The morning of...

I told you all about our rehearsal dinner, our date at the nail salon and our hotel set-up... and now here's--

the morning of...

...the wedding I woke up really early. Way too early, actually. I had nothing to do but just lay there and be excited. So, that's exactly what I did... while watching Fresh Prince. :)

I wasn't nervous. I don't think I got nervous until later...

I just wanted "things" to start... like hair & make-up & mostly just putting on my dress... just getting married!

The girls left the hotel room to get their hair done so it was just me. It was really relaxing and I watched tv and moved around the hotel furniture until the girls doing our make-up arrived.

Here are some pictures of the BM hair:



Once the girls got back... things moved quickly. Maybe, too quickly?


Soon, the room was filled with music, chatting and laughter. And my hair started!



After my hair was all ready to go I ate lunch. I was starving!


And then, it was time to get my makeup done. :)



After all my hair and makeup was done... we took pictures!

And suddenly, it was time to get on the shuttle!...

The hotel room.

We had our rehearsal & dinner on Thursday and the girls got their nails done on Friday afternoon... and quickly after, we went to the hotel to check-in.

And that's where we had a little incident. At the time... a few tears were shed (out of frustration!) but looking back it really wasn't a big deal. See -- we had booked the girls a suite for Friday night AND the boys a suite for Friday night. Turns out -- the hotel doesn't actually have "suites" as much as they have "business suites" (even though they claimed they did), but there's a difference.

Especially when you're looking for space for 8 people to sleep and get ready the next day! So it was a little issue to change rooms. We ended up getting the girls adjoining rooms and the boys adjoining rooms and it worked out very well.

My bridesmaids were pretty sneaky and ended up having the room decorated after the fiasco. It was perfect.




After hanging out and relaxing for a while, I took a shower crawled into bed and guess what was on the movie channel?... Eclipse. It was true perfection.

At the nail salon!

I was glad that we scheduled our rehearsal & dinner 2 days before our wedding so that Friday was a free day to do anything we wanted!

I spent my day opening presents in the morning. :)



And I spent the afternoon at the nail salon with my mom, all my BMs and my aunts. :) They closed down the nail salon so it was just us and we had a wonderful time.

champagne glass name tags!

We even played wedding movies on their tv. :)

All the BMs got their nails painted with Essie's Sexy Divide:

And I got a french :) with rhinestones on my ring fingers!


After our nails, we headed to the hotel... more on that later!

Groomsmen Socks.

I told you about We Love Colors, right?

Well, originally I ordered the orchid pink socks for all the groomsmen because I want pictures like this:


And when they came they were bubble gum pink. Bubble gum. I couldn't even take a picture. And nothing against bubble gum pink. I love all pinks. But it just wasn't right... with all the other pinks in the wedding... ya know?

So I sent them back. Quickly. And even quicker, I got an email from the company asking me if I needed help finding the exact pink since it seemed like I was on the hunt. ;) how nice!

When they mailed me the new socks in Fuchsia... the coloring was much better. And much closer to my vision...


After all... these are the bridesmaid shoes:



And, now I'm thrilled. ;)

Presents.

I started buying bridal party gifts! Yay!

I absolutely wish I could share what I'm buying... but in an effort to keep it a surprise, I'm going to wait!

Updates!

So, I know things have been a little quiet on the blogging front. But for the first time I actually have some real concrete news to share.

So here goes:

I spent the weekend in the Cape for a girls weekend with my family including [but not limited to] my matron of honor and TWO, count'em... two bridesmaids.

There was some talk of wedding planning but not too much.

On Monday, Chelsey [matron of honor] and I went to David's Bridal to try on the dress.


At the register we realized [or were reminded] that because I bought my dress from there each bridesmaids gets $20 off their bridesmaid dress! PERFECT!

While we were there she tried on these shoes with the dress:

Unfortunately, I'm a little confused because in the store they are $65 but online only $49! And I found out [or was reminded] that all the girls will get 10% off their shoe purchases! PERFECT!

I'm also still working on finding a way to print labels for our save the dates. =(

I'd like to send them out at the end of the month.

Hopefully, that works out.

Gift Giving & Wishful Thinking.

A few weeks ago, I sent out my first bridesmaid newsletter: if you missed it you can read about it here. In the letter I asked my girls a few questions regarding shoe size, shirt size, favorite things, etc.

I'm sure they know [?] the answers to these questions will ultimately help during the process of gift purchasing when the date comes closer. The idea of giving gifts to the bridal party really excites me. A chance to give something back to the people who are all willing to spend the day around us... and the days before, around us.

I'm constantly typing "bridal party gifts" into Google, and The Knot, and everything else. But let me tell you -- the ideas these sites come up with -- I'm not feelin'. And even though I know I have plenty of time... I'm at a loss.

I took myself shopping yesterday. And in between the 16-year old employee who asked me what grade I was going into this year && the girls at American Eagle who kept insisting "you just have to try on our jeggings" [um, what?!]... the girls at Coach told me I should give my bridesmaids these...

coach - madison large wristlet: $98

And let me tell you, they almost had me persuaded... of course, that would be a perfect gift! They were polite & convincing and kept telling me how gorgeous my ring was and kept asking to see it again & again... but during the third "let me see that ring again!"... I quickly snapped back to reality and thought, "are you girls crazy?"...

I would love to be able to give a gift like this. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. And if it was within the budget... I totally would!

But you Coach girls can't fool me! I used to be one of you! I know your tricky ways...

So, it's back to Google searches for me!

My First Bridesmaid Newsletter!

One of the first DIY-projects I saw on Wedding Bee that I knew I wanted to include during my planning process was a bridesmaid newsletter.

So, I searched & searched online for a template. I wanted a cute and fun background to use so I could fill in all my important information for the girls. I had visions of pink & white and fancy fonts and fun shapes covering the pages.

Sadly, I couldn't find that many templates & of those I did find -- there were none that fulfilled my vision for the newsletter. So, I made one.

I don't possess strong computer skills, and I wouldn't say that I necessarily made a newsletter in the proper program... in the simplest way possible. But I made a template, that made me smile, in one of the programs I learned to use while in college: Microsoft Power Point.

It allowed me to use different shapes, fun fonts, add pictures with captions, as well as change & move & tilt & move [again] everything on the page!

I tried to do all this in Word at first, but it just wasn't functional. Once you hit paste -- it's stuck and for a "work in progress", that's exactly what you don't want to happen!

So here's my project... and I have to say, I love how it came out!

If you've forgotten who my girls are, check out this post from a few months ago and the DIY-craft that took place in order to ask them to be my bridesmaids. =)

I know these pictures are pretty hard to read