a sigh* of (un)relief

I've been suffering from a heavy case of procrastination-itis. Some things never change and some people never slow down long enough to breathe (there's a strong possibility that my body stopped running off of oxygen as of weeks ago). I'm pretty sure that I've been managing to squeeze 27 hours into days that were only meant for 24 hours. It's a talent only a few posses. 


Updates, people! I have updates.. . . .

• We got our venue! Summerour Studio in Atlantic Station (Summerour as in, Keith Summerour the architect... how fitting). I highly recommend that you google it. It's got a killer loft-y feel with hardwood floors, awesome industrious ceilings, factory style windows and of course some brick-age. The outside of Summerour is Tuscan-esque and obviously, to-die-for. It's located on Bishop Street a few blocks from Atlantic Station. It's kind of an unexpected hole-in-the-wall place and I'm admittedly not crazy about the street it's on but it's a small "price to pay" for a lofty-elegant-architecturally inspired-vintage space with killer city skyline views. 

• Perhaps more importantly than the venue... .our date has changed. After excessive back-and-forthing with multiple vendors, we learned that our May 21 date was booked everywhere-- literally, EVERYWHERE. Once we fell in love with Summerour we became sickeningly determined to reserve the space. For those of you who have gone through the headache of venue-shopping, you know that, well...it's a headache and takes time to find a space fitting for you and your other of much significance. After spending the weekend on the edge of our seats, we were informed via an e-mail Sunday night at 11 that Summerour was booked May 21... . devastation set in as we ventured to conjure a plan D. Our last stab at the venue of our dreams was a game of tug-o-war with another couple for the evening of Saturday June 4, 2011.... .we won!!!

• We've gotten all 300 of our save-the-date photo options back and are very excited. Only that means that now it's time to actually pick our "Save the Dates." And probably our invitations as well. Does it ever end?

• Our next big "to-do" is the caterer. Which is possibly the most expensive (and delicious) part of wedding planning. It's slightly depressing and eye-popingly ridiculous how much catering companies charge per plate. Not to mention that they tack on a 20%-21% gratuity for themselves.. . .I'm sure they're not all THAT good. However, this is a wonderful opportunity to pay homage to my heritage. For those of you who don't know anything about Greeks.. .well, at the pit of every Greek person's soul there lies a manipulative, haggling, button-pressing, thieving fiend (according to my father, at least). Needless to say, I'm haggling like it's my job and attempting to play on the sympathies of the not-so-sympathetic event coordinators and accountants. We'll see what we end up with.. .but it's looking like the absolute cheapest (and most unrealistic) option is $30/person which may or may not include taxes and gratuity. Seems as if everyone in the catering business is also of Mediterranean descent. Stay tuned for doof selections...

• While we're talking dollars and (lack of) sense, I would like to pause at recognize/appreciate/thank/publicly announce the debt of gratitude I feel for Daddy + Mommy Warbucks for funding what will be the most meaningful day in our lives both individually and as a couple. Becoming 2 McClures rather than a McClure and a Dounis is no small thing. We're so incredibly lucky to have the families we do.

•   I'm going on a much needed diet. 1,200 calories/day and lots of running and p90x-ing. Zach is in perfect physical shape and doesn't need to waste his time prepping his physique. I'm seething with jealousy at the McClure metabolism!

Wedding aside (only momentarily though.. .I know you're all just drooling over what the next phase could depict. Note: sarcasm), I spent last weekend with Mrs. Jessica Milkwick. A cousin of Zach's who I absolutely adore. If anyone was born to be a grade-A mommy/homemaker/wife, it was Jessica. Not to mention, she's gorgeous. And has perfect children. We stayed up until 3am chatting and throwing together a portion of Zach's slightly belated birthday present. Since school/moving/life has completely interrupted our every-day, Zach's actual birthday was less than exciting-- date night with our newlywed friends Joe + Katie at Tin Drum in Atlantic Station and indulgences to follow. However, the night before the big 2-6, we were treated to a divine dinner at Chops (it seems like I spent my childhood in and out of such restaurants, whilst wearing sailor outfits or cloaked in flower-y dresses and Kentucky-Derby style hats). So to make up for September 15 being a dud, we went out to Rathbun's for dinner on Saturday night. I highly recommend it, killer atmosphere and heavenly "YaYa's Eggplant Fries" and I gave him a home-made scrap book of our adventures. I guess scrap books only come in the home-made fashion, they're not exactly like cakes, from the box or from scratch-- they're from the heart and hands, which are now sore from the over-exhaustion of muscles required for scissor-usage. My real birthday gift to my wonderful, loving, always-good-to-me fiancee will arrive on October 1.

I'm going to make another post pronto which will include a further "sneak peek" of our for fun photos, via Sarah-Cate Buckner.

-Zach + Maxine