The save the dates are BOOKMARKS, people! The white part in the middle comes out, it has a ribbon and everything.
I did get a few back in the mail, I need to get addresses and re-mail them out. Don't want people t think they're not invited if they are.
Supposed to meet with Father Tom, our priest, tomorrow, but he has been called away to Arizona for a funeral. I really want to hammer out the details of the ceremony, see what we're working with. I still need to officially reserve the organist, that reminds me...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
October 11, 2009 - Michelle
Half of the save the dates are done, and I am finally comfortable enough with the wedding website to send them out. Hoping to get them out in the next week or so. Yikes.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009 -- Michelle
The wedding website is up and running! I will publish the link to the site soon, and will also put a link to our blog on it as well. Like most projects I get into, I could spend all night working on it. Unfortunately, my alarm will go off and I am a crabby girl if I don't get any sleep.
Adam and I are waiting (somewhat) impatiently for our friends Ryan and Dawn (though, really Dawn) to have their second son. The baby is due Sunday, but Dawn would have liked to have him, oh, yesterday. We're very excited to meet him, and know Jacob is excited to meet his little brother. We are so lucky to have such supportive and wonderful friends.
Dawn, Jackie (another friend) and I have spent the last few Friday nights just sitting around and talking, sometimes looking through wedding stuff. Both have been married for about two years, so they're pros now! Them, plus their husbands, give me enough backing to strongarm Adam into just about anything.
Still trying to find a DJ. Planning on going dress shopping on Sept 19th. Unfortunately, it's also the family golf outing, but it took so long to get my first together and I can't really reschedule. I am just sure I'll find a dress that takes six months to come in...now watch, I'll get something off the rack!
Emailed the woman about the cake topper and haven't heard back. I hope she can do it.
That's all that's going on in wedding land this week.
Adam and I are waiting (somewhat) impatiently for our friends Ryan and Dawn (though, really Dawn) to have their second son. The baby is due Sunday, but Dawn would have liked to have him, oh, yesterday. We're very excited to meet him, and know Jacob is excited to meet his little brother. We are so lucky to have such supportive and wonderful friends.
Dawn, Jackie (another friend) and I have spent the last few Friday nights just sitting around and talking, sometimes looking through wedding stuff. Both have been married for about two years, so they're pros now! Them, plus their husbands, give me enough backing to strongarm Adam into just about anything.
Still trying to find a DJ. Planning on going dress shopping on Sept 19th. Unfortunately, it's also the family golf outing, but it took so long to get my first together and I can't really reschedule. I am just sure I'll find a dress that takes six months to come in...now watch, I'll get something off the rack!
Emailed the woman about the cake topper and haven't heard back. I hope she can do it.
That's all that's going on in wedding land this week.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 -- Michelle
We have a photographer! He is everything I want in a photographer. We met with him yesterday, but after chatting with someone we went to HS with, and reading all of his reviews online (weddingwire and yelp) I was ready to make a move. As someone who considers herself to have a bit of a photographer's eye at times, it's important for me to have GREAT pictures of our wedding, and a GREAT photographer who will take them. It's important to have a good feeling about the only person who is in charge of capturing your memories for your day for you, and I really feel like we made the right decision.
The best part is that we will get a DVD with all of the images he takes, so we can print as many pictures as we want without having to pay him to get them printed. A HUGE save of money, and something that I really wanted. I don't see a reason to print every picture to SEE every picture, when some of them will for sure have eyes closed, someone looking away, etc.
I am so excited about this. Now, onto the DJ!
The best part is that we will get a DVD with all of the images he takes, so we can print as many pictures as we want without having to pay him to get them printed. A HUGE save of money, and something that I really wanted. I don't see a reason to print every picture to SEE every picture, when some of them will for sure have eyes closed, someone looking away, etc.
I am so excited about this. Now, onto the DJ!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
June 14, 2009 - Michelle
I spent most of the day putzing online looking at wedding stuff and started thinking about tables -- do we assign seats, what do we do for centerpieces, do we number tables, etc. and came up with the idea of naming our tables after streets that are important to us -- the streets we grew up on, the streets of WY, the street where we had our first kiss, the street where he proposed, and so on. I think we can come up with 20-25 street names.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009 -- Michelle
Today I went with Mom, Zosh, Cindy, Rachel and Stephanie to make the final deposit on the country club. It's now official! Really, it was official before, but now our deposit is paid in full and we only owe the balance about 2 weeks before the wedding.
It was nice to be there when everything was in bloom on the golf course. The trees look so much nicer with leaves, and will look great in September. I will probably head there around our wedding date this year so I can get an idea of what we are looking at for next year.
While we were there, they were setting up for another wedding. The colors of this wedding were Tiffany blue and white. I am not really too sure on that Tiffany blue. They did have the chair covers though and it looked beautiful.
While we were in the country club, there was a wedding at the conglomerate of a hall next door that was using black for the sashes, which looked great. I think we are definitely going to use black as our main color with jewel tones -- which will look great with the surprisingly multi-colored carpet in the country club.
It was also nice to see how much room there is in the center of the table when the table is set. This gives me a much better idea of how much room I will have for centerpieces. I am starting to see it all come together in my mind.
