Don't act like you don't know what it is. Of course you do, I'm sure that's how you ended up here in the first place. You start out looking at one of the blogs you're following, that's linked to another, a nice comment from someone so you click over & check out their blog, their blog list is new & before you know it, you have no idea how you got from wedding planning to antique cars! This is my dilemma lately.
Oh, who am I kidding, that's been my dilemma for years. I can't stay focused. I'm fairly sure I suffer from adult attention deficit disorder. Normally, this doesn't seem to bother me too much but in this planning mode I'm in, it seems fairly detrimental. I'm not getting anywhere. No that's not true - it's just taking me too long to get there!
So what to do? I look at the planning tools on The Knot, Brides.com, WeddingChannel.com etc. but I just can't get behind it. I think I want to but whenever I look through them I think - what a pain in the ass. I mean really - how are you women so freakin' organized? Is everyone but me dissecting this thing like a frog in 7th grade science?!
I don't think so. I think they want you to believe that but it's not true. It's just one more myth perpetrated by the wedding industry to make us feel inferior & prime us to shell out more money for crap we don't need or even want.
Well, I'm just not falling for it. I'm going to keep tearing pages out of magazines without knowing where they will be filed. I'm keeping my guest list that we wrote out on scrap paper. And I will happily stick & re-stick my post-it notes with vendor recommendations until they just don't stick anymore. Screw 'em, I'll make it work! Apparently they just don't know who they're dealing with, right?
Right......however later this week, I'll still go by Borders & look at all the wedding planning guides. And eventually, I'm afraid I'll have to give in for fear of doing harm to myself or others due to my wedding induced insanity.
I just came across Fire Your Wedding Planner - a $30 ebook that comes pretty highly recommended. The author of the book says she spent 6 months "behind the scenes" of the wedding industry & saved thousands on her wedding. The site offers a free copy of a Wedding Planning Secrets ebook as well as some Excel tools. I haven't printed it or read it yet but I figured since it was free, it couldn't hurt to check it out & it will help me decide if I want to spend another $30 for the other book.
EDIT: It looks like the download may be a trial copy of the ebook.
I have decided that until I choose the venue, I can't really do anything else. I mean, I CAN - I can look at dresses, make-up & hairstyles read more blogs, get more ideas but I feel like the style of the location could change some of the other aspects. And let's face it, I am seriously trying to avoid doing more work than necessary.
Since money is an issue, I know that my perfect vision of the venue may be unattainable but for now, I am holding on the the idea that it is still doable. Yesterday we looked at 2 places. The Oviatt Penthouse in downtown LA & Occasions in El Segundo.
First Occasions - this is located in El Segundo & from the exterior it looks average at best but the garden area is beautiful. For an outside ceremony, it really is surprisingly lovely especially at night.
The upside - the tables, chairs, dinnerware, linens & servers are all included. You just need to meet the food & beverage minimum cost with quite a few menus & styles to choose from. They do not supply alcohol but their bartender will serve if you supply your own.
Occasions pricing:
Tues - Fri AM - 3000
Sat & Sun AM - 6000
Fri, Sat & Sun PM - 7500
There is also an $850 ceremony fee plus tax, service charge & tips.
Next is The Oviatt Penthouse - it is almost impossible to get the real feel of the Oviatt by looking at the photos. It was Mr. Oviatt's residence and his men's department store was downstairs. For anyone that loves architecture, it is amazing. The wall sconces, light fixtures & windows are all Lalique crystal. Yep, that's right, the windows are crystal. They are frosted & carved - simply beautiful. The woodwork is also beautiful.
This is the entryway. What you don't see is an amazing marble fireplace that would be behind the photographer.
This is the bar - fabulous, right?
The Bride's room
Since money is an issue, I know that my perfect vision of the venue may be unattainable but for now, I am holding on the the idea that it is still doable. Yesterday we looked at 2 places. The Oviatt Penthouse in downtown LA & Occasions in El Segundo.
First Occasions - this is located in El Segundo & from the exterior it looks average at best but the garden area is beautiful. For an outside ceremony, it really is surprisingly lovely especially at night.
Unfortunately in interior reception area doesn't do anything for me. It's not bad, it's just nothing special.
The upside - the tables, chairs, dinnerware, linens & servers are all included. You just need to meet the food & beverage minimum cost with quite a few menus & styles to choose from. They do not supply alcohol but their bartender will serve if you supply your own.Occasions pricing:
Tues - Fri AM - 3000
Sat & Sun AM - 6000
Fri, Sat & Sun PM - 7500
There is also an $850 ceremony fee plus tax, service charge & tips.
Next is The Oviatt Penthouse - it is almost impossible to get the real feel of the Oviatt by looking at the photos. It was Mr. Oviatt's residence and his men's department store was downstairs. For anyone that loves architecture, it is amazing. The wall sconces, light fixtures & windows are all Lalique crystal. Yep, that's right, the windows are crystal. They are frosted & carved - simply beautiful. The woodwork is also beautiful.
