"Girls Night Out" Event at Paper Source: UPDATE on the UPDATE

For all you Google Reader users out there, if you were interested in the Girls Night Out event at PS please read update below.

"Girls Night Out" Event at Paper Source: UPDATE on the UPDATE

UPDATE #4: Doesn't sound like anyone else could get a LP ticket so I am going to try and switch to RN, there should be some RN tickets still left so come join us!

UPDATE #3: As of tonight (Monday, 6:30pm) River North has 7 spots left. Thoughts?

UPDATE #2: Lincoln Park location is sold out. Was anyone able to get a ticket? I did get mine but maybe we can switch locations if no one else was able to get one. Let me know!

UPDATE: Sounds like Lincoln Park would be the best location. Anyone who is interested you can purchase your ticket through the Paper Source website. They said last year was sold out and tickets will go fast. I will post again closer to the date on details of the meet up. Should be a lot of fun!

I just received an e-mail from Paper Source about their "Girls Night Out" event. It will take place at several locations on July 24th from 7-9pm and the cost is $25.00. Here is the description from their website:





Join us for a Creative Adventure!

We'll spoil you with sweet treats and savory snacks, while you sip red and whites. And best of all — keen, creative projects will set the tone for your summer travel adventures! To top off the evening, we'll have raffles from our Bindery and other girly prizes! Registration is required to attend this special event. The $25 Ticket includes a 10% off coupon towards purchases made that evening. Last year's event sold out and the waiting list was long, so hurry, space is limited.
Fancy shoes are not required. So, call your favorite gal pals and mark your calendars for the 2nd annual Paper Source: Girls Night Out! Can't wait to see you there.

Is anyone interested? Could be a fun meet up for Chicago brides to be, newlyweds and bloggers. Lincoln Park, River North, Evanston and Highland Park locations are participating.

New Idea for Cupcake Flags

Paper Source does it again, I love this idea for cupcake flags. I wouldn't necessarily use robots but we could use a picture/drawing of the two of us or I like this Just Married stamp. I could find a generic bride and groom stamp that would be cute too. For more fun projects and ideas make sure to get your ticket for the Paper Source Girls Night Out event. Details in the post below.

Where to Keep Your Ring at Night

I have a wax dinosaur from the Field Museum that sits on my desk, he/she (?) works perfectly as my ring guardian. Where do you put your ring at night for safe keeping? Or do you sleep with it on?

Congrats!

Our photographer to be, Dan Chen of Chennergy, was recently accepted into the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalists Association. This is a great site to search for photographers who specialize in photojournalism or documentary style photography. Chennergy has also updated their website and now has even more great pictures to gawk at.

Heavenly Day - Patti Griffin

Ok, I couldn't help it. I miss the O.C.!!

Reception Music - The First Dance

Ah the ever important first dance song. For some this could be a very easy choice if you have "your song." For us it isn't as easy, we don't have A song per say we have LOTS of songs! How to choose, how to choose...

Here are some of my personal favorite song choices for the first dance:

Someone Like You - Van Morrison
That's How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
I'm in Love - Wilson Pickett
You Send Me - Sam Cooke
Crazy Love - Van Morrison (sorry to be repetitive but we love Van Morrison)
Have a Little Faith in Me - Joe Cocker

Here are some other good choices:

It Feels Like Home - Chantal Kreviazuk
The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson
First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes
Here Comes the Sun - Nina Simone
Northern Sky -Nick Drake
Heavenly Day - Patti Griffin (my fiance would never go for this but it is such a pretty song, listen above.)

Please share what you picked for your first dance song!

Jackie Wilson - That's Why (I Love You So) (1962)

Ceremony Music - The Recessional

Finally, my favorite part, the recessional! The recessional is the song played right after the bride and groom kiss and as they walk back down the aisle. This song should be celebratory and upbeat. According to the Knot guide, it "should reflect the giddiness of your just-marriedness and get guests revved up for the celebration to follow."

Some great, fun picks for the recessional:

Loving You is Sweeter Than Ever - The Four Tops
Happy Together - The Turtles
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder
Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher - Jackie Wilson
How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved by You) - Marvin Gaye or James Taylor

I think a top contender for us is That's Why by Jackie Wilson (posted above).

Up next, the first dance!

