~Jessica & Chris - 7.7.07~

[70707Bride]

Yep, getting these in the mail is fun! We just got another one today at my mom's house! I'm glad that people are actually sending them back.

[Jacklynn]

Be thankful for those sending them back!! We have over 100 who didn't send them back saying either way! AND some of them we KNOW are coming because they told so and so... yeah, great RSVP! haha

be thankful for those who are kind and send them back :)

[70707Bride]

Be thankful for those sending them back!! We have over 100 who didn't send them back saying either way! AND some of them we KNOW are coming because they told so and so... yeah, great RSVP! haha

be thankful for those who are kind and send them back :)


100 people? That is a lot! That's too bad that they can't RSVP.

We just found out that another person is coming, but when she was going to send the RSVP back, she didn't have one! Just the envelope! Oops! :bbredface: Lol.

[NicksBride]

hahaha oh well! At least she is coming. No biggie.
Look at your Yes's going up! How exciting!

[Jacklynn]

100 people? That is a lot! That's too bad that they can't RSVP.

We just found out that another person is coming, but when she was going to send the RSVP back, she didn't have one! Just the envelope! Oops! :bbredface: Lol.

unfortunatly all of the people from my dad's work didn't get response cards!!! lol but that was like 6 people or so... doesn't give an excuse for the the other 94 people! hehe

[nic1124]

2 MONTHS FROM TODAY WE WILL BE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!:bbeek:

[70707Bride]

2 MONTHS FROM TODAY WE WILL BE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!:bbeek:

I know! It'll go by fast now that I'll be done with classes Wednesday!

[70707Bride]

Well a lot of people have pointed out a mistake to us, I forgot to put on the invite where the reception was going to be! :bbredface: For some reason, I didn't even think of it!

[NicksBride]

ohh no biggie. Its just a simple mistake. :) Congratulations on being done classes this week! That must be a big sigh of relief

[Jacklynn]

hehe yeah we forgot to put it on the actual invite itself. We put in a little slip that had directions (which my dad just thought were the worst directions he had ever seen... lol) but if they lost that card they wouldn't know where it was lol

Don't worry about it, they will figure it out. Not to mention if they know there is a reception they may just assume it is following after the ceremony at the church, and you can just have the person marrying you say where it is.

[70707Bride]

I know, I shouldn't be worrying about it. I know its on the website, if people go there, they will see it. I also think that we might have the pastor put it in the programs and make an announcement.

Well yesterday, we didn't get any RSVPs back at Chris' parent's house, and I'm not sure about mine.

I got my veil and tiara picked out this weekend. She ordered it yesterday. I haven't exactly seen the veil, but decided on a long plain one. The tiara has real fresh water pearls in it, or how ever you describe them haha.

[NicksBride]

ohh so exciting about the veil and tiara, everything is just coming together little by little. Good idea about your pastor putting them on the program. Just help out people a bit more!

[70707Bride]

I guess Chris got more RSVPs in the mail yesterday and today. My mom got 2 yesterday I think.

[70707Bride]

Chris got more RSVPs in the mail today! Hehe, yay!

[KMS]

That's SO exciting. I can't wait for that part!

[70707Bride]

I haven't been on a whole lot lately, again. I've been working a lot. So I have some updates!

My veil and tiara came in a couple days ago and I love them! We are getting a few more RSVPs back slowly. We are getting pics taken for the paper today in about 20 minutes. And I'm going to my friend's wedding on June 1!

[70707Bride]

I've been snooping on our registries lol...and so I know some things that we are getting. They are things that we really wanted too!

[KMS]

I've been snooping on our registries lol...and so I know some things that we are getting. They are things that we really wanted too!

Oh I am going to try my best not to do that...I want to be surprised! I know that will last like 2 seconds though. I probably won't be able to help myself!

[70707Bride]

We have to make a few more invites, so since I didn't put a reception card in most of them (:bbredface: ) lol, I have decided to make a few for the last ones we are sending out. I guess I just figured that people would go to the website that I included in the invite to see about the reception.

We are also thinking of doing pics before the wedding of me and the BMs, then him and his GM but not at the same time so he still won't see me haha. Then pics of us after.

