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!!

Totally rethinking the wedding

After seeing this article, Patrick and I might need to totally rethink our wedding planning... http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/print.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=84&ArticleID=16944 Please scroll down and watch the slideshow on that link. It's worth it.

Maris Stella

We had a very nice weekend in Avalon this past weekend. We accomplished a bunch for the wedding, and I'll start with the church. Maris Stella Church is about one mile away from my parents' house, and about a mile and a half from the reception hall. We filled out some paperwork with the super friendly (ha. ha.) lady at the rectory, so things finally feel official. After meeting with the florist, we're going to have two big flower arrangements up at the altar. In that picture up above, that's my mom and I up on the right. Oh yeah, and I imagine the lights will be on during the ceremony (unlike the picture).

I'm not sure yet how to get pew decorations to work - let me know if you have any ideas. Of course, we can't use tape or glue or nails, so I think the ribbon is going to need to go around the whole seat back, and maybe pinned or velcroed in the back. Then we could attach a bow facing the aisle. Pat's arm is up against the seat back for scale. There are 23 pews.

Dress Appointment Made!

Alright, it's set -- I made an appointment yesterday to try on wedding dresses Saturday August 30 at 10am at Bridals by Sandra in Nazareth PA. http://www.bridalsbysandra.com/ I'll be up in Avalon this weekend doing some wedding planning... I'm sure I'll have a lot more to post after I get back! Plans include: - See the church - Meet with Becky "Paisley," my former boss who lives in Avalon and knows what's what - Look for a rehearsal dinner place (Stone Harbor Women's Civic Club? Whitebrier? Stone Harbor Yacht Club?) - Investigate mini ice cream cones at Springers - See the reception hall (and ask lots of questions!) - Meet florist? - Get DJ suggestions - Get sand from the beach for centerpieces - Get a little bit of a tan so that I'm not confused with the real "vision in white" at Haley's wedding... What else do I need to do, girls?

Instead of a DJ...?

I have a shower radio, and I got to thinking -- instead of a DJ, maybe we should just pump in this station with their live feed. Here's their last 10 played.

And as I type this, they are playing "I wanna sex you up." Classy. hahaha... It's like a strange mix of our Tennis Pump Tape and Michael Jackson, plus Fergie. hmmm...

I LOVE that they play Michael Jackson so often - seriously, he's on the radio every time I shower!

Anyway, since sarcasm isn't always well-conveyed over the internet, I'm totally kidding about this.

Now they're playing a remix of "Sexual Healing." Awesome.

In case you're looking for some entertainment the next time you're hanging out at the computer, you can stream their music here http://www.jammin1059.com/main.html

Off to cook dinner - Daphne's on her way over for dinner and a movie!

~~~~~

UPDATE.... Now we have "Ice ice baby" coming over the airwaves. I don't think I've heard this on the radio since I was in 5th grade!

If there was a problem, yo I'll solve it, check this hook while the DJ revolves it... ice ice baby

Another thought about colors

Hey, what about these colors?

(http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/weddings/2008/06/sunset-photo-in.html)

Yeah, that's all Martha right there, but I do love those colors, and they do seem pretty pulled together the way she has them. I LOVE the flower bouquet, and the dresses are cute (right, girls?).

It's not too far off from what we were thinking before, but it keeps things more in the green-ish/aqua family than the blues...

Still loving the flowers. YAY!

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pastel-bouquets-rose-cluster?lnc=1ed20f214f77a110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=taxonomylist_weddings_weddings-colors

Something to keep in mind...

Since we're planning on postcard save-the-dates, this is an interesting post... http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/06/16/invitation-details-stamps-and-postcards/