The wedding location was one of the most important things to me, right behind finding an amazing wedding photographer. The wedding location paints a picture-perfect setting for anyone’s wedding day.  A wedding location can set the tone and provide a feeling that everyone will be able to feel.  Plus, it’s in all your wedding photos as a background so it has to show off the style of the couple.

My Picture Perfect Setting!

I wanted to do something different and we both wanted a smaller wedding, so that was our starting point. Normally, everyone gets married in their church and has the reception at the community center.  Which is completely fine, but would have ended up being way too big of a wedding for us. We’re definitely a little shy and not an attention stealer.  People have even asked our parents if we even talk when we’re together, we’re both so quiet.  I’d like to say that is definitely not the case, he says I talk too much!

Anyways, a year or so ago I ran across a wedding that was in Hot Springs, Arkansas at a gorgeous chapel.  I have been to Hot Springs when I was younger with one of my bridesmaids and her family, so I was already familiar with the location and really enjoyed it.

Anyways, I immediately googled it and found Anthony Chapel at Garvan Gardens.  It was absolutely beautiful so right then I knew that’s where my wedding was going to be held.  Also, it suited our smaller wedding preference.  It’s around a 4 hour drive from our hometown so we knew the people who meant the most to us and wanted to be there would be there.  The absolute perfect wedding location for us!

After Bart finallyyyy proposed, we set a weekend to look at the chapel and explore Hot Springs.  My parents and Bart had never been there so it was fun!  It was even more beautiful in person!  My parents loved it and so did Bart.  However, there were reservations in making everyone drive 4 hours.  My parents gave their opinion on finding a closer location if not at home.  Once I get my mind-set on something, there’s no going back.  I did research other locations, but nothing compared.  I presented all my counter arguments and won the battle, like I knew I would.

Finding A Reception Venue

Wedding reception venue was important to me too.  I wanted a fun place that had a great feeling and had the perfect layout.  However, I would like everyone to be proud of me because the room I chose is not the one we went with.  Bart won!  While we were in Hot Springs, I scheduled a few appointments to visit several wedding reception sites.  We already ruled the gardens out, which would have been convenient and beautiful.

However, we are planning around 50 guests and didn’t want it to be outside and all of their inside spots were way too big for our wedding size.  This is a good thing to think about when planning a wedding because if you get a wedding venue too big for your small wedding, it’ll look like you have 10 guests in the place.

First stop was one of Hot Spring’s bath row houses.   It was so pretty and would have been really convenient for my wedding day prep since it is a spa, but this place was just a little too small.  Me, my parents and his mom loved it.  It was bright, big windows and absolutely gorgeous.  Bart liked it but thought it was too small and we would have been cramped. However, it was so so pretty!

Next stop was one of Hot Spring’s delicious restaurants, The Porterhouse.  They showed us 2 rooms and provided the catering, which was a big plus for us.  This place was the opposite.  It was dark and had an old, vintage feel.  The first room had a place for all the tables, dancing and the dj.  This was the room I chose because I liked everyone being together.

Next, it was on to the second banquet room.  There were 3 separate rooms, including a place for dining, dancing and a billiards room.  It was neat and provided tons of entertainment for everyone but I didn’t want anyone to miss our first dance and just not be altogether.  Bart shared his arguments, which were his friends might get a little crazy so it might be a good idea to separate our parents and grandparents from them.  Good thinking!  I gave in!

My Mind Was Set On The Perfect Date!

I had it all planned out in my mind when I wanted our wedding to happen.  April 2011 or January 2012 were the months I picked out.  I had January pictured as the perfect winter wedding month.  I picked April because I wasn’t into a Summer wedding, plus a ton of people I know are getting married in the Summer of 2011.  Very, very busy!

My mom suggested I wait until April 2012, which would give me plenty of time.  However, me being stubborn wanted it the next year because waiting over a year would just be too long for me.  April 30th was picked because that was one of the 2 weekends still open for the chapel.  In the end, it worked out so great because April 30 is Bart’s grandparent’s anniversary.  They were absolutely thrilled!

Finding the perfect wedding location was on the top of my wedding checklist.  It means a lot to get married in a beautiful chapel and to have our close family and friends there.  Plus, sharing a wedding date with his grandparents makes it that more special.  Now, what I’d like you to take away from this is don’t settle on just any old location.  This is YOUR wedding day and you’ll remember it a lifetime.  Now, to take care of the million and one things left on my wedding to-do-list!