Okay, so in addition to this blog I also had a "planning bio," as it's known on The Knot. You can see that here: http://darrenandkatrina.weebly.com/
The final bio of wedding pictures is here: http://darrenloveskatrina.weebly.com/
And if you care, my day-to-day blog is here: http://trinalo.wordpress.com/
See you around. :)
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, August 13, 2010
This article does an awesome job of explaining why planning a wedding really isn't that hard.
I mean, yeah, I changed my mind a lot - that's what brainstorming is - and got a little stressed a few times (Darren's mom! Food issues! Money!), but really. Not that difficult. Other than the whole wedding ceremony part, the whole thing really was just a party. People freak out about everything being perfect but anyone who has ever had a wedding has been told by someone (most likely many someones) that something WILL go wrong, and it WON'T MATTER. And they are right. As long as you end up married at the end of the day and people enjoy themselves, you had a great wedding. Good job, you.
I mean, yeah, I changed my mind a lot - that's what brainstorming is - and got a little stressed a few times (Darren's mom! Food issues! Money!), but really. Not that difficult. Other than the whole wedding ceremony part, the whole thing really was just a party. People freak out about everything being perfect but anyone who has ever had a wedding has been told by someone (most likely many someones) that something WILL go wrong, and it WON'T MATTER. And they are right. As long as you end up married at the end of the day and people enjoy themselves, you had a great wedding. Good job, you.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Wedding Recap
We did it! And so, wedding planning is done. I figured there's no better way to end a wedding planning blog than talking about the result of said planning. Right? Never mind the fact that the only people that I know read this were there for the whole thing. I'm going to pretend a bunch of strangers are actually interested.
After a lot of last minute stuff on Friday (funeral, Target, Costco to pick up cakes, Scancy's for ice packs for cakes, our apartment for some stuff we forgot to pack), we headed up to the farm to work on getting everything set up. Our directions were bad and traffic was worse, so it ended up taking us 5 hours to get there instead of the usual 2.5- 3. Marsha got there shortly after us and she and I decorated the heck out of our reception tent. Then we bounced over to the hotel. Darren asked me what we did that night and i laughed when I told him: grabbed some gas station food, showered, watched The Nanny, slept.
We did our hair at the hotel in the morning, then went to the farm to complete setup. My hair ended up withering in the heat, so Rebekah re-did it (in a slightly different but possibly more awesome style) it while Gina took pictures. Hooray for Gina and Marcus, by the way.
The weather forecast called for rain yesterday, but it held off long enough. It was very hot, but that was better than thunder and lightning. At least I think so. Pictures went well. I wasn't stressed at all. The whole "I'm getting married today" thing didn't really register. Except when my mom came to see me after I'd just gotten dressed and she started to cry. Then I cried. She did it again when she & dad gave me away. Silly mom, making me cry.
I only freaked out once: the wedding party was waiting in the living room before we began the ceremony. A few people hadn't arrived yet, including one of our readers. We were scheduled to begin at 4 and the clock read 4:20 and I was getting antsy. And then someone told me it was only 4:02. Thanks a lot, grandma, for your fast clock! RELIEVED!
We didn't rehearse and only met our officiant the day of. We found him online. Darren said he talked like Steve Brule (Google him!), but he got the job done.
Darren didn't write any vows, and just said what he felt right there. It was lovely. I had written mine and I literally sobbed through them. I start tearing up just thinking of myself up there, weeping.
We had a couple snafus with the music- our guy didn't fade out when we finished processing, just turned the song off. Then there was a long delay when the recessional song was supposed to start. it SO didn't matter. That's a perfect example of the small stuff that should not be sweated. Har har.
After the ceremony, all formality was done. I hung out with friends, ate delicious tacos, drank amazing beer. Most people didn't dance (so glad I decided not to rent the dance floor), and they bailed early when storm clouds started rolling in. Rightly so, as it got pretty brutal, but the whole storm lasted less than an hour. Several people planned to camp out, so those of us who did partied until about 2 am. At the end of the night, Darren and I retired to our tent. It actually sucked a little, because some rain had gotten in so everything felt damp. But we slept, so whatever. Tonight we get to sleep in our own bed.
