ENGAGEMENT PARTY VENUE + THE RING.

We booked our engagement party venue the other day! At this point, I am jumping for joy and clicking my heels together. Because I'm so generous and kind, I am providing you all with a sneak peek...

I can't provide the actual source otherwise you'll all stalk it out!
For awhile there, things were not so fun. Some people got a little too stressed about the whole venture and then hurled verbal abuse at me. Being the doll I am, I took it with grace (got really mad) and handled it well (cried a lot). Those days are behind us though because I made a decision. A very important decision.
I want to be in control of everything to do with this wedding. I will ask for help when I want it and need it, but I really do not feel comfortable with other people feeling obligated to help out. 
It probably seems quite selfish and a bit foolish but this is my nature. I handle this kind of stuff in my own way and get very uncomfortable if things relating directly to me fall out of my control. Don't get me wrong, I will still love to hear any research people do and listen to ideas but I need to operate on my own schedule and reach decisions in my own way.
The engagement party is a perfect example of this.
We decided on a big engagement party, small wedding. I don't really care that much about the engagement party and I want a lot of people to feel included and this seems like the easiest way to do so. To be clear, I don't really like parties. They stress me out somewhat but I have a feeling this one will be fun!
Justin and I just decided on a whim to go and check out our now-confirmed venue and I knew in the carpark that this was the place. Technically I didn't actually know, but Justin told me that he knew that I subconsciously knew. Our relationship worries me a touch, because we behave like an old married couple. It also gives me hope that this thing may just stand the test of time... :-)
I am so happy that we did that all on our own and that we both loved it. It's the perfect venue for our massive party; the function manager was lovely and helpful and I want to marry her instead, and there  are rumours the food at this place is pretty darn good.
They also don't have a minimum spend on the bar. Music to my ears. Even though we will probably end up spending an ass load on alcohol, it's still nice to know it's obligation-free.   I can't tell you where it is or give you any more photos because that might ruin the surprise for some of my real-life-friends-turned-blog-stalkers (hey yvette!) but perhaps instead this photo will satisfy the masses?

And when you're all done looking (ha)... Have you been to engagement party and experienced any memorable moments, good or bad? Any suggestions on what to do/what not to do?