Katie & Alex - 09.30.06

[katieandalex]

I figured I would move all of my stuff from UW over here so everyone here can learn more about me! :)

If you find any pictures or have any other ideas or suggestions that you think would go with my wedding, feel free to PM me! And feel free to steal any ideas you would like!

*Forgot to mention, comments are welcome in here*

[katieandalex]

About Katie

http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/new_hair_0012.JPG
I am 20 years old (will be 21 on June 20th). I graduated from high school in 2003, and was planning on attending Iowa State University. Alex and I moved in together on August 9th, 2003 in Ames. I was planning on majoring in Biology but I had no idea what I was going to do with the degree, so I opted not to go to ISU. We ended up living in Ames until we moved to Waterloo on May 1st, 2004 for me to attend Hawkeye Community College for medical laboratory technology. I just graduated from Hawkeye on May 12, 2006 and finished up my internship on June 23, 2006. I took my Board of Registry exam on July 5, 2006 and PASSED! So I'm officially an ASCP certified Lab Tech. I work at a reference lab in Iowa City, Iowa.

I plan to take a year or so off and then going back to a 4-year university to get my double Bachelors in Biology and Criminalistics. Later on, I plan to get my Masters in Physics.

[katieandalex]

About Alex

http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/alex.JPG
Alex is 22 years old and will be turning 23 shortly after we are married. He graduated from high school in 2002 and attened Iowa State University right after high school. He went into college majoring in Aerospace Enginnering, but changed his major at semester to Industrial Technology. He quit ISU after the first year because it wasn't what he wanted to do, and has just been working ever since. He started with Advance Auto Parts when we moved to Waterloo in May 2004. He started as a general associate and has now worked his way up the ladder to be the manager of the Davenport store.

He would like to become a district manager for Advance. But has also thought about going back to college to finish a degree in enginnering or business. His long-term goal with the company is to be sitting in the corporate offices in Roanoke, VA.

[katieandalex]

How It All Got Started
Alex and I met at a music department concert called Tri-II. (Tri-double 'I') We went to different high schools, but both of our high schools in Dubuque along with the high school from Clinton, Iowa and Freeport, IL were included in this concert. This year that we met, it was at Alex's high school. We hung out during the 2 day time period but we didn't talk very much. This was in May 2000.

Around the time of mid-September 2000, I had remembered Alex's screen name and added him to my buddy list. He happened to be online. We talked for hours that night online, and by the end of it, he asked if I had a date to my homecoming yet. At the time, I was just planning on going with a group of friends. I said no, and he asked if he could take me to my homecoming. I agreed to that. The following Friday, he picked me up from school. Wow, was that ever awkward! LOL! We hadn't seen each other in a while and even then we didn't even talk much. He took me home and decided that since we didn't have classes that following Monday that we would go to Galena, IL shoe shopping for me for homecoming. We went to Galena and it was a bit more comfortable than on Friday. We went to McDonalds and he had a large chocolate shake, I had a large strawberry shake and we shared a large fry. Woo exciting date.

When he dropped me off at home, he asked me "Would it be ok if I kissed you?" LOL! I thought it was so chessy but I guess it was better than if he just attacked me! LOL! We talked on the phone every night and saw each other all the time after that. We never really knew when we started "dating" per-say. So we guestimated that it was September 25th...so that is our "observed" anniversary! LOL!

We have been dating ever since then, and have never broken up. We spent my senior year in a LDR when Alex was at ISU. And then we spent the last 5 months in a LDR when Alex got offered a promotion to move to the Dubuque store in August, and I was still stuck in Waterloo in my last class semester of my degree.

We moved in together on August 9th, 2003.

[countrygirl]

Well, Katie, good luck with the schooling, and the wedding planning. Remember, all of the ladies here are here for you, and are more than happy to help in anyway. Keep us updated on your plans.

What type of wedding are you planning (i.e. casual, formal, western, fall, etc.) ?

[katieandalex]

The Proposal
Haha, It was getting around Christmas time and Alex was acting VERY weird. He had been sneaking around and going shopping or just disappearring when we were at the mall. Then Alex came up with this idea that we go Christmas shopping with our friends at the time, Mike & Stef. Alex went shopping with Stef and I went shopping with Mike.

Alex came home with nothing for me. I asked where his bags were at for me, and he said that he was going to get me something, but they didn't have it in my size and they needed order it in. But then later that night he was saying "Well, I'm going to give you something for Christmas, but you can't wear it home...well you could wear it home but you can't tell anyone about it unless they notice it." So I asked what it was, he said, "Umm its a part for your car." So it kind of turned into 20 questions with me asking him all of this stuff and he was pretty much talking himself into a big hole.

By this time, I knew what was up. I freaked out and said "Fine, I don't want it. Just take it back." So he got all upset that I just told him to take by my engagement ring...so he said, well go into the living room for a minute. Then he came out into the living room and said, go back into the bedroom for a minute. Then told me I could come out shortly after that.

He was sitting on our computer desk chair crying already, and then started playing "Forever & For Always" by Shania Twain on the computer. And he proposed to me with a picture of the ring he ordered me that he printed off the internet.

He said that he had been doing research on it forever and he had an idea of what ring he wanted to get me, and this was very similar to it, but if I didn't like it we could go and cancel the order the next day, but we just went out the next day and checked the size that he had ordered and such, but I kept the same ring that he had order me.

He ended up proposing on December 12, 2003.

His plan was to get the ring and then take me out to dinner at our favorite nice restuarant in Ames on December 19, 2003 and have it all set up for the restuarant to start playing the song over their speaker system and then propose to me infront of everyone in the restaurant. Hahah....I told him that I would have been mean and said no in front of all of those people because I hate things like that! LOL!

http://www.kay.com/images/en_US/products/detail/990094308.jpg

[katieandalex]

Our Cat - Chewy
We decided to add a kitty to our family while we lived in Waterloo.

Our first little kitty is named Chewy. We got her on September 13, 2004. She got her name because the little noises that she made sounded like Chewbacca from Star Wars. But she soon lived up to her name by chewing on EVERYTHING. Here are some pictures of our little baby Chewy. (Shes still our favorite.)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4d736b3127cce99fefb3f891f00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
A week after we got her.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce00b3127cce99fefb2de89b00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
As she got a bit older.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d801b3127cce9218f361ebcd00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
Her being a human not too long ago.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df20b3127cce96172799ec7300000015108AaNmblu5bNm
Chewy on December 31, 2005.

[katieandalex]

Wedding Information
Decorating/Rehearsal/Dinner - 09.29.06 at starting at 4pm
Ceremony - At 4:00pm at University of Dubuque Chapel
Reception - From 5:30-9:30pm at Timberline Golf Course
Theme - Autumn Harvest
Colors - Oranges and Browns
Bridal Party - 2 BM and 2 GM & 1 assistant

[katieandalex]

Checklist

*Black not done*
*Brown is done*
*Orange is working on*

12 Months Before (September 2005)
Set a wedding date and time
Decide on size and type of wedding
Set an initial budget and determine how wedding will be financed
Announce your engagement

11 Months Before (October 2005)
Select and book your ceremony site
Select and book your reception site
Reserve officiant
Select the members of the wedding party
Select the color scheme for your wedding
Start interviewing various vendors

10 Months Before (November 2005)
Select a caterer
Select a photographer
Select a baker, if wedding cake is not supplied by caterer
Select a florist and determine floral plans
Choose reception format (buffet, sit-down dinner...)

9 Months Before (December 2005)
Select musicians for both ceremony and reception
Begin working on your guestlist
Meet with officiator to discuss ceremony structure and contents
Begin shopping for your gown and headpiece
Discuss legal issues - insurance, a will, etc

8 Months Before (January 2006)
Meet with baker and set up time for tasting
Begin shopping for your bridesmaids dresses
Reserve any rental items you'll need for the ceremony & reception

7 Months Before (February 2006)
Register for gifts
Start planning your honeymoon, research destinations
Book transportation for the bride & groom & the wedding party
Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests
Order your wedding cake

6 Months Before (March 2006)
Order your gown and headpiece
Start working on your invitation wording and design
Make the necessary honeymoon reservations
Reserve a hotel room for your wedding night
Schedule a time and place for the rehearsal in coordination with the officiant
Decide if gown, veil and bouquet will be preserved and make arrangements

5 Months Before (April 2006)
Order your invitations and stationery
Finalize guest list, compile addresses
Purchase shoes and accessories for the bride and the bridesmaids
Decide on and rent the groom and groomsmen's attire
Order the bridesmaids' dresses
Start making TYs

4 Months Before (May 2006)
Buy or make favors for the guests
Begin shopping for gifts for attendants and parents
Reserve hair stylist and decide on hair style. Schedule hair and makeup trials.
Start addressing and stuffing invitations
Decide on centerpieces, bouquets and boutonniers
Be sure to get any immunizations you will need for the honeymoon
Meet with your photographer and present him/her with a list of "must take" photos. (May 30, 2006)

3 Months Before (June 2006)
Finalize ceremony with officiant
Check if your state requires a blood test. If so, make appointments
Shop for bride and groom's rings
Choose a guest book attendant, people to present readings, etc
Meet with florist to choose amount and type of flowers
Plan specific ceremony & reception decorations
Get directions and/or map to church and reception to include with invitations

2 Months Before (July 2006)
Buy stamps for invitations
Have engagement pictures taken
Begin working on vows
Finalize the details for all vendors
Complete guest list for bachelorette party give to the maid of honor
Order bride's and grooms' rings

1 Month Before (August 2006)
Mail your wedding invitations (Aug 2, 2006)
Send wedding announcement to local newspapers (Aug 4, 2006)
Have bridal shower (Aug 5, 2006)
Attend bachelor(ette) parties (Aug 5, 2006)
Give BM her dress (Aug 5, 2006)
Discuss song list with musicians, make a play/do not play list
Finish shopping for BM, GM & parents' gifts (Aug 19, 2006)
Schedule to have your hair and makeup done the day of your wedding
Take special song CD to DJ (August 19, 2006)
Maintain a record of RSVPs and all gifts received. Write thank-you notes as gifts arrive (Aug 22, 2006)
Determine where everyone will get dressed (Aug 24, 2006)
Buy flower girl basket, ring pillow, guest book, and other accessories (Aug 27, 2006)
Start work on ceremony floral arrangements
Finish making shower TY's, write them out & send them
Do trial runs of hair (Aug 29, 2006?)
Attend first gown fitting (August 29, 2006)
Get headcount together for caterer (August 29, 2006)
Finish making wedding TY's (August 31, 2006)
Make a detailed wedding day schedule for your service providers, officiant and wedding party (August 31, 2006)

