Outfits for the Kids, Check!

Last night we went over to see my future nieces and nephew, asked them to be in the wedding (officially) and picked out outfits. Their dad told them it would be a pig roast and they would have to help carry the pig. Imagine what a wedding that would be!

So this is what the girls picked, they decided they did want to match although I don't think the younger one could focus long enough to know what was going on.



And here is what the ring bearer picked, he didn't care much either but I love that I ordered his from a place called pinkprincess.com! The tie is a little meh so we will probably have to switch that out.



I got free shipping on both and they should be here in a week or two!

Florist, check!

It is official, we have a florist! We went with Blumgarten and we are so excited!

Here are some examples of their work and some great reviews on Yelp.

Crush

Ok, I will admit, I have a crush on Linda and John's wedding. You have all seen this one and no doubt pulled an inspiration pic (or two, or three) from it. It is perfect.



Amazing bouquet, check.
Adorable guest, check.
Beautiful entrance, check.
Stunning tables, check.


No doubt, we are hoping for a similar look and I would love to emulate the table with the dogwood but still somehow making it our own.


Images found on The Bride's Cafe and Jennifer Davis Photography.

Yes We Did

What a great day, if you haven't already, order your free Obama sticker here.

I Second That!

Engaged brides looking for a DOC or wedding planner, you need to get over to With This Ring, I Thee Obsess and you need to read her review on Dettagli Weddings. Then, you need to take something out of your budget so you can fit this in because Katie is awesome! I haven't even seen her in action yet but just through my one time meeting and sporadic e-mailing I can recommend her highly.

But oh, be prepared to be jealous, Tina wasn't lying, she has the cutest clothes, shoes, jewelry, hair AND she is super sweet!

MANY THANKS!

Thank you so much to everyone who commented, it is so sweet. I have 4 really great options now, it is going to be hard to narrow down!

P.S. Aaaaah Gossip Girl is so freaking good! But seriously, can Serena not show so much boob at every fancy occasion? And what was with Uncle Cokehead, talk about random plotline...

Suggestions Needed!

So lets just say the hair and makeup trial did not go so well, I won't name where I went because overall they were very nice and could do a good job just not what I personally was looking for.

We are back to square one.

I already got some great recommendations from Everyday Bride, she looked so amazing on her wedding day. If anyone else has suggestions for hair and makeup in the Chicago area please, please comment. I would be so appreciative!

I have already contacted Beauty on Call but thinking they might be booked at this point. Plus, I had ruled them out before due to how expensive it was, now I am thinking it is totally worth it!

Custom Clutch

I got my custom clutch the other day from Etsy seller Girl...by Aileen. It is so cute! I sent her the fabric and viola. Yay!

HAAAAA-IR!

Side note: Hair used to be one of my favorite movies, poor Berger! Anyway... I have my first hair trial next weekend. I pretty much narrowed it down to two salons near the hotel. One is literally across the street so thought I would try that first. Here is what I am taking with me as my inspiration, really simple so it should be pretty easy for them not to mess this up.

And I found these pictures so long ago, I am sorry I don't have links for them.

Bride Wars

I went to see Bride Wars, not sure what I thought of it really. It was cute, watchable, eh. I will say I was pretty annoyed with what happens in the last 3 mins of the movie, I mean seriously?

The actual wedding scenes were a little disappointing and boring. Oh well, like I said still cute and something to watch with your girlfriends and roll your eyes at how even "normal" sweet Anne Hathaway succumbs to being a bridezilla.

Not ALL BRIDES ARE CRAZY, stop giving us a bad rap Hollywood!

OCD

So I seriously have been obsessing all day about this damn dessert buffet. The table pictured is about 6 feet long, so is that enough? I want it to be wow but not too over the top, I think I need more...

Sweeter than Ever

Click to Enlarge.

I was so excited to get my cake plate and cuatro platters from CB2 that I just had to set up a mock display. I think it will end up looking pretty good, hard to tell without all the yummy stuff.

We Won!

I just won this awesome cake stand on eBay which means we now have all of our supplies for the dessert buffet. Yippeee!

Productivity

We were quite productive yesterday, the first day of 2009, made some major progress on finishing the invite/rsvp/info card and they are ready to be printed. We also ordered the take out boxes for our dessert buffet, a small task but one more thing to cross off nonetheless!

You can find these here. The whole website focuses on earth friendly packaging and we got 50 for only $10! (FYI shipping is a little steep.)



I imagine we will get some circle or oval labels from Paper Source to personalize them and add some color.

Lets Get it Started in Here

Happy New Year everyone! I am pretty sure 2009 will be the best year yet but we have so much to do! Granted some of these are small projects but I have re-vamped the to-do list.

INVITATIONS/PAPER

Sew pouches for invitations

Stationery sets for bridesmaids (Gocco is not cooperating)

Invitations (mail 6-8 weeks before, RSVP 3 weeks after postmark date)

Menu Cards

Table numbers

Programs

Thank You cards

FAVORS

Favor cards

Shred paper for favor boxes

Seating cards/labels (APR)

Cut paper for favor boxes

Package/wrap favors

Order favors for 21 under

BRIDAL PARTY

Flower girl bouquet

Ring pillow

Groomsmen suits

Flower girls/ring bearer outfits (After Easter sales)

BM/GM gifts finalized

Flower girl/ring bearer/reader gifts

Parent gifts?

Hair and Makeup trial(s)

Dress fittings/alterations (FEB/MAR)

Undergarments (MAR)

CEREMONY

Wedding bands (MAR)

Meet with the officiant (JAN/FEB)

Marriage license (APR)

Write vows/decide on ceremony

Readings? Readers?

Ceremony musician (ASAP)

RECEPTION

Order Out of Town totes supplies (water bottles, advil, snacks,etc.)

Order beverages, alcohol, for drink bins, etc. (Get in touch ASAP)

Signs for drink bins

List of choices for bar?

Sign for Polaroid book/props

Basket for props

Buy tea lights

Decide on toasts

Finalize songs/playlist

Coat check tags (necessary?)

DESSERT BUFFET

Order take home dessert containers

Labels for take home dessert containers

Platters from CB2

Possible candlesticks/vase/from CB2 for dessert table, card table?

Tealights and holders from website vs. renting through florist?

Signs for dessert buffet

Cake plate for dessert buffet

Order Sweet Mandy B’s (APR)

Buy other goodies

Labels/wrap nutty bars

Order vegan treats

HONEYMOON

Book flight for honeymoon

Book rental car for honeymoon

TOTES

Print tags for out of town totes

Buy supplies for out of town totes

Fill out of town totes

TRANSPORTATION

Check on trolley (make sure they have directions, timeline) (APR)

MISC.

Day of Timeline

Meet with Chenner

Break in shoes

Call people who have not RSVP (end APR)

Event schedule to vendors (MAR)

Finalize menu and flowers (MAR)

Check on registry (APR)

REHEARSAL DINNER

Decide on specifics for rehearsal dinner (MAR/APR)

Rehearsal dinner invitations (mail end APR)

Day after brunch, etc? Check with mom.