Blogging Neglect
As much as this blogging this was a genius idea to keep all of our friends and family updated during the chaos 
of our wedding planning, I guess we neglected to accept the fact that as the date gets closer, sitting down in front of the computer and writing about everything we are doing is virtually impossible. "Blogging" has quickly crept its way down our massive to do list, but to no avail, we are back!
We're hoping you all didn't totally bail on reading joelovesmarisa after being deprived for such a long stint--and we promise to do our best to even write very brief posts about the million and two bijillion things we are doing right now!
So keep on checking and we'll keep 'em coming!
Now if only I could somehow blog from the Blackberry....
of our wedding planning, I guess we neglected to accept the fact that as the date gets closer, sitting down in front of the computer and writing about everything we are doing is virtually impossible. "Blogging" has quickly crept its way down our massive to do list, but to no avail, we are back!We're hoping you all didn't totally bail on reading joelovesmarisa after being deprived for such a long stint--and we promise to do our best to even write very brief posts about the million and two bijillion things we are doing right now!
So keep on checking and we'll keep 'em coming!
Now if only I could somehow blog from the Blackberry....
Honor Thy Father
A lot of you reading, may have already heard this before, but for those of you who haven't, today's the day to share it with all of you. Written by my brother's best friend, Tommy Bushnell, this memoir is the best written explanation of the amazing man my father was:
"Only real men wear pink, Tommy." Rick Montano was one of the most kind, gentle, generous and real men that I have ever met. This may sound a bit cliched, but it's the truth. He was the consummate provider-- a hard worker, a wonderful father and a true friend. I spent many afternoons at the Casa del Ricky and am fortunate and privileged enough to have witnessed this first hand. Rick loved to talk to people because he genuinely loved people. Who else could take a snipet from a television show on the 1972 Miami Dolphins and turn it into a 45-minute dissertation on the difference between the bottle-nosed dolphin and the porpoise? Only Rick. This may seem arbitrary or obnoxious, but it never was. It was real, an opportunity to banter back and forth, laugh with each other, and, most importantly, share company with a friend... "Only real men wear pink, Tommy."
There was nothing Rick loved more than his children, my friends Jared, Joe, Marisa. Unlike his calloused hands, there was nothing insensitive about Rick, especially when it came to his kids. You could tell that his eyes lit up and his heart melted when he spoke of them. When others questioned their decisions, he stood up for them, stronger than ever, never waivering in his pride and confidence in them, always stoic, a beacon of fatherdom... "Only real men wear pink, Tommy." I have never seen anyone work harder in order to provide his children with what they needed.
Rick painted his entire house in Knollwood, including the chimney, green. He used to say, "Geniuses pick green." Yes, Rick, I know. Rick was not a genius in terms of Einstein or Freud, but yes, Rick, I now really know that you geniuses pick green because you were a genius in raising your children, in providing them with an indestructible blueprint for success-- a very simple equation- impeccable character plus hard work plus love. I am writing this while on a train to London, but my upcoming voyage is the furthest thing from my mind and heart, which remain at home. I am devastated that I cannot be with you all to celebrate the life of Rick Montano. Nonetheless, I offer my heart and prayers to Rick, Jared, Joe, Marisa, Mrs. Montano...family and friends.
If I may offer some advice in absentia-- to Jared, Joe and Marisa- to continue to follow in your father's footsteps because that can only lead to greatness and happiness. To Jared, my dearest friend and brother...I share in your father's pride and confidence in you. My prayers and love are with you. To Rick, I am going to wear my pink shirt tomorrow. "Hey, only real men wear pink, Tommy." Well, Rick, then you should have worn pink everyday.
See Joe's tribute to his dad on his personal blog.
Big Bro's 3-0
Contrary to Joe's family, members of mine don't all live within five miles of one another. So this past weekend, all of us drove between 69 and 100 miles to meet at a very strategically chosen point of interest to celebrate my big brother's big 3-0. By strategic, I mean, I think Ryan (my sister-in-law) literally laid out a map and measured which small town was located with the least wavering radius to each of our home towns of Antrim, NH; Farmington, CT; Old Saybrook, CT and Wallingford, CT. How else does one "stumble" upon a spot located 75, 69, 100, and 83 miles, respectively, from where we each lay our heads. She probably would have gotten more precise if there was actually a restaurant in every small town, but as you head more and more north, they are few and far between. It just so happened this one was...conveniently off the highway...had a patio...and good beer. Job well done, Ryan. No controversey there. Here are a few pics of our Saturday afternoon lunch."Homewood" is Where the Heart is...