Adam and I stopped at a bakery this morning to get coffee cake before everyone came over, and we plan on putting them on our list of bakeries to talk to. We definitely know what we want to do as far as "cake"... :) We know what we're doing, but we need to finalize some details. I am so excited for that. My mom, when she and my dad got married, always wanted a fountain for their cake. So I have always wanted something a little different too. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Thursday, June 11th -- Michelle
Adam had his nose un-deviated today. Poor guy is packed with gauze with some under his nose, which reminds me of the Monopoly man's mustache. While I was waiting for him, one of the women who was in the waiting room waiting for her mom asked me if I was getting married (probably noticed the wedding magazines I'd brought to amuse myself). She then came over to ooh and ahh at my ring (something I won't ever get sick of) and told me that we were a good match because I was there waiting for him and worried about him when a lot of women didn't bother to stick around while their husbands were in surgery. A little strange, but cute.
I think I found our cake topper. :) I know we are thinking of going a little different for our cake, but at the same time, we're going to need to have a topper. I have been thinking of ways to incorporate lobsters into our wedding and I think the cake topper would be a perfect way to do so.
I think I found our cake topper. :) I know we are thinking of going a little different for our cake, but at the same time, we're going to need to have a topper. I have been thinking of ways to incorporate lobsters into our wedding and I think the cake topper would be a perfect way to do so.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
June 9, 2009 -- Michelle
I have the song "White Wedding" stuck in my head. It's about a shot-gun wedding, evidently. I finally took the time to read the lyrics.
We are starting to talk more about different aspects of the wedding, and I even found the most perfect cake topper today (how thrilled Adam is, I don't know). I have set ideas for the cake and a few other things, but before I reveal too much, I want to do some more research. I want some of the things at the wedding to be a surprise, and I also don't want people to steal my ideas (haha).
We went to the gym tonight -- we are determined to be a buff bride and a buff groom!
We are starting to talk more about different aspects of the wedding, and I even found the most perfect cake topper today (how thrilled Adam is, I don't know). I have set ideas for the cake and a few other things, but before I reveal too much, I want to do some more research. I want some of the things at the wedding to be a surprise, and I also don't want people to steal my ideas (haha).
We went to the gym tonight -- we are determined to be a buff bride and a buff groom!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
April 29, 2009 -- Michelle
Last night Rachel and I went to the Melting Pot for dinner. On a whim, I decided to check out the website. I THEN found out it was a bridal show night! No, Rachel didn't want to surprise me, just a happy coincidence. :)
We ended up getting there a little early and checking out the show. We met a florist, a baker, a photographer, etc. It was fun, but it really just cemented that I have to really get to know the people we are going to be working with. Some of the people were great, others weren't, and I know they may have great websites, but you realize how important personality is.
I think I have finally settled on a black/white/jewel tones color scheme. As Rachel pointed out, it is something I have wanted for a long time. I think the more choices I have (and there are a lot!) the more times I will change my mind and I just need to remember what I have ALWAYS wanted. I don't want to look back at this wedding and think "We should have..." at any point.
Otherwise, just trying to get ideas together. We may not have made decisions, but it's still fun to talk about the things we COULD do.
We ended up getting there a little early and checking out the show. We met a florist, a baker, a photographer, etc. It was fun, but it really just cemented that I have to really get to know the people we are going to be working with. Some of the people were great, others weren't, and I know they may have great websites, but you realize how important personality is.
I think I have finally settled on a black/white/jewel tones color scheme. As Rachel pointed out, it is something I have wanted for a long time. I think the more choices I have (and there are a lot!) the more times I will change my mind and I just need to remember what I have ALWAYS wanted. I don't want to look back at this wedding and think "We should have..." at any point.
Otherwise, just trying to get ideas together. We may not have made decisions, but it's still fun to talk about the things we COULD do.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009 -- Michelle
Yesterday Sarah came by and we dropped off the second installment of the deposit for the country club. It was set up for another wedding so we went and peeked. It looked GREAT. Seeing it set up like that made it a whole lot easier to visualize it being OUR reception. The tables were set, the placecard table was set, the guestbook was set, it was really nice to see how they set it all up.
My debate now is that I want my bridesmaids to wear black, but we need some color. I am not really sure how I feel about black with fall colors (gold/orange/red), but I don't know that I really want to do brown/bronze for the bridesmaids. I am now wrestling with all of that.
We went to Target and did some registering today. The gun they give you is very strange, and it kept ringing things up that we weren't registering for. Example: we were trying to register for towels and it registered us for Gerber Onesies, 3-6 mo. Uh, no. That's not coming for a while. I think we went a little gangbusters putting stuff (like towels) on there, but it's easy enough to change that stuff online.
Otherwise, same ol' same ol'. I am trying to hold off so as not to get too much planned. So far that strategy is working.
My debate now is that I want my bridesmaids to wear black, but we need some color. I am not really sure how I feel about black with fall colors (gold/orange/red), but I don't know that I really want to do brown/bronze for the bridesmaids. I am now wrestling with all of that.
We went to Target and did some registering today. The gun they give you is very strange, and it kept ringing things up that we weren't registering for. Example: we were trying to register for towels and it registered us for Gerber Onesies, 3-6 mo. Uh, no. That's not coming for a while. I think we went a little gangbusters putting stuff (like towels) on there, but it's easy enough to change that stuff online.
