Wedding Wednesday & Weather

Since Octoberish French and I have observed 'Wedding Wednesdays' where we discuss and plan all the things that got us to this week. We didn't bat 1000 but not everybody does.

So here we are, "the deep breath before the plunge." French is tasking in the background, I'm sending final orders from carts through the cloud get picked up. There is an excited calm in the house and I can feel the weight of tasks melt with each final checkmark.

The weather is really the last remaining wildcard and here's what I have to say about it...

We're practicing radical acceptance of whatever the day brings.

We have tents for coverage from blazing sun to an aggressive downpour. If the heat overwhelms or the AQI chokes your laughter, head inside where it will be cool. We're a go for love, no matter the weather.

We can't wait to see you all, celebrate this milestone, share some laughs and make a new memory.

Kristen and Chris

Parking

The big day is Saturday and we're really excited! (cue hairband.)

I wanted to get this parking post out so it's top of feed. If it's been unclear, all the events are at our home.

7745 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights MN 55076

You may park on the EVEN side of Cahill from about Cub Foods to Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church and there is sidewalk on that side of the street too.*

We'll have signage/markers out at the curb so you know where the place is... Our house is not visible from the street and you'll have about 120 yard amble down our class-five gravel driveway (weird flex but I'll go with it) to the festivities. 

If all other orienteering and technology fails: Follow the gravel driveway between the red truck and the red mailbox down the hill to the party.

Also, just a thought... there will be beers, bubbles, and likely some brown so maybe just Uber or Lyft?

*When you see the road you may question me and these directions. And I get it but I have confirmed with local authorities (like in the police station, face to face.) parking along the curb at our blocks of Cahill Avenue is perfectly fine providing:

• there are no parked cars between the hours of 11PM-4AM.
• no driveways or mailboxes are blocked.
• cars are less than 12 inches from the curb.

Menu options

 

It’s been a minute. We've been busy being showered by family and friends and finalizing the details of our wedding outfits.

We’re 46 days out and the last of the invites hit the mail this morning. If you haven’t received yours, it should be arriving shortly.

I was very economical with the food descriptions and wanted to give you a little more info on the deliciousness The Rustic Chef will be serving up on the big day.

 

Brisket sandwich =

Texas Style Brisket Sandwich

Texas style brisket, cheddar cheese, pickles, onions, and beef BBQ sauce on a brioche bun.

 

Chicken wrap =

The Coop Wrap

Grilled sliced chicken breast, smoked gouda, bacon garlic aioli, mixed greens and tomato in a warm spinach and herb tortilla.

 

Fish taco =

Mahi Mahi Street Tacos

Marinated Mahi Mahi, pico de gallo, citrus vinaigrette slaw, avocado crema in a flour tortilla.

Plus your choice of side which you can order at the window. Then, they will give you this cute little pager and it will alert you when your meal is ready.

Please reach out if you have a dietary need that wasn't reflected in your invitation.

 

Watch this space… next post is about parking.

90-Day Fiancé: Wedding Planning Status Report

Things are clipping along. The next big to do's are a food tasting to finalize the menu at which point we can get the invitations printed and get serious about picking some desserts. I thought I would use this 90-day milestone to share some more details about the flow the big day. 

When I reflected on conversations with beloved brides (and a few grooms) once all the petals settled after their big day one of the key messages that emerged was how fast the day moves and how little of they remembered. This truth nugget turned iconic in an episode of The Office which featured Pam and Jim's wedding (S6, E4/5: Niagara.)

In an attempt to foster and create as many moments like that for as many of us as possible, we've designed the day in three acts:

Act 1: The Ceremony (12  to 1)

This will be a slightly smaller group, we refer to you lovingly as our Covid Core, if we were willing to get sick seeing you, get in this bubble.  We'll include special instructions in your invitations.

Act 2: Food Truck and Yard Games (open house style 1 to 4)

Think raucous Minnesota yard party. Dress for comfort and plan for a tick check before bed. The open house style is meant to help with parking flow and all those busy summer schedules.

