Everything you need for a Midwest wedding

fadedhound91, thank you... I suppose I'll try to pull something off, though the real headache is his older brother. He’s the type who wants to invite every single person he’s ever stood next to at a wedding... and since my husband is the last one in his family to stay single, his brother might just insist on inviting 200 people if he gets his way. I managed to trim my guest list down to about 40, so it isn't even really about the headcount itself, I guess. It’s more that we’re going to end up spending a fortune if we have to rent out tents, tables, chairs, and all that other nonsense... listen, some things will definitely happen exactly the way I want them to, but I suspect we’ll have to compromise on a few other details...

Look, Veronica, don't get all worked up. You aren't the only one who’s gonna have a massive wedding guest list and still manage to pull it off exactly how you want it.👍
So, our original plan was like 100 to 150 people, max. But now? It’s looking like 250 because his side insists on inviting everyone except their "immediate" family. I mean, seriously? Out of those 250 people, like 60 of them are gonna be my crowd alone. This is getting ridiculous.
Look, I already said I don't care what anyone thinks, but I’m serious—I don't want to see anyone at my place except my family and my maid of honor. That’s just how it is. It’s going to happen that way. I know, I know, it might not seem fair to everyone else, even the people I actually like, but whatever. It's my day and it's gonna be exactly how I want it. I mean, what other guy dreams about his wedding being run exactly the way his bride wants? Everyone is seeing us at the church, and that's final. Period.😁
So, we basically made a pact on the music... no country stuff, no banjos, nothing like that. Just decided it wasn't gonna happen.
So, we finally hired a band. We gave them a whole list of stuff they aren't allowed to play, plus a few things we actually want to hear... and they actually agreed to it. I guess that's a win? Maybe.😁They’ve got a ton of work to get through before then, but they said they actually enjoy playing this stuff. It’s mostly gonna be rock and 80s hits. I guess whatever we don't have time to rehearse, we'll just throw on some CDs and play them during dinner.
Most of the tracks are in English anyway, so I don't really give a damn if people like them or not. I mean, everyone knows exactly what kind of music they’re getting into before they even hit play. If it's not their thing, they probably shouldn't bother showing up.👎
I should probably mention that people are giving me these weird looks, like they're judging. They keep making comments about why we aren't bringing a bride over, and I just tell them, "Look, this was our deal." If they want to be jerks about it, fine. When they go to plan their own weddings, they can do whatever they want. And for those who are already married? Well, maybe they can try doing it their way when they get remarried. Or whatever.🙂
Basically, I made some concessions on the headcount, he’s picking me up, and everything else is already squared away—so that's that. I mean, honestly, anything can be worked out if everyone just pulls together and stops making it a thing. It'll be fine.👍
Ugh, my bad, I totally went on a whole rant there. Sorry.😳

I don't know what to tell you. Some people just live for the chaos, I guess? kaže:
We finally made it to the Maple groves after everything went down. 25 miles Biking through the Finger Lakes was a vibe. I managed to get some footage of that Tikveš restaurant, too. Honestly, the scenery is killer. It’s such a bummer they haven't bothered to fix up the castle or the hunting lodge yet. Pretty cool that there's a little chapel nearby, though. My only real issue? The mosquitoes were out for blood. I think I'll just hand out cans of Off! as party favors to my guests next time. 😬 Whatever, thanks for the advice. Honestly, any idea helps at this point since we’re still just trying to figure out what actually works for us.

Look, you're young, so who cares? Just lean into it. Pull those gloves up to your elbows and maybe throw a veil over your face if you're feeling fancy. Back in the day, we didn't bother with heavy-duty gear; we just soaked ourselves in wine. After you've spent enough time dousing yourself in booze—or whatever other spirits you can find—you kind of stop caring whether they bite or not. It’s like that old joke about the guy taking aspirin for diarrhea; at a certain point, you just reach a state of total indifference.
Check out that piece in The Chicago Tribune about Maple. Some guy was venting about the bill, plus how they just drop an appetizer on your table without even asking first. Since when did we stop being asked what we actually want to eat?
A buddy of mine went through this exact thing at one of those fancy eco-resorts up in the Finger Lakes. You know the type—all rustic vibes, serving craft spirits and pastries. He shows up for a scheduled lunch, pays his couple hundred bucks, and they immediately pour him a drink and slide some rolls onto the table. You naturally assume it’s a welcome gesture, right? Since he’d already booked a meal and settled the bill, who wouldn't think it was on the house? Turns out, they just tacked it onto the tab without a single word of warning. Talk about a cheap move.

Help me out, people! Where in Indianapolis can I actually find some decent bottles for my homemade spirits? I feel like they're nowhere to be found. I swung by Sheet Music Publishing earlier and honestly, the selection was just a total nightmare... it was all weird stuff, like decorative muskets or anatomical models... and nothing useful. I'm looking for a tiny little one-tenth liter bottle 🙄 something like this...

Thanks so much! I just shot them an email... now we wait and see if they actually get back to me. Honestly, I might have to play the numbers game and reach out to dozens of them just to be safe. That one shop near the train station seems pretty well-stocked, though! :-)

Madame you should really take a look at that massive Velper outlet just outside of town, the one right where Alastor used to be! I heard from a friend that they carry all sorts of different varieties there! 👍

fadedhound91 said:Thanks so much! I just shot them an email... now we wait and see if they actually get back to me. Honestly, I might have to play the numbers game and reach out to dozens of them just to be safe. That one shop near the train station seems pretty well-stocked, though! :-)

They won't get back to you because their email system is totally busted. Just browse their site, pick what you want, and call the number listed on their page to order. You'll have your package in two days. Even for us, it wasn't express shipping, just standard delivery. 😘

velvetjackal752 said:Velper has shifted entirely to wholesale operations now. You'll likely need to track down someone who owns their own business and buys directly from them just to get access to a membership card. If you happen to know anyone like that, it’s definitely worth checking out Metro as well.

As for Metro, I know for a fact they don't have anything because we went looking ourselves. I really can't say if things have changed since a couple of months ago, but back then, there was absolutely nothing to be found! 👎

If you happen to find yourself over on Radić's street, there's this little gift shop... they have these bottles in all sorts of different sizes and shapes, though they’re all hand-painted. I think they even do custom designs if you ask them... maybe take a look if you're in the area...

If any of you need a subway card, I can lend you mine...

Thanks so much, ladies!!!!! So, I finally got an email back, and they want me to send over my address so they can mail out the catalog and price list. Once that arrives, I’ll flip through everything and get my order in. If the catalog shows up quickly, maybe there's still a chance those bottles will arrive on time too... fingers crossed!!!!!

Where can I get some decent makeup done in Chicago? I’m going to be a bridesmaid this October and I need someone who actually knows what they're doing...
Last time I went to some older lady for my sister's wedding party, I walked out looking like a total clown because she went way too heavy on the blush!

Honestly, we actually had to book Miller five months in advance just to snag the first available opening on September 13th, 2025.
The wait is definitely a bit long, but I always have such a great time there, so it’s worth coordinating everything with my manager beforehand.

We went ahead and booked the "musician"...I haven't personally heard them play yet, but everyone I know says they're pretty solid.

I went to a salon called "Ona" over in Denver. There's a woman there named Svetlana who does incredible makeup; I actually used her services for my sister's wedding party.

Besides, has anyone here hosted or planned a wedding at the Grand Hyatt in Chicago? I'm curious what your impressions of that venue are.

Oh, absolutely! My aunt actually visited Kirschner! And she tells me that everything was just, just, just suuuuuper!