*Tara & Miguel* *05.30.09*

[Docsgirl]

Hi everyone! I'm just now starting to plan for our wedding at the end of May and figured I should start a wedding journal for us!

The basics:

We're both 22. We've known each other and have been best friends since the 4th grade! We went to school together throughout Freshman year, the first time we dated was in 8th grade. Haha. That was a short lived relationship though. I freaked out when he tried to kiss me (prude!) and we broke up right before he went to Peru for the summer. We just went back to being best friends after that, even when he changed schools.

We'd both tell each other everything about our relationships with whatever bf/gf we were with at the time. Always trying to one up each other with details and make the other person jealous. We both were in love with each other and didn't want to admit it. And with him being based on the east coast and me being back home in Wisconsin, it just didn't ever seem doable. He'd always make trips back home on leave and come visit me. We'd have sushi dates and go shopping in gnarly vintage stores together. He actually told me the other day that the first time he knew he loved me was when we went out to sushi together for the first time...I had a boyfriend at the time and he was just home for a few days for Thanksgiving.

When he deployed for the first time, he had a girlfriend. I wrote a letter to him and that's the first time that I ever told him that I loved him. I had to. I kept thinking "What if something happens and I never get the chance to tell him?". I had told him previously, but it was always while intoxicated, so he always chalked it up to nothing. I didn't tell him that I was madly in love with him and wanted him to break up with his gf, I actually told him that I was happy for him and that she seemed like a sweet girl. I'm pretty sure the I love you line was something along the lines of "I don't know if I've ever told you this sober before, but I love you. You're one of my best friends and I don't know what I'd ever do without you."

After he got back from deployment, he broke up with his gf. He had a month of leave time and he made plans to come visit me. The first night he was home, we went out dancing and drinking with a few friends. After about 2 hours or so of dancing and just having a good time, he kissed me. Holy moly! I forgot how to breathe! And what does he say? "I've been waiting 8 years for that kiss". Full force whirlwind romance follows......

He only stayed for a few days, but was staying at my place while he was back. He had made plans to drive across country to see old friends and surf in Cali and I was devastated when he left. I even cried before he left. He asked me why I was crying and I told him it was because he was leaving. I didn't know when I'd see him again and chalked it up to it being the happiest 4 days of my life and then that would be it. He'd go back to North Carolina and I'd stay home. We'd both see other people, nothing would come out of it.

Not even a month later he flew me down to North Carolina. He said we needed to have "a talk". I was so scared! The whole flight I was worrying what it could be about. Did he meet someone? Was he going to deploy again? Did he think we made a mistake? As soon as I got off the plane, he was standing right at the gate. Kissed me again. Forgot how to breathe again. He drove out to the beach and said he wanted to show me where he surfed. We walked out onto the Emerald Isle pier and he grabbed my hand and led me up to the second level at the very end of the pier. It was so beautiful. All you see is the ocean all around you. He started twirling the ring I wore on my left ring finger around and said super softly "You can't wear this ring on this finger anymore". Huh?! I kind of looked at him and asked why. "Because I want you to be my wife". And the waterworks started right then and there. I was so shaky and happy I didn't even say yes! I said "K". Haha!

The next few days were so great. He was walking me around the barracks introducing everyone to his "amazing fiance". We were going out to eat to celebrate and just having so much fun. The day I was supposed to leave, we got stuck in a traffic jam about 30 minutes away from the airport...for 2 hours! I missed my flight by 15 minutes. We couldn't do anything but laugh about it. There was no use getting upset and we just figured we'd get to spend a little extra time together. On the way back from the airport he turned to me and said "Do you wanna get married?" I look at him and told him yes, obviously, or I wouldn't be his fiance. And he said "No. I mean right now." And my shocked response again was "K". So we grabbed two of his friends to be our witnesses, went to the courthouse and got married! (We're both very spontaneous people). So, yes, I am officially already married. But, we never had a wedding. We hadn't even told either of our parents that we were engaged, so we are having a wedding for our families and friends back home in Wisconsin on May 30th of 2009. He said he knows I want an actual wedding with the white dress instead of just a shotgun wedding, so he picked the date.

I was a little nervous about telling my mom. She's always loved him, but it's kind of a big deal to tell your mom you're married when she didn't even know you were engaged. She was so excited when I told her though. She playfully smacked me and scolded me for doing it without her, but when I told her about the wedding for our families and friends, she was all smiles. I was more nervous about him telling his mom though. We never really talked and he always said he didn't think his mom liked me. When he told her, she was more excited than my mom! So she's helping out soooo much with the planning since we are in North Carolina and she's in Wisconsin, where the wedding is going to be.

[Docsgirl]

We've already put the deposit down for our ceremony location. Here's the picture of it:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/ceremony.jpg

[caligal85]

Aw that story is so sweet! And the ceremony location is gorgeous. Congratulations on already being married!

[Docsgirl]

Yes, I already have my dress picked out! I haven't ordered it quite yet though. My MOH called it right away that I would pick the one I did as soon as I e-mailed her the picture of it. I really liked 3 dresses, but this one is so gorgeous and it matches the bm dresses really well.

Essence of Australia D827:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/D827.jpg

Detail:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/D827detail.jpg

[Docsgirl]

Aw that story is so sweet! And the ceremony location is gorgeous. Congratulations on already being married!

Thanks so much! :D

[EarlyBird]

i love your "engagement/marriage" story!

[Docsgirl]

My MOH helped me pick them out. I wanted something that all of the girls would feel pretty in, something that would be at least a little comfortable, and something that wouldn't break the bank for them. They're a two piece and they're already telling me about how they're going to wear the tops again when they go out. They're going to be red and they fall right below the knee. I think they're super pretty, my girls all agree that they'll feel hot in them.:grinhappy:

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/bm3.jpg

[Docsgirl]

This is the kind of hair style I'm leaning towards. My hair will be really long by the wedding and I'd kind of like to show it off. :grinhappy:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/hair3.jpg

And I'm thinking about something like this for the eye makeup. Maybe a little more dramatic.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/makeupeyes.jpg

[Docsgirl]

I just booked our reception hall this morning! Yay! I'm sooooo excited. I knew what place I wanted it to be at, but I was afraid they were going to be way too expensive. But since our wedding date is considered "off season", we get the place for half of what it usually costs! It's perfect. They already have white linens for the tables with red chargers and napkins, so we won't have to rent them and that works perfectly for our Black, red, and white wedding. There are absolutely no limitations on decorations! He said we can do whatever our hearts desire. The building we're holding it at is a formal dinner theater, so they have creative lighting we can use, etc. The manager also said one thing they do for every couple that rents it out is they have a personalized motif made for the wall behind the head table. He said it's like the batman light, it's a personalized screen that goes over a spotlight and it will say "Congratulations Tara & Miguel". After the reception they give you the little personalized screen as a keepsake. Ahhhh! I'm so excited! Here are a few pictures of the place:

Outside of building
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/building.jpg

Patio area outside
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/patioarea.jpg

Theater hall
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Diningroom.jpg
(The indian stuff on the "stage" area won't be there....haha).

[EarlyBird]

wow im so so sos o jealous.. i wanted a place like that for our reception but there was nothing around here where they would rent it out. i love that they do the personalized screen. I have been trying to find a place to get that from and they all want like 400$, no lie.

does that place cater the food too ?

[Docsgirl]

Yep. They will be doing the catering also. And for our bar, we will be paying the wholesale price that they usually do. Miguel's mom went and looked at the place and she said it's really nice. :D Yay, yay, yay!

[caligal85]

Your reception place is so pretty!

[Docsgirl]

Thanks! :grinhappy:


We've got a few more details figured out now. We're really getting the ball rolling now, which is good since the wedding is only 7 months away! Eeeps!

I found centerpieces that he finally likes! Yay! And I found a them on a DIY blog that takes you through making them step-by-step.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Centerpiece.jpg

Found a picture for our cake inspiration that my mom is making, but the all the trim and detail frosting on it will be black. And it's not going to have the fondant monogram, since our cake topper will be our last initial.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/cake.jpg

And finally we found the lighting scheme that we'd like to go with. It is made up of dark amber and red bulbs. Since we are having the reception in a theatre, we're going to see if they can make this happen for us. I'm pretty sure they'll be able to accomodate us.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/darkamberbulbs.jpg

[caligal85]

I love your centerpieces! Very romantic.

[EarlyBird]

i love those centerpieces!!!! i wanted something like that with crysals and a couple flowers but my bil had it instead so :(

[katrina7875]

I really like those centerpieces! Very unique! And what a bonus that you found the instructions to make them.

[Docsgirl]

Thanks everyone!:grinhappy:

Now I have to get started on all my DIY projects for the wedding....oh lord! I just hope I don't pull any hair out.....

[NOTKT]

Wow! Everything looks great!

[Kay]

Like the centerpieces AND the cake!!

[Docsgirl]

Because money has been a little tight for us lately, I won't be able to get the Essence of Australia dress that had originally deemed as "the" dress. The bridal shop I found it at requires a 75% deposit and we just don't have that to put down right now without cutting short somewhere else. I tried asking them if I could put 50% down now and 50% when it comes in, because we'd be able to do that, but they weren't having it. Apparently they've had too many brides put the deposit down and then never come to pick up the dress when it comes in to pay the remaining, so they said they had to raise the deposit price and that if they break policy for one person, they'd have to do it for everyone. :(

But I think I've found one that I will still love. I'm going to try it on when my MOH flys down in 2 weeks, and hopefully we can find bm dresses that will suit it a little better.

Here's the pictures of the dress. It's a Sottero & Midgley. I've found a place online that lets you put down a 50% deposit when ordering and then the other 50% down when it gets to the bridal shop before they ship it to your house. We'd be able to afford that and I'd still have a pretty dress. It's around $600, but split in half between a few months we can definitely do.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/JSM1058.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/JSM1058-back.jpg

[MayBride599]

So sorry to hear about the dress :frown: I hope you love this new dress even more. Be sure to let us all know what you think after you try it on!

[val24]

wow your cermony and recpetion place is beautiful!

I am sorry to hear they wouldnt let you do that for your dress. I dont understand how people would pay half for a dress and never go get it!?!?!?

[Docsgirl]

Thanks. I'm actually getting really excited about trying the other dress on. I've found it for even less than I originally found it for and will be ordering it in a few weeks if I like it! My MOH is coming down the first week in December for some much needed bestie time AND to help me with wedding stuff. I found a BM dress I really love to go with this dress, and she loves it also and will be trying it on when she comes to visit. I think I like this BM dress even better than the first original ones I had picked out! The picture is a little off, because it's one of those computer swatches that changes the color on screen for you. They're originally around $200, but I found them online for $130. Yayay!

They're Dessy 2058:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/bm-red.jpg

[Docsgirl]

I've found a dress listed on a classifieds site that is basically both of the dresses I love mixed together! It's perfect! And, it's brand new, never been worn. It's cheaper than both of the other dresses because it's a re-list. And it's originally a $1,300 dress! The MOH and I are running around today on her last day here to try to find a similar style for me to try on, and if we find one and I like it, the money order is going in the mail today! I'm really running out of time on this and think this just might be my big break in the middle of all this wedding stress and dress mess! Ahhhhhhh! I'm so excited!!!! *Crossing all of my fingers and toes!*

[NOTKT]

Good Luck!

[Docsgirl]

My MOH and I left early this morning to make the hour drive to a bridal shop that had a similar style dress. And I loved it on! The shape is perfect for my petite little figure and I just sucked a huge breath in and was SO excited! The one in the store had pink on it, so I'm glad the one I'm getting is a little different. But the silhouette is the exact same, so I know what it will look like!!! AND, I was a little worried because the girl selling it had Money Order or Check listed as payment types, but she said I can pay with paypal. Which I feel a little better about because it's safer for both of us that way. OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! I have a dress! THE dress! And it should be here sometime next weeeeeeeeek!!! I have a picture of it on one of my forum posts, but will post it here for anyone else that reads this and hasn't seen it yet.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Dress20013.jpg

[Docsgirl]

I had a "moment" today. I was thinking about all the stuff that we still have to do and it all needs to be done in less than 6 months. I did the whole "How in the world am I going to make this wedding work when it's 1,100 miles away? We don't have anything done! Everything is planned, but none of it is done! Why did we pick a date that would only give us 7 months to plan? Were we out of our fun-loving minds?!" And my hubby just curled me up in his arms on our bed and told me I was doing a great job planning it all, that we had our families and friends back home that would help us out in anyway that they could, and that everything was going to be fine. And he reminded me that the most important parts of the day are already paid for. :D Just one of the reasons I love him. I can be in the middle of a spazz attack and he'll talk for about 2 minutes and already have me calmed down.

So, I'm going to be hitting the DIY list hard the next couple of months. It's a pretty long list, but it's saving us so much money. And I'm a pretty artsy girl, so it should keep me entertained and extremely busy for awhile.

Also, since I've found THE dress and it's on the way (YAYAY!), I've started picking out accessories to go with it. I'm thinking drop earrings and maybe a bracelet. I don't think I want a necklace, but who knows....I could very well change my mind on that. Still wearing the red heels. And I think that's probably going to be it. Keeping it simple.

[NOTKT]

Keep your chin up! That was very sweet of FH! You can definitely plan a fantastic wedding in 6 months! Don't get overwhelmed!

[EarlyBird]

yay!! im so glad to hear about your dress. thats exactly what happened to me, and i swear, sometimes things just drop out of the sky like that and are completely meant for you :)

[Docsgirl]

yay!! im so glad to hear about your dress. thats exactly what happened to me, and i swear, sometimes things just drop out of the sky like that and are completely meant for you :)

It was definitely exactly what I was looking for and I can't believe the deal I got on it! I told my mom that it's my dad looking out for me (he passed when I was in HS). She teared up a little bit and absolutely loves the dress from the pictures I sent her. :D It just feels right everytime I look at it. Yay!

[Docsgirl]

I totally forgot to write about some of the other wedding details, that I think are pretty cool.

We went to Pier 1 two weeks ago and got our toasting glasses. They're crackled on the bottom, and it looks like the glass is broken, but it's not. :D They have slanted tops too. I'll have to take a picture of them tomorrow. They're hard to explain, but everyone that has seen them so far thinks they are pretty unique and cool. And we only spent $12 for the set. :D

My MOH also gave me an early Christmas present while she was down here that we're going to use as our wedding photo album. It's black leather with little white lines on it and has Live, Laugh, Love" embroidered on the bottom. It fits into our black, white, and red wedding so well and has a place for a picture in the front. I'll take a picture of that tomorrow and post it too.

[Docsgirl]

I didn't post the other pictures of my dress either....here are some of the ones that got sent to me. I looove the back!

Top close up
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/dress3.jpg

Back
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/dress4.jpg

Back buttons
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/dress5.jpg


Close up of brooch on back
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/dress6.jpg

Yayay! It's on the way! I actually did a little happy dance today....my hubby just laughed at me.

[EarlyBird]

i love it.. too cute.. i cant wait to see it on you!!!! i like it much better then the sottero to be honest :)

[Docsgirl]

I looooooove it! Lots more than the Sottero and Midgley! Haha.

So here is a picture of one of our "broken" toasting glasses. Please excuse the black sweatshirt, I needed a dark background for the crackling effect to show up:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/S7300020.jpg

And this is the black leather photo album we're going to be using for our wedding album:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/S7300019.jpg

[Docsgirl]

The whole time I've been planning this thing, I've been wanting to wear bright red shoes under my dress. However, I'm pretty picky about shoes and haven't been able to find any red shoes that seemed "right" for my dress....

and then today while looking online I fell in looooove with some black satin shoes.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/shoes.jpg
The kicker is they cost $100. :( But, since I like to try to remedy any situation, I've found plain black satin shoes that look exactly like the ones I love, and then I'm going to order a pair of rhinestone shoe clips offline that look pretty much the same as the ones in the picture. The shoes will literally look the same except for the cost of my version of the shoes is going to be......*drum roll*....$36. Yay!

As for the red, I'm going to get my pedicure done in a bright red, so I'll have all of our colors on my feet! (Black, red, and white).

[Docsgirl]

So here are the shoes that look just like the $100 ones that I got off of ebay for $16! They even have the little "runching" lines. :D

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/shoes2.jpg

[NOTKT]

I love those! I might be biased, they looked very similar to mine! I really like those!

