Well, my little tribe, it's time for an update.

Last night, my parents, Craig, and I went to visit our first potential venue for the wedding.  The Brownstone in Paterson (featured on "The Real Housewives of New Jersey", but that's not why we looked into it haha).  This was #1 on Craig's list because he's been to a few events there and the food was great.  This was #1 on my list because Craig's family settled in Paterson when they moved to America.  They've all since moved out, but they had quite a following when they were there.  I thought it would be nice to bring everyone back to their "roots", so to speak, for our wedding.  I've also heard nothing but wonderful things regarding the food and the service.  Also, Craig loves it because it's in his hometown haha.

Soooooo... Like I mentioned in my last entry, an inside source told me that the Brownstone only had one date available in the fall, and it was a Friday in October.  Well I played with the idea of a Friday wedding for a bit, texted Craig's mom and Charleen and my future bridesmaids about it for their opinions.  Only Charleen was hesitant about it.  But really, I wasn't a huge fan of the idea.  Cuz either you have to take off of work for the wedding or worry about getting there on time after getting out of work.  It seems like a hassle for the guests.  I'd originally told Craig if he loved it enough, I'd book it, but weighing my options, I wasn't loving the idea of a Friday wedding.

I'd pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I'd have to look into other venues and make more appointments to see them, just without Craig, most likely.  Another idea which I didn't love.  And I don't have all the time in the world to be going all over New York and New Jersey looking at venues.  Work is constantly in the way.  I was pretty down in the dumps yesterday, trying to reason with all of this.  Craig told me not to worry, that everything would work out.  But I overanalyze everything of course.  So I went in with low expectations, that way when I didn't get what I wanted (and I h.a.t.e not getting what I want), it wouldn't be such a terrible blow to my ego.

We arrived about 20 minutes early for our appointment, but the liason was running late with another client.  So our 6 p.m. appointment didn't start til about 6:20, which got my mom pissed off.  I was fidgety but not full of anxiety.  Though when I walked into the place, I didn't get that feeling, like, "OMG I have to get married here."  Didn't get that.  And it worried me a bit.  I got that feeling when I found my engagement ring.  KNEW it was THE ONE.  Didn't have that feeling at the Brownstone.  But I figured I'd just go with the flow.  If Craig likes it, we book it (if they have a date), it's just that easy.

So anyway, the liason was a bit of a weirdo.  But he knows someone who worked with my dad, so there was a connection there.  When he asked me about potential dates I was looking at, I told him I was flexible.  He started in October and said there weren't any Saturdays available, but there were quite a few Sundays.  So right there, my mind was at ease.  My inside source was wrong.

Instead of settling on a date immediately, we toured the grounds.  I was impressed, they have a nice space.  A lot of options for how the ceremony could be set up and where to have the cocktail hour while the reception is being set up.  Craig was very impressed by it, told me he loved it.  My parents seemed pretty interested, too.  My dad even asked questions!  Nice.

So then we went back to the office to talk logistics.  He asked if I wanted him to look for date availabilities in September, so I said yes.  Remember, now, that when we first were hatching this idea of getting married (think last August/September), my IDEAL date was September 9th, 2012.  Partially because it's my weekend off lol.  Also because I'd marry Craig on any day, the numbers don't mean that much to me.  Like 9/9 has no significance for us as a couple.  But when I picked that date and thought about it, I was like, "Holy shit, my dad's badge number was 9!"  And we've always considered that a "good luck" number in my family.  So (and this is cheesy) I loooooooved the idea of marrying my best friend on a day that I can a) easily remember and b) honor my father.  It's totally corny, I know that, but it means a lot to me, and my dad is my hero, so this is huge to me.

Well anyway, the liason looks and said there's a day opening for Saturday, September 8th.  Craig goes, "That's fine, lets do that."  I was a little taken aback, as I think he was looking more for an October wedding (not that it really mattered).  And I didn't have my heart set on the 9th anymore because I'd figured they'd be booked up already.  But just for shits I said, "We would take that, but is there anything available for the 9th?"  Craig didn't want a Sunday wedding, but he knew that September 9th was the day I really, truly wanted.  So he looked it up and they had a day slot open!!  So we booked it!!

Save The Date:  September 9th, 2012

I cannot believe we lucked out like that.  We got our first pick venue AND my first pick date!!  Holy shit!

However... I have less than 8 months to plan this wedding hahaha.

Who cares, it'll be done!  I'll start dress shopping in two weeks (Aunt Flo is visiting for the rest of this week and part of next...) and we're gonna work on the guest list this weekend.

I'm so fuckin excited.  I can't believe we got what we wanted!!!  I must've asked Craig a thousand times if he was POSITIVE that he was ok with a Sunday wedding.  He swears he is haha.  He thanked me like 8 times for not being a Bridezilla.  I'll be honest, I was pretty calm about the whole thing (up until they told me they had the date I wanted open and I almost shit myself from sheer joy haha).  And I'm flexible.  I don't need the biggest room or the largest cocktail hour.  I just need to get married and have everyone there haha.  The liason was like, "You're such an easy bride, I'm lucky I got you!  I've seen Bridezillas, and a Bridezilla, you are not!"  Lol weirdo.

There are a few details that Craig and I don't see eye to eye on.  Like I want to send Save the Dates, but he and my mother think that's stupid.  I understand.  It's kind of a waste of postage and most people are gonna throw them out when they get the invitation.  But I want them.  And I'll pay for them.

Anyway, Craig's gonna book a DJ and I have two florists in mind and two photographers to research a bit.

At least things are finally starting to get moving!

The liason asked why I picked the 9th, and I told him.  My mother knew about this plan, as did Craig, but I'd never told my father.  So when I blurted it out, my dad kind of looked surprised, smiled, and said, "Really?"  Like a little kid!  So cute.  And I'm such a Daddy's girl haha.

So since the liason knows a guy my dad used to work with, he gave us a nice discount on the price per head.  I put down the $1G deposit (God forbid I change my mind or something), and then my dad will pick up the rest.  We're looking at about $10G at this point.  Probably less, as I doubt we'll have 100 guests.  Right now, on the list I started, we have 77 to invite.  And I have to guarantee 75.  That's the site minimum.  But I can go as high as 120.  I still haven't finalized the list on Craig's side (I don't know who he's inviting from work, for example), and his parents are gonna give me a list of people they'd like to invite, so that should get us up around 80-90.  We'll be fine.

So that's my update!  I am SUPER excited that we got what we wanted!!  I didn't think it would work out so smoothly haha.

There's a food tasting at the venue on February 8th at 7pm.  Of course I'm working that day.  But I'll see if someone can switch with me or maybe I can take some personal time?  I dunno.  Whatever, we'll see.

My parents are gonna meet Craig's parents this weekend.  We're gonna drive up to his parent's house for the game (Giants are gonna get woofed) and have dinner there.  A little nerve wracking but.... it's time they fuckin met, come on now haha.  And hopefully his parents can join us for the food tasting in February.

Ok, I'm getting a little anxiety thinking about all this, so I'm gonna stop hahaha.  Just wanted to share the good news!!!