Category Archives: Planning Process

When our reception venue Best Western changed over to a Wyndham Garden, we were a little concerned that Laura, the event coordinator, was going to change, too.  It turns out that, despite Laura’s assertions, that has happened, though this change was about four months after the other hotel’s flag change occurred.  Jim and I found out through Gina, who was trying to get a hold of Laura to schedule a cake tasting with whichever bakery Wyndham Garden uses for their weddings. Continue reading →

We had a tasting at the Best Western Plus, which no longer is a Best Western Plus.  Already, all of the Best Western logos have been covered up, and outside there is a “Coming Soon: Wyndham Garden” sign.  I took plenty of pictures of the venue as well as the food.  The cocktail hour space, weather permitting, would be outside on the patio, and they even offered to provide heaters. We were particularly fond of the fresh fruit melange salad – which really was just fruit with Midori on the side.

We have started the contract phase with them and things are looking good!  If all goes well, we should get the 10-10-15 date I’ve been coveting for a while now.

Yep, it has been a while since I’ve posted.  The wedding planning has been taking its toll and Jim did some valuable research for me on the wedding planner front.  After meeting with two of them, we ruled one out and are still in talks with the other.  In the meantime, Jim talked me into setting up an appointment at the Best Western Plus, the hotel attached to the bar/restaurant Entre where his friend Junior (brother of groomsman Victor) works.

It was not much like any Best Western I had seen before.  Continue reading →

Some of you are probably wondering what is going on with us, since I haven’t posted in quite a while.  Well, I don’t want to go into too much detail, but I’ll summarize.  We painstakingly negotiated with Pheasant Run on a contract that was ultimately unsatisfactory given the venue’s present situation and our confidence level with their catering manager.  I am still in love with much about that venue, the New Orleans Ballroom in particular, and it breaks my heart to have to start looking again.  Depending on availability, this may push back our intended date as well.  Jim and I have a much-needed vacation coming up, during which it will be best to not worry and fret over wedding planning and logistics.

 

Pheasant Run generously offered to foot the bill for a dinner at Harvest, the schnazziest of their on site restaurants, and we took them up on it Saturday evening. We got to see what parking was like at 5:30pm on a Saturday, and it was very packed. I will definitely want to address this on invitations in order to be clear with maps about where overflow lots are and which are most convenient.

As for the food, I was a bit timid about Continue reading →

The tasting at Eaglewood yesterday went really well. I captured photos of all the food they provided, but I neglected to photograph all of the wine. First, they served us each a glass of champagne garnished with a strawberry. Then, we both received glasses of their house, base level chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and merlot wines. I surprisingly enjoyed all of them (I don’t like dry wines), Jim cared for none, and there was quite a bit.

We were disappointed by the Continue reading →

I’m still having trouble saying “yes” to signing a contract committing to spending thousands of dollars, so we contacted our top two venues, Pheasant Run and Eaglewood, and asked if we’d be able to taste the food prior to signing something, as most of the contracts state that the official tasting would be just a few months before the wedding.  Fortunately, both agreed.  Pheasant Run offered to foot the bill for a dinner at their schnazzy restaurant Harvest, which they say is the same kitchen that makes the wedding food.  Eaglewood offered to add us to an existing tasting they had planned and will ask the cook to simply make a bit more for us.  That tasting is set up for a week from Thursday, and I had to take a half day off of work to make it, but I think it will be worth it.  After this, hopefully, we’ll finally have a venue.