Trying to coordinate a simple thing like arranging accommodations for guests of a college graduation is almost more trouble than it’s worth. All I needed to do was reserve three hotel rooms for in-laws and our family. The worrier that I am, I wanted to book the rooms six months ago, when we found out the exact date of the ceremony. Instead, we began the process this past weekend, six weeks before the date. Bad idea…
After more than 24 hours searching, it appeared that the entire city was completely booked. There wasn’t a hotel left with one empty room, let alone three. Believe me, it seemed like we called every hotel in town, and Capt. Kirk was absolutely zero help.
Day two of the search, I finally struck gold and located some rooms, all at the same venue, at a decent rate and, according to the degree candidate, in a good part of town. I would never live it down if I made the in-laws stay in a sketchy neighborhood.
The whole time I was trying to remain calm. Hysteria wouldn’t find rooms faster, but I’ll admit I was this ][ close to full panic mode. I even lamented the futility of it on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/#!/Tara_R/status/49991337331785728
Now, that we are basking in the after-glow of having secured rooms to sleep in, and not our cars, I confessed to my husband my dread at helping plan any future wedding for our daughter, something guaranteed to be more nerve-racking than a graduation.
I told him of my idea to encourage her to elope. He agreed saying we should make it mandatory… or, he suggested, in lieu of eloping…
A flash mob…
I’m not waiting until six weeks before, I’m hunting for a choreographer now.
Thin spiral notebook 
SO excited for her, and you!
P.S. I recommend eloping. Our wedding cost $40. 🙂
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We went through this two years ago. Bravo on the accommodation aquisition! We’ve been in hotel limbo a few times before…ie, last Thanksgiving, when we booked rooms in Madison, WI the same week of a big alumni football confab. We lived to tell the tale, though. Good job, Tara R.! 🙂
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I have a friend whose parents kind of bribed her out of a huge gong show/stresses of a local wedding. Basically they said, if you have an intimate destination wedding, we’ve got it covered including a wedding planner. If you want a wedding at home, we’ll contribute, but you’re on your own for the difference.
Needless to say, they wed beach side in Hawaii.
Also, you totally scored with those rooms!
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I am so excited and proud of JM. I can’t believe that I have known you this long too- I remember when she went OFF to college! 🙂
As for wedding planning? As someone who just went through it? I suggest eloping. SO MUCH EASIER. hahahaha.
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I think I’ll encourage my kids to go to vocational school instead.
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Eloping sounds good. Tell her it’s terribly romantic and exciting.
Congrats to her! How exciting.
My son is graduating from HS this year so we both have 2011 grads! =)
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Wow. I remember when she started college! (She did this in less than 4 years, right?) I’d be tearing up…if I weren’t having to turn to Riley every 5 seconds and get her back on task! But reading this gives me hope. Oh, Tara! I’m so happy for you!
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I think my anxiety level kicked up about ten notches while I waited to hear you’d found some rooms. WHEW! So glad you did!
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congratulations to the graduate and her mommy
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I don’t believe you’re making me think about this NOWWWWWWWW. I have two more years. PLEASE. I have two more years. I can’t think about this anymore …
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