A couple other things to note are that parking spaces and hotel rooms near the venue may be scarce.
For those of you who haven't already noticed, the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday this year. That's right, smack dab in the middle of the week. Traditionally people like to create a long weekend by piggy backing some time off to the 4th, but which weekend will it be? The weekend before or the weekend after? Honestly I have a feeling it will be both.
Major league baseball's All Star 2007 game will also draw huge crowds from all over the country to the city that weekend as the big game is on Sunday 07.08.07 Hotel rooms will have limited to no vacancy as the date approaches.
Stressful? It doesn't have to be. Planning ahead is your best bet to insure you don't get tangled in the travel and tourism mayhem for that week. If you plan on getting a room (as an out-of-town guest or as a result of taking advantage of the 4 hour open bar) be sure to book soon.
I'd advise taking a cab or carpooling if at all possible or be prepared to walk a block or two after circling for parking. There is a pay lot a block down from Terra, so for a few extra bucks you can park your car and have that peace of mind. If you roll the dice and decide to drive, please give yourself a buffer of "search time". The ceremony starts promptly at 6:00pm and ceremony logistics make it challenging if not impossible for guests to enter the venue late.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
It's EVERYWHERE!!
Looks like the wedding date is getting even more and more attention each day. People who are aware of our date have been forwarding articles to me left and right!
This weekend we have our engagement pictures. Our photographer sent this interesting article from the New York Times:
A Date With Destiny
CHRISTMAS. New Year’s Eve. Spring break. There are certain dates on the calendar when travelers know that hotel rooms in prime vacation spots will be nearly impossible to come by, even if they try to book months in advance.
This year, add another day to the list: Saturday, July 7.
That’s because that date — the almost numerically perfect 7/7/07 — is being sought after by couples around the country as the ideal day for a wedding. More than 31,000 couples... (read full article)
A few minutes ago the following article was sent to me by my coworker, Bernadette, who is also getting married this year:
Marrying on 7/7/07? This could be your lucky day
"We believe in luck, but we believe in blessings, too," Stuckwisch says.
Wedding planners, reception hall managers and vendors such as florists and bakers are reporting an out-of-the-ordinary number of requests for July 7. Kathleen Murray, deputy editor of wedding planning website The Knot, says it's one of the most popular wedding dates she can recall... (read full article)
I'm sure the attention to this date will only grow as it approaches. I'll be sure to update and have links to those articles here. Also if you come across any yourself, feel free to email them to either of us. JDragon70@hotmail.com or CRillera74@yahoo.com
This weekend we have our engagement pictures. Our photographer sent this interesting article from the New York Times:
A Date With Destiny
CHRISTMAS. New Year’s Eve. Spring break. There are certain dates on the calendar when travelers know that hotel rooms in prime vacation spots will be nearly impossible to come by, even if they try to book months in advance.
This year, add another day to the list: Saturday, July 7.
That’s because that date — the almost numerically perfect 7/7/07 — is being sought after by couples around the country as the ideal day for a wedding. More than 31,000 couples... (read full article)
A few minutes ago the following article was sent to me by my coworker, Bernadette, who is also getting married this year:
Marrying on 7/7/07? This could be your lucky day
"We believe in luck, but we believe in blessings, too," Stuckwisch says.
Wedding planners, reception hall managers and vendors such as florists and bakers are reporting an out-of-the-ordinary number of requests for July 7. Kathleen Murray, deputy editor of wedding planning website The Knot, says it's one of the most popular wedding dates she can recall... (read full article)
I'm sure the attention to this date will only grow as it approaches. I'll be sure to update and have links to those articles here. Also if you come across any yourself, feel free to email them to either of us. JDragon70@hotmail.com or CRillera74@yahoo.com
Friday, February 23, 2007
The Place
After the engagement and selecting our date, we jumped into wedding planning. The first thing on our list (or I should say "the knot" list), was to find a venue. We knew we wanted something that was different, something outside of a hotel and that could accommodate both ceremony and reception. We both LOVE the city and the urban lifestyle it offers, so we wanted our friends and family to get a taste of what appeals to us.
