We had another great time in Santa Barbara on Sunday. I am so happy we're having the wedding there. We haven't signed the contract yet, but it looks like the reception will be at The University Club of Santa Barbara. The bridal event there was fun and the champagne was deee-licious. It was cool to see the place all set up. I know it's going to be beautiful for our reception. We went to another bridal event just across town where we met up with our coordinators. They are so great and we both feel very safe in their capable hands. We were told to get our butts in gear and find a photographer, but that is no easy task. The great thing is that there are lots to choose from and the sucky thing is that there are lots to choose from.

My awesome maitron-of-honor, Laura, is coming to LA the last week of February to go wedding gown shopping with me! I am excited and nervous. It's the only thing Brandon can't help me do, so I'm really relying on Laura to help me. She said I would look good in a salmon-colored dress with layers of tulle and lace and I believe her.

Sad + Happy = Sappy?

It was a rough week in the Bramy household. I was laid off and Fuji got sick. After a bunch of tests and a full-body x-ray the vet still doesn't know what's wrong with him, so it looks like we're going back to have more tests done next week. Thank goodness I'm unemployed!

On a happier note, tomorrow we are off to Santa Barbara again to see some bridal shows. There is one at the place where we're planning to have the reception (still no contract - boo) and another one at a hotel. There will also be tons of vendors from the area for us to talk to - flowers, music, cakes, dresses... I'm really looking forward to it. I've heard there will be a chocolate fountain, which I plan on diving into. And we've heard there are some prizes to be won - a honeymoon to Italy, perhaps? We're also going to meet with our coordinators. The ball is rolling!

Mark your calendars... in pencil.

No contracts have been signed just yet, but it looks as though we will be getting married on October 21, 2006 in Santa Barbara!

My Awesome Best Friends = My Bridal Party

That's the last time I pick a fight with Fuji! He's out of the wedding!

My mom took these pictures when we were in Syracuse. I'm wearing her wedding dress - it fit like a glove!

I think I love this one more.

Pretty.

Location, location, location

I made appointments to see three different reception locations for Saturday, January 14th. The Fess Parker Doubletree Hotel, Stella Mare's and The University Club of Santa Barbara. They all look great in the pictures and the people I've spoken to seem nice. It will be fun to see the places in person. I'm very excited that all three places allow candles. That may sound weird, but I always envisioned a candlelit reception - all warm and cozy. I'm open to different dates in the fall. We were originally thinking of November, but now it looks as if we may have the option of October or even September. It sure would be nice to have it the Sunday of the long Labor Day weekend - the weather would be nice, people could come for a few days AND we may be able to save money by having it on a Sunday.

My matron of honor, Laura, asked me what kind of wedding dress I'm thinking of. I have no clue. I think I have to try them on to really know. I'm not a dress person, so it's hard to even know what looks good on me. It will be soooo fun to go dress shopping when the time comes.

Make My Wedding

I talked to a wedding coordinator tonight. She sounds really great. Her company is called Make My Day. I went to the discussion forums at santabarbarawedding.com and a lot of brides had great things to say about her and her partner. She's already helping us by giving us some ideas for reception locations. She told me the Fess Parker Doubletree Hotel would be a good venue. We went to the website and the Reagan Room looks beautiful. It has a fireplace, allows candles AND - most importantly - we can have a band! She said that she will e-mail me tomorrow with more ideas. She said that November is a good time because summer is definitely wedding season in Santa Barbara and it may be less expensive. We may also be able to save by having the reception at a venue that includes everything (unfortunately that means wineries are out, but that's okay). We are thinking of checking out some places January 14th and possibly staying overnight for Brandon's birthday the next day.

The planning begins...

We're back from Syracuse and ready to get planning. I've already e-mailed three wedding coordinators in Santa Barbara. I hope they get back to me soon. We're hoping to meet with people this month. I'm having a grand ol' time surfing the internet for reception sites, dresses, coordinators, florists and anything else wedding-related. I can't imagine how stressful it would be to do all of the research and decision making alone. Yikes. I know myself (and my fiance) and hiring a coordinator might be one of the smartest things we do.