Because the economy has gone down the toilet, the venue for our 2nd reception site had to close for good.
We feel really bad for the owners, that was their lifeblood, their whole income and with a new house and a toddler - this is a horrible time for them to go under. Our prayers are with them as they go through this transition in their lives.
So we don't have any hard feelings toward them, but it certainly put a bunch in our planning panties!
We started looking for something else immediately and have had people all over trying to help.
Every place we've looked so far has been one or more of the following :
A. Too small
B. Too expensive
C. Already Booked
D. Doesn't allow booze and/or food
We're now rearranging our thoughts and plans instead of panicking.
We've decided to go ahead and have food at the formal reception - homemade Church potluck style. We'll still have a box for food donations and we'll still be donating a large amount of food to the UUCB's favored food bank for the holidays.
Right now we're trying to decide what needs to happen and how.
With an actual meal added to the Church events, we can make the other reception an after-party cocktail event with dancing instead of a full-blown second reception.
We go on Friday to talk to the manager of the hotel where we have our out-of-town guests staying. They have a conference room which is ok, but there's an indoor pool down the hall and if we can stretch it between the two (maybe reserve two rooms for people to use as changing stations) - it would work well for us in this capacity AND those staying at the hotel don't have to worry about getting back to it when they are done for the evening.
Hopefully we can get this figured out, then ironed out by the end of this coming weekend. We're running out of time.
As far as everything else goes, we're ahead of schedule on almost all of it. Which is exceedingly happy for me.
Still to do:
I need to get the cakes ordered for Mar (she's a food sculptor, not a baker as she puts it, so we're getting her cakes to sculpt from Whole Foods.)
Make my veil - which I have scheduled for next week on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at my Mom's house.
Finish putting together the centerpieces and attaching the gifts to them.
Finish the guestbook tree and the birdcage for the gift card collection.
Finish the cake table runner.
Put everything in their bins and mark the tubs according to what part of set-up they go to.
(I'm trying to make it super easy to put together without me. Each area gets a tub with everything they need to decorate, a list of what is in it and a diagram of how it all goes.)
Tea dye the sanctuary pew bows and the table runner.
Schedule the guys' haircuts day and the gals' spa day.
Finish the slideshow.
Make the music list for Dodo
Make the menu for the food.
Make the food for the reception.
Print the programs.
That should take up the next month and a half - keep me busy at a nice even pace.
In the meantime, I'm getting my teeth fixed to improve my oral health and going to physical therapy, as well as a pain management doctor, to get my fibromyalgia under control.
I want to look and feel spectacular for my wedding day - after all, I'm hoping I'll only get to do this day once.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Centerpice Tins and Candy Boxes
What a lot of creative and beautiful decorations which fit our Victorian Faerietale perfectly.I'm just going to post pics and a brief explanation.
These are the tins and candy boxes we'll use for the centerpieces at the reception. Twigs and stones go in the tins to create mini trees and small gifts are tied to the branches for people to take.
Close up, the ladies used a mix of decoupaging and affixing jewelry, shells, and paste gems to them. They look really cool and very unique. I had no idea they would turn out like this! Wow!
Hey Ethel, your prince now has a cool spray of feathers coming from his hands!
A little faux treasure chest that Stephanie created as a decoration for the cake table! Yay!
Yay For Scarlett!
I have this amazing friend, she's a whiz at organizing events and understanding how people work. I've had the joy and pleasure of working with her before on another community event and so she knows how I work and how I like things.
Tonight she showed up at my art showing at the Phoenix Asylum in Boulder and offered her services to us for whatever we may need! I had to pick my jaw up off the ground and felt my heart swell. I had been aimlessly searching for someone exactly like her, someone capable and willing to be in charge of all the decorations and set-up for the ceremony and receptions the day of.
Everyone knows I'm a control freak with major OCD and "I Do It!" habits, many of the women helping have been repeating like a mantra "You need someone to take charge of getting everything done for you." These lovely women are doing quite a bit already, and don't feel up to the task of making sure the big picture happens.
Scarlett loves doing these kinds of things and is amazing at achieving miracles. To have her want to help on a trade basis is even better. (I think she wants art, maybe something else - whatever she wants, she gets for this! This lady knows I have a hard time receiving without giving back.)
This is a prayer answered in hearts and rainbows. Yay!
Tonight she showed up at my art showing at the Phoenix Asylum in Boulder and offered her services to us for whatever we may need! I had to pick my jaw up off the ground and felt my heart swell. I had been aimlessly searching for someone exactly like her, someone capable and willing to be in charge of all the decorations and set-up for the ceremony and receptions the day of.
