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!!

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.

Silver Rocks

62 days

220 invited
106 attending
27 declined

I think I'm going to finally spray paint the rocks for the centerpieces today. It's gorgeous out so I can have all the windows open (and let all the bugs in) which means I won't get high off the fumes.

I switched the bubbles and fan baskets last night and it works much better. The bubbles fit perfectly in the smaller basket and the large one holds all the fans.

Matt and I started signing the letters for the out of town bags last night. He got annoyed so we had to stop , though. He drives me crazy sometimes, but I still love him.

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!

Shower Blues

140 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (62/130 done)

Yesterday, I received my bridal shower dress in the mail...and it didn't fit. I'm sending it back today for the next size up which they will hopefully still have in stock!

I also got the black shoes that I ordered Monday from Delia's! They fit and are really cute! I can finally get rid of my old ones that are dirty and falling apart!

On a completely non-wedding related note, we had our apartment de-bugged yesterday. Well, the first round since they have to do two more. Thankfully, the next two times are a lot easier in that you don't have to do anything with clothes which was the biggest pain in the ass this time.

Sunday, Matt and I are meeting with our officiant, which I already mentioned. However, we are also going to meet with the wedding consultant for the chapel. We're also going to stop at the school's bookstore to see what they have that we can get for the welcome bags.

Today, though, I'm going to put away some clothes and relax until my Lia Sophia party tonight!

Penguin Suits

154 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (51/130 done)

Matt and I were busy wedding bees today! We had two different wedding appointments that we went to.

First we went to the chapel to meet with the musical coordinator (who's also the organist) and the vocalist. We decided on the hymns, psalms, and music that would be played during the ceremony. We were also able to get a violinist (although he wasn't there) which I've always wanted! The vocalist has an amazing voice and Sherry, the organist, was great as well! Matt and I are really happy with them and excited to have one more thing checked off our to-do list!

Later we went to Joseph A. Bank to register our wedding and pick out the tuxes that the guys will be wearing for the wedding. We had already built a tux online, so it was just making sure they had all the pieces and registering the wedding and the guys. Now we'll just be sending out an email for them to get measured (at any Joseph A. Bank store) by May! Here are the tuxes that we'll be getting:

Matt

Nick T

Ryan

Nick C

Lars

Rich

Devon

Cole

ushers

my dad (Paul)

Matt's dad (Mark)

Friday the 13th

155 days

Currently working on: pocketfolds (51/130 done)

I'm really excited for tomorrow! Matt and I are going to meet with the ceremony musicians at 2 at the chapel. We'll pick out the hymns and such and I will hopefully be able to get them to play something other than Here Comes the Bride for my entrance. I LOATHE that song and would like either Pachebel's Canon to continue or use Winter from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Then, at 5, we're going to Joseph A. Bank to start looking for tuxes for the guys. Matt knows basically what he wants, but it'll be fun to see him try them on. We invited some of the groomsmen and ushers and to come as well.

I also received the blacklight pens that I ordered a while ago! I actually got them in a couple days ago, but forgot to post. I tried them out and they work really well! You can't see it on the RSVP card unless you use the little black light attached to the pen! It's such a great, simple way to keep track of the RSVPs!

I'll be sure to post pictures of the tux session tomorrow!

Jack-in-the-Box

174 days

I was talking to Matt last night before bed and he was telling me that his parents got us the knife set that we had wanted and was on our registry!

My parents had us open the gifts that got both of us yesterday, as well. They got us the toasting flutes from Mikasa that we want for the ceremony! They also got us a $50 gift card for Kay Jewelers to help us buy our wedding rings!

Mikasa flutes

Tomorrow we're opening gifts with my grandparents and aunts because my Aunt Alicia was at her in-laws for Christmas this year!

Music to Our Ears

184 days

I got a voicemail on Tuesday from the head of the liturgical music for the college and chapel. She asked for my email so that we could communicate easier and set up a music consultation. So I called her back, gave her my email, and today she sent me a message. She asked if January 14 was okay to hear the vocalist and organist and also whether we wanted other instrumentalists. (The vocalist and organist are required, but they have other instruments available for an additional fee.) I asked about a violinist because I have always pictured our wedding with one. (To be honest, I don't like organs, but since it's required I have no choice.) We are going to see them on the 14th of next month and discuss weddings songs and such. I'm really excited!

I also sent in one of the three checks we need for the chapel today! We're one step closer to this wedding!

