Paid In Full

16 days

We got the check from my gramma to finish paying the chapel and dj! I'm going to deposit it tomorrow and then send out checks to the two people as soon as it's in the account!

Tomorrow our bachelorette and bachelor weekends begin! I'm really excited! I'll be sure to post a lot of pictures!!

Tangerine Dream

Happy 26th Birthday to my great friend and bridesmaid, Jess!

Photo Op

17 days

No new RSVPs today, but my friend from high school is bringing another of our friends, Taylor, to the wedding. I'm happy because he's awesome and I haven't seen him in a while.

This weekend is my bachelorette party! I'm finally getting excited about it, which is a small miracle after all the drama and confusion! Now I just need help from my bridesmaids about what to wear...

We're going to send in the rest of the money for our photographer this week!!

Faithfully

Matt and I wrote our Prayers of the Faithful! It wasn't really that hard once we buckled down and concentrated on it. Here it is:

For the Holy Catholic Church, may they continue to be a beacon of hope, faith, love, and tolerance in the manner of Christ himself,

We pray to the Lord;

For all of the children of the world, may God protect them from hunger, abuse, neglect, and disease, and allow them to live happy and carefree childhoods,

We pray to the Lord;

For those in our armed forces, may God watch over them and bring them home safely to their friends and families,

We pray to the Lord;

For all parents, especially Paul and Allison Mikaniewicz and Mark and Joanne Denver, may the love for their children mirrors the love that God had for his only son,

We pray to the Lord;

For Providence College, may the tenets of our Dominican brothers be a shining example of a life to aspire to,

We pray to the Lord;

For our friends and families, both here and away, may they celebrate our joy with us and be an inspiration for the journey ahead of us,

We pray to the Lord;

For all the sick, especially Barbara Desrosiers (de-row-shay) and John MacLeod, may the healing power of prayer and God’s love bring them relief,

We pray to the Lord;

For our dearly departed, especially James Denver Sr., Dorothy Leab, Anthony Mikaniewicz, Maurice Myers, Mariette Stanton, and Michael Stanton, may they remain in our prayers and memories and may they be here with us in spirit,

We pray to the Lord.

In the Teens

19 days

I forgot to take my camera yesterday, so I have only one picture from the demolition derby taken from my phone:

Matt and I decided not to use SureShot for our videographer. All the reviews I have seen are absolutely horrid and it's not worth the stress. We asked Jess if she'd be able to help us out and she said of course! So for $200 more, she'll have her boyfriend videotape the ceremony for us.

I ordered the wedding announcements the other day from Vistaprint. I was waiting because I wanted to put our new address on them, but we're not sure where we're moving right now.

Next weekend, after my bachelorette on Sunday, Mom and I are spending the day together! We're going to look for something for her to wear for the rehearsal dinner. I'm excited to have a day with just me and my mommy.

Matt managed to get food poisoning, so I'm going to go take care of him.

Twenty

20 days

Matt and I are spending some quality, non-wedding related time together today. We're going to tailgate and then see a demolition derby with some of my coworkers! I LOVE demolition derbies and have been trying to get Matt to one for year, but we always miss the one near my parents. This year, though, we're going to that one as well with my parents and siblings! I'll post pictures later if I remember to take any with our NEW camera!

Three Weeks

21 days

240 invited
165 attending
65 declined

We got one more RSVP today in the mail from my parents' neighbors, Kim and Ian.

I got my tattoo and I LOVE it! Thanks to Shannon for coming with me and being my moral support!

Shannon and I went to get our nails done after my tattoo and I loved the place, so I scheduled the appointments for the wedding there. I'm glad to have one more thing checked off my list!

Stragglers

22 days

240 invited
165 attending
63 declined

We have most of the missing RSVPs responses in after some calling, texting, and emailing. I'm waiting on a few others, some of who have later reply dates, though. It looks like we'll be around 175 or 180 people.

Here are the few that we got today (all declines):
-my cousin, Matt, and his girlfriend
-my aunt, Kathy, and her boyfriend, Ham
-Matt's cousin, Andrea, and her husband, Mario
-my friend from dance, Lisa

Verbalize

23 days

240 invited
160 attending
55 declined

RSVPs left: 18

A verbal RSVP from Matt's mom about her friends, Mary and Stephen, whom declined. And my college friend, Jason, is unable to make it as well.

Most of the missing RSVPs, I have discovered, are from my side. Way to fail.

I'm going for my tattoo on Saturday and my friend from work, Raidiris is coming with me! I'll be sure to post pictures once I get home!

License to Wed

24 days

240 invited
161 attending
52 declined

RSVPs left: 20

One RSVP today from two of the Holt brothers, whom declined. I'm going to send an email to my mom and Matt's mom later with names of those who haven't responded yet.