Website, after website. Idea after idea. We came across a venue that neither of us heard of before. Stranger still, the site address was not far from home AND only blocks from my work at the time. Joyce had visited a couple sites and we were definitely narrowing our choices down. We actually were getting close to a decision. So when I walked up the street on a lunch break to check out the latest find, it was more an act of due diligence than a hope to find the perfect spot. I honestly almost turned around as I approached the building as it appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary from your typical downtown building. I should've known better than to judge a book by it's cover, because I was take aback by what I saw upon entering the facility.
I was standing in an art gallery, a big open box.... the wheels started turning. There were so many things that could be done to put our own personal spin on a non-traditional wedding. I HAD to call Joyce. One, because I wanted her to share in the excitement and, two, because there was already someone holding the spot for 07.07.07!! The event manager mentioned that the hold was simply that... a hold... and that no money was put down. So depending on how serious the other party was, there was a chance that it could be ours.
Joyce came the SAME day right after work and I met her there. Together we talked with the event manager, we toured the facility, became even more excited, and crossed our fingers that the other party wouldn't commit to monetarily holding this spot.... which they didn't!! Terra Event Center was the place!
That got the ball rolling on finding all the other vendors. We were able to get them booked within a couple months period of time and a about a year out from the actual event, which was great because ALL of them said that they had to turn down the most requests for one date EVER!
Next was our photographer...
then our officiant (who honestly deserves an entry of her own so check back)
then the caterer
There are a few other vendors that we had to book, but I don't want to give away all the details. We'd like to maintain an element of curiosity and surprise!!
Website, after website. Idea after idea. We came across a venue that neither of us heard of before. Stranger still, the site address was not far from home AND only blocks from my work at the time. Joyce had visited a couple sites and we were definitely narrowing our choices down. We actually were getting close to a decision. So when I walked up the street on a lunch break to check out the latest find, it was more an act of due diligence than a hope to find the perfect spot. I honestly almost turned around as I approached the building as it appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary from your typical downtown building. I should've known better than to judge a book by it's cover, because I was take aback by what I saw upon entering the facility.
I was standing in an art gallery, a big open box.... the wheels started turning. There were so many things that could be done to put our own personal spin on a non-traditional wedding. I HAD to call Joyce. One, because I wanted her to share in the excitement and, two, because there was already someone holding the spot for 07.07.07!! The event manager mentioned that the hold was simply that... a hold... and that no money was put down. So depending on how serious the other party was, there was a chance that it could be ours.
Joyce came the SAME day right after work and I met her there. Together we talked with the event manager, we toured the facility, became even more excited, and crossed our fingers that the other party wouldn't commit to monetarily holding this spot.... which they didn't!! Terra Event Center was the place!
That got the ball rolling on finding all the other vendors. We were able to get them booked within a couple months period of time and a about a year out from the actual event, which was great because ALL of them said that they had to turn down the most requests for one date EVER!
Next was our photographer...
then our officiant (who honestly deserves an entry of her own so check back)
then the caterer
There are a few other vendors that we had to book, but I don't want to give away all the details. We'd like to maintain an element of curiosity and surprise!!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
07.07.07 A Truly "Magical" Date
When we learned that 7/7/7 fell on a Saturday we immediately knew that would be the day of our wedding. We also had a feeling that others may catch on so we put the urgency in high gear and booked the event center, caterer, officiant, photographer and entertainment for our big day.
Honestly, however, we didn't know think that it would be such a focal date for other events NOR did we really think that the number 7 was anything more than just a lucky number for us. I was born 01/07/1974, by the way. Below are a few interesting "coinky-dinks" and a little funfacts about lucky number 7.
Harry Potter Book 7 on July 7, 2007
The New 7 Wonders of the World will be announced on Saturday, July 7, 2007
Longoria's man ‘Desperate’ to wed on 7-7-07
You can just imagine what a popular day that will be in Las Vegas!
Ever wonder why the number 7 is so hot? From a spiritual perspective, here are some of the reasons it is considered sacred.
In the Bible. The number 7 is a perfect and important number number.
