Weekend Fun.

Today, I finalized everything with the florist. It's pretty relieving to get things done and know that flowers (and other things) will actually be showing up the day of.

I got some other things done today, and one of those things was to put together these little treats. :)

I wanted to make sure the centerpieces go home with someone (assuming someone wants them) and the way we're going to do that is sometime during the night the DJ will announce to everyone to check underneath their chair. One chair at each table with have a small pink envelope (from Paper Source) taped to it.


I special ordered black guitar picks (since Sean is a guitarist) and put one pick in each envelope:


:) I really love how they came out. So the person who has the envelope will get the first "pick" (!) to see if they want the flowers... if not, I suppose they could then offer them up to anyone else who may want them.


Happy 4th of July!

June, To-do's...

Some of you may [or may not] know that we have a very busy summer ahead of us! In about a week I'm off to California for Chelsey & Tucker's wedding. Sean will join me about a week & a half later and we'll return in the middle of July. We'll be home for about a week and then we're off to Seattle for Joe & Kim's wedding! By the time we get back it'll be August and before I know it, I'll be back to work and that means our countdown will be at about 10 months. Can you believe that?! The time will fly...

Because of this, I'm choosing to do as much as I can in this next week. Because, CLEARLY, time is passing! So first things first...

Flowers: I need to decide which flower shop I'll go with. I have a package [thankfully] but I can still choose the specific store and I need to find out what the money allotment for the flowers actually is. I need to find out which flowers will be in season and which ones I want. These are big choices! I'm about 98.5% sure I want pink.

Hotels: Proper etiquette says to book off room blocks at three separate hotels. I don't know how necessary that is but I do need to go look into the hotels around Christina's. I know a few offer the bride & groom a free night -- but I don't know if any require money down to block off rooms. So I need to find out the terms and conditions and things like shuttle services, parking fees, prices, etc.

DJ: We have the DJ and he's perfect! But we were asked to make an on-going list of must-play songs and a list of do-not-play songs. I haven't really gotten started but I think I should... I mean, music is the most important part of the whole event [besides the marriage itself, of course].

I love being busy!

Small Updates!

The DJ company emailed me and will be sending our contract directly to Christina's. I guess because it's a part of a package, they do that. But our package "only" includes four hours of DJ services and our reception will be five [we chose to add an hour so it would end at 11 rather than 10] so I asked how much that will cost us to keep him for the additional hour. Hopefully she'll respond tomorrow. =)

For the second time this week, I received a link of my Facebook Wall indicating something Sean would like at the wedding... fancy transportation was the topic of this last link. I giggled a little, but someone is serious. So I'm taking it seriously, also.

In fitness news, we both went to the gym today for the first time in quite some time. We're going to get fit & healthy!

Blogging from Mendon!

We just met with a DJ and loved him! He's friendly, pleasant, and seems very accommodating. Next, we need to contact the company he works for and work out the contract! So exciting!

But there's sad news!

Because we've gotten a photographer, officiant and now a DJ -- we're done with our current tasks and the next things to do don't need to happen until the summer... sad, sad, sad.

I'm back...

...from scrapbooking!

I'll take pictures of my engagement album and post them tomorrow. =)

We're meeting with our DJ two weeks from today to sign a contract and discuss details. Which makes the next thing we have to do [in the near future -- according to Christina's] is figure out: transportation!

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The next topic on the agenda tonight is the fact that The Knot! says I have 366 things left on my to-do list. Which seems like a little much...

But their immediate goals for me seem a little more broad:

1. Get organized! Start a notebook/file folder to house all your wedding-planning paperwork in one place, browse our Wedding Planning Basics area, and download The Knot Toolbar for easy access to all your online planning tools.

2. Let friends and family know you're engaged. Send them a just-engaged video Ecard and submit an engagement announcement to the local newspaper. You may also want to have your engagement photos taken in time for this.

3. Start taking better care of yourself. Get in wedding day shape by eating right, joining a gym, and/or even hiring a personal trainer.

Let me tell you...

1. I'm all over the notebook/file folder and carry it everywhere I go.

2. I love "letting" family and friends know we're engaged -- and if the Ecards were cuter I'd be all over that, too. But once we have engagement photos taken [yes, we still need a place!] we'll announce it to everyone!

