Lovecakes

Today one more thing got checked-off the master to-do list: cake tasting! While this is perhaps the highlight of many couples' planning process, I will admit I was a bit apprehensive.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the one cake designer that was included in my catering contract. The slightly out of date pictures I had seen didn't leave much to the imagination, other than your typical topsy-turvy cakes, and buttercream creations loaded with fresh flowers instead of sugar work. And the fact of the matter is that everyone knows I'm a cake-making-aholic, with rather specific opinions on what is cute, as well as what has crossed the line into tacky. I tend to gravitate towards the more simply-decorated creations, however those can sometimes be harder to make than more busy-looking designs, with lots of swirly-type things or unnecessary use of stencils. I'm all for unique wedding cakes that put a personal touch on a celebration, but some of the ones I've seen leave me to wonder. I mean, a hot pink and zebra-striped wedding cake is enough on its own without crystals dangling from all five layers, regardless of what may have been aired on Cakeboss or even Ace of Cakes. Just sayin'.

So anyway, I had gathered dozens of pictures from Martha Stewart Weddings and The Knot of cakes that I thought were doable for most any baker, but still kept my expectations at bay. I was fully prepared to give-up on the idea that she would be able to create sugar flowers, or even use fondant properly, and settle for a more simple rustic-looking buttercream cake. This morning while waiting for Darryl to get back from SAT proctoring, I narrowed the list down to about five, having received his opinions from the night before. Traffic was terrible on the way up to Twin Peaks, but lucky for us there wasn't really any snow left on the roads to cause further delays.

Much like the other preferred vendors I have met thus far from our venue, I was pleasantly surprised. She had brought more recent photos of her work, which were much more impressive than the ones I had seen. Turns out, she has been dying to do the kind of cake that I had envisioned, and had several magazine clippings that either matched the ones I had, or were better. She did her sketches while we devoured cake samples, and in the end we decided to have three small two-three tiered cakes on vintage cake stands, each a different flavor, and covered in fondant with pipped vintage-y designs inspired by the glassware that will be on the reception tables. Taste wise, the samples were better than expected as well, especially the signature champagne cake with chiffon filling which will be the main center cake, flanked by a red velvet and a spice cake on either side. While I'm still going to expect the unexpected when the time comes to actually see the final product, I'm positive they'll be amazing.

In other news, I'm working on getting whatever vendors we need booked by the end of this month. Honestly, I wasn't in much of a rush until I found out that the DJ I had in mind has already been booked for our date, so we need to decide soon if we should hire an alternate, or go iTunes style with help from family and friends. There are pros and cons to both. On the one hand, a DJ can prevent all-out disasters from happening, such as music cutting-out in the middle of a song, or the sound not working at all. They can also insure that the party will move along as planned without unnecessary delays. But on the other hand, good ones are expensive, and I've been to weddings where they have hired a not-so-good one who totally disregarded the couple's music taste, or didn't announce things at the right time, or even mispronounced their names. So, still thinking about it. In the mean time, I will be accepting song requests on facebook soon, just in case.

First Stress Post of 2011

I think I'm about due for a good long rant.

So I finally was successful in contacting the coordinator, after finding out that apparently I have been assigned to a different one for unknown reasons. During that lunch break phone discussion, I at least was able to confirm the menu selections for the reception dinner, and also the cabin reservations... well, except for one minor hitch. Apparently after "multiple attempts" to contact me, they did not reserve the wedding night cabin for Darryl and I after sending an initial e-mail that we had won a contest to stay there for free, despite the fact that I had e-mailed them back. Twice. And called 4 times over the course of three months, never being able to reach the coordinator who had originally attempted to contact me. So although they supposedly tried to confirm it with me first, another couple has booked the cabin for our wedding night, so we are out of luck. I'm assuming that none of these "multiple attempts" involved calling me, or even Darryl, and I had been checking my spam email as well, so I'm left only to assume that they simply dropped the ball and allowed a lapse in communication. Now, typically in the hotel business, this kind of mistake on their part would entitle me to some kind of compensation. So far all I have received from the new coordinator is a sincere apology. Well, that's great, but it's not going to get us a honeymoon reservation, is it? So far I have sent one email, with my previous emails attached for proof of response, and suggested that one of our other cabins reserved under my name could be comped, or they could book another studio cabin for us using the contest certificate. But surprise, surprise - no response. Honestly, I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do at this point. If we still had about 9 months to a year until the wedding date, I'd be tempted to cut our losses at this place and make other arrangements for a wedding site, and although it's still tempting, it might make matters only more stressful and costly in the end. The issue is not so much the lost cabin, or having to stay elsewhere that night, it's more just the fact that I should be able to contact my own coordinator and expect a response within a timely manner, not several weeks or months, and they should be aware of at least what I have already paid for and arranged, especially considering that I'm using mostly their vendors. Perhaps the only thing left for me to do is to show up at their front desk and not leave until everything is settled. Or start crying. They may think I'm crazy, but crazy gets things done.