[Docsgirl]

I love those! I might be biased, they looked very similar to mine! I really like those!

Thanks! I think they're pretty hot shoes! :D You know what they say....great minds think alike! Haha!

[Docsgirl]

I was talking on the phone with my mom last night and was asking her if she had any ideas for my "old" and "borrowed". My older sister was married a few years back and borrowed my grandma's pearls, but I'm really not a pearl kind of girl and I really don't want to wear a necklace to begin with. I was thinking about wearing the pearls my mom wore when she and my dad married when I was 15 (Step-dad, but raised me since I was 5) because of the sentimental value, but they're a longer strand of pearls and really wouldn't go with the style of my dress, so I was stumped.

She completely threw me off guard when she had the answer in 0.5 seconds. When my great-grandma passed away 3 years ago, she left my mom 2 of her diamond rings. So my mom goes "When you come home in a few days for Christmas, pick which one of great-grandma's rings you like best and wear it on your right hand for the day. Then it's old, borrowed, and you'll have your great-grandma's blessing for the day". It was so sweet, it brought tears to my eyes.

Yay for my Mom and her being so sweet! :D

[NurseLau84]

That was very nice of your Mom! :)
Looks like everything is coming together rather nicely!

[Docsgirl]

We had originally had the idea to do a "surprise" first dance, but ultimately have decided we'd like to have a nice lovey first dance after all to one of our songs. It's not a traditional mushy song, but it's still very much a love song to us!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBvsw3aa9Dc&feature=related

[Docsgirl]

I found the invitations I want to use. Except for they want $950 for 125 of them! Pssssshtttttt, yeah right, like I'm going to pay that much for invitations! So I'm going to try to make them myself for a whole lot cheaper!

Outside:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Invites2.jpg

Inside:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/invitesinside.jpg

And my shoes came in today! They're pretty hot shoes, I'm very happy with them. And they're comfy! I was walking around in them and I'm pretty sure they're the most comfortable pair of heels I own. As soon as I put them on, I decided I don't want shoe clips for them though. They look awesome already, they don't need sparklies to make them look any better.

Here are the finished save-the-date postcards we made that went out in today's mail:

Front:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/std.jpg

Back:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/stdback.jpg


AND....the exciting news....my dress gets here in 2 days! I checked the tracking number and the estimated arrival date is this Friday!! I'm so excited, I think I peed a little! :rofl:

[Docsgirl]

I just noticed today that I've changed almost every aspect of wardrobe for my wedding since I've started planning....that's crazy! And here I go again with another change to my look for the day.....:bbredface:

I had originally wanted a half up hairstyle, so that my long hair would still be down and long. But of course, I keep on looking for other things even though I've found something I liked, and I came across this hairstyle AND the tutorial on how to do it...although I don't know if I'm quite brave enough to do my hair myself for my wedding. I've been to cosmetology school and I used to do all of my friends' hair for formals and did my sister's hair for her wedding...but it's a lot easier to do other people's hair than it is to do your own. I may just get all the supplies to do it and give it a test run anyways to see if it turns out. Most of it just involves letting your hair sit in curlers and then fixing it a little with a curling iron, so I may just be able to do my own hair!

Here's the picture of the finished style:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/hair.jpg

[Docsgirl]

I love it! It's a bit big on me, but there is a lady in town who has a dress shop and she makes custom dresses and also does alterations. I shot her an e-mail telling her what I assumed I'd need done (sides taken in, bustle, possible hem) and she said that she couldn't give me an exact price until she sees the dress, but that she can tell me it'll be more than $60 if I need all of that. I'm definitely okay with that! :D I was figuring it would be a whole lot more....and possibly it will be depending on what kind of bustle I'll need.

Here's the dress on me, I'm trying to hold it up as best as I can:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/S7300001.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/S7300002.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/S7300003.jpg

It's a fit and flare silhouette, so after all the alterations are done, it will be completely fitted through the body until the little tucked side things and then will flair out. And I need about a 2 inch hem, even with my heels.

[Kay]

That has to be one of the prettiest dresses I have ever seen on here! You look great in it, too!

[Docsgirl]

Awww, that just made my day! Thank you! :D


I've also have been wondering what I can give my bridesmaids as their gifts. I didn't really want to go the jewelry route, since they will already be in matching dresses and I want to give them a chance to personalize their look a little bit. And I was having a tough time trying to think of something that would suit everyone, since 3 of my maids are in their 20's, my little sister is 19, and Miguel's little sister is 14. But, I think I have come up with a cute idea that I know I'd like to get, so I'm hoping they will like them as well.

I'm thinking about getting them all black clutches, filled with goodies. Things like a small bottle of their favorite perfume, favorite make up staples (yes, his little sister wears make up, too!), and lastly, their favorite candy bar, since girls and chocolate always get along! :D

I've found a store on eBay that has amazing looking clutches for $9.99! And if I get them at the same time, it will be combined shipping, which is another bonus! I'll probably get my day of clutch from them too. I figure the older girls can use the clutches for nights out when they get all glammed up and Miguel's little sister can use it for the proms and homecomings she'll have coming up in HS. And, I figured it's a super cute way to present them with their favorite perfume and make-up items, rather than just tossing them in a gift bag. Now I just have to cross my fingers that they'll like the gifts!:sweatdrop:

[NOTKT]

Do you have any pictures? :) I got my girls personalized ring bowls.

[Docsgirl]

We were originally going to wait until the wedding to exchange our expensive rings, but apparently that wasn't going to be soon enough for him! While we were in Wisconsin visiting our families for Christmas, we went out to eat lunch at a sushi restaurant the day after Christmas and were waiting for his mom and sister to get there to join us for lunch. While we were waiting for them to get there he asked if I wanted to play a game and then took the ring I was wearing as my "wedding" ring until our ceremony off. He pulled a little blue wooden ring box out and proposed all over again with a ring I could only dream of getting. A 2.6 tcw black diamond ring set in white gold. Ahhhhhhhh! Definitely cried! Never ever would I have even thought I'd get anything over a carat! Haha!! And he went with black diamonds because black is my favorite color and they're pretty rare for people to use as engagement ring stones. And he was sooooooo sneaky about it! I had no idea! He had it at his mom's house in Wisconsin. She knew about it, his little sister knew about it and he told my little brother about it too. Not my mom though, cuz she'd get wayyy too excited. Hehe. I can't stop staring at my finger now! I loooooooove it!!! And boy, does my husband know me well!

In the box:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0600.jpg

On my finger:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0604.jpg
(They're super sparkly in person, but I had to take these pictures with the flash off because the flash kept turning them white! LOL)

[Moon.Dust.]

gorgeous!!!

[Kay]

Beautiful!! I love black diamonds, too!

[Docsgirl]

Thank you!! :D


We found my wedding band to match my ring. I love that the whole set will be black diamonds and completely different, but so completely "me"....and the best part is that we found it on sale for $180! Here is the online picture from the jewelry store:

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/weddingband.jpg

[gwenshack]

Wow. I love the black diamonds. That's totally cool! And the band will go perfectly!

How sweet of him to re-propose...!

[Kay]

I love black diamonds too and I love your rings! Very nice.

[Docsgirl]

I've been working on our DIY programs allllll day. But, the template for them is finally perfected to our likings and I'm excited to go get all of the paper and supplies for them. (Have to wait until next Friday....Pay day!) We're doing a layered program. It was a pain in the :censored: to get them all the right sizes and to get all of the wording just right, but I'm pretty sure we're both really going to love them when they are done. I reallllllly like our acknowledgement page wording, so I'm posting it. :D
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Programacknowledgement.jpg

[Moon.Dust.]

that is beautiful!

[Kay]

Very nice ~ and thoughtful!

[Docsgirl]

I'm starting to feel the pressure of "crunch time". Especially since I got the bright idea to change my dress with 4 months to go. But I really love the dress and what I could do with it...and with rush shipping it will be here in 6 to 8 weeks. But, although I'm starting to feel the pressure, things are gradually coming together and getting done day to day.

I ordered a VS seamless bustier NWT on eBay today for $24 with shipping included. I priced them online at the Victoria's Secret website and they go for $78! Yay for deals on eBay!! I swear, half of my wedding is going to be purchased from that site! :D So anyways, that takes care of a large portion of the undergarment decision.

We also made a run to the Dollar Tree today and picked up some vases for our memorial candles. We were a little bummed that they didn't have any larger pillar candles there to use for them, but we did find the little battery operated tealight candles there. 2 for $1.00. Which is a pretty good deal for them, but Miguel said he'd really rather have actual candles for our centerpieces. Ooookay.

Our flowergirl's mom sent us pictures of the dress they got for her. We didn't want to be super picky about the outfits so we just told them that it was a black, red, and white wedding. They picked a long red dress with a little bolero jacket. Super cute! I couldn't have picked a better one myself. And with the dress being bought, we now know that the basket will be black and white.

Oh, and I totally forgot that we picked out our cake topper! Miguel originally wanted a custom topper with a little Navy guy, but they were all way too expensive. But we found a guy that custom makes monogram toppers. 3 letters for $19 including shipping! Yesssss!! He sent me a whole bunch of his pictures of his sample work (like 200+ pictures) and asked what font we'd prefer. We're chose two different fonts. Our small first name initials will be Times New Roman font and our big last name initial will be in Renaissance font. They'll be plain when we get them, but we're going to do the small "T" for me in black swarovski crystals since it's my favorite color, the small "M" for him in red swarovski crystals since it's his favorite color and then the big "M" in black and red swarovski crystals. Another project added on the DIY list, but for a deal like that, you can't pass it up!

4 months to go and so many things left to do!! YIKES! :D

[Moon.Dust.]

http://forums.onewed.com/data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABwAAAAOCAYAAAA 8E3wEAAAABmJLR0QA/wD/AP+gvaeTAAAACXBIWXMAAAsTAAALEwEAmpwYAAAAB3RJTUUH1Q UUDyoqJjAqRwAAAN1JREFUOMu1lMkVwyAMBYe0JGpCNUFNVk3k 4AUwxPGS+ILxkzX8jyTH/Sfu9nrmJ3cXlnMASyWRPwd2d5XlHCBZn1BthcbRAdxTZQDI8k3 mQzg11rhF+QZ9jdNOcQib6GFQYJYgCFucSRf6GsLU6wEY5yubT FqF2yq1vRwr3INXdQUWG+je1pELX4ED1wDyRAR0WfuAA9gloIT yvsFMIMgYInYRqF6rO9Sqz9qkO5ilyo0o3YBwJ+6vrdQonxWUQ llhXeHcb/wabMPkP2n81ocAIoLZrMqn/4y2RwP8DcQ+d6rT9ATiAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC


so exciting!!!

[Docsgirl]

Just went to Marshalls today and picked up two baskets for our bathroom baskets. Right now they're a light tan color but we plan on spray painting them black. The little handle parts are silver bars. Kind of hard to explain so I'll be sure to post a picture after they're spray painted. And they're pretty nice looking so we'll be able to use them again after the wedding is over! We got both of them for $12. :) So now I get to start finding stuff to put in them.

I'm still on the hunt for all of the paper for our DIY invites. We've decided not to go with the really fancy ones that I liked because it was going to be a pain in the :censored: trying to cut them all fancy and properly. So DH actually picked some pocketfold ones that we're going to use as our inspiration. I really like them too....he's got pretty good taste! We just can't seem to find the right paper for them though. :snide: And I need to start on the invites like....pronto. They'll be going out before I know it and I haven't even started on them OR found the materials. Eish!

And one of DH's friends DJs in clubs in Milwaukee and offered to do our wedding for us! :D Yahoo! We're really lucking out with the connections on this wedding....my mom doing the cake, a personal friend that is a photographer doing the whole day for $500, his friend DJing...

[Docsgirl]

Holy Moly! Our cake topper is already done and being shipped! I seriously JUST e-mailed him the inspiration picture and paid via PayPal last night and the guy e-mails me today with the attachment of our completed cake topper! I love it and still can't believe the deal we got on it ($19 including shipping!). Granted we still have to order the swarvoski crystals and make it a little DIY project, but all together it's going to be a buttload cheaper than ordering the swarvoski crystal toppers online and it should be here in a few days! If anyone is looking for something like this, let me know and I can pass along the information. :D
Anyways, here's the picture he sent me today:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/caketopper.jpg

And here's the inspiration picture I sent him:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Caketopperinspiration.jpg

[Moon.Dust.]

Awesome Topper!!

[Mrs.Goff]

I've just read through your journal, I love everything. lol Invitations= great ... Dress = gorgeous ... bridesmaid dress = love it. lol

Your wedding is going to beautiful.

[Docsgirl]

I've just read through your journal, I love everything. lol Invitations= great ... Dress = gorgeous ... bridesmaid dress = love it. lol

Your wedding is going to beautiful.

Thanks! Although I've changed my mind on quite a few things...a big one being the dress! :bbeek: But as soon as everything is set in stone (meaning I stop changing my mind about EVERYTHING), hopefully it'll be a really fun wedding. :D

[Docsgirl]

So...the big decision day is tomorrow! Yay! Going to go try the new dress on. I'm pretty excited about it. And...have made yet another change to my wedding attire. LOL

It's my shoes this time. I love the heels I got. I really do...they're comfy, they're cute, etc. My plan was to wear them for the ceremony and then change into some bright red chucks for the reception. But then I started thinking about the fact that my dress is going to be altered to heels and so will be 3 1/2" longer when I switch shoes. And so...I was talking with my MOH today and she was asking about shoes and what not since she ordered her dress today. I'm pretty sure we're the same size shoe (I borrowed a pair of her shoes when we were roommates and they fit perfectly) so I sent her an e-mail just a few minutes ago telling her that if she likes the black heels I have, she can have them for free. I mean, I only paid $16 for them. And then I'll just wear my bright red chucks the whole time. :D Hehe. No one will be able to see them anyways, I won't be unusually the same height as my husband, and I'll be comfy! I already have a pair I can use too if I really want. The reversed color ones where the shoes are white and the soles and rubber parts of the shoes are black. But I'm thinking since I originally wanted bright red shoes....I'll just get some bright red ones. I told DH and he said it's cute. And then my dress will be the right length the whole time because it'll be altered to one set of shoes.

Yay. And holy moly. I'm the worst bride ever. I change my mind every 2 seconds!

[Docsgirl]

Got up realllllllllllly early this morning to make my trip to the bridal store that is 3 hours away from me that carried the new dress. When I put it on, holy moly! It was made for me, it's so effing awesome! The lady in the store kept saying how amazing it looked on me too and even another girl in the store trying on dresses commented on it. :D

And it's a good thing that I love it because when she took my measurements today, I found out I wear a size 0 in bridal gowns (yes, I'm freakishly skinny and there's not much I can do about it.)... All the other stores I was at before "guessed" I would be a 4. Well, it's a good thing she measured me and let me know because it would have been pretty much impossible for my seamstress to alter that size 8 dress down to a 0 anyways! I thought if I was a 4 it was fine because they said you can alter up to two sizes smaller....well, I'm pretty sure they would be against 4 sizes smaller! :bbeek: It probably wouldn't have looked like the same dress....LOL!

So the new dress it is!!! YAYAYAYAY! Seriously, as soon as she had the back clipped because the sample was big I said "Holy Cr*p!" and the sales lady helping me just laughed and said it really did look amazing and that I'll leave DH speechless. And she was the coolest lady ever! When I told her I was going to wear it as my wedding gown even though it's a bridesmaid dress, she didn't try showing me other dresses or anything, she just said "And why shouldn't you? It looks great on you." And the other girl trying on dresses there was in the mirror next to me and she was like "Wow. That looks so good on you!" :D The rush shipping cost me an extra $60, but I really don't mind. It should be here between 8-12 weeks. Wooooo hooooooo! And it still looks "pretty" for our moms, but it has the bit of "spunk" I wanted!!

[Docsgirl]

DH just got word that he may be deploying to Afghanistan sooner rather than later. :bbcry: As in, we may have to try to move our wedding date up, sooner, which may not be doable. If we moved it any sooner for the ceremony, we wouldn't be able to use the garden, because it would be too cold for sure. We could always have the ceremony part at our reception place, but we really wanted an outdoor wedding. He has told me to continue planning like it is going to happen, because there is a good chance it will. Thankfully he's optimistic.

