I can quickly see how this can search can be the bane of a bride's existence. It's really very exhausting work. Other than the groom, this seems to be one of the most important facets of a wedding. Without it, you can't choose a date, a season, size of the wedding party, decorations, budget, anything! You have to find a place, visit/contact the place, and see if it meets all your criteria. It's also a little more difficult for me as I'm in Southern California at the moment (finishing up an MBA and a Master's degree - hopefully graduating in May!), and I'd like to have Sacramento be one of the locations. Thankfully I have family that can go check it out for me, but it's really not the same as being there.
See my first foray after the jump!