Well, just when we thought that everything might calm down for 30 seconds...
On Sunday evening, John got rear-ended on his way home from an errand. At the time, it didn't look like there was much damage (or any) to the Grand Am, but the next day's review showed that the back bumper had been lifted off it's frame, and Tuesday's estimate examination revealed a cracked strut underneath the bumper and "possible hidden damage". Fortunately, the woman on the other side of the accident has admitted fault, so there shouldn't be a problem with insurance or anything like that. Still in all, an afternoon at the police station is nobody's ideal way to spend the time. The stiff back, jaw and neck haven't been particularly fun either, but it's improving quickly.
The good news of the week is that Kathleen's contract with the Office of the Registrar is going to be renewed for another year, so she's employed until March 2008. She's liked working there very much, and is looking forward to doing a little more of it!!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
Everything Happens for a Reason
One reception hall! Booked!! We met with the representative from Windermere Golf and Country Club tonight to talk about possibilities for our reception, and we couldn't be happier with the results. The course is beautiful (they have an annual budget of $62,000 for flowers on the course alone!!) in a wonderful dramatic way, and the hall will be undergoing a major renovation in the coming months (no risk that it won't be done for July though!!) The manager seems to us the kind of person who takes great pride in her work, and wants to create an evening that makes the bride and groom happy.
They will do so much for us to make the evening exactly what we want... they will do our centrepieces for us, decorate the hall, communicate with our dj about set up times etc. etc. Suffice to say, this is the most relaxed we've been for a few days!
All in all, in every way, we feel that we've come out on top in this situation, and that our wedding reception will be elegant, wonderful and memorable for all the right reasons.
They will do so much for us to make the evening exactly what we want... they will do our centrepieces for us, decorate the hall, communicate with our dj about set up times etc. etc. Suffice to say, this is the most relaxed we've been for a few days!
All in all, in every way, we feel that we've come out on top in this situation, and that our wedding reception will be elegant, wonderful and memorable for all the right reasons.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Next Steps...
Just a quick update... the number test at the second golf course was a success, and we should be able to fit our guests there. So all that's left is going to see it (remembering that it's being renovated) and then we should be good to go! The woman at the new location has lots of experience with weddings so we'd be in good hands. We feel like the end (the real end this time) is in sight!
In other news, Delilah is being fixed tomorrow (she's excited; she just doesn't know it) and our new dinette set should be here in the next couple of weeks.
In other news, Delilah is being fixed tomorrow (she's excited; she just doesn't know it) and our new dinette set should be here in the next couple of weeks.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Well ... Shit ...
Ok - just when we though it was ALL OVER.
John got a phone call on Wednesday from the General Manager of Coloniale Golf Course, and asked if he could set up a meeting with us tonight (Friday) to talk. We figured it might just be a debriefing of events from the last week ... turns out it was not so. It seems the other couple that was booked on our day is holding their ground as well, and so the course is in a situation where they cannot hold two events in one day, and either someone has to be flexible in some way (with the date or something) or we end up losing out as they technically booked first. (Just so you don't think the course would leave us high and dry - the compensation package is really quite attractive, and would include a joint membership at the course for both Kathleen and I, plus $500, which was initially a gift from our real estate agent, of credit to the golf course, for merchandise or food).
So, the short story is basically that we are not having our reception at Coloniale Golf Course. The other option that was presented to us was another course in the south-west of the city, which albeit is smaller, will likely still hold our numbers. The plus side is it has an enclosed deck, which will be lovely for people who want to get away from the noise of the dance. The only thing we are waiting to find out is if the venue will LEGALLY hold our entire guest list. We'll know better by Monday. Option two is that we find yet another venue, and Coloniale has agreed to take care of the catering with no extra cost if we find something (repeat .. IF WE FIND SOMETHING). Believe it or not, we are being optimistic, and at this point we are enjoying mint-chocolate Bailey's to try to ignore the problem.
Thanks for all your thoughts - again, we'll keep you posted!
John got a phone call on Wednesday from the General Manager of Coloniale Golf Course, and asked if he could set up a meeting with us tonight (Friday) to talk. We figured it might just be a debriefing of events from the last week ... turns out it was not so. It seems the other couple that was booked on our day is holding their ground as well, and so the course is in a situation where they cannot hold two events in one day, and either someone has to be flexible in some way (with the date or something) or we end up losing out as they technically booked first. (Just so you don't think the course would leave us high and dry - the compensation package is really quite attractive, and would include a joint membership at the course for both Kathleen and I, plus $500, which was initially a gift from our real estate agent, of credit to the golf course, for merchandise or food).
So, the short story is basically that we are not having our reception at Coloniale Golf Course. The other option that was presented to us was another course in the south-west of the city, which albeit is smaller, will likely still hold our numbers. The plus side is it has an enclosed deck, which will be lovely for people who want to get away from the noise of the dance. The only thing we are waiting to find out is if the venue will LEGALLY hold our entire guest list. We'll know better by Monday. Option two is that we find yet another venue, and Coloniale has agreed to take care of the catering with no extra cost if we find something (repeat .. IF WE FIND SOMETHING). Believe it or not, we are being optimistic, and at this point we are enjoying mint-chocolate Bailey's to try to ignore the problem.
