AMAZING LOCATION!!!

During my childhood, we spent many weekends camping in Watkins Glen State Park.

I have so many amazing memories of my summers spent here.

In fact, I am proud to tell you that there are 865ish steps up to the top of the Gorge Trail. Yes, I counted!
While browsing our choices my mom did a little research of her own and found the Pavilion at the South Entrance is available for weddings.

I just got off the phone with them and I am happy to report the following:

• It is available for rent
• But we cannot fill out the paper work until 11 months to the day that we want it.
• Friday - October 7, 2011
• Wedding Date: Sunday October 7, 2012 (10-7-12)
• I wanted to have it on 10-11-12 however, the 11th is in the middle of the week.
• There are three rooms
• Room A: Holds 65 people and has a kitchen
• Room B: Holds 65 people and has a kitchen
• Room C: Holds 100 people and has no kitchen
• Cost for each room is $75 - the woman on the phone suggested renting all three total = $225 for the whole day!
• Plus the $8 for each car that comes into the park: 125 guests = $1,000

Choice 3: Hidden Valley 4H Camp

Hidden Valley 4-H Camp323 Owego St., Unit 5
Montour Falls, NY 14865

 Cost = $600.00 + $175.00 (Cleaning Cost) = $775.00

Postivites:
1. This is a beautiful location.
2. There is a wonderful walking bridge were we could have ceremony outside.
3. The table and chairs are included.
4. They have a complete kitchen we would need to bring the pots and pans.
5. The rental is for 3 days all for $775
6. We can rent large open cabins for $60 a night if wanted.

Downsides:
1. The hotel issue remains... this time its about 10-15 miles to closest hotel. 2. We would have to decorate a great deal to make this NOT look like a camp dining hall.
3. We will need to still figure out the food issue.



Choice 2: Monterey Jacks

Monterrey Jacks

	1235 County Route 16 Beaver Dams, NY 14812



Monterrey Jacks

Cost = $ FREE

My Dad and favorite Uncle Matt (there is a story with a Pony that has won him this status) and Aunt Marry own this bar.



The Bar from the back



Positives: 

1. Cost - I just cannot beat it 
2. There is already a pit for a pig roast 
3. The date would not be an issue... its mine when I want it... basically
4. Alcohol would be easy to get - they have connections ;)
5. Might be perfect for the Rehersal dinner or batcholarlet party/batcholar party

Downsides:

1. The location is far out for the family of groom  
2. Hotel locations are at least 15-30 miles away
3. Mud and porta potties
4. It might be hard to get photos without the local landscape

 

 

From the Outside







 

From the inside

Choice 1: Watson Homestead

Gazebo Just outside the door

Watson Homestead Conference and Retreat Center

9620 Dry Run Road

Painted Post, NY 14870

\Watson Homestead, is a location that locally I have been to many times. While we were lost, we passed it and I suggested we stop by and take a quick look. When we first pulled up that is what we saw. As you can tell it made Will happy :). The shot on the left is my attempt and trying to hide the background. The one on the right is to show the size.

When we entered, it was early afternoon on Sunday and the ED and the wonderful lady who makes the reservations were there cleaning up. They had a large event the night before.

Dining Hall

Cost = $500 for the room

Dinning Hall

This is the view from the dinning room. This room can fit 250-300 people. We were told that 150 is a perfect number for dinner and dancing.

Downside 1: Corning Catering is their perfer vender so we would only be able to use them if we want this space.

Downside 2: They do not have our dates open, they have weekends in June open and Thanksgiving and Easter this year and 2012 wide open.

Postives: Its beautiful, its inside, and Will loves it.



The Chapel

Cost = $300

The Chapel is just down the hall from the dining hall. It can fit 200 people. As you can see beautiful sun light spills into this room.

Postives: Its beautiful, its inside, and Will loves it.

 

The Hotel

Cost = $75 a night

This is the hotel room, not much to wright home about BUT it is right on the property. There are 27 rooms.

The Pavilian

Cost = $150

The woman who makes the reservations had her daughters wedding here and the pictures were SO pretty!

There is a volleyball net, and baseball dimond also near by, really only feet away.

We were unable to see the potties as they were locked.

In highschool, we rented this pavilian for a class party. It was fun. It would be rustic but might be fun!

Positives: It is open on Columbus Day Weekend 2012. It is also open during various weekends throughout 2012. A lot of flexability.

Downside: There is a VERY good chance that it will snow on Columbus Day Weekend 2012 and this would be a VERY cold day outside.



Location, Location, Location

While home in upstate New York about a week ago my hubby to be and I got lost going to Watkins Glenn, New York. We will not talk about the fact that I grew up in this area and should know that you need to go north, not south to get there :). Anyway, things turned out of the best, we were able to stop and see a few places along the way.

We now have a few more choices to added to pot...
Choice 1: Watson Homestead
- Two locations (inside and out)
Choice 2: My father and Uncle's Bar
Choice 3: Hidden Valley 4H Camp
Choice 4: Watkins Glenn State Park
Choice 5: Clute Pavilian in Watkin's Glenn

We took a few photos while we visited each, and have listed out the pro's and cons of each.

Once we make our final choice we will share!

Poll: Evite vs. Paper Invite

What are your thoughts...

Evite Pros

    * FREE

Evite Cons

    *  We will still need to send the non computer people hard copies which could complicate the RSVP process.

Printed Invites Pros

    * People like them, and expect them.
    * They can be pretty.

Printed Invites Cons

    * They are not cheap!
    * They get lost.

I would love to your thoughts and pros and cons for each side!!

Great use for Mason Jars

I LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I was thinking about getting frames from IKEA... but glass jars are cute and GREEN!!! I love it! Now its time to ask everyone to start saving them and to start collecting the pictures to put in them!


Orignal Post on: http://www.mydiyweddingday.com/2010/06/new-use-for-mason-jars.html
How personal and easy is this idea? We love incorporating old photos into your reception decor but this idea really is quite clever and a snap to recreate. Simply collect old mason jars from flea markets or online sites like Amazon.com or eBay or if you don't have time to scour for vintage ones, you can purchase new ones at your local hardware or home improvement stores. They look great shown above without their lids!


A touch of blue in the glass creates a cohesive look -- especially beneficial if some of your old photos are in color -- and adds to the vintage appeal. Gather photos from friends and family members so you have a variety to choose from. Or simply stick to your parents' and grandparents' wedding photos. Photo copy the old photos (you won't have to worry about what happens to them after the reception!) and cut the copy down to size before popping them into the jars. That's it, you're all set with a unique and personalized touch to your reception.



Get more amazing DIY ideas in our photo gallery.
Images courtesy of Jessamyn Harris.


by Sarah Newell