Danielle & Jameson - 06.06.09

[savepaws]

Ok so I decided to start a journal.

As of today we have 136 days left until our wedding day. Which is a little over 4 months. Wow! We only had 7 months for planning to begin with. FH proposed Oct 19, 2008. We wanted a June wedding and so we started calling venues the very next day to try and find somewhere to have our reception. At first, everywhere I called was already booked on 6/6. I finally called The Downtown Ballroom and they had 2 dates in June left, much to my surprise! I didn't call them first because I thought they were too expensive and out of our budget but we decided it was worth it.

The Downtown Ballroom is an old building with really high ceilings, pillars with lights on them. Its so pretty when its all lit up. It has a mezzanine and that's where the bar is located. It has a 2nd level above the mezzanine which I think is beautiful but we didn't rent that space.

We are having Howard Ball cater. He is FH's first choice for a caterer. He smokes pork and around here everyone loves him. We lucked out and he was available for June 6th. We probably would have had to move the date if he wasn't available 6/6 because FH wanted him that badly.

FH called the church and got everything set up with the pastor and luckily he was also available June 6th. Luckily the venue, church/pastor and caterer all worked out on our date. Since we started planning so late, we feel so lucky to have gotten everything we wanted.

Next was the photographer. I found a photographer that I loved in the area. She was just starting out so I thought maybe she'd be a little cheaper while she's building up her portfolio and starting her new business. I was dead wrong. Out of all the photographers, I think she was the most expensive! So then I checked with a gal that went to high school with my FH. She was more than we planned on paying as well but when I told her that she was out of our price range she let us sort of create our own package. We only get her for 4 hours :(. She'll be able to take pictures of everyone, the ceremony and then me and FH can go off and get pictures of us alone. I'm sad that she won't be there to capture pictures of me and my girls getting ready. Oh well. At least we get a photographer.

We had trouble finding a DJ available on our date so we pretty much just went with the first one that was available. Our friends had him at their wedding so we knew he was good.

[savepaws]

We had originally planned on having FH's neighbor make our cake. But then I started checking around for prices just in case someone could do it cheaper. FH's neighbor can do a 3 tiered cake, and all of our sheet cakes (3 or 4) for under $300. The bakeries want over $350 just for a 3 tiered cake. So thats a no brainer.

FH's dad's cousin used to work as a florist so she is going to help us with all of our arrangements. I think I'm going to go with a white bouquet and the girls will have orange. We are using fake flowers but Hobby Lobby has some that are rubbery feeling and they look more real than silk flowers so I think we're going with those.

So we've got a venue, church, officiant, caterer, DJ, photographer, florist, baker. I think those are the main things.

[savepaws]

I'm trying to figure out what to do for favors. All of our guests will be getting fortune cookies because that is how FH proposed to me and I love getting fortunes. But I hadn't planned on these being the favor....just a fun little extra.

I had originally planned on doing a candy bar but I don't think it is within our budget. If I do give the guests candy, I'll put them in little favor boxes and leave them at their place settings. If we do a candy bar we'll have to buy a ton of candy just to make it look nice. Plus my mom thinks if we do a candy bar that it needs to have enough candy to last our guests all night. I can't afford that! I'm already feeding them dinner. I can't afford to make sure they have snacks all night! And really people shouldn't be sitting around snacking on candy all night either! It's not healthy. So the candy bar is nixed and I'm ok with that. I can't afford to buy the containers to keep it in, let alone all the candy we'd need (even if I could find good deals).

Anyway...I am just wondering if the fortune cookies are enough. I could make them fancy and dip them in chocolate & put them in a box. Or maybe I can still do the candy in a favor box idea & set at each place setting. That way they can have a fortune cookie, plus a little candy to tide them over til dinner.

I just don't want to spend a fortune. And I think food is the way to go since I know it'll be used. The last two weddings I went to gave us candy which I REALLY appreciated while I waited for dinner. I love the little frames, they look classy but they're so tiny! If I got one, I'm not sure if I'd use it because I don't have tiny pictures. Haha

[sandy03]

I think the fortune cookies would be enough, although candy is a great idea too! You could do something as simple as M&Ms in your wedding colors. If you wanted to cut costs a little (or at least justify spending the money on two things) you could always get smaller/cheaper containers for each table than you would need for a candy bar and use them as the centerpieces filled with colored candy - that way you wouldn't need floral centerpieces or the individual containers, either.

