As seen at the R.I. Nuclear Science Center...

Our engagement announcement was cut out, laminated, and posted at Steve's work. I love it!

Where should I stay?

We are currently in the process of setting up hotel blocks at a few local hotels, some of which are included below. There are plenty of great places to stay nearby-- check them out!

The Hampton Inn, South County Commons, Wakefield

The Hampton Inn is located in South County Commons, a new retail and dining community on Route One. The Commons is home to a movie theatre, an Applebees, pizza bakery (best pizza strips ever), coffee shop, ice cream shop, and a great teppanyaki and sushi restaurant, Shogun. This hotel is located less than 10 minutes from The Dunes Club.

Guest rooms range from $189-$219 per night.

This hotel will have blocked rooms, announced at a later date.

The Holiday Inn, Route One, Wakefield

The Holiday Inn is also located on Route One in South Kingstown, and is a 15 minute drive to The Dunes Club. Attached is Liliana's, one of our family's favorite go-to Italian restaurants. Next door is a small retail strip that includes a salon and a Dunkin Donuts (I know I'm not myself without my DD iced coffee).

Guest rooms range from $162 - $204 per night.

This hotel will have blocked rooms, announced at a later date.

The Village Inn, Narragansett Pier

You seriously cannot beat the location of the Village Inn! Located on the Narragansett Pier, it is within sight of the Dunes Club, about a 2 minute drive or a 10 minute walk along the water. There are several restaurants and bars within walking distance, including Amalfi, Trio, and Pier Pizza. One of our favorite restaurants is located nearby: Crazy Burger!

Guest rooms range from $139 - $290 per night.

This hotel *may* have blocked rooms, announced at a later date.

SpringHill Suites, E. Greenwich/W. Warwick line

SpringHill Suites is located on the East Greenwich/West Warwick line, close to Route 95. It is surrounded by several restaurants, movie theaters, and other amenities. It is a little further out from the beach at about a 30 minute drive from The Dunes Club.

Guest rooms range from $119 - $283 per night.

This hotel *may* have blocked rooms, announced at a later date.

The Hamilton Village Inn, Wickford

The Hamilton Village Inn is located a short 15 minute drive up Scenic Route 1A from The Dunes Club. Call to make reservations for one of their many guest rooms. Note that there is a family restaurant onsite serving breakfast and lunch!

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We would also suggest that you take a look at this website, maintained by the South County Tourism Council. It lists hotels, motels, B+Bs, and inns in the South County area.

Again, keep an eye on the blog for hotel block information. We are in the process of setting these up, so as soon as we have information, we'll let you know!

So, we gave every one of our guests an STD...

... and by STD, of course, I mean Save the Dates ;)

"A double N, O U N, C E M E N T S!"

At Girl Scout camp, when Sarah and I were kids, the counselors used to start singing the above letters, spelling the word "announcements" to announce (haha) that there were things that the campers needed to be aware of, like special events or things that were lost. And you know? I've never forgotten how to spell "announcements" to this day (although, I tend to clap in the appropriate parts of the word/song, garnering strange looks).

Well, people, refer to the above. We've been announced, officially. Mom called me today, out of breath, telling me that the engagement announcement had run in the local paper. The best part? Our notoriously inept paper had managed to print the announcement sans typo, error, or smudge.

I can't wait to see it, I'm such a geek. I feel like Charlotte in Sex and the City when she obsessed over being announced in the NYT (and then had a Hitler mustache smudge on the photo.... in every.single.copy of the NYT). As soon as I see it, I'll scan that bad boy in and post it here. Just to gloat, of course ;)

Ok, now we're really talkin'

With officially fewer than 6 months until the big day, it feels like there are a hundred things left (just like last post!).

That said, today was a very productive day!

Bridesmaids Sam and Jess bought their dresses today, and I picked up Maid of Honor Hala's dress from the store. Starting to get an image of what this day is really going to look like!

After a two week project of collecting names, addresses, etc. for the guest list, Mom and Dad gave me a head count today so I could finally order save the date cards. I'm really excited about them, and they'll be in the mail just as soon as they arrive and Mom addresses them.

Mom's going to drop the wedding announcement and photo off to the local papers this week. Notorious for their awful awful awful (I seriously cannot say this enough) typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors, our two local papers will be given a pre-written announcement written and checked by my mother, the 40 year veteran teacher of grammar, spelling, and all things formal with writing. She does plenty of editing for them with her red pen when the paper shows up at the house, she might as well save them the step so they're not announcing the impending nuptials of Kerry Nodle and Steven Guarinmo. I wouldn't be surprised...!

In other wonderful news, this week marks our eight year anniversary. Eight years ago, Steve and I agreed to finally go out on a "date." This, after he spent a month and a half asking me out, which I rebuffed every time. I agreed to go out with him to shut him up, and here we are, eight years later, happy as clams and about to get married. I have him to thank for this past third of my life being as amazing as it has been. Thanks, Boog!

Roughly 6 mos. out...

...and there's still a ton to do.

Things we should have done by now but haven't include: save-the-dates, announcements, flowers, groom/groomsmen clothes.

Things I will be doing while I have a week off from school: (see above, except groom/groomsmen clothes).

In other news, where on earth did the past 3 years and 3 months GO?! Upside of the world's longest engagement? Plenty of time to dream, plan, do nothing for a while. Downside? Things creep up on you... and then it's the wedding!

Looking so forward to Steve and I finishing school soon, moving in, and getting married. This is quite the big year!

It's starting to feel (dare I say?!).... REAL!

Maid of Honor Hala and I went on a very impromptu trip to David's Bridal this evening... and success was scored in the first 3.5 dresses.

The fact that someone else outside my family has spent money on this makes it feel real! Crazy!

In other news, Happy Valentine's Day to all!