Here is the all-suite hotel info, as promised. With all rooms comes free breakfast, which is not continental, we like to think its a bit more sophisticated than that.Homewood Suites by Hilton Hartford Downtown
338 Asylum Street
Hartford, CT
United States, 06103
Tel: 860-524-0223
Fax: 860-524-0264
If you didn't already know, its the "Montano-Faraoni Wedding" on 9.26.09. Rooms have been blocked off and ready for your booking.
The hotel is within walking distance of all the restaurants and entertainment Hartford has to offer! Not to mention, a few blocks from our wedding.
Check out our "Preferred Vendors" List
We wanted to include something on our blog to help out other people planning weddings or any type of event. Throughout the process, Joe and I put a lot of weight on (trusted) people's opinions and referrals, rather than any online or magazine ratings. We could really care less if you're a 4- or 5-star whatever, because if we don't like the person we have to deal with, well we could give a %&$# less if you have the finest caviar or view in the state.
If you're good people, and have the customer's best interest and vision in mind...we like you and think you deserve props! So, there's a measily start at our list to the right, but we plan on updating. And if you've been following our blog and/or just know how many other vendors/businesses we've dealt with but did not select, we're happy to give those opinions as well. We just don't think it's proper to hate on them on our blog.
Home (Not so) Sweet Home
What a welcome home party we got today! As I was getting off the highway after running some errands, I thought, "UGH! The usual midday traffic on Route 4. Why did I get off this exit?!" (sidenote: the reason was because I was on the phone with Joe and lost track of what I was doing. Literally, in the ten second span it took me to locate, pick up, and answer my phone, I saw 1, 2, 3, ...12... I can't keep up!.... town and state police. I say "hi" to Joe, and I'm baffled by three news crews as I round the bend to make my way to the center of town. WFT!? "I'll just cut down the side street to avoid this mess." Think again--road blocked by another cop. "Ok, I'll just go down the road at the main intersection." Not-uh. Road blocked by fire truck. As I have to make my way through the insanity that pervades through the middle of quaint little Farmington, Joe tells me there is a manhunt going on for something that happened the town over in Bristol. I think, come on, Farmington, is it really that serious?! All you uppity people have your knickers in a bunch. So as I'm sitting in bumper to bumper traffice on Garden Street (which is usually a secret cut through, only really travelled by residents and Miss Porter's students), and I check the news on the ol' Crackberry and find out it's a lot more serious than I thought, with police, news, and hounds, targeting specifically...you guessed it, our neighborhood to find the armed robber. By the time I got home, with helicoptors swarming overhead, I read that police are "urging residents to stay inside." Who wants to stay inside your place when you have armed robbers around!? I say, grab your stuff for work and get the ^&$ out!
Edible Underwear, Nono Turns 80!
I hate nothing more than being delayed at the airport... our flight went from 5:40 departure to 6:20, 7:20, now its been pushed to 7:50! Its now 20 minutes till our departure and no plane at the gate. Yippee! Our misfortune leads to your reading pleasure.This weekend we traveled to our favorite destination to celebrate my grandfather's, (Nono, for those of you Italians) 80th birthday.
When traveling to Orlando, Marisa and I must prepare ourselves like Takeru Kobayashi or Joey Chestnut to even begin to hang with the inordinate eating and drinking that goes on with my family in Orlando. We usually start a couple weeks ahead of time by drinking entire gallons of water to expand our stomachs followed by bread, roast beast and turnips. The weight of these foods really does a number on stretching your stomach to capacity. Just kidding.
We love hanging with family and not only were we there for for Nono's 80th but we were surprised with a secret Jack and Jill Wedding Shower! We have lots of gifts (including a frisbey that strangely resembles the upper female anatomy along with far more pairs of edible undies than anyone should consume) and had to figure out how to pack them all and get them home safely. I mean, we don't want all that "food" going to waste!
I can't believe the multiplication my family has made in the last few months. There seemed to be babies everywhere... not comlaining cause damn they are cute!
This weekend was full of excitement. An 80th birthday party, a secret shower, an amazing cake tasting and the "Blue and White Ignite" crew making it to the Finals!
BTW, Piston or Celtic fans would never use a Britney song, by name of Circus, to make a hightlight reel! Just saying!
In all, this weekend was great and if you are coming to the bachelor or bachelorette party do some research on competitive eating. Please, no more edi-undies.
