Ashley & Matt - August 15, 2009

[f77g4]

Ok so I'm going to start a journal - mainly for helping me keep track of what all I've posted and get myself organized with what I've purchased.

Matt and I have now been together for over 8 years. We met at a Y2K New Year's party back in 1999 at mutual friends' house (2 sisters - 1 my age, 1 his age). We talked most of the night and he kind of followed me aound and after that nothing happened for almost a year.

We started dating Dec 5, 2000 and got together because I was a friend with a co-worker of his and she hooked us up by bringing me as her date to a Christmas party. When he was asking about me again, I was in the process of getting back together with an ex but he couldn't make up his mind between me and someone else so I made it up for him and pursued Matt's interest in me. We've been together ever since.

[f77g4]

Matt proposed to me on June 2, 2008 which was my 24th birthday. I had arrived from work shortly after 5pm and he came to the door and gave me a kiss and asked how my day was - typical getting home from work stuff.

As I was putting my purse on the table, he told me he had another birthday gift for me. I said "Matt you've already spent more on my birthday then I did on yours" as he had already given me money to buy new clothes with the day before. He was like "I know but I still got you something. Now come into the living room and I'll go get it." He positioned me in the living room and told me to shut my eyes and not to open them and he went down the hallway to get it. The next thing I hear is a box sliding across the floor coming towards me from the hallway and he kept saying things like "its so heavy." I immediately thought that he had gotten me an ottoman from Wal-mart that we want for our living room and was thinking in my head "holy **** he spent another $200 on my birthday."

Matt told me to open my eyes and when I did, he was down on one knee, holding out this beautiful ring to me in a wooden ring box. I was in absolute shock and a tear trickled down my cheek. Unfortunately I don't remember exactly what he said because I was so overwhelmed and in the moment but it was something along the lines "I've enjoyed being your boyfriend for the last several years, now will you do me the honour of being my wife? Will you marry me?" And of course I said "YES!"

PS the box across the floor was a filing cabinet I had bought like a month before and have yet to take out of the box. LOL

[f77g4]

Ok so shame on me for still not getting half decent pics of my own ring but hopefully soon:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/PIC_0060.jpg


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/PIC_0059.jpg

[f77g4]

FH picked out the ring all by himself and we had never even looked at rings depsite being together for so long.

Reason being - FH always said that marriage wasn't in his volcabulary - mind you I had always hoped he changed his mind.

[Mrs.Goff]

AWW, what a sweet story! Can't wait to see what you have planned!

Congratulations and Good luck.

[EarlyBird]

wonderful story.. glad you started a journal :)

[f77g4]

So FH and I have been together since 2000. Lucky for me he decided not to pursue further education right after high school or we never would have met. I graduated high school in 2002 and we both went off to university - me going actually encouraged him to apply too just to see if he could get in since he didn't want to be without me.

We both lived in residence our first year but in the middle of first year, FH decided this wasn't for him and started looking at other options. He had become quite intrigued in computers and decided to go to a computer school in his 2nd year in the same city where I would continue to go to university. Since his new school didn't have a residence and we figured I'd be there most of the time anyways and I hated residence we decided to move in together in 2003.

My parents took that way better then his - go figure. His mother insisted that we have separate rooms and we abided. Since we were both broke college/university students we took our beds that we had from our parents home - me a twin and him a double. There's no way the 2 of us are sleeping comfortably in either of those. FH is about 6'3" and probably 200 lbs.

We found a place for that year - a crummy old apartment that was so cold in the winter and our power bill was more then my parents house' power bill but we managed. Very tightly but we did. Just after Christmas of that year, a friend of mine moved in with us as she was looking for a place and we thought this would help with costs. That last a year and then she started seeing this guy and she changed for the worst and we had to kick her out.

Shortly after that FH was done school and had gotten a full-time job and so we moved to a nicer apartment - mind you just down the street. Now we're at February 2005. We stayed in that apartment until summer of 2007 when I insisted on looking at mini homes after discovering that buying our own home was cheaper then our rent. Within a week, we found a house we love and had made an offer, did some negotiating and settled on a price! My coworkers had no idea we were looking and let along had made an offer, etc because it happened so quickly. We moved in 1 month later.

We are still here and probably will be for another 2 or 3 years until some other debt is paid off and we can afford something larger.

My sister has been living with us since September 2008 while she goes to school in the city.

And by the way - when we bought the house we bought new bedroom furniture so we can share a room now! LOL

[f77g4]

So my parents, especially my father really wanted me to have a limo for our wedding so they went ahead and booked one for us. This is our wedding gift from my parents (as well they are paying for the reception - but we are paying for everything else).

Here are some pics:
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM1331.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM1330.jpg

This is my dad inside the limo
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM1329.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM1328.jpg

[f77g4]

So the minute we got engaged I knew who I wanted for a photographer and she had her schedule online so when we were picking our date, we consulted her calendar to make sure that she was available.

Because of where we wanted to host the reception it took a few days to hear back on whether that date was available there - being a golf course they had to make sure there were no tournaments going on or that they were already booked for a wedding, etc.

Before hearing back from them though, I emailed the girl - said this is our tentative date and we'd like to have her but we just needed to make sure the place was available. Well didn't another bride go and email her the same day with a definate date. However, the photographer was trying to be fair and said first come first serve to sign a contract and give her the deposit could have her. So I had her fax me the contract (since she's in our hometown and not where we live) so that I could fax it immediately when I got word since she took credit cards. She never heard from the other bride that day at all.

I still hadn't heard from the golf course and I get an email the next day saying that the other brides parents came in and paid the $500 so she was no longer available on that date. I was devasted and wanted to cry.

So I began the search for other photographers. My parents suggested someone and I found someone as well.

I met with both. The one I found did amazing work but was really expensive and from the prices on her website for 2008 to the pamphlet she gave me for 2009 she raised her prices over $1000! I just couldn't believe it. She was going to cost me over $3000 and I wouldn't even have a pic to hang on my wall for that much. Plus she only came about a 1/2 hour before I got dressed and left before the first dance unless you paid her more.

The one my parents suggested was the guy that did their wedding and when I met with him discovered that he also did my FIL's wedding as well. His work is good - not amazing. I told him my reservations and explained that I like the more photojournalistic stuff and not the posy stand here now smile stuff and he said really it will all depend on the bridal party. If you guys are willing to have fun with your pictures you'll have fun pictures, if everyone is uptight and stuffy you get stuffy pictures. His top package is $1895 - with that I get full day coverage - from hairdresser to first dance, 1 album with best 200 pics, 1 8X10 album, 2 dvds (1 is upgraded, etc the other isn't), 2 parent albums, 2 11X14's, 1 16X20 and an engagement setting. So much for so little.

Anyways I chose to go with the guy that did my parents and FH's parent's wedding (he's not as old as I was expecting) just because I felt it was a better bang for my buck (and I'm cheap and couldn't for the life of me justify that much for pictures). I know they will last forever and I know that they should be compensated for their work but I just couldn't do it and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shady since she jumped her prices up so much in 1 year.

I later found out that if you have her print your pics - she does them at walmart - I can do that cheaper myself thanks.

Here is a link to our photographer:

http://rivervalleyimages.com/

Click on the link titled Weddings for his wedding pics.

ETA - Also I should add that while I was trying to decide both of these photographers were approached for the same date as well, meaning I had to make a decision soon. Now mind you this is all 14 months before the wedding.

[f77g4]

So after learning that there were so many other weddings happening on our day, we set to work booking more stuff that we knew would have to be booked.

I got my hairdresser and makeup appts booked for me and the girls as well as a spray tan booked a few days before for me.

[f77g4]

Well it was time to pick our bridal party. I chose my sister as my maid of honor - she'll be 19 by the time the wedding rolls around. FH chose his younger brother as his best man (he's the same age as my sister). FH has another brother but he isn't close to him so he decided not to ask his older one to help out.

We chose friends of ours that are married to also stand up with us as a bridesmaid and groomsmen. They have been married for just over 2 years now and have 2 beautiful little girls. The oldest is almost 3 while the other is almost a year. We had asked the oldest to be a flower girl but our friends declined since the wedding is out of the city that they live in and since they are both in the wedding party and they thought they might be able to get a weekend away. And you know what - the more I thought about it the more I liked the idea of them being able to have a good time! So no flowergirl or ring bearer for us!

We decided to keep it small to avoid the drama so only 2 each.

Now picking an MC was a bit of a task as I always thought the DJ did that but my mother soon corrected me. Now I don't have a lot of friends nor am I overly close with a lot of my cousins. FH suggested his older brother but I quickly reminded him of the speech his gave at his grandmothers funeral and he quickly axed that idea (he swore in the chapel of the funeralhome!).

So eventually we decided on a cousin from my dad's side. We probably see him the most since he lives in the same city and he got married a few years ago. Plus I don't really have to worry about him saying anything over the top or embarassing since he's pretty conservative.

[f77g4]

So one Saturday my mom, my sister and I went shopping around the city just to get a feel for cost of things. We made some purchases:

Toasting flutes - $9.99 plus tax

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/ToastingFlutes.jpg

Hurricane vases - which we are going to use as jars for the candy buffet - 3 for $19.99 plus tax

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HurricaneVasesforCandyBar2.jpg
3 piece candle holder which we are going to use in the candy buffet as well - $9.99 plus tax

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/VasesforCandyBar2.jpg

[f77g4]

With the flutes and some other items we plan to tie ribbon around them and attach these cute golf charms that I got on ebay

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/GolfBrassCharms.jpg

I got 72 of these for like $22! I think it will be a cute and subtle way to bring in the golf theme. I plan to use them on my garter, guestbook pen, potentially the pewmarkers, etc.

[Docsgirl]

Just read through your journal. Looooove your engagement story! Can't wait to read more. :D

[f77g4]

Well on the day that we made the purchases above I also picked out my invitations at Michaels....fell in love with them but we didn't buy them that day. $49.99/box and I was going to need 3 boxes.

4 days later I was looking on kijiji and someone was selling 4 brand new boxes of these exact invites plus a whole lot of other stuff and I got it all for $80!

Here are my invites:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/weddinginvites.jpg

Here are some of the other stuff that I got:

Garter

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/garter.jpg

Card Box

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/cardchest.jpg

I still haven't decided 100% on this but it came with everything else - FH on the other hand this is his favorite thing!

Thank you cards

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/thankyoucards.jpg

[f77g4]

The rest of the purchases from that lot that I have pics of (there were some smaller things like a hair comb, some decorating pearls, glitter, etc that I don't have pics for)

Seals

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/weddingseals.jpg

Ribbon


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/ribbon.jpg

Favor boxes

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/favorboxes.jpg

Placecards

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/placecardholders.jpg

[NOTKT]

Everything looks great! I can't remember exactly what my DH said when he proposed either! Looks like this will be a lovely wedding! Congrats!

[f77g4]

Some other purchases

Cake knife/server - from ebay for like $12

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/CakeKnifeServerSet.jpg

10 boxes of white wedding lights (100 count) and 10 jars of clear gemstones - from kijiji for $60 for everything

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Whitelights.jpg


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Gemstones.jpg

[f77g4]

Went dress shopping for the first time November 2, 2008. I tried on about 6 dresses or so...it's a small, kind of run down shop just outside my city but they were having a sale (plus there was a bridal show elsewhere in that town) so why not.

I didn't find the "one" but my mom, sister and friend (bridesmaid) all picked a favorite and it was all the same one.

Dress #1

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Favoriteofmygirls.jpg

Dress #2

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM0629.jpg

Dress #3

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM0630.jpg


Dress #4

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM0633.jpg

[f77g4]

Here are some more dresses from that first shopping experience

Dress #5

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM0635.jpg

Dress #6

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM0636.jpg


Dress #7

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/HPIM0637.jpg


Dress #8

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/VeryFirstDress.jpg

[f77g4]

So my girls all loved dress #1 but I didn't care for the wrinkled look of the material.

My favorite for the day was #8 although I wasn't too fond of the tulle on the bottom and would have preferred the skirt to be all satin - they said that they could do that but I just don't know. I would have hated for it not to turn out right.

[f77g4]

So I came across another deal on kijiji

10 centerpieces and 8 pewmarkers for $30! When I went to pick up the stuff, she also threw in a tonnes more other stuff - like 1 full bag of tealights (& another bag basically full), etc

Centerpieces

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/centerpieces.jpg


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0017.jpg
Pewmarkers

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0020.jpg

[f77g4]

So I went to a city about 2 hours away on Dec 6, 2008 to try this whole dress shopping experience again. My bridesmaid lives in this city and so my mom, dad, sister (MOH) and I all travelled down and met her.

We got there shortly after the shop opened. I had my hearts on trying on this particular Bonny dress that I had found online and I knew the store had it as we had called in advanced.

Here it is:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Bonny821Front.jpg

Now this place wouldn't let you take pictures like the last one unless you bought the dress so I don't have much in the way of pics for you. Because I knew I wanted to try this dress on, it was put in the changing room first and the last one I tried on.

The first two I tried on were nice but not me - one was very asymmetrical in the front and was throwing me off for some reason, the other one had too much beading on the bodice that it was annoying my arm.

The third dress I tried on was a dress I hadn't thought I'd try on because of the color in the sash but the sales lady had told me that could be changed to whatever color. I come out in that dress and I'm actually smiling - something I've yet to do when coming out in a dress. I'm standing in the mirrors loving the dress and the owner of the shop says the sash only comes in turquoise, white or ivory - I was a little bummed (colors at this point where fuchsia and chocolate). So I try on the dress above - it looks nice but not like how I was loving the 3rd dress so I put the third dress on again and we started coordinating the girls colors.

I didnt want to make a decision right then - the city still had another shop to look at. We went to the other shop and I didn't even try 1 dress on there - so over what I was willing to pay for a dress. The cheapest I even saw on the racks was $850!

