The Christy

So I went to the taste-test. The food was in my opinion delicious. It seemed everything was right, and I was signing the contract as I noticed the price. I had spoken with a representative back in February via email. I still have the email to prove it. She said they could match the price of a competetor as long as the package matched. Unfortunately that was not true. They wanted me to pay $5 more per head, then $3 more and I was supposed to feel like I was being cut a deal when they finally dropped it to only $1.45 more than the original quote. I am very dissappointed and feel lied to. There was a difference...the linens are floor length vs half length. I know I am not the girly type but $500 difference for linens doesnt seem to make too much sense to me at all! All this wedding stuff sure is stressful. If there was a misunderstanding I hear ya but they should honor thier original price, especially when I re-sent them a copy of thier email where they promised that price in writing. So, ball's in their court. If they honor their price I will probably still have it there. Like I said, I really liked the venue and the woman who was showing to me...but if not, I guess this is a lesson for me and everyone who attempts to book a venue....even having it in writing doesnt seem to matter.

Glad I started so early...

Wow, so its just one thing after another with this wedding junk! First the park I wanted to get married at is a thousand bucks, the wedding hall is 5$ more than originally quoted, and now the band (who happens to be my dad's) has backed out on me! I am not exactly a happy camper right now. So, my dad wont be at the wedding, and i have no idea where that will be anyway:) Happy Tuesday!

Taste Test

So i have the taste test planned for this Wednesday at the Christy. It will be Lucas, Marlys, my mom and I going. Keep your fingers crossed. It would be such a let down if after really getting my heart set to find out the food is bad. I am sure it will be ok...or at least i hope.

Time to kick it back into gear

Ok, My break is over. Easter is over, and what felt like a hundred birthdays between February and March. Time to start back planning this wedding! I am pretty sure we have decided upon the Christy. Just have to have the taste test and make sure the food is good, and we will happily be committing to that date/venue. I am officially getting married in less than a year! Crazy, considering I was the tree climbing tom-boy who swore she never needed a man:) hah. Kinda insane how quickly things can change. So now I really need to start working on the ceremony...ya know the actually wedding part hah. After this weekend, I am now really leaning toward NOT having an outside wedding. It rained on April 9th this year and I am taking that as an omen. So, Now the question arieses...Have you ever been to a wedding that had the ceremony in the reception hall??? And if so, did you think it was a bad or good idea?

Taking a much needed break.

There is a lot to be said about being proactive and organized, there is also a lot to be said about knowing when to take a minute to NOT THINK ABOUT WEDDING STUFF. Hah. I am at that point now. I have been taking a much needed break. It can be very stressful trying to plan out the big day, and recognizing that and taking a deep breath is advice I would pass on to anyone in the planning stages like I am. Don't get me wrong, waiting and procrastinating will only make it hell later, but putting things off a week or so doesn't hurt anyone. Remembering that you are allowed to do this is a very important power that you need to exercise. I am lucky enough to have people who are willing to help me without overwhelming me, but some aren't so fortunate. If you are one of these unlucky few with with the hovering mom or friend, don't be afraid to tell them you want a week break or so without talking about wedding stuff at all...as long as you do it with a little thought and sensitivity they will totally understand, and after that week I guarantee you, planning your wedding will actually become fun again:)At least until the next break! haha

The Venues

So we checked out all the venues this past Thursday. I was okay with Andre's and with the Genesis. I was surprisingly let down by Orlando Gardens. The carpet was HIDEOUS, and the walls were not pretty either. There was a tiny dance floor that was supposed to be shared with the band...making it even smaller. Also, it was the most expensive. Lame. So, the best by far was the one I had thought would be the worst. I have driven past the Christy everyday for the last 4 years and always thought it looked dated and tiny. That was definitely not the case. There is only one room, so we wont have to share the building with another wedding party. They have an actual stage with a dance floor that is twice the size of the others. The room is large enough that they have the buffet set up the whole time, and they don't have to break anything down. They have all black chairs, which compared to the orangish ones at some of the other venues was a welcome change. The carpet is a bit dated, however, It is not nearly as noticeable as at Orlando Gardens. I am pretty set on picking the Christy, the cake is included, and the staff was very nice. So, all that is left is a taste test. Yeah I know it is tough, but I think I'll make it through the grueling process of tasting food! I already have 4 professional taste-testing volunteers...amy, lauren, gina, tina....Anyway, I'll be getting back to you all soon to let you know more....