[NicksBride]

haha you are to funny. I wouldn't worry about the mishap on the cards. word of mouth is really powerful as is the website. Everyone will figure it out one way or another. :)

[70707Bride]

More RSVPs! We got a couple more that are coming and some that aren't.

[NicksBride]

Wow, look at your numbers climb. So exciting!

[70707Bride]

Wow, look at your numbers climb. So exciting!

Yup, and there is a lot that we haven't got back. I was so worried that we wouldn't have enough space, now it looks like I had nothing to worry about :bbconfused: I hope that at least most of the other people reply somehow. It would be hard to plan for enough if people don't reply. There is a big difference between 72 and 180!

[NicksBride]

I agree!!! What you may have to do as it gets closer is just get down and dirty and call. I had to do that for a few and it is really stinks, but if you want numbers sometimes that is what you have to do. augh, the brides job is NEVER done. :)

[July707Bride]

That's so awesome that you've gotten that many back. I've only gotten one so far this week and am rather disappointed I haven't gotten more back (and my "yes" count includes the wedding party who did not even receive invites...so the number are really less than that for actual RSVPs). We haven't gotten ANY from our immediate family yet. They have until June 23rd but I need to order place cards, wish cards, and thank yous and was hoping to have a rough estimate in the next couple of weeks so I could order those things and get them in time...grrr. I hope you keep getting more in, that's so exciting! :D

[70707Bride]

That's so awesome that you've gotten that many back. I've only gotten one so far this week and am rather disappointed I haven't gotten more back (and my "yes" count includes the wedding party who did not even receive invites...so the number are really less than that for actual RSVPs). We haven't gotten ANY from our immediate family yet. They have until June 23rd but I need to order place cards, wish cards, and thank yous and was hoping to have a rough estimate in the next couple of weeks so I could order those things and get them in time...grrr. I hope you keep getting more in, that's so exciting! :D

We decided on RSVPing by May 21 because the reception place said they needed to know 30 days before, for how much food/seating and stuff like that to prepare for. So people probably think that "oh, we have enough time to decide" when really they don't. I put it on the website that we need to know sooner for that reason and not everyone has sent one back.

In other news.

My aunt called me this morning and said that instead of doing a shower for me, just spending that same amount of money on something from our registry. I told her that I didn't care, it was up to her. So she was talking about getting us the pan set that we wanted that was over $200. When she said that, I was also thinking that this idea would be good too because Chris keeps saying that he isn't getting anything off there that he wants. He says it jokingly but it is true lol. And he wanted those pans so bad so if she does get those, I won't tell him that it was her, but he'll see it on the registry as received lol.

[70707Bride]

They have until June 23rd but I need to order place cards, wish cards, and thank yous and was hoping to have a rough estimate :D

Are those the same with cards from Jean M that had the vase thing and the book? I wanted those so bad! I thought about just ordering the book and the cards and then just buying some big vase from Hobby Lobby or somewhere.

[July707Bride]

Are those the same with cards from Jean M that had the vase thing and the book? I wanted those so bad! I thought about just ordering the book and the cards and then just buying some big vase from Hobby Lobby or somewhere.

Yep, those are them! I didn't buy the vase through Jean M though because they wanted $34! I just bought a pretty blue glass hurricane vase at Target for $14.99. But I'm planning on getting the album and then putting a card at each place setting and a few pens at each table. I figure, knowing my family, they're more likely to fill them out if they're sitting at the table when they get there. Otherwise I have a feeling few would actually go up to the table and fill one out on their own and then we would have wasted a ton of money.

[70707Bride]

Yep, those are them! I didn't buy the vase through Jean M though because they wanted $34! I just bought a pretty blue glass hurricane vase at Target for $14.99. But I'm planning on getting the album and then putting a card at each place setting and a few pens at each table. I figure, knowing my family, they're more likely to fill them out if they're sitting at the table when they get there. Otherwise I have a feeling few would actually go up to the table and fill one out on their own and then we would have wasted a ton of money.


Did you order it from the website or magazine? How long did it take to get them?

