Venue found?

Today is a new day with no mistakes in it. (Anne of Green Gables paraphrase.)
That is how I feel today. This last week or so has been stressful to me. It sort of snuck up on me. I have found myself reacting in ways that I have grown past. Although I do not want to make excuses, I know a big reason for this is the same struggle I have with work. It is difficult to blend the logical, analytic aspects of getting things done with those of the heart. I know my balance got thrown off this week as I often did not step forward first with my heart. But today is a new day, and I feel much better. Perhaps cuddling with a sleeping baby for nearly an hour helped (a future nephew-in-law), but I think what helps the most is that I believe we have found a location. And the atmosphere of the wedding there - I am really looking forward to it.
We looked at a few hotels, one too corporate, another was nice, but pricey and a little too extravagant for what I had in mind.
What we realized is important to us, is the celebration with friends and family. We want to be able to take time to spend with them. The Ocean View Villas will provide that. It’s a 5 unit 2-bedroom condo vacation rental. For an event like this, we would rent the whole place, and have the ceremony and reception on the back patio/grass. It is literally on Sunset Cliffs, right at a corner, so there is an amazing view. Most of the patio is tile, but some of the patio has sand. There is a private beach, with limited access via stairs (depending on the tide and sand level).  We both think it would be fun to go with the location and have a beach theme. We can go barefoot and dance in the sand on the patio! We will also be able to have the rehearsal dinner here too. There is a Jacuzzi and portable fire pit. Jerry suggested a night of worship around the fire pit, the night before the wedding. That sounds great! And as an added bonus, there will be room for our out of town wedding party to stay; which is great for financial reasons, and because we have a place to hang out!

I think all we have to do is figure out the cost of everything, make sure it is feasible, and book it.

end of day update: I have also found a coordinator and  photographer. Sooooo excited.

I'll get out my chisel

Just joking! Nothing is written in stone, and things are already changing. 

[That title is a line from Big Bang Theory by the way.]

Change #1:

We are now looking at March instead of May for the wedding ceremony. I feel much better about this. 

Change #2:

How to sum up the other- well, I think my previous questions are moot. We are now [highly likely] going to have the ceremony and reception in the same place where we do not have to deal with set up and take down. (We're looking at hotels.) This means there is a lot we wouldn't have to deal with.

So now I need to find time between Jerry and my schedule to check places out. (and go by the jeweler too) With me working full time, and him in school on Saturday's, this is tough. 

On a side note: He is doing great in his class! Got a 90% and a 100% on his last two tests. 

(just had to brag on him)

Reception Advice Please

My biggest question regarding the reception is about food. We do not want to have a sit down meal, but some type of finger food or appetizers to tide us over would be nice. What did you do at your reception, how well do you feel it worked & would you do it again? Are there anything you would avoid? Please include if you had it catered or if friends or family put it together for you.

 Any other reception advice is accepted too. How long was your reception? 

[That's all my questions on that for now.]

Location Advice Please

This first question is primarily for those in San Diego.

Where have you looked? What places did you think were terrible, which were nice (and reasonable)? 

We are wanting a small outdoor wedding (as of this day, I'm guessing 100 or so people).

For everyone:

What do you think about outdoor weddings? I think it would be nice; if you had one outdoors, was it all you dreamed it would be? Did the weather cooperate? Did you have to deal with setting up and taking down seating, etc?

What about the location of the reception? It seems convenient to have it at the same place as the ceremony, but (I would guess especially for outdoor weddings) it's not always an option.

[ I forgot to mention when, that could make a difference. We are thinking spring, and as my mom does taxes, I figure it will probably last weekend in April or first weekend in May. We will have to see if that works when looking for a venue.]

Now Accepting Advice

Since I know so many married people, I thought I would use you all to help me brainstorm and to give me advice. 

I am going to post a series of questions [over the weeks] in regards to wedding planning and the wedding day. I want to know what you did for your wedding, where you searched, what you learned along the way, anything you would do differently, etc.

I have plenty of time to plan, but as a thinker, there are many things that my brain is jumping around to. Here is what is on my mind now: 

Location, cake, dress, invitations, food at reception...

I will post my thoughts on these and whatever else pops to mind, and please, please leave your comments for me. If I haven't yet posted about something that you are anxious to share about, feel free to just leave your comment here.

Thanks!

Jenn

Our Story

We are engaged and both so excited. 

There were two highlights to the day. 1- Jerry proposing. 2- The intimate time with had with God together that evening. That brought us even closer. We are both amazed at how deep our relationship has gotten over the past month, and how transparent and real we have been together in the past two days.

I am so excited that I already created a website with the story and will have details when I know them: www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JerryFox&JenniferFinch

On this blog I will be posting some of the activities and progress I will be making toward our wedding - many people have already told me to keep them up-to-date, so become a follower and keep up with what's happening!