The Golden Inn

Last weekend while we were up in NJ, we checked out The Golden Inn, where the reception will be. We met with Ron the wedding coordinator and Kathy who does wedding sales. Ron was all about "takin' care of business" and within less than an hour with him we had picked out linens, our menu, and he answered all our questions.

The cocktail hour will be outside on their deck next to the pool, which is right over the dunes from the beach. I'd like to get some color out there to liven things up a bit, and we had a thought to hang paper lanterns from the umbrellas, clustered around the center pole. (We could hang the lanterns from the supports that hold up the umbrella - although I need to clear that with Ron) Maybe some sort of super simple centerpieces too...?

Food... Ron had some recommendations for food, and this is what we decided on:

Apps: stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, beef skewers, bacon wrapped scallops, and a fruit and cheese platter (I put in a special request for brie)

Dinner: "steak and cake" = steak and crab cakes. Everyone will get some steak and a crab cake (let me know if you don't like either, and we can get you a vegetarian meal). If you don't like one of the other, you'll have to trade with whoever is sitting next to you. We've already decided that Pat will get two steaks and I'll get two crab cakes! :o)

Drinks: We're going to have a keg of Yuengling (for you, Oliver). The bar will be closed during dinner, but we'll have wine service during dinner to make up for it.

Linens..... Ron took one look at my color/flower inspiration and decided on a seafoam green tablecloth, dark orange table runner, and peach colored napkins. I'm sold - I think it sounds great.

We saw the room where the reception will be - it's L-shaped. We'll have the sweetheart table, which will be in the outer corner of the L. The DJ and dance floor will be at the "top" of the L. They're going to be renovating the room this winter, so we're not sure yet how it'll look come May, but my dad said he remembered hearing that they might be putting in a window (to the hallway), which would be nice. Anyway, everything else at the Golden Inn is tasteful, and I'm sure their renovations to this room will be tasteful as well. (And if anyone wants to see something NOT tasteful, they can run up to Atlantic City between the ceremony and the reception. There should be enough time to drive up there, gamble for 45 minutes, and make it back in time for the cocktail hour. BONUS!)

Cake...... Ron asked if we had given any thought to what we want the cake to look like, but we really hadn't. He said we should get him a picture of what we'd like, and he'll see if the baker (which is included with our package) can make it.

Next time we're in Avalon, Ron told us to give us a heads up and he can set up a food tasting for us... yummm... you know I'm looking forward to that!!