Survey Says....

We received our much awaited survey from our reverend today! (Read about the search for our reverend here.) Let me just say, it's not exactly what I was expecting.  The survey is 2 pages long and has over 20 questions.  That seems a little excessive in my opinion.  It looks like the two of us need to get to work.

If anyone is curious, here it is:

PLEASE ANSWER THESE SEPARATELY. I will then use them to tell a personal story about your relationship during the Introduction section of the wedding, and to personalize other sections of the wedding.

1.    Why are you having a Celebrant wedding?

2.    How did you first meet? How did you feel about the other one at that time?

3. Where was your first date? What were the first words you spoke to each other?

4. When did you first fall in love? (How did you know?)

5. When did you decide that you wanted to be together forever? Why?

6. How did you propose or accept the proposal?

7. What do you love about your partner? What qualities do you most admire in her or him?

8. What does your partner do that always makes you laugh?

9. What actions of your partner’s say “I love you” to you?

10. When do you or did you feel closest to your partner?

11. Would you like to share any touching, funny or revealing stories about the two of you?

12. What are your hopes for the future?

13. What emotion would you like guests to take away from the ceremony? What vision would you like to resonate with them?

14. What are your families’ heritages? Are there any special customs or traditions from these heritages you would like to include in the wedding?

15. What does it mean to you to have your family and friends at your wedding ceremony?

16. Would you like to include any words honoring your parents or grandparents? Are there any special anecdotes about your family that you would like to share showing how they have helped you grow, learn, etc.?

17. Would you like to include a remembrance ceremony to honor anyone who has passed away? Please include names, pronunciation and relationship.

18. Who, if anyone, is walking you down the aisle? What is special about this relationship?

19. What are your family’s ethnic, cultural or faith traditions? Would you like to include anything in the ceremony to honor your backgrounds?

20. Would you like any aspect of the ceremony to be bilingual?

21. What tone would you like for the ceremony? Intimate, ceremonial, minimal, sacred, warm, solemn, lighthearted?

22. Are there any readings, prayers, or blessings you know you want to include?

23. What do you definitely want and definitely not want for your ceremony?

24. Will you write your own vows?

25. What did your parents and grandparents contribute to you as a person?

I Do (Want You to Marry Us)

My fiance and I are beyond relieved to have found a reverend to marry us.  I am Catholic and he is Jewish, so we knew that we wanted to do an interfaith ceremony, but didn't know how to find someone willing to do it.  Thankfully, we discovered A Beautiful Affair of the Heart.  They are a group of ministers and officiants that all work together and conduct Celebrant weddings.  From the research I've done, this means that they conduct civil-secular, non-denominational  religious, spiritual, and multicultural ceremonies.  Loosely translated, they will basically do whatever you want done in the ceremony and incorporate aspects from whatever religion(s), culture(s), etc. that you want.   

This is exactly what we were looking for.  We've gone from being stressed about the ceremony, to being extremely excited.  We can't wait to work with our reverend to design our ceremony.  We will receive a survey that we need to fill out individually to help the reverend get to know us better and to provide him with a starting point for the ceremony. 

Are you having a non-traditional wedding ceremony?  Let's hear about it!

Franklin Plaza Rave

In my post yesterday, I talked a little bit about the history of the Franklin Plaza, but I wanted to add to my reception hall rant.  Aside from the building itself, the people at the plaza are phenomenal.  We have been closely working with Joe before signing our contract.  As I said earlier, our wedding will be on a Sunday and we are planning on having 110 guests.  Our all inclusive price (tax, tip, etc.) is $11,000, coming out to exactly $100 per person.  And, since we are not 100% on the number of guests, if we go under the planned 110 guests, Joe has offered to throw in something extra.

I guess I should explain what we get for $11,000.  First, that includes our ceremony costs (we will be having our ceremony there as well).  That means the set-up and break-down of the ceremony, flowers for the ceremony, the podium, stands for the unity candles - all included.  Next, after our ceremony downstairs, we will head upstairs to a selection of 15 horderves (8 of our own selection and 7 of the houses picks).  Also, the house will provide music for the 1 1/2 hour long cocktail hour (that means less money on a DJ).  Oh, and of course, full open bar.

After cocktail hour then its time for dinner.  We start with a champagne toast, followed by a choice of appetizer, choice of salad,  and a choice of 3 entrée selections.  Aside from the 3 entrée selections there is awesome a fantastic selection for vegetarians and vegans.  We just have them call and talk to Joe and they will have a choice of 4 vegetarian and/or vegan entrées.  I don't think we even have any vegetarian or vegan friend or family, but I love that they aren't limited to just one dish, they get a variety just like everyone else and at no extra cost.  Also, the Franklin Plaza provides a wide range of options for their horderves, appetizers, salads, and entrees.  However, if we want something off the list they can do it, again at no extra charge.  How awesome is that?

Also, they will do speciality meals for our immediate family members (bride, groom, and our parents).  If one of use wants a special appetizer, salad, entree, etc. they will make it just for us!  Of course, you guessed it, this is all done at no extra charge.  Oh an did I mention that they feed all of your wedding professionals for free?

Back to the reception, following our entrees there will be our choice of dessert served with coffee and tea.  And if we want our guests to have a choice of two deserts, we can.  They will make their desert selection when they select their entree.  Finally, because I love hot chocolate, I asked Joe if we could add that in with dessert.  Of course, Joe said it was no problem.  In fact, he is now throwing in hot chocolate, cappuccino  espresso  and cordials all at no extra cost.  Oh, we are also have open bar the whole time.

OK.  I promise the rant is almost over.  At our fist meeting, Joe repeatedly told us to make sure that we ask him before we buy anything because they might have it.  For example, we our doing a cupcake "cake" - well they have the stands for it.  We are considering a candy bar - they have the variety of containers for it.  Toiletry baskets for the bathrooms - they have the baskets.  Centrepieces   They have gorgeous candelabras already included.  And for any of those extras Joe said all we have to do is bring what we want added (i.e. the cupcakes, candy, toiletries, etc.) and they will set all of it up for us at no extra cost.  Oh, it also turns out that they have dark purple napkins that perfectly match our wedding color!

Well, if you haven't already figured it out, I am obsessed with our venue.  I couldn't be happier with our decision.  We were able to get everything that we wanted and much, much more for less than we had budgeted.  If you have any questions about the Franklin Plaza please feel free to ask.

So, what about any of you ladies?  What do you love about your venue?

Franklin Plaza

So it's official!  We will be having our ceremony and reception at The Franklin Plaza.  The plaza is absolutely gorgeous and I have heard nothing but great things about it and the people that work there.

We might have been a little over zealous with the pictures, but it was so exciting to find the place!

The Bridal Suite 

Cocktail Hour Room (upstairs)

Ceremony Set-up (plus chairs, etc.)

Dining Room

The Bar Area

The bar itself used to be the counter for the bank tellers.

The Stairs (lead up to the Cocktail Hour area)

The Gift Room/The Bird Cage

Coat-check Area

This was the actual vault that was used when the building was still a bank.

The Flowers

Candelabras (Centrepiece one each table)

The Birdcage (again, for the cards that the guests bring)

The Ladies Room Downstairs

Bridal Extravaganza/Wedding Bands

We went to the Bridal Extravaganza today at the mall and looked briefly at wedding bands.  For the first time since we had been engaged, it actually hit me - we are getting married.  Looking at the bands and talking about the ceremony made everything seem real.  I was instantly overwhelmed with nervousness and excitement!

When was that moment for you?

P.S. In regards to the bands, Dave is considering a simple solid gold band and I am looking white-gold contour band.

Online Surveys & Market Research