Wedding Trip - Day Two - 6/24/10

I didn't sleep much last night. Because I knew heavy rains and thunder were coming, I kind of kept myself awake, waiting for them so I could check all of the windows for rain coming in. As it turned out the windows weren't a problem, but the screen doors we left open were. Once I close them all again, it heated things up inside making it hard to get to sleep. Short night.

Dave and I explored the chalet some more. Figuring out which light switch goes to which light will take some time. We ate a quick breakfast, then headed into Little Valley.

Our first order of business this morning was to get our marriage license. I used to work with the town clerk, so we did a lot of catching up and everything went without a hitch.

Next, we were off to our florist to drop off some tartan ribbon for my bridal bouquet. Annette and I grew up together on the same street walking to and from school together for about 5 years. She then married my cousin Kevin and I was one of her bridesmaids. She opened a florist/gift shop in our home town a few years ago and I was thrilled to be including her in my wedding in some fashion.

Annette was able to show me the flowers for my wedding. They had arrived and were in her coolers soaking in buckets. PERFECT! The roses were exactly what I wanted and there were oodles of thistles and dark purple lisianthus. This is real! We're getting married. Marriage license and flowers for my wedding. Yep!

Dave and I then drove over to Mom's apartment. She looked great and I could tell very excited to not only see us, but for the wedding. We were going to meet Dori & Ian for lunch at The Elkdale Country Club golf course.

It was still pretty toasty and humid out, so we ate inside and enjoyed the AC. Lunch was yummy and the place mats and menus even matched our wedding colors. Now, that was odd! LOL

We dropped mom back at her apartment and chatted a bit more, then we had to get to the chalet to meet with our photographer for the first time. While we waited, we got to work starting to set up and unpack our wedding ceremony & reception items and I started to assemble some of the things that needed to be put together.

Coni, our photographer from On Location Photography in Olean, arrived right on time, having no problems finding the chalet, so that was a good sign others would.

We both liked Coni very much. It's a fear when planning a wedding long distance that the people you're conversing with either via email or even the phone, won't be what you had envisioned, but Coni was very personable, funny, and seemed to be very flexible with our photo requests. I was excited.

Next on our list was the rental equipment. We rented the chairs, tables, linens, silverware, glassware and other items from Cayas Canopies in Alleghany. Our wedding planner/rental agent and her husband offered to pick up our supplies for us so we could save on the delivery charge. They picked up everything today and dropped it off at the chalet. Dave and I helped them unload and just kind of stacked everything where we could in the chalet. Soooo appreciated them doing that. It helped out a great deal.

Then Dave and I were off to visit with my friend Gwen back in Little Valley. She had wanted us to stop by so we could rehearse our bit for the handfasting ceremony and she could give me the tea she offered to get us. Or that was the story I was being told! See next entry.....

Flowers

We finally have a contract with our florist to use the following flowers for our wedding/reception.

-cream colored roses
-ocean song lavender roses
-thistles
-lavender
-purple lisianthus (look just like roses, but less expensive and no scent)
-salad tips (or Lemon Leaf)
-western ferns

Along with some moss-covered vases and urns.

I think they'll all be beautiful and glad to have this "set". Now I can't wait to see them!

Floating Flowers

Well, if we can't come up with something to disguise the hot tub at the chalet in some fashion, it might be fun to leave it open and float something like this in it.

Balloons vs. Flowers

Another good idea that would be a less-expensive option than all flowers for decorations is to use balloons. Preferably helium-quality ones.

Filling a room with flowers isn’t the only way to set the scene. Creatively displaying colorful balloons can also transform a space -- and for a fraction of what you’d spend on a large floral display. On average, a couple will spend 10 to 15 percent of their wedding budget on flowers. Imagine what else you could to do with all that cash you’ll save!

I think balloons are sounding a little better now.