Pleasant Home on Prairie Mod

Our reception venue was featured on Prairie Mod yesterday. They linked some great black and white pics taken by Lee Bay. This place is so beautiful, I can not wait to share it with all of our family and friends. If you are ever in Oak Park you should stop in for a tour.

Image from Lee Bay via Prairie Mod.

Officially Sidetracked...

I will get back to posting about wedding stuff tomorrow, I swear! But I was hoping I could get some advice/opinions from anyone who likes giving advice or their opinion. As I mentioned I got a new job which I am super excited about but that means I have to give up the company car and purchase a car. I have never purchased a car before and want to make a good, smart decision but I kind of also want something fun. So if anyone has any car horror stories or cars they absolutely love please share!

I am kind of digging the new VW Rabbit or Jetta. The Jetta Wagon is adorable but alas I can not afford and they are charging some $1,000 mark up because there are so few available. Boo.

Sale, Sale, Sale!

Excuse me to take a quick moment to inform you about the awesomeness of sales going on right now. This weekend I braved Michigan Ave AND Old Orchard Mall (both were seriously nuts) to go buy work pants, of course THOSE weren't on sale, but everything else is.

Here are some of my personal favs, online and in stores. Get your economic stimulus check (if you haven't spent yours already) and get some goodies!

BR: I am usually too cheap to spend $60 on a top but with markdowns to around $40 I can't say no.




Nine West: Can you tell I like flats? I seriously need to buy some shoes that aren't Nine West, my closet looks like their off site warehouse. Google search and you will find a free shipping code.




Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft: I had never shopped in either of these stores before venturing in there to get the bridesmaid's dresses but they have some cute stuff.




The dress in the middle reminds me of With This Ring and Kate's Wedding, they are both having weddings which incorporate green and a similar damask type print.

You Are So Beautiful - Piano version

Ceremony Music - The Processional

The processional is played as the bridal party and then the bride walk down the aisle. The Knot guide suggests this music be "monumental and bold." I personally think it should be more sentimental and meaningful but still with a beat people can walk to. Mozart's Wedding March and Pachellbel's Canon in D are the obvious traditional choices.

Want something a little more contemporary? Try these:

Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley
She's Got a Way - Billy Joel
I Will - Alison Krauss
All You Need is Love - The Beatles (ever seen the movie Love Actually?)
By Your Side - Sade
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
More Than Anyone - Gavin DeGraw
God Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts (I'm not a huge country fan but I actually kind of like this song, I like the duet with Carrie Underwood)

You can either choose to switch up the song for the bride's entrance/walk down the aisle or perhaps pick a dramatic point in the same song. We are thinking maybe God Only Knows by the Beach Boys for the bridal party and then You are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker for me, instrumental versions of both.

Are you going contemporary or traditional for your processional?

Ceremony Music - The Prelude

I have some tips on ceremony music from my Knot Complete Guide to Weddings and my Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions (I got them as a package for only $20 or so on Amazon) that I thought I would share.

The prelude is the music played before the ceremony begins and should start as soon as the doors to your ceremony site open. This music is one of the guests first impressions of your wedding and therefore you should set a mood or a theme. You should plan for about ten to twenty minutes of music. The book has lists for classical/traditional or contemporary.

Some songs I kind of like for the prelude:

Crazy Love - Van Morrison
Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard, Once Soundtrack
Sea of Love - Cat Power
Maybe I'm Amazed - Jem
In My Life - The Beatles
Twenty Two Fourteen - The Album Leaf
Songbird - Eva Cassidy
Ben Folds - The Luckiest

Our ceremony site has an amazing organ so we would maybe like to use that. I am just not sure how many songs you can play on an organ that are not super traditional.

Review: Uline.com

Although the Papermart moss pouches won by a mile, thank you for all your votes and comments, I ended up ordering the Uline boxes. Why you ask? Well a. I wasn't totally sold on the jute texture of the pouches and b. Papermart would not send a sample so I could make sure the green was a good match (although they did give me a PMS color as a reference which was very nice of them), I wasn't thrilled about paying shipping and then possibly having to return them. And finally c. I had ordered this great paper a few months ago and wanted to find a use for it. It will be cut into strips and make a decorative band around the boxes.