Act 3: Dips and Smoked Meats (5 to ?? adults only)

From 4 - 5 things will take a more adult turn, or get turnt as the kids say.  My buzz will probably kick in and the playlist may will include the songs with explicit lyrics. Around 6 we'll have a second food service, as assortment of the groom's favorite smoked meats and a table full of the bride's favorite dips. 

Bride. 90 days. iiiiiiitttt's haaaaappppening!

 

Hotel Accommodations

We are so grateful to our family and friends who are traveling to share in the revelry. In an effort to help take some of the guesswork out of accommodations we have two options to make things easier and maybe save a few bucks.

Close and convenient.

We have a block of double-queen rooms under the secret code of French Wedding at the Holiday Inn Express in Inver Grove Heights at $149+tax per night.

You may book online with this custom link or call directly at 651-450-1100. If they require a 'Block Code' it is "FRW" and the cutoff date for our block is 5/24/23. 

Flex your purple pride.

Try the nearby Omni Viking Lakes Hotel. Very close to all the festivities and so so shiny and new. We don't have a dedicated block but they do have a rotating series of offers that puts them only a few bucks more than the Holiday Inn.

AAA, military, and senior specials to name a few... play the cards you can.

Other options

If you're using miles for hotels your list of options just got a lot longer. Our proximity to MSP airport and Mall of America mean there is a vast array of the main chains and those two landmarks keep your commute to 7745 Cahill Avenue (all of the festivities will be at our place.) pretty tight. If we were getting married in the winter, you'd barely have enough time for the car to heat up. haha 

A Glimpse

 Transcript of actual conversation that just happened.

Scene: Kristen counting pills into one of those day of the week pill containers while French puts dishes in dishwasher.

Kristen: Hey, did I tell you that my cholesterol results all look awesome?

French: Yea, you did. That's great.

Kristen: (cackling) There is a whole lotta old married content in a couple pretty short sentences.

How are we so old and so married while neither being that old or actually married yet‽ 

Gift Registry

The eagerness of our nearest and dearest to shower us with love and is beyond humbling. To those of you who have asked for this more than once, I'm so sorry for the delay. We're just so excited to celebrate the day with you we lose track of writing down the dreaming to effectively share with you.

Here are some ideas to help us start writing our next chapter:

Upgrade the house

The first few years in the house have been great but we have miles to go before it's truly our home. Our first round of improvements has been fixing shoddy DIY and replacing things that have exceeded their life expectancy. Gift cards to these favorites will help us make our mark with the fun stuff.

Ace Hardware and Lowe's are where we source our projects and Gertens is just down the road for all our botanical hopes and dreams. And we shop as local as we can for tech made in China, Best Buy.

Sponsor a Couch Cushion

We have a great double-wide recliner set up but the console and cupholders are a major impediment to proper snuggles. We've had our eye on and tested out the LoveSac for our next major furniture purchase.

These gift cards will help us get ready for the next long cold winter: Mall of America, LoveSac, or any other U.S. currency. (no crypto please.)

Sponsor a Honeymoon Experience

We're eyeballing Alaska for a honeymoon but still in the discovery and research phase of the planning process. While we don't have our triptik planned yet, watch this space for a way to make French's crab-eating dreams come true.

Present People

For those of you who aren't satisfied until you've curled ribbons on a sharply cornered package... I see you. You are my people. I friggin' love a perfectly wrapped gift; giving, receiving, watching it doesn't matter!

• My 1995 Pfaltzgraff has seen better days and we recently fell in love with and registered for Julo dinnerware at Crate&Barrel 

• There are few kitchen gadgets and towels that need replacing so we did the mental "Big Target Run" and registered to freshen up some necessities.

ICYMI, in the book of Gartz, when you give monetary gifts, I commonly send two thank yous. First, the customary hand written sentiments delivered to your mailbox old school (still supporting the family business, Dad. ; ) and a bonus thank you of a comical text or social media post featuring commentary on how we used the funds and thought of you. 

There is no wrong answer. Just be with us on the day.