[savepaws]

I thought about doing that but I already have my centerpieces done and I love them! lol I'd like to give our guests candy but I'm really starting to think that the fortune cookies will have to be it. It's not fancy but I've been to weddings where I didn't get a favor and I didn't care one bit.

We're already going to be over budget and that sucks. Budget is $4,000. We've spent $1,200 but I have more than $3000 left to pay for (venue rental, alcohol, cake, catering, flowers, invitations and so on). Oh well. FH and I have extra money saved away. It's supposed to go towards a down payment when we find a house but it was originally going to be wedding money. So if we have to use some of it, we will. My parents are helping out but I'm not expecting them to pay for anything that is over budget....unless they want to!

[savepaws]

My colors are turquoise, green & orange. I chose turquoise & green because I love the blue sky in spring & the color of the bright green grass. And I thought orange would look great against the turquoise so I picked orange...but I really only plan using orange in the flowers.

I've been working on some DIY projects and this is some of what I've done so far.

Centerpieces - well part of it. I am going to use tall ones on half the tables and short ones on the other half. Then I'll arrange votive candles in glass holders around in a circle & then scatter orange rose petals.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/pics1-23-09019.jpg
Unity candle with our monogram & ribbons.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/pics1-23-09102.jpg

Save the date cards
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/pics1-23-09090.jpg


Kissing Bells - tag says "Today as we gather, wish us a love to last a lifetime. If you would like us to share a wedded kiss, ring the bell for life long bliss".
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/pics1-23-09104.jpg

Bubbles. These were my favorite project. Each bubble has a bow with a swarovski crystal in the middle of the bow & then clear labels with our monogram.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/pics1-23-09109.jpg

Cake topper
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/Picture010_640x480.jpg


"I Do" Will be going on the cake table
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/Picture008_640x480.jpg

Part of the serving set. $10 at walmart & I bought some cheap plastic jewels to give it some bling. Ribbon will be replaced with a turqoise ribbon.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a103/savepaws/Picture006_640x480.jpg

[savepaws]

What I've accomplished:

x Book venue
x Book caterer
x Book DJ
x Book church & pastor
x Book photographer
x Make up guest list
x Design save the date magnets
x Buy dress
x Order wedding cake
x Pick out bridesmaid dress pattern
x Pick out grooms & groomsmen tuxes
x Register for gifts
x Block off hotel rooms for OOT guests
x Design monogram stickers for bubbles
x Bubbles - add ribbon, crystals & clear labels
x Get unity candle holder
x Decorate unity candle
x Buy veil
x Buy cake topper
x Decorate cake topper
x Assemble save the date magnets & hotel info cards
x Mail out STD magnets
x Get centerpieces from Ang
x Buy candles for centerpieces
x Get gems for centerpieces
x Paint cardbox, I Do letters & LOVE sign
x Get champagne flutes from Tina
x Transportation from church - roadrunner?


Still need to do:

- Take marital classes at church (start Tuesday)
- Design invitations
- Find fabric for bridesmaid dresses
- Put together kissing bells
- Buy garter
- Buy shoes
- Buy tiara
- Buy wedding ring for groom
- Purchase invitation supplies
- Print and assemble invitations
- Find envelopes for invitations
- Design programs
- Print programs
- Book cabin for honeymoon
- Figure out favors
- Buy fortune cookies
- Buy mint molds
- Book hotel room for wedding night
- Make mints (practice & then for real)
- Cake stand?
- Send guys in for measurements for tuxes (March)
- Dress alterations (May)
- Marriage license (May)
- Pick out rest of pictures for slide show
- Get gifts for bridal party
- Buy guestbook photo frame
- Trial run, hair & make up
- Figure out where to board dogs & do trial run with Bentley to see how he does
- Mail invitations (April 18 or 25)
- Get centerpieces from Tina
- Finish cardbox
- Go to Hobby Lobby with Kathy to pick out flowers & supplies
- Buy ribbon for tiered cake
- Pay vendors
- Pick songs
- Buy candles for head table & cake table

That's all I got right now. I know more stuff will come to me later.

[savepaws]

Now we are less than 4 months away! It's really starting to hit me that we are getting married...SOON.

