D-4!

Oh, my.

D-4. At this point I am just...giving up. Seriously, this morning while still in bed, I tried to rehearse what things I need to do Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and the big day, but my mind refused to think.

Changes so far:

• There will be no live singing at reception, although the program says so. Reason is that brother couldn't bring his electric keyboard. NY is having half heart of singing and playing the keyboard live anyway. I am too tired to look for last minute instrument place. Given all the above, we are counting on CDs for music during reception, and if people want to sing, we will make use of the karaoke machine. Real use.

• ....I am sure there will something coming up. I am embracing myself for it (them).

NY is organizing a "tea-party" with the girls Friday lunch time. There are about 10 of us. I am not trying to envision a high-tea ambiance of an English nature. This is Texas, dowtown Riverwalk. LoL.


I am leaving tomorrow on a 6 AM flight and have yet to find a place for steaming.

Stuck on You (in a good way)

I don't mind having this as our first dance. It's a beautiful pop country.



Stuck on you
I've got this feeling down deep in my soul that I just can't lose
Guess I'm on my way
Needed a friend
And the way I feel now I guess I'll be with you 'til the end
Guess I'm on my way
Mighty glad you stayed

I'm stuck on you
Been a fool too long I guess it's time for me to come on home
Guess I'm on my way
So hard to see
That a woman like you could wait around for a man like me
Guess I'm on my way
Mighty glad you stayed

Oh, I'm leaving on that midnight train tomorrow
And I know just where I'm going
I've packed up my troubles and I've thrown them all away
'Cause this time little darling
I'm coming home to stay

I'm stuck on you
I've got this feeling down deep in my soul that I just can't lose
Guess I'm on my way
Needed a friend
And the way I feel now I guess I'll be with you 'til the end
Guess I'm on my way
I'm mighty glad you stayed

--Lionel Richie, Stuck on You, from the album Can't Slow Down, 1983

....and with that, we commence the making of compendium of songs for reception.

Pictures Worths More than a Thousand Words

I am too incoherent to craft post with more words, I am down with a coughing fit. Let these pictures speak for themselves. These are part of things prepared for reception. Table name holders painted in purple and the making of pineapple jam fillings for nastar.

Rio-rio It Is!

Even though O'Brien's ranked high on paper, we decide to go with Rio-Rio. Fiance went to have a lunch during Thanksgiving weekend and he did like the food.

My concern about TexMex being the dinner theme can be alleviated by not choosing the buffet style dining. Instead, we will have a sitdown dinner. We even can offer selection of two entrees for the guests--I am thinking the fillet mignon& chicken combo and the seabass. Although, to keep it budget friendly, our RSVP card will include the option of two entrees for the invitees to choose in advance. Hopefully, everybody will return it in a timely manner to us so we can give Rio-Rio a final head count and entrees.

I am thinking cocktail hours should include stations of cheese and fruit, vegetable dips, and some hor d'ouvres. Suffice it to say, we can recreate what O'Brien's has to offer!

We will have 3.5 hours that comes with no additional charge. If needed, some relatively small amount will be billed for extra half hour or so. Taking everything into account, Rio-rio and O'Brien's are comparable budgetwise.

Although, there is one thing that might be out of reach. The beautiful picture of the Estrella room was partly from the amazing chair covers, table cloths and dinner napkins. We need to rent those linen. The restaurant itself already provides for basic black or white table cloth with color overlay (they have purple available). We will see the quote the linen vendor provided soon.

As far as entertainment, we can probably finding a rental for electric keyboard. We need to rent sound system and microphones anyway. There are some aspired singers and piano players in the party.

I am excited that this is turning into reality. I am officially bridezilling. Fiance thinks I am too happy to be a bridezilla and will fail miserably at it. Amen to that! LOL!

Edited to add:

Quote from linen vendor

10 Plum Satin Floor Length @ $25.00 each

80 Silver Satin Self Tie Chair Covers @ $4.00 each

80 Silver Satin Napkins @ $1.25 each

Installation @ $135.00

Delivery/Pick Up @ $35.00

Sub Total $840.00

Discount $100.00

Tax $ 60.13

Total $800.13

Hmm, should I just got the silver self-tie chair covers and use Rio-rio's white table cloth with purple overlay? I dont know if they have purple napkins. Hmm... Linen vendor can still install and deliver/pick up, hopefully for a reduced amount. That should fit better with budget. Hmm...

A Reception Venue Run-Off

I am throwing this to the forum and want to see what everyone is thinking. As of now, both places are available and we are on hold for first dip for May 1st. We are thinking of having a 75 people reception, starting at around 4 PM and lasts into the night (4 hours).

Here is the guided decision making from Excel. I am trying my best not to be that biased, but it still clearly shows my preference, huh?



Pat O'Briens

OK, these pictures don't actually do them justice. Try your best to imagine the rooms if you seen both rooms on larger size images.




Outer facade (courtesy of Flickr)



Rio-Rio








and the view from it at night...

Please keep your comments coming! Thanks!

Pictorial Memories

From October San Antonio trip.


Bibi's sisters want to put engagement announcement at his hometown's newspaper. So she asked us to pose accordingly. LoL! This was on the balcony of one of Rio Rio's private rooms. I think it was the Estrella Room.



Might as well be a favorite picture of us. Also, beware of Xinda attack! This was on Artisan Alley where Bin 555 is located.


Precious bundle of future nieces and nephew in law a.k.a. Blonde Babes.

We are thinking of moving dates to April 10th or May 1st, church permitted. Annual San Antonio Fiesta is right on the April 15-25 time frame. Bummer! Wish us luck...

Venue List

Just sent Fiance a list of venue we need to pay a visit to.

Game plan is to be at all four Riverwalks locations (Casa Rio, Rio Rio Cantina, Zuni Grill and Paesanos) on Saturday afternoon and all three around church locations (Los Patios, Bin 555, Silo) on Sunday morning & afternoon before meeting with Fr. Jim.

Things to find out on visit:
Menus, tables & chairs setting, fees, duration, extra space available for cake, music, dance, decoration, alcohol, limitations, others?? (help me, if I miss anything girls?)


View Wedding Reception in a larger map

Chicken and Egg

I tend to fall in love in first sight. First was on the Alfred Angelo dress (last post), now on this venue either on their Alamo Heights location


or their Loop 1604 location.


I am waiting for confirmation of spaces for dancing, sound system & stuff and if we can bring outside cake and decoration. The 1604 location has been the place for band or CD release party. Restaurant setting, I believe, will be more cost effective. Nothing is final until we actually set our foot in their place. I am planning a trip back in October.

Oh, here is their menu. I am sure we can work on other arrangement.



As the chicken and egg continues, I am waiting for informations from surrounding Catholic churches. Also continuing on finding venue option.