Meredith & Clayton...06/30/2007

[mlm063007]

Hello Everyone

I have been a member here for a while...unfortunatley I havent had a chance to post anything with work...but I figured I should go a head and start here...while on vacation.

Clayton and I went to high school together. We were friends our freshmen and sophomore year, and started dating the middle of our junior year. We have been together ever since. We had been together for over 3 years when he proposed.

On St. Patrick's day 2006 we were planning on going out to eat when he called me and asked if I could come over to his house to pick him up, he said he had a flat tire. So I went over, never suspecting anything. When I walked into the kitchen he had the table set with a steak dinner (that he cooked himself!) and 2 dozen red roses (my favorite). It was at this point I started to get a little suspicious. We started to eat dinner and in the middle he went to get more water, when he came back he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him...and, of course, I said yes.

We are planning on getting married June 30, 2007 during a full catholic mass. We will have the reception at the KC hall afterward.


Well I guess thats all for now....more later!

[MOB Karen]

How romantic he is!! You're a lucky lady!! Welcome to Onewed, Meredith!!! We're happy you're here!! :D

[Kacie_bride]

Welcome Meredith! That is a nice proposal story! Very romantic! Welcome and congratulations! The clock is ticking, what all do you have planned so far?

[AngelinLove]

Welcome and I am sooo happy that you finally decided to join us and post!!!

[mlm063007]

I went to a wedding show today. It was a lot of fun! I went with my mom and we really got a lot of information.

It was a small show, with only local vendors. There were 3 photographers there...and all of them were booked for June 30, 2007! Crystal photography had someone booked tenativly so I gave them my name and number and they told me to call them in a couple of days to see.
The other photographer, ADI Photography, that I really liked was booked, then when my mom and I came back from lunch he found us and said that the bride he had booked for that day might be changing her date, so I gave him my info too.
I'll call him in a couple of days. He was really nice and seemed really flexible so I hope we end up with him.
Anyway, at the end of the day I won a $100 coupon for Crystal Photography, so who knows what we will end up doing, we might just have to go with whoever has the date open.

We have a DJ booked. He is local and is only $250. My mom was the one who talked to him. I will have to give him a call soon to see what exactly that entails. I am pretty sure he will be flexible with things.

[mlm063007]

For a dress I have picked out the Maggie Sottero Brittanya it will either be white/diamond white with silver lace. Unfortunatley there arent any pictures of what it looks like
Here it is in pink:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/images/dresses/large/front/A574_HC.jpg

[HalloweenBride]

Wow! I love your dress!

[mlm063007]

Thanks!

Its perfect for me. I wanted a dress with a full skirt, but being 5' its hard to find one that doesnt poof and make me look even shorter.

This one is a 2 piece and the way the top lays over the bottom helps make me look taller:D

[mlm063007]

Ok, I havent been able to sleep tonight, so I have some new pics to post.
This is the pic of the bridesmaid dresses I would like to have.


http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/76216.jpg





I think that my colors are going to be blue and yellow. I dont know if the yellow is bright enough in Forever Yours.

[AngelinLove]

Your dress is very pretty..I remember a month or two ago we had a mad search for a pic of that dress in the diamond white...and someone finally found a pic and posted it for another girl!!! So there is a pic here....if noone else finds it before I can get back online I will and post it for you!!!!

[mlm063007]

That would be great!! Thanks!

[MOB Karen]

Your dress is gorgeous, Meredith!!! You are going to look stunning walking down the aisle. Good luck with the photographer!! :D

[AngelinLove]

Here is the link to the diamond white version of your dress!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/MAGGIE-SOTTERO-Wedding-Dress-Gown-BRITTANYA-8-DW-S-NEW_W0QQitemZ8292815075QQcategoryZ63851QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I am at work, so I can't go through the process of saving the pic, transferring it to photobucket and all that right now...I will later though if u don't!!!

[mlm063007]

Thanks Angel!!

This is exactly what it is going to look like



http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/MSBrittanya3.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/MSBrittanya2.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/MSBrittanya1.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/MSBrittanya6.jpg

I am going to go in to try the dress on & to get pics soon. I will post them as soon as I do!!!

[mlm063007]

Here are pics of some of the flower girl dresses we are thinking about
(I say we as if Clayton has actually looked at them:) )

I want to get the same dress that is in the pic w/ the bridesmaid dress, but I dont know if it will come in a small enough size.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/26102.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/23111.jpg http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/23109.jpg
(I dont know why this one is so big)

[mlm063007]

Here are the people that are in the wedding party so far:

Maid Of Honor
Emily (sister)

Bridesmaids
Tracy (cousin)
Jenny (cousin)
Jennifer (FSIL)
Lori (FSIL)

Best Man
Not Completely SureWill Either be
Mark (friend)
or
Geordan (friend)

Groomsmen
Mark or Geordan (whichever is not BM)
Chad (BIL)
Brad (BIL)
Chad (friend)

Flower Girls
Morgan (niece of groom)
Carah (niece of groom)

Ring Bearers
Mason (nephew of groom)
Caleb (nephew of groom)


Our FG & RB are actually going to be 2 sets of twins (all siblings)

Mason & Morgan will be 2 years 1 month
Carah & Caleb will be 5 years 7 months

[Twigler]

My Flower girl and ring bearer will both be just under 2 as well! I am not expecting much but I am sure that they are going to be cute! By-the-way, don't you just love Maggie Sottero!?

What type of blue are you thinking about for your colors?

[mlm063007]

I do LOVE Maggie Sottero. I actually saw a pic of my dress in pink before I went to try it on & thought it looked ugly. But when I tried it on & it was white I thought it was beautiful...I didnt even realize it was the same dress!!!!

I am not sure about the color of blue...it kind of depends on what colors we can get the BM dresses in. But I do want kind of a different color blue, something that stands out

[mlm063007]

I know that the twins will be sooo cute.

We actually might not end up having the older set of twins. The are not FSIL's kids and she and her husband just started seeing them. I dont want to make anyone uncomfortable, so if we dont have them for FG & RB. We will probably get 2 of my cousins to walk down with the little ones.

[mlm063007]

We got a call fom ADI photography last night (these are the ones that I really want) and they said that the still havent heard from the other bride if she is going to switch her date or not. They are going to look at the hall tomorrow & he said if he heard anything from her that he would call us tomorrow night.

Terry (photographer) is really nice & fun. I think he would really work well with the people in our party.

[AngelinLove]

Good Luck with the Photographer!!!!

[mlm063007]

:ura1: Our photographer called and the date has opened up!! I am so excited!!
Now Clayton & I just need to go and meet with him to decide on a package and other things :ura1: YAY!!!

[mlm063007]

Another thing to be excited about...pics of me in my dress!!!!
Here they are:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/img003.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/img004.jpg

[Valmai]

Its beautiful - u look gorgeous in it! xxx

[AngelinLove]

WOW!! You look awesome!!! Your dress is beautiful!!!

[Kacie_bride]

Congrats about the photographer!

[Twigler]

Congrats on the getting the photographer! I am sure it is a load off of your back to have that done with.

Your dress is so pretty! You are going to look great for the wedding!

[mlm063007]

Thanks guys!!!

[mlm063007]

WARNING VENT AHEAD!!
(I didnt know where else to put this so I decided that I would just put it here)

As some of you all may now I work in a license office in MO. This is a political office. The last agent didnt get another contract b/c she was a democrat, and the governor is republican. ANYWAY, I am not the agent, I do, however, run the office.

We have to keep an inventory book of every single item we sell for a day. Whether license plate, renewal sticker, boat sticker...you get the idea. We have this huge book that we write it all down in. Its not that hard. All you have to do is make sure that the first thing that you sold today comes directly after the last thing that you sold yesterday.
Ex.
8-8-06 655mlh-676mlh
8-9-06 677mlh-679mlh
If it doesnt match up you have to go back and figure out what happened to the missing item.

There is another person in the office who has been there longer than I have (almost 9 months) & therefore feels that she is better qualified at entering the inventory into the book.

Well, we had problem with a printer for a couple of days & therefore got behind on entering this into the book. Well, I get the book out to start catching up and this is what it looks like:

8-7-06 m3607567-m3607575
8-8-06 m4001017-m4001023

Now am I nuts or can you all clearly see that these numbers do not go together (each book starts and ends on a hundred), so she obviously missed something like 50 renewal stickers.

UM HELLO!! FIX IT!!!

Anyway it looks like she missed about 3 days of putting this info in. Well this is a book that we actually have to handwrite in. So I have to draw a line through everything she did, put in the days she missed, put the days back down in the correct spots and catch up with the other days we still had left to do.

ARGHHHHHH!!!!!!! As if I need to waste my time fixing her mistakes.

The worst thing about this is that we will have to account for every single item that comes through our office. Those 50 stickers cost the agent about $25 ea. That is $1250 that he would have to pay, and he will do nothing about this person b/c they are related. Oh well, when the state gives him the bill for all the missing inventory maybe then he will start to listen. There is another woman in the office who has been working for the state for many years and she believes that it is going to cost him around $10,000!!