Upcoming post: We go for cake tasting this weekend :) It should be a sugary-sweet, snowy day.

The Home Stretch

As of this weekend, we have less than 6 months to go before the wedding! Now no one can say I'm planning way far in advance, because I actually have to get stuff done now instead of just pondering every detail incessantly. With the holidays upon us, I haven't had a whole lot of time or cash to deal with any major planning, but I have started on some more long-term projects.

One long-term ordeal has been trying to contact the wedding coordinator. Not really sure what's going on with that one. I tried emailing several weeks ago to no avail, called last Wednesday and left a message which has not been returned, and now I'm really starting to wonder what the deal is. The thing is, she is the only person who can set-up the remaining contracts with the caterers and cake bakery, so we still need to make one more trip up the mountain to hammer this stuff out sooner than later. So if this blog has indeed become more popular than I am aware of on the web, maybe someone at the venue will get the hint and I won't have to go bridezilla on them. I have two years worth of pent-up wedding angst, and that just wouldn't be pretty.

Anyhoo... My other project has been to find the vases/bowls/etc. with which to create the reception table centerpieces. So far I have won 4 eBay auctions for lots of several antique milk glass pieces, and I have 3 more to go. After that I'll have to wait for the shipments to come in so I can re-evaluate the situation. It's easy to get carried away with those things. If I get too many, my florist will hate me and there may not be space left for food at the tables. But if I get too few, well, that'll just look kinda sad. I like the concept I've finally landed on though, with all white milk glass pieces of various shapes and sizes scattered on the robins egg blue tables, filled with peonies and ranunculus. No more stress dreams about that one, I hope.

I think the thing I'm most excited about though, is the plan we've conjured-up this week for the honeymoon. Now that we have a better idea of our budget and time constraints, we're planning a week-long road trip up to Seattle, and possibly further to Vancouver, BC for a day or two. I'm researching our specific stops, which may also include Big Sur and Portland if we have time. The main priority is, of course, Seattle. It'll be hard to come back, I'm sure.

So all of that plus plans for the bridal shower and bachelorette are in the works. The real planning starts now! Wish me luck!

Progress Makes Perfect

This month, we have three major items checked-off of my to-do list.

First, the photographer is booked at last! Roya Jade will be our super-awesome picture provider, including an engagement shoot in the near future. See her work at royajadephoto.blogspot.com

Second, we met with Debra from Fleuris Flower Studios (at her really cool house on a hill in San Bernardino) today. I was nearly convinced we wouldn't even be able to afford flowers at all, but she seriously made it do-able for us and our trimmed-down budget. And I still get my pink peonies and yellow ranunculus! So, our official colors are now: light pink, fuscia pink, light grey (from the bridal party attire), butter yellow accents, and robin's egg blue and ivory table linens. Now I just have to scour the internet, thrift stores, and garage sales for inexpensive vintage vases or bowls for the centerpieces, and they'll do the rest. Whew, huge weight lifted. Maybe I can have a non-decor related wedding nightmare now.

Third, I'm in the process of booking a really nifty surprise for our favors. Only Darryl and my dad know what it is, and I think it's super awesome. Hey, I have to have some mystery left in the big day, right?

Oh! Also, I added another registry to our list. We are now registered at Williams Sonoma, for anyone who would prefer shopping there. Particularly for the Le Creuset Dijon yellow pots I like. :)

So the next major things to figure out are cake, and how much to budget for a DJ. I have one quote for the DJ so far, and it was about double what I expected, however that particular one knows the sound system at PineRose the best, so we would avoid a lot of potential problems with technical malfunctions, and also seems to have a good personality and music selection. But, talent doesn't come cheap. So... yeah. We'll see. Also have to decide how much stuff I should/need to go DIY style on, like programs, veil, etc. Feeling good about my progress so far, though.

Menu Tastings

This week in wedding news...