Everyone knows I'm a control freak with major OCD and "I Do It!" habits, many of the women helping have been repeating like a mantra "You need someone to take charge of getting everything done for you." These lovely women are doing quite a bit already, and don't feel up to the task of making sure the big picture happens.
Scarlett loves doing these kinds of things and is amazing at achieving miracles. To have her want to help on a trade basis is even better. (I think she wants art, maybe something else - whatever she wants, she gets for this! This lady knows I have a hard time receiving without giving back.)
This is a prayer answered in hearts and rainbows. Yay!
Our Party Reception Venue Went Under!!
I received a general "we're sorry, dear customer's, but the economy made us close" email from them.
Sad for them, trying not to panic for us.
We did an extensive venue search before we settled on the Pub, most of those places are booked now or super expensive for us - like a minimum of $5K to book there for anything...
We need space for over 100 people, maybe upwards of 200 with booze and food available to all.
I have a contact with a brewery, we can get a keg of good beer for the price of a keg of PBR with them.
We have a ton of champagne already and a discount with a big liquor store thru another friend.
My Not-a-MoH's saying that we can cook for that many people.
It would not be a stretch for me to make army sized portions, I already make platoon sized ones. ;P
We pick easy dishes and let anyone who wants to volunteer, each make one dish in a large quantity.
It's just finding the right space to be able to do this in, with less than 3 months to go.
I sent an email back, giving our regards and reminding them of both our contract and the deposit we'd already paid to them for our reception. I figured either they are so far up to their eyeballs in panic that they forgot or they've talked about how to deal with these kinds of things and have been brainstorming how to fix it at little to no stress/extra cost to either side.
All I can say right now, about my feelings on all of this is: D'oh!!
The owners sent a response email to us, apologizing and offering to help us find a new place. She said they hadn't run our card yet, just put the deposit amount on hold, so she'll undo that and void the receipts. I'm really glad that they were able to respond and be so helpful. Even if they didn't do it in an order which would cause less of a freak out, the fact that they did this at all gives them even higher marks in my book.
Supposedly, she talked to the owners of another restaurant next door to them, today. Asking if they'd take our contract at the same terms and prices. There are other options as well. But it's really nice of them to go out of their way to help us find a replacement venue.
Goodbye Scotch Corner Pub - we loved you while you were around, we're sad to see you go.
Sad for them, trying not to panic for us.
We did an extensive venue search before we settled on the Pub, most of those places are booked now or super expensive for us - like a minimum of $5K to book there for anything...
We need space for over 100 people, maybe upwards of 200 with booze and food available to all.
I have a contact with a brewery, we can get a keg of good beer for the price of a keg of PBR with them.
We have a ton of champagne already and a discount with a big liquor store thru another friend.
My Not-a-MoH's saying that we can cook for that many people.
It would not be a stretch for me to make army sized portions, I already make platoon sized ones. ;P
We pick easy dishes and let anyone who wants to volunteer, each make one dish in a large quantity.
It's just finding the right space to be able to do this in, with less than 3 months to go.
I sent an email back, giving our regards and reminding them of both our contract and the deposit we'd already paid to them for our reception. I figured either they are so far up to their eyeballs in panic that they forgot or they've talked about how to deal with these kinds of things and have been brainstorming how to fix it at little to no stress/extra cost to either side.
All I can say right now, about my feelings on all of this is: D'oh!!
The owners sent a response email to us, apologizing and offering to help us find a new place. She said they hadn't run our card yet, just put the deposit amount on hold, so she'll undo that and void the receipts. I'm really glad that they were able to respond and be so helpful. Even if they didn't do it in an order which would cause less of a freak out, the fact that they did this at all gives them even higher marks in my book.
Supposedly, she talked to the owners of another restaurant next door to them, today. Asking if they'd take our contract at the same terms and prices. There are other options as well. But it's really nice of them to go out of their way to help us find a replacement venue.
Goodbye Scotch Corner Pub - we loved you while you were around, we're sad to see you go.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Hair Stylist booked and hair style chosen!
I have jawline-length, fine, slightly wavy, and very thick hair, I have to have it thinned out more often than I need the length trimmed.So we talked about my dress and veil, we talked about the wedding themes and the tiara - I was considering the hair styles of young Liz Taylor, young Audrey Hepburn and an older Audrey. It was Gabby who said she thought the young Audrey was the right one. It'll be strong enough to hold the veil and perfect for the height of the tiara. ~>
Gabby said one thing which made me extremely happy.
"I'm going to use my mother as my practice model between now and your practice day. You have similar hair and the same length, it'll help me be able to perfect the look you're asking for."
My Practice styling is booked, she booked for day of as well!