It really was an amazing day. I'm excited to get pics from Gina for photographic proof that everything looked stellar.
Okay, this is long enough. I grabbed most of the photos that people posted on Facebook and put them on a website.
After a lot of last minute stuff on Friday (funeral, Target, Costco to pick up cakes, Scancy's for ice packs for cakes, our apartment for some stuff we forgot to pack), we headed up to the farm to work on getting everything set up. Our directions were bad and traffic was worse, so it ended up taking us 5 hours to get there instead of the usual 2.5- 3. Marsha got there shortly after us and she and I decorated the heck out of our reception tent. Then we bounced over to the hotel. Darren asked me what we did that night and i laughed when I told him: grabbed some gas station food, showered, watched The Nanny, slept.
We did our hair at the hotel in the morning, then went to the farm to complete setup. My hair ended up withering in the heat, so Rebekah re-did it (in a slightly different but possibly more awesome style) it while Gina took pictures. Hooray for Gina and Marcus, by the way.
The weather forecast called for rain yesterday, but it held off long enough. It was very hot, but that was better than thunder and lightning. At least I think so. Pictures went well. I wasn't stressed at all. The whole "I'm getting married today" thing didn't really register. Except when my mom came to see me after I'd just gotten dressed and she started to cry. Then I cried. She did it again when she & dad gave me away. Silly mom, making me cry.
I only freaked out once: the wedding party was waiting in the living room before we began the ceremony. A few people hadn't arrived yet, including one of our readers. We were scheduled to begin at 4 and the clock read 4:20 and I was getting antsy. And then someone told me it was only 4:02. Thanks a lot, grandma, for your fast clock! RELIEVED!
We didn't rehearse and only met our officiant the day of. We found him online. Darren said he talked like Steve Brule (Google him!), but he got the job done.
Darren didn't write any vows, and just said what he felt right there. It was lovely. I had written mine and I literally sobbed through them. I start tearing up just thinking of myself up there, weeping.
We had a couple snafus with the music- our guy didn't fade out when we finished processing, just turned the song off. Then there was a long delay when the recessional song was supposed to start. it SO didn't matter. That's a perfect example of the small stuff that should not be sweated. Har har.
After the ceremony, all formality was done. I hung out with friends, ate delicious tacos, drank amazing beer. Most people didn't dance (so glad I decided not to rent the dance floor), and they bailed early when storm clouds started rolling in. Rightly so, as it got pretty brutal, but the whole storm lasted less than an hour. Several people planned to camp out, so those of us who did partied until about 2 am. At the end of the night, Darren and I retired to our tent. It actually sucked a little, because some rain had gotten in so everything felt damp. But we slept, so whatever. Tonight we get to sleep in our own bed.
It really was an amazing day. I'm excited to get pics from Gina for photographic proof that everything looked stellar.
Okay, this is long enough. I grabbed most of the photos that people posted on Facebook and put them on a website.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
snafu'd
Darren's grandpa died this morning. Okay, he's not actually his grandpa, but he was an old friend of the family who very much played a grandfatherly role. Y'know?
So his mom left me a message to the effect of "You need to call me as soon as you get this. As soon as you get it, call me." And I'm at work, so I couldn't just call her back right away. So I was sitting there freaking out, and texting Darren trying to find out if he'd talked to her until finally I gave in and snuck out for a minute to call.
The funeral is in Farmington on Friday so we're going to have to revise some plans a little as far as picking up cake, driving up north, and prepping stuff, in that the food won't get prepared until Saturday morning and it'll be a later night than I anticipated on Friday with decorating stuff. Meanwhile, she's all worried about not "bringing us down" for the wedding. And I'm sitting here thinking 'don't worry about me, I'm the one worrying about you guys,' because HI, someone they love just died! Who gives a crap about it maybe affecting their moods several days from now?
Anyway. Yeah. That happened.
Bonus: while I was panicking about the voicemail she left me, I got an email from the rental company saying the last people that rented the PA system had retuned it broken. So that blows. They have an amp and microphone for backup, so she's going to make sure those work and then get back to me. If not, luckily we know people in bands who prrrobably have PA systems we can borrow. I hope.