[70707Bride]

Yesterday we ordered 2 full sheet cakes from Hy-Vee. They will be half chocolate and half white. I know that one will have rose buds on each piece, alternating red and yellow. I'm not sure if they other one will be too or not. We also went to Big Muddy's to talk about the reception. We kinda placed our order for the food. And we might be able to play our own CDs without a DJ for the music, but I don't remember for sure. We don't want to pay $350 or whatever it was for a DJ for 3 or 4 hours. I don't want music going that long.

[July707Bride]

Did you order it from the website or magazine? How long did it take to get them?

Well, the vase I bought from Target. I plan on ordering the wishing cards and album from the Jean M website. I've already ordered a ton from them (all through the website). I would say that you'll get it within two weeks. They're pretty good about it. I'm actually planning on ordering my cards and placecards around the second week of June and they should be here in plenty of time. If you want to order something and are nervous about only giving it two weeks order a week earlier if you can and you'll definitely have it within three weeks. :D

[70707Bride]

Well, the vase I bought from Target. I plan on ordering the wishing cards and album from the Jean M website. I've already ordered a ton from them (all through the website). I would say that you'll get it within two weeks. They're pretty good about it. I'm actually planning on ordering my cards and placecards around the second week of June and they should be here in plenty of time. If you want to order something and are nervous about only giving it two weeks order a week earlier if you can and you'll definitely have it within three weeks. :D

Thanks for letting me know! I should probably get them ordered then!

[Twigler]

Wow! Time is really starting to come fast! Aren't you excited!? It seems like not that long ago we were talking about all of the months left! Now you are almost below one month! Congrats on all you are getting done so far! I can't wait to see the finished results!

[70707Bride]

Wow! Time is really starting to come fast! Aren't you excited!? It seems like not that long ago we were talking about all of the months left! Now you are almost below one month! Congrats on all you are getting done so far! I can't wait to see the finished results!

I know I have 1 month left! This is craziness!

[70707Bride]

I still want to order the Wedding Wishes Book from Jean M. and a cake top that will be used for a decoration instead. I'm not sure if I'm going to order the cake top only because I know I will be charging some other things coming up, and this really isn't necessary. Its not something I NEED. So I think I'm going to give this up to save me some money. :(


$29 each
http://www.myjeanm.com/ppe/Images/128/ProdGrfx/W04752_353cpr.jpg

$8 for the book itself
http://www.myjeanm.com/ppe/Images/128/ProdGrfx/W04752_379pr.jpg

[70707Bride]

Ok, well I just ordered the book! Yay! Something else out of the way now. We are just going to buy a vase and make our own cards. It is a lot cheaper that way.

[NicksBride]

ohh that book is really pretty!! Great idea!

[KMS]

I think that's a really great idea. It's going to be so cute!

[70707Bride]

Thx for the comments! Well I haven't been on a whole lot lately, I've been busy with work, and trying to get wedding stuff done, but when I get on I don't have a whole lot of time to spend on here. I know you all understand that.

So here is what I was up to today:

I went to my friend's wedding today near Chicago! One of my BM's and I drove like 3.5-4 hours for this. I haven't seen her for about 6 or 7 years. It was a really nice wedding. Very beautiful and not overdone. The reception was a sit down dinner, we had a salad, rolls, and some kind of chicken seasoned with a sauce, and we had something like twice baked potatoes and veggies. The cake was beautiful! I forgot my camera so I didn't get pics, hopefully she will have some up on Facebook. The cake was up on those post things that hold one tier up, not sure what they're called. And there was a small water fountain under the cake.

I might be able to post more about it later, but I have to go for right now.

[KMS]

I've only seen those little fountains in pictures, never on a real cake. I always thought that those were so pretty!

[70707Bride]

I've only seen those little fountains in pictures, never on a real cake. I always thought that those were so pretty!

Yup, it was very pretty!

[Twigler]

We are doing the fountain thing on our cake! It will be on the first tier (sp?) and it will be a clear fountain with red water.

Sounds like things are really coming along! One month! Wooo Hoo!!

[70707Bride]

We are doing the fountain thing on our cake! It will be on the first tier (sp?) and it will be a clear fountain with red water.

Sounds like things are really coming along! One month! Wooo Hoo!!

