What does "food tasting" mean to you?

So, there we were... in Temecula for some wedding stuff. We drove out there Sunday to do our food and wine tasting for the wedding, and then to do my hair and make up trial. For those of you who have been unfortunate enough to hear me complain about this experience from beginning to end, I'm sorry. For those who have no idea, here's the skinny... A few weeks ago, as we were setting the tasting schedule with the owner of the winery (Ms. Loretta Falkner)... we were going back and forth on emails as to times and what not. They had just hired a new chef, who came up with a new amazing menu, so we were excited to go out there for our food/wine tasting.

Tasting... now that is an interesting concept, don't you think? When someone says "tasting" to me, I automatically think a tasting of all foods available on the menu. Right? If there are 8 possible entrees, and say 10 possible appetizers, 8 possible sides, and so on and so forth, you would get to taste a small portion of each...so as to formulate an opinion on each flavor to create your own menu for your special day... have I gone off the deep end yet, or am I still within the realm of a normal food tasting? Yes/no? So, Loretta and I begin to email about the tasting... all the while, never having been instructed as to how to let her know what I want to taste. It was never laid out in the contract, nowhere in the brochures, etc. So, I just decided to email her with my choices of foods to try and let her know that we were going to have a small entourage with us, and I asked if that would be alright. Well... much to my dismay, I was greeted the next day with a response that was so offensive and rude, that I couldn't believe that we were getting married at a place that is run by someone like that.

"Never in my 8 years of experience has anyone ever asked to taste this much. When you go out to dinner, do you order this much??? The purpose of the tasting is to see the style of the chef (funny, I thought it was to pick MY wedding menu, but that's just me). You know what your favorites are and this is what you should do!!! Please RETHINK this and let me know."

Come to find out that the tasting according to her rules means, pick two entrees, and that's all you get to taste... What if I don't like them??? How do I come up with a menu?!?!?! And first of all... in her 8 years of experience? Well, this is our FIRST... and ONLY! So, in true Annaliza fashion, I proceeded to scream at the top of my lungs to poor Groomy about how Loretta insulted me and that he better do the responding because my response wouldn't be pretty... and we may lose our wedding location. He was pretty upset by the response as well. I mean, who ever heard of a tasting that consisted of tasting two things and THAT'S IT? Oh, and did I mention that the tasting would cost $25/per each additional person. Anyhoo, so he responded to her telling her that there was no need to treat me that way and that she's an idiot (ok he didn't really say that), and that we deserve nothing less than the most exceptional service from her and her staff. And of course, she apologized profusely... whatever. So, we tasted... and were impressed. The menu is set, and hopefully you'll all enjoy it... I'm thinking that with the way my dress fits, I'll be lucky if I can have two bites! HA! The only other disappointing thing about our tasting is that they didn't have the wine available that we LOVE. Their Reisling... we are SO upset about that, and I guess there is nothing we can do. I should make Loretta give it to us since she was SO MEAN!

I guess, so far, if this is the only complaint, I can deal with that. I mean, it does leave a bad taste in my mouth with regards to Loretta, but I obviously have to be over it. There are other minor complaints, but I'm gong to overlook them for now... and maybe bitch about them AFTER the wedding.

Anyhoo, afterwards, did my hair and make up trial. I LOVE. I can't wait to see everything all put together!

ONE MORE MONTH from tomorrow, Ladies and Gents. Hope you have all your travel arrangements and hotel accomodations in place. PLEASE let us know if you have any questions or need help with anything.

We love you all and look forward to seeing you on May 1st!!!!

It's almost official...

... we are going to get our Marriage License today...

Any last words?

HA!

I'm just an ordinary girl, livin' in an extraordinary world...

HANDS DOWN - BEST BRIDAL SHOWER EVER KNOWN TO ANY BRIDE IN THE WORLD!!!

My Orange County Girl Tea Party was seriously the most phenomenal, amazing bridal shower! The food was amazing, the cake was to die for, the games were perfect, most of my girls were there... it was a perfect Sunday afternoon "tea party"! My MOH continues to go above and beyond, and I love her to death!

The only thing I could have done without was stuffing my face full of wintergreen gum for every question I got wrong... Jenn had contacted Cory previously in the week to ask him a set of questions about me, him, us... and at the shower, she was to ask me the questions, and I was to answer how he would. And if I didn't, I had to eat a stick of gum. Well, let me tell ya... that pack of gum was damn near finished when she got through with me! But, listen, I just have to say, in my defense, that some of those questions weren't fair... like asking Cory what my favorite position to sleep is. He said "on my right side"... which is clearly WRONG! I love to sleep on my tummy, always have, always will. So, why did I have to eat the stick of gum for that?!?!?!?! he got it wrong, not me - Hahaha! The other questions were hysterical. Mom, I'm sorry you had to hear that I made the first move... ooops.



My beautiful blushing toilet paper brides!

My Fabulous RED VELVET cake by Margaret!


My handsome Groomy...

So, this week, we are supposed to get our marriage license - that should be fun! Today, my mom and I get to pick up our dresses! I'm SO EXCITED to see my dress all fitted to me! YAY! Then, this Saturday, we're taking Jenn out for her birthday!!!! And on Sunday, we're going for our food/wine tasting! I'm excited about that. We signed me up for my Open Water Scuba certification. I'm just going through the book right now, learning all my material. Then I'll start the classes and pool classes next month, then my ocean dives in Catalina, and I'm ready to go in St. Lucia - WHOO HOOOO! Cory, the sweet hubby-to-be that he is, got me all of my scuba gear as my wedding present. I love it!

A little over 5 weeks until the BIG DAY people! Don't forget to send in your RSVPs!

Rain rain go away...

Dear Rain Gods,

Pretty please, don't rain on my Bridal Shower this Sunday...

Jack and Jill went up a hill...

... to have a Couple's Shower...


Hey Everyone,


Just a reminder that this weekend is the Couple's Shower! Hope you can join us for some yummy pilipino pood and karaoke... and maybe Rock Band!!!

We are at T-minus days 52 til the BIG DAY, and every plan out there is in full swing. Including the floral, which has undergone a complete facelift from the original plans... We originally had these rustic reds and oranges in mind, because I really loved those colors together, and if you all know me, after SILVER, I love those colors. But as Daylight Savings fell upon us, and the spring time rapidly approaching, I started to doubt the colors, and wanted to move to a more "springy", vibrant, yet still elegant, sexy look. So, I emailed with our florist, and once again, I heart her to death. With 7 weeks to go, she's totally fine with the changes and it's going to be AMAZING...

All other plans are going at 90mph as well... we have our food and wine tastings coming up, my dress will be ready for the 2nd fitting in a couple of weeks, my mom's dress will be ready soon, we are still receiving responses, at some point, we have to tackle the slideshow and put together the wedding favors, I'm still trying to find a make up artist, and I missed my hair trial this past Sunday because I was stuck at our National Sales Meeting in Arizona... well worth it, but now have to find SOME random day to drive out there. UGH!

It is crazy how fast everything is approaching. Our Couple's Shower is this weekend, my bridal shower is next Sunday, and then two weeks after that, is my long awaited Palm Springs Getaway! Cory isn't having a bachelor party, which makes me sad, but it's difficult with all of his boys in different cities/states. So Mark, Mike, Mike, and all the boys... PLEEEEZ take him out and get him drunk when you all get in before the wedding! =)

Anyhoo, we will see you all in 52 days!!!!

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/AnnalizaVictoria&CorySmith