my photographer is the best!

Yes.  My photographer.  He's so awesome, I have laid claim.  Though I did pass kindergarten, so I am willing to share (just not this Sunday!  eep!).  Take a look at these awesome engagement shots he took of Ari and I in Central Park last weekend.

This is just a teaser, Noah was so nice and sent along a few photos sooner rather than later so I'd have something to buzz over to the NY Times (which I may have been too late to have published anyhow, but it's worth a try, I suppose).  I'll post the rest when they come around, but it'll probably be after the wedding and our honeymoon.

Seriously though, Noah has been really great, totally relaxed and unobtrusive.  I can't wait to sing his praises even more after the wedding!  Check him out on his site: Noah Devereaux Wedding Photojournalism.

All images taken by and courtesy of Noah Devereaux.

I love decisions when they're already made...

And today I made a big one.  I am super thrilled!

We (my parents, kid sister and I) went to the  restaurant/potential venue for lunch today. The manager was very nice, helpful and accommodating even though he was dealing with a tour group of 50 Spainiards at the same time. His price is better than we’d hoped at first, and his kids price is great so  I’m actually going to be able to invite kids, get funny dancing pictures and avoid family WW3. Champagne is included in the open bar price. The food was good. He threw in an extra 1/2 hour (I think we might be able to work it up to a full hour if we really try) and the ceremony space is free. Literally the only thing he isn’t providing is parking and that’s hardly his fault (it is Manhattan, after all). So…

We are officially penciled in for the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5, 2010!

Pending a visit from Mr. McGee so we can have a full tasting, we’ll sign a contract. I have a venue! That I love! And I can afford! I am so so so so so so so happy! Seriously, so much stress is gone, that I am having a harder time worrying about the 8 metric shit-tons of schoolwork I have to do before I graduate in December. The only thing that could have made things better today was the city actually posting parking signs that told us we couldn’t park where we did, rather than just leaving us an illegible parking ticket (sorry Dad!).

Oh, and you can see the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, and Manhattan from your table.  It is the quintessential New York City location I dreamed about.  I am a happy girl.