We started searching for places and came up with a list of 7 or 8 to check out in the Portland/Vancouver area. Gray Gables was actually the second place we stopped that day, and after our first stop (which left us running for our car), needless to say we were awestruck when we pulled up. Where Gray Gables at is a little strange - it is really only a block off McLoughlin (a very busy 4-lane road), but when you pull into the parking lot, it's like you drove out into the country and left the city behind. \r
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We went up to the front where we met with Barb. She sat down with us, answered my list of questions, and seemed genuinely interested in what Skyler and I were looking for for our wedding (cute, modern, romantic...). She gave us some information to take along with us (after all, we did have 6 other stops!) Every place we stopped after that I would ask Skyler ""and how do you feel about this one?"" (knowing my heart was still at Gray Gables), and every time he replied ""I still like Gray Gables the best"".\r
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Not a whole lot happened in the following months (we booked our wedding just over a year out to make sure we got that special date), but Barb made sure to check in with us and let us know what to expect and when. About 3 months before the wedding was when I really began to appreciate our decision for choosing Gray Gables. We handled some of the details (picking a DJ, caterer, florist), but Barb handled a lot more like decorations, and making sure all of the above people were on the same page and knew what was expected of them.\r
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The wedding day forecast called for rain EVERY hour of the day, but Barb knew I really wanted to have the 4pm ceremony outside. Barb had the ballroom set up for the ceremony indoors, but when the weather seemed to cooperate an hour and a half before the ceremony, Barb had chairs set up outside as well. Sure enough, it didn't rain at all the rest of the day, and the ceremony was outside :)\r
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The reception took place in the ballroom, and although Barb had gone over the reception events with us prior to the wedding date, during the reception she was always near to let me/us know what we were supposed to do next. The whole evening just flowed perfectly.\r
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Since the wedding (all of 12 days ago), I've had several people tell me that was the most beautiful/nicest wedding they'd ever been to. I would recommend Gray Gables to anyone looking to have their dream wedding, the service really can't be beat!\r
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Sincerely,\r
Michelle
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