Thursday, May 15, 2008

Lost In Translation... Venue

Firstly, it is important that I state that I love drawing inspiration from the past- but that is where it must stop.... inspiration. You don't want your wedding looking like your grandmother's living room any more than you want it to look like those "dated" weddings of tulle and mirror centerpieces. So let's examine a few rules that I have for creating a vintage- err- timeless affair.


Rule ONE: Don't make it LOOK like something, make it BE something....


This is an important one. You see, I completely agree that you need a VISION and a COHESIVE THREAD.... but sometimes we can take this a little too literal and the party looks over styled and like a kid in a costume. You don't want it to resemble a Hollywood Glamour Feel- you want it to emulate that feeling on its own.... One of the easiest ways to fall into this catagory is by bad venue choice. If you want a lavishly grand event, then opt for a lavishly grand environment. Go for Architecturely Interesting Spaces. In truth, your money is better spent in finding a space that sets the tone rather than trying to make another space into your ideal setting. Dressing up a banquet hall in hundreds of flowers doesn't make it have a "garden feel".... slapping a few palms into a museum doesn't make it tropical.... embrace the space you are in and make sure that every decision you make is indicative of the overall vision you have.
Find beautiful spaces that will not need so much to enhance them. Rather than look at their price tag and think - Oh no, but what about everything else? - Think... well in reality there won't be as much "something else's" because I won't need to bring in all the other "stuff"... A gorgeous space will be gorgeous for decades to come- it is my firm belief that some of these "platinum, over the top affairs" will seem a little dated in the coming years. Your space needs to make you feel something... and that something should be the same feeling that you are trying to acheive with the overall design. (This is the ceremony site of my upcomming nuptuals.... we chose the oak for so many reasons- this massive tree makes you feel as though you are in the prescence of something so much greater than you- something that has sustained so much and something that you want to understand. We are going for a warm, approachable, but still very moving event. I think that this tree hits all of our marks.)

53 comments:

Darci said...

That tree is amazing!

Unknown said...

where is that tree?

Oh Happy Blog! said...

@ Nicole: That tree is called "Treaty Oak". It is located in downtown Jacksonville, FL at the Jessie DuPont Park. It's a small park on Prudential Drive, smack dab in the middle of tall buildings and parking garages. We love it- and if you are in the area, I would suggest a trip. Currently, they are running movies under the tree on Fri nights.

Anonymous said...

I love Treaty Oak. I've thought about getting married there myself. Where are you going to have the reception afterwards?

Oh Happy Blog! said...

@ Sarah:

Our reception is going to be at The Main Library Downtown. (We are renting the whole atrium and the rooftop courtyard... the flow is really great because you can have seperate spaces for cocktails/dinner/dancing and the staircase works as a backup plan for the ceremony where the top floor of the atrium is our backup plan for courtyard dancing).

It's a great space because you can also bring in your own caterer. However, you will need some rentals. More information for the space can be found on the library website. Other downtown venues include:

-San Marco Preservation Hall
-The River Club
-The Riverside Cafe
-MOCA
-St. Andrew's Historic Church (can be rented and set up for events)
-University Club
-Riverside House (owned by the JR. League)
-Cummer Art Museum
-5 Pts Theater
-The Ritz
-Florida Theater
-The Garden Club

(I'm sure I am missing one... good luck with your search and thanks for stopping by)...

Anonymous said...

I really liked the library. He sent over some great pictures of past events. I'm having such a small event that the space felt a little cold and too big. I loved the patio though! Thanks for all of the tips. I haven't found the place in Jacksonville yet that feels like "the one". I really get what you said about a place having meaning and feeling. I'll keep looking! What is the name of your wedding planning business. I'm doing my best to go solo but I may need decide I need some help. :)

Oh Happy Blog! said...

@skiv:

email me:

ohhappyblog at gmail dot com

I'd be happy to discuss your event further. Currently, I freelance for a couple of event coordinating and design firms but also do events on the side as well. Fo someone going it solo- I can meet with you a few times throughout the process just to see where you are, make suggestions, and keep you on track.... and then step in for the rehearsal and day-of to ensure that everything is taken care of and relieve you and your family of the daunting tasks and responsibilities. Good luck with the planning.

Holly Hatam said...

Wow..this looks like something out of a dream!

Anonymous said...

Very Beautiful! I love all the locations! Anyone of them would be awesome to photograph an event!

Anonymous said...

The photo above the tree is from my home-island of Guam. Two lover point didn't use to have that ginormous statue there.

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog, and I am really enjoying it! We are getting married in your neck of the woods this fall, at the Ribault Club on Ft George Island. It was their big oak tree that sold us on the venue, I can't wait to get married underneath it!

Dubbs said...

I.LOVE.THAT.TREE.

