Getting Ready...Part 1

I kind of skipped all my recaps. Not intentionally though. Shortly after the wedding we moved, I've been in the midst of a large career change that requires grad school/certification so my bloggy motivation in all realms is minimal. But alas, I'll get my recaps/vendor reviews out there. I already did our rehearsal dinner, so here's the ladies getting ready. So I'm going to try - by Valentine's Day (2/12 to be exact which will be our five month anniversary) to have all my recaps/vendor reviews up.

I got my hair did at Bang Salon in the Verizon Center - it was incredibly convenient, inexpensive and all the girls could get their hair done at the same time. It took about two hours - we were back to the hotel by noonish, grabbed a small lunch (I was intent on eating because I had heard horror stories about brides who forgot to eat and passed out during their ceremonies - hear that brides? EAT LUNCH) and then began to get ready.

I should also note, that it was just before getting our hair done that I had one of my few bridezilla moments. We were waiting for a few of the girls to get coffee at Dunkins on 7th street near the verizon center - and i found (as a life long new englander and thus dunkins fiend) that Dunkin's down in DC are notoriously horrrible with service, that morning was no different. We had been waiting for close to twenty minutes for three bagels and three coffees while people ahead of us kept getting their food, so I slammed my hand down and demanded some service because damnit, it was my wedding day and they were making us late for a hair appointment. I'm pretty sure I shocked even myself, however, I wouldn't have been so rash had my step-mother and mother not gotten into an argument before then. I knew that was inevitable but I had hoped that my mother would bite her tongue for my sake, unfortunately that was not the case.

Onward though!

{My dress}

{that dress was a beast to get on!}

{one of my FAVORITE pictures of my mom and I after my dress was all tied up. She was all tears all day long. Love her to death. Also, see my hair? I loved it. It was perfect.}

{my sister/Maid of Honor putting the veil on}

{fixing my veil}

{me with my veil on, can I just say my bridesmaids were fabulous through all this?}

Next up? See my husband getting ready - they had bow-ties, and the first go round? They all put the bow-ties on upside down. Whoops?

All photos here were taken by Megan Garrison Photography

Etiquette police

I couldn't help but notice a blogpost today - a blogger I follow recently got engaged. Honestly, I couldn't be more happy for her.

However, she blogged about the specs of her ring - karat size, everything.

Something about reading it - quite honestly I don't care how big your engagement ring is - turned me off, and I found myself scrunching my nose at the absurdity and abruptly stopped reading.

I'm no etiquette police but I do not go flaunting around my engagement ring specs all over the blogosphere. If people ask, sure I'll share, but I don't just offer up the info because I find it obnoxious, who cares about the carat size or the clarity? People who ask are even tackier than those who just offer it up.

What say you nearlyweds? Offering up your engagement ring specs, tacky or no?

Bridal Book Giveaway

Shortly after Hubs and I got engaged, the daughter of a family friend - Hubs' former baby sitter to be exact - gave me a bunch of bridal books. I've since passed a few of them on, but I have a few more that I'm looking to pass on.

You see, to give a little background, Hubs and I are moving. Finally! I thought when he accepted the job last week, except he's already working up in Connecticut, and I'm down here sorting through everything and trying to get everything packed, sorted, given away in two weeks.

So, expect more recaps/vendor reviews in the coming weeks, I'm waiting on our pictures to do the recaps which should be coming soon :)


The books are all in great condition, and since they were given to me, I'm going to pass them down to the first commenter.

Enjoy!

Recap 1: The rehearsal and dinner

Our rehearsal was on the 3 year date to when Mr. GP and I first hung out. He'll call it our first date but it was our first solo hang out night.

I decided way before the wedding to not sweat the small stuff because after all, when life hands you lemons? You make lemonade.

The rehearsal was really the first snafu of the wedding. We knew we were going to have an after party, so we sent the best man and one of the groomsmen on a booze run.

Of course they decided to go out to Virginia. So of course they sat in traffic for almost an hour. Then! OF COURSE they decided to take showers upon arriving back at the hotel five minutes before the rehearsal was scheduled to start resulting in not one, but FOUR of the groomsmen to be thirty minutes late.

