Drama...Drama...Drama!

As I have continued to plan my wedding I have encountered some challenges.  My fiancé and I have just started to "plan" our wedding and I think the most stressful thing that we have come across is people "giving" their opinion!  For example, after meeting with a venue vendor last week he and I started making our guest list.  our list was at 150, which was our ideal number.  My sister suggested that I invite other family members that wouldn't show up due to travel expenses as a curtesy.  I didn't see the harm in that and made a separate list.

Later that day, we met with my fiancés sister who then added another 50 people to our list!  The people she had suggested were people who we purposely left out or people we didn't know close enough.  I didn't say anything and we both looked a little overwhelmed with the fact that our list had increased from 150 to 200 in a matter of minutes!  

We both took time to process (this was after I freaked for a few minutes) and decided that we needed to cut our list down.  Where to start...we decided that we would eliminate the people we hadn't originally included in our list.  They were not added for a reason.  Our wedding is about us, the people we are closest to and who can understand our quirks, inside jokes and know who we are together as well as who we are apart.  I don't want to feel obligated to invite certain people to avoid world war 3...bring it!

The other thing that was useful in our reduction was that WE are paying for our wedding.  Unfortunately and FORTUNATELY, we will be paying for our wedding out of our own money.  Unless the neighbor wants to pay for her plate and then some they can't have an opinion.  I am aware that people mean well but this wedding needs 2 decision makers.  

I am sure there is more stress to come but for now it's just an experience where we are learning to delegate and make final decisions.  SUGGESTIONS???

Wedding Challenges

Hi loves!  I haven't posted in a while because things have sort of been put on hold due to problems with the venue.  I was totally happy with the Hyatt's Crystal ballroom and I truly want that room because of the  beautiful windows.  I know that it sounds weird but light is important to me as is the background scenery. Realistically, having the view of downtown Chicago would have been phenomenal!

So what's my beef?  They Hyatt was definitely working to make things work BUT were only able to offer me an hour of open bar and the food would have been very basic.  I think as a bride, I have thought about what are important things for me and my loved ones.  Food would definitely be an important component and being that people would be spending money on us it would be important for us to absorb the cost of the alcohol.

Today, we are going to look at a venue that the Hyatt suggested.  It's called European Crystals.  It looks pretty (NO WINDOWS, I HATE THAT) but I am keeping an open mind.  They have 2 packages and one happens to be my budget and it literally includes EVERYTHING.  My concern is that the facility has received great reviews for the appearance, food, and cost BUT has received horrible customer service and the hosts assigned the day of the events have been so rude that people have actually left WEDDINGS!  I will be straightforward with the person we meet today and address my concerns as well as addressing that I don't have the patience to deal with disrespectful people.  I think if I can get that out into the open we can make this work.

Nothing is final, like I said our meeting is today.  We will continue to look at options and I will let you guys know the final destination.   :)


Love,
G

We have our wedding date and our location!

Hello my lovelies!  The most recent update is that Jorge and I found our wedding location!  We will be getting married in downtown Chicago on FRIDAY Sept. 13, 2013!!! Yes, Friday the 13th!  I love the date and we are totally not superstitious.  The pics I have included are what the location looks like and I know that we will have some AMAZING pics being that we are in the heart of the BEST city in the world! :) 

Wedding Theme

Hi dolls!  So, I have been fighting Jorge since we got engaged on what our wedding theme should be.  I really wanted to incorporate hot pink and zebra print!  Of coarse he argued that zebra print was not a color and hot pink was too girlie! :(  Somehow I know I will add these to either my bridal party or bachelorette party!

2 ideas that we both agreed on are a vintage hollywood theme wedding.  What does this mean?  Not sure yet but I managed to convinve him with these images I got from google. 

The second theme isn't really a theme.  I think it's just a colorful theme.  We like both ideas and while the vintage feel is classy and classic the second theme is fun and bright.  Some images we found are these which were also found on google.  The nice thing is that I would be able to use hot pink in this theme!  In the very beginning I had suggested blue and hot pink and he vetoed that really fast!  Let me know what you guys think!

Looking for a Photographer

OMG!  This is probably one of the scariest parts so far!  I never thought that photography would be so expensive.  It almost makes me want to give everyone a disposable camera and say, "Go buck wild!"  I think that what is a bit overwhelming is that I am unsure of the work.  There are many websites that offer samples of there work online but then you have a trillion calls a day coming in from that company only because you viewed their work!

I really hate having to deal with the constant calls and I get that people are really trying to push their service because it means more business on their end...they are really repelling me because I hate the pushy sales pitch.  I am asking you guys to help me out with this!

I had this idea that perhaps I could get some things  sponsored for my wedding.  That doesn't mean that I am willing to sacrafice the intimacy or my wedding...it just means that momma wants to save some money and help a business grow by offering exposure!

On that note, if you guys know anyone in Chicago who would be willing to donate or offer a deal on their services and time plese have them contact me at Escobar.N.Avila@gmail.com.  

Thank you guys and stay tuned for my next idea!  By the way...have you voted??? 
http://wgntv.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=V&c=49611&s=16083294&i=1#SD

You can vote up to 100 times every hour!  The top ten finalists will be announced tomorrow and then it means crunch time with voting!

WGN Contest

Hey guys!  I wanted to ask you guys for some MASSIVE help!  I entered the cutest couple contest wtih Jorge and voting starts tomorrow!  The winners get an all expense paid vacation to Cancun!  Please help me and Jorge win our honeymoon...or vacation! :) .  Thanks for the love and support. 

The link is http://wgntv.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?p=A&c=49611&s=16083294  and the voting starts Feb 1, 2012.  Wish us luck!

Welcome

Welcome my loves!  This blog was created so that I can share my very special moment with you guys!  As most of you know, Jorge and I got engaged on Christmas day.  We have been together for 9 years.  I wanted to create this blog for you gusy so that I can share with you my ideas as well as get ideas from you guys!  I can't wait to begin sharing with you and I will also be creating a Youtube channel where I can vlog.  Thanks for your love and support.