Her's was under the cake, the cake was raised up. It looked really cool!

[70707Bride]

Well today, we went to the reception place to finish the plans for there. We decided on all the food, which can be tweeked later on if needed.

[KMS]

Now that's not fair...what did you decide on?? :D

[NicksBride]

Yes, please tell us so we can drool. hahaha

[70707Bride]

Well, since our wedding is in the middle of the afternoon, we didn't want a whole bunch of stuff or a buffet type. We just decided on something light and cheap. It is going to be ham and turkey cocktail sandwiches, veggie trays, fruit trays, potato salad, chips & dip, coffee, tea, punch, cash bar, and cake of course! Nothing fancy.

[NicksBride]

Sounds great!!!! That is the kind of wedding food I would want. Great choices

[ger]

That sounds like fantastic food for a reception. And much easier to serve. People don't have to wait for a sit down meal. They can mingle more. Sounds delicious.

[70707Bride]

Thanks everybody!

[Twigler]

Your food is just like our food! Cheap and esay! (I hope you don't take offence to that). We are doing ham/turkey/roast beef trays with cheese, veggy trays, potato salad, fruit, and chips.

You are getting closer!!!

[70707Bride]

Your food is just like our food! Cheap and esay! (I hope you don't take offence to that). We are doing ham/turkey/roast beef trays with cheese, veggy trays, potato salad, fruit, and chips.

You are getting closer!!!

No, I am not offended by that. That is exactly why we chose to have that food, because it was cheap and easy! I think maybe its also a Midwest thing. Haha. I always hear of people around here having cocktail sandwiches and stuff like that for receptions.

[Twigler]

No, I am not offended by that. That is exactly why we chose to have that food, because it was cheap and easy! I think maybe its also a Midwest thing. Haha. I always hear of people around here having cocktail sandwiches and stuff like that for receptions.

Yeah, it must be a Midwest thing! It sounds so funny to me when other brides talk of having a cocktail hour. It seems so out of place to me just because it is not done much around here (I mean that with NO offense to all the brides who are having one!)

Plus, another good thing is that we can eat the leftovers!

[70707Bride]

Yeah, it must be a Midwest thing! It sounds so funny to me when other brides talk of having a cocktail hour. It seems so out of place to me just because it is not done much around here (I mean that with NO offense to all the brides who are having one!)

Plus, another good thing is that we can eat the leftovers!

Yes, this is true. Whateve we don't eat, we can take home!

In other news, my mom ordered napkins today. I think the bigger ones are going to be white with red roses and red lettering with our names and date. Then the smaller ones are going to be red, with gold lettering I think.

We had a meeting with the organist on Thursday, we will be walking in to "Ode to Joy". We had an appointment with the cake people. The main cake is going to serve about 140 or so, and is going to be white with strawberry filling, which I'm thinking of changing the middle layer to white with some other filing. Not sure yet, and then we cut our order at Hy-Vee down to smaller sheet cakes, which are going to be plain white and chocolate.

We added more flowers to our list yesterday. The BMs are going to have flowers in their hair, as well as the FG. We got the cake server, our toasting glasses, and unity candles ordered earlier this week.

[ger]

You are just moving right along. The napkins sound very pretty!! We liked the idea of being able to take home what we hadn't eaten too. It helped with the brunch the next morning. Everyone seemed quite happy to eat the same thing again. Not one complaint...not even from the teens!! LOL

[70707Bride]

Oh, I forgot to say that I ordered the Jean M wedding wishes book last week or so, and it came in a couple days ago. The shipping was very fast, and I am happy with their service...just some advice.

[Goin2thechapel]

How did it come out???

I was thinking of doing that for my wedding but never really got around to it :(
Are you doing this instead of a guest boook?? Either way, I loved the idea :)

LESS THAN A MONTH NOW!!!

[KMS]

So many women on here have had good experiences with Jean M. I think that wedding wishes book is such a cute idea. The cake sounds so yummy...I love white & strawberry cake. Of coarse it's good to have some chocolate type cakes too so that everybody is satisfied. Come to think of it, a bite of both chocolate and strawberry sounds good!!

