Stephen & Nicole~Oct. 7, 2006

[ikkin510]

ABOUT EACH OF US

I'm 23, originally from Nazareth, PA. I now work as a 911 Dispatcher in Tunkhannock, PA. I love to spend time outside, play the piano, spend time with friends and go to hockey games.

Steve has lived in Tunkhannock all his life. His paying job is a 911 Dispatcher, but his true love and dream job is being a fire fighter. He is a very active member and is slowing working his way up to (hopefully) become an assistant chief. His other past times are hunting and watching hockey. He also coaches volleyball August through November at the local school.

HOW WE MEET

I was out on a blind date with a friend of his. We had gone to see a hockey game with my date's cousin and her boyfriend. Steve just so happened to be using one of his brother's season tickets for that games. So in between periods, he came up with his friend. We really didn't talk too much, since I was suppose to be on a date. I definatly thought he was cute and liked talking to him the little bit I got to, though. So, the next weekend I was invited to a superbowl party by the same guy I was on the date with. I get there and my date start being a jerk. I decided there that he was definatly not a guy a wanted to date. Low and behold who shows up...Steve. Come to find out, my date had gone up to Steve and told him that (my date) thought of him when he met me and thought he should get to know me. We ended up hangin out all night. I was living an hour and a half away at the time, but made the trip up to hang up with him every weekend. After 2 months I was definaly falling for him and the small town feel, so I moved up here. We've been spending every day together since!

[ikkin510]

I got home from work on October 6, 2005 and Steve made hamburgers for dinner, nothing unusual. But, I walked in the living room, and he had a picinic set up! He bought the fleese blanket I had been looking at at Walmart (it's red with fall leaves on it.) Bought flowers and everything. I was so excited. So we ate our hamburgers like any other dinner. Then cleaned up and the picninc was over. I thought, o well, maybe another day. So we are sitting there just talking about nothing in general when he said "can I keep you?" I said well, of course, you know that. Next thing I know he pulls the ring box out from under the couch cushin and says open it. I just sat there staring at the closed box. I couldn't bring myself to open it. But when I finally did, I was shocked!!! We had looked at rings online, and I found a couple I liked, but none of them were ever what I pictured my perfect ring. I never told him what it looked like, but once I finally got over the shock and opened the box was the ring I was dreaming of. The most beautiful ring I had ever seen and my mouth dropped open and I started to cry. I asked him how he knew that that was the ring, the one I never told him about, never showed him, but it was THE ONE. He said he saw it and he knew, just like the first time he saw me. Then he said, so in 365 days, will you marry me? I think you know my answer!

[ikkin510]

Here are the flower I want. I love them! They are kinda expensive though and I can't find the exactly calla lillies in silks.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/flowers2.jpg

And here is a picture of a cake we like.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/cake1.jpg

[ikkin510]

Here is the rind of my dreams which is now on my finger!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/25de57c6.jpg

Sorry it's so big, I can't figure out how to re-size the picture.

[ikkin510]

I bought my dress on Monday. Here is the link to it. It's ivory with champagne trim.

http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridal_gowns_detail.jsp?stid=1210&prodgroup=10

I want to make my veil. There was one at the store that was perfect with my dress, but we have a small budget. Only $5,000 for the entire day. So, I couldn't spend $140 on a veil. Here is the picture of it at the store. If anyone know's how to make it, let me know! (Just a note, it is shown with my dress!)

http://www.davidsbridal.com/accessory_detail.jsp?stid=1310&prodgroup=140

I haven't decided on a tiara yet. I'd like one, but I haven't found one I love.

[ikkin510]

Here are my bridesmaids:

MOH-Taren-my best friend for as long as I can remember. She is also kinda my wedding planner since that is what she does for a living!
BM1-Amanda-my sister
BM2-Julie-Steve's cousin, my neighbor, and a very good friend of mine
BM3-Lindsey-Steve's cousin, my neighbor, and another good friend

For their dress, we have decided to make them ourselves. But of course, I can't find a dress that they all agree on. Everyone keeps telling me just to pick something, it's your wedding, they will wear it. But I want something that they love and want to wear annd may wear again one day. I haven't decided on a color yet either. I don't like the dark brown, but I though maybe a light brown. Either that or a burnt orange or a gold color. Just another thing I can't decide on!

[ikkin510]

And now for the groomsmen (most of which Steve hasn't even asked to be in the wedding yet!) He just can't decide who to have as a bestman. I told him he didn't need one, but he figures whoever is paired up with my MOH will be his bestman anyway. So here they are, in no particular order yet!

Jeff-his brother
BJ-a close friend, and quite the party animal might I add! lol
Tim-a close friend
Jeremy-Another good friend

Right now we have one ringbear, my 3 yr (at the wedding 4) cousin Matthew. We are also thinking about asking Steve's cousins son to be a second ring bear, Shane who is 4 (at the wedding 5.) We won't be having any flower girls so we thought 2 ringbears would be cute.

[ikkin510]

This would be a lot easier if I could make a decision and not change it a week later. For favors, we know we want to have those chocolate lolliepops in the shape of leaves. You can buy different color chocolate, so we will have brown, red and yellow. My aunt and my grandmother are goign to make them for us. We'd like to do somethign else too, but can't decide what. I found cute votives on oriental trading, but they are sold out and they don't know it they will be getting anymore. They have fall leaves on them and could be personalized. So we are trying to come up with a back-up. No luck so far.

Centerpieces are yet another thing I can't decide on. Nothing just seems right. My mom is getting frustrated because she has loved a couple ideas, and I just change my mind cause they don't seem right. So anything will a good fall themed centerpiece idea, let me know, PLEASE!!!

[ikkin510]

Well, we have the reception site booked, the firehouse that Steve is a part of. They make awesome food there! Not to mention, we get the site for free and the food at a discounted prices!! ;)
The church is the Ousterhaut Bible chruch. It's a small, cute church that Steve grew up in and I now attend too. The pastor is such an awesome guy. That is all reserved and ready to go too.
We are going from the church to the reception in the firecompanies antique fire truck!!! That is going to be so exciting.
The photographer is a long time friend of mine so we are getting her services at a good price too.
We are in the works of getting a DJ. He is the best in the area and a friend of Steve's. We just have to see if we can get him to come down on the price a little bit and then that will be set.
The florist isn't picked yet, but I have time for that. I feel like I have nothing done. I have no clue on music, church decorations, readings, the unity candles, I do have the guest book though (yay!). Can't decide on what the girls are going to wear, or if they will have the same flowers as me or not.
I have some idea for reception decorations. The white christmas lights and those strands of fall leaves. The firehouse is going to order some fall colored table clothes just for us.
I just feel like there is so much to do and I am going to forget things. I'm glad I have a lot of time yet. But I'm also the type of person who likes to have things done way ahead of time so I don't have to worry about them. That's why I'm so thankful to have everyone her to help me not forget and go insane!!! Thanks ladies!

[ikkin510]

Ok, so Steve talked to the DJ we want again. The price he has given us is still higher then I want to spend. Steve really wants this guy. He's a great guy and I know would do an awesome job, but I just don't know if we can afford it! We have a tight budget so as it is. So, one day this week Steve wants to sit down and crunch numbers to see if we can get some money from a different area to get this guy. I know I have a little extra from my dress since it was a little cheaper then I expected. BUT I still need to get it altered and I don't know if I can find someone to do it for me. I don't want to take it to the bridal salon cause I think they charge way to much. Not to mention we have to right out a budget for our pastor for our counciling. Not that that is a huge deal. I already have a budget but Steve doesn't. We aren't going to live together till after we are married. He is going to be the tough one on that. He's good with money, but hates to go buy a budget. He does everything in his head. Anyhoot, I'm rambling again. Still haven't come up with any more favor ideas or centerpiece ideas. O well. We have plenty of time yet.

[ikkin510]

Ok, so yesterday we were talking about the DJ. We sat down and looked over the budget and realized we budgeted REALLY high on the food at the reception. When we take it down the a more realistic price, what do you know, exactly the amount Steve needs for his DJ. He is as happy as can be now. I'm just glad we have a DJ. The only thing that bugs me is that I knew we were high on the food and wanted to use that money for other things. We are slightly high on flowers so that's some cash, but I'm sure I"m forgetting to figure in some stuff. We are trying to work everythign off of the $5000 my parents are giving us. But, it's looking like there may be a lot more expense on our part then we planned. Like all the gifts for people.

Then there are the bridesmaid dresses. Well, I was planning on picking a pattern and fabric, giving it out to everyone and they just have to worry about having it made. I would be paying for all the supplies. Yeah, I don't know about that now. My girls can't all agree on anything!! Color, style, length. I know I get the final say, but I want it to be a dress that they would wear again if they wanted too. I know I have old prom dress, and BM dresses in my closet that I will never wear again. The thing is two of the girls are EXTREME opposits in the style world. Any way, now my MOH was going to have her mom make the dress, but now her mom isn't able too and she doesn't know who else to ask. My mother is having a hissy fit cause she doesn't know who to ask to make my sisters and how can I be so inconsiderate about this! She says it would be so much easier to just buy the dresses like any other wedding. Yeah. Ok, so 2 girls don't want to make them and 2 do. Well the 2 that do want them made can't afford to buy dresses (they are sisters) and I understand that. I'm just not sure what to do. I wish I could find nice, inexpensive dresses that everyone could agree on and had in their area. Since my MOH is in Wi and everyone else is in PA that makes it kinda tough. David's (where I got my dress) gave me a coupon for 15% of BM dresses. Too bad their cheapest dress is $99. That's still about $170 that I have to pay for 2 dresses. Steve says to just buy it since we over budgeted on things, but again, there are other things that we may have under budgeted for or other things that need to be bought. Yes, just something else to stress me out...lol.

[KMac]

Hey Nicole,
Love your journal, you have beautiful ideas. You were asking for an idea about your bouquets, have you tried Michaels Florists. I don't know the exact web site, but when I find it, I'll let you know. They have silk flowers (callil-lillies). They have stores in Canada, and I THINK in the U.S as well!
Good Luck!
KMac
:)

[bnd94]

I got home from work on October 6, 2005 and Steve made hamburgers for dinner, nothing unusual. But, I walked in the living room, and he had a picinic set up! He bought the fleese blanket I had been looking at at Walmart (it's red with fall leaves on it.) Bought flowers and everything. I was so excited. So we ate our hamburgers like any other dinner. Then cleaned up and the picninc was over. I thought, o well, maybe another day. So we are sitting there just talking about nothing in general when he said "can I keep you?" I said well, of course, you know that. Next thing I know he pulls the ring box out from under the couch cushin and says open it. I just sat there staring at the closed box. I couldn't bring myself to open it. But when I finally did, I was shocked!!! We had looked at rings online, and I found a couple I liked, but none of them were ever what I pictured my perfect ring. I never told him what it looked like, but once I finally got over the shock and opened the box was the ring I was dreaming of. The most beautiful ring I had ever seen and my mouth dropped open and I started to cry. I asked him how he knew that that was the ring, the one I never told him about, never showed him, but it was THE ONE. He said he saw it and he knew, just like the first time he saw me. Then he said, so in 365 days, will you marry me? I think you know my answer!

Awww!!! I love this!! I was expecting you to say he hid it in the burger and you bit it though! LOL!! The way he did it was much nicer and easier on your teeth too!:D

[bnd94]

This would be a lot easier if I could make a decision and not change it a week later. For favors, we know we want to have those chocolate lolliepops in the shape of leaves. You can buy different color chocolate, so we will have brown, red and yellow. My aunt and my grandmother are goign to make them for us. We'd like to do somethign else too, but can't decide what. I found cute votives on oriental trading, but they are sold out and they don't know it they will be getting anymore. They have fall leaves on them and could be personalized. So we are trying to come up with a back-up. No luck so far.

Centerpieces are yet another thing I can't decide on. Nothing just seems right. My mom is getting frustrated because she has loved a couple ideas, and I just change my mind cause they don't seem right. So anything will a good fall themed centerpiece idea, let me know, PLEASE!!!

What kind of centerpiece do you want? Candles, flowers, both...... I have some pics of some I saved but I don't want to post them all in here unless you want me too. I could make another thread for you.

[ikkin510]

Post away, I don't mind. Then at least I will remember where they are when I look for them to show Steve. I really don't know what I want. Another one of the things I just can't get myself to decide on. I'm open to anything basicly. Thanks for the help Becky!

[bnd94]

Ok this is what I have:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/0032.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/decor104.jpg

I like this but I think I would use the mini pumpkins
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/wedding-tent.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/fall-wedding3.jpg

[bnd94]

I have a few more:
Again I would use the mini pumpkins
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/fall-wedding3.jpg

Some of the prettiest ones have been ones that didn't have alot on them like these:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/garden_ginza.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/justiceclub.jpg

I think this is what I am going to do:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/centerpiece.jpg

[Terri-anne]

Well i wish you will plan my wedding could do with the help!!!
It all sound's soooooooooo lovely!!!!!!!!!

[usahgrad]

I LOVE the centerpieces with the lanterns! Nikki, I've seen fabric leaves in boxes like rose petals at Michael's and stuff...hopefully they'll come back out again before your wedding...those would be really beautiful!

[LaceyinPgh]

Nikki, the centerpieces are too pretty. I love the candles and the leaves. You are making me want to push my wedding back to October now!

[ikkin510]

I bought a bunch of the fabric leaves on clearance this past fall!! I saw that lanturn picture before and I love it, but I haven't been able to find anywhere that sells them for a decent price. I think $10 was the cheapest I found. If we keep the original wedding size, I will be needing 15 of them and with a small budget, that's tough. Let me know if you find any though. I love a lot of those pictures. I have been thinking of just buying a ton of candles and just setting them out too. Again, I can't make a decision!!

[bnd94]

Do you have a joann's fabric or christmas tree shop near you? I bet you could find some lanterns there near the end of summer. Yeah I know that is pushing it. I wouldn't want to wait that long just in case you can't find it. I will do some looking around and see if I can find ya some. I will be back in a bit......................

[usahgrad]

Maybe with all the X-mas stuff on sale there's some lanterns in that stuff...they are kind of wintery. OR you could always check E-bay!

P.S. I LOVE YOUR TICKER! :)

[bnd94]

Ok I am back

These lanterns are not the same as the picture but they are all nice and good prices too:

$4.98 here
http://www.andreasgiftstore.com/product.asp?dept_id=3120&pfid=30683

$5.85 here
http://www.homedecodirect.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HD33145

ETA: I was just looking through my collection etc book and saw these:
http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item43049.aspx
They are $9.99 for two here.

[ikkin510]

Ok, so I this month I need to decide what to do for my STD cards and gather my guest list. I'd also like to have my centerpeices narrowed down to 2 options, same with the favors. Just to get somethign set up. Hopefully when Steve calls the DJ today he hasn't given away our date and that is done (although I wouldn't mind saving that money and just using mp3s or soemthing.) My parents are giving me a debit card with money for the wedding on. I just have to watch my budgeting so I don't blow it all and not have money in the end. I should be able to pay off my dress with this next paycheck I get and then I can bring that home, yeah!! Then I need to look into someone for altering eventually. I don't want to do it through the Bride store cause I think I could find someone to do it cheaper. I don't think that's something I need now though. I am still looking into BM dresses. They are really stressful! I think I'm going to say have those picked by the end of February. I need to sit and write this all out in a calender so I can keep track of the deadlines I give myself along with the suggested ones. Maybe I'll work on that this week.

[rainbowtreat]

Love your ideas. I love the dress, I was lookign at the same one but with a lilac trim. I still dont have mine yet but I saw thi sone in the beginnign of my search and it is still at the top of my list.

[ikkin510]

Another good thing about it is that it is inexpensive! Expecially since they are having a sale right now. I believe the total came to just under $350. So that was exciting!

[Tiggerprincess]

I got home from work on October 6, 2005 and Steve made hamburgers for dinner, nothing unusual. But, I walked in the living room, and he had a picinic set up! He bought the fleese blanket I had been looking at at Walmart (it's red with fall leaves on it.) Bought flowers and everything. I was so excited. So we ate our hamburgers like any other dinner. Then cleaned up and the picninc was over. I thought, o well, maybe another day. So we are sitting there just talking about nothing in general when he said "can I keep you?" I said well, of course, you know that. Next thing I know he pulls the ring box out from under the couch cushin and says open it. I just sat there staring at the closed box. I couldn't bring myself to open it. But when I finally did, I was shocked!!! We had looked at rings online, and I found a couple I liked, but none of them were ever what I pictured my perfect ring. I never told him what it looked like, but once I finally got over the shock and opened the box was the ring I was dreaming of. The most beautiful ring I had ever seen and my mouth dropped open and I started to cry. I asked him how he knew that that was the ring, the one I never told him about, never showed him, but it was THE ONE. He said he saw it and he knew, just like the first time he saw me. Then he said, so in 365 days, will you marry me? I think you know my answer!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I am freaking crying!!!!! Thats sooooo sweet...

