...

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.

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.

ties

I think I'm going to buy the dudes' ties when I get paid on Tuesday. This is just my note to self so I remember...

1 black tie for Darren.
2 hunter green ties for the ushers.
4 pear green ties for the groomsmen and Kyle.
2 olive green ties for our dads.

Progress!

Invites are going out with the mail this afternoon! Holla!

Also, my pretty sage green crinoline is finished and was shipped today:Hopefully it arrives soon. Although I noticed she shipped it to my home address, so... I might end up having to fetch it from a post office somewhere, because we can't really accept packages at our place if they don't fit in the mailbox. Oh well. I'll get it somehow.

I also started cutting out pieces for our programs last night. Just the blank sections. I want to buy more ink before I endeavor to eff with the actual colored portions. This project is going to be the biggest pain in the ass yet. If I end up baking cookies as the favor, it's going to seem like a breeze compared to these programs.

Anyway. I finally got around to creating a To Do list and it's getting pretty short. Mostly just making purchases, with some shopping and writing and creating thrown in. It looks long but it's kind of not. Although I do feel like I'm forgetting something:

To Do

• find vases for centerpieces

• make centerpieces

• find square placemats or something for centerpieces to sit on

• acquire marriage license

• book flights to Vegas

• ask Darren's grandma to be a reader

• choose readings

• buy Darren's suit, shirt, shoes

• buy all ties

• buy groomsmen gifts

• finish buying bridesmaid gifts

• acquire games and stuff for reception

badminton
bocce ball
board games
bean bag toss

• decide where to stay before the wedding (book rooms if necessary)

• decide where to stay on wedding night (book room if necessary)

• finish vows

• finish ceremony

• finish programs

• make guestbook

• make description cards for food

• make signs (may scrap this idea depending on what resources end up being necessary. I want to use chalkboards but damn if they aren't surprisingly expensive):

"guestbook"
"games"
"food"
"drink"

• buy place settings, cups, serving utensils and bowls

• buy lanterns for decorating

• make playlists

pre-ceremony
dinner
dance

• try to go to Bertha to decide layout

meet with officiant if possible

• make signs to put along the road to direct people

• buy all beverages necessary

wine
water
soda

• favors??

• finalize day-of timing and details

• 2 weeks out: make sure officiant has final ceremony

• 2-3 weeks out: make sure rental company has final numbers

• determine any tasks for wedding party

• decide who will coordinate day-of setup

• write toasts

• do name-change paperwork

We have invitations! Here it is, edited for privacy. Eric is working on the RSVP, hotel, and direction info as I type.


Also, Darren's ring arrived on Monday and my necklace should be here in the next couple days. And I think we're going suit shopping this weekend. Woo!

oh, and Darren finally decided on his wedding ring and it's being made for him this week.

Suit for Darren? The one I posted several months ago doesn't exist anymore. Fail.

He's concerned about single-button jackets, but if he wears a vest... and/or does some sit-ups, I think it'd be fine.

Or maybe I'll have him come downtown and I'll drag him to Men's Warehouse. They have some suits in the same price range as my dress that could work. We'll see.

dress!!

So. I was at the Mall of America today with Kate and Kelsey and we were walking past Deb, where they were selling prom dresses. So I was like "hey, let's go to Deb and I'll try on some white dresses because why the heck not?"

And I ended up finding a dress. This one, but in ivory. The ribbon can tie in front or in back. I tried on several dresses and liked two other ones too (this one and this one, both in white), but, you know. They weren't The One. The first one is The One. I walked out of the dressing room and Kate made the "I might cry" face. Wee!

I just submitted an estimate request for port-a-potty rental. Hahahahahaha.

Ooh, I just got an email back. That was fast. Looks like two stalls is going to cost about $250. And that's not even for the nice ones, which it says they don't have at that branch! Sigh. We'll see what Darren and his mom and grandma have to say about it. I'm thinking they may not have even considered it yet.

**edit** Doo doo doo. This is ridiculous. Instead of contacting all these places today, I'm just going to list possible options here and deal with it later.

Option A
Option B
Option 3

...