I don't want him to go, but I know he has to because it's his job. I'm just sad because we were looking forward to spending the summer together on the beach and taking a honeymoon before he had to go. He's talking directly with his chief to see if he can be one of the guys that stays back to deploy later this year, since his chief knows of the wedding plans and everything else. Cross your fingers ladies, that we can still have this wedding!

[gwenshack]

DH just got word that he may be deploying to Afghanistan sooner rather than later. :bbcry: As in, we may have to try to move our wedding date up, sooner, which may not be doable. If we moved it any sooner for the ceremony, we wouldn't be able to use the garden, because it would be too cold for sure. We could always have the ceremony part at our reception place, but we really wanted an outdoor wedding. He has told me to continue planning like it is going to happen, because there is a good chance it will. Thankfully he's optimistic.

I don't want him to go, but I know he has to because it's his job. I'm just sad because we were looking forward to spending the summer together on the beach and taking a honeymoon before he had to go. He's talking directly with his chief to see if he can be one of the guys that stays back to deploy later this year, since his chief knows of the wedding plans and everything else. Cross your fingers ladies, that we can still have this wedding!

Oh, I hope that doesn't happen! I hope everything goes according to schedule. I think you should just go with his optimism right now and try not to worry about it. :) Fingers are crossed!

[Kay]

Fingers crossed here, too. My sister, my Matron of Honor, got news this week that her hubby is being deployed to Iraq, for the 2nd time, in July. He won't be able to make our wedding. I am hoping things workout for you. :confused:

[Kari&Jeremy]

I hope your wedding can go as planned! Fingers crossed for you...

[Docsgirl]

Thanks all! DH really just wants me to act like he didn't find that news out because he thinks he's pretty good with the higher ups and that they'll try to be as accommodating to our situation as possible. So I'm going to keep going forward and keep planning this thing. But we have come up with some alternative ideas for an indoor wedding if we do have to move it up and not able to use the garden. The good news is that if we have to move the wedding date up and can't use the garden, we'll still be able to get our deposit on the garden back because of his orders. So even if we lose the garden, we don't lose our money. ($500) Thank goodness!

I also think I want a veil now. And not a birdcage veil like before. I found a long one I really like and since the back of my dress isn't going to be anything too exciting to look at, I figure it'll be okay to cover it up. :D So the next post is going to be all of my stuff, from shoes to hair and everything. Yippy Skippy.

[Docsgirl]

Okay....So to start with is the dress. Keep in mind mine is white with a black sash. And please excuse the photos with the little web address across them...they were the only jpeg files I could find...LOL

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Watters.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Wattersclose.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Backcloseup.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Wattersback.jpg

[Docsgirl]

Veil:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/veil4.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/veil43.jpg

Hair (changed it up because of the whole veil thing):
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/hair8.jpg

Makeup is still the same though from this picture, except the lips will probably be a little different:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/makeuphair.jpg

Shoes!:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/shoes3.jpg

[Docsgirl]

So pretty much all of today I have been back and forth with different limo companies, videographers, and makeup artists. *Phew* BUT, in the process of finaggling (is that even a word?, probably not....lol) with all of them and making sure to let them know that my budget for the services I'm looking for is X amount....holy cow! :bbeek: You wouldn't believe how many of them are willing to discount or bend to get the booking since it's only 4 months away....I was shocked! I think I have a few of the services picked out and just need to go over them with DH to get a definite answer and put the deposits down.

First of all....the limo situation. There is a limo company ran out of the tiny town I was raised in. Seriously tiny, right outside of the capital. Population: 1,140 people. So I figured they'd have lower prices. WRONG! $800 for 2 hours for a 20 person limo! Ummmm. No. Not paying that much. So, I start pricing places in the capital city, since it's seriously not even a hop, skip, and a jump away. Most places are around the same, some are lower, but woah! I found a party bus company....all they have are party buses. $300 for 3 hours for a 26 person party bus complete with a leather seats, flat screen tv, light up floor, champagne glasses and buckets! and bathroom...not that we'll really need all of that, but still! Awesome rate compared to everywhere else. Definitely thinking that is the winnner, especially since DH wanted a party bus to begin with....tee hee.

Next deal. Videography. Every place I was talking to was $900+ dollars and that's just for like an hour or so of coverage. Grrrrrrrr. So, I was pretty much set on not having a videographer, which I'm still totally cool with if DH decides we shouldn't spend the extra money, because the guy doing our wedding photography is amazingly talented anyways. But we got such a good deal with him (personal friend) that even with this videographer it'd be under budget of what the rate would be for just a regular photography package would cost. The videographer I was speaking to today said she would cover the pre-ceremony getting ready, the ceremony, and key points of the reception for $400 which includes a fully edited DVD of up to 120 minutes of footage, with music of our choice and live clips, ect. Extra DVD's are $35 and to have the raw footage DVD would be an extra $35. I just think it would be so great to be able to have one DVD for ourselves, get one for each of our mothers, and maybe send one to his family in Peru so they can see the wedding. Still have to talk to him about this though, cuz he was pretty anti-videography when we first started pricing it....but the cost was also double of what she'd be charging us.

I was also e-mailing one of the girls that works at the MAC counter in a town close to where we'll be getting married. She's trying to schedule appointments for me and my girls, free of charge. She just said I'd have to buy $50 worth of product to get the free applications done. Well, it's me and 5 girls, so that'd be me essentially paying less that $10 per girl to get it done. And she said we should bring pictures in of what we'd like so that they can give us exactly what we want. Wooo hooo! She's so cool. :D

[Moon.Dust.]

just letting you know I'm still reading! That dress is gorgeous!! I wish I had the bod to pull that off!!

[NOTKT]

Maybe you can show him some really nice videos. When I first though about videography, i was thinking just raw video, even though they said edited.

[Docsgirl]

just letting you know I'm still reading! That dress is gorgeous!! I wish I had the bod to pull that off!!

Thank you! :D

[Docsgirl]

Maybe you can show him some really nice videos. When I first though about videography, i was thinking just raw video, even though they said edited.

Haha, I tried showing him some of the sample work from multiple videographers that want the job(I swear, all you need to do is post in the gig ads on Craigslist for what you need and price and they all come to you!) but he wasn't really interested. His response is "You should talk to my mom about it". :snide: Uhhhhh....okay? LOL. He was alllllll about the party bus though!

[Docsgirl]

Okay...so we found out the deployment deal. DH will NOT be going on this deployment. In fact, he may not have to deploy to a war zone again at all. Sadly, our roommate, who was one of our GM will be leaving in mid May. :( So we're not quite sure if we're just going to have two of the girls walk with one guy or what the deal is.....buuuuut, it may just work out because my older sister is the only girl who hasn't gotten back to me about ordering her dress or any of the update messages I send the girls to keep them up to speed or ask questions...sooooo....she may not be participating in the wedding. I just wish she'd let me know!:irked: Anyways...on to the *maybe* exciting news.

The way DH would never have to deploy into a war zone again would be for him to extend. It's not re-enlisting, he would just be extending his contract for 2 more years. With the extending, he would need to get orders for...get this....an international base. And they'd move me with him and pay for our housing and everything. Ahhh! He was showing me all the bases around the world last night and I'm sooo totally okay with all of them. (Since they closed the Guantanamo Bay one in Cuba...really didn't want that one, but it's closed!) He asked me which ones I'd prefer and I'm like "Greece, Spain, Italy, or England". How cool would it be to live abroad, and get paid for living there, for 2 years? Geez! We wouldn't get a honeymoon, but still....we'd be living in places people spend lots of money on to honeymoon at! He said the base in Greece is kind of solitude though...not much around. But he's been to Rota, Spain and said it's beautiful. There are 3 different Navy bases in Italy and 2 in England. Soooo....that's what he's aiming for. International orders. If he can't get international orders, he's still thinking of re-enlisting and trying to get orders to a different US base. Hawaii, Florida, Washington, California...with that option, he still wouldn't deploy now, but he would deploy later. And he may just have to finish out his contract here and deploy in November still. But I'm just crossing my fingers that he can get those international orders!

[Docsgirl]

Yay! I get to start on some more of our DIY projects. :D We got our cake topper letters and the swarvoski crystals just came in the mail yesterday, so I get to start making them all glitzy and pretty. That one is going to take awhile though. There are so many crystals to put on! But it'll totally be worth it in the end.

I'm also starting the bathroom baskets. We got black glossy spray paint for them and I taped up the sterling silver handles last night and gave it it's first coat. Looks like a dark brown color with one coat, but hoping with one or two more, it'll be the glossy black we were hoping for.

Invites! Eeeee. We went and got a few materials to make the mock up and see if we like it. Really have to get started on these soon.

I already designed the programs, but it's a good thing we only printed and assembled one, because we have to change the bridal party a bit. One of our GM and both of our ushers will be deploying mid May. :(

That being said, our roommate came in last night and said "Mommy Doc,(everyone just calls DH Doc, since he's the medical guy they go to and he have some bad news. I got moved to C company and they don't understand calls me Mommy because he said we adopted him from the barracks. LOL) I have some bad news. I moved to C company and they dont' understand me living out in town instead of on base in the barracks when I'm not married. So I have to move. As soon as possible. But I'll still come back and visit." I replied with an "It's okay. But don't expect me to not try to tie you up and throw you in a closet before you have to go(deployment)". He laughed, we hugged, and he'll be getting most of his stuff moved out within the week. I'm going to miss him. He was my first friend I had after moving down here.

Next post coming is some more inspirational pictures we've found for decorations and stuff.

[Docsgirl]

Okay....here we are for the cake table. But instead of Amore, it'll say Amor. DH is Peruvian and calls out "Mi Amor" when he wants my attention in public. :grinhappy: So, I found this picture and thought it was perfect. Showed him, he loved it.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/caketable.jpg
Our table will be square though, as will our cake.

For the cake...yep, it's changed, but my mom is very excited about the cake..and so am I! This was the picture we found for the cake inspiration for our top. My mom also likes the cake. So, we're having a cake like this
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Caketopperinspiration.jpg
but instead of the ribbons, she's going to be alternating the bottom two designs on this cake.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Cakeswirldecoration3.jpg

[NOTKT]

Very pretty!

[Mrs.Goff]

I LOVE that cake table, it's stunning. I might copy it.:bbeek:

[Docsgirl]

I LOVE that cake table, it's stunning. I might copy it.:bbeek:

Go ahead, girl! :D I just found the picture and sooooo wanted it. So of course you can have the same inspiration picture! :D

[Docsgirl]

So, after looking at the cake table and how it's set up, I decided a circle cake would be best. I really just don't want to have to try to switch it around to fit a square table and square cake. So, I asked mom and she said no biggie. She's just waiting for the cake toppers so she can figure out the sizes of the layers so I can order the cake stand off of eBay and have it shipped to her. So yay. Circle cake and beautiful cake table set up it is. :D

[Docsgirl]

DH's mom went to the reception venue yesterday to figure out the food options. She decided on a chicken dish and a beef dish, $16 per person for chicken and $18 per person for beef. I think that is a great price! It includes salad, a bread basket, the entree and cheesecake, although I'm not quite sure why we need the cheesecake when we are going to have wedding cake. It also includes unlimited refills on soda, tea, and coffee.

DH and I decided today that we're also going to be having free beer all night, for the price of $2 per person. If people want hard liquor, we've decided they can pay for it themselves, besides our wedding party, which we'll be picking up the tab for no matter what they want to drink.

We also bought our invitations today. We were at Michael's and noticed that their black and white ones that we liked weren't in the aisle....so we were going to pick up a box to see if we could come up with something we would like. We came to find out that their black and white damask print invitations were on clearance! So we picked up two boxes today, only to notice that we'll probably need an additional box. So, that's in the plans for tomorrow, considering they had like 10 boxes on the face out (sorry for the sales associate terminology, I use to work in retail...a face out is the shelves on the ends of the aisles instead of in the aisles.) So hopefully I will get most of those printed and addressed tomorrow. DH's mom told me last night that they'll have to be finished and mailed by the end of this month. Eeek!:bbeek:

The DIY cake topper is started, but it's going to take awhile....lol. I've worked on it for about 3 hours and I'm only halfway done with ONE letter. Hehe. And that has to be done soon.

[Docsgirl]

The invitations are about half done. They look so good when fully assembled though! I didn't think they'd look as professional as they do, being out of at DIY kit and all, but they really look great. DH loves them and loves that I'm the one putting them together....lol. It's a little tedious, but well worth the time. I'll post pictures later tonight when they are all done.

The cake topper....man. It's taking quite awhile, but what is done on it looks great. Just gotta keep going even though my back is killing from all these hunched over DIY projects. The red swarvoski crystals are so bright and shiny, I love them. The black diamond ones we got were more grey than black when they arrived, so we're going to use them for something else and order the jet black swarvoski crystals. Thank the lord we found a place that sells them for $5 a gross (144 pieces). We'll probably need 10 by the time I'm done. Haha. We'll just use the extras on some other project.

The bathroom baskets have been sitting out in the garage all weekend. They still look dark brown instead of black. We're going to give them one more coat, and if all else fails...they'll just be dark brown. lol

I've also been searching for decoration ideas for the reception venue. I haven't really been putting much thought into it at all and when MIL brought up what the manager of the reception venue was suggesting.....Ummmm. Not really what I was envisioning. He told me when we signed the contract though that there were absolutely no limitations on decorations. So I've found a few ideas that I'm going to be e-mailing him to see what he says. *Really* should of had him put that there were no limitations in writing. But he seems like a really nice guy, so hopefully he'll just stand by his word.

[Moon.Dust.]

can't wait to see pics of it all!

[Kari&Jeremy]

That's an AWESOME cake table! I put in my inspiration pics, too. :)

[Docsgirl]

The invitation pictures....I've had them since the invites were done a few days ago, but I was just too lazy to upload them. LOL

Outside envelope pocket:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0702.jpg

Inside invite:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0703.jpg

RSVP card & envelope:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0704.jpg

Reception card:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0705.jpg

I really like the way they came out. :D

[Mrs.Goff]

Those are great. I really like them. You know until I started coming here I had never seen invitations like that. If I had I would have done them for my wedding. lol

[Docsgirl]

So I got my estimated arrival date today for my wedding dress. It should be here at the end of April!

[Docsgirl]

Woo hoo! Just scheduled my makeup appointment with a MAC makeup artist for my big day. I sent her the picture of my inspiration and she said it's definitely doable. She's also going to be applying falsh lashes for 2 reasons. 1) to achieve the makeup look I sent and 2) so if I do cry, there will be no worries of morbidly black tears. :D I'm soooooo excited! (Total cost:$62+tax)

[Docsgirl]

Man. I feel like I have wedding coming out of my ears! There's so much to do and 3 months left to do it! Eeeek!

Anyways...I found the garters I want. Yet another DIY project, because I want to be able to personalize the charms on them. :) And of course, they're not going to be pink.....I've been noticing a lot lately that whatever I find that I want in red and black....is pink and black.:snide: C'mon people! Not everyone has a pink wedding! lol Phew....moving on....here's the picture:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/garter3.jpg

I'm trying to decide what to do for the charms? I was thinking maybe a little anchor for DH (he'll be in his sailor dress blues...which are actually black. I've never really gotten that. LOL) and a little star for me. Because, well...I just really like them. So a star for the toss, and the anchor for the keep one, since it will be for him to take off later anyways. :winktongue: But is that going to look weird? Ahh....who cares anyways right? This is coming from the bride that is selling her first pretty dress for a dress that better suits her personality(and that fits!) and wearing bright red converses as her shoes. Hehe. Who knows....I'll probably change my mind a bazillion times on this too.

[Kari&Jeremy]

Pretty garter!

