Venues!

Confession: I’ve been looking online at venues ever since Danny and I moved in together. I kept a detailed Wedding Notes document on my computer, lurked on the Knot for some feedback and ideas, and purchased a few wedding magazines long before I had a ring. DD knows all of this, so it’s ok! :)



So once I was officially engaged, I already had a very short list of venues that I wanted to check out. On Saturday, my MOH, my mom and DD’s mom went to visit the Nyack Seaport and the View on the Hudson. While DD and I both grew up in Bergen County, we had a short hotel stay in Tarrytown early in our relationship and we both loved the area. I knew I wanted do something a little different and get married in the Hudson Valley, along the water if at all possible. While Venues in NJ along the water were out of our price range and those in New Rochelle area a little too hard to get to for guests, the View was closer and very reasonable. I’m hoping for an outdoor ceremony, but I love the indoor option.


The Nyack Seaport was lovely and it’s a family operated venue, but with similar pricing, there was absolutely no comparison with the View. The ceilings at the Seaport were low, it was not handicap accessible and it seemed a little tight for our guest list. For a smaller wedding (no more than 120 I feel) the Seaport would be lovely. But the package Ralph offered at the View, I could picture myself and my guests enjoying the ambiance of the facility and the great deal of food they offer! I cannot wait to bring DD back next week to book officially!

Asking my MOH

I knew for a long time that DD's sister would be my MOH. I tried to keep it a secret, but I’m pretty sure everyone knew. It’s rare if LV and I don’t talk at least once every day. DD is very close with his family and I quickly became fast buddies with his sister, who happened to be planning her own wedding when DD & I met. By June of 08, I was asked to be a BM in her wedding and I jumped right into planning with her. She had a ton of the big details covered by the time I was involved, but I loved helping out with all of the little details that made the day “her” day. We went to dress fittings, I was there for invitation ordering, I helped plan the Bachelorette Party and even provided input on some registry choices. With her MOH not as local, I happily stood in wherever needed.



Now it’s my turn and I wanted to ask her in a very special way. We always do a small gift to each other on Christmas in addition to the bigger couple gift we exchange. This year, I got her a silly Wii cheering game (we were both HS cheerleaders) and a photobook with some pictures of us together, all leading up to the big question: Will you be my Matron of Honor? It was great, inexpensive (around $6 bucks for the book), and it was such an emotional moment for us. She’s going to be a huge part of planning, I know I'm probably going to drive her crazy and I know she’ll do an awesome job!  I'm going to be holding off from asking the rest of my bridal party since we have such a long engagement, but I was so glad I was able to ask her this way!

The Proposal

Let’s start this story off right. DD & I met two years ago through a mutual friend. I had decided last minute to go out on a Sunday night in the middle of finals (aka, I looked like hell) and happen to meet a guy that went to the police academy with my best friend’s brother. Pretty quickly we were an item and I moved in with him in August 2008. By June 2009 we had finally landed our own place and he proposed two years to the day we met on December 17th!


Popping the Question:
DD & I are HUGE Yankees fans. He brought me to my first game of the final season in the old Stadium and we were there to watch them win the World Series this year. I was under the impression that we were heading out to celebrate finishing up my first grad school semester but when I saw we were on our way to the Bronx, I knew something was up. DD popped the question and when he opened the box, the ring fell out!! So fitting for him though! I happily said yes and we quickly ran to the car to get warm. We headed to the Chart House in Weehawken for a nice meal on the water.

The Ring:

I knew that the wanted three things when it came to a ring:

1. Cushion Cut Center Stone
2. Super thin band with diamonds
3. A setting that didn't come up too high.

I got all that and more with my e-ring! I couldn't ask for a better ring! I love love love it and it's exceeded all my expectations.