Bridal Expo

So, I went to a bridal expo at Ameristar this weekend with my friends Madeline and Gina. TALK ABOUT OVERWHELMING! Geeze, there were about a million people and tons of people pining for the business. I am glad that we went though. I found a place that is EVEN CHEAPER THAN GENESIS, THE CHRISTY, and ORLANDO GARDENS. They don't include the cake, but they also don't charge for service. On a Friday they charge $14 a head! So, that is a big difference from the $17.50...especially because the $17.50 from the others doesnt include the service...or sales tax. I kept going back and forth tring to crunch the numbers, and by the time you rent the tables, chairs, linens, buy the food, (most improtantly the alcohol) etc, I can't seem to find the purpose in trying to do it myself. It is just easier and actually cheaper to go to a venue. So, I am making appointments to visit all four of the venues, sometimes things are too good to be true, so I would like to see the insides of all of the venues before I make a decision. I will keep you all updated. Also I found out more information on the cake that is offered for free with the package from the Christy. The cake is provided by McCarther's Bakery. They had a table at the expo, and their cakes were beautiful. I got to see pictures of the cakes that would be included at the Christy. I was pleasantly suprised, and would be happy to have the cake provided if I go with the Christy. We'll just have to see. Keep your fingers crossed.

Invitations

So the invitations are next. I have been looking into pre-made vs. homemade. I am definitely leaning toward homemade. It is highly expensive for the premade. Now adays, almost everyone has a printer. This makes having someone print them for me just seem like a waste of money. To add a litte bit of a fancy feel to the design I have come up with a pretty simple idea. It came from one of my lovely friends Gina who did my baby shower invites and made them look beautiful. I plan on buying cardstock in the blue color of the ribbons of the bridesmaids...Then I plan to buy the more see-through white paper to layer on top. I will punch two holes in the top of the cards and tie a little ribbon through to hold the papers together. I can get a enough paper for the blue cardstock from office max for $15. All I need is a nice paper cutter and time. I am still shopping around for the clear white paper. If any of you can think of a place with a good price I am all ears. All together, with the price of envelopes, paper and stamps, I should be able to spend well under $100. This is a fraction of the price I have been able to find from the printing companies.

Sponsorship

So one of the tips I came across on one of the many websites I have been visiting is to have sponsors. Get local companies to donate their services in return for their advertisment at your wedding. Some may think this is a "tacky" method. And until I really started to investigate this, I too thought it sounded crazy. So far I have been suprised by the responses. First, I started this blog, so there was a spot for all the sponsors-to-be to view. This way they could get to know me, and see how many women like me are following the blog who they would be exposing themselves to. I have definetly had a rude reply here and there, but it does'nt hurt to try. I posted a craigslist ad and have recieved a response from a Mary Kay agent willing to give the bridal party facials and do their make up. Of course with doing all this i am being careful to make sure that the people are legit. I am sure I will have a couple crazies respond, but being as that we are on a budget...is that what you call it when you have negative money?....anyway I can use all the help I can get. I was always told its not what you know but who you know, and I am seeing the reality to that right now.

TIP # 3. ASK so many of us (me especially) are too proud to actually ask around and see who would be able to donate thier services. Chances are you have a friend or she has a friend that is a make up artist or does hair, or can bake a mean cake....just saying. People are suprisingly happy to help, and they aren't gonna ask you. They think you are so busy and there is so much to do right now that they would be an annoyance or a bother if they asked you.

Still Never Hurts To Ask

Once again, it never hurts to ask! I just spoke with a representative from the Christy. They are willing to match the price and it includes the cake, and NO SERVICE FEES! They are my new favorites! so, 17.50/person with cake!

Here is a link to their website:

http://www.thechristy.com/locations.html