Today I Do

Today I marry my best friend, Matthew Michael Denver, and we begin our lives together! At 2:00 pm I will walk down the aisle and will become Mrs. Denver from here on.

Thanks to everyone that helped and got us this far!

And to my wonderful husband, I love you more today than ever before and that love will always grow.

Love,
Ashley

Thursday

2 days

I have been on my feet today since 6 30 this morning! I worked from 7 to 3 30 today and then went immediately to pick up Cris from the bus station. We came back to the apartment and packed up most of the boxes for the reception. Cris, Jess, and I went to the Biltmore and delivered the boxes. We then went to pick up my dress, which I tried on again and it fits perfectly! After that we went to get pedicures, but had to schedule them for tomorrow before our manicures. Then we went to Walmart and got the rest of the supplies for the escort cards, out of town bags, and honeymoon. We picked up Matt and went to dinner at Newport Creamery and we JUST got back.

However, I am SO excited for the next two days...and the honeymoon!!

Sunday

6 days

I am close to being done packing for the honeymoon. I have to pack my shower stuff, but that has to wait until the end of the week. I also want a couple pairs of undies that are in the wash which I'll be doing later today.

I changed my dress for the rehearsal dinner last night. I haven't worn the black and white rose print one from 344 yet, so I'm going to wear that instead of the American Eagle one. I want to wear the black pumps that I got from Alloy and they wouldn't really go with the other dress.

I packed part of my overnight bag for Friday and Saturday night as well, however, I need to put in pajamas. Apparently that's my favorite thing to forget lately...like at my bachelorette.

I also relabeled the centerpieces yesterday and took out the extras that we'll no longer need. I'm going to sell most of the extra stuff (or try to) since I don't need 20 centerpieces lying around the house.

AND I addressed the wedding announcements yesterday. Now I just need to buy more stamps for them!

One Week

7 days

After much trouble and miscommunication, I have been waxed! I didn't end up doing my underarms, but I got a brazilian and the bottom of my legs. It was definitely an experience, one that I will not be repeating on my legs. The brazilian, however, might have to been done once in a while.

I'm going to really start packing for the honeymoon today. I need to get almost everything since the end of the week may be a little crazy. I'll probably start packing Matt's suitcase as well, since I know he's working until Thursday.

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!

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.

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!

Altered State

47 days

222 invited
127 attending
34 declined

RSVPs today:
-my proxy godfather, Joel, and his wife, Stephanie
-my high school friend, Missy
-my college friend, Adri, and her boyfriend, Neal
I ordered a pretty (and sexy) satin nightie for the wedding night/honeymoon from Frederick's of Hollywood last night! Here's a picture, only I ordered it in black:

I had my alterations appointment tonight! Shannon went with me to take pictures as well as have her dress altered. Mine will be about $290, including a steaming to make the tulle look better. It's about half of what I would have paid at Alfred Angelo. Here's a great picture of the two of us:

 Someone bought our panini press off our registry today! I'm wicked excited because that was one of our favorite items!!

Clothes Horse

48 days

222 invited
122 attending
34 declined

I updated our scrapbook with the hair trial and cake tasting pictures. I also updated our regular one with pictures from my former coworkers' party and Devon's Junior Districts concert.

Matt and I are going to (attempt to) start packing for the move. We want to clean a little, as well, but after the big breakfast we had it's looking a little difficult.

Tomorrow night I have my alterations! Shannon and I will be going to Ana's Bridal at 6 30 and I get to put my dress on again! I'll definitely have Shannon take pictures to post here and for my scrapbook as well.

Matt and I went to the mall yesterday and I bought a skirt for the honeymoon from American Eagle. It was $19.99 with an additional 30% plus we had another coupon for 15% off! Of course, I went to get a picture of it to put here and found another dress on their website that was on sale with the 30% off, so I bought it. Here are the pictures:

I'm so excited!! I also found a new body spray since Bath and Body Works discontinued my favorite one. I have the hand lotion and love it, so I bought Twilight Woods to wear on the wedding day (and whenever else). It's glitter spray, so I'll be sparkly for the wedding!!

Over the Moon

49 days

I called L.L.Bean this morning and they're sending us another package through the USPS! They said that if we get the other missing one to let them know, I said I'd send it back to them since we don't need two. At least we'll get it this time!!

Matt and I are going to do a little cleaning, shower, and start packing before our meeting with Father Al.

I worked on the scrapbooks this morning! I've been slacking a little bit. I'm going to have the hair trial pictures printed so that I can add them in.

Last, but definitely not least, we paid for the honeymoon!! The money went through and we called this morning to pay off the balance! We're officially ready for the honeymoon: the plane, the resort, and the hotel are all taken care of!

Day Three

52 days

222 invited
118 attending
33 declined

Third day in a row with no RSVPs. It makes me so sad when I open the mailbox and there are none.

I ordered Matt's gift today! It was only $22.95 and shipping was free! It should be here in 5 or less business days! I'm going to give it to him before the wedding, since it's for the honeymoon, so he can actually use it!

I don't know if I mentioned it the other day, but someone bought our camera for us off our registry! It's one of the few gifts I'm going to search for after the wedding so we can use it on the honeymoon! Here's a picture:

I'm super excited about my alterations on Monday! I can't wait to put my dress on again!

I also finished spray painting the rocks last night! They came out great!

Drying Up

222 invited
118 attending
33 declined

AGAIN, no RSVPs. Seriously depressing.

I FINALLY started spray painting the rocks last night. They look perfect, so long as the paint won't wash off of them. I'll have to test that before putting them in the actual centerpieces...

