Wedding Event Photos Online!

I finally got some of the photos from the engagement party, our pre-wedding trip to the Keys and Mark's bachelor party online! Check them out at Flickr....

(Click the photos to access the photo album.)

Back From Key West

Mark and I are back from Key West. Invitations go out tomorrow. Here are some suggestions for taking a ferry from Miami to Key West.

Key West Express
1-866-593-3779
www.miamitokeywestexpress.com
Departs Miami: 8:30AM (Launches from the Miami Seaquarium)
Departs Key West: 5:30PM
$49 each way

Dinner at Cafe Sole

I highly recommend Cafe Sole on Southard and Frances. We just had a fantastic dinner there. We actually ate there last November and it was just as wonderful as we remembered. Even though it is hotter than Hades, the outdoor dining was totally comfortable. They have an extensive wine selection and few bottled beers. If you go there, by all means, get the Hog Snapper. It's the restaurant's specialty and oh my god is it good. Perfectly seared non-fishy fish in a buttery pepper sauce. So good. Also try the Trio of Desserts (Key Lime Pie, Creme Brulee and Fresh Fruit. You'll love it.

We are staying in tonight so we can go to Blue Heaven in the morning for Lobster Benedict (sorry that you can't be here Kelley!)

Ciao!

Don't You Wish You Were Here?

Mark and I are in Key West checking out the wedding digs. We got in yesterday and immediately headed to Island Dogs Bar for a drink (or 3). Met with the GM who is happy to help us put on a spread for the reception. We headed back to Island City House to shower and get ready for dinner. It is so freakin hot here in August that all I could drink at dinner was water. We had a wonderful dinner at Alice's Key West (Mark had Lacquered Duck - amazing - and I had seared tuna which was just OK). I do recommend Alice's, I just think that I was too hot to enjoy it. We called it an early night at about 10Pm and headed back to the room.

Today we headed out around 10AM to check out West Martello Tower. The location is beautful and will apparently be in full bloom in November. We scoped out several areas where we could hold the nuptuals. I'll post photos once we get home. Then we headed over to Key West Cakes to meet with Joey. Again, totally easy going guy who was happy to help us out with Key Lime pies. The cake guy meeting didn't take that long, so we made a pit stop at Albertson's for water, soda and mixers. Then we hit the liquor store for rum - MMMMMMMMM. We met Cathy, the wedding planner, at 1PM and she was completely accomodating. Looks like everything will be handled so we don't have to worry. We had lunch at Square One Cafe (Mark had a BLT and I had a burger) and then we went back to the hotel for a dip in the pool.

We are getting ready to head out to dinner, but I will write more tomorrow.

Where is everyone staying? Check this handy map!

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=103109415922651515464.000001137de055385d1c3&ll=24.554122,-81.798194&spn=0.013174,0.019956&z=16&om=1

Photos from the Engagement Party!

As I get more photos from the party, I'll post them to this gallery. Please feel free to share any photos that you might have taken. Just send them on over!

Check back often. Enjoy!

http://luc1313.smugmug.com/gallery/3121237

Ferry From Miami to Key West

For those of you who really want to soak in the ocean, there is a ferry from Miami to Key West (many thanks to Mark's mom, Virginia, for discovering this little gem). Check out Key West Express - http://www.seakeywestexpress.com/miamitokeywest.htm. The trip is $49 one way and lasts about 4 hours. Looks pretty cool. If you are planning to take the ferry, please create a post to the blog in case others might want to join you. See you in November!

Engagement Party a Smash!

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us in celebrating our engagement! The food and drinks were great and how about that cake? We were overjoyed that our friends and family were in attendance and can't wait to see you all at the wedding!!! Photos of the shindig to come!

More Engagement Party Details

We'll be holidng the engagement party on June 30 at the Tavern by the Lake in Reston, VA. Invitations will be going out shortly. We hope that everyone will come. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Heidi or Danielle.

Also, we are getting a cake from Food Network's "Ace of Cakes" Duff Goldman at Charm City Cakes in Baltimore - I'm so psyched!

Engagement Party - Coming Soon!

Heidi and Danielle are busy planning our engagement party. I have sworn to stay out of it and let them work their magic, so feel free to contact Heidi if you need anything or have any ideas. We are looking at late June for the party.