Odds and Ends

When it comes to decorations at the reception, I am thinking less is more. I do not plan on having tablecloths on the indoor tables (why cover those beautiful wood tables?), but I do want some fabric overlays/decor on the cake table, buffet table, etc. And the outdoor tables will need a little pizazz.

Mom and I spent some time out in Hamburg this afternoon looking at random things for the wedding. They had many fabric patterns out in two-yard quantities for sale...I scooped up two burnt orange fabrics and one grass green fabric. I think I can use these for some of my "extra" tables mentioned above. 

Not sure exactly what I will do, but here are some potential ideas (or at least images to provide inspiration): 

I like the runner idea on this table...

I love this fabric look! So bunchy and fun!

This overlay is pretty. My thought exactly for the outside tables. Except some of those will end up being high top tables.

Also, when it comes to fabric, DaRae did not have cloth napkins at Keene Run for use. That may change before our September wedding, but I may end up needing to rent some. I really like this Martha Stewart idea for napkins:

These napkins echo the mood of the day: "we tied the knot!"

Other notes from this weekend: finally completed a few DIY projects, purchased my first round of shower thank-you cards, bought two large white metal buckets for sparkler collection (post grand exit), completed mine and Jacob's seat markers, purchased all paper and envelopes for our invitations/RSVP cards/programs/signage/etc, determined our basic menu for the reception, discussed our alcohol plan for the reception and spent time hunting for photos for a special montage. What a weekend! Happy Memorial Day everyone.

A Taste of Things to Come

Last week, Jacob and I attended an open house at Keene Run with my mom and his parents.

This event was put on by their catering service, DaRae and Friends, to showcase the venue as an event spot and display their tantalizing food offerings...and let me tell you, the food was amazing. I tasted things I have never tried before (like shrimp and grits...wow) and sampled old favorites with a new spin (DaRae's pimento cheese was to die for!).

Ultimately, it was really great to see the clubhouse full of life and people. A hint to what it will look like on our wedding day. Also, I enjoyed examining the space inside the clubhouse to create an idea of where my DIY projects could go, how things could be set up, etc. Prior to the wedding, and once I have more stuff together, I plan to go back down to Keene Run for a few sample photos. Much to get organized!

The pictures I took were not that great, but here are a few to get a better understanding of what the space looks like:

This one doesn't do the front justice, but you can see the stairwell leading from the parking lot to the entry...a perfect place for large, ripe pumpkins to sit and greet the guests:

Ignore the random people...this is the front entryway. Very elegant and spacious. Large entry table on the right, perfect for the guestbook and some photos, among other things:

Right beyond the entry is the bar area. Very upscale and seating space is available in there. The bar is rather decently sized...and a large TV is viewable above the bar (perhaps guests can watch a football game or something if they want...):

The large dining space down the hall is divided by a half wall and pillars. The decor is very understated and classy. I love it! The tables and chairs are gorgeous...no need for tablecloths on these tables:

There is a wrap-around porch at Keene Run that is pretty much amazing. There will be seating, more than likely, on all sides of the patio. Also, there will be high top tables for people to mingle. The outside tables, brought over from the pool house/rented, will certainly need some extra pizzazz, so tablecloths will definitely be needed:

This shot was taken a little further away, to get a fuller view of the back of Keene Run. If the weather is nice, we may set up tables on the sidewalk like they did for this event. I love how spacious this venue is!

Well there you have it...a sneak peek at Keene Run Golf Club! So excited to share this venue with everyone.

Eat, drink and be merry

I don't think I have ever mentioned much about our caterer...or even our reception site, two of the largest aspects (and expenses) of our wedding. So today, I will fill you in on both!

