idaho? no, udaho!

A few months ago, my dear mother and I were engaging in one of our now-regular phone conversations about "the wedding."  In this particular convo, she was updating me on which of my relatives would be making the trek to Maryland.  It turns out that none of my father's side (all of whom live in Idaho)- grandfather or step-grandmother, aunt, uncles- would be rsvp-ing "accepts with pleasure."  It also seems that none of my cousins who live in Idaho will be able to make it.  My parent's friends and the family that used-to-live-next-door-and-then-I-babysat-their-children-from-birth-who-live-in-Idaho won't likely be coming either.

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I was beginning to notice a trend...Topher took one look at my face, listened to the list of people that wouldn't be coming and suggested a remedy (he's solution-oriented, he is).

A second, small reception in Idaho in July!

Well, hell yeah!  It was the perfect solution, albeit a more costly one for us, but worth the extra shell out.  I'd get to celebrate with the people who lived three thousand miles from Maryland, just two months later!

Not to mention getting to choose another white dress (short and sassy anyone?) and getting to actually have that "other" wedding I keep thinking about- it was settled and promptly dropped from our radar.

And then it was less than five months away and I remembered that we had to actually plan this little Idaho shindig.  We have to pick a date, a venue, get some food, get the clothes, buy the plane tickets, send out notification to my Idaho guests....crap, there was a lot to do.  I am still in the process of nailing down the vision for this second reception, but I've turned up some location and food options.

I put bridesmaid CH on top of it and she found a few places for our laid back second wedding celebration:

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FMC Park is a local park that has a gazebo area that we can rent.  It's gorgeous and easy to get to.  I don't remember ever going there, but CH tells me it's a popular place for small receptions.

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Ross Park is another local park that has a beautiful upper area that has a gazebo/picnic area that allows alcohol on premise.  It's shaded, green, and beautiful.  I used to run cross country meets here a lot in high school.

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CH turned up the Rosewood Reception Hall as well.  It's beautiful and indoors, in case of inclement weather.  It also happens to be where my brother and his fiance will marry in June of 2011!

I did some research too and got really excited at the prospect of renting (for $100!) a little piece of history:

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Fort Hall is known for being a stop on the Oregon Trail- both the real trail and the most amazing computer game ever to exist.  I am nerdily excited at the prospect of hosting 50 of my family and friends at a cool historic trading post!

For food, Topher and I both agree on the food we can't have at our "formal" Maryland reception- barbeque, baby!  I'm thinking sweet giant tinfoil tins of ribs, pulled pork, cornbread, beans, and coleslaw.  We really want food that is good and will satiate our older guests and keep the babies busy- because, if all attended, there will be twenty kids under 13 at this Idaho celebration.  We want lots of food and lots of running space to keep them occupied!

I'm still marinating on this small reception, and I need to find some way to let our family and friends in Idaho know about this party later in the summer...

Did you become a two-reception bride unintentionally?  How are you letting people know about this second celebration?