Group Pictures

Getting everyone ready for the surprise picture was probably the most nerve wracking point of the day for me. The guys were not cooperating and they were taking their time walking up to the location for the pictures. It was hard to time when I was going to come out because we were going to have a reveal picture for Jonathan to see me for the first time.

Luckily I had a great photographer who kept me cool and calm through this and things turned out better than expected.

A lot on my plate

We have been doing a lot of house hunting research and a lot of venue hunting research that I just want to rip my hair out (but then I also don't want to be a bald bride, so that can't happen).

This weekend we are viewing the Coco Palms Restaurant, and we are waiting to hear back from Cannons Seafood Grill to make a viewing appointment. We are also planning to drive by some of the neighborhoods in Long Beach and see what we are looking at.

A co-worker suggested the Kellogg House in Pomona, which have great food prices pp but I am dreading the $4000 FEE. YIKES!

A mutual friend of ours recommended The Camarillo Ranch Mansion and after looking at some of her pictures and reading about it, I think we will definitely have to consider it. PLUS it looks like they allow outside catering and we can have the venue for MORE THAN FOUR HOURS!!! Thank you EVELYN!! One of my cousins also sent me a link where I have more options, since I have already worn out and viewed everything on The Knot.

I have also started to reconsider my 5 wedding criteria... aka my MUST HAVES:
1. Outdoor Venue
2. Site must be able to host Ceremony and Reception
3. Costs must be under $55 per person
4. Site must hold minimum 175 people
5. Site must allow amplified music - because we're dancing!

On another wedding topic, my mom's friend knows a seamstress and she can do my dress! All I need to start doing is dress shopping to find out what I like and what I want... and ta-da!

I think on Tuesday we will be submitting some paperwork to find out if we qualify for an EOM under his bank and how much we can get pre-approved for. If we get pre-approved for a small amount, we may have to consider 1 bedrooms OR adding his name to the loan (but increasing our interest rate). From what I'm hearing, I think I would much rather dive into an EOM loan than an FHA loan since we would not have to pay the PMI fee. Especially since we are looking into condos and we would already have to pay an HOA fee.

No pictures for today. I'm too scatterbrained for today's post but I really needed to jot these notes down. A lot of things going on, not enough time.

15 Ways We Will Save Money!

1. We designed our monogram
2. We will design our save the dates, invitations, etc. and print them ourselves
3. Our RSVP's will be on postcards to save on postage $.28 (instead of $.44)
postcard must be: rectangular, between 3-4 inches high and 5-6 inches long
4. We are not planning to rent a limousine or a car
5. We will hopefully be married by a priest in the family
6. We are having cupcakes instead of cake
7. Instead of cut floral center pieces, we will probably have potted orchids (also saves time!)
8. Flowers for bouquets will be purchased from the flower mart
9. We are thinking of hooking up our iPod/ laptop to speakers - we'll see about this one
10. Not having open bar - sorry
11. We will hold the ceremony and reception at the same location
12. Probably have buffet instead of sit down meals
13. Jonathan's tux/suit will hopefully be free!
14. My hair and make up will probably be done by one or two of my talented cousins
15. Our parents are resourceful and know how to negotiate!