So we go for lunch and are talking about what to do and we decide to go back to the first store again....and I decided to get the third dress

Pic of the front

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Ashleys_dress_001.jpg

Pic of the back

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Ashleys_dress_002.jpg

[Mrs.Goff]

That's a gorgeous dress. You look lovely in it. Is that going to be the final sash color? Just wondering. I also like the very simple veil with it.

Congrats on finding "The One"!

[NOTKT]

Looks great! You look fantastic in that dress!

[janina10]

I love hearing about your engagment/wedding story. it makes me want to write one too. :)

[Mrs.Goff]

Everything looks great! Love your Invitations. And I just have to say that every single one of those gowns looks great on you.

[Ninedays9]

Very pretty dress! I loooove that blue color of the sash (though I'm not sure if you're going with that). It looks quite similar to one I tried on and nearly ended up getting.

[f77g4]

Yes the turquoise is the color of the sash that I am going with. The dress you see me in is actually my dress! It is ivory with the turquoise sash. I figured - what was the point of the sash if it was the same color as the dress?

So my colors got changed that day to turquoise and fuchsia with brown & ivory accents here and there.

[f77g4]

That's a gorgeous dress. You look lovely in it. Is that going to be the final sash color? Just wondering. I also like the very simple veil with it.

Congrats on finding "The One"!

Thanks - that isn't my veil though - just one the shop had that they put on me and the tiara. I'm too cheap to pay $80 for a tiara and $120 for a veil.

I got a tiara on ebay for $8 that is gorgeous - I'll have to take some pics some time. I'm still looking for a veil.

[FutureKelley]

I LOVE your card box!! I wish I could have found something like that before I made mine!

And the dress is gorgeous!

[f77g4]

I LOVE your card box!! I wish I could have found something like that before I made mine!

And the dress is gorgeous!

Thanks - I hadn't planned on using a card box - around here most people just use a basket but it came with the lot that I got my invitations in. I think it's like FH's favorite things.

Do you think people will know what it's for? I plan on decorating it a little bit with flower petals or something I think. Like I said when I posted it - I'm still not 100% sure about it but FH loves it plus it will save me money elsewhere so I will probably just use it.

[FutureKelley]

Thanks - I hadn't planned on using a card box - around here most people just use a basket but it came with the lot that I got my invitations in. I think it's like FH's favorite things.

Do you think people will know what it's for? I plan on decorating it a little bit with flower petals or something I think. Like I said when I posted it - I'm still not 100% sure about it but FH loves it plus it will save me money elsewhere so I will probably just use it.

We are going to put up a little framed sign telling people where they can place cards for ours. That, or I would maybe leave it open with a blank card/envelope as an example for people to follow?

[MrsDM]

Wow, Ashley! Everything is looking great!!! Your ring and dress is gorgeous!!!

[f77g4]

Ok so I want to finish bringing the journal up to date since I've been engaged for 7 months now:

In this time we have booked:
-the minister and church (we are getting married at an old country church - Matt's family's church)
-the reception venue (includes catering)
-the DJ (he did all our high school dances)
-the photographer
-the limo
-the hairdresser and makeup artist for us girls
-a designated driver
-the honeymoon suite at a local hotel

We've also:
-found a cake person - she's only charging $100!
-blocked off rooms for out of town guests at a hotel
-selected the meal - traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings + dessert for only $13.95/pp
-finalized wedding colors (after getting my dress) - now turquoise and fuchsia with chocolate and ivory accents (previously fuchsia and chocolate)
-compiled a guest list
-compiled a budget - although I really had no idea what I was doing when I made it so its unrealistic in some places (too low) and totally off the mark with others (too high)
-made some initial purchases - see previous posts and more to come
-chosen the bridal party
-chosen a golf theme while remaining classy and elegant...lol
-decided that we want this to be a big party and have lots of fun
-scoured the internet for lots of inspiration pics!
-got save the dates and mailed them in our Christmas cards
-got my dress, headpiece, earrings and necklace
-found a dress I want the girls to try on
-paid a small fee at a tux rental place and now all the guys get $10 off their rental
-attended 2 bridal shows

Hmm I feel like I'm missing stuff but I'm sure I'll remember more

[f77g4]

Here are our save the dates:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/STDFront.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/STDBack.jpg

I got these from vistaprint - they are postcards. Got 100 free and had to pay shipping of like $10.

I've had a lot of compliments on them - one of Matt's aunts who I've only met a few times even called me up and said thank you and that it was so pretty and that pink was her favorite color.

I've had a lot of hits to the website since these went out - but whats said is that noone is signing the guestbook :(

[f77g4]

So I've decided since I was able to find some hurricane vases half decently priced (see previous pics) that we would do a candy bar/buffet.

I also picked up this for the table - kinda quirky but it fits with our theme and definately makes you think of candy!

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/candybarcenterpiece.jpg

It's an M&M candy dispenser that is golf themed - I only paid $10 for it but I thought it was cute - it's never been used.

[f77g4]

So I've looked on the internet and here are some inspiration pics that I'm going to use for my own

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet2.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet9.jpg

That was a great inspiration pic when I was doing pink and chocolate.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet8.jpg

[f77g4]

More

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet7.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet6.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet10.jpg

[f77g4]

Final ones



http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet4.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Candybuffet3.jpg

[f77g4]

I know I didn't buy the fancy jars with the covers but do you think that the hurricane vases,etc that I got will be ok? I think I may still get a few more jars but I just don't have the money to buy the ones with the covers?

[f77g4]

So here is my headpiece that I got for $8 on ebay

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/tiara.jpg

[f77g4]

So we havent finalized anything yet but this is the dress I would like for my girls to wear

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/girlsdress2.jpg

We are still trying to decide on the color. I would like to do turquoise to match my dress and then have pink flowers and the girls would like the dress to be fuchsia.

So when we go in March to finalize their dresses we will have to see.

The dress is the same designer as my dress so the turquoise will match and this designer is the only one to have the right color of fuchsia that I am looking for.

Notice that this dress has the same broach as mine.

[f77g4]

New news - just happened 3 days ago!

I booked a saxophone player for the ceremony and reception prior to the arrival of a DJ. I'm so excited. I ment him at a bridal show last weekend and he is amazing!

He puts a CD in and plays with the CD - it's so romantic and whatnot and not jazzy like I had originally thought when I heard that a saxophone player was going to be there.

So he is coming for the rehearsal on the Friday night, play for a half hour before the ceremony while guests arrive, playing the various songs for the mothers to be seated, bridal party and myself to get down the aisle, songs at various points during the ceremony (signing license, etc) and at the end of the ceremony when we walk out. Then he is going to our reception and will play for the guests while we have our pictures done, during the meal, in between toasts, etc. He is even going to do our first dance and the father/daughter dance and hang around until the DJ comes.

Total costs - $600 + a hotel room for Friday night (cheaper for me then to pay his travel back and forth an hour each way since he is going to the rehearsal).

This is an unexpected cost that was not budgeted, however, I have been way underbudget on a lot of items that I just couldn't resist.

Again I'm so excited! LOL

[f77g4]

So I'm a little bummed out today as I found out I failed my exam that I wrote back in March! By 6 freaking points! It frustrates me so bad but I guess I should be glad that I can rewrite it.

[f77g4]

Pics of my veil - amazing deal on ebay - $9.99 +$5.99 shipping US so about $20 CDN

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Veil2.jpg

[f77g4]

Got my guestbook pen on ebay $12

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/GuestbookPen.jpg

[f77g4]

Got my programs (120) and menu cards/table numbers (24) for $60 from kijiji

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/menucards.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/programs.jpg


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/programsandmenucards.jpg

[f77g4]

So I was searching the net one day and came across these centerpieces which so hit with the theme - FH, my mother and bridesmaid all love them as well so depending on what kind of a deal FH can get me on golf balls, we will be doing these now.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/golfcenterpiece2.jpg

[Mrs.Goff]

Althought these are a little pricey I just had to show them to you ...

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=3/2044&mode=Searching&erec=2&D=golf+balls&Ntt=golf+balls&Ntk=all&Dx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&N=0&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&sd=%26%238220%3BThanks%26%238221%3B+Golf+Balls

[f77g4]

Althought these are a little pricey I just had to show them to you ...

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=3/2044&mode=Searching&erec=2&D=golf+balls&Ntt=golf+balls&Ntk=all&Dx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&N=0&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&sd=%26%238220%3BThanks%26%238221%3B+Golf+Balls

Thank you - we are actually going to get personalized golf balls as part of our favors. Found another site that is $11.99/dozen.

[f77g4]

Well my mom made our unity candle today! Yippee!

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/UnityCandle2.jpg

[Mrs.Goff]

I just commented on your other post but I'll say it here too. It looks great, I never would have guessed that it was DIY.

[MrsDM]

Your mom did a great job! It looks awesome!!!

[f77g4]

Thanks ladies!

She keeps saying its just a sample but I see no reason to do another one.

Total cost $5! Still have to do the tapers but that shouldn't be a big deal.

[f77g4]

So today I was able to get an awesome deal on hurricane vases on kijiji - someone was selling 20 for $80 which is what I needed. The cheapest I had seen instore was $13! So I think I got a deal and I needed at least 20 so I'm superexcited.

So that means we can do these golf centerpieces that I found and that FH loves!

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/golfcenterpiece2.jpg

Just need FH to find a good deal on golf balls and decide on what flowers to use.

I will use the other 10 centerpieces that I bought elsewhere like the candy table, head table,etc.

I'm thinking of putting mirrors and candles around them...thoughts?

[f77g4]

Thursday night the girls decided that they liked the dress that I picked out better then the one they picked out.

Here's the one they initially picked out:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Girlspick.jpg

And they wanted to do fuchsia with turquoise lace....I really wasn't digging it so I took on the search myself.

Here is what I picked and what we've decided:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/girlsdress2.jpg

And they are getting this in fuchsia....my mom isn't digging them in fuchsia and my sash being turquoise but the girls think if they were in turquoise as well my dress wouldn't pop as much so I'm thinkin that since I got the dress I wanted they can have the color they want.

It's $149.99 + tax.

Am I making a wrong choice by allowing them to go fuchsia?

[f77g4]

So I bought my shoes for $35 on kijiji

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/PotentialShoes.jpg

They are dyeable and I thought about dying them turquoise to match my shoes and surprise surprise my mother doesnt think thats a good idea...lol

[MrsDM]

So today I was able to get an awesome deal on hurricane vases on kijiji - someone was selling 20 for $80 which is what I needed. The cheapest I had seen instore was $13! So I think I got a deal and I needed at least 20 so I'm superexcited.

So that means we can do these golf centerpieces that I found and that FH loves!

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/golfcenterpiece2.jpg

Just need FH to find a good deal on golf balls and decide on what flowers to use.

I will use the other 10 centerpieces that I bought elsewhere like the candy table, head table,etc.

I'm thinking of putting mirrors and candles around them...thoughts?

Ok, can I just say that is the coolest centerpiece! Its so creative! As for the mirrors and candles, I say definitely yes to the candles, and a maybe for the mirror. I can't envision that centerpiece in my head with the mirror. What about just getting one mirror and a few candles and trying it out??

[MrsDM]

OH and the dresses - LOVE THEM! I love the color, I think for August, it will look great!

[f77g4]

Ok, can I just say that is the coolest centerpiece! Its so creative! As for the mirrors and candles, I say definitely yes to the candles, and a maybe for the mirror. I can't envision that centerpiece in my head with the mirror. What about just getting one mirror and a few candles and trying it out??

Thanks Jeanne!

I was thinking for the mirrors for the candles around the centerpiece just to help reflect the like of the candle but maybe that is a little over the top.

I found that picture online back in January and I was like why hadn't I seen this before...lol...I had already boughten 10 centerpieces but I knew that wasn't enough and when I showed it to FH he was like "I Like" - lol...so it may not be super classy, etc but I definately think it is unique.

I went to a wedding show a couple weeks ago and was looking through a book for one of the party decorators and she was telling me how fruit is really popular right now to fill vases and I was like yeah we're doing golf balls I think. She loved the idea - I may have given her a new concept...lol

Thanks for the compliments on the dresses too - I think they'll be a nice match.

[MrsDM]

Thanks Jeanne!

I was thinking for the mirrors for the candles around the centerpiece just to help reflect the like of the candle but maybe that is a little over the top.



See, its hard to tell. I'm using mirrors and candles, but with flowers. I guess where I'm coming from with the mirror thing is because your centerpiece is so unique, I don't know if the mirror would take away from it or not? Like I said, I would try doing a sample and see what that would look like.

[f77g4]

See, its hard to tell. I'm using mirrors and candles, but with flowers. I guess where I'm coming from with the mirror thing is because your centerpiece is so unique, I don't know if the mirror would take away from it or not? Like I said, I would try doing a sample and see what that would look like.

Yep I think you are right for sure.

[f77g4]

Woot Woot - I was able to get another deal today!

I was able to get boxes of 24 wedding bubbles for $2 even plus tax - regular $5.97 + tax. Clearance at Walmart! So I got 4 boxes!

I had seen the tag the other day at the Walmart on the south side but they didn't have any. My mom tried their Walmart but they said it was a store by store thing so FH & I had to go to the north side tonight and I said let's check the Walmart there. They had them marked at their full price so I asked if they should be the same price as the other Walmart and the manager said yes, they called the other store and gave me the clearance price!

[f77g4]

We booked an appt today with the jeweler to start designing my wedding band. We got March 6th! They were completely book until then so I'm glad we looked into it when we did.

[f77g4]

So the tux shop that I registered with for a discount at a bridal show called the other night so we've booked an appt for the last Saturday in March to pick our the styles and colors that we want. Then the guys just have to get measured and get them ordered and they should be good to go.

FH sent me flowers at work on Friday for Valentines Day - they are so pretty! It made everyone jealous as I was the only one to get any but mind you Valentine's Day wasn't until today Saturday but FH is working tonight so we celebrated on Friday - dinner and a movie! I got him the keyboard thingy that plugs into the PS3 controller that he wanted. He also gave me some money and told me to go and buy a new outfit or shoes...if only it wasn't storming tonight I'd be out of here.

