Karlee & Erik ~ May 9th, 2009

[karkar]

I've read through some of the journals on here and it looks like a good way to get organized (even though all my friends say I already am, I just feel overwhelmed), so I decided to start my own...

Now before you say anything I'm going to warn you that to some this may seem a bit crazy and or too fast, but when you meet that person you're meant to spend your life with you just know. Erik and I have only been dating a little shy of 3 months and we pretty much knew from the first time we met that we were meant to spend our lives together. He is the most amazing person I've ever met and I feel like the luckiest girl in the entire world to get to marry this amazing man. We met on a website called plentyoffish.com, I sent him a message telling him how cute I thought he was and to my surprise he wrote back basically telling me his life story haha. We spent the next few days sending messages back and forth getting to know each other and then we picked a day to meet. We had the best time on our first date and spent hours and hours talking... Basically from then on we've been inseparable.

Erik has a 4 year old daughter named Tehani who is absoulutly wonderful and her and I get a long very well. She is very excited for me to be her step mommy and I cannot wait till we are one family.

Now the proposal... Well, it wasnt anything too romantic. One night after Erik came after work he told me that we were going to look at rings the next morning, so we went and he told me to pick out anything that I wanted. He did then ask me to marry him and of course I said yes!

For right now I live about 60 miles from Erik, but plan on moving down to Tacoma by the end of the year when we buy a house together. We've only been engaged for about 3 weeks, but I've accomplished a lot so far...

Date - May 9th, 2009
Venue (Ceremony & Reception) - Tacoma's Landmark Convention Center
Guest List - Done
Dress - Went dress shopping on Saturday and found the "one"! I purchased it this morning!
Bridal Party - Done
Colors - Black and Pink
Officiant - We have an appt on July 3rd
Photographer - We have 3 appts with different photographers
Cake - We are having a cupcake wedding cake and we have an appt to taste cupcakes on July 26th
Catering - Provided by the venue & we picked the meals
DJ - Done
Florist - We have an appt this Saturday, June 28th
Favors - Were going to have fortune cookies dipped in chocolate with pink sprinkles. Were also thinking about donating money to the breast cancer foundation for each person attending as FH mother has breast cancer
Save the dates & Invitations - Have been picked out and will be ordered soon
Centerpieces - I would like to do floating black and pink candles possibly with pink gerber daisys floating in the bowl
Linens - Were going to be using the white linens provided, but renting black and pink napkins too offset the white
Ceremony Decorations - I found white metal stands to line the aisle with and have a hanging balls of flowers hanging from each one and tulle draping to connect each stand
Honeymoon - Were going on a cruise and we'll be booking that this weekend after we put the deposit on the venue
Passports - Pics have been taken and we have an appt with the post office to fill out paperwork on July 26th

This is about as far as I've gotten and I'm still overwhelmed! I will definitely post pics of my ring when I get home... This is all for now!

[karkar]

Heres a pic of my ring:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/100_0113.jpg

Heres Erik and I:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/100_0099.jpg

[Ninedays9]

I think your friends are right about you being organized. The plans look good so far. And the ring is very pretty!

[Nekochanpurr]

What a pretty ring!!

[Britters_37]

Wow...you have so much done!!! I'm so happy for you and your future husband. I can't wait to see pictures of your ideas. Your ring is beautiful and you make a very cute couple!! Happy Wedding Planning!!!!

[karkar]

Awe thanks!!! Erik and I are going to view our venue this weekend and I will definitely be posted pics :)

[karkar]

I posted a few pics of some things that I was thinking for my wedding...

1st pic - Is a pic of the bowls that I want to use as centerpieces with black and pink floating candles and possibly some dark pink gerber daisy's in there too.

2nd pic - Is a pic of the favors we want to get, but the fortune cookie would be regular dipped in chocolate with pink sprinkles.

3rd pic - Is similar as to how I want the Aisle, but I want kissing balls hanging from each hook.

4th pic - I want to scatter these gems around the centerpieces on the table.

I also found some organza overlay for the tables at the reception for really cheap! I think I'm going to get them in black and then were ordering the napkins in pink.

This is the cupcake company were going to have our cupcakes made through (http://http://cupcakeroyale.com/weddings&celebrations.html)

Ok, I think thats all for now!

[Britters_37]

I posted a few pics of some things that I was thinking for my wedding...

1st pic - Is a pic of the bowls that I want to use as centerpieces with black and pink floating candles and possibly some dark pink gerber daisy's in there too.

2nd pic - Is a pic of the favors we want to get, but the fortune cookie would be regular dipped in chocolate with pink sprinkles.

3rd pic - Is similar as to how I want the Aisle, but I want kissing balls hanging from each hook.

