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.

For the Dads

67 days

225 invited
99 attending
21 declined

Currently working on: favors (141/192 done)

Matt is such a sweet heart! He picked up the skirt for my mom's dress today for me! I'm going to mail it to her tomorrow so that she can get it altered soon.

Our Vistaprint order came in today! In it were the totes that I had made for Pam and Natalie as gifts and the Father's Day cards that we made. We decided that since the day after our wedding is Father's Day, we wanted to give something to the dads attending our wedding. So we made cards on Vistaprint that we'll sign and hand out personally to each dad. We're also having a dance for them to dance with their daughters or wives.

Planning Potpourri III

100 days

207 invited
21 attending
3 declined

Our RSVPs today were from:
-my aunt, Alicia, and her husband, Frank
-my gramma (dad's mom)
-Matt's college friend Erik (one of the ushers) and his girlfriend, Sophie
-my high school friends, Greg and Liz (he's one of the readers)
-my college friend, Caitlyn, and her fiance, Anthony
-my gram's brother (on my dad's side) and his wife (decline)
With these regrets, we're able to invite Matt's dad's half sister and one of my coworkers.

We got in some of the centerpiece stuff we ordered this past weekend: the white flower candles and the white gems, both for our sweetheart centerpiece.

Saturday is my hair trial! I keep forgetting (I know I have an appointment, but it slips my mind that it's also for the trial) and they called to confirm today! I'll be sure to take some pictures! (Two of my bridesmaids are going with me, so we'll have cameras galore!)

We got an email that another item was purchased for us off our registry! The Mikasa vases that match the fine china we want were ordered! Here's a picture:

On a non-wedding related note, Matt and I went and saw the condo tonight. It is beautiful! The only problem with it is that they don't allow pets. I emailed the company that owns them and asked if there was any way that we'd be able to keep our cats. The condos aren't rented and our cats are quiet and indoor as well as spayed and litterbox trained. I'm praying it might be okay.

Tomorrow, our order from Vistaprint with the menus in it will be coming in! I'm so excited to finish that project! My parents anniversary party invites will also be in there, so I can start addressing them!

Basket Case

I finally found some baskets for the programs! I originally wanted ones from Save on Crafts, but when I went to buy them today they were out of stock. So I went searching (for literally hours) for a different basket that was similar. Matt helped me decide on a slightly different style from Hobby Lobby online and I ordered them tonight. They were $3.99 each and I got 40% off of one of them, so the total only ended up being $12 with shipping. I'm going to spray paint them silver once they come in since I have leftover paint from the frames and I think they'll look better. Then I'll add some ribbon and they'll be done!

Matt and I also went through our music selections for the reception and updated the lists. We are currently listening to the set that we picked for the cocktail hour and enjoying the tv on mute. We're a little strange.

I ordered a dress yesterday from Forever 21 for the honeymoon and it's already shipped! Here's a picture of it:

Forever 21 "Weekend Islander" dress

I also finished ordering everything from Vistaprint tonight! I finished getting the thank yous (including some extras) and oversized postcards that I'm using for wedding timelines for the wedding party, parents, and grandparents! Here's the timeline:

front

back





On the Menu

109 days

Currently working on: escort card frame labels (7/7 done)

We met with Scott tonight and got the menu finalized! I can finally finish ordering the rest of the wedding stationery from Vistaprint which I'm going to do tonight! Scott is so nice and helpful; he said we were really prepared! For everything else, he asked us questions and took notes and then gave us a matching questionairre to fill out and return the week before the wedding. I can't believe how close the wedding is getting!

My mom texted me today and said she was buying our invitation stamps for us! (She ended up just transferring the money to my account so I can buy them tomorrow.) I'm going tomorrow on my lunch break from work to buy them and start addressing the invitations! Then we'll send them all out! So excited!

Here's a picture of the table menus:

Répondez, S'il Vous Plaît

115 days

Currently working on: invitations (130/130 done)

We finished the invitations tonight! We finally got the menu inserts in from Vistaprint and so we finished packaging everything up! We put them in the envelopes and all but 4 are ready send out. (We need 4 more addresses and then we'll be completely done.) I'm going to bring one tomorrow to get it weighed so we can start buying postage. (Thankfully, my mom offered to help us buy them since they're probably going to be at least 65¢.) I can't wait to send them out and to start getting RSVPs back!

