"What I'm thinking involves a machete and a pair of pliers!"

~ The Wedding Planner

I went looking for a quote about wedding planning to start this post and found that famous people had diddly to say on the topic. This one from the movie fits better than I could have dreamt. 

I'm so tired of not having anything planned. I've logged probably 45 hours in internet research by now. It's time to get this darn ball rollin'.  

Here are the places we're going to look in the next week or two. Chime in and let me know your thoughts:

NEW YORK VENUES

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THE FOUNDRY

42-38 9th St., nr. 43rd Ave., Long Island City; 718-786-7776; thefoundry.info

Artistic types love this impeccably restored former metal foundry. Inspired touches like chimneys visible through the main hall’s skylight, a cauldron transformed into a fountain, and lots of ivy lend the building its unique character—it requires little or no additional decoration. From $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the season, plus an additional fee for the cobblestoned courtyard outside, the terrace, and the greenhouse.

I really didn't stand a chance with this venue - both in the sense that I'm helpless against it's charms and that I don't have a dream of affording it. We're going to look at it anyway because if suddenly I come into a trillion dollars, it will be beneficial to have already done a dry run to this place.

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THE GREEN BUILDING

                  452 Union St., at Bond St., Gowanus 718-522-3363; thegreenbuildingnyc.com 

This romantic former brass foundry offers an extensive and heavily Brooklyn-based vendor list to choose from—including customized bar packages from in-borough establishments like Vinegar Hill House. The space can hold up to 160 for dinner and dancing. Prices start at $5,500 for a Saturday event.

Oh, I can most definitely get on board with this venue. Its a fairly blank slate, but a nicely aged one and I think it would slide in nicely with my vintage ideas. Matt and I love the food trucks despite its ever increasing popularity.

  

MASSACHUSETTS VENUES

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THE COMMANDERS MANSION

440 Talcott Avenue, Watertown; 617-926-7755; commandersmansion.com

History buffs are easily won over by this Civil War era estate, which was criticized at the time as being an overly extravagant use of funds. The Commanding Officer's Quarters is still today one of the highlights of the Watertown Arsenal site, and remains virtually unaltered after over 100 years' residence by Watertown commanding officers. The three -story brick Bracketed style mansion, approached by way of the tree-lined Talcott Avenue overlooks the Charles River. $4000 for an 8 hour block on a Saturday night in season.

24 Asbury Street, Topsfield; 978-887-8211; willowdaleestate.com

Located within the Bradley Palmer State Park, this estate offers the most incredibly lush backdrop. Built in 1901 and originally the summer retreat of prominent Boston businessman Mr. Bradley Palmer, the ornate fieldstone mansion and lucious grounds were lovingly restored and enhanced with the addition of a Butterfly Garden and Tented Pavilion.  From $3600 for a Saturday nigh and includes a ton of stuff.

I was immediately taken by this venue. Not only is the price where we need to it be, they take care of so many of the details that are forced upon you by other venues. For example, they tent is already constructed and is included in the price if you rent the outdoor area. They decorate the estate themselves to reflect the changing seasons in New England, there's amble parking, tables and chairs. It would be nice to concentrate solely on the fun part of wedding planning and to leave the sticky details up to these guys, whose taste I like already.