It is amazing to think that it was only one weekend ago that E and I "put a ring on it". Since then we've almost been like chickens with our heads cut off figuring out where we want the ceremony and reception to take place. While we can wait on many of the other wedding details, as we're not planning to wed until more than a year later, we can't slack on the locations if we want a good church and venue.

In reality, we already know where we WANT to go for those two events. But where we can afford or fit guests into is a whole 'nother story. This past weekend, we visited several places, from cute and homey to glitzy and screaming "i am bling".

Wayfarers Chapel

aka "The Glass Church"
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Website

This place completely entranced us just as it did the first time we came here years ago. What a charming, beautiful, peaceful place, situated high on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It was designed and built in the late 40s by Lloyd Wright (son of Frank Lloyd Wright). It is magnificient, but humble. No glitz, no glam. Just pure beauty and harmony with nature. Check out the view!

Inside Wayfarers Chapel


The beautiful view as you get out of the chapel


And if you look to your left as you get out, you see the ocean




Lots of interesting brick memorials.

Even if you don't plan to wed there, I highly recommend just coming here to visit and relax. We know this is where we want to be, but it might be a struggle with the 100 maximum guest count, since our families added together are rather large....

Pluses

• Beautiful space
• Cozy, view of the ocean
• A set list of ministers are available
• Candlelight ceremony available - super romantic and pretty
• Long scenic drive along the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes

Minuses

• Long scenic drive along the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes (my relatives are of the complainy sort)
• Tiny church, seats 100 people max, not including bride & co and groom & co
• $2,500 for weekends, $400 extra for candlelight option

Terranea Resort

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Website

After Wayfarers we headed to this place on the way to check out their reception options. It is quite close to Wayfarers and also situated along the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes.

It's a pretty grand resort, but without too much of the glitter and shine (there's the Trump Golf Club nearby for that). It only just opened up Summer 2009. It feels earthy and semi-casual, with lots of italian tiles and classic details in furniture and decor.

But it might still be a bit too grand for us. Not to mention our budget doesn't seem to like it very much... Catering alone at Terranea starts at $30k, and that's not including other fees.

Pluses

• Very large resort with many ballrooms and areas available for reception.
• Impressive without being pompous.
• Casual atmosphere and killer view.
• Date availability because of the spaces.

Minuses

• Cost
• Can't use your own catering. Our dreams of a tub of curry fishballs would be shattered.
• Not quite as down to earth and characteristic as we'd like, doesn't totally represent our style. But we are VERY picky...

The fun part of our visit there was these hot rides though!

I wouldn't mind getting hitched in one of these! With that luggage too!

We'll be continuing to shop in the coming weeks. But I guess not a bad start so far. If anyone has suggestions, we're ALL ears!