Finding the Perfect Venue

Because we are both connected to the great outdoors with our lives, career-choices, and passions, we really wanted an outdoor wedding. We wanted it in the summer….in Texas. (No, we aren’t insane…I promise!) We looked at several outdoor places in town…some at really good prices. But the one that we had our heart set on, turned out to be the best financial decision as well! (Isn’t it great when things work out so nicely?) We decided to go with a venue that is in association with Midwestern State University (where we both worked on our degrees). The venue is known as Sikes Lake, and is a beautiful man-made pond that is surrounded by a walking trail and is home to many type of migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife despite being surrounded by residences, restaurants, and of course the university. 

Since it is owned by MSU and we are both currently students, MSU agreed not to charge us for the ceremony site to be out on the grass adjacent to the lake if we booked the Sikes Lake Center for the reception. The Sikes Lake Center is a building with an entire wall of glass that faces the lake for a spectacular view.  And backup-bonus: if it was too hot, or rained (yeah, right), or windy, or any other weather-issues arose, we could always use the SLC for an indoor ceremony with the lake view behind us, so it will be beautiful no matter what the weather throws our way!

The center was awesomely cheap considering that that included tables and chairs for 300 people and that the building itself had a max capacity of 450 people.  It also included a crew of people who would set up the tables and chairs before the event and break them down afterward. All we had to worry about was decorating and that could be done anytime the day of, and had to be cleaned up the same night.

Then, the most amazing thing happened…we discovered that there was a student discount! We were able to book the whole shebang for about the same price as our wedding cake. So we had a place, that we could afford, and that we loved. I was so excited that I literally started dreaming about decorating! (And let me tell you, I always woke up smiling. :)