4th pic - I want to scatter these gems around the centerpieces on the table.

I also found some organza overlay for the tables at the reception for really cheap! I think I'm going to get them in black and then were ordering the napkins in pink.

This is the cupcake company were going to have our cupcakes made through (http://http://cupcakeroyale.com/weddings&celebrations.html)

Ok, I think thats all for now!


Very Nice...I'm thinking of doing my color in Pink and Green. Those gems are a great idea? Where did you find them if you don't mind me asking?

[karkar]

Very Nice...I'm thinking of doing my color in Pink and Green. Those gems are a great idea? Where did you find them if you don't mind me asking?

Heres the link to the website: They are really cheap too!! :D

http://www.efavormart.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=Acrylic+Ice&btnSearch=GO&Page=1

[Britters_37]

Heres the link to the website: They are really cheap too!! :D

http://www.efavormart.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=Acrylic+Ice&btnSearch=GO&Page=1


THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[karkar]

Well, Erik and I booked and payed for our venue over the weekend and we also booked our photographer. I'm really excited and the venue was so much better in person than it was online. It fits very well with our "gothic" theme.

Here are some pictures of the venue...

The first 2 our inside the ballroom where our reception will be held

The 3rd one is (if it doesnt rain) where we will hold our ceremony, it is on the roof over looking the water and mountains.

The 4th pic is our "insurance" we rented this room which is also beautiful in case it rains, so we have back up plans.

[Nekochanpurr]

Oh, pretty!! :D Nice venue!

[Ninedays9]

That is a very pretty venue! I like the idea of a rooftop ceremony.

[karkar]

So, here is a pic of the STD that I ordered today! I'm so excited and I cant wait to get them.

Here is what I wrote...

It's written in the stars
that they were meant to be...
So write it on your calendar
there's going to be a party!
Save the date for
May 9, 2009
for the marriage of
Karlee ****
and
Erik ****
Invitation and details to follow

[karkar]

I made our wedding website over the weekend

www.mywedding.com/karleeanderik (http://www.mywedding.com/karleeanderik)

We paid for and booked our officiant on Thursday as well.

[Goin2thechapel]

Sounds like you're on a role!!! Welcome to Onewed by the way....I'm kinda slow ;)

[karkar]

Sounds like you're on a role!!! Welcome to Onewed by the way....I'm kinda slow ;)

Thanks! :)

[karkar]

We got our save the dates in the mail on Thursday and they turned out great!! I'll have to post a pic when I get home and find the cords (I moved over the weekend).

[derricksdoll]

Yay I'm so excited to read all the details!!! I love the ring and the venue!!! Loves it!!

[karkar]

Its been awhile since I posted anything in here, but I've got a lot done...

We received the save the dates and I have all, but 7 or 8 addressed (waiting on FMIL to give us the addresses) and hopefully they will be out in the next week or two.

We applied for and received our passports!!

We booked a local florist who does weddings for fun and is basically charging us for the cost of flowers. I lucked out when I found her website.

We paid for the first half of our photographer.

I ordered 250 really cool cocktail napkins in our wedding colors that are printed with our names and wedding date on Ebay for $45.

We booked and paid for our officiant.

I'm working on ordering our decorations for the ceremony and reception.

I'm trying to do all this as well as FH and I are in the process of buying a house that will hopefully be built by our wedding *fingers crossed* so you can imagine how stressed out I am.

[karkar]

WOW it has been awhile since I posted on here, but I pretty much have everything done HAHA...

Here is the invited I've picked and will be ordering once were in our new house in a couple of weeks.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/Invites.jpg


We bought Erik's wedding band, its perfect for him and fits his personality.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/485292ce18e40_4754n.jpg

We also had some pics taken so use at our wedding, here are a few:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/Untitled3-1.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/IMG_0590.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/IMG_0454.jpg

[karkar]

For the flowers were going to use different shades of dark pink and gerber daisys in regular and mini.

As far as the center pieces I'm using 10" floating candle bowls with black gems in the bottom with pink floating candles.

Were going to use the white linen table cloths with black organza overlays and pink linen napkins. Our tables should look cute :)

I picked up my dress a few weeks ago that I ordered back in August and it is beautiful!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/s07_9t9218.jpg

My mom bought these shoes for me and I love them!

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/_5734031.jpg

I also had my garter special made in my wedding colors (black and pink) with skulls on it. My fiance is going to love it when he sees it!

I'm sure I have a lot more that I could post in here, but I'm getting sleepy, so I will post later...

[Kay]

You're wedding is going to be very beautiful and WOW you ARE organized! Excellent!