[Docsgirl]

My older sister is such a pain sometimes. It's looking like she will most likely NOT be in the wedding, since she still has not ordered her dress! All of the other girls had no problem getting their dresses in time! Grrrrrrr. Long story short, I asked her in November about the dress...she told me she was going to order it in 2 weeks at the latest. Then when I asked her about it when I was home for Christmas in December, she said she hadn't gotten around to it, but she'd order it in a week at the latest. Well, 2 weeks ago was the deadline to order it without rush shipping and she still didn't order it then, even though when I talked to her 2 weeks ago, she promised she would! Now this week is the deadline for it to get here in time for the rush shipping and I texted her today and asked if she had ordered her dress and she simply replied "No." No explanations, nothing. That just seriously tweaks my melon. :icon_barbar:

After talking with my mom today, I've just decided to have one of the girls be escorted by two guys. My mom had told me not to hold my breath on my sister getting her dress. Man, she's always right!

[Kay]

Maybe she can't afford it and is too embarrassed to tell you so??????? Maybe she is just as hurt as you??? Just an idea. :bbredface:

[Docsgirl]

Maybe she can't afford it and is too embarrassed to tell you so??????? Maybe she is just as hurt as you??? Just an idea. :bbredface:

Well, I was making a long story short. She probably would have been able to afford the dress looooong ago when all the other girls did if her first priority wasn't going out to the bars every weekend and spending her extra money to get sloshed. The whole big story is in a post on the rants section. Basically, she's the oldest sister and acts younger than the youngest, if that makes any kind of sense. My mom also predicted before the issue even came up, that it would be an issue. I just really wanted to include everyone in my family, because they are my family after all. You would think that would have some kind of an impact to where she could set aside $20 a month from her monthly "going out and picking up random guys" nights with her friend for a few months to be a part of this one day. But no. :(

[Kay]

That's too bad. Well, you did TRY to include her at least. Kudos to you.

[Docsgirl]

I'm just sitting here bored, while DH has been snoring away in the bedroom since 7:30. Haha. So I figured I would just update on some things, post some pictures that I haven't posted yet.....entertain myself for the moment and maybe you too! :)

Alright....so the cake topper. Ohhhhh, the cake topper. Have one of the little letters almost completely done. Started the second little letter. Left it out on the table with the little swarvoski crystals and guess what? Apparently our kitty wanted glittery poop! Arggggg! She ATE the little crystals that were laying out on the table. At first I just figured she knocked them off the table...but then watched her jump up on the table and lick one of them and swallow it! Hhhhhh. So, we're ordering more swarvoski crystals, which we had to order little ones anyways, but still. It makes me laugh though. What a little sh!t.

We've picked out how we would like to decorate our reception venue. We're going to do it like this:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Receptiondecoridea.jpg
By ourselves. Hahaha. Should be interesting, but I'm sure we'll figure it out. I contacted some rental companies that do ceiling drapes and they wanted like $3,000 just for the ceiling. Psssssssht! I think NOT. So I was doing the whole "I'm going to figure out a solution to this problem" deal and found a ceiling kit that looks just like that....off of a prom website. Yeahhhhhh! Not very expensive AND comes with directions. Our tablecloths are going to be red and white though, because they come provided with our venue. The chairs are red too. I like the black table cloths a lot, but really don't want to spend $400 on linens when they provide them in two of our colors already for free. So we're trying to find out a different way to incorporate the black in the reception.....I'm sure we'll figure it out soon.

Hmmmm. What else.....Oh! Found my birdcage veil. I don't think I put it in here, but I'm not doing the long veil anymore. I was going to since the back of my dress wasn't anything really too exciting to look at, but my seamstress is going to add black satin buttons down the back to cover the zipper all the way to the sash part. So this is the birdcage veil I found, but it's not going to be blue, it's white:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/hair11.gif
And then for my hair, I'm mixing the hair in that picture with another picture that I've found.

And this is the hair flower I'm putting with it:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/hairflower.jpg

I think it'll look pretty darn good together. :D

[jessicermoon]

I just started reading your journal today... All of your ideas are so beautiful! I am getting married on the same day as you and also with the same colors! I looove red and black together. I let everyone talk me into getting a dressy shoe when what I really wanted was my converse! ha! I applaude you for doing the same....! I guarantee after the ceremony, my chucks will be present for the reception! :)

[Docsgirl]

I just started reading your journal today... All of your ideas are so beautiful! I am getting married on the same day as you and also with the same colors! I looove red and black together. I let everyone talk me into getting a dressy shoe when what I really wanted was my converse! ha! I applaude you for doing the same....! I guarantee after the ceremony, my chucks will be present for the reception! :)

Thanks! And yay, we're date twins! :) And have the same colors....too fun! My mom just rolled her eyes and said "Imagine that" when I told her I was going to wear bright red chucks. Haha.

[f77g4]

I've just read your journal today...you are like me keep changing your mind...we've changed colors, centerpieces, I've questioned my dress, etc. I'm to the point I hate to make a decision in fear that I'll find something else...lol..

Everything looks beautiful! I love the color choice too and I might steal the inspiration for the cake table too.

I've come across a company on ebay too that has the ceiling kits if you can't get the one you saw. The garden for the ceremony is beautiful too by the way!

[Deanna2112001]

Girl your are getting things done and I really like your ideas too.. Good Luck with the reception.. lol trying to put that tulle up there.. We are doing that too.. :o)

[Docsgirl]

I've just read your journal today...you are like me keep changing your mind...we've changed colors, centerpieces, I've questioned my dress, etc. I'm to the point I hate to make a decision in fear that I'll find something else...lol..

Everything looks beautiful! I love the color choice too and I might steal the inspiration for the cake table too.

I've come across a company on ebay too that has the ceiling kits if you can't get the one you saw. The garden for the ceremony is beautiful too by the way!


Thanks so much! And yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm one of the most indecisive brides ever. I think I want something and then 2-3 days later, I'll find something else I like better! Haha. DH told me if I change my mind anymore, he's going to tickle me to death.:rofl:

And thanks for the heads up about ebay! I didn't even think of that! Definitely going to have to check it out. :D

[Docsgirl]

Girl your are getting things done and I really like your ideas too.. Good Luck with the reception.. lol trying to put that tulle up there.. We are doing that too.. :o)

Thanks! And I just love the ceiling drape look. I think that it adds a little something. Good luck with yours too!

[f77g4]

Thanks so much! And yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm one of the most indecisive brides ever. I think I want something and then 2-3 days later, I'll find something else I like better! Haha. DH told me if I change my mind anymore, he's going to tickle me to death.:rofl:

And thanks for the heads up about ebay! I didn't even think of that! Definitely going to have to check it out. :D

I'm the same way about the indecisiveness. I sent a pic of a cake to my parents that FH picked out as his absolute favorite and dad's like so you want me to print that off and take it to the cake lady and I'm like no not yet...lol...he's like why and I said because I'm afraid I'll change my mind and he's like make a decision and stick with it so you can start checking stuff off the list...lol..

[Docsgirl]

DH and I have been kind of skirting around the whole honeymoon subject. First we weren't going to take one right away because we were going to wait to take it before he deployed, but now he is deploying in July, and the wedding is the very end of May.....so I've been thinking....why not just take it right after the wedding?

When we were talking about it, although it was very brief, he said something along the lines of the caribbean, not a cruise, and not expensive. I suggested Mexico and he really wasn't too keen on that. But, I was looking through one of my bridal magazines and I think I've come up with the perfect place. I even priced it out and really, it's a great trip for a great price. And we can even do a honeymoon registry and hopefully get most of it paid for! Haha.

I want to go to..................*drum roll*............................................. ...

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/sanjuan.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/san_juan_1.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/san_juan_22.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/san_juan_25.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/san_juan_6.jpg

San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's gorgeous. It's warm all year long. The round trip tickets out of Chicago (closest international airport) would only be $268 per person. They have AMAZING hotels, for 5 nights in one of *the* poshest hotels in San Juan would only run us about $1,000. Everything is in US Dollars, but a dollar goes a lot longer down there than it does here. We wouldn't need passports because it's US territory. They have snorkeling and kayaking, but also absolutely beautiful architecture and a historic district(Old San Juan). Casinos and nightclubs for the nights out and romantic restaurants for the mushy nights.

Now I just have to see if DH thinks it's a good idea! :D

[f77g4]

Oh thats so exciting! I hope you can go. I'd love to go somewhere like that but thats definately not going to happen.

[Docsgirl]

Thanks! I actually just talked to DH about it today while we were at the vet's office getting our furbaby her second round of vaccinations. He doesn't want to go right after the wedding, because our wedding is May 30th and then we're going to be moving to the city in June and he deploys in July. But! He said we will most definitely go when he gets back from deployment for some much needed "down" time together! YAY! :D

[Kay]

Well, when you go, you should consider Puerto Rico ~ I've heard it is GREAT!

[Docsgirl]

Well, when you go, you should consider Puerto Rico ~ I've heard it is GREAT!

I sure hope so, because we have agreed that San Juan will be a great place to go! And since we'll be waiting until he gets back from deployment, we can fly out of Charlotte and almost cut our flight time in half! I showed him the hotel I was looking at and everything, and he just absolutely loves it. This is the one we're most likely going to be staying at:

http://www.elsanjuanhotel.com/

I'm soooooo excited. Although I've never been out of the country and Puerto Rico isn't going to be considered out of the country either....it's far enough away for me and we won't need passports or to worry about currency exchange. :D

If anyone else is trying to think of a honeymoon that will be amazing for around the $3,000 range, I'd suggest looking into it. :D

[Micah's bride]

I just happened upon your journal. You have such great ideas, I can't wait to see the finished product!! And you are not alone in being indecisive, I change my mind all the time. And I bought 2 wedding dresses, too.

[Docsgirl]

So, we're having a leeeetle bit of difficulty with the reception venue. As I was e-mailing our decoration plans to the venue manager, I thought I would have no worries, as he had said at the booking that there were no limitations on decorations.

Boy, did he LIE. We can't attach anything to the ceiling, walls, or floor. So my MOH and I brainstormed and think we came up with a creative way of getting around the whole no attaching decorations to any part of the building.

This is the new decoration inspiration picture:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/reception.jpg

I'm thinking of making our own "pillars" with bases on them to hang the drapes from. I think it'll be pretty if we can pull it off. Let's hope so! :D


I'm also having custom alterations done on my dress. But it's going to be a surprise! I'll post the original pictures of the dress when it comes in April and then the custom alterations probably won't be done until like a week before the wedding, which is great because that's when I'll be heading to Wisconsin for this whole big shindig. I'm suuuuuuper stoked about the custom alterations and also very thankful that my seamstress is a professional custom dressmaker and can basically do any changes to my dress that I've asked her about so far. Yipeeeee! :) Hehe. How's that for a teaser? ;)

[gwenshack]

Nobody likes a tease! :) Kidding.

I like your inspiration - I think it'll be a lot of work making pillars, but it's a good "in your face" to the big liar - you can skirt his rules he threw at you and still get what you want. I love it. :)

[Mrs.Goff]

I love you inspiration picture. I hope it works for you.

I can't wait to see what you're doing to your dress. No fair making us wait. :)

[Docsgirl]

Thanks! :D

I don't even really know what it's going to look like after she does the custom alterations. I know that she'll be adding the black satin buttons to be covering the zipper and then with this new idea I randomly came up with today, even I'm not going to know the final result until the last fitting! :bbeek: But I'm certain it will be awesome!

Working on our registries right now. We already have a lot of stuff, so we're just registering for some "upgrades" and then some things we'll want for the new place that we have no use for in this house (there's a fireplace in the apartment!) and a few fun gifts (Nintendo Wii, anyone?! ;)). DH also requested that I register for tools, because he has like 2 screwdrivers and that's it. His point was that he was a man and didn't even have a hammer. LOL. So I registered for a nice 60 piece Black & Decker set that had a cordless drill and a hammer. Haha. I figure since I'm picking out most of the stuff for the new place because he told me to do whatever I wanted, I would let him register for his "man" stuff. He picked the color of the slipcovers too. But for the most part, he doesn't really care and likes what I have picked so far.

The living room is going to be dark brown, red, and gold (He picked dark brown suede slipcovers, I picked the red and gold accent colors). The first bathroom is going to be copper and black. The guest room will be black and dark red most likely. We haven't figured out our bedroom or bathroom yet. I'm excited about the kitchen though! Almost everyone in my family has the traditional "theme" kitchens. Apples, wine, coffee, etc. I'm doing foreign countries/places! :D I thought it would be awesome, since what we eat is such an eclectic mix. DH actually really likes it too. We're going to try to move as soon as possible, he just needs to get his letter of orders.

Well, back to the registries I go. There is NO way we're going to have anywhere close to enough things picked out for 200+ guests though.....the lady at Bed Bath & Beyond told us we should have the same amount of gifts picked out as people we have invited, if not more. Pfffffffffftt. Yeah right. We don't NEED that much stuff. We don't even want that much stuff! LOL

[f77g4]

Love your color choices for your rooms in the apartment!

I'm kinda excited about starting our registries next month - I already have people asking us why there isn't anything on our website. We've been living together since '03 so we are going to be asking for a lot of upgrades too since a lot of the stuff was acquired as poor university students!

I think we're going to register for some tools as well although I tend to pick FH up things when they are on sale at Canadian Tire as they usually have like 50% off or something.

Have fun with your registries!

[Docsgirl]

Thanks Ashley! :D

Most of the stuff we have now isn't bad, but it's either been inherited as hand me downs or was gifted to me when I moved into my very first apartment....at the age of 17! Nothing really matches and I've never really been one to mind, but now with moving into the new apartment and having no idea what on earth to register for, it seems like it's a good time to do the whole nice "adult" style thing.....since I suppose we are adults now. lol! At 22, I really don't mind still living like a college kid, but it's always nice to have nice new things when you're moving into a new place. I'm loooove our couch because it's the most comfortable thing in the world, but it's black velvet with all these other colored designs on it....DH really isn't feeling the color. Haha.

[Docsgirl]

Looking for favor stuff today. We had originally decided on chocolate covered cherries, and I still think it's a yummy favor, but then I started thinking about if some of our guests don't like them, then they basically get nothing for a little thank you gift. That doesn't seem right. So then I thought we could just get a huge bulk assortment of gourmet chocolates and use that.....hmmmm. I'm pretty stumped on this one. Asking DH when he gets home from work.

We're going to go get our taxes done tonight at H&R Block. Not quite sure how much we're getting back this year, but hopefully we'll get a nice chunk back so we can start buying some of the wedding things we've been putting off. Like favor stuff, the things we'll need to make the programs, stuff for the pomander balls for the ceremony, our bands, and other things.....we only have 3 months left! We're in double digits! Eeeek! Which reminds me I have to get the rest of those swarvoski crystals for the cake topper too! And stuff for the bathroom baskets. BM gifts, GM gifts, parents gifts. Bouquet accessories and ribbon since it's one of our DIY projects. And so much more other stuff. Ugh. It's getting a little overwhelming as it gets closer. lol

[Docsgirl]

Our taxes our done and our refund should be direct deposited in two weeks at the latest! Wooo hooo! We got back a lot. So DH told me that $1,000 of it can go to whatever stuff I need to get for the wedding still. Yayay! We're using the rest of it to pay off credit cards and for some of his gear he's missing that he needs for deployment. We're getting over double of what we would have got if we filed separately. :D Pretty happy about that one!

[Moon.Dust.]

gotta love tax refunds!

[MrsDM]

Tara,

I was reading your journal and your dress is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! Its just one of those dresses that your jaw drops when you see it! Everything is looking awesome! You have so many great ideas!

I noticed that your wedding is in Janesville, that is only like 45 minutes from me :)

Congrats with everything, I can't wait to see the final result, because its going to be beautiful!!!!

[Docsgirl]

Tara,

I was reading your journal and your dress is absolutely gorgeous!!!!! Its just one of those dresses that your jaw drops when you see it! Everything is looking awesome! You have so many great ideas!

I noticed that your wedding is in Janesville, that is only like 45 minutes from me :)

Congrats with everything, I can't wait to see the final result, because its going to be beautiful!!!!


Thanks so much! I think you may be talking about the first dress though....I've changed dresses since the first one! :bbredface: But, it was good that I did change dresses because we found out we couldn't alter the first one down small enough!

Yep, I was raised in a suburb of Madison. :D

[MrsDM]

Thanks so much! I think you may be talking about the first dress though....I've changed dresses since the first one! :bbredface: But, it was good that I did change dresses because we found out we couldn't alter the first one down small enough!

Yep, I was raised in a suburb of Madison. :D

No, the third dress you posted, right?! I remember you posting pictures of it in another thread. I absolutely love it!!!!!!