[ikkin510]

So Steve called the DJ back and he still has the date saved for you. The guy is actually a friend of Steve's so he was going to save it for an extra month cause of the holidays then call to check up on us. So next week I have to send him the deposit. I showed Steve the picture for a centerpiece idea from Cindy's journal....the red rose petals around the candles and he really liked it. He thought of putting one large candle in the center and then small candles for favors around it. Then either using the leaves we bought or fall colored fake rose petals around it. I still really like the lantern idea that Becky posted too though. So I think those are my two finalist. Hey, that's two things off my list for this month! The centerpiece ideas and the DJ. Oh and I found this great site for clip art that steve wants to join. There are some awesome invitations they have that we would like to make. It's been a semi-productive week and Thursday is my designated wedding work day so we'll have to see what else we can figure out!

[ikkin510]

I found these and I thought these are perfect for a fall wedding. So they are for my second centerpiece Idea. I need like 15 centerpieces so what I would do is put two on a table and surround them with leaves. I would also change the ribbon tied to them with something else. I don't really like the ones that come with it. Let me know which idea you like better and if you like these.

http://www.terrysvillage.com/tvweb/application?namespace=browse&origin=categoryDisplay.jsp&event=link.itemDetails&sku=94/286&mode=Browsing&catDestinationJSP=/browse/categoryForward.jsp?categoryId=122693

[ikkin510]

Here are the invitations we like.

http://www.weddingclipart.com/images/templates/fall/FallLeaves_Set.jpg

We went to the home page of this site and they have so many options! But Steve and I both love these and figure they would be easy to make. I think they have templets once you sign up for that invite which would be great. I know there are tons of clip art pictures to look at too.

[Jamesbabygirl]

I found these and I thought these are perfect for a fall wedding. So they are for my second centerpiece Idea. I need like 15 centerpieces so what I would do is put two on a table and surround them with leaves. I would also change the ribbon tied to them with something else. I don't really like the ones that come with it. Let me know which idea you like better and if you like these.

http://www.terrysvillage.com/tvweb/application?namespace=browse&origin=categoryDisplay.jsp&event=link.itemDetails&sku=94/286&mode=Browsing&catDestinationJSP=/browse/categoryForward.jsp?categoryId=122693
Nice.orgiinal..very nice

[Jamesbabygirl]

Here are the invitations we like.

http://www.weddingclipart.com/images/templates/fall/FallLeaves_Set.jpg

We went to the home page of this site and they have so many options! But Steve and I both love these and figure they would be easy to make. I think they have templets once you sign up for that invite which would be great. I know there are tons of clip art pictures to look at too.
Pretty!!!!!!!!

[ikkin510]

I love e-bay! I found my veil on there. Even if I don't win the bid, I can do the by it now option for only $19.99. That would be cheaper then if I attempted to make it myself. And it matches my dress perfectly, ivory with champagne trim. Here's the link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHAMPAGNE-TRIM-IVORY-1-TIER-BRIDAL-VEIL-WEDDING-GOWN_W0QQitemZ8251890650QQcategoryZ105536QQssPageN ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And this is the Tiara I like. I wanted something thin that was gold with diamonds. I figure it will give a little bit of a sparkle to the look and it should look nice with the dress.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bridal-Wedding-Tiara-with-SWAROVSKI-CRYSTAL-GOLD-plated_W0QQitemZ5078181743QQcategoryZ110632QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[ikkin510]

We have decided on the favors. We are doing the chocolate lollie pops like I mentioned in an earlier post and clear votives with candles. Then taking the clear lables and have a leaf and our names and wedding date printed on them. Then put those on the votives. Lets see, what else did I want to do this month, I have the centerpieces narrowed down, the DJ has his down payment, I have my family's part of the guest list. Steve's parents are in Florida so I may not get their part till next month. I need to get Steve to sit down and write out his friends that he wants to invite. The STD cards I'm still deciding on. I can make ones like our invitations we like, but I don't have the money to pay for the membership to the chip art site yet. So they may not get done till next month. That's ok though since I have to wait for the rest of the guest list and finalize that. Yay! I feel like I am accomplishing things this month!

[bnd94]

Everything is sounding great!

I love the veil and tiara. Did you end up winning the bids?

[ikkin510]

Yes I did win them! I got the tiara last week and should get the veil this week. I'm so excited since I also picked up my dress on Wednesday. So I'm going to have to try it all on together once the veil comes in. I'm so excited!

[AngelinLove]

I Love The Viel It Is Beautiful!!!

[rainbowtreat]

I am so excited for you. It all sounds and looks so nice.

[ikkin510]

Ok, so I haven't really worked on anything wedding related in about two weeks now. Bad me. BUT, Steve did call another photographer we are looking into, made the deposit on the florist and set up for us to have another meeting with the pastor this week. At least one of us is doing something!
Lets see, things to do this month. I really need to decided on my bridesmaid dresses so we can get them ordered. I am having such a horrible time with those.
I'd like Steve to think about doing his tuxes cause we have been getting a lot of advertisements in the mail for them and I heard that February is the best prices of the year for a couple places.I've got a coupon for one place that is half off all the tuxes plus the groom's tux free. Plus you get entered in a drawling to win 2 free airline tickets. They are picking 100 poeple for that during the month. That would be awesome to get that. We could upgrade our hotel room if we didn't need to pay for those.
I should really start deciding on my favors, centerpieces and decorations so I can slowly start buying what I need for those. That way I'm not having to do it all at once.

[ikkin510]

I found more flowers that I like. They aren't a formal as the calla lilies I like, but they are nice. I actually found the picture in the coupon flyer so I cut it out and scanned it into the computer. I still like the calla lilies better but I'm having a hard time finding the right ones in silk and they are really expensive to do real ones. So this is another option.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/02-06-2006030453PM.jpg

[ikkin510]

How could I forget! Also this month we need to decide between the two invitations/STD styles we like then make and send out the STD. Oh, and I don't think Steve ever got the list for his mom for his family to invite. I know he didn't do his friends yet.

[bnd94]

Hey I have those flowers in my gardens. Very pretty! The orange ones are gorgeous!! :D I have looked a couple times for the calla lilies you want and didn't have much luck either. I will look again. What is the cheapest you have found them for so far?

[bnd94]

I just got an idea. I looked for the lilies again. What if you got white ones and spray painted them orange? I think this would work. You could always get one and try it. Walmart has spray paint for $1 a can. Maybe you could find a couple shades of orange and get creative. I bet they would look like you bought them that way. ;)

[ikkin510]

Thanks Becky, I'll have to try that! Well, I'll get Steve to spray paint them. I can't stant the smell when someone is spray painting!! lol. Like I said, I would rather go with the calla lilies. I don't want a very fancy wedding, but I think the other lilies are a little to informal for me. I think the calla lilies are perfect. I'm kinda holding off on buying and flowers in bulk yet till after we meet with the florist again and actually start talking about types of flowers, arrangements and prices. If I can get a good enough price I may try to go all real flowers. We'll see.

[CarlosHoney]

Ikkin, your FH sounds like my FH! I tried to get him to give me names and addresses for the baby birth announcements, and ended up with about 15 names and no addresses. We started on this a couple of weeks BEFORE the baby was born, mind you.

I just ended up using white out and sending them to other people, and I never told him. There's still one that he hasn't gotten the address for.

Men!! :bbrolleyes:

You probably could spraypaint them, though. Just take the flower off and then put it back on so that you don't get the stems orange.

I found these, though, that are already orange:

http://www.catalinaflowers.com/catalog/01-CLIL-29H-OR.html?showoos=1&ref=2AAAA
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5660831604&category=102460
http://www.pyob.com/calla_lily_silk_bouquets.htm

Good luck!

[ikkin510]

Ok, so I felt like Brideszilla last night. I showed a dress to my sister that I thought was ok and she told me she hated it and would never wear it. That's fine, it wasn't one of my favorites anyway. But, it just sent me over the edge! I have been the only one looking at dresses and everything I pick they don't like. I have asked them to look for ideas and they haven't.

Now let me tell you a bit about my BMs. 2 are my neighbors. They love to help, but a little too much, and only on things I don't want their help with. Every time I see them all they talk about is the wedding and won't change the subject. Now some people might think this is great, but I have enough stress over this that it not what I want to talk about ALL the time. They want to help pick music and the cake and stuff. I don't mind the ideas, but they don't understand that Steve and I get the final decision.

My sister is a brat. Now I love her to death, but all she thinks about is herself and has some major attitude issues. Mostly because my brother and I both moved out as she was starting high school so for the last few year she has been the center of attention and getting whatever she wants. She doesn't understand that she isn't going to get that with me.

Then there is my MOH. She is the best and the one who will help with anything I need help with and is my voice of reason. The only problem, she lives in Wisconsin, 15 hours away.

Anyhoot, so last night after talking to my sister I had it. I e-mailed my BMs (minus my MOH since she is going to choose her own dress. Something similar to the other dresses, but just a little different.) Told them I want to have the dresses picked by the end of the month and Since so far they have not liked anything I picked, they have to send me their choices by the 22nd. I'll look them over and decide what I like and that is that. The final say will be done by the 27th. We will then order them the first week in March. I had to apoligize for sounding bridezilla like but it needs to get done!

[ikkin510]

So after I sent out that e-mail. My MOH started sending my more ideas for dresses. She found one she loves and I do too. Here it is:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_detail.jsp?stid=2046&prodgroup=139
If would be in the Truffle color. She is going to try it on next week.
Then she found a dress that would go perfectly with hers for the girls and I really like it.
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_detail.jsp?stid=404&prodgroup=110
It would also be in the Truffle. It's a little bit more then I wanted to spend, but I have a 15% off BM dresses coupon from David's since I bought my dresses there. That means they would only be like $95. So I think I actually decided, even though the other BM have not seen the dresses yet and I just send the bridezilla e-mail. But yes well. They will live. Now I just need to call David's and make sure everyone can use the coupon, even if they are going to different stores. YAY!!!

[Valmai]

They look gorgeous, i suppose at the end of the day your not going to be able to find somethign that they all absolutely love so as long as you like them and they dont hate them then it should be fine. Amazing how some people just seem to think its their day not the brides lol Congrats on your bridezilla episode too!!
xxx

[CarlosHoney]

Good for you, sweetie!! I think that sometimes people don't think about the fact that this is YOUR wedding. Though it's noce for you to take their feelings into consideration, but it wasn't so long ago that girls were wearngsome pretty awful dresses just because their good friend or family member wanted them to.

I think that bridesmaids forget that they're in this to help you out, to stand up for you. If they didn't want to, they shouldn't have accepted that role.

:hug:Hugs, and good luck!!

[CindySue]

The dresses are gorgeous! I loved them and the color is perfect!!!! We had attendents acting the same way, so we reorganized and are only having kids as attendents. They HAVE to do what we say!!!

[CarlosHoney]

The dresses are gorgeous! I loved them and the color is perfect!!!! We had attendents acting the same way, so we reorganized and are only having kids as attendents. They HAVE to do what we say!!!Yep. The joys of being a parent!!

Oh, and Ikkin, you're only bridezilla if you get mad for no reason. It's perfectly reasonable for you to want the dresses picked out in time for the wedding. If you've given them ample opurtunity, then heck, it's their own failts!!

I was considering that dress myself back when we were going to have attendants. Now that we are not, it seems so much easier.

[ikkin510]

Thanks ladies. I feel better now that I know I'm not going COMPLETELY insane!

[ikkin510]

We met with the pastor again yesterday. That went really well. He gave us a couple different ceremony options to look over. He likes to have things planned out far in advance. If not the day sneaks up on ya and you are rushing to get things done. Boy, do I know how that feels. Yesterday was the 8 month mark and I feel like just yesterday we had a year to go! Anyway, So this month we will work on that. I haven't figured out something to do in place of the unity candle. I'm thinking maybe sand. My MOH said she has seen something with colored water. Use two colors so that when they mix they make something different. That was kinda neat, but I'm wondering if that might just look tacky. The pastor also gave us a bible study to work on. It goes into things like the importance of communication, having a GOOD fight, raising children. Things to get us talking about stuff we may not have and learn the biblical view of things. So that's cool since Steve and I were looking for something like that to do before the wedding. So we will go back to meet with him in April again.

[CindySue]

We met with the pastor again yesterday. That went really well. He gave us a couple different ceremony options to look over. He likes to have things planned out far in advance. If not the day sneaks up on ya and you are rushing to get things done. Boy, do I know how that feels. Yesterday was the 8 month mark and I feel like just yesterday we had a year to go! Anyway, So this month we will work on that. I haven't figured out something to do in place of the unity candle. I'm thinking maybe sand. My MOH said she has seen something with colored water. Use two colors so that when they mix they make something different. That was kinda neat, but I'm wondering if that might just look tacky. The pastor also gave us a bible study to work on. It goes into things like the importance of communication, having a GOOD fight, raising children. Things to get us talking about stuff we may not have and learn the biblical view of things. So that's cool since Steve and I were looking for something like that to do before the wedding. So we will go back to meet with him in April again.

When you get something done it feels like you actually accomplished something!!! Brian and I are doing the sand ceremony. Ive never heard of the water thing but it does some kinda neat.

[ikkin510]

****This is just a rant to get stuff out of my head. Pay no attention!****

Sometimes I swear my mother and sister want to make this wedding as stressful as they possibly can on me! I was all excited about thinking I had picked the dresses Monday. I showed my sister yesterday afternoon. She thinks the dress for the MOH is ok and HATES the one for her. I flipped out on her again about how she hates everything but never offers any options. I have been asking her for ideas for 3 months for ideas! Her reply (and I quote) "I don't have time to think about dresses 24/7. I have a life you know and it doesn't involve helping you at all with this stupid wedding." Gee, nice. I love my sister but I'm about ready to kick her out of this all!
I then e-mailed my mom the pictures of the dresses asking for her opinion since I know she thinks I forget about her. But again she reminds me why I don't ask her about things. She hates the fact that the MOH has a different dress then the rest of the girls. She does not like the dress for the girls, but loves the one for my MOH. Then she told me she will buy my sister that dress for the wedding. I DON'T THINK SO!!! Hello? Whose wedding is this?? Who is suppose to be making these decisions??? I feel that bridezilla effect coming on again. I tried to politely tell her that I want Amanda to wear the same thing as the other two BMs. My mom says since she is my sister she should wear somethign different and she likes the MOH dress so that's what she is wearing. I lost it, I'm sorry but I did. I told her she WILL NOT be wearing that dress. She will wear what I want her to and that's final. If they don't like it, then she doesn't have to be in the bridal party. I have been trying so hard to get along with my mom on this. It's not happening. I have talked to her about it multiple times and I try to include her and listen to her. It took me so long to decide what I wanted for these dresses and now she has me completely re-thinking everything again! I'm about ready to say, fine everyone just wear whatever you want. I don't care what it looks like or what color it is. This is becoming more trouble then what it's worth. I've though about ditching everyone except for my MOH but I feel bad doing that since I already asked them too and I know that would create even more trouble with my mom. Plus Steve had a hard enough time picking his GM since he has so many good friends. I couldn't ask him to narrow it down to one. Either that of just hand everything over to my mom and say fine, you plan it. Sorry, I know I rant a lot. But I know writing things out makes me feel better and make sense out of situations.

****End rant. You may now continue reading the journal!****

[ikkin510]

When you get something done it feels like you actually accomplished something!!! Brian and I are doing the sand ceremony. Ive never heard of the water thing but it does some kinda neat.

My MOH is a wedding coordinator so she has a lot of helpful ideas. I had never heard of it either but it does sound nice. I'm just afraid of it looking tacky. She suggested getting fancy glasses and doing one class yellow water and one of blue. So they will make green when they combine. OR I thought to stay more with the fall colors do red and yellow and make orange. She said I could have our mothers carry small clear lemonade pictures down the isle and then put them on the alter. Then use a larger one when we combine the two. She said she was going to look and see if she could find any more information on this.

