WWW - to-do list update

Ha, I haven't really accomplished much, but I have decided that a few things are not getting done at all!! I should have florist, videographer, baker and save the dates completed by the end of the month! Actually I suppose the guest list has to be finalized before save the dates go out, so that will be complete too!

Overall:

1.     Set a date

2.     Book a venue

3.     Book photographer

4.     Engagement photos

5.     Book videographer (if it is in the budget)

6.     Book band

7.     Ask bridal party to be in wedding

8.     Create wedding website (working on that currently)

9.     Book florist

10. Buy wedding dress

11. Select bridesmaid dresses

12. Select and order groom & groomsmen attire

13. Find veil

14. Book cake baker

15. Buy cake knife and server (put this on the registry & mom is buying as gift)

16. Order save the dates

17. Finalize guest list

18. Antique cake stand

19. Cake topper

20. Ring pillow

21. Order stamps

22. Send save the dates. Order guest book (I want to do something different with this)

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 (I've decided not to do this)

31. Clutch for bride (not going to do this after all, just don't need)

32. Sash or belt for bride (included with dress purchase)

33. Something old

34. Something new

35. Something borrowed

36. Something blue

37. 6 pence

38. Make day-of emergency kit

39. Going away outfit (just going to leave in my dress and save $$ or wear a white dress from a shower)

40. Book makeup artist and hair stylist

41. Wedding favors (monogram cookies or monogram suckers maybe?)

42. Getting ready outfit for bride and bridesmaids

43. Menu tasting

44. Cake tasting

45. Hair and makeup trial

46. Get measured for dress

47. 1^st /only dress fitting

48. Order invitations (get custom artwork finished)

49. Send invitations

50. Bridal party gifts/groomsmen gifts

51. Purchase wedding bands (for him & repair Grandmother's band for me)

52. Put together picture list for photographer

53. Get marriage license

54. Book transportation for wedding party

55. Welcome bags

56. Gift for Groom

57. Music selection for band (1st dance, father/daughter etc) and for ceremony

58. Playlists for cocktail hour

59. Book wedding night hotel room

60. Order thank you notes

61. Tips and thank you notes for vendors

62. Engagement announcements in paper etc

GET MARRIED!!

Ceremony:

1.     Book musician

2.     Book church

3.     Pre-marital counseling

4.     Wreaths

5.     Yard/directional sign

6.     Programs

7.     Confetti

Reception:

1.     Book caterer (included at the country club)

2.     Order rentals (dance floor, lighting, any linens)

3.     Decorations for bride and groom’s chairs

4.     Candles

5.     Bar menu sign

6.     Family wedding photos and silver frames

7.     Cocktail music etc

8.     Monogram table runner, and monogrammed linens

9.     Escort cards and table number signs

10. Make table assignments and seating charts

11. Painting for over the fireplace

12. W (moss) for over bar area

13. Monogram cocktail napkins and/or drink stirs

14. Flip flops

15. Accessories for the bourbon bar (cigars etc)

16. Sparklers 
17. escort cards (calligrapher)
18. escort card display (DIY)

Rehearsal Dinner:

1.     Book venue

2.     Rehearsal dinner music

3.     Rehearsal dinner décor/flowers/cups

4.     Rehearsal dinner caterer (still need to place order)

5.     Rehearsal dinner rentals

6.     Order invitations

7.     Send invitations

8. Rehearsal dinner dress

9. Monogrammed napkins, cups OR koozies (depending on keg or cans)

Excetra:

1.     Bachelorette party

2.     Bachelor party

3.     Bridal showers

4.     Book honeymoon

5.     Honeymoon shopping

6. Hostess gift for all my showers

7. Dresses for showers

PS I found this Wedding Weekend Timeline & Checklist for Bridesmaids that is pretty comprehensive - 
thought I'd pass it along to you all!

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Bachelorette Survival Kits

Hello Ladies! I wanted to share with ya'll the little bachelorette survival kits I made for the lingerie party I hosted last weekend. They were really easy and make the perfect favor! 

Supplies:

1. Gum for fresh breath 
2. Advil for the next morning
3. Energy drink mix
4. Booze (love the "Kinky" mini bottle! Tasted like crap, but perfect for a bachelorette party!)
5. Bandaids for sore tootsies
6. Super cute treat bags to put it all in (I printed little labels to add to the tags that came w/bags)

The bachelorette got a few "extras" in her bag :)

Cute, no?!

WWW - the costs of tying the knot

I've been having a bit of a breakdown lately. I'm freaking out about the wedding. Not about the planning or the actual getting married (the whole reason for the wedding) but just about how much everything costs! It's SO MUCH money. I mean, of course I knew weddings were expensive, and I also knew I have expensive taste. But lately I've just been thinking about all the other stuff we could do with the money besides throw a party for one night. Does everyone go through this?

We are probably paying for half the wedding ourselves, maybe a bit less. For total transparency, I kind of expect the wedding to cost about $30,000. I don't have a hard and fast budget, because we will kind of be paying as we go. I have a certain amount my dad and grandmother are giving me, and Ben's parents are pitching in too, but the amount we end up spending depends on what we can afford. I know a lot of people are uncomfortable talking about the costs associated with their weddings, what they spent on what and so forth, but I feel totally comfortable talking about it. It's a lot of money and its scary! I want to know how everyone else handled it!

So, former brides and fellow brides-to-be...did you feel this way too at some point in your planning process? Is the wedding really worth the cost? Will I regret not having the big wedding if we don't? Will I regret it if we do? I'm afraid I'll try to save money and end up forever regretting not having the wedding I've dreamt of. I also don't want to get caught up in planning a party and forget the real meaning of the day. I know the party isn't the important thing...idk. I feel like I'm having an identity crisis!! Help!!

Lingerie Shower Recap

The lingerie shower I hosted this past weekend was a hit! We had a great little happy hour lingerie shower for the bride-to-be, then hit the town for her last night out as a single lady! Come back Thursday for a how-to for making the bachelorette survival kits!