Good Morning! Happy Monday! I can’t believe it’s Monday already! This weekend flew by so quick. I apologize for my lack of updates this weekend. I had all intentions of posting yesterday while I came into work however once I got here, I noticed how much work I had to get done before I left and there was just no way for me to blog. So I promise I will update you on everything today. I hope all of you had a great weekend! What did you do? Anything fun? I’ll fill you in on my weekend. Let’s get started.
On Friday, when I got home from work I was so tired. I think it was because I kept over-sleeping and not getting up when my alarm cock went off. It was catching up with me. I really didn’t feel like cooking. Earlier on in the day, I saw on a coupon blog that Ruby Tuesday was offering a free burger if you liked them on Facebook. They would send you a coupon to print out. So I figured I might as well do it in case we wanted to go there for dinner. At least one of our meals would be free. Before going out to dinner, we stopped at Best Buy so Mike could pick up his new phone. He broke his phone last month and it was sent away to try to fix it so he was carrying around a loaner phone. They couldn’t fix it so they gave him a brand new phone. Lucky him! 
After he got his new phone, we went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner.
Menu!
We started off with Spinach Dip
Chicken & Shrimp with Mango Salsa & Steamed Broccoli & Roasted Green Beans
I thought my meal was just okay. The chicken had way too much paprika and some other really spicy flavor on it that I didn’t like. My favorite part of the meal was the broccoli and the roasted string beans. They tasted great! I think I prefer the old Ruby Tuesday menu that they used to have so many years ago. That used to be the place where my friend, Courtney and I would always go for dinner growing up. I miss what they used to have on the menu. We were both so tired after dinner, that we went home and watched some shows on the DVR before calling it a night.
Saturday morning, we woke up early to get ready to go to our top choice wedding venue. I was feeling nervous, excited, and anxious all at the same time. I knew that this was going to be one of the most important decisions that we make in regarding a wedding and where we want to officially become husband and wife. When Mike and I walked up to the Country Club, we got that feeling that we got when we first went to look at the place. We knew that this was ”the one.”
We were quickly brought to a table which had been set up for us to do a tasting. Our consultant greeted us with champagne and brought out everything for us to try!
Chicken Franchise
Filet Mignon
Chicken with a Peppercorn/Cranberry Sauce
Chicken Mornay
Let me tell you, Mike and I were SO impressed by the food! Everything was excellent! I couldn’t find anything wrong with any of the dishes. I was very pleased and relieved that the food tasted good. I was very worried about that. She graciously wrapped up all of the leftovers for us to bring home! 
The thing that really drew me to this place is the fact that they include so many things in their packages. I really bargained with the woman to include certain things and take things away that we didn’t want. We are getting everything and more that we could have asked for. I am so happy about that!
We were given a tray of a selection of cakes from a bakery that we will be using for our wedding cake. I was in cake heaven. Just look at all of these cakes.
Cake Heaven!
The Bridal Suite at the Country Club (most likely where myself and my bridesmaids will be getting ready)
Lobby (sorry it's blurry) straight ahead is where the ceremony/cocktail hour will be and to the left is where the reception will take place
Our ceremony will be outside on their deck overlooking the golf course. It is a stunning view and a beautiful deck! The best part is that if it rains, we will still be able to have our wedding outside! They will just inclose the deck with draping and we will be good to go! One less thing to worry about on my wedding day! The cocktail hour will be partial outside on the deck as well as in a ballroom. So our guests will have the option to be outside or inside during the hour. Our reception will be held in the beautiful ballroom.
My goal for this wedding is when people open up the door and walk in, for their jaws to drop. I want the “wow factor.” I am a certified wedding planner and an excessive planner at that. I focus on every single detail. I want everything perfect. I feel as though our wedding is my big debut. It’s my chance to prove to everyone, I actually can do it! I am so excited. On August 17th, 2012, I will officially become Mike’s wife. This has been almost 6 years in the making and I am more than ready! We are exactly 13 months away, as of yesterday.
As of right now, we have a makeup artist, florist, and bakery for the wedding cake. I’ve started contacting photographers, videographer, DJ, hair stylist, officiant and a string quartet. I want to get all of the venders at the very beginning so I can focus on everything else that I need to accomplish. I am crazy organized like that. Everything needs to be done so I feel like I can focus.
We are meeting with an officiant tomorrow night. I’m a little nervous. He is VERY expensive. I’m waiting to hear back from two other people. I’m hoping they are more reasonable. He also requires six hours of premarital counseling which I think could be beneficial. So yay! Enough about the wedding talk.
After our exciting morning/afternoon, we decided to run some errands and then go home and just relax. For dinner, we decided to make Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken from Trader Joe’s. I’ve never tried this before.
The bag
All you do is dump the contents of the bag into a skillet which has been sprayed with cooking spray. You let it cook down for about 10 minutes and dinner is complete.