[f77g4]

So I'm still debating over what flowers to use for the bouquets and our centerpieces, etc.

I sent a whole bunch of pics to FH to look at and he tells me that he doesn't like roses or lilies! WHAT?!? Really? Comeon those were what I wanted to use..lol...and he tells me that he doesn't want the bouquets to be all one type of flower either....lol..who would have thought he would have had such an opinion on flowers...so time will tell what we end up using.

[f77g4]

So I sent FH a bunch of pics of cakes and he had an absolute favorite.

Here it is:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Cakeidea46.jpg

So we are thinking of doing turquoise ribbon and fuchsia flower petals...thoughts?

Or do you think a chocolate covered cake is weird for a wedding as it's not the typical white one?

[Deanna2112001]

I love it.. I really do. If I had better pics of a chocolate cake.. I would have gone with it!

[f77g4]

So my veil arrived the other day and I have to say I was quite disappointed.

First of all it was packaged in such a small package all piled on top of each other - in a package not much bigger then the size of a letter envelope - so it's all wrinkled etc.

I dont find that it really looks like the picture and I think the rhinestones are on the wrong side, etc. But I'm trying not to get discouraged until my mom takes a look at it as maybe I'm just not doing something right with it.

[NOTKT]

Most veils are packaged that way, if you just hang it up for a week or so, all the wrinkles should fall out. :)

[f77g4]

Most veils are packaged that way, if you just hang it up for a week or so, all the wrinkles should fall out. :)

Thats my plan but like I said there was other things that I wasn't sure about.

It doesnt even look like it's 2 tiered like the picture. Hopefully once its dewrinkled it will look better.

[Mrs.Goff]

I love that cake. I think your plan would be perfect.

[Deanna2112001]

So my veil arrived the other day and I have to say I was quite disappointed.

First of all it was packaged in such a small package all piled on top of each other - in a package not much bigger then the size of a letter envelope - so it's all wrinkled etc.

I dont find that it really looks like the picture and I think the rhinestones are on the wrong side, etc. But I'm trying not to get discouraged until my mom takes a look at it as maybe I'm just not doing something right with it.

My first one came in that way too. Directions said to run the shower on hot and get the steam going in there.. and it will straighten itself out.

Needless to say.. I lol bought another one.. and I think I am gonna give it to my seamstress who will be pressing my dress too.. I hope she does it for free.

[f77g4]

My first one came in that way too. Directions said to run the shower on hot and get the steam going in there.. and it will straighten itself out.

Needless to say.. I lol bought another one.. and I think I am gonna give it to my seamstress who will be pressing my dress too.. I hope she does it for free.

Well I'm going to try the bathroom steam and if that doesn't work I do have a steamer - I just hate the bloody thing (find it doesn't work that great at all to be honest). My mom wanted to take it to the cleaners and I said no I don't think so - I don't really want to pay anyone for it.

I just hope once it's dewrinkled it looks better.

[f77g4]

So today marks the 6 month mark and I have so much to do...I'm getting so excited but so nervous because of the size of the list of things that need to be done. I compiled a list and it's overwhelming to say the least but hopefully I can start delegating some and once I write my exam in March then I will have a little more free time and can get home to meet with some vendors.

FH surprised me a little today and suggested we go to Alaska for our honeymoon. His best friend lives there and probably won't be able to make it home for the wedding. FH had said that he had been thinking about it for awhile and had the friend look into some ticket prices. The friends house is so huge that we could even have a whole floor of the house just to us which would save on some accomodations expenses for sure.

I'm kinda super excited about it but at the same time am trying not to get too excited as I still have a feeling that its not going to happen. With paying for the wedding ourselves I just don't think the funds exist for a honeymoon. FH told me not to stress about it but I can't help it.

[Mrs.Goff]

I remember being at the point where it seemed I would never be able to finish in time. Honestly at month 3 things started coming together and now with 47 days to go we're nearly finished.

It will all come together.

Going to Alaska. Wow, that's exciting. I know that you're trying not to get your hopes up but sometimes you just have to have faith that it will work out.

[f77g4]

Thanks I hope it will all come together....it's just stressing me out a bit because I can't devote more time to it. When we set our date I was suppose to write exams in Sept & Dec 08 and then March 09 and not have another course until Sept 09 which is after the wedding so I thought I would have lots of time. But I failed my Dec 08 exam and now have to rewrite it in June 09 which sucks because thats like 2 months before the wedding. So I just feel like I"m missing out on the exciting stuff a bit.

Alaska would be nice and whatnot but like I said all along we haven't even mentioned a honeymoon since it's not really in the budget and never seemed like an issue....I would love to go so we'll see what Matt can come up with.

[f77g4]

So my mom finished our unity candle tapers and sent them back with my sister today. Here are some pics. Mom made the 3 candles and I got the 3 holders for $2each.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0028.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0029.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0031.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0032.jpg

[f77g4]

So last night I was looking at our invite kits because my mother was asking me tonnes of questions about them as she is getting ready to print off a couple samples, etc. Well low and behold I discover a defect in the paper! The invites are suppose to be landscaped and the way the paper was print was portrait.

You wouldn't think that would be a big deal but to me it was - lol...the invites hold and the way they fold with the point is for portrait and I didn't like the way the paper looked if you put it landscape since the design was completely on one side instead of in both bottom corners...picky I know but to me it just didn't look right.

And since I bought them off kijiji I couldn't really return them to Michaels. Anyways my mom emailed the company and they replied today (how fast!) and said that they were aware of this problem with this particular invite and that the issue has since been resolved and she's to fill out this online form that they gave her the link for to indicate her mailing address and how many packages we bought and they are going to send us replacement invites!

Whew - I"m glad I discovered this last night and not in a couple months!

[Mrs.Goff]

Love the unity candles they are great.

So on your invites the scroll work is on the wrong corners? Am I understanding correctly? It's great that they're going to replace them for you. I hope they don't take a long time to come in.

[f77g4]

Love the unity candles they are great.

So on your invites the scroll work is on the wrong corners? Am I understanding correctly? It's great that they're going to replace them for you. I hope they don't take a long time to come in.


If you look at the pic you can see a pattern on the bottom 2 corners of the main invitation part and on the ones that came, if you out the paper like that the design would be on the top and bottom of one side rather then both on the bottom. Well thankfully I have a little while before the invites have to go out and I'm thinking since they replied to the email so quickly they should be shipped quickly!


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/weddinginvites.jpg

[f77g4]

So my mom is in DIY mode and has taken to work on the bubbles lol well I'm trying to get into study mode for my exam in March

So here are some sample pics she's done. I'd like to have little bows on them but she is thinking that that is going to be a little tough.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/100_0127.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/100_0126.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/100_0122.jpg

[Deanna2112001]

How cute! I love them!

[Docsgirl]

They look awesome to me! :D Your mom is one crafty lady!

[MrsDM]

The bubbles look awesome! I love how you kept with the same labels on everything!

[Mrs.Goff]

Your bubbles are great. I've seen pre-made bows at Michaels, maybe that's an opintion.

[f77g4]

Your bubbles are great. I've seen pre-made bows at Michaels, maybe that's an opintion.

Ooh I'll have to take my mom there when she comes down this weekend and maybe we can find some.

Thanks ladies! Yes she is pretty crafty and I'm fortunate enough to have her be so willing to help - otherwise I'd be really stuck because of my full-time job and studying there aren't many hours left in the day.

She is on a big bow phase right now as Matt bought her this bowdabra thing for Christmas that she wanted and I swear by New Years the house was full of Christmas bows she made for next year since Christmas ribbon was so cheap...lol...

She used to run her own print business back in the day and she did someone's wedding - from invites to programs to candles, etc so I'm using her to the best of my and her abilities.

Well it's 1:30 am here and I just finished my assignment - I need to hit the hay as I have to get up at 6 to get ready for work....tomorrow (well today I guess) should be an interesting day at work...lol...thankfully I will be sitting at the Legislature most of the day..lol

[f77g4]

Well "Brides" shipped out the new replacement invitations today - they work really quick so I will definately be using their products again as they have such good customer service.

I'd definately recommend their products to others!

[Deanna2112001]

I think I missed something.....What was wrong with the ones you had?

[f77g4]

I think I missed something.....What was wrong with the ones you had?

I noticed Sunday night that the invite paper portion of it was printed wrong. They are to be landscaped and have a little design in both bottom corners but when I was looking at them the other night I noticed that they had been printed portrait and the design was either on the top and bottom of the left or right side depending on how you held the paper. It's kind of hard to explain I guess. I thought it looked wrong and dind't like it and was disappointed.

I couldn't return them to Michaels since I bought them off of kijiji so my mom contacted them Sunday night, they emailed her Monday saying that they were aware of the problem with that particular invite and that the problem had since been resolved and they gave her a link to a form to fill out and say how many boxes, etc and they were going to send replacement ones.

So they shipped today.

I'm so glad I noticed that Sunday night and not like 3 months from now...lol

[f77g4]

So the new invites should be here Tuesday! Yippee.

We've booked an appt at the tux shop to go and pick out the style and colors that we want.

Since the girls are going to be in fuchsia dresses I am thinking fuchsia for the groomsmen to match (man will they probably hate me..lol). Then I'm thinking turquoise for FH to match my sash. For my dad and FFIL I am thinking maybe a latte or champagne color or maybe just ivory? I'm not quite sure.

How many different colors did you all have?

I was looking on the store's website and it doesn't really look like they have fuchsia (although I have found another company that so we may need to switch companies).

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[f77g4]

So I found some ideas for a potential groom's cakes - I think I am leaning more towards the golf ball one rather then the golf ball bag.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/groomscake2.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/groomscake3.jpg


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/groomscake.jpg

[Mrs.Goff]

I love the golf ball cake. haha So cute.

Our guys are wearing red vest, FH is wearing white and my dad is wearing black. FFIL is wearing purple to match FMIL.:irked:

If your tux guy is anything like ours be prepared. lol I had no idea how many rules there are for the tuxedos. It turned out to be a lot more involved the I thought.

[f77g4]

I love the golf ball cake. haha So cute.

Our guys are wearing red vest, FH is wearing white and my dad is wearing black. FFIL is wearing purple to match FMIL.:irked:

If your tux guy is anything like ours be prepared. lol I had no idea how many rules there are for the tuxedos. It turned out to be a lot more involved the I thought.

Thanks for the heads up!

[Docsgirl]

I can't really help with the tux situation, since my two brothers will be the only ones in tuxes and the rest of the guys will be in their dress blue military uniforms.

But, I think your idea sounds great. Especially having your FH in the turquoise to match you. That would look awesome! :D

[Micah's bride]

Just wanted to say, I love the chocolate cake. We are doing the same thing, only a lighter chocolate color. I believe she called in cappucino. I wondered the same thing as you, is it going to look weird to have a chocolate wedding cake. But my cake lady told me it's actually more common than you would think.

[HisDelightfulFaerie]

I like the idea of them matching. (groomsmen to bridesmaids and groom to bride)

[f77g4]

Just wanted to say, I love the chocolate cake. We are doing the same thing, only a lighter chocolate color. I believe she called in cappucino. I wondered the same thing as you, is it going to look weird to have a chocolate wedding cake. But my cake lady told me it's actually more common than you would think.

I think my concern is that my mother was like and you're going to leave it chocolate and I said yes and she's like oh....personally I think it looks quite sharp plus our invites are chocolate, table runners are chocolate, etc as my original colors were fuchsia and chocolate.

Thanks for agreeing with me that it looks ok - I'm so concerned with what others say and just need to stick to my guns of what FH & I want.

And I like the fact that FH picked it out...I sent him like 50-60 pics of cakes and this was his absolute favorite, he liked a few others but when he says he likes something a lot then he really likes it.

[MrsDM]

I think my concern is that my mother was like and you're going to leave it chocolate and I said yes and she's like oh....personally I think it looks quite sharp plus our invites are chocolate, table runners are chocolate, etc as my original colors were fuchsia and chocolate.

Thanks for agreeing with me that it looks ok - I'm so concerned with what others say and just need to stick to my guns of what FH & I want.

And I like the fact that FH picked it out...I sent him like 50-60 pics of cakes and this was his absolute favorite, he liked a few others but when he says he likes something a lot then he really likes it.

Oh I think based on your colors, it will look great!!

I know how it is when the FH's pick something out. For most of the wedding, Dan has never really cared one way or another, but when he thinks something is cool, I go with it too. Its there wedding too..!! LOL

[EarlyBird]

I love the golf ball cake. haha So cute.

Our guys are wearing red vest, FH is wearing white and my dad is wearing black. FFIL is wearing purple to match FMIL.:irked:

If your tux guy is anything like ours be prepared. lol I had no idea how many rules there are for the tuxedos. It turned out to be a lot more involved the I thought.

i agree our tux visit turned out to be alot more involved then i thought!!!

craziness!!!

okay, so our guys are wearing all black vests and ties, fh is wearing ivory, my dad is wearing a champange/gold/ivory and ffil can wear whatever he wants to match fmil.
the only reason dad is wearing a certain color is cuz moms dress is already picked out, so he has the color to match

[f77g4]

i agree our tux visit turned out to be alot more involved then i thought!!!

craziness!!!

okay, so our guys are wearing all black vests and ties, fh is wearing ivory, my dad is wearing a champange/gold/ivory and ffil can wear whatever he wants to match fmil.
the only reason dad is wearing a certain color is cuz moms dress is already picked out, so he has the color to match


Ok great - thanks....I guess I never really though about dad matching mom and same with FFIL & FMIL....neither of the mom's have their outfits picked out and I'm not even sure what FMIL will be wearing...I have an idea on my mother but we can't decide on a top.

I'm thankful for the heads up - I wasn't thinking it would be that big of a deal..lol...guess I'm wrong.