Matt and I got our marriage license today! We're getting so close!

Quarter

25 days

240 invited
161 attending
50 declined

RSVPs left: 22

Again, none today and we are on day two after the due date. Still waiting until tomorrow before we start contacting others.

Matt and I are going to get our marriage license tomorrow! I'll be sure to scan it or take a picture to post here!

Past Due

26 days

240 invited
161 attending
50 declined

RSVPs left: 22

No RSVPs today and we're a mailing day beyond the due date. Let's see if we get any by Wednesday and then I'll start calling/emailing people.

Matt and I are going to go on Wednesday to get our marriage license since we now have all the paperwork and necessary documents. So excited!

I scheduled my appointment for my tattoo and paid the deposit! I'm going this Saturday at 2 30! I'll post pictures when I'm done!! Now I just need to convince Matt to 6.16.12 tattooed on both of us somewhere...

Four Weeks

28 days

240 invited
161 attending
50 declined

RSVPs left: 22

RSVPs today from Matt's mom's friends, Dean and Sally, and my college friend, Robert.

I got my exchange from Frederick's in the mail yesterday! It's really cute and has already been thrown into the suitcase for the honeymoon!
We got the rehearsal dinner invite yesterday from Matt's parents! So excited! I also dropped off the deposit for the restaurant today. (Joanne had sent it and it got returned, so we told her we would bring it ourselves.)

I had my meeting with Scott yesterday at the Biltmore. I got there along with at least a hundred prom going high schoolers. Scott gave me a seating plan for the ballroom which I'll fill in for him. It was a really quick meeting and he kept telling me how he loved how organized I am.

I have decided that I'm going to get a tattoo the weekend of my bachelorette! I know I want to have "live, laugh, love" and I think I may go with it on my ankle. It'll be covered for the wedding but is a cute, appropriate place to have it. I'm so excited!

Thirty

30 days

240 invited
157 attending
50 declined

RSVPs left: 24

RSVPs from yesterday and today:
-my college professor and advisor, Bowling
-my former coworker, Chase, and his date, Kelly-Ann
-my college roomie, bestie, and maid of honor, Jules, and her boyfriend, Steve
-my college friend, Paul

I have a meeting tomorrow with Scott, so I'll be sure to update afterwards as to what went on.

Other than that, not much else wedding-related going on. Houston, we've hit a lull.

One Way Street

1 month until our wedding!!

I'll Have That

32 days

240 invited
151 attending
50 declined

RSVPs left: 28

Two RSVPs today from my coworker, Jen, and her boyfriend, Brandon, and my cousin, Jill, her husband, Shane, and their son, Connor.

I have a meeting with our reception coordinator, Scott, on Friday at 5:45. We're going to go over the final details.

I also emailed Scott asking what the vegetarian meal was: wild mushroom raviolis in a white wine sauce! I may have to go with a vegetarian meal...

The Last Invite

33 days

240 invited
146 attending
50 declined

RSVPs left: 30

RSVPs today:
-my coworkers, Candy, Raidiris, and Jenna, and her boyfriend, Shane
-my college friend, Sam, and her boyfriend, Nick
-Matt's college friend, Amanda, and her boyfriend, Kyle

We got the invitation that Matt's mom made for our rehearsal dinner! It's very nice and the food choices are amazing! I'm so excited and this is all becoming so real!

Violet Hill

Happy 11th Birthday to my sister and bridesmaid, Hannah!

And a Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mother and wonderful mother-in-law!

Five Weeks

35 days

240 invited
139 attending
50 declined

RSVPs left: 36

Four verbal RSVPs today:
-my college friend, Tom, and his girlfriend (decline)
-my aunt, Kathy
-our ceremony coordinator, Pat (decline)
-our family friends' son, Joe (decline)

Five weeks, today, until the wedding!

I got my something old today from my gram: my great gramma Leab's pearl necklace! It's beautiful and a new tradition. My aunt and my great aunt both wore it in their weddings, so I'm continuing it! Here's a picture:

Homeward Bound

36 days

240 invited
138 attending
46 declined

RSVPs left: 40

One RSVP today from my college friend, Marci!

Other than that, nothing else wedding related to discuss. Matt and I are heading home tomorrow after he gets out of work for Mother's Day and my sister, Hannah's, birthday!

Caesar Salad

37 days

234 invited
137 attending
46 declined

RSVPs left: 36

We FINALLY got two more RSVPs today...and they're both declines:
-Matt's college friend, John
-Matt's cousin, Andy, and his wife, Erin
I also got a verbal RSVP, a decline, from my former dance director/teacher, Susan, and her husband, Britton.


My bracelet from Lia Sophia came in today! It is SO pretty and will be perfect for the wedding!