One more thing down - a bajillion more to go!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Oh no, the break is over!
Where did the summer go? The kids have all started back to school, we have four and a half months til the wedding and almost the whole thing is Do It Yourself (DIY)! Eep!
I have to make all of the invitations, thankfully I can assign the printing of them and the labeling and stuffing to Martin. I'll take care of the fanciful edges, ribbons and getting the stickers on straight. I need to go through and figure out who gets paper RSVP cards and who gets only the online info, since we're trying to be paper-light, eco-conscious as much as we can. (I made the green paper wraps out of the wedding schmutz they sent me in the mail from that damned bridal show and my mother's shreddeds. The dye was mostly spinach based, with a little food coloring to blue it. Who says I'm not girly?)
I have to make my veil, I have everything I need, I just need to get off my butt and figure it out.
I've been told my idea might be impossible, I say only improbable and I can work with improbable. I'll get it to do what I have in mind, simply because I only have the rough sketch, the details aren't coherent as a full piece and that gives me room to play.
I'm afraid I've offended some of Martin's friends. You can warn people that one is exceedingly weird and means no offense, but people will take things as they will according to their experience and paradigm views. I make no apology for how I am, and I am Inappropriate Girl!
;-)
The first craft day for anyone interested is September 18th @ Canadian Rachel's on Denver's Capital Hill. Start in the afternoon and go until we're done or we're keeping the baby awake too long. We'll be making the first set of decorations, the decoupaging of the formula cans to make bases/vases for the centerpieces. There will be enough cans for people who want to just make one to take home as well. A good glue and some scissors/exacto knives would be good to bring if you're planning on coming, that way we can be sure to have enough supplies for everyone. If you don't have these things and can't afford to buy them just for this, no worries I do have some extras of everything.
I need to get the Bridal Shower invite list to Mom and Stephanie (and Rachel and Erin...) and trust that they will take care of that one event for me. (Please, please, just that one is all I ask...)
At least that's not until October 18th and the location is free! (Thanks to Erin, Luke and Scott)
The guys need to go for/turn in their tuxedo measurements in September, so that we can put in the order on time. It's the only thing they are being asked to do, other than show up on time for the weekend of the wedding and the wedding itself, in their proper clothes and do what the officiant tells them to.
Need to reserve our honeymoon place and the figure out the best rental price for large passenger vans to drive people back and forth from the airport/hotel/church/bar. Thank goodness for Norris who said he'd drive for us, I prefer a driver I know and trust.
I need to have Erika and Doug both set up times to talk to us and have us fill out the music checklists for the receptions, talk set-up and prices. It's nice to know so many talented people in so many different genres and areas of life. We want to be surrounded by our community in all ways and it's happening.
I have to make all of the invitations, thankfully I can assign the printing of them and the labeling and stuffing to Martin. I'll take care of the fanciful edges, ribbons and getting the stickers on straight. I need to go through and figure out who gets paper RSVP cards and who gets only the online info, since we're trying to be paper-light, eco-conscious as much as we can. (I made the green paper wraps out of the wedding schmutz they sent me in the mail from that damned bridal show and my mother's shreddeds. The dye was mostly spinach based, with a little food coloring to blue it. Who says I'm not girly?)
I have to make my veil, I have everything I need, I just need to get off my butt and figure it out.
I've been told my idea might be impossible, I say only improbable and I can work with improbable. I'll get it to do what I have in mind, simply because I only have the rough sketch, the details aren't coherent as a full piece and that gives me room to play.
I'm afraid I've offended some of Martin's friends. You can warn people that one is exceedingly weird and means no offense, but people will take things as they will according to their experience and paradigm views. I make no apology for how I am, and I am Inappropriate Girl!
;-)
The first craft day for anyone interested is September 18th @ Canadian Rachel's on Denver's Capital Hill. Start in the afternoon and go until we're done or we're keeping the baby awake too long. We'll be making the first set of decorations, the decoupaging of the formula cans to make bases/vases for the centerpieces. There will be enough cans for people who want to just make one to take home as well. A good glue and some scissors/exacto knives would be good to bring if you're planning on coming, that way we can be sure to have enough supplies for everyone. If you don't have these things and can't afford to buy them just for this, no worries I do have some extras of everything.
I need to get the Bridal Shower invite list to Mom and Stephanie (and Rachel and Erin...) and trust that they will take care of that one event for me. (Please, please, just that one is all I ask...)
At least that's not until October 18th and the location is free! (Thanks to Erin, Luke and Scott)
The guys need to go for/turn in their tuxedo measurements in September, so that we can put in the order on time. It's the only thing they are being asked to do, other than show up on time for the weekend of the wedding and the wedding itself, in their proper clothes and do what the officiant tells them to.
