From the proposal on the Rim of Crater Lake to the actual Union in Vermont, follow along as we develop plans for our Union Ceremony scheduled for August 2004, celebrating 10 years together.
Announcements, Announcements, Announcements.. I think we’re close on the announcement letter. Tony and I met at the mall about two weeks ago to look at stationery, and thumb through invites. I thought it would be good to have an idea of what we might like the final invite to look like so that the announcement letter could tie in. I was looking for nice, somewhat formal, but at the same time fun, and not form-fitting. I found that at Crane’s. In fact, I found a lot of what I liked at Crane’s.
However, it only took me all of two minutes to figure out there are simply too many options. I was beginning to think what I thought was a simple task, I hoped could be completed in one lunch hour, was going to drag on to weeks. Combine the plethora of options with the lack-luster service and outrageous prices at the Crane Paper Company, the fun and glamour was quickly fading away. I was beginning to begrudge the announcement and invite process. No wonder people have resorted to e-mail and E-vite.
When it was apparent the two sales reps at Crane Paper Company had more interest in talking on the phone than helping me (with my checkbook in hand) place an order, I grabbed Tony and we left. There was no way I was going to turn into Bridezilla this early in the process, so I decided I would find nice stationery somewhere, although I didn’t know where.
Racing towards the food court, having already invested my lunch hour, we passed Papyrus. I didn’t think we’d find anything there, given their walls are covered with greeting cards. We weren’t even in the store when someone approached us and asked if we could be helped. We explained what we were looking for, and in seconds, we were led to a book of invites. “This is the Midtown Bride book,” she said. “I think you’ll like it.” The book fit my criteria perfectly.
“What about these others?” I asked, pointing five other books.
“Those are for the Buckhead Bitches with Daddy’s Checkbook. You don’t want to look at that book.”
Stealing a few ideas, we were able to turn to stationery, and we found some great paper. A lavender half-sheet with deckled edge and matching envelope. Not too fancy, and not too plain. And at less than $100, absolutely perfect.
Resorting to Resorts. Tony has been researching resorts. He’s found eleven (maybe 12) he likes. They all vary in size and amenities, and are scattered around the state. Some are close to towns, and some are in the middle of nowhere. Some have lots to do on-site, and some rely on the activities in the area. I think I’d like a location where we can accommodate everyone, with plenty of activities to participate in, sights to see, or day trips to take. And it would be nice if it were easy to get to. Not to mention, affordable.
Applying those criteria to the list of twelve, and I think it can be quickly whittled down to just a few. Although, I don’t have the patience to sort through them the way Tony has, so I’ve given him the direction to solicit Dan’s help.
Narrowing the list down to the just one I believe is going to be a much more challenging process than we ever anticipated. It comes to balancing the resort size and amenities with cost, keeping in mind what our guests might or might not be able to afford. Taking those concerns and cross-referencing easy-access or things to do, and I think we’ll find polar opposites.
Nailing down a resort however is necessary for us to continue charging forward. It’s standing in front of developing a budget, confirming plans, making arrangements or any other task.
We’ve scheduled a trip to Vermont with Dan and Sean for April, and we’ll be visiting the two or three top choices Dan and Tony recommend. Tony would like to spend the night, tour the facility and eat a meal at each resort. That seems a bit thorough for me, so I am looking forward to having Dan and Sean along to help us make the final decision. Tony wants to know all the details, and compare and contrast (as evidenced by the spreadsheets he’s gathered). I, on the other hand, just need to feel the energy.