Otherwise, same ol' same ol'. I am trying to hold off so as not to get too much planned. So far that strategy is working.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
April 5, 2009
538 days! It seems like a million though. I know the extra time will keep me from freaking out and rushing into making decisions I wouldn't normally make, but I like instant gratification! (Though, really, after dating Adam I think we all know I will wait forever).
Looking at save the dates and invitations. It would really help if I could decide on a color scheme. I think I am settled that my bridesmaids will wear black, but then I am in the air if the flowers should be white or be colored. I like black/white/red combos (and black/white/pink but I don't know if I can talk Adam into that). Since it will be early fall, I would kind of like to go with the oranges, golds and reds of the season.
This whole experience is just a lot to handle. Adam has been SMART enough to not really argue with me unless he has a strong opinion (remind me to thank Betsy for buying him that book that told him to do that), but at the same time I can come up with a million ideas and it's hard to narrow them down. I think that's the biggest challenge I am having right now: EVERYTHING is a possibility, but what is realistic?
Now that we have the hall booked, I feel so much better. I think I had a bit of a spaz attack because it is the single biggest commitment we are making for this wedding (besides to each other, but whatever :) , but now I can think of flowers and centerpieces and table seating and all of that good stuff. I am also thinking of themes (not necessarily to be incorporated into the invites, but for naming tables) and it's getting very exciting. I am really ready for this and trying to not get ahead of myself or get myself too wrapped up in things (like my last couple of blogs probably indicated).
I am ready for Adam to come home now.
Looking at save the dates and invitations. It would really help if I could decide on a color scheme. I think I am settled that my bridesmaids will wear black, but then I am in the air if the flowers should be white or be colored. I like black/white/red combos (and black/white/pink but I don't know if I can talk Adam into that). Since it will be early fall, I would kind of like to go with the oranges, golds and reds of the season.
This whole experience is just a lot to handle. Adam has been SMART enough to not really argue with me unless he has a strong opinion (remind me to thank Betsy for buying him that book that told him to do that), but at the same time I can come up with a million ideas and it's hard to narrow them down. I think that's the biggest challenge I am having right now: EVERYTHING is a possibility, but what is realistic?
Now that we have the hall booked, I feel so much better. I think I had a bit of a spaz attack because it is the single biggest commitment we are making for this wedding (besides to each other, but whatever :) , but now I can think of flowers and centerpieces and table seating and all of that good stuff. I am also thinking of themes (not necessarily to be incorporated into the invites, but for naming tables) and it's getting very exciting. I am really ready for this and trying to not get ahead of myself or get myself too wrapped up in things (like my last couple of blogs probably indicated).
I am ready for Adam to come home now.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
March 29, 2009 -- Michelle
OVERWHELMING. That's how it all feels.
It feels good to have the site booked and also the reception site, but in trying to figure out how to keep it all without our budget...HA. Seriously, HA. We were discussing the rehearsal dinner and realizing how we didn't figure how much THAT would cost. Yikes.
I think a photo booth may be out of the question, but I am still counting on a chocolate fountain. We need a DJ and a photographer, which are our next 2 biggest hurdles. Then we have the issues of flowers, dresses (me, bridesmaids), centerpieces (flowers?), cake or an alternative, the chocolate fountain (ha), transportation, the rehearsal dinner...the list goes on and on. I suddenly realize how people can spend $30,000+ on a wedding. Oh my gosh.
At least now I can start to picture things...too bad what I am picturing right now are the dollar signs going out that door. ;) It'll be worth it when it's all done though, I am just anxious to get it all done.
It feels good to have the site booked and also the reception site, but in trying to figure out how to keep it all without our budget...HA. Seriously, HA. We were discussing the rehearsal dinner and realizing how we didn't figure how much THAT would cost. Yikes.
I think a photo booth may be out of the question, but I am still counting on a chocolate fountain. We need a DJ and a photographer, which are our next 2 biggest hurdles. Then we have the issues of flowers, dresses (me, bridesmaids), centerpieces (flowers?), cake or an alternative, the chocolate fountain (ha), transportation, the rehearsal dinner...the list goes on and on. I suddenly realize how people can spend $30,000+ on a wedding. Oh my gosh.
At least now I can start to picture things...too bad what I am picturing right now are the dollar signs going out that door. ;) It'll be worth it when it's all done though, I am just anxious to get it all done.
29 March 2009-Adam
Yeah, buddy! We're well on our way.
Yesterday we went and booked the Hickory Hills Country Club for the reception. We are very pleased with the deal we got, and the owner is very accommodating. We were in a position to negotiate some of the prices down a bit, and we wound up saving a bit of money. We still have to set up a tasting to finalize the menu, but the hall has been booked, and we have a contract to prove it.
I'm very relieved that we've gotten across the two biggest hurdles already. Now we have the details: chocolate fountain? Photographer? Photo booth? DJ? What about flowers? Shellie has to worry about bridesmaid dresses, not to mention her own attire. I have to get tuxes for my guys and I, we have a rehearsal dinner to plan (to say nothing about the rehearsal itself), save-the-date cards to send out, invitations, wedding rings, and on and on down the line. Goodness, there's a lot to do. However, compared to the task of finding, choosing, and booking a venue for the reception (which will undoubtedly be the party of the century, mind you), the rest of it should be fairly easy. (Insert "famous last words" here).