Our priest was none too pleased.

The Bridal Party at the rehearsal. Well most of it, two of my bridesmaids are missing.

The Groom and Best Man.

After rehearsal, we headed over to the dinner which was just up the block and around the corner at Hunan Dynasty on Penn. This restaurant is incredibly significant to us because, as I mentioned, it was where we got dinner together for the first time - the dinner that got the wheels churning in Mr.GP's head that he liked me.

Dinner was delicious. The room was fabulous, we didn't do assigned seating, we didn't really have speeches except from Mr. GP's father.

It was a family style dinner, with round tables seating about eight or so at each - we had nearly forty people at the rehearsal dinner.

For dessert, we picked out about 3 dozen cupcakes from Hello Cupcake - a big hit with the guests.

A narrow room but it was perfect for us!

The Groomsmen!

Stay tuned for the after party, getting ready, the ceremony, pictures, the reception, the after party and pictures from our honeymoon and of course...DIY madness and vendor reviews!

I'm a Mrs now!!

Photo via [Megan Garrison Photography]

Recaps to come soon. But the rehearsal, wedding, reception and subsequently, the honeymoon in San Juan...all went off perfectly.



More to come soon (including pictures, and recaps)

Plus One

We didn't invite most guests with a plus one. We invited the ones who were in relationships, living together, married or whatever but many guests did not get a plus one status.

One friend did....despite my better judgement. He WAS dating a girl much younger, whom he had moved in with a few months ago so I figured if I invite most others with their significant other, then he should be too.

Apparently, she recently broke up with him.

The invite was not "Friend and Guest." It was "Friend and Girlfriend." Therefore, one would think that friend would not try to bring "and guest." Any guest.

Friend is now using facebook to find a date for my wedding because you see, friend and one of my bridesmaids dated back in college. They were both in my main posse back in college, he was roommates with my ex, her and I became close pals, along with her former roommate who became another good pal of mine and a bridesmaid.

So I'm a little peeved that friend is so worried about being uncomfortable around Bridesmaid and her boyfriend (that she began dating right after they broke up in 2005) that he's advertising a guest spot to my wedding on facebook.

I find this incredibly tacky, and rude. Emily Post would be rolling over in her grave if she only knew.

Granted, I told him the other night when he told me that his girlfriend left him that he could still bring someone - but not to bring a blind date (he was trying to get ex's former roommate bridesmaid to bring a pal of hers as she grew up in Baltimore) bring someone he'd have fun with but not to feel like he HAD to bring someone - mostly because he tends to get...a little emo when his heart is broken, don't we all, but I knew that telling him he couldn't bring someone so soon after being..dare I say...dumped might not go over well.

But, we're all adults no? I'm sure he can tolerate being around his ex for a few hours... they both went to a wedding of a mutual friend last year and survived.

Still though, I'm peeved. Advertising it on the facebook? Isn't that pushing the plus one limit??? I'm trying not to be super bitchy about this all, but I'm offended, especially by the fact that not everyone was invited with a guest as our policy was relationships only so should I tell him - hey I don't care if you bring someone but don't advertise it over the facebook? Or should I tell him he was invited with his girlfriend and while I'm so sorry that she broke his heart, he was invited with her not just "a guest."

What would you say? Am I over reacting??

DIY Thank You Notes

I've been a DIY queen. Well, a procrastinating queen but a DIY queen no less. I have half a dozen projects that need to get done in about 26 days and I'm starting to go a wee bit crazy.

But last night, I banged one project out right quick - some thank you notes! My shower was over a month ago and I've been procrastinating on the Thank You's but I finally created the thank you's last night.

What did I use? Some Folded cards from Paper Source, a "merci" stamp and a blue ink pad both from paper source as well. The whole project took about fifteen minutes. The end result?

and a close up....

They look kind of "plain" but I really like the simplicity of them. I saw a similar style at Paper Source but they didn't have them in navy blue so I decided to do them myself. Now I just need to find the time to actually...write them. Along with making favors, menus, programs, escort cards, and table numbers. *sigh* It will all get done...it has to.

Did you do anything special for your thank you notes???