[Ninedays9]

How did your veil end up? I looked at ones from the same seller (cutebrides?) and then I found another one from another seller, but I'm worried it'll come all crumpled up like yours did.

I think the cake idea you have looks great! It'd look really pretty with the colors you're thinking of.

I agree with the people that have said that tux places a bit more involved than you'd expect. First, we had to find a color that matched (they actually only had one for ours). We didn't like the vest, so the guys are gonna have black vests with a cornflower blue tie. And then the guy put together a white vest with a white tie (matching my dress) for my fiance... and then black vest and tie for the dads. He put all of them on a mannequin so we could see them. It was nice to actually see how they would all look. It was also kind of fun... very exciting.

[f77g4]

How did your veil end up? I looked at ones from the same seller (cutebrides?) and then I found another one from another seller, but I'm worried it'll come all crumpled up like yours did.

I think the cake idea you have looks great! It'd look really pretty with the colors you're thinking of.

I agree with the people that have said that tux places a bit more involved than you'd expect. First, we had to find a color that matched (they actually only had one for ours). We didn't like the vest, so the guys are gonna have black vests with a cornflower blue tie. And then the guy put together a white vest with a white tie (matching my dress) for my fiance... and then black vest and tie for the dads. He put all of them on a mannequin so we could see them. It was nice to actually see how they would all look. It was also kind of fun... very exciting.

Well to be honest about the veil I'm still not really sure how I feel about it. I had my mom and dad look at it yesterday and they agree that there is just something off with it. So we looked more closely and it looks like it was improperly attached to the comb and it is all bunch in one spot which is causing it to be uneven. I emailed the company today and they asked me what I wanted them to do, I told them that I would like a new one shipped to me at no cost to me. They agreed so I am now waiting for a new one to arrive. I'm assuming it will take a few weeks since the last one took about 2 weeks to arrive.

I just feel sometimes you get what you pay for but honestly I just can't fathom paying the $120 that the bridal store wanted. I'm hoping the 2nd one is better....they seemed to be quick to want to correct a problem which is good....and just as an fyi, if you contact them, their English is really broken.

Let me know what you decide for yours!

[f77g4]

The replacement invites arrived! Yay - super quick.

So I was out with my sister tonight and found these super cute sunglasses that are black framed around the eyes and you can get them with sides in turquoise and fuchsia. I'm going to go back and get them for me and the 2 girls for some cute pics...lol $13 each at payless.

I'm also noticing that my colors are popular in clothing this summer...lol...it's making me feel in style for once..lol

[f77g4]

So I am posting this here because I need to get this off my chest and I don't really have any friends to spill to and even if noone responds I can at least get my thoughts out there.

FH & I have been really struggling lately in regards to our relationship. We have so many obstacles between us - with his shift work, my studying, his studying, my regular hour job, my sister living with us plus other things and it seems like all we do is fight and get angry with each other.

I love him I really do - I mean I've been with him for over 8 years and it's killing me that this is what we are becoming. The past week has been especially rough - we've threatened to call off the wedding, screaming, yelling at each other. It just doesnt seem to end lately. More and more I see him becoming his dad and I dispise the way his father treats his mother and I've told him from day one when I first witnessed that that I wouldn't put up with that...now it seems that I do but I think it's because so much of energy and life has been invested in our relationship before any of this came to light.

I think FH is battling depression - I''ve asked him to see a doctor and finally he did but his family dr told him that he would have to go to mental health and not to him and well that just stopped all action.

Some hurtful things have been said and donethis past week that still irk me - things he said and did that I will never get out of my head.

I'm sitting in a hotel by myself 2 hours away from home because I have to attend an exam review session in the morning. FH was suppose to come but last minute decided he still wasnt' feeling well....he got sick last week but whatever, I mean I understand if he's not up to making the trip but at the same time, with everything else thats gone on this week, I would have really liked for us to have had the night away together and just each other again. Plus he's been making hints all week about not having anything to do all day Saturday while I'm at the review session, etc....he's known about this since like Dec/early Jan - why are you waiting until the last minute to bail? It makes me wonder if it's actually because he's sick or an excuse.

I feel so confused with whats going on...anyways like I first mentioned - I'm not expecting any responses, just need to get my feelings off my chest as I'm sitting here in the hotel room dwelling on things.

[MrsDM]

So I am posting this here because I need to get this off my chest and I don't really have any friends to spill to and even if noone responds I can at least get my thoughts out there.

FH & I have been really struggling lately in regards to our relationship. We have so many obstacles between us - with his shift work, my studying, his studying, my regular hour job, my sister living with us plus other things and it seems like all we do is fight and get angry with each other.

I love him I really do - I mean I've been with him for over 8 years and it's killing me that this is what we are becoming. The past week has been especially rough - we've threatened to call off the wedding, screaming, yelling at each other. It just doesnt seem to end lately. More and more I see him becoming his dad and I dispise the way his father treats his mother and I've told him from day one when I first witnessed that that I wouldn't put up with that...now it seems that I do but I think it's because so much of energy and life has been invested in our relationship before any of this came to light.

I think FH is battling depression - I''ve asked him to see a doctor and finally he did but his family dr told him that he would have to go to mental health and not to him and well that just stopped all action.

Some hurtful things have been said and donethis past week that still irk me - things he said and did that I will never get out of my head.

I'm sitting in a hotel by myself 2 hours away from home because I have to attend an exam review session in the morning. FH was suppose to come but last minute decided he still wasnt' feeling well....he got sick last week but whatever, I mean I understand if he's not up to making the trip but at the same time, with everything else thats gone on this week, I would have really liked for us to have had the night away together and just each other again. Plus he's been making hints all week about not having anything to do all day Saturday while I'm at the review session, etc....he's known about this since like Dec/early Jan - why are you waiting until the last minute to bail? It makes me wonder if it's actually because he's sick or an excuse.

I feel so confused with whats going on...anyways like I first mentioned - I'm not expecting any responses, just need to get my feelings off my chest as I'm sitting here in the hotel room dwelling on things.

Ashley - I know you weren't expecting anyone to answer, but I just wanted to say you aren't alone! FH were going through that the last month or so. I understand completely what you are going through. There is so much going on that as a couple, you kind of forget who you were together. For us, things have gotten better, but there are still days where you do sit back and think, "Why are we getting married? We can't stand each other!" I know its frustrating and heartbreaking.

In any event, I just wanted to let you know that you weren't alone, and if you want to talk, let me know!

[f77g4]

Ashley - I know you weren't expecting anyone to answer, but I just wanted to say you aren't alone! FH were going through that the last month or so. I understand completely what you are going through. There is so much going on that as a couple, you kind of forget who you were together. For us, things have gotten better, but there are still days where you do sit back and think, "Why are we getting married? We can't stand each other!" I know its frustrating and heartbreaking.

In any event, I just wanted to let you know that you weren't alone, and if you want to talk, let me know!

Thank you Jeanne! Reading your response brought tears to my eyes to know that we really aren't alone. Thank you for your support.

[Docsgirl]

I'm so sorry you're going through this Ashley! :hug: Is there anyway that you and your FH would be able to ask his sister if she could give you guys some time alone to spend together? You wouldn't have to ask her to leave, but maybe keep to her room for a few nights or so, if she needed anything, of course she wouldn't be stuck in there, but just to give you all some down time to really have that nice alone time together that all couples need every once in awhile.

I just want to let you know that if you ever need to talk, I'm here!

Every couple will have their ups and downs, it's bound to happen when you have two different people with two different personalities always around each other. And it hurts so much when you hit a down and things that shouldn't have been said, have been said. But as you said, you are in love, and for that matter I think it's at least worth trying to get a little more "you" time as a couple to rebuild that relationship. We're here for you whenever you need someone to talk to!!

[f77g4]

I'm so sorry you're going through this Ashley! :hug: Is there anyway that you and your FH would be able to ask his sister if she could give you guys some time alone to spend together? You wouldn't have to ask her to leave, but maybe keep to her room for a few nights or so, if she needed anything, of course she wouldn't be stuck in there, but just to give you all some down time to really have that nice alone time together that all couples need every once in awhile.

I just want to let you know that if you ever need to talk, I'm here!

Every couple will have their ups and downs, it's bound to happen when you have two different people with two different personalities always around each other. And it hurts so much when you hit a down and things that shouldn't have been said, have been said. But as you said, you are in love, and for that matter I think it's at least worth trying to get a little more "you" time as a couple to rebuild that relationship. We're here for you whenever you need someone to talk to!!

Thank you Tara!

It's actually my sister and honestly she's not even that big of an issue as she spends most of her time in her room and goes back to mom and dads every other weekend.

I would definately love more "us" time - it's just we always seem to have opposite schedules. He works 4 days on 4 days of 7-7, 2 weeks days, 2 weeks nights. Whereas I work 8:15-4:30 Monday - Friday. Then I study for my designation in the evenings and at some point try to plan a wedding (hence why I probably dont have a lot done).

Thats why I really wanted him to come with me this weekend but he didn't come. I write an exam on March 11th and I'll have to check his schedule but maybe his first weekend that he doesn't work after that we should go away even though money is tight with the wedding, etc.

Some days it feels like we dont' even see each other even though we live together...I really hate his shift work - I can't imagine how you guys do it with them being deployed, etc.

[Docsgirl]

Oh, sorry! I read that wrong, I thought it was his sister. lol

I think it would be good for you to spend some quality time together. You really wouldn't even have to go away because of the money being tight (trust me, we've been in this boat for awhile....thank goodness for tax returns!). You could rent some movies and snuggle up on the couch, or even just lay in your bed and talk for awhile. With all that snow you just had dumped on you, you don't really have the option to do much outside...lol.

I can see where the conflicting work schedules(and schooling!) would get very hard to spend much to any time together. That really does make it tough!

And yes, deployment is going to be very hard. I'll probably be on here a lot, trying to keep myself distracted. lol But it's his job and he nor I really gets a decision in where or when he goes...and I couldn't really say much anyways because I knew he was under contract for a few more years when we decided to get married.

[f77g4]

Thanks Tara....well I'm back at our house now and last night was a little tense at first but we had a good talk and just held each other...thanks for your support ladies.

[Docsgirl]

Awww.:heart: I'm glad everything is good now!

[Kay]

Hi! Just read your entire journal! Luv your dress & your colors. And as for your relationship, just remember, getting married ~ planning a wedding ~ is one of the top ten most stressful life events. Give yourself a break! Don't Worry, Be Happy! :bbsmile:

[f77g4]

So while I was away Friday/Saturday, the dress shop called to let me know I need to make another payment...lol I guess I will call them tomorrow and make another payment on my credit card.

Also I realized today that the appt I made at the tux shop for the end of March isn't doable since FH is working so I guess I'll have to look at rebooking that....darn.

[f77g4]

So I called the dress shop to make another payment on my dress....I owe less then $300 now! Yippee!

So I'm waiting for the finale of the Bachelor and am starting to get nervous about the color choices of the girls dresses since they have to be ordered soon....the girls want fuchsia but I keep thinking it will be too much with my fuchsia sash so I got playing around on Davids Bridal and found colors and dresses similar.

Ok so my mom says that link doesn't work....does anyone know how to save the David's Bridal dress your bridal party so I can show others?

[Docsgirl]

I'm not quite sure how to do that....sorry, I'm not any help!

[f77g4]

Ok so I cheated to get the pic

What do you guys think? Should the girls be in fuchsia or turquoise?

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/DBSim.jpg

[f77g4]

Here's what I'm thinking for the bridal party....

thoughts?

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/DBSimwithentireweddingparty.jpg

[Ninedays9]

I like what you've got for the wedding party. Are the turquoise ones actually cornflower? In "real life", cornflower looks nothing like it does on the website... which was rather disappointing to me... just thought I'd warn you, even though it seems like you're leaning towards the fuschia. :)

[f77g4]

I like what you've got for the wedding party. Are the turquoise ones actually cornflower? In "real life", cornflower looks nothing like it does on the website... which was rather disappointing to me... just thought I'd warn you, even though it seems like you're leaning towards the fuschia. :)

Well I'm not getting my stuff from David's Bridal since we don't have those in Canada. I was just trying to get a feel for what things would look like. I'm hoping that the turquoise will match my sash.

Yes I am leaning towards fuchsia as that is what the girls want but I was scared that it was too much with different colors, etc. But now that I can see it I think I like it.

[Deanna2112001]

I totally was going to tell you to screen print.. lol..

I am sooo sorry that I have not been able to respond to alot of your journal. With literally 39 days left until the wedding.. I find myself worn out of wedding stuff.. Most of my stuff is done.. and I just want the old me back.. lol Like watching my regular channels and shows.. lol.. Not to mention.. watching wedding shows makes it harder for me to deal with the fact that our wedding is right around the corner!

With all that said... I didnt know you were having 2 colors of bridesmaid dresses.. its different. But I like it.:o

[f77g4]

I totally was going to tell you to screen print.. lol..

I am sooo sorry that I have not been able to respond to alot of your journal. With literally 39 days left until the wedding.. I find myself worn out of wedding stuff.. Most of my stuff is done.. and I just want the old me back.. lol Like watching my regular channels and shows.. lol.. Not to mention.. watching wedding shows makes it harder for me to deal with the fact that our wedding is right around the corner!

With all that said... I didnt know you were having 2 colors of bridesmaid dresses.. its different. But I like it.:o

Thanks and no worries I totally understand.

I don't have 2 colors of bridesmaids dress - I only have 2 bridemaids. I did both in fuchsia next to me and both in turquoise next to me just to see which I liked better....sorry - didn't mean to confuse anyone.

[Docsgirl]

I really like the fuschia dresses with the gm matching them and then your FH in turquoise to match you. I think it will look great! :D

[Kay]

I really like the fuschia dresses with the gm matching them and then your FH in turquoise to match you. I think it will look great! :D

I agree. This is the nicest. It would look great! :)

[f77g4]

I agree. This is the nicest. It would look great! :)

Thanks Kay!

