Now taking song requests

We're starting to build our wedding playlist! Send in your suggestions. A, B, C, it's easy as 1, 2, 3. You just got to try, try a little tenderness. Celebrate good times, c'mon!

Update, Update...Read all about it!

We have a couple news-worthy items to report:
1) Katie and I are going to visit her aunt and uncle (the wine-making ones in Forestville) the day after Independence Day. Ever since we tasted the wine at the Grand Island Mansion (from now on I might use GIM for short) we have wanted to pour some of Robert's wine. I'll tell you the name when I know for sure how to spell it - don't want there to be any false advertising! I believe that the wine will be '06 Zinfandel.
2) We have our plane tickets booked to New York for our honeymoon! We talked about going earlier before we were engaged, we both have never been. It will be great to check out some of the fantastic museums and eat great food, all without having to drive when we are there! We're also planning on going to Maine. The coast looks gorgeous! Hopefully by Monday our flights will be settled. My uncle and aunt, Ed and Rhoda, live in Way Down East (I think that's what the region is called!) and plan on staying with them for a spell. We'll be flying into Portland, ME and get to check out this 17th century "English" city. Incredible.

Con't Wine Update

Thanks to my best man, Erik, and a "second" by groomsman Brian Gidney, a couple weekends ago Katie and I went to a particular winery in the Russian River Valley. This winery, Moshin Vineyards, is just north of Forestville in Sonoma County, which just so happens to be the town where Katie's Aunt and Uncle, Ann and Robert, reside.

We hoped their Rose was good - and it was. Light, a tad sweet but integrated, as well as refreshing! Perfect for the presumably warm summer evening which will accompany our wedding. We tasted last years vintage of their Sauvignon Blanc, as well as their current year. This years was buttery and toasty. But last years better, we thought. It was crisp, with a little bit of structure - so we got a couple cases of that, too!

So the wine for the reception is underway. We've got a couple other ideas to round out the rest of the list. We'll let you know when we've got it. Everyone will have a wine they like, as well as an opportunity to enjoy a variety throughout the evening.

We can't wait for the party to begin!

Continued: The Wedding Planning Adventure!

So, today Katie and I continued our adventure at the Grand Island Mansion. It started with a grand drive down Freeport Blvd and continued on to Hwy 160 - a winding country delta road following the Sacramento River.

Upon arrival we tasted a few different foods; liked some, unimpressed with a few others. At the wedding reception there should be a nice mix of good eats, from appetizers to main courses and salads. Thanks to our enjoyment of good wine, we could not bring ourselves to taste the White Zinfandel we were offered as part of their refreshment package. Sorry if you like the watery, sugary libation - we promise the wine served will be highly drinkable and enjoyable. The house cab and chardonnay were bland and heavy - some might also say "weighty" (wine extraordinaire and groomsman, Bryan), but unfortunately neither velvety smooth and pleasant - definitely not good drinks, especially on a hot August night! Their California Champagne is nice and crisp, with a slight tang - but bringing all of our own wine and beer in, instead of splitting it up, we were told - would be best.

Speaking of hot, the mansion has several air conditioning units - there wasn't a hint of the 90-degree weather inside.

My mother might also like to know we have the dining rooms table and seating template, a centerpiece essential. While not everyone will be seated in the same room, the layout is lovely and both rooms are very nice and close in proximity. The party doesn't stop there anyways! - downstairs is the ballroom where we will continue to celebrate God, marriage, family and friends.

Dresses Accomplished

Bride's dress - check! Maid of Honor's dress - check! Bridesmaids' dresses - check!

Jeff and I went to visit Best Man Erik, who was in Modesto for a BBQ competition. While there, I left the BBQ fun to meet met up with my MH, Abby, and we picked out a lovely dress for her to wear. I'm so glad this dress-shopping business is over. Bridal stores are not my cup of tea. What a relief now it's over! I'm happy with the decisions we made and I think my best ladies are happy, too. They were very supportive and absolute troopers during this experience. Now we're on to shoes and accessories...

Next week, Jeff and I visit the Mansion for food tasting - yum! - and to iron out event details.

Save The Date

We mailed Save-the-date postcards today. It's formally announced, so we're official! We did quite a bit this weekend: joint birthday party with Kristel and Marguerite in Midtown Sacramento and some really great, i.e. Serrano-hot, salsa; wedding gift registry adding and subtracting (whew!); Katie writing almost 100 addresses and Jeff (just) placing stamps; and Katie finding bridesmaids dresses. We got a lot done this weekend and there's plenty more to do. We know this all too well. Most importantly, you will receive what told you, in writing, our wedding date. We are really happy with the save-the-date cards, thanks to the time, energy and graphic design expertise Mark put into them.

Welcome

Welcome to our wedding website! This site will allow us to share with you the plans for our wedding, as well as tell you a bit about us - in case you know one of us really well, but, as of yet, have not had the pleasure of meeting the other. Hopefully in between getting ready for our wedding day and life together, we will share fun and interesting tidbits about our life. It's already been a bit crazy; figuring out where to get married (both of us and parents) to finding a wedding dress and dresses for the bridesmaids (Katie of course), to colors for the wedding and reception (again Katie). All in all, however, it's worth it. We desire to be together. We thank God for our relationship and the honor it will be to call each other husband and wife.