Need to reserve our honeymoon place and the figure out the best rental price for large passenger vans to drive people back and forth from the airport/hotel/church/bar. Thank goodness for Norris who said he'd drive for us, I prefer a driver I know and trust.
I need to have Erika and Doug both set up times to talk to us and have us fill out the music checklists for the receptions, talk set-up and prices. It's nice to know so many talented people in so many different genres and areas of life. We want to be surrounded by our community in all ways and it's happening.
Monday, June 1, 2009
My Real Life
We're ahead of schedule by a few months now.
Some may think I'm strange for it but I always have my reasons. Even if I can't always remember what they are at the time I'm asked for them.
Summers are busy for me. Artists play hard in the warm months. It's a time of showing what you did during hibernation season, getting together to collaborate on fun, big projects and the fairest season for art and music festivals. When I was younger and thought a life of art and festivals would be easy and adventurous - I made a pact with myself to become a professional festivaler. Nowhere else is the air so strongly charged with imagination, innovation and revelation than at a big art/music festival.
And a pro I became, I even organized a few of my own over the years. It's not easy and fun is the name of the game, but it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get there when you're an active artist. It's not enough to just go camp and be a tourist - I have the overwhelming urge to participate, contribute and create big. So I do. I've learned a lot about myself, my society, my communities, my friends, my family, my world - all from going to and participating in (organizing, planning) artist events and festivals.
And so, this year is not unlike every year for the last 10 for me. Even with a wedding coming up. I'm ahead, I can stop and focus on my art for a time. Build my connections in this world, juice up my brain and show Martin the full energy, positive and raring to go side of me.
Today was a crazy day for me. I was on an assisted living program, today I signed with a notary a notice that I am leaving the program and my current residence when my lease is up. My security net is about to disappear, I asked Martin if he's ready for this and he said yes. It makes me tremble a little since he's still job hunting, but there's a few leads which are already sounding promising. I remain positive for our future and that we're doing the right thing. For me there's no backing out now, I must believe and commit to US - it's slowly sinking in, I've not gone this far into trusting someone in a very long time.
This weekend is the first of festivals for us (we're only doing 2 this year because of the job situation. Thankfully I have it figured out very cheaply after so many years of it.) He's stressed and I'm stressed and it's definitely showing us each other's true faces. The honeymoon isn't over though, we're continuing to amaze each other more each day. These things always put relationships to the test in extreme ways.
Martin is amazing and wonderful. I am so lucky to have found him.
PS the engagement party was wonderful but went by in a huge blur for both of us. We are blessed to have so many loved ones surrounding us.
Some may think I'm strange for it but I always have my reasons. Even if I can't always remember what they are at the time I'm asked for them.
Summers are busy for me. Artists play hard in the warm months. It's a time of showing what you did during hibernation season, getting together to collaborate on fun, big projects and the fairest season for art and music festivals. When I was younger and thought a life of art and festivals would be easy and adventurous - I made a pact with myself to become a professional festivaler. Nowhere else is the air so strongly charged with imagination, innovation and revelation than at a big art/music festival.
And a pro I became, I even organized a few of my own over the years. It's not easy and fun is the name of the game, but it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get there when you're an active artist. It's not enough to just go camp and be a tourist - I have the overwhelming urge to participate, contribute and create big. So I do. I've learned a lot about myself, my society, my communities, my friends, my family, my world - all from going to and participating in (organizing, planning) artist events and festivals.
And so, this year is not unlike every year for the last 10 for me. Even with a wedding coming up. I'm ahead, I can stop and focus on my art for a time. Build my connections in this world, juice up my brain and show Martin the full energy, positive and raring to go side of me.
Today was a crazy day for me. I was on an assisted living program, today I signed with a notary a notice that I am leaving the program and my current residence when my lease is up. My security net is about to disappear, I asked Martin if he's ready for this and he said yes. It makes me tremble a little since he's still job hunting, but there's a few leads which are already sounding promising. I remain positive for our future and that we're doing the right thing. For me there's no backing out now, I must believe and commit to US - it's slowly sinking in, I've not gone this far into trusting someone in a very long time.
This weekend is the first of festivals for us (we're only doing 2 this year because of the job situation. Thankfully I have it figured out very cheaply after so many years of it.) He's stressed and I'm stressed and it's definitely showing us each other's true faces. The honeymoon isn't over though, we're continuing to amaze each other more each day. These things always put relationships to the test in extreme ways.
Martin is amazing and wonderful. I am so lucky to have found him.
PS the engagement party was wonderful but went by in a huge blur for both of us. We are blessed to have so many loved ones surrounding us.
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