Ok, I'll get on the venue train too...

loves2shop4shoes

So, now that I'm feeling MUCH better thanks to some medication, FI and I have broached the subject of a wedding again.

We searched for venues and found this place, which is in Maine.

http://www.ducktrapretreat.com/default.asp?theIF=%2Fcontent%2Easp%3FWebsiteID%3D27423%26PageID%3D256925%26FFS%3D1%26pageName%3DSummer%2BWeddings

You get the entire 35 acre estate for the entire weekend and you bring in your own caterer and other vendors.  FI and I could save a ton of money by doing it this way.  

Also, because this place is so far north in Maine, it's basically going to be a semi-destination wedding for our guests, so we might very realistically have a lot fewer guests in attendance.

We haven't visited the venue yet, but it looks beautiful and has great reviews.  We've been in correspondence with the owners and it is available for 8/4/12.  We're planning to tour it (and potentially put down a deposit) sometime in April, after FI has recovered from his surgery.

What do y'all think?

Narwhal

I think it's beautiful. That stone beach is so nice.

meamolly

OMG I LOVE the beach!  this place is awesome.

hetshup

Shoes, 

That is WONDERFUL. 

It's so visually interesting, plus it has amenities too! I love Maine weddings, I have a cousin that was married in the national park there, and it was amazing. 

Have you gotten a dress? If you go there, a think loose curls (as your hair is so dark and pretty) and a flowy dress would be great. 

Wow, I got really excited. Sorry.  

katanne9

Ohhh, beautiful!!

I went to a wedding in Camden, ME last August and the weather was BEAUTIFUL!

Glad things are starting to come together for you.

loves2shop4shoes

Awww...you guys are the best.  Yeah, FI and I have started a new wedding fund.  We think that unless we go visit this place and it's completely different than the pictures and reviews, we're going to book it.  

We're thinking of either doing Royal Blue, White, and Yellow or Royal Blue, White, and Light Pink as our colors.  FI is thinking of navy jackets and khakis for the groomsmen.  I'm thinking of stealing Oceana's flowers, centerpieces, and program fans.

I haven't thought too much about my dress yet.  Although I think if we go the suit jacket and khaki pant route, it will be a more casual wedding, so I won't be in a great big ball gown.

If you all have thoughts/inspiration, feel free to let me know.

bethsmiles

That place looks beautiful! And I'm so glad that you are doing better

loves2shop4shoes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ok-ill-venue-train?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:40853add-7a98-42a5-9661-259c03b14c21Post:2a3c7eaf-f056-490a-9d70-c77ae4adc19c">Re: Ok, I'll get on the venue train too...</a>:
[QUOTE]That place looks beautiful! And I'm so glad that you are doing better :)
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]

<div>I am.  I feel SO much better on the medication.  It turns out that I had really severe PTSD.  I didn't realize that it was abnormal to go through your day and have multiple flashbacks of horrible things that have happened to you.  I had no idea that it was something to be concerned about.  I thought everyone went through their day like that.  I now realize that it's NOT normal.  I don't think about my traumatic past multiple times a day, or even daily.  I don't have flashbacks.  I don't have nightmares.  I don't have panic attacks.  I don't feel depressed.  It's WONDERFUL.</div><div>
</div><div>I'm still definitely adjusting to the medication.  But I'm SO SO glad I went on it.  I wish I'd gone on it sooner.  I'm SO much happier.</div>

luvdncn90

I think a fall or winter wedding there would be absolulely gorgeous! I absolutely love the East Coast, it's so beautiful. M and I want to move to MA in the next five years, so now I'm totally jealous of your awesome venue!


I might just steal it when M and I get married. Even though it is a bit far from where we live....ha

jeanacorina

I'm really glad to hear that you found something to help you. I was really worried for you.

I'm also glad that you're enjoying your wedding planning! Have you thought about putting together an inspiration board? I loved doing that. I went through probably 5 of them, but i LOVED making them.

sparkles88

That place is breathtaking, Shoes! The aerial photos in the fall time literally made my jaw drop.

Also, I'm glad you are feeling so much better

loves2shop4shoes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ok-ill-venue-train?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:40853add-7a98-42a5-9661-259c03b14c21Post:adc52679-285b-4946-b082-5d794a1d67e7">Re: Ok, I'll get on the venue train too...</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm really glad to hear that you found something to help you. I was really worried for you. I'm also glad that you're enjoying your wedding planning! Have you thought about putting together an inspiration board? I loved doing that. I went through probably 5 of them, but i LOVED making them.
Posted by jeanacorina[/QUOTE]

<div>What is this inspiration board you speak of?  And how does one make one?</div>

AudgiePodge

What a beautiful place.  The beach is amazing.

sapphirebaby926

Very pretty!

