Of all the venues I have looked at there has only been one that I'm really loving, Hubbard Park Lodge.
But I'm starting to get the feeling our kind isn't wanted there.
Why you ask?
Well, let's see -
I've now sent 3 different unanswered emails to 3 different people who work there. Over the course of a week and a half.
I've left a voice message that was returned with a voicemail that only gave one option to talk to someone was to go there in person when they are open on Friday or Sunday.
We went on Friday, it was closed for a wedding.
We went on Sunday, there person we were supposed to talk to wasn't there.
We left a message with our names and numbers for the person we were supposed to talk to with the hostess, who told us the event coordinator would call that day.
Its four days later and she hasn't called.
So at what point do you take a hint?
In the very last email I sent, to contact #3, I flat out asked if our inquiries weren't being responded to because the Lodge isn't interested in hosting a same-sex ceremony.
As of yet, I have had no reply to this email either.
My head tells me I should give up and move on. In all other circumstances, if a company was this unprofessional, repeatedly, I would say fuck it, and not give them my business. But I haven't seen anything else that i've liked and could afford.
This situation totally sucks.
To further add to my good mood Wisconsin's Hight Court upheld the marriage ban today
Some days I really hate the world.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Will you be my domestic partner?
Today Catie and I went to the Milwaukee County Courthouse and applied for a Wisconsin Domestic Partnership.
Although it felt rather official to raise our right hands and say, "I do," and although the rights this will give us are important, which is why we did it, I don't want anyone to be fooled that this really means all that much in the eyes of the law.
In fact while doing this will grant us 43 rights. It leaves out around 1100 that are granted to straight couples when they apply for their marriage licenses.
Its not fair. Its not right. I work hard. I pay my taxes. I have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, just like everyone else. I shouldn't be treated like a second class citizen. I shouldn't have to be grateful for getting something that is so far less than that which is granted to my friends, families and neighbors.
But I'm still happy that now Catie is legally obligated to keep me fed, clothed, and sheltered. And vice versa of course.
And saying, "I do," with her felt sorta nice too. :D
Although it felt rather official to raise our right hands and say, "I do," and although the rights this will give us are important, which is why we did it, I don't want anyone to be fooled that this really means all that much in the eyes of the law.
In fact while doing this will grant us 43 rights. It leaves out around 1100 that are granted to straight couples when they apply for their marriage licenses.
Its not fair. Its not right. I work hard. I pay my taxes. I have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, just like everyone else. I shouldn't be treated like a second class citizen. I shouldn't have to be grateful for getting something that is so far less than that which is granted to my friends, families and neighbors.
But I'm still happy that now Catie is legally obligated to keep me fed, clothed, and sheltered. And vice versa of course.
And saying, "I do," with her felt sorta nice too. :D
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Moms and Venues
After scouring every wedding website we could find on the internets for venues in Milwaukee, and ruling out all hotels because they just don't "feel like us", we happened to stumble on a location that piqued our interest.
We had originally contacted the Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden because it looked interesting to us and in an email response found out that it was WAY out of budget. However, the management also operates another facility, The Hubbard Park Lodge. And this one, although still slightly above our budget, was much more reasonable. Moreover, it actually looked like it might be something we would like even more.
We were informed that the event coordinator was there on friday nights and sunday mornings and that you could just stop by for a tour and to talk to her during those times. Friday nights they have a fish fry (its a Milwaukee thing) and Sunday mornings/afternoon they have a brunch. So we decided to go check it out.
I thought it would be a good idea to invite my parents along for a couple of reasons. 1. Catie and I aren't used to envisioning what large crowds look like in confined spaces. We needed help visualizing if a place would work for our needs. 2. I thought it would be nice to include my mom. She and I can be like oil and water. Which is, consequently, the reason the other half my brain was screaming that I shouldn't ask them to come along.
I decided to ask them to come.
I love you mom, but a lot of times it would just be nice if you said, "Oh this is a lovely spot and I think it would work." or "Oh this isn't going to be big enough, I'm sorry."
Instead I get a list of 80 different places we could also consider (which I'd mostly looked into already) And a 100 examples of what so and so did for their wedding, which frankly I just don't care about.
I know I should be more patient. But I'm just not the kind of person who cares about what anyone else did or who is looking for a 1000 suggestions. I like to do things I think of doing in ways and places I discover. And I just want you to tell me if its crazy or brilliant or both.