Make Up Solution

Per a friend's recommendation on Twitter, I ixnayed the idea of using Sephora to do my own make up. I couldn't justify spending almost $300 on make up alone.

So yesterday, per her recommendation, and the recommendation of a couple of other friends, I trekked down to Woodbridge to try out Ulta. Now, it wasn't that I had to go that far, they have a location in Downtown Silver Spring, but we were heading down to Ikea and Michaels anyhow, and made an afternoon of it.

After 30 minutes I was sold. Ulta, as a store has pretty much everything that has to do with make up, hair care, body care, you name it. Not to mention, they have a salon in there! I didn't check out the salon, however it might be worth my while in the future.

The person I spoke with, immediately after I mentioned bridal make up recommended me to this product:
The 7 in 7 kit - a $155 value for $55!!! She demo'ed it for me, it was light, easy, and comes with SEVEN full size products. It also comes in a few different shades for different skin tones! I bought the foundation and powder (that doesn't come with it) so all in all, with a couple brushes that I didn't have, I spent $130.

But! Ulta has an amazing rewards program that gives you 4 points for ever $1 you spend - and you get amazing rewards at various levels. I signed up for it and could already get $4 off my next purchase or I can wait till I spend more.

While I might not exactly live so conveniently to an Ulta, it's definitely worth going out of my way for.

Make-up Dilemma

So I went to Sephora today in Boston to do a makeup consultation for the big day which is in 41 days. I know! It's so soon!

The consultation went amazing! I loved what she did and if I had thought to take pictures, well I would have but no one went with me and I felt like a jerk taking pictures of myself in Sephora.

Unfortunately, I added up the cost of everything and $280. Not including the moisturizers she suggested I use and gave me samples of. Granted it all looks great but I don't really want to spend $100+ on foundation (HD Foundation/powder/brush) supplies that I'll likely never have a use for ever again. With fiance and I both being out of work I just don't have the cash for that.

I'm guessing I can probably find someone to do my makeup for less than that. So I'm on a mission, I have yet to find ANYONE to do my hair or makeup for my big day - a slight slacker. I know. I know.

Do any of you lovely DC area brides have any suggestions for people - salon or on site - who do hair/makeup and aren't over the top expensive? I'm trying to keep everything under $250 for myself and to between $45-75 per bridesmaids. I'm letting them choose how they do their hair so if they feel comfortable doing it themselves and don't want to spend the $$ then I'm okay with that.

JCrew Weddings in Georgetown?

Got this in my email yesterday and couldn't help but squee a little bit. I know, I know, I already have my wedding dress but it'll be pretty awesome to be able to try on my bridesmaids dress for a friend's wedding next spring.


Apparently, the JCrew store on M Street in Georgetown is carrying select styles from the weddings and parties collection - awesome.

Are you going to check out the wedding planner at JCrew???

Showers of Happiness....

I forgot to share some pictures from my bridal shower a week and a half ago in Connecticut... here are some with a bit of family (and life drama) to boot following the photo goodness...

My cake. From a fabulous bakery in NY brought up to CT by Fiance's godmother. FYI, it was as tasty as it looks.

Unopened gifts. I definitely got showered with love!! Our car was JAM PACKED on the drive back to DC.

Two my college besties/bridesmaids and I enjoying the margs. My shower had a theme of Puerto Rico...also known as our honeymoon locale. A pretty awesome theme if I do say so myself!

Me opening one of many gifts - this gift was all for fiance. I don't even like waffles but he INSISTED on registering for a waffle maker. That's okay. One of my bridesmaids got me a shoe wheel off our registry.

It is most certainly a shoe wheel. It fits perfectly in my closet.

My bridal party (including the ring bearer!) minus my bridesmaid E who couldn't make it to CT for the event. S'k, she's apparently got her own tricks up her sleeve for the DC guests. Don't mind my droopy straps on my tank top...I was a little tipsy. Those silly margaritas!

Now here's my question...so my FMIL hosted my shower - well, the bridesmaids hosted it but she helped. No one from my side of the family was invited. Someone told me "all the women invited to the wedding should be invited to the shower..." Is this true?