Ring-a-Ding-Ding

121 days

Currently working on: ceremony programs (100/200 done)

Matt got his ring in yesterday! It is SO much better than the other one and we are both really glad we exchanged them.

I finished Jess's bouquet!! I got the last brooch in today and so I finished the whole thing! I'm so excited to have another one done! Here are the pictures:

I also got my after party dress in! I have yet to try it on as Shannon is here hanging out, but hopefully it'll fit so I don't have to return it.

I also got an email from Vistaprint that our menu cards shipped so we can finally finish the invitations and send them out!!

All Brooched Out

129 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (74/130 done)

I got my package from Vistaprint today from the post office! I understand why it couldn't be delivered; it was huge! In it was the 200 invitation envelopes, half of our ceremony programs and the direction business card inserts for the invitations. I've already started working on the programs! They have to be hole-punched in the corner and tied with ribbon. Later, I'll tie on the bubbles and the fans, once we order them.

Speaking of ordering: I finished ordering the brooches! I bought all of the ones for Cristina and Juliana's bouquets on ebay tonight for about $50! I'm so happy to have that done so I can finally finish the bouquets when they come in. Here are the pictures of which ones I ordered:

I also ordered our dads' cufflinks from Amazon as well as the ushers' gifts. There were only a few of each left and I wanted to get them before they were all gone. Here are pictures of these as well:

my dad

Matt's dad

ushers

I think that's all for now. Matt and I are going to put the addresses on the envelopes that we got in today!

Mail Delivery Failure Notification

130 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (62/130 done)

I got home, all excited because I'd be able to start working on our programs since they were supposed to come in today, and found a stupid USPS slip that I have to pick it up tomorrow after 10. I have never had a problem with them delivering these packages to us and so I have no idea why this one couldn't be left here. Ugh, now I have to get through another whole day to get the programs and invitation envelopes.

I did, however, go to Staples and pick up the copies of the latest newsletter. While I was there, I picked up a hole bunch for the programs so I can start working on them tomorrow when they come in.

I also got a message back from the Etsy seller doing my corsages and I ordered and paid for them tonight. I'm planning on sending out the fabric scraps tomorrow so she can start working on them!

I don't remember if I posted about this, so I'm going to now. I apologize if it's a repeat. A week or so ago, I got an email saying that someone had purchased an item off of our registry! One of my family members ordered two sets of the silverware that we wanted! I'm so excited!

I also received an email today that our rings were shipped! I can't wait to get them in!

Now I'm going to continue working on the pocketfolds since I've put that off for a while.

Crown Jewels

Matt and I have done a lot in the last two hours. We got most of our tax returns in and have put them to good use. (I hate how fast money goes.) So here's what we have done thus far (minus paying bills):

We bought our wedding bands!! We had a $50 gift card from my parents from Christmas that we used and we got free shipping, so our total was only about $135. They are simple white gold bands, both the same style since Matt has small fingers and Kay's men's rings start at 9. We should get them in by mid-next week! Here's a picture:

We also ordered our mothers' gifts! We found jewelry from Limoges that we were able to personalize with birth stones. They are beautiful and I know our moms are going to love them! Here are the sample images from online, I'll post pictures of the actual jewelry once it comes in!

My mom

(the top birthstone is October, both for her and my dad, then January for me, December for my brother, May for one of my sisters, and August for my youngest sister)

Matt's mom

(the first birthstone is January for his dad, then June for his mom, November for Matt, and March for his sister)

Next we contacted the videographer to make sure he was still available so we can send in our deposit! I'm so excited that we'll have a video of the ceremony (we didn't want the reception taped and, frankly, couldn't afford it.) We're sending in the contract and deposit on Monday!

I also ordered the rest of our programs from Vistaprint as well as more envelope seals for the favors, and more thank yous. I also bought another Groupon for Vistaprint because we still need to order the menu inserts for the invitations and more thank yous.