[Docsgirl]

No, the third dress you posted, right?! I remember you posting pictures of it in another thread. I absolutely love it!!!!!!

If it's the one that is going to be bright white and black, that's the right one! :D I'm pretty bad with the indecisiveness! LOL

[MrsDM]

If it's the one that is going to be bright white and black, that's the right one! :D I'm pretty bad with the indecisiveness! LOL

Nope that was the dress!!!! :)

[Docsgirl]

Well, thank you so much!!!! :D

[Docsgirl]

92 days to go and things are starting to fall in line as they should. Still don't have everything figured out for the reception hall.....DH thinks the pillars and swags might be a little too much work to get all set up and going on the day of the wedding. I can't really disagree with him either, because it will take everyone we have involved to get it up and going, but I'm going to beg the venue the night before to pretty pretty pretty pleeeeeeeeeease either let us decorate the night before, or let us buy the red bulbs to switch them out to at least have a lighting scheme in the room to set the mood. (Not THAT kind of mood...LOL!) I could live with no swags if they'll compromise on the lights. I really could.

We picked out our table numbers last night. I'm going to attempt to make them today! We also have our alternate decorations picked out for inside in case of rain. That's the one thing that really stinks about having a May Wisconsin wedding. It could either be beautiful or horribly rainy. Hopefully beautiful! Also found really pretty alternate table decorations if we can't get the manzanita branches for the centerpieces. They want like $6.99 a branch and each centerpiece will take at least 2-3. With having over 25 tables, that already is starting to add up very quickly and that's just for the plain branches. DH likes the new table decoration inspiration picture:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/backuptabledecoration.jpg
It matches the damask from the invitations. We'd have to change it a little though, because we're having the white linens with the red overlays that the venue provides. I still really like the manzanita though. Just didn't know they'd come out to be so expensive. :irked:

Also found a tutorial on how to make our DIY pomander balls. They'll look something like this:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DIYpomanders.jpg
We'll be using them along the aisle for the ceremony. But probably without the ribbons. And in all of our colors. Kinda like this:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/pomanderballs.jpg

Starting to get excited/a little more antsy as every day goes by. We're ordering our bands within 2 weeks. Yay! :D I already have DH's picked out. He doesn't want to see it, he wants it to be a surprise. I'm not going to post it on here in case of snooping.....(he may have peeked at my dress, I dunno...lol). But it's the closest thing I could find with all of the things he said he'd like. So hopefully....it'll be perfect in his eyes! I picked out the little black diamond band to go with my ring, but that's because he picked out the engagement ring all on his own. ;)

[Docsgirl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jemXsqGQZu4

But where to put it?! LOL We've already got our first dance song and recessional. I'd use it for our intro song, but I really like the whole song. Haha. Maybe we'll have to add a song into our ceremony after all. Because I just absolutely love this slow version of this song. Or maybe make this our first dance and use our first dance song in our ceremony since it's "our" song. Ack! I don't know. But I want it! :D Haha.

[Docsgirl]

All from our website so far. BUT, we got 7 more today!! Yeahhh! I'm assuming everyone is just starting to get their invitations in the mail now. One of my BMs that lives in Ohio called last night to say she got hers. :D The other ones are probably being delivered in Wisconsin today....we'll see, because my mom will call when she gets hers. Some of DH's side of the list from Florida also did their RSVP by our website. I'm really starting to like having that option! It's so easy, and it's the preferred way by everyone so far. We haven't got any "No"s yet.....I have a feeling I'll feel a little down when we get the first one. I'm sure there will be at least a few. But my little counter is going to be going up daily now, hopefully! I reallllllllly don't want to have to call any procrastinators the week after the cut off date.

[Mrs.Goff]

I love that table. I was at hobby lobby last weekend and seen that table runner. They had it on sale, it was 40% off. I wanted them but decided against it.

YaY,for RSVPs.

[Docsgirl]

Hopefully they'll still have the runners if we decide to go with that table instead of the manzanita branches! :D That would be awesome to get them for 40% off!

So here is the mock up of our table numbers. I'm pretty sure I like them just as they are. (I like that the little swirly from the pattern sits perfectly inside the b! lol. I'm such a geek.)
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0737.jpg

And I *finally* got a picture of my ring that shows it's prettiness off a little. The stones always just looked like little black unsparkly blobs when I took pictures of it. So I took off the flash, set the camera to macro setting and viola! Black diamond stones instead of black blobs!
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0734.jpg

[Mrs.Goff]

Wow, your ring is SO pretty. Nice picture too.

[f77g4]

Awesome table decor! I am really loving the damask pattern - it makes everything so classy looking!

Your ring is great as is the mock up of the table numbers which I commented on in that thread!

[Docsgirl]

Thank you both!! :D

DH really likes the damask table look better than our first centerpieces. I've always loved the look of the manzanita tree centerpieces, but I had no idea that the branches were that expensive....I mean, honestly...they're dead tree branches! lol We're still undecided as to what one we're going to use, but since DH is pulling for the one look, and I like it too....we'll probably end up with that one. He brought up the point that the trees are going to be a pain to get up to Wisconsin when we have to go for the wedding. Which is very true! 25+ trees....and we have a mini cooper. LOL With the other ones, we'd have to get the runners and votive holders and all the candles, but would be waiting to make the other flower stuff until we got there. So he's got me on that point....can't really make a strong argument for my centerpieces when they seem like they're going to be a pain in the butt.

[f77g4]

Thank you both!! :D

DH really likes the damask table look better than our first centerpieces. I've always loved the look of the manzanita tree centerpieces, but I had no idea that the branches were that expensive....I mean, honestly...they're dead tree branches! lol We're still undecided as to what one we're going to use, but since DH is pulling for the one look, and I like it too....we'll probably end up with that one. He brought up the point that the trees are going to be a pain to get up to Wisconsin when we have to go for the wedding. Which is very true! 25+ trees....and we have a mini cooper. LOL With the other ones, we'd have to get the runners and votive holders and all the candles, but would be waiting to make the other flower stuff until we got there. So he's got me on that point....can't really make a strong argument for my centerpieces when they seem like they're going to be a pain in the butt.

Ooh he does have you there doesn't he? LOL Unless you could get your mother to pick it up in the city where you're getting married so that they'd already be there? But I really do love the look he is pulling for....and if it's cheaper, even better in my opinion...lol

[FutureKelley]

Wow, love your ring!

Everything is looking great. :D

[Docsgirl]

Ooh he does have you there doesn't he? LOL Unless you could get your mother to pick it up in the city where you're getting married so that they'd already be there? But I really do love the look he is pulling for....and if it's cheaper, even better in my opinion...lol

Yeah, we talked about it again last night. He *really* wants the damask setting. He said he thinks the manzanita trees will get in the way of people trying to talk and that while tall centerpieces are pretty, they're also very hard to transport. I told him we could do the damask table settings, but that I get to tweak it a little. LOL Our venue comes with white linens with red overlays, so the damask runners will still look pretty, but I don't want gobs and gobs of red on the tables either.....so we might have to change the color of the rose petals or something..I dunno. I guess I get to play and figure it out!

[Docsgirl]

Rough day today. Actually, it's been kind of a rough week for us. DH had to switch companies before his deployment. He now has to get up at 4:30-5:00am every morning and gets home around 7:00pm. He had some of his gear for deployment stolen out of his locker, so he now has to pay $540 to replace it, and that's not including the additional gear he will need/want. Thank goodness for our tax returns.

When he gets home, we eat, watch tv together, and will talk about the wedding stuff. I know he's getting really stressed with everything coming up so soon, and so close together. We're getting married at the very end of May, moving as soon as he can get his letter of orders, and he'll be leaving for training in June and then deploying in July. We have a mandatory meeting on base tomorrow night that we have to go to for all of the guys deploying and their wives. I really don't want to go. All the big wigs are going to sit there and tell us why they need to take our husbands away from us and how important we are as their support system. Ugh. I cry everytime anyone even mentions Afghanistan and I really don't want to cry in front of a whole company of people. But it's mandatory, so I really don't get a choice. :purplex:

We've been laying together in bed a lot lately, not saying anything. He tells me he just wants to hold me, and I lay there with my head on his chest listening to his heartbeat and wondering how I'm going to make it through this deployment. He told me he needs me to be strong for him and I'm trying my best. But he also told me that he would not want to switch places with me anyday and that he can't imagine how he'd feel if I was getting sent into war. It's soooo hard not to cry when he talks about leaving. We're going to get another laptop for him to take over there so we can talk via Skype. I'll probably get a new phone, like a Tilt or iPhone so I don't have to miss any messenger messages or calls from him. And I'm going to be constantly sending him little packages and letters.

It's just rough. We both know it's going to come up a lot faster than it seems. He's going to be later than normal tonight, they just found a dead marine in his room. He can't give me specifics, obviously, but he did say that he still wants the big dinner we've been putting off for like a week. So we'll probably eat and then go to bed so he can get some sleep. I try to cry when he's at work, so I'm all good and looking happy when he gets home, although he really isn't in the best of moods these days when he gets back. I can't blame him though. He's working long days and dealing with sooo much. I really feel so bad for him and just want to be able to make it all better. He said not to worry, because he is still very happy when he's with me, he just is dealing with so much at work that it's getting to the point where he can't leave it at work. My poor hubby. :(

[f77g4]

:hug:Aww Tara I can't even begin to imagine the pain that you are feeling as well as him. To have him taken away from you for months on a tour in a rough area - it's stressful, frustrating and a whole lot of other emotions all mixed together I'm sure.

Please know that we are hear for you and will help you deal the best way we can with his deployment. :hug:

[MrsDM]

Aw honey! I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine being in either one of your positions. I don't even know what to say to make you feel better, but like Ashley said, we are here for support!

[Mrs.Goff]

Aww, (((HUGS)))!

I can only imagine what you and your DH are feeling. My heart goes out to you both.

Thank you both for the sacrifices you all make so that he can protect our country. Our solders don't get enough Thank yous and the families get even less! It's so sad. So my Thank you comes from the heart. I'll pray for his safe return.

[Kay]

What a moving post. You may feel weak but you sound strong. My heart goes out to you. My sister's husband leaves for his second deployment the first week of August & now I have more of an idea of what they are going through, too. :(

[Docsgirl]

Thank you all.

I'm trying my best to keep distracted from it, but with this meeting coming up tomorrow night, I'm pretty much staring reality in the face today, for my fear of crying in front of people. I hate crying(sad crying, happy crying is okay!), and I really don't like to do it in front of anyone. I think once this meeting is over, I can start building my big strong wall up for him and hope to everything that I believe in that it doesn't get knocked down!

[Docsgirl]

The meeting tonight....was horrible. I really wish we wouldn't have gone at all, but then I wouldn't have found out the *great* (dripping with sarcasm) news. I definitely cried and stared at the wall for the whole hour and a half we were there.

DH is now being deployed for 9 months instead of 6. HE didn't even know that until tonight. On top of that, they cannot take laptops(goodbye Skype), digital cameras, or cell phones for fear that somehow their location will be found out. They'll get to call home at least once a month. Tops- about 3 times a month. For 15 minutes at a time. In Afghanistan, they do not have a call center or computer station like in Iraq. Their "base" is going to be tents within walls, or so master sergeant said tonight. The key volunteer line that lets the wives, etc know what is going on is still in progress of getting set-up...they're *hoping* it'll be up and going by the time they deploy. During the questions section of the meeting, everytime someone asked a question, they gave them the run-around until they were so confused that they were just like "okay?". I just wanted to say "If you don't have answers for us, don't let us ask questions!"

DH kept asking if I was okay on the way home... because I was choking back my tears, biting my lips, and blinking rapidly to try not to cry anymore....it was just kind of a big blow to have 3 additional months added on, with pretty much all "technology" forms of communication taken away. He said he completely understands. I didn't tell him, but now I'm really wondering how in the heck we're going to do this and make it through. Letters and one phone call, maybe two or three if we're lucky a month? I know we can do this. In my heart, I know that he loves me just as much as I love him. It just sucks to know that my heart and my life is going to be away from me for 9 whole months. That's almost a whole year! :bbcry:

************************************************** ***
But, on a lighter note, we're really going to try to go to San Juan BEFORE he deploys now, since he won't be getting back until April. We made our honeymoon registry today. I'd rather give towards a honeymoon than a kitchen gadget or something, so I'm hoping a lot of our guests will be in the same boat....lol.

He's sleeping away right now, I'm wide awake. Stupid meeting. :irked:

[gwenshack]

Wow Tara, I'm so sorry. That's really horrible news. I would have staring at the wall right beside you if I was hearing that about my FH. You've got a lot of strength though and I know you'll make it through the 9 months. I know it's discouraging to know how little contact you'll have with him during that time, but that will make your reunion even more sweet. I'm so sorry though. I know that the military life is so difficult on the wives. I hope you get that honeymoon in before he leaves!

[Mrs.Goff]

I'm so sorry. (((Hugs)))

[Docsgirl]

Thanks ladies.

I'm thinking I'm definitely going to be one of the girls that sticks around even after the wedding. Everyone is so awesome here. :) I've got another one of the wives in the same boat as me. And she works right next to the apartment complex in the city that we're moving to soon. So we've already made plans to have margarita nights and stuff. Her hubby has been in for 15 years and she's been through a lot of deployments, so she's kind of taking me under her wing for this one. I'm really thankful that I met her. Definitely going to need someone down here, close to me, that knows how I feel and she'll be ready for all the crazy stuff I go through. LOL Kidding....I won't go crazy, but it will be hard. She said after awhile, you turn kind of blank towards deployments, because there is nothing you can do about it and nothing you do will change the fact that they're leaving. I felt really bad for some of the wives there tonight who are pregnant and found out their husbands will be gone for 9 months. They'll be lucky if they can get a phone call from their husbands when Red Cross notifies them that their child has been born. If there are complications, like, really bad ones, they'll get to come home. But if they're healthy.....they'll see their kids whenever they get home.

I'm definitely hiring one of the "homecoming" photographers down here for when DH gets back. Those first leap hug pictures get me everytime, even if I don't know the people! Haha. I'm such a wuss when it comes to things like that. And we're going to get our pictures taken for the new program inspiration I found too. Kind of like engagement pictures, but we're already married.....so....they're just mushy pictures of us. That way DH will have some pictures of us to put in his cover while he's gone. He's leaving his nice wedding band with me when he deploys, so he doesn't lose it. You can believe that thing is never coming off of his dog tags, that I'll probably wear around religiously.

Ack, enough of deployment sadness for one night. Here's the link to the new programs I want to do. TOTALLY cute, and I think more people will want to keep them:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2009/02/20/the-last-detail-our-ceremony-programs/#more-84077

[Mrs.Goff]

Oh, I really like those programs. Can't wait to see pictures.

[f77g4]

Oh Tara hun I'm so sorry to hear your news of an even longer deployment and hardly any communication...but like Gwen said you're a strong woman and you'll get through this....I'm glad you found that other wife to take you under her wing and have someone to hang out with. Best wishes!

I LOVE those programs!

[Docsgirl]

Thanks. :D

In exciting news, I scheduled our "pictures" day. I don't know what to call it besides that, because they're going to be like engagement pictures, except..we're already past the engagement. lol Already married people can have mushy pictures too...that aren't of their wedding day....hahaha.

Anyways, the pictures are going to be in April. Yay. Which means as soon as the pictures are done, I'm going to be running around like a mad woman trying to get the programs all done. But it should be fine. :) I might just go to kinkos and have them print all the pages off. Still undecided. But I'm thinking with printing over 200 of those programs, I'd be paying just as much in ink cartridges as I would be paying at kinkos and I wouldn't have the headaches of trial and error printing then. Haha.

In bad news, one of my bridesmaids ordered the wrong dress. Nooooooo! :( But, both me and her are talking to girls at the bridal place to see if we can have the dresses switched around, especially since they didn't even pull the payment for the dress she ordered out of her bank account yet. They said they'd call the designer and see what they could do. I'm just a little confused though....doesn't the dress have to be paid for, for the paper work to go anywhere?! Hmmmm. I dunno. She's the only girl they didn't pull the payment from right away, so we're both crossing our fingers that they can switch it. If not, DH and I told her we'd cover the new dress, since she's the only bm traveling to be there.