Yesterday we went and booked the Hickory Hills Country Club for the reception. We are very pleased with the deal we got, and the owner is very accommodating. We were in a position to negotiate some of the prices down a bit, and we wound up saving a bit of money. We still have to set up a tasting to finalize the menu, but the hall has been booked, and we have a contract to prove it.
I'm very relieved that we've gotten across the two biggest hurdles already. Now we have the details: chocolate fountain? Photographer? Photo booth? DJ? What about flowers? Shellie has to worry about bridesmaid dresses, not to mention her own attire. I have to get tuxes for my guys and I, we have a rehearsal dinner to plan (to say nothing about the rehearsal itself), save-the-date cards to send out, invitations, wedding rings, and on and on down the line. Goodness, there's a lot to do. However, compared to the task of finding, choosing, and booking a venue for the reception (which will undoubtedly be the party of the century, mind you), the rest of it should be fairly easy. (Insert "famous last words" here).
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
March 25, 2009 -- Michelle
Watching "Dr. Phil" about women whose weddings were ruined. Oy.
I am really excited that in 1 year and 6 months, I will be married to Adam. I can't believe it's SO FAR away! But at the same time, I am really bummed that it's coming up so soon. As I was telling A tonight, it's the one day I have been thinking about since I was little, and I don't know what I will do when it's over.
Haven't really thought too much about wedding stuff. Part of me really wants to delve in, and part of me is afraid to because I am sure I will go crazy. I vow not to be a Bridezilla.
I am really excited that in 1 year and 6 months, I will be married to Adam. I can't believe it's SO FAR away! But at the same time, I am really bummed that it's coming up so soon. As I was telling A tonight, it's the one day I have been thinking about since I was little, and I don't know what I will do when it's over.
Haven't really thought too much about wedding stuff. Part of me really wants to delve in, and part of me is afraid to because I am sure I will go crazy. I vow not to be a Bridezilla.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, 24 March 2009-Adam
I am happy that Shellie and I have gotten out in front of this as much as we have. Everything for a wedding depends on two things: the church and the reception, so having gotten one of those knocked out and a second one just shy of being squared away, I'm feeling very relaxed.
I, like Shellie, am pretty much ready to just book the country club for the reception. We've been there before, we know what we're getting, and the room is really nice. Plus, the prices are extremely reasonable, and that makes a big difference. Having looked around at some places up North myself, I have a feeling that the price of reception halls on the North Side resembles the price of homes on the North Side: a lot more money for only a little more hall. The Victoria Beau Jolie, for example, is in the same complex as my office, but their wedding and banquet packages START at more than $60 a head. The place is really nice, has great views, etc. but for what you get for that $60, it's not worth it.
Likewise, the Marriott we looked at on Saturday would be around $35 a head just for the booze. Since neither Shellie nor I is independently wealthy, and neither one of us is even remotely interested in an alcohol-free reception, there goes that idea. Really, I don't think we can go wrong with the country club. Ray and Liz have positive things to say about it, and their wedding was an awful lot of fun. We may wait until the weekend, but I have a feeling that that's where we're going to end up.
On another note, we were able to agree to change the time of the ceremony from 13:00 to 15:00, so I'm very happy about that. Other than that, though... I guess I'll write more when we have something nailed down.
I, like Shellie, am pretty much ready to just book the country club for the reception. We've been there before, we know what we're getting, and the room is really nice. Plus, the prices are extremely reasonable, and that makes a big difference. Having looked around at some places up North myself, I have a feeling that the price of reception halls on the North Side resembles the price of homes on the North Side: a lot more money for only a little more hall. The Victoria Beau Jolie, for example, is in the same complex as my office, but their wedding and banquet packages START at more than $60 a head. The place is really nice, has great views, etc. but for what you get for that $60, it's not worth it.
Likewise, the Marriott we looked at on Saturday would be around $35 a head just for the booze. Since neither Shellie nor I is independently wealthy, and neither one of us is even remotely interested in an alcohol-free reception, there goes that idea. Really, I don't think we can go wrong with the country club. Ray and Liz have positive things to say about it, and their wedding was an awful lot of fun. We may wait until the weekend, but I have a feeling that that's where we're going to end up.
On another note, we were able to agree to change the time of the ceremony from 13:00 to 15:00, so I'm very happy about that. Other than that, though... I guess I'll write more when we have something nailed down.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009 -- Michelle
Today, I discovered WE and all of the wedding shows on it. Really, I discovered it last night but Tivo hated me and wouldn't record them until I made Tivo and Comcast play nice. So now the shows begin. :)
Feel a little less stressed today about wedding stuff. Moved the ceremony time to 3, which makes me nervous if we want to take pictures downtown. Leaning more heavily toward the country club we looked at Saturday. Kind of just want to make a move. Was looking at pricing for hotels and venues up north, none really compare for what you get. Was told (well, Adam was) that we could bring a chocolate fountain in (score), so that helps. I am trying not to get caught up in the details, but there's so much to figure out.
Want to just move forward with the country club, book it, and figure out the food situation. Then, at least, I can finish the budget for the dress, cake, DJ, photographer, flowers, etc. Have my budget in mind, trying really hard to stick to it. If things go the way they SEEM to be going (cross your fingers here), we may be good. I see how it is SO easy to spend $20,000+ on a wedding now.