So his mom left me a message to the effect of "You need to call me as soon as you get this. As soon as you get it, call me." And I'm at work, so I couldn't just call her back right away. So I was sitting there freaking out, and texting Darren trying to find out if he'd talked to her until finally I gave in and snuck out for a minute to call.
The funeral is in Farmington on Friday so we're going to have to revise some plans a little as far as picking up cake, driving up north, and prepping stuff, in that the food won't get prepared until Saturday morning and it'll be a later night than I anticipated on Friday with decorating stuff. Meanwhile, she's all worried about not "bringing us down" for the wedding. And I'm sitting here thinking 'don't worry about me, I'm the one worrying about you guys,' because HI, someone they love just died! Who gives a crap about it maybe affecting their moods several days from now?
Anyway. Yeah. That happened.
Bonus: while I was panicking about the voicemail she left me, I got an email from the rental company saying the last people that rented the PA system had retuned it broken. So that blows. They have an amp and microphone for backup, so she's going to make sure those work and then get back to me. If not, luckily we know people in bands who prrrobably have PA systems we can borrow. I hope.
Friday, July 30, 2010
We picked up our marriage license last night. It was one of those things that made me really feel like an adult. Kind of like the first time you schedule your own dentist appointment. And then actually go to said appointment, and pay for whatever insurance didn't cover.
We're ready for this wedding. I have to fill the centerpiece vases with rocks, and we've got a lot of shopping to do, but that's practically nothing. People keep asking me if I'm excited or nervous, and yes, I am both. I think a lot of people say that the nerves have nothing to do with the marriage, but the wedding, and I would say that is completely accurate.
I feel like the wedding is a play - nay, a musical! - and I'm the producer, director, stage manager, and leading lady. In real life, that's pretty much impossible. The stage manager can't be on stage! Who would run the show? Yeah. Exactly. Who is going to do all the crap I can't do on the wedding day because I'm too busy getting married? Answer: whoever is willing. That stuff will be delegated and it will be fine, but until those roles are filled it's just one more stupid thing to deal with. But it's going to be awesome.
Tangent over! I'm suuuper excited for mah party tonight.
We're ready for this wedding. I have to fill the centerpiece vases with rocks, and we've got a lot of shopping to do, but that's practically nothing. People keep asking me if I'm excited or nervous, and yes, I am both. I think a lot of people say that the nerves have nothing to do with the marriage, but the wedding, and I would say that is completely accurate.
I feel like the wedding is a play - nay, a musical! - and I'm the producer, director, stage manager, and leading lady. In real life, that's pretty much impossible. The stage manager can't be on stage! Who would run the show? Yeah. Exactly. Who is going to do all the crap I can't do on the wedding day because I'm too busy getting married? Answer: whoever is willing. That stuff will be delegated and it will be fine, but until those roles are filled it's just one more stupid thing to deal with. But it's going to be awesome.
Tangent over! I'm suuuper excited for mah party tonight.
Monday, July 26, 2010
dwindling task list
I have 11 things left on my to-do list (not including "pick up the marriage license," which, psh. That'll take ten minutes):
Five of them involve shopping
Three are things to figure out the night before
The other three are assembling DIY stuff
Easy.
Five of them involve shopping
Three are things to figure out the night before
The other three are assembling DIY stuff
Easy.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
...
I didn't get as much done this weekend as I'd hoped. Putting together the programs takes more time than I anticipated, but I think I'll probably be able to get them done in the next two days.
I didn't even start the silverware bundle things. Or buy the rest of the vases.
(Although I did get some vase filler. It's actually aquarium gravel, courtesy of PetSmart. We also purchased a cat leash while we were there. Truth).
We did buy Darren a suit, though. We took the awesome Calvin Klein jacket (that he found at Goodwill for $15) to Men's Warehouse and the guy was all "We have this suit, but I can't separate the jacket from the pants, I can only sell them together." And it's a $500 suit. Sooo we decided to get him a brand new $300-on-sale-for-$200 suit instead. And he looks awesome. He'll probably look even better once the pants are tailored. The jacket didn't need any altering at all, which is awesome. The alterations on the pants are only going to cost $20. Win!
