Hi everyone! I have been reading posts for a few days and thought I would take the time to introduce myself. I just got engaged last Friday, August 20th, to my boyfriend of 8 years. He finally popped the question! LOL! He got me a beautiful ring that he picked out himself and proposed on the beach in Long Beach Island, right near where he first said "I love you" to me 8 long years ago!
Since I have gotten engaged many people are telling me to start looking for reception venues right away, because we want to get married next Fall of 2011. They said that places would already be booked up for then! So I have heeded their warnings and have been doing a lot of research. My parents and I are going to look at some places tonight and me and my SO will be looking at places tommorrow and Friday. We're looking for "rustic", somewhat non-traditional places. We don't have a budget yet, and I don't think any of us have any idea what things typically cost so I imagine after we see what we can get at various places for the money, that will help us narrow places down. I'm figuring in the $100-150 pp range, but thats just a very tentative figure!
I currently live in Middlesex County, NJ, and I will be completing my last year of grad school in social work this year, all while planning the wedding! I am looking forward to a busy year!