on planning a wedding

what we thought was going to be a mere open house for a new space highlighting event planning turned out to be something much different in scope. i had easily convinced my friend cindy to accompany me to the open house. we expected great food (and were not disappointed by hazelnut crusted halibut with an arugula pesto over risotto-prepared pearl barley) and wanted to encourage and support a friend who put on the bash, as well as a smidge of networking for work.

we started by visiting the champagne table and then quickly realized that the open house had a wedding focus... to be cordial and not look like we were just there for the eats, cindy and i walked around to the various tables and schmoozed. the first table consisted of a wedding videographer. apparently my makeshift interest was too believable because the rep. gave us his undivided attention and asked, "Are you two engaged?" which of course made me sputter out a laugh.

"oh no."
"married, then?"
"no, not that either."
"well feel free to sign up for a free dvd of a wedding i shot, you never know, a wedding could be closer than you think."

it took every ounce of convincing my late-twentysomething body not to emit its childish you've-got-to-be-kidding-i'm-getting-marriage-advice-from-a-videographer laugh from expelling out of my body. A LOT of effort. after repeated cajolings from him, i finally signed up. which means i will be getting some random person's wedding dvd sent to me soon. *hot flash*

we walked around and i made some great contacts for work. at one table were these uber-hip, amazing cards by a company called hellolucky; saw some amazing photo albums at blonde tulip's table; and discussed the travails and challenges of event planning with a woman 6 months pregnant. we also tried a green tea and chai cake with a ginger crisp layer in it that was notable. citizen cake had brought cute little mini cupcakes of the passion fruit/lemon/vanilla/chocolate mint variety, and we hung out with our friends at their table as well as scamming food for them from the servers walking between all the rooms, carrying trays laden with small plates.

as cindy and i exited the building, we stood under the awning watching rain drip down from the sky, like a faucet accidentally left on. in front of me, i saw a little white stripe against a black background, which i knew to be a skunk. cindy and i made a mad dash in the rain, carrying our "gift bags" filled with things like "the bride guide" and other goodies we would need this very hour. the skunk had now proceeded to leave the sanctuary of the tree and was coming our way, out onto the sidewalk. i warned her that if the skunk sprayed us it would be all her fault. and we would smell like tomato juice for several months.

i wonder about skunks. they're really cute, but awfully skittish. when they get scared, that's when they release their deathly aroma. perhaps i'm part skunk and it accounts for the sheer volume of suitors, rapping on my door. but then i think how happy i am to have some chocolate in my tummy and be indoors, knowing i don't have to go back out in the rain until tomorrow morning. and that's a good thing that doesn't require tulle.