The unfortunate thing is we somehow ended up buying shoes from the, too. "We actually have some good deals on shoes right now, too." Ha! Okay, they might be the most comfortable dress shoes Darren's ever worn (awesome), but they were $109. Laughs! Ah, but in the end Darren and I will have spent pretty much the same amount on our wedding ensembles, so whatever. bring on the hundred dollar shoes.
We're going to do the marriage license stuff on Thursday, then pick up the suit on Friday... awesome. We're in the home stretch.
I didn't even start the silverware bundle things. Or buy the rest of the vases.
(Although I did get some vase filler. It's actually aquarium gravel, courtesy of PetSmart. We also purchased a cat leash while we were there. Truth).
We did buy Darren a suit, though. We took the awesome Calvin Klein jacket (that he found at Goodwill for $15) to Men's Warehouse and the guy was all "We have this suit, but I can't separate the jacket from the pants, I can only sell them together." And it's a $500 suit. Sooo we decided to get him a brand new $300-on-sale-for-$200 suit instead. And he looks awesome. He'll probably look even better once the pants are tailored. The jacket didn't need any altering at all, which is awesome. The alterations on the pants are only going to cost $20. Win!
The unfortunate thing is we somehow ended up buying shoes from the, too. "We actually have some good deals on shoes right now, too." Ha! Okay, they might be the most comfortable dress shoes Darren's ever worn (awesome), but they were $109. Laughs! Ah, but in the end Darren and I will have spent pretty much the same amount on our wedding ensembles, so whatever. bring on the hundred dollar shoes.
We're going to do the marriage license stuff on Thursday, then pick up the suit on Friday... awesome. We're in the home stretch.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
woot
Rental Lady called me back. Pip! Now she just needs to send me the invoice... dun dun dun. It won't be so bad considering we cut the stupid dance floor.
I'll be spending this evening working on program construction, by which I mean cutting them out. I finished all of the printing stuff last night (just in time- I ran out of colored ink. As a result I'll be short 8 water bottle lables. preeeeetty sure no one will notice). I also glued together the popsicle sticks, which as it turns out were the fat ones I'd originally wanted. Since I had so many, I decided to glue two together to make them longer and, in theory, better able to support the waving of the fans.
Goals for the weekend: buy the rest of Darren's stuff, finish fan construction, and make silverware bundles. And make the guest"book." And hopefully buy the last 5 vases and vase filler for all of them. I'm a friggin' machine.
I'll be spending this evening working on program construction, by which I mean cutting them out. I finished all of the printing stuff last night (just in time- I ran out of colored ink. As a result I'll be short 8 water bottle lables. preeeeetty sure no one will notice). I also glued together the popsicle sticks, which as it turns out were the fat ones I'd originally wanted. Since I had so many, I decided to glue two together to make them longer and, in theory, better able to support the waving of the fans.
Goals for the weekend: buy the rest of Darren's stuff, finish fan construction, and make silverware bundles. And make the guest"book." And hopefully buy the last 5 vases and vase filler for all of them. I'm a friggin' machine.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
stuuuuuuuuuuuuff
So! Some things.
1. I emailed the rental company on Sunday evening to give the lady our final numbers and I haven't heard back yet and I'm kind of losing my mind over it. RAR.
2. I trashed my previous programs because putting them together made me want to stab something. I changed to an easier and more effective fan-program.
3. I needed some kind of handle for my fans, so I went out in search of either a) stir sticks for paint, or b) tongue depressors. I couldn't fine them anywhere. So I finally got some regularpopsicle craft sticks and decided I'll just glue two of them together, wrap them with ribbon, and handles I will have.
4. Anna is dropping off the discount form for our marriage license tomorrow, so next week we're going to get our marriage license. Yay!
5. Progress is being made in several areas, such as: programs (obvs), guest"book", decor, serving/dining stuff, road signage, and general awesomeness.
6. We're going to get the rest of Darren's fancy clothes this weekend. And the last of the centerpiece stuff.
7. I need to figure out what to get you guys for the finishing of the Ladies of Honor gifts. It might be bottles of wine (in addition to the other (secret!) things)... because shopping is hard.
