455 days to go!

It's amazing what a difference mailing out a check can make. Rob and I have officially gone from simply "getting married" to "getting married on October 23, 2010 at Landerhaven".

It all came down to table linens. You may recall that we had fallen in love with Manakiki's outdoor space, but were annoyed at the price tag they gave us for removing the ugly curtains. Imagine our surprise when we were told that, for the same price, we could rent aubergine satin table linens at Landerhaven. We decided that not only was it a much better way to spend our money, but...

1) They have an in-house decorator and florist, which means two fewer things to worry about.
2) They have free valet parking.
3) There's a hotel literally next door.
4) Two words: Guacamole Bar.
5) Our consultant has been communicative, interested in our specific wedding, and all-around awesome.
6) The outdoor space is not quite as nice, but is well within acceptable limits.

There are still a few things that aren't perfect... like the fact that we had to schedule a different date than the one we originally wanted due to a previously scheduled bar mitzvah. Who says that 15 months is a long time to plan a wedding? Jeez! We better get on the photographer fast!

If it's not one thing, it's another

Rob and I have been hitting reception halls, actually meeting with real human beings, which makes us both want to tear our hair out. Not that we're anti-social or anything... but this world of 80" rounds, chair rentals, and wine selections just is not our thing.

Last weekend, we checked out Manakiki, which until recently was at the very top of our list. I say "until recently" because although the outdoor space here is nothing short of breathtaking, the indoor space is bland at best... and that's only if we take down the curtains, which are an unfortunate floral affair entirely incompatible with our fetching color scheme. This they will do... for a charge of course.

This is the problem we've run into with finding a reception hall. Each place seems to have one thing we really love, and one thing we really hate. I find myself wishing we could combine all of the best aspects of each place, because I'd rather not have to pull a Sophie's Choice. If the place is awesome, it's way too far away. If the indoor space is nice, there's no good outdoor ceremony location. If both are nice, it's too small... and so on.

We wanted to make a decision by the end of June... but it's looking like mid-July is going to be more realistic. So it goes.