mayling's Chocolate wedding

Usually quite a keen reseacher and planner, I didn't think it would be quite so hard finding a venue!

Since the engagement both Edwen & I have been bombarded with "what's the date?" questions, and I can honestly say that the date is very contingent on the venue we are able to get .

We are hoping for an outdoor venue, and since we live in rainy Vancouver that limits us to the short summer months of July/August, and maybe early September.

Reading forum after forum, I have now realized that weddings are a HUGE business, and at the same time a large yet intimate outdoor, non church ceremony in Vancouver is as elusive as finding that last minute christmas gift on the 24th of December.

We have over a year ago, and yet I am starting to feel the frustration creep in because venues either cost way too much for my measly 15k budget, booked up years in advance by eager brides (or rich wannabe brides I suspect), or simply aren't offering the simple or elegant backdrop I am looking for.

Places that I have considered:
Grouse Mountain (both ceremony/reception): beautiful and quite affordable, but doesn't accomodate the 120+ guests Edwen and are planning for.

Cecil Green: highly recommended, and appealing especially since I am a UBC alumni, but I'm not willing to spend the small fortune this venue would require. Also the control freak in me doesn't like the idea that you have to use their caterers.

University Golf Club(both ceremony/reception): Almost perfect if it weren't for the fact they are so booked up, and require a min. $1700 bar tab, and couldn't confirm a 2008 price list until April 2008.

Celebration Pavillion, Queen Elizabeth Park (ceremony) with reception at Sun Sui Wah: The website photos really sold me, but when I got there I had realized what a huge mistake it was. Thank God I didn't put in the $800 booking fee. The place is small AND yellow (as in pee-stained yellow--what were they thinking??).

Westwood Plateau: my friend Lisa is getting married there this September =)

Brock House Gorgeous! Just too expensive for my budget.

Hycroft House/Mansion ditto.

Robson Manor (ceremony) with reception at Sun Sui Wah: Almost perfect as well, except I realized today after some research that the mansion got sold to a private school!

It truly is quite difficult if you are looking for that something different, yet simple, in Vancouver/Burnaby/Richmond. I have been trying to read as many forum posts as I can and I keep getting the same suggestions over and over. It truly is frustrating, yet I haven't given up yet (do I have a choice?).

Personally when it comes to weddings Edwen and I wouldn't mind a simple destination wedding somewhere (Vegas at the Bellagio/Cruise Ship Wedding in Miami), and having a reception at home later. We haven't ruled out that option, but for my family's sake were are trying our best to do it at home if we can.

My latest find: Mayfair Lakes Golf & Country Club in Richmond. : The price seems reasonable, and it truly looks like the pretty outdoor ceremony venue I am looking for. Now I just have to pay them a visit, inquire about 2008 availablity, and figure out if I still want to do the separate chinese banquet reception.

Any feedback would be much appreciated!