[CindySue]

Nikki....Im sorry to hear things are so stressful for you right now. I dont blame you one bit for feeling the way you do. Tell your BMs that you have picked the dresses and if they dont like them they dont have to be in the wedding party. The MOH may have 2 escorts. Dont let them bully you. Those dresses were gorgeous and I would be proud to wear one. Sounds to me like they may be a tad bit jealous so they want to make things rough on you.
Please dont let them!!!!!

[ikkin510]

I'm trying not to, I really am, just not having much luck at the moment!

On a happier note...Steve found out last night that they are making some changes in the hall at the fire house. Adding lights on dimmers and wall sconces (sp?). The walls are really bare so I love that. Plus the lighting will be great seeing it's really bright in there right now and I though I was going to have to borrow a ton of icicle lights to hang in there.
The walls are a bit of a pain since they don't like people hanging things from them. They had problems in the past were people were putting holes in the walls, pealing the paint off, stuff like that and it became too much work to fix it all the time. I want to see if they will let me make a couple decrative wreaths to hang and then give to the firehouse. Like the bare twig ones and then I'd volenteer to deocrate them for different seasons and holidays. It would give the walls something nice to look. I need to get Steve to talk to some of the big guns and see what they think of that idea.
And he also found out that they guy that orders all the paper/plastic supplies (ie table clothes, cups, napkins) said he would get whatever color table clothes we want. That not all. Normally we have to pay for them to do that, but he said it would be on the house. YAY!!! I am saving a little more money. Now to decide what color would look best with our theme. I don't want white but the fall colors may be too bright. I don't think they do a variety pack either. I may just do ivory since that should look nice with everything. Plus it's something they firehouse can use leftovers for if they have another small dinner.

[CarlosHoney]

Aww, sweetie! I'm sorry your support system is only giving you a headache. An idea that I had yesterday when I saw the dresses was this:

Let them all get the halter dress, in Truffle, but for the MOH, get anoter brooch for the cris-cross on the front. You could have a seamstress do it easily. Maybe something similar, only bigger? Or if not, you could just have her carry a bigger (and prettier) bouquet.

Maybe a brooch like this? (http://www.jewelrytelevision.com/index.aspx?tid=7443&Ne=0&N=51%20122&No=0&Ns=p_current_price&_=keyword_brd%20search,brooch&cm_mmc=Google-_-JTV%20&%20GGL%20=%20Brooches_Seasonal&Nsidx=2&cm_re=Results*4*3&cm_pos=15&bca=JAC390&ptid=7362&R=2440907&cm_sp=)

Oh, and for the tablecloths, do they come in that same truffle color? Or even dark brown? You could layer the cloths so that they're brown, and then they have a little ivory table runner.

Just my ideas!

[WhiskeyGirl]

This is my piece of advice: If you want it one way, then don't let ANYONE talk you out of it or change things!! I like both dresses! They are both beautiful!! My MOH had a different dress then the BMs, it looked great!! If your Sister continues to act this way, boot her out of your wedding party! You do not need the added stress on top of planning the wedding!!! I feel for you, I had problems with my BMs as well...and now I regret not taking charge and telling them how it was going to be! I would have booted out my MOH and moved one girl up and had my BF from childhood up there with me, but my MOM talked me out of it!! (I'm still mad at her!!) Don't let your mom and sister talk you into or out of anything! This is your day and you deserve to plan it the way YOU and Steve want it!! Take care, and be strong!! And when you sister and mom go to order her dress, go with her and make sure she doesn't order the MOH's dress!! Simply stand there and say "WRONG DRESS!! I am the bride and that IS THE WRONG DRESS!!" Best of luck!

PS Every bride is allowed to have a few "Bridezilla" moments!! But I don't put that in the classification of being a bridezilla, I put that in the classification of you being in charge of your own wedding!! Good luck!!

[ikkin510]

Thanks ladies. You are the best! Carrie, I love that brooch! I may get that even if they have the different dresses.
I just talked with my MOH and she is saying the same thing you all are. I also found out that the dresses for the BM also come with wraps. I'm going to call the store in a few minutes to see if I could get different color wraps or if they have to be the same color as the dress. I don't want the wraps if they are the same color. I think I am just going to say, Hey, here's the dress. If you don't like it, tough. I need to take a stand. Thanks for all the support ladies!

[ikkin510]

Ok, I called the store and the dress and the wrap, when they come as a set, have to be the same color. Anyone have any ideas of what I could use 3 brown wraps for? I have my heart set on a different color for each girl so I still am going to buy or make different wraps.
I also found another dress that I like that I might suggest to see if anyone likes that one better. I know I should just go with my first choice, but this one doesn't have a wrap so I wouldn't feel like I'm wasting part of the dress.
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_bycolor_detail.jsp?stid=2334&sid=8013&cfid=61
It would be the same truffle color. Just an idea. And please let me know if you can think of what I could use those brown wraps for if go with the first dress.

[CarlosHoney]

You could always find fabric and cover them on one side with that fabric, so that they match the dress on the inside, but on the outside, they're whatever color you want them to be. Ivory lace would look really pretty, too. You could even get some of that ribbon with the bead strings hanging off, and put that on the bottom. Or, you could use them as table runners?

That's all I've got! :)

[bnd94]

LOL! Carrie I was just going to suggest table runners too. :D

Are you going to cover the chairs? If you do you could use them as sashes. Like this:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/Bnd94/nn.jpg
Other than that I can't think of anything else right now but if I do I will let you know.

[CindySue]

Dont know how it would work but you could make bows of some sort out of them....I guess........just some kind of decoration.

[CarlosHoney]

Well, Becky, Great minds think alike!

[ikkin510]

We are goign for a really informal look so no chair covers. I though about table runners but I would have to spend more money to buy more runners then since we will be having about 12 tables (they are round tables seating about 6-8 people each). Thanks for the ideas though.

[ikkin510]

I feel a little better about things after last night. We went to Steve's house for Sunday dinner. Afterwards we are sitting around and FSIL came in and said she has 5 mos and 1 week till her wedding and she has so much to do yet. (Later in the night, Steve and I realized that she can't count, she has 6 mos and 1 week to go.) Anyway, I asked her what she had to do yet and she actually answered me (this is a big thing since she normally ignores me!) She was rattling off this huge list and a lot of what she has to do yet, we already have done! Our wedding is just under 2 mos after hers. So I feel a little more relaxed now.
February 25 or 26 the bridesmaids and I are going to try on and order their dresses, YAY!!! My sister and mom will not be happy with the dress I picked, but o well. The only MAJOR things that need to get done by the end of the month is finalize with the photographer, finish gathering the guest list, choose STD cards, and have Steve and the GMs get sized for the tuxes (so we get a good deal!)

[bnd94]

You could always sell the wraps on ebay.

It doesn't matter if your mom and sister like the dresses you pick out. Everyone's taste is different. If you like them that is all that matters. I am sure they will be beautiful whatever you get! :D

[CarlosHoney]

I was gonna give Becks some love, but I gotta spread it around. I totally agree with what she said, though. Well put.

If they don't like it they can go fly a kite, ya know!

[ikkin510]

This afternoon we went out to dinner/lunch for our anniversary. And on the way we stopped by the bakery to ask some questions. We ended up ordering the cake right then. YAY!!! Another thing done. We are getting a yellow cake with strawberry mousse filling. It has 3 tiers and will be iced white. Then there are small groupings of leaves all around the cake and in each grouping a little candle will be hidden. They had a picture where they used red and orange roses and it just looked perfect. Sorry, I don't have a picture to show. Come October I'll make sure I show you one of the real thing.

[CindySue]

This afternoon we went out to dinner/lunch for our anniversary. And on the way we stopped by the bakery to ask some questions. We ended up ordering the cake right then. YAY!!! Another thing done. We are getting a yellow cake with strawberry mousse filling. It has 3 tiers and will be iced white. Then there are small groupings of leaves all around the cake and in each grouping a little candle will be hidden. They had a picture where they used red and orange roses and it just looked perfect. Sorry, I don't have a picture to show. Come October I'll make sure I show you one of the real thing.

I had seen a pic of a wedding cake with votive candles on it and really liked it. Everyone I descibed it to just kinda wrinkled their noses up at me, like "candles go on a birthday cake not a wedding cake" but I knew if I could have found where I saw that pic and showed it to them, they would have understood what I was taking about. Ive got a pretty good mental image of yours and its beautiful!

[CarlosHoney]

I think I've seen something similar. Sounds gorgeous. I wanna see pics!

[bnd94]

Sounds beautiful and YUMMY!!! :D

[CarlosHoney]

Something just hit me!! You can sew the three sashes together, and use it as one runner for the talbe that the Bridal Party is sitting at!

Just an idea!!

[ikkin510]

Carrie that is a great idea!!! Thanks!!! I talked to my MOH last night and she is going to check out her dress on Saturday and is suppose to send pictures. I still haven't gotten any of the other girls to tell me what date they want to go. Every date I pick someone is doing something. I want to at least see the dress on someone before I make the definate decision.

[rainbowtreat]

I had 2 of my 6 girls withme when I picked out the pattern and the colors and decided who was wearing what color. If you can get even a couple of them together it would be a start. Good luck.

And I love Carries idea about the table runner for the head table. Nice going. ( you didn't hurt yourself thinking about that did ya lol )

[CarlosHoney]

No, it just hit me. And no, it didn't hurt. ;)

[StaceyMc]

I'm sorry that your bridesmaids are giving you such a rough time with scheduling. I say pick a day that's a few weeks off and tell them "Here's the date that we're going to look at dresses. If you're available, I'd like you to come along. If not, then that's OK too, I'll have a picture of the dress that we decide on for you to look at and I'll have a schedule when you need to be measured, fitted, etc." If you give them two weeks notice, they might be able to work out their schedules. Some people just love to be difficult too.

[bnd94]

My piece of advice is the same as Stacey's. Set a date and stick with it. If someone complains after you have chosen a dress then it is their own fault for not making time to come try dresses on with you. ;)

[ikkin510]

I'm sick of the whole BM dress issue. I gave them over 4 months to pick a dress, and I have tried to pick several dates to look at dresses for them and no one wants to go. The only person I can get to go is my MOH in WI. I don't want to pick a dress without at least one of them trying it on, since they are all built the same, it should work. Myself and my MOH are built differently so even if we would try them out they could look completely different. I seriously talked to Steve the other day about cutting at least 2 of the girl and he hated the idea. He thinks it is not right since we already asked them and the 2 I would cut are will to help (unfortunatly, not with stuff I need help with!) I told him he could take over the whole dress ordeal and I'll take the guys for their tuxes since they are no problem to work with at all.

[LaceyinPgh]

Nikki,
You need to just do what I did. I didn't ask my girls about the dresses. I didn't ask their thoughts or opinions. THe only thing I asked them about was a budget. My mother and I went to the dress shop and picked out what I liked. We found a dress that was as flattering as it could be. The ladies at the shop took the information about the dress (colors and such). When I got home I emailed all the girls and told them the name, address, and phone number of the shop and how much time they had to get measure and get a deposit down. There were no discussions, no debate, no multiple trips to the store. It was here is the dress for my wedding that you will be wearing. If they didn't like it, tough. Som eof them put me in some UGLY dresses when they got married and I lived to tell the tale. They will too. This is your wedding, your opinion and stress level is the only one that counts.

[ikkin510]

My mom called me Saturday night and said she was talking with a friend at church and had some good news for me. Her friend's daughter was suppose to get married last fall and for some reason did. She has 7 brown bridesmaid dresses that she would be willing to see me for $50 each (I guess they bought back the dresses from the BMs when they didn't get married.) Sounds awesome if you ask me. Then I saw the pictures, No thank you! Not my style that's for sure. That's ok though since I'm happy with what I picked so far. My MOH went to try out her dress on Saturday. She e-mailed me yesterday to say there are 2 dresses she loves and she'll send my pictures today when we talk online (we talk every Monday night.) So that's exciting. Once I know what she has picked I will make the final say with the rest of the dresses and another thing is done! I finally got to talk with 2 of the BMs yesterday and they said they can go just about any day during the week so that's good. I wanted to have them ordered by the end of the month, but I will at least have them picked so that makes me happy. I'll probably take them to order dresses next week.

[ikkin510]

Steve and I downloaded the templetes of the two invites we liked last night and started to play around with them. I'm not sure which I like better. I just have to figure out the wording and I'll post a picture of them for you to vote on. We at stuck now that we made both to our likings. Once we pick the invites I can do the STD cards. Speaking of which, Steve finally talked to his mom about getting a list of people/address and she said she'd have them for us by the end of the week. I need to get Steve to go to the tux place, this week of possible. The discount we have is only good till the end of the month, with is a week from tomorrow! Nothing like waiting till the last minute. I think I"ll have him call and see if everyone needed to get sized by the end of the month, or if we register and give them the names if they can come whenever they have time and still get the discount.
I'm a little upset about this photographer. A very good friend of ours gave us the name of a friend of his to call about doing photography. I have met the guy one and he seems like a great guy. We have now left 3 message with no return call. I'm a little disappointed since I was looking forward to having a decent photographer. I can't afford most and our friend that was going to do it, well her picutes leave a lot to be desired. So now I'm stuck again on that. At least We have a lot of other things figured out!!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

I'm a little upset about this photographer. A very good friend of ours gave us the name of a friend of his to call about doing photography. I have met the guy one and he seems like a great guy. We have now left 3 message with no return call. I'm a little disappointed since I was looking forward to having a decent photographer. I can't afford most and our friend that was going to do it, well her picutes leave a lot to be desired. So now I'm stuck again on that. At least We have a lot of other things figured out!!!

If he is being that flaky now how will he be on your wedding day or when he should be getting your proofs, then pictures to you?? I would be vary leary about this guy. Check the phone book, find some photographers, explain to them that you are on a tight budget and see what they can come up with! Check with a few (like four or five) then bring all the packages they offer together on a large table and see which one is the best for your money!! Because I really don't think you need the stress of trying to track down you photos after the wedding is said and done!! (And getting ripped off!!!!!!) I wish you the best of Luck!!

[CindySue]

If he is being that flaky now how will he be on your wedding day or when he should be getting your proofs, then pictures to you?? I would be vary leary about this guy. Check the phone book, find some photographers, explain to them that you are on a tight budget and see what they can come up with! Check with a few (like four or five) then bring all the packages they offer together on a large table and see which one is the best for your money!! Because I really don't think you need the stress of trying to track down you photos after the wedding is said and done!! (And getting ripped off!!!!!!) I wish you the best of Luck!!

I agree with getting the prices from several then comparing. Also IF you can, email these photographers, all on ONE email telling them exactly what you want. They will each see you are checking with others too and may come down on their prices. This has been known to get some GREAT discounts!

[ikkin510]

Ok, monday I talked with my MOH and she tried on her dress and loved it. The only thing she was worried about was that the Truffle color I was looking at is very dark and may look odd with a black tux. Our church is rather dark also so that wouldn't help the coloring. So we sat online checking out other colors. I was so frustrated by the end of the night! So, yesterday we went to Davids to check out the actual colors of the dresses in person. Let me tell ya, there is quite the difference in person from on the computer! I agreed with my MOH that the Truffle was too dark (we held it up against black dresses for the full affect...lol.) After looking at a couple different colors, we decided to go with Latte. It's a lighter version on the Truffle and it is going to be perfect I think. Steve saw they had a picture hanging that had some of the dresses in that color with guys in tuxes and it looked great. So after we left there we went and picked out the tuxes, yay!!!! Another check off the list. Steve did all the picking for his attire. The only input I had was NO BOWTIE, and once he picked a vest he liked, I helped him pick which color would match the dresses best. So that's done. Now we just need to get the guys to get sized and that is set. We decided we are going to pay all of their down payments on them since the price of the rental was a little higher then we thought. But clothing wise we are just about done. I just need to make the final decision on what the rest of the bridesmaids will wear.

[ikkin510]

We went on our towns website where they have a directory listing of all the businesses in the area. We live in a small town and would like to support the locals. Plus they tend to have the better prices compaired to the larger town businesses. There were 4 photographers listed. The first Steve knew was out of our price range. That was who his sister said they are going with and when she told him the price he almost passed out! The next one I called and the number was disconnected. That left two others. One Steve has heard really good things about so I gave him a call this afternoon. The prices actually sound workable and the owner (who I spoke with) was VERY nice. He would be the one doing the wedding. We have a meeting with him on the 7th to look at his work and talk more about prices. This sounds like it may be the right option for us.

