Ground Zero

Even though it's still a year away, seems like all I and Bangun have been doing for these past few days is prepare for The Day. Venue and foods, my mom said, are the two most important things to think about.

Since we're doing an Acehnese reception, we have to look for huge halls with high ceiling, due to the extravagant, over-the-top stage. I'm talking about five-meter-high Rumoh Aceh, along with the smaller "houses" for parents and for the pillows symbolizing our wealth.

Wealth my ass.

Now, the thing is, when you try to pay for your own reception, it's hard to put anything "extravagant" in it. And Acehnese stage ain't cheap, sista. We have to be careful not to look too colorful in a trashy way, and according to my brief, preliminary research, only pricey vendors like Cut Marlyn can do this. So now we're looking for a hall that is big enough to accommodate 1,000++ people and the beloved Rumoh Aceh, while at the same time costing us no more than those that fit 500 guests and a simple, chair-and-flower stage.

Or we can always elope. We'll still have that money we've been saving each month, and we can use it to build a house or go honeymooning in Disneyland!! In all continents!

Anyway. After browsing around (well, it was more like after Bangun and our mothers drove here and there while I sat pretty in my office), we found several candidates for the venue:

1. Menara 165
This was our first choice; it's located near our houses, access is easy through the outer ring road, and--best feature ever--it has a free valet service for all guests. However, their Granada Ballroom is too big (and too expensive!) for us, while their Andalucia Hall is too small.

2. PTIK
Who doesn't love PTIK? The location's very friendly, the hall is big enough to fit 1,000 guests, and the ceiling is also high. However, they put us in this lousy, small room for the nuptial ceremony because they don't allow the decoration guys to start working until about three-four hours before the reception starts. I don't want Bangun to recite his Ijab Qabul while people out there are banging mercilessly, trying to build our stage.

3. Binakarna Hall in Bidakara
This is one nice venue; fits 1,000 people, high ceiling, and since it's a hotel, we get free rooms upstairs. However, the location is a bit too far for us. And the price is not too friendly for our piggybank.

4. Granadi
Granadi is so far the closest we can get with our budget. It's huge, it looks lavish, it's located practically in the city center. One glitch is that knowing Jakarta, we can never predict the traffic. Therefore, having a wedding reception in Kuningan area can be a bit risky, unless the universe is on our side.

So far, we have jolted down our names in each venue for Nov. 2011 (date is still a hush hush until it's confirmed). We still have a few days now to make a decision before Bangun has to go to Balikpapan. Yes, for two weeks each month up until The Day, the guy is stationed in Balikpapan. Lonely, crazy bride-to-be on the loose.

Aside from the venue, we're now focusing on the foods. Not much to write yet, but a few names that have been heavily mentioned are: Akasya, Gandrung, Akasya, Gandrung, Akasya, Bali Indah, Dwi Tunggal, Gandrung, Akasya, Akasya, Akasya...

Again, Disneyland money!

Bangun's Mom wants to serve the guests with "makanan yang nggak nanggung-nanggung." So we're still calculating how to feed 1,000 people with foods from said vendors without going far from our budget.

If you see us flashing on the street side or singing off-key one of these days, please donate decent money.


Elope-o-meter: 6