Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Site
Next came the choice of The Site. As TGTB is a fundamentalist Christian, TBTB generally a pagan practicing re-created ancient Egyptian rites, and The Parents of The Bride were practicing Roman Catholics until the last election -- but that's another story -- this posed certain problems. The generally radical RC center where TPTB had worshipped for over twenty years was no longer available (and if it were, would have posed problems with both TGTB and TBTB, let alone with figuring out who would perform the ceremony). So TPTB scoped out possibilities: Columbus has a number of park settings: The Park of Roses, originally established by the National Rose Society, with sample bushes of every possible rose--with several highly popular places for weddings http://recparks.columbus.gov/rentals/Whetstone.asp; the Deaf School Park, on the grounds of the Ohio State School for the Deaf -- at least the grounds of the nineteenth century school, which burned down years ago. The park now has a topiary recreation of Georges Seurat's Un dimanche après-midi à l'Ile de la Grande Jatte http://recparks.columbus.gov/rentals/Topiary_Gardens.asp which is great fun--and a popular setting for weddings. But the site finally chosen: The Cultural Arts Center (http://www.culturalartscenteronline.org/html/about.asp) It's a Civil War era Armory, converted in the late 70s into an arts center. The figurehead from the U.S.S. Ohio decorates an exterior wall, while the ship's bell from the U.S.S. Columbus hangs in the courtyard. So the site is chosen. Now the problem is: securing the site. Columbus Recreation and Parks is in transition, dealing with budget cuts, staff reductions, and the like. So getting responses is difficult. But finally, it's done. The site is set. Now, onward.
Next: the invitation list/the flowers/the caterer
Next: the invitation list/the flowers/the caterer
