Thanks for the advice ladies- we booked a place!

[caligal]

So- our path is a bit non-traditional, but we are so excited none the less! Once I got it out of him finances were still being gathered for a ring (that was really the hold up!), I expressed my interest/concern in a spring wedding and worrying all the places would be gone by them. Background: it is SUPER hot in Vegas for the summer- no way would I put my guests through that and with my work fall is out- so that leaves next winter or spring, which we both agreed we didn''t want to wait for. He says a couple of weeks ago, "why not look around and see what''s available?" Fastforward to last weekend where we had a billion appointments with places... and we booked it yesterday!!! Eeekkk- I am soooo excited!

And it is super hard not to share with all family and friends yet- we want to wait and share it with engagement news. Anyway- here''s the place: www.asecretgardenwedding.com. Now it is so cute, he''s all, "we have TONS to do- I''ve gotta lose weight, we need to take dancing lessons, geeze I didn''t leave us much time." Ahhh, the sweet bliss of knowing your viewpoint is now shared by your beloved.

Don''t cross my off any list as I am technically still an LIW!

 

[~*Alexis*~]

Congrats, that place looks amazing!! I would like to get married there too. WOW!

 

[Becky P]

Yeah! How exciting! Their facility looks so cool! And, I love how their packages include everything! Where is this place? Vegas? Maybe whenever it''s my turn a destination wedding is in order...

 

[janinegirly]

congrats cali!! love the site, and hope you get a proper proposal soon, but sounds like you''re on the homestrectch now!

random ques: how long do you guys think is the minimum necessary to plan a wedding? something simple, small yet tasteful. I don''t want a long planning period at all (after all this waiting!). Is 3-6 mo''s totally unrealistic?

 

[Becky P]

I think 3-6 months is probably the shortest a person would need in order to not feel totally insane. If you''ve already secretly researched everything (like I have), then a 3 month turnaround on a wedding would probably be just about right. But, if you''ve still gotta go visit all the places, interview caterers, photographers, and on and on, then 6 months is probably the shortest I would recommend - unless, of course, you decide to get a wedding planner, which would help facilitate the process. Personally, I''d like to have a 6-9 month engagement period, not only to give a little time on the planning, but also to bask in the glow of being engaged - I think it''s one of the most fun times in a girl''s life, and I''d like to enjoy it just a little without being super frantic. I''ve gotta say, I think caligal''s site is actually perfect! I wish there were more places like that around the US. It sure would make it easier to put together a wedding if it''s all included in one little neat package - good find caligal!

 

[robbie3982]

Congrats! Your place is beautiful!

 

[AmberWaves]

Caligal, congrats! That place looks fantastic!! Aren''t you glad you started looking early?

 

[caligal]

Thanks gals!

I do have to admit I am very lucky being in Vegas, there are a ton of all-inclusive places! This place stood out because: 1. It has been family owned for over 40 years. Grandma owns it, Mom cooks, one daughter is the D.J. and your coordinator, and the other bakes and recreates GORGEOUS cakes (think Marcia Cross''s beautiful cake- she did a recreation that was JUST like it!) 2. They have an eye for detail- for everything. 3. The package can be subsituted with anything- for ex: I want to do my own bouquets- so $150 is off the package. I have been doing research for eons since I thought we would be engaged long ago.... after many conversations it was great to know it had NOTHING to do with a willingness to marry me, it was purely financial.

 

[sumbride]

Oh Caligal - that''s lovely!!! I popped in, saw this thread and thought "HOW DID I MISS HER POST???" but I think it''s a good idea to get the details lined up while you wait for him. Way to go!!!

 

[Becky P]

Date: 10/4/2006 2:50:07 PM
Author: caligal
Thanks gals!

I do have to admit I am very lucky being in Vegas, there are a ton of all-inclusive places! This place stood out because: 1. It has been family owned for over 40 years. Grandma owns it, Mom cooks, one daughter is the D.J. and your coordinator, and the other bakes and recreates GORGEOUS cakes (think Marcia Cross''s beautiful cake- she did a recreation that was JUST like it!) 2. They have an eye for detail- for everything. 3. The package can be subsituted with anything- for ex: I want to do my own bouquets- so $150 is off the package. I have been doing research for eons since I thought we would be engaged long ago.... after many conversations it was great to know it had NOTHING to do with a willingness to marry me, it was purely financial.

caligal - that''s really cool! I''m a big sucker for family owned businesses as my mom owns the company I work for! I have officially added your location to my list of "maybes" - I''m so glad you found it, and that you shared about it on here!!! Hopefully you''ll be officially engaged soon, but congrats on the wedding planning! So exciting!!!!