In other news, I bought those shoes. They should be here by the end of the week. This means that all I need is my dress and my wedding ensemble will be complete. Win!

mistake #1

Yea, that flower hair clip I bought? Not what I expected. Good thing it didn't cost much because it's poorly made and sits weirdly- it sticks out super far when it's in my hair. So I'm calling that a wash and looking for something else for my hair. Like these.

**edit** Or, instead of spending more money, I can take the flower apart and reconstruct it so it looks, you know, good.

If I fail at that, then I'll find something else. Heh.

oh my god, shoes

Lookin' at shooooes. I want green ones.

Initially I was thinking something darker, like these. But given the color scheme I'm going with, the shades of green in my bouquet, etc., I think I'd rather wear something lighter like these ones (which cost more than I really want to spend, and those particular shoes in that shade aren't currently available in my size, but you get the idea).

So I'm browsing current options.

Rumor has it DSW has these shoes available in green in-store.

These ones are decent but also not available in my size (9).

Ooh, maybe these! <- **edit: Yep, after I saw these shoes I could not stop thinking about them. They're the right color, not too formal, and affordable. And I can wear them after the wedding too. Next paycheck, they will be mine!

Uh... yeah. You get the idea.

ties!

The dudes are going to need ties, and when they do: bam. Green ties abound.

purchases

I bought my wedding ring today. I realize I didn't need to do so this early, but I didn't want it to go out of stock again. Besides, it was 30% off AND expedited shipping was free. Win.

I made some other wedding purchases last night, too. I bought this flower clip for my hair:

...and something secret for my maids of honor and personal attendant. All the money I got for Christmas went in the wedding fund and is already getting put to good use. Go me!

groomy

Tie & vest set for Darren? Convenient. Zazzy. Inexpensive. Maybe he'll want black. Either way- nice.

Dressy goodness

The more I look at this dress the more I think it might be the one. I'm not going to buy it until like may and before that I plan on finding one similar in style (which should be easy) and trying it on just to make sure. Halters can be hit or miss with me, but since I've been working out they're working better than they used to. I have broad shoulders, you see. I'm going to be wearing my hair down though, which helps.

Anyway, to smooth out any lumps or chub I may still have come next summer (hopefully it's gone, but you never know), I'mma buy a bustier like this one or this one. That plus some sort of slip or petticoat to keep the dress from clinging to my hips and it'll be good to go.

It's decided: when it comes time for my ladies of honor to acquire their dresses, I'm going to the "Little black dress" section at target.com and picking my favorite. Because really, a cute black dress is a cute black dress. Why ask someone to spend an exorbitant amount of money on it?

I met with my graphic designer last night. Which is really a fancy way of saying Eric came over and we discussed Save-the-Date designs a little bit while watching A Christmas Story and talking smack about the crazy people we know.

Oh, and I almost forgot - Darren has an uncle who is apparently an amazing photographer and has shot weddings before. I'd prefer to see some samples first, but hey- we might get our photography done for freeeeez! If Darren agrees. I think he probably will. There are some things he has strong opinions about, like food, but other things like Save-the-Dates where he really doesn't care all that much.

Also, I guess a lot of Darren's family goes to the same church up near the farm and he mom said we might be able to borrow tables and chairs from the church. Or rent them. If we can borrow them or if the rental cost is cheaper than the rental place we'll probably end up using for some stuff, I'm all in. And if the chairs are ugly I'll find a place to rent reasonable-priced chair covers.

If we end up being able to borrow tables & chairs at not cost, renting chair covers (if necessary) will still save us money.

Blah blah blah, this is me putting all the stuff in my head down on paper the screen to make room for all the other crap I have to think about.

dresses

Bridesmaid dress? Marsha, if you see this, let me know what you think. PS, will you be in my wedding? :)

I like this dress (in ivory) for me. I'm kind of considering something shorter and/or slightly less formal, but... it's just so pretty. I do like this one if I deceide on going less poofy. And by the time I need to actually purchase a dress, I'll probably actualy look good in it. Or this one if I decide I'm okay with a short dress.

Apparel

I found a dress I want but I'm not going to post it. :)

I will, however, post this dress I like as a bridesmaid dress - ooh, also this one - either in black or sage.

And! And! This suit for Darren. Yum.

Yay.