Being able to do that on David's Bridal's site really helped...I was starting to question the path we were going and my mother wasn't digging the whole them in fuchsia me in turquoise but after seeing that pic I am definately leaning towards the fuchsia for the girls. My mother really liked it as did my father. (I didn't show FH because I dont really want him to know what my dress looks like..lol)...he'll get the surprise about the colors when we go tux shopping....hey - he just said he wouldn't wear pink! LOL

[Deanna2112001]

Thanks and no worries I totally understand.

I don't have 2 colors of bridesmaids dress - I only have 2 bridesmaids. I did both in fuchsia next to me and both in turquoise next to me just to see which I liked better....sorry - didn't mean to confuse anyone.

You didnt.. I was sneaking online while I was at work.. lol.. So I didnt entire read your post/... lol Sorry. I like the fuchsia....

[Deanna2112001]

BTW.. you can do that at mens wearhouse for the guys I think.. Then email the entire look to the groomsmen.

[f77g4]

Thanks Deanna!

I might do that but at the same time I may keep it a surprise from the GM for awhile.....the Best Man is who I am concerned will freak out - he'll be 19...or I may just let FH break it to him after the appt at the tux shop picking the colors out.

The other GM is married to my bridesmaid so he probably knows.

[f77g4]

So we are going to the jewellry store tomorrow to look at bands and see about getting one made to match the setting in my e-ring....I'm so nervous yet so excited! I'm nervous of the cost but they've already told me that they can do one for any budget although for the semi eternity that I want they wouldn't recommend anything under $300.

I'm nervous too I think for what FH will want....at first he wasnt' too into getting a ring because it's not his thing but I think he's really come around to a tungsten ring but I worry about it not being able to be re-sized and all.

Well I am off work now until next Thursday on vacation although my vacation time will considered study vacation as i write my exam next Wednesday night....I can't wait for it to be over!

[Deanna2112001]

Vacation.. Please enjoy it.. lol

Yano.. There was a thought to go Gambling in Canada when we were thinking about where to go for our road trip.. lol.. I should of went! LOL

[Docsgirl]

I'm so excited to get our rings too! I really just want DH to pick his, but he wants me to pick it and have it be a surprise. I keep thinking "What if he doesn't like it?" lol.

Hopefully you'll be able to take at least one of those vacation days for a little R&R. Good luck with your exam!

[f77g4]

Thanks ladies - maybe on Sunday I can rest a little but I need to do some hard core studying during the day - I'm even going into the office and locking myself in a board room or spare office with a door and studying just so I don't get distracted on my computer or with the tv - I'm so good at wasting time...lol..but I really need to pass this exam as I failed my last one and really don't want to fail 2 in a row.

I think by doing a bunch of the exams from the last 3 or 4 years I should be ok....it's income tax which sucks but at least I can take the Act in with me and I can write notes throughout it so I need to finish getting that all prepared too.

But who ever thought of accounting/tax and multiple choice questions for 30% of the exam should be smacked upside the head...lol

Deanna you should have come to Canada! Here in NB we don't have a casino yet but they are building one about 2 hours away from here.

[MrsDM]

So we are going to the jewellry store tomorrow to look at bands and see about getting one made to match the setting in my e-ring....I'm so nervous yet so excited! I'm nervous of the cost but they've already told me that they can do one for any budget although for the semi eternity that I want they wouldn't recommend anything under $300.

I'm nervous too I think for what FH will want....at first he wasnt' too into getting a ring because it's not his thing but I think he's really come around to a tungsten ring but I worry about it not being able to be re-sized and all.

Well I am off work now until next Thursday on vacation although my vacation time will considered study vacation as i write my exam next Wednesday night....I can't wait for it to be over!

I hope everything goes well and that they don't have to take your ring to long!!! I'm still without my ring!!! :(

[f77g4]

I hope everything goes well and that they don't have to take your ring to long!!! I'm still without my ring!!! :(

Ya I hope so either - I will probably feel lost without it but I could put my promise ring back on I guess but it wouldn't be the same.

I can't believe that you havent' gotten yours back yet...that seems strange.

[MrsDM]

Ya I hope so either - I will probably feel lost without it but I could put my promise ring back on I guess but it wouldn't be the same.

I can't believe that you havent' gotten yours back yet...that seems strange.

I tried wearing my promise ring, it just didn't have that sparkle. So I just went ringless.

FH really laid into them today about it. Conveniently, the maker of the ring just finished it today. Hmm...they claimed they were going to overnight it, but said I should have it tomorrow or Monday at the latest. Last time I checked, "overnighting" meant you get it the next day. AND they haven't even engraved it yet! Gr. I really hope that this goes a lot smoother for you!

[f77g4]

I tried wearing my promise ring, it just didn't have that sparkle. So I just went ringless.

FH really laid into them today about it. Conveniently, the maker of the ring just finished it today. Hmm...they claimed they were going to overnight it, but said I should have it tomorrow or Monday at the latest. Last time I checked, "overnighting" meant you get it the next day. AND they haven't even engraved it yet! Gr. I really hope that this goes a lot smoother for you!

Me too! Wow - good on FH for laying into them....I'll let you know how it goes later.

[f77g4]

Well we had our appt at the Jewellers today...and I didn't have to give up my e-ring (sorry Jeanne) he took pictures of it, drew it, took measurements etc and he is going to make a mold - should be ready around mid April and then I will be able to try it on with my e-ring and make any changes, etc. The real band should be able to be ready the first of May.

Unfortunately my band alone is going to cost $500 which was our entire ring budget but FH said not to worry as he is ok with that as he got a good deal on the e-ring.

FH is leaning towards a tungsten band so I asked the jeweller about whether they could be resized and he told me what I thought which was no -BUT if we take the ring there & pay like $30 they send it to a company and they just send a new ring same style etc and the old metal gets melted, etc....yes it wouldn't be quite the same as the one in the ceremony but at least there is an option if need be plus it will be a new ring for $30...lol..

[MrsDM]

Well we had our appt at the Jewellers today...and I didn't have to give up my e-ring (sorry Jeanne) he took pictures of it, drew it, took measurements etc and he is going to make a mold - should be ready around mid April and then I will be able to try it on with my e-ring and make any changes, etc. The real band should be able to be ready the first of May.

Unfortunately my band alone is going to cost $500 which was our entire ring budget but FH said not to worry as he is ok with that as he got a good deal on the e-ring.

FH is leaning towards a tungsten band so I asked the jeweller about whether they could be resized and he told me what I thought which was no -BUT if we take the ring there & pay like $30 they send it to a company and they just send a new ring same style etc and the old metal gets melted, etc....yes it wouldn't be quite the same as the one in the ceremony but at least there is an option if need be plus it will be a new ring for $30...lol..

I'm glad you didn't have to give up your ring and go through what I had to go through! If I didn't have mine back yet, I would be super jealous!! LOL!!!

I know how you feel about blowing the entire ring budget on just your band, been there, done that! The result is totally worth it, I promise!

[f77g4]

Thanks Jeanne!

FH didn't even hesitate when the guy said the price although me I was biting my lip the whole time because he gave us different prices depending on where all I wanted the diamonds.

My e-ring has channel diamonds on the top of the band and on both sides but it would have been $800 for a band with diamonds on the top and both side and somewheres between $500 & $800 to have on just one side as well as the top since one of the sides will be my e-ring. So I just went with the $500 option and am just getting them on the top.

[f77g4]

So while we were out last night at the mall I decided to go ahead and get the sunglasses that I found in our wedding colors....it was a bit of a splurge almost $60 for 4 pairs but oh well....I think they will make for some great pictures.

I bought 2 in pink/fuchsia and 2 in blue/turquoise....they are for me, my 2 girls, and my mom wanted in on the action..lol....the sales clerk was like buying some replacement pairs are you? I laughed and explained.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/TurquoiseSunglasses.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/PinkSunglasses.jpg

[Mrs.Goff]

Those glasses are SO cute!

[MrsDM]

Thanks Jeanne!

FH didn't even hesitate when the guy said the price although me I was biting my lip the whole time because he gave us different prices depending on where all I wanted the diamonds.

My e-ring has channel diamonds on the top of the band and on both sides but it would have been $800 for a band with diamonds on the top and both side and somewheres between $500 & $800 to have on just one side as well as the top since one of the sides will be my e-ring. So I just went with the $500 option and am just getting them on the top.

LOL! Thats funny because my FH didn't hesitate either!! I was the one who was like, is it really worth it?! I'm sure you'll love it when you get it!!! :)

[f77g4]

So it's Monday night and I am really starting to freak out and get down about my exam that is on Wednesday night....every time I write one of these I feel so much pressure - from myself, Matt, work, etc. I failed my exam in December and I think my confidence is still shaken.

The exam in on Income Taxes - how fun right? It will likely consist of 30% multiple choice, a corporate tax question and a personal income tax question. We get to take the Income Tax Act in with us and we are able to right notes in it but seriously there are so many loop holes in this stuff....some days I wonder if this is all worth it for 3 little letters after my name..lol...I'm sure it is just can't see the light at the end of the tunnell tonight.

I'm excited to be done Wednesday night at 9:30 (it's a 3 hour exam) cause that means that I can do some actual wedding planning. I'm also going to be able to get to our hometown for the first time since Christmas which is where the wedding is. Now if the snow could just keep melting..lol

Anyways sorry for my ramble - it's been a long day and I'm so looking forward to the day that I can take vacation for a vacation and not to study!

[f77g4]

Woohoo well my exam is written and I'll know the results May 5th.

I'm excited to be done and hope that it went well..however I may be getting an ear infection as they are feeling funny all day today.

Now some real wedding planning!

[Docsgirl]

Love the glasses! How awesome!! :D

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you pass your exam with flying colors! And yay! for wedding planning!!! I'm kicking into full speed myself, not too long to go!

[f77g4]

Love the glasses! How awesome!! :D

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you pass your exam with flying colors! And yay! for wedding planning!!! I'm kicking into full speed myself, not too long to go!

Thanks Tara! I can't give you rep.

[f77g4]

So I'm still having trouble deciding on what I want for flowers. Seems like it should be fairly straightforward but I'm really not finding any inspiration pictures that I'm really drawn to. FH doesnt like lilies and roses but said he wouldn't mind a few and he'd prefer if the bouquets were mixed as he doesn't like bouquets of all one flower. My preference probably would have been calla lilies and/or roses...lol

Our pewmarkers are pink tiger lilies as are some of the centerpieces for the candy bar, etc. With doing the golf ball centerpieces now, I don't know what to use for flowers there either.

We're also still trying to decide what to do about favors. We know for sure that we are going with matchbooks with golf tees in them as well as having a candy bar. However, I just don't feel like that is very much at all. Any thoughts?

[f77g4]

So I was browsing kijiji again tonight and actually found flowers that I think are great although they aren't fully in my color scheme so I think I'm going to keep the pic as an inspiration pic. They are only asking $40 for all 4 bouquets and and I think 8 boutonnieres! Which I thought was crazy and I really wish that the yellow ones were pink!

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Flowersfromkijiji.jpg

[f77g4]

So my mom was at the Dollarama the other night and they had Chinese lanterns (the unlighted kind) in our wedding colors - 2 in a package for $1. So while I was up visiting this weekend I picked up a couple more packages of each color. What a steal! I'll post pics later this week.

[MrsDM]

Great deal on the lanterns!! Can't wait to see pics! Oh, love the flowers! Were you still hoping to use your colors?

[f77g4]

Great deal on the lanterns!! Can't wait to see pics! Oh, love the flowers! Were you still hoping to use your colors?

Yes, I am still going to use my colors. I contacted the person selling the flowers to see what her bridesmaids wore but they wore blue so I decided to pass but if I could get something like this in all pink it would be great. It's the only thing so far that I've seen that has caught my eye - I really need to get in to see a florist and find something that I really love.

[MrsDM]

Yes, I am still going to use my colors. I contacted the person selling the flowers to see what her bridesmaids wore but they wore blue so I decided to pass but if I could get something like this in all pink it would be great. It's the only thing so far that I've seen that has caught my eye - I really need to get in to see a florist and find something that I really love.

Definitely bring your inspiration pics, too. Although, you would be surprised what they can come up with. My florist had TONS of books to go through in addition to pics that she had from previous weddings.

[Kay]

I wish we had a Dollarama here! I'd go crazy with the lanterns!!

[Mrs.Goff]

I seen this picture its apple green and turquoise. I thought about your colors and thought it would look great if you replaced the apple green with fuschia roses.
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m439/Threesia/Wedding/bouquetapplegreenandturquoise.jpg

I know your using a florist but I seen some roses in your colors on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180333199000&category=26380&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D 15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180333225468&category=26380&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D 15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54


The fushia ones are more expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180333225468&category=26380&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D 15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54


Sorry to intrude on you journal. I hope you don't mind.

[f77g4]

I wish we had a Dollarama here! I'd go crazy with the lanterns!!

LOL - I did kind of go crazy with 3 packages in each color (and 2 in each package) so I ended up with like 12 lanterns probably way too many.

They only had turquoise and fuchsia too so what a coincidence....lol

[f77g4]

I seen this picture its apple green and turquoise. I thought about your colors and thought it would look great if you replaced the apple green with fuschia roses.
http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m439/Threesia/Wedding/bouquetapplegreenandturquoise.jpg

I know your using a florist but I seen some roses in your colors on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180333199000&category=26380&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D 15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180333225468&category=26380&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D 15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54


The fushia ones are more expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180333225468&category=26380&_trksid=p3907.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D 15%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54


Sorry to intrude on you journal. I hope you don't mind.

No worries at all - thanks for the inspiration pic with the roses. I think I'll add that to my folder of inspiration pics.

I still haven't decided if I want turquoise in my flowers or whether I want just pink and cream/ivory.