I felt like the boxes gave me more creative freedom and now I don't have to waste my $30 worth of wrapping paper. The boxes were also super cheap, $12 for a box of 100, and I can use the remaining boxes (we only need about 70 for the favors) as take home boxes for the desserts. I am slowly getting more efficient and practical in my purchasing!

So I highly recommend ordering from Uline. They sent me samples on two different occasions, free of charge, and my order came within two days. Granted they are based about 45 minutes from where I live but I imagine all orders are shipped right away. They have an online live chat feature which I love, there is no minimum to order or fee to set up an account. They have gift boxes in all sizes, take out boxes, gable boxes, retail bags, tissue paper, all perfect for favors, out of town boxes, take home containers, etc.

Review: Blurb.com

Our Blurb.com guest book arrived last week and I LOVE IT! It came in about 7-10 days and turned out just the way we wanted. The price was pretty reasonable, around $50 and I found a coupon online for $7 off which basically canceled out the shipping charges. Our book was a little time consuming because we had 4 different page layouts of the frames and I had to drag and drop each page into the book. But it didn't take more than an hour or so to do that part and I was fortunate enough to have my talented fiance design the frame pages. We opted for the image wrap over the dust jacket, it looks so professional!

There are large frames for the Polaroids to go into, we are planning to attach photo corners so it makes it very easy for the guests. Then there are smaller frames where they can write a short message. I can't wait to see how it all turns out after the big day. I would highly recommend Blurb to anyone who wants a more simple looking guest book or photo album.

Here is a teeny peek of the cover.

YAY!

I was offered a new job today, yay!
And it is my birthday today, yay!
And I get to buy a car, sort of yay!
And gay couples can now be married in California, yay!

The Great Dress Search: Jenny Yoo

I also went to visit Jenny Yoo in Chicago on Friday even though I was pretty sure I had found my dress the day before. I suppose I didn't want to have any regrets and wanted to make sure I had seen all my options. The showroom was very cute and we were the only ones there. They did not have a huge selection of bridal gowns but they did have samples in my size to try on, yay, finally! The sales associate was super, super sweet and I thought the dresses were so simple and pretty.

This was my favorite I tried on, very flattering.




I did like the dress and I liked the price, most of the dresses in the wedding alternatives line run about $700-800, and I liked that it was easy to move in and lightweight. But, the dress from the day before just seemed more special, it is more fancy than I ever imagined I would wear but in the greater scheme of bridal gowns it is still very modern and simple. I think the Jenny Yoo dress would be perfect for an afternoon wedding, destination wedding, or second wedding but I guess I was looking for something just a little more "wow."

I would definitely recommend Jenny Yoo, they also have a great selection of bridesmaids dresses, a little more expensive but really nice styles and detailing on the dresses. The service/staff was excellent.

Tagged: Music Edition

I was tagged by the fabulous Amy of Fiance Meeting You Here.

THE RULES:
Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others that you like and tell why.
Tag 7 random people at the end of post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. "Always Be My Baby" Mariah Carey
2. "Caught Up" Usher
3. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" Whitney Houston
4. "Independence Day" Carrie Underwood version
5. "A Broken Wing" Jordin Sparks version

I don't watch American Idol I swear! Ha ha. I was late in posting this so if anyone else wants to share please do!

Garrett = YUMMMMMMMM

I posted recently about maybe doing Garrett Popcorn in our welcome totes and I finally got to try the famed caramel crisp and cheese mix. Can I just say, yumm-E!

On top of that their customer service is great, a woman from Garrett's found out I had posted about them and e-mailed me to let me know they have small bags for $3 each, totally affordable and still plenty of yummy-ness. You can get more info on individual bags or "Shortie" tins via their website.

The Great Dress Search: Gigi's Closette

I HIGHLY recommend Gigi's Closette in Glenview, IL. They had so many great dresses to choose from, they let you help pick them out and try on as many as you want! The woman who helped us was so sweet, this was my favorite experience so far and I think I may have found THE DRESS!

We went on a Thursday around 4/5pm (they are open late on Thursdays) and we were the only ones upstairs where they have the bridal gowns. It was so fun and you don't need an appointment there, I don't think they even take appointments. They don't have a website but just Google them, I loved it, you might love it too so go there.

