90!

Had my first dress fitting today and good news, it was much better than I expected. I was thinking with all the alterations that needed to be done it would be super expensive but not too bad. However, parking at Water Tower Place is RIDICULOUS and what recession? I swear Chicago is not phased by this, there were still so many shoppers, maybe they were looking vs. actual buying?

I also got my wedding band today, hooray, just a thin white gold band, I tried some others with diamonds and they were so pretty but it was just too much for me personally. I want my yellow diamond from my engagement ring to be the focus and I really am not a huge jewelry person to begin with. I am having the setting re-done so it is very weird not to be wearing it! I hope it isn't bad luck that I am wearing my wedding band in the mean time...

I also got the cutest headbands from J.Crew for the flower girls. I will try to post pics soon. I feel like we are getting so much accomplished. YAY!

Holler!

I got the Advil for the OOT totes ordered today.

I ordered the cellophane bags and boxes for the pistachios and tealights yesterday.

It may not seem like a lot but it is progress!

Now we just need to find the perfect ties...they had some AWESOME ones on Macy's but they were sold out, don't you hate that they leave the item on the site even if it is sold out.
GRR!

Rehearsal Dinner Invites, check!

Done with those suckers, yay!

How Am I Doing?

Looking at this kind of makes my head want to explode but I really don't think it is too bad in the greater scheme of things.

INVITATIONS/PAPER

Sew pouches for invitations

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

Menu Cards

Table numbers

Programs

Thank You cards

Rehearsal Dinner Invites

FAVORS

Favor cards

Shred paper for favor boxes

Seating cards/labels (APR)

Cut paper for favor boxes

Package/wrap favors

Games for kids game area

BRIDAL PARTY

Ring bowl (DAD)

Groomsmen suits

Groomsmen ties

Flower girls/ring bearer outfits NEED shoes, accessories, tie still, headbands?

BM/GM gifts finalized

Flower girl/ring bearer/reader gifts

Parent gifts

Hair and Makeup trial (?? Had to reschedule, stupid Chicago snow!)

Dress fittings/alterations, Dress Doctor Feb. 28th

Undergarments (MAR)

Perfume

CEREMONY

Wedding bands (MAR)

Meet with the officiant (APR)

Marriage license (APR)

Write vows/decide on ceremony

Readings? Readers?

Ceremony musician (ASAP)

RECEPTION

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 (Target storage cubes?)

Buy tea lights for tables or rent from Blumgarten

Decide on toasts

Finalize songs/playlist

Coat check tags (necessary?)

Card box (necessary?)

DESSERT BUFFET

Order take home dessert containers

Labels for take home dessert containers

Container/bowl for labels (CB2?)

MORE Platters from CB2

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

Tealights from Crate and holders from website vs. renting through Blumgarten?

Chart for dessert buffet

Cake plate for dessert buffet

Order Sweet Mandy B’s (APR)

Buy other goodies (Nutty Bars, Brownie Bites, Fannie Mae Trinidads and Mints, Trader Joes Pretzels, Caramels and Toffee, Godiva Sugar Free)

Labels/wrap nutty bars

Order vegan treats (Bleeding Heart bakery APR)

HONEYMOON

Book flight for honeymoon

Book rental car for honeymoon

TOTES

Print tags for out of town totes

Order Out of Town totes supplies (snack/pistachios?, cello bags, Advil-APR)

Pick Up supplies (Target Water Bottles, Ghiradelli Sqaures, Target scented tealights - MAY)

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 (MAY)

Event schedule to vendors (MAR)

Finalize menu and flowers (MAR)

Check on registry (APR)

REHEARSAL DINNER

Decide on specifics for rehearsal dinner (MAR/APR)

Call Winberies 1 week prior with numbers

Day after brunch, etc? Check with mom.

I Got My J.Crew After All

A few weeks ago I posted about how sad I was that all these amazing J.Crew dresses in the perfect colors were now available, well it turns out, since my rehearsal dinner dress didn't turn out quite as we planned, that I will have some J.Crew in the wedding after all!

I got this dress for a steal at $98, I love it! Love it! I had to order a bigger size to fit me in the hips since I am quite (that is an understatement) curvy, so the top will have to be taken in. But still a great deal, I can wear it on our honeymoon too!

100!

