Yes, quite

Since falling off the "recently-engaged" section of Cloud Nine, things have been for the first time--going quite swimmingly in the wedding planning department!

 *A wedding palette has been formed.  Is it weird to anyone else how often one is questioned about one's "colors"?  Not to mock anyone in particular, it just seems like the strangest question!  The first thing I want to know about weddings must differ wildly from the norm.  But hey--I've never been to an open bar I didn't love.  And oh yeah (and brace yourself, Martha Stewart) it's coral, tangerine, cherry, butter and all manners of green.  But I do gesture defiantly when I say--anything I like will be included regardless of it's color.  Palette be damned.

*We're negotiating with the caterer.  I'm currently working with Kasey, head chef from g2 Gallery to make a scrumptdiddlyumptious reception menu for you guys!  I'll sit on the details for now--but trust me, you're gonna love it!  Especially the dessert we have planned!

*I'm seemingly collecting band kits.  But we should have someone soon!  I'm aiming for anyone who can play Hugo, The White Stripes, and Black Keys without sounding like they're selling out.  If you can help you'll be rewarded handsomely.

*The drink poll is up.  I need to know what you guys want to drink!  And back off, the Bud Light is for my Grandma (and it's cute that you think I'm kidding).

*I continue to obsess over shoes.  Nothing else really needs to be said.


Oh, and one more thing!  I even hesitate to mention it (because it could get so wildly out of hand) but could some of my homies in Missouri kindly keep some stuff to "upcycle" into wedding decorations?  I'd love to save money on shipping.  What I'm looking for are aluminum cans (no tiny ones, especially large ones), glass jars (of all persuasions, but especially mason jars).  When you have ten of one category--DO STOP COLLECTING.  The last thing I want is to inconvenience anyone!

And I'm literally dying to use a canoe in photo shoots.  If anyone knows of one we can kindly borrow for the weekend--please report!  It would only be used for photos...


Love,
-L

No, seriously

Well, who is really embarassed about all her previous venue announcements just to see them all fall through?

This girl.

BUT NO SERIOUSLY THIS ONE IS PAID FOR AND IT'S HAPPENING AND WE HAVE A DATE AND EVERYTHING.

So get your sun-dresses and bring your A-game.  There will be a croquet tournament and I will not mess around.

The weekend of July 16th, 2011 we will be having a destination wedding at Cedar Creek Resort just outside Columbia, MO.  Friday will be arrival day, and everyone should feel free to trickle in at their leisure.  The details aren't solid yet, but there will be plenty to do--including unlimited fishing, swimming, and planned activities like billiards, or a drive-in movie, or a buy-in poker night. ( For all you Bridal Party maniacs, this will probably be the night of the Rehearsal Dinner, too.)  Saturday will be an absolute throw-down, with the ceremony in the early evening followed by rockin' barbeque, a dessert bar, live music and (in all likelihood) fireworks.  Sunday will be nice and chill with clean-up, the wrap of the croquet tournament, activities, brunch, etc.  If you have late departure tickets (or you just don't want to head home yet) you can even stay until Monday, with a late check-out at 2pm.

Now, how frickin' excited are you?

Dress code at this point is nice, but comfortable--it'll be sweltering.  If you are an out-of-towner (you are almost 80% of our guest list!) please contact me for details on accommodation--the resort has a set number of rooms (we've booked them all!), and after bridal party and family accommodation, rooms will be first come/RSVP, first serve.  We regret to say that we don't have the budget to just give them out--but trust me, you'll get a crazy smokin' deal (and a lot of food with it).  We recommend flying into Columbia to save on rental car fees, but if you want to fly into St. Louis (which is closer) or Kansas City, that's cool too.

We'll be sending out really neat (if I can say so, myself) e-invitations in a few weeks.  So if I haven't already contacted you about your most recent email addy, please let me know so you recieve one!  From there, everyone can RSVP on our wedding website.  My fantastic wedding planner, Erica of Bella Sera Designs and I are in the middle of devising a system for accommodation reservations and I'll get back with you on it soon.

Ok, so you have some real information now.  Hooray!

Out,
-L

The Ball is Finally Rolling (and some questions)

Ok, so, fingers crossed, hold your breath, don't jinx it, don't f*** with it, don't touch at it, look at it, or breathe on it.

But we're paying for a venue on FRIDAY.  Finally!

Behold!: The Blue Note

Now, Missourians, I sense your hesitance.  "The Blue Note.  For a wedding?  You're joking, right?  That place is as skeevy as a pickle dropped on a barber shop floor."  But have you seen it since the remodel?