From the Jewish perspective: The number 7 is prominent in the Torah and the Zohar. God rested on the seventh day of creating earth, and hence, sanctified and deemed Sabbath on day seven. There are seven blessings over the wine are recited under the huppa during the marriage ceremony.
From the Catholic perspective: There are Seven sacraments, we have Seven Deadly Sins (Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, and Pride) and Seven Virtues (Chastity, Moderation, Liberality, Charity, Meekness, Zeal, and Humility).
From the Christian perspective: In the New Testament, Jesus tells Peter he must forgive "seventy times seven."
From the Native American and Wiccan traditions: Their are 7 directions: east, west, north, south, Above, Below and Within. There are 7 sacred ceremonies.
From the Hindu tradition. There are 7 energy centers in the body called chakras. They represent both physical and energetic centers and they are: root, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, crown. In the Hindu wedding ceremony, the most important part is Saptapadi, the 7 steps around the sacred flame as 7 blessings are chanted.
From the Japanese Shinto religion: There are "Seven Lucky Gods" who preside over fortune.In mythology: Innana, the Babylonian Goddess Queen of Heaven, had to descend 7 levels to the underworld stripping her jewels, clothes, crown, and ego (7 items in all) along the way in order to rescue her beloved Tamuz from the depths of hell.
Lucky 7- Will It Be Lucky For Marriage?
From sports to the stars: 7 comes up sacred again. In astronomy and astrology there are 7 planets that can be seen with the naked eye.In baseball, there was only one number 7 - Mickey Mantle.
Gambler's luck. In the game of craps, 7 wins in any combination. Lady Luck is a character who wears dice for earrings and they always have the number 7.
As you can see, ancient and popular thinking would seem to make 7-07-07 a helluva wedding date, a triple chance at good luck!
Honestly, however, we didn't know think that it would be such a focal date for other events NOR did we really think that the number 7 was anything more than just a lucky number for us. I was born 01/07/1974, by the way. Below are a few interesting "coinky-dinks" and a little funfacts about lucky number 7.
Harry Potter Book 7 on July 7, 2007
The New 7 Wonders of the World will be announced on Saturday, July 7, 2007
Longoria's man ‘Desperate’ to wed on 7-7-07
You can just imagine what a popular day that will be in Las Vegas!
Ever wonder why the number 7 is so hot? From a spiritual perspective, here are some of the reasons it is considered sacred.
In the Bible. The number 7 is a perfect and important number number.
From the Jewish perspective: The number 7 is prominent in the Torah and the Zohar. God rested on the seventh day of creating earth, and hence, sanctified and deemed Sabbath on day seven. There are seven blessings over the wine are recited under the huppa during the marriage ceremony.
From the Catholic perspective: There are Seven sacraments, we have Seven Deadly Sins (Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, and Pride) and Seven Virtues (Chastity, Moderation, Liberality, Charity, Meekness, Zeal, and Humility).
From the Christian perspective: In the New Testament, Jesus tells Peter he must forgive "seventy times seven."
From the Native American and Wiccan traditions: Their are 7 directions: east, west, north, south, Above, Below and Within. There are 7 sacred ceremonies.
From the Hindu tradition. There are 7 energy centers in the body called chakras. They represent both physical and energetic centers and they are: root, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, crown. In the Hindu wedding ceremony, the most important part is Saptapadi, the 7 steps around the sacred flame as 7 blessings are chanted.
From the Japanese Shinto religion: There are "Seven Lucky Gods" who preside over fortune.In mythology: Innana, the Babylonian Goddess Queen of Heaven, had to descend 7 levels to the underworld stripping her jewels, clothes, crown, and ego (7 items in all) along the way in order to rescue her beloved Tamuz from the depths of hell.
Lucky 7- Will It Be Lucky For Marriage?
From sports to the stars: 7 comes up sacred again. In astronomy and astrology there are 7 planets that can be seen with the naked eye.In baseball, there was only one number 7 - Mickey Mantle.
Gambler's luck. In the game of craps, 7 wins in any combination. Lady Luck is a character who wears dice for earrings and they always have the number 7.
