mrs. d-to-be: venue extraordinaire

all of our venues for the big day have been booked and are ready to go!

maybe this is the view of a naive, bridezilla-to-be, but i think the stressful part is over!

booking venues was actually incredibly difficult.

i had always assumed my church would be available (it wasn't but i lucked out with something prettier). i had always assumed that a reception venue would magically fit all of my guests and fall right in my price range. and i of COURSE assumed that all of these places would be within a simple stone's throw of my guests' hotels so that transportation wouldn't be a factor.

naive doesn't even begin to describe this girl...

maybe its the fact that i'm getting married in the busiest wedding season in the south and i stubbornly refused to move it.

so after a few reality checks and discussion with my mom and groom-to-be, we branched out and saw all that Franklin had to offer.

it's amazing what needs to be taken into consideration. one ceremony venue had less-than-desireable parking, one reception venue was incredible, but had incredibly scuzzy bathrooms to match. one had a sound board right smack in the middle of the room that could not be moved...

so all in all, we went with places that were not only beautiful and fit in our budget, but places that would WORK with us. places that were adaptable and cooperative. i can't stress how important this is, and i'm sure i'll realize this even more so as we move along in our planning process.

i recently made a suggestion to a soon-to-be-engaged girlfriend of mine: "don't wait for the ring, book your venues." she thought i was nuts, but i stand behind it! at least pencil yourself in ladies... practicality has to win out over tradition SOMEwhere.

so without further ado, here are our venues: (these pics are not my own)