8. It's Kate's birthday tomorrow!
9. I am super excited for my bachelorette party!
1. I emailed the rental company on Sunday evening to give the lady our final numbers and I haven't heard back yet and I'm kind of losing my mind over it. RAR.
2. I trashed my previous programs because putting them together made me want to stab something. I changed to an easier and more effective fan-program.
3. I needed some kind of handle for my fans, so I went out in search of either a) stir sticks for paint, or b) tongue depressors. I couldn't fine them anywhere. So I finally got some regular
4. Anna is dropping off the discount form for our marriage license tomorrow, so next week we're going to get our marriage license. Yay!
5. Progress is being made in several areas, such as: programs (obvs), guest"book", decor, serving/dining stuff, road signage, and general awesomeness.
6. We're going to get the rest of Darren's fancy clothes this weekend. And the last of the centerpiece stuff.
7. I need to figure out what to get you guys for the finishing of the Ladies of Honor gifts. It might be bottles of wine (in addition to the other (secret!) things)... because shopping is hard.
8. It's Kate's birthday tomorrow!
9. I am super excited for my bachelorette party!
Friday, July 9, 2010
title?
I bought the lanterns and silverware/serving utensils/serving bowls/napkins the other day. Go me. Next weekend Darren and I are going pants/shirt/shoe shopping for him. Hopefully we find some pants that match his awesome $15 Goodwill suit jacket.
Also, my mom called last night to tell me she'll totally be able to get food through work. Yay, tacos! And fruit, too! Om nom nom.
So, here's what's up. I have come to the realization that I dislike being called - or referring to myself as - a bride. It is weird and I avoid it at all costs. Which is too bad, because the fact of the matter is I am one. It's als weird because I don't mind calling other wedding-planning ladies brides. Just not myself. Nope. I'm looking forward to the day,29 days from now, actually it'd be 30 days from now, because the 29th is the actual wedding where I will most definitely be a bride- and just be a wife (hee!).
Also, my mom called last night to tell me she'll totally be able to get food through work. Yay, tacos! And fruit, too! Om nom nom.
So, here's what's up. I have come to the realization that I dislike being called - or referring to myself as - a bride. It is weird and I avoid it at all costs. Which is too bad, because the fact of the matter is I am one. It's als weird because I don't mind calling other wedding-planning ladies brides. Just not myself. Nope. I'm looking forward to the day,
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
this is a post about how much my mom rules.
My mom is going to buy the taco ingredients. She's going to find out if she can get it through work, and if not she's just going to Wal-Mart.
My mom is awesome.
My mom is awesome.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Why we should've eloped.
We are 33 days out and, thanks to Darren's mom's pushy family, had to add another 10 people to the invite list. Never mind the fact that we passed the RSVP due date. I hope they all say no.
Sometimes this week we're going to have to get in touch with Darren's grandma, because she seems to know who all is coming from her side of the family. Almost none of them bothered to respond. I want to assume that none of them are going to be there, but I don't want a shitload of extra people just showing up and have there no be enough seats for everyone.
I also briefly considered making a seating chart, so the people who were smart enough to respond get seats, while everyone else can basically go eff themselves. I'm still kind of tempted to do that, actually. It wouldn't take that long. But then I'd have to make table numbers, too. Argh. That seems like too much work just for the purpose of putting people in their place.
Rage rage rage. I wish I could go back in time and have a guest list do-over.
Sometimes this week we're going to have to get in touch with Darren's grandma, because she seems to know who all is coming from her side of the family. Almost none of them bothered to respond. I want to assume that none of them are going to be there, but I don't want a shitload of extra people just showing up and have there no be enough seats for everyone.
I also briefly considered making a seating chart, so the people who were smart enough to respond get seats, while everyone else can basically go eff themselves. I'm still kind of tempted to do that, actually. It wouldn't take that long. But then I'd have to make table numbers, too. Argh. That seems like too much work just for the purpose of putting people in their place.
Rage rage rage. I wish I could go back in time and have a guest list do-over.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
FYI
We don't know for sure yet whether or not camping out at the farm is going to be okay.
I'll let everyone know as soon as we find out for sure.
I'll let everyone know as soon as we find out for sure.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
this is a story about how much i rule.
