More than one reception?

Update:
So, I can't seem to convince Britton that a reception/party in Kenai is a good idea - which after looking at my facebook friends and who still lives in Kenai, I'm kind of starting to agree.  If you think it's a good idea, you should let us know.   Would you travel to Fairbanks just for the reception?


I want to be able to celebrate with everyone in my life, despite the fact that we are having a smaller ceremony.  Our ceremony location only has capacity for 75 people, so the current plan is to host a larger reception after.  However, there are sooo many people in our families alone, that may or may not be able to come to Fairbanks for just the reception, so I think we might hold three?
There will be the main one here in Fairbanks right after the ceremony.

Then, I'm thinking since I want to see the Fourth of July Parade in Kenai, that it would work to hold a Kenai reception/bbq/potluck right around then for all of our family and friends in the Southcentral area.

Then, I think it would be nice to include all of the Oregon/lower 48 family and friends (plus leave Alaska in the summer time, say what?!) and so we could have a big bbq/potluck reception down in Albany (?) a few days later.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Would you go to either the second or third reception if you couldn't make it to Fairbanks?

The Ceremony Location

I'm super stoked!! We're 99% positive the ceremony is going to be held on the Sternwheeler Tanana Chief!! There are just a couple little details we have to figure out!! - Like if our friend's wheelchair can get to the deck so he can watch the ceremony too, but I'm sure we'll figure something out.

Brunch on Sunday was as amazing as I remember and Britton was pretty impressed too.  The river (while not the Kenai) is pretty, but we think the ride might be a little too short to enjoy the reception.  So, our plan is to have the ceremony and cocktails and the group pictures that we want (assuming the lighting is good) on the Sternwheeler with limited guests (since the upper deck can only hold 75 - and that might be standing room; another detail we need to look into) and then go elsewhere for our reception, have a BBQ and invite the whole world - well, okay, all the people we know :)

If you are in Fairbanks, I highly recommend spending the $40 for the Sunday Brunch Cruise - and I would be willing to go again.  :)  My friend and mentor Cara was bummed when I checked-in on Facebook saying we were looking at a wedding venue and didn't think to invite "mock" guests... I wish I had thought of that - it would have been with more people we knew. 

A date (the romantic kind)

Britton and I have a date to have brunch on the Sternwheeler Tanana Chief this weekend.  Right now, it feels like a prime location to have our special day, and while it's not on the river of my choice, I have decided that at least it's on some body of water. 

My grandparents go on a dinner or brunch cruise every year for their anniversary, and I had the opportunity to join them in 2008 when I was staying at their house after I had surgery.  I may or may not have been on my pain killers, so I make no promises to all of the memories I have from the trip, but I think it will make a great location.  I just hope Britton agrees!  Then we can start putting deposits down, and I'll start looking for my dress!

Locations! (again)

Here is a sample of the locations we've looked at thus far: 

Alaska Heavenly Lodge    

Stern Wheeler     

Diamond M Ranch    

Pioneer Park    

Chena Lakes    

Kenai Senior Center    

Cruise    

Taste of Alaska Lodge (grounds rental)    

Taste of Alaska Lodge (w/ lodge rental)    

Lakeside Weddings (Vegas)    

North Tahoe Events    

The Party Boat (Lake Tahoe)    

The Gardens at Holstein House (Vegas)

A Secret Garden

Grand -parents Boat Launch

Grand -parents Boat Launch & Senior Center Potluck

And that doesn't even touch any of the Hawaii locations I've looked at but haven't put into my spreadsheet! 

Location, Location, Looo-cation

Do you remember that commercial on TV that used the line "Location, Location, Looo-cation!"  I think it was for a bank but I figured it worked for the title today.

We haven't decided 100% on a location; we are waiting on a few quotes that I may or may not get while I'm in Kenai this week.  We are not looking at destination weddings anymore, mainly because Britton is unable to get very much time off in mid-late August.  Even though he knows more than a year in advance, blackout dates still apply.  We are almost certain that our wedding will be held in the Kenai area and are strongly considering the Challenger Learning Center.

I want the ceremony to take place outside.  The photo below is from my friend Monica and her husband Seth's wedding. I imagine my wedding to look something like this.  I love the white chairs and the birch arbor.  I don't imagine my bridesmaids in a rainbow of colors though and hopefully its sunny.  If the Challenger Learning Center will allow it, I'd like to do the ceremony on the lawn right there.  If not, I'll be talking with the city of Kenai about an alternate park location.  As for alternate reception locations, I'm thinking about the Senior Center or renting a tent and doing it all outside.  I'm totally open for suggestions :)