Sometimes I really want to quit this job, but I would never be able to find something else like this while going to school.

(Sorry this is so long, I just really needed to get it off my chest)

[cowboysbride]

I'd probably smack her! Make HER fix it, or at least help because she is obvioulsy not capable of doing it right! Vent away girlfriend, we all do it, that's why we're here....WELL that and to tell you:

WOW your look awesome in your dress WOOHOO!

[mlm063007]

Thanks Ellen!!!

[mlm063007]

Today I am going to go to An Elegant Event in Chesterfield. I know someone who got a $1000 dress for $299. (They have sample dresses). Hopefully I can find my dress there!!!!

[Jacklynn]

That is the type of dress that I want sooo bad, I love it!

you mentioned that you are 5 foot and it looks amazing on you! I comment on this because I myself am short, and just under 5 foot. I go dress shoppping for the first time next week and I am so anxious to see how dresses will fit me. How was your experience with it? I hate cutting sooo much off of dresses! lol

[mlm063007]

Most just dont fit right. If it is a poofy dress it makes you look even shorter :( One of the reasons that I chose this dress is that it can be ordered for your height. The lady who was helping me try on dresses says that cutting off the end of a dress can really change the way it looks. I think this is mainly true if it has a lot of detail (like mine does). Most dresses werent too bad:)

[mlm063007]

Well, we meet with our photographer on the 25th to decide on our package and so we can kind of let him know what we want.

Our trip to An Elegant Event was a waste of time. The only dresses that they had marked down were not very pretty (at least in my opinion). They did have my dress there, but it was only $37 cheaper. Then for alterations they wanted to charge $125 for the hem and $75 for each bustle. There are usually quite a few of them on this type of dress. So that would have been $1600 versus $1000 because the wedding shop is going to pay for alterations. And the Wedding Shoppe is soooo much closer to home, which will be much nicer.

Now I just have to check w/ my FMIL to see when she is going to be off so that she can go with mom & me to order the dress.

[Twigler]

Nice job shopping around for your dress. It sucks about how much alterations are doesn't it? Too bad they aren't included in with the cost of the dress!

[mlm063007]

Thats just the thing, The Wedding Shoppe WILL pay for alterations. And since I will have to have, like, and entire foot cut off the bottom of my dress, I knew I would have to go with them. It will end up saving me around $600

[mlm063007]

Well, we got a caterer today. It is a woman who pretty much does everything herself. She does "homestyle cooking". We are doing a buffet style meal. (Less hassle) We will be having 2 meats (ham & roast beef, I believe) mashed potatoes & gravy, salad, rolls, and 2 vegatables (corn & green beans.)

I am excited about this because when we first contacted her she quoted us $7.50 a plate. But today when we talked to her, she said $7!!!! We are having such a large wedding that this is going to save us around $200- $250!!!
(More money for my dress!!!) :D

[PurpleFlower]

YOu and I are almost dress twins!! It is the same top as mine!!! YOu look so good in it!! Just beautiful!!

[mlm063007]

Thank you. I love the top of the dress, it is one of the reasons I got mine!!

[mlm063007]

Allright I havent posted in a while, but not much is going on!!

We ordered my dress not too long ago. YAY!!!!!!!!
My Mom, FMIL, FSIL & bridesmaid, and my sister & MOH all went with me.
I tried it on, again LOL. I cannot wait till it comes in!!!

My FSIL & Sister were going to try on the bridesmaid dress b/c she had said that she would have the style in, but she had sold the dress off the rack about a week before!! Oh well, what can you do?

I went to Davids Bridal over the weekend and got my veil, a garter set, and my mom got her dress. Here it is:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/f06_F11606.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/s05_F2240_thumb.jpg
It is a mix between these two, more like the first one but with the sleaves of the second
In February my cousin, J, and I bought bridesmaid dresses for the wedding of another one of our cousins, T. Well this summer T and her fiance decided to postpone the wedding, and eventually they called it off all together. So J & I were stuck with 2 bridesmaid dresses (Which like I told T, I would rather pay $500 for a dress and her decided to call it off than for her to be in an unhappy marraige) We called David's and they said that we could exchange those for other merchandise.
Here is the veil: (At least I think this is the veil)
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/S06_641WH-Asml.jpg
I wanted a really simple veil since the dress is a little elaborate. It has a little bit of beading throughout.
Here is the garter set I got:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/s06_VL3002D.jpg
It came with a toss, keepsake, and a hanky.

This was kind of a long post, maybe I should post a little more often.LOL

[HalloweenBride]

Another thing to be excited about...pics of me in my dress!!!!
Here they are:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/img003.jpghttp://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/img004.jpg

I love your dress! I wanted one with a skirt like yours, but I couldn't find one in my size like that, so my skirt is just plain.

[BriansBride07]

Everything looks great I just love your dress and i'm amazed at how much your veil looks like the one that I just ordered but the one i'm getting is only shoulder length. Just wanted to stop by and say hi glad that I have a twin date buddy I thought I was the only one for 6/30/2007. Can't wait until you have more of your plans posted, have fun planning and best of luck to you.

[NicksBride]

I love your dress, it looks stunning on you. I tried it on and looked like a marshmellow. You look great! Congrats!

[Jopet]

Your dress is HOT!! you look stunning in it :)

[mlm063007]

A little update on my dress:

I couple of weeks ago I went in to try on my dress and order it...well it turns out that my mom didnt have the money to put down at the time (we are waiting for the price of crops to go up to sell) so it didnt get ordered. So I went in on Friday to put half down so that the order would at least go out.

When I got home there was a message to call the wedding shoppe. I was a little apprehensive because I just KNEW something else had gone wrong (I almost thought about just not calling them back) Well I called them and they let me know that they were running a promotion and anyone that ordered that week was receiving 10% of their dress!!! YAY!!

I guess it wasnt such a bad thing that we waited to order it LOL! It was a pretty good surprise:grinhappy: !!!:pompom: :jphappy: :ura1:

[Panthers Bride]

Yeah. I'm glad your "bad" news ended up being good news.

[ikkin510]

Aren't days like that great? It feels like a bad day, and then you get and awesome message. That's cool about the 10%! Every penny counts, right?

[hummingbird521]

wonderful you saved 10% on it. Yippee!!!!

[Kacie_bride]

Alright!!!!! That is really cool that you are getting to save some money on your dress! The dress is gorgeous! I love it!

[AngelinLove]

Good for you hun!!!

[Jacklynn]

yay for saving 10%! I got $50 off of my dress from David's bridal. I love when things are on sale :)

[mlm063007]

Hey Ladies,

I havent posted anything in a while. Things have been really crazy with school, work, & everything else that life throws at you.

I picked a new BM dress its not much different, but I do like it better. It's a little more expensive, but when I talked to my BM about it they said that I should pick whatever I wanted, not to worry about the money. I LOVE my BM's!!!!

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/newBMdress.jpg

This is the color that I am going to get them in also.
I am going to buy some yellow fabric and use it to tie up the back of the dress. The BM will have yellow roses (fake) and my MOH will have some blue in hers.

The FG's are going to have yellow dresses (my FSIL's MIL will be making them for me) I then thought of taking the ties for the BM's dresses and making sashes for their dresses

[Goin2thechapel]

I love the color of the dress...trying to imagine the yellow with it and having some trouble...Post more pics when you get them!!!

Your planning is coming along rather nicely!!

[ladymelissa]

The BM dress is gorgeous!!!

[hummingbird521]

The dress is beautiful.

[AngelinLove]

The dress is really pretty!!!!!!!!

[SaralovesMike]

Very pretty, I think the yellow flowers and such will look awesome with it!

[Kacie_bride]

The dress is really pretty. I think I've seen that dress too. If it is the one that I am thinking about, it is to die for in person!

[BriansBride07]

Welcome back wedding buddy, Your Bm's dresses are gorgous. You are lucky to have such great ladies on your side. Keep us posted.

[mlm063007]

Things have been going pretty good on the planning. We had most things planned a while ago, but coming from a small town most of our vendors wanted to wait till after the new year to get contracts & such out. And now it is the new year!!! I remember when they told me to wait, it seemed like such a LONG time away!

I cant believe that I have less than 6 months to go!! Every time I think about it it kind of freaks me out. When we got engaged we had over 15 months, and now its down to a little over 5??!! I cant believe how time flies!!

I have the my bouquet & my MOH's bouquet done. As soon as I can I will post pictures.

(I got a digital camera for x-mas, so that will make posting much easier)

[ladymelissa]

I can't wait to see the bouquets!

[mlm063007]

Here are the pictures of the bouquets. (Sorry they are so big)
These are the pictures of my bouquet:

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000170.jpg

The bouquet is a little crooked in the picture above. The bottom is in the bottom right and the top is in the top left.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000169.jpg

[mlm063007]

And here is the MOH's bouquet:

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000171.jpg

I am a little worried that the flowers will look too fake.