We also got a wedding gift in the mail today from Greg and Liz! It's our salad bowl and servers from Crate and Barrel:

Now I just have to write them a thank you...

The house for the bachelorette fell through over the week and so now we are looking for something else. I've asked to do Providence on Friday night, staying at the Biltmore, and then Saturday in Boston for strippers!

Cherry Bomb

Happy 24th Birthday to my great friend and maid of honor, Juliana!

Suspended License

39 days

234 invited
137 attending
41 declined

RSVPs left: 40

My college friend, Declan, RSVPed to me verbally today since he lost his actual one: he's coming!

Matt and I weren't able to get our marriage license yesterday because Matt needs his birth certificate. We're going home this weekend for Mother's Day and Hannah's birthday so we'll pick it up then. And then we can get our license! So excited!

Matt has been looking and emailing other potential places to live. Hopefully we'll find something soon!!

Forty

40 days

234 invited
135 attending
41 declined

RSVPs left: 41

No new RSVPs today, but Matt and I went to see the Avengers tonight. AH-MAZ-ING!

Quick tonight, I bought a new bracelet for the wedding last night. I decided I wanted something different from the pearl bracelet. Here's a picture:

I can't wait to get it in and add it to my stash of wedding accessories!

In Limbo

234 invited
135 attending
41 declined

RSVPs left: 41

One of my parents' friends' daughter and her husband RSVPed to me since apparently theirs got lost in Mail Limbo on its way back to us. They (Kristen and Gary) are unable to attend because they'll have Gary's son that weekend and will be traveling. Another RSVP off the list.

She Shoots, She Scores!

41 days

234 invited
135 attending
39 declined

I don't remember if I posted about this when it actually happened, so I'll do it now. My friend, Justin, who is making our cake for us, called me about the groom's cake I had asked him to make. He wanted to know how it should be decorated. I told him to keep it simple: make it a basketball! Matt loves basketball (although he thought the strike was ridiculous so he hasn't really watched any games this season) so I thought that would simply, yet fitting! I can't wait to see how it comes out...and to taste it! It's going to be like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup: Matt's favorite thing!

I found these really cute keychain charms on Etsy to add to our mom's gifts for the weddings:

And I have two boxes packed! A bunch of living room decorations and a ton of books. Both boxes weigh somewhere in the range of 245457 pounds and will take three of me to carry anywhere.

Six Weeks

42 days

234 invited
135 attending
39 declined

No RSVPs again today. Sigh...

Six weeks until the wedding! I can't believe it's so close!!

I started "packing" for the honeymoon. In other words, I threw all the dresses and skirts I wouldn't need until then into my suitcase. HA! And, yes, and my bathing suits since I won't be needing those either. It made more room in my closet, though, so I can unsquish all my other clothes and the girls' tote bags.

Matt and I decided last night that we're going to go Monday during my lunch break to get our marriage license! It's one of the last things that we need to do!

I'm going to start working a little more on the escort cards, putting colored stickers on the backs to represent which meals people chose.

I'm also trying to wear my wedding shoes around to break them in, although I may take Jess's advice and freeze them with water inside to stretch them out.

OH! And Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Double Trouble

43 days

234 invited
135 attending
39 declined

We didn't get any actual RSVPs today, but Joanne (Matt's mom) has verbally given us a couple answers:
-Matt's uncle, Ed, and his wife, Barbara
-their sons, Dane and Nash (decline)
-Matt's grandpa, Cornelius (I LOVE that that's his name!)
We also went through and added our numbers and realized we were slightly off (obviously). So from this post on, we'll have the correct number!

I got my negligee from Frederick's! And, somehow, they sent me two but I only paid for one. Maybe I'll exchange one for something else...

No Sir

44 days

222 invited
127 attending
34 declined

AGAIN no RSVPs. I'm not liking this slow trickle at all.

I got my dress in today from American Eagle! It is SO cute! I think I'm officially done shopping for the honeymoon. I'm just hoping my girls get me some cute lingerie for the bachelorette!

So I got an email the other day from the photobooth guy. He asked if we were sending in the deposit and still keeping the date. Um, NO! We sent it in months ago and it came back to us. I emailed him immediately and got no response. So, no, sir, we don't want your services.

Pressed

45 days

222 invited
127 attending
34 declined

And another no RSVP day. Sad Ashley.

However, we got our first wedding present today! It's our PANINI PRESS! So excited!! It's from my professor and advisor from college! He's the best!

Matt's gift from L.L.Bean came in today! I already told him what it was, but I'm still excited for him to open it!!

Into Port

46 days

222 invited
127 attending
34 declined

No RSVPs today. :(

I forgot to mention yesterday that my passport came in! We are all set to go on the honeymoon now!