Loose Creek for Reception...

Nate and I both really want an October wedding, and because of that, it made the decision for a reception site easy. Due to lack of availability at the Capital Plaza Hotel next October, we will be having our reception at the Community Center in Loose Creek. I posted some pictures previously showing what the place looked like bare, so I wanted to post some pics that show what it looks like decorated. In the first photo, we like the look of the round tables...as well as the chairs with chair covers. The window backdrop at the head table is also nice. Just showing the second one for the different backdrop of the two columns--the flowers and candles are way overdone...











Here's a look at what square tables would look like--and what a big difference chair covers make! We also like the look of the sheer fabric draped from the ceiling. The colored square of fabric in the center of the tables breaks up the white tablecloth nicely...











Here are a few centerpiece ideas. The first is a tuscan theme...and I love the second photo of the tall vase with the calla lilies....and there's always floating candles.












This is a different idea for the head table...having it on a stage in the center of the room. Nate
and I didn't think too much of it. And also a different look with Chinese lanterns--and I like the clean look that the straight tablecloth provides.












I also like the idea of decorating the entrance--not necessarily in this way--but the mums are nice! And here's the buffet table with the colored fabrics squares--we could do a runner as well.



















And last but not least...Nate loves the idea of a bar with some cocktail tables...minus the huge glasses in the middle...

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Dress Shopping!

My mom and I started the fun process of wedding dress shopping this weekend! We went to a total of five bridal shops, three Saturday and two Sunday. I was hoping to put on a dress and just "know" that it was the one. However, that didn't happen...not yet, anyway. We totally struck out at two of the shops, but I did find several beautiful dresses at the other three that are all possibilities. By the end of the weekend, my mom and I were having a hard time recalling what it was we liked at the first place we visited. So, now that I have it narrowed down, I need to go back and try on all my favorites again...and I may stop in a couple of places that I haven't visited yet.

Since I have a little time, I don't want to make a decision too quickly - I want to enjoy the search to the fullest!

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St. Louis Bridal Show

A friend from work--Kara--who is also a bride-to-be, accompanied me to the St. Louis Bridal Show on Sunday. The St. Louis show was on a much larger scale than the one I attended in Jefferson City at the end of July. My main focus for the day was gathering information on photographers. Most photographers travel these days, so it's not out of the question to get a photographer from St. Louis for the wedding in Loose Creek. And I have to say, it was between the photographers and DJ's for greatest amount of booths at the show! I also gathered information on some DJ's for Nate; however, I think it would be more feasible to get a DJ from around the Jeff City or Columbia area for the reception. I'm still wading through the oodles of photography information I received...

The highlight of the afternoon was my experience at the Savvi Formalwear booth. They had a square glass phone booth setup and inside the booth was lots of money. A motor was flipped on and all the money flew around inside the phone booth--and the job for the bride was to catch as much money as possible in 20 seconds. However much money you caught would be the discount your groomsman receive off of their tuxes. I snagged $190, so if Nate chooses Savvi for the tuxes, he'll have a discount to apply...and if not, I just had some free entertainment!

Next up is wedding dress shopping--my parents will be in town this weekend to help me get started!

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Marriage Prep

Last night we had our first meeting with Deacon Ernie at Immaculate Conception Church in Dardenne. After some brief introductions where we told Deacon Ernie a little about our backgrounds, he began with a prayer and then asked us several questions. The first was "What does Catholic marriage mean to you?" After I answered, he went on to explain the theology of the church in regards to marriage, how it's a lifetime commitment, how our children should be raised with the faith, etc. The next question was "Are you living together?" to which we answered in the affirmative, and so he asked us why. Nate answered "For the rent money," which was obviously a joke, but this poor guy had no sense of humor! So I had to quickly recover that one and say that Nate was kidding...and we gave him a "serious" answer. And the final question was then "What made you decide to take the next step from living together to marriage?" I was looking at Nate expecting him to answer this one, since he ultimately made the decision, but there were no words forming, so I answered with my thoughts. And that was it, we survived the initial questioning!

The next order of business was filling out the paperwork that will be sent through the archdiocese. The form consisted of our names and address, our parents names, names of those who will be witnesses at the ceremony (best man & maid/matron of honor), religious background, baptism /confirmation dates, etc. I also had to consent to raising our children Catholic and making the church part of our family life by signing a special section of the form. The most ironic part of the form was it asked for our marriage date - and we can't get an official marriage date in the LC church until my hometown priest sees the form?! Interesting...

Our final task for the night was completing our FOCCUS evaluation. This was a test of approximately 150 questions, surrounding issues like our relationship, family, children, finances, habits and interests, etc. This isn't a computability test, but more an evaluation of the way we each feel about certain issues, and talking through our differences the evaluation points out. I felt like I was in grade school again, because we provided our answers on those sheets with the bubbles you have to fill in with #2 pencils. Everybody remember those? Our results will be scored today, and at our next meeting with Deacon Ernie we will begin communicating about those items where Nate and I answered differently. Nate and I had fun discussing our answers on the way home.

Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 28th!

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