Talked to my parents (well my mom, who spoke for my dad) today about seeing the hall again before we book it. We may be going Saturday, though I am ready to go tomorrow and book the date. May call and see what we can do about reserving the date so it doesn't get taken out from us by Saturday. Stranger things have happened. If that happens, screw it, I will just go to Vegas.
The one thing I have decided I want is matchbooks. Seriously. I will order them once I am SURE black is our color for the wedding. I don't know, at least it'll be something ordered and I will feel accomplished.
Feel a little less stressed today about wedding stuff. Moved the ceremony time to 3, which makes me nervous if we want to take pictures downtown. Leaning more heavily toward the country club we looked at Saturday. Kind of just want to make a move. Was looking at pricing for hotels and venues up north, none really compare for what you get. Was told (well, Adam was) that we could bring a chocolate fountain in (score), so that helps. I am trying not to get caught up in the details, but there's so much to figure out.
Want to just move forward with the country club, book it, and figure out the food situation. Then, at least, I can finish the budget for the dress, cake, DJ, photographer, flowers, etc. Have my budget in mind, trying really hard to stick to it. If things go the way they SEEM to be going (cross your fingers here), we may be good. I see how it is SO easy to spend $20,000+ on a wedding now.
Talked to my parents (well my mom, who spoke for my dad) today about seeing the hall again before we book it. We may be going Saturday, though I am ready to go tomorrow and book the date. May call and see what we can do about reserving the date so it doesn't get taken out from us by Saturday. Stranger things have happened. If that happens, screw it, I will just go to Vegas.
The one thing I have decided I want is matchbooks. Seriously. I will order them once I am SURE black is our color for the wedding. I don't know, at least it'll be something ordered and I will feel accomplished.
23 March 2009
For some reason, I'm not finding this wedding-planning business to be nearly as stressful as Shellie. I suppose that's due, in large part, to the fact that I'm the groom. My responsibilities are pretty much limited to showing up on time and being dressed appropriately. I'm anxious, now that we've set the date, though, to find the venue for the reception and get it booked. As Shellie said, the rest is simply details; we have eighteen months to figure them out. Fortunately for us, five of our friends have recently gotten married, so we have a lot of resources to tap.
Checking out the Chateau Del Mar was interesting, as I had never been there before, but left me somewhat confused, as this is one of the most popular and heavily-advertised venues in the area. First, as my fiancee (still getting used to that term, although I love that that's what she is now) said, the place just OOZES that "reception hall" feeling. Nothing about the joint is personal. It's designed to fit the bill for everyone who goes anywhere near it. Unfortunately for the Del Mar, that means it doesn't quite fit the bill for Shellie and I. My Mom and I also noticed a distinct "barnyard" odor in one of the rooms. While the place is nicely appointed, handicapped accessible, has large bathrooms, etc., I'm not a fan. There is NO privacy whatsoever; the room we would be in is smack-dab in the middle of the two other rooms, so we will have to traipse by one other wedding all night, while at least one other wedding traipses by ours. I'm also concerned with noise-bleed from the "walls" that fold up to make the room bigger. I don't want our DJ to have to compete with another one, or worse, have the other room's dance music bleeding in during our dinner.
Next door, however, was the Hickory Hills Country Club, where Ray and Liz had their reception about two years ago. I remember loving the room during their wedding, and looking at it again, although from a distance (out of respect for the funeral luncheon being held at the time) reminded me how nice it was. First, the room is three walls of windows, overlooking a nice golf course, some trees, ponds, etc. so the feeling is very "outdoorsy," which Shellie and I are both very big on. Second, the room is the right size, designed to hold up to 280 people, so we're not going to be dwarfed by the room, but I remember a nicely-sized dance floor. Third, the room is the only room in the building, which means we're 99% guaranteed that there will be nothing else going on there. That's awesome because it eliminates the musical competition I mentioned above, as well as competition for service staff, bathrooms, and outdoor space. There is a small party room near the bar, which will occasionally host a small get-together, but that's almost never used. Other advantages include good food (from what we remember), easy access to the Tri-State for our guests, and privacy. Shellie and I both really like this place, so it's on the initial short-list.
Chateau Bu Sche was, as expected, beautiful. It has the benefits of nice outdoor grounds for pictures, being close to home, and overall, reasonably-priced. However, the room upstairs, while nice, is just another banquet room, and the rooms downstairs, which have the atria, are beautiful, but require an extra $500 to dance in the atrium, $600 to dine in the atrium, or $1000 to do both. That translates to an extra $3-$5 per head for us, plus the extra $6 per head to have a reception on a Saturday. The cost alone, however, isn't my only issue; I'm somewhat concerned with splitting the reception between two rooms. Neither of the rooms attached to the atria are big enough, in addition to being nothing special, and the atria themselves only hold 200 people. Depending on final headcount, we would have to seat some people in each of the two rooms, and I don't want to shut anyone out or have them feel like they were sent into the "overflow" room. Another problem, as my betrothed mentioned, was the staff. She was cordial enough, but she didn't seem to be vested with any sort of decision-making ability. I have an issue with that; if you're going to be charged with selling people a once-in-a-lifetime event, you need to be able to roll with some punches and make some calls. Some of our (eternally reasonable) requests were met with a simple "no," with no alternatives mentioned. One of those is the "Chateau Classic Reception," which is basically a buffet-style dinner with three different stations: a carving station with meat, a pasta station with three different types of pastas and sauces, and a vegetable station. For some reason, the Bu Sche thinks that this is too much work to do on a Saturday, and the set-up time involved makes it too difficult. We offered, if necessary, to schedule the reception later in the evening, but were told that she would have to check with her manager; also, evidently the meat station requires the services of one of the "right-hand men" of the Bu Sche, and she "just doesn't know what she'd do without him in the kitchen." Answer: the same thing you'd do any other night without him in the kitchen. I'm sorry, but if you expect me to drop four-plus figures on a party at your banquet hall, the least you can do is serve what I want to eat, day of the week be damned.