[ikkin510]

Wow, we wanted to spend $5000 on the entire wedding. That would include all the venders attire, gifts, rings, etc. Basicly everything but the honeymoon. And since it looks like Steve will be switching jobs in a few weeks, he will get a lot of money back from his retirement fun through his current job and all of his unused sick/vacation time. That should pay for a nice chunk of the honeymoon. But there are so many little things popping up that it is all just adding up and I don't think we are going to be able to do it all under our original budget. We are starting to set a little bit of money aside from each paycheck to put towards the wedding now. Which means our house saving will lose out for a few months. I'm going to try to sit down and rework things sometime this week. I can't believe how much stress comes from planning one day!! I am so lucky to have a guy that is willing and likes to help with the planning. The whole things has been a 50/50 for us and its great. The only negative is that I have to keep reminding him to do what he is volenteering to work on. But that's normal.

[ikkin510]

I was talking with my FMIL earlier today. She says, ya know what would make wedding planning so much easier and less stressful? Just run off and get married on your honeymoon. I love that woman. Now, if only Steve took after her a bit more! The look on his and FFIL's faces when she said that. They were shocked! FFIL's heart would be broken I think if we ran off. Anyway, just another reason why I love my FILs!
Tomorrow we are going to meet with the photographer we are looking at hiring. Hopefully all goes well. Steve and I talked last night about what we want and decided, we don't want him to do pre-wedding pictures. I'm sure my MOH will be taking tons. We are still tossing about having him at the reception. Steve thinks he should be there for the first dances, cake cutting, all that. I know enough people who will have camaras and would LOVE to take pictures for us. I kinda like the idea of candide shots at the reception. It's more relax IMO. So, we are just going to go, talk to him, and see what type of a price difference it would be to have him there. If it's not a huge jump in price we'll have him there for it. I must tell you, spending all this money on one day is craziness!!

[LaceyinPgh]

I was talking with my FMIL earlier today. She says, ya know what would make wedding planning so much easier and less stressful? Just run off and get married on your honeymoon. I love that woman. Now, if only Steve took after her a bit more! The look on his and FFIL's faces when she said that. They were shocked! FFIL's heart would be broken I think if we ran off. Anyway, just another reason why I love my FILs!
Tomorrow we are going to meet with the photographer we are looking at hiring. Hopefully all goes well. Steve and I talked last night about what we want and decided, we don't want him to do pre-wedding pictures. I'm sure my MOH will be taking tons. We are still tossing about having him at the reception. Steve thinks he should be there for the first dances, cake cutting, all that. I know enough people who will have camaras and would LOVE to take pictures for us. I kinda like the idea of candide shots at the reception. It's more relax IMO. So, we are just going to go, talk to him, and see what type of a price difference it would be to have him there. If it's not a huge jump in price we'll have him there for it. I must tell you, spending all this money on one day is craziness!!

I really recommend that you ahve him at your reception for the "big" pictures, first dance, parents dance, and cake cutting. It is nice that you have people who would "snap" those shots but do want to gamble with how it turns out? Even if you set it up the way my fsil did at her reception, they were introduced, walked ontot the dance floor and did the first dance, and then walked over and cut the cake before taking their seats for dinner. If you did it that way, he would only have to be there for like an hour max.

[ikkin510]

Thanks Lacey. I was kinda thinking that last night after talking to Steve again. I want a lot of candid shots, but your right, I don't want to miss out on good shots of the important moments either.

[CarlosHoney]

Oh, everything sounds wonderful! Glad you saw the dresses in person. Monitors can lie. Phe photographer situation sounds like it's turning out pretty good. Good luck!

[ikkin510]

We went to meet with the photographer yesterday and he is a really nice guy and a lot of fun. As soon as we walked in his studio, the first picture I looked at was a picture of one of the girls I work with at her wedding. I was all excited, since I'm not from the area, me knowing someone in a picture like that made my day. Anyway. We talked with the guy and the package he was pushing was kinda outside our budget. Plus it was a lot of picture we didn't want. He had smaller packages that we could choose from. Of course, it didn't come with the discounted prices. So the guy told us to go home and think about it and give him a call next week. Got home and called my mom. Told her a bit about the photographer and that he was too expensive. She told me to just stick with my friends because, how often are you actually going to look at your wedding pictures. I was planning on hanging some and I plan to look at them. Besides, I didn't like a single picture my friend had showed me! I told my mom this was just too stressful and I was seriously considering not doing the wedding and just getting married on the honeymoon (like FMIL suggested.) My mom flipped says my family would hate me and she would not allow it. She was going to plan the wedding then. Excuse me. My wedding, if you won't let me have the type I want, don't you think you should at least let me plan it so I know I wouldn't crying the whole day??!! Arg. So I got off the phone and Steve and I sat down to go over the budget. I know people plan weddings on $5000 budgets all the time. I thought we were doing a great job so far. Yeah, there is no way we are going to do it for under $5000. The reception hall is a must since that's important to steve. We already signed the contract with the DJ, and I can't afford to lose the $300 we paid him so far by canceling. I want nice pictures and that costs money. I was crying cause we can't afford to pay out any extra money over the budget. At this rate we are going to have to be paying out a lot. I need to seriously sit down and see what I can cut today and go over it with Steve later. I agree with FMIL, elope!! It's cheaper, and less stressful!! My moh was laughing the other day since it's normally the groom that doesn't want the wedding, and the bride and her mother throwing the fit. It's the opposite with us! I am feeling better today. I am determined to make this budget work. Wish me luck!

[ikkin510]

Ok, not wedding related, but I wanted to share. Last night Steve and I went to the firehouse to work out. They have a gym in the basement and we are trying to get there 3 times a week now. After we were done we came back upstairs and one of the older guys was in the truck room working on something. The firehouse just bought another house about a month ago. (They get first rights to any house on their block that goes on the market.) He is a retired electrician and was working on rebuilding the meter for the house. We were talking and he said, ya know, you should move in there. Then when you and Steve get married and he moves in, he'll be right next to the firehouse. I laughed but it sparked an idea. I have been looking for a new place to rent and we can't afford to buy yet. He gave us the key and told us to go check it out. It is awesome. Redone bathroom with a HUGE jaccuzi tub, fireplace, 3 bedrooms, lots of windows, and they are probably putting in another bathroom. Steve and I were talking and it is a little big, but it is some place we could stay for quite a while and we can save up to build a house instead of buying. We figured the rent would be outrageous though. We got back and were talking to the guy and he told us what they were asking for it. Right in our budget!!! So this weekend Steve is going to hunt down the guy in charge and talk to him about us getting it. It needs some work done, so it will be a month or two till we could get in, but it sounds like an awesome possiblity. I could have my puppy for my birthday!

[StaceyMc]

Congrats on the new place! I hope all goes well with that.

About the photographer...have you checked out other photographers? Maybe check outside of your area? I found a variety of prices and packages when we were looking.

Also, if you have a local art school, call them and see if they have any graduates looking for work. My sister did that, the pics were nice.

[ikkin510]

Ok, I've decided on the BM dresses and everyone seems to even be happy. It's the same dresses I posted earlier in my journal, but I'll post them again. I'm going to do the different color wraps with them. I just have to go to the fabric store and pick which 4 colors I like together best. My MOH thinks a wrap may look odd with her dress, but I'm making her one anyway. If it looks horrible, we'll cut it, but I think it should be ok.

The MOH dress:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_bycolor_detail.jsp?stid=2046&sid=8043&cfid=30

The rest of the BMs will wear this one:
http://www.davidsbridal.com/bridesmaids_bycolor_detail.jsp?stid=404&sid=3952&cfid=30

[CarlosHoney]

Hey, it all looks great! Good luck with the photographer. I think my MOB is a little tiffed that she's not wearing a different dress, but hey, it's the way I want it, so she doesn't care that much.

I think everything is going to turn out fantastic. Where do you live, sweetie? Are there any art schools close? If so, cool.. If not, you can probably contact the Photography professor of the local colleges and ask if any of their students would be well suited and interested. One of my best friends is a photography student, and I love her style, so yeah.. She's going to do it for me for free.

If you can find one who works in Digital, your cost should be even less. My friend is going to add her name to the bottom of each one, do anything that she feels needs to be done to them, and give me a CD with all of them on there. That way, I can have whichever ones I want printed at the local photo lab, and I can do it when I have the money.. No cost up front!!

There will be more money for me to use elsewhere, which rocks, and I get good photos for free. I know how it is on a small budget (we're working with $3k) and it's tough. Good luck! I wanna hear how it all turns out.

[ikkin510]

I live in PA. We do have a small community college near by. I should check into that. Thanks Carrie!

[ikkin510]

I talked to a good friend of mine the other day. He use to lead the worship at my church back were I grew up and was like an older brother to me. He said he would love to sing some stuff for the ceremony. YAY!! Now to pick out what he should sing. I am horrible at finding songs for stuff so this is going to be a tough area.
My brother and my uncle (RB's dad) are going to videa tape the wedding for us for free! My mom is then going to combine both tapes into one for us. I wasn't sure about the video at first but since it's free and my uncle would be taping the RB anyway, I said ok. It might be nice to have later on down the road.
Today Steve is going to call and book the photographer. We are just having him for 3 hours. A few pictures before the ceremony, during, and family pictures after. That will be $300 and then the cost of the proofs which is $2 a picture. Then we can order whatever we want for albums or picture frames. The album prices vary. We are guess everything together will be about $800 for the photographer. Not too bad. Then we have a couple family members who are good photographers that offered to take pictures at the reception and put together a little album of that for us.

[ikkin510]

Steve talked with the photographer yesterday afternoon. We are going to meet with him to pay the deposit on Tuesday. He also told us to come up with a list of picture what we want taken and he is going to play around with the prices and see if he can drop it a little lower. YAY!!

[ikkin510]

So I got good news today and bad news.

The bad news: I am getting so frustrated with this darn budget! It seems like everything is ending up more then we originally thought, and it's starting to add up fast. My MOH called and went to order her dress today. The coupon I had for the BM dresses-expired. Appearently I can't add. I though I was good to the 10th of April. Nope, it was good till the 10th of March. This mean the two dresses I am paying for are costing even more. BTW, those 2 girls say they can't afford to put ANY money towards it.

The good news: We are having wedding cake and cookies for dessert at the reception. My mom just e-mailed me saying my grandmother has offered to pay for the cookies and have of the cake! YAY!! My mom also said she is getting a raise this year and might be bale to put another $1000 towards the wedding fund. That's not definate though so for now I'm going to plan like I don't have it. But she should know by August or early September if that will happen!

[ikkin510]

Ok, March was my slacking month. I really didn't get much accomplished. I just haven't wanted to plan. So this month I need to find a way to get myself motivated to do some work. Here's what I want to get done.
Music-I have no ideas for music for the wedding or ceremony yet. I know I want a good friend to sing for us at some point during the ceremony. Don't know what song though. We haven't decided if we are just going to have all the music on a CD or have someone play the piano. Steve's Aunt is going to play for us if we go the piano route. We already have the DJ booked for the reception. Just need the songs for the important things.
Flowers-The florist is already booked, but this month we are going to meet with them to pick out the actual flowers. My mom and the ladies in her bible study have offered to do all the silk flower things for us. I just need to figure out what flowers we are using so I can order the flowers for them to make, bouts, my throwing bouquet, and wrist flowers (I can't spell what they are actually called lol).
Then just some small stuff. Still need to get a price on having the invited printed as compaired to doing them ourselves. Start buying stuff for centerpieces and favors.

[ikkin510]

Steve and I sat down and tried to finalize the guest list. We only want to invite 150 people tops. Well, he has 100 people just on his list. I have 67. We decided he needs to cut some of his list but instead all I heard was "O, how could I have forgotten this person!" I think If we were to invite everyone on both lists, we'd be pushing 200 people. This is tough. Not to mention Steve said that he believes most everyone on his list will come to the wedding. I figured we could invite 150 but was hoping only about 100-120 would come.
But I did have a couple ideas while working on the list. Two of the guys on the guest list play the worship music for my parents church (I sand with them when I was still living down there and going to that church). I tossing around the idea about having them play guitar for the music. A duet with the two might sound really pretty. What do you think? Maybe play a Cd while people are sitting down but for the parents, the bridal party and such, have the guitars.

[ikkin510]

Something my mom suggested last night has my mind wondering about adding to the bridal party. That I baby-sat for for most of their lives. Until I moved for the most part. Emily and Maya are 12 and 7. Then their cousins Tyler and Katie who are 13 and 10. I am very close to them and their parents (Emily and Maya's dad is singing for our candlelighting.) I was thinking about them handing out programs or something. Well my mom said that Maya is only and inch or two taller then Matthew (my RB) and that maybe she could be the flower girl. That made me think it would be cute to have the other kids as Jr BMs and a Jr GM. That's adding four more people to the party and I'm not sure about that. I would be cute though. Plus, I have no idea what the Jr BM would wear. Something to thinking about in the next week or so.

[ikkin510]

Steve and I went to the florist today to pick out the flowers. We got a better price then we expected! $300 for my Bouquet, 4 BM bouquet (which are just smaller versions of mine), 2 large flower arrangements for the front of the church and 2 small for the back of the church. The arrangements will then be taken to the reception for the gift and cake tables. I also got a free tossing bouquet.
Here is a picture close to what I am getting. Mine will be a little bigger (that's about the size for the BM's) The BM will have a brownish color ribbon, mine with have a champagne color to match my dress.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/flowers2.jpg

[brewsells]

Those are gorgeous arrangements! That really is a great deal for all of them. I think you did well, Nikki!

[Amber818]

That is a GREAT deal and your bouquet is so pretty. What are you doing for the bouts?

[usahgrad]

Nikki that arrangement is GORGEOUS! Great choice! And even better price!

[ikkin510]

Thanks ladies. That is actually the first bouquets picture I looked at when I started looking into those. I just fell in love with it but thought the two color callas woudl be to expensive. I guess not!
The bouts my mom and her bible study are making for me. They are paying for them and all. YAY!! I'm not sure what exactly I'm goign to have them do yet. I am thinking a calla lily and a fake leaf instead of the greens behind it. Still thinking though.

[Amber818]

They sound great. Can't wait to see what they look like.

[ikkin510]

So we made a couple more decisions today. For music, we aren't going to do anything "live" except for the candle lighting song with a friend of mine is singing. All of the other music we are just using a CD for. Haven't picked the songs yet, but I think we are going to do a lot of soft classical stuff (I love classical music.)
So much for the small wedding. Steve is having a really tough time narrowing down his part of the guest list. So we are just going to invite a few more people. I think the count will be 175 instead of 150. More number crunching in the budget, but hopefully things will work out.

[ikkin510]

I figure I should post it in here so I can keep track of things better.

To Do List:

Book Church - Done
Book Reception Site - Done
Book Catering - Done
Book DJ for reception - Done
Decorations for hall-Still working on that. Have to wait for fall stuff to come out in stores again to finish it up.
Centerpieces-Decided, need the candles yet.
Book Photographer - Done
Order bridesmaid dresses - Done
Order Tuxes-Done, just need the GM to be fitted
Pick Ceramony Music-Working on it
Invitations -Designed, need to check prices on having them done verses doing them ourselves
Book Guest accomidations - Done
Wedding night accomidations for us-That's Steve's job for next month
Pick flowers-Done
put together bouts-My mom is doing that. Just have to order the stuff for her.
Decided on and book honeymoon
buy honeymoon clothes
address inivites
mail invites
Order/purchase rings -
Select dinner menu-Done
choose attendants - Done. Although still need ushers
create photography wish list-Done and given to photographer
gift registry-Started will finish that end of May/begining of June
find favours & purchase
find wedding jewelery
Order bridesmaid jewelery
Order Cake-Done
Order Cake topper
Arrange transportation-Done
Arrange rehersal
Arrange rehersal dinner
Marriage Classes-Working on it
Pick hair style and make appointment
Wedding dress alterations
BM dress alterations
Purchase wedding licence
buy guest book - Done
Order Wedding dress-Done, paid for and picked up
make any RSVP calls needed
final head count to hall
create seating chart
make place cards-bought, just need to put names on them
buy wedding shoes-picked, just need to order
pick up tuxes
pack wedding night bag
buy wedding night PJs
Pack for Honeymoon
give bridal party their gifts
buy BM gifts
buy GM gifts
attend wedding showers
send shower thank yous
send wedding thanks yous
change last name
card box for reception
Box for ring bearer
Make wedding day timeline
Make ceramony programs
make table # cards
place wedding announcement in paper
finalize wedding day details
write cheques to may vendors on wedding day
send wedding day details to bridal party and familiies
buy each other gifts
Write ceremony-almost finished
Pick music for reception

Let me know if you think of anything I may have missed!