[mlm063007]

I used a type of flower for my bouquet that is made up of a flower that is designed to look real. It is made up of a type of vinyl or plastic or something.

The other bouquet's are just regular silk flowers. I just dont want them to look cheap. I dont really care otherwise.

[ladymelissa]

The bouquets look fabulous! Great job!

[mariaandmanish]

As I said in your other thread, the bouquets came out absolutely beautiful! Great job!

[mlm063007]

My dress is finally in!!!!

I went in a put down the final payment, and try it on, it fits perfectly!!!! I have to schedule an appointment for alterations in March. (I forgot my camera, so I dont have any new pictures)
My dress is so much better than the sample, LOL, it is wonderful. And it comes with a purse which I didnt know about, do all dresses come with a purse? And I just didnt know it? Oh, well:D

[Kacie_bride]

Your bouquets are beautiful! I love the colors of the MOH bouquet! I don't think the flowers look too fake. It's gorgeous.

[Jopet]

I love the bouquets!! they are beautiful :)

[Twigler]

I really like your bouquets! Nice job on the two you have done!

[mlm063007]

One of the ladies that I work with used to be in the flower business, and she suggested using smaller blue flowers, which otherwise will overwhelm the yellow. Luckily, the blue flowers are not secured, so I am going to take the bigger ones out and replace them with smaller ones. Hopefully, this will help to look a little better.

[ladymelissa]

I liked the way they looked. But, it doesn't hurt to try it with the smaller ones and see what you like better.

[shawnsgirl]

I liked the way they look already too! But, doesn't hurt to try it!!

[Twigler]

I think the smaller ones will probably look a little better. That blue is really visible, so a little will go a long way. Can't wait to see the pics

[mlm063007]

Alright it has just hit me that I have less than 5 months!
I am really stressed out, I couldnt sleep last night thinking about all the stuff I need to do. I mainly have just little stuff to do, just a lot of little stuff, LOL.

I really need to finalize the guest list, its been really hard to get my mom & MIL together though. I dont know how soon it will get done hopefully sometime this week.

Here is what I still have left to do (Ill probably have to add more):
Decide on number of ushers
Decide who to have for ushers
Schedule engagement session
Make sure my last BM gets fittd for her dress
Order BM dresses
Decide on & order invitations
Decide on wording for invitations
Decide on centerpieces for tables
Register for gifts
Contact baker about cake
Choose cake
Look into getting a limo
Decide on place for rehersal dinner
Decide on what tux for FH, GM, RB
Pick out pattern for FG dresses
Pick out material for FG dresses
Decide on honeymoon
Sign up for NFP classes
Sign up for MP classes
Choose readings/prayers for ceremony
Choose songs for ceremony
Ask Godfather to sing at ceremony
Decide on servers
Decide on readers
Decide on program wording
Make programs
Make appointment for alterations

[shawnsgirl]

That seems like a long list of things to do, but in reality you'll get it done!!
Just make a point to get one task done at a time and don't loose sleep thinking about all that needs done....Take a deep breath and dive in!!!

[mlm063007]

We are really going back & forth on what to do for our honeymoon. The only thing that we are pretty sure about is that we will go to the caribbean. Here is one place that we are looking at www.ansechastanet.com (http://www.ansechastanet.com) It is a little more expensive than what we want, and doesnt include airfare, but it does include a lot of activities and meals. I love this place b/c it doesnt have any telephones, TV's, or radios. It really is like a getaway.
UGHHHH, I just dont know what we should do.

[shawnsgirl]

Have you spoken with a Travel agent??? Sometimes it helps to talk to someone in the business too and a lot of times they won't charge you for just showing you some options and giving you a book to look through! Just be careful if you decide to book through a resort online because seeing it online may be totally different than what you see when you get there!

[Jacklynn]

I agree on the travel agent thing! Mine helped us out at ton! We ended up getting 7 nights all inclusive at a resort in Mexico and airfare for both of us for about $2200. Really they do wonders :)

[mlm063007]

I agree on the travel agent thing! Mine helped us out at ton! We ended up getting 7 nights all inclusive at a resort in Mexico and airfare for both of us for about $2200. Really they do wonders :)

Wow! Thats alot better than what I am getting off the internet. I will definatley have to try a travel agent.

[shawnsgirl]

Our travel agent gave us some quotes on two different cruises to the Western Carribean which totaled for transfers of luggage, prepaid grutuity, etc 2500.00...We were looking online thru different cruise ship packages for the same place and they were more like 1800 per person. It just looks like we'll be getting the better deal throught our travel agent instead.

[mlm063007]

Well, girls, I did it. I booked our honeymoon!!!!

We were looking at the prices of cruises last night and they were quite a bit less than the resorts we were looking at, so we booked one for a week after the wedding. It stops at the Grand Cayman Islands and in Jamaica. I am soooooo excited!!!:D We also booked our air with it, so we didnt have to worry about it...WOOOHOOO!!

[mlm063007]

Today I applied for a new job!! It is for the position of accounting clerk at a small sofware company here in MO. It is in the same town that I work in, so the commute would be the same. My old boss works there and she is really helping my out, she left my a voice mail on my phone today letting me know that they will probably be calling me for an interview, so who knows!!

I really dont mind the job that I have now, except for dealing with angry customers all day! :whoa: But this job is in my field of study!!! I guess only time will tell.

Wish me luck!!

[mlm063007]

Here is a little more info on our honeymoon cruise.
This is the type of room that we reserved it is on one of the higher decks, where there arent too many other rooms.

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Images/Datatemplates/Staterooms/Thumbnails/fa_suite_balcony_sm.jpg

We will be leaving Saturday, July 7 and returning on Thursday, July 12

I think that this is the thing that I am most excited about!! LOL:geek:

[Twigler]

Good luck on the new job hunt! I hope you can get it!

As for the cruise, I am so jealous!!! the room looks so gorgeous!!

[ladymelissa]

Good luck with the job and your cabin looks wonderful!

[mlm063007]

Thanks guys, I cant wait for the HM!!

We have officially finalized the guest list!! I am soooo glad that this is done, I have really been stressing over it. The next step is to decide on invitations and order them. I have been going through several books that we have and trying to find ones that I like, Then I will go through them w/ Clayton and we will decide together. Our final count is 460 people. We didnt have to cut anyone, which I was glad about, I really though we would have to cut about 100 or so (we both come from HUGE families).

We have also gotten the readings picked out. We are having a full Catholic mass, so the total ceremony will probably take about an hour. We have all of our vow & exchanging of the rings picked out, the only thing left to do is decide on the music.

[nic1124]

Good luck with the job and congrats on booking your HM!!

[Twigler]

We have also gotten the readings picked out. We are having a full Catholic mass, so the total ceremony will probably take about an hour. We have all of our vow & exchanging of the rings picked out, the only thing left to do is decide on the music.

At least with it being an hour, you will get your monies(sp?) worth!! It seems like a lot or ceremonies are done within 15-20 minutes, and then all of your planning is all for just that short time.

Congrats on getting the guest list done!

[Panthers Bride]

Glad everything is going well for you. However, I do have to say 460 PEOPLE!!! Oh...my....goodness....

How many of those will show up?

[mlm063007]

LOL! They usually say about 2/3 will come, we decided not to do RSVP's b/c around here most people wont send them back:snide: and it will just be much easier to estimate 2/3's which ends up being about 300 people

[shawnsgirl]

well, if that is the case about people not sending the RSVP's back then that's one less thing you will have to worry about come closer to the big day!

[BriansBride07]

WOW! and I thought my guest list was big at about 200 people. I don't blame you if they won't RSVP then I wouldn't send them either. Congrats on booking your HM. And good luck with the job hunting.

[Twigler]

We are both getting closer to the big day! Aren't you excited!!!

[mlm063007]

I really am getting excited!!!!

I cant wait, Im almost at four months!!

Well, Clayton and I picked out our invitations today...here is a preview

Let me know what you think

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/invitation.jpg

[ladymelissa]

They are gorgeous! Congrats!

[ikkin510]

They are beautiful! I love the invites!

[BriansBride07]

Very nice choice for the invites.

[Goin2thechapel]

Very very nice invites!!!

Congrats!

[mlm063007]

Thanks everyone!!!
I really do like them. We were looking at some that were a little more formal, elegent (sp?) but we decided we liked these a little better, they are a little more "fun":p

[mlm063007]

Well, a little update on the job that I applied for...

I had an interview on Friday and I guess it went pretty well. They called Mon. and asked me to send them my transcripts, so while I was at class tonight I filled out a form so that they could be sent.

I am not really too worried about it. The only real problem with the job I have now is that it has NOTHING to do with accounting. And my boss can be pretty annoying, but he isnt around that much so its not too big of a deal.