And I'm glad you're feeling better with the new meds

oceana919

Just my two cents, but I vote dark blue against yellow, especially for a summer wedding. You could easily find some really gorgeous yellow roses or gerbera daisies and it would just pop in that setting.

Dark blue and limey green would also look gorgeous in a summer wedding. I think dark blue/lime green and slate grey/burnt orange are my two favorite color combos as of late.

::le sigh:: Now I want to see inspiration boards.

oceana919

peekaboo2011

I love the venue!  And I also like the idea of dark blue and yellow.  I love the way yellow pops against dark colors

desertsun

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ok-ill-venue-train?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:40853add-7a98-42a5-9661-259c03b14c21Post:1b48957d-f095-45fc-a622-6a084d57358d">Ok, I'll get on the venue train too...</a>:
[QUOTE]So, now that I'm feeling MUCH better thanks to some medication, FI and I have broached the subject of a wedding again. We searched for venues and found this place, which is in Maine. <a href="http://www.ducktrapretreat.com/default.asp?theIF=%2Fcontent%2Easp%3FWebsiteID%3D27423%26PageID%3D256925%26FFS%3D1%26pageName%3DSummer%2BWeddings" rel="nofollow">http://www.ducktrapretreat.com/default.asp?theIF=%2Fcontent%2Easp%3FWebsiteID%3D27423%26PageID%3D256925%26FFS%3D1%26pageName%3DSummer%2BWeddings</a> You get the entire 35 acre estate for the entire weekend and you bring in your own caterer and other vendors.  FI and I could save a ton of money by doing it this way.   Also, because this place is so far north in Maine, it's basically going to be a semi-destination wedding for our guests, so we might very realistically have a lot fewer guests in attendance. We haven't visited the venue yet, but it looks beautiful and has great reviews.  We've been in correspondence with the owners and it is available for 8/4/12.  We're planning to tour it (and potentially put down a deposit) sometime in April, after FI has recovered from his surgery. What do y'all think?
Posted by loves2shop4shoes[/QUOTE]

desertsun

I was just having trouble reading the OP, Shoes, but I don't know if the quote helped or not!

I adore this venue. Adore it.

I am so glad you're feeling better and that the medication has helped.

And...I'm biased, but...NAVY BLUE AND LIME = PURE AWESOMENESS!!!!!!! :P

I know it has to feel so good to be moving forward with wedding plans again. Whoo hoo!

Goldlie11

Pretty venue.  I like Navy and light pink as colors.  

[Deleted User]

I love the deck with its view of the ocean and all that green grass!!!!!!!

calindi

I think it's gorgeous, and I'm really glad you guys have found something you like that you can get excited about!

I love the idea of a family-retreat style wedding.  We're hoping for a similar feeling by having a "field day" barbecue the next day at a park, with games and stuff, to make it into a whole weekend experience.  Have you seen 2000dollarwedding.com?  It talks a lot about focusing on family and what's important rather than the trappings.  I like it a lot!!!

jeanacorina

The pics that Oceana posted are inspiration boards. You can make them in your own computer program or you can find web-based inspiration board tools online. You basically collect photos that you like and fit them onto the inspiration board to see how everything might go together. It helped me find new ideas, but also weed out some ideas and get down to what I REALLY wanted.

loves2shop4shoes

Ohhh...thanks for the ideas guys!

katanne9

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ok-ill-venue-train?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:40853add-7a98-42a5-9661-259c03b14c21Post:0f4d5a35-c5eb-4cc0-b9cc-f09405164ab7">Re: Ok, I'll get on the venue train too...</a>:
[QUOTE]Just my two cents, but I vote dark blue against yellow, especially for a summer wedding. You could easily find some really gorgeous yellow roses or gerbera daisies and it would just pop in that setting. Dark blue and limey green would also look gorgeous in a summer wedding. I think dark blue/lime green and slate grey/burnt orange are my two favorite color combos as of late. ::le sigh:: Now I want to see inspiration boards.
Posted by oceana919[/QUOTE]


I vote dark blue and yellow as well. But I am utterly biased : )


The blue and green is lovely too though! Actually, if you look at my inspiration baord on my planning site I had blue, yellow and green.

Elle1036

That's a truly gorgeous venue!

Um, but, royal blue is my color so...

...step off, biotch.  Use navy instead like Oceana and Kat suggested.

LizzyTish88

That place is amazing Shoes! I'm really happy everything is coming together for you and you are finally enjoying wedding planning, but more importantly, Life.

loves2shop4shoes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ok-ill-venue-train?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:40853add-7a98-42a5-9661-259c03b14c21Post:ecd20e24-927b-42c7-af6a-0bbf92694576">Re: Ok, I'll get on the venue train too...</a>:
[QUOTE]That place is amazing Shoes! I'm really happy everything is coming together for you and you are finally enjoying wedding planning, but more importantly, Life.
Posted by cdechristopher[/QUOTE]

<3 you.  You get an e-hug.