[f77g4]

So finally, we got a guestbook entry on our webpage! LOL - it was my dad! I think he felt bad and tired of me complaining that noone had signed the guestbook...lol

I did up our taxes tonight and we're both getting a refund - not as much as last year combined but that was expected for FH since he withdrew some from his RRSP's which had to go into his income. So all that is going to our wedding fund and will help get our favors, etc. Yay!

[Ninedays9]

You are not alone in the guestbook woes. Our save the dates had the address for our site on them, and we had one guestbook entry after that. I was hoping there'd be more. Ohh well. :)

[f77g4]

You are not alone in the guestbook woes. Our save the dates had the address for our site on them, and we had one guestbook entry after that. I was hoping there'd be more. Ohh well. :)

It sooooo annoying! We sent ours out at Christmas and they had the address. People are going to the website as there's almost 200 hits but noone was signing. It's kind of depressing but at the same time I guess they are still kinda new and maybe people don't know what to do.

[Deanna2112001]

http://www.rgroomsmengifts.com/p/Links-8-Oz-Flask

I see this and thought of you again.. lol

[f77g4]

http://www.rgroomsmengifts.com/p/Links-8-Oz-Flask

I see this and thought of you again.. lol

Thanks Deanna! Oooohhhh I love that!

[f77g4]

So the replacement veil arrived last week and I'm still not digging it 100% and don't know what I am going to do or what the problem is. Maybe I'm just afraid it looks cheap since I only paid $20 for it or what my problem is?

I'd love to do a flower and my my mom loves the birdcage veil but honestly I don't think either look right with my dress but thats me....hmmm

I think I am starting to get super stressed.....I really wish I could have afforded a coordinator to help me as I think I'm starting to get anxiety about keeping things flowing the day of the wedding, etc. I haven't been to too many weddings etc to know how everything should go.

[Kay]

It will get better ~ I went through two weeks of that anxiety stressful stuff ~ and then I just started doing ONE thing at a time... works best! :winktongue:

Good luck with the veil thing. I think birdcage veils are soooo lovely.

[f77g4]

It will get better ~ I went through two weeks of that anxiety stressful stuff ~ and then I just started doing ONE thing at a time... works best! :winktongue:

Good luck with the veil thing. I think birdcage veils are soooo lovely.

Thanks! It's just so hard planning the wedding with noone really to help and my mom since the wedding and my mom are an hour away from where I live and with all the snow we've had it's hard to make plans to go up there so hopefully now that the nicer weather is here things will get better.

I think the birdcage veils are nice too but I'm not really sure they go with my dress.

Well I'm off to start tackling my list for today....maybe I'll get some pictures of some things I haven't posted yet.

[f77g4]

So I've done some mock-ups of the centerpieces that we are thinking of. These are not the quality of flowers I would use but since I can't decide on what types of flowers I like, I just went to the dollarstore and picked up a bunch of different ones in pink/white.

So thoughts/opinions/comments or should I try something else? PS I know the ones near the bottom would need more then one flower but they only had the one in my color.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0039.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0041.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0043.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0045.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0047.jpg

[Ninedays9]

I think those are cute! I like the golf ball idea.

[Kay]

I agree! I'm a big golfer (FH is not) and I think they are definitely personal and unique. I like the fourth one down the best.

[MrsDM]

I think the first one is soo cute! I like it more than the others because golf balls are round, so I feel like the flowers in that one kind of mimic the balls.

[Mrs.Goff]

I really like the first one. I'd probably cut the stem a little shorter to get the flowers closer to the balls. But it great. They all are really.

[f77g4]

I really like the first one. I'd probably cut the stem a little shorter to get the flowers closer to the balls. But it great. They all are really.

Thanks - these were just quick run throughs (did them all in like a half hour).

FH loves the first one while my personal favorite is the 2nd one...we are so indecisive.

[Mrs.Goff]

Maybe do a mixture of both?

[f77g4]

Maybe do a mixture of both?

Thats what FH wants me to try next so I think I will. My parents both really like the one that I do (2nd Pic), my sister (MOH) didn't really say much, my other bridesmaid likes the 3rd pic...I wish I could just get a consenus..lol

[Docsgirl]

I love the second one and the last one. Awesome job! :D

[f77g4]

So we've made some progress...lol...

The girls dresses have been ordered!!! Yay!!! And we were able to order from the same shop I got my dress (remember that crazy speal about for some reason they couldn't order them) - well my bridesmaid that lives in the same city as the dress shop looked online and saw that they were still a retailer and she decided to call the shop and and see. So the shop had to call their rep and sure enough they could get the dress! It was $149 and since I got my dress at the same shop, the girls don't have to pay any taxes (13% here) and only had to pay $45 now and the rest when it comes in. I put my MOH's (little sister) on my Visa as my bridesmaid called me from the shop to order them together and my parents are going to pay me back.

Also, I made some amazing purchases the other day (well at least in my opinion).

Bride & Groom caketopper - $3 and it's Russ Brand! Got it at the dollarstore. We're not real sure if we need a cake topper but for $3 and the brand it was I couldn't leave it there.
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0053.jpg


Honeymoon photo album (and it has the turquoise and chocolate - $3 at the dollarstore)
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0050.jpg



Honeymoon Fund piggy bank ($3 Russ brand at the dollarstore) and it plays here comes the bride when you put money in...lol
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0048.jpg

[f77g4]

I also finally got my guestbook from my parents house a couple weekends ago.

It's nothing special but it was free! My grandfather won it like 2 weeks after I got engaged and they offered to give it to us.

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0054.jpg

[f77g4]

And I found a seller on ebay that sells DIY kits for headtables - everything is all together, you take it out of the box, dewrinkle the stuff and basically clip it to the table. Each kit is about $55 and I think I'll need 2 but heck $100 beats paying a decorator.

And my plan of leaving FH's favorite mockup and my favorite mockup done up on the kitchen table has worked - FH now likes my favorite as well which is #2 so I think we may have a winner - although I may look at trying to get more of a pink like in #3 since that is more inline with my colors but we will see.

[Mrs.Goff]

Everything looks great. I love the piggy bank. The guest book is really nice, and it because fabulous because it was Free. haha I love love love free stuff.

[Ninedays9]

You got some nice stuff from the dollar store! It's crazy the stuff you can find in those stores sometimes.

[MrsDM]

Wow! I can't believe the honeybook book is in your colors. I think I'm coming by you for a weekend to hit up your dollar store! :)

[f77g4]

Wow! I can't believe the honeybook book is in your colors. I think I'm coming by you for a weekend to hit up your dollar store! :)

LOL come on up!

I have to say at times I can get some great things at the dollarstore.

[Docsgirl]

All the stuff looks great!! :D I agree....we need some dollar stores like that down here!

[f77g4]

So we've made a little more progress....lol

FH is going to be placing the order this weekend for the golf balls for the centerpieces. Him and his co-workers usually buy from this one site in bulk and split them and unfortunately we alone need like 40 dozen...lol....so the site had 20 dozen for $79.99 plus CDN customers get 30% (because our $ sucks right now...lol) and orders over $99 get free shipping...so it's going to work out to like $2.80 a dozen which isn't that bad....FH's coworkers are all buying a bunch too....We'll probably have like 60-80 dozen golf balls land here one day and the delivery guy will probably be like WTF...lol...

I'm also going to order the only favor for sure that we have decided on. We are going to get these:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/MatchbookTees.gif

With this logo

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/LogofromParGolf.jpg

We are getting the bottom one on the right (curved writing) - they are matchbooks with golf tees in them....250 of them for 0.82 each! We only need about 150 but it was cheaper to get 250 since the next bundle down was 100....I think I will do an ivory/cream cover with chocolate brown writing, turquoise tees and a fuchsia ball marker which is the circular piece in the picture.

We still feel like we need something else for a favor so I am keeping my eyes open for any other deals.

[f77g4]

So I saw an ad the other night on kijiji for someone looking for pink and brown wedding decorations and I contacted them to see when their wedding was and it's after mine. I told her some things that I currently have in those colors and she is definately going to buy my table runners off of me as well as some other things so right now I have $80 coming in after the wedding for wedding items....I'm pretty excited about that.

You should see the cute wedding planner that I bought last night at the liquidation shop - it's a fancy accordian file folder with handle so it looks like a purse....it's ivory, chocolate brown and has pink flowers.....it says made exclusively for David's Bridal on it which is weird is DB is a US thing and it also said the regular retail price is $34 and I got it for $15.99! I'll post pics later.

[f77g4]

So I'm due for some uploading of pictures.


Here's the wedding planner ($15.99):

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Weddingplanner.jpg


Here's the wedding planner unfolded:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Weddingplannerunfolded.jpg

Here's the chinese lanterns I purchased a while ago - 2 packs for $1...I think I have 4 packs of each

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Chineselanterns.jpg

Unfolded:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Unfoldedchineselantern.jpg

Folded

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Chineselanternfull.jpg

[f77g4]

So I've purchased our cameras - we have one for every other table. I've had a 50% off coupon for Michaels the last 2 weeks so I got one each week the last 2 weeks. They were $39.99 and I got them for $19.99.

[f77g4]

Here's the cameras:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/Cameras1.jpg

[f77g4]

And the poem I'm going to use - I got it from someone on here but can't remember who (I did change it a bit):

I'm your camera, so snap away
Capture some memories of today.
Don't be shy, don't be rash
Don't forget to use the flash.
Record the party, friends & toasts
Then I'll be collected by your hosts.

Matt & Ashley
August 15, 2009

[f77g4]

So Matt ordered the golf balls for the centerpieces yesterday. So they will probably be here in a couple weeks.

Overall between ours for the centerpieces and the ones his coworkers ordered we have 80 DOZEN golf balls coming here.....lord help us...lol...the mailman will be like what the....I'm sure...lol

[MrsDM]

Everything looks awesome! I can't believe the stuff you found at your dollar store!!! That planner rocks!!!

[Mrs.Goff]

Everythings looks great. Good luck with your cameras. I had 4 and I'm still not sure where they are. haha Our best guess is that our guest that didn't have cameras took them home. Now we're on the hunt for them. :bbrolleyes:

[f77g4]

Everythings looks great. Good luck with your cameras. I had 4 and I'm still not sure where they are. haha Our best guess is that our guest that didn't have cameras took them home. Now we're on the hunt for them. :bbrolleyes:

LOL yeah thats why I'm not spending any more and getting enough for each table....I'm sure you'll come across them - maybe the guests will even pay to develop them...lol

[Mrs.Goff]

One can only hope. :) I'm sure you won't have the same problem, at least I hope you don't.

[emilycake]

OMG I love the golf ball centerpeices! I might have to steal your idea...

FH is a golfer and we might be having our reception at a golf course conntry club!

[f77g4]

OMG I love the golf ball centerpeices! I might have to steal your idea...

FH is a golfer and we might be having our reception at a golf course conntry club!

Our reception is at the golf and country club too..FH would have loved to have gotten married on the course but I just don't trust the weather enough.

I still haven't fully decided on what flowers will be in them - I"m having a hard time finding nice fake flowers. But these centerpieces are a go for sure. I have the vases & gems and the golf balls are now ordered so it's just deciding on the flowers now.

With the size of vases I have it takes almost 2 dozen golf balls....fyi...I'm so glad I did a mock up before ordering the golf balls since I was only thinking a dozen each...lol

We used www.knetgolf.com (http://www.knetgolf.com) to order the golf balls from.

[f77g4]

So the gold balls for the centerpieces arrived today - all 40 dozen (plus the other 40 dozen that Matt's co-workers purchased)....They look great....I was a little disappointed that 80 dozen golf balls only took 2 boxes...lol...I thought for sure there would be several boxes.

Also, it appears that FH bought a new car as in brand spanking new...He has a Mitsubishi Eclipse that he has done a lot with as in after market stuff etc and was still making payments on it but he is unable to drive it in the winters so he always has to have a 2nd car to drive in the winter....so anyways he's been wanting to see about trading it in for something with a better payment.

He had found a 2009 Mazda 3 Sport where his payments would lower by $50 and the financing was approved....I told him for $50 difference in the payments I didn't really think it was really worth it - I mean yes it's down but he wanted payments more like more which are half his...lol.....but nothing had been settled for sure as of last night since they would have to see about getting the 2009 from another dealership.

Anyways forward to 4pm today and I get a call from the insurance company asking me if Matt bought a new car and I said that I had no idea and she'd have to call him so I gave her our house number (why she didn't have that I'm not sure).....anyways I get home and he isnt here and there is a voicemail from the lady and she says that she's received a bill of sale for a 2010 Mazda 3 Sport - so now I'm not impressed because he had told me last night 2009 which made a difference with the monthly payments.

So he gets home and I tell him theres a message from the insurance company on the phone regarding a bill of sale from a 2010 Mazda and that she also called me at work....he was floored...I was pissed...He says he hasn't bought it but that he probably will....he did pay a minimal deposit of $100 to get it in from another dealership so he could see it....I don't understand how the insurance company got a bill of sale and he says he didn't sign anything at all with them, etc. But he is pretty sure that he is going to get it. And with the 2010 there isn't any change in his monthly payment but he won't need 2 vehicles.

Needless to say I'm not very happy that he did this sort of behind my back and timing! Hello we are having a wedding in 4 months!!! :irked:

Anyways we talked it out and he said he wasnt trying to keep it from me and didn't call or email me at work because I had said I was in a training course all day with no excess to that....but I do have voicemail that he could have left....also I'm just not happy that I found out the way I did....anyways sorry I kind of needed to vent.

[gwenshack]

That's crazy! I'm sure he wasn't trying to keep it from you. :)

I know how you feel about the golf balls...except the reverse. When I ordered disposable cameras from Wal-Mart, I ordered 50 cameras - 5 boxes of 10. Well they sent them in five separate boxes! With all the packing material they put in there, they could have all fit in 2 boxes. But I was like "what the...?" when I got home and there was this huge pile of boxes on my doorstep! lol.

[f77g4]

That's crazy! I'm sure he wasn't trying to keep it from you. :)


Thanks! :) I know just the whole situation kinda sucked.

