Registry: Part Deux

We went through the inter-webs and created a couple of registries.  They will continue to be updated as the days go on and as our time permits.   Should you end up purchasing something on one of the registries, just have it shipped back to John and Tisha Irvine's house in California (their address will be the shipping address on each of the registries).  We will end up back in LA for a few days before driving back to AZ, so that makes it easiest for us to move things around.

Currently, these are the 3 places we registered:

Sur la Table --> Anne Irvine
Restoration Hardware --> Anne Gority & Christopher Irvine
Macy's --> Anne Gority

Everything can be found under the name's listed to the right of the arrows.  Clearly we are still getting used to the process of filling out things with the same last names.  Thankfully, we have time to practice.

Registry

Hey Everyone!

We are both SO HONORED that you are coming to the wedding that it's a little overwhelming to think you'd like to give us a gift on top of that kind of generosity.

We have mentioned before that we will be moving at least two more times in the next 2-3 years, and have moved a collective three times over the past three years.  As such, we have more or less mastered the art of living with what we've got, and do not have any tangible needs/wants at the moment (zzzzz, we know....). Couple that with an east coast wedding for some southwest dwellers, and gift transport would pose some logistical problems.  

If you would like to give a gift, we'd LOVE financial help growing a nest egg for that sweet sweet day (two years from now) when we can buy a home because residency training GUARANTEES we will live in the same place for FOUR straight years (and have income).    

hugs,

A + C

P.S.  Don't forget to read the other post about the wedding weekend order-of-operations!  We'd love to see you on the LaZooooooom bus!

Weekend Order of Operations

We're going in REVERSE everyone!  Starting with the wedding day and working our way back through the weekend...

Monday, December 30th:  
WEDDING!
AT BEN'S TUNE UP (165 Hilliard Ave, Downtown Asheville)!!
WE'RE EXCITED!!
ALL CAPS ARE APPROPRIATE!!!
5:30 p.m. sharp
(Ha! When was the last time we were punctual?! Never..but we're going to try.)

Sunday, December 29th: 
Hang out, play some games, kick it at the Mill Room (66 Asheland Ave, Downtown Asheville)
It's a bar/hang out spot/good place to catch up with everyone before the big day.
8 p.m.-10 p.m.-ish

Saturday, December 28th: 
LaZoom! (Leaving from The French Broad Food Co-Op parking lot, 90 Biltmore Ave, Downtown)
2:45 p.m. SHARP (This time we mean it.)

The big purple bus leaves on a hysterical one hour Vaudevillian tour of Asheville.  PG-13 type humor. $18/person. BYOBs. Limited to 40 peeps. Reserve your spot via email or in comments.

We'll also probably just kick it at the Wicked Weed across the street afterward, if you'd rather just meet up there for some fun.

Friday, December 27th:
Easy, Relaxing Hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway
1 p.m. meet up at the Folk Art Center (382 Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville)

Head back into town for a liquid truffle, hot chocolate, or other delicious bit from the French Broad Chocolate Lounge
3:30 p.m. ish

An Intro to Wedding Blogs..or Weddlogs...Whatever..

Hi!

So the lovely moms mentioned that we should create a blog to give our guests an easy place to find info about the wedding.  I'm learning that when the moms ask, it's better to just give them what they want.

Being tech-slow and typo-prone, I tried to pawn this off on a couple other people to no avail...if you can forgive the basic-ness of the blog and lack of flashy interesting dohickeys, we will happily ply you with all the wedding/Asheville information you need.  Feel free to comment with questions and we'll get back to you ASAPish!

C + A

Ceremony Details and 'Stuff' PRETTY PLEASE READ THIS ONE!!

On top of the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan, MX. 

Anne doesn't really remember having 'dreams' of her wedding day...but when she started planning, it became apparent her wedding style is 'relaxed backyard'.  December in Asheville isn't really backyard weather, BUT as long as it is not raining, the ceremony will be in the outdoor courtyard of Ben's Tune Up (like them on FB to get a feel for the goodness).  