[mlm063007]

Well, I feel like I got TONS of stuff done today. YAY!!! I decided to go ahead and order the BM dresses. I still had one that needed to get fitted, but she has known for a while and still hasnt made it in (in her defense she lives pretty far away, and I kind of dropped the ball on it too) So I went ahead and got her a size 2 and ordered all of the dresses!! They will probably be in about May 11. Its through Alfred Angelo and she said that they are usually quick, so it may be sooner.

I also called the Marriage Preperation Coordinator and got our classes set up. We will be going 4 Thursdays in March.

I tried to call the baker but she must not have been home. I need to pick up the book and decide what kind of cake we are going to have. Clayton wants vanilla or chocolate, how original;)

I called the person to set up a time to get my alterations on my dress done also. She said it shouldnt take too long since all I need is the bustle and the hem.

I also got a call a few days ago from the job interview I had, they wanted my transcripts sent. So I was planning on calling after I got out of work to let them know that I had put in the form, and they ended up calling me to set up a 2nd interview next Friday, something about some kind of test or something??? Dont know what that means, but we'll see!!

[ladymelissa]

You are moving right along! Good luck on your second interview!

[mlm063007]

Thanks!! I am hoping it goes well, but I still cant figure out what they want to test me on?? I guess we will see.

[ladymelissa]

What kind of job is it?

[Goin2thechapel]

If it's like a home health aid type job They might have a physical fitness test...I worked with MR adults and the job made sure I could pull 70 #'s etc.


Good luck hun!

[mlm063007]

LOL, no, its for an accounting clerk at a software company. ?? I though maybe it would be about using accounting software, but I told them that we do it all by hand at school, so I have never used anything.

[ladymelissa]

These days they could test on just about anything, it might be job related skills or it could be a personality test to see how likely you would be to create a security problem or just to see how well you fit in or handle pressure. I don't know much about accounting, but I can't believe your school didn't have some sort of software classes, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

[KMS]

I just read through your journal. Good lord...eleven pages! So when I fail my test tomorrow, you do know that it will be all your fault right? :chair: But I thought that I should catch up on all of the planning details of my diet buddy!

I absolutely love your dress! I actually had my heart set on that one until I found out how much it was! I really love the top so I'm just looking for something in that style now. You look AMAZING in it...so beautiful!

[mlm063007]

Thanks Keely!! I'm sure you wont fail your test! LOL, hopefully not, I dont want that on my conscience (sp?)

[mlm063007]

Well, last week Clayton and I had our first marriage prep class last Thursday. It really wasnt too bad. It is 4 weeks long, 2 1/2 hours each time. I do think that if we did it all in one day that I would go crazy. LOL

Last night we got our invitations in the mail!!!! I only ordered them a little over a week ago. We also got our knife and server set.
http://www.willowtreelane.com/pics/SpecialtyProductPics/WillowTree/W05760_099b.jpg (http://www.willowtreelane.com/viewer.cfm?option=ProductDesign.cfm&SetFormat=PP6459&menu=none&StringToPassInURL=iSubGroupID%3D1043)

It has our names and wedding dates engraved on them!!
I also got a new pair of wedding shoes. The ones I did have were black. But I decided I wanted to do white. What I really wanted was something in blue or yellow to match our colors. Oh well.
I cant find a picture on their website so I will have to take some and then post them.

[Twigler]

Everything looks so good! Where did you get your cake server set?

[KMS]

Your servers are so pretty. I'd love to know where you got them from too.

[mlm063007]

I got the knife and cake server set from Willow Tree Lane, their website is willowtreelane.com

Well last night was our final night of marriage prep classes. I am so glad they are done. They werent too bad it just sucked because it was an hour drive and I had night classes on Tuesday and Wednesday night also. I was getting BURNT out!! :lafhard: LOL.

I have gotten a cake book from our baker and we are picking that out now. I am wanting probably a 4 tier with them stacked one right on top of the other. I am not sure what kind of decaration I want on it. I saw one that had sugar crystals, and it looked pretty cool.

We are also trying to decide on what kind of transportation to have after the wedding. I think a limo bus would be really cool. If we have our bridal party and their dates along it will be 30 people. We saw a limo bus that fit 40, which looked pretty cool but you have to rent it for a minimum of 5 hours and we really only need it for like 2-3. I found a place in our area that rents classic and sports cars, which I thought would be kind of neat. They have the car from Gone In 60 Seconds. The Shelby Mustang GT (Elanore in the movie) I would LOVE to have that. But I really think that I would rather go with everybody and make it more of a party.

What do you all think?

[mlm063007]

Oh, and an update on the job. I decided not to take it. I have such GREAT flexibility at my current job, and if I did go to the other job I would only be there for a little over a year. (After I graduate I want to work more in the city) I also would have to work a lot more hours, for less pay. So I think it was best for me to stay where I am at.

[KMS]

Oh, the big transportation question! I think that the limo bus sounds like a BLAST! Where is it going to be transporting you to? Are you going to be physically in it long enough for it to be worth the money? The classic car sounds awesome too though. And a famous classic car makes it even better! I would probably go with the classic car, myself. But my wedding party is a vast array of people that don't all get along great so it wouldn't be worth all that extra money to me. I'd probably wait until a birthday or something to splurge and do something like that!

[mlm063007]

It really wouldnt be worth the money to get a limo bus...We would only be in it for like a half hour, so why spend $1000 for that. I dont know about the clasic car though. We'll have to see.

[NicksBride]

Well you can just get a limo for you and your fiance for after the wedding. You do not need the entire bridal party AND their dates. But the Shelby GT would be fantastic!!!!

[KMS]

It doesn't seem like it should be a difficult decision...I mean it's just transportation! But I had SUCH a hard time deciding!! Every little detail counts.

[Jacklynn]

Yeah $1000 for a half hour just doesn't sound like a good deal! haha, even for 5 hours, it would be hard after the 5 hours to be like... hmm that was 1000, lol but I do think a fun sports car would be great! We are just using our own car, no one will see us drive away from the church because we have to stay for pictures together, and then when we leave the reception it will be all decorated from the groomsmen (at least that is what they say) lol, so we are simply only paying gas to get to Indy lol

[mlm063007]

Well, we still havent decided on what to do for transportation. Its so hard to decide. We have started addressing invitations so that we dont have to worry about them later. We are still working on flowers also, we didnt have any of the pins to help hold them, so we have kind of been on a stand still.

We have been having some problems lately with the man we are leasing some ground from. We are leasing it until Claytons Parents house sells, then we are going to purchase it. He just recently told us that he was going to have to raise the price of the ground $200 an acre, which doesnt seem too bad until you consider its 160 acres, which is going to be an extra $32,000. It is just frustrating because he is talking about how bad the housing market is (it seems esp. bad around here) yet he goes and ups the price of his land. I dont know. This guy just gets on my nerves. There are other little things that he has done, but they are all soooo annoying. I just kind of feel that it would be much easier to just go somewhere else. The only problem is that then we would have to find somewhere to put the 49 cows that we have, all of which are calving at the moment!!!

AGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Its just totally stressing me out!!!!!!

[NicksBride]

oh dear, I am sorry to hear about what is going on. He does not seem to be a very understanding man!!! Good luck

[mlm063007]

I am going in to get fitted for my dress tonight!!
I dont really need too much done to it just the hem & bustle, but at 5' I knew I was going to have to have the hem done no matter what. Hopefully everything goes good with that.

I called and scheduled an appt to get our engagement pictures done. Those will be on April 19.

[NicksBride]

Good luck with your dress!!!!!!! Hope to see pictures.

[mlm063007]

Well, the dress fitting wasnt such a success. I kept getting lightheaded and having to sit down. I think it was just having to stand really still in one spot. :bbconfused: I am going back in on the 17th to finish up. My seamstress was really nice about it though, so I didnt feel quite so bad.

[NicksBride]

oh I am sorry you didn't feel well. I am the same way, I cna never stand still and can never stand still for that long without swaying a bit. Make sure next time to eat something good and drink plenty of water. I am sure you looked wonderful though!

[mlm063007]

Well I went back to get fitted for my dress, and no more episodes! I was a little worried about that. I go back in on May 15 to get the bustle done.

We decided on our cake. It is going to be 4 layers, all white, with beading on each tier. I wanted something simple & elegant. I think that is what I have. (Hopefully, lol)

We also have booked our wedding transportation for the day. We are going to get an excursion that holds 14 and a limo bus that holds 19. We are going to get them both for $625. I couldnt even fing one for under $1000. It is a small, local company, which is why (i guess) they were so much cheaper. We went to look at the bus (the excursion isnt even in yet)
Outside:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/IMG_1537.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/IMG_1548.jpg
And the inside:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/IMG_1576.jpg

[Twigler]

Congrats on getting so much done!

The bus sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun!

[Goin2thechapel]

Awesome...Your day is comming up sooo fast!!
The bus looks like fun.

[Jacklynn]

Oh the bus will be fun!!!! Don't forget we want pictures of you in your dress from the fitting!