April Showers Bring May...Blackberries
According to "professionals" we should have locked in our florist back in January. Who thinks about flowers during Winter in New England? Apparently The Knot thinks by putting a pink "!" next to the checkbox on "THIS MONTHS TO DOS" will make me conquer this task quicker. Like I need a pink exclamation point to tell me I'm behind. The "gurus" over at The Knot obviously don't take real world circumstances (or bank accounts) into consideration. Come on, you have a multimedia editor and youth crisis counselor financing their own wedding; bear with us, people! Please, back in Jan, all Joe & I knew was that we were getting married. We did a whole lot in those first four months, as you can tell. It wasn't even until the end of March we even had a place to hold our wedding! We figured we'd just have you all follow us down to City Hall on 9.26.09 and maybe have a pubcrawl after.Flowers! Who cares about flowers when you don't even have a freakin' place to party!?
Since Joe & I have stepped up our game since January (actually have a place, someone to marry us, and someone to pla
y a few tunes for our guests), my mission this month (four months late), is to get a stinkin' florist. However, every FAQs list online for florist is for your typical "wedding florist" and there's no way we're paying that kind of mark up. We're going with a wholesaler, who I have no idea what you are supposed to ask...and I absolutely dread making redundant phone calls around to vendors. (Wedding planning ain't all it's cracked up to be ladies). But speaking of "crack," I think Joe only bought my new Crackberry so I wouldn't have excuses to not get wedding $%&* done. What can I really come up with when I have phone, email, and internet at my disposal no matter where I am?Oh yeah, "Sorry babe. I was blogging!"
Luna de Miel
"I have one thing that counts, and that is my heart; it burns in my soul, it aches in my flesh, and it ignites my nerves" ~Eva Peron
What better way to start our new life together, than to get to the roots! Faraoni roots...Joe and I will be venturing to "The Paris of South America," Buenos Aires, Argentina for our "luna de miel" and could NOT be more excited!
When we first started talking about this honeymoon business way-back-when, Argentina was a hot topic--especially Joe's desire to explore his family's culture--and if I'm going to accept the Faraoni name, I better learn some background info as well. Of course, with economy being the other indisputable hot topic, we were forced to look into other options, and yes, Disney Cruise, was a major front-runner for a while due to Joe's ESPN/Disney ties (aka discount).
"Honeymoon" ke
pt making it's way farther and farther down the "To Do" list and was put on back burner for a while, UNTIL Joe stumbled across some deals online. With the help of some very knowledgeable coworkers, some researching, and very little convincing, Joe won me over (again).
In all actuality, it was one of those things we just had to go with our hearts--as we've done for most of this process. Despite the ups and downs, the "what ifs," and researching, this was just another case where we knew from the beginning.
And as our friend Til says "if [we] put as much thought as we have into planning our wedding, into everything we do, we'll be alright."
Buenos Aires, here we come.
What better way to start our new life together, than to get to the roots! Faraoni roots...Joe and I will be venturing to "The Paris of South America," Buenos Aires, Argentina for our "luna de miel" and could NOT be more excited!
When we first started talking about this honeymoon business way-back-when, Argentina was a hot topic--especially Joe's desire to explore his family's culture--and if I'm going to accept the Faraoni name, I better learn some background info as well. Of course, with economy being the other indisputable hot topic, we were forced to look into other options, and yes, Disney Cruise, was a major front-runner for a while due to Joe's ESPN/Disney ties (aka discount).
"Honeymoon" ke
pt making it's way farther and farther down the "To Do" list and was put on back burner for a while, UNTIL Joe stumbled across some deals online. With the help of some very knowledgeable coworkers, some researching, and very little convincing, Joe won me over (again).In all actuality, it was one of those things we just had to go with our hearts--as we've done for most of this process. Despite the ups and downs, the "what ifs," and researching, this was just another case where we knew from the beginning.
And as our friend Til says "if [we] put as much thought as we have into planning our wedding, into everything we do, we'll be alright."
Buenos Aires, here we come.
Plugging in...
Have you guessed where we are going yet?
Well we booked it last night. Things couldn't have fallen into place better then they did in the last couple of days concerning our honeymoon...
I can't wait!
Back to Basics
Amidst all the chaos that has ensued during our planning, I'd say approximately 2% of our energy has gone into thinking about the ceremony. And it showed when we sat down to meet with a Justice of the Peace last night.
"So what were you thinking?" she says.[insert awkward silence by Joe & I] Thinking? Uhhh, we were thinking...we want it short...?
Sara (who is now booked as our JP!) is the sweetest, most genuine woman I think we have ever met. "She's like an older version of [co-maid of honor] Emily," Joe says as we're walking to the car. That pretty much sums up how perfect she is for our wedding.
Contrary to Joe and I being completely unprepared (other than bringing our checkbook that we didn't need), Sara had a ple thora of information about 'tying the knot' in Connectic ut--and as a bonus--weddings at the Old State Hou se.