[70707Bride]

How did it come out???

I was thinking of doing that for my wedding but never really got around to it :(
Are you doing this instead of a guest boook?? Either way, I loved the idea :)

LESS THAN A MONTH NOW!!!

We are doing both. And I know, less than 1 MONTH!

[NicksBride]

Wow 25 days! It sounds like you are just plugging right along. Glad to hear that things are coming in and you like them. Not long now!

[70707Bride]

Not sure if I already posted this, but we picked up our marriage license ealier this week. My pastor sent us a first draft of the program, a few things in there have to be changed.

My aunt gave us our gift already. We opened it on Sunday and it was the cookware set that we wanted! We both kinda thought that it was going to be that haha. So now we have new pots and pans.

[PNS777]

I can't believe how close it is. Just 4 more saturdays and we'll be married woman!! :D

[ger]

Neat!! You know it's coming when you pick up your marriage license. How very exciting.

It sure is nice to have new pots and pans. That is one thing we purchased with the gift card that my co-workers got us. That and a couple of trees. We love our new pans. Hope you do too!!!

[70707Bride]

We just got another gift from someone who can't make it til the wedding. We opened it up last night and it was the Pyrex glass container set that we wanted! Yay!

[NicksBride]

YEA for wedding gifts. I just cannot believe how close it all is. For all the 7-7-7 brides. WOWZER!
enjoy these last few weeks! Don't stress, enjoy. :)

[70707Bride]

So last night after my friend's car accident, we went back to my house and sorted out M&Ms. We had a bunch from V-Day that we had to take the pink ones out of. That took a while, but it was fun...so now that is done!

[KMS]

That just made me giggle...sorting out M&Ms! Send all of the pink ones my way! ;)

[70707Bride]

That just made me giggle...sorting out M&Ms! Send all of the pink ones my way! ;)


Hehe, I wish I could, we have so many!

Last night we started making the favors, then ran out of ribbon after 30 cups of M&Ms! Haha, so we started tying ribbons onto the bubbles. We thought we wouldn't have enough M&Ms for the favors...I think we are going to have loads left!

[NicksBride]

Sounds like fun!! I want them. hehehehe

[ger]

Can I have some M&M's? I should go get some. That sounds good, especially on top of some ice cream!! YUM!!

[nic1124]

Can I have some M&M's? I should go get some. That sounds good, especially on top of some ice cream!! YUM!!

Oh yeah!!! Sounds awesome!

In less than 2 weeks we will be wives!!

[70707Bride]

Can I have some M&M's? I should go get some. That sounds good, especially on top of some ice cream!! YUM!!

Yeah that would be good! Yum...

[70707Bride]

Oh yeah!!! Sounds awesome!

In less than 2 weeks we will be wives!!

Yeah, its crazy isn't it?! Like 4 years ago I had no idea I'd be getting married already! 4 years ago I had just met Chris haha.

[NicksBride]

all you 7-7-7 brides are getting so much closer. You must be bursting

[70707Bride]

all you 7-7-7 brides are getting so much closer. You must be bursting

Yeah, there are so many 7-7-7 brides! I'm at the point where I don't want to do anymore! And there is still stuff to be done.

[Twigler]

Yeah! You are almost a Mrs.!!! I am so excited for you and cannot wait to hear all about it!

[70707Bride]

Yesterday my parents and sister went down to St. Louis to pick up my aunt who flew in from AZ. I still need to finish the song list and have my brother make a CD. The programs are done, my pastor is doing them and when you have the church make them, they are free. After all the bags of M&Ms from V-Day (we picked out the pink ones), and the 5lb bag of yellow M&Ms, we only got 159 favors. We went and just got regular bags of M&Ms and picked out the yellow and red ones so we have to finish those. I still have to make direction cards for the reception and they will be placed at the church for those who need them. We are getting manicures & pedicures on Thursday. I still have to make Wedding Wishes cards for my book. We have to go pick up our dress this week...obvioulsy haha. My mom wanted to do that Friday! I think maybe Wednesday or something earlier.

Wow, what else?!

[KMS]

Wow it seems like you got everything covered! You're never going to want to see M&Ms again. lol.