Choosing the reception site was one of the most difficult things in the wedding process, for us anyway. We knew that we wanted to be married in the church we both grew up in (Southland Christian Church), but when it came to reception sites, we were at a complete loss. At one point early in the planning process, I had a list of 30-something potential reception sites, from hotels to clubhouses and golf courses to historic sites. It was un-real. And it seemed there was something wrong with every location; it was too big, too small, too expensive, the food/caterer was not good, etc. That was the case at every site until we happened upon Keene Run Golf Club, in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Keene Run is a relatively new private golf club, located on Harrodsburg Road, only .08 miles from SCC. It holds just the right amount of people, has an amazing caterer on site (DaRae and Friends out of Lexington), is absolutely gorgeous (lush greenery, rolling hills, very "Kentucky") and has the perfect feel to the kind of wedding we wanted (classy yet unrefined, not uptight). One of my absolutely favorite features is the wrap-around porch on three sides of the clubhouse; it has a very light and airy feeling and opens up to the expansive course. A fabulous view! Needless to say, we fell in love with this place right away.

Our plan is to have seating/tables both inside and out (on the patio). I especially love the idea of high top tables outside for people to gather. As the space is relatively new (inside decor is not outdated), there is really not a serious need for decorations inside the clubhouse. I am still bouncing around ideas (for centerpieces and reception site in general) and once those are more concrete, I will definitely share those plans.

As for food, DaRae and Friends will be catering our reception. If you have not had her food yet, you are in for a treat. It is delicious! At this point, our plan is heavy hors d'oeuvres and a carving station. A menu has not been set yet, but we have plenty of time to work this out. In fact, we will be taste testing her food in April, and our plan is to have a menu planned by mid-July. We are toying with the idea of having passed hors d'oeuvres while guests are waiting on the wedding party to arrive (love this idea) and having the full spread ready once we arrive.

Since Jacob and I are planning to see each other before the ceremony (a first look!), there will not be a need to stick around the church for additional photos. Instead, we can book it to the reception site to get photos in over there. In fact, it may even work out that we can get some photos at the golf club done before the ceremony...since it is so close to the church. We will have to play around with those times with our photographer.

As for the bar, we are not quite sure what the case will be on this front. There are several options, from setting a dollar limit (once this limit is hit, the bar will close or turn to a cash bar) to having an open bar for x number of hours (and cash bar to follow once that time limit is up). But we have not played around with numbers or anything yet.

I am super excited about our wedding reception! The food and location are absolutely perfect and will really pull the entire event together. And best of all, it truly sums up everything we wanted that day. Love it!

Taking Inventory

With a 17 month engagement, I knew that we would have plenty of time for planning...being engaged...and saving money. However, I think the extra time has made me lazy! Jacob and I have been engaged for nearly 7 months already and I feel like there is still so much to do. In actuality, we do have quite a bit to accomplish, but we are moving along at a nice leisurely speed.

What gets me are the people who have gotten engaged recently and have just as much - or more - planned for their weddings that are just as far off as mine! Makes me feel like even more of a slacker. :)

My big thing lately has been to get organized. The wedding binder is looking good, budgeting spreadsheets have been laid out, checklists created and timelines drafted. I am in a good position. I just need to move forward!!

To feel a little better about what I have accomplished, I am going to do a little inventory.

Things I have to date:

• A date/time: September 18, 2010
• Ceremony site: Southland Christian Church (where we both grew up)
• Reception site: Keene Run Golf Club
• Caterer: DaRae and Friends
• Wedding Party: Check (sans a few of the ceremonial roles/ushers)
• Minister: Todd Tyler (close to Jacob and the Kelly's)
• Color scheme: emerald green, dark orange, white
• Photographer: Mary Lashbrook

Things I have ideas about:

• Invitations
• Programs
• Centerpieces
• Reception/ceremony decor
• Ceremony components
• My dress
• Wedding party attire
• Flowers

Goals to accomplish before Christmas 2009:

• Research and hire a DJ
• Research and hire a florist
• Make a decision about a cake and hire a baker

Also along the way, I have bought misc. items that we will need for the big day. Things like crafting supplies (bone folder, paper cutter, corner rounder), dessert serving set (super cute orange/green set from Pier One), dried grasses and berries for a centerpiece at the reception, etc.

The many ideas out there are a bit overwhelming...I think it is my fear that I will get the whole thing planned and then have some totally other ideas come into mind. And then what will I do??! I think the only thing is to make my decisions and stick with them...no matter what else may come up.