If so, then I can understand why my step mother (who my mother doesn't really...like) was upset to not be invited but quite frankly, most of my family aren't trekking down here for the wedding so I felt it was unnecessary to extend invitations. Not to mention, my step mom hasn't really been upset about not really being included in the planning till now. Then on Wednesday last week, when I called my father to tell him about the unfortunate event - fiance losing his job - after saying he was sorry he told me that I should send my step mother a note. Apologize for not including her...even though I didn't put together the invitation list. Or any other part of the shower.

Seriously? Aside from my mother, and bridesmaids it was ALL fiance's side of the guest list. No one from my side, sans a couple gal pals in Boston, were invited. Why was he making a stink NOW???

I won't get into my personal feelings about her here but I do run hot/cold toward my step mother, and right now? I can tell you I am icy. As in, unimpressed by these shenanigans.

Who was invited to your bridal shower? Did you invite all the guests invited to the wedding? Did you have a theme? Favorite gift???

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

So I made my invitations. Start to finish. Every inch of them? My work. I used other invites as inspiration but...the work? Mine.

I designed them in word and printed them first. There were 3 layers all pasted together - the navy A9 back, the slightly smaller middle layer and the A2 scalloped edge white paper with the actual wording on them. Let me tell you - all that gluing? Not fun.




Next, we lined the envelopes with green polka dot paper. I addressed the invites - I'm still not AS pleased with the "calligraphy" but I didn't have the time to get it professionally done nor did I have the money so it is what it is.


I had the hardest time figuring out the wording for the RSVP cards - given that we need to know how many people are ordering what, there was a bunch of debate on whether just saying "chicken" and "fish" was appropriate. We opted, finally, for "chicken" or "striped bass" guiding them to our website for details on the menu (which I suppose I should put up since the invitations are in the mail!)

The final product?


So today, I trekked over to Arlington to mail them out - you see, we have a beef with the DC Postal Service. The Friday before Father's Day, Fiance sent out his father's day card to his dad from the Post Office at 4:55pm. He gave it to them because we were out stamps. Paid the 44 cents and was on his way.

His father still has not received the card.

A week or two later, we sent his mother her mothers day card (yes, a month and a half belated), I dropped it in a mailbox near our apartment on my way to the gym one day, and last weekend when we were in Connecticut, she informed us that she had indeed received the card.

!!!!

Additionally - FMIL has told us that an anonymous person has sent us a wedding card. However, the wedding card in question was sent a week and a half ago and still has not yet been received. Sooo...DC Mail? You're on notice.



I digress, we have a groomsman in Japan so yesterday after getting my hair did, I popped into Longworth HOB to the post office there. Had them weigh it, bought the stamps (all 85 of them) and then sent his with the appropriate postage - all $1.82 of it.

Last night as we were stamping the envelopes, I found that 5 of my stamps were MIA (they have since been found) and so I was going to buy 5 more. But they didn't have my stamps (which are super cute by the way!). The man, bless his heart, suggested lovely wedding rings stamps with....goats. Goats?!?! Seriously?!?!

Ladies, I was about to have a bridal freakout all over the Eads Street Station Post Office. No lie.

Alas, I decided to hang onto the envelopes and decided that I'd find the stamps. They had to be at home. But then, the guy tries to tell me that my envelopes - which are all stamped with 61 cent lovely wedding cake stamps - cost 81 cents. I told him, no, no. Clearly he was mistaken. They weighed them yesterday and I was told by the USPS in Longworth that they were 61 cents.

Bless his heart (again) because he believed me and let it go. Let's just hope and pray they don't all get sent back to me because lawd there will be hell. to. pay.

After all that, my invitations are sent out. Before our July 12 deadline. Tomorrow? We head up to Connecticut for my bridal shower...expect a full report on Monday!

Did you have any snafu's with your invitations? Did you DIY or buy them?

With this ring...

This weekend marks the 2 months to go date. It's also my first bridal shower - expect pictures - which has caused me to...vehemently stalk my registries. You can scold me now.

This week, we HAVE to get our last vendors. I'm getting my hair highlighted one last time, and then it's on a mad dash to find a stylist for the wedding day (any suggestions??). I have a DJ I need to call back, and we need to find a limo/bus.