Sa r a and he r th e r a p e u tic v oice wer e just what we needed at this point in our planning. Throughout all the in for matio n, de tails, and options she gave us, it was very important to her to remind us (how ironic) why everyone is coming to see us in the first place. Of course everyone wants to eat, drink, & be merry, but the important part is that everyone is celebrating because Joe & I will legally have to put up with each other for the rest of our lives!
I mean......because Joe & I will have publicly fortified a bond that already exists with the blessings of our friends and families--on such an imp ortant day.
"So what were you thinking?" she says.
Sara (who is now booked as our JP!) is the sweetest, most genuine woman I think we have ever met. "She's like an older version of [co-maid of honor] Emily," Joe says as we're walking to the car. That pretty much sums up how perfect she is for our wedding.
I mean......because Joe & I will have publicly
Progress.
“Progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ain't that the truth! Sing it Ralphie... Ralphie? --> "You'll shoot your eye out" I couldn't help it. I digress.
This Waldo guy must have a quote for everything! I think he's the guy that even coined the, "Beer - helping ugly people have sex since 1862" phraseology. I mean, hell, he was around in 1862. Waldo was way ahead of his time.
In all seriousness, Marisa and I have really made progress in all parts of the wedding plans. We have selected a photographer, we only need to send in our deposit on a DJ, are in the early stages of selecting/designing invitations and have a tasting this Thursday to figure out what y'all folks is eating on the day of our nuptials. Yum!
Kathy, Marisa's Mom, has been busy arranging hotel accommodations for everyone and meeting us in Hartford to indulge in food and beverage for the wedding. She's in the finalizing steps with the hotel, so stay tuned. Thanks Kathy!
My better half, and I mean that in every way possible, has been relentless in asking my opinions, dragging me to appointments, and lugging snacks in her "bride bag" to all our meetings. She has been so great in all this, a bit stressed but great. I can't even begin to explain the amount of research and time she has put into this process, especially in the last month or so. I am marrying an incredible woman.
Anyway, once details are finalized we will be sure to post them here for all to see. We won't purposely leave you hanging.
Tiny Tumbling with Lucy
After very little sleep (due to a late night celebrating Shannon's send off), Joe & I got up Saturday morning to go to my niece Lucy's early morning toddler gymnastics class at Wallingford Park & Rec. Here are some of the photos Joe caught of Lucy & her dad, my big brother Jared.
We are so famous this week!
Joe & I were published in 3 different places this week! Small town paper, Bristol Press, for our commitment to United Way; In The Nest, sister magazine to The Knot, in a money management article written by Marisa's college friend, Caitlin Moscatello; & Joe's photo for ESPN was credited in USA Today!
<---shown here
READ ABOUT US!
*United Way Honors Community Builders at Annual Ceremony
*Real Couple Budget Rehab: Marisa & Joe
(Joe: "Upper V", Marisa: "Upper E" in "LIVE UNITED" ---->)
Eat, Sleep, Drink, & Be Merry
That's what we want to make sure our guests do while they come visit!Now that we have officially nailed down our venue, we are working on choosing the best options for accommodations, rehearsal, and good ol' fun for anyone who is staying a bit longer.
Thank you to my mom for doing all the nasty legwork of calling area hotels-- & to the three hottest budget analysts around (Em, Sarah, & Marcy for those of you who don't know) down at the LOB for your thoughts and opinions of downtown restaurants!
Here's a glimpse of what I've got going. Hopefully we'll have some decisions made soon:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Its really going to happen!
Just shy of six months to go and our venue is finally in the bag.
Most of you probably didn't know but we were close to signing a contract twice and neither panned out. There is no better way to explain it other than it just didn't feel right.
I have to give my brother some credit on this one. Although he didn't really do anything, it was because of his visit to CT and my wanting to show him where we were (supposed to be) getting married that Marisa and I had a change of heart. While there, Marisa expressed her worries and emotions with the venue we were close to finalizing. Can you think of the best way to console her? Exactly, drive her and my brother passed where we really wanted to get married, the Old State House! As we drove passed, no words were said, puppy dog faces were displayed and thoughts were pouring through our heads.
I've always been a believer in the idea that when things are meant to happen they just fall into place. This time they did. While babysitting later that day, Marisa went online to check the OSH website. Low and behold, their prices had dropped dramatically, someone responded to our email and an appointment was made.
Our appointment was yesterday afternoon... When we walked into the Old State House Marisa and I looked at each other and that was it. We needed to see no more. I walked around like a tourist taking photos and video. We chatted briefly, looked over the contract, agreed, kissed one another and signed the contract! It might have taken a frustrating first six months with two failed attempts to get it right, but this time, in only six days, we got it-
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, She's Mine.