3 and 4 Weeks Before (September 3-September 16, 2006)
Make sure the BM have dress fitting scheduled
Take wedding band & engagement ring in to be soldered (Sep 9, 2006)
Apply for marriage license (Sep 5, 2006)
Decide on your wedding vows (Sep 5, 2006)
Design and print your wedding program (Sep 9, 2006)
Determine ceremony seating for family and special guests (Sep 11, 2006)
Pick up marriage license (Sep 12, 2006)

1 and 2 Weeks Before (September 17-September 26, 2006)
Begin to break-in your shoes (Sep 18, 2006)
Groom get final haircuts (Sep 19, 2006)
Pick up wedding attire and make sure everything fits correctly. (Sep 19, 2006)
Review final details with your vendors. (Delivery time, location, final guest count, etc) (Sep 21, 2006)
Confirm payment amounts due with your vendors (Sep 21, 2006)
Confirm wedding night and honeymoon reservations, begin packing (Sep 22, 2006)
Pick up wedding band and make sure it fits (Sep 23, 2006)
Write the rehearsal dinner speech (Sep 23, 2006)
Contact caterer with final headcount & discuss menu (Sep 23, 2006)
Double check & make sure everything is packed for the trip back home & honeymoon (Sep 26, 2006)

3 Days Before (September 27, 2006)
Purchase gift card my parents
Purchase gift cards for GM
Decorate corn shucks & pew bows

2 Days Before (September 28, 2006)
Groom get professional facial hair trim (10am)
Bride get eye arch done (10am)
Make all pies
Carve out pumpkins for centerpieces

1 Day Before (September 29, 2006)
Pick up rental attire
Pick up caramel apples
Pick up pumpkin roll in Cuba City
Have complimentary hairstyle done (11am)
Get manicures & pedicures with the girls (2pm)
Hold rehearsal & rehearsal dinner
Decorate the ceremony & reception sites
Give the wedding rings to the best man
Give your wedding party their gifts
Arrange for someone to return the groom's tuxedo

Day of Wedding (September 30, 2006)
Pick up slab cakes
Bride & attendants have hair & makeup done
Sign & witness marriage license
Pay balances due
GET MARRIED!

Day After (October 1, 2006)
Take gown to be preserved

Further Along (October 2006)
Write thank-you-notes as soon as possible after the wedding
Meet with photographer to design the wedding album

[katieandalex]

The Bridal Party

Matron of Honour
Jenny - Sister of the Bride
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/jenny.JPG

Bridesmaid
Jessica - Friend of the Bride
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/jessica.JPG

Bride's Assistant
Amanda - Friend of the Bride
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/amanda.jpg

Best Man
Jerrad - Friend of the Groom
*Picture Coming Soon*

Groomsman
Andrew - Brother of the Bride
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/andy.JPG

[katieandalex]

Ceremony Order & Music
Prelude - Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3, Serenade from String Quartet in F Major, Canon In D, Spring from The Four Seasons, Autumn from The Four Seasons
Processional - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Reading - 1 Corinthians 13
Greeting
Exchange of Vows
Exchange of Rings
Pronouncement
Recessional - Stuck In The Middle With You

[katieandalex]

Ceremony Location

The University of Dubuque Chapel
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dd01b3127cce9094c545f6af00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/medium/chapel1.jpg
The above picture I took on January 10th.

[katieandalex]

Ceremony Wording

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful. It is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way. It is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

We are here today to participate in the most joyous occasion, to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, by acknowledging the joining as one of Alex and Katie.

Alex do you take Katie as your wife, will you be faithful to her in tender love and honor, offering encouragement and companionship and will you live with her and cherish her as love and respect will lead you in the bond of marriage?

Katie do you take Alex as your husband, will you be faithful to him in tender love and honor, offering encouragement and companionship and will you live with him and cherish him as love and respect will lead you in the bond of marriage?

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.

I, Alex, take thee, Katie, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor and cherish.

With this ring, I pledge to you my deepest love and devotion.

I, Katie, take thee, Alex, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor and cherish.

With this ring, I pledge to you my deepest love and devotion.

These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another in their togetherness. May these two find in each other, the love for which all men and women long. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home that they establish be such a place of sanctuary that man will find there a friend. And may these two rings symbolize the spirit of undying love in the hearts of both of them. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.

[katieandalex]

Ceremony Decorations
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db27b3127cce91293e3bec3300000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e892c59a000000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc10b3127cce966f422b6f7800000015108Actm7du3bM_

We are going to have 2 large corn shucks on either side of the entrance doors to the chapel. Then we are going to have another 2 large corn shucks at the beginning of the aisle and then on the chairs along the aisle we will have floral arrangements with flowers from farmers market and such.

[katieandalex]

Reception Order

Entrance
Toasts
Dinner
First Dance
Father/Daughter Dance
Bouquet/Garter Dedication
Dancing the rest of the night!

[katieandalex]

Reception - Special Dance Music

Entrance Song - Happy To Be Stuck With You - Hewy Lewis & The News

1st Dance - The More I See You - Michael Buble

Father/Daughter Dance - I Loved Her First - Heartland

Garter Removal - Imperial March - Star Wars

Dedication Songs
Jenny (MOH) - Skater Boi
Jessica (BM) - Bossy
Amanda (BA) - Build Me Up Buttercup
Jerrad (Best Man) - Nothing To Lose
Andrew (GM) - Ballroom Blitz
Bride's Mom - Ever The Same
Bride's Dad - Footloose
Groom's Mom - You Can't Hurry Love
Groom's Dad - Good Vibrations

First Song - Starry Eyed Surprise - Paul Oakenfold

Last Song Of The Night - Pretty Vegas - INXS

[katieandalex]

Must-Play Song List

--I Want To Break Free - Queen
--Can't Fight This Feeling - Chicago
--Walk This Way - Aerosmith
--Canned Heat - Jamiroquai
--Higher Ground - Red Hot Chili Peppers
--The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
--Cosmic Girl - Jamiroquai
--We Are Family - Sister Sledge
--Celebration - Kool & The Gang
--Funkytown - Lipps Inc.
--Jungle Boogie - Kool & The Gang
--Lets Stay Together - Al Green
--Friends In Low Places - Garth Brooks
--Sweet Home Alabama - Lynard Skynard
--Bust A Move - Young MC
--You Spin Me Right Round - Dead Or Alive
--867-5309/Jenny - Tommy Tutone
--Getcha Good - Shania Twain
--Shout - Temptations
--1999 - Prince
--Shout
--Stayin' Alive - The BeeGees
--Bust A Move - Run DMC
--I Like The Way You Move - Bodyrockers
--Cha Cha Slide

[katieandalex]

Reception Location

Timberline Golf Course
*no picture yet*

Here are some pictures of the banquet room.
http://www.timberlinegolf.com/hall/graphics/100_0315.jpg http://www.timberlinegolf.com/hall/graphics/100_0319.jpg

[katieandalex]

Reception Decorations
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce39b3127cce94f8c762bad100000015108AaNmblu5bNm
My cousin is going to carve us a pumpkin like the one above with our names and wedding date in it to have on the guestbook table.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce39b3127cce94fa45927bc800000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e8f8d590200000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Flowers - Bouquets & Bouts

Brides bouquet - combination of yellow gerbera daisies, orange dahlias, green mums, astro and seeded euq.

MOH - Orange gerbera daisies

BM - Orange dahlias

Groom's bout - Dahlia, astro & seeded euq

Best Man - Orange gerbera daisy

GM - Orange dahlia

[katieandalex]

Flowers - Centerpiece Ideas
http://www.designwithflowers.com/images/W17.jpg
http://www.scottsflowers.com/gifs/05-A1-front-white.jpg
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da28b3127cce88146158953100000015108AaNmblu5bNm
We've also been looking at possibly using goards as well.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da28b3127cce88146146952f00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Menu

Broasted chicken
Pork
Mashed potatoes & gravy
Corn
Green beans
Rolls
Tossed Salad

[katieandalex]

Beverages

Beer and soda purchased from the site.

[katieandalex]

Cake

We are going to be doing a cupcake cake, but with miniature pumpkin pie and pumpkin rolls. The pumpkin pies are going to be put into little gold cupcake tins like this:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da28b3127cce8814546754bc00000016108AaNmblu5bNm

We are using a 3-tier effect with our cake table and using a bouquet of zinnas as our "cake topper".

[katieandalex]

Attire - My Dress

Maggie Sottero - Tara
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da11b3127cce88ee5444d11900000015108AaNmblu5bNm http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da11b3127cce88ee5436d16b00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
On the model
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/MaggieTara.jpg
On me (sorry wrong size)

My dress is in diamond white.

*I have my dress and it fits like a glove...I'm SO in love with my dress! :)

[katieandalex]

Attire - My Accessories

My shoes
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dd01b3127cce9094c183f66b00000016108AaNmblu5bNm

My veil
*Picture Coming Soon*

My tiara
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d909b3127cce8b0f44d918ce00000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Attire - My Accessories

My dedication garter
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5dd01b3127cce9094c18ff66700000016108AaNmblu5bNm

My keepsake garter
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5db26b3127cce91d4e4e4557600000016108AaNmblu5bNm

My corset (in black)
http://www.fredericks.com/images/5/51786_73_lrg_a_6300.jpg
*I still have this corset, but I just purchased some new undergarments that I'm going to try on with my dress. If the new ones work, I'm going to wear those instead.

[katieandalex]

Attire - BM Dress

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6db05b3127cce89de5097a77b00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
From JC Penneys

[katieandalex]

Attire - Tuxes

http://www.milroystuxedos.com/images/157.jpg
From Milroy's Tuxedos - After Six Razor

Groom - black shirt with ivory tie and vest
Groomsmen - black shirt with cinnamon tie and vest
Dad - black shirt with latte tie and vest

Here is a swatch of the vest and tie colors.
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/tux_vest.JPG

[katieandalex]

The Wedding Bands

We just purchased these on June 14th.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d736b3127cce8cb845b4149400000016108AaNmblu5bNm
1/4 ct t.w. diamond enhancer. Its the two bands on the outsides and then the center band will be my 3-stone engagement ring.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d736b3127cce8cb845af95bf00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
9mm tungsten carbide ring for Alex.

[katieandalex]

My Hairstyle

Here is how I'm planning on having my hair done for the wedding day.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6db20b3127cce88913fb5fd5500000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Makeup Ideas

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/maybaby5183/makeup4.jpg

[katieandalex]

Invites

We purchased an invitation kit from Michael's and we printed them ourselves.
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/IMG_3059.JPG
The wording reads as follows:

Love is patient, Love is kind
It is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
Love bears all things, Believes all things,
Hopes all things, Endures all things.
Love never ends.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald M******
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Katie Christina
to
Mr. Alex Michael H*****
on Saturday, the thirtieth of September
two thousand and six
at four o'clock in the afternoon
University of Dubuque Alumni Chapel
*Address*
Dubuque, Iowa

Reception at five-thirty
Timberline Golf Course
*Address*
Peosta, Iowa

[katieandalex]

Programs

http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/program.jpg
We are doing all of our programs ourselves. This is what they will look like, but in 4 (2 shades of brown, 2 shades of ivory) different cover colors. They will have a single sheet of vellum inside.

