Now that we’ve made the important decision of where, I’m on to visiting and choosing venues for our small dinner ceremony here on Whidbey. Mom is busy at work in Texas and the Montana party is still in the background because it will be the last and dependent upon of move date. So, while I’m in the process I thought I’d share some of the options I’m considering.
Captain Whidbey Inn
Initially, this is the place I thought of for our Whidbey Island wedding. It’s nestled on the shores of Penn Cove, near Coupeville, Wa. There are accommodations there for out of town guest and the food is supposed to be pretty good. I have a call into their wedding coordinator, so I’m not sure about the cost yet. It has a lot of potential; however, some questions about their environmental impact have come up–specifically, alleged problems with their septic dumping into the cove. I don’t know for sure yet but that would greatly impact our decision to have a wedding there. I’m waiting to find out more before I pursue this venue.
Whidbey Institute
I found this place through an Internet search. I’ve sent an email to the site coordinator but haven’t heard back from them. It is located on the south end of the Island, so not ideal, but it looks beautiful and I wouldn’t mind checking it out anyway. The description says it has a stone hearth and stove and panoramic windows. I really don’t know much else about the place.
Oak Harbor Yacht Club
My future step-mother in law suggested I check out this place and I’m glad I did. Initially, I wasn’t sure if it had the tone I wanted. But it’s right on the water and has catering and I wouldn’t have to rent tables or chairs. I was quoted that the room alone was about $400 for 4 hours. I’ve been given a contact to discuss the food and other costs. The other bonus on this place is it is walking distance to downtown Oak Harbor. Ideal for wedding attendants that aren’t ready to call it quits at 10 pm. I can imagine with a nice sunset, which can happen in the still wintry months of March. I have yet to visit, but if facility feels right, it’s my favorite option so far.
Hummingbird Farm
My friend Terry told me about this place. She was hired to dance for an anniversary party there. The owners have built a lovely barn and grown rows of flowers for wedding type events. They are just getting started and really trying to get word about their event place. I’ve talked to the husband owner and it sounds quite nice. I am to send an email to the wife owner to discuss the detail and get pricing. I think it could be a very romantic option. Potential pitfalls are I am told the space will hold 50 bulging. If my guest list obliges to slips past 50 I’m afraid there may not be enough room. Also, they are putting in slab flooring, and right now it is gravel. That may not be very comfortable in March when the winds outside can be chilly. They are hoping it will be done by March, but it will depend on the contractors and the weather. I’ll be able to make a better decision once I’ve visited.
So, those are the places I’m considering now. I plan on visiting them over the next couple of weeks. Then, I can make a decision and send out save the date cards, hopefully, by the 1st of September.