[ikkin510]

Wow, I actually feel like I accomplished stuff today! I went though all my classical music cds and found a bunch of songs. 8 for seating to choose from, 2 for the processional (same song, just differant arrangements to choose from), and 2 for the recessional songs to pick from. I'll probably just re-play the seating stuff as people are leaving the church. Plus there are 2 other cds I want to get and listen to yet. I actually had fun once I started working on this. Go figure, I have been dreading it. Tomorrow I'm going to see if I can get those other 2 cds and by the end of the week I should have the music for the ceremony picked!

[Amber818]

On your list you have "Marriage Classes" what are those? I don't want to sound ignorant but are they classes on how to be married?? If so, is that something that is required in your state? I know in AZ we just need to go to the court house with $50 and our ID's and we get our marriage license. Please educate me...LOL....

[Kacie_bride]

Marriage classes are usually something required by some churches.

[MOB Karen]

On your list you have "Marriage Classes" what are those? I don't want to sound ignorant but are they classes on how to be married?? Is so, is that something that is required in your state? I know in AZ we just need to go to the court house with $50 and our ID's and we get our marriage license. Please educate me...LOL....

I wasn't clear on what they were either.

[ikkin510]

Marriage classes are mostly require through churches. It's more of a counciling session where you sit down with the pastor and he goes over what marriage is, tips to a good marriage, etc. He helped us make a good budget to live by and gave us a lot of good information to read. Now he is helping us plan out the ceremony (ie, vows, the order of things, etc.) I find it a BIG help!

[MOB Karen]

Oh. That makes sense. I guess it's obvious that Amber & I aren't regular church goers. Thanks for the info, Nikki!

[CindySue]

Marriage classes are mostly require through churches. It's more of a counciling session where you sit down with the pastor and he goes over what marriage is, tips to a good marriage, etc. He helped us make a good budget to live by and gave us a lot of good information to read. Now he is helping us plan out the ceremony (ie, vows, the order of things, etc.) I find it a BIG help!
They also help you realize "issues" that could come up after the wedding and if you know they might happen and what they are, you are more prepared to handle them when they do pop up. This is especially helpful if you havent lived together before marriage.
Of course, in my case a previous marriage helped get me prepared!;)

[Amber818]

Oh...I get it. Thanks!

[ikkin510]

I'm having a hard time working on wedding stuff today. I figured since I had a bunch of free time, I'd look for favors for a fall wedding under $1. Well it's not working very well. I keep looking at all the spring stuff instead. I'm in a pastel color mood and that doesn't work right with things. Steve and I had originally wanted to get married April 29th (this coming Saturday) but once the fall stuff came out in stores, I could tell Steve would have much rather done a fall wedding. I had so many idea for a spring one and they keep popping in my head!! I'd like to get the favors picked, but it looks like I'm going to have to wait until I'm out of my "Spring Fever" mode.

[bnd94]

To keep with your spring fever mode how about bulbs like daffodils or tulips for your favors. That is what we were going to do. I am not sure how much they would cost. I had planned to put two in a little bag or tulle with a little saying on the tag.
October is the perfect time to plant the bulbs and every year when they come up your guests will be reminded of your wedding. :D

[MOB Karen]

I'm having a hard time working on wedding stuff today. I figured since I had a bunch of free time, I'd look for favors for a fall wedding under $1. Well it's not working very well. I keep looking at all the spring stuff instead. I'm in a pastel color mood and that doesn't work right with things. Steve and I had originally wanted to get married April 29th (this coming Saturday) but once the fall stuff came out in stores, I could tell Steve would have much rather done a fall wedding. I had so many idea for a spring one and they keep popping in my head!! I'd like to get the favors picked, but it looks like I'm going to have to wait until I'm out of my "Spring Fever" mode.

I know exactly how you feel, Nikki. If we would have had a spring wedding, I just love these favors. They are cute, sweet, and the best thing is that they are cheap.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h52/Karen602/springfavors.jpg

[ikkin510]

It seems like the things I couldn't decide on for a Spring wedding, are easy now for a fall. And the things I can't decide on for a Fall wedding, I have perfect ideas for Spring! I was going to do painted birdhouses for the centerpieces and tiny wooden picnic baskets with the Easter colored M&Ms in for favors if we had went with Spring.
I like that idea about the flower seeds Becky. I want to plant a garden next year at our new place so that would be a great idea. Do you have any more details on how you were going to do yours? Do you just put the seeds in a little pouch? I know I have seen fall color Organza pouches on lots of different site for a good price. How many seeds per pouch, does it matter? And do you think I could just buy the little packets that they sell at places like Walmart and split them up? Sorry, I seem to have a lot of questions...lol. But that is a great idea and I'm excited about it now!

[bnd94]

I was going to do flower bulbs not seeds. But seeds would be great too. You could make your own packets(if you have time or buy them) then buy a big thing of wildflower seeds and put them in the packets. I'm not sure how many seeds to put in the packet. Wildflower seeds are usually not real big so maybe a tablespoon in each packet. I would just use my best judgement depending on how many packets you need. I think seeds would be the cheapest to do but the bulbs would be the easiest, but the bulbs could an expensive way to go depending on how many favors you would need. How many people are you inviting. Are you planning on having a favor for each guest or for each family?

You know if you like the little pails you could put your seeds in a little pouch and put them in the pail. That would be cute too.

[ikkin510]

This will show you how much I know about gardening. I thought you just bought them as seeds or the already grown plant. I didn't know anything about the bulbs! LOL
It looks like the guess list is up to inviting 175 now. I would like to do something for each person if I can.
Thanks for the help!

[usahgrad]

I was going to do bulbs as my favors, but they wouldn't have lasted all winter. However, since your wedding is in the fall you can buy them at stores like Home Depot or something like that. When I priced them out, I think that a bag of tulip bulbs were 25 bulbs for about $6. Don't quote me on that though. Bulbs survive better if they are in paper bags, so I thought about getting little brown paper bags and then tying them closed with pretty ribbon (I LOVE the way that looks). That way the bulbs would be a little more protected then if they were just in tulle.

Something else that makes me think of fall is maple candies...call me crazy. But I thought you could do the pail idea that you liked, but in fall colors, and then put little maple leaf candies in them or something like that. Although, I'm not sure where you'd find those and how much they would cost; but it's a thought.

Good luck. You are getting a TON done!

[ikkin510]

I was going to do bulbs as my favors, but they wouldn't have lasted all winter. However, since your wedding is in the fall you can buy them at stores like Home Depot or something like that. When I priced them out, I think that a bag of tulip bulbs were 25 bulbs for about $6. Don't quote me on that though. Bulbs survive better if they are in paper bags, so I thought about getting little brown paper bags and then tying them closed with pretty ribbon (I LOVE the way that looks). That way the bulbs would be a little more protected then if they were just in tulle.

Something else that makes me think of fall is maple candies...call me crazy. But I thought you could do the pail idea that you liked, but in fall colors, and then put little maple leaf candies in them or something like that. Although, I'm not sure where you'd find those and how much they would cost; but it's a thought.

Good luck. You are getting a TON done!
Thanks for the ideas. I'll have to check out the prices on the bulbs. I could probably decorate the brown bags with stamps to liven them up. I thought about using the pails and puting leaf shaped chocolates in the. I really can't find any leaves in my colors though. I"m still looking though. One day I'll make a decision...lol

[ikkin510]

Ok, I didn't do too great with my march list. Flowers from the florist are ordered. I have to pick the ones for the bouts and such. My mom wants to start on those in July. So I got some time. Music, I decided on what and picked most of the ceremony songs. Got no where with the centerpieces and the favors I keep changing my mind on.....
****So here's the May to do****
-Find another 15 minutes of seating music for the ceremony.
-Pick the song for the candle lighting. (this will complete songs for the ceremony)
-Still have to check on pricing for making verses having the invites made.
-I really need to get somewhere with deciding on favors. I keep changing my mind.
-We really need to finalize the guest list too and stop adding people to it.

I'm kinda going easy on myself since I'm moving into my new place this month. So I have all the packing, cleaning, unpacking, etc. Plus we might be getting a puppy this month too, so that will be some more work to get use to. I'm still adjusting to Steve's new work schedule. That has been hard for me since I see him a lot less then I use to. Our schedules just seem to be opposit of each other.

[MOB Karen]

I think it's a great idea to do monthly lists, Nikki!! I think you are doing great job on time. Good luck with your May list!! Thanks for the cool idea!

[Kacie_bride]

I keep adding to my guest list as well! We have both got to stop don't we!

[brewsells]

I think it's great that you are doing a monthly list as well. I was going to do that, but it just didn't quite seem to happen.

[ikkin510]

The monthly list normally keeps me on top of stuff i NEED to get done. With the exception of last month, I normally stick to it. I just had so much other stuff on my mind, like moving, FH got a new job, etc, that I didn't have wedding on the brain as much. But it definatly helps to have a list to remind you and keep straight all of the hundreds of things a bride has to do!

Kacie, your right, we do need to stop adding to our lists. I know mine has gone up another 10 people in the last 2 weeks!

[ikkin510]

I'm off to a good start. I called about prices for getting the invites printed and I think we have a winner! I could get the invites and response cards printed and cut for under $50. Just buying the ink for our printer would cost more then that if I did them myself. Plus I would rather have someone else cut them. I can't cut wrapping paper straight so I don't want to see what the invites would look like. So as long as Steve ok's it (I don't see why he wouldn't!) that is what we will do. On to the next task......

[MOB Karen]

You're so good, Nicole! I wish I had some of your perseverance.

[ikkin510]

Ok, so I tried to work on the guest list with Steve the other night. Keyword in that sentence is TRIED. He came up with a reason to leave just about every person on his part of the list! We crossed of 1 person. There are question marks next to a few more, but he can't bring himself to take them off. I added 3 people to my part of the list. I'm still under for my friends/family. Yes well. Back to the drawling board for working on that.

Steve found another idea for favors for the wedding that he liked. I thought it was a cute idea, so we are thinking about it.
http://www.bridalpeople.com/wedding-favors/13487.asp
They come in sets of 4 and a set is only $2.50. Great price. I had seen fall ones on other sites that I really liked, but they were a lot more expensive. I could decorate these more towards our theme with colored ribbon around each one and one of the leaf charms I bought off Oriental Trading. Another idea my mom mentioned was to go to different home improvement stores. Sometimes they have the small tiles for really cheap on clearance. Then decopoge (I know that is no where close to the right spelling!) a leaf or another fall picture on it. Put a little bit of felt on the bottom and "Wala!" A home-made coaster. My mom made a few a couple years ago and they turned out really nice and hold up to a lot of spills!

[ikkin510]

Last night we sat down and wrote the ceremony. Our pastor had given us a ton of different ceremony ideas to look through. We went through all of them and pieced together the ones we liked best. I just want to change the wording for the greeting/introduction a bit and I need to find a nice, short write up about the unity candles to put in there. YAY! Another thing mostly done and it wasn't even on the list for the month. I just have to put all of the pieces together on a final copy and go over it with the pastor sometime.

[ikkin510]

Well, I have more stuff crossed off the list. My parents came up on Saturday to celebrate my birthday and mothers day. We ended up mostly talking about the wedding. We stopped in at the church since she had not seen it yet. Found out a friend of hers offered to make all the pew decorations for us. They will just be small flower arrangements using the same flowers as our bouquets. Another person offered to let us use thier arbor to get married under. They are getting married the week before we are and said they are just using strands of fake leaves and white lights and if we want we can use it. YAY!
My mom also check out about getting small tiles to make nice coasters for favors. She can get them for only 32 cents each! Now we just have to find what we are going to put on them and make them.
Steve is slowly working on cutting down his guest list. Took 2 more people off (he forgot he put them on to begin with!)

[Amber818]

Well, I have more stuff crossed off the list. My parents came up on Saturday to celebrate my birthday and mothers day. We ended up mostly talking about the wedding. We stopped in at the church since she had not seen it yet. Found out a friend of hers offered to make all the pew decorations for us. They will just be small flower arrangements using the same flowers as our bouquets. Another person offered to let us use thier arbor to get married under. They are getting married the week before we are and said they are just using strands of fake leaves and white lights and if we want we can use it. YAY!
My mom also check out about getting small tiles to make nice coasters for favors. She can get them for only 32 cents each! Now we just have to find what we are going to put on them and make them.
Steve is slowly working on cutting down his guest list. Took 2 more people off (he forgot he put them on to begin with!)

Hi Nikki!
It is so awesome you got so much done. I think it is great everyone wants to help, that is so nice. I have a question though and I apologize for the dumb question but what is an arbor? It sounds beautiful with the leaves and lights!

[ikkin510]

Hi Amber. Don't worry, that's not a dumb question. I asked my mom the same thing when she told me about it! An arbor is just an arch that some couple decorate to get married under. I have seen people who keep them in their garden after they are married and plant flowers and ivy to grow up and around it. Hope this helps a little!
Nikki

[Kacie_bride]

I didn't know either!!!! I am having an arch as well. I am buying mine from Michael's for only $30. It is prelit and I am adding flowers to it.

[Amber818]

Hi Amber. Don't worry, that's not a dumb question. I asked my mom the same thing when she told me about it! An arbor is just an arch that some couple decorate to get married under. I have seen people who keep them in their garden after they are married and plant flowers and ivy to grow up and around it. Hope this helps a little!
Nikki

OIC! It sounds so pretty. I can't wait to see pics!

[ikkin510]

I sat down tonight and typed up the guest list. I need to get a bunch of addresses yet from FH and FMIL. I was looking it over and realize we never put FSIL and her FH on the list....OOPS! They are added now. That would have been BAD. Anyway. The total right now is 170. We were trying for 150. 20 over isn't TOO bad. I may be able to take a few more off yet. 8-14. That would take us even closer. But we aren't too far over what we wanted, so I'm not that worried. YAY! I feel a lot better about this. There are a few more guys from the firehouse that we would like to add. But seeing that is were the reception is, we know they will be there to make and serve the dinner. Is that horrible? We would want to invite them, but aren't cause they will be there for the reception anyway. We plan on ordering extra favors and such for all of the guys in the kitchen.

[ikkin510]

NOO!!! Ok, I found an address to add to the list. Yeah know that guest list I just finished telling you I typed up. I know I saved it. I made sure I saved the file multiple times. Yet it is no where to be found on my computer! This is not a good night.:censored:

[MOB Karen]

NOO!!! Ok, I found an address to add to the list. Yeah know that guest list I just finished telling you I typed up. I know I saved it. I made sure I saved the file multiple times. Yet it is no where to be found on my computer! This is not a good night.:censored:.

Oopsie!! I hate when that happens!! Good luck finding it, Nikki!!

[ikkin510]

Thanks to my wonderful FH I found the file. He knows way more about computers then I do. He called me on his break from work and told me to search the title under some search program I didn't even know I had on my computer....LOL. Found it and moved the file to a spot where I know to find it from now on. He also gave me the ok to remove 4 people and he's thinking on 4 more.
Oh and later this week I'm going to talk to FMIL about what she thinks on favors. Myself, FH, and my mom don't know which we would rather do, the glass coasters, or make ones. So we are going to let her have the vote. FH brought it up since he knows his sister (who is also planning a wedding) hasn't been asking her about anything and this well she can feel included more. I lvoe my FMIL, so I'm disappointed I didn't think of this first!

[ikkin510]

So tonight two of my BMs came over just to talk. I haven't seen them in a while since we all have had something going on. They talked about the shower they are planning on throwing me, and we went over details for the wedding. It was fun. Then they had me try on my dress for them again. I haven't tried it on in a few months. Well....I have some work to do. Apparently I have been gaining weight instead of lossing it. I couldn't get the back closed all the way!!!!! It's just a little and when the back is laced up, you can't tell too much. But from the front you can tell it's tight. I didn't even have my puffy slip on and the strapless bra! I guess I need to really crack down on my diet and working out. I was practicly in tears. I never use to have to worry about my weight. I was lucky as a child/teenager, that I never gained anything. Guess I'm not like that anymore. I have no clue what I'm doing when it comes to a diet, so I guess I need to do some reading up. Time for more walks and sit-ups. I'm not liking this. I am all worried now that I wouldn't be able to loss what I need to loss to have my dress fit like it should.