[katieandalex]

Thanks Yous

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6db09b3127cce89f4cde1003800000015108AaNmblu5bNm
I'm making all of the thank yous myself. Nothing too outrageous, but still cute, IMO.

[katieandalex]

Guestbook Mat

We are using a memory book as our guestbook. It has spaces to enter in things about your dating, the planning, and after the wedding, plus places for guest signatures and a gift list. We are going to use our current guestbook mat at the rehearsal and have the BP and their spouses sign it, and then we will either put a picture from the rehearsal or a BP picture in it.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc07b3127cce97386214937900000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Favors

I got my way, and we are doing caramel apples.

[katieandalex]

Engagement Pictures

Here are some of the engagement pictures that we have already had taken by our friend, Patrick back in October 2004.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbf78a9100000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbfa0bac00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbe78a8100000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbe58a8300000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Engagement Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbef8a8900000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbec0bba00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbe80bbe00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbd38ab500000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Engagement Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbd80b8e00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4ce04b3127cce99fefbc60b9000000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Engagement Pictures

We are going to have another set of updated engagement pictures taken this summer. Here are some engagement pictures from other brides that I really like.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea482f6f7800000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea4810ee7700000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea48f36fa400000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea48d2eeb500000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Engagement Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea48c4eea300000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea48caeead00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea48c8eeaf00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd34b3127cce97ea48b16fe600000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

The next few posts have pictures that I really like. I'm keeping them here so I have them to show our photographer the types of poses and pictures that I like so they have an idea of what we are looking for.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e92a519bc00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e92a119b800000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e92aa988300000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e9372d8c300000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e937159f000000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e9614983f00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e961e983500000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e961d190600000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e975b59d800000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951e97b5593600000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eac2d981b00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eac07983100000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eac01983700000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eacee19e800000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eacd598e300000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eacc419c200000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eacc219c400000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eacb619b000000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eaca9989f00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951eac9798a100000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951ead2459ba00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951ead39d89700000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf34b3127cce951ead2859b600000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://www.nvphoto.us/wedding/images/W3_JPG.jpg (http://www.nvphoto.us/wedding/images/W3_JPG.jpg)
http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING1/images/0901.jpg

[AngelinLove]

Why was Katie Banned????

[WhiskeyGirl]

Why was Katie Banned????

I have no idea...Thats too bad.

[WeddingManager]

After getting some emails I have removed the ban on this users and I will be posting in the main forums to make sure this person name is cleared for the time being.

See this thread: http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=2303

[Valmai]

Katie, everything looks fabulous, took me a whole cup of coffee to look thru them all and i enjoyed every minute lol i love seeing different ideas. Welcome to the board btw - and look forward to having regular updates!
Valmai xxx

[brewsells]

You sure have a good start on your journal. I love the photo ideas! Some of them are really cute.

[Jopet]

You seem very organised and you have some great idea's!! :bbmrgreen: Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

[Kacie_bride]

Hey Katie! You have a great journal! Keep it coming!

[LaceyinPgh]

katie everything looks very nice. I love all your fall ideas. Good job at researching and staying organized. I was an organization Nazi and it all paid off.

[katieandalex]

Thanks for the warm welcome girls! :) I was a bit surprised that I was banned...but it was understandable under the circumstances...I'm just glad its all cleared up and I'm back again! :)

Now on with the journal....there isn't a whole lot left though...

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING1/images/0978.jpg
http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING1/images/101.jpg
http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING2/images/0387.jpg
http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING2/images/1050.jpg
*the above one is at my ceremony site!

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING2/images/15.jpg
http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING3/images/7.jpg
http://www.eliteimages.com/WEDDING3/images/Untitled-1.jpg
http://www.a-fleeting-moment.com/Galleries/Weddings/meds/med-020.jpg

[katieandalex]

Wedding Pictures

http://www.a-fleeting-moment.com/Galleries/Weddings/meds/med-068.jpg
http://www.a-fleeting-moment.com/Galleries/Weddings/meds/med-069.jpg
*These first 2 are one the river walk in my hometown. We are going to have majority of our pictures taken down on this river walk.
http://jcullersphoto.tripod.com/wedding_albulm/thumbnails/400x300/b16.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c141/SparklesGreen06/345453B87232327Ffp73Enu3D32373E6423.jpg

[katieandalex]

Bridesmaids Gifts

http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/medium/cases.jpg
Cases with the following in them:
http://www.ultimatewedding.com/galleries/data/500/BM_survival_kit_001.jpg
Wedding day survival kit
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da34b3127cce883131d59b8300000016108AaNmblu5bNm
"Dancing Shoes"
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da34b3127cce883131e19bb700000016108AaNmblu5bNm
BP shirts
And an aromatherapy kit.

[katieandalex]

Groomsmans Gifts

http://www.jessicaswedding.com/big/MT792.jpg
Personalized business card case
http://www.jessicaswedding.com/big/ML760.jpg
Personalized leather organizer
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da34b3127cce883131ec1a8a00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
BP shirts

Our Best Man is only getting the above stuff. Our groomsman is also getting a gift certificate to his favorite mexican restuarant. We were going to get the gift certificates for both of them, but our best man has been nothing but a pain in our ass with planning this wedding...and now hes planning on doing a dine and dash deal so he can make it to the Cheetah Girls concert in Chicago that same night....

[katieandalex]

Parents Gifts

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da34b3127cce8831357d9b2900000015108AaNmblu5bNm
Photo frame
And gift certificates for dinner at Vinny Vanucchis and a movie.

Everyone in the BP, including parents, will get a disposable camera to take snapshots with during the reception.

[countrygirl]

Parents Gifts

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da34b3127cce8831357d9b2900000015108AaNmblu5bNm
Photo frame
And a $50 gift certificate to Vinny Vanucchi's or Biaggi's.

Everyone in the BP, including parents, will get a disposable camera to take snapshots with during the reception.

The cameras are good to use. We have hired a photographer, but will also be placing a disp camera on each table w a note asking that they be used freely (w discretion) and left at the end of the reception. Candid shots are the best sometimes. You just never know what to expect.

[katieandalex]

Budget


Ceremony
Ceremony Site Fee $110
Officiant's Fee $100
Signature Mat & Frame $15.50
Memory Book & Pen $22
Ceremony Décor $30
Ceremony Total $277.50

Wedding Attire
Wedding Dress $390
Alterations $65
Shoes $56.50
Garters 28.31
Veil & Tiara $38.68
Undergarments $80
Hairdresser $118
Makeup Included in hair bridal package
Manicure/ Pedicure $25
Groom's Formal Wear FREE
Wedding Attire Total $801.49

Photography
Engagement Sitting $30
Bride & Groom's Album $273-720
Photography Fee $300
Engagement Photos $183
Photography Total $513.00

Invitations/RSVP/Programs
Invitations $40 (includes invite, envelopes, response postcards & ink cartridge to print them)
Programs $30
Invitations/RSVP/Programs Total $70

Reception
Reception Site Fee $200
Table Linen Fee Already have from sister’s wedding
Catering $1000 ($6.25/plate for 160 guests)
Non-alcoholic Beverages ?
Alcoholic Beverages ?
Bar Fee $0
Napkins Included with caterer
Wedding Favors Bubbles for exit of ceremony $19.19, Caramel Apples $340
Reception Total $1559.19


Music
Ceremony Music FREE
DJ for Reception $375
Music Total $375

Bakery
Wedding Cake $60
Toasting Glasses $25.00
Bakery Total $85.00

Flowers
Fresh Flowers $271
Toss Bouquets Included in fresh flowers
Flowers Total $271.00

Decorations
Table Centerpieces $80
Lights Already have from sister’s wedding
Reception Décor $100
Decorations Total $180.00

Transportation
To Ceremony: FREE
To Reception: FREE
From Reception: FREE
Transportation Total: FREE

Gifts
BP Gifts $220
Parents Gifts $37.50
Gifts Total $257.50

Parties
Rehearsal Dinner $80
Parties Total $80.00

Honeymoon
Wedding Night Hotel Room $150
Gas Money ?
Hotel $250
Spending Cash ?
Honeymoon Total $400.00

Miscellaneous
Engagement Announcement $17
Wedding Announcement $17
Marriage License $35
Rings $850
Miscellaneous Total $916.00

Total Costs So Far $5,785.68
Total My Parents Are Paying For: $3,617.00

[katieandalex]

The cameras are good to use. We have hired a photographer, but will also be placing a disp camera on each table w a note asking that they be used freely (w discretion) and left at the end of the reception. Candid shots are the best sometimes. You just never know what to expect.

Yeah we wanted to do that, but we've heard SO many horror stories that either people just took the cameras or people took really terrible pictures with the camera....I just don't even want to chance that....so we are only giving them to certain people. I remember from my sisters & brothers weddings, the best pictures from the reception were the candid pictures that everyone was taking with their cameras.

[countrygirl]

Yeah we wanted to do that, but we've heard SO many horror stories that either people just took the cameras or people took really terrible pictures with the camera....I just don't even want to chance that....so we are only giving them to certain people. I remember from my sisters & brothers weddings, the best pictures from the reception were the candid pictures that everyone was taking with their cameras.

That's a good point. And since we will have alot of Air Force people at the wedding, that could be scary!!! But our reception will be ending at 7 pm, so that doesn't give much time for people to get out of control--thank goodness!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Yeah we wanted to do that, but we've heard SO many horror stories that either people just took the cameras or people took really terrible pictures with the camera....I just don't even want to chance that....so we are only giving them to certain people. I remember from my sisters & brothers weddings, the best pictures from the reception were the candid pictures that everyone was taking with their cameras.

My brother and SIL did that. They had about 12 to start and at the end of the night there were only about 5 cameras left!! People actually TOOK them!! I was shocked!!! So I refused to waste my money on something like that!! :)

[Kacie_bride]

First of all, Katie your journal is fabulous! I haven't look at it all yet, but I will when I get some more time.

Secondly, I haven't decided what to do about the disposable cameras. Justin wants to do it, but I don't know. I don't want to pay for a lot of dumb snap shots that I don't like. Maybe I'll just put one on each table or something. I have a while before I have to make my final decision. By the way, have you guys seen the white ones especially for weddings?

[Kacie_bride]

OMG I had to add, the bridesmaid flip flops are soooooo cute!

[AngelinLove]

I just wanted to say that everything really looks great!!! I love all of your ideas and the bridal party gifts.