[Deanna2112001]

Go to kinko's and do a test run on one. Trust me I did.. and it ended up costing me only 5 bucks for 50 invitations. The laser printer is awesome! Just try it, you will see. ;)

[Docsgirl]

Go to kinko's and do a test run on one. Trust me I did.. and it ended up costing me only 5 bucks for 50 invitations. The laser printer is awesome! Just try it, you will see. ;)

Wow, that's not bad at all. Our ink cartridges for our printer are like $20 a piece! And it'll take the stress of doing them off of me. I definitely think I'll give kinkos a whirl. Can they print on specialty paper, or do they just use paper that they have?

[Docsgirl]

I really really like this bouquet. It's all carnations. lol I never thought I would want a carnation bouquet, but then again....I don't think I've ever seen an all carnations bouquet.
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/bouquet1.jpg

And then I picked out the jewelry I'll probably be getting:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/bracelet.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Earrings.jpg
Along with teeny black studs for the other multiple holes in my ears. lol

[f77g4]

Oooh sorry to hear about the bridesmaid dress fiasco - hope you can get it worked out.

Love that bouquet - I've seen a pink one similar that I've been thinking about too.

[Docsgirl]

Yeah, the BM dress situation really stinks. As soon as she said Mori Lee, I was like "Hold the phone....that's not the designer...". I feel bad because she feels bad and well, it was a miscomminucation and so we'll get it all figured out somehow.

I really do like the carnation bouquets...I even found out to tip them different colors! lol

[MrsDM]

Wow, that's not bad at all. Our ink cartridges for our printer are like $20 a piece! And it'll take the stress of doing them off of me. I definitely think I'll give kinkos a whirl. Can they print on specialty paper, or do they just use paper that they have?

See thats what I'm wondering too. I need mine printed on paper I already purchased, but I want them either engraved or embossed.

[Deanna2112001]

See thats what I'm wondering too. I need mine printed on paper I already purchased, but I want them either engraved or embossed.


Yes! I brought in my own paper and they totally printed on it. As a matter of fact! Its cheaper that way. The ONLY paper that a laser printer can't print on.. is Velum. It melts it :(

They also will cut them for you too. With this super fast clean cut thing. I think its 1 buck for each cut. For instance.. I have 30 shhets printed on. And I needed them cut in half. And 2 inches off the top and bottom. Its was only an extra 3.00 to cut all 30! Totally worth it.

Jeanne like I was saying.. really give it a test shot. They will print it out on regular paper first. Then when your satisfied hand them your paper. They even fixed a minor centering error.

I took my invites and my waterproofing paper in there. Just to bad one of my guest told me her husband threw the invite away before she could rsvp. :icon_barbar: I know all of my invites get or got threw away at some point during this wedding.. But geesh... I don't wanna hear it..

[Mrs.Goff]

I like that bouquet. I thought about carnations myself. I really liked this one ...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/3285730581_c8485188ae.jpg

I thought about mixing red and red tips like the one above.

[Docsgirl]

Yes! I brought in my own paper and they totally printed on it. As a matter of fact! Its cheaper that way. The ONLY paper that a laser printer can't print on.. is Velum. It melts it :(

They also will cut them for you too. With this super fast clean cut thing. I think its 1 buck for each cut. For instance.. I have 30 shhets printed on. And I needed them cut in half. And 2 inches off the top and bottom. Its was only an extra 3.00 to cut all 30! Totally worth it.

Jeanne like I was saying.. really give it a test shot. They will print it out on regular paper first. Then when your satisfied hand them your paper. They even fixed a minor centering error.

I took my invites and my waterproofing paper in there. Just to bad one of my guest told me her husband threw the invite away before she could rsvp. :icon_barbar: I know all of my invites get or got threw away at some point during this wedding.. But geesh... I don't wanna hear it..


That's awesome! Okay, another question....might be kind of stupid, but how did you get your design to them? lol I only have a laptop, and so disks are out of the question. Or do they design them there? I'm so lost when it comes to copy places like that. Haha. I could burn the image on a c.d. or have it on a portable hard drive, but that's about the extent from my computer.

[Docsgirl]

Ooh. I really like those white and red tipped carnations too! I didn't see them as an option from any of the wholesale flower places though. :(

[Docsgirl]

We ordered our wedding bands today. Yay! Well, more like I ordered our wedding bands today. LOL. DH is still working and I begged him to pretty please just let me order them already with some of the tax return money we just got back this weekend. He told me to go for it. :D

Mine was already on sale before, but it was an extra 20% off today. Yahoo! It's a white gold band inset with 18 black diamonds that total .28 carats. Yeah...teeny black diamonds, but I already have big ones in my engagement ring and I'm excited!!!

I ordered DH's today as well. I had a few options picked out and then went with something completely different! lol It's a handmade customized ring with all of the things he "liked" in other rings. And I'm having it engraved too! (He doesn't know anything about the ring and I'm not telling him either...it's a surprise! Tee hee!) I'm putting a little inside joke between us in it. I'm sure he'll crack up when he sees it, but it's semi-mushy too. :winktongue:

[MrsDM]

We ordered our wedding bands today. Yay! Well, more like I ordered our wedding bands today. LOL. DH is still working and I begged him to pretty please just let me order them already with some of the tax return money we just got back this weekend. He told me to go for it. :D

Mine was already on sale before, but it was an extra 20% off today. Yahoo! It's a white gold band inset with 18 black diamonds that total .28 carats. Yeah...teeny black diamonds, but I already have big ones in my engagement ring and I'm excited!!!

I ordered DH's today as well. I had a few options picked out and then went with something completely different! lol It's a handmade customized ring with all of the things he "liked" in other rings. And I'm having it engraved too! (He doesn't know anything about the ring and I'm not telling him either...it's a surprise! Tee hee!) I'm putting a little inside joke between us in it. I'm sure he'll crack up when he sees it, but it's semi-mushy too. :winktongue:
Congrats on getting the bands ordered! Isn't it exciting? Its just that much closer to being real!! :)

[Mrs.Goff]

YAY! Congrats on the rings!

[Docsgirl]

Thank you both! :D

Now I'm all antsy for them to be here already! Haha. I'm trying to stick around right now, but all these meds I'm on makes typing take forever, because either I don't focus on the screen or I forget what I want to type! Seriously, this post will probably take me a good 4-5 minutes when it would usually be like 1-2. lol

But it makes for good snuggle time! Waiting for DH to get hooooome!

[f77g4]

Congrats on ordering the rings! Another item to check off.

I hope you're feeling better!

[Docsgirl]

So, DH's custom ring is already done! HOLY MOLY! Geez, talk about efficient! They said it should be in, in a few days. His ring will be here before mine. And mine isn't even custom. Haha!

He said he wants to start wearing it right away and not wait for the wedding, since we're technically already married. I'm not going to tell him no, and he'd probably snoop and find the ring since it's a surprise before the wedding anyways. Haha. Besides, his "cheap" wedding band is pretty beat up and scratched from work, so it's probably about ready to be retired. He'll be taking it on deployment with him though so he doesn't lose his nice one. Apparently a lot of guys loose them over there when they go, because they're not allowed to wear them on their hands and they fall off their dog tags or plain just lose their dog tags that they're attached to. He's even said maybe he just won't take one, because he likes the sentimental value of the first one. He's leaving his nice one with me. I'm going to wear it on a chain or his dogtags until he gets home.

I'm going to try my band on with my ring because...well...it's just a must do thing when you first get your band, right? lol But, I'll probably wait until the wedding to start wearing it daily.

[f77g4]

ooh how exciting Tara!

[Mrs.Goff]

That's great news.

So when you try them all on together, do we get to see pics? hmm. lol

[Docsgirl]

That's great news.

So when you try them all on together, do we get to see pics? hmm. lol

Oh, you know it! ;)

I'm getting so antsy! 11 weeks to go! The time is flying by!

[Docsgirl]

So, we may change the decorations for the centerpieces....again! LOL. I've been playing around with some DIY ideas and think I've come up with something that I'll really love that won't cost me a small fortune. Once I get the mock up done, I'll be sure to post pictures.

And we've also decided to do the damask runners on the head table only. I really couldn't justify spending $400 on table runners, when we already have red and white linens provided by the venue. If I was going to be spending that much, I could just get all new linens all together! lol I think it'll help to spruce up the head table as well. :D

Non-wedding related, but over these last couple of days while I've been feeling all sorts of funky from the cat scratch disease, I've developed a weird love for Perrier lemon water. Don't ask me why, it's like my new addiction. Crazy, huh? But at least it's a water addiction! DH thinks I'm totally nutso, but obliged in letting me stock up on it while we were at the grocery store tonight. Have any of you ever had it? Mmm. Delish. I like the little bubbles in it. I guess it reminds me of soda, but it's good for you. So...awesome. :D

I'm getting soooo super antsy for my dress to get here. I'm calling tomorrow to see if they have a tracking number or something for me. That would be awesome, yet at the same time, I think I would drive myself nuts with it. Haha. I'd be checking like everyday.

And on a WONDERFUL note, they were able to switch the dress for my BM that ordered the wrong dress! THANK JEEBUS! I sighed a huge sigh of relief after I listened to the voicemail she left me last night saying they were only charging her an extra $11 processing fee to switch the dress order. So yay!

And DH left me a message on the dry erase board a few days ago that I just noticed tonight. "You make me smile, you make me laugh. My whole life it's been the other way, you change things for the better." Awwwww! So I left him a cute little mushy note back...which he noticed right away, of course.

[f77g4]

That's so great Tara - glad to hear things are working out.

[Docsgirl]

That's so great Tara - glad to hear things are working out.

Thanks! :D

Talked to DH's mom today. She had a few questions about the wedding stuff, and then said, and I quote "Don't worry about money. I have enough to cover it all." :bbeek: Holy ****! I didn't even say anything about money! lol And she's already put the deposits down on our places. I told DH and he just laughed and said his mom has been saving up for his wedding ever since he was little. I told him I still would like to cover the majority of the rest of the expenses ourselves. And he laughed again. But it's nice to know that she's willing to help if we need it! Geez, how'd I luck out and get such a great MIL? Willing to help out soooo much monetarily and hasn't had one demand yet!

[MrsDM]

Thanks! :D

Talked to DH's mom today. She had a few questions about the wedding stuff, and then said, and I quote "Don't worry about money. I have enough to cover it all." :bbeek: Holy ****! I didn't even say anything about money! lol And she's already put the deposits down on our places. I told DH and he just laughed and said his mom has been saving up for his wedding ever since he was little. I told him I still would like to cover the majority of the rest of the expenses ourselves. And he laughed again. But it's nice to know that she's willing to help if we need it! Geez, how'd I luck out and get such a great MIL? Willing to help out soooo much monetarily and hasn't had one demand yet!

OMG - your FMIL rocks!!! She seems like she is so excited for you guys!!!

[Docsgirl]

I posted it in the forums too, but I'm just so excited. I'm going to propose to him tonight. Yep...I figured since he did it twice to me, I'll do it for him too. Although I'm pretty sure I'm not going to say "Will you marry me?". I think I'll do something along the lines of "Will you promise to continue being my husband and make me happy for the rest of my life?" I know, I'm a mush-ball. :bbredface:

Anyways, pictures!! (The engraving says, "I love you, baby...yachts". Inside joke) And please excuse my disgustly dusty tv stand. I needed natural light...lol.

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0771.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0772.jpg
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0773.jpg

[MrsDM]

Wow, the ring looks nice! They did a great job on engraving!!

[Docsgirl]

Wow, the ring looks nice! They did a great job on engraving!!

Thank you!!:jphappy:

[f77g4]

Thanks! :D

Talked to DH's mom today. She had a few questions about the wedding stuff, and then said, and I quote "Don't worry about money. I have enough to cover it all." :bbeek: Holy ****! I didn't even say anything about money! lol And she's already put the deposits down on our places. I told DH and he just laughed and said his mom has been saving up for his wedding ever since he was little. I told him I still would like to cover the majority of the rest of the expenses ourselves. And he laughed again. But it's nice to know that she's willing to help if we need it! Geez, how'd I luck out and get such a great MIL? Willing to help out soooo much monetarily and hasn't had one demand yet!

Want to send her my way! LOL My FMIL has not offered to help either with plans or financially and she keeps getting stuff mixed up...lol

[Deanna2112001]

That's awesome! Okay, another question....might be kind of stupid, but how did you get your design to them? lol I only have a laptop, and so disks are out of the question. Or do they design them there? I'm so lost when it comes to copy places like that. Haha. I could burn the image on a c.d. or have it on a portable hard drive, but that's about the extent from my computer.


I emailed them the file on word. And emailed it to myself. Which I was glad I did because there was twice that they said they didn't receive the email!

[Deanna2112001]

Want to send her my way! LOL My FMIL has not offered to help either with plans or financially and she keeps getting stuff mixed up...lol

Mine is not involved at all! Right now.. because I think she should be MORE into her son getting married. I am not liking her right now. And get this.. We get along! That's what I don't get!!

[f77g4]

Mine is not involved at all! Right now.. because I think she should be MORE into her son getting married. I am not liking her right now. And get this.. We get along! That's what I don't get!!

We used to get in but not so much but its mainly because when I talk to her I feel like I'm talking to a wall - she gets all confused, only catches part of the story etc.....it's sad but FH has never been really close with his parents.

[Deanna2112001]

We used to get in but not so much but its mainly because when I talk to her I feel like I'm talking to a wall - she gets all confused, only catches part of the story etc.....it's sad but FH has never been really close with his parents.


Rick is close to his mom. But not that close I guess. I mean they don't talk everyday or every month! But still.. GOD... Show some Love will ya woman.. I swear I love him more than she does!!!

[Docsgirl]

Want to send her my way! LOL My FMIL has not offered to help either with plans or financially and she keeps getting stuff mixed up...lol

Haha. I'd share, but I don't think that's possible! lol She really is so great. She's went to check out both places and put the deposits on them right away after confirming they were both really nice, went to the tasting for us for the reception, had the idea to get the invitations from Michaels because she looked at them and thought they were really nice and would help us save money. She's even dealt with the fact that I changed my mind 3 times and e-mailed her 3 different "this is it!" dresses before buying a dress, and then ended up getting a different one after I bought the first one...with no complaints whatsoever. Seriously, his mom is 110% on board. :D It's awesome. And DH told me when I first met her that she'd probably shoot both of us.:rolleyes: She gave me a big hug....lol.

[Docsgirl]

I emailed them the file on word. And emailed it to myself. Which I was glad I did because there was twice that they said they didn't receive the email!

Thanks! Good to know. I think we're definitely going with Kinko's. It'll just get done a lot faster and take the stress of it off of my hands. It'll probably look a whole lot nicer than what my little inkjet could do, too!

[Docsgirl]

Rick is close to his mom. But not that close I guess. I mean they don't talk everyday or every month! But still.. GOD... Show some Love will ya woman.. I swear I love him more than she does!!!

Awwww. Maybe she's trying to separate a little bit so she doesn't feel like she's "losing her baby"? I know my mom is like that, although she still cried when I moved to the east coast.

[Docsgirl]

Our "pictures" shoot is booked and details worked out. Woo hoo! April 5th, starting between 10:00 -11:00 a.m. I'm really excited! Now what to wear.......completely clueless! Probably a beachy type of dress for the beach ones and then some jeans and a cute top for the downtown ones....

My BM that ordered the wrong dress called me today to tell me everything about them switching the order and whatnot. I'm so thankful that it all worked out. I really feel so detached from all of my girls. They're all so far away from me! But we're going to see one of my BM next time DH has a 4 day weekend, she lives in Ohio and it's about a 10 hour drive from us. One of his friends lives close to where they live, so that'll be nice for him to catch up with his friend as well. My little sister is in Wisconsin, in college and working part-time. I miss her sooo much! And can't wait to see her pretty face! I text back and forth with DH's little sister all the time too. She's so fun and super smart for her age. :) And lastly, my MOH. I miss her terribly. She's the cheese to my macaroni. She was just down here in December and I can't wait for her to come back down again this summer after the wedding. I guess I'm just having one of those "I miss my friends and home" days. :whyme:

One of the GM won't be able to make it to the wedding. :( But, it's okay because now we'll have even numbers walking again, since the whole mess with my sister. We'll each have 4 attendants now. And since we're having less bridal party attendants, we're going to have a lot of extra room on our party bus. So...I don't know. Maybe we'll just cancel and get a limo after all? Who knows....I'll have to bring that to DH's attention and see what he thinks.