Lastly, I ordered the silver candles for the centerpieces! They were slightly more expensive than the white ones, but the came to $35 total. Here are the two different types that I bought:

Chapel of Love

139 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (62/130 done)

Today Matt and I met with the wedding consultant for the chapel and went over the ceremony basics. We decided on a couple things such as sitting for the ceremony (versus kneeling), who's walking down the aisle and in what order, as well as other small details. We went through a bunch of old programs that Pat had and took a few as inspiration. We finished the programs on Vistaprint once we got home and I'm ordering them right now! Here are what they'll look like:

After we met with Pat, we went to the Priory and met with Father Al, our officiant. We talked for a little while, got his address, gave him the readings we decided on, and talked about our Pre-Cana in February. (Matt registered us for a two-day one on the 10th and 11th. Hopefully it'll be better having it split like that.)

We stopped at Michael's to get more Glue Dots for the pocketfolds as well as more bags for the welcome bags. I also found some really cute ribbon for the invitations since I knew I wouldn't have enough for those as well as the programs. It's white with light blue writing that says "Eat, Drink, & Be Married".

And now Matt and I are off to bed!

Something Blue

143 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (62/130 done)

I got my dress label in the mail today! It's a little bigger than I thought it would be, but it's so simple and cute! I love that it's the perfect something blue, but I'm still wearing my blue underwear that I got at Gap.

I also ordered new black Maryjanes on Monday night and got an email that they shipped today! I've been needing a new pair for a while, my other ones are falling apart and dirty. They're my favorite shoes, though, and they go with everything. I also want them for the bachelorette since we're doing a little black dress dinner. Here's the shoes:

Matt and I also have an appointment with our officiant, Father Al, on Sunday. I'm hoping to finalize the mass (we have the music done and our readings picked, so it's just going over everything with Father Al) so that we can order the ceremony programs. Speaking of Vistaprint, they shipped another one of my orders! I'll see what it is in a couple days!

And one last thing, I bought another Groupon for Vistaprint! I can order almost everything for the wedding without spending a fortune!

Place Stamp Here

144 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (62/130 done)

So obviously I'm taking a break from the pocketfolds, since I've been at 62 for about a week. Part of that was forcing myself to finish the pearls for the bouquets, but I also don't want to start hating the pocketfolds and making them half-assed.

Anyway, I ordered ALL of our envelopes for the invitations today! I had another Groupon deal that I needed to use, so I ordered 200 total. I got free shipping because I went $30 over the $60 of the deal! I'm glad to have this done since we're going to have to send out the invitations in a couple months and I'll be able to address them as I finish them. (After we order the menu cards that are going into the invitations which will be in February.) Here's what the envelopes look like:

I also got an email today that my bridal shower dress has shipped! I'm so excited to get it and try it on! The reviews for it were great, so I'm praying it will look good on me as well as fit well! We'll see in a couple days!

Last night, I was looking at flights to St. Lucia from Boston the week after our wedding for our honeymoon. Matt and I know we want to go to an all-inclusive resort because it's paid for upfront and so no money has to be spent there. We're going with Sandals and were originally looking at their Grande St. Lucian resort. The appeal was that there are two other resorts on the island that you can go to; it's part of their stay at 1, play at 3 deal. However, the flights were ridiculously early leaving on Sunday (we don't want to wait until Monday because it would mean one more day off for me and I don't want to take too much time). So we looked at the other resorts and three in Jamaica have the same stay at 1, play at 3 deal. PLUS, the flights were MUCH better, plus it's a couple hundred cheaper! So we're now planning on going to Montego Bay in Jamaica! I'm so excited, now we just have to book the room and flights!

CL

150 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (62/130 done)
                                 escort card letters (28/28 done)
                                 guestbook envelopes (115/115 done)

I got home to another mni-Christmas! I had three packages waiting for me, two of which were wedding-related.

First, I got the envelopes that we're using for the escort cards and guestbook. (I'm so glad I bought the Tacky Glue the other day!) I have already glued them into the book! I just need to add the labels to the envelopes and it will be completely done!

Second, I got my package from Vistaprint! In it was the I Spy cards, the rest of the RSVP cards (good thing, I just ran out), some more thank yous, and the stamp for the fans. Sadly, I ordered the invitations with a matte cover instead of glossy. They're still nice, but now they're different from the rest. I think that I'm going to use them for the bridal shower, though. I just need to order the fans!

The third package was the new mouse I ordered for our laptop. Just in time, too, because the left button was dying quickly on the old one. (It would stick after I let go of it.)

I'm going to really start making myself work on the bouquets so that I'm not rushing at the last minute. I have quite a bit to do on some of them and I'm so unmotivated.

And here are the pictures of the frames that I finished yesterday!