[Twigler]

Wow it seems like you got everything covered! You're never going to want to see M&Ms again. lol.
That's the way I was with bows! lol!

[70707Bride]

Wow it seems like you got everything covered! You're never going to want to see M&Ms again. lol.

I know! There are so many M&Ms at our house! Its like a child's dream! LOL.

I just remembered tonight that we never got a pen for the guest book! Lol. I think we're gonna go look at the Hallmark store at the mall tomorrow. I am printing off the Wedding Wishes cards now and direction cards to the reception. I don't know if I said earlier in my journal that I was wanting to do a memorial candle for my grandparents, then couldn't find an unscented red candle. So then we decided on roses, but then when we were at the church to finalize things, I thought 'well, it would be easier to get a scented candle then to hand out roses'. So Chris called his aunt and had her order that candle holder and we should get that tomorrow.

We are going to pick up the rings tomorrow at her shop, too. And don't let me forget the other gifts for the BMs! I have to pick up that from her too! Then I think that is all!

[PNS777]

WOW!! Only 5 more days until we are MRS!! Hope planning is going good!!

[NicksBride]

Can't wait to hear about your special LUCKY day!

[Goin2thechapel]

I'm gonna play the lottery on your wedding day!!! It's almost here!!!

[KMS]

I'm gonna play the lottery on your wedding day!!! It's almost here!!!

I hadn't thought about that yet! Good idea!!

[70707Bride]

Thx everybody! I think everybody will play the lottery on that day! LOL. I haven't been on a bunch lately again, you all know the last minute thing to worry about! We were going to go get my dress an hour away yesterday, but my mom called up there first and she said that she thought we were picking it up on Saturday! So she has to have it ready by tomorrow!

The seamstress that did my sister's dress didn't do a good job, I hope the other 2 are better, they are done by different people. I'm worried that my brother won't get the CD done for the reception by tomorrow so I can see it if works down there first! Arg!

Well in a little bit, Chris, his mom, my aunt, my mom, my sister, and me are going out for Chinese and maybe go see "License to Wed" haha.

Sorry I don't have pics of many things, I will after the wedding though, I just never got my film developed.

We are getting pedicures tomorrow morning, and I didn't think about places being closed today for the 4th, so I'll have to call tomorrow morning at the place we want to get our nails done and see if they have openings for tomorrow morning after pedicures or Friday. I hope they do!

Anyway, gots to go eat and then later we'll do BM gifts! Yay!

[Twigler]

Woo hoo! It is almost here! Isn't the last week before the wedding absolutely crazy?! I hope everything is going ok for you! Just relax, take deep breaths and enjoy!!

[bichonlvr]

GEtting SOOOO close..how exciting for you all!!!!

[Goin2thechapel]

It's almost here!!!!! Are you ready?!?!?!

[Twigler]

Today is the Day!! I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations!! It looks like it is a beautiful day outside for you! I wish you a wonderful day!!

[sjk1431]

I hope you had a great day. Congrats!!!

[KMS]

I hope that your day was wonderful! Your officially a Mrs. :D

[70707Bride]

Thanks everybody! I just now got a chance to get on! I'm sure you all understand. I have so much to share but we are kinda on a time limit right now. We had to go home to get some stuff and then we will be on our way back to our hotel in Burlington, IA. We are leaving for Minnesota tomorrow morning!

Can't wait to share picks and my day with you all!

[val24]

YAY Congratualtions!!!!

[KMS]

Yay! Congrats! Have a fantastic time in Minnesota. I'm so glad that you got to check in with us.

[pinkcherry83]

Congrats! I hope you guys are enjoying your honeymoon.

[shawnsgirl]

yeah!! Congratulations!! Hurry back I can't wait to hear more!!

[NicksBride]

COngratulations!!!! enjoy your honeymoon and can't wait to see how beautiful you were on your special day!

[70707Bride]

Thanks everybody! We left home later than we planned, 9:30am and arrived at our hotel at 3:30pm. I'm going to start an AFTER WEDDING JOURNAL finally!!!! soon.

[ger]

I hope you had an amazing day..and an even better honeymoon!! Enjoy! Can't wait to see pictures.