3. I mean, I've given up drinking Coke... for now, that will have to do!

Now, let me leave you with this:


So cute!

ut-oh!

I've been in contact with a DJ and we're in the process of setting up a time to meet and chat! Yay!

Also, my wedding to-do list on The Knot! says I need to get into wedding day shape -- starting now. Although I think it's a little soon, [besides the fact that I've already purchased my dress and cannot lose any weight or it won't fit] I'm going to take that seriously.

By taking it seriously, I mean that my intentions are set to go to my very first yoga class tomorrow. Unless of course: I sleep through it, I forget, or I'm feeling like next week may be a better week to continue with the transformation.

Along with getting into my wedding day body I'd like to announce that I've stopped drinking Coke. =) It's been 14 days today. And while that may or may not seem like a big deal to some, let's just say I've been drinking an awfully unhealthy amount of Coke since I was little. And this is totally a huge deal.

Unfortunately, I've replaced my Coke obsession with Sprite [not so much of it, I swear!]. But because I don't particularly like Sprite and it has no Caffeine I plan on replacing it with water as soon as the 12-pack in the fridge is gone.

Good plan!

Update!

So, today we met with Justice Thomas Welch at his home. The meeting went very well. He explained everything that would happen, gave us handouts and described things he would say, and why and what their meaning and relevance was to us. It was really perfect, and easy and he had an amazing house with three dogs. So... you know -- we're contacting him tomorrow to tell him we would love for him to be a part of our day.

And another plus -- is that he performs several weddings a month at our venue -- so he's familiar with it. =)

We also met with Damien Gaudet and just loved his work! We love that he captures the whole day from getting ready to dancing at the reception and he does it all through a photojournalistic style. It looks so beautiful and we'll receive all the pictures in both color and black & white. I love that! I'm going to contact him tomorrow, as well.

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with purple as my color. =)

So now, I need a DJ -- ASAP.

It's been a few days...

FROM THE KNOT!:
Guests’ tables were named with Chinese characters for marriage-themed words, like “wealth” and “luck.” The corresponding symbol appeared on the escort cards.

So, I know, I know -- it's been a few days since "our" last post. Not that I haven't been searching through wedding books, magazines and websites in my "free"-time, [pretty much anytime I'm home...] the problem is - I've seen it all! I'm bored with the same old things.

This is not to say I don't see cute ideas and want to post right away! Sometimes, I do... for example: above! But, lately, I've had so many ideas in my head I'm not sure which ones I can forget about and which ones I want to follow through on. It's a problem!

There are four things I'm trying to focus on:

1. Photographer - we have a meeting with one on Saturday
2. DJ - we're still up in the air on that one...
3. Officiant - we have a meeting with one on Saturday
4. picking a color! I just, cannot, decide

The problem with not having a color is that it really puts a damper on any "DIY" projects because I don't know what colors I want, yet. So, instead of going out and being proactive and getting a major head start on these projects - I just search and search for more ideas leaving all my others behind. So sad.

My immediate goal is to pick a color within the next week. It's just such a decision!

Tasks!

I've been emailing plenty of photographers and DJs for the last few days. So hopefully, I'll find ones that are talented and within our price range. I hope, I hope, I hope...

There are a couple of cute ones, my mom has found in her searches. My favorite has to be Studio Nouveau. Their website is so cute! I've emailed them and now I'm waiting to hear back. =)

Also! The first DJ I wanted to meet with [the one that was referred to us] has emailed me and requested we send our information: who, what, where, when, and how many guests. And he's going to look into his schedule. So maybe he's not already booked [?]. A little confused.

That's all for now.

Some setbacks... some progress...

So, when I woke up yesterday and updated my daily "to-do list" I wrote:

1. contact DJ
   
2. contact photographer
   
3. contact officiant
   

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1. So I've emailed the DJ that Tenara [our wedding coordinator from Christina's] had suggested. She gave me a list of the four most popular DJs from their venue. Unfortunately =( the top two are already booked. So upsetting.

