telerib | Steps Two, Three, and Four: Church, Hall, and Gown (Reply)

Step Two: Church is still in-process. The nearby church says we can be married there on our preferred date. We just need to talk to the pastor and put him in touch with Uncle Joey the Priest. "If Father doesn't call by Monday, call back."

"He didn't call? Well, we're closed Monday... if he doesn't call by Tuesday, call back." That's tomorrow.

Step Three: Reception Site. I fixated on Adelphi Mill early on. We finally visited the site today, with key. (This process was made ridiculously long by the need to drive 30 min to get the key, drive 30 min to the Mill - which is only 10 minutes from the house - then back to the office to return the key, then back home.) It is very attractively rustic and on a lovely stream, as one might expect a mill to be. Downers: parking will be tight, kitchen is small, and the windows have grates over them. Uppers: beautiful deep slate windowsills, stone walls and wood beams, and mill bits still hanging around. We decided to go for it and cope with the kitchen.

Step Four: Actually, the gown was selected the day of the Engagement Ball. I'd seen it online and liked it. I'd tried it on and liked it more. I tried on a few others with my bridesmaids, tried it on again, and we all said, "Yup." It's quite reasonably priced for a wedding gown ($350 and often on sale for $300).

Lookin' good!