When and Where

We picked a venue! The wedding ceremony and reception will be at Kent Manor Inn, on Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay. It's just on the other side of the Bay Bridge from Annapolis, about an hour from where we live.

We'll be able to have an outdoor ceremony (fingers crossed) that's by some water, a tributary of the bay. And the reception building, in an octagon shape, is nice, with tables circling a central dance floor. I also love the outside of the inn -- will be good for pictures! The food, done by the inn's restaurant, has gotten good reviews; we'll find out ourselves at the tasting in a few months.

It's not perfect. I can't say I'm a fan of the inside (a little too "historic" for my taste). And the grounds, while lovely, are a little sparse, with mostly grass, a few trees and some cattails, which Neil refers to as "overgrown brush." A good sign: There's corn on the edge of the property ... reminds me of home in Indiana! Hey, I carry no illusions of having a "perfect" wedding anyway. Just want it to be nice and allow people have a good time.

Oh yeah, the date. We'll be tying the knot Saturday, May 23, over Memorial Day weekend. Nine months and counting!