[katieandalex]

Kacie: Yeah I've seen the ones especially for weddings. We are just going to buy the regular ones...but I've also seen ones at Target that they have a pack of 4 (which would be almost perfect) that is a pack that are color film and a pack that is b&w film. I would like to get those so then we can get some b&w snapshots too...I love b&w.

Thank you everyone for stopping in. I'm really pleased with how things are coming together. I'm currently working on cutting out the vellum overlays to reprint our invites. I have about half of them cut out, so I should have them all cut out by Sunday to go to my parents house and reprint them all out. Its a chore....but the reception site change was definitely worth it. :D

[katieandalex]

Update 6-3-06
119 days to go!!!

The vellum overlays are completely cut out. I have also disassembled all of our previous invites so I can print the vellum overlays tomorrow and reassemble all of the invites. I also found that I didn't have response cards for all of our invites, so I need to find out from my parents if we are giving response cards to my dad's work friends or not. If not, then I'm fine, but if we are, then I need to print out about 5 more. But tomorrow will be a busy day for me with the invites and such. Alex is going mudding tomorrow, so he won't be around my parents house at all with me....so its just wedding time! :) Hopefully I can get it all done, and get most of the addresses on the envelopes. There are a few people that we are not sure if we are going to invite or not and one couple might be moving soon, so we need to wait to address those invites. Other than that, things are coming together wonderfully!

Woo hoo! Only 19 days left of my internship!!!

[katieandalex]

I just remembered that I didn't post a picture of my cardbox on here. Its probably my favorite thing I purchased wedding accessory-wise so far! :) And I actually didn't even purchase it. I got it for free from another bride on UW!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6da05b3127cce88cba333db0b00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[LizabethDavis]

Oh...you all ready know I love everything about your wedding, but I will say it again..I love everything and can't wait to see it all come together!!

[katieandalex]

Aww, thanks hun! :D I'm getting really excited...everytime I go to work at Hobby Lobby I get really excited because I get to see all of the fall flowers and garlands and such....eeee.

I'm sitting reprinting the overlays right now. My parents stupid printer is printing them in green....again. But I guess thats fine because now they will match our response cards that for some reason printed in green too....at least green is sort of one of our colors!!!

I got my corset in the mail yesterday. Love it love it love it! So does Alex....he couldn't stop saying it when I had it on last night. Fits perfectly.....now I just need to get my dress to make sure you can't see it through the dress....otherwise I may exchange it for the pink one that I originally wanted....but I really do love the black one now that I have it.

I do have to print more response cards...like 5 more...and what sucks is, I can't find my template for the response cards anymore...so I need to try and make a new one...though there is 1 more place I need to check at my apartment that it may be...

I updated the guest list today with all of the rest of the addresses. We are inviting 147 people. I thought it would be closer to 160...but I guess not. My mom keeps talking about inviting more people...but if we do, we need to get more invites (which are on clearance now for a lot cheaper) because we need 59 invites right now and we are sitting with 60...pushing it a little close.

[LaceyinPgh]

Kate,
Save yourself the trouble and go and get another box of the invitations since they are on sale. Trust me, someone will think of somebody they forgot to add to the list. Something will happen and you will need more than that one extra that you have. I ordered about 50 more than I needed and ended up using about 12 of those.

[katieandalex]

Ugh...invite stress. As I was putting the invites in the envelopes today after reprinting all of them, I found that our response cards were all screwed up. One side was printed in green and the other printed in black, the return address you could barely read on half of them...I don't know what I was thinking when I printed them out!!! So we decided that we are not going to do response cards....we pretty much know who is going to be there and who is not going to be there (pretty much everyone from my parents side will be there, and mostly everyone from Alex's side won't be there) so we have a good idea of who will attend, so we really don't need response cards. So we are nixing those.....but I found that we are missing an envelope as well. So we have 59 invites and we need 59 invites. So we are just going to stick with that...if someone comes up with someone else later on, they will just have to get a different style of invite then. At this point, I really don't care!

Later this week (Wednesday or Thursday) my mom and I are going to go out the reception site to take a look at it, figure out how we are going to have it all set up and talk to the guy about some questions we have. We decided for decorations for the tables we are going to do all pumpkins and goards with flowers in them for the centerpieces. Then the headtable will have lights and tulle with leaf garland and candles on it, with mini pumpkins and goards intertwined. We also decided that we are doing cheesecake slices, mini pumpkin pies and cake for our desserts. We just have to figure out how many of each we want to do ....since all but the cake we are doing ourselves.

[WhiskeyGirl]

Hey Katie

Everything looks wonderful!! As far as the response cards go, since you've nixed them perhaps you could print up little slips of paper with your phone number and email address and ask people to phone or email you their response, how many are attending, etc.

[katieandalex]

I mentioned that to my mom, but she said that she doesn't think we really need that. We are doing a buffet dinner and we know that pretty much everyone is coming. There are a few people that we figure they won't come, but thats only about 10 people....so we might as well just assume they are coming and have the extra food.

My mom and I are going out to the reception site on Wednesday evening so my mom can see it and we can ask the guy a few questions we have an also put down a deposit.

[katieandalex]

I'm thinking of making tissue paper flowers for my rehearsal bouquet. I saw a kit at Hobby Lobby for them, but I don't think I need to pay that much for the kit...when I could get the supplies for a lot cheaper, and I found the directions online....Here is a picture of a tissue paper flower off the site I'm going to use for directions.
http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/YS/CRAFTS/IMAGES/Mexpflow.jpg

[LaceyinPgh]

The tissue paper flowers are cute. Just another idea though. Around here we use the ribbons and bows from the bridal showers gifts to make the rehearsal bouquets. It was never something that I cared about but my mom was pretty set that I have one. That is what we used. My MOH collected the ribbon, bought one of those bouquet styrafoam forms at a craft store and just pinned it all together.

[katieandalex]

Yeah, thats what most people do in my area as well...but I really hate it. My sister mentioned it and I'm like "Ugh..." I'm just really not into all of that traditional stuff like that....At my sisters shower, we kept all of the ribbons and bows and did that, but she never used it because it ended up so ugly! LOL!

[LaceyinPgh]

Yeah, thats what most people do in my area as well...but I really hate it. My sister mentioned it and I'm like "Ugh..." I'm just really not into all of that traditional stuff like that....At my sisters shower, we kept all of the ribbons and bows and did that, but she never used it because it ended up so ugly! LOL!
I used mine for about 30 seconds to keep my mother's mouth closed about it. Then I gave it to my flowergirls to play with. She ended up complaining about htat beacus I was supposed to have kept it for sentimental reasons. (It was garbage on styrafoam form!)

[Kacie_bride]

I have never heard of that tradition.

[MOB Karen]

I have never heard of that tradition.

I have heard of it, but it's up to Amber whether we do it or not.

[AngelinLove]

Around here they take all of teh ribbons and bows and such and make a crown, which you are supposed to wear on your head for the remainder of the shower!!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Around here they take all of teh ribbons and bows and such and make a crown, which you are supposed to wear on your head for the remainder of the shower!!!

Thats what they do here too! I refused to wear mine...lol.

[AngelinLove]

Yeah...I don't think that that is gonna go over very well with me...if they want me to wear a crown...they better buy me one!!!

[Jenn060306]

I got a bow hat made out of a paper plate and bows. No fun! I wore it for about 5 min. But it pretty much started to strangle me when it kept falling off my head and hanging behind me.
I didn't use anything for a bouqet at the rehersal. I never really thought about it.

[Kacie_bride]

I don't think I'll do any of those things. I have never heard of it.

[katieandalex]

I haven't updated in a while, so I guess I'll give a quick update of whats been going on in my life. :)

My mom said that I need to print out direction cards for the guests since some of them don't know how to get to the reception site. I completed those a few days ago. Pretty boring...nothing much to say about them.

At the same time she said that I needed direction cards, we also discussed RSVPs and how the original ones I printed turned out like :censored: so I needed to reprint. She said "Lets just not worry about it. We already have a pretty good idea of who is coming and who is not." I wanted RSVPs just because I think its nice, but she insisted we didn't need them anyways. Then yesterday she said "Well we will just have to wait until the RSVPs start rolling in." Long story short, we are doing RSVPs now. But I'm not printing them. A local printing place can print the ones we want for $8.61, when for me to do them it would cost $5 for paper plus the hassle of me printing them myself.

I did end up buying another extra set of 10 invites that were on clearance. We were cutting it too close, but I'm not going to print them all. I'm just going to print what we need....I just wanted to make sure I had one for keepsake.

I set up an appointment to talk with our DJ on June 21st. I would like to switch it to the next night because Big Brother starts on the 21st...but I think I can handle it! I'll just have to make sure my parents record it for me! :)

This coming Sunday we are getting our engagement pictures taken! Woo hoo! How fun!

All of the invites are now reprinted. A bit huge ordeal with that as well...I coudln't get them to print in black, so they are all printed in green...oh well. At this point, I really don't care anymore. Plus, it kind of matches. The back cardstock has yellow and orange leaves in it and printed in green...and my bouquet is going to be green, yellow and orange....so I guess it all makes sense.

After I decided we were jsut going to use a CD player for the ceremony music, my mom insists that we don't do that and we try and find someone to play at it. She was supposed to call 2 places today to talk with them about possibly being available or not.

Alex and my brother both got offered the manager positions they were interviewing for. My brothers title takes affect this coming Sunday. Alex's took affect this past Sunday. Woo hoo for a pay raise!

I think we got everything figured out for moving. We are taking my vehicle, Alex's vehicle, my dads truck and borrowing a trailer. My dad says that we should be able to get all (or most) of our stuff into that with one trip...the rest we can get when we come home for 4th of July. I did talk to my mom about possibly buying us a couch instead of a bedroom set (since she owes me a bedroom set from last year)...she said she would think about it. I hope she decides yes because then we don't have to move our couch we have now...we are just going to toss it and then buy a new couch when we get to Davenport.


Umm ok, I think that was everything I needed to update on...oh I did get the money from my other BM to order her dress. I'm going to order it after we move just so it doesn't get lost in all the hubbub of moving.

I do have a quick vent about my BM though.
Shes my best friend and I love her, but sometimes....I tell ya. I told her on Thursday that my sister was planning the bridal shower for August 5th from noon to four. Shes like "Well, my family reunion is always either the first or second weekend in August...but I could probably still come because the reunion is always on Sundays but its in Minnesota." She calls me and left a message (I just got it last night because my phone has been being really weird) and tells me that the reunion is that same weekend, so she was wondering if we could change the date (no because the room is already booked) because she probably wouldn't be able to be there, unless she figured out a way to squeeze them both in that same weekend. Ok, we can not to the b-ette party that night, since she needs to be in Minnesota, but seriously, the shower will be done by 5pm at the latest, she can either drive to Minnesota that night and stay over or she could drive back to her house (it only takes her an hour and a half) that night and then go to Minnesota the next day. I realize its a lot of driving in one weekend, but you'd think since I haven't asked you to come back for anything else for this wedding and its you best friend getting married, that maybe you could "squeeze it in." I mean I realize people have things going on and can't make it to everything....but I'd do it for her if I was in the same situation.

