Ooooh today we have a special guest poster – the NEPA Groom himself. After our victorious trip to the Golden Palace, he wanted to share his side of the story with you. Enjoy!

~

This past Easter I went to an Easter Brunch with my parents at the Golden Palace in Wilkes-Barre. After eating, my mother and I were waiting for my father when I spied a flyer for a wedding reception package. NEPA Bride and I had been speaking about getting engaged, married, breeding kids and driving them to succeed so we could mooch off them and live easy…I mean raising a loving family. At that time that was all between the two of us and no one else knew. After shoveling down tons of delicious kielbasa, mashed taters, baked ham, ice cream, and other heart attack inducing foods, I wasn’t quick enough to snatch a flyer without my mother noticing. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere of the place. I was thinking ahead for our eventual reception. I had done good!

Fast forward to this summer and we visit the Golden Palace to get some prices and ideas. I honestly don’t remember much of the details but it was all pretty good. NEPA Bride really liked it though. I do remember that all the tables get floral center pieces. Why do I remember that? Oh maybe because the florist that does it is MY FLORIST! Maureen’s in Ashley, PA. The place I’ve been getting the birthday, anniversary, I’m sorry I head-butted you when you tickled me flowers for m’lady for the past few years. And did I mention that she loves these flowers and this florist does an awesome job? Yeah. I love the smell of freaking victory! And those flowers give a nice aroma too.

As soon as we walked into the parking lot, NEPA Bride turned to me and says, “I want it here! I want it here! I want it here!” Tee-hee. I won’t make a certain joke. Allow me to be a little more smug and bask in the glory that is mine! I suggested the reception place that my bride loved! Yeah. All the other places we visited or thought about were dumped down the crapper. It was this place or nothing. I think I can use this as a “Get Out of Jail” card for the next few years.

S-U-C-K-S-E-S! That’s the way you spell success!

All right folks. Hold on to your hats, seats and anything else dear to you. I think we have a winner. NEPA Groom and I went to visit A Touch Of Class Catering at The Golden Palace last week, and I was THRILLED. We were supposed to take our parents back yesterday for a visit, but that’s been postponed a week since NEPA Groom put his leg through some plate glass and is currently hobbling like a old man/Dr. House. Of course, he was the one who suggested we visit the Golden Palace, so he’s forgiven for delaying the process a bit. :-*

Anywhoo, when we went to visit, the banquet coordinator sat with us and showed us all their wedding packages, and some other event packages that some people who have been looking for more economical solutions have been using as well. She also showed us their preferred baker (who actually works out of her home) along with some of her work. It looks like their baker can do a diverse amount of cakes, so I don’t doubt she can do what I want. Next, we saw a sample of the centerpieces that are included with some packages. This is when NEPA Groom’s head started to swell – not only did I love the space (his suggestion) but their florist is Maureen’s Floral & Gifts in Ashley, who his family has gone to for years and years. Every bouquet I’ve ever gotten from him has come from there, and they are always wonderful. He’s still having trouble getting through some doorways due to the ego boost this gave him.

Here are some shots of the lower ballroom, which is what we’d use since we’re trying to have a smaller reception:

I apologize for the slightly poor picture quality. I forgot my camera and had to use my phone. The banquet coordinator gave us a lot of options and potential configurations for the room. Pretty much anything we want can be done at minimal or no cost. I’m so so happy to have found them.

How long did it take you to find your reception venue? Did you know as soon as you visited or did it take a while for you to make up your mind?