[EarlyBird]

wow !!!! this is the first time im seeing this and i have to sAY, I looove everything..

did you get your organza overlays yet? Im looking for to order those too. i ordered the satin runners from there but thinking we want something different :)

[karkar]

wow !!!! this is the first time im seeing this and i have to sAY, I looove everything..

did you get your organza overlays yet? Im looking for to order those too. i ordered the satin runners from there but thinking we want something different :)

Yeah, I ordered them from efavormart and I received them awhile back, but to be honest I havent even taken them out of the plastic wrap yet. Were in the middle of moving into our new house, so I will definitely take them out when we move in the next couple of weeks.

We have an extra room in our house that will be used for when we have kids, but for now its going to be my wedding room hehehe :bbredface:

[karkar]

So, I was able to order the invites and now I'm waiting to hear on when they'll be shipped and once they are here I've found a very inexpensive calligrapher in our area who will be doing our invites, I'm so excited!!

This past Monday my future daughter and I went out and had a mommy/daughter day and I let her pick out her flower girl dress and shoes:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/s09_fg8580.jpg

Here are her shoes:

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c76/marksbunny/s08_carly_psd.jpg

I ordered some satin favor bags with our names and wedding date printed on them with 2 hearts for our fortune cookies to go in. They were about $35 for 100 of them, some more organza over lays that I forgot to order or actually I forgot to include the cake table, guest book table, and gift table, I also ordered some more black marble rocks to go on the bottom of our center pieces, and last but not least I ordered some letters that spell "I DO" that I plan on painting and putting crystals on and either putting them on one of the tables (gift, guest book or cupcake), I just havent figured out which one yet.

Now that I'm down to 4 months and 10 days, I think I'm starting to go nuts and go into bridezilla mode which I never thought would happen and I'm really starting to wish I had some xanax right about now. I'm feeling so stressed and over whelmed it isnt even funny, but yet when everyone else looks at me I've already completed pretty much everything... :bbredface:

Oh, and my sister bought me these beautiful toasting flutes that have stars on them ( I LOVE STARS) for Christmas and I plan on using them at my wedding, so she knocked one thing off my list (Thank gosh)

[karkar]

Here is my checklist I have going and what I've got left to do:

Wedding Check List

Decide on Date - May 9th, 2009 (CHECK)
Ask Attendants:
Brides: Angelina, Marlo, Ciara, Raven, Bridget (CHECK)
Grooms: Sasha, Drew, Tito, Kurt, Jacob (CHECK)
Flower Girl: Tehani (CHECK)
Ring bearer: Darrian (CHECK)
Book Ceremony and Reception Site (CHECK)
Decide on Themes & Colors: Gothic theme - Black & Pink (CHECK)
Photographer (CHECK)
DJ (CHECK)
Officiant (CHECK)
Dinner - Sit Down: Picked
*Chicken -
*Salmon - (CHECK)
Cupcakes (CHECK)
Make Cupcake Stand (CHECK)
Card Box (CHECK)
Dress (Bride) (CHECK)
Shoes (CHECK)
Veil (CHECK)
Tiara (CHECK)
Jewelry
Find hair dresser ()
*Hair trial -
makeup artist (Bridget) (CHECK)
*Makeup trial -
Dress Fitting 1 -
Dress Fitting 2 -
Bridesmaid Dresses -
Tehani’s Dress & Shoes (CHECK)
Mother of the bride dress (CHECK)
Tuxedo (Groom & Groomsmen)
Ring Bearer Tux
Flowers/Florist (CHECK)
Favors - Fortune Cookies - Picked (CHECK) - Ordered
*Satin bags with names and dates printed on them for favors - (CHECK)
“I DO” letters for cupcake table (CHECK)
*Painted and decorated -
Toasting Flutes (CHECK)
Cake Knife and Server
Ring Bearer Pillow (CHECK)
Flower Girl Basket (CHECK)
Guest book (CHECK)
Save the dates (CHECK)
Invitations (CHECK)
Calligrapher picked (CHECK)
Centerpieces - Floating candles, bowls, and black gems, flower petals (CHECK)
Aisle decorations - Black Tulle, black stands, and pink pew bows (CHECK)
Napkins - Linen and cocktail (CHECK)
Bridesmaids gifts (CHECK)
Ring barer gift
Flower Girl gift
Groomsmen gifts
Ceremony Music (CHECK)
Book Honeymoon (CHECK)
Find and book Rehearsal dinner location
Get passports (CHECK)
Find someone to take care of Rocky (CHECK)
Chair covers w/sashes (CHECK)
Wedding bands (CHECK)
Registry’s:
*Bed, bath, & Beyond (CHECK)
*Macy’s
Programs
Make hotel reservations
*Night before
*Wedding night

[karkar]

I got my invites in the mail and as soon as I took one look at them I started to cry... Its really starting to hit me that I'm getting married and the invites looked so beautiful. They were definitely tears of happiness! I cant believe I'm down to about 3 1/2 months and yet I still feel like I have so much to do. I feel like I'll never get all my girls (bridesmaids and MOH) to order their dresses without any drama, I guess maybe I shouldve put my foot down and picked out the dress they were going to wear, but me wanting to please everyone I said "pick any dress you want just as long as its in this color". I thought that would make things easier, but in the end its made it worse :ooh: It doesnt make any sense to me...

