sapphire2009's Green wedding

since we're not too keen on most of the venues in our immediate area, we've expanded our venue search to include all of NC. In our search, we've come up with two places that we really like the look of, but they're in totally opposite directions of each other. We can go either for the rustic but beautiful farm in the mountains just outside of Asheville, or we can go with the Aquarium at Roanoke Island.

I love both of them. I'm not a huge fan of the beach, but it's one of Chris' favourite places & the aquariums are nice. The past two years we've vacationed in the southern outer banks- Atlantic Beach/Pine Knoll/ Emerald Isle area together. I have really fond memories of vacationing up in the Northern OBX (Nags Head/Corolla/Kitty Hawk area) when i was a child, so Roanoke is a half way point & it's a very pretty area.

However, I much prefer keeping both feet firmly on the ground and I *love* the beauty of the mountains in fall & winter. I also identify more with a farm than an aquarium but either way you look at it- it's a 4 hour drive either way from where we currently live.

My thinking is that if we did the mountains there's a lot more to do out there as far as museums, historical sites, & outdoor activities than there is at the beach. But, if we do it at the beach our guests can make it more of a relaxing vacation. We'd probably rent out a beach house for us & the bridal party for a week or two before.