Did I mention invitations are being sent out? We're printing out RSVP cards as we speak. They look fab.

But what I really wanted to blog about was showing off pictures of my lovely wedding band that we paid off this weekend.



My wedding band is a platinum band with about 1/4 carat channel set diamonds. I absolutely adore my band, it fits perfectly with my e-ring and was incredibly reasonably priced.

Mr. GP's band is white gold - we're finalizing it this weekend but all in all, we stayed pretty close to our budget. My band was an estate band and fiance's is a new band though. Apparently white gold is incredibly similar to platinum which is what we were originally considering.

What did you end up picking out for your wedding band? Are you happy with it??

Mission: Buff Bride

I've been on "Mission: Buff Bride" for a few months now. For a while, I was doing really well at getting my tush to the gym but lately? I've been slacking. (That Diet Coke addiction of mine isn't helping anything either...)

For those of you who don't know, I'm probably one of the LAZIEST marathon runners ever. I ran marathon #3, a 10k and a 10 mile race in the matter of a month - setting personal records in all three, leaving me beyond pleased. Unfortunately, I didn't train nearly as hard as I should have (I never do...) so I kind of set myself up for minor injuries. After the marathon which was Memorial Day weekend up in Vermont, I got lazy. I hurt my knee a little and well...stopped working out altogether with the exception of yoga.

So I recruited a friend. You see, I work at a gym here on Capitol Hill part time so I know many of the trainers. Yesterday, after my morning shift, I recruited a trainer pal of mine to give me some tips because "I want to look good in my wedding gown" as every girl does.

For the next two and a half months, I will be at the gym 5 days per week, either doing yoga or cardio/strength training. I've been doing yoga pretty regularly since the marathon sadly without much improvement (I fell over during a half moon pose yesterday...it was...dare I say, embarrassing)

What's my plan?
20 minutes of cardio (warmup)
3 sets of 10 pushups on a bosu ball
3 sets of 10 squats on a bosu ball
3 sets of 10 bicep curls using 10lb kettle bell (balancing on one leg)
3 sets of 10 rows (with 10lb kettle bell)
3 sets of 10 swings (with 10lb kettle bell...it's a squat type move where you thrust hips and swing a kettle bell into the air to shoulder height)
3 sets of 10 T's. Though I'm sure that's not what they're called, it's lifting my arms out into a T holding the 10lb kettle bells.

I'll be sticking to this for about 4 weeks and from there we'll modify to make it harder for the last month or so.

Not to mention, the 3 days/week I work at the gym, I teach 15 minute abs classes so that certainly won't hurt anything either!

I can tell you, we had an hour workout yesterday - my trainer pal and I - then I went to an hour long yoga class...and oh.my.god.

I'm fairly certain if I stick to this, my gown will look fab.

What did you do to get in shape for your wedding gown?

Creating the menu

First of all, I've gotta say, our tasting was incredible. Simply, incredible. No other words.

Aside from the stuff that we picked out, there was much more to think about than I initially thought. The combo of food - hors d'uerves v. entrees v. appetizers v. salads. Desserts v. wedding cake. One bite hors d'uerves or two? You don't want anything too messy. Or something that might drip.

So here are the pictures. Everything was delightful. Seriously, I can't say enough great things about it all.

Passed Hors D'uerves. My favorites? The stuffed Cherry tomatoe, the mini beef wellington, the chicken saltimboca and the spanikopita.

First course: Lobster Ravioli, Mushroom Ravioli, Lobster Bisque. Favorite and likely option: Mushroom ravioli.




Salad choices: Caprese salad (delicious!), Boston Bibb Salad, Mixed Greens salad, and chefs choice: Ceasar salad - though an excellent display, it's still a ceasar salad. Likely choice: Boston Bibb. It had an amazing dressing that was light and refreshing. The caprese was delish also though. Tough choice.



Entrees: (top to bottom) chilean sea bass was a win. Will definitely be on the menu. They gave us a couple of "duets" to try which are more expensive and though everything was REALLY good (filet mignon w/maryland crab cake and then some sort of chicken with stuffed shrimp) they're a little out of our budget. The salmon was ok. But the chicken and sea bass were definitely winners.