It is exactly 100 days until the wedding. Eeeeek, that is so crazy. We are in pretty good shape though...I think. My latest dilemma is whether or not I should invite work people, or maybe just my boss? This blog is always so much about asking for advice, I never give any! I am so bad. My 12 followers out there, anything you are wanting to see in the final days? We will be double digits by tomorrow!!!

Happy, In Bloom

My friend and I were shopping for her wedding shoes the other day (she is getting married just 3 weeks before me!) and she was also looking for her "wedding day perfume." I thought the idea of this was sweet, especially since I don't really wear much perfume on a daily basis. Of course my fiance thought this was a waste of money, such a romantic right!?



I went with Clinique Happy In Bloom, apparently you can only buy it certain times of the year but it smells so pretty and perfect for Spring. I can't wait to wear it!

Best Sister Ever!

My sister came to the rescue and sent us 10 awesome invitation designs (she is a graphic designer, she is the bomb) and I think this is what we decided on! Except perhaps grey dots and green circle, that is still up in the air.

So pretty right!




Oh, sorry I had to muck it all up but you can still see the potential.

Oops - Tagged!

I was tagged by Veiled Vows and I am so slow at these things, I won't even attempt to tag 10 more people but here is my best shot at 10 random things.

1. My fiance has made my lunch everyday for the past few months, he is so cute, we are trying to save money and be healthier.

2. Our cat Misha likes to lick the toothpaste off my toothbrush when I am brushing my teeth.

3. I like Animal Crossing for Wii, I am a nerd.

4. I need to do laundry, badly.

5. Isla Fisher is probably my favorite actress, she is so pretty.

6. Ummm, I tried to be vegan today and it lasted for about 6 hours until they had gourmet popcorn at work for a dollar.

7. Whomp there it is!

8. I don't care if I don't have a bridal shower, honestly. Why does everyone who finds out I am not having one not believe me when I say this?

9. Shorty got low, low, low, low, low, low, low.

10. I will miss reading all the awesome wedding blogs in 113 days!!

I knew this would happen,,,

Dear J.Crew,
Why do I love you and hate you all at the same time? Why do I love your clothes so much but hate that I never have enough money to buy them? Why does everything look so amazing in your catalog and then look so horrible on me? And why, oh why did you not have the awesome selection of gray and chartreuse dresses about 6 months ago!!

Love,
Me

Ok so, I love the bridesmaid dresses we picked, they are easy, a bargain and unique. BUT I must say the dresses on J.Crew right now are seriously making me wish I had waited. SO CUTE. In reality though, I am not a risk taker. I never would have been able to wait until 4 months before the wedding to pick the bridesmaid's dresses and honestly, even if these dresses had existed 6 months ago I don't think I could ever ask any of my friend's to spend that much money, especially now that the economy is so horrible and one of the three has already been laid off.
But I can still oogle over them! So pretty. I would have picked these:



Any of these amazing colors would have worked with our scheme. I swear, sometimes I feel as though J.Crew and I could be soulmates. Ha, ha!

I Do Realize How Cool I Am

I love making charts/diagrams I added a few more trays but I have a few "not sure yets," any suggestions...

Bridesmaid Gifts - Choices, choices

So I am already well on my way with the bridesmaid gifts but I am having trouble rounding them out. Thus far my three lovely ladies will be receiving:

• Awesome weekend totes (and coordinating cosmetic pouch) made by my dear mom with Amy Butler fabrics.
• Pink Loves Brown pocket mirrors
• Aveda hand relief lotion (this sh*t is expensive but worth it)
• Polka dot nail file from BBW
• Silkscreened tank from Old Navy
• Custom belt to go with their dresses

I feel like I need more items, which of these do you think they would like the most?

• The stationery sets didn't work out so well so I am debating purchasing a few box sets from my favorite card designers and making an assortment box of sorts. I did already purchase the box mailers for the cards so I feel as if I should find a way to make them work.
• My bachelorette party is probably going to end up being more of a slumber party the Thursday before the wedding. So I thought pajama sets or tanks and lounge pants could be a cute idea.
• I have heard good things about CO Bigelow's Mentha Lip Shine, kind of ties up the lotion, mirror, etc.
• Cardigans in case it is chilly the day of the wedding, Chicago weather is unpredictable...
  

I want it to seem generous and have things they will really like without going too overboard...I am so bad at making decisions!!