I ordered a new bathing suit today for the honeymoon from Delia's. They sent me a coupon for 20% off, and I just HAD to use it. It's plain black, but super cute and will look good on me:

Moon Money

55 days

222 invited
118 attending
33 declined

Matt got the money for the honeymoon yesterday and we deopsited it today! Once it clears (it was a $3000 check) we'll pay for the rest of the honeymoon! I'm so excited!

I called Ana Bridal the other day about my alterations next Monday (the 30th). I need to find out how much they're going to cost because they only accept cash. However, I was able to schedule Shannon's with me! I'm really excited to put my dress on again and I'll definitely have Shannon take some pictures for me!

Just One More

65 days

225 invited
99 attending
22 declined

One RSVP today from Matt's college friend, Tommy, and he's declined. He lives in Chicago and won't be able to make the trip. I'm seriously thinking it's because I want to break 100 guests. Come on, just one yes tomorrow!!

Matt's linen pants came in today! They're really nice and fit him perfectly! They'll be perfect for the honeymoon!!

After trying to stamp a fan last night, I realized it wasn't going to happen and so I stopped. Oh well.

Mom texted me today to say that my dad found a name tag of his from the Marines. She's sending it to me so I can sew it in my dress as my something borrowed! I love that I'll have my maiden name sewn into my dress!! Now I have to remind Gram to bring the necklace for my something old.

Last, I want to wish Matt good luck tomorrow at his interview! He's going in for an interview for a higher position with Verizon! Good luck baby! I love you!

Fan Favors

66 days

225 invited
99 attending
21 declined

No RSVPs today...again! I bet it's because I'm really excited to break 100 guests. Or the mailman hates me.

I finally got the pins in today for the boutonnieres so I'm going to hot glue them on in a couple minutes. Simple pinning on the wedding day!

The red fans came in today! They're awesome! I just have to stamp them now.

AND I got my Sweet Potato Queens book (I LOVE them!!) for the honeymoon! I'm going to have to pack it so I don't start reading it now!

Last, I also made a photobook the other day of shower pictures! I'm going to buy it with my LivingSocial deal this weekend after we get paid!

Spice It Up

74 days

225 invited
90 attending
15 declined

Only one RSVP today from Matt's college friend and former Friar mascot for the hockey team, CJ, and his girlfriend, Andrea.

We got our spice rack from my great aunt Barb today! We filled all the jars and put it on a shelf for now. I seriously cannot wait to move so we have room for everything. Speaking of which, Matt called Navigant today and is meeting with the realtor and housing assistance on Friday to see about a mortgage for the condo. Let's hope that we get good news!!

Here's a picture of the spice rack:

I renewed my passport today! It only took about 15 minutes, but cost me a total of $150. However, I'll be all set to go to Jamaica for our honeymoon!

March Showers

84 days

218 invited
62 attending
14 declined

Today was my shower and the bridal party brunch! It was SO much fun!! My bridesmaids had a great time at the brunch. My dad made crepes, which are my favorite, and we had mimosas. It was the girls and the hosts of my shower: my mom, gram, and two aunts, and we sat around eating and chatting. A couple hours later the shower began. We ate some more and played a couple games. My Aunt Dee made an ice breaking game out of two truths and a lie. Whoever got the most correct won a prize: a set of 6 wine glasses that went to....Nicole! We also played the "Nearlywed Game". I had to answer questions that Matt had already answered and got points for the ones that were right. Whoever guessed what score I ended up with won another prize: a Panera gift card that went to Shannon! Everyone ate dessert while I opened gifts. Matt and I got GREAT stuff, including 3 of the same serving tray set. (Good thing we got gift receipts with them.) Now Matt and I just have to find room for everything as well as go through our current stuff and get rid of some stuff. (And maybe move into a bigger place soon...)

RSVPs from yesterday and today:
-my cousin, Kevin, and his girlfriend, Kristen
-my former coworker, Michelle, and her boyfriend, Adam
-my friends from college and brothers, Andre & Calvin

A couple of packages yesterday:
1. Another dress I ordered for the honeymoon from Charlotte Russe.

2. Our readers' cufflinks

3. The corsage we ordered for the anniversary dance.
4. A shower gift from my friend Diana! She got us one of our new couch pillows and a set of shot glasses that I wanted!

To see all the pictures and gifts from the shower, click here!

Buy, Buy, Buy!

91 days

216 invited
42 attending
12 declined

RSVPs (from yesterday): only one and it was a decline from Matt's uncle and aunt from Kentucky. They are going to be out of the country on June 16!

I ordered several things from Oriental Trading last night, totaling $73 (with free shipping). I got the small black gift bags for the groomsmen's gifts, the totes for the kids' bags, sunglasses for the wedding party (for photos), the cellophane cookie bags for the out of town bags, and, most importantly, the boxes for the M&M favors! It was one of the larger purchases I had to make, so I'm glad it's out of the way.

I also ordered another dress from Charlotte Russe for the honeymoon. I HAD to have it since it's ORANGE! Here's a picture:

I'm also ordering little place card holders for the I Spy cards for the wedding. They're from Crate and Barrel and they went on sale! Perfect!

I finally found some argyle socks for Cole! I had bought all the groomsmen a pair in their color from Express and he's too small for theirs. I ended up finding a pair from Brooks Brothers (didn't know they even had a kids section) for $12. They've got just a little pink, so they aren't too much either.

AND I'm ordering the cufflinks for the two readers, Greg and CJ. I found a nice pair on Amazon that are very versatile. Here's a picture:

And I'm ordering the new cufflinks for Matt that I found a couple posts ago!