Cake Ordered and Other Updates...

Updates abound as we continue to plan for the wedding...

1. We have ordered the cake from a small bakery in Chesterton where the reception will be taking place. We tasted them a few weekends ago, and they did a great job! So, that is taken care of.

2. Anna has selected a headpiece and veil and has scheduled her first fitting for her dress. Very exciting for her.

3. We picked up my wedding ring last weekend. Very cool to see what I'll be wearing for the rest of my life come May.

4. The showers are being planned for Anna. One will be in her hometown, and one will be in Ohio held by my Aunt and Mom. It should be pretty fun for her. The same weekend as the Ohio one, I will be having my bachelor party in Cleveland. A round of golf and an Indians game will be the highlight, as well as seeing everyone who I haven't seen in a while!

Next up: I need to finalize the tuxes.

Everything is going extremely well, and we are excited that we are moving forward!

- Bruce

Update #2: Travel and Lodging Information

Hello again...

We also wanted to let everyone know some information regarding travel if you are coming from out of town, and also lodging information...

Travel Information

If you are flying in from out of town, there are a number of options that you can take advantage of:

Gary, IN - Gary Chicago International Airport (GYY) - Serviced by SkyBus only - 29 miles from reception and hotel site
South Bend, IN - South Bend Regional Airport (SBN) - Serviced by a number of airlines - 49 miles from reception and hotel site
Chicago, IL - Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) - Serviced by Southwest, and a number of other airlines - 55 miles from reception and hotel site
Chicago, IL - Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - Serviced by a number of airlines - 67 miles from reception and hotel site

Driving

The reception site, Waterbird Lakeside Banquets, which is adjacent to the hotel sites as well, is located at 556 Indian Boundary Road Chesterton, IN 46304. You can use Yahoo Maps or Mapquest to find out how long of a trip it will be. For quick reference:

From Youngstown, OH - 360 miles
From Columbus, OH - 338 miles via Indianapolis
From Dayton, OH - 280 miles via Indianapolis
From Cleveland, OH - 302 miles
From Cincinnati, OH - 277 miles via Indianapolis
From Indianapolis, IN - 166 miles

Lodging

At #s 1 and 2, you may ask for the Mann/Hammond wedding room rate.

1. Waterbird Lakeside Inn and Spa (Adjacent to Waterbird Lakeside Banquets)
556 Indian Boundary Rd. in Chesterton, IN
www.waterbirdinn.com
(219) 928-1511
Rates:
Lakeview Standard Rooms - $99/night
Deadline for Waterbird Reservations: May 10, 2008

** Waterbird Lakeside Inn does not permit children.

2. Best Western Indian Oak (Adjacent to Waterbird Lakeside Banquets)
558 Indian Boundary Rd. in Chesterton, IN
www.bestwestern.com
(800) 552-4232
Rates:
Lakeview King (including pullout sofa) - $89/night
Lakeview 2 Queens - $109/night
Deadline for Best Western Reservations: March 16, 2008

3. Hilton Garden Inn
501 Gateway North
Chesterton, IN 46304
www.hilton.com
(219) 983-9500
Located approximately 3 miles from Waterbird Lakeside Banquets
No rooms are blocked at this hotel, but you are welcome to stay here as well.

Update #1: We have Registered for Gifts!!

In the first update of two that I will post today, I wanted to let everyone know that we have registered for gifts at the places below. Anna will continue to add things throughout the process, so these are certainly not our complete lists.

Target - www.target.com/clubwedd (Under Bruce Hammond or Anna Mann)
Macy's - www.macys.weddingchannel.com
JC Penney's - http://tinyurl.com/yo4asx (or you can go to www.jcpenney.com and find the Registry on there...)

Just wanted to let the hundreds and thousands of loyal readers of this blog know of our progress. More information to come...