So now I'm going to attempt to contact the others! Their website is not that convenient though and their emails aren't available -- each time I have a different name in mind, I have to fill out a generic form on their website and then wait for them to get back to me. Although, I must admit that each time they responded within the hour.

2. I've emailed Charles Lyons Photography and they've gotten back to me with a quote. This is the package:

• 6 Hours wedding day coverage unlimited locations

• Unlimited, high-resolution Digital Images on DVDs

• All Images in Color and Black & White

• All Images Individually Retouched

• Unlimited Personal Reproduction Rights

• One-Year Online Gallery for viewing images

TOTAL = $1,700.00

It just seems so outrageous! I do like the idea of having all the images on a DVD and the rights to reproduce photos as we'd like. I don't like that it doesn't come with an album though. I guess I'll have to scrapbook one.

3. I've found an officiant, Carol J. Merletti, and I think I really like her [through her website anyway!]. So I've emailed her and I'm waiting to hear back.

Hopefully, good news will come in soon and we'll be able to book more vendors! Yay!

Entertainment!

So we've come home from the showcase and it was okay. Not very eventful, even though I got exactly what I was going for [brochures, business cards, etc.,], there weren't any DJs showing off their talents -- but rather just bands, showing us their relatively choreographed singing and dancing! Which was pretty overwhelming.

But I got some cards and now I have a better visual of these DJs when I see their pictures online. Sean thought one was the most "normal looking" so he's the business card giver. Now it's just going to take time and research, to figure it out -- who we should choose, that is.

For your viewing pleasure: Pictures!

My mom took this picture of us this morning, on the way to the showcase. We were on the skywalk between Copley and the Westin and thought it was a perfect photo opportunity. =) To my absolute amazement and surprise, Sean had, not only, never been inside that particular skywalk but claims to have never, ever been to that part of Boston... before, EVER, in his whole life! WHAT, fiance?!



This picture was taken right outside the hotel! It was such a nice day in Boston! It was really busy and bright and "happening". I just loved it!


This was taken inside the beautiful hotel that is the Copley Fairmont. It reminded me of a castle in the "old days". It had everything you can imagine. And yes, that is a real owl... of course, no longer alive... =(

Copley Plaza!

Well, in about an hour [give or take a little] we will be off to Boston for our entertainment showcase!

I'm very excited, but a little confused, and not really sure what or how much to expect.

But there are prizes! So... perhaps, we'll win something.

Also, I've heard back from a few bridesmaids =) but I am still waiting for a few more responses... oh, U.S. post mail... you're killing me with your slowness. [Maybe, that's why more people opt to e-mail... you know, pretty much instant gratification and oh yeah, it's free].

But more on our bridal party at a later date! =)


Speaking of bridesmaids... I think this is so cute! Not necessarily the color [although, I love that, too], but I think the style is pretty.

I don't know how I'll ever make a decision!

This week:

So this week, there are a few things on the agenda.

Saturday, I put my first bridesmaid packages together and will mail them out tomorrow. Pictures will be up soon. =)

Also, tomorrow I have a meeting at Shutterbooth in Woburn [who I apparently need to call to make sure their town has not been completely flooded due to all this March rain]. I just want to ask them a few questions, although I haven't really thought about the questions yet -- here's what I have so far [very generic]:

1. What does the photo booth look like?
2. How many attendants come with each package? Who will they be?
3. What are the prices/what's included?
4. There's a $400 deposit, when is it needed by?
5. Payment methods?
6. When are the additional payments required by?
7. What happens if you go out of business?
8. Is there a travel fee to my venue?

That's all so far.

The other thing I am doing this week is attending the Entertainment Specialists Showcase at Copley Plaza in Boston on Saturday. They are the company that works most often with Christina's. There will be giveaways and prizes and a chance to meet all different DJs that work for their company. I can't wait!

Good time but no purchases

So, yesterday I went to A.C. Moore but nothing was purchased. Extremely cute things but nothing jumped out at me completely!

We've been working on our guest list. What a hard task! We have about 140 so far and hope to keep the number right around that mark.

I've been in contact with a DJ company (only through email) and they seem like a good candidate. They'll be included in our package price so we don't have to write separate checks (which is a positive thing).

Still haven't been to Michael's this week...

Maybe in the next couple days...