The down and dirty numbers

I spend 40 hours a week negotiating and when the clock strikes 5:30 pm, the last thing I want to do is negotiate. Precisely why I use my valuable lunch minutes to hash out the dirty details of wedding contracts. I view this as an opportunity to improve my negotiating skills. After falling in love with the Arts Garden I soon realized my dreams would be crushed if the Ritz Charles was unwilling to work with my budget.
For some reason every time I hear the words Ritz Charles I have this image of snobby butlers running around with trays of caviar and gray poupon. After feedback from close friend and a little online research, I learn a man started the business with the goal to be affordable to couples. Wishful thinking? Or the truth?
I soon find out it's the truth. I stick to my number and let my salesperson prepare several contracts before telling her we're inches away from the deal as long as she throws in a champagne toast for everyone. She agrees. Wow, it's fun to be on this side of things. Kyle and I will make a few more visits this weekend, but I have a feeling we're inches away from securing the venue. And then I sit back and enjoy my year. PS I had the biggest meeting of my career tonight which may be the difference of open bar or beer and wine for my guest. Fingers crossed-open bar.

When you know, you know, right?

The minute I set foot in the bridal store my anxiety rose to a level 100. It was a zoo. Brides were running around. Babies were screaming. Stage moms were critiquing the fit of their daughters' future prom dresses. I soon found out there was a $99 special going on. I chose the wrong day to play dress up. I was shoved in a corner that happened to be directly next to a woman and her 8 relatives who all had very strong opinions about my dresses and hers. I immediately decided I would throw a few dresses on and then I was out of here.

My salesperson was a breath of fresh air. She managed to compose herself in the midst of 60 emotional women. She was calm, collected and nurturing. I put the first dress over my head, zipped it up myself and walked out of my small corner dressing room. Everyone in the heavily mirrored room seemed to stop what they were doing and stare at me. I couldn't tell if this was a good reaction or a bad one.

I mazed through the 8 relatives and stood in front of my mom. She looked at me and immediately started crying. "Oh, Erin," she said in her sweetest librarian voice. "You're beautiful." I caught a glimpse of my reflection and loved what I saw. This dress was an amazing designer gown with a hint of vintage flair. It was classic. Elegant. Me. But too big. I couldn't get past the fact I was about to flash the bride next to me and her 8 relatives who chimed in that it was a "WOW" dress. It was perfect, but it couldn't be this easy. I had to try on a few more before I realized nothing could compare to my very first dress.

Luckily they had a smaller version of "the dress". I put it on and it fit perfectly. I felt like a million dollars. I left the boutique, ran to another store, tried on a few more gowns before confirming my decision. This was the dress. This was the dress.

Something New

Ahhhhhh...the dress. I promised my mom she would be the first to see me in anything all white. And here I am in Fort Wayne hours away from playing around in dresses. The only thing missing from this day is my sister, but we promised to use modern technology to keep her updated on our progress. I'm not buying today. I'm playing dress up to see what styles may work and what styles I wish would work. I know I like the vintage look and lately I've been going through a comfortable bohemian phase. Ideally I want something classic and unique. Designer would be nice, but my practical budget restrictions may steer me clear of that dream.

This wedding thing is starting to get fun. And I have 11 months to create this day. Too long? Too short? We will find out soon enough.

Glass dome-my new home

You know that moment when you find your dream home? You walk in the door and suddenly you're ready to cut a check for some disgusting sum of money? When I walked in the Indianapolis Arts Garden I got that feeling. This was it. Period. I never really dreamed of my wedding until this moment. I pictured walking down the stairs surrounded by friends and family. I saw my first dance as husband and wife, my emotional dance with my father, the cutting of the cake, the artsy centerpieces. I saw it all. The space was perfect.
The Arts Garden is a sphere shaped glass dome that sits over Illinois and Washington in the heart of Indianapolis. There are living trees and different art displays on exhibit which is probably where it got its name. Luckily the director was on hand. His laid back, creative personality sold me from the moment I shook his hand. Every idea I threw out he said yes without hesitation. Suddenly we were creating my wedding. Oh, he was good. Then he told me the room rental fee supported local artists and if he had the contract handy, I probably would have signed. Not only was the space incredible, but it supports a good cause. My father always told me the only money that should ever truly mean something is the money I give to help someone else.
I snapped a few pictures for Kyle and sat on a bench in the balcony watching cars fly down Illinois. Venue-Check!

Ball drop, Knee Drop

At the ball drop 2010 I raise my glass and my boyfriend drops to one knee asking me to marry him in front of 24 or so of our closest friends. Unexpected is an understatement. I am quite certain my head leaves my body for 2 hours as I prance around my house overcome with emotions. I immediately decide I am not planning a thing for at least 3 months. I want to enjoy being engaged. Enjoy I did for 3-4 days, but then the infamous "have you set a date" question starts haunting my dreams. It is a standard inquiry asked by almost everyone. After the 20th time of my typical staged response, I decide I will pick the date and the venue and then I can sit back and enjoy the creative process as it unfolds in my brain. *Insert headache here.*
After playing it cool for several days I come home from work and start discussions with my fiance who was open to brainstorming. Outside? Inside? Summer? Fall? Downtown? Uptown? Upside Down? What did we want? Initially we both pictured a downtown wedding at the zoo. Perfect. We also like the idea of a New Year's Eve wedding since we were engaged on New Year's Eve. It's different. It's us. This whole wedding thing was easy. *Insert headache here again* I quickly learn the zoo was booked through 2011. Bummer. Moving on. We make a list of venues and load up an afternoon. This is fun. The agenda is as follows:
1. Zoo-Maybe one couple will change their minds? Gardens incredible, but still booked.
2. Historical Society-Eli Lilly Hall AMAZING. Right on the canal. Perfect for summer or fall.
3. Union Station/Illinois Street Ballroom-Union Station a dream, but the hotel felt haunted to me.
4. Mavris-Super sleek, super hip loft. Once again, pretty booked up through next year.
5. Hillcrest-Beautiful picture potential, but not for me.
At the end of the tour of venues I knew two things. I want to get married downtown and it's going to be expensive. We go home exhausted by the thought of the thousands of dollars we are about to spend on one single day and toss around the idea of eloping. I'm sure every couple discusses this at one point...If we didn't have so many beloved friends and family I'm sure we'd have tropical tickets sitting in our laps by now. To be continued