[Kacie_bride]

Sounds like everything is coming along good.

[katieandalex]

All of the centerpiece flowers are now purchased! Yay! I'll post a picture of them next week.

Also, we purchased our wedding bands today as well. We totally changed our minds from what we originally wanted. Alex ended up getting a 9mm tungston carbide band. And I ended up with a 1/4 ct. t.w. diamond enhancer. We spent WAY more than we were planning on spending, but its all worth and we LOVE them.

Here is a picture of Alex's ring.
http://www.kay.com/images/en_US/products/detail/251273607.jpg

Here is a picture of mine. Its the 2 outside rings and then the center ring would be my 3-stone engagement ring.
http://www.kay.com/images/en_US/products/detail/040692206.jpg

I tried taking pictures of our actual rings, but our stupid digi-cam doesn't focus well up-close...we need a new one really bad!

[Kacie_bride]

Very pretty!

[Jenn060306]

Your rings are beautiful Katie! Are you planning on wearing all 3 or just 2 and saving the 3rd one for your first anniversary? I was thinking of getting a 3rd band for our anniversary. Mine is a similar shape and the wedding band bows out.
It looks like you have got everything really well organized! I really think the RSVP's are a good idea to have. There were some people i was very surprised to find out they wouldn't be coming to my wedding.
Well, Good Luck with everything! Can't wait to hear more!

[katieandalex]

Jenn: I actually have to wear all three. The 2 bands on the outside are actually connected and my e-ring fits in between the two. Its hard to explain....but it requires wearing all three.

[katieandalex]

Here is a picture of Alex's ring in the box.
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/rings002.jpg

Here is a picture of my ring in the box.
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/rings004.jpg

Here is a picture of my ring on my hand.
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/rings005_6566.jpg

Sorry that the pictures aren't the greatest....my camera doesn't focus well close-up.

[brewsells]

That is a pretty setting. Alex's ring looks alot like my FH's.

[katieandalex]

Cool!

We just got the call today that my FHs ring was in. So I went out and exchanged the one we had for the actual one that my FH is going to wear. Its a huge size 12, and the sales lady even commented on it! He has HUGE hands! Its really exciting to know that we now have in our possession, both of the rings we will both be wearing for the rest of our lives!!!!

[AngelinLove]

Congratulations!!!

[Kacie_bride]

Cool!

We just got the call today that my FHs ring was in. So I went out and exchanged the one we had for the actual one that my FH is going to wear. Its a huge size 12, and the sales lady even commented on it! He has HUGE hands! Its really exciting to know that we now have in our possession, both of the rings we will both be wearing for the rest of our lives!!!!

It's a good feeling isen't it!

[katieandalex]

Yes, its a very good feeling! :)

Happy birthday to me!!!

[AngelinLove]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!!!

[StaceyMc]

Happy Birthday!

I felt the same way when Joe and I got our rings. I got all "fluttery" (is that a word?) inside.

[LaceyinPgh]

Happy Birthday Katie. I hope that you have a good one.

[Kacie_bride]

Well Happy B-Day to you Katie!

[MOB Karen]

Happy Birthday, Katie!! Hope you have a great day!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Happy Birthday Katie, have a great day!! :)

[brewsells]

Happy Happy Birthday Katie! Hope you have a great day!

[katieandalex]

Thanks girls. My 21st birthday was nothing special. I went out after work and bought a six pack of Bud Light (yuck!) and some strawberry margarita wine coolers. Then Alex and I went out to dinner at Carlos O'Kellys and we both got strawberry mug-o-ritas which were pretty good and I had a pretty good buzz going when we left. We went out and bought a new CD for Alex and the new Nelly Furtado CD for me (thats what I wanted for my birthday...as well as a few days earlier I bought myself some new racer back tank tops). We then came home and watched "A Lot Like Love" on TV and then went to bed shortly after 9pm (we are early to bed people since we get up so early in the morning). Alex's parents stopped by last night quick to give me a present (I was super surprised) and his mom gave me a huge bag full of rubber stamps from her classroom and such since she knows I'm into stamping. My friend, Amanda, stopped by to give me a card and such. Then my friend, Jessica, called me last night before bed to wish me a happy birthday and to tell me that my present would be coming soon.

Today my brother called and took me out to lunch. He asked me where I wanted to go and I said I really didn't care. So he said "Well, where is your favorite restuarant?" I said "Carlos O'kellys". So we went there again! And we had the same waiter...which is the same waiter Alex and I almost ALWAYS have when we go there. So he was making **** out of me and knew exactly what I was going to order...my brother was saying it was pretty pathetic when the waiter knows my order.

So it was a pretty good birthday. Nothing exceptionally special....but still a good time.

[AngelinLove]

I ma glad that you had a good b-day!!! Sometimes the uneventful ones are the best!!!!

[Kacie_bride]

Oh it was your 21st b-day! How exciting! You should go out and have a few drinks this weekend to celebrate some more! Bud-Light is good beer! It is my favorite light beer. But my all time favorite beer is Shiner. Sometimes a good cold beer is just hits the spot and other times those girly drinks are good too!

[LaceyinPgh]

I'm glad that you enjoyed your birthday.

[WhiskeyGirl]

Well here it's the big 18 that makes us legal and my 18th sucked! lol. We went to a resturaunt and then went home! lol. Much like what you did. But let me tell you, my 21st was a way different story. I was hung over for three days straight!! Those were a long three days, but Katie you should be thankful your friends and family are a bit nicer to you then they were to me!! lol.

I'm happy to hear that you had a good time on your birthday!!! :) And that's what counts!! :)

[MOB Karen]

When I turned 18, it was legal to drink in Arizona. So I had one of those drunken birthdays then. I'm trying to think what I could do at 21 that I couldn't do at 18, but I don't think there was anything. For Amber, the legal drinking age was 21. I don't know if Amber went out and had a drunken birthday or not. I will have to ask her that.
Katie, you can always celebrate this weekend, just try to stay safe. :)

[Kacie_bride]

Well here it's the big 18 that makes us legal and my 18th sucked! lol. We went to a resturaunt and then went home! lol. Much like what you did. But let me tell you, my 21st was a way different story. I was hung over for three days straight!! Those were a long three days, but Katie you should be thankful your friends and family are a bit nicer to you then they were to me!! lol.

I'm happy to hear that you had a good time on your birthday!!! :) And that's what counts!! :)

I turned 21 on a Friday and me and a bunch of my friends went out to a club that night. Then on that Monday my mom and I went off to Vegas for the week. Those were good times. I can't believe that was nearly 3 years ago! It seems like yesterday!

[katieandalex]

Yeah, I probably won't end up going out though this weekend because we are moving this Saturday...so I'm going to be busy with that.

Now for a little update.
I can't wait to move! Most everything is packed up and ready to go...all thanks to the lab letting me out at 10:30am this morning. That was awesome! I got SO much done!!! Included purchasing the rest of the BM presents! I stopped at Bath & Body Works and they were having their semi-annual sale!!! I got some awesome deals!

I got both Jessica & Jenny an aromatherapy kit in a cute little bag.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d803b3127cce8a041fd4d01500000015108AaNmblu5bNm
Plus I got each of them a Wallflower. Jenny got lilac blossom:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d803b3127cce8a041fecd02d00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
Jessica got cotton blossom.

Then I also got my personal attendant's gift as well.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d803b3127cce8a041fd5512400000016108AaNmblu5bNm
A power pedicure kit! I love it! I want it for myself... But shes into that kind of thing too...so I thought I'd get it for her as well.

Plus, of course I got myself some lotion as well (cotton blossom body cream and sweet pea shimmering body lotion).....all for only $57!!!!

[katieandalex]

100 days until my wedding day!

[LaceyinPgh]

100 days until my wedding day!
In about 2 hours (east coast time) you will officially be down to double digits in the days department. Congratulations!

[Kacie_bride]

I was at the mall yesterday and noticed Bath and Body Works was having a semi-annual sale. I have to go back there this weekend because I have to have my ring cleaned. I should stop by and get some stuff! I love Bath and Body Works.

[katieandalex]

Update 6-26-06
96 days to go!

I checked with the store I ordered my dress from. They said that the dress is scheduled to be in at the end of July. So they told me to call like a week before and they can let me know if its still on time or if it will take a bit longer.

Our guest list has now risen to about 200 guests. My dad thought of about 4 more couples he wanted to invite from work and then my mom suggested that I should invite the girls from the lab I interned at. I had wanted to invite them, but I didn't want to mention it because I thought it would make the wedding too expensive for my parents...but since my mom suggested it, I'm going to invite them. I'm just going to send 1 invite to the lab for everyone.

We are all moved into our new apartment. We really like it...there are a few things that we don't like about the apartment, but overall, its pretty nice. There are still some things left in Dubuque that we didn't move yet, and we are going to pick those things up when we go back on the 3rd of July. Pretty much everyone is put away in the apartment except the stuff in the office.....thats a total disaster because we need a ton of stuff that we left in Dubuque to be able to put it all together. Ugh....

I already found a part-time job for down here. Its at the Moline Advance Auto (the same place Alex works at but a different store). Alex told me about it this morning, I went over there to talk to Kelly (the manager) and she had me fill out and app and go and take a pee test. She told Alex that I was hired already! LOL! They just have to get my background test and pee test results back. Alex said that I would probably already start this week. Its a stupid job, a driver, but it pays like $7.50/hr and I would only have to work 8-12 on my 3 days off so then I would still have the whole day left to do stuff.

We also just ordered a new sofa and ottoman today. My mom is purchasing it for us. I really wish we could have gotten the chair as well, but my mom said she didn't want to spend that much. :( So hopefully before we move again, Alex and I can come up with the money to buy the chair so we have a complete set and then get rid of some of our other chairs.

Alex's new ring (the last one was a little big) came in on Friday, but we already had the rings packed up and we had no idea what box they were in, so we had them send it down to the Davenport store and they are going to call us when it comes in down there so we can go and exchange the rings again.

Tomorrow I have to drive up to DeWitt to meet our photographer to pick up our engagement picture proofs. I can't wait to see them!!!

Ok....I think thats all.

[AngelinLove]

Well..congrats on the new job and getting moved in...I know how stressful moving can be!!!