[StaceyMc]

Nikki - Don't worry. If the dress is still a little snug, that's why alterations and slimming undergarments were invented.

[MOB Karen]

Nikki - Don't worry. If the dress is still a little snug, that's why alterations and slimming undergarments were invented.


Amen!!!!!!

[ikkin510]

We decided to just buy the favors instead of making them. It costs about the same either way we went. And with making improvements to the new house (we move next weekend) and getting a puppy (hopefully that will happen the following weekend) it will make it a little easier. With that done, I have officially finished my May list. Plus some. Now I just need to start buying some of the stuff I need. LOL

[ikkin510]

OK, since I will be moving soon and don't know how long it will take me to get the computer set up, I'm going to do my June T0-DO list now. As I mentioned earlier I actually got all of May done.

*Work on our registry
*Start on music for the reception
*Look for bridal jewerly
*Order favors and my shoes (already have them picked out)
*Make sure my mom ordered the flowers for the bouts and pew decorations
*Found out the size of the arbor and order the decorations for it.
*Make another payment on the photographer
*Start looking at attendant gifts
*Ask Emily and Katie if they will hand out programs
*Get the material for the wraps for the BMs and myself. (mom is making these)
*Since the 7th will be the 4 month mark I need to finish designing the invites and take them to be printed
*Decide on how to number the tables
*Decide on centerpieces.
*KEEP AT MY DIET!

It's looks like a long list, but it's lots of small things. Actually, it's spending a lot of money too. LOL

[ikkin510]

that didn't post right. sorry

[AngelinLove]

Goo dluck with getting everything done!!! I know how hard moving can be. We just moved last month and I am still trying to get everything in order!!!

[ikkin510]

Ok, now that I'm in the new place and kinda unpacked, I can get back to working on this list! I'm doing good so far. Here's what I've got.
*Just ordered the favors, and love the price! Just need to get the ribbon for them.
*Steve and I are going to go over what we are already registered for this week, make a list of what we need, and hit the stores next week to finish it up.
*My mom got all the silk flowers and stuff needed to make the bouts. All for under $20!! She should have them done by the end of the months. I'll post pics as soon as she sends some to me.
*We are going to pay off the photographer Monday since we have the extra money now. Then all we have to pay for is the extra orders after the wedding.
* I will be asking the girls to hand out programs on Sunday since I am going down to my parents for my little sister's high school graduations.
*Moving in the hot temps definatly helped me out. I lost 2 pounds in a week cause of all the work and sweating I had to suffer through. I've been doing OK with my diet I guess. I tend to "cheat" every other day though. Steve didn't help when we went shopping today and bought a bunch of non-diet foods and hardly anything diet friendly. Guess he is testing me on whether I can stick to this!
* Also just ordered my shoes. They will need to be dyed later on, but that shouldn't be to hard.

[Kacie_bride]

Hey Nikki, how is your diet going? I started a diet, but I only lasted about 2 weeks. I fell off the wagon last week. What are you doing?

[ikkin510]

Well Kacie, I am clueless when it comes to dieting. I have just been trying to cut ou tmy snacking, when possible. Or when I am hungry in between meals, I go for something like celery of crackers. For breakfast I either have a waffle with strawberrys, or a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter. Lunch I've been having a Lean Pocket or soup and salad. I'll also have a yogert. Dinner I'm just eating what I always eat, just smaller potions. I drink LOTS of water. I also try to walk or use my stepper every day. I am also trying to do sit-ups everyday to work on my belly area more. Summer time is definatly going to help me because I just tend to eat less when it's hot out. I don't need to lose a lot of weight. Just about 20 pounds. So far it seems to be working out. Hope this helps you a little. Like I said, I'm kinda clueless on diets, but so far this is working for me.
PS I "cheat" once a week and we'll go get ice cream at the seasonal ice cream place. I only get a small cone though!

[ikkin510]

I talked with one of Steve's cousins the other day. She has been offering to help out with the wedding. Well, she went to beauty school, so I asked her if she will do mine and my MOH's hair. She was so excite. She will not let me pay her for it, but I will get her something for helping. She wants to me take some pictures over one day of hair styles I like. There are 2 that I have in mind right now, and she has a few ideas too. So every so often we are going to try different ones out to see what we like best.

[AngelinLove]

That's great!!! I still havn't found someone to do my hair....or anyone in the wedding party's for that matter. I guess I need to get off of my butt and get that done!!!

[Kacie_bride]

I haven't worried about hair yet. I should probably start looking for someone in town pretty soon because good hairstylist here are few and far between. The girl I go to does not do updo's and I really do not want to drive an hour on my wedding day to get my hair done.

That is a pretty neat deal you got for your MOH's hair.

About the diet, I don't need to loose a bunch either. I was really thinking about maybe 10 lbs. I'm not worried that much about the weight, I would just really like to firm my belly and thighs some for the honeymoon.

[ikkin510]

That's my thing too. Once I lose the weight I need to to fit in my dress, then I just want to work on toning. For that I can go next door to the fire house (yes the house I moved to is next to the firehouse Steve belongs to. He LOVES that!) They have a gym in the basement that members can use, so we will work out down there some.

[AngelinLove]

That's awesome that you have access to a gym right next door!!! I have a membership to one that is about 5 min away...I am just too lazy!! I really need to get my butt into gear!!!

[ikkin510]

I figured I'd post what Steve picked for the tuxes. Here are the vest/ties. GMs will be in the latte and Steve will have the same thing but in Ivory.
http://www.sarnotux.com/vest-details.asp?id=588
The coats are just a standard 3 button jacket with a collar. They guys are going to look great!

[ikkin510]

Here are my favorites for my hair and make up.
This is my favorite hair style. The only thing is I wouldn't want to wear a tiara with it, and I already bought one. I could do some flowers though....
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/hair1.jpg
This one I like too, but not as much
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/hair2.jpg
And here is the make up. It's really simple, which I like. My only problem is I'm clueless when it comes to this stuff. All I ever wear is cover up and mascara. So I may see FH's cousin can help with that too.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/BridalMakeup.jpg

[Kacie_bride]

About the hair, show the pic to your stylist and tell her that you like the basic look of the first style, but you have a tiara. I'm sure she (or he) will be able to do something different with the front so a tiara will look good with it. You can just have the front changed and keep the back the same.

[MOB Karen]

Those hairstyles are really cute! I like how the curls fall down the back!! The makeup look is really pretty, love the lipstick color! Love the tux color too!! Good job, Nikki!!

[AngelinLove]

I just wanted to say that the hairstyles are great. I am considering the second for myself...if I actually decide to do an updo...which is really not that likely!!

[Jopet]

Just wanted to say that the hair styles you have picked are great!!! The make up is beautiful also very simple but very elegant.

[ikkin510]

Yay! I got home from a horrible day at work and I had a bunch of packages waiting for me on my back porch. I got the blinds for my living room (glad to have them finally!) But I also got the favors and my shoes! I didn't expect them to get here so quickly so that was a very nice surprise. The shoes are a perfect fit. They say they are dyable, but the website charged for getting the dyed. I'm going to read up on the internet and see if I might be able to handle dying them myself. They are white now, which isn't horrible, but I would like them to be an ivory or champagne to match my dress. I might even see if the local bridal store here could do it for me at a nice price.
The favors are even nicer looking in person, so I'm sure the guest will love them. This weekend I am going to the craft store and get the ribbon for them and material for the BMs wraps. YAY!

[ikkin510]

Since I have been so stressed about the wedding, Steve took me for some retail theropy. I got a nice dress jacket, 2 nice shirts and a pairt of dressy sandels. Steve got a few shirts, a pair of shorts, and new sneakers. But, the exciting part....We finally got our rings!!! They had my size there, so I have mine. Steve's needs to be ordered. I will post "live" pictures once I figure out which box my camara is packed in. (I know, I'm really slow unpacking!) So you will have to look at the website pics.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/myring.jpg This is mine, only it's in yellow gold.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/stevesring.jpgThis is Steve's.
The funny thing is, we both looked at the guys and the girls rings and picked our favorite one of both. We ended up picking the exact same rings and didn't know it till we tried them on! They are ordering Steve's and it should be in by the end on July. They said about 49 days.

[WhiskeyGirl]

Beautiful rings Nikki!! :)

[AngelinLove]

Those are beautiful. They are fairly similiar to mine and Joel's rings!! Yeah having great taste!!!

[Kacie_bride]

I love the rings! You have nice taste!

[ikkin510]

Those are beautiful. They are fairly similiar to mine and Joel's rings!! Yeah having great taste!!!

Thanks Angel!

[ikkin510]

I noticed today that my ticker says I have 3 month, 3 weeks, and 3 days. It's hitting me that time is really flying past. Steve and I really need to figure out what we want with this day and get moving on things. If we are going to continue with the bigger wedding, then we have a LOT of work that needs to be done yet.
My sister and I went to JoAnn's to get the fabric for the wraps. The more I look at what we picked though, the more I'm hating it. I got to see my sister's dress and I love the color and think it will look fine without the colored wraps. So we are just going to forget about that. (Although my mom and sister are upset, they will have to get over it!)
Steve is getting frustrated with his GM. He says it seems like ever since he asked them to be in the wedding, they talk to him less and less. It's to the point where he would rather just get rid of them all. I wouldn't mind ridding myself of some bms while we were at it. This just makes us what to run off even more.
Speaking of BM, I just get an e-mail from one while I was writing this. I guess she has decided to take a job at a camp and will be leaving next week. I won't see her again early August. She will be home for a week and then it's back to college for her. Guess I can count her out of any helping. Question, why do people agree to be in the wedding and help out if they are never going to be around to help? Sigh....
Back to the drawling board.

[MOB Karen]

Love your rings, Nikki!! Yours is just beautiful!!! Can't wait to see the "live" pictures!!!

[AngelinLove]

Nikki, I'm sorry about you BM...but unfortuantely it appears to mbe an epidemic. For soem reason it is just too much to ask for them to agree to be in it, stick to that, and help!!! Hell, these days you are lucky to get them to buy a dress..LOL!!! Good Luck!!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

I sometimes think that unless they've planned a wedding before they really don't understand the stress that they put you through, but then I have to take that back as the two BMs I had problems with have both planned weddings!! lol. I know that I've sworn that if anyone asks me to be a BM ever again, I will do whatever it takes to help make planning easier on them, unless of course they are a total bridezilla, then we'll see and it'll just depend on if it's just a moment of Bridezillaness because of what other people are doing or what. I have to say this, Bridal Parties are so hard to count on! I think the only ones we really did count on was the GM. Matt's two best friends at the time and his brother. Now we only talk to the one best friend and his brother! lol.

[ikkin510]

Here is a picture of my wedding band and e-ring
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/100_0428.jpg
And here is just the wedding band
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/100_0430.jpg
Sorry they are kind of dark. I couldn't figure out how to get them any brighter. Steve took both home to be put in his lock box so I didn't get to take a picture of his like I wanted to.

[Jenn060306]

The rings are beautiful Nikki!

I;m sorry you are having trouble with your Bridesmaids. Definatly it seems to be somthing that alot of people don't understand their roles when they are asked to be one. Maybe you should talk to the one who is going away and ask if she is still interested in being one since she is so busy. If she's not then you can find someone new or just not have another one.
I don't even know what to say about the Groomsmen. Maybe Steve can go out for a guys night with them and get the communication up and rolling again.
Good luck with everything!

[ikkin510]

To Do List:

Book Church - Done
Book Reception Site - Done
Book Catering - Done
Book DJ for reception - Done
Decorations for hall-Still working on that. Have to wait for fall stuff to come out in stores again to finish it up.
Centerpieces-I can't seem to make a definate decision!
Book Photographer - Done
Order bridesmaid dresses - Done
Order Tuxes-Done, just need the GM to be fitted
Pick Ceramony Music-Done, just need to get my sister to burn it all on one CD
Invitations -Designed, just need to get them printed
Book Guest accomidations - Done
Wedding night accomidations for us-Steve's suppose to do that this week
Pick flowers-Done
put together bouts-My mom is working on them now.
Decided on and book honeymoon-Done and mostly paid for
buy honeymoon clothes-Started on it.
address inivites
mail invites
Order/purchase rings - Done
Select dinner menu-Done
choose attendants - Done. Although still need ushers
create photography wish list-Done
gift registry-Just need to finalize one store's list
find favours & purchase-Done, just need the ribbon
find wedding jewelery
Order bridesmaid jewelery
Order Cake-Done
Order Cake topper
Arrange transportation-Done
Arrange rehersal-In the works
Arrange rehersal dinner-again, in the works
Marriage Classes-Done
Pick hair style and make appointment-I"m down to two choices
Wedding dress alterations
BM dress alterations
Purchase wedding licence
buy guest book - Done
Order Wedding dress-Done, paid for and picked up
make any RSVP calls needed
final head count to hall
create seating chart
make place cards-bought, just need to put names on them
buy wedding shoes-Done
pick up tuxes
pack wedding night bag
buy wedding night PJs
Pack for Honeymoon
send shower thank yous
send wedding thanks yous
change last name
card box for reception
Box for ring bearer
Make wedding day timeline
Make ceramony programs
make table # cards
finalize wedding day details
write checkes to vendors on wedding day
buy each other gifts
Write ceremony-almost finished
Pick music for reception

Let me know if you think of anything I may have missed or that I'm really behind on getting done!

[ikkin510]

I work with two of Steve's GM. We were talking the other day and they want to wear bright green ties for the wedding to freak me out. So, I told Steve about it the other night and he decide that he wants to get them the ties to wear for the reception. He figures he can use them as part of their gifts. So here are the bright ties that will be seen in any reception pictures. They are really inexpensive and work for the idea.
http://www.solidcolorneckties.com/index.cfm/fa/search.results/keywords/green13/orderBy/lowestPrice%20asc/endrw/0
At least Steve is getting somewhere with his gifts. I have ideas for my girls, but nothing definate. I wast talking with my sister and I think I want to get them all personalize tote bags and then I just need to find stuff to stuff in them. All the girls LOVE flip flops so I figured I'd look for a cute pair of those for everyone. Now sure about what else though. Anyone know where I can get nice, personalize tote bags that aren't too expensive?

[LaceyinPgh]

www.personalizationmall.com has some nice ones. I also know of several people who have bought them on Ebay with good results. I got mine from www.*******.com and it was really nice too.

[ikkin510]

www.personalizationmall.com (http://www.personalizationmall.com) has some nice ones. I also know of several people who have bought them on Ebay with good results. I got mine from www.*******.com (http://www.*******.com) and it was really nice too.

Thanks Lacey. I'll check that out!

[brewsells]

I order from Personalization Mall all the time. I love them. And I think they have good prices.

[Jenn060306]

Your list looks good. I can't think of anything you've missed.
The personalized bag idea is great! I was looking at them myself. I never found some in Canada that i liked and the exchange plus shipping and extra shipping to Canada made it more then i wanted to pay for a terri cloth bag.
I like the green ties! It's a really funky colour! :D

[ikkin510]

I had my first wedding nightmare last night. I had a dream that when I got up I didn't even realize it was my wedding day. I couldn't figure out why my MOH was at my house. Then when I found out I had NOTHING done. I called my hair dresser and she forgot what day it was too and told me she had to walk her dog so she couldn't do my hair. It seemed like I was the only one who wasn't ready to go when the ceremony started so they made me do it in my pj and my hair looking like a small animal lived in it!

[LaceyinPgh]

I had my first wedding nightmare last night. I had a dream that when I got up I didn't even realize it was my wedding day. I couldn't figure out why my MOH was at my house. Then when I found out I had NOTHING done. I called my hair dresser and she forgot what day it was too and told me she had to walk her dog so she couldn't do my hair. It seemed like I was the only one who wasn't ready to go when the ceremony started so they made me do it in my pj and my hair looking like a small animal lived in it!

Don't worry. I think that I only had a couple of wedding nightmares during the 15 month process. And, one of those came on my honeymoon. My MOH and bridesmaids though all had more than I did for my day. Just laugh it off, realize it was a drea, and head back to bed.