So now the debate is do I buy the dress from the super sweet woman at a high price or do I order it online and save quite a bit but lose out on the service. Has anyone had luck with netbride.com? I am leaning towards buying it from the store, I would really rather give them the business but maybe I can talk the price down?

I wish I could post the dress but my fiance will peek. Maybe if I could somehow write the link in secret code...

I am so excited!

The Great Dress Search: A L'amour

If you live anywhere near Barrington, IL I would recommend going to A L'amour. If you live anywhere near me in Evanston I would not recommend going to A L'amour. It took us an hour and a half to get there in the middle of the afternoon, no thanks! Plus, it was SO hot yesterday. But they did have some beautiful dresses, a little more on the expensive side. I tried on this dress from Augusta Jones and two from Judd Waddell.



They were nice dresses but just not "the one." I liked seeing a variety but I didn't feel that my sales associate was bringing what I had described. I say no huge skirts but I got a lot of huge skirts. Maybe that's all they carry? I like it better when I can see the dresses and pick myself. I also thought she was showing me the high end of my budget and not a range but she is trying to get a good sale, that is her job.

She mentioned something about a Judd Waddell trunk show in July, check it out if you are interested. And you can ask him why he is making an average size girl feel humungo by making his dress sizes so small and then charging an extra $200 to get a "plus size" dress. Boooo.

The Great Dress Search: House of Brides

This is the week I am going to find my dress, I am determined! My mom came in yesterday and we hit up House of Brides in lovely Schaumburg, IL. I knew what House of Brides was going to be like and it really wasn't as bad as I thought. The woman who helped us was very nice, not pushy and let us pick out the dresses and we had our own room. I tried on about 8 and liked 2 so those are good odds. I still am not over having to stand around in my underwear, I am getting some Spanx for today's trip.

This is one I liked from Watters. I can't find a picture of the other one, I guess it was a Marisa but not finding it on their website.

Overall, I guess I would recommend House of Brides, very similar to a David's Bridal so I would go to one or the other to get your first idea of what style of dress you like. I did not like how they try and get you to buy tuxes and invitations all in their little complex, that was weird. But if you like that whole one stop shopping then it would be perfect!

Frustrated

Bear with me as I vent.

We have narrowed down the catering to two companies and I have had communication issues with both, already, not a great sign. Today put the icing on the cake however when company A still had not responded to our several e-mails. We needed an updated proposal and to schedule a tasting before we make our final decision. At the first and only meeting, company A did let me know she would be off on maternity leave this summer, therefore I was hoping to pick between the two before she left. Well no response, no response, weeks, months, no response so I decide to call. Oh she went on maternity leave about a week ago. Umm you couldn't have at least e-mailed me back before you would be gone for 2-3 months.

I just don't get this industry, my guess is that people are having 200-500 guest weddings and spending hundreds and thousands and my measly 70 person wedding means nothing. It is just a bummer. All weddings are not created equal apparently. Sigh.

Eames Pre-Order

They are here! Well almost... thanks to Oh Joy! for letting me know I can pre-order the Eames stamps from USPS. I posted about these suckers back in February and I am so excited. They actually come out on June 17th (my birthday, I think its a sign) but you can order them online to be shipped to you next week. I never thought I would be so thrilled about stamps!

Of the 16 this is one of my favorites.

Favor Fever: Kiddies

Since our favor (wine bottle stopper) is really only useful to those 21 and up I have to think of something for the younger crowd and kiddies. This could be difficult because a 17 year old wouldn't be interested in the same thing as a 6 year old. We are inviting quite a few youngins to the wedding. I am already thinking of having a kids corner for the rowdy ones, activity books, games, etc, so for ages 5-13 maybe a Mad Libs book or Invisible Ink book. I used to love these and it would keep them entertained.

Or maybe just some candies? I love this picture ( I am SO sorry I don't remember where I found it). Or do kids even need/want favors?

Mini-Totes Have Arrived!

Our totes from InGreetings.com arrived over the weekend. I decided to go with a smaller/mini tote, it will still hold all the items we need and could be used again, maybe as a lunch bag? Now, what to put IN the totes...

Some ideas:

Chicago Theme - Wrigley's Gum, Garrett's Popcorn, Tootsie Rolls, Jay's chips, Chicago postcard, hot dogs (kidding!), Cubs pen/mug.