The Marriott hotel at Midway was quite crowded, and all rooms were in use, so we weren't able to do much of anything there besides give our Moms a tour and explain how Laura and Tommy's wedding worked. I had a lot of fun at their reception, and the set-up was great. Cocktail hour was outside in a nice, fenced courtyard, with the bars set up in the hallway between the room and the courtyard. While the introductions took place, the bars were moved and buffet tables were set up in this hallway. We walked out to the hallway, filled our plates, and returned to the room to eat and dance. It was a wise use of the space, and we had use of the courtyard all night, which was VERY pleasant. We haven't gotten any idea on pricing, however, so we're kind of in the dark on that one, but it has yet to be eliminated.
As far as the ceremony time is concerned, I think that scheduling the ceremony for 15:00 and the reception for 18:30 or 19:00 will be more than enough time to get from St. Ferdinand to Buckingham Fountain to wherever our reception may be, even if it's in Alsip or Hickory Hills. 13:00, on the other hand, will just be a ridiculous amount of time, in my opinion, and I don't want to have to stop off at Burger King for lack of anything else to do. Either time, the church will kick us out about an hour after the ceremony starts to get ready either for the next ceremony or for five o'clock mass. Since we're not having a full mass, I'm estimating the length of our ceremony to be about thirty minutes, and about the same, maybe a little more, for pictures. That puts us out of the church by 16:30, at the Fountain by 17:00, and back on the road by 18:00-18:15, which should be plenty of time to get to wherever. This, so far, is our only wedding disagreement, and I'm sure we'll resolve it once the questions surrounding the reception site are answered. Meanwhile, all is proceeding swimmingly, and I'm sort of wishing we didn't have eighteen months to go. Bring on the honeymoon!
Checking out the Chateau Del Mar was interesting, as I had never been there before, but left me somewhat confused, as this is one of the most popular and heavily-advertised venues in the area. First, as my fiancee (still getting used to that term, although I love that that's what she is now) said, the place just OOZES that "reception hall" feeling. Nothing about the joint is personal. It's designed to fit the bill for everyone who goes anywhere near it. Unfortunately for the Del Mar, that means it doesn't quite fit the bill for Shellie and I. My Mom and I also noticed a distinct "barnyard" odor in one of the rooms. While the place is nicely appointed, handicapped accessible, has large bathrooms, etc., I'm not a fan. There is NO privacy whatsoever; the room we would be in is smack-dab in the middle of the two other rooms, so we will have to traipse by one other wedding all night, while at least one other wedding traipses by ours. I'm also concerned with noise-bleed from the "walls" that fold up to make the room bigger. I don't want our DJ to have to compete with another one, or worse, have the other room's dance music bleeding in during our dinner.
Next door, however, was the Hickory Hills Country Club, where Ray and Liz had their reception about two years ago. I remember loving the room during their wedding, and looking at it again, although from a distance (out of respect for the funeral luncheon being held at the time) reminded me how nice it was. First, the room is three walls of windows, overlooking a nice golf course, some trees, ponds, etc. so the feeling is very "outdoorsy," which Shellie and I are both very big on. Second, the room is the right size, designed to hold up to 280 people, so we're not going to be dwarfed by the room, but I remember a nicely-sized dance floor. Third, the room is the only room in the building, which means we're 99% guaranteed that there will be nothing else going on there. That's awesome because it eliminates the musical competition I mentioned above, as well as competition for service staff, bathrooms, and outdoor space. There is a small party room near the bar, which will occasionally host a small get-together, but that's almost never used. Other advantages include good food (from what we remember), easy access to the Tri-State for our guests, and privacy. Shellie and I both really like this place, so it's on the initial short-list.
Chateau Bu Sche was, as expected, beautiful. It has the benefits of nice outdoor grounds for pictures, being close to home, and overall, reasonably-priced. However, the room upstairs, while nice, is just another banquet room, and the rooms downstairs, which have the atria, are beautiful, but require an extra $500 to dance in the atrium, $600 to dine in the atrium, or $1000 to do both. That translates to an extra $3-$5 per head for us, plus the extra $6 per head to have a reception on a Saturday. The cost alone, however, isn't my only issue; I'm somewhat concerned with splitting the reception between two rooms. Neither of the rooms attached to the atria are big enough, in addition to being nothing special, and the atria themselves only hold 200 people. Depending on final headcount, we would have to seat some people in each of the two rooms, and I don't want to shut anyone out or have them feel like they were sent into the "overflow" room. Another problem, as my betrothed mentioned, was the staff. She was cordial enough, but she didn't seem to be vested with any sort of decision-making ability. I have an issue with that; if you're going to be charged with selling people a once-in-a-lifetime event, you need to be able to roll with some punches and make some calls. Some of our (eternally reasonable) requests were met with a simple "no," with no alternatives mentioned. One of those is the "Chateau Classic Reception," which is basically a buffet-style dinner with three different stations: a carving station with meat, a pasta station with three different types of pastas and sauces, and a vegetable station. For some reason, the Bu Sche thinks that this is too much work to do on a Saturday, and the set-up time involved makes it too difficult. We offered, if necessary, to schedule the reception later in the evening, but were told that she would have to check with her manager; also, evidently the meat station requires the services of one of the "right-hand men" of the Bu Sche, and she "just doesn't know what she'd do without him in the kitchen." Answer: the same thing you'd do any other night without him in the kitchen. I'm sorry, but if you expect me to drop four-plus figures on a party at your banquet hall, the least you can do is serve what I want to eat, day of the week be damned.