[ikkin510]

I was talking to Steve the other day and he asked how the planning was coming along. I told him there was still a decent size list of things that need to be done. He is great with helping out and is always asking what he can do. So he asked to see the list. Well, He decided that this weekend was going to be spent in full planning mode. He thinks there is way too much to be done yet and that need to be decided on. I think I am starting to get a groomzille. I shouldn't complain. At least someone is gun-hoe on planning. I haven't been lately.
Some of the major issues to tackle are centerpieces, bridal party gifts, reception music, and finishing out registry. My first shower is the end of July so I want to have that done by the end of this month.
We also have to make a final decision on the cake topper. We have 3 options. The one is a $250 crystal one that Steve LOVES. I can't see spending that much money, but he wants to get a clear box and display it in the living room afterwards. It's nice, but still, that much money?!!? The other two are really cute and under $50. We have been having a hard time finding firefighter and bride ones we liked. The links are all on Steve's computer right now. He wanted to be the one to pick that out. As soon as I get to his house again (possibly tomorrow) i'll post them.

[ikkin510]

Steve finally decided on the order for his groomsmen. He is had such a hard time with it since he can't pick one to be his BM. They are all equal in his eyes. So, no one will have the BM title. But the first guy will probably look like it since he is paired with my MOH. So we went by who matches up with who the best. Here's the line up.
My Side
MOH-Taren (my best friend)
BM-Amanda (my sister)
BM-Julie (Steve's cousin and my neighbor)
BM Lindsey (Steve's cousin and my neighbor)

His Side
GM-Jeff (his brother)
GM-BJ (a friends, has a crush on my sister!)
GM- Jeremy(a friend)
GM-Tim AKA Boulder (friend and coworker)

Then of course my adorible 4 year old cousin Matthew is our ring bear. I need to get a recent picture of him and load it on here to show you!

Also, I have been thinking more on my BM gifts. I found nice bags at LL Bean that I really like. I just have to decide on the size and color. Then I want to get a chicken soup for the soul book for each girl. There are so many options with those books that I'm sure I can find somethign that will fit each one perfectly. Then a pair of flip flops and one more thing, which I"m undecided on yet.
No ideas for the gm besides their lime green ties!

[LaceyinPgh]

CHeck out Target. They have a great dollar sectin that you can get stuff out of to fill the bags. Just check every time you go. Also they always have stuff on clearance in their cosmetic section.

[Kacie_bride]

Steve finally decided on the order for his groomsmen. He is had such a hard time with it since he can't pick one to be his BM. They are all equal in his eyes. So, no one will have the BM title. But the first guy will probably look like it since he is paired with my MOH. So we went by who matches up with who the best. Here's the line up.
My Side
MOH-Taren (my best friend)
BM-Amanda (my sister)
BM-Julie (Steve's cousin and my neighbor)
BM Lindsey (Steve's cousin and my neighbor)

His Side
GM-Jeff (his brother)
GM-BJ (a friends, has a crush on my sister!)
GM- Jeremy(a friend)
GM-Tim AKA Boulder (friend and coworker)

Then of course my adorible 4 year old cousin Matthew is our ring bear. I need to get a recent picture of him and load it on here to show you!

Also, I have been thinking more on my BM gifts. I found nice bags at LL Bean that I really like. I just have to decide on the size and color. Then I want to get a chicken soup for the soul book for each girl. There are so many options with those books that I'm sure I can find somethign that will fit each one perfectly. Then a pair of flip flops and one more thing, which I"m undecided on yet.
No ideas for the gm besides their lime green ties!

Justin is having a hard time just picking his attendants out. We still have 6 months, I know, but he only has 2 spaces filled. He has 3 more groomesmen and 3 ushers to find still.

[ikkin510]

Justin is having a hard time just picking his attendants out. We still have 6 months, I know, but he only has 2 spaces filled. He has 3 more groomesmen and 3 ushers to find still.

Steve still has all the ushers to ask. He has them picked at least!
Well today we booked the room for the wedding night, called to remind the DJ to send the song list for us to go over, and finalized the flight for our honeymoon. YAY! Tomorrow is our wedding work day. I should have a list of things done....hopefully!

[ikkin510]

CHeck out Target. They have a great dollar sectin that you can get stuff out of to fill the bags. Just check every time you go. Also they always have stuff on clearance in their cosmetic section.

I never thought of that! Thanks for the great suggestion Lacey! We have to go there to finish the registry anyway so I will definatly check that out!!

[ikkin510]

As I promised, here are the cake toppers we are thinking about. There are actually 4.

The first two are REALLY expensive, but Fh really likes them
http://www.glasscaketops.com/couples/couple52.htm

http://www.glasscaketops.com/couples/couple51.htm

http://www.jwcaketops.com/wedfigurines/occupationsuniforms/firemangearcarrying.htm
(the first one)

http://www.sculpturedglass.com/gallery/wctfirefig.htm

Let me know what you think!

[AngelinLove]

I really like them all, but teh first two are super nice...and super expensive!!! I think you should go with whatever one you want...since this wedidng is not what you really wanted it to be...you should personalize it anyway you can!!!!

[MOB Karen]

As I promised, here are the cake toppers we are thinking about. There are actually 4.

The first two are REALLY expensive, but Fh really likes them
http://www.glasscaketops.com/couples/couple52.htm

http://www.glasscaketops.com/couples/couple51.htm

http://www.jwcaketops.com/wedfigurines/occupationsuniforms/firemangearcarrying.htm
(the first one)

http://www.sculpturedglass.com/gallery/wctfirefig.htm

Let me know what you think!

Ok, Nikki, my favorite is the second one, but if you aren't going to go with either of them because of cost, I pick the last one. I like the glass ones better than the resin ones, but any of them would be really nice.
Firemen rock, by the way!!!!

[ikkin510]

I have a hard time saying I like the first two, just for the reason on how expensive they are! Steve is right that it would look really nice in a glass box on our fireplace. But to spend that much money!! Steve is getting the final say on it and I have a feeling it will be one of the expensive ones. Theya re beautiful though!

ps Karen, I have to argee, IMO, there is nothing better then a fireman. :D

[WhiskeyGirl]

http://www.jwcaketops.com/wedfigurines/occupationsuniforms/images/thresholdfireman.JPG

I really like this one!! lol. The others one just look kinda disproportionate, but ultimately it's yours and Steve's choice!! Good luck!! :)

[Amber818]

As I promised, here are the cake toppers we are thinking about. There are actually 4.

The first two are REALLY expensive, but Fh really likes them
http://www.glasscaketops.com/couples/couple52.htm

http://www.glasscaketops.com/couples/couple51.htm

http://www.jwcaketops.com/wedfigurines/occupationsuniforms/firemangearcarrying.htm
(the first one)

http://www.sculpturedglass.com/gallery/wctfirefig.htm

Let me know what you think!

I just looked at how expensive they are and I agree 150% with you...a few hundred dollars is sooo much money for a cake topper...

[MOB Karen]

I just looked at how expensive they are and I agree 150% with you...a few hundred dollars is sooo much money for a cake topper...

It is, but they are going to keep it on display after the wedding. It would be beautiful!! But I can certainly understand going with one of the other less expensive ones. It will be so pretty either way, Nikki!!!!

[Amber818]

It is beautiful!! And displaying it is a great idea...

[MOB Karen]

It is beautiful!! And displaying it is a great idea...

Well, yeah, you have to get your money's worth. Duh!! LOL!!! :p

[ikkin510]

We went shopping today and did great! Well, first we went to Staples to get the invites printed. Yeah, they were going to end up being over $90!!! They originally quoted me only $30. Needless to say we decided not to go that way. We got the paper and envelopes and decided it's cheaper to do it ourselves. All we have to do is order the extra ink cartridge for the prints. PLUS we picked and bought the stuff for our centerpieces. We decided to go with fake flowers in a tarakota (sp?) pot. We are also thinking about putting a little scarecrow in the middle. Someone offered to give us tiny ones for free if we want. I will put one together and get a picture posted in a few days.

[MOB Karen]

We went shopping today and did great! Well, first we went to Staples to get the invites printed. Yeah, they were going to end up being over $90!!! They originally quoted me only $30. Needless to say we decided not to go that way. We got the paper and envelopes and decided it's cheaper to do it ourselves. All we have to do is order the extra ink cartridge for the prints. PLUS we picked and bought the stuff for our centerpieces. We decided to go with fake flowers in a tarakota (sp?) pot. We are also thinking about putting a little scarecrow in the middle. Someone offered to give us tiny ones for free if we want. I will put one together and get a picture posted in a few days.

That sounds so cute, I can't wait to see a picture of it!!!! Great job on bargain hunting, by the way, Nikki!!!

[ikkin510]

To Do List:

Book Church - Done
Book Reception Site - Done
Book Catering - Done
Book DJ for reception - Done
Decorations for hall-Still working on that. Have to wait for fall stuff to come out in stores again to finish it up.
Centerpieces-Got the stuff just need to put them together
Book Photographer - Done
Order bridesmaid dresses - Done
Order Tuxes-Done, just need the GM to be fitted
Pick Ceramony Music-Done, just need to get my sister to burn it all on one CD
Invitations -got the stuff, just need to put it all together
Book Guest accomidations - Done
Wedding night accomidations for us-Done
Pick flowers-Done
put together bouts-My mom is working on them now.
Decided on and book honeymoon-Done and mostly paid for
buy honeymoon clothes-Started on it.
address inivites
mail invites
Order/purchase rings - Done
Select dinner menu-Done
choose attendants/ushers - Done.
create photography wish list-Done
gift registry-Done
find favours & purchase-Done, just need the ribbon
find wedding jewelery
Order bridesmaid jewelery
Order Cake-Done
Order Cake topper
Arrange transportation-Done
Arrange rehersal-In the works
Arrange rehersal dinner-again, in the works
Marriage Classes-Done
Pick hair style and make appointment-I'm down to two choices
Wedding dress alterations
BM dress alterations
Purchase wedding licence
buy guest book - Done
Order Wedding dress-Done, paid for and picked up
make any RSVP calls needed
final head count to hall
create seating chart
make place cards-bought, just need to put names on them
buy wedding shoes-Done
pick up tuxes
pack wedding night bag
buy wedding night PJs
Pack for Honeymoon
send shower thank yous
send wedding thanks yous
change last name
card box for reception-Done
Box for ring bearer-Done
Make wedding day timeline
Make ceramony programs
make table # cards
finalize wedding day details
write checkes to vendors on wedding day
buy each other gifts
Write ceremony-almost finished
Pick music for reception

[ikkin510]

Steve decided that we needed to go shopping again for more wedding stuff. He is on a huge "wedding kick" right now. He is constantly talking about it and working on things. It's great! Anyway. Today he told me that he is working on transportation from the wedding to the hotel. (We have a 45 minute drive since we are going to stay at a place near the airport. Our flight leaves at 9 the next morning.) I am not allowed to know what it is or worry about the cost.
We also bought place champagne glasses. 4 for $3! I have some little leaf charms that I'm just going to tie on with ribbon to decorate them a bit. We also bought the unity candles. And a few months ago I bought two baskets for flower girls, but ended up not having flower girls. So I decided that they are the perfect size to use as card baskets. I'll post pictures of what I have as soon as I get them loaded on the computer

[ikkin510]

Here is a picture of the centerpieces we want to do. Nice, simple, but cute!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/100_0454.jpg
Sorry it's such a small picture! I re-sized it in photo bucket and it turned out smaller then I wanted!

This is the unity candles/decorations we got. I think we ended up spending a total of $15 for 3 candles, a black iron candle holder for the large candle, the silver for the small candles, and the leaf and berry strand.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/100_0460.jpg

[WhiskeyGirl]

I love your center pieces and I love your unity candle. You are so lucky, you are getting the AUtumn wedding I wanted but couldn't have because of **** Harvest!! Gotta love being married into a farm family!! IT's going to be so beautiful, I can't wait to see pics Nikki!!!! :)

[ikkin510]

What I wanted to do for June:

*Work on our registry-Finished them
*Start on music for the reception-We called the Dj to send us out a list of music. Should be getting that this week.
*Look for bridal jewerly-Still looking, although Steve found two really nice necklace/earring sets at the mall yesterday that I'm thinking about.
*Order favors and my shoes (already have them picked out)-Done and received. Just have to get the ribbon for the favors
*Make sure my mom ordered the flowers for the bouts and pew decorations-Done
*Found out the size of the arbor and order the decorations for it.-Still waiting to get the info from my mom.
*Make another payment on the photographer-Done, only $100 left to be paid.
*Start looking at attendant/family gifts-We've been look but are having a hard time.
*Ask Emily and Katie if they will hand out programs-Decided not to have anyone hand out programs, just leave them in a nice basket as you walk in the door.
*Get the material for the wraps for the BMs and myself. (mom is making these)-Bought the material, changed my mind about them, returned the material....lol
*Since the 7th will be the 4 month mark I need to finish designing the invites and take them to be printed-As you know, we found getting them would be more expensive then doing them ourselves. So we bought all the stuff to make them, they just have to be printed.
*Decide on how to number the tables-Done, just need to be printed.
*Decide on centerpieces.-Done, everythign bought, just needs to be put together.
*KEEP AT MY DIET!-Food wise, I did horrible, exersize wise, I did great. We'll find out how well tomorrow when I weigh myself at Steve's house!

[ikkin510]

Ok, I didn't do great in June, but not bad. I got a lot done that wasn't on the list. Here is the July list.

*Print and put together the invites/maps/directions so they can be mailed the begining of August.
*Jewerly
*Bridal Party/Family gifts
*Get GM fitted for their tuxes
*Ask Justin and Dan to be ushers, Ben to man the sound system at the church
*Talk to the lady about getting the dress altered.
*Pick and order the cake topper
*Pick reception music
*Buy lots of thank you cards
*Attend Shower #1
*Design the programs

I think that's the major stuff. I stated the honeymoon clothes shopping. Got a few tank tops, 2 dressses, a swimsuit. I just want a skirt, another pair of shorts, a sweater set, and then of course something fun for at night!

[ikkin510]

July will be a busy month for me. There is a lot of overtime at work with people wanting vacation, so I'm goign to try to get a few extra dollars by working that time. The invitations will take a while, expecially since I still don't have all the addresses.
July 22 is my FSIL's bridal shower. Steve told me today that I didn't have to go to it. He honestly didn't expect me to go. I don't know if I feel right NOT going though. I want to get along with her....she just makes it hard sometimes. I really am trying though.
The next day is some big "pre-wedding party" FSIL and her FH are having. It's a brunch thing for both families and the bridal party at a family friends house. That should be interesting. Not my type of party though from the sounds of it.
Then the following weekend is my first shower. This one is with my family from back in Nazareth. Then a week or two later (I don't remember the date, how bad is that!) is the one here with Steve's family. It's either August 6th or 13th. So I need to get together with the BM and give them the list of addresses and names for that one. I feel like the parties are really early, but that gives me plenty of time to write the thank-you's and have the month of September for last minute stuff.
After this past month I feel more on track with everything. I hope to have most everything done by the end of August, then Septmeber will be last minute stuff and putting together centerpieces and favors and all that fun stuff.

[ikkin510]

Well I weighed myself tonight......I lost 5 pounds!! YAY!!! Only about 10 more to go. I was shocked when I got on the scale cause I didn't think I lost much at all. It was a nice surprise!

I'm in the mood to do wedding work tonight, but I'm not sure what I want to work on. I need to finish getting addresses, but I can't do that until I see people or get Steve to call people (most of the addresses are for his friends.) I thought about starting to print the invites, but Steve wants to try to change something quick and see how it looks first. I don't want to put together the centerpieces yet cause they will take up more room then. And I don't have space for that. We are going to work on the music this week. So I guess there isn't much I can do at the moment. O well.

But, more exciting news. We are under 100 days!!! It's 96 to be exact. I didn't realize we were that close. It's really sneaking up on us! But I"m glad, I'm excited and so ready to finally be married to Steve!

[ikkin510]

Ok, I just realized the other day I don't have my garters. I have been looking for ones, but all the ones I find are sold in sets of two. I want two, but two different ones. I want one to be a fire fighter one, and one to be a autumn themed one. But I can't find ones I like sold individually at a decent price!! Anyone know where I can look?

