Weekend O' Wedding Planning!

My parents were in town for the weekend, not only to see me (and help plan the wedding) but for my third-cousin's wedding.  Naturally I was not invited because she's my third cousin and I honestly never met the girl!  However, her reception was held at The City Club - a place which was secretly in contention as our reception site.  No, don't go looking through my past posts for info on it because you will not find it.  Never before did I mention City Club because Mike and I did not feel it was for us, so I didn't even go there.  That should say enough about it and it's fit for us.

Moving on.

On Friday I whisked my parents over to the Carnegie Institute for their own tour of the facility.  (Click on that link for a previous post and my take on the place.)  They instantly fell in love, and how can you not: the grand marble staircase, the beautiful rotunda, the elegant ballroom, the huge french-door entrance, and the staff is largely helpful.  At this point we began entertaining the idea of a June 2011 wedding, since our summers are open.  Also, my parents will celebrate 45 years of marriage on June 18.  What a nice tribute to them to be married on/around that date.  (We also found out the CI takes credit cards, which means bonus points on the visa!)

Saturday we viewed Glen Echo Park.  I put a tentative hold on Memorial Day weekend of 2011, and have yet to receive a contract.  We also had to track down a representative of the park to give us a tour, so Mike and I largely winged-it ourselves.  As much as it pains me to give up on GEP, there are too many variables, which my parents helped me to see:  weather, shuttle buses, distance to bathrooms, drinks in a confined space, location.  However, there is a way around this.  We can still take pictures at GEP prior to the ceremony!  My mom proposed getting transportation for the wedding party and immediate family, pre-nuptials - enjoying the GEP grounds through photographs with ceremony ad celebrating at Carnegie. 
That I can do!

Then we started entertaining April dates, settled on two possibilities, then realized grad-school calendar would not allow for such.  Back to June dates.

I put a request in with the Carnegie Institue for June 19.  I'm not allowing myself to get excited, yet, until I hear the availability.  I hope, hope, hope, though that it is!


Oh, and we enjoyed a lovely Mother's day together as a family!