Hotels

I was on my way here to post about hotel blocks when I noticed that Miss Fairfax just did the same thing. It seems like we all get the same ideas at once!

When I started this wedding planning process, I was determined to not let certain things stress me out or become difficult. Hotel rooms was one of them. I've traveled enough personally and for business that I thought I knew what I was doing. And I live here, so I'm familiar with the streets and metro stops. How hard could it be?

Well. It's pretty hard. To begin with, I've had trouble getting people on the phone from these hotels! Wedding blocks sometimes go through a hotel's event planner, sales office, or regular reservation desk. But none of them pick up the phone. And not many of them return calls. Ugh.

Right now I think it's down to three properties, and I need the advice of other DC brides. The wedding ceremony is at the Universalist National Memorial Church, at 16th and R NW. It's not confirmed yet and I don't want to blow the surprise until it's sure, but the reception will probably be a few blocks away. Both venues have parking. I think many of our guests will want to do some sightseeing while they're here, and the wedding is actually the first day of the 2010 Cherry Blossom Festival. So here we go.

Courtyard Washington Embassy Row

Image from www.marriott.com

The reservations person was very friendly on the phone. The hotel is less than a half mile walk to the Dupont metro. I tend to think of Marriott's as a bit outdated and Courtyard's in particular as lacking amenities. Online reviews are really all over the place, with the main complaints being small rooms and a noisy building/location. She quoted me $149 per night plus $28 for parking but suggested I call back in a few weeks to see if rates have gone down at all.

Hilton Washington Embassy Row

Image from www.hilton.com

I was first planning to check prices at the Washington Hilton on Connecticut Avenue. My mom has stayed there a few times and always found good prices online, I think through Expedia. It looks like the regular rates are just too high for what I want though, and there are a few conventions there that weekend. So I submitted a request online (which the lady who answered the sales line told me to do) to the Embassy Row Hilton. I've had good experiences with Hiltons but don't know anything about this one. It's very close to Dupont Circle. I haven't received a response to my online request yet, but regular rates for that weekend seem to be $170 plus $35 for parking.

Hotel Palomar

Image from www.travelhero.com

I just heard back from this property. I've heard very good things about them, and even about wedding receptions there. The location is very comparable to the Hilton. The prices are $119 for a queen bed, $139 for two queens or a king. Parking is $35. If we book 95% of the block and stay there ourselves, our room will be upgraded to a suite. The block expires 4 weeks before arrival though, while the Courtyard holds it until three weeks before.

Phew - that was exhausting. Our save the date's are going out in the next few weeks and I'd like to make a decision by the time people are receiving them. I guess we have some thinking to do! Thoughts?

where does the time go??

One of my co-workers had a baby last week, and I just remember the day she came and told me she was pregnant, it doesn't seem that long ago! And the time between then and now was eight months, about the same amount of time between now and the wedding, and I just can't imagine March 20th will ever get here! But at the same time I can't believe it's almost August, we've been engaged for almost six months.. eep!

I am excited to report that we have reserved our room block at the Hampton Inn - we're getting the $79/night rate, and I didn't even have to negotiate to make sure we won't be held responsible if the block isn't filled. So I'm pleased. ..now we just have to figure out who we're going to invite to FILL these rooms... guest list. sigh.

Also we seem like we're pretty settled on our officiant! We haven't officially told her we're in, but I think we will soon. Her name is Georgiana Atkins-Havill - she had a bunch of 5-star reviews on WeddingWire, and she's been featured in the Washington Post and other places. I spoke to her on the phone and she sounds lovely. She operates a little differently from other officiants/celebrants I've looked into - there's no contract, no set fee. We'll be discussing different ceremony options via email, and then 2 weeks in advance of the wedding (so her impressions of us will be fresh for the ceremony) we'll meet with her and finalize all the details, she'll do a run-through with us, of the vows and the ring exchange (but not everything - she likes to shoot from the hip a little so it doesn't sound rehearsed and stale, I liked that), and then after the ceremony we just pay her the amount we feel is appropriate and comfortable for us. She says she's never been underpaid, more often she's overpaid, because that's how happy people are with her work. So we feel pretty good about working with her. She seems to have a real passion for this. And that's a good thing! *martha stewart smile*

I was able to stop in at the REFRESH at FRESH event yesterday, got to hang out with our lovely Miss Not Yet Wed and her assistant Angela - didn't get to buy anything but it was a lot of fun! Anything with free champagne and cupcakes..! I'm there. Unfortunately it was so Hot, I didn't feel comfortable trying anything on since I was a sweaty hot mess. I will definitely have to go back though, they had some cute stuff.

in search of a DJ

Well Mr. Fairfax and I didn't quite get to the narrowing down the DJ conversation.. Anyone have any recommendations for an affordable DJ? We are hoping to find someone who will provide the option to include a little karaoke at some point during the evening. eee! I love karaoke so hard. I'm already trying to think of the best song for me to sing haha.

So far I'm liking the sound of Big T's Entertainment. They quoted me 4 hours for $650, and then $50 extra if we wanted karaoke. Sounds reasonable to me, especially considering MyDeeJay.com would be minimum $900, no karaoke. I also liked DJ Max Powers, his website is pretty lo-tech but I liked his answers on his FAQ page, and he quoted me $500 for the reception, or $575 if I wanted him to do the ceremony too. That sounds promising (but sigh, no karaoke).

Are you all doing a DJ, or a live band? Anyone skipping the dancing thing altogether?

We have started the ball rolling on the hotel room blocks - we're going with the Hampton Inn, on route 50 in Fairfax. Only a mile from our venue and we really liked the look of it when we visited. It's totally non-smoking, free wifi, and we should be able to get a $79/night rate for the Thurs - Sun time frame. I will keep you posted on that!

Surprise!!!

Nearlyweds, I got the greatest wedding gift of all last night. I had suspected it was coming before now but last night we got the definite.

Mr. GP's parents are paying for 5 nights (and his brother is paying for the 6th) for our honeymoon in San Juan, PR.

!!!!!!!

I was/am beyond floored. Earlier this weekend they had emailed us two hotels to look into - we checked out reviews for both, they're nearly right next to each other.

The Corner suite....not necessarily ours...but still. Pretty!

The pool....ohhh la laaaaaa.

We'll be staying at the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. I am so very excited, the amenities are thorough, the reviews of the other Marriott had mentioned construction, so instead of risk it we went with the one that had stellar, consistent reviews. It's right on the beach, about five miles from Old San Juan, and has lots of places to eat around it, did I mention there's a casino??

I am still beyond floored. I need to be sure to write thank you notes to my future in-laws, because really, I know what it's like to be on the opposite side of having parents who adore you. I know what it's like to feel like you're not good enough for the man you're dating and this? Is an incredibly, amazing change of pace. I am a lucky, lucky gal and honored to be "marrying into" such a wonderful, generous family.

Did you get any amazing gifts from your parents or your fiance's parents??