Super Long Rant about losing our venue!

Oh gosh, I would be so upset. I'm sorry you have to deal with this added stress! As others have said, I wonder if you could find out a timeline - maybe you could change the time of your ceremony? Earlier or later? Without knowing what your reception plans are, its hard to say - but I've been to a couple night time weddings, and they were so beautiful.

Unbelievable how this situation went from happy to just frustrating with another couple choosing the same day and ceremony spot you want. Its terrible the public area isn't able to book the space based on availability. The back up spot is good so that you can still be in the park and have something you two will enjoy as to just putting this whole wedding off. Personally it would get me upset as well and to let the park know that I did make the call first and should have expected it being reserved. Keep the positive energy up and don't lose hope in all this hope of your day.

I would reach out to the park and see if they have a timeline for the other wedding. If they don't, maybe give a time for yours and ask if they would contact the other bride or groom and if you're open to that person contacting you. Then hopefully the two of you can make arrangements, even if it is just so you can pick times to be at different landmarks.
If it were me I would want to know that another bride might be in the background of all my photos so that she and I could plan around it.

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Yeah your probably right, my FH grew up in the town and said that there is a more private spot we can use as a back up. Its not a common spot and most people don't know about it. So at least we have that going for us.

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Personally I think that getting in touch with them could lead to a confrontation if they also aren't on board with another wedding being there, and I doubt that the park can give you their info, that would be a major privacy breach. I vote just pick a time and show up! Or ask the park what time the other couple said they were going to be there.

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These are some really great points! What would be the best way to get a hold of the other couple that doesnt come across as stalker or creepy lol!

OMGGG thats sooo soo upsetting!! if you dont want to change the date i would find something near by and book it asap. are there any other parks nearby? what about renting an airbnb house and having it in the backyard kinda thing so its still in your budget!?

That must feel very frustrating! I can see why you would feel such an emotional pull to the area.

If you're allowed to just show up, have you considered asking what time the other ceremony is, and doing yours earlier or later? If they are doing theirs at 3, maybe do yours at 4:30. Or if they are doing it at 4, have yours at 3. That way you can still have the same date. If no one needs to book it, then I would also assume that anyone can show up on other days (if you were to move it) or that you can show up on the same day as other people. You could even choose a time in the morning to really minimize run in with other wedding parties.

And hey, if you show up and they are still there, just wait for them to finish!! You can take some photos nearby, you could watch them get married and bask in all the love, if they linger for a while after they finish their ceremony, just ask "hey, we really wanted to have a ceremony here! do you mind if we use the fire tower for a bit? it's super sentimental to us! thanks!"

Is there anyway to find out what time the other wedding is? Is it possible that you can do yours before or after theirs? The ceremony for the most part is usually only half an hour out of the day depending on what you are doing....