Say Cheese!

My new favorite site is Offbeat Bride.

Not only is this site loaded with great ideas and reassurances that my wedding can be whatever I dream it to be, but it's a perfect distraction for those of us who should be writing a paper on Advertising Image Analysis and whipping up an annotated bibliography on The Heuristic-Systematic Model.

Anyway, I found this interview with Angie from Milestone Images and nearly plotzed. This woman sounded nuts (in the best possible way), so I called her and confirmed that she is certifiable. Just the kind of gal I want mingling with my family!

I think I'm going to roll with her - talent and snark combined. She's perfect!

Work?

Hmmm...this planning is starting feel suspiciously like work. I don't know how I feel about that, given that work and school already take up so much of my time.

I am a lazy bride. This is my mantra and I am sticking to it.

I'm in love...with Dolly.

I just found Dolly and I am in love.

Dress Dilemma

Can someone please tell me why brides must order their dresses so far in advance of the wedding? It seems absurd, but then I realize that for those women for whom "being the bride" has meant everything, they probably know exactly the style they want and have been appropriately dieting in preparation. I, on the other hand, a great lover of beer, am about 15 pounds away from zipping up anything suitable.

So, to begin my search, I have turned to the Internet. And subsequently, as I simply cannot bring myself to create an account on The Knot for myself, I snaked my soon-to-be sister-in-law's (henceforth to be known as "Boots") user name and password. There I found a charming little 1950s number by designer Justin Alexander (which I sadly cannot post for you as my fiance occasionally reads this blog) and was smitten. Until I realized: RK Bridal, for me, is akin to the third ring of hell and I would much rather purchase something from a local small business than feed the machine that is the bridal industry. I do have a hardcore crush on this dress, though. Is it cute enough for me to compromise my principles? Can't readily say...

So, turning to less obvious sources, I turned to trusty Google and found Kimera Design.

Located on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, this lovely store is high on my list to visit (yes, with Boots and another member of the Official Wedding Oversight Committee)...and after I lose a solid 10 pounds.

That said, I'm off to the gym!

Grannie Shoes

Yesterday I actually took a lunch break. I left the building and bought a pair of very comfortable shoes.

Upon returning to the office, I showed them to a male colleague who said, "I know they're comfortable, but didn't they have a cuter pair?" Ouch.

This comment immediately reminded me of another colleague, who, upon learning that I had an internal job interview, blurted out, "Well, you can't wear that!"

Needless to say, I believe in comfort over style, which is precisely why my fabulous work crew has created "The Wedding Oversight Committee." I apparently cannot be trusted to purchase a wedding dress; therefore, I must present all considerations to members of the committee. Sad, but true.

I will rely on the expertise of the fashion-able; however, I retain the right to wear sensible footwear. Hmmm...maybe my new pair will suffice?

The Winner!

Yes, as you have likely deduced, we chose The Bronx Zoo!

They have a new event facility, The Schiff Family Great Hall, which at one point served as the Lion House. Built in 1903, the Hall is New York City's first 'green' renovated landmark building: I get my historical site fix while being environmentally conscious. PLUS, all proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the global conservation initiatives of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which thrills me beyond belief.

The ceremony will take place outdoors in front of the sea lion exhibit (sea lions!) and the cocktail hour will be in the new Madagascar! exhibit. Yes, we'll be toasting champagne among the lemurs and munching hors d'oeuvres with the crocodiles!

Check out the little video we took when we visited the space - bear cubs!

NYC: Unique Wedding Venues

Realizing that many people get engaged over the holidays, we knew we should pick a venue quickly, lest Bridezillas all over the area begin snatching up spaces. Knowing we wanted to continue the Haunted Mansion theme and marry in October 2010, time was of the essence. Plus, my favorite day of the year since childhood, October 23, falls on a Saturday this year. It's kismet, so the pressure was on!

To be clear, I have never been one of those women who dreamed of her wedding day. As a little girl, I did not marry Barbie and Ken in the backyard and I certainly never pranced around the house in a veil. (Once, though, when I was 13, my sisters dressed me in my mother's wedding gown; however, we couldn't button it over my sizable breasts. How sad is that? 13 years old and already too buxom, a plight that will no doubt plague me once it is time to seek out my own dress.)

Anyway, as we live in New York City (go Sunnyside, Queens!) we have opted to stay local. And, as I have a deep, abiding love for Masterpiece Classic and historic homes, we spent the past few weeks checking out the following:

Washington Irving's Sunnyside in Tarrytown, NY — is the historic home/museum of the famed author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The contact, Elaine, is very nice, despite bearing the bad news that we cannot book the space during the Halloween season (it conflicts with The Legends Festival). Note also, that events are not held in the actual home, but in a nearby tented area, which makes it far more suitable for a summer event. Thus, it's off the list. Shame, though, given our theme and the fact that the home itself shares its name with the neighborhood in which we reside.

The Old Stone House in Brooklyn, NY — is a lovely reconstruction of a 1699 Dutch farmhouse, central to the Battle of Brooklyn during the Revolutionary War. The house is charming and in a lovely neighborhood, adjacent to a park. Further, the fees are extremely reasonable. And, finally, the Director, Kim, is as lovely as the house and the docent, Cheryl, is friendly and knowledgeable. We really liked this option and it absolutely made the short list.

The Merchant's House Museum in NY, NY — as "Manhattan's most haunted house," we naturally gravitated to this site, especially when the Director, Margaret, informed us that they have a mourning exhibition up in October, which means a coffin is housed in the parlor, as was the custom in the 19^th century. Sadly, though, the space is rather small and can accommodate about 80 people maximum. We had to take it off the list.

Having so-so luck with the historic homes, we decided on a whim to call The Bronx Zoo — a location we visit every year on my birthday. I fully anticipated a site rental fee through the roof, but after a quick phone chat with their event coordinator, Tim, I learned the fee is very reasonable and the date of 10/23/10 is available.

Hmm...whichever did we choose? Photos with a coffin in Manhattan? Getting in touch with our Revolutionary sides in Brooklyn? Or swinging from the trees with the monkeys in the Bronx?

Stay tuned to find out. Or just re-read the name of this blog...