My bridal shower is next month! My FSIL is throwing it. I thought it was kind of early but I'm excited that the festivities are beginning so soon!

I bought the fabric for my bridemaid dresses. It was on sale and came to like $92. Thats only about $30 per girl. :)

I am working on what to get our bridal party for gifts. So far I've bought robes for my bridesmaids and I'll get them some flip flops and maybe some other bath stuff. I think we'll buy a bottle of nice liquor for the guys. FH wants to buy the guys each a bottle of Jameson whiskey. I thought that was a cute idea.

Every wedding we go to, the BM & GM all get glasses with their names etched on. FH doesn't use any of his personalized glasses so we decided to go with gifts they will actually use & not just stick on a shelf or in a cupboard.

But I have no clue what to get everyone else (ushers, reception hostesses, bridal shower hostesses, guestbook/gift table attendant, etc.)

I think I've decided on only having fortune cookies. I wish I could do more favor-wise but we are already going to be over budget the way things are now & I don't think favors are a big deal.

I'm really trying to enjoy this time. Time goes by so fast that I just want to savor every moment of it. I am excited to get married but its like that country song by Trace Adkins "You're Gonna Miss This".

[savepaws]

Ok I officially suck at journaling! I forgot all about this! :bbredface:

Seeing the pictures of my kissing bells really reminded me I need to get my butt in gear and get those finished! We have no idea how many people are coming so I might need 100 or I might need 200. But I think I only have about 50 made, so either way, I need to make a lot more bells! This is probably the only thing I've procrastinated on. But its not like its anything important like...oh let see...dresses for the bridesmaids!!

FH said he told his mom she needed to have 1 dress done by this weekend. She said the usual "I know, I'll work on it" so that he'll get off her case. FH says she WILL get them done. But I told him that it bothers me that she knows this is stressing me out and she isn't doing anything to make it better or easier on me. :( I'm a procrastinator too, but when I say I am going to do something for someone, I do it right away so I don't let them down.

I just want the dresses to be done. I bought the material a long time ago so she's had plenty of time to work on them. I have no idea how they will look on the girls and I just really hope they look ok. I am SO kicking myself in the butt now for not just going with the dresses at the bridal shop.

One thing I'm learning is people suck at RSVPing! I don't understand how people cannot grasp the concept of letting us know if we will be there or not. I didn't print RSVP information on a whole page just to have it ignored. :icon_barbar:

[savepaws]

I went in for my alterations on Friday and we originally thought it'd have to be taken in and also shortened because it was dragging on the floor. Since there was so much detail on the bottom of the dress, they would have had to take the dress apart at the waist and shorten it that way. But when I tried the dress on with my shoes that I plan on wearing, it was perfect! Also the bust fit just fine. I don't know if I've gained some weight or if they just tied the corset better...but it all fit perfectly! All they have to do is add the bustle & we're good to go. Thank goodness! That saved us about $150+!

I found some jewelry that will go perfect with my dress. However, I hate spending $50 on jewelry I probably won't wear again unless I'm in a wedding. But I guess I've already spent quite a bit on the dress, veil & tiara that I'll never wear again. Whats another $50?

I forgot to bring my veil & tiara to try on with my dress. So I guess it'll be a surprise! LOL Actually, I'm going in for my trial hair do on May 26th so I should probably go to the bridal shop afterwards and try my dress on when I'm all dolled up.

[savepaws]

I'm sighing a little sigh of relief. FMIL worked on the first bridesmaid dress this weekend & the first one is almost finished. She is hoping to have my MOH come over in the next day or so for the first fitting. It actually looks very elegant! I can't wait to see how they'll look on my bridesmaids. :)

[savepaws]

So we've gotten a few checks/gift cards in the mail from people who can't attend the wedding. Today one came to my house and it said "Mr. and Mrs. K" on the envelope. It really made me smile to be addressed like that. I know some people don't like it but I'm old fashioned in that sense. :)

I went to Hobby Lobby today and got another paper mache hat box for my card box. I have a bigger hat box already painted (turquoise & green) and I'm just not happy with it. It just isn't that elegant with the way it is painted. So now I want to paint it white and decorate with ribbons. Or I thought maybe I could find a stencil to decorate it. I found this on Etsy and think its really pretty...