Check out my photos of the Old State House
Event Planner ExTrAoRdiNaiRe
MICHELLE LYNCH EVENTS
michelle.lynch@rocketmail.com
I've been wanting to put this post up for a while, but haven't been able to devote substantial time and creativity that this post (and person) really deserve. However, I feel that it has been far too long that we have not appropriately recognized her and how much she has done behind the scenes of everything you read about here.
Michelle Lynch, our planner, deserves so much more than this measly blog post, but we hope that if we start now, by 9.26.09, we will be able to encompass and articulate exactly how
much we appreciate her help.
There is no good place to start (same goes for wedding planning in my opinion!) but I will start with the ugly stuff. Michelle gracefully tackles the miserable legwork any bride cringes at the thought of. Phone calls, emails, follow-ups, appointments? She can do it all, in no time flat. Not to mention has a knack for tracking people down, getting them to work to our idea of a wedding and not what the wedding industry thinks it should be. It was presented to Michelle very early on, that Joe & I did not want a typical nor traditional wedding. It would probably be a whole lot easier on her if we wanted to celebrate at a banquet hall with a big ol' budget and she could bang this right out, but of course, we've had her tweaking her brain from day one to help us create something unique. We've gone from one end of the state to the other to find what we really want and she hasn't batted an eyelash at any of it. She always shows up, grin on her face and ready to get down to business. She has done an outstanding job representing us, working to get what we want, on our budget. Even when things didn't go as planned or hoped, Michelle has been a positive burst of energy to keep us looking forward.
As a planner, Michelle promises to create an event that her clients envision, creatively & budgetarily--one that guests will never forget. She will put thought into every detail until completion and exceed your expectations of her and her company.
Michelle can provide an array of services and has a number of contacts to assist in your planning. Concept Development, Invitations, RSVPs, Menu & Venue Selection, Decorations, & Entertainment, & Execution are just the basics. Michelle can and will provide so much more. She is a plethora of ideas & advice, a neutral third party when you need it most, and a strong communicator to help you get what you want out of your event.
She has made every bit of our planning that much easier and is eager to help plan events of all kinds--large or small, formal or casual. When working with her, you can tell it is not only her job, but her passion. Contact her for any further info on event planning or feel free to contact us for any reference info as well. We are happy to recommend her to assist in your planning.
michelle.lynch@rocketmail.com
I've been wanting to put this post up for a while, but haven't been able to devote substantial time and creativity that this post (and person) really deserve. However, I feel that it has been far too long that we have not appropriately recognized her and how much she has done behind the scenes of everything you read about here.
Michelle Lynch, our planner, deserves so much more than this measly blog post, but we hope that if we start now, by 9.26.09, we will be able to encompass and articulate exactly how
much we appreciate her help.There is no good place to start (same goes for wedding planning in my opinion!) but I will start with the ugly stuff. Michelle gracefully tackles the miserable legwork any bride cringes at the thought of. Phone calls, emails, follow-ups, appointments? She can do it all, in no time flat. Not to mention has a knack for tracking people down, getting them to work to our idea of a wedding and not what the wedding industry thinks it should be. It was presented to Michelle very early on, that Joe & I did not want a typical nor traditional wedding. It would probably be a whole lot easier on her if we wanted to celebrate at a banquet hall with a big ol' budget and she could bang this right out, but of course, we've had her tweaking her brain from day one to help us create something unique. We've gone from one end of the state to the other to find what we really want and she hasn't batted an eyelash at any of it. She always shows up, grin on her face and ready to get down to business. She has done an outstanding job representing us, working to get what we want, on our budget. Even when things didn't go as planned or hoped, Michelle has been a positive burst of energy to keep us looking forward.
As a planner, Michelle promises to create an event that her clients envision, creatively & budgetarily--one that guests will never forget. She will put thought into every detail until completion and exceed your expectations of her and her company.
Michelle can provide an array of services and has a number of contacts to assist in your planning. Concept Development, Invitations, RSVPs, Menu & Venue Selection, Decorations, & Entertainment, & Execution are just the basics. Michelle can and will provide so much more. She is a plethora of ideas & advice, a neutral third party when you need it most, and a strong communicator to help you get what you want out of your event.
She has made every bit of our planning that much easier and is eager to help plan events of all kinds--large or small, formal or casual. When working with her, you can tell it is not only her job, but her passion. Contact her for any further info on event planning or feel free to contact us for any reference info as well. We are happy to recommend her to assist in your planning.
