Wedding Hall of Justice

Sarah saw the venue today for the first time and she loves it just as much as I do. We couldn't have found a better space if we tried. It's exactly the kind of place crimefighters would go to fight crime. It is literally down by the docks.

There are actually three spaces: an entry vestibule, a large space for the reception, and a smaller space for the actual ceremony. That last space as a gabled shape that just screams Fortress of Solitude. I can see the crystal spires shooting up at all angles. There is even opportunity for heros to enter from rafters and darkness as we had envisioned. So far, the manager of the space seems very receptive. She has given us a great deal on the price and is open to some of our more acrobatic entry ideas.

We have a list of caterers that have experience with the space, so we will probably call them as soon as the contract is signed. I wish we didn't have to serve alcohol. Neither Sarah nor I drink and it is quite an additional expense. Still, I've been to a dry wedding and it was not an enjoyable experience. So I guess we'll just find some sort of compromise.

The only other detail I need to work out is where the set construction will take place. We have been given the day before and the next day until noon for load-in and strike. I should easily be able to do it in that amount of time, as long as friends are willing to help. But I still need some space where I can do the actual construction. Somehow I just don't think our one bedroom apartment is going to be big enough.

Scrimping and Saving

Well I think most of the major decisions have been made. We will be putting a deposit down on the venue this week, costumes are in the works, and the date is set. All that is left now is to somehow find a way to pay for it all. We should probably sit down and make a realistic budget so that we can design a savings plan. I figure if we put away a little money every paycheck, by next year we should be able to afford this thing.

Ultimately, the important thing is that Sarah and I promise to stand by another regardless of what life brings. We've already done that in our hearts, and all we really have to do to make it official is find a notary and sign some papers. Still, I'd really like the wedding to be a memorable event. I think our love deserves that.

Save the Date

It's official. We are tying the knot on August 1, 2009. The countdown begins.

Location Location Location

Ever since we have started looking for wedding venues the same location is recommended over and over. When I tell Portland locals that I am looking for an extremely industrial space with high ceilings, like an abandoned warehouse, they invariably mention the Portland Company Complex. Originally constructed in 1846 as a locomotive foundry, it sits at the heart of Portland's Old Port area, and does in fact look like something right out of a comic book.

They are very open to off-the-wall events. Although I think they stopped renting space for raves, they still host art exhibits and local performances. Last year, local Harry Potter enthusiasts celebrated Rowling's final book by bringing to life their own Diagon Alley at the Portland Company Complex. The Complex is also currently home to a narrow gauge railroad museum, which the Mugglefest turned into a Hogwart's Express, but which affords me the chance to be more powerful than a locomotive.

Not only is the space exactly what I am looking for, but it is far cheaper than over event spaces in the area. Plus, it has myriad opportunity for superhero photo spreads, including beach access for Aquaman. We haven't put down a deposit yet, but we are pretty sure this is the place. I am going to meet with someone on Monday to finalize negotiations. Then I can take measurements to begin designing the set and lighting for the show.

Directions to the Portland Company.

Back to FAQ list.

Finalizing the Line-Up

I had a couple of good conversations with Corey at Action Actors concerning the costumes this week. Of all the costume designers I have found online, their work is by far the most impressive. The officially licensed costumes are designed for the average Halloween party and look terrible. Occasionally, you will come across a sprecial edition Batman, but that one costs almost $1000. Many people suggest talented local designers, but none of them are adept and working with copious amounts of Lycraspandex. Here are some examples of Corey's work.

We are close to finalizing the cast of characters, although a few adjustments need to be made for financial reasons. One of our original choices was Hawkgirl, and her wings make her cost prohibitive. But everyone else we chose is going to fall within the price range we had set, so the next thing is to get measurements from our wedding party.

G'Day, Mate!

Thus far, our wedding planning has followed a somewhat non-linear pattern. We have a checklist that we downloaded, but we haven't really been following it. Several issues that could easily be put off for a few months have been decided already, and certain ones that need to be decided immediately have been tabled. For example, we have picked our photographer, videographer, and honeymoon locale, but we still don't have a venue or a date.

I guess it isn't really as bad as it sounds. There are a couple of nearby locations we are interested in, and we have actually gotten some quotes. Unfortunately, our top local choice has yet to return our phone calls. My next step will be to go to their offices in person and introduce myself. Other details, like the cake or invitations, well those are just fun design things to worry about. So we pass the time arguing the number of tiers in the cake or whether our wedding invitations should look like event tickets. We are having a blast.

Our most recent decision concerned the honeymoon destination. Our top three choices were Australia, Ireland, and Italy, in that order. We have both always wanted to visit the Great Southern Continent, and we figured this might be our only chance. I want to do some hiking in the Outback and Sarah wants to visit the Queensland Zoo, home of the much beloved and remembered Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. Our biggest reservation about that trip was the fact that we would be visiting during their winter season, but we've decided that might be a blessing in disguise, as it will cut down on crowds. Also, we're used to Maine winters, so we ought to be able to handle the winter in most of Australia, which is at comparatively lower latitudes than most of New England.

In any event, we're going to need a lot of help to get there. If you haven't noticed our shameful Donate button in the corner, please take note.

My Fiance is Awesome

You probably think that any woman who would allow her husband-to-be talk her into a superhero wedding qualifies as awesome. I suppose you would be right, too. But you know what is even more awesome? Having a bride-to-be who actually wants to have a superhero wedding. Most people think that she's just humoring me, that I came up with this crazy scheme and that Sarah is going along with it. But those people don't know Sarah.

If you didn't really know her, if you'd only met her once or twice, you might think she was just another pretty girl. You'd be partly right. She is beautiful, inside and out. She's every bit as sweet as the Disney princesses she loves so much. Furry woodland creatures flock to her. But Sarah has something that those animated beauties never did, and I saw it in her eyes on the day we met.

She's stronger than you could possibly imagine. She sees what's wrong with the world, what's ugly, what needs to be changed if only someone would take it upon themselves to change it. It's a long list, and she's only getting started.

If you didn't really know her, you might think she was just an overly tolerant bride-to-be whose fiance was obsessed with Superman. But you'd be wrong. She IS Wonder Woman. I'll just be some schmuck in spandex.

Sweet Cake Toppers

In looking around for possible cake toppers, I came across this set of 4" PVC figurines that I thought would be perfect. Some quick last-minute eBay bidding and voila, I am the proud owner of some sweet Silver Age DC cake toppers. They arrived yesterday, courtesy of the US Postal Service. I haven't figured out exactly how I'm going to incorporate them into the design yet, but I'm planning on modelling the cake late next week, so I ought to have the finalized design soon. I'll post a photo when I can.

Decisions, Decisions

So far, we're making some good headway on this crazy scheme. There have been promising contacts on the costume front, although no mention of cost has been made. Vendors want to know what my budget is, and I don't know what my budget will be until I know approximate costs from vendors. Oh, how Joseph Heller was right. Still, I'm happy with our discoveries so far. We have selected vendors for photography, videography, invitations, cake, and a travel agent for the honeymoon. Still to come- caterer, DJ, sound and light rental, and special effects consulting.

The biggest hole right now lies in the venue. I am looking for a highly industrial interior space with a lot of height, so that characters can enter via zipline, bungee cord, invisible jet, etc. There are a lot of waterfront properties here in Portland that might work, but I don't know how to contact the owners or even if they would rent their spaces. I may need to work with an event planner on that detail alone. And I'd better lock that in soon. All other decisions regarding budget and dates will cascade from that one.