This is the exterior patio area. Both the ceremony & reception are generally held outside.
This is the entryway. What you don't see is an amazing marble fireplace that would be behind the photographer.
This is the bar - fabulous, right?
The Bride's room
I absolutely love this place. It is perfect for that old Hollywood glamour feel that I want. My honey is not completely sold on it. He feels that it's a bit worn down which I guess it is as it is old. I can get over it but the reality is, I'm not so sure we can afford it anyway.
Oviatt pricing:
Saturday $5,500
Sunday $4,500
Friday $4,000
Those are the site fees only. The Oviatt has 2 catering options; Cicada Restaurant which occupies the old department store area downstairs or Truly Yours Catering. Truly Yours does provide tables, chairs, dinnerware, linens & servers with the price of their service.
It's just the beginning, isn't it?
Oviatt pricing:
Saturday $5,500
Sunday $4,500
Friday $4,000
Those are the site fees only. The Oviatt has 2 catering options; Cicada Restaurant which occupies the old department store area downstairs or Truly Yours Catering. Truly Yours does provide tables, chairs, dinnerware, linens & servers with the price of their service.
It's just the beginning, isn't it?
As I read all these bridal blogs, I only wish that I could be as excited about this whole process as these other women. I'm just not. Favors, centerpieces, food, photographers, location, gifts, linens - ack! You gotta be kidding me! Why can't I find a place in LA where I can just show up with my dress & a check & be done with it? Like Vegas, but not in Vegas. If I had the money, I'd hire a wedding planner in a hot second. My God those people earn their money!
We are both over 40 & neither of us have been married before so we definitely want it to be special & reflect who we are but we also want it to be reasonable. I think being older gives us a little different perspective & so far, we've been willing to compromise to get what we really want. So it should be pretty easy right? Sure, as long as we don't get caught up in all the BS along the way. That is easier said then done.
We got engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, we both love 80's rock & hockey and I want kind of an old Hollywood glamour feel to the whole thing (I love, love, love old pin-up art). Our challenge is to find a way to incorporate all those things in some way.
If anyone has any ides, I'd love to hear them!
Our Details
How we met: Through a local hockey fansite
First Date: 1/24/03 Mamma D's in Manhattan Beach
My first clue this was "it": On Valentine's day the following month he gave me lingerie. Just so happened it was exactly the outfit I had marked in my Victoria's Secret catalog. It had a significant retro feel to it & I am a freak for old pin-up art & glamour shots. I thought maybe he saw it but I knew he hadn't been around since I got it. Which meant that he actually listened & paid attention to what I said!
My second clue: I had been sober for 11 years at the time & hadn't gone to regular meetings for years. I mentioned that I kinda wished I had gone on my 10th "birthday" so I could have gotten my 10 year chip. Weeks later (I had forgotten all about it), he gave me a little box with - you guessed it - a 10 year chip. Awwww....
Engaged: We were on a family trip in London & decided to do a day trip over to Paris. He proposed at the top of the Eiffel Tower. My whole family was there - it was great.
Wedding Date: Sometime in August 2009. For cost purposes, probably a Friday evening.
We are both over 40 & neither of us have been married before so we definitely want it to be special & reflect who we are but we also want it to be reasonable. I think being older gives us a little different perspective & so far, we've been willing to compromise to get what we really want. So it should be pretty easy right? Sure, as long as we don't get caught up in all the BS along the way. That is easier said then done.
We got engaged at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, we both love 80's rock & hockey and I want kind of an old Hollywood glamour feel to the whole thing (I love, love, love old pin-up art). Our challenge is to find a way to incorporate all those things in some way.
If anyone has any ides, I'd love to hear them!
Our Details
How we met: Through a local hockey fansite
First Date: 1/24/03 Mamma D's in Manhattan Beach
My first clue this was "it": On Valentine's day the following month he gave me lingerie. Just so happened it was exactly the outfit I had marked in my Victoria's Secret catalog. It had a significant retro feel to it & I am a freak for old pin-up art & glamour shots. I thought maybe he saw it but I knew he hadn't been around since I got it. Which meant that he actually listened & paid attention to what I said!
My second clue: I had been sober for 11 years at the time & hadn't gone to regular meetings for years. I mentioned that I kinda wished I had gone on my 10th "birthday" so I could have gotten my 10 year chip. Weeks later (I had forgotten all about it), he gave me a little box with - you guessed it - a 10 year chip. Awwww....
Engaged: We were on a family trip in London & decided to do a day trip over to Paris. He proposed at the top of the Eiffel Tower. My whole family was there - it was great.
Wedding Date: Sometime in August 2009. For cost purposes, probably a Friday evening.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