Wedding Agenda: March
Sign Contr
act with Venue
Yes, we are still working on this. The person representing the venue is 'laid back,' to put it mildly. Everything has fallen into place slowly but surely (at least that's how we feel) but should be finalized any day now with the help of our planner, Michelle, who luckily knows how to track people down and get them to do what we want. :)
Meet with Caterer We lucked out!!! We are going to be able to use the caterers we originally hoped for. DISH is a new restaurant in downtown Hartford and was voted Best New Restaurant of 2008 in the Advocate. We can't wait to work with Audrey, the catering manager, who we luckily found through someone I work with (one of the few components of this that we knew we wanted from the beginning). Soon, we will go back to taste some food and choose the menu.
Block Hotel Rooms As soon as we put a deposit on the venue, we will be contacting area hotels to block off room for our guests. Unlike our original venue, there will be plenty to choose from within a very short distance. This was a huge factor for us. Joe and I didn't want anyone having to even think twice or worry about driving anywhere. Now, there will be plenty of options for places to stay and to avoid driving. We will let you know the accommodations as soon as possible.
Visit/Cho
ose Florist Luckily, we will be able to go to a wholesale florist, with the intent of keeping cost down because Joe's mom and aunts offered to put our arrangements and bouquets together, as they have done for all the other family weddings. This is something I need to get on. I have a very hard time making concrete decisions about anything (if you couldn't tell already). I feel like if I go and meet with anyone, I have to give them my life. I feel so bad saying no, like I'm going to hurt people's feelings for not giving them the business. Then, I go home and I'm like, "why did I tell them I'd be in touch...I won't be in touch..."
Ask my friend Andrea. We went back to Priscilla of Boston this past weekend, so she could try her bridesmaid dress on. I had originally gone to try on gowns knowing I wasn't going to buy one there. I felt so guilty when we walked in this past Sunday (like they actually remembered my face from the millions of people that go in there!) I had to blurt out first thing that I had been there and loved a dress, but that my fiancee's grandmother was going to be making my dress and repeatedly apologized. Of course there answer was "that's the business." It really wasn't a big deal. I'm just a nut.
Choose Photographer We have a potential candidate, not your typical wedding photographer. Someone Joe knows, but nothing set in stone yet. So if anyone knows of someone who is eager to shoot and create great photos, let us know. However, they'll have to present their work to Joe--he's the judge of this one, so if you just like to point-and-shoot, you're out of luck. We don't necessarily want your regular ol' cheesy wedding photographer (who thinks their you-know-what-don't stink), but rather someone who can catch some great candids. It's too bad Joe can't shoot our own wedding!
Do not go completely MAD
All this planning--on a budget--can make a couple go completely insane. I could not even count how many times the word "elope" has come up in either Joe or my vocabulary in the past five months. We really appreciate everyone being as supportive as possible. There's a lot up in the air right now (hence why we haven't really been on here), so we hope this update helps. We will be back in action and not leaving you hanging this long again!!
act with VenueYes, we are still working on this. The person representing the venue is 'laid back,' to put it mildly. Everything has fallen into place slowly but surely (at least that's how we feel) but should be finalized any day now with the help of our planner, Michelle, who luckily knows how to track people down and get them to do what we want. :)
Choose DJ We thought we lucked out with a DJ that is a regular where Shannon works at Tango in Glastonbury, but turns out he had already met with a couple for the same date and as soon as he said someone else was interested in his services, they gave him a deposit. So the search is back on. We have a handful of people who are available for our date, we just need to meet and decide who is right for us..and you! Cause we all know how much both sides of this wedding like to party.... ;)
Meet with Caterer We lucked out!!! We are going to be able to use the caterers we originally hoped for. DISH is a new restaurant in downtown Hartford and was voted Best New Restaurant of 2008 in the Advocate. We can't wait to work with Audrey, the catering manager, who we luckily found through someone I work with (one of the few components of this that we knew we wanted from the beginning). Soon, we will go back to taste some food and choose the menu.
Block Hotel Rooms As soon as we put a deposit on the venue, we will be contacting area hotels to block off room for our guests. Unlike our original venue, there will be plenty to choose from within a very short distance. This was a huge factor for us. Joe and I didn't want anyone having to even think twice or worry about driving anywhere. Now, there will be plenty of options for places to stay and to avoid driving. We will let you know the accommodations as soon as possible.
Visit/Cho
ose Florist Luckily, we will be able to go to a wholesale florist, with the intent of keeping cost down because Joe's mom and aunts offered to put our arrangements and bouquets together, as they have done for all the other family weddings. This is something I need to get on. I have a very hard time making concrete decisions about anything (if you couldn't tell already). I feel like if I go and meet with anyone, I have to give them my life. I feel so bad saying no, like I'm going to hurt people's feelings for not giving them the business. Then, I go home and I'm like, "why did I tell them I'd be in touch...I won't be in touch..."Ask my friend Andrea. We went back to Priscilla of Boston this past weekend, so she could try her bridesmaid dress on. I had originally gone to try on gowns knowing I wasn't going to buy one there. I felt so guilty when we walked in this past Sunday (like they actually remembered my face from the millions of people that go in there!) I had to blurt out first thing that I had been there and loved a dress, but that my fiancee's grandmother was going to be making my dress and repeatedly apologized. Of course there answer was "that's the business." It really wasn't a big deal. I'm just a nut.