And Another

I got yet another package today that was for the wedding! I had ordered the bubbles that we're going to use after the ceremony and Olivia's (my little sister and flower girl) pomander. They're all great and I'm so excited to have yet another crossed off my list!

See my post from September 16 for pictures!

My Bubbles!

Just ordered the bubbles that we're going to use for the ceremony! The pictures of the different colors are below! I also ordered the pomander for my flower girl, all of which came from Oriental Trading. I'm so excited!

It's Never Too Late

Apparently I have decided to really venture into blogging.

My fiance, Matt, and I got engaged in March of this year and we have already started planning the wedding. I think I'm driving most everyone around me (especially Matt) nuts with the planning details. So to get them out, I'll post to the entire world. Not only that, but I'm hoping that I can help future brides with their planning. (I've been contemplating becoming a wedding planner...after my wedding.)

Here's a rundown of the wedding so far:

• We picked our ceremony and reception venues (not the same place): St. Dominic Chapel at Providence College for the ceremony and the Providence Biltmore for the reception. As to picking a college's chapel: Matt graduated from PC in 2009 and he absolutely loves the school. He was their mascot (the Friar) for two years and has held basketball season tickets for since he was a freshman. We live in Rhode Island now and plan on staying here and I wanted to include some aspect of PC in the wedding. (I refused to let the Friar attend the wedding.) In addition, we don't belong to a church here and we want a Catholic ceremony. Thus, we agreed on St. Dominic Chapel. As for the Biltmore, we spent our first anniversary there and I absolutely love the hotel. It's a vintage, 1920s hotel with a penthouse level ballroom that has exquisite views of the city. It was a given...and love at first sight.
• We decided on wedding colors, well I decided on them and Matt agreed. We are doing mainly black and white with rainbow accents. Sound tacky? It's not, I promise. The bridesmaids will wear black dresses and each will have an accent color (my maid of honor with have red, the next bridesmaid will have orange, etc. down to my flower girl in pink) and the groomsmen will wear corresponding vests and ties. However, most of the decor will be black and white.
• We have recruited our wedding party! Here's the final roll call:
• Maid of Honor: Juliana, my friend and roommate from college
• Bridesmaids:
• Jess, a former coworker and close friend
• Cristina, another friend and roommate from college
• Margaret, a friend from high school
• Junior Bridesmaids:
• Nicole, Matt's 15-year-old sister
• Hannah, my 10-year-old sister
• Flower Girl: Olivia, my 5-year-old sister
• Best Man: Nick T, Matt's friend and roommate from college
• Groomsmen:
• Ryan, another of Matt's friends from college
• Nick C, a mutual friend that I went to college with
• Lars, a mutual friend that I went to high school with
• Rich, another mutual friend that I went to college with
• Junior Groomsman: Devon, my soon-to-be 13-year-old brother
• Ring Bearer: Cole, my 5-year-old cousin
• We have sent out our save-the-dates! We are doing all of our stationary through Vistaprint. They are AMAZING, especially for those brides (like myself) not willing to spend thousands of dollars on invitations and the like.
• We have found our photographer, dj, and officiant (the college doesn't provide one)!
• Jess Warzoha, a friend from college, is doing our photography! She does a great job and has already had some great offers (including shooting Drake's CD release)! I'm so excited to work with her, starting next Saturday with our engagement photos!
• We're using Living Reel Productions for our music at the wedding! Eric is very professional, cooperative, and helpful! He's already done a great job and, an added bonus, doesn't cost an arm and a leg!
• Our officiant is one of Matt's former professors from PC (they're a Catholic school), Father Albino Barrera. We've had an initial meeting with him and I really like him! He's easy to listen to so our guests won't fall asleep, hopefully!
• My parents have planned an engagement party for Matt and I next Saturday at their house! Most of the wedding party will be attending as well as close friends and family from both sides. Of course all of these people are also invited to the wedding, so no hard feelings yet!
• Our guest list has been started and agreed upon! A HUGE part of the planning, and a huge headache for many couples, we got an early start. We started by listing our family and friends that we both wanted, then asked our parents for additional guests. Luckily, our parents are all easy-going so it wasn't very dramatic or painful.

I think that's all that has been done so far that's finalized. I will update my completed list as the months race by!

I am so excited about marrying Matt! I'm just hoping I don't drive everyone around me crazy with the details.

Some pictures!

St. Dominic Chapel

The Providence Biltmore

Our save-the-dates (with our last names blacked out)