Crunch!

We're really in the homestretch now. I told myself that as of August 26th (exactly a month before our wedding) that I would blog every day. Ridiculous, really. This will be hands-down the busiest month for us, and if I haven't managed to be consistent with writing yet, I sure won't be any better during September. I do have quite a lot to share since my last entry, so maybe I'll try to write few blogs today while being a tad hung over from my Bachelorette party last night. That, my friends, will require a whole blog all to itself.


NEWS:

We have a caterer! So we haven't officially signed or paid a deposit, but we were happy with the quote and we've said "I do" to Western Cut, a catering company that I originally bypassed, thinking that their offerings were a tad casual for what should be a more formal affair. Really, though, it may be a blessing that the original caterer didn't pan out - we have a better cost, and a company that understands our vision. They may be a tad rough around the edges, but Jill assures me that kitchen-types typically are. I won't get my panties in a wad over this one. We do have food, after all!


We have wine! Alex and I held ourselves a little wine tasting of sorts and picked our wine for the event. See next blog for details.


Our invitations are out! We did them ourselves from scratch, and spent hours upon hours getting them from conception to physically mailed in 4 days. Whew! Again, more on this in an upcoming blog.


We have the best friends EVER! Everyone came through with amazing suggestions for caterers, and some went even so far as to offer up their family members to get the job done. Special thanks to Kim, Liz, Leah, Jodi and Lesley. My friends have been particularly supportive, and are still practically begging to help us out. While I still don't have much to delegate, I know that they will be oh-so-valuable in the coming weeks. They also threw me the absolute greatest "last hurrah" as an unmarried woman last night. More to come on this subject! Alex's brother Charlie threw him a bachelor party of sorts this weekend, and the boys headed up to camp near Wasaga Beach. While we are both quite rough today, we both had an amazing time. We know that we are so lucky to have such incredible friends.

Have Tongs, Will Travel?

Wanted: Cook for hire. Must-haves: Pity, Muscles and Mad Grilling Skills. Nice-to-haves: you look (and cook) like Jamie Kennedy.


We are verging on desperation. After much deliberation, we conceded defeat and decided to go with a caterer for the BBQ portion of the dinner. We had been working with a restaurant in Kingston, and just as we were confirming, they backed out, claiming that another couple booked ahead of us. There had been no previous mention of the urgency to confirm during the 18 or so back-and-forth emails. It would have been handy to know that we were in contention for the date, especially the very night before when they sent us an updated quote. Fishy.

Possibly this is for the best. The catering manager didn't seem to quite grasp the concept of our uber-casual affair, and we were fighting them on every detail. The problem now, is that we are left one month before the wedding with no Plan B. Hiring a caterer was always Plan B, as we really thought that our Plan A - do-it-yourself with a little help from our friends - would pan out. Now we're scrambling to make it work again. I have placed a near-nervous-breakdown call to my sister (Queen of the Bar-Resto Industry and friend to many a spatula-wielding gent) to find us some muscle for hire. If only we could find two capable, pleasant chaps to stand over steamy smoky meat products for a few hours, we'd be set. I am dangerously close to a posting on Craigslist. While Jill chats up her boys in the kitchen, we are reaching out to a few more caterers. We have even stooped so low as to email The Lone Star in Kingston. Really though, it's just meat. I hope my mom's deviled eggs, and my Grilled Veggie Orzo Salad and lemon cupcakes will outshine BBQ chicken anyway.

While we scramble to work out our Plan C (I suppose), I beg you: if there is anyone you know - anyone at all - who is trustworthy and familiar with a grill (and possibly in need of a few bucks), let us know. We will pay gas, hotel and a wage.

Worst case scenario? I'd better use ALOT of hairspray, because I may be sweating over a hot grill myself.

The good news? We have actually just secured a bartender for the day, which means that our siblings are off the hook (Thanks Liz and Stephanie!).

Control Freak? Who, me?

Control Freak. It's a term thrown around a little too often (along with "anal retentive") when the subject is yours truly. I prefer "meticulous" and "detail oriented", thank you very much. At least that's how I would spin it on a resumé. Leah would say "You are SUCH a Cancer!", and though I don't have much interest/faith in astrology, I have to agree.

It's true that I have a difficult time delegating, and relinquishing control over any of my little projects. This is especially true of anything creative. Since our wedding is D.I.Y. down to the last detail, it is a perfect example of one of those creative projects. And maybe it brings out the worst/best in me. Depending on how you look at it, of course. I have to say that event planning is one of my fortés, if only because of my attention to detail/anal retentiveness. I thrive on stress, and I strive for right angles, perfect seams, and just the right amount of lemon in my hummus recipe. I love the tedious jobs - picking fonts, folding napkins, artfully assembling fruit platters.