Thanks for all your thoughts - again, we'll keep you posted!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Crisis Over !
Well, the first (and hopefully last) major hurdle in the wedding planning has been successfully averted. The people at Coloniale Golf Course have come through! We will still be having our reception at the course, as originally planned, with no changes.
The company that own Coloniale also own another local area golf course, which is too small for our reception, but big enough for the other wedding, so they managed to book the date for them there, and after some initial conflict - all parties will be happy with the final decision. Certainly, no one is more relieved than we are right now.
Now it's full steam ahead - we have some initial swatches of fabric for bridesmaid's dresses, an idea of what John wants in a tuxedo, and some sample of paper for invitations.
less than sevens months to go, and things are looking good once again!
The company that own Coloniale also own another local area golf course, which is too small for our reception, but big enough for the other wedding, so they managed to book the date for them there, and after some initial conflict - all parties will be happy with the final decision. Certainly, no one is more relieved than we are right now.
Now it's full steam ahead - we have some initial swatches of fabric for bridesmaid's dresses, an idea of what John wants in a tuxedo, and some sample of paper for invitations.
less than sevens months to go, and things are looking good once again!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Double-booked?? Bad news...
Well, I suppose this one ranks right up there in the list of nightmares one has about planning a wedding...
We got a call yesterday from the catering manager at the golf course where we booked our reception with the bad news that somehow, and for some reason unnoticed until yesterday, they had doubled booked their site for July 7th. Apparently, the site's beverage manager booked the other wedding way back in May and forgot to document it properly, so when we inquired about our reception, the other booking didn't come up. Now, the beverage manager sat in on our booking meeting, so we're not perfectly sure why she chose not to mention the fact that another wedding was booked for the 7th already, but we'll assume she had just forgotten.
So, because the other couple booked before we did, that leaves us somewhat in the lurch six months before the wedding, without a venue for the reception. We will be talking more with the catering manager today to try and figure out a solution. In her own words, she "feels sick" about the issue, so we're trying to be optimistic that she will be able to help us solve it.
Stay tuned...
We got a call yesterday from the catering manager at the golf course where we booked our reception with the bad news that somehow, and for some reason unnoticed until yesterday, they had doubled booked their site for July 7th. Apparently, the site's beverage manager booked the other wedding way back in May and forgot to document it properly, so when we inquired about our reception, the other booking didn't come up. Now, the beverage manager sat in on our booking meeting, so we're not perfectly sure why she chose not to mention the fact that another wedding was booked for the 7th already, but we'll assume she had just forgotten.
So, because the other couple booked before we did, that leaves us somewhat in the lurch six months before the wedding, without a venue for the reception. We will be talking more with the catering manager today to try and figure out a solution. In her own words, she "feels sick" about the issue, so we're trying to be optimistic that she will be able to help us solve it.
Stay tuned...
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Happy New Year!
Kathleen is back at work this week, and John is getting ready to start teaching next week, and we both realized this morning that we had been blog-delinquent over the holidays. :) So welcome to the 2007 edition!
The wedding to do list this month is long, and includes things like fabric shopping (bridesmaid dresses and a veil), invitation materials, the start of the tuxedo search, hopefully some engagement pictures, and firming up some reception details. It's all work we're looking forward to doing, but we are aware that the 184 (!) days between now and July 7th will fly by quickly.
We had a wonderful holiday break, full of relaxation and lots of good friends and family. Our house has officially been warmed, as of our December 28th party. We were fortunate to have many of the people who sing in Ensemble de la Rue here to help us celebrate. And it was only one of a few parties we attended! Boxing Day dinner shared between our house and Adam and Shelly's was very enjoyable (the home-made Christmas crackers were fabulous) and may just have to become an annual tradition. The concert on New Year's Eve was a great success and was followed by ringing in the new year downtown. We also enjoyed a bounteous de la Rue brunch on New Year's Day (2nd annual!) and finished off the week at a traditional Swiss raclette (yum). We are now raclette owners.
And in the midst of all of that, we spent some good quality time together, and actually FINISHED UNPACKING. HUZZAH! (the hit!)
The wedding to do list this month is long, and includes things like fabric shopping (bridesmaid dresses and a veil), invitation materials, the start of the tuxedo search, hopefully some engagement pictures, and firming up some reception details. It's all work we're looking forward to doing, but we are aware that the 184 (!) days between now and July 7th will fly by quickly.
We had a wonderful holiday break, full of relaxation and lots of good friends and family. Our house has officially been warmed, as of our December 28th party. We were fortunate to have many of the people who sing in Ensemble de la Rue here to help us celebrate. And it was only one of a few parties we attended! Boxing Day dinner shared between our house and Adam and Shelly's was very enjoyable (the home-made Christmas crackers were fabulous) and may just have to become an annual tradition. The concert on New Year's Eve was a great success and was followed by ringing in the new year downtown. We also enjoyed a bounteous de la Rue brunch on New Year's Day (2nd annual!) and finished off the week at a traditional Swiss raclette (yum). We are now raclette owners.
And in the midst of all of that, we spent some good quality time together, and actually FINISHED UNPACKING. HUZZAH! (the hit!)
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