[mlm063007]

I am getting soooo excited!!! I cant believe how close my wedding day is getting!! I have a shower this weekend with FH's family and then one the next weekend with my family. Things are really starting to take off.

[mlm063007]

My first shower is tomorrow with Clayton's Family. I am soooo excited. I will be back with pics and a list of our wonderful gifts!!! (hopefully) lol

[hummingbird521]

have a wonderful time and i can't wait to see pics.

[KMS]

Yay! You're probably at the shower right now. I know you're having a great time! Can't wait to hear all about it.

[NicksBride]

ohh a shower! I wanna see pictures. I bet it was a blast!

[Jacklynn]

Where are our pictures lady?!?!?!? hehe I hope you had a great time!!

[mlm063007]

The shower was sooo nice! Clayton's family isnt really that close so I really didnt expect too many of his family to be there. But there were quite a few more people there than what I expected. And we got some really nice stuff, too. Here is a list:

Kitchen towels, 7 pc kitchen set, and $20 gift card to wal-mart

Picnic set w/ plates, pitcher, etc.

Crock pot/slow cooker

Spoon rest, stackable cooking rack

Bunch of kitchen items in clothes basket

Canisters & tongs

Red dishes (you are supposed to use them for special occasions)

Picture frame, organizer, candle (Happily ever after)

Bath & kitchen towels

Steam cleaner

Tablecloth, 56 pc silverware

Griddle

Broiler/oven

Ice cream maker

Clayton & I saw the ice cream maker when we were registering but decided not to put it on our registry. We told his family about it, b/c we thought it was neat, and that is what they got us :D

[Goin2thechapel]

Wow, you got alot of stuff! Good work...LOL I'm glad alot of people showed up and you had a good time...Isn't it awesome to be in the spot light all day?? and being literally showered with gifts??

Aaahhh To be a Bride!

[mlm063007]

Here are a few pics. The quality isnt that good, but you can figure out what is going on
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000645.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000646.jpg
Claytons niece, Morgan, is helping me open my gifts She is also our FG
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000647.jpg
This is Isabel, Clayton's other niece and our other FG.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000648.jpg

[mlm063007]

This is a pic of the crock pot we got, it can be taken out and carried.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000649.jpg
The people on both sides are Clayton's Sisters & my BM's. The one holding her daughter Morgan, is Jennifer. The one writing everything down is Lori.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000651.jpg
This is the basket with a ton of kitchen stuff in it
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000653.jpg

[mlm063007]

I am not sure what I was laughing about in this picture.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000658.jpg
This note said "Marriage includes 3: husband, wife, and MIL. LOL
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000664.jpg
Look at Morgan, isnt she soooo cute!!
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000668.jpg
This is the ice cream maker we received
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000683.jpg

[mlm063007]

Last ones, I promise!! LOL
Mom, me, and Ann, my FMIL
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000691.jpg
Me with the cake
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000690.jpg
Mom, me & my sis, Emily, my MOH
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000693.jpg

[Goin2thechapel]

NO!!! we love pictures!!!! Keep em coming!

But, that ice cream maker is awesome. I want one :( And I'm sorry, but those flowergirls are going to steal the show at you wedding...LOL...Just kidding...But they are soo cute!!!

Thanks soo much for sharing your bridal shower pics with us!

[mlm063007]

Well, I rescheduled our engagement session. When we had first scheduled it they had a death in the family...so were are going in on May 15, same day that I get the bustle done for my dress!

I cant believe that I have less than 2 months!! Its going to be crazy!!!

[Goin2thechapel]

Time is just flying by! I can't wait to see you E-Pics...I'm sure they'll look wonderful :)

[NicksBride]

aww thanks for sharing the pictures, they were wonderful it looks like you had a GREAT time!! What wonderful gifts as well. Your flowergirl is just sooo cute.
We love pictures what are you talking about? I can't wait to see your E-pictures as well!!!

[Twigler]

I am so glad that you had a great shower! It looks like you had a great time! Two months! Can you believe it?!

[mlm063007]

So today is my 2nd shower. This one is with my family, so I am not quite so nervous! :)

Yesterday I went with 2 of my BM's (Claytons sisters & the mothers of the FG's) to get fabric for the FG dresses. We decided to do bright yellow with a white sash.
We also went by Kroger yesterday (they were having a sale) and got about 20 2 liter bottles of soda for $.80. My mom & my FMIL had gone the day before and both of them got 8. My mom just told me that it was supposed to be limit 8...oops. :bbredface:

[Jacklynn]

You look so happy in your first shower pictures. You also got some really great gifts :)

Have fun at your second one as well!

[NicksBride]

ohh hope you have fun at your second shower!!!!!

[Jacklynn]

I hope your shower went great babe :)

[mlm063007]

The shower was great!!! We got alot of cool stuff. We got 2 more crockpots!:) I'll have to get the pictures off of my camera later.

We also got the other pictures of the excursion, it looks soooo awesome!!! I cant wait to ride in it!!!

I think that one of my candle lighters might be having money problems. She emailed me early last week letting me know that her phone had been shut off b/c her bill was so high. And we had been talking about getting together sometime and she wanted to wait a while so that she wasnt so strapped for cash. I dont want the wedding to put a financial strain on her, so I wrote her an email letting her know that if she thought she couldnt afford it that I would still love for her to be a part of the day (when we get our hair done, ride in the limo, etc.) even if she couldnt be a candle lighter. We'll see what happens.

[KMS]

Oh my gosh I can't believe that you got so many crockpots! Just this morning I was telling Chad that we would probably end up with 3 crockpots before it's over with...and I don't even want one to begin with! Lol. I just looked at all of your bridal party pictures. They're really really cute. You looked a little too excited about that icecream maker! Haha. A house down the street is selling fresh peaches from their tree for super cheap so Chad and I stopped and bought a bunch. My first thought was...peach icecream! Then I was like noooo bad keely bad.

[mlm063007]

Okay, so I am really bad about getting the pictures from my last shower up:bbredface:
I am planning on doing it tonight, hopefully. Last night was Senior Night for Baseball, so I went for my brother. Then when we got home we finished invitations, we are going to send them out today!! I am soo excited. It is like "This is it, it is really starting to come together, it is going to happen"

[NicksBride]

YEA! That is soo exciting you have invites out. I bet that is a sigh of relief! Now you can really sit back and know that the RSVP cards are going to come rolling in. :)

[mlm063007]

Okay, So I am REALLY bad about getting the pictures from the second shower up, but FINALLY.......

TADA! LOL

Here is the picture of the cake, I didnt even get a piece!! LOL
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000735.jpg

I think I forgot to mention it was like a spa thing. They put lip stuff on & eye things, it was a lot of fun. Here I am with the neck wrap
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000739.jpg

Here is my cousin, Jessie, getting ready to put the stuff on her lips
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000740.jpg

This is my old boss & her son. He only came for the cake. LOL. But he was a good sport and tried all the beauty products with us!
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000744.jpg

[mlm063007]

Here is Claytons Sister, Lori. Our little FG, Isabel, wanted to try the neck wrap too.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000745.jpg

Here is my aunt/godmother, my grandma, and some great aunts with the eye thingys on
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000746.jpg

Here is Ethan again. He was soo cute dressed up as a cowboy. He kept counting down the number of presents I had so he could get some cake LOL
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000750.jpg

Here is 1 of 2 pillows we got. They are really comfortable and go with the living room well. That is my cousin, Jenny, writing everything down. She is a BM too.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000752.jpg

[mlm063007]

Here are a few of our RB, Mason. He was helping me open presents and throwing all the paper away :D
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000757.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000774.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000761.jpg

[mlm063007]

Today my sister & MOH, Emily, went with me to get my dress bustled. While we were there she found the actual BM dress we are getting. **When we first decided on the dress my mom & I were at the Wedding Shoppe and my mom found it and we fell in love with it. When we went back in a little later to get the BM measured, they had sold it off the rack. So this is the first time any of the BM actually got to see it in person, the right color & everything** She tried it on too. So here are a couple pics of that:

This is me getting the back of my dress bustled
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000776.jpg

Here is a pic of Emily in the dress (I just LOVE it)
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000780.jpg

Emily & I
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000781.jpg

And the back of the BM dress
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000783.jpg

[mlm063007]

I have a couple more pics of the back of my dress after it is bustled, I just havent gotten a chance to put them onto photobucket yet.

Anyway, I figured since I am in the picture sharing mood, I would give you guys a couple more that I havent gotten a chance to show you yet..

Here are a few pics of my ring, I just took these pics. I dont have any idea why I didnt take any sooner:bbeek: LOL (Ignore my short, stubby fingers) LOL
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000632.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/P1000633.jpg

[mlm063007]

Oh, and I forgot that Clayton & I went to get our engagement pictures done today. I really enjoyed it and we got some great ones. I dont have any copies yet but I will post some pictures as soon as I do.

