More shoes...

So the green shoes I chose are pretty high and I'm kind of worried I'll suffer from shoe fatigue about 2 hours in. So I bought some lower back-up shoes for $40 today:

Local Flora!

Local Flora is awesome - we're getting a tray of 42 gerbera daisys for our tables from them. They were really easy to work with and their prices are VERY good. Best part? All the flowers are local. Our daisys will come from a farm in Petaluma picked THAT DAY. How cool is that?

Help: I want a great place to get married in New England!

In response to this post, on 2000 dollar wedding, I created the following list, which has been requested many times by readers of 2000 wedding.

My grandparents 50th anniversary party was at Mount Agamenticus in York Maine. Its a large hall on the top of a mountain. We had a caterer, but I think I remember there being a kitchen. It has incredible views, and is a beautiful rustic place. The website isn't great, but here it is: http://www.agamenticus.org/index.htmlProbably best for you to just call and ask questions, but I'm sure its affordable.

Carters cross country ski center in Bethel Maine is a small lodge but I know the owners and their daughter had her reception there. Since its a ski center, they would likely be interested in renting it out off season. Call (207) 539-4848 and ask to talk to Jessica. Anne (her mom) can also help you, but I think Jes would be more into the idea. (she had her recpetion there.) Jes and I were great friends and on the cross country ski team together in high school. :-)

This place is amazing. http://www.kezarlakehouse.com/westways.htmlItused to be a restaurant but is now a vacation rental. I'm not sure it would be ideal for a large wedding, but it could work. Kezar Lake is one of the most beautiful in Maine. There are a bunch of state parks on the coast of Maine and on inland lakes that have facilities for groups. Check out the Maine state parks webpage.

Sebago Lake is really cool and has a group picnic facility. http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/doc/parks/find_one_name.pl?park_id=26

This place in Casco, Maine seems kitchy and fun, but I don't know anything about it personally: http://www.alyssasmotel.com/index.htm

The best way to rent a "camp" (Maine speak for summer cottage - not summer camp like what you go to when you're a kid) is to find one you like, find out who owns it, then call them up and ask about it. There are a bunch of affordable camps on lakes in Western Maine in Bryant Pond and Locke Mills Maine. Local real estate agents can guide your search.

Mt. Greylock in North Adams Mass has a lodge on top of it and a large open field that would be ideal for a wedding. Not sure if they would rent it out, but might be worth checking out. Fantastic views and sunsets! http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock/
There's also this site for Massachusetts parks: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/recreate/dayuse.htm

Think about renting a local dowhnill ski lodge off-season. You could get a really good rate since these places are largely sitting unoccupied during the summer. Potentially you could have the ceremony on the top of the mountain, transported by chair-lift, then the receiption at the lodge at the base.
Ideas:http://www.skiblackmountain.org/
http://www.camdensnowbowl.com/
http://www.mtabram.com/
http://www.lostvalleyski.com/ (A lot of folks from my high school get married here)http://www.sprucemountain.org/

Here are some more conventional and less DIY ideas:
http://www.bearmtninn.com/ - has "packages" which could be fairly affordable if you're not having too many people
http://www.cape-cottages.com/ A private, peaceful place located on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, Maine. Site available May, June, September and October only. Perfect for outdoor, tented receptions. Lodging onsite. Limit 140 guests.
http://www.highlandlakeresort.com/

My friend Thea is a wedding photographer in New Hampshire and has been to a TON of weddings in New England at all sorts of venues. I'm sure she'd be happy to give some ideas. thea@authenticeye.com

Hope this is helpful. Best of luck!

Sneak Peek - Wedding playlist

Some of the music on our dance playlist:

Say Hey (I Love You) - Michael Franti
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Happy Together – the Turtles
Music Sounds Better With You - Stardust
My Sharona – The Knack
One More Time – Daft Punk
Alright - Supergrass
Read My Mind - Killers
Human - Killers
Kingdom of Rust - Doves
Candy - Paolo Nutini
Groove Is In the Heart – Dee Lite
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
She's Not There –The Zombies
Jungle Boogie – Kool and the Gang
Build Me Up Buttercup - Foundations
What I Like About You - Romantics
Express Yourself - Charles Wright /the Watts
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
Just Dance – Lady Gaga
Come Fly With Me – Frank Sinatra
1901 - Phoenix
Nothing to Worry About – Peter Bjorn & John

Hen Party!

Some of my very favorite ladies in the world put together a bachelorette-party-type weekend for me that I've coined the hen party. I'm so excited for it! The weekend before the wedding we'll have brunch in Marin then check into this really cool condo on the Russian River - with a HOT TUB! Home spa treatments courtesy of my mom, then dinner at the Dawn Ranch. Later, live music at the Rio Nido Roadhouse, which is right across the street from where we'll be staying. I'm sure after that we'll stay up late, do each other's hair, have a pillow fight and stay up late giggling.

The next morning we'll make breakfast then go on a hike in the redwoods then see if the swimming is good at Johnson Beach in Guernville. Depending on how we're feeling we may follow that up with wine tasting or something like that.

My hens are amazing women, I don't know what I'd do without them and I can't wait for our weekend!

Shoes!

I bought these green satin Nine West shoes because they were on sale and they might just work. They are about 3/4" higher than the highest shoes I previously owned, but I tottered around in them for a while yesterday and they seem okay. I tried them on with my dress this morning and they will definitely work! However, I may still up going for gold in the end.

Its about 60 degrees and overcast but we're hosting a 4th of July/Tour de France BBQ today that we spent a lot of time and energy preparing for. Last minute regrets continue to trickle in, but hopefully some folks will show up! After all, its almost certainly better weather here than in the city.

Prezzies

The correlation of a possible move and receiving wedding gifts packed in huge boxes is an excellent recycling opportunity. Yesterday we received gifts from some of my aunts and uncles including a Jack LaLane Power Juicer and a set of lovely dishes perfect for a small dinner party. I'm considering opening up the juicer and making some lemonade for our 4th of July BBQ on Saturday but Dave is already going way overkill on food and preparations for this thing that probably no one will even show up to and I don't want to encourage him.

Every time I get a new email I jump because we're waiting with baited breath to hear about the house we're trying to buy. Its a short sale, so it has taken FOREVER for the bank holding the mortgage to approve the offer. Forever as in tomorrow it will have been TEN WEEKS. The last thing we heard (last Friday) was "file was submitted to closing dept. Their estimated response time is 3-5 business days, so hope to get an approval this week" So... its been 3-5 days. TELL US OUR FATE. NOW.