We are hoping for either 60 degrees and blue skies or 30 degrees and light snow; both of which are possible in December in our beautiful mountain rainforest! We'll promise to keep the ceremony short and sweet, to have quilts and fires to keep you warm, and put a warm drink in your hand ASAP, but please consider bringing a warm coat (or you know, a fur) and sensible shoes (or fuzzy Uggs/slippers) for the ceremony, and your fancy dancing shoes for later!

The rest of the celebration will be indoors at Ben's with plenty of food, drinks, and dancing to keep you toasty. 

Wondering if there was some familial cringing at putting "Ben's Tune Up" on the invites? 

You bet! But that is part of wedding planning fun, right?

Also, Chris and I are still working out the details of our wedding registry.  As we've got a couple more years of nomadic student living ahead of us and do not have many materials needs, it would mean the world to us if you felt obliged to contribute to a home-buying-settling-in-for-least-four-years-of-residency-in-one-spot-nest egg. We can provide more details about that as the wedding nears.  

Excited to celebrate with you all!
C + A

Places to Lay Your Weary Head and Fill Your Fridge

Lodging: While we were able to block some rooms for the wedding, because Asheville has become a year-round holiday spot, blocking elsewhere was difficult.  

PLEASE RESERVE A ROOM/HOUSE/APARTMENT EARLY!  

Rooms are blocked for the Gority/Irvine Wedding at:

The Hampton Inn on Tunnel Road (<2 miles from downtown)

The Holiday Inn on Tunnel Road (<2 miles from downtown)

**these reservations must be made by the 3rd week in November for the discounts to apply. 

Other hotels in the downtown area are:

Aloft (about 3 blocks walking from Ben's)

Hotel Indigo

The Renaissance (Marriott)

The Grove Park Inn

The Grand Bohemian

My personal preference for staying uniquely, comfy, and affordably in town:

AirBnB.com

VRBO.com & homeaway.com

bedandbreakfast.com

Oddities of WNC and Basic Amenities:

Oddities:  While beer and wine are sold in grocery stores, all liquor is sold in state run ABC stores located around town.  Also, no alcohol is sold (in grocery stores or restaurants) before 12 noon on Sundays, and ABC stores are closed on Sundays.

Grocery stores:  

For those of you traveling in clans: Sam's Club

For those of you who are hippies at heart: Earthfare, Whole Foods/Green Life

For those of you who want it all:  Harris Teeter, Ingles, Trader Joe's 

Activities

So before you dive into the next few posts, we'd like to let you know a few things.

1.  We are planning a couple 'Meet Ups' for the Friday and Saturday before the Wedding.  If you're in town a bit early, we'd love for you to join us!

Friday the 27th: Come meet us for beers in the name of love!  We'll pick a couple of the downtown breweries that are all within walking distance of one another and taste some yummy, local brews.  For those of you who don't enjoy beer, the breweries also have sodas, ciders, and full bar options.

Saturday the 28th:  One of Anne's FAVORITE ways to spend an evening with a big group is on Asheville's Big Purple Bus!  Her friends, Jim and Jen, run LaZoom comedy tours, and they have a special Holiday tour lined up just for us.  Please let us know if you'll be joining us as space is limited to 40 people.   (details: cost is $18/person, it has PG-13 type humor, departs from one of two downtown locations for a 90 minute tour)

2.  Here's a sample of 'Anne's Perfect Day in Asheville' so you have a good idea of how to combine all the interesting/delicious/superduper fun things in the following posts.

Early workout at CrossFit Asheville (sub: Yoga at the Asheville Yoga Center)

Breakfast at Over Easy Café (don't be put off by the wait…the biscuits are worth it)

A walk down Lexington Ave to do a little shopping

Sensibilities for a facial (man sub:  MEN GO TO SPAS, TOO! Just do it!)

Lunch at 12 Bones BBQ (sub:  Salsa's if you want to stay downtown)

Nap (sub: a walk through the Folk Art Center and hike along Chunn's Cove or the parkway, 

or in town: walk to Battery Park Books and Champagne to read a bit)

A beer and some good conversation at the Wicked Weed

A movie at the Fine Arts Theater

A liquid truffle or pot de crème at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge

ZZZzzzzz (sub: dance party at Ben's Tune Up if it's a Saturday Night)