[katieandalex]

Woo hoo! We got our engagement picture proofs back today. I thought I would share the pictures with you guys. I posted all of them, even though some of them I really don't like at all! But oh well, let me know what you think!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ec73aaa700000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ec262bc200000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ec202bc400000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ed6a6b1600000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ed6fea2300000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e286aa5500000016108AaNmblu5bNm
^The last 2 are my favorites!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ed4bea0700000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ede7eaab00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26edda6ba600000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ed9a6be600000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e2792b9a00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e26eaabd00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e244aa9700000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e21f2bfc00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e2f6aa2500000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e2c0aa1300000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[LaceyinPgh]

Katie, your pictures turned out well. I like the black and white one but then again I am very partial to black and white pictures.

[katieandalex]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e2b2aa6100000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e3516b2a00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e346ea0d00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e342ea0900000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e3f56b8e00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e3d0ea9b00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e3c6ea8d00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
^I really like this one too.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e01e2bfc00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

And last but not least....
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e019aacb00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

[brewsells]

I think my favorite is the one where you are sitting, with the waterfall in the back. they all turned out nice, though.

[katieandalex]

Katie, your pictures turned out well. I like the black and white one but then again I am very partial to black and white pictures.

Yeah me too....maybe thats why 2 of my favorites are black & whites! LOL!

[WhiskeyGirl]

I really like the black and white ones too!! But they all look really nice too!!! :) You make such a cute couple!!

[AngelinLove]

I like them all, but I agree that the black and white ones are really nice!!!!

[katieandalex]

Thanks girls! :) My FH was joking around about how he just towers over me....since he is almost a foot taller than me.

[AngelinLove]

Thise damn tall men, that;s why I wear real high shoes...lol, but then again Joel is only like 5 inches taller than me!!!!

[MOB Karen]

Your pictures are great, Katie! You guys are so cute together!! Thanks for sharing with us!!

These are my four favorites.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26e286aa5500000016108AaNmblu5bNm

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ec262bc200000016108AaNmblu5bNm

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26ec73aaa700000016108AaNmblu5bNm

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d806b3127cce8a26edda6ba600000016108AaNmblu5bNm

[katieandalex]

Angel: I never where tall shoes! Hence the reason I'm wearing flipflops...I don't like to deceive people that I'm taller than I really am! LOL!

Karen: I like all those pictures that are your favorites as well....except the last one...too much cleavage for me! LOL!

[cowboysbride]

OH the pics are perfect I like the ones that Karen picked, cleavage is good girlfriend me and my itty bitty boobs ONLY WISH we had some of that!

I love what you are doing, it all looks so awesome!

[katieandalex]

OH the pics are perfect I like the ones that Karen picked, cleavage is good girlfriend me and my itty bitty boobs ONLY WISH we had some of that!

I love what you are doing, it all looks so awesome!

Haha...yeah I love it. People with small boobs always say they wish they had bigger and people with large boobs always say they want smaller! LOL!

[katieandalex]

Here are some pictures of our new apartment. Keep in mind that we don't have everything in the apartment yet (there are a few things...like wall hangings, left at my parents house) and not everything is completely cleaned up yet.

Entry Way (there is a closet opposite the entry door).
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9f7a243800000016108AaNmblu5bNm

Living Room:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9f68242a00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9e8be56100000016108AaNmblu5bNm

More...

[katieandalex]

Dining Room:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9e89e56300000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9e87e56d00000016108AaNmblu5bNm

Kitchen:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9f6ba51900000015108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9e97e57d00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

More...

[katieandalex]

Bathroom:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9e81e56b00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

Bedroom:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9ecde52700000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9ec6641c00000016108AaNmblu5bNm

More...

[katieandalex]

Office/Exercise Room:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9ecc641600000016108AaNmblu5bNm
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d809b3127cce8a2c9ec0641a00000016108AaNmblu5bNm

Done.

[WhiskeyGirl]

You apartment is cute Katie!! :)

I love your bed, it looks so nice and comfy!! :)

[katieandalex]

We love our bed. Its a pillow top Serta mattress....wonderful!

[katieandalex]

Jessica's BM dress came today....I hope it fits her. I tried it on...and yes she is a bit smaller than me, but she is very well endowed....and it worries me about the size. So hopefully it fits.

[AngelinLove]

Katie...I have that exact same area rug n my living room...did you get it at Walmart? Your apt is really cute!!!!

[katieandalex]

Yep, got my rug at Wal-Mart. I'm going to need to get a new one (or hopefully get one we registred for for the wedding) because we are getting a new sofa and ottoman and its more of a merlot color instead of a burgundy...so it may look really strange....

[katieandalex]

Woo hoo!!!! 3 MONTHS!!!!

[countrygirl]

Katie, I just looked at some of your pics from your website. They are lovely. I love the church you are going to be married in. I wanted a church like that. But, we can't luck out like that here. I guess I will have to go to Iowa, but hey, that is where J is from, so that wouldn't be so bad.

[katieandalex]

Yeah its just a little chapel on the university campus. Its like $220 to rent it out, but my mom is alum from the university for we got it for $110. Its a really pretty little chapel. Though while we were driving around in the new town we just moved to, we found this AWESOME church...and I'm like "Can we switch our plans down to Davenport?" LOL! The church is just awesome! Here are 2 pictures of the church...its just HUGE!
http://www.qctrinity.org/img1.gif
http://www.qctrinity.org/img13.gif

[Kacie_bride]

That is a pretty church. It looks really old!

[AngelinLove]

Yeha...that is an awesome church Katie...and it does look very old and full of history. It has character, which is important to me!!!!

[katieandalex]

Yep, too bad its not in my hometown. :(

[katieandalex]

Update 7-4-06
88 days to go!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

I got my invite to my bridal shower today (it came in the mail yesterday though so I saw it at my parents' house first). It is SO adorable! I love it!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d925b3127cce8acfad01ffbb00000015108AaNmblu5bNm
And that Nacho Ordinary Shower thing....Alex picked up that it was a play on words...but my dad and I looked at it before him and we didn't even notice it! Durh! LOL!

Last night we went out on the river with my brother on his boat with 2 of his friends. We watched the air show over the river, which Alex and I had never seen the Dubuque air show before...so that was pretty neat. Then we moved up the river to right in front of where they shoot the fireworks off at. It was an awesome view....there is nothing better than fireworks on the river. I hope we can go out on the boat every year now...because sitting on the street on the other side of the fireworks just won't be the same. It was kind of stupid this year because they did a huge pause during the saluting to the armed forces when they play all the armed forces songs and had a plane fly over with its afterburners on...it was kind of cool, but no one knew what was going on because through the whole thing, before the play even arrived they weren't shooting off any fireworks....but the finale was AWESOME! And it was great to hear the boom from the fireworks and then echo off the bluff behind us in Wisconsin. The only thing that sucked was that because there were SO many people on the river on the drive back, the whole river was a no wake zone...so you had to putt along down the whole river...and my brother docks down in Illinois so it was a long trip back.

As for wedding stuff....not a whole lot. I told Alex that he needs to get on Jerrad about going to get measured for his tux....it needs to get done. He should have done it before he moved to Iowa City, but he didn't do it...dumb. I need to get a few peoples' addresses that have recently moved and print off the rest of the address labels. I'm going to probably go home one of these next weekends or a day that I have off and get all of the invites ready to be sent out and buy all of the stamps and such....I can't believe we are sending invites out at the end of this month!!!! http://www.weddingchat.com/images/smilies/tearhair1.gif

Well, I think thats all for now....

[MOB Karen]

Love your shower invites!! Yeah, being in Arizona, they use the Nacho thing a lot here. It's really cute!! You're right, there isn't anything better than watching fireworks on any body of water. You should see them on the ocean!! Wow!! It will take your breath away!! Sending the invites was a huge step for us too, and it is so exciting getting the RSVP's back. :p Good luck with everything, Katie!!

[katieandalex]

I just got an e-mail from my sister about the menu for the bridal shower (http://www.qklinkserver.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=19903&k=bridal%20shower). Here is what she plans on making for it:

Appetizers:
Chips and Salsa
Cheese (pepperjack and cheddar) and crackers

Main Dishes:
Taco Bar
-chicken and beef filling
-soft and hard shells
-lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, black olives
Chicken Enchiladas

Sides:
Pepper and black bean salad
Spanish rice
Margarita fruit salad
Corn cake muffins

Desserts:
Cake

Beverages:
Lemon Lime Margaritas
Strawberry Margaritas
Limeade Punch
Soda/Water

She also informed me that Alex's mom RSVPed that she would not be coming to the shower....humm how surprising!

[MOB Karen]

Sounds really yummy!! Mmmmmm, margaritas!!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_13_2.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm824YYUS) Love 'em!!! Can I please come as Alex's surrogate mom? LOL!!! Have a great time with it, Katie!!!





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb068&pp=ZNxdm824YYUS (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb068_ZNxdm824YYUS)

[katieandalex]

Can I please come as Alex's surrogate mom?

You are too funny Karen! LOL!

[MOB Karen]

You are too funny Karen! LOL!

I thought since there was an empty seat... (her loss, by the way!) A girl could try!!! ;) Have fun!!!

[AngelinLove]

I just wanetd to say that your shower invites are hilarious...I love them!!!

[katieandalex]

My sister has something up her sleeve for the bachelorette party....she e-mailed me about it and asked me to give her Jessica's e-mail address. And then responded back and asked for my friends, Amanda and Lindsay's, e-mail addresses as well.....humm.

[MOB Karen]

My sister has something up her sleeve for the bachelorette party....she e-mailed me about it and asked me to give her Jessica's e-mail address. And then responded back and asked for my friends, Amanda and Lindsay's, e-mail addresses as well.....humm.

Sounds like fun to me. :) Let us know what you find out. lol

[katieandalex]

Yeah, I guess we are doing the bachelorette party after the bridal shower. All I know is that my sister is renting a room at the hotel we are having the bridal shower at. She told me that she didn't know how long she would be able to go out for....but I reminded her that Amanda and Jessica won't be of age, so we won't be going bar hoping. We will probably just get some stuff and hang out at the hotel and go to the hottub and such....nothing too crazy....unless my sister is planning some crazy stuff....shes a little interesting like that!

[katieandalex]

Since UW and down for good now...I need a place to post and keep up with my workout and weight loss efforts for the wedding. I joined the Labor Day challange on UW before the site went down...and I said I wanted to lose 10-15 pounds at least by Labor Day since its right before the wedding. So, I'm counting on you girls to cheer me on through my efforts!!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Since UW and down for good now...I need a place to post and keep up with my workout and weight loss efforts for the wedding. I joined the Labor Day challange on UW before the site went down...and I said I wanted to lose 10-15 pounds at least by Labor Day since its right before the wedding. So, I'm counting on you girls to cheer me on through my efforts!!!

