Wedding venue coordinators are really nice. I mean, really, really, really nice. I don’t know what I was expecting when I started reaching out to set up viewing appointments. I guess, indifference on their part?
Naive, I know.
Coordinating your wedding is easy for them. I mean, sure, it’s your big day, but these people deal with “big days” all year round. They’re professionals. Your “big day” is just another day of work for them, which leads me to my next point. They want your business, and will work hard to get it. Making a sale, ya know?
Peter and I made appointments to see the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse and Airship37. We chose them because:
- The price was right
- Both allow for onsite ceremonies
- You can bring in your own booze
- You can DJ yourself (as long as you pay the $70 SOCAN fee)
First stop? Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. The venue has a cutesy schoolhouse/old church basement vibe that we loved. The washrooms are very clean (important!) and the building is accessible.
My photographer/fiance took this picture. It doesn't do the decor justice. I guess this is why Google Image Search exists. Also, my parents are in the picture. They came along for the ride. Also, I'm carrying a sweet Pizza Underground tote that I subsequently lost that day on the TTC.
The coordinator let us spend as much time as we needed in the venue, and had a massive book featuring pictures from previous weddings at the Schoolhouse. If you’re a venue coordinator and reading this, I suggest you start your own venue booklet. It was great to see the different ways the room could be dressed up.
The one downside? Lighting. My cousin who is a photographer warned us about this. Once we were in the venue I definitely knew what she meant. It wasn't the greatest. But, Peter and I weren’t about to let a little tungsten get in our way. We left armed with their preferred caterers list so we could price out a dinner.
After a quick lunch of grilled avocado/brie sandwiches (great wedding venue hunting sustenance) we made our way to Airship37.
The venue is located at the back of an industrial building. It took us a couple of tries to figure that out.
Airship37 has a very modern look. In fact, someone who enjoys wearing peasant skirts and beaded necklaces from a local fair might describe it as “funky”.
Funky.
The washrooms were clean, the building accessible, and the lighting fantastic. We were impressed. When I mentioned ipod DJing, the coordinator dropped a big bomb. That’s allowed, but there’s an $800 AV fee. Ouch. What's included in the fee? The use of their sound system, a person to set up the PA system etc. etc. I suddenly realized there might be a few more fees than we initially realized. The coordinator said she would put together a sample quote for us and send later that day.
Peter and I went back home and fired off a few emails to caterers while waiting for the wedding coordinator to get back to us.
Side note: Sorry this post is a few days late! I was in Minneapolis for my cousin's wedding! I had an amazing time and will tell you all about it in a few weeks!