As you can see, ancient and popular thinking would seem to make 7-07-07 a helluva wedding date, a triple chance at good luck!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
143
143 Days
or
201/2 weeks
or
5.125 moths until the big day!!
For those of you that remember pager codes, 143 = I LOVE YOU. Coincidence... I think not!!
It seems just like yesterday that we got engaged! In fact it was exactly 365 days ago. That's right... the proposal happened a year ago on Valentine's day, February 14th, 2006. Some have teased and said that is was a well thought out plan so that anniversaries would be easy to remember. But I assure you that's not the case. The truth is, it was all in the timing. Timing in terms of where we were in our relationship.
I suppose in terms of details I can't leave any out because the story wouldn't make much sense or wouldn't be as special. It was a surprise, but it wasn't spontaneous. I knew for about a month that I wanted to propose, but I wanted it to be different, special, something no one else had done. A good friend tried to point out that I was over thinking it, that I was looking for that special story, and that I should just propose without too much planning... "it doesn't matter" he said. But all of you that know me also know that NOT planning something goes against everything I've ever done.
We had been looking for a place to live together for sometime. I lived in the Sunset district with my mom and Joyce had her own loft in Potrero Hill. After a few years of going to and fro, I became to grow quite fond of the "dogpatch" and we decided that it's where we wanted to spend the next chapter of our lives.
Of course this change didn't just affect us. My mom was very sad to see me go. I had moved back to San Francisco in 2001 after my father's passing to keep her company and take care of her. I moved away from the Bay Area to Las Vegas for college in 1992. And now after 5 years of getting used to me being around, I was packing up and going again.
Joyce's parents had concerns of their own. Aside from the obvious of me being the right person for her, they wanted to make sure that, legally, both of us were protected. They asked that we enter into a contract so that there wouldn't be question should things go awry. It was a hard pill to swallow once Joyce told me. I wanted to tell her "doesn't she know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you and that I want to marry you!?... I just have to make sure it's planned just right". Little did I know that the seed has just been planted for my idea to grow.
Most of you remember that Joyce travelled a lot for work (one of the greatest tests for our relationship). She had a business trip planned last year that would mean she would be away for Valentine's day. She called me to ask if we had any plans and if she should change or keep her itinerary. The wheels started turning and I told her to change her plans to be around if she could. But I acted as if I had totally forgotten and that it wasn't special to me.
Valentine's day was on a Tuesday and Joyce had to be on a plane VERY early the next morning. I made early dinner reservations at The Waterfront, which had a nice romantic atmosphere, good food, and was close enough to get home for her to pack and rest up for her flight afterwards. I played it out to be another run-of-the-mill, valentine's day dinner. But little did she know that I had planned an evening that would change our lives. Dinner turned out to be amazing! Food, wine, conversation, and aesthetics were hitting on all cylinders.
After dinner we went back to her loft, I told her to sit down. I told her that I had been thinking a lot lately of the contract that her parents wanted from us. She immediately frowned and said "I don't want to talk about this. We just had an amazing dinner and I have to get on a flight tomorrow. Let's talk about it when I get back". I insisted we talk about it now. I pulled out a document and told her I found it online and that I wanted her to read it over to make sure it was appropriate. Hesitantly she unfolded it and read the following:
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
THIS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT is made this ___14th___ day of __February _ 2006, by and between Christian Rillera and Joyce Dragon.
Explanatory Statement
The parties hereto desire to enter into the business of purchasing, acquiring, owning and selling, including but not limited to that certain parcel of land, and all improvements constructed thereon, described as Loft #4, 1705 Indiana. In order to accomplish their aforesaid desires, the parties hereto desire to join together in a general partnership under and pursuant to the Uniform Partnership Act, amended from time to time.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, covenants, and agreements, and the Explanatory Statement, which Explanatory Statement is incorporated by reference herein and made a substantive part of this Partnership Agreement, the parties hereto do hereby promise, covenant and agree as follows:
Definitions
Throughout this Partnership Agreement, and unless the context otherwise requires, the word or words set forth below within the quotation marks shall be deemed to mean the words which follow them:
A. "Agreement" - The agreement to matrimony.
B. "Partner" - Each person in mutual agreement to unconditionally love and cherish the other.
C. "Partnership Interest" – Fully sharing and accepting the partner’s love, quirks, and nuances. This is including, but not limited to, snoring, snorting, farting and burping.