On an exciting note, I've been e-mailing all of the nice hotels in Madison asking for honeymoon suite availability. Most of them do have availability, but I came across a mansion that rents out suites. It looks soooo nice. The lady is sending me pictures of the 3 "wedding night" suites sometime next week so we can choose which room we'd like. The price is a little steeper than the hotel room suites, but we're only going to have one wedding night, right?....I'll still have to talk that one over with DH as well. lol

[f77g4]

Oooh Tara thats exciting that everything is coming together!

I'm sorry one of the groomsman can't make it but like you said you now have even numbers again!

Good luck with the pics from the mansion.

[Docsgirl]

Oooh Tara thats exciting that everything is coming together!

I'm sorry one of the groomsman can't make it but like you said you now have even numbers again!

Good luck with the pics from the mansion.

Thanks Ashley! (Can't give you rep yet...apparently I have to spread the love...lol)


I know I posted the colors of the rooms in the new apartment before, but we hadn't figured out the color for the master bedroom or bathroom. Well, we figured them out tonight! DH picked the bedding and I picked the bathroom set. The set he picked is black, a darker grey, and silver. It's seriously SO nice. I was pleasantly surprised(has nothing to do with the fact that black is my favorite color ;)) and picked a black ringless shower curtain, black and dark grey towels and black accessories for the bathroom. I'll probably get some painting with lighter grey in it, but I'm really not too worried with all the black, because the the walls and tub and everything is white. So woo hoo! We have the whole apartment design set up. Now if he could just get his stinking orders on paper so we could move! lol

[f77g4]

That sounds really beautiful Tara and rather posh like...lol I'm sure it will turn out great. We want to do some painting in the house too but that will probably wait until after the wedding etc.

[Docsgirl]

I got my wedding band yesterday! Woo hoo!! I'll make sure to post pictures soon, I'm not feeling very well today, so I'll try to get some up of it tomorrow. I really really like it. And I told DH I didn't think I was going to wear it until the wedding and he said he thinks I should wear it now since we're already married. LOL Don't have to twist my arm on that one! :D

We'll both be removing our bands for the ceremony part though.

I'm really getting antsy about my dress getting here. I reallllly want it to be here already so I can take it to the seamstress so she can get to work on the custom alterations! Grrrrrr. Got like an whole month to go.

Think I'm going to take a nap now. These last couple days haven't been the healthiest for me. Can't wait to go back to the doctor this week. Hopefully he'll be able to give me something to help with the drowsiness and nausea my meds cause. :snide:

[f77g4]

How exciting! Can't wait to see the pics!

Feel better and good luck at the doctors!

[Mrs.Goff]

I'm sorry that you still don't feel well. I hope that you feel better soon.

I'm excited to see your wedding band. I love seeing the rings.

I couldn't imagine waiting for my dress. My dress was a discontinued style so I bought it off the rack and brought it home with me. Waiting the 7 weeks for the seamstress to finish was a killer. It would kill me to have to wait for it to be made and shipped.

[Docsgirl]

I'm sorry that you still don't feel well. I hope that you feel better soon.

I'm excited to see your wedding band. I love seeing the rings.

I couldn't imagine waiting for my dress. My dress was a discontinued style so I bought it off the rack and brought it home with me. Waiting the 7 weeks for the seamstress to finish was a killer. It would kill me to have to wait for it to be made and shipped.

Thanks! I feel much better today compared to yesterday.

And I just found out that my BM will be getting their dresses the week after I get mine! HAHA. Go figure.

[Docsgirl]

Here are some pictures I took today of my rings!

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0798.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/CIMG0782.jpg

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/Rings.jpg

[f77g4]

Love your rings Tara!!!!

Glad you're feeling better!

[Docsgirl]

Love your rings Tara!!!!

Glad you're feeling better!

Thanks Ashley! :D

[MrsDM]

Oh WOW! Your rings look perfect together!!! Very pretty!!!

[Docsgirl]

Oh WOW! Your rings look perfect together!!! Very pretty!!!

Thanks Jeanne! :D

[Mrs.Goff]

I love the band, it's great and matches your E-ring perfectly. Congrats.

[Docsgirl]

I love the band, it's great and matches your E-ring perfectly. Congrats.

Thanks Threesia! :D

[HisDelightfulFaerie]

I agree with the one poster about waiting for your dress. I ordered mine and I'm pretty sure I'm going to die waiting for it to come in so the seamstress can get a hold of it.

It's under the three month mark...how are you feeling about all of it.

[Docsgirl]

I agree with the one poster about waiting for your dress. I ordered mine and I'm pretty sure I'm going to die waiting for it to come in so the seamstress can get a hold of it.

It's under the three month mark...how are you feeling about all of it.


I'm only going to have my dress for 3 weeks before I have to leave to go back home for the wedding. It's definitely got me a little tense about my seamstress having to do custom alterations, but she said she'll get it done in no time, so all I can do is trust her!

Otherwise, I'm pretty good with nerves and everything. I have a bunch of DIY projects to tackle here in the next couple of weeks, but at least it'll keep me busy! 9 weeks until I leave, 10 'til the wedding!

[Docsgirl]

Woo hoo!! I had a shopping night tonight when DH got back from the field. He was tired and stayed home, so I went out for about 3 hours to 4 different stores. And got lots of stuff!! Stuff for the mock up of our centerpieces, so we can get taken care of and out of the way. I'm really excited about them, so I'll probably do the mock up tonight, just because I'm silly like that. We'll see.......

Also got a bunch of other stuff. I'll post pictures of all of it tomorrow. DH is sleeping and the digital camera is in the bedroom. Don't want to wake him!

[f77g4]

Oooh sounds fun! Can't wait to see the pics of the mockup plus the other stuff you bought!

[Mrs.Goff]

I love stuff! I think the craft stuff is one of my favorite parts of wedding planning. Can't wait to see pictures.

[Docsgirl]

Okay, so the stuff I got for the centerpieces didn't work out as planned. We're going to go back to the damask tables. :D It's just way less of a headache, but they're going to be a little different. And I suck for the meantime and haven't taken pictures of any of the things I bought.

On a weird note, DH told me today that he wants to live in a beachfront apartment/condo instead of the one we've already looked at and agreed on.:snide:
Don't get me wrong, living ON the beach would be great. We discussed it before, and found we couldn't afford to, but with the economy all the prices have dropped to only a little more than what we're paying now. I, on the other hand, still want to live in the city. And not to come off like a total beeznatch, but I think if he's going to be gone 6-9 months out of the lease, that I should get a little more say in where we live. My arguments are this:
1) The beach houses are all funky colors on the inside, and most of them are fully furnished. Where the heck would we put all of our stuff?! I guess if they would be willing to let us paint and unfurnish the house before we move in, I would probably lean a little more that way.
2) Besides going to the beach, I'd still have to drive to do anything. That was the one reason we were going to move to the city. So I wouldn't have to drive all over the friggin place.

But, to make him happy, we're going to go look at a few places. UGH. I'm really in love with the apartment in the city we have picked out. I highly doubt one of the blue, orange, yellow, and green decorated houses are going to make me go "Ooh! I want to live here!" and besides, what happens if there is another hurricane and I'm all alone living right on the beach? Tape up the windows and hope to god I and all of our stuff make it?

Hhhhhhh. I see where he's coming from. Everyone here wants to live on the beach. He wants to because he's an avid surfer. But how am I supposed to get a job in a small beach town? Be one of the hotday/slushy vendors? :whyme:

Sorry, that's my little rant of the night. Everything was set to go in this apartment I absolutely love......and he decides he'd rather not live there if we can find a beach place. I think this may be one of the very first things we might have to hash out, without giggling or smiling, because GEEZ! LOL

[HisDelightfulFaerie]

Okay, so the stuff I got for the centerpieces didn't work out as planned. We're going to go back to the damask tables. :D It's just way less of a headache, but they're going to be a little different. And I suck for the meantime and haven't taken pictures of any of the things I bought.

On a weird note, DH told me today that he wants to live in a beachfront apartment/condo instead of the one we've already looked at and agreed on.:snide:
Don't get me wrong, living ON the beach would be great. We discussed it before, and found we couldn't afford to, but with the economy all the prices have dropped to only a little more than what we're paying now. I, on the other hand, still want to live in the city. And not to come off like a total beeznatch, but I think if he's going to be gone 6-9 months out of the lease, that I should get a little more say in where we live. My arguments are this:
1) The beach houses are all funky colors on the inside, and most of them are fully furnished. Where the heck would we put all of our stuff?! I guess if they would be willing to let us paint and unfurnish the house before we move in, I would probably lean a little more that way.
2) Besides going to the beach, I'd still have to drive to do anything. That was the one reason we were going to move to the city. So I wouldn't have to drive all over the friggin place.

But, to make him happy, we're going to go look at a few places. UGH. I'm really in love with the apartment in the city we have picked out. I highly doubt one of the blue, orange, yellow, and green decorated houses are going to make me go "Ooh! I want to live here!" and besides, what happens if there is another hurricane and I'm all alone living right on the beach? Tape up the windows and hope to god I and all of our stuff make it?

Hhhhhhh. I see where he's coming from. Everyone here wants to live on the beach. He wants to because he's an avid surfer. But how am I supposed to get a job in a small beach town? Be one of the hotday/slushy vendors? :whyme:

Sorry, that's my little rant of the night. Everything was set to go in this apartment I absolutely love......and he decides he'd rather not live there if we can find a beach place. I think this may be one of the very first things we might have to hash out, without giggling or smiling, because GEEZ! LOL

I'm telling you know don't go out like that. I HATE our first place together. Didn't feel safe and was too far away from anyone who could help me, dealt with grungy management......and DF wasn't even there for the majority of the lease. Never again. NEVER.

Be wary.

[f77g4]

I'm excited to see what you decide with the damask centerpieces.

Well sorry to hear about the change of plans re the living situations. Honestly I'm with you on this one - you want to feel secure and safe especially while DH is away and whatnot.

Why not try to convince him to hold off on the beachhouse until after he's back so that he can enjoy it as well?

Good luck!

[f77g4]

Tara I was browsing etsy and saw these.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=cat1_gallery_13&listing_id=21485505

I wasn't sure if you had already gotten your or not.

[f77g4]

And this

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_3&listing_id=22594245&ga_search_query=wedding&ga_search_type=tag_title_all&ga_page=19&min=&max=&order=

[Docsgirl]

Thanks Ashley! That bouquet wrap is too cute!!

I've actually decided to sew our table runners myself. We're having anywhere from 20-30 tables, and it's just so expensive to buy them. I'm getting about 20 yards of damask print fabric for $111.00. Can get about 4 runners across the width. :) (Might have to ask my mom for a favor. I'm sure she's a much better sewer than me!)

[Docsgirl]

Ahhhh! It's getting so close! And I still really don't have much done. I'm going to be cranking out the DIY projects like no one's business these next couple of weeks.

On an awesome note, my dress will be here soon!! It's been killing me waiting for it. I just wanna put it on and take pictures to send to everyone (and by everyone I mean our moms, my bridesmaids, and of course all of my gals at OneWed ;)) and say "Hey! LOOKY!" and then get that pretty little thing over to the seamstresses house for alterations.

Our "engagement" pictures are in 2 weeks! And I just found out that our photographer will be moving to England in June, so my TTD shoot was cancelled. Boooo :(. But, I'm trying to find another reputable photographer, cuz I just have to have some fun pictures. And I'm so glad that she's still able to do the "engagement" pictures.

My older brother just wrote me from Korea, saying he's doing all he can to be at the wedding. He's active duty military and was supposed to come home in February, but extended and won't come home until later this summer/fall. He gets to take 15 days of combat leave though, and said one way or another, he'll be there. I miss him so much and feel special that he's trying his hardest to be here to walk me down the aisle with my little brother. :) It'll truly be such a great day if he's there. Out of all of my siblings, he was always the one I was closest to.

DH's best man got his paperwork all figured out to take his leave from Thailand as well. So, DH is really really happy that they accepted it and are letting him come to the states for a week or two. We're still waiting to hear back from his father, I know he wrote him and asked if he got the invitation yet or not. That was the only invitation going overseas for us, so we have no idea how long it will take. I'm hoping that his father will really be able to make it, I know it would mean so much to him.

The are slowly coming in. Some days we'll have 3 envelopes in the mail and then days will go by with nothing. They still have a little over a month to go though, I'm just excited and wanting to start on the seating chart as soon as possible.

Started tanning as well. My dress is a true bright bright white, and my skin is very fair and porcelain like until I start tanning, and then my biological father's native american genes start coming out and I look like pocahontas. lol Not even kidding. I like being tan and I know tanning beds are bad, but ah well. To each their own. Besides, it'll be nice to be tan before beach season comes ;). I rarely ever burn, I'm guessing that is from the mixed heritage. It really is just so weird. I can go from very pale to very dark quickly. I got a package for a stand up bed, because when I do the laydown ones, I have to flip and then certain areas get darker than others and my arm pits are still white....LOL. So stand up bed it is.

Also got whitening rinse for my teeth and will whiten them a week or so before the wedding as well if I don't get the results I'm looking for.

Phew, sorry, that update was long!

[Docsgirl]

In my previous post this morning, I mentioned that DH had written his father to see if he had gotten the invitation. I was just checking my facebook and saw in the little newsfeed that his father wrote on his wall that he will be coming, and his grandmum may be coming as well. That's so exciting!! I've never met his father or any of his family from Peru yet, so it really makes it so so much more special. I can only imagine how excited DH is right now! :D

[f77g4]

Oh how exciting Tara!!!! I'm glad he is coming and maybe even more of the family!

It is getting so close eh? But I'm sure the time will fly.

Good luck with all the projects and be sure to post pictures!

[Mrs.Goff]

Oh how exciting! Glad that they'll be able to make it. looks like your day will be special for many different reasons.

[Docsgirl]

Thanks to you both!! DH is so thrilled they're coming, especially since he's deploying this summer.

So I got the bathroom baskets painted black finally, and strung red ribbon through the top. Just have to make the little signs for them now.

We have a home inspection today. Grossss. I've been cleaning since yesterday, because I don't want them to find anything that they can try to keep our security deposit for. I mean, usually we're pretty clean as it is, but I've been scrubbing things down and going nutso. I've never had an inspection in a place I was renting before. I find it all a bit odd. I mean....do they think we're hiding something or doing anything really wrong? Our landlord was just over here like 2 times in the past month. Maybe she's trying to sell the house or something. Who knows. I just think it's no fun and that they're kind of invading my space and day. :snide: I have to reschedule my tanning appointment if they don't come before noon, because otherwise I'd have to lock Bella up in her carrier for when they were here and I don't want to do that, I'd feel so bad.:(

Back to the cleaning I go.

[f77g4]

I'm sure the inspection will go fine....although I find it weird they are doing it while you're still there. I've lived in 2 apartments where after we were moved out and cleaned the place, then they did the inspection to determine whether we got our security deposit back or not.

Good luck & congrats on getting the out of town baskets done! Pics?

[Docsgirl]

So I guess it's a policy with Prudential that if you're renting a house through them that they do a six month inspection, just to make sure nothing needs to be fixed or anything. I told them that the oven started on fire, and they're going to have the landlady completely replace it. I feel a little bad because we're moving soon, but she'd need to put a new one in anyways before the next tenants would move in. It was pretty short, just asked some questions and peeked into all the rooms, making notes of anything that they think the landlady needs to fix.

I'll be sure to put pictures of the bathroom baskets up soon! They're pretty cute if I do say so myself. ;) lol

[f77g4]

Glad to hear it went well!

I'm sure the baskets are cute!

[Docsgirl]

Okay, so on Monday night DH and I stopped by Gold's Gym to sign me up for a tanning plan. They were the lowest rate in town with a stand-up bed. Super.