[mlm063007]

And finally, the last pictures for tonight...pictures of the excursion we will be getting after the wedding to the reception.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/IMG_1618.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n117/mlm_04/IMG_1636.jpg

[NicksBride]

all I can say is WOW!
Your wedding shower looked like so much fun! Your bosses son is soo cute and your ring bearer and flowergirl are even cuter!
Your looked gorgeous in your dress and you with the bridesmaids is going to look SOOO good. Their dress almost matches yours! Nice pick.

Your limo is amazing as well, what a great time you guys are going to have and your ring is gorgeous! What kind of a wedding band are you doing? The diamond is just amazing. Thanks for sharing!!!!!

[vegasbride07]

I was just reading through your journal and everything looks wonderful.
I also noticed that you mentioned chesterfield in a post about your wedding dress and I got so excited because I know where that is I grew up in jefferson county, mo. Its great to see someone else from mo. here

[mlm063007]

I thought that I read something about you growing up in St. Louis...or something like that...in you journal. Its always neat when you meet other people who know what your talking about:D

[KMS]

Lots to catch up on in your journal! The shower looked like fun! Especially the kids participating with all of the fun stuff...so cute. The dress is so pretty! It looks so perfect with the BM dress too. It looks like it was just made to go together. I love the blue too. Usually I'm not much of a blue person, but that color is very vibrant and deep. Nice e-ring...have you picked out the bands yet? And the excursion looks like FUN! I am so going to get one of those for a birthday or something one of these days!

[mlm063007]

Well today was my 21st b-day!!! Clayton & I didnt do much. We went out to eat and I ordered my first ever margarita!! LOL. And then I didnt even get carded!! LOL. After supper we just came back home where I fell asleep. Which stinks b/c now it is after 1 am and I cant get to sleep.

We picked out wedding music today. It was a lot of fun, but kind of hard. I would here a song and decide to do it in one place, then hear another and want to do it there instead. But by that time I had forgotten what the first one sounded like:D . In a Catholic ceremony you can only play "religous" music once the ceremony starts. So before hand we are going to do a few other songs. "Because you loved me" and a few others. Then for the Candlelighters we are doing "Everything I do (I do it for you)" BM will walk down to "From this moment" and then I will be walking down to "Canon in d".
I really cant remember what it sounds like right now, but when I heard her playing it I got tears in my eyes, so that was settled. Then we will be walking out to the "Wedding March". There are a bunch of songs in between there, but I dont really remember what they are. LOL

[mlm063007]

Ok, I just realized that I am at 111 until the wedding!!! I can remember when other brides would be that close and thinking it would be exciting going from 555 to 444 to 333... And this is the first time I have even realized it!! LOL

[KMS]

Well, happy birthday Miss 21 year old!! Your 21st bday sounds a lot like how I celebrated mine, but I got some sort of rum drink instead of tequila! That is so funny that you didn't even get carded...haha. It figures!

Picking out the wedding music sounds so difficult! It probably makes this whole wedding thing seem so much more real! Is Canon in D the song that a lot brides walk down the aisle to? I think that I'll probably choose that one as well.

[NicksBride]

Happy Late Birthday!!!
Glad you had a nice time.
ohh wedding music, that was really stressful for Nick and I, so I am glad that you guys did it well. :)

[Panthers Bride]

Congrats on reaching 111! So what are all the songs for your wedding? I'm just curious.

[mlm063007]

So what are all the songs for your wedding? I'm just curious.

LOL. I KNEW someone was going to ask me that. I really dont remember the names except for the ones I said above. Let me get the list later so I can have the actual titles:D

[NicksBride]

You are really getting down there. Not long now!!!!

[mlm063007]

I am going to send out all my Thank You's today, from both showers.

We are also going to go to our cake bakers home and finalize that. Our cake is somewhat similiar to this cake, just the beading drapes down from each tier. I was thinking though, that I would like to do a square cake instead.http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:qdCjzpMv1Q9PPM:http://www.pinkcakebox.com/images/cake122a.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pinkcakebox.com/images/cake122a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://blog.pinkcakebox.com/wedding-cake-2006-08-13.htm&h=543&w=400&sz=68&hl=en&start=51&um=1&tbnid=qdCjzpMv1Q9PPM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=97&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwedding%2Bcakes%26start%3D40%26ndsp%3 D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN)

I also just realized that I COMPLETELY forgot about the natural family planning classes that we have to take!! OMG!!! I am going to try to sign up today, so hopefully we can get it completed and still be able to be married!!:bbeek:

[KMS]

Look at you being all responsible and sending your thank you notes! Everybody is going to have to stay on my butt about that...I tend to let those kinds of things slide.

Ummm did you get signed up for the class? That would just be bad! On a happy note, I really like the cake. I think that it would look equally as pretty with square tiers too.

[mlm063007]

I called to sign up for the class but the lady wasnt in, so I guess I'll try again Tuesday.

We went to Clayton's cousin's wedding tonight. They had their reception at the same hall we are having our's in. It was neat to go and get ideas. Only 5 weeks left!!!!
Everyone was asking us if we were ready tonight...OF COURSE!!!!:D LOL

[Goin2thechapel]

Yay!! Isn't it amazing that when you're engaged you go to other wedding and taking some ideas...LOL...I did the same thing!!!

I can't believe you only have 5 weeks left..Holy cow!

[NicksBride]

wow, time is really flying!!! Good thinking about the classes and remembering now. :)

Nothing like seeing the room before your wedding, I bet it just made it seem so exciting for you!! not to long now.

[mlm063007]

Okay ladies, I am down to one month........!!!!!!!AHHHHH!!!!!
I cant believe it!!!

Well I called and we are scheduled for the NFP classes on June 14th. I read a thing on thier website that says they like for it to be completed at least 6 months in advance.:bbeek: Oooops. LOL. 2 weeks before isnt too bad, right??? At least it will get done.

My BM dresses were supposed to be in yesterday. But they still arent in yet:bbcry: . The person at the Wedding Shoppe said that she forgot to add a day for Memorial Day. All I can say is that they better be in tomorrow!!!

[mlm063007]

We have our bachelor/bachelorette party all planned out, well for the most part. We are going to have it at my future in-laws house. It will start about 4 or 5 and I cant wait!! I am really looking forward to it!!

I also had a Candle Lighter quit on me. Oh well, I kind of thought it might happen b/c of her financial situation. I am planning on asking another friend to take her place. I was going to ask her in the beginning, but when we first started planning we hadnt really hung out to much. Oh well.

I dont know if I told you that I am having someone come to my house the morning of the wedding to do some of the girls hair. My 2 FSIL's are going to go get theirs done kind of early in the morning, since they have to mess with their kids (FG's & RB). And My sister (MOH) and I are having my Gma come and do our hair. So its really only 4 other girls hair. Its an old friend from HS that is actually graduating today. She always did a good job throughout HS, so I have faith in her.

[mlm063007]

Oh, and one more thing, not wedding related. After work today I came home and Clayton had gone grocery shopping and as I was walking up the back porch I saw that he had bought a bone for our dog, Hobo. As I was walking in I told him "See how much more you love that dog than me. You buy her a bone and you wont even buy me flowers" And on the kitchen table were flowers!!! LOL. He is such a sweetie.:heart:

[KMS]

Awww that's so awesome. Haha. You got yourself a good one hun! Oh and yay for the party plans! Fun, fun!

[Twigler]

One month!! I bet you are getting really excited!

Your fiance sounds like a sweetheart! The last time I got flowers was when Cody proposed! haha!

[Emerald]

Wow you look stunning in your dress! The BM dresses matches great with it.:D

[NicksBride]

ONE MONTH!!!!!!!!!! yea.
that is so sweet that you got flowers. :)

[mlm063007]

The BM dresses are in!!!! Finally!
I have picked up all the dresses except one. And I am going to pick it up tomorrow. My 2 SIL's left theirs there b/c they werent sure who was going to do their alterations. They are going to have Lori's MIL do it, so they will be picking them up and getting that done. I brought one of my cousins to work with me so I could give it to her mom. She is going to be in town tonight, so I want her to make sure it fits. My other cousin picked hers up & tried it on...it fits perfectly!! YAY!! So I am going to make my sister try hers on tonight.

Tonight I am meeting with a friend from high school who is doing the girls hair at my house so she knows how much time &/or extra people she needs. I am going to ask her twin to be my other candle lighter since I had one bail out on me:bbcry: . I am not too upset about it, hopefully the dress will fit her.

I am making a few changes to my bouquet. It was all white, but I think I want to add some colors so that it will stand out against my dress. I added some yellow babys breath stuff, & it looks good, but I think I want to add some blue to it too. We'll see.

[NicksBride]

I cannot believe how close you are getting!!!! It sounds like you have a lot going on in the next few weeks, but it will all get done and then you will be married!!!!
Good luck with the candle lighter and the hair. Glad to hear the BM dresses are in. PHEW! :)

[Goin2thechapel]

Thank God that they're finally in!!! I was starting to get worried. LOL It's not even my wedding!! Jeesh.