D. "Partnership Rights" - The right to love, laugh, fight, cry, but always stick together through the best and most challenging times regardless of difficulty.
Section 1. Name
The name of the Partnership shall be Christian and Joyce Rillera.
Section 2. Principal Place of Residence
The principal office and place of residence of the Partnership shall be located at Loft #4, 1705 Indiana, or whichever property fate has in store for their life together. The Partnership shall require that both parties commit to caring for and supporting each other.
Section 3. Purpose
The purpose of this partnership is to build a strong value oriented family for generations to come and provide support for one another during the most difficult of times and to share the happiest of times.
Section 4. Term
The Partnership shall commence upon the date of this Agreement, as set forth above. This bond will never terminate and will only grow stronger with time. Happiness is a natural byproduct of this agreement.
Although all above verbiage suggests both parties are entering an objective equal agreement, this is in fact Christian Vincent Rillera’s proposal to Joyce Santos Dragon for her hand in marriage. Please specify agreement with or declination of the proposal in the space provided below.
YES_____ NO_____
NAME OF PARTNER: ______________________
NAME OF PARTNER: ______________________
DATE:____________
Halfway through she looked up. Her eyes met mine as I was already on one knee. She was already welled up with tears and she asked "are you serious!". I told her to finish reading. When she was done I took the contract from her, took her hands in mine, looked her in the eyes and asked "Will you marry me?"
A nod, a smile, followed by a hug, a kiss, and then a mad scramble to find a pen... so she could sign the contract.
or
201/2 weeks
or
5.125 moths until the big day!!
For those of you that remember pager codes, 143 = I LOVE YOU. Coincidence... I think not!!
It seems just like yesterday that we got engaged! In fact it was exactly 365 days ago. That's right... the proposal happened a year ago on Valentine's day, February 14th, 2006. Some have teased and said that is was a well thought out plan so that anniversaries would be easy to remember. But I assure you that's not the case. The truth is, it was all in the timing. Timing in terms of where we were in our relationship.
I suppose in terms of details I can't leave any out because the story wouldn't make much sense or wouldn't be as special. It was a surprise, but it wasn't spontaneous. I knew for about a month that I wanted to propose, but I wanted it to be different, special, something no one else had done. A good friend tried to point out that I was over thinking it, that I was looking for that special story, and that I should just propose without too much planning... "it doesn't matter" he said. But all of you that know me also know that NOT planning something goes against everything I've ever done.
We had been looking for a place to live together for sometime. I lived in the Sunset district with my mom and Joyce had her own loft in Potrero Hill. After a few years of going to and fro, I became to grow quite fond of the "dogpatch" and we decided that it's where we wanted to spend the next chapter of our lives.
Of course this change didn't just affect us. My mom was very sad to see me go. I had moved back to San Francisco in 2001 after my father's passing to keep her company and take care of her. I moved away from the Bay Area to Las Vegas for college in 1992. And now after 5 years of getting used to me being around, I was packing up and going again.
Joyce's parents had concerns of their own. Aside from the obvious of me being the right person for her, they wanted to make sure that, legally, both of us were protected. They asked that we enter into a contract so that there wouldn't be question should things go awry. It was a hard pill to swallow once Joyce told me. I wanted to tell her "doesn't she know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you and that I want to marry you!?... I just have to make sure it's planned just right". Little did I know that the seed has just been planted for my idea to grow.
Most of you remember that Joyce travelled a lot for work (one of the greatest tests for our relationship). She had a business trip planned last year that would mean she would be away for Valentine's day. She called me to ask if we had any plans and if she should change or keep her itinerary. The wheels started turning and I told her to change her plans to be around if she could. But I acted as if I had totally forgotten and that it wasn't special to me.