As far as dessert goes - the cappuccino cake was the winner out of these (chocolate truffle being too heavy but delish no less, and the petit french pastries just being though tasty, kind of m'eh.) though we're likely going to not pick any of these since we probably won't serve two types of cake for dessert.

So kids, there you have it. My five course lunch on Friday. Goodness I can't wait for the wedding!

Tasting Ahoy!

As of tomorrow, it will have been one whole year since fiance and I got engaged. A whole year! As of today, we're exactly three months out from getting hitched. Man, I don't even want to think of all that's left to do.

But today, we kind of celebrate. Celebrate this one year of being engaged/three months till the big day with a tasting at our reception venue! Our tasting is a three hour long tasting, with three hor doerves, three salads, three appetizers, three entrees and three desserts.

I don't think we'll need lunch OR dinner today just so you know.

What are we tasting? ...

Hors D'oerves

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Garlic and Herb Cheese

Mini Mozzarella and Cherry Tomato Skewers
Basil and Extra virgin Olive Oil

Spanikopita

APPETIZERS

Lobster Bisque
En Croute

Mushroom Ravioli
Sautéed Chanterelles
Parmesan Cheese

Lobster Ravioli
Sherry Lobster Cream Sauce

SALAD

CHC Mixed Greens
Raspberries, Kalamata Olives,
Crumbled Goat Cheese,
Roasted Walnuts
Red Wine Vinaigrette

Vine Ripened Tomatoes
Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella and Basil
Balsamic Vinaigrette

Boston Bibb
Walnuts, Raspberries, Tear Drop Tomatoes
Lemon Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Pan Seared Filet of Salmon
Lobster Sauce
Mushroom and Tomato Risotto

Cilantro and Fennell Crusted Breast of Chicken
Israeli Couscous
Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

Sesame Crusted Striped Bass
Orange Ginger Sauce
Sticky Rice

DESSERT

Cappuccino Cake
Chocolate Truffle Cake
Array of Mini French Pastries & Petit Fours

Expect pictures and the final menu next week! Did I mention we have a cake tasting set up for tomorrow???

Homemade Veils v. Storebought

I've tried on so many veils since I got my dress in September. None of them really jumping out at me. While I appreciate the tradition of a veil, I didn't really care what it looked like. I knew I didn't want any sort of embellishments or lace on it so that kind of narrowed it down for me.

Last week when I was in my hometown visiting friends, family and running marathon number 3, my mother and I went into David's Bridal that had recently opened up in my hometown in Vermont. She picked out her MOB dress (separate post on that coming up) and I tried on veils.

First of all, it's difficult to try on veils when you're not in your dress. You wouldn't think that but it's true.

Second of all, I realized, there was no reason to spend more than $50 on a headpiece I didn't give a crap about and was probably only going to wear for a few hours anyhow.

So I did some research on "affordable" wedding veils and finally ordered mine last night over Etsy. I've heard great things about a lot of gals getting their veils on Etsy so I ordered this one.


For $25 (after shipping), not bad. Considering I tried on one exactly like it when I picked up my dress for over $100. It's simple. It's white. And it's elbow length. Exactly what i wanted.

There are dozens of veils/headpieces on etsy - I purchased mine from BellaBridalVeils but there are many others who make veils on etsy as well, you've just gotta be willing to search.

Now I only need to get my undergarments before I can schedule my dress fittings - both of which need to be done before the end of this month!!

(Funny that now that I'm getting so close to the wire, I have much more to write about!!)

Where did you find your headpiece? What type of veil (if any) are you wearing for your wedding day??

The Bridesmaids Shoe Dilemma

I decided to go against the usual.

I decided that I didn't have the energy to find a shoe that would please all of my bridesmaids. Besides, I'm the shortest one anyhow, so I don't care if my bridesmaid that's almost a foot taller than me wears 2" heels or wears ballet flats, same with my taller-than-me Maid of Honor (sister)

I decided, as much as comfort is important to me, it should be important to me to let my gals be comfortable in what they wear to my wedding.