[f77g4]

So FH bought the new car today.

[gwenshack]

So FH bought the new car today.

How do you feel about it? Do you like the car? :)

[f77g4]

How do you feel about it? Do you like the car? :)

Well I have to be honest and say that I am still a little annoyed. I mean it's 4 months until the wedding, its a standard which I don't know how to drive, and the whole initial reason of him trading in his other car was to lower his car payments which didn't happen with this purchase. Plus he has just increased his debt load by $20,000.

I mean I see his point in that he won't need to have 2 cars since the one he had couldn't be driven in the winter so he had an older "junk" type car for the winter. But it's not like he had 2 insured at one time or running both at the same time.

So I'm just kinda in a weird mood...dont know really how to feel.

I mean the car is nice - it's a newer version of one we test drove together several years ago before either of us bought a car....but going for a short drive tonight it wasn't like what I remembered - it may be because I'm still upset about the car or because its standard and he can't really drive it great yet.

Ladies I don't know how to feel - we keep separate bank accounts because we have different spending habits and we always go by the motto as long as the bills are paid we don't care what the other does with the rest of the money....maybe I'm just bitter because he makes more then me and can actually by things whereas I make $15,000 less then him and we split the bills 50/50 so I have all the same payments with less money and I never buy myself anything but he has no problems buying a new golf putter or a new car, etc.

I'm sorry if I come across as a b**** I'm not normally like this but theres just something about this whole situation this weekend with a new car that has really irked me.

[gwenshack]

Well I have to be honest and say that I am still a little annoyed. I mean it's 4 months until the wedding, its a standard which I don't know how to drive, and the whole initial reason of him trading in his other car was to lower his car payments which didn't happen with this purchase. Plus he has just increased his debt load by $20,000.

I mean I see his point in that he won't need to have 2 cars since the one he had couldn't be driven in the winter so he had an older "junk" type car for the winter. But it's not like he had 2 insured at one time or running both at the same time.

So I'm just kinda in a weird mood...dont know really how to feel.

I mean the car is nice - it's a newer version of one we test drove together several years ago before either of us bought a car....but going for a short drive tonight it wasn't like what I remembered - it may be because I'm still upset about the car or because its standard and he can't really drive it great yet.

Ladies I don't know how to feel - we keep separate bank accounts because we have different spending habits and we always go by the motto as long as the bills are paid we don't care what the other does with the rest of the money....maybe I'm just bitter because he makes more then me and can actually by things whereas I make $15,000 less then him and we split the bills 50/50 so I have all the same payments with less money and I never buy myself anything but he has no problems buying a new golf putter or a new car, etc.

I'm sorry if I come across as a b**** I'm not normally like this but theres just something about this whole situation this weekend with a new car that has really irked me.

No way, you don't come off like a b!T+h. You're entitled to feel how you feel. It's hard, even when you keep things separate. Money can cause hard feelings - no doubt. I think it's completely normal how you feel. And I don't think it helps that he really just did it without really consulting you. With the wedding coming up, I can see how that would irk you. I believe it would me as well.
As for it being manual, well, it takes time. My first car was a manual and I had no idea how to drive it - I got SO frustrated and everyone kept getting frustrated with me because they'd take me out, trying to teach me how to drive it and they couldn't understand why I kept stalling! I ended up taking it out in the middle of the night, when there weren't other drivers on the road, and just kept trying to drive up hills and stuff. It was a process!

[f77g4]

No way, you don't come off like a b!T+h. You're entitled to feel how you feel. It's hard, even when you keep things separate. Money can cause hard feelings - no doubt. I think it's completely normal how you feel. And I don't think it helps that he really just did it without really consulting you. With the wedding coming up, I can see how that would irk you. I believe it would me as well.
As for it being manual, well, it takes time. My first car was a manual and I had no idea how to drive it - I got SO frustrated and everyone kept getting frustrated with me because they'd take me out, trying to teach me how to drive it and they couldn't understand why I kept stalling! I ended up taking it out in the middle of the night, when there weren't other drivers on the road, and just kept trying to drive up hills and stuff. It was a process!

Thanks! We live in an area of all hills so he'll have to learn quickly. I have no interest in learning to drive it to be honest. I don't have the patience for that stuff....lol

[Docsgirl]

I can totally understand why it would get to you. Although you keep separate accounts, that is a lot of money to be spending, especially before a wedding. :purplex:


I drive a manual. Minis don't come in anything but manual. After about the first week or so, I started to get the hang of it. Now I drive like a pro. DH always says he can't believe how well I drive.....although I did kill it a few times from letting off the clutch when it was still in gear. Haha.

[f77g4]

So I went to Michaels tonight.

I got 8 spools of ribbon - 4 for $1 and got 4 in turquoise and 4 in pink.

I also got a pack of 40 thank you cards for 16.99 and I had a 40% off coupon. Grand total for 9 items $13.77! Woohoo! I love deals.

I'm so glad I found the thank you cards - they are chocolate with ivory and match my invites but they never have any. They only had the 1 tonight so I will have to keep my eyes out for more.

Also, I noticed that they expanded their wedding section as well as including Bachelorette party stuff. And they actually have favor boxes that match the ones I already have so now I will only have to buy 1 pack - when I bought some items on kijiji back in like october there was a box of 100 ivory favor boxes and for the life of me I couldn't find any more to match. So I'm stoked that they now have them. I plan on going to get them with my next coupon.

[Deanna2112001]

.

Also, I noticed that they expanded their wedding section as well as including Bachelorette party stuff.


Really, at the michaels near me. They downsized theirs :(

[f77g4]

Really, at the michaels near me. They downsized theirs :(

Well ours is still fairly new - not even 1 year yet that it's been opened.

Like they have way more of the Brides line, bachelorette party stuff, way more flower girls baskets, choices of favor boxes, even favors. I'm actually quite impressed.

Although I wish they had some ready made bouquets - like there looked to be nice ones in their flyer but I went through the whole store and didn't find any.

[Deanna2112001]

Is there a hobby lobby near you?

[MrsDM]

Hey Ashley -

I was just catching up with your journal. How are you feelin' about the car?

What an awesome deal at Michaels!

[f77g4]

Is there a hobby lobby near you?

No none in Canada.

[f77g4]

Hey Ashley -

I was just catching up with your journal. How are you feelin' about the car?

What an awesome deal at Michaels!

Hmm well I'm still a little undecided about the car simply because I can't drive it and the whole situation but life goes on and I just have to get over it. Out of my control so out of my stresses - lol - I've got enough other stuff to stress about.

Although I've told FH that he really needs to learn how to drive it too as he's still stalling it out ocassionally as it's been like 10 years since he drove a manual.

It's a nice car - I'll have to see if I can find some pics from FH.

[Deanna2112001]

You should be getting a michaels coupon in your email. Its 15% off total purchase. Let me know if you didnt get it.. I know you are wantin gto go back there. I will email it to ya.

[f77g4]

You should be getting a michaels coupon in your email. Its 15% off total purchase. Let me know if you didnt get it.. I know you are wantin gto go back there. I will email it to ya.

Thanks! I got it.

The one I got is only for 4 hours Saturday though and FH and I are heading into the states to do a little cross border shopping. He basically wants to try out his car for a longer trip and well we really haven't been able to get away for a bit and with all the fighting last weekend re the car we're going to make a day of it.

Plus we will soon need a passport to go over there which neither of us have but hopefully soon.

[f77g4]

So FH and I went on a roadtrip yesterday just for something to do. We drove 2 hours from here into Maine to go shopping at stores we don't have here or are different. It was FH's idea - I think he wanted to test out his new car! LOL and except for a couple stalls he's doing pretty good with the manual. The stalls we're on hills - when backing out our driveway.

We didn't really have an agenda of what we were looking for. I ended up getting a couple of longer shorts/capris and some tees since FH insisted I not wear pants all summer (I hate my legs and refuse to wear shorts and bathing suits - I can't even remember the last time I owned one). FH even paid...lol...he also got some new camo shorts and polo shirts as that is what he lives in especially on the golf course. We picked up a couple toys for our cat Tabby...and we both got new sandals.

Plus I got a couple things for the wedding:
- at Mardens they had wooden words spelt out together that said Bride, Groom & Kiss (3 separate items). Ironically enough they were in pink and blue and only $0.99 each! So I got one of each.
- my mother wants to wear palazzo pants to the wedding and we've been having a hard time finding them and I found 1 pair in her size at Sears for 1/2 price. So I bought them. Hopefully they will fit. I almost bought her a top too but wasn't sure if she'd wear it.

We ate at Ruby Tuesday as FH had never been and it was delish. We both had the BBQ Chicken Bistro with cheese fries and we both added the salad bar to it. So delishious. I wish I had had room for dessert.

When we got to the border we didn't even have to pay duty despite being over our daily limit of $50 each (we each doubled)...so that made me happy.

Then coming back we stopped in at FH's parent's house....needless to say we weren't there very long. Both took a shot at his new car and his dad was being an @sshole (which is normal behaviour for him). So we left and since my parents were out for the evening, we just continued on the way back to our place an hour away.

Overall it was a good day but I think that that may be one of the last times I go to FIL's house. Its too awkward. FMIL still doesn't know the date - like hello lady I gave you a save-the-date card what did you do with it? For some reason she thought yesterday I was shopping for bridesmaid dresses and I was like no they've been ordered for a month...like wouldnt I have them with me if I were? And besides the comment re the bridesmaid dress shopping and confirming the date for her, the only other talk re the wedding was her asking what the etiquette was now-a-days for when you send the invitations out....no how are the plans coming along, do you need help with anything, etc? Rather annoying.

[gwenshack]

What a fun and productive day. :) Um, I miss Ruby Tuesdays...! I used to love the croutons on their salad bar. That would be like the reason I would go there. Isn't that crazy?

I think your in-laws and my in-laws should get together - they'd have a lot in common. :)

[f77g4]

What a fun and productive day. :) Um, I miss Ruby Tuesdays...! I used to love the croutons on their salad bar. That would be like the reason I would go there. Isn't that crazy?

I think your in-laws and my in-laws should get together - they'd have a lot in common. :)

Ruby Tuesdays was awesome! I wish we had one closer but then again 2 hours isn't that bad.

Yeah my in-laws are to the point they are unbearable.....his mother had the nerve to call her just a few minutes ago and rag him out for making a big deal of what happened last night that made us leave. I was shaking my head the whole time he was on the phone. I don't even see how this is an issue and why they are trying to cause an argument - what his father did last night was totally unacceptable and disgusting. I also told FH that I find it extremely awkward to go there lately and he agreed.

[Kay]

I loved your little blog about everything you did for the day ~ shopping, wedding finds (great deal on the 99 cent signs!), and Ruby Tuesdays! Sounds like a nice day. :cool: FH & I are soooo overdue for one of those kind o' days.

[gwenshack]

I can't imagine being in the same vicinity as the in-laws. Fortuantely, they're in one state and we're in another - about 2,000 miles apart - so just stopping by isn't an option. But if it was, "extrememly awkward" would definitely apply...

[f77g4]

I can't imagine being in the same vicinity as the in-laws. Fortuantely, they're in one state and we're in another - about 2,000 miles apart - so just stopping by isn't an option. But if it was, "extrememly awkward" would definitely apply...

Yeah unfortunately they're only an hour away.

[f77g4]

So my mom was able to try the pants on today that I picked up for her in the states yesterday and guess what.............................................. ....

They fit her to a tee!!!!!!!!!!!! No altering needed.

I'm so glad they fit her! Now we just need to find her a shirt and shoes that will allow her leg brace.

[f77g4]

So I saw an auction on ebay for 13 kissing balls for about $30 and they arrived today. Not too bad but some of them are flat due to so many being put in the box she used.

My plan is to use maybe 4-6 of them at the church on the wreath holder like somone else posted in the DIY section. I'm going to take the 13 of them and make the best 4-6 that I can. Hopefully won't have to buy too many flowers.

I'll post pics later.

[Kay]

So I saw an auction on ebay for 13 kissing balls for about $30 and they arrived today. Not too bad but some of them are flat due to so many being put in the box she used.

My plan is to use maybe 4-6 of them at the church on the wreath holder like somone else posted in the DIY section. I'm going to take the 13 of them and make the best 4-6 that I can. Hopefully won't have to buy too many flowers.

I'll post pics later.

Would you mind posting the seller or send me a private message with the item number?? This sounds like a real good deal. Thanks!

[f77g4]

Would you mind posting the seller or send me a private message with the item number?? This sounds like a real good deal. Thanks!

The seller was 0830mandy - I don't think they have any more....I don't think she's a store. I think they may have been used at her wedding or something. But you could contact her and see.

She has a lot of white feathers if anyone is looking for a bunch half decently priced.

[f77g4]

So FH and I were out last night just going to different stores, etc.

We came across this:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2/OutdoorLiving/GardenDecor/CandleHoldersLanterns/PRD~0590223P/Outdoor%2BCandle%2BScreen.jsp

We're thinking it would be nice for the church or at the reception place. The better part - the price you see on the website isn't what we would be paying. The store has them for $50.

Thoughts anyone?

[f77g4]

Just got a phone call from my mother - my aunt had just stopped in to see if anyone had been in contact with our minister recently. According to one of my aunt's co-workers who goes to the church we are suppose to get married at, the minister is leaving and moving to the other side of the country!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why wouldn't she contact us? Better yet why wouldn't FH's parents know that since it is their church?

FH called his mom and she hadnt heard anything about this (supposedly) - remember ladies she can't remember the date nor did she originally book the minister like she had promised. She said she would find out tomorrow in church.

I'm in panic overdrive right now. My date is so popular in my area I dont know if we could find someone else to do it. I'm so sad....and frustrated....maybe we should just have done what FH wanted and go to the JOP. Grrrrr!

[TeacherSonja]

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this :( I hope you can find another one soon.

[f77g4]

So FMIL just called me said she decided to call the minister herself today to save us from fretting until tomorrow.

