Wedding We went to look at the ''venue''!

[WishfulThinking]

Hi everyone,

Yesterday afternoon I went with my dad to check out the mountain where FI and I are 99.9% sure we are getting married. It''s a state park which is located on the mountain our college is named after, and it has picnic areas at the top, as well as a large house that used to be a hotel, but is now a museum. I had been there before, but not with the intention of scoping out areas for a wedding. It''s GORGEOUS!

I was hoping we would find some picnic areas with 3 tables and at least one grill, as well as someplace where we could take cover if it happened to be poor weather. We were in luck! We found someplace that is going to be perfect, and I am going to speak to one of the day-pass coordinators this coming week about booking it for May 23rd, 2009!

I will post some pictures of the picnic area we like and some other pretty scenes so everyone can get a feel for the area. I had to take pics for FI, since unfortunately she can''t be here with me to see it at the moment. We will be visiting again in a month when she comes home, so I can show her in person.

 

[WishfulThinking]

This is the view from the parking area at the top of the mountain

 

[WishfulThinking]

This is the "Summit House." We are not able to reserve the house for the day of the wedding [$$$$], but we will have access to it on the day of in case of poor weather, or just because it is a beautiful and interesting old piece of area history.

 

[WishfulThinking]

This is the picnic area where we will be having the ceremony and reception!

 

[WishfulThinking]

One of the tables

 

[WishfulThinking]

The other two tables [random person for scale]

 

[WishfulThinking]

Close-up!

 

[WishfulThinking]

From the other direction... it is on top of a little hill

 

[WishfulThinking]

Some beautiful scenery nearby

 

[WishfulThinking]

More pretty moss and rocks- this place is gorgeous!

 

[WishfulThinking]

A winding path... you can see our ceremony/reception site in the background

 

[WishfulThinking]

The view from the balcony in the summit house! This is basically what can be seen off the side of the mountain from all the high-points.

I''m done for now! Thanks for sharing my excitement!

 

[AmberGretchen]

OMG its GORGEOUS - what a unique and gorgeous site. Its going to be so beautiful!!

 

[vintagelover229]

Beautiful! Congrats! O btw you picked a great date! I''m getting married then too!

 

[Maisie]

It looks so beautiful and peaceful. I can''t wait to see your wedding photos!

 

[Clio]

Wishful Thinking, it will be so beautiful! We love to go up to the Summit House with the kids when we''re visiting the area.

This is one of my favorite paintings, showing the 19th century view from the top of the mountain:

 

[bensbride]

Ooooh! What beautiful natural surroundings! I love it...it looks like it will be a breathtaking view!

 

[Selkie]

Gorgeous site, WT! I went to college in Western Mass. myself and your photos make me miss it very much.

 

[WishfulThinking]

Amber- Thanks so much!

redrose- Are we date twins, then? How exciting! I''ve been enjoying looking at all of your planning ideas, and look forward to more to come.

Maisie- It really is! We''re convinced now that it is perfect. I adore your gorgeous reset, by the way.

Clio- Thanks! I love the Summit House, and with the Mountain Day tradition and all of the other history surrounding MHC, our relationship, and the mountain, it feels like the right place to have the ceremony and reception. That painting is gorgeous!

bensbride- Thanks! The view is part of what sold us on it.

Selkie- Looking back on our wedding photos will always remind us of W. Mass, which is one of our favourite things about this location. I grew up here, and will be leaving to go to grad school with FI [then DW], across the country. My family lives here, though, so I doubt I will ever have to miss it too much!


Thanks for the kind words, everyone, and for sharing in my excitement!

 

[FacetFire]

Oooh, the rock outcroppings are so beautiful and striking! What a cool place to get married!

 

[sap483]

I love MH (I grew up in northern CT close to the MA line). What a beautiful site to have your wedding at. I''m so excited for you. Congrats!

 

[WishfulThinking]

Thanks Facetfire and Sap! The more I look at the pictures and talk about the location with FI, the more excited we both get about it! Originally we were bummed to not have the $$$ to do something more traditional, but it turns out that this fits our personalities and style much better.

 

[zoebartlett]

Gorgeous site and beautiful views! I''m really happy that you and your FI found something that suits you both.

 

[miraclesrule]

Wishful, it is perfect!!

$$$ doesn''t guarantee a beautiful ceremony. You have such great natural scenery in this venue and you will be providing all the love. That is the most important element.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

That view is amazing!!!

So exciting!

 

[sweetjettagirl04]

It is beautiful! Let''s hope for good weather that day all around because my wedding is the same date! Looks like we''ve got date triplets now!

 

[WishfulThinking]

Thank you Zoe and Sarah!

Miracles- What a sweet thing for you to say! It really is true, and there will be a lot of love at our ceremony.

sweetjettagirl- Date triplets!

How exciting. I''m sending dust out for beautiful weather the day of for all of us. I''m sure we''ll have lovely days no matter what, but I''ll admit that I''d be a little disappointed if it isn''t beautiful out.