For others, though, the traits that make me a top-notch organizer, also make me a nightmare to work with. Lucky for me, Alex has just the right amount of his own meticulousness. He understands me (to a point). This may be why i am miraculously still engaged! It is also a miracle that Kirsten (as in my friend, not my boss) and I are still friends, after she had to work AND travel with me. Again, it could be a case of another "I feel you, sister." I know, I can be a bit of a tyrant. Alex used the word "psycho" in response to a recent rant about my "vision" for setting up the centrepieces. You see, I was stressed about leaving this task to even the most capable of our guests while we are off getting snapped and posed.

All of the above would be of no consequence, if only the "Y" in DIY really only represented me and Alex. Let's be honest, though: we will rely on the help of our very generous and hard working friends and family to pull it all together (I am sucking up). One subject that has caused a little concern among our families is my insistence that BBQ-ing for 113 people will be a snap.

My mother has been pushing for catering. Alex's Dad looked a little panicked, at the thought. I admit that it will be an exercise in logistics. I suppose I will need to work on a very detailed itinerary for the day, to ensure that it will be clockwork. I am vehemently against catering this portion of the meal for several reasons:

1. the control factor
2. i believe it will be cheaper to do it ourselves
3. i want the meal to feel casual, organic, and like an intimate picnic/backyard BBQ
4. i think it will be so cute to combine the receiving line (which I typically hate) with the serving of meat (ie. Alex and I will dish out the food to our guests, in aprons)

I am really in love with this concept. However, for the peace of mind of everyone involved, I am going to really price/time it out to ensure that we can make it happen. I am also pricing out the cost of getting it partially catered. Mostly to pacify my mother (hi mom!). I will concede defeat, though, if i find it to be logistically impossible, and not significantly cheaper than going the catering route. See, I am not that unreasonable. I have found two companies online who offer such a service in the area: Western Cut BBQ and Bad Wolf Barbeque. More on this topic later...


p.s. I may or may not have already purchased matching bride and groom BBQ aprons from Cafe Press, as above. *smirk*

Favours and Flavours.

2 more days until our big road trip! Note to self: remember Gravol for the dog. He’s joining us, naturally, so he can sniff out the area and mark his territory. But long car rides are not his forte. While he will immensely enjoy a little country to run around in, it’s getting there that always worries me. As for the rest of the trip, I think we’re organized: I have Mapquest-ed our destinations, booked the car, and planned out a little egg salad lunch for the road. Fingers crossed, we’ll have a date AND location by Monday. Eek!

I met with a baker today, to discuss some possible favour options. We talked truffles (while I fought off major chocolate cravings), and it’s certainly doable within our favour budget. I think we have plenty to choose from now:

• Boxed locally made organic truffles
• Dolled-up Mini jars of local honey
• Handmade organic soaps, wrapped in eco fabrics and tied with twine
• Matchstick Gardens - little plantable “matches” in cute packaging (from Pistachio)

On the food front, much to my mother’s chagrin, I am still set on making most of the food ourselves (“ourselves” being whatever poor suckers I rope into coming up early for set-up). But since it’s BBQ-style, I’m not going to fret about getting too fancy. Alex and I have decided to do the BBQ’ing ourselves and serve our guests – a modified receiving line, if you will. Steaks/chicken, roasted corn, devilled eggs, hors d’oevres (this needs work), fruit, tarts, and lots of salads. Done.


Plus, a lovely friend (and member of the Bridal Brigade) has offered to provide a few extras from her mothers restaurant as a wedding gift to us! She also offered to come up early to assemble. Since this is extremely generous, and SO helpful, I want to help them out as well with a little advertising:

Cafe Indochine
105B Clarence Street
Ottawa, ON K1N 5P5
(613) 241-6378

Thanks so much, Philam!

I am so happy to be adding some of their delicious Vietnamese food to the menu for the evening, as your standard BBQ fare can lack personality at times. Sadly, it’s been years since I’ve been there, but the food is incredible and the atmosphere quaint. Love the fresh rolls with mint!


I am actually excited about this process – a kitchen full of my favourite women in a frenzy of mass-potato-salad preparation? Delightful. Fried Green Tomatoes en masse! Yes, Alex: women. You and my familial menfolk will be relegated to lifting duties outside as, stereotypically, your culinary talents are limited to toast.