Choose Photographer We have a potential candidate, not your typical wedding photographer. Someone Joe knows, but nothing set in stone yet. So if anyone knows of someone who is eager to shoot and create great photos, let us know. However, they'll have to present their work to Joe--he's the judge of this one, so if you just like to point-and-shoot, you're out of luck. We don't necessarily want your regular ol' cheesy wedding photographer (who thinks their you-know-what-don't stink), but rather someone who can catch some great candids. It's too bad Joe can't shoot our own wedding!
Do not go completely MAD
All this planning--on a budget--can make a couple go completely insane. I could not even count how many times the word "elope" has come up in either Joe or my vocabulary in the past five months. We really appreciate everyone being as supportive as possible. There's a lot up in the air right now (hence why we haven't really been on here), so we hope this update helps. We will be back in action and not leaving you hanging this long again!!February has passed and there was no post!!!
Sorry, everyone! Apparently we were busier than we thought. Here's the rundown of what happened in Feb:
At the beginning of the month, Joe hiked Mt. Washington in the freezing cold & slept in a snow fort. Check out the pics:
Marisa kept busy w/ girls' get togethers like a Lia Sofia party, Girls Night Out to see "H
e's Just Not That Into You" with fellow sig others of the crazies on Mt Washington, and also did some bridesmaid dress try-ons w/ Shan & Em @ White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, Ct. Not to mention, finalized the design for her wedding dress and sent it on to the master, Joe's oh-so-talented grandmother with the help of Joe's gracious mother/translator/clarifier.
Joe & I also went away for a weekend to Lake George, NY--not your typical Winter getaway, but that was the point. We didn't really want to be somewhere where there was a lot going on. We celebrated V Day & more importantly, our two year anniversary with a weekend of relaxation. I got to go to the spa! while Joe caught some photos of the Winter Carnival.
We cashed in Joe's Christmas present on 2/20 and saw Ryan Adams & the Cardinals live in concert at the Shubert in New Haven. Unfortunately, when we turned the camera on, the battery was dead, so we have no photos to show you. However, we can tell you that it was a great venue for a concert and they were awesome. I snagged a video from YouTube from someone who was also there so you can see for yourself (kinda):
*ANOTHER POST COMING VERY SOON*
At the beginning of the month, Joe hiked Mt. Washington in the freezing cold & slept in a snow fort. Check out the pics:
Marisa kept busy w/ girls' get togethers like a Lia Sofia party, Girls Night Out to see "H
e's Just Not That Into You" with fellow sig others of the crazies on Mt Washington, and also did some bridesmaid dress try-ons w/ Shan & Em @ White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, Ct. Not to mention, finalized the design for her wedding dress and sent it on to the master, Joe's oh-so-talented grandmother with the help of Joe's gracious mother/translator/clarifier.
Joe & I also went away for a weekend to Lake George, NY--not your typical Winter getaway, but that was the point. We didn't really want to be somewhere where there was a lot going on. We celebrated V Day & more importantly, our two year anniversary with a weekend of relaxation. I got to go to the spa! while Joe caught some photos of the Winter Carnival.
We cashed in Joe's Christmas present on 2/20 and saw Ryan Adams & the Cardinals live in concert at the Shubert in New Haven. Unfortunately, when we turned the camera on, the battery was dead, so we have no photos to show you. However, we can tell you that it was a great venue for a concert and they were awesome. I snagged a video from YouTube from someone who was also there so you can see for yourself (kinda):
*ANOTHER POST COMING VERY SOON*
Engagement Party Photos
Enjoy the pictures of our engagement party!!!
Held at Wood-N-Tap in Hartford (after party at Pour House, downtown) & thrown by the two best Maids of Honor that ever could be. One of the kids I work with asked me today why I have two maids of honor; "because you couldn't choose?" I told her, "I didn't want to." Emily & Shannon: you two are so incredibly important to me (now us), each in your own unique and individual ways. There was never a doubt in my mind, that I wanted both of you right by my side through all of this. You truly went above and beyond. We could never thank you enough for such a memorable party.
Thanks so much to all who attended and to all who could not be there but sent their love. We love you all.