We're here for you Katie!! GOOOOO KATIE!! :) :ura1:

[katieandalex]

83 Days!
15 pounds left to lose

This whole week we are not going to be eating out because we have no money until we get paid on Friday...so we will be eating at home, which definitely helps my weight loss efforts since eating out is one of my down falls. And since I won't be home much, since I'm now officially going to be working 60 hours a week, I won't have time to sit around and snack all day.

Today we went down to the pool and swam for about 35-40 minutes. After I get done here, I plan on doing some situps and use the elliptical for a while as well....while dork ass Alex takes a nap.....arg...don't get my started on that.

[Jenna&Jason]

Thanks for the warm welcome girls! :) I was a bit surprised that I was banned...but it was understandable under the circumstances...I'm just glad its all cleared up and I'm back again! :)

Now on with the journal....there isn't a whole lot left though...

Why did you get banned?

[katieandalex]

Why did you get banned?

Some people from BBB made an account over here with some of my information and my avatar picture from UW and were saying some nasty things. That person got banned and then I joined over here to clear things up that it definitely wasn't me, l3vi was concerned so he banned me, but a few people over here that knew me from UW that had a good rep over here PMed l3vi and told him to unban me....so here I am! :) It was just a huge misunderstanding.

[Kacie_bride]

Good luck with the weight loss! I am sure everyone here will help you along! You've done great so far it seems!

[fideliaamora]

yeay! i didn't lose you! what's up with UW do you know? (btw, this is bearella)

[katieandalex]

Yay! Bearella is back! You didn't leave me! :) Something with them doing an update and it screwed a bunch of stuff up so they decided to just close it down....sucks.

[countrygirl]

Some people from BBB made an account over here with some of my information and my avatar picture from UW and were saying some nasty things. That person got banned and then I joined over here to clear things up that it definitely wasn't me, l3vi was concerned so he banned me, but a few people over here that knew me from UW that had a good rep over here PMed l3vi and told him to unban me....so here I am! :) It was just a huge misunderstanding.

And we are glad you are here katie!!!!

[Kat NDa Sand]

Not sure if you'd remember me from UW... but dang... this really sucks. So it's just gone... never to return? All that info, planning, pics... how sad. I want it back :( I miss the interaction and I don't want to set everything up here and have this one do the same thing. :(

[Kacie_bride]

Not sure if you'd remember me from UW... but dang... this really sucks. So it's just gone... never to return? All that info, planning, pics... how sad. I want it back :( I miss the interaction and I don't want to set everything up here and have this one do the same thing. :(

I don't think OneWed is going anywhere! I've been here since February and there has only been 1 time that the site was down since then. Other than that all has always worked really great over here. I highly recommend you come join us over here!

[katieandalex]

I agree with Kacie! I've been here since May and the site has been wonderful! No problems what-so-ever here! And yes I do remember you!!! Welcome to Onewed!

[j's beautiful]

Hello!! Glad to see some of us are gathering up over here now! I'm only here to look though and I don't think I will be posting any pictures cause this is now the second time of going through a loss...it takes too much time to post all that stuff to just start over again! Katie things are looking great girl!! before ya know it you will be a married woman! Excited? Getting nervous yet?

[cowboysbride]

CONGRATS on the weight loss Katie! Good things keep happening to you! You deserve it!

[katieandalex]

Christie: I'm getting more and more excited each day. I'll really be excited though when I get my wedding dress, hopefully at the end of this month. I'm not the least bit nervous yet though.

Thanks Ellen! :)

[katieandalex]

Woo hoo! 80 days!!!

[dolphincc]

Hey Katie!! I made my way over from UW too. All your plans look terrific. I love the shower invites.

[katieandalex]

Thanks! :) I'm really excited for the shower!!!

[katieandalex]

Update 7-16-06
76 days to go!

Oh my gosh! I looked at my schedule yesterday for this next week (at my part-time job) and saw that I was only scheduled for Sunday. I'm like "Why am I not scheduled for Saturday?" Then I saw the date on Saturday is the 22nd! I asked off for the 22nd to go home and finish up the invites...to be sent on the 24TH!!!!! Oh my gosh!!!! I came home and told Alex about that, and I'm like can you believe we are sending out our invites in a week and a half!!!!!

Yesterday we were killing time until our dinner reservations so we decided to go into BB&B to get our registry to see what has been purchased, a few things have been purchased already!

Now I'm getting REALLY excited now that I just realized that our invites are going out in 1 week and 1 day!!!

[AngelinLove]

Woo Hoo Katie..it is soooo exciting when the invites go out!!! You will have fun with that!!!

[katieandalex]

I finally figured out how to take pictures of our rings and not have then be blurry (all thanks to Andrea!)...so I thought I would share our ring pictures again.

My engagement ring:
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/rings001.jpg

My wedding set:
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/rings002_323857.jpg

Alex's wedding band:
http://www.weddingannouncer.com/gallery/files/4/1/7/rings003.jpg

[WhiskeyGirl]

Very nice Katie!! :) Beautiful rings!!

[AngelinLove]

Your rings are beautiful. I still haven't fiqured out how to take a good pic of our rings, without the blur or the glare, so I haven't been able to post them!!

[cowboysbride]

Your rings are beautiful. I still haven't fiqured out how to take a good pic of our rings, without the blur or the glare, so I haven't been able to post them!!

Me either and they are HUGE (pic wise)

Very PRETTY, good luck on the invites!

[katieandalex]

If your digi cam has a little flower on it, put it in that mode. Mine has a little button with a tulip looking flower next to it, I pushed that and then took the picture and it adjusts to correct the blurriness....maybe that will help you.

[AngelinLove]

Thanks I will try it!!!

[katieandalex]

On my lunch break today I decided to go over to Walgreens and look around. I found some tissue paper on sale, so I decided to make our tissue paper flower bouquets for the rehearsal! :) I love them...Alex absolutely hates them. I would have liked the girls to have orange...but I got screwed on my orange tissue paper...:( Oh well, I still really like them. Here is a picture!!!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d902b3127cce8b6712eaf4b100000016108AaNmblu5bNm
Don't mind Chewy sniffing them! She likes to smell the flowers!!

Oh and my mom really ticked me off. She told me that I can't send out my invites tomorrow (like I planned) because she said its rude to send out the invites before the shower....well then that means I'm going to send them out the day after the shower (which I find is much ruder) and then the guests only have 2 weeks to respond...which sucks because all of Alex's family is from out of state....ugh. So I called my sister (since she is throwing the shower) and asked her opinion on it. I'm waiting for a call back from her about what her view is.

And woo hoo! I talked to my sister last night (forgot to ask last night about the invite thing) and we decided that the day before the wedding we are going to go and get manicures and pedicures at the local cosmatology school. I wanted to go and get manicures...but my sister was like "Its going to be really expensive at Contempo." So I suggested that we go to Capri (the cosmatology school) and get it done, and shes like Ooh thats going to be really cheap, then we can get pedicures too!!! I'm really excited!!!

[katieandalex]

I also decided to start making my bridal shower thank yous....here is what they are going to look like...
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d902b3127cce8b60adb6d4ff00000016108AaNmblu5bNm
Inside they will be stamped with "Thank You" in the green matching the front green and then I will write my message inside as well. :) I really like them!!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

KAtie

In my opinion it would be ruder to invite them all to your shower and they don't even know if they're invited to the wedding! And I would be choked if I got an invite and it only gave me two weeks to figure out my schedule to see if I could make it. I say if YOU want to send them, then go for it!! :)

[katieandalex]

Yeah my mom is like "Well and its not like you are sending them very far away." I'm like, "Umm hello mom, Alex's family is in New Jersey, New Mexico and Michigan..." They all need to figure out hotel stays, plane flights, etc. And doing all of that in 2 weeks to see if they can make it seems a little to quick for me.

[LaceyinPgh]

Etiquette rule, invitations go out 6-8 weeks BEFORE the wedding. It doesn't matter about anything else. My shower invitations for the end of April went out at the end of March my wedding invitations during the second week of April for my end of May wedding. It doesn't matter the order. Shower invites 2-4 weeks BEFORE the event, wedding 6-8 weeks before.

[ikkin510]

I agree with everyone else. Send the invites out when you originally planned. The out of town guests will need the time to make arrangements. I do not think it is rude to get a wedding invite before the shower. Good luck!

[katieandalex]

Etiquette rule, invitations go out 6-8 weeks BEFORE the wedding. It doesn't matter about anything else. My shower invitations for the end of April went out at the end of March my wedding invitations during the second week of April for my end of May wedding. It doesn't matter the order. Shower invites 2-4 weeks BEFORE the event, wedding 6-8 weeks before.

My sister phoned back and said send them whenever...just not before 8 weeks before the wedding. The problem....our RSVP date is 6 weeks before the wedding...because our caterer needs to know 5 weeks before the wedding an estimated headcount....Should I just send them out 9 weeks early and send them out at the beginning of next week?

[LaceyinPgh]

My sister phoned back and said send them whenever...just not before 8 weeks before the wedding. The problem....our RSVP date is 6 weeks before the wedding...because our caterer needs to know 5 weeks before the wedding an estimated headcount....Should I just send them out 9 weeks early and send them out at the beginning of next week?
5 weeks before the wedding to turn in your RSVPs is insane. I think my final head count was needed 3 days before the event. The standard is a week. It isn't like they can make the food or even purchase the food that early. I would have had a serious discussion with my caterer or found a new one if I were you. The problem is that if you send your invite out 9 or 10 weeks early, people just forget about it. I don't know what I am going 10 weeks from now. Hell, most days I don't know what I am doing 10 hours from now. I would still wait until 8 weeks to send them out. That gives you 3 weeks to get everything back. And if you need to add people, it won't be a big deal Your caterer should be professional enough to know to plan ahead for a few stragglers.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I agree...needing to know that far in advance is insane!! I would wonder why...do they not usually do large group caterings or something. A proffessional, like Lacey said, should be able to only need your numbers a week or so before hand. I'd ask them why they need them so early thats for sure! Good luck with everything! :)

PS I agree with Lacey that planning ahead by eight to ten weeks is more then I can do! I can't even plan ahead for the weekend!! lol

[katieandalex]

We used this caterer for my sister's wedding as well. They are a family owned operation but do a lot of big events and generally multiple ones on the same day. I called and asked when to discuss menu and when they needed a headcount and they said a month before the wedding for both. Thats just how they do it with their business....they always have.

[katieandalex]

Update 7-28-06
64 days to go!!!

Well...I finally talked to our best man...since Alex obviously wasn't doing the job. He is supposed to be getting measured at a local tux shop where he lives and having the measurements sent over to our tux shop so they will be on file! Woo hoo! That means now I can finally order our GM gifts and get that done and over with....and also start finalizing and printing the programs!!!

