Bridal Expo-SED!

Hey party people it’s been a long time. Sorry to all you die-hard, avid boda fans. The month of December was thirty-one days of non-stop translating, critical analysis, accounting math problems and Trados galore. Needless to say, I was too busy, tired, and chubby to post on my beloved blog. But enough hem hawing, there’s been some new developments.

Last Thursday Oskar and I went to San Roque Catholic Church in Santa Barbara because we wanted to see what the church we decided to get married in looked like. We met Tricia, the lovely secretary who told us that she had us penciled in for the 22nd of August and that no, she didn’t receive our deposit. WHAT!!!

I was freaking out. Why? Because I sent in the check in November and 2: that’s a lot of money to misplace. And also, we had asked to book the church for the 29th. We breathed a little easier when she told us that August 29th was still available. But Oskar was still pretty steamed about the missing check. A half hour and three calls to B of A later, he was able to cancel the check, which luckily had not been cashed and personally turn over a deposit to the parish. Crisis averted.

As Oskar paced outside the church’s steps talking to the bank on his unreliable cell phone, Yen, my delightful and awesome bridesmaid, went inside the church with me. It was really pretty. I know we made the right choice. I hope that on the day of our wedding, the sun shines super bright because the stained glass windows are gorgeous.

On Sunday, Oskar and I decided to go to a bridal expo at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. An $8 ticket bought us some free food samples, a bag of magazines and a chance to enter a drawing for something that I can’t recall, (flower girl shoes I think). I was too tired to care. The two and half days prior, Oskar and I had been carousing with my favorite couple, Molly and Eric, surviving the desolate, wintry, and wet terrain that was Lake Cachuma, and exploring ye olde wine country above Santa Barbara. I finally got to live out this wish I had to go wine tasting through Los Olivos, Santa Maria, Los Alamos, Solvang, and Buellton. In your face “Sideways.” It was gorgeous. The food at Los Olivos Café was well priced and gourmet without being too chichi. Shout out to Molly’s inter-winery hook up.

So, as I was saying, I was too exhausted and frizzy-haired to really delve into the bridal world. Luckily Oskar was there to ask the hard questions. First stop: the caterers. We found a sad little corner in the back where a company called Channel Islands Catering & Concession had set up their station. Chef Chris told us that what his company primarily does is Mexican food. Boo ya! Oskar and I had been thinking of a Mexican buffet for the wedding banquet. Oskar was the official taste tester and sampled the chicken and beef fajita, Spanish rice and refried beans. “It was pretty good, but it didn’t knock my socks off” he said with a shrug. While the food didn’t perk him up, the price sure did sound right. $9 a head to start. Not bad considering that we’re going for simplicity.

Our second potential caterer we looked at was Fresh Mex. They had a bar on display as well as the old standbys: chicken fajitas, chips and salsa. Also, they were serving some weird oily meat, that was “marinating” in the heating plate. The rep claimed it was pork. It looked really unappealing. They also said that they provided décor, band, dj and that they are familiar with our reception site and were doing several weddings there. I looked at their photo album of weddings and parties they had done. My overall rating -- C- -- too boring. The tables were mostly just decorated with plain white linens, colored napkins folded on dishes and white chair covers with bows. That’s it. No wow factor. Prices started at $10/head.

The third catering company that we looked at, and my favorite so far was Pure Joy Catering. Oskar sampled the berry spritzer punch and the “really good” roast at the carving station. We had already browsed their Web site months ago and emailed them. They gave us a quote for their services at $70 a head (“Yikes,” said Oskar). Their album displayed these amazing buffets and décor. My new favorite two words: Taco Station. Also, we could have a real live mermaid sitting above the seafood station, judging us as we go get sashimi. We talked to a tiny little thing who said that we should email them again and talk to so and so who is assigned the Pure Joy events held at Cabrillo to get a more refined quote. She said that since our wedding is going to be on a Friday and that we would provide the alcohol ourselves, we would probably get a cheaper price. But like this rep at the party rental station we talked to later said, Pure Joy is not just a catering company, they are an event planner and the price would include décor, servers, set up and take down. Oskar is freaking out, I am optimistic.

We passed by Creative Services Catering. Oskar was too full and wanted to pass so we didn’t interview them. Plus, some of the reps looked greasy, literally. There was one guy with a blue striped shirt with the top button undone to show off his manscaped chest and gold necklace, and shiny-slicked hair.

The bridal expo was…a little intimidating, overwhelming, sad and funny. Some of the highlights:
A dance company called Connexions that was teaching couples how to avoid having an awkward first dance. Oskar nudged me toward it. I successfully sashayed past it.
Sb Photobooths. Not so much a booth, rather a bench propped in front of a wooden box with a camera on a shelf. Pictures were too in focus and zoomed in for comfort. I think Oskar got a free tonsil check out of it. And the price: 1300 smackers. No thanks. Disposable cameras it is, as long as Oskar’s friends keep their balls off of film.
Finally, my personal favorite. Phil Birdsell, the “Personalized, Classy and Fun DJ/MC, Entertainer, Planner Coordinator." The debonair Goulet-esque performer was hosting a bouquet toss contest. The lucky ladies had to toss a silk flowered bouquet over their shoulder into a bucket or vase. I can’t remember what the prize was but I’m sure it was awesome.

Well, we didn’t book any caterers but at least we got a taste of what vendors are like. They are as sleazy as car salesmen and make me want to take a shower. It was a little scary and it made me realize that I should be more prepared when it comes to questions to ask. I wish Leslie Stahl would do a hard-hitting investigative report on the wedding industry. I want to know who to cross off and who to trust.

I know this is quite a post but it’s a months worth in one take. I haven’t even reported on Yen’s dress nor Melisa’s find. Tune in next time…