There's a place for us... 1.1 (Hope)

Hope. That's what we've got. Though our efforts to persuade unwilling homeowners has been nil so far, we've have Appointments and Visits scheduled.

Here's what Laurelyn wrote to Kate, whose house we loved, when we thought that maybe, just maybe, she was willing to have our wedding at her family's Cape house.

Hi Kate,

We like your house so much that I wanted to write back right away too. Can I tell you a little about us and also ask you help us think of things we could do to make you feel comfortable enough to consider having the wedding at your property?

We'’d want to do what it takes to raise your level of confidence that we'll take care of the place, take responsibility for everything that happens there, and make you whole if anything, god forbid, ends up in more pieces than when we walked in. We could provide references, work closely with the fussiest property manager you can find, and discuss putting down a deposit that would cover your risk.

John and I have been together for 8 years. We live together in Somerville MA, north of Boston in a house we own. I am the manger of visual merchandising for Swarovski North America. I have been meticulously arranging products for many specialty store chains such as Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, and Lindt Chocolate. Yes, Lindt chocolate. But crystal is much easier on the waist line. I am a bit of a workaholic but John is very understanding and is often cooking dinner while I am on my 80-minute commute home from Rhode Island.

John is a consultant who creates customized training for companies like Pepsi, MetLife, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. He is also writing screenplays and with luck and a few years effort, I think he really has a shot at getting one of them produced. He'’s not old, but he is 48, never married, and anything but wild and crazy. And I'’m 38, also never married. We're pretty careful; that's what that means. At least, that's the silver lining. Most of our friends are older, too.

We are extremely tidy folks (you should see our house) and I know that we cannot control all of our guests but many of our guests don't even drink alcohol, including the groom. John used to be a monk in an Episcopal monastery. He likes to say that he lost his religious vocation but found love.

We are not having children at the wedding. We don't want the whole gang in the house any more than you would. The wedding and reception would take place in the tent, good weather or bad. We're expected 85 - 90 people.

Also, we'’re telling the story of the countdown to our wedding in a weblog, which you can see online here [the link to State of Bliss was here]. Let us know if we talked you into a negotiation. We hope to hear from you.

Sincerely,
John and Laurelyn

Kate took time to call Laurelyn, discuss the house further, and politely say no. But she said, "I know you've been having trouble finding a place. I read your blog." So for my ego's sake I'll believe that she laughed and cried and reflected on the meaning of life and love. It's all in here.

I'm not superstitious, but for the time being, I'll just add that there are three houses where owners are willing to have the wedding and we're going to visit them on October 28. We have an appointment with hope.