Hello, hello!

I've been extremely remiss in writing in the last month--understandably, I think--and I'm hoping all of the 2010 hardship is out of the way and we're on to nothing but good things for the rest of the year. Elliott and I are definitely ready and excited to get back to wedding planning!

There actually isn't all that much to report. We do have a gorgeous (we think) draft of our invitation and reply card, and while we might tweak the wording a little, we're so happy with how they've turned out. Thank you, Alison at Paper Love! I think those will be going out around the beginning of June, and we've discussed having envelope-stuffing parties with Adri and Brian to help each other out.

We're back to square one in a sense with the rings. Elliott is going to use Marc's ring, which has been in the family for at least 4 generations. Pretty cool, I think! Once we see it, I'm going start a renewed search for something that matches, at least in color/metal.

We did settle on a lighting company, after my parents visited Cline's bridal fair a few weeks ago and got to speak with the vendor in person. The prices were pretty much the same, and this company seemed to have the most experience with the Cline barrel room. We'll be doing lanterns alternating with which string lights, and I'm going to start thinking more specifically about design elements for the rest of the room. More candles than excessive flowers, I think, but a good blend of the two.

Next on our agenda is figuring out the menu. We were debating about whether it is best to do this on a full stomach or empty. Either way, we've tasted Tom and Linda's delicious food, and I know creating the menu will be a lot of fun. We'll also get our plane tickets for our May trip to Sonoma, and determine what, other than huppah building, needs to be accomplished then.

Oh, and one more thing. Jesse was here for Katie and Becca's beautiful wedding last weekend , and put in her bridesmaid dress order. All five bridesmaids are now outfitted! Elliott is still considering his and his groomsmen's clothing options, and we'll check out the selection of tuxes at Crown in Sonoma in May. One of Elliott's groomsmen, Brendan, is moving up to Marin in the next couple of weeks, and might be able to help out if their clothes need to be acquired out of town. We'll all be looking sharp come August!

That's all for now!