The Marriott hotel at Midway was quite crowded, and all rooms were in use, so we weren't able to do much of anything there besides give our Moms a tour and explain how Laura and Tommy's wedding worked. I had a lot of fun at their reception, and the set-up was great. Cocktail hour was outside in a nice, fenced courtyard, with the bars set up in the hallway between the room and the courtyard. While the introductions took place, the bars were moved and buffet tables were set up in this hallway. We walked out to the hallway, filled our plates, and returned to the room to eat and dance. It was a wise use of the space, and we had use of the courtyard all night, which was VERY pleasant. We haven't gotten any idea on pricing, however, so we're kind of in the dark on that one, but it has yet to be eliminated.
As far as the ceremony time is concerned, I think that scheduling the ceremony for 15:00 and the reception for 18:30 or 19:00 will be more than enough time to get from St. Ferdinand to Buckingham Fountain to wherever our reception may be, even if it's in Alsip or Hickory Hills. 13:00, on the other hand, will just be a ridiculous amount of time, in my opinion, and I don't want to have to stop off at Burger King for lack of anything else to do. Either time, the church will kick us out about an hour after the ceremony starts to get ready either for the next ceremony or for five o'clock mass. Since we're not having a full mass, I'm estimating the length of our ceremony to be about thirty minutes, and about the same, maybe a little more, for pictures. That puts us out of the church by 16:30, at the Fountain by 17:00, and back on the road by 18:00-18:15, which should be plenty of time to get to wherever. This, so far, is our only wedding disagreement, and I'm sure we'll resolve it once the questions surrounding the reception site are answered. Meanwhile, all is proceeding swimmingly, and I'm sort of wishing we didn't have eighteen months to go. Bring on the honeymoon!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
March 22, 2009
I spent a chunk of the day today checking out wedding websites. I'd really like for us to get one, with a blog feature, but they're expensive ($100ish for the year) and I am not sure if I feel like we should spend the $ or just deal with the free ones. I know I have some time to think about it, but since the wedding planning is underway, I want to make sure it's documented. You know, so when it's all said and done, I remember the journey everyone took together.
Since Adam proposed on March 13, 2009 (a little over a week ago), I have gone gung-go with wedding planning. We've sent a date (September 25, 2010), and have a priest and will have the church as soon as I send the check in tomorrow to reserve it. Our debate has been if we want the mass at 1 pm or 3 pm. I say 1 (which is what it's reserved for) so it gives us time to go downtown and take pictures, but I will be able to feel better with 3 as soon as we find a reception site. The reception sites we're looking at are about 45 minutes-an hour away from the church, so that will have to be taken into account.
Our church is the church my parents got married at, 30 years ago this year. I grew up going to that church for various reasons (weddings, funerals, masses in general) and I have always wanted to get married there. It's not one of those elegant, intimate settings, but still something that is a part of my dream wedding. The rest of that dream wedding, though, is still to be realized.
We're both really excited about getting married -- we have been together for nearly 6 years and have been living together for nearly 2, so a wedding makes it all "official", although not everyone sees it as necessary. I was done being a "girlfriend" because, honestly, I felt like people never really gave us the credit for our union that I think we deserve. Now that I'm a fiancee, I feel like we're being taken more seriously.
We went looking at halls yesterday with our moms. It's so hard. We went to one hall, which has 3 different rooms. I was pretty much a no-go on this one from the minute we walked in. It was nice enough, but I don't want that "hall" feeling, and that's exactly what it was -- a room with no windows. We went to the country club next door, where friends of ours were married, and we decided we still liked it. Unfortunately, there was a funeral luncheon at the time we were there, so we were unable to view the rooms with our moms. Obviously, if we choose it, we would need to go back with our moms.
We went to THE hotspot by us for weddings, which is a beautiful facility. They have a gorgeous atrium off of the room we would get, but besides the extra cost to use the atrium (I don't get it - they can't rent the room if we're using the atrium and they can't rent the atrium if we're using the room, but to use the atrium for dinner and dancing is an extra $1000) the staff seemed to be, well...bitchy. Maybe it's not the best word, but it's the one that comes to mind. I felt like the questions we posed were constantly met with "no" instead of "but we could do THIS instead!" and the saleswoman (which is what she was) made an offhand comment after showing us the atrium that we should look at pricing before I feel in love with it and then couldn't afford it. Sure, that's something MY MOM would say to me, but this woman? Please. She doesn't know what I can afford and what I can't. And to be honest, we could, but it would squeeze us tightly in other places and I would rather not have to worry about pinching pennies in the end.
