If you have not yet responded, please send us your response card today. We need to have an exact number of guests to provide to our caterer so that they can prepare the proper number of meals. We also need to know if you have a food allergy or need a vegetarian meal so that we can inform the venue of these restrictions. Thank you.

My sister Lisa and niece Lacy visited today, and they went with me to the appointment. Lisa is going to make my veil. We spent the afternoon shopping for veil fabric and supplies, and had a nice lunch together. They also shared some do-it-yourself wedding ideas with me. I now have a cute, colorful  project to work on this weekend. You will all find out what it is on the big day!

Here are a few pics of the fun and shock of the beauty of the snowstorm!
 
Snow in the front!

Snow on the side!

We had a cake tasting with a cake baker named Karen Rodkey in Littlestown, Pa. She made 3 fabulous mini cakes for us to try. They were some of the best cakes I’ve tasted. We had fun working with her to create the cake design that we want.

The empty plate below is an indication of how much we liked the cakes.

After our visit we stopped by an antiques store. Jesse found some old tools that he liked. I happened upon this lamp:

Does it look familiar? It’s a replica of the classic lamp that was a highlight of “A Christmas Story” movie! We thought it would be fun to have in our basement, but it wasn’t for sale.

On our way home we stopped at an orchard where we purchased tons of jam, apples, and apple cider. We both loved the pumpkin pyramid next to the parking lot.

We’re going to keep our decisions a mystery, but we can say that this meal will be tremendous. I’m quite excited about what we will enjoy. This will be a special evening! Before creating this post, I had dinner, and I’m salivating thinking about the menu to come!

We took a few snap shots of the Antrim while we were there and thought we’d share! Here’s a shot of the back of the Antrim 1844, just look at that blue sky!

This is the building where the ceremony and the dinner will occur,  it seats well over 200, but our event will be much smaller than that! It’s really a great space, it’s a fairly new building, so it has everything, air-conditioning, it’s own kitchen and more!

 
Here’s me and Amy looking at menu choices. This page was just supposed to be inspiration. The chef was amazing and said he could make anything! He trained in France and has a tremendous love and appreciation for the artform of food! As we discussed possibilities, I thought if I had the ideas and inspiration about art that he has about food, I’d be drowning in art at home! Over two hours of discussion! Too much fun.  

We celebrated the occasion tonight with a home cooked meal and hopes of passing out candy to trick or treaters! We carved two amazing jack-o-lanterns, roasted the seeds, and I carved out a bunch of pumpkin to cook two loaves of bread and a batch of chicken soup with a vanilla pumpkin broth! Now we’re stuck with two bags of left over candy and a ton of soup to last.

I know .. I know, in the long range of things, we should celebrate with jewelry, fine dining, and a myriad of surprises, but in the end, some times, it’s so nice to have someone to just relax with.

You need to call the Antrim directly (410-756-6812) to make the reservations. Ask to speak to Robin Bowman.

There are other hotels nearby if you do not wish to stay at the Antrim:

1. Sleep Inn Emmitsburg in Emmitsburg, Md.
2. Best Western in Westminster, Md.
3. Country Inn & Suites, Gettysburg, Pa. Gettysburg has many hotel options.

Taneytown (pronounced tawny town) is in Carroll County, Md., and is approximately 1.5 hours from Northern Virginia, 1.5 hours from York, Pa., 140 miles from Philadelphia, 35 miles from Baltimore and half an hour from Frederick, Md. The closest airport is BWI, about an hour away.

Taneytown is a very small town and there is not a lot to do there. Civil War history buffs may be interested in visiting Gettysburg, Pa., 10 minutes north. Frederick, Md., is half an hour south and has a cute downtown area that contains the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

I went to college at Mount St. Mary’s College (now a university) in Emmitsburg, Md.–15 minutes west of Taneytown–so of course I can recommend some great spots to visit in that area! One of my favorite places is the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, located on the mountainside behind the college campus. Daily masses are held outdoors next to the “cave” in warmer months and year round at the indoor glass chapel. You can stroll down “Rosary walk” and view the lovely marble statues, pray, or capture gallons of the Grotto’s famous holy water from a spring. Yes, I said gallons! I’ve seen people fill wagons with gallon containers of the water to take home because they believe it has healing powers. I know this may be too much talk about Catholicism for some of you, but even if you aren’t Catholic you can appreciate the beauty of the surroundings and the peace and quiet. I used to go there quite a bit to study when the weather was nice. There used to be a 3-mile hiking trail available to the public, but the last time I was there last year it was closed.

Cunningham Falls in Thurmont, Md., is 20 minutes south of Taneytown. It is very close to Camp David and has a gorgeous 78-foot waterfall. It’s a great area to hike, picnic or swim.

I bought my gown at Rosalin’s Bridal Boutique in Falls Church. I visited the store in July and found a gown I liked, but was reluctant to purchase it until we nailed down a date.

Originally I wanted my sister Lisa to make my dress. She made her wedding gown and attendants’ gowns. She also made my sister Michele’s wedding gown and attendants’ gowns. I really wanted to continue this family tradition. She would have needed a pattern to use to create the dress. We went to several stores to find wedding gown patterns, but couldn’t find many, and certainly none that excited me (or her, for that matter). I guess people aren’t sewing as many clothes as they used to. I eventually accepted it that I wouldn’t have a one-of-a kind-creation and set out to look for a dress at a local store. Lisa will be making my veil, though.

This is a question people have asked me over and over for many years. Today I finally have an answer:

March 21, 2010!

Jesse and I will be entering spring of 2010 as a married couple! We will be married at 3 p.m. at the Antrim 1844 Country House and Hotel in Taneytown, MD. Built in 1844, the Antrim is a former plantation located on 24 acres near the Catoctin Mountains in Maryland. It has gorgeous gardens in the back yard, with 2 bronze fountains and a gazebo. It also has a very cool-looking black bottomed pool, tennis court and croquet court. I always wanted to have my wedding at a place that had either a gazebo or fountain (for photo opportunities), and this place has both!

Here are a few photos from our visit.

I did so much research on possible ceremony venues. We are happy that we’ve finally selected a place! Now I can get rid of all the information I collected on the venues that we didn’t select. We are looking forward to our complimentary dinner and menu consultation with the Antrim’s award-winning chef.