’t so bad, except for the fact that we sadly chose the wrong one. but you’ll find something perfect just the same.
@Ms. Library: I grew up in the Lakes Region of NH- Beautiful area! Oh wow, your girlfriend does have a long way to travel.
Ugh, what a pain! Luckily, our venue search was really easy and it worked out really well.
I was looking in July at Catholic churches in Chicago, and the vast majority were already booked solid for July and August. I wouldn’t mind attending a rainy wedding. You get better pictures on overcast days anyway.
…of the following year, that is. 12-13 months in advance. All of them.
@chicagobride092010 I wouldn’t mind rain either- I love photos in the rain- but since 80% of our out of town guests haven’t ever visited Seattle- its probably a good idea to do so in the summer- there are lots more options for day trips and such. Luckily our church wasn’t booked up - but I’ve heard of at least 3 other Parish members getting married next summer so I think the dates went fast.
Dear Miss Pretzel: Oh My! how did you manage to do that fancy underline thing on the whole comment? Very nice. Love, Me
Haha… Just came on to comment, fixed that underliney thing for you 
anyway I wanted to say that buying our place before getting married was one thing I was really glad we did when all was said and done! I felt like our money went to the right places at the right time since we bought house first, wed later
We were SET on a vineyard about a 1/2 hour away from us. It was BEAUTIFUL. Perfect, even. But the owner and event coordinator were SO difficult to work with! They wouldn’t return calls or emails, and didn’t answer any of my questions! It’s a shame their customer service was so terrible. The facility really was beautiful. Boo!
My search was easy bc honestly, I only truly considered one place and I booked it 14 months out (I’m psycho, I know)…I hope this place works out or that you found something better!
We had this problem too 
We found our perfect venue, and they even penciled us in. Then I called to ask more questions and was told that the church that uses the space in the mornings on Sundays, now wanted to have evening services in the summer. And since Sunday is a requirement for us, we went back to the drawing board…
I would totally start looking for a venue.
But we don’t even know WHEN we can get married cause it depends on when Mr. KM has to be… somewhere…for school!
What about this place in Seattle?…it looks stunning and has the “loft” style of Pravda.
When we were considering having our wedding in Seattle (US guests wouldn’t need a passport, Canadian guests already have a passport & its a short drive from my hometown) I drooled over Pravda! The light is what sold me… it’s such a beautiful, versatile space!
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Mrs. Pretzel, Seattle Age and Occupation: 32 Learning, Training, and Development Specialist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28 Manufacturing Engineer Engagement Date: September 2, 2009 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Catholic Church & The Engine Room at Georgetown Studios About Me: I’m just a thirty-something girl who never dreamed of weddings, poofy dresses, or ritzy receptions. I am a rabid knitter, except recently, wedding projects have replaced my yarn and needles. I’ve been fiercely independent since the age of 2 and 30 years later I think my family and friends had given up on me settling down and getting married. Ironically, I had to go all the way to Seattle to find a boy from Purdue. We fell in love over Seattle Beers and cooking together. I love NASCAR, he loves Legos. I can talk like a Muppet and he can fit a whole McDonald’s cheeseburger in his mouth. We are a two reception couple, currently planning a brewery inspired bash.
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