Cue Music...

Scott at MBYC advised us that the next vendor we should book was the band. Bands, especially good ones, book up fast and Tim and I are competing with 'holiday party' season. Luckily for us this decision was an easy one! The best way to 'audition' a band is to actually see/hear them perform live. My sister got married in June 2008, she discovered a band called 'Naked Soul.' She was so enamored by them that she booked them sight unseen, and it was the best possible blind-faith decision she could have made. 'Naked Soul' literally rocked! When they were on performing very few people were seated. We knew we wanted that feel at our party. They were masters at reading the crowd. When people were slowing down they would kick it up a notch and get the energy flowing, then they would slow it down at all the appropriate moments as well. I don't think I walked through the room once...I danced! Lucky for us they were available. My communications with Tony Perrone, one of the two founders (brothers), were almost too awesome to be true. Who knew that wedding planning could be so fun and - dare I say it - easy?!?!?! His passion for the band's work and his pride in his company was evident in every word spoken. Check out their website: http://www.perronebros.com/ You can even listen to their demo online. Are you looking for some visual evidence of how much fun people had at my sister's wedding?? Check these dancing shots out!



Don't just take my word for it though...check them out yourself. My sister discovered some amazing talent and Tim and I feel so lucky to be able to have them at our wedding!

location location location...

Now it is time to plan for real! Task 1 - make a rough draft guest list so that you have a general feel for how big a space you are looking for. Task 2 - decide on some possible dates, it is usually good to have a couple dates for flexibility. Step 3 - confirm the dates with the church (if you are going that route). Step 4 - find a venue for the reception! Yay! Now this is the fun stuff...right? There are so many amazing venues out there...how can you possibly choose just one?!?! I recommend perusing a magazine that lists local venues that offer wedding services. This can be a good jumping off place. My fiance and my BIL (see 'learning the language' post) made the first cuts - I can't be sure, but I have a feeling their criteria was mainly food based - my MOH made the appointments and the best way to learn anything at all is to go visit in person! Mom, my MOH and I bundled up and hit the mean streets of Westchester County to pound some pavement in our quest for the perfect venue. First stop...Castle on the Hudson http://www.castleonthehudson.com/. It was beautiful, like a fairy tale. Picture horse drawn carriages and brass bands, the works. This was the first place we visited and they didn't have our date, in fact, they didn't have any Saturdays available in December! **Insert panic** Was I too late in this crazy wedding world to find a venue for December 5th?!?! It was still a year away! Oh no!!! My team talked me down--the space was just what I thought we were looking for, but in reality it was a little bit small for our potential numbers. They offer the 'European style' dinner in one room and the reception in an entirely different room...so it could have worked, but alas, it was not meant to be...moving on! Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club (MBYC) http://mamaroneckbeachandyacht.com/. Scott welcomed us at the door and we were immediately charmed, he talked us through the space, painting a picture of the wedding day. There is even a turret room for the bride and her maids to powder their noses and snack before making a grand entrance...could it be any more perfect? There were windows around the entire space and the water view was beautiful - even in the cold winter. AND, they had our date **relax shoulders**. Could this be the one? Was the tickle of excitement in my belly a sign? We weren't done yet though, moving on! Glenn Island http://www.glenisland-harbourclub.com/index2.html. Can you fall in love at first scent? I am not even kidding when I tell you that upon stepping through the front doors we were greeted by the most delicious smell...could it be? Fresh baked cookies? I know fresh baked cookies and that is what I was smelling, the cookie smell was everywhere, it was like a very wonderful dream! We were further charmed by Martin with his lilting Irish brogue, he ushered us through the beautiful space, everything was elegant, marble and gold, very rich. It just kept getting better, there were roughly 15 pages of sample menus included in the per-head price ranging from a raw bar to burgers and mac & cheese. Oh no...another tickle...how could I love two places? This all of a sudden became very difficult. There was only one thing left to do, I had to bring Tim to both places to see if he got a tickle! I was pretty sure that the food selections would be the key to my fiance's heart, but you never know. The beauty of having a partner in this process is that sometimes things simply click for that person, things that could have you worked into a tizzy. Tim got a tickle alright, he really liked both places but it one simple sentence Tim solved the problem, "Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht is more us." And my insightful fiance was indeed right. Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht with it's simple room and clean lines and water view was indeed more "us." all of a sudden a vision started to take place. Within days we had a contract in hand and we had our place!

Learning the Language...

Not unlike vacationing in a foreign country or learning the lingo of a new career, being thrust into the midst of wedding planning comes with it's own language learning curve. I have to admit I LOVE the abbreviations of wedding-speak, but it definitely takes some exposure and experience to get a handle on it. Don't they usually say that the best way to learn the language is to immerse yourself in it? Well I lucked out because my sister got married last June and I was exposed! When my sister was planning her wedding and she referred to me as her MOH I was initially offended - thinking this was some sort of offensive term, and then felt this total acceptance into this secret world of code...a MOH...brilliant! I received an e-mail from my mom in which she referred to herself as the MOB and again, tickled, I began to take note. So here's how it goes...a translation for the novice wedding-speak speaker and a guideline for all of those men out there, these are not of my own creation but I am a big fan:

MOH - maid/matron (that's for you Cass) of honor

MOB - mother of the bride

maid - bridesmaid

DIY - do-it-yourself

DH - Darling Husband

E-ring - Engagement Ring

E-party - Engagement Party

FG - Flower Girl

FI - Fiance

FIL - Father-In-Law

FILs - Future In-Laws

BIL - Brother-In-Law

FIL - Father-In-Law

MIL - Mother-In-Law

SIL - Sister-In-Law

GF - Girlfriend

GM - Groomsmen

HM - Honeymoon

IHO - In Honor Of

ILS - In-laws

NH - New Husband

OOT - Out of town

PSA - Public Service Announcement

RB - Ring Bearer

RD - Rehearsal Dinner

Hahaha...so does that make the best man a BM?!?!

