Party in Virginia - August 22

This past weekend I went home to Virginia and looked at a couple of options for our reception in the Old Dominion. We've narrowed it down to the two options shown below.

Reynolds Homestead, Patrick County, Virginia
(http://www.reynoldshomestead.vt.edu)

This one is an old plantation about 20 minutes from my parents' house in Bassett. It is now owned by Virginia Tech and has a new building on the grounds that can be rented for events such as receptions. The area is beautiful and the old plantation house and surrounding landmarks are well preserved. Below is a picture of the old plantation house (built in 1843) and the inside of the main room where we would have the reception. I like this one for

its history and the beauty of the area.

Forest Park Country Club, Martinsville, Virginia

Another option we are considering is Forest Park in Martinsville which is also about 20 minutes from where I grew up. This is a nice option and beautiful location but they don't allow outside caterers.






























We haven't yet decided on exactly where to have it but the party in Virignia should be fun with good food and maybe a little bit of blue grass.

Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many different forms. I have fabric and pictures and now a notebook. My friend Marla helped me figure out a lot about my inspiration this weekend. I harnessed her years of experience in the wedding industry to help me get my thoughts together. Thanks, Marla!

So here are some of my inspirations...note they are inspirations and not necessarily exactly what I want (i.e. the fabrics are more palets of colors). Note the colors might not look the same so I'll have to send Mom and Judy samples.

And the flowers/plants...

Something sweet to look at...

Locations for Utah Reception

Picture an August evening where everyone is gathering to enjoy each other and congratulate Garrett and I on our new marriage. So where did you picture it? I kept thinking of locations but my mind always wondered back to my parents' yard. Isn't it lovely?

I keep telling Garrett that this would be a lot of stress and work for my parents so it's not an option, but my parents keep saying it's the best option. My sisters Marianne and Michelle had receptions here as well as my Aunt Nellie.

Another option is going to a reception hall where most everything is included...Northampton House is really close to Michelle and does a beautiful job (http://www.northamptonhouse.com/). If it won't be the death of my parents then I would prefer our yard to a reception hall...Any ideas on how to keep Mom & Dad's stress down?

Simple Formula

You take the right people . . .




. . . a beautiful ring . . .

. . . the right place and you get . . .

. . . . happily ever after!!

Save the Date!

The Manti Temple has been reserved...August 7th at 3PM.  Yeah!!!  We are getting married. :)

OK - now we've got to finish all the other plans...Manti House dinner, reception, cake, dress, etc

Wedding Expo

Thanksgiving Point is throwing their Wedding Expo in 2 weeks - March 27 & 28.  Sounds like fun and I wish I could make it.  Who wants to go get all the information and take pictures?  Mom, Michelle, Lori,...

www.Thanksgivingpoint.com

How We Met... Part II

Who doesn't love Coney Island? We sure love it... they're changing it a little bit this year but hopefully they won't change too much. Late in the month of July 2007 the Brooklyn YSA group hosted an activity out on Coney Island and I went there with my little brother Derek (he stayed that entire summer with me in NYC). We had a lot of fun and spent most of the day on the beach. 

After a while a very cute girl I had met a couple of weeks earlier showed up... she caught my eye again and this time I had to at least get her number. :) Betsy came later in the afternoon when some people were leaving. I didn't want to leave so early... we hadn't even gotten a hot dog yet! So, Derek and I stuck around a little longer with Betsy and another young lady... ok, we had more motivation for staying than just a hot dog. ;) We got our hot dog and sat on the beach for a while as dusk set in. We talked a while and she had caught my interest - to say the least. 

Later that evening, after I got home, Derek was laughing at me about how much we were flirting. He especially liked the part when Betsy dropped ice down my shirt... she doesn't remember that. :) Of course, he was really picking on me once I told him I got her number... my baby brother saw the beginnings of budding romance... and I guess he had to have his fun with me. After that I went to a conference in Hong Kong for a week so it was another couple of weeks before we went on our first date...

How We Met...

It was a rainy summer evening in July of 2007... it was the fourth of July to be exact. My little brother and I had been invited to a party to see the fireworks over the East River. Our friend Stacy had the greatest view since she could see both sets of fireworks from her balcony. That night I met Betsy for the first time... and I saw fireworks! ;) At one point I remember talking to her and thought I could make a splash with my good sense of humor. After telling a corny joke that didn't land I toned down the humor for the evening. Instead I told her all about Brooklyn and how rough my neighborhood was (the old one)... I think I even said something about how she should never go near my neighborhood. Between the corny jokes and telling her NOT to go near my house, I don't believe I was thinking clearly that night. I guess it's like that sometimes when you talk to an angel. ;) The evening ended with a few of us walking to the subway, including me and Betsy. I really enjoyed talking to her but I didn't get her number that night ... that came later at another serendipitous meeting...

Tentative Schedule

So here are our thoughts on what the big day(s) might look like...nothing set in stone since we are mulling it over.  (did I ever tell you that we have a difficult time deciding on things right away? must be a recent thing)

August 7, 2009

3PM Wedding at Manti Temple (Garrett is booking it today)

4-5:30PM Pictures (guests can tour Manti)

6PM Dinner at Manti House (or are there other suggestions?)

Night Guests drive back to UT County

August 8, 2009

Morning Out of town guests site-see Utah spots

Afternoon Have fun with family getting things set up

7PM Reception at ??? (need suggestions here)

August 22, 2009

Reception in Virginia with Blue Grass music

Tying the Knot

Garrett and Betsy are tying the knot! This blog is to tell their story and plan, plan, plan for their perfect day.

There are no wedding colors as yet, but I'll guess that rose plays a big part????