My dinner plate
This was SO disappointing! Take my advice and save your money! Do not buy this. When I took my first bite, I noticed a strange seasoning. I knew it was one that I didn’t like. Then Mike said, do you taste a strange seasoning. I said yeah I do. I checked the bag and sure enough it was Nutmeg! I HATE nutmeg! I cannot use that spice. I hate the way it tastes and smells. I hate everything about it! So that completely ruined this pasta for me. Unless you are a nutmeg fan, save your money and don’t buy this! Ick! From now on I will be checking the ingredient list!
After dinner, we went over to Mike’s parents house for a little while to catch up with them. I was so exhausted from everything that I fell right to sleep as soon as we got home.
Yesterday I woke up early to come into work. I ended up getting a decent amount of work done. Once I left, I went over to Melissa and my mom’s house. We went out to run some errands together and went food shopping together. I love going food shopping with them. I end up saving money because Mike isn’t there to throw things in the cart when I’m not looking! Haha. Plus, Melissa is so good with couponing that I end up saving so much! I had a really nice afternoon spending time with Melissa and my mom. Oh and of course Oliver too! I can’t forget him. He was a very happy pup yesterday! I don’t think he will be so happy when he realizes how hot it’s going to be this week.
After a while, I went home and Mike and I decided to make one of our favorites for dinner. Eggplant Parm! I usually cut the eggplant into medallions but Mike said to try cutting it into long strips instead. It actually turned out a lot better!
Eggplant Parm!
Roasted Veggies
My dinner plate
Delicious eggplant
Although this takes forever to make, it’s definitely worth it in the end! It came out delicious! I love eggplant parm. I also bake it so it’s much healthier than frying it. After dinner, we watched Big Brother and just relaxed. We were both really tired.
Now here I am today. That brings you up on speed to my life. Well I better get back to work now. Have a good Monday!
Filed under: Uncategorized
Two of my best friends used East Coast Events for DJ and they were PHENOMENAL.Seriously they were two of the most fun weddings I’ve been to and the dance floor was PACKED all night. They were really great with requests/playlists from the bride/groom, including what songs weren’t allowed (we have a strict no-line-dance policy, haha). My sister is most likely going to book them, too, as like 5 other people all recommended them to her. She’s meeting with them tomorrow. One of my friends also used their videographer and their dvd turned out beautifully! I think they offer a reasonable package. So I would suggest checking them out.
That is awesome!! I am definitely going to send them an email and get details. Thank you so much for the recommedation!!
Also for photography, my sister met with jenny castro, who I was impressed with but my she is going to go with someone else (?), and from facebook stalking I know I like hoffer photography.
Oh, okay. I’ll look jenny and hoffer up as well! Thank you SO much again!
Okay, so … I am 99% sure I know what your wedding venue is from the pictures, and if it’s the country club I’m thinking of, you made SUCH a great choice. I was actually the maid-of-honor in a wedding there a few years ago, and my cousin also had her Bat Mitzvah reception there. Everyone is beyond friendly and accommodating, and like you said, the view from the deck is beautiful. It is the perfect place to get married! Aww, I’m excited for you!!
That is awesome!!
Thank you so much! I’m excited too!! I cannot wait to see my dreams and ideas come to real life.
SO exciting!!!! The place looks beautiful too and the food, oh yum! I know how good it feels to find a reception place, I felt great the day I found mine and set the date!!
SO happy for you guys! You need anything, always let me know! Wedding planning I know can be stressful, but don’t let it be, enjoy every minute!!
xoxo <3
Thank you so much!
It definitely feels amazing. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Thank you so much! I might actually take you up on that! I loved a lot of your Etsy finds!
Where did you choose?! Everything looks like it is amazing!
I’ll send you an email with details!
Thank you so much!!
So exciting!! The venue looks amazing
Thank you so much!
It really is beautiful!
Congrats at setting your date and finding your venue! My boyfriend’s little brother works at the country club.
I feel like the Trader Joe’s packaged meals are really hit or miss. Sometimes they’re real good and sometimes it’s a huge disappointment.
Thank you so much!
Really?! At the exact one that I posted pictures of?! If so, that is so cool!
I totally agree. I have one more packaged meal in my freezer. I’m a little nervous to try it. I hope it’s good!
My sister went with a country club and her wedding was amazing. The fact they have almost everything but the DJ and photog on site takes so much stress off. She actually went with her own cake baker instead of using the place, but I think that’s because she got a good deal. The venue looks very lovely and I imagine you must be so relieved to check those off your wedding to-do list!
That is awesome! I like that they help you with their preferred vendor lists. It makes looking for vendors a lot easier.
Thank you so much! I am SO relieved! It was stressful not knowing when and where we were getting married. I’m glad that I have at least one thing crossed off my list. Only a million more to go 
Congrats on getting your place all set! It’s always good to get the Vendors early, because who knows what the availability might be down the line. SO happy for you
Thank you so much!
I totally agree! I’m trying to line up all of the Vendors so that I have less to deal with. It’s a very stressful but fun process.
[...] The Date Is Set!… [...]
[...] The Date Is Set!… [...]