So they talk us into the 3 months for $80 instead of one month for $35. Super, great. Then, they tell me I need to buy some of the tanning lotion to be able to tan there....ummm....okay. I mean, I've tanned before without it, that stuff has no sunscreen in it, and usually just makes you smell good and adds bronzers to your skin, but washes off when you shower anyways. But we bought $35 lotion (the cheapest they had) so I would be able to tan there. I would also need to buy a $10 swipe card to use when I came in....okay.....fine....but this is getting just as pricey as everywhere else. They ask me if I need eyewear and I said I already had Sunnies (the little plastic goggle things) and they said that was fine.

So I went in first on Tuesday. I forgot my eyewear and they told me I would need to buy some to go tanning. Um, no, I have some at home. So the girl told me she would hold the bed for me since I live like 5 minutes away. Came home, got them, went back.....and she didn't hold the bed for me. Great. So needless to say, kind of sucked. Waited 30 minutes for the girl to get out so I could tan. Turns out, the stand-up bed isn't in working condition. So, I'm a little more pissed, because that's the whole reason I signed up in the first place.

I made an appointment to go in today, and when I got there and checked in, the girl told me I couldn't use the eyewear I had, I would have to buy some from them, but she doesn't say it nicely or even matter of factly, she says it all snooty. IT'S THE SAME EXACT THING, EVEN THE SAME BRAND. I swear, they must have marked my account there that I didn't buy the stupid little goggles from them. So, since I'm already in not such a great mood today, I tell her to just forget it and walk out. I'm not giving them anymore money. They have all these hidden costs, requirements, etc. that it turns out it's more expensive to tan there than somewhere else. And my eyewear was just fine the first time, so okay, now all of a sudden it's not? Or why couldn't you have told me I'd need to buy the eyewear from you to tan there in the first place, when you know I've never went there before?

When I got home, I'm so peeved off with her crappy customer service, that I call to talk to the manager. He tells me the state of North Carolina requires that I buy eyewear from them. WHAT THE HELL?! MY EYEWEAR IS THE SAME STUPID PIECE OF PLASTIC GOGGLES. SAME BRAND, SAME EVERYTHING. So, I told them I think it's ridiculous that they're trying to get even more money out of me when I just dropped $126 dollars to tan there on Monday when I signed up and asked if there was anyway I could get out of the package that I signed up for, because I'm not happy with their service. So, the manager gets all condescending and says "Well, they're only $3.20, if it's that big of a deal, I'll pay for them myself for you". Um. NO! It's not like I don't have $3, it's the way you people deal with customers, and the fact that I already have the same freakin' eyewear that you're trying to sell. Who cares where it came from. I mean seriously, they are exactly the same. I know it's probably stupid to get upset about it, but I mean, seriously. They talk to me like I'm completely stupid or something because I think it's stupid to have to buy something that I already have. So, I ask if I can get out of the package, that they can deduct the one session I used and the $10 member swipe card I had to buy, but to please refund the rest of my money so I can go somewhere else, because I don't like frequenting places that make me feel stupid. He's like "No. All sales are final. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"

Nope, there sure isn't. So now I'm stuck with a 3 month tanning package at a place where they act like they're better than you and that I can't go to until I go ahead and spend more money on the same stupid little plastic eyewear that I already have, but buy it from them. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! This is why people who have bad people skills should NOT work in customer service. I never want to set foot in that place again, but DH will kill me if I just dropped $126 for basically nothing.

That is my "I'm in a horrible mood and that just made it worse" rant.

[sandy03]

Yuck! I am so sorry about that. Poor customer service just makes me really upset. There is just no excuse for it! Just reading it made ME angry and want to write a letter!

[Docsgirl]

Yuck! I am so sorry about that. Poor customer service just makes me really upset. There is just no excuse for it! Just reading it made ME angry and want to write a letter!

Thanks Sandy. I've cooled off a little bit, but it still irks me that not only does the girl behind the desk have bad customer service, but that the manager cocked an attitude as well. :irked:



To distract myself from that mess, I've been looking up our ceremony site for better pictures to share with you all. :D I've found some good ones!

These are of the ceremony location, and the pictures are wayyyy better than the first one I posted:
Garden
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/RotaryGardens3.jpg
Aisle
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/RotaryGardens5.jpg
Arbor
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/1085998930014855115S600x600Q85.jpg
Labyrinth Hedge
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/RotaryGardens4.jpg


And this is a picture of the bridge in the japanese garden that we're definitely taking a picture on:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/RotaryGardens.jpg

After seeing the pretty pictures....I feel much better. :)

[TeacherSonja]

The place looks awesome! So colourful and lively!

[Docsgirl]

And some more of the Reception location. Found a few shots of the inside too, since the events coordinator doesn't like to get back to me with any...lol.
Front of building:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/armory1.jpg
Building again:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/armory2.jpg
Drill Hall Theatre (Reception area):
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/armory4.jpg
Drill Hall Theatre on New Years Eve:
http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq169/talymon/DrillHall.jpg

So if they have funky lights for New Years Eve, why aren't we allowed to use their lighting for our reception? That's just weird in my book. It's not like we'd be messing with it or anything. And any ideas for the tables? Cuz now I'm really stumped....

[Mrs.Goff]

I didn't even know that Gold's Gym still existed. We had a lot of them here and they all closed and some new company opened a gym there. That's awful the way they treated you. I'm sorry. It seems that everyone treats you nicely until they get your money. Then it's all down hill form there.

Your sites look amazing. I'm a little jealous. haha

[Docsgirl]

I didn't even know that Gold's Gym still existed. We had a lot of them here and they all closed and some new company opened a gym there. That's awful the way they treated you. I'm sorry. It seems that everyone treats you nicely until they get your money. Then it's all down hill form there.

Your sites look amazing. I'm a little jealous. haha

Thanks! Yeah, I've cooled off a little bit. I think I'm just going to go in tomorrow and ask the manager why it is that I have to buy the same exact eyewear from them. It just doesn't make any sense! I know it's only $3, but still.....it just seems a little stupid for me to buy something that I already have. And I guess if they're going to be rude about it, I'll buy the eyewear from them, so I can put my $126 to use and then never ever ever go there or recommend them to anyone.

Thank you! I really love Rotary Gardens. It's beautiful. And I really like the reception site too, I just wish we could decorate it a bit!

[f77g4]

Wow I'd be peeved too - glad you've calmed down a bit though. Some people just have no tact, etc.

Your sites are beautiful!

[gwenshack]

Ok seriously - where's the guy who told you that you could use your own eye piece? You should confront him in front of Mr. Snotty I'll Buy Them For You Manager (How condescending by the way) and have him admit that he said you could use your own - if for no other reason than your own satisfaction.

I hate when they tell you the price will be one thing and then it ends up being waaay out of control more.

I mean, tan is awesome, but it shouldn't cost you your first born!

And OMG your sites are beautiful!!

[NOTKT]

If the state law says you have to buy glasses from there, why didn't anyone else tell you that/make you buy? I would ask to see that is writing.

[Docsgirl]

Thanks everyone! :D I told DH about it last night and I guess we're going to go in there and talk to them. lol He thinks it's pretty stupid too, but pointed out that it's not the end of the world if we have to buy them. And I know it's not, I just think that a) they should have said I needed to buy them from them in the first place when I was signing up instead of letting me use mine for one session and then saying it's not okay and b) that they could have been wayyyyyyyyy more nice about it instead of getting an attitude with me. Ah well. It'll all get taken care of one way or another.

I looked on google for the North Carolina tanning laws and it doesn't say anywhere in there that you have to buy eyewear from the place, it just says they need to be approved and that you have to wear your eyewear at all times while in the tanning bed. So since I have the same brand as they sell...I'm going to print out the little page on the eyewear law and put my eyewear and their eyewear on the counter in front of them and ask what the difference is between the two, because I definitely don't see anything, and why mine were okay the first time, but aren't approved now. And I guess if they're still going to be rude about it, I'll buy the same thing that I already have again just so I can tan. lol

[Docsgirl]

DH's little sister called me last night and said that the place she ordered her BM dress through informed her that the dress would not be in on time for the wedding, so that they are giving her a complete refund. :(

I know it's not the end of the world, and I told her no biggie, and even sent her some pictures of some really similar red dresses from online stores and said we could add the black sash onto it, but she said MIL knows someone who sews really well and they're going to see if she'd be able to duplicate the dress in time.

I refuse to let this get me down though. We've got 8 weeks to go until this big wedding, and really, no one will care or probably even notice. And if they do notice, that's fine too. I have wayyyyy more important things to worry about.

Just kind of a downer. And I'm crossing my fingers that none of my other girls get the "backorder" status, because they all ordered through the same place, just at different times.

[gwenshack]

I think it's good you're not going to let the dress snafu get you down - it's just a dress and I think your positive attitude will make the upcoming weeks go by with a lot less stress for you. :)

[f77g4]

That's too bad Tara but kudos to you for such a great attitude!

Hopefully she can find something else suitable to wear! Good luck!

[Docsgirl]

I haven't updated for a few days because, well.....I'm starting to get super completely stressed out and figured I may as well NOT think of the wedding while stressed because I just looked at my ticker today and noticed we only have 1 month and 29 days to go. OH MAN.

So, we'll start with the bad news first. During the inspection, the lady said everything was fine and she'd have the landlord replace our stove, since the oven started on fire! Two days later, we then get a letter saying we have to pay them a $500 fine for having a pet and that we need to get rid of Bella within 24 hours. Uhm WHAT?! The landlady has been over here since we'd had her and didn't say a thing! So, of course, we're completely confused, but I e-mail our property manager at Prudential and she says that they were fine with us having pets, but the landlady isn't. Um, okay? But couldn't she have told us that months ago, when she came over when we first got her?? Either way, we have to pay the fine and I at least got to get it extended until the end of the week to try to find someone to take care of our kitty for a month before we move. I cried so bad. She's my baby. :( But, I found a girl down here that is willing to take her in for a month as long as we pay for Bella's food and litter. I'm also going to pick her up to take her to her vet appts, etc. and she said I can stop by whenever to play with Bella. So, at least I found a super nice girl that is willing to help.

DH forgot to pay the water bill(he always wants the water and electricity on one cc), so they turned it off this morning. Man, did that suck when I went to take a shower this morning. I called and it still said our bill wasn't due until April 6th on the little automated thing, but the lady said it was due yesterday? I dunno. Either way, I paid the bill and she said someone would be back to reconnect the water, and that they would waive the $55 reconnect fee since it's the first time we made a late payment and sounded like an honest mistake.....even though their automated system told me that our bill was due on the 6th right before they transferred me over. Anywho, I wait like 5 hours and no one comes. So, I call back. Talk to a different lady and she pulls up our account and says it's up to date, but there was no reconnect order put through, but that she'll do it and someone would be out shortly. No one came. We still have no water. And I want nothing more than to soak in the tub right about now. Grrrrrrrrr. :irked: If it's not on by tomorrow, I'm busting heads. I want to be able to shower and flush my toilet, ******!

And, DH is in the field training. I never sleep well when he's not home. Especially now that our neighborhood is getting sketchy. EISH! I'll probably either sleep with a light on all night, or stay up until the sun is up. I get way creeped out without him home.

The good news. We're going to be moving asap so that we don't have to be without Bella for a long time. DH's sister found a dress for $20 that isn't exactly the same, but similar to the other BM dresses. We got the limo. My dress will be in hopefully in like 2-3 weeks. We've come to the conclusion that for our table centerpieces, since they're long tables, we're just going to buy a buttload of different size pillar candles and scatter them all over the place down the middle of the tables. We really can't justify spending so much on decorations that we'd either throw away or have to try to sell. And with the way the selling of my first dress is coming....we don't want to go down that road. We're still going to try to get uplighting if we can though. It's just that the $500 we're spending on the fine.....kind of for the centerpieces and decorations. Ack!

So there is the update. I know this really isn't the time to not want to work on the wedding, especially since we have so many more DIY projects to get finished, but....ugh. I'm just in a slumpy mood. I'm sure I'll be back in the swing of things in a few days.

[Mrs.Goff]

Whew, reading that stressed me out. You poor thing.

I'm sorry about Bella. Some people just pis* me off. Why wouldn't she just tell you?!?

I hope you move goes really well so that you don't have to be away from her long.

I hope you mood improves soon.

[doris27]

What a rough day. I don't think I'd sleep well if my FH wasn't home either, not because I'd feel unsafe or anything...I just really like falling asleep next to him. You must miss him a lot...and to have to have your kitty away for a month, too...that sucks. I hope things get better. It sounds like it's a good thing that you're moving soon.

[MrsDM]

Wow, you have been going through so much! Between the tanning, the water and the dress, glad to see you are still hanging in there!

I've never been to the Rotary Gardens, but OMG - I want to now! I can just see how beautiful your wedding will be there. So many great spots for photos!

[f77g4]

I hope everything works out Tara - sounds like quite an ordeal.

I hate the fact that the landlady just didn't say something to you but waited to have the inspection people do it and then fine you....

Sending good thoughts your way - surely something positive will happen now eh?

[emilycake]

Ugh! No water for THAT long? I would have killed! Hope things start falling into place!

[Docsgirl]

Thanks everyone.

The water is back on. I had to call in again yesterday though. The lady I talked to said they put a work order through and have no idea why no one came out to reconnect yesterday, but that someone would be out right away. 3 hours later, and we finally had water. Definitely took a long lhot bubble bath as soon as it was back on.

The girl that offered to help with Bella is now not able to help. :( Or at least I'm assuming, since she doesn't return any of the messages I've left for her. So, we're still scrambling to find someone to take care of her. I may just fly home or drive home or something, because I know lots of people who would take her for us until the wedding. I'm just gonna miss her a whole bunch. She's all I got down here when DH is gone. Booooo to our landlord. I personally think we shouldn't have to get rid of her until our landlord replaces our stove. If she can twiddle her thumbs over that, why should I be in any rush to do what she wants? Ugh. It still ticks me off that she didn't say anything when she was over before and saw her. Oh well...this move cannot come quick enough!

As for wedding stuff....no other updates as of yet. I keep looking at the list of DIY stuff that isn't done yet....and then still don't do it. I'm officially dubbing myself a lazy bride. Ah well, we still have a little bit to go.....lol.

And Rotary Gardens is awesome, Jeanne! If you get the chance to see it, it's really gorgeous. We used to go there before prom to get our pictures taken....but walking miles and miles around the gardens in heels is no fun. Thankfully I have my chucks! :)

[Docsgirl]

So, these last couple of days have been pretty stressful, but I decided yesterday morning I was just going to roll with the punches and go with it. So what if all of my girls dresses have a chance of being put on backorder? They'll get a refund and can get other red dresses that we can easily add a black sash to. Viola! Problem solved. :D

And having to find our kitty a temporary home for about a month....we're hiring a pet sitter. That way we know she's in good hands and that they won't try to keep her once we move. And the fine does suck, but it's really not the end of the world. Tada! Another problem solved.

And....my dress is in route to my house! Just got the shipping confirmation. Yay! :)

I don't know why I let all these things get to me....usually I don't. Oh well, I'm over it. lol

[f77g4]

Thats such a great attitude Tara - I'm sure it will all work out.

I'm glad you found someone to watch Bella that you trust...hopefully that expense isn't much since it's for a month but again that will work out.

[Moon.Dust.]

it happens to the best of us. we think we're cool and collected then *WHAM* we freak out because the butter wasn't placed in the correct spot in the fridge.
it's the wedding.
though I have it when people tell me that like it's the scape goat, but it's kinda true

[Kay]

I just want to say ~ I don't blame you a bit ~ WEDDING + Everything Else = Tons o' Stress... and unfortunately, seems totally normal. We are all going to have our stressful times... good to see you dusted yourself off and moved-on. Yay! :)

[Docsgirl]

Thank you ladies!! You all are so great. :D

We just got the first sneak peek at our pictures from today! YAY!
You can find them here (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?p=391048#post391048).

[f77g4]

Thank you ladies!! You all are so great. :D

We just got the first sneak peek at our pictures from today! YAY!
You can find them here (http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?p=391048#post391048).

They are so great! Really cute!

[emilycake]

OMG! I love your pics! They're so adorable! I love all of them!

[Docsgirl]

Thank you!! :D

[Moon.Dust.]

I love those pics!

[Docsgirl]

I love those pics!

Thank you!! :D