Last Sunday we went to the Festival of Brides show at the Millennium Biltmore in Beverly Hills. We went mostly because it was free (or I went because it was free; Andy was a good sport). It's one really cool hotel, in the very vintage style that I like so much. But, of course, completely out of reasonable price range - and way too big. When we got there we ran in to my coworker and her friend, who got engaged well after us and will be married at least 6 months before (Arggghh!!). Yay for free tickets.

The show itself was pretty classy. I love anywhere that gives you a mimosa at the door. I stocked up on free magazines, which made it worth the drive and parking and will likely entertain me until we go on the cruise to Alaska. I also love free stuff, especially when they are super-awesome, vintage style, and wedding related!!!

Of course, they had the requisite plastic surgery booth. With implants sitting out on the table. I've had a number of conversations with my mother, who works in a plastic surgery clinic, about how awful the whole thing is. And I think it's particularly sick that the wedding industry, media, or whoever encourages crash dieting before your wedding. People who do alterations should be getting a kickback for that, if they aren't already. But to have surgery so you fill out a dress a little more? Yikes. Then I fell off my soapbox. Because who said they weren't getting married with a gap in their teeth? And then visited an orthodontist for a quick-fix retainer and came out with a 6 month Invisalign treatment that included filing teeth down? Yep, that was me. Hey, at least I won't regret it after the wedding.

The show was cool enough to say I'd go back, if nothing else to stock up on current magazines. And I just got my free invitation (this time for 6) to the Pomona Ritz Carlton fair ...

We took our day off to go out to Riverside and check out a couple of other places in the area.

First, we went out to Riverside to the Mission Inn. I know, going inland in July is just asking for heatstroke. And yes, it was plenty hot there - the lobby and courtyard were cool, but the upper floors were pretty stuffy. (Sorry, photos are only on my facebook right now). I expected something more like the typical hotel. The Mission Inn, however, is nothing like the typical hotel. It's a mission that has a hotel built up around it over many many years, and the architecture is amazing! It reminded me of the Winchester House. Honestly, I'd recommend going out to visit just to look around.

The big selling point to me was the St. Francis of Assisi chapel. Yup, chapel - no religious requirements! Whew! I like it, of course, because I've been to the basilica in Italy just before an earthquake that damaged a lot of it. I've always loved Catholic cathedrals - when my family moved to St. Louis, we went on a field trip to the cathedral downtown, and it seemed like a place you just get married in. I was pretty crushed when I found out you actually have to be a member of the Catholic church. Methodists just aren't really in to the whole cathedral thing. And, to be honest, some of those statues hanging around give me the creepies. But, I digress - the chapel was beautiful, and not too big. We didn't get to see the reception areas, but the pictures I've seen online are really nice. Verdict? Kind of far away, very hot, and I requested pricing information a week ago and never got anything.

We then drove back to Long Beach to see the Ebell Club. I thought it might be unlocked and we'd be able to snoop around like at the Mission Inn, but it was entirely buttoned up. We drove around in circles for a long time looking for it (not a good sign), and when we got to the building, it was nice on the outside. But - the website describes it to be in a nice, tree-lined neighborhood. What they don't mention is it's in the ghetto. I was pretty crushed.

This is about the point where Andy called his aunt and uncle (hi!) about somewhere they'd been on a trip years ago. So we drove across the LA/Long Beach ports to Palos Verdes, to the Wayfarer's Chapel. Again with the amazing architecture! I'm a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright (is there anyone who isn't??), and it's really, really amazing. I loved it, but was kind of disappointed that it wasn't close to anywhere for a reception. It's by the Trump Golf Course, but I'm not real in to that. We talked about having everyone meet at the reception place and renting a charter bus. That seems a little pricey to me ... but we both really liked it a lot. And, since we're not really affiliated with any church, but it seems to me like that's where people should get married, I'd be happy with a chapel!

Things I learned I'd like for the ceremony & reception:

1. I'd really prefer it to be in the Orange County/Los Angeles area. Preferably OC; the sales tax is 1% cheaper there! Not only is it closer for us, making it easier to plan locally, but most of our guests are coming from far away. I don't want to plan a destination wedding, but I do want to keep in mind this is going to be a big vacation for a lot of people!

2. I love the idea of having the ceremony and reception in one place. People don't have to drive around then (again for the out-of-towners), and it's a little easier just in general.

3. I'd like somewhere special to both of us. While we had a good time out at the Mission Inn, I wouldn't say that's one of the places that reflects who we are really.

On a separate note, I've been worried about costs - our guest list just recently broke 100, congratulations to my cousin! Here's a sample conversation between me and my mom:

Me: Mom, the guest list keeps getting bigger! And there's a lot of people we haven't added! I was wanting and planning for 70 and now I've had to up it to 80 and it's so expensive ...
Mom: Don't worry, I'm sure a lot of people won't be able to make it.
Me: Whew.

I think I'm the only person who's comforted by the fact that people won't be able to attend their wedding.

My first post!

First, a note on the date. I would love to have the wedding as soon as possible, but unfortunately, I'm still in school and can't squeeze in wedding planning on top of work and school. But, if all goes well, we may have a date narrowed down in October!

We've been contemplating a number of venues in Southern California. Here are some of the current contenders:

Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Santa Barbara
Fess Parker Winery
Gainey Vineyards

This was actually one of the first places we looked, as well as an excuse to visit wine country. While there are many beautiful places there, it's a little pricey. On top of that, we have a lot of out of town guests, so coordinating a destination wedding and guests is a little too tricky. It's not ruled out entirely though!

Disneyland

Yes, I know what I said before. "Disneyland is too cheesy to host a wedding." Well, the more I investigated, the more convenient it sounded. Either way, I'm sure we'll visit them for a tour, just because it's an excuse to go!


Mission Inn

This is in Riverside, which is pretty far away from Los Angeles. But, the venue looks beautiful on the website (are there any venues that don't look beautiful in pictures??). It's also affordable, and got a good recommendation from one of my fellow brides at work. I especially like everything being all in one place - I want a beautiful and unique wedding, and I have a LOT of ideas, but I'd like to have a little help putting it all together without hiring a full on wedding coordinator!

The Ebell Club

Finally, this particular venue is growing on me more and more. It's recently renovated, affordable, is beautiful in its own right (without a million decorations), and is pretty convenient in downtown Long Beach. I've also googled other weddings there, which is a trick that seems to work pretty well in seeing how places can be set up differently. They require a day-of coordinator, which is fine by me!

Of course, we can't make any decisions yet, because we don't have a date and haven't sat down with any of the venues to get in to the details. Plus, I have to bring my mom out to see the final contenders first! But, so far, these are all still in the running.