The minister leaves August 23 and she is still going to do our wedding. Apparently there are 3-4 other brides however who aren't going to be so lucky.

What a relief.....like we were saved by 1 week!!! Holy cow that was close.

I will be contacting the minister myself though just to confirm...lol...since I have my trust issues with FMIL.

I guess she is moving to the Yukon! Apparently our winters in NB aren't cold enough for her? LOL

[TeacherSonja]

What a relief.....like we were saved by 1 week!!! Holy cow that was close.


Yeah, really close! I'm glad that everything's ok!

[Docsgirl]

So glad to hear she'll still be able to do it! What a mini-heart attack! lol

[f77g4]

So glad to hear she'll still be able to do it! What a mini-heart attack! lol

I know eh! It's such a relief.

[amisteratwisterandme]

So FH and I were out last night just going to different stores, etc.

We came across this:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2/OutdoorLiving/GardenDecor/CandleHoldersLanterns/PRD~0590223P/Outdoor%2BCandle%2BScreen.jsp (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/2/OutdoorLiving/GardenDecor/CandleHoldersLanterns/PRD%7E0590223P/Outdoor%2BCandle%2BScreen.jsp)

We're thinking it would be nice for the church or at the reception place. The better part - the price you see on the website isn't what we would be paying. The store has them for $50.

Thoughts anyone?

Very classy. I like it a lot.

[f77g4]

So I'm so excited! I got my mark back today for the exam I wrote back in March and I passed!!! I'm so happy! I kicked that exam's butt....lol....got 81! Havent had a mark like that since university! Yeah only 5 exams and a business case and I will have my accounting designation and be done with studying!!!!!!!!! Thanks goodness!

[f77g4]

Updates on some purchases:

Here is a guest list organizer that I got:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0073.jpg

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0074.jpg


Here is the necklace and earring set I picked up for my MOH & Bridesmaid

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0072.jpg

So here are the words that I got for $0.99 each when we went to the states - the bride one is a pale pink:

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp351/f77g4/IMG_0069.jpg

[Mrs.Goff]

YaY, for passing! I LOVE your guest list organizer, all I had was a notebook. :) The jewelry is great they'll love it. What are you using the words for?

[f77g4]

YaY, for passing! I LOVE your guest list organizer, all I had was a notebook. :) The jewelry is great they'll love it. What are you using the words for?

Thanks - I was thinking of using the words on the candy table, gift table or maybe even on the cake table....I was going to buy the letters and paint them and then I found those...lol...I may still do I Do or something.

The guest list organizer is like a recipe box with index cards and the letter indexes. I got that at a card shop for $15....could probably make one but I liked the layout of the cards so I bought it.

[MrsDM]

Congrats on passing!!! *HIGH FIVE!!* Way to go!

[Mrs.Goff]

The words on the candy buffet would be great. IMO

[f77g4]

So I made an appointment next Saturday with the florist finally. I'm pretty sure that this is the one we will be using. Only have 3 choices..lol...and one is the grocery store that I worked at in high school.

An old friend of mine got married last fall....she said she got quotes from the 2 places in town besides the grocery store and one was $450 and the other was $1400 for the exact same thing. So the one I am meeting with is the cheaper of her 2 quotes. Plus I went to high school with the owners daughter and she was one of my best friends then (not any more but no hard feelings) and FH's mother babysits the owners' grandkids and the mother of the kids also works at the shop so I have to say I'm hoping that they use us pretty good.

I still can't decide on flowers....darn....but I booked the appt for a Sat that FH has to work so I will go with my mom....I think this will work better for me because for some reason FH wants to have quite a say in flowers (type, etc)...I will still express his opinion to the florist and go from there.

We need my bouquet, my 2 girl's bouquets, 2 mother corsages, 3 grand/great grandmother corsages, 3 bouts (FH & BM & GM), 2 father corsages, 1 grandfather bout, 1 stepgrandfather bout, and maybe a bout for our MC.

I'm also going to inquire with them if they can get me real touch flowers and get a quote on ones for the centerpieces. I'm finding the selection at Michaels isn't the greatest and they are pricey so I"m just going to see.

[f77g4]

So I've emailed the minister tonight just to confirm what FMIL told me the other day to ensure that we have a minister.

I also emailed the photographer tonight to inquire about doing some engagement pics as our package includes them.

[f77g4]

Heard back from the Minister and she is good to go with our wedding! Thank goodness. We need to book a meeting with her in June but for the meantime she has agreed on the church (the congregation rotates between 2 churches not that far from each other in order to not have to shut one of them down) and on the time of 3pm.....so we can at least get the invitations started soon so that they will be good to go out. Can't meet with her until June because I have an exam June 8th and am studying every weekend.

The photographer wants to do an evening shoot on the walking bridge over the river here...I'm quite excited about that....the walking bridge was my suggestion and he suggested an evening shoot for better/different lighting.

And we bought the candle stand that I posted above. $50 + tax for a total savings of $119.99! LOL.....I think we may use that at the church the more I think of it instead of the reception venue.

[Kay]

That candle stand was beautiful ~ great deal!

[f77g4]

So yesterday was mother's day and we went back to our hometown to see our mothers.

Last night as we're laying in bed, FH tells me that in his mother's card he wrote "Regardless of what has happened you are not the embarassment and Ashley looks forward to becoming your daughter-in-law".....I was like oh ok (the card and gift was from both - he looks after his mom, I look after my mom). He said that made her smile and then the conversation went to how she wishes we could be closer, etc. So I said to FH well a lot of things have been said and done in the past that will make that hard. He explained he didn't want us getting married with me hating his parents.

See thats kind of the thing.....it's not necessarily that I hate his parents but more so that I hate the things they do. FH is a middle child and basically gets treated like ****, his parents play favorites, they never come to see us, they treat the oldest son like god, etc. etc. So he then proceeds to tell me that maybe I should talk to her about all this and get it all out in the open. I told him, that that hasn't worked for him in the past so why would that work for him. But he wants me to try. Ladies, I feel like this would be a weird conversation. But for FH's sake I will try....what do I say and how do I say it?

She also wants to know what color she should wear to the wedding. I don't know what to tell her. My mom is wear black palazzo pants but hasnt decided on a top. I just told Matt I'd prefer her not to clash so he asked me what I meant and I explained that our colors are turqoise and fuchsia so I'd prefer no red for instance. Ugh - why do FIL's have to be so stressful?

[f77g4]

So on top of meeting with the florist on Saturday I've also found a decorator that I am trying to set up a meeting with. I know I wasn't going to get one but honestly with my schedule and whatnot, I think this will be best.

Anyways this is what she has quoted me:

The Back drop - $150
Head Table - $60 with lights or not
Cake Table - $ 30
Guest table for 160 people and could sit 8, you need 20 tables = $240
160 chair covers - $1.75 = 280

__________________________________________________ __________________________
Total = $760 with chair covers with out chair covers - $480


Based on guest list of 180 with not 100% RSVP so she used 160 people. I just think me trying to get the look I want on my own will be impossible.

Do these prices seem reasonable?

[Docsgirl]

Congrats on your exam Ashley!! And good luck with the MIL!

[Kay]

So on top of meeting with the florist on Saturday I've also found a decorator that I am trying to set up a meeting with. I know I wasn't going to get one but honestly with my schedule and whatnot, I think this will be best.

Anyways this is what she has quoted me:

The Back drop - $150
Head Table - $60 with lights or not
Cake Table - $ 30
Guest table for 160 people and could sit 8, you need 20 tables = $240
160 chair covers - $1.75 = 280

__________________________________________________ __________________________
Total = $760 with chair covers with out chair covers - $480


Based on guest list of 180 with not 100% RSVP so she used 160 people. I just think me trying to get the look I want on my own will be impossible.

Do these prices seem reasonable?

I have no idea but they SOUND very reasonable to me! I was looking at the quotes and wishing we had decorators in my small town!!

[f77g4]

So ladies, I finally feel like I am planning a wedding now! Sad to say since we are now under 3 months but it is true. Some hard core wedding planning took place yesterday as I went to my hometown for the day.

First I met with the decorator. We talked about ideas, etc. She explained to me how she got into the business, how she works, etc. The only thing I was sort of expecting was for her to bring some materials or books with her but she didn't which was a bit disappointing since I'm so visual. But she said if I booked her that we would meet again with that and she will do a mockup on her software that she has. After she left my parents both said I really had to hire her. So besides the quote I posted the other day, she is also going to do a ceiling drop so the total is $900 now...but honestly not that bad when you stop and look at it....she said she spent 9-10 hours decorating one place because they had a giant moose head opposite the headtable and didn't want the bride staring at that all night and she measures exactly the various loops/swags of material so that they are all even. So $900 that wasn't really in the budget but huge weight off my shoulder and freeing up a lot of time on the day before.

Then we went uptown for a bit and I ran into FMIL. It was a bit awkward as usual.....she asks the same questions every time...she asked me if I had my dress yet? Like no, we're 3 months away and I don't? Gees woman I've had it since before Christmas and I've told her that several times.....she also asked my mom if she was back to work full-time yet from her injury..hello she's been back to work for like 2 years and again she's known that...grr..then she started talking about getting grandkids - sorry not happening and if it does not for awhile (FH doesn't really want kids).

Then I had my meeting at the florists. Not really what I expected as far as how the meeting went. I was expecting to see pictures, etc and for her to tell me what flowers were in season, price ranges, etc. But that didn't happen....must be the small town thing...anyways I did have a few pics with me that I liked and she gave me quotes. Overall for my bouquet, 2 BM bouquets, 5 corsages and 7 bouts it is going to be $275 plus tax. The price didn't seem to change regardless of what flowers I suggested. The original quote is on 2 dozen roses for my bouquet. Same price if I reduce the roses and put in some mini calla lilies. So I felt good about that price.

Went to the other floral shop but they were closed.

We decided to head up river a bit to check out a few little shops up there and also check out a floral shop up there. Prices for the bouquets were the same as the first shop but the corsages and bouts were half the price as the other shop. But I think we're going to go with the first shop just because of the association with FMIL and because of it being in the same town we are getting married in - not 1/2 hour away.

More to update later!

[f77g4]

Ok back.

So in our travels throughout the day I bought my menu holders - 2 for $1! Score. They are little ringing bells but we're taking the bells out of them! I do not want to listen to people ringing those all night. But the top has the slit to hold the menu cards. I'll post pics later.

I also got to see my reception place for the first time....lol....Its beautiful! Has a semi built in archway already so we'll just decorate that slightly and that will be where we walk through. It will be great. I also got to talk to the person in charge of the food etc. She's going to let us bring in our own wine for the tables (but keep it hush hush). And the decorator can have access starting the morning or afternoon before the wedding.

I also bought some clear balloons to see about putting rose petals in them and having them flank the ends of the head table.

We worked on our invites as well and got a mockup done. Mom is going to get them all printed so they will just have to be assembled after my exam. I can't get much of a reaction from FH regarding the invites though - he did ask a bunch of questions when I showed him the mockup and was like why are your parents name on the top and not ours so I explained that since my parents are paying for the reception then this is how they are worded. Then he wanted to know why they say Request the honour of your presence and I said because we're getting married in a church....then he wanted to know why the date was written out instead of just August 15th so I explained that this was a formal invitation. Then he says ok they're fine....well do you like them or not?? He says he doesn't care cause he's not going to see them. I quite like them and think they look rather posh for making our own (and for $40 plus ink).

So then dad decided that we should do directions cards so we took a drive out to the church and took down directions....good thing we did, I had the wrong name of the church...lol...the minister we are using officiates at 2 different churches....glad we noticed that before printing them all. I've emailed her just to confirm the church and village name just to be sure.

And my parents have indicated that they are now going to pay for even more then they thought - I havent had a chance to talk to FH about this. And to be honest I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet (mind you I'm excited but I also kind of know my parents financial situation as well). They want to pay for the DD we hired, 1/2 the decorators fee and 1/2 the saxophone players fee as well as the reception and the limo (which is our wedding gift). Plus they are also paying for all the hair & makeup, plus spray tans for me, mom & my sister and my sister's dress...not to mention their own outfits...I'm in a bit of shock still about all this.

[Kay]

Sounds like you had a very productive time!! YAY!!

I sooo understand what you mean about finally feeling like you are planning a wedding ~ my wedding is one month after yours and last night was the first time I really felt like I was getting in the "wedding mode" ~ I suppose the last 3 or 4 months is when the whole "crunchtime" thing happens ~ you either get it done or it doesn't happen. It feels good, huh??? I think so!! :jp1:

[f77g4]

Sounds like you had a very productive time!! YAY!!

I sooo understand what you mean about finally feeling like you are planning a wedding ~ my wedding is one month after yours and last night was the first time I really felt like I was getting in the "wedding mode" ~ I suppose the last 3 or 4 months is when the whole "crunchtime" thing happens ~ you either get it done or it doesn't happen. It feels good, huh??? I think so!! :jp1:
Yes it feels really good. There is so much stuff that needs to be done and at the same time I am kind of stuck for the next month as I have another exam June 8th so I have to really focus on that.

So I have mom working on the bubbles, we decided to do white labels instead of clear ones as the clear ones were absorbing the oil from the plastic and looking like someone with greasy hands had some fun playing with them plus the monogram stands out a lot more. Dad is working on building a protype of a stand to attach my flowerballs to for the church decor.

My goal this week is to:
-finalize how we want the favors and order those
-call the jewler and find out what is going on with the wax mold of my band
-confirm invite info with minister and give ok to mom to print
-make a list of items to register for
-get to the tux shop and get the tuxes picked out (possibly on hold until next week depending on FH's schedule).

[gwenshack]

Wow! You've gotten a lot done. :) The decorator's price sounds reasonable to me - and it'll be such a huge weight taken off your shoulders, right?
Your FMIL is infuriating! I know how hard it is in these situations - best you can do is just make the best of it with a smile on your face, as hard as that may be. :)