Finally, after looking for the right venue, we found one! To catch some of you up, we were wanting an indoor ceremony and reception and one where we didn't have to change the ceremony site to the reception site. We wouldn't have hated it, but since we are planning on doing most of the decoration set up ourselves, it would have been very difficult to work out I thought. So, we decided we should change our search... instead of looking for the actually wedding venues, we should start looking at hotel ballrooms and convention centers.
So... we decided to have the ceremony in a church and the reception at a convention center. And it is actually perfect for us. The church is the church that I went to as a child, and is absolutely beautiful. They have this amazing garden next door that has little bridges and benches and trees. I can just see taking pictures out there. It is also a stones throw away from the river so we can take some pretty pictures down my the river too! The church is the oldest church building in town, so it has the old town feel to it, and it has a lot of history. It is actually a Historical Site, so I think that is really cool too. Plus, I'm fully in charge of the ceremony. I can bring in my own person to marry me, so it isn't like I have to adhere to a strict religious ceremony.
We decided to rent the entire convention center, and this place is amazing. It is only a 3 minute drive from the church and is litterally down the road, so guests won't have to go too far. Oh, and it is right next to historical downtown/main street, so I have the opportunity for some pretty kick butt pictures there too! At first I didn't like the idea of a convention center, but this place is only a year old, it will be two years old when I get married, and is super modern and up-to-date. It fits into what FI and I pictured for our reception too. Oh... and did I add that they HAVE uplighting available, included in the price? A 30' x 30' dance floor (well up to that big), LOTS of restrooms (at least 30 stalls for the ladies! and about 20 for the guys) so no lines, a huge, modern, and up-to-date catering kitchen, a beautiful entrance with a really Texas, but elegant, feel. A pretty bridal room, and you can rearrange some of the "meeting" rooms into a grooms room.
So it is official, I am getting married on July 20, 2013! Now, let me go get that there wedding ticker-ma-bobber.