My first and second stop

So I went for my first ever tour of potential perfect place for wedding.
The Madrid Theatre,
Local historical society theatre, according to pics on website.
beautiful insides,
slightly aloof site coordinator,
reasonable package rates,
Armed with 11:30 appointment, I dragged roomie to check out place.
"Main street, we have to turn at main street"
"Where is it?"
"I don't know. It's supposed to be here. "
"I can't see a Main street. Do you see a Main street?"
"I see a Church of Scientology building"
(Smalltownamerica is a hub of scientology churches hosted in nice European buildings.)
"There's Main Street."
"Here. Turn here."
Sharp, skidding left turn on ice street later, we are at the Madrid.
"Why are there bars on the windows on the shops next door?"
"Uhmm..."
"Why is there a gas station next door? And where is everybody supposed to park?"
Sirens blaring.
I pull car aside to let 3 cop cars and 1 ambulance pass.
"uhmm..."
Minutes later, we're at seedy looking parking lot. Atleast the Theatre looks historic..run down but historic.
Walk to front door. Knocked. No response.
Locked doors. No sight of site coordinator.
"Do you think they meant for us to go up the fire escape?"
"I don' t think so. Roomie."
"I think that's the only way in. But you try it. I am wearing boots."
"NoRoomie. We wait.."
Phone call to coordinator goes to voicemail.
"I am going to try the store next door."
And we walk into the barred window store which has the largest collection of wigs I have ever seen. It is a big warehouse with just wigs and heads of mannequins on shelfs with tons and tons of wigs.
Kindly shopkeeper tells me we need to ring the bell.
Just a tiny bell hidden in the window next to the front door at the Madrid.
Pregnant event coordinator answers and we are shown into this:


Not too exciting - the blue carpet...and I know the photo is shite but I blame it on another round of sirens and ambulances and what I think was a high speed chase.
And also pregnant event coord dropped pen and I couldn't look away as she maneouvred getting pen.
I did try to pick it up but the whole thing turned into "you first, me first" thing and so I just stepped back and watched her do it.
I am useless with preg people
Anyhoo, steps lead to this, where boy and I could have beer and wine for guests


and below, said preg event coordinator is where the wedding would take place (where incidently, she tells me, there is an indian wedding happening with groom coming on horse and all)

Closer, up-close view

And random photograph of balconey because I can't help it, its sooo pretty.

But pretty lights and amusing preg coordinator's antics have not sold me on this place.
The interiors minue blue carpet relocated better neighbourhood would have been perfect.
Also, I can just hear random relatives and father's reaction to barred windows and sirens in the middle of ceremony.
"This never would have happened if she was marrying a malayalee."

So Madrid is out.

Exhausted by strange sounds and sights, roomie and I headed to Crown Center to get strapless bras for upcoming company christmas party and ta da, there was my second, unplanned sighting of possible wedding site.
The Westin at Crown Center.
It's blah and boring right inside but has a pretty chandelier and indoor, semi-forest, and waterfall outside ballroom



I am off now to tour and meet third place.