New Year, New Update, New Plans
The Holidays:
My plan was to get some wedding stuff organized on the plane to Cincinnati to see Joe's parents for the holidays. That plan failed the moment I sat down in my last-row-next-to-the-bathroom seat on a tiny little hopper pla
ne--separated from Joe, in seat B2--me, next to a man who insisted on telling me all his bad experiences on "NorthWorst Airlines," and everyone congregating around me waiting for the lav while we all sat on this dinky excuse for a plane for FOUR hours, waiting for the stewardess to tell us one more time that she doesn't have any information as to when we were leaving. Can we say, anxiety???
It felt uncomfortably similar to when Joe, Lela, Ricky, & I (Joe's cousins) went on the Mission: SPACE rid
e at Epcot. The thought of getting in an enclosed spaceship didn't cross my mind after a few grown-up libations at Rainforest Cafe--Until, they crammed me in the ship, shoved me into my harness, slammed the door shut next to me, and spun us around.
Only this time, on the plane to Cincinnati, the worst part was, the stewardess couldn't serve any alcoholic beverages to calm my nerves because "we aren't in flight." Yeah, thanks for reminding me we aren't in flight yet. Eventually, we made it to Cincinnati, after a few minor panic attacks and frantic texts to Joe in B2.
The Update:
We have said "goodbye" to the venue we originally chose: EO Art Lab in Chester, Connecticut. Although when we first saw the space and thought it was awesome, there were too many glitches and hang-ups in the plan. Bottom line was, it just didn't feel right any more. It's not quite perfect for us and our guests. So, we broke it off with them, and DISH as our caterer for the wedding. Although we love Audrey (catering manager) and DISH's menu and style, our prospect for a new venue includes catering. Audrey & DISH: we hope to meet again. If not for wedding-related planning, definitely as a place to go out in Hartford and we highly recommend DISH as caterers for any event. Audrey is fantastic to work with!
The Plans:
We are excited about our new potential wedding site. Yes, it is on the massive list to the right. And actually, it was one that had been on the list from the start, but we didn't think it fit our needs at the beginning of this crazy planning process. Luckily, we are back in touch with the manager and we hope to iron some stuff out and quickly finalize our venue. Now that we know all the right questions to ask up front, we are hoping this attempt goes much smoother. With more space and more convenience in location for our guests, we anticipate it being less-stressful and leave (literally) more room for partying and just plain ol' fun!
My plan was to get some wedding stuff organized on the plane to Cincinnati to see Joe's parents for the holidays. That plan failed the moment I sat down in my last-row-next-to-the-bathroom seat on a tiny little hopper pla
ne--separated from Joe, in seat B2--me, next to a man who insisted on telling me all his bad experiences on "NorthWorst Airlines," and everyone congregating around me waiting for the lav while we all sat on this dinky excuse for a plane for FOUR hours, waiting for the stewardess to tell us one more time that she doesn't have any information as to when we were leaving. Can we say, anxiety???It felt uncomfortably similar to when Joe, Lela, Ricky, & I (Joe's cousins) went on the Mission: SPACE rid
e at Epcot. The thought of getting in an enclosed spaceship didn't cross my mind after a few grown-up libations at Rainforest Cafe--Until, they crammed me in the ship, shoved me into my harness, slammed the door shut next to me, and spun us around.Only this time, on the plane to Cincinnati, the worst part was, the stewardess couldn't serve any alcoholic beverages to calm my nerves because "we aren't in flight." Yeah, thanks for reminding me we aren't in flight yet. Eventually, we made it to Cincinnati, after a few minor panic attacks and frantic texts to Joe in B2.
The Update:
We have said "goodbye" to the venue we originally chose: EO Art Lab in Chester, Connecticut. Although when we first saw the space and thought it was awesome, there were too many glitches and hang-ups in the plan. Bottom line was, it just didn't feel right any more. It's not quite perfect for us and our guests. So, we broke it off with them, and DISH as our caterer for the wedding. Although we love Audrey (catering manager) and DISH's menu and style, our prospect for a new venue includes catering. Audrey & DISH: we hope to meet again. If not for wedding-related planning, definitely as a place to go out in Hartford and we highly recommend DISH as caterers for any event. Audrey is fantastic to work with!
The Plans:
We are excited about our new potential wedding site. Yes, it is on the massive list to the right. And actually, it was one that had been on the list from the start, but we didn't think it fit our needs at the beginning of this crazy planning process. Luckily, we are back in touch with the manager and we hope to iron some stuff out and quickly finalize our venue. Now that we know all the right questions to ask up front, we are hoping this attempt goes much smoother. With more space and more convenience in location for our guests, we anticipate it being less-stressful and leave (literally) more room for partying and just plain ol' fun!
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