Hello Californians and Michiganders!

Andrew and I are steadily planning our wedding!  It's been a lot of fun and overall stress free; we are well ahead of the game.  Andrew continually thanks me; I guess I'm pretty organized. ;)  As all the major vendors are on board and contracts are underway, we are ready for the fun planning to begin.  It's exciting to be focusing now on the extra details, decorations, and logistics.  We have our lovely venue at my Aunt & Uncle's home in Livermore!  It's a beautiful formal home with great landscaping, a vibrant swimming pool, fun features with a cabana, and relaxing water fountain.  The atmosphere is natural and lively with several tall palm trees, a maple tree, lush green grass, and roses.  We are so thankful for the Crawford's warm welcome to open their yard for our wedding and reception!!!

Last weekend, yes St. Patty’s day, Andrew and I found the hotel that we are blocking off multiple rooms for the night before and evening of our wedding!  This hotel is called Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham in Livermore.  It's only two miles from downtown Livermore and First Street, which is filled with good restaurants, fun bars, ice cream shops and bouquets.  The distance from the venue is an easy drive, only 5 miles away.  We will be blocking enough rooms for Saturday plus extended stay nights for out of town guests.  Rooms will be available Thursday 9/12- Sunday 9/15.  We won't be leaving for our honeymoon until Tuesday, so we'd love to visit a little while longer.  

We’re curious on everyone’s anticipated length of stay in CA and the Livermore wine country.  I hope to adequately save rooms for you!  We hope both family and friends far and near are free to play for the long weekend.  Andrew and I do hope to rally Friday night, after our rehearsal, for a bit out at the bars before we split with our bridal parties.  Please keep in mind for the wedding we will be providing a shuttle service to and from the wedding site to this hotel at Hawthorne Suites only.  Because the wedding is down a private residential street we will need to limit personal and rental car parking; the shuttle is a good way to avoid this and drink up without worrying about driving! ;)

At this Hawthorne hotel, we've settled for the best rate in town, with savings of $25-50+ per night.  There are two basic room types: hotel studio vs. executive suite.  The major difference with the “executive” is a full size fridge and stovetop for those who might want to cook and eat in, or have dietary restrictions (these are ~$10/night).  Otherwise all rooms have single king beds available or two queens, plus any extra needed rollaway twin beds.  Our contract settled for prices as good as $99-$113 per night.  This is cheap for CA, especially right near the wine country!

Please take a peak at the photos provided.  We like the granite counter tops, a full length mirror, a dress closet, an ice bucket, mini fridge & freezer (essential for snacks, spirits and cold brews;), a coffee pot, study with a desk & lamp, free WiFi, table seating, a 40-inch LCD-TV (no DVD , and plush beds.  Extra linens, towels, and roll-away cots are available upon request.  There is also a laundry service on site and same day dry cleaning.  The regular rooms are smoke free but you can request a smoking room and do so outside on the balconies.  

We really like the hotel and hope you all do too!  It’s very comfortable, friendly and best of all in a good location!  There is a small outdoor swimming pool, patio, indoor spa & sauna, and small basic gym/cardio room.  The kitchen area in the lobby is open every morning with a complementary hot breakfast and afternoon tea, coffee, and fruits.

Hold tight please to Reserve... Much more information will be available on our Blog in the near future!  We will also be posting local Bay Area hot spots, good vineyards, day trips, SF tours, and our favorite things to do around town!  Do NOT yet make your reservations, we will give you the go ahead once we have settled our contract and blocked off the rooms.  You have until 45 days prior to our wedding September 14th to book your rooms, so this marks August 1st.  But the more spacious rooms are first come first serve, so be prepared once we give you the ok!  Reservations can be done by phone call or through an easy link on our Blog soon! 

For now, please email us your interests, plans and suggestions.  We can’t wait to see you all, visit, dance and party!

Much appreciated!  

Rebecca and Andrew