PS..How sweet is your FH for getting you flowers....I even Awed outloud :)

[mlm063007]

I had my "new" candle lighter come over today so that we could see if the dress fits her (you can see the whole story in the stresses/vents section). ERGGHHHH! I just wish my first CL would have said something sooner!!!!!!

I found the listing of our songs:
Before the ceremony
Because you loved me
Household of faith
Cherish the treasure
The prayer
Seating of parents/grandparents
Parents Prayer
Mothers lighting the unity candles
The love I learned from you
CL
everything I do, I do it for you
BM
From this moment on
Brides processional
Canon in d
Offetory
I have loved you
Lighting of the unity candle
Two flames that glow
Recessional
Wedding March

If you have any questions about the songs I will post more info....

[NicksBride]

Great songs!!!!

[Emerald]

I am making a few changes to my bouquet. It was all white, but I think I want to add some colors so that it will stand out against my dress. I added some yellow babys breath stuff, & it looks good, but I think I want to add some blue to it too. We'll see.
:bbeek: And I thought baby's breath was only available in white. I learn something new everyday. I hope it's available in green..

[PNS777]

I had my "new" candle lighter come over today so that we could see if the dress fits her (you can see the whole story in the stresses/vents section). ERGGHHHH! I just wish my first CL would have said something sooner!!!!!!

I found the listing of our songs:
Before the ceremony
Because you loved me
Household of faith
Cherish the treasure
The prayer
Seating of parents/grandparents
Parents Prayer
Mothers lighting the unity candles
The love I learned from you
CL
everything I do, I do it for you
BM
From this moment on
Brides processional
Canon in d
Offetory
I have loved you
Lighting of the unity candle
Two flames that glow
Recessional
Wedding March

If you have any questions about the songs I will post more info....

You picked beautiful songs. I love canon it's so beautiful. Congrats!! 3 more weeks!!:grinhappy:

[mlm063007]

:bbeek: And I thought baby's breath was only available in white. I learn something new everyday. I hope it's available in green..

LOL, it isnt REAL. I am doing fake flowers. With fake, every color is available:D

[mlm063007]

Well, we went by the Wedding Shoppe today, and asked if we could just switch out the dresses. It was no problem, she didnt even hesitate. They have just been the NICEST people. I am sooooo grateful to them. We had the other CL try it on, and it was a little big, but it looked MUCH better.

We are thinking about leaving the privacy panels out of the back of the BM/CL dresses. They look kind of neat without it, I just dont know how comfortable the other girls will be without it. We'll see!!!!!!!!

[KMS]

I tned to like some of the dresses without the privacy panel. Hopefully the girls will like the idea too. I'm sooo happy that things worked out with the dress. That's a major relief.

Love the song list. I'm not completely sure how some of them go so I'm going to look them up tomorrow so I will know for sure!

[Twigler]

The song list sounds really great!

I had thought about doing my dress without the panel, but I thought it would be too much with all of the other detail in the dress. I love the look of it out though on most dresses!

[mlm063007]

Yea, Its hard to decide. I guess I will just let the BM decide what they like the best.

OMG CHELSEA!!!! You are down to 3 days!!!!!!

[Twigler]

OMG CHELSEA!!!! You are down to 3 days!!!!!!

lol! It seems totally not real to me! It hasn't sunk in yet that it is that close! SCARY!!!! :petrified:

You will be there before too long!

[mlm063007]

3 more weeks for me! LOL

Well, today my aunt brought over the veil & tiara for me today. It is going to be my something borrowed. Although I dont know if I am going to use the tiara, maybe...

I also got our garters today. I stole the idea from Jacklynn :bbredface:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/8f/b1/03b6_2.JPG (http://cgi.ebay.com/KANSAS-CITY-CHIEFS-WEDDING-GARTER-SET-bridal-garters_W0QQitemZ260111794992QQihZ016QQcategoryZ15 718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphoto hosting)
This is what they look like. I have 3 BM also getting them. Another one is getting the keepsake garter of the chiefs, one the keepsake garter for notre dame, and the other a tossing garter for the packers. I really love this idea, THANK JACKLYNN!!!! LOL

I also got 4 champagne flutes, my cousin is doing the etching on them. They look really good. I will have to post pics later. Tomorrow we are dropping off the BM dresses to have the 1 button bustle done. Thats all the updates for now

[KMS]

All of the last minute details. Yay! The garters are so cute. It's awesome that you are getting them for your bridal party as well. I didn't realize that your bm dresses were getting little bustles. I guess that I missed that somewhere along the way!

[mlm063007]

I didn't realize that your bm dresses were getting little bustles. I guess that I missed that somewhere along the way!

I might not have posted it. I always forget what I put on here and what I am telling other people:bbredface: They have a small train on the back, so we are going to do a small bustle so that it wont get stepped on on the dance floor.

I am also not going to do the tiara. It is an awesome tiara, but my dress is very "ornate" (I dont know if that is the right word) and I dont want to take away from that, so no tiara.

[KMS]

Oh I sooo do the same thing with regards to not being sure what I've already posted!!

Yeah, I feel ya with the tiara thing. That's what I'm thinking with my dress too. I looove your dress...since the first time that I saw it! I think that it's wise to be wary of taking any attention away from it.

[mlm063007]

I am glad someone else has the same problem as me! LOL. Every once in a while I will want to post a little tid bit about something that has changed and then Ill realize I never posted what I was going to do in the first place!:D

Sometimes I feel my dress can be almost too much. (However, when I put it on, all of that flies out the window) I just dont want to look overdone. I mean, we are going with a traditional catholic ceremony, but Clayton & I are pretty laid back people so I want that to show through too.

I have been kind of stressing lately with all the stuff that still has to be done with the wedding! Just too much on my plate at the moment...

I am really wanting to get my nails done before the wedding. There is this one salon in Columbia (about 1 1/2 hours away) that I went to while I was in school there. They do completely gel nails, and I havent ever been able to find a salon that does this. The only thing is that I would either have to go the day of the b/b party. Or the Thursday before the wedding. I dont know that I want to go a week before, what if they break off? But mom doesnt thing we will have time to go the Thursday before. I guess right now I will try to find anther salon that does the gel nails...

[NicksBride]

That is so cute that your BM are getting their dresses bustled as well, I love it.
As far as nails I would get them as close to the wedding as possible. They won't break off but they do grow out with your nails and they always look better freshly polished. However if you want to get them where you went to school I would go for it and just get the same color nail polish they use to necessary touch ups. :)

[mlm063007]

Well ladies, I have 2 weeks and some change left. Can you believe it!?!?!

So almost all of the Bm dresses have been bustled. 4 are done, 3 are getting done at another place. Luckily none of the dresses had to be altered except for that. Also for the 4 that are already done, the seamstriss charged us $10. Not $10 each, just $10. I could not believe it. Thats just $2.50 a dress! There isnt to much to the bustle but still, i just couldnt believe it was that cheap.

Today my FSIL/BM and I went to get color for my hair. She is a licensed cosmotologist, so she gets all the professional stuff. We are going to use something slightly different on my hair. It is the same color, just doesnt use peroxide or something, so it is much healthier, and helps the color last longer. I am going to go over to her house tomorrow night to get it done. While there we also picked up a anti-fade moisturizing shampoo. The lady that was in there helping us had her hair done in the same color as mine almost 4 weeks ago (about the last time I had mine done) and her color still looked SOOO rich, and mine has faded soooo much! I could not believe the difference. I normally cant use color safe shampoos b/c they dry my hair out so bad, and my hair is dry enough on its own!

We also went by Hobby Lobby. I got a few more yellow rose flowers. Just a few for touch ups.

We went by Wal-Mart after that where I picked up Big & Rich's new CD, it has our first dance song on it "Lost in this Moment" I also picked up some hot rollers that the lady at the salon service group recommended. I want to try them out and see if I want to use them the day of the wedding to help hold in curl.

Then we went by Halo & Wings, a store w/ lots of christian stuff in it. There I picked up the paper for our programs. The front is sepia toned with a dogwood flower on it and at the bottom it says "We Do" I got 200, although I think that is over kill, they came in packs of 100 so figured better safe than sorry.

Then finally, the most important part of the day. My dress fitting. I just have to say I LOVE MY DRESS!!!!!! I love the way it looks bustled up in the back. There were a few places we had to have tacked up still. Its a pick-up skirt and it looked a little funny, but when she fixed it, it looked great. My dress has 18 loops that have to be bustled! I could not believe it when she told me. Luckily the color coordinate them, so it shouldnt be too bad. The seamstress said there would probably need to be 3 people helping when it came time to do the bustle!

Well, sorry about wrighting a book! I still have a bit to add, but I will let you all catch up on this first:D Hopefully I'll post the rest tomorrow at work.

And I will be posting pics SOON!!!!

[mlm063007]

Things have been so crazy for me lately, at least its all getting done!! I have less than 2 weeks!!!