[Kacie_bride]

July will be a busy month for me. There is a lot of overtime at work with people wanting vacation, so I'm goign to try to get a few extra dollars by working that time. The invitations will take a while, expecially since I still don't have all the addresses.
July 22 is my FSIL's bridal shower. Steve told me today that I didn't have to go to it. He honestly didn't expect me to go. I don't know if I feel right NOT going though. I want to get along with her....she just makes it hard sometimes. I really am trying though.
The next day is some big "pre-wedding party" FSIL and her FH are having. It's a brunch thing for both families and the bridal party at a family friends house. That should be interesting. Not my type of party though from the sounds of it.
Then the following weekend is my first shower. This one is with my family from back in Nazareth. Then a week or two later (I don't remember the date, how bad is that!) is the one here with Steve's family. It's either August 6th or 13th. So I need to get together with the BM and give them the list of addresses and names for that one. I feel like the parties are really early, but that gives me plenty of time to write the thank-you's and have the month of September for last minute stuff.
After this past month I feel more on track with everything. I hope to have most everything done by the end of August, then Septmeber will be last minute stuff and putting together centerpieces and favors and all that fun stuff.

I wouldn't worry about your showers being early. My wedding is in December and my first shower will be in October because of the holidays. My 2nd shower will be in early November. I don't know when the church one will be.

[ikkin510]

Tomorrow is our big date night/day. Since we were planning on dressing night, we are going to get our engagement pics taken first. Then we are going to see Pirates of the Carrabean-2. The first one was what we saw on our first date so we have been looking forward to this. Then out somewhere night for dinner. I don't think we have ever dressed up and gone out. We usually just wear jeans. I'm so excited. Plus, Steve says he has some surprises in store for me. It should be a good day!

[MOB Karen]

Tomorrow is our big date night/day. Since we were planning on dressing night, we are going to get our engagement pics taken first. Then we are going to see Pirates of the Carrabean-2. The first one was what we saw on our first date so we have been looking forward to this. Then out somewhere night for dinner. I don't think we have ever dressed up and gone out. We usually just wear jeans. I'm so excited. Plus, Steve says he has some surprises in store for me. It should be a good day!

How exciting, Nikki, please come back and tell us all about it!!! Have fun!!!

[WhiskeyGirl]

Have a great time Nikki! And yes, please share!!

PS I'm still sorry!! lol Ok this is the last time I'll bring it up! My lips are sealed now!!!:bbmrgreen:

[ikkin510]

Shawna, again, I forgive you and the incident has been forgotten. Now just work on finding a way to not be gone from us for so long!!!!

[ikkin510]

Steve's cousin came over the other night to see the house, since she hasn't yet. I showed her the picture of how I would like to do my hair and she loves it and thinks it will look great. We will set up a day sometime in the next month or so to do a trial. Don't worry, I'll make sure my camara is not far away. She also told us about a small little bridal accesory story hidding away not far from here. She says it has great prices on just about anything you may need. Personalized bridal party gifts, accessories, serving sets, everything. Steve and I may go check that out tomorrow before he goes into work at 7pm.
We also found out she is moving. Not far, but here's what makes me write about it. She is currently living in Steve and her grandparents home. She has been renting it from the family since they passed away. The family wants to sell it and they are not ready to buy it, so her and her family are moving about 20 minutes away. Steve has always loved the house. It was built by his greatgrandparents. Everyone would love to keep it in the family. We are thinking about buying it. It needs a LOT of work though. His family will replace the roof, carpeting and windows before we buy it. We could get it for an unbeatable price since we are family ($70,000!!!!) It has a huge yard. The drawl backs, it's on a major roadway, and it still needs a lot of work. Nothing that we couldn't do though. His family is willing to help out however they can. His aunt thinks it will be a great starter home. We could probably fix it up and sell it in a few years and make some money on it. Then we can have our dream house out in the country. So some time soon we are going to sit down with the family and talk about it, sort out possiblities. Steve wants to call around to some different places about getting a good morgage that will help with improvements. It should be fun. I'll keep you updated on how that goes.

[ikkin510]

Yesterday was our date day. We had a great time. Steve showed up at my house with a bag of hershey kisses and a very simple card. Just like our first date. It was so sweet (we won't tell him that he is really making my diet hard bringing me candy!!)
We went to Walmart to get some simple and inexpensive engagement pictures taken. They look like they are going to be really nice. As soon as I get them (by the end of the month) I will post them. We will have more pictures then we know what to do with! Then we went to the Olive Garden for dinner. Yummy, my favorite. That was a really nice time. They keep trying to bring us the wrong food and we were kinda starting to get frustrated. You would think they never took our order and was just bringing us food until we found something we liked! We finally got what we ordered and enjoyed the meal. We went to the theater to see the movie, and, as it would figure, the movie was sold out. That's ok though. We just came home and spent some quiet time here. It was a really nice ending to a great day.

[ikkin510]

Steve talked to his uncle who teaches at the high school here. He is going to take us tomorrow to use the hydrolic paper cutter to cut the invites down to size. YAY!! Then all I have to do is put them together and print out the labels! Steve doesn't want me to make the invites without him. He insists on helping, which I don't mind at all. So I can say I know the invites will be done this month, which is good since they get mailed the begining of next months. Wow, I can't believe we are so close to mailing them!! YAY!!!
We also asked one of the guys to be an usher. Steve is going to pick and order the cake topper next week. And on the 18th the guys are all going to get fitted for the tuxes and then are going out to eat. We are on a roll so far this month.

[Kacie_bride]

Sounds like everything is rolling along great! I'm glad you guys had a good time going out to eat. Good luck with the invites!

[ikkin510]

I finally finished printing all the invites, response cards, and direction cards. Steve decided he would got with his uncle to the school to get them cut. That's fine. I drew all the lines on them so they knew were to cut. Well, the invites and the directions are ok, but half of the response cards have to be re-cut since they apparently decided to try it their own why when cutting and messed them up. I printed extra, so I'll just have to see exactly how many I need to reprint and then I guess cut them by hand....yuck. O well. Then all we have to do is put them on the backing and stuff, stuff, stuff. YAY!
We also went to the little bridal store FH's cousin told us about. Got my garders, just want to add a little leaf charm on then, ordered the cake cutter, Jewlery boxes for 3 of the BMs (my sister I'm getting something different since she HATES to wear jewlery), an adorible photo album that we fell in love with, and my bridal jewlery. Once I get everything in at the end of the month, I'll post pictures.

[AngelinLove]

YAY...Nikki...you guys are on a roll. Way to go getting soooo much stuff out of the way!!! I can't wait to see all the pics!!!

[bnd94]

Yesterday was our date day. We had a great time. Steve showed up at my house with a bag of hershey kisses and a very simple card. Just like our first date. It was so sweet (we won't tell him that he is really making my diet hard bringing me candy!!)
We went to Walmart to get some simple and inexpensive engagement pictures taken. They look like they are going to be really nice. As soon as I get them (by the end of the month) I will post them. We will have more pictures then we know what to do with! Then we went to the Olive Garden for dinner. Yummy, my favorite. That was a really nice time. They keep trying to bring us the wrong food and we were kinda starting to get frustrated. You would think they never took our order and was just bringing us food until we found something we liked! We finally got what we ordered and enjoyed the meal. We went to the theater to see the movie, and, as it would figure, the movie was sold out. That's ok though. We just came home and spent some quiet time here. It was a really nice ending to a great day.

Sounds like you guys had a great time. I can't wait to see your engagement pics!:D

[ikkin510]

YAY...Nikki...you guys are on a roll. Way to go getting soooo much stuff out of the way!!! I can't wait to see all the pics!!!

Thanks hon! I will try to put together in Invite set tonight and then post that picture. I'm so happy to be checking things off my list. I know I need to actually send 1 invite out asap since it is going to Wales to my cousins who live there. That may take longer to get there plus, because if it being such a huge travel, it gives them time to decide if they want to make the flight over. I can't believe I'm actually talking about sending them out!! wow.

[MOB Karen]

Thanks hon! I will try to put together in Invite set tonight and then post that picture. I'm so happy to be checking things off my list. I know I need to actually send 1 invite out asap since it is going to Wales to my cousins who live there. That may take longer to get there plus, because if it being such a huge travel, it gives them time to decide if they want to make the flight over. I can't believe I'm actually talking about sending them out!! wow.


Yep, I know exactly how you feel, Nikki, it's like one less thing to worry about. lol Good luck with your invites!

[ikkin510]

Well I currently re-printing the directions. Showed them to FMIL and she found a spelling and a grammatic error that the computer didn't find. Good thing they weren't on their backing and all cut out yet. I'm going to take some stuff to work tomorrow and hope no one has any major emergancies to distract me.

[ikkin510]

Ok my picture-loving-friends. I am goign to run downstairs and take pictures of the invite set now that we have a few done. Possibly the jewerly too. I should have them loaded on here by the end of the night. (ok, dial up is really slow and we all need to tell Steve that I have to upgrade to Cable. That would make my life easier and make it so I can post more pictures for you fast!)

[ikkin510]

That went faster then I thought! I couldn't get the jewelery pics to come out nice so I only have the invitations. Sorry if it's a little blurry.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/100_0527.jpg

The ones with the red backing are the directions that go to my family, the center is the invites with brown backing, and the goldish backing is the reply cards. It was actually FH's idea to do the backing. He is such a smart guy!

[ikkin510]

Ok, I know this is kinda off topic, but these were on my camara when I loaded the pcitures from the invitations. Remember the flooding we had here about 2 weeks ago? Here are 2 pictures of some of the damage. I have some other pcitures that photobucket wouldn't load, maybe I'll try later. I can't believe all the damage we had! We will be cleaning up here for a long time.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/100_0505.jpg
That is the train house. where they keep some maintaince stuff for the train tracks near by. THe white thing is a trailer in which we don't know where it came from or who it belongs to.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/100_0483.jpg
A nearby road that way washed out. The people on the other side have to use a ladder to get from one side to the other. There is another point in the road that is just as bad. Right now a few houses still aren't accessable. We have to call helicopters in to pick up people with medical emergancies!

[MOB Karen]

OMG, Nikki!! Thank God, you guys were ok!!! How sad those pictures are!!:bbcry:

[ikkin510]

Ok, back to the wedding stuff. I am getting really annoyed with our DJ. Steve begged me for this guy. He has known him for a long time and he is also doing FSIL's wedding. We have been calling him for a month now! He was suppose to send us a list of songs he has, and different suggestions for First dane, father/daughter, etc. I know he is a popular DJ and such, but this is getting ridiculous! If it was up to me I'd get rid of him and just get lots of cds to play. Hey, it's cheaper! But Steve insists we wait a bit longer yet. He will see him in about 2 weeks at the firehouse's carnival so he'll talk to him then.

[AngelinLove]

Good luck with the DJ Nikki...The Invites look really awesome!!!!

[LaceyinPgh]

I LOVE your invites. Sorry about the dj. I'm going to be out your way in a couple of weeks. So you want me to swing by and kick him in "the boys" for you?

[bnd94]

Your invites look awesome. If I didn't know you made them yourself I woulld swear they were professional. Great job!!

[ikkin510]

Thanks everyone! I"m glad everyone else thinks they came out good too!

Lacey, I would love it if you stopped by and "visited" the DJ! Where are you going to be out here?

[AngelinLove]

If Lacey stopped by and visited the DJ he would be scared :censored: less!!!

[Kacie_bride]

Your invites are great! I love them! I think we should have Lacey go rough your DJ up! Good luck with that! Good luck on the flood clean up to. It's amazing to see stuff like that isen't it! (Amazing in a bad way!)

[ikkin510]

*Lets see, Still nothing from the DJ. Talked with FSIL yesterday and she hasn't needed to talk to him lately so that wasn't much help. There is a website online that I want Steve to look at that has some songs listed. Get a rough idea of what we want.
*I just finish putting the last bit of stain on the Ring box that the RB will be carrying. It looks really nice. I will take a picture once it is dry.
*The invites have been put together, I'm going to start stuffing them today.
*My mom was suppose to send me a picture of the bouts last week. Never happened. She is on vacation this week so I'll be back to bugging her about it the following week.
*Still working on bridal gifts. I got small jewerly boxes for 3 of the girls with their names on them. I want to get them a necklace or earring yet too. Then just my sister, which I will probably get a tote back for and something else. Steve has gotten no where with gifts for the GM and neither of us know what to get our parents.
*Still need to look into getting my dress altered. Although I am rethinking the shoes I got. I might go with something with a small heel. I may not need alterations if I do that. Maybe I'll attempt to try on my dress by myself with a pair of heels I already have to see if that works.
*Steve is suppose to pick the cake topper this week.
*We decided since we have a lot of invite paper left we are just going to design and print our own thank you cards. I'll work on that this week.
*No clue on programs. We may just by them. I need to look online for some.

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

Looks like your moving right along. I love it when I can see how far October brides are. Eventhough you're a year ahead of me, it gives me an idea of where I should be at this point next year... Its hard to explain!

[ikkin510]

I am so frustrated with my BM's that are throwing the shower that will take place up here. I saw them Sunday. Now, I figured they had been planning away and just not telling me anything. That's fine. No, they came up to me sunday (2 weeks before the shower) and said they want me to come look at the shower invite to make sure it's ok. They want to send them out by the end of the week. That is 1 week notice!! I told them I didn't care what the invites looked like and asked why they are first sending them out now. They said they didn't have time. I asked about changing the date and this is the last weekend before the wedding that they are both able to do it. Arg. I don't expect a very good turn out for this. I know some of Steve's aunts are NOT going to be happy when they get the invites. O well.
On a good not...My first shower (back in my hometown) is this Saturday and I'm told there is going to be a lot of people there. I'm getting kinda excited for it. I wend to FSIL's shower this past weekend and she did pretty good. I guess I just never realized how much stuff I will be getting!

[ikkin510]

We were walking around Walmart the other night to pass some time and I found nice, simple invites. They are just white card stock with a gold thank you written all fancy on the front. I got 100 cards and envelopes for $15! I think I did pretty good on that!
Steve also picked out a coupld fall programs he liked that I can pick from. Here is the link to my favorite.
http://www.balloons-galore.net/pd_fall_trees.cfm
100 programs for $12.99. He found a good deal. I found the same programs for $35.99 on another site. We will probably order them by the end of the month if he oks them.
Steve ordered the cake topper last week. We are splurging. Here is the one we picked.
http://www.glasscaketops.com/couples/couple51.htm
We are just getting the glass. No trim. Hey, we need to save money somewhere, right? LOL We should have this by the end of next month. I'm so excited to see it in person!

[ikkin510]

I've decided I don' tlike the shoes I originally bought. I think I'm going to post them on e-bay and get something else. I found these at payless and they are nice. I don't like my toes so I have to have something with a closed toe. And these are only $19.99. Not too much of a heel, which I like.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ikkin510/039263_beauty.gif

In about an hour I'm going to go picked up the knife set, a picture frame, and the BM's jewerly boxes that we ordered 2 weeks ago. They had to be sent out to get engraved and are suppose to be in today. If I get a chance tonight I will post pictures.
I need to find fall ribbon. I find lots of ribbon I like, but it's all too thick. I want something with some sort of a design on it. Not just one solid color. My problem is, all the ribbon is too wide. I only need something about half an inch wide. If I don't find something I guess I'll be getting the plain stuff, but I'd rather not. I want to start on putting the thank you tags on the favors.
I also need to figure out how to decorate my toasting flutes and cake server. We want to tie leaf charms on them to bring them in with the theme a little more.
I am going to finish stuffing the invites tomorrow and run down to the post office to get them weighted and buy stamps. Steve is going to finally get me my last few addresses by the end of the week. The invites will get sent in a little over a week!!! AHH!!!

[AngelinLove]

The cake topper is beautiful and Ilove the programs...they are awesome!!! Everything looks great!!!!

[LaceyinPgh]

Think of it this way, the money you saved on the programs and note cards will counteract the money spent on the cake topper. :bbmrgreen: I like everything so far. You are getting so close.

[MOB Karen]

Think of it this way, the money you saved on the programs and note cards will counteract the money spent on the cake topper. :bbmrgreen: I like everything so far. You are getting so close.

Excellent way to look at it, Lacey!!! I love the cake topper, Nikki!!!! I've loved that one from the start. When it's on display in your home after the wedding, it will be such a good memory!!! The programs are gorgeous!!! Good job on everything!! :D

[ikkin510]

Thanks everyone. I'm really excited. Next on the list is to continue figuring out gifts for everyone. We are having a really hard time with this one. I have one more BM, the RB, all the GM, and parents. We'd like to do something for the ushers and the vocalist too. Not sure what though. And the list goes on....
I talked to my mom today. I guess she has had people come up to her in church and say they heard about my shower. They know they aren't invited, but they'd like to come and wish me well anyway. My mom says the more the marrier. Steve says, the more, the more presents! LOL