Last night, Darren and I were brainstorming guestbook ideas and came up with an awesome one. We think it's awesome, anyway. Acquire a bunch of old wedding photos from antique stores, have guests write messages on them, and then put them in our wedding scrapbook or a separate book.
Well. I thought to myself "I bet I could find some on ebay." So I did a quick search and right there on the first page was an auction for a full album of vintage wedding photos. For five bucks. Ending in 34 minutes. I bid, I won. Rock.
Unrelated: I bought the ties.
Also unrelated: Instead of going to Ikea and getting a bunch of matching vases, we're going to scour Goodwill/thrift stores/antique stores and find a bunch of random ones. All the flower arrangements are going to look the same so I figured it might be a little more interesting having a variety of vases.
I am pleased.
Well. I thought to myself "I bet I could find some on ebay." So I did a quick search and right there on the first page was an auction for a full album of vintage wedding photos. For five bucks. Ending in 34 minutes. I bid, I won. Rock.
Unrelated: I bought the ties.
Also unrelated: Instead of going to Ikea and getting a bunch of matching vases, we're going to scour Goodwill/thrift stores/antique stores and find a bunch of random ones. All the flower arrangements are going to look the same so I figured it might be a little more interesting having a variety of vases.
I am pleased.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
more progress! man, i'm awesome.
I finished the card box and those banners today, and the dyed program pieces are drying. We finalized the ceremony text and picked our readings.
Eric will read "A Lovely Love Story" by Edward Monkton.
Darren still needs to ask his grandma to do a reading, but assuming she says yes she will read "The Art of A Good Marriage" by Wilferd A. Peterson.
Our to-do list is getting pretty short. Rock.
Eric will read "A Lovely Love Story" by Edward Monkton.
Darren still needs to ask his grandma to do a reading, but assuming she says yes she will read "The Art of A Good Marriage" by Wilferd A. Peterson.
Our to-do list is getting pretty short. Rock.
dreams. And progress.
I had two wedding dreams in a row last night and it was ridiculous.
In the first one, it was the morning after and I was sitting on a couch at my grandma's old house when I realized that everything had gone wrong the day before. There was no photographer, hardly any guests showed up, I never got to eat anything, and the worst: we forgot to sign the marriage license. I was freaking out hoping that it was all a dream. Then I woke up. My heart was racing but I was quite relieved that it was a dream.
In the second one, we were setting up the reception inside a house. We cleared out all the furniture and brought in tables and stuff, and it looked amazing. Some dude was practicing his toast and I overheard it while I was setting up and I started to cry a little. And that was it, end of dream.
Anyway. I spent most of yesterday working on wedding projects. I made a card box, dyed more program pieces, and made necklace things for my ladies of honor. They're not fancy or anything- I fully intend on throwing them away after the wedding- but I think they'll look nifty. Maybe not though. I'll decide the day of, I suppose.
Today I'm going to finish dying the paper, finish the card box, and maybe make the signs to hang. They say "guestbook," "food," "drink," "beer," and "games." When I realized how expensive chalkboards would be, I decided to steal the idea that Heather used at her wedding: paper banners. Bam.
In the first one, it was the morning after and I was sitting on a couch at my grandma's old house when I realized that everything had gone wrong the day before. There was no photographer, hardly any guests showed up, I never got to eat anything, and the worst: we forgot to sign the marriage license. I was freaking out hoping that it was all a dream. Then I woke up. My heart was racing but I was quite relieved that it was a dream.
In the second one, we were setting up the reception inside a house. We cleared out all the furniture and brought in tables and stuff, and it looked amazing. Some dude was practicing his toast and I overheard it while I was setting up and I started to cry a little. And that was it, end of dream.
Anyway. I spent most of yesterday working on wedding projects. I made a card box, dyed more program pieces, and made necklace things for my ladies of honor. They're not fancy or anything- I fully intend on throwing them away after the wedding- but I think they'll look nifty. Maybe not though. I'll decide the day of, I suppose.
Today I'm going to finish dying the paper, finish the card box, and maybe make the signs to hang. They say "guestbook," "food," "drink," "beer," and "games." When I realized how expensive chalkboards would be, I decided to steal the idea that Heather used at her wedding: paper banners. Bam.
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