Darryl and I went for the dinner tastings at the home of the caterer in Fontana. First of all, let me point out that according to South Park logic, "this place must be legit, just look at the fountain in the lobby..." Well, front yard. The use of fall decor inside would also, I must say, put whoever is in charge of Fall merchandizing at Michael's to shame.

The tasting itself definitely brought out my inner Top Chef judge. Points for presentation; although microwaving the samples in front of the judges is probably a no-no. Higher points for taste, which is always what really counts anyway. Darryl voted for the lemon buttermilk chicken, and I voted for the marinated sirloin with peppers, so I guess that's our two main courses. The side of buttered assorted squash was nice. Other sides will include: a spinach green salad, red skinned potatoes, pasta salad, and appetizers that I haven't decided on yet. Should please everyone, right?

I think my main goal is to keep everyone nibbling on something for the majority of the day. Maybe even some snacks before the ceremony, and something on the tables. My number-one pet peeve of weddings is being hungry and waiting for the dang reception to start. And we all know how I get when I'm hungry...

9 months until the birth of our wedding!

Wow, we're into single-digit months now! And it just so happened that yesterday was the open house for our wedding venue, Pine Rose Cabins. The last time we were there in April, there was still snow on the ground and everything was covered in a thick layer of ice. So needless to say, we were eager to see what the place will (hopefully...) look like for our June wedding. Thank goodness that now I have a much clearer image in my mind of the whole set-up than I had previously, which means I don't think I'll be spending as much on decorations as I was anticipating since the natural surroundings need little help...

(All photos by Julie Wilson/Pine Rose Cabins)

So let's see how my master to-do list is going...

1. Venue - check!

2. Dress - check!

3. Bridesmaid dresses - check! but still need shoes and the flower girl dress

4. Save-the-dates & invitations - check! and will order the invites later

5. Catering - going to our tasting in two weeks!

6. Cake - I know what I want, and going to tastings after the menu is confirmed

7. Music - talked with the DJ at the event, will probably book him soon

8. Drinks - talked with the bartender, have to decide on buying our own stuff vs. his package
9. Photographer - talked with one, waiting to hear back from another

10. Flowers - need to call, and thus be forced to decide on colors

11. Favors - we have a super awesome idea in the works :)

12. Cabins - so far 2 are reserved, still waiting to hear if we need to reserve another for more family members

13. Honeymoon - ... well, depends on if we'll have enough money left over to survive after the wedding, haha.

It looks like I have a lot of phone calls to make, but at least some progress has been made!

Keep Calm and Carry On

I love these British WWII posters, originally created as a kind of positive propaganda for a population under intense enemy attack, not knowing if they would live to see another day, or what the future may bring. Those phrases are still so true today, in particular the last one of which this post is named. That logo has become increasingly popular on t-shirts, vintage posters, and eco-friendly water bottles as of late. Perhaps because of the rather depressing state of the economy, which directly affects peoples' careers, such as my future husband's.

I cannot truly understand why the timing of it all has to be like this; why our plans have this potentially giant chasm in them thanks to the state education budget crisis, and perhaps other factors that remain a mystery. I remember being so happy that Darryl decided to go into teaching because of how relatively secure that field is (or was). Who knew that the same year he began to work towards his credential, so many teachers would be laid off that entire schools shut down not far from where I live. To be completely honest, we're pretty worried. It's hard not be become completely consumed by the whole situation; the situation being, 40+ teaching applications sent, 7 interviews, and 0 job offers. A lot of it really doesn't add up, considering that almost all of the interviews seemed to go very well, but then again it's hard to say exactly how many people are out there applying to the same positions. For one of the jobs for which he interviewed, the applicant number was around 200. And with each interview comes a new set of hopes and nervous anticipation, which ultimately lead to greater disappointment. It's all rather draining.

The only reason that I even bring this up on my otherwise upbeat wedding blog, is that part of the reason I created this publication of mine was to document the reality of our 2.5 year engagement, mainly for myself to look back on one day. As of now, this is our reality. Each week brings a new set of "what ifs" and "plan B, C, and D's." Personally, I have released whatever plans I had for us and have allowed myself to be open to other prospects as far as where we might live, what I might do as far as working or going to grad school, when we may have kids, etc.... I could get excited about pretty much anything at this point. I have released it all into God's hands, and now we wait and see. And if there's one thing we've had to get used to, it's waiting. We must have faith that it will work out for the best, as it always has before, and in the mean time I keep reminding myself to "keep calm and carry on."