I went out shopping tonight to try and find a dress or new top to wear to my bridal shower... but I was completely unsuccessful and also unsuccessful in trying to find a pair of shoes I want. I did find a new purse (pretty much the same as the one I have now just a different color)...but I did purchase my necklace for the wedding day! It was like $10...woot! I didn't want to spend a ton of money on it because I knew that I wouldn't ever wear it again. Here is a picture of it.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6d909b3127cce8b0f44dc99fb00000015108AaNmblu5bNm

Oh, and I just need to brag a bit. Today we had a "Create your own ice cream bowl hat" competition. Everyone got a styrofoam bowl and you were supposed to design a hat and then one of our pathologists judged them today. I decided to make s'mores hat. It had graham crackers on the top and around the rim and then had chocolate and marshmellows glued in the center. This one tech, Barbara, was really upset that I was wasting that perfectly good chocolate! http://www.mustloveweddings.com/forums/images/smilies/Happy/laugh.gif But I ended up getting 2nd place and got a $15 gift certificate to this Mexican restuarant in town, so some Tuesday (once I start having Tuesdays off) Alex and I are going to drive to Iowa City and spend the day in town and then eat at this restaurant....I hear its really good.

[AngelinLove]

Congratulations on winning the contest and good luck with finding a nice new dress or top for your bridal shower!!!! Mine is today and I had a hard time finding something myself...but I finally just settled for something!!!

[katieandalex]

I think I'm actually just going to end up wearing something I already have. I have an outfit in mind...but I'm not sure if its going to look right together, we'll see.

[katieandalex]

Great stuff! Alex went back to Dubuque yesterday to go mudding. He stopped by his grandparents house because he hasn't seen them in a while. I guess his gran is doing very poorly and his grandpa needs to feed her now. Its so sad. I said that they probably have her on so many pain killers for the cancer that its causing her to be like that. But I guess his grandpa is doing very well. Anyways, thats not the great stuff. Alex was talking to them about the wedding. I guess for the shower they sent a card to my sister in care of me since they can't make it to the shower...and I'm thinking that Alex's parents wouldn't give them our address in Davenport for them to send it to since Alex's parents don't want us to get anything for our wedding or any of Alex's family to be involved in the wedding. Anyways, Alex's grandpa said that gran probably won't be able to make it, but he will definitely try and come to part of it, but he hopes we would understand if for some reason he can't come (which is completely understandable). But he said that he is going to be very upset with Alex's parents if they end up not showing up to the wedding. He was saying how childish it is of them, and that if Alex's mom doesn't show up then he just might have to take her out of the will!!!! Alex's grandparents are COMPLETELY against what Alex's parents are doing to him...and I think its GREAT! Like I said, they will be the ones getting the phone calls on Sunday, not us....with everyone from the family calling them and wondering where they were at when the rest of the family was there. I think its GREAT!!!!!

Sorry, just had to share that!

[katieandalex]

Oh and I forgot to add....


2 MONTHS!

[katieandalex]

Humm...whats all happened since I'v been gone....umm everything! LOL! I'm getting married in 6 days!!!! Pretty much everything is done....that can be done now. The programs are finished, the dress has been altered and pressed. I purchased new undergarments yesterday to try on with the dress to see if they work better. We are heading back to town on Wednesday morning (woo hoo, only 2 days of work!)....there is a TON to do the last 3 days....bake pies, buy gift cards, carve pumpkins, finish making the decor, decorate the sites, etc, etc....just so much to do. but oh my gosh! I'm getting married in 6 days!

[Kacie_bride]

I'm so excited for you Katie. I am so glad you are back with us!!!!!

[ikkin510]

Katie, I'm so glad your back. I'm so exciting for you only having 6 days to go! I have 13, so I'm not far behind. That's great that you have everything done that you can get done. Good luck with the last week!!

[Jopet]

Glad to see you back :) Your wedding day has come so quickly now. Best wishes for the next week!! I hope everything runs smoothly for you. :)

[AngelinLove]

Katie, I am really really happy that you are back!!! You missed my wedding hun!!!!...lol!!! I am sooooo excited that your wedding is just around the corner and can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

[katieandalex]

Angel...damn, do you have a wedding day story I can read? Or are you still working on it?

This week is going to fly by...and I have a feeling on Tuesday at work I'm not really going to be thinking about work! LOL! I've been keeping close tabs on the 10-day forecast for my wedding day. For a while it was looking really bad (50 degrees with 60% chance of thunderstorms) but now its saying 55 degrees and 30% chance of rain. If its like today, that would be fine...a little cold but not raining.

[AngelinLove]

I have a slideshow you can check out and I am still working on my wedding day story...meaning I havn't started it, because I have been depressed....but will get to that...lol!!! Here is the link to my slideshow and my myspace where it is at also:

http://1107485184.slide.com/p/1/Joel+and+Angel_27s+Wedding_21_21_21_21?compliments =True

http://www.myspace.com/uofdangel

[katieandalex]

Angel: Everything was GOREGOUS! I can't wait to ready the story once you get it written!

[ladymelissa]

Katie! I haven't seen you in so long, it's great to hear from you! I can't believe it is only 6 days away! I wish you the very best and I hope you share your story and some pics from your wedding! I hope everything else is going well for you!

[SerendipityCrafts]

Ohhhhhhh so close now! Best of luck to you both :)

[katieandalex]

Thanks girls. I'll definitely try and make it back to share my story and such! :) Everything has been coming together very smoothly, so hopefully that shows in the pictures.

[blueeyedbride]

WB U'r 5 days will fly and so will u'r wedding day . Take a min or two at the reception and just take it all in believe me , if u don't u will have wished u did.

[dolphincc]

Hey Katie, I haven't seen you around in awhile. I can't believe you are finally getting married. (I have been following your story on other boards) Congratulations to you and Alex. I hope to see your WDS soon, I would love to see all your ideas come together.

[katieandalex]

Yeah, my BM just e-mailed saying that she got her boyfriend an outfit for the wedding and all of her jewlery for the wedding the other day. And she wanted directions for how to get everywhere...since she gets lost in Dubuque all the time! LOL! But Alex and I work today. I'll get home about 9:30pm. We are going to pack up my car so we can head out right away tomorrow more. We are going to stop tomorrow morning to go tanning, get my oil changed in my car (before putting on another 2000 miles! LOL!) and then get gas and we are headed back to Dubuque to get married! But then we have to make a 30 minute drive to Galena, IL tomorrow to get my parents' gift certificate as well....ugh. I'm going to be stick of driving after the next 2 weeks...wait what am I saying? I drive an hour to and from work everyday! LOL! I just can't believe the day is finally here!!!

[Panthers Bride]

Congrats on getting everything done. Can't wait to see the pictures.

[LizabethDavis]

Hey Katie! So glad to see you back here! I hope that everything goes well for you on your big day! Be sure to hurry back with lots of pics!!

[katieandalex]

OMG! 2 days away! The pies are fully baked...all 186 mini-pies. My mom and aunt baked them all today. Tonight my mom and I are finishing up the ceremony decor and such. Alex and I went and had out "bonding" time today. And Alex decided that he is going to sell his Jeep and buy a brand new 2007 Scion TC. We test drove it today..I really like them, but just not for me. He really liked it. So we will probably buy one as soon as his Jeep sells.

Anyways, tomorrow everyone is going to start coming into town. Alex went to pick up his tux today...the shirt was ordered too small, so they had to rush order him a new shirt which will be here tomorrow morning after 10am. So we are going to go and pick up his new shirt, get my hair done at 11am. Then come home and start carving out the pumpkins for the centerpieces. At 2pm the girls and I are going for our manicures and pedicures and then going straight to the ceremony site to decorate and have our rehearsal. Followed by going to decorate the reception site and then off to eat some pizza and go to bed.

Busy day ahead of us! :)

[MOB Karen]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_3_3v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm824YYUS) Best of luck to you, Katie!!! I know your wedding is going to be fabulous! Hurry back and tell us all about it!!

[AngelinLove]

Good Luck Katie....I am so happy for you and hope that everything is perfect for your day!!!

[NicksBride]

YEA!! Congrats on your upcoming wedding...:)

[katieandalex]

I'm getting married today!!!!

Thought I would be more excited...I'm not yet though. The rehearsal and such last night went well. My brother was a riot! decorating the reception site was speedy with how many people we had...took a total of a hour! Everything looks great! Off to get my hair done! :)

[blueeyedbride]

KAte , hope you have a wonderful day today, stop and look at it all!!!!!Congrats can't wait for details!!!

[mariaandmanish]

Katie - best wishes on a gorgeous and wonderul day today! Keep relaxed, and treasure it all!! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[HalloweenBride]

you are married by now! I have one month to go! We can't wait to hear alll about it!

[ikkin510]

Sorry I didnt' get a chance to stop in yesterday. But I hope you had a perfect day! Congratulations Katie! We can't wait to hear (and see) all about it!

[Jenn060306]

Hey Katie! I hope your Big Day was awsome! I can't wait to hear all about it! :grinhappy:

congrats hun!

[ladymelissa]

I hope you wedding was wonderful! I can't wait to see some pics!

[Kacie_bride]

Hey Katie!!! I hope your wedding was beautiful and all you dreamed about!!!! I can't wait to see the pics!!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

HEy Katie!!

Congratulations on your wedding!! I hope you had a truely wonderful and magic day!! Hurry back and share photos!! Congratulations to you and Alex!!

[katieandalex]

Everything went great! Beautiful day! Leaving tonight for our honeymoon! :) I'll be back next week with a story and pics! My BIL took over 400 pics himself! :)

[ikkin510]

Yay! I'm glad it went well! Have fun on the honeymoon!

[mariaandmanish]

I'm so glad it went well! Have a great honeymoon, take lots of pics, and can't wait to see all of them, and hear all about it when you get back!!!

[hummingbird521]

Congrats kate. Can't wait to see the pics.

[HalloweenBride]

Have fun on the hunnymoon! *wink wink*

[Panthers Bride]

Yeah Katie!! Can't wait for details and PICS!!

[Jopet]

AWWWW YAY Katie!! glad to hear it all went well! :) Have a great honeymoon and hurry back with pics!! :D

[Jacklynn]

I hope you are having a GREAT honeymoon! It appears that none of us can wait to see those amazing pictures!

[dolphincc]

Congratulations Katie!!! I can't wait to read your story and see some pictures.

[SueMartin]

Katie I'm glad to hear that everything went well.

[LizabethDavis]

Have fun on your honeymoon!! Make sure we see lots of pics!!

[katieandalex]

Thank you girls! The honeymoon went really well. We just got home about 30 minutes ago, and boy are we glad to be home! My BIL took over 300 pictures and sent a bunch to me, and I'm going to go and get my pictures from the honeymoon developed tomorrow, then I'll start posting my story! :)

[katieandalex]

Here is a link to my wedding day story.

http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=4737

[Kacie_bride]

So glad you're back Katie and I'm glad everything went so well!!!!!