End of 2012

Well, Christmas is over and I am happy to be back to my normal routine. Ben heads back to Jersey tomorrow (indefinitely :( or at least for a couple more months) and things will be quiet around our house. No real plans for new years, not really feeling a big to-do this year. A quiet dinner with friends would be nice!

I suppose it is time to kick this wedding planning into high gear. As of today, we have 156 days to go...which sounds like a long time, but hopefully I can spread my to do list out so it isn't overwhelming. I'm going to get the envelope liners glued into the save the date envelopes, get them stuffed, addressed and out in the mail by next week. That reminds me, I need to head over to the usps website and get those stamps ordered! oops!

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday! I'll be back in the new year...see you all then!! It's going to be a good one :) xoxo!

....And because I love ya'll so much, here is a sneak peak at our custom crest for the rehearsal dinner...deets to come!

December BirchBox & Last Minute Gift Idea!

 I got my last Birchbox in the mail the other day. Hopefully Santa will renew my subscription for Christmas :) I have loved getting these little goodies in the mail each month. This month was no exception. Here's what I got:

1. Large sample of Nick Chavez® Beverly Hills Advanced Volume Shampoo with Expansion Technology® - lord knows I need some volume in these limp locks!
2. Frownies® Eye Gels - these look neat! Can't wait to give them a try!
3. A full size ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss (worth $16 alone!) I got the strip tease color and its a fabulous neutral. It smells delicious and the tube has a handy dandy mirror on it!

4. Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream - I've been wanting to try the new CC creams, this one supposedly is designed to moisturize, prime, protect, and conceal imperfections all at once - we shall see!

5. A sample size of Cartier Baiser Volé Eau de Parfum - I'm not a huge perfume wearer, so wasn't too thrilled with this.

Need a last minute gift idea?! Why not give a subscriptions to Birchbox? You can do 3, 6, or 12 months ($30, $60, $110), just go to the "gift" tab on the website. It really is so fun to receive in the mail each month - plus every time they get their monthly package they will think of you :) 

Charleston Weekend Recap

Lauren and I arrived in Charleston late Thursday and had a jam packed, fun weekend! Thanks to Alissa for letting us crash at her house! 

The weather was gorgeous!

My appointment at Modern Trousseau went great! I'm all measured for the dress and all the details are decided. I cannot wait to see the finished product when I go back in March! Jen at MT is so wonderful and fabulous to work with! 

Came across this wedding band while shopping on King St...too much?! I kind of love it with my e-ring!

Saturday was Alissa and Chris' engagement party! 

I can't wait to be apart of their wedding in April 2014!!

Lauren and Alissa and I went to Lula Kate and successfully picked out my bridesmaids' dresses! We did end up going with the Sophie top but chose the full skirt rather than the cocktail. The cocktail was just way too much skirt!

A lovely and productive weekend! Looking froward to returning to Charleston in March for my bachelorette weekend!

WWW - Bridesmaid Attire

I'm headed to Charleston this weekend to get measured for my dress at Modern Trousseau! They measure me for it now and it will be made and ready by March. I have finally decided on all the details of the dress (how low for the back, sleeves, neckline, etc) and am ready to get it into production!

So with my dress and accessories covered, I have waited until the last possible minute to make a decision on bridesmaids' attire. I have chosen to go with Lula Kate's Sophie dress, so long as it is as pretty in person. I'm checking it out this weekend while in Chuck as well. I'm not sure about the exact fabric yet, it is hard to tell from little swatches. So hopefully I can choose one for certain while I'm at Lula Kate this weekend.

Getting things checked off! Feels good! Much to do still...mostly details, which are the fun part! According to my monthly timeline/checklist, by the end of the 6 month mark I still need to: 1. Reserve a hotel room for wedding night (kind of done) 2. Book day or transportation for the bride, groom and bridal party (MUST DO!), 3. and update passports if necessary...guess we would need to pick a destination first, I don't think Ben has a passport. 

At 5 months to go (Jan 1) I need to: 1. Select bridesmaids attire (will be complete by next week) 2. Provide bridal shower guest list to maid-of-honor (done) 3. Update registry lists for bridal showers (done) 4. Research honeymoon destinations 5. Finalize invitations design and order wedding invitations (eek! hard decision!!) 6. Check invitation proof (duh) 7. Test drive directions before printing directions card (umm that's stupid. done) 8. Reserve rental items (lighting, dance floor). 

COME ONNNNNN June 1st!!! 

2012 Christmas Cards

Well, folks, this is our last year of Christmas cards as a non-married couple! Which is good, because I always kind of felt like I probably shouldn't be sending out Christmas cards from "us" when we were neither married or even engaged (for like the last 5 years). But, this year we are engaged and next year we will be married, so all is good! :)

I went with a Holiday Postcard from Minted for this year's card. Everyone is about to be inundated with photos of us when our Save The Dates go out after the first of the year, so I thought I'd spare everyone a giant picture of us and decided on a non-photos front with just a small pic on the back. I love how they turned out...and hey, I saved on postage too!

I have a problem...

side pics.

tell me I'm not the only one! 

