The reception is a HUGE part of your Big Day; it's where you can relax, have fun, and most importantly celebrate with your family and friends! We actually started looking at reception venues this summer before we were engaged (gasp! Against everything I said I'd ever do.) We began heavily discussing marriage in late spring, early summer so towards the end of summer we wanted to get a head start on looking at places while we were out of school. We knew right away that we didn't want to use a hotel ballroom. For us, that's so "normal" and since we're the last of our crew to tie the knot, we wanted something unique. I've been to some beautiful receptions in hotel ballrooms, but it just wasn't what we were wanting, so we began looking around town for "unique" reception venues. We looked at the following places and while we loved most of them, they weren't big enough to accommodate a 300+ size wedding:
Arts Place : We LOVED this, but it just wasn't big enough. I remember going here on a gallery hop several years ago and thinking it would be a neat place for a reception. I was a little bummed when I found out it was too small.
Downtown Arts Center : Liked this too, but in order to accommodate everyone, we would have to have the reception in several different areas. We didn't want a "chopped up" reception; we want everything in one big room together
Lexington History Museum : Liked this and really loved that it was our old court house, but the main room used for receptions wasn't going to be big enough. We'd have to use the hallway and it was very 1970's and definitely not where I wanted several guests sitting for the evening. Plus, there was going to be little to no room for a dance floor.
The Carrick House: BEAUTIFUL and right by the church, but the room we would be renting was 5K (holy budget buster) just for the room, plus we had to use their caterer, so that was a "No."
Equus Run Vineyards : LOVE this place, but we wanted to use the barn for our reception and of course, it wasn't big enough. We'd have to use a tent and you just can't trust the weather/heat in June. We don't want our guests getting wet or being miserable from southern heat and humidity.
And then.......we found it. The Aviation Museum of Kentucky....I just cant begin to explain how "perfect" this location is for us. It was in budget, was HUGE, the event coordinator is SO sweet and helpful, and it deals directly with travel(our love). We even get to have our dance floor out on the runway!!! If you've never been there, it's the old TAC Air (private jet airport) building which consists of 2 giant airplane hangers joined by a small hallway. There are vintage airplanes hanging from the ceiling, a Boeing jet engine, Army helicopters, a Blue Angels airplane and more. The museum will move all of the floor exhibits to the outer area so guests can still explore them, but it will allow for everyone and everything to be in one space. There's even a lobby area where people can go if they need to escape the music for a bit or make a phone call. Plus, our caterer, DaRae's (who's food is AMAZING) does events out there so they're familiar with the venue, the kitchen area, etc. We just really couldn't be more pleased and excited about our venue!
For our favors, we are having a photo booth and another surprise that our guests will receive as they're leaving. We love the photo booth idea since M and I are known for our photo-boothing. Early on in our relationship we began hitting up photo booths everywhere we went, so we thought it was only fitting that we brought that into our wedding :)
We are working on some other fun details that we hope our guests really do enjoy! Our goal for the reception from the get-go was: amazing food, personal touches, and a fun environment, and I think we are well on our way to that! Being what seems like the last people our age to get married, we had a lot to live up to, and we promise, it's going to be a great time!!
XOXO,
The Bride to Be
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