I wanted an outdoors wedding (which I'm getting) but finding nice and naturally shaded areas (which I'm not getting) for such use was hard. Not only is the form and the massiveness of the tree amazing, but also very practically define an area for you plus provide shelter from the sun.

Fabulous choice, I'm jealous!

Anonymous said...

Love the post, thanks so much for the great ideas!

Anonymous said...

All of these locations are very alluring.I, myself, am drawn in by the stature of "Treaty Oak". What time that tree has endured, it is a marvelous site.

kristina said...

Totally agree with keeping the vibe cohesive but not costume-y. and am all for going with the feeling that your venture naturally offers. Our venue has ended up determining the whole theme of the wedding ("Vintage California Garden Party") , which in the end is beautiful anyway even though it's not what I originally imagined. Great post!

i do monograms said...

Great rule. That tree is totally awe inspiring- gorgeous!

Meg said...

I could not agree with this rule more! Pick a place you love, and then you don't have to dress it up. We too are getting married outside, and I love the venue, but I wish we had a great tree like this. Instead we have a view of trees in the distance.

Ms. 122 said...

i can't remember if i told you already or not, but i put a little link love up on 122rollcall. hope that's ok!

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Anonymous said...

That tree is gorgeous! Nice venue.

Shannon
The Virtual Bridesmaid
http://blog.viddia.com
www.viddia.com

Tara Vorhes said...

Beautiful! And I completely agree with your comments on selecting a venue... these are the same reasons we selected our venue despite its slightly high site fee.

Anonymous said...

The Treaty Oak makes me wanna jump on a plane with my FH & a minister. The last time I saw a tree that big was in Buenos Aires.
I agree about your rule. My dream venue is too too expensive, but wouldn't need a drop of oomph from me.

Jennifer said...

Loving that tree. Absolutely gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

All this make me want to get married again

Anonymous said...

The top photo of the hall for the vintage wedding reception is simply out of this world!!

Unknown said...

These things are very rare and we have to think about these kinds of things because God made these things which are lovely.

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Brian

kelly said...

One of my biggest pet peeves is when a bride attempts to make her venue something it's not. The end result is always so much better when you embrace what you have to work with!

That tree is really lovely, by the way :)

Fifi Flowers said...

BEAUTIFUL photos!

Anonymous said...

Love the last tree! Gorgeous!!

Anonymous said...

I am totally in love with the grandeur of that stair case! And I definitely agree with selecting a venue you love even if you have to pay a little more. In the end, it'll be worth it and you'll have spent less than if you had gone somewhere else and had to decorate more because it wasn't your first choice, but less expensive. Pay for something you love - it's much more worth it!

said...

love the first and second picture...amazing photos can be captured in those spaces!

rb said...

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Anonymous said...

The stuff dream weddings are made of! Very

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post! I'm completely LOST in those photos...

Anonymous said...

That tree is something special. Lovely post, I really enjoying seeing more unusual venues.

joy refurbished said...

OMG! That is exactly the kind of tree I want to be married under. However where I live I have found no such place :(

{The Perfect Palette} said...

lovely venue.

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Jennifer Werneth Photography said...

That cliff is breat taking

rockpaperscissorsdesign said...

amazing venues and events...good job!

Fifi Flowers said...

BEAUTIFUL place!!!

Anonymous said...

the tree seems to have grown in all directions like a lotus.

MARIA

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wedding said...

Wow, that tree is like visual poetry. I love that your description is perfect for describing a marriage itself. Great insights in general.

Wedding invitations said...

Oh God!!!!the entire scene is stunning..The cliff is really worth watching...

Furniture removalists said...

Wow! Stunning photos! I’m speechless. It’s so beautiful.

Display homes said...

It’s very nice photographs. Well done. Great finds!

Kim McGinnis said...

I couldn't agree more. Beauty of all kinds is unique whether it is a painting, a sunset, a butterfly, etc. Coming into contact with these gifts is a wonderful opportunity to align ourselves to a higher vibration. I recently read a book called "Wake Up! Your Life is Calling," by Andy Feld. In it the author describes how he gets to this place of alignment through the inward practice of meditation. By focusing this way we come closer to that higher vibration because our inner selves is where our unique creativity lies.
thank you for listening,
Kim

Abby said...

These are lovely settings! I especially love the sprawling tree. How amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Honeymoon registry said...

I love to hear about your wedding ideas. I have gained quite a lot of useful tips from reading your blog. Thanks!

Honeymoon said...

amazing place and that oak tree is awesome.its an awesome blog

jewellers said...

Wow, these images are amazing, the ceiling in this hall is stunning, so pretty.

Online Furniture Stores said...

Stunning location! I hope that I can find something so magical in my area.

website design said...

love the photos dear,they are so wonderful!!!