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 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!

Invitations

Idea #2:  $162.00

• Greeting cards from Walmart.com ($0.36 each - 200 total) = $72.00 + 
• Postage  ($0.45-just in case there is an increase between now and then) $90
• = $162.00

Q: Why from Walmart.com?
A: I looked on four different sites to check prices and walmart.com seems to be the best bet.  We have also used them before for our Christmas cards and we were very happy with them!

Save the Date

Idea #1:  $162.00

• Greeting cards from Walmart.com ($0.36 each - 200 total) = $72.00 + 
• Postage  ($0.45-just in case there is an increase between now and then) $90
• = $162.00

Q: Why from Walmart.com?
A: I looked on four different sites to check prices and walmart.com seems to be the best bet.  We have also used them before for our Christmas cards and we were very happy with them!

A wedding on $5,000 budget... can it be done?

After much debate we have chosen to set a budget of $5,000 for our wedding. We see NO reason to spend a small fortune on a wedding when we can save that money and put a down payment on a house. So we are going to do it... follow us as we navigate the land of "affordable" weddings...