We then drove to the hotels by the airport to pop in, but were unable to meet with anyone regarding pricing. Our friends got married at one of those hotels about a year ago and it was SUCH a great place (with an outdoor area for cocktails) and we had so much fun. Of course, that could be because they are awesome people, but I think that if I had SO much fun at their wedding that I woud easily have that much fun at MY OWN wedding. Really, that's what it's about: being surrounded by the people we love and having a good time.
After the hotels, we stopped by the house for a bit. My mom and I went out and left Adam and his mom at the house, and we went to find the World's Finest Chocolate outlet. HEAVEN. Broken, end of the run chocolate caramel bars for $.75 a bag, which is like 5+ candy bars. Plus, I LOVE WFC, maybe even as much as Fannie May.
We ended up going to Barnes & Noble, and then we went to Ihop for a bite to eat. It is always fun to see my mom, and we had some good wedding chit chat. Unfortunately, the David's Bridal in the mall next to the Ihop was closed by the time we were done, so I have yet to try on my first wedding dress. Yikes.
I will feel much more at ease once we have a hall, because then the rest of it is mostly "details". Of course, considering everything else, I use that term loosely.
On a side note, I am not at all ready to go back to work tomorrow. My throat is still hurting like crazy (I left work early on Friday to have it looked at by a doctor, who said I do not have strep) and I feel crabby because of it. I think maybe the wedding stress will weigh less on me when that is done, because then at least I will feel 100%.
Since Adam proposed on March 13, 2009 (a little over a week ago), I have gone gung-go with wedding planning. We've sent a date (September 25, 2010), and have a priest and will have the church as soon as I send the check in tomorrow to reserve it. Our debate has been if we want the mass at 1 pm or 3 pm. I say 1 (which is what it's reserved for) so it gives us time to go downtown and take pictures, but I will be able to feel better with 3 as soon as we find a reception site. The reception sites we're looking at are about 45 minutes-an hour away from the church, so that will have to be taken into account.
Our church is the church my parents got married at, 30 years ago this year. I grew up going to that church for various reasons (weddings, funerals, masses in general) and I have always wanted to get married there. It's not one of those elegant, intimate settings, but still something that is a part of my dream wedding. The rest of that dream wedding, though, is still to be realized.
We're both really excited about getting married -- we have been together for nearly 6 years and have been living together for nearly 2, so a wedding makes it all "official", although not everyone sees it as necessary. I was done being a "girlfriend" because, honestly, I felt like people never really gave us the credit for our union that I think we deserve. Now that I'm a fiancee, I feel like we're being taken more seriously.
We went looking at halls yesterday with our moms. It's so hard. We went to one hall, which has 3 different rooms. I was pretty much a no-go on this one from the minute we walked in. It was nice enough, but I don't want that "hall" feeling, and that's exactly what it was -- a room with no windows. We went to the country club next door, where friends of ours were married, and we decided we still liked it. Unfortunately, there was a funeral luncheon at the time we were there, so we were unable to view the rooms with our moms. Obviously, if we choose it, we would need to go back with our moms.
We went to THE hotspot by us for weddings, which is a beautiful facility. They have a gorgeous atrium off of the room we would get, but besides the extra cost to use the atrium (I don't get it - they can't rent the room if we're using the atrium and they can't rent the atrium if we're using the room, but to use the atrium for dinner and dancing is an extra $1000) the staff seemed to be, well...bitchy. Maybe it's not the best word, but it's the one that comes to mind. I felt like the questions we posed were constantly met with "no" instead of "but we could do THIS instead!" and the saleswoman (which is what she was) made an offhand comment after showing us the atrium that we should look at pricing before I feel in love with it and then couldn't afford it. Sure, that's something MY MOM would say to me, but this woman? Please. She doesn't know what I can afford and what I can't. And to be honest, we could, but it would squeeze us tightly in other places and I would rather not have to worry about pinching pennies in the end.
We then drove to the hotels by the airport to pop in, but were unable to meet with anyone regarding pricing. Our friends got married at one of those hotels about a year ago and it was SUCH a great place (with an outdoor area for cocktails) and we had so much fun. Of course, that could be because they are awesome people, but I think that if I had SO much fun at their wedding that I woud easily have that much fun at MY OWN wedding. Really, that's what it's about: being surrounded by the people we love and having a good time.
After the hotels, we stopped by the house for a bit. My mom and I went out and left Adam and his mom at the house, and we went to find the World's Finest Chocolate outlet. HEAVEN. Broken, end of the run chocolate caramel bars for $.75 a bag, which is like 5+ candy bars. Plus, I LOVE WFC, maybe even as much as Fannie May.
We ended up going to Barnes & Noble, and then we went to Ihop for a bite to eat. It is always fun to see my mom, and we had some good wedding chit chat. Unfortunately, the David's Bridal in the mall next to the Ihop was closed by the time we were done, so I have yet to try on my first wedding dress. Yikes.
I will feel much more at ease once we have a hall, because then the rest of it is mostly "details". Of course, considering everything else, I use that term loosely.
On a side note, I am not at all ready to go back to work tomorrow. My throat is still hurting like crazy (I left work early on Friday to have it looked at by a doctor, who said I do not have strep) and I feel crabby because of it. I think maybe the wedding stress will weigh less on me when that is done, because then at least I will feel 100%.
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