Finally!

We finally found a reception hall. This one has a minimum number of guests that is lower than the number we're inviting. It's not yet booked on our date. It's reasonably priced (for Connecticut). It's elegant, without being stuffy. In short, it's everything we're looking for. We officially have it on hold for a week and we'll be doing the contract/deposit stuff next week. I'm REALLY excited about this. I put some pictures up just below this post, so check them out! Anyway, the place is an Inn, so there will be rooms available for anyone who wants to stay there for the night (especially helpful for the out-of-town guests). It even has a complimentary mini suite for Pete and I for the night - the room was NICE but the picture was really fuzzy, so I couldn't put it up here. It seems like it'll be everything we're looking for - in fact, I'm beginning to forget that there ever was another reception hall. It seems everyone was right and not getting that last place was a blessing in disguise and I ended up with a place I like a lot more anyway. The ceremony and cocktail hour will (hopefully) be outside with the reception taking place in the ballroom. There's even a great place to set up Aunt Lynn and the guest book - this way we'll know everyone signs it! I'm very excited - and my parents liked it a lot too!
Now that that's done we get to start in on the other stuff - I emailed the officiant we want to use to set up an appointment with him and I emailed 2 photographers to get rolling with that. It's like the fun never ends! :)

Reception hall pictures

A view of the hallway outside the ballroom - this leads to the patio where cocktail hour will be.

The ballroom - plenty of windows!

The grand staircase on the way in from the ceremony site. Don't worry - there's also an elevator to get to the ballroom!

Another view of the ballroom - this one shows the chandeliers all set up.

YAY! Green Belt!

Yesterday I officially became a Taekwondo green belt from my fabulous Taekwondo school - Evolution Martial Arts (there's a link to their website from this page). Because the school moved and with all the chaos surrounding that it took a little longer than normal (at least that's the reason I'm telling myself), but I finally did it. The new school is right next door to the old one, but it's HUGE and nice and all that good stuff, so it's definitely worth it. At the test I broke 2 boards - one with a front kick and one with a spinning back kick. Both broke very easily on the first try - who knows, maybe next test I'll have to break 2 at once... Anyway, I'm quite pleased with myself, so I thought I'd share with everyone.