Oh where, oh where to go for rehearsal dinner?

Hi loyal "countdown to marchdown" readers!!! I know that it has been a long time since the last blog. It has been hectic with work, wedding, and other stuff. I have been doing wedding stuff at work, work stuff at home, and my volunteer stuff at work and home. So, there is no rest for the weary. (well, actually I got a bit sick and had to stay home last Friday but that is another story. So I did get some rest.)

I guess since there is less than 3 months to go, the stress has picked up. Right now the biggest headache is the rehearsal dinner. Unfortunately, the guest list is possibly 65 people long. For those who are not familiar with Filipino wedding traditions, there are extra people in the bridal party and they are called sponsors. Basically, they are married individuals, usually a lot older, who act as role models for the newlyweds. In the Filipino culture, the sponsors would look over the couple and would guide them through any marital problems. Well, we have 10 sponsors. On top of that we have 7 bridesmaids, 8 groomsmen, one ringbearer, one coinbearer, and one flower girl. In addition, we might have to invite out of town relatives. So, the list gets bigger and bigger and bigger.

Yet, the list for appropriate places to have dinner gets smaller and smaller and smaller. We are looking for an Italian restaurant since that suits everyone's taste buds. I have called 20 -25 places in Union and Essex County and either they are too small, too expensive, or they don't do private parties on a Friday night. Vin and I have eaten at two restaurants that fit our budget but Vin wasn't too pleased with the food. So, again the search continues. We are planning to eat at another restaurant this Thursday. I really wasn't expecting this added expense of having sample dinners at these restaurants but at least, we are going out more for dinner than we usually do ; ) Let's hope that this one wins because I will not be able to lose weight for the wedding if we continue.