Valentine's day was on a Tuesday and Joyce had to be on a plane VERY early the next morning. I made early dinner reservations at The Waterfront, which had a nice romantic atmosphere, good food, and was close enough to get home for her to pack and rest up for her flight afterwards. I played it out to be another run-of-the-mill, valentine's day dinner. But little did she know that I had planned an evening that would change our lives. Dinner turned out to be amazing! Food, wine, conversation, and aesthetics were hitting on all cylinders.
After dinner we went back to her loft, I told her to sit down. I told her that I had been thinking a lot lately of the contract that her parents wanted from us. She immediately frowned and said "I don't want to talk about this. We just had an amazing dinner and I have to get on a flight tomorrow. Let's talk about it when I get back". I insisted we talk about it now. I pulled out a document and told her I found it online and that I wanted her to read it over to make sure it was appropriate. Hesitantly she unfolded it and read the following:
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
THIS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT is made this ___14th___ day of __February _ 2006, by and between Christian Rillera and Joyce Dragon.
Explanatory Statement
The parties hereto desire to enter into the business of purchasing, acquiring, owning and selling, including but not limited to that certain parcel of land, and all improvements constructed thereon, described as Loft #4, 1705 Indiana. In order to accomplish their aforesaid desires, the parties hereto desire to join together in a general partnership under and pursuant to the Uniform Partnership Act, amended from time to time.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, covenants, and agreements, and the Explanatory Statement, which Explanatory Statement is incorporated by reference herein and made a substantive part of this Partnership Agreement, the parties hereto do hereby promise, covenant and agree as follows:
Definitions
Throughout this Partnership Agreement, and unless the context otherwise requires, the word or words set forth below within the quotation marks shall be deemed to mean the words which follow them:
A. "Agreement" - The agreement to matrimony.
B. "Partner" - Each person in mutual agreement to unconditionally love and cherish the other.
C. "Partnership Interest" – Fully sharing and accepting the partner’s love, quirks, and nuances. This is including, but not limited to, snoring, snorting, farting and burping.
D. "Partnership Rights" - The right to love, laugh, fight, cry, but always stick together through the best and most challenging times regardless of difficulty.
Section 1. Name
The name of the Partnership shall be Christian and Joyce Rillera.
Section 2. Principal Place of Residence
The principal office and place of residence of the Partnership shall be located at Loft #4, 1705 Indiana, or whichever property fate has in store for their life together. The Partnership shall require that both parties commit to caring for and supporting each other.
Section 3. Purpose
The purpose of this partnership is to build a strong value oriented family for generations to come and provide support for one another during the most difficult of times and to share the happiest of times.
Section 4. Term
The Partnership shall commence upon the date of this Agreement, as set forth above. This bond will never terminate and will only grow stronger with time. Happiness is a natural byproduct of this agreement.
Although all above verbiage suggests both parties are entering an objective equal agreement, this is in fact Christian Vincent Rillera’s proposal to Joyce Santos Dragon for her hand in marriage. Please specify agreement with or declination of the proposal in the space provided below.
YES_____ NO_____
NAME OF PARTNER: ______________________
NAME OF PARTNER: ______________________
DATE:____________
Halfway through she looked up. Her eyes met mine as I was already on one knee. She was already welled up with tears and she asked "are you serious!". I told her to finish reading. When she was done I took the contract from her, took her hands in mine, looked her in the eyes and asked "Will you marry me?"
A nod, a smile, followed by a hug, a kiss, and then a mad scramble to find a pen... so she could sign the contract.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
This is cake!
This site makes it a million times easier to post than on the wedding channel's website! I can type with ease, write as little or as much as I want, include pics, links, and even design the layout to incorporate our wedding colors! As you can tell I'm pretty excited... I'm also at work so I'll need to keep this first post brief (I've already spent a good amount of time just setting this up)
Most of you have gotten our save-the-date magnets which would've led you here, but if you haven't gotten yours yet or came across this via email or link, this is what it looks like >>>
Thanks, by the way, for taking a looksee... I hope you've had a chance to sign our guestbook and if not, feel free to leave any comments here!
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