I'm feeling really overwhelmed like no one is here to help me... Kinda like I'm on my own planning this wedding, putting the invites together, and doing all the little things I thought my bridal party was supposed to be there for? The closer it gets the more I start thinking "maybe we shouldve gotten married in Vegas", but deep down I know thats not what I wouldve really wanted. I'm just hoping that all this hardwork, blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it in the end when I walk down the aisle and see my handsome future husband.

[snu]

Hi Karlee! I just happened to stumble upon your journal...

My FH and I also met on POF. :)

I love all of your plans so far!

[FutureKelley]

Wow, the invitations are beautiful and everything is looking great!

[karkar]

Here's an updated check list of all I've done and got left to do...

Decide on Date - May 9th, 2009 (CHECK)
Ask Attendants:
Brides: Angelina, Marlo, Ciara, Raven (CHECK)
Grooms: Sasha, Drew, Tito, Kurt, Jacob (CHECK)
Flower Girl: Tehani (CHECK)
Ring bearer: Darrian (CHECK)
Book Ceremony and Reception Site (CHECK)
Decide on Themes & Colors: Gothic theme - Black & Pink (CHECK)
Photographer (CHECK)
DJ (CHECK)
Officiant (CHECK)
Florist (CHECK)
Dinner - Sit Down: Picked
*Chicken - (CHECK)
*Salmon - (CHECK)
Cupcakes (CHECK)
Make Cupcake Stand (CHECK)
Card Box (CHECK)
Dress (Bride) (CHECK)
Shoes (CHECK)
Veil (CHECK)
Tiara (CHECK)
Jewelry
Find hair dresser (CHECK)
*Hair trial -
Makeup artist (CHECK)
*Makeup trial -
Dress Fitting 1 - 2/28/09
Dress Fitting 2 -
Bridesmaid Dresses - (CHECK)Tehani’s Dress & Shoes (CHECK)
Mother of the bride dress (CHECK)
Tuxedo (Groom & Groomsmen) (CHECK)
Ring Bearer Tux (CHECK)
Flowers/Florist (CHECK)
Favors - Fortune Cookies - Picked (CHECK) - Ordered
*Satin bags with names and dates printed on them for favors - (CHECK)
“I DO” letters for cupcake table (CHECK)
*Painted and decorated - (CHECK)
Toasting Flutes (CHECK)
Cake Knife and Server
Ring Bearer Pillow (CHECK)
Flower Girl Basket (CHECK)
Guest book (CHECK)
Save the dates (CHECK)Invitations (CHECK)
Calligrapher picked (CHECK)
Centerpieces - Floating candles, bowls, and black gems, flower petals (CHECK)
Sweetheart Table centerpiece -
Aisle decorations - Black stands with black and pink pew bows (CHECK)
Napkins - Linen and cocktail (CHECK)
Bridesmaids gifts (CHECK)
Ring bearer gift
Flower Girl gift
Groomsmen gifts (CHECK)
Ceremony Music (CHECK)
Book Honeymoon (CHECK)
Find and book Rehearsal dinner location (CHECK)
Get passports (CHECK)
Find someone to take care of Rocky (CHECK)
Chair covers w/sashes (CHECK)
Wedding bands (CHECK)
Registry’s:
*Bed, bath, & Beyond (CHECK)
Programs - Decided not to do
Make hotel reservations
*Night before - Decided to kick the Groom out and stay at our house
*Wedding night (CHECK)
Dance Lessons for first dance (CHECK)I cant believe I'm going to be a wife in 2 1/2 months! Its crazy to go from a year away to almost here. I'm soooo excited, but still feel like I have so much to do with so little time and you would think that not working till after the wedding would allow so much time to get all this done, but I really dont feel like it does.

Since the invites went out I definitely feel a lot better and as they start to come in I see myself getting really excited.

[Mrs.Goff]

I just read your journal. I love your ring. Everything looks and sounds great. I can't wait to see it all come to life in pictures.

[f77g4]

Everything sounds great!