On Saturday, we meet with the catering manager at the hotel to finalize our day after brunch. We scored when she pulled out the 2009 menus and the one we chose was $1.00 per person cheaper and included some better options. We also found out that even though our room contract says we'll be responsible for the rooms that don't get booked in our block, that's actually not the case. They'll release them and not hold us responsible once the date for booking comes (note for future brides - make sure this is also the case for your contract). We also discussed the shuttle that will take our guests from the hotel to the Lodge and back again safely so we have less drunk drivers to worry about. After we met with Amber we enjoyed a really nice breakfast buffet that was taking place in the hotel restaurant.
After breakfast, we decided to let the girls test out the indoor water park. This is all the rage out here in the Midwest now. Tons of hotels are now installing these and getting rid of their traditional pool areas. The girls really liked the play area and Mr. S and I soaked up some quiet time in the hot tub.
After drying off and getting re-dressed, we decided to head out and get some more wedding errands done. We started with checking out the Lodge again and looking for some things the band requested (flat surface, power, etc). I also walked around the area to scope out some cute places for pictures (I'll have to post them later).
Then we went to the Barefoot Bar to talk to the catering manager there, but he was still at another restaurant that he cooks at. We decided to head there for lunch. The O'Farrell Sister's Restaurant was very good. They're famous for their pies which is also part of our rehearsal dinner menu (yum!).
We worked out some of the details with Will and paid our deposit for the rehearsal dinner and then we were off on a search for Boomer (the boat rental guy down the road - gotta love small town Iowa). Boomer was able to help us get a 16 ft speed boat rented for our time on the lake - now we just need to find a way to rent a boat lift for the dock so we can keep it overnight (add one more thing to the list).
Since we had some time to kill we decided to drive around Arnold's Park and look around. We got into the residential area and saw lots of for sale signs. Not that we need another house (we have three - anyone interested in buying a house?), but for a future vacation property we thought we'd start "window shopping". We called a couple of the numbers on the signs, we have a game that we guess how much real estate costs between the two of us (I'm usually closest), and found out that we could buy some really cute, off-lake properties for under $150,000! How insane is the market right now?! We could also by an apartment complex (three houses turned into small apartments) for $180,000. If only we weren't paying for a wedding, two cars, three houses, and five kids.
Our next appointment was with our caterer. Duane came very highly recommended. He runs a restaurant and teppanyaki room in Arnold's Park. During the winter he works on a yacht in Florida - what a fun life! We discussed our menu, the bar and paid a deposit. He also complimented our choice in location saying it's the ideal, most sought-after spot in Okoboji to get married, even his daughter wants to get married there (wow- it's like I'm getting married at the Ritz - only Okoboji style).
After we met with Duane we decided to hang out and have a few drinks at the Barefoot Bar. It's actually a family atmosphere, so the girls had fun playing on the playground and dancing to the music. Because of the weather (really windy - not that warm), there were not many boaters on the lake and they were getting pretty sauced at Barefoot. It provided some unique entertainment.
Our next appointment was with Brandy, our wedding coordinator, at the Lodge. We went over the layout of the Lodge and how things would be placed. I think this was the first time I had been in the bathroom there, it's HUGE. There will be plenty of room to freshen up in there between pictures and the ceremony - there's even a lounge chair. We talked about rentals, flowers, decorations, the schedule and many other details. We did a mock-up of the centerpieces and I gave her invitation examples and other things I had been saving to show her. I think we're on the right page and we'll be able to complete our planning through emails.
We had dinner reservations at Yesterday's, that's Duane's restaurant. I'm going to save the details for another post because I have pictures and the food was so good it deserves it's own post.
Sunday morning we had another buffet meal at the hotel restaurant - yummy. Since the weather was crummy (raining and windy) and we wouldn't be able to get on the lake, we decided to head home. So, that's our planning trip.
Have you had to stuff a whole lot of planning into one weekend for your wedding?
P.S. - For those of you wondering, Mr. S and I are doing better, last night went much better so I think we're back on the road to happily ever after. That's why I saved this post, if we had ditched the whole thing, this post would be kind of moot, right?
0 comments:
Post a Comment