Winner

The winner of the Graphic Image datebook giveaway is Kristen! I hope you enjoy your new Pink Croc datebook!!

WWW - Forget Santa's List

Let's talk MY list! I've been marking things off like crazy lately! Ha, at least a few things. Recently I've booked a day of coordinator, chosen a baker and selected a cake, booked my hair and makeup gal, and started to feel like this wedding is really going to happen! It has been such a long engagement, the wedding has felt so distant and not really like I've been planning my wedding. I don't know how to explain it...But now we are under the 6 month mark, 5 months on Jan 1st!

This is the picture I showed the baker for our cake. We switched it up a bit and added a monogram. The cake will be buttercream rather than fondant (which I love the look of, but hate the taste), so it may look a bit different. I'm on the hunt for a stand and topper!

I'm at the point where I'm not just gathering ideas and selecting vendors, I have to make real choices, like what the cake flavors will be and what flowers I want in my bouquet - rather than the "feel" I want for the flowers :) Oh, and bridesmaids dresses. I don't know what it is with me and bridesmaids dresses but I cannot decide on one for the life of me. I want the palest of blues, silk, and a flattering cut. I've got to decide by January so that we have plenty of time to get the dresses in and have them altered if need be. Thinking Lula Kate or Anna Elyse.

I still haven't decided if I want to pay for a videographer. I know our photographer will give us amazing pictures, so do I need to spend the extra cash on a video? Did you all use one? Any suggestions for Lexington?

Here is my updated list...I need to stop adding this to it!!

Overall:

1.     Set a date

2.     Book a venue

3.     Book photographer

4.     Engagement photos

5.     Book videographer

6.     Book band

7.     Ask bridal party to be in wedding

8.     Create wedding website

9.     Book florist

10. Buy wedding dress

11. Select bridesmaid dresses (will do by end of Dec)

12. Select and order groom & groomsmen attire

13. Find veil

14. Book cake baker

15. Buy cake knife and server

16. Order save the dates

17. Finalize guest list

18. Antique cake stand

19. Cake topper

20. Ring pillow

21. Order save the dates

22. Send save the dates

23. Order guest book

24. Register

25. Reserve hotel room blocks

26. Hire a calligrapher

27. MOB & MOH dress shopping

28. Find wedding shoes

29. Choose wedding jewelry

30. Find garter

31. Clutch for bride

32. Sash or belt for bride

33. Something old

34. Something new

35. Something borrowed

36. Something blue

37. 6 pence

38. Hire Day-Of Coordinator

39. Make day-of emergency kit (coordinator provides)

40. Going away outfit (maybe)

41. Book makeup artist and hair stylist

42. Wedding favors or photobooth (if photobooth then picture book)

43. Getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids

44. Menu tasting

45. Cake tasting

46. Hair and makeup trial (April)

47. Get measured for dress (Charleston, Dec 2012)

48. Dress fitting in March, then take it home to KY and 

have alterations done closer to the wedding date 

49. Order invitations

50. Send invitations

51. Bridal party gifts

52. Purchase wedding bands

53. Put together picture list for photographer

54. Get marriage license

55. Book transportation for wedding party

56. Welcome bags

57. Gift for Groom

58. Music selection for band

59. Playlists for cocktail hour

60. Book wedding night hotel room

61. Order thank you notes

62. Tips and thank you notes for vendors

63. Signs for bar, guest book

64. Distribute timeline/contacts to family/vendors/DOC

65. GET MARRIED!!

Ceremony:

1.     Book musician

2.     Book church

3.     Pre-marital counseling (through church)

4.     Wreaths

5.     Yard sign

6.     Programs

7.     Confetti

8.     Music selections

Reception:

1.     Book caterer

2.     Order rentals

3.     Decorations for bride and groom’s chairs

4.     Candles (votives, votive holders)

5.     Bar menu sign

6.     Framed family wedding photos 

7.     Cocktail music etc

8.     Monogram table runner for cake table

9.     Escort cards and table number signs

10. Make table assignments and seating charts

11. Painting (or something) for the fireplace

12. W for over bar area

13. Monogram napkins

14. Personalized cocktail napkins OR drink stirs

15. Flip flops

16. Accessories for the bourbon bar(cigars etc)

17. Sparklers

18. Bandaids, or anything for bathrooms at club

19. Card box…??

  

Rehearsal Dinner:

1.     Book venue

2.     Rehearsal dinner music

3.     Rehearsal dinner décor/flowers/cups

4.     Rehearsal dinner caterer

5.     Rehearsal dinner rentals

6.     Order invitations

7.     Send invitations

8.     Music selection

9.     Slideshow

10. Signs for food, etc

11. Napkin and utensil packets

12. Table runners

Sunday Brunch:

1.     Choose a location (Invite close family & bridal party)

2.     Order Invitations

3.     Send invitations

Excetra:

1.     Bachelorette party (booked)

2.     Bachelor party

3.     Bridal showers

4.     Book honeymoon

5.     Honeymoon shopping

6.     Bridesmaids Luncheon

7.     Groomsmen Golf Game

Skinny Holiday Cocktails

{Skinnygirl, Glasses,  Tinsel Stir Sticks, Chalkboard Bar Menu}