Hangover Theme - water, travel Advil, bath salts, muffins, coffee/tea, sleep mask

Wedding/Love Theme - Ring Pop, mini picture frame, heart shaped candies, CD of love songs or songs being played at the wedding, travel candle

So far I am thinking of a few items from each, definitely water, travel Advil, travel Pepto, brochures of the area, I really wanted to do Garrett's but dang it is expensive! Maybe some trail mix, cookies, mints, the plus of having mini totes is they will look full with just a few items but still be a nice welcome for our guests.

The Suit

I don't think I ever posted about the suit when I bought it. Banana Republic was having a sale so I thought I would see what kind of suits they had. This one seemed perfect and a decent price, I figured if he didn't like it we could always return it, but he did like it! I was worried about finding something simple and modern, all department stores seemed to have old man suits with pleats, not what we were looking for.

Not sure what the groomsmen will be wearing yet, perhaps we will just give the instruction of grey suit, grey tie, and that will suffice. We don't want them to have to blow a ton of money on a suit they may not get much use out of.

He is going to look so handsome! BTW I realize the tie and shirt are not done correctly.

Buy These

I got these beauties in the mail today and they are even cuter in person. I know, I'm on a bit of a budget shoe kick lately. GO BUY SOME. HERE. $24.99! Target usually has free shipping on $50 or more, all items. These shoes are perfect for me because I am a 12 year old and can't walk in high high heels, plus with all the colors they will go with so many outfits. They would also make adorable bridesmaid shoes!

Tagged: Man Edition

I was tagged by Kelly of a little of this...a little of that to share 4 things about my future husband.

1. He has the best smile and cute dimples but for some reason he doesn't like smiling in pictures. He wont let me post his picture on here so I can't demonstrate this fact.

2. He makes really yummy mashed potatoes.

3. He wants to build his own Chris Craft boat some day.

4. He has a vast collection of ugly 80's t-shirts, his favorite is a Micheal Jordan shirt that says "Slamma, Jamma."



I am not sure who has been tagged but I am going to try In This Instance and Fiance Meeting You Here.

Image found here.

Egg Press at Minted.com

I received an Egg Press newsletter yesterday announcing they now carry their full wedding line on minted.com. I love, love, love Egg Press. Check out some of their awesome designs.

Looks like their invites run about $700-900 for 100 invitations depending on design.

Yours for $8,500!

The Ivy Room at Tree Studios is becoming increasingly popular for Chicago weddings. The courtyard is really a gorgeous spot for an outdoor ceremony. But this will cost you a pretty penny, $8,500 for a Saturday evening, even a daytime Monday-Thursday still runs $2,500, eek!

Nonetheless, I thought I would share this beautiful space with you.

Nine West SALE

I love Nine West for affordable cute shoes. I just got an e-mail from them about their 30-50% off sale. If you need wedding day shoes, bridesmaid shoes, etc. get on over there and check it out.
I also found a code for free shipping which saved me $7 and I can return them to a Nine West store if they don't work out. Guilt free, commitment free shopping, I love it!

I picked these up for a wedding next month to go with a navy blue dress. Now I just have to find a clutch... I am thinking maybe white with gold details?

OMG Moment

So I wake up and check my Google Reader today (later than normal cause I got me some sickness) and now I have to weed through a bunch of blogs to find my favorites because I went nuts and added all the ones they recommended for me. These Little Moments is always one of the first I check because she is HI-larious and because each day is something different. And here it is... my OMG moment. She wrote something really nice about my neurotic little blog over here and made my day!

And just the other day With This Ring, I Thee Obsess gave me a great idea for seating cards and HappyAmy gave me a neat idea for the favor bags and In This Instance, Elizabeth Anne Designs, I wish I could name everyone, the list goes on and on. I started this blog mainly for myself, to vent and plan to avoid driving my fiance crazy and thus taking back his proposal but now it has become so much more than that. Ok I know I am getting sappy but seriously none of my friends are ever interested in knowing what shade of green I am considering or what bridesmaid dress dilemma I am having this week. Understandable, they have their own lives but it is a bit of a bummer to not have people to ask for advice and share with but now I have all of you! I know I had said this before but I am truly grateful for all the ideas and inspiration.

THANK YOU!

And here is a more proper thank you compliments of someecards (the darker side of e-greeting cards).