I can't link you, but if you're on the almighty Facebook (and I'm oh so sure you are if you're reading my blog) go ahead and search on FB for 'Blue Note Special Events.'  Once you get there, check out their photo albums, their 'Blue Note Venue' album in particular.  See?  Not too shabby, eh?

Otherwise, all I can tell you is Dennis and I were never going for 'opulence,' as far as our wedding goes (our Scotch collection on the other hand...).  We wanted something with teeth.  Something a little gritty, edgy, superfun.

To clarify, and borrow some turn-of-phrase:  F*** countryclubs.  Golf courses.  White walls.

This is not going to be a sit on your hands, wait for it to be over, wonder what the readings mean event.  I want you to come--come to the Blue Note--stand up, get buckwild, and hoot and holler.  Because when and if you come, dear Guest, it's because we love you and we don't take your presence lightly.  You're awesome and we're gonna throw you a rocking party because when we tie the knot, we're making a giant circle out of everyone we know.  I would love to see some off color jokes.  Really embarassing photos as all my best friends and weird Uncles (yeah, well, you are) tear up the dance floor, or cry during a toast.  Bring confetti.  Bring your best plaid cumberbund.  Bring your heart on your sleeve.  Bring your funniest story from.. whenever.  Bring your self.  Because we love you.


(Also, just, take this post or leave it... I have no idea where it came from.)

Out,
-L

Update Schmupdate

Or, as I will call this entry--"An apathetic bride's filler entry on some non-essential stuff she's actually gotten to turn out right."

I have three bridesmaids!  My Maid of Honor, Ariel along with two other besties Andreya Dawn and Nasreen!  They're awesome.  I still don't know what they're gonna wear and they're totally chill with that.

I have shoes!  They are awesome and I got them online for pretty cheap on Black Friday.

I am about to begin building the set for my super duper awesome invitation VIDEO that I will be emailing or snail mailing your way (Oh, delicious guest) in about four weeks or so.  Spoiler!  It involves dinosaurs.  Get ready.

The biggest thing that's happened is that we finalized the (duh duh duh) GUEST LIST.

Also, I still don't have a venue.



Out,
-L

The Turd in the Toilet

That guy.  We all know at least one.  He's some middle-aged hipster in a position of relative pseudo-power at his hospitality and customer-liaison job. Don't get him wrong, it's a nice joint--but really, kind of beneath him.  Really, his job is about helping people--but that's not how he sees it.  Every day he gets to sit behind a desk, drink coffee, watch Hulu, and occasionally have to talk to some annoying faceless schmo about their event.  Why can't they just leave him alone?  He works to hard to have to answer those emails and walk back and forth between his office and his water cooler.  Would it be too much to ask to just get paid and go home?

Too bad this guy is my liaison to our wedding venue.

I will NOT throw his name in here--for his own sake.  And just so we're clear, the Boulevard Brewery Muehlebach Suite is positively glorious.  Not only do they have a great location, in a renovated historic building with a 360-degree balcony of downtown Kansas City--but they throw in gobs of expensive rentals for your event for free.  We're talking private parking, Satellite radio, DVD/CD player with surround-sound stereo, projector screens, TVs, tables, chairs, buffet settings.  And booze.  They provide all your booze for a flat rate.


We'll just say that when I saw their list of amenities and my bridesmaid (sup, Dawn!) sent me pictures of the space I was smitten with the Muehlenbach Suite and had to have it for my nuptials.  You know, my wedding--one of the most important days of my life.  But it's over.  Oh--it is SO over.

Sorry, Douchey Hospitality-Manager Dude.  It's not me--it's you.

Maybe it's because the first email we exchanged you shot down my pool-table idea for my hip Brewery wedding without an explanation (twice).  Maybe it's because your only speak of your rental equipment policy in whispers and vague hushed tones, instead of letting me see the damn thing myself.  Maybe  it's because you sent me a crappy contract full of holes, asked when we were paying, and didn't return my phone calls with my questions about it.  Maybe it's because when you did deign to return my emails (days after they were sent) that you never once answered a question without a pompous doom-spewing caveat about how it'll be screwed up.  Maybe it's because I've read our agreement contract more closely than you have and you got pissed off when I called you out on inconsistencies (after all this).  Maybe it's because you've treated me like a pre-schooler with special needs.  Maybe it's because your first name is a color.

I'll stop there.

But the truth is, Douchey Hospitality-Manager Dude, I am inches away from walking out of here and if I could find another photogenic locale... I would already be gone.  And if word gets out that you get commission:

I WILL GET MARRIED AT DUNKIN DONUTS RATHER THAN GIVE YOU MONEY.

If anyone has any unique, groovy, modern, vintage, rustic ideas for a KC, St. Louis, Columbia/Jeff City wedding and/or reception venue--I implore you.. SEND THEM MY WAY.


Out,
-L