One little word to the wise though...as you embrace this new wedding-speak, do not make the same mistake that I did when I e-mailed my mom about my newly designed save the date cards and said: "Hey Mom, just waiting for the STD proof!"

YIPES!

Guilty Pleasures

Ladies - let's be honest - can you remember a moment when you were standing in the magazine aisle of a store, and all of a sudden your eyes are inexplicably drawn to a beautiful bride smiling at you from the cover of a bridal magazine. Can you remember reaching for it? Then smack! Mentally slapping your hand away...this magazine is not for you! Or how about this - sitting in a nail salon and there it is - a perfect wedding cake glossed onto the cover - and here, no one knows you - 'look inside,' it beckons, 'I'll never tell.' But what if someone sees...what if - gasp - your boyfriend sees...oh no, that will totally freak him out. Come on, admit it, we have all fought this private battle in our head at some point in our lives. So now image me 12 hours post engagement. Brazenly emboldened by the gorgeous diamond winking up at me from my left hand...it was time...I was legit! Lunch -break comes and I hit up CVS - I bought every single glossy paged temptress in the store! Way too many dollars later I was happily ensconced in my office flipping and ripping. I can honestly say the heady buzz a good bridal magazine gives me has not worn off to this day. My beautiful m.o.h, understanding this new found legitimacy, subscribed me to 3...count them 3 whole magazines. I am now the proud recipient of "Modern Bride," "Martha Stewart Weddings," and "Bridal Guide," and wouldn't you know I run to the mailbox every single day...just in case! What a brilliant gift idea!

The Perfect Proposal

Let me start by saying that I am preparing to marry the sweetest most understatedly romantic man ever! He could not have planned a more perfect proposal. Picture this...December 13, 2008, a clear crisp day, a winter chill in the air... OK so that's cheesy, but seriously, it was a beautiful December day, Tim asked me if I would like to go to Longwood Gardens. Longwood Gardens is a sprawling majestic plot of land just northeast of Kennet Square, PA, as rich in history as it is in beauty. The land that houses the gardens today was originally inhabited by the Lenni Lenape tribe. In 1700, a Quaker family (the Pierce family) purchased the property from William Penn, and established it as a working farm, they later began planting an arboretum. The farm was purchased in 1906 by Pierre du Pont so that he could preserve the trees, and between the years 1907 and 1930 he created most of what we enjoy today. The Gardens were turned over to a foundation set up by Mr. du Pont in 1946. He enjoyed the Gardens until his death in 1954, at which point a director was hired to continue to exemplify Mr. du Pont's vision. Every year at Christmastime, all of the trees in the Gardens are draped in lights, there is a figure skating show, hot cider can be purchased at outdoor stands, thethe fountains are filled with cranberries and poinsettias and a magical Christmas wonderland comes to life. Longwood Gardens at Christmas time can make any adult feel like a kid again. It truly is one of my very favorite places in the world. If you haven't been yet, I would highly recommend it. I will be forever partial to Christmas at the Gardens, but it won't let you down in any season!

http://www.longwoodgardens.com/

Tim and I excitedly prepared for our visit...we charged camera batteries and found our hats and gloves. Our visit began with a figure skating show on a frozen outdoor rink under the stars. We walked through the twinkle lights holding hands and listening to the music floating over the trees from the fountain show. Tim dragged me over to a particularly beautiful tree and asked me to take a picture:

I heard him call my name. I spun around and couldn't see him anywhere...he was down on one knee. (It still makes me tear just thinking about it). When I saw him I caught my breath, then he said those four little worlds that completely changed my future..."Will you marry me?" I can't even describe to you the joy I felt, my soul mate, my dream guy...wanted to marry me?!?! I think I managed to say "YES!!!" while tears streamed down my face and I jumped into his arms...a few moments later I heard him mumble into my shoulder..."don't you even want to look at the ring?" I did...and it was beautiful! Could life get any better?!?! Well...I'll tell ya, it didn't end there. Apparently my sweet fiance had been planning and composing something for over a year. We lost my Dad a few years ago, Tim knew how much we all adored and respected my father and it was important to Tim to reach out to my Dad in some way. Tim composed a letter asking my father for my hand in marriage. Knowing how much we all adore and respect my mother, Tim sent the letter to her in my father's place. I have read that letter so many times and yet it still brings tears to my eyes. Longwood Gardens the magical Christmas wonderland became the backdrop for the Perfect Proposal!! Let the planning begin!!!

Welcome

First things first...welcome to those of you that have found your way here. This will be a place to share with you the day to day and the exciting experiences of this amazing time in our lives! My own little corner of the web! I am looking forward to sharing, ever since I was little I was always able to process things by writing them down...therefore, you have a little stream of consciousness to look forward to as well as some (hopefully) well organized thoughts during this wedding planning extravaganza! Soo...kick back, relax, and enjoy the blog!