Hello! And Intro...

mayflower11

Hello there!

I've been engaged (and lurking these boards) since December. We've got a bunch of big items checked off of the to do list, but still plenty left to finish up for our May 7, 2011 wedding. I figured it was about time that I introduce myself so that I can ask a few questions (I anticipate having a bunch as the date gets closer) and because I think I have enough planning experience to be helpful at this point as well

Here are some of the things that we have figured out so far...

Ceremony: St. Paul's Cathedral
Reception Venue: Carnegie Museum Music Hall Foyer
Photographer: Randi Voss
DJ: Jeremy Ganss
Dress: Pnina Tornai

Hmm let's see...we also made magnet save the dates from a photo booth strip, and we're having Shutterbooth at our reception. Our invitations are being made by a friend, which I love.

Flowers are the last really big thing that I need to figure out in the near future. Our date is the same weekend as Mother's Day, which is apparently the busiest weekend in the floral industry. We've gotten a no from tons of florists already. We're meeting with Mocha Rose on Sunday (which I'm super excited about) but I'm concerned that they will be out of our budget. Does anyone have any experience working with them?

I'd also love honeymoon suggestions...we're really struggling with planning ours since our budget is about 5k, and we'll be graduating from grad school, getting married, and moving all within about a 2 week period...so we'd like something totally relaxing and easy, but don't want to go the "honeymoon factory" type all inclusive route.

So anyway, HI! You've all been such a help already, as I've been learning from your experiences through these boards for the last several months

cgyvhu

Congrats and welcome!

Looks like you have a lot planned already!  I think I actually saw your photos on Randi's blog the other day (I'm meeting with her next month and check her stuff all the time) - they were really cute.  I went to CMU as well!

I haven't worked with April from Mocha Rose, but photos of her work look amazing.  I think she has a $2500 minimum now, and it might be higher for 2011.

mayflower11

Oh! Rehearsal Dinner suggestions would also be incredibly helpful, particularly in the Shadyside/Oakland/Squirrel Hill area (tough for larger crowds, I know)...Ours will probably have 40ish people.

Southside could work, too...

Thanks!

deviemb

Hi!!

 I just saw your pics on Randi's website, SO adorable.  We are working with her for our July Wedding, and go for engagment photos next month. 

I have not worked with Mocha Rose so don't know much about them, but I have heard Mother's day weekend is tough to find a florist.  We have not booked one yet (are meeting with 2 in the next few weeks) but if I hear anything I will let you know.

What type of honeymoon are you looking for?  FI and I do a lot of traveling, so acutally our HM is going to be the opposite.  We want the all inclusive resort and don't plan on leaving!  We just got back from Europe, we love to travel but want our HM to be nothing but relaxing. 

Welcome

gmc22

HI!! Congrats on the engagement and welcome to the board!! We have the SAME ceremony AND reception venues!! woohoo!! I'm SO excited about both - the Music Hall Foyer is beyond amazing... My date is May 28, '11 and I'm super excited! The ladies on this board are incredibly helpful so don't hesitate to ask any questions!

As for flowers, I'm using Gida's in Oakland as my florist - Carole is amazing and I just love her! For the RD, we are having ours at LeMont on Mt. Washington! We'll have about 50 (possibly more) at ours so they can defintiely hold large parties! The view is ridiculous too!

As far as the honeymoon, what are you looking for? FI and I are just about to book our honeymoon to Thailand!! I am SO excited! We're planning on spending 2 weeks there. We'll start off in Bangkok for a day or two then head north to Chiang Mai where we'll do tours of temples etc. and elephant rides! After a few days there, we're heading south to Phuckett and Phi Phi Island for a little R&R. The plane tickets are pretty expensive but once you get there the prices are REALLY great! We're planning on spending NO MORE than 6k.

Well GL planning and welcome to the board! I'm SO excited that we have the same venues!! I'm sure we can bounce ideas off one another!!

gmc22

Oh I wanted to add that for RD locations, we also looked at Lidia's and Eleven in the Strip, and Pittsburgh Rare in the Sheraton Station Square. I was racking my brain to find a location a bit closer to St. Paul's but couldn't come up with anything. Nothing was big enough for my party. I'm not sure if they have private parties, but you can check out McCormick and Schmick's in South Side Works... the food is really good there. Other than that, I couldnt think of anything else really!! GL!!

KimWard

Hello and welcome! Do you have any pics of your dress? We love pictures. :-) As for HM suggestions, I'd recommend a cruise. DH and I went on a 6 night Carnival cruise to the Bahamas. We left from Baltimore, so it was nice to not have to fly. It was super relaxing and easy- once we booked the cruise, all we had to worry about were any excursions we wanted to do. We booked only 2 months out, and got a great deal- spent WAY under 5k.  Good luck deciding!

phillychica85

Congrats and welcome! I just wanted to add that Jeremy is our DJ too and am so excited about it. I've gotten nothing but wonderful vibes from him. Our wedding is this weekend so I'll be sure to report back

Pirata13

Our RD was at Claddagh Irish Pub in SouthSide Works and they were awesome! Everyone raved about the food and we had a great time!

InkedMegs

Welcome and GL planning!

This sounds crazy, but If you should be at wits end for a florist that will meet your budget AND work for Mother's Day, check out the floral department in a local supermarket.  My friend works for the floral department in a Shop 'n' Save and they actually do a LOT of weddings.  I've seen some of the pictures and they do a really nice job!  Just an idea if mainstream florists give you a hard time because of the holiday!

LaFemmeRousse

Hi, congratulations, and welcome!  I LOVE your venue   And Randi's work is great!  April of Mocha Rose was my florist and she couldn't have been better.  I adored my flowers completely.  I hope your meeting goes well this weekend!

We also looked at Lidia's in the Strip for our RD.  We did Eleven for the bridal luncheon on Friday afternoon and ended up with our RD at the Heinz History Center, which was amazing.

king26

Hello,
  COngrats nd welcome!  It sounds like you are doing well with your plannig.  We had KS Kenned Floral on the North Side do our flowers.  People raved about them and he was so reasonably priced!

KRMac

Hi and welcome!

Sounds like you are off to an awesome start!  Happy planning.

Mocha Rose is amazing!  You might need to increase your florist budget for a Mother's Day weekend wedding...and decrease it from somewhere else, KWIM?  

My RD was also at Claddagh and it was awesome!  Great food, perfect room, very easy to work with.  I highly recommend them!