I looked for pictures, and the few that I found of brides who didn't put their gals in matching shoes looked fine. I think it'll add a certain uniqueness to the pictures.

Unfortunately, I told them to either get them in navy, green or pink - because well. Who doesn't like a rainbow of colors, right? And since the dresses are all cocktail length and navy from Aria Dress, I thought adding some color and personality to the pictures would add a little umph to the pictures.

But after reading this thread on Weddingbee, I'm beginning to second guess myself. Maybe I should have told them navy shoes. But what if some of them already bought shoes in pink or green?

Weigh in, what do you think? Should bridesmaids wear matchy-matchy shoes (even though not all of them like heels - my sister never wears heels and picked a chunky shoe, my tall bridesmaid would be towering over all of us in any sort of heel, and my other three bridesmaids, are likely indifferent), my biggest thing is comfort and costs. They're spending so much to come down here so I'm trying to keep costs to a minimum and I like to think that letting them wear a dress that they could wear again and shoes they picked out for themselves, they're getting the most bang for their buck.

Thoughts??? Did you make your bridesmaids wear matchy matchy shoes?

(image via Budget SaavyBride)

Dream flowers

We nailed down our florist. It was quite simple really. I found her via craigslist because really, it's such a great resource for vendors (especially affordable ones).

She runs her shop out of her home to cut overhead costs. She's located up in Maryland so her and I met in Bethesda a couple Fridays ago (and I dragged my fiance. Just for giggles. He got made fun of by coworkers) and discussed the options.

Ladies, I'm having my dream flowers. All of our flowers for less than $1,000 (my goal).

Tulips. My September wedding will have tulips.


Five pink and five white tulips will be our centerpieces in a small round vase. Exactly what I wanted. My bouquet will be a combination of mums, hydrangeas, tulips and daisies. The girls will have spider mums and spray mums.

I am...beyond thrilled not just because I'm getting my favorite flower, but also because I won't have to do it myself which I was nervous about given my lack of DIY-craftiness. Not to mention, it's another thing checked off the list which is a relief given that our wedding is in 3 and a half months. It's all going by so quickly! The dates are planned for my bridal shower as well as my bachelorette...EEK!

Freakout Mode

I told my freelance client that I was officially in freakout mode now. I am. It's under four months, and I feel like we have nothing done. Up until now I've been very non-challant about everything - just kind of going about things cause "oh we still have X number of months." I guess when you're at 3 months and change, you can't really go off that anymore can you?

Tonight, I'm meeting with a potential florist. Last night we booked the rehearsal dinner at one of our favorite restaurants just around the corner from our church. The bridesmaids dresses were ordered this week, the shower date is picked, the bachelorette party date is set, I'm going shopping with my mother next week in Vermont for the MOB dress as well as my veil and undergarments for the dress. When I get back from my week excursion up north, I have to print out the invitations, do the tasting so we can pick out the menu, and get my fittings.

We also still need to figure out what we're doing for a cake, dj, and transportation.

It's certainly coming along but every day I realize there are so many decisions that still need to be made and I'm more overwhelmed.

Eeep! It's coming so soon though!!

When did you start to feel stressed out and overwhelmed?

Thinking about flowers

I found a great florist. Thank you to Craigslist, I was looking for a DJ, and stumbled upon affordable flowers and since well, I'm still looking for a florist to do the bouquets at the very least, I found one who may be able to do it all. Like. All of it - centerpieces, the works. For less than $1,000.

I didn't even know that was possible!

So I had to send her some of my inspiration - in her initial estimate she included orchids which, while a very pretty flower...isn't really my style. I'm going for preppy and simple. Orchids kind of scream to me - asian fusion, no offense if that's your style but it's not really mine.

What am I looking for?

via With this ring



All images via With This Ring (that centerpiece directly above was DIY - incredible!!)

I'm still undecided about the centerpieces - it could save us a lot of money, and I'm definitely not ruling out the prospect of DIY. I don't want roses. I don't want expensive flowers - I adore mums, daisies, belles of Ireland, and hydrangeas. Hopefully I'll be able to meet with her this week to get everything finalized - one more thing off the list! Four months from next week!

What are you doing for flowers? DIY or florist?