We have programs done I really like them. I will TRY to post pics as soon as I can...(Although it might be AFTER the wedding)

Our Bach/Bachette party is this Sat, and I am really excited. My FSIL's said they were going to make jello shots, so we'll see how that goes.

We were all going to get our hair done here at my house the morning of the wedding, but my FSIL's are wanting to do it early in the morning so that they can deal with their kids/husbands :) and my 2 cousins have decided to do theirs in the town that they live so that they dont have to get up so early. My MOH & I are getting ours done by our Gma, so the other 2 will still be getting thier hair done here. I think I am going to ask my friend if she would be willing to do my brothers girlfriend too. She is going to be my personal attendant, so I thought it would be nice for her to do too.

Tomorrow Clayton & I are going to go & apply for our marriage license YAY!!
I am also going to go by an insurance office to see about getting it for our cars, and I am going to have a few highlights put in my hair to lighten it up a bit.

I dont even know what else is going on...:bbredface: :bbeek:

[NicksBride]

WOW! you are almost there, how exciting. It sounds like you are one busy busy girl. :)
Hope everything turns out just the way you want it! Enjoy your party this weekend and take tons of pictures!!!

[KMS]

Woohoo your parties are going to be so much fun!! Jello shots make everything better. LOL. The last ones I had were made with Everclear though. YUCK! Have lots and lots of fun this weekend! Yay! for the marriage license! It's all so REAL!! Good luck with all of the business side of things, ya know like insurance and all that jazz.

[samantha01]

Sounds like you have everything under control. I LOVE that new Big and Rich song, and I am also using it either in the wedding or for the first dance...great minds think alike..haha

[mlm063007]

I really like the Big & Rich song b/c its not their typical kind of song, KWIM? At least, its no "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" :D

We are thinking about hiring a few guys to tend to the bar. We were just asking some different people who were already invited to the wedding, but we thought hiring people would allow the other guys to enjoy themselves.

I went with my FSIL to the Wedding Shoppe today. She wanted to go ahead and pay for her hubby's tux. When we were in there I asked the lady if they had it down that the RB's tux had been paid for. Clayton & I paid for his tux since his sister is doing sooooo much for us. (Her, her husband, and her 2 kids are in the wedding, plus they hosted my shower and are hosting the b/b party this weekend) She said it wasnt written down on the sheet, but that it was probably in her other book. I just hope she finds it. I have the check that I wrote, so it shouldnt be too big of a deal.

I also realized when we were on the way home today that I should have gotten my nails done. I dont know another time that I will be able to do them, unless I do it after work. The only thing about that is that the nail places are in the opposite direction from my work. I'll get it figuresd out.

I am going to drop off the beading for our cake tomorrow, so that will mean everything for our cake is going to be taken care of.

I talked to our priest not too long ago. We can decorate the church Fri after morning mass, and then the rehersal is going to be at 6pm.

Dont think there is anythinge else to update you all on.:D

[mlm063007]

Woohoo your parties are going to be so much fun!! Jello shots make everything better. LOL. The last ones I had were made with Everclear though. YUCK! Have lots and lots of fun this weekend! Yay!

LOL, I guess I will let you know how they were on Sun. Or Mon if I had too many:D :winktongue:

[NicksBride]

Sounds like everything is coming together! Not to long now!

[KMS]

How was the partaaay?? :drunk:

[mlm063007]

Oooops! Guess I have been slacking off a little!

The party was a lot of fun! It was just a HUGE get together with a bunch of friends and family. (I had a little too much to drink:bbredface: )

Anyway...things are CRAZY right now. We went to the hall to set up tables tonight, they are pretty much ready to go.

Tomorrow I am going to pick up my dress (!!!!!!!!!!!!) I am so freakin' excited!:D And I'll be picking up the girls dresses (they had to be pressed)

The guys have been getting their tuxes, only one more has to get his and he is going tomorrow. I LOVE Claytons all white tux, he looks so handsome!!

My ringbearers tux came in a little wrong. The coat had tails and it wasnt supposed to, but I asked them about it and got it taken care of no problem.

We are going to get decorations picked up tomorrow too. And we have to pick up my sister/brother-in-law tomorrow from the airport, so its going to be a pretty busy day.

I will try to take my camera with me to get pics of the whole process...but no promises...my brain is already so frazzled with things to do...

[KMS]

I'm glad that you had such a great time at the party!! I can't belieeeeve that you're going to pick up your dress tomorrow. Wow! You're already setting things up? That's awesome. No pressure with the pictures...I'm sure we'll all understand...Maybe. ;)

[Panthers Bride]

2 more days!!!

[mlm063007]

Woooo Hoooooo!!!!

Only 2 days (almost down to 1) left!!!! I am soooo excited. I went and got my nails done tonight. Tomorrow we are going to finish setting up the hall and the rehersal dinner...and then it will be my wedding day!!

[Twigler]

I cannot believe how fast the time has flown! Your wedding is TOMORROW!!! I am so excited for you! I have been roaming around trying to catch up on everyone's journal. I wish you the best with the wedding! Smile, relax and have a great day!! You are almost part of the Mrs. Club!! I can't wait to see pictures!

[NicksBride]

Your a mrs now! YEA!!!! Congratulations. Hurry with pictures

[mlm063007]

Well Ladies, I am a married woman now!!!

It was all so wonderful. THere were a few little snags along the way, but none of them really mattered. I am off for the next three days so I will be putting all of our gifts away and getting all settled here.

The Friday before was AWFUL! ok, not the whole day, but that afternoon felt like I was the most unlucky person alive!!

[KMS]

I'm so sorry that Friday was so horrible! Gosh...that's not fun at all. :snide: I'm so happy that your day went well though despite the few hiccups in the day. Have a good 3 days off as a married woman! Does Clayton have any time off?

[Goin2thechapel]

COngratulations Meredith!!!

We officially welcome you to the MRS. CLub!!!!

Soo, details woman details!!! Oh yea...Pictures?!?!

[NicksBride]

Congratulations sweetie!! You are a married women, how exciting. Ahem, where are pictures??? oh and details of course.

[mlm063007]

I'm so sorry that Friday was so horrible! Gosh...that's not fun at all. :snide: I'm so happy that your day went well though despite the few hiccups in the day. Have a good 3 days off as a married woman! Does Clayton have any time off?

Nope, no time off, well, not until next week for the honeymoon!!!

Friday morning we were decorating when I realized we hadnt gotten the parent gifts yet! So we had to run to the nearest town to get them. While we were in Wal*Mart we decided to pick up some alcohol for the limo's. So we went to the counter (It was really crowded) We were in one of the "quick" checkouts. Clayton had his ID, but I just left mine since we were in a hurry and I didnt want to have to go and pick it up. So when we get to checkout she asks BOTH of us for our ID's which is ok since I am 21 but I didnt grab it. So she said well, since you touched it to put it on the counter I have to see your ID too. Which is so stupid b/c I have been with my SIL many times when she has had to buy alcohol (before I was 21) and they never asked me for mine. So we argued with her and she said "I have to see it" CLayton had an expired one in his wallet and showed it to her but since it was expired it didnt matter. I dont understand this one as she could see I was 21 even though it was expired, I wanst the one buying it! So we just walked off and left all of our stuff sitting there, which wasnt very nice but I was just sooooo pissed in the moment I didnt care.

more to come....

[mlm063007]

Thanks Amanda & Katy!!! I will keep the updates coming!

[mlm063007]

Then we headed to the Wedding Shoppe, where we got my dress & the tuxes. One of my ushers had a tie that was a little messed up so we went to go and get it. Well, they handed me a blue tie...his was supposed to be yellow. So we called all of the groomsmen/ushers to see what color they had and one other person had blue instead of yellow (only the fathers were supposed to have blue).

Anyway, they said that they would order it and have someone go to the city to pick it up the next morning. It worked out perfect...there were no problems with that.

Then we went to Kroger to get the alcohol we couldnt get at Wal*Mart, and we still hadnt gotten the parent gifts and we were running behind.

We went to the hallmark store and walked around and picked out something for the mothers and decided we wouldnt do the fathers b/c we didnt know what to get them and finally headed home. We had to stop by the bank and get some cash out for our vocalists/organists went home got ready in a hurry and headed to the church...

[neebelung]

Congratulations!! (and +1 on the pics!!!!)

[mlm063007]

Well, I will give you more updates later, I have to get to supper!!!

[KMS]

Nobody has ever tried to ID both Chad & I. That's so lame! How frustrating. I can't believe you guys forgot those presents...tleast women are always happy with something from Hallmark!

[mlm063007]

Our pictures are online! You have to have a user id & password. There is a little bit of personal info so I would be happy to give it to you if you want to PM me. There are a total of 678 pics and even I got tired of looking at them!! LOL. I cant wait till I get the album, I will make sure to scan them in & get them all on here (Well, some) :D I will also try to put them on here as I get copies from friends & family.