*HoneySpider*

[feistypants]

How was your Heinz Chapel experience? SO and I are talking about getting married there because he's an alum, and I'd love to hear from another HC bride. Feel free to PM me if you're more comfortable.

[HoneySpider]

We loved it! It was definitely hectic trying to get it scheduled (they do it one year in advance for all days in that month and everyone calls all at once!) and it kind of sucked being on a very tight timeline in the church, but otherwise, everything was great. I'm trying to think of specifics to tell you but I don't know what's helpful So, let me know specific questions you might have maybe?

[feistypants]

What time slot did you have? Where did you do your reception?

I think I'm done being nosy now. We're looking for April 2014, so we've got time, but I know how the booking can be, and I'd like the 6:30 pm slot, but I'm trying not to get too hung up on it...

[HoneySpider]

We ended up with the 12:30 slot. I really wanted 2:30, but by the time I got through, it wasn't available on any of the days that month, let alone the one I wanted. I did get my first choice as far as the date (Oct 17).

In the end, 12:30 ended up working out great for us because we took time to go do photos on campus and it went by really fast. We did start our reception a little early (I think it was 4:30-10) but it was fine. We had our reception on the Gateway Clipper. 98% of our guests were OOT and they almost all stayed at the Wyndham right in Oakland, so they were able to go back to the hotel after the ceremony and chill, get changed (it was raining so not everyone wore their nicer clothes to church), explore campus, start drinking, whatever. We then had a shuttle to take everyone to/from the reception. When we got back after the reception, we went out to the bars in Oakland.

Feel free to ask any questions, I am always happy to talk about it It was a great experience for us, but I know for some people the rigidity of it wouldn't work for them. I'm a planner and really controlling about details so it was fine for me.

[feistypants]

Thanks so much! We're looking at the new Opera House for a reception, so a small gap wouldn't be bad, actually, now that you've mentioned it. It would allow plenty of time for pictures around the city, let people take their time getting there, have an extended cocktail hour, and all of that good stuff.

People keep telling me how far away it is, but April 2013 isn't that far away, and that's what will decide everything else, you know?!

[HoneySpider]

Well good luck with it if you decide to go that route! When you call in, just have an idea of what days and times you prefer and if you take a spot, you can always go back and decline it later (I forget how long you have until you have to pay for it). So then you can have time to decide if/how it's going to work out for you.

Have fun with planning! And always feel free to ask any questions, I love weddings