Needless to say there was bickering. Especially when, while eyeing the nearby Milwaukee River, my mom proclaimed that we needed to hire a babysitter for the small children who would be there. Even after I told her, probably 4 times at least, that there would only be a maximum of 4 or 5 small children at the wedding. 2 of whom were my sister's. And Catie was behind me slowly getting more and more annoyed because she thinks, and I don't disagree, that its a parents job to watch their kid and if they can't then its their job to find someone to do it. But my mom would just not let the topic drop. Or be swayed from her insane notion that it was our job to hire a babysitter for the possible 4 kids at this wedding, two of whom would be my sister's.
Argh.
Like I said, I love you mom, but don't be offended when I don't ask you to visit the next venue with us.
Although, there probably won't be any next visits, cause we sorta loved Hubbard Park Lodge.
Wedding Websites I've used so far for finding venues:
On Milwaukee Article
Premier Bride: Good long list with thumbnail pic and simple description and links to the venues website. Very useful.
The Knot: Popular but I didn't use this one as much as the others.
Wedding Mapper: Nice that I could read reviews at this one without joining.
Milwaukee County Parks Rentals Site - Handy for finding all the different places. Although ultimately none of the county parks worked for us because they either insist on a very pricey caterer - Bartolatta's or Zilli Group depending on venue. Or, in the case of South Shore Pavillion, it was musty smelling, lol.
We had originally contacted the Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden because it looked interesting to us and in an email response found out that it was WAY out of budget. However, the management also operates another facility, The Hubbard Park Lodge. And this one, although still slightly above our budget, was much more reasonable. Moreover, it actually looked like it might be something we would like even more.
We were informed that the event coordinator was there on friday nights and sunday mornings and that you could just stop by for a tour and to talk to her during those times. Friday nights they have a fish fry (its a Milwaukee thing) and Sunday mornings/afternoon they have a brunch. So we decided to go check it out.
I thought it would be a good idea to invite my parents along for a couple of reasons. 1. Catie and I aren't used to envisioning what large crowds look like in confined spaces. We needed help visualizing if a place would work for our needs. 2. I thought it would be nice to include my mom. She and I can be like oil and water. Which is, consequently, the reason the other half my brain was screaming that I shouldn't ask them to come along.
I decided to ask them to come.
I love you mom, but a lot of times it would just be nice if you said, "Oh this is a lovely spot and I think it would work." or "Oh this isn't going to be big enough, I'm sorry."
Instead I get a list of 80 different places we could also consider (which I'd mostly looked into already) And a 100 examples of what so and so did for their wedding, which frankly I just don't care about.
I know I should be more patient. But I'm just not the kind of person who cares about what anyone else did or who is looking for a 1000 suggestions. I like to do things I think of doing in ways and places I discover. And I just want you to tell me if its crazy or brilliant or both.
Needless to say there was bickering. Especially when, while eyeing the nearby Milwaukee River, my mom proclaimed that we needed to hire a babysitter for the small children who would be there. Even after I told her, probably 4 times at least, that there would only be a maximum of 4 or 5 small children at the wedding. 2 of whom were my sister's. And Catie was behind me slowly getting more and more annoyed because she thinks, and I don't disagree, that its a parents job to watch their kid and if they can't then its their job to find someone to do it. But my mom would just not let the topic drop. Or be swayed from her insane notion that it was our job to hire a babysitter for the possible 4 kids at this wedding, two of whom would be my sister's.
Argh.
Like I said, I love you mom, but don't be offended when I don't ask you to visit the next venue with us.
Although, there probably won't be any next visits, cause we sorta loved Hubbard Park Lodge.
Wedding Websites I've used so far for finding venues:
On Milwaukee Article
Premier Bride: Good long list with thumbnail pic and simple description and links to the venues website. Very useful.
The Knot: Popular but I didn't use this one as much as the others.
Wedding Mapper: Nice that I could read reviews at this one without joining.
Milwaukee County Parks Rentals Site - Handy for finding all the different places. Although ultimately none of the county parks worked for us because they either insist on a very pricey caterer - Bartolatta's or Zilli Group depending on venue. Or, in the case of South Shore Pavillion, it was musty smelling, lol.
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