Table Label

Table names are one of those details where the personality of the couple can really shine. I had lots (!) of ideas. Many of which Mr. PaC shot down quickly. Hrmmm.

yellow things - this one takes commitment! Also, I'd rather leave the thematic education to Sesame Street.

random things that we love - under apothecary bell jar cloches for a museum or terrarium feel. I just wanted an excuse to buy/rent 10+ bell jars.

via Remodelista / sourced from Restoration Hardware
childhood items (slinky, Legos, plastic dinos, horses, crayons, Hot Wheels, marbles, kaleidoscope, alphabet blocks, mini sailboats, army men, pinwheels)
Even though we don't have kids, there are plenty of these items around our house. We're a couple of kids at heart!

That's Logistics

Before our last meeting at Greenville Country Club, we had a list of burning questions. Yesterday we met again with our venue coordinator to square away those pesky 30-day-out details and put out the embers of those aforementioned questions. So what did we figure out?

Set-up
1. Yes! to a sparkler send-off!!! Now we have to decide how to fit a sparkler send-off into the evening without disrupting the flow. The common sense approach (suggested by Linda) is to round everyone up at the very end of the night. That way they're already set to go, outside and waiting for the shuttles. Two birds, one stone! (This scenario leaves us without a photographed send-off or extending the photographers' stay by 1.5 hours.)

Mr. PaC measuring for lantern height on the terrace
2. We can set up anytime Friday (rehearsal day) before 11am or between 2-5pm. We'll be at the venue between 3-4pm on Friday to rehearse anyway. So far, there are no confirmed events the day before to limit our access. Obviously, setting up the day before is ideal but if there is an event, we still have the morning of the wedding and an army of wedding helpers (friends with ladders) to assist where needed.

Things we love

Celebrating Valentine's Day with a quiet evening at home. (Don't worry, we won't gloss over our last V-Day as soon-to-be-newlyweds! We always celebrate the week after/before to avoid the crowds.)

A chunk of Prima Donna cheese with a divine California Pinot Noir
(Arista 2006 Longbow Pinot Noir to be specific)

Netflix movie plus blankets, couch and snuggling

Obligatory but delicious chocolate strawberries.

Dessert from Papa's.
Mmmm, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
How are you celebrating your relationship with that someone special today?

(all personal photos)

One bite closer...

Our tasting team: Us + Mr. P's brother (& Best Man) + Bridesmaid R.
The mission: Chow down! And figure out which dishes will be served at the wedding.

It's time for some sexy food shots!

First, bring on the wine:

Merlot, Cab Sauv, Pinot Grigio & Chardonnay (all Beaulieu Vineyards except for the Pinot)
- The reds were lighter than we're used to, but for a multi-course summer dinner the weight will be fine. The Pinot Grigio was crisp & fresh, almost masquerading as a Sauv Blanc (one of my favorite varietals). Chardonnay wasn't overly oaky, also crisp and refreshing. Overall, we were pleased with the quality of the house wines.

The Little Bites:

Left: Indian chicken with mango chutney on a crisp potato wafer
Center: Beef filet canape with olive tapenade
Right: Sesame crusted Japanese tuna on rice paper crisp with wasabi sour cream

Ready, set, EAT!

Tomorrow is our catering tasting. (No eating after midnight tonight.) We're trying to get our ducks in a row ahead of time, thinking of questions to ask our coordinator and other things that will aid in planning.

Boring Questions
1. Are there any costs we might not be aware of that the venue doesn't cover?
Heeding the warning of our recently married friends, we're trying to avoid being walloped by last minute expenses. Mr. P is convinced we haven't budgeted for napkins. (Of all things!)

2. Can we really do a sparkler send-off??!?
I have seen photographic evidence of sparklers at our venue, but our state is a "No fireworks. No sparklers. No fun. No how." state.

Red on a map is never good source

Just a taste...

Our tasting appointment has been booked - it's this Friiiiiiiday.

source
The four of us (Mr. P, me, best man/brother M and BM R) are very much looking forward to it. Having M (a Manhattan chef & caterer) on hand to provide culinary advice is beyond awesome. And I could not believe BM R had not participated in a tasting yet, given all her wedding experience. I think it's a great idea to have not just the bride and groom at the tasting but a foodie/friend whose opinion you trust.

So what's on the tasting menu?

The Sweetest Favor

One of the easiest decisions we've had to make is wedding favors. Because we've gotta guy... A Swiss chocolatier to be more precise! Mr. P's mom worked with Neuchatel years ago. But the confection connection doesn't end there. His brother, a NY chef and caterer, orders custom truffles infused with a favorite spirit, usually scotch. Whooo - those things are potent!

Someone went to Neuchatel!
I wonder what's inside...
Mr. P introduced me to the fan-frickin'-tastic chocolates by way of their chocolate covered potato chips. Yes, salty and sweet in one snack! They're like a drug, a very delicious drug. The chocolate is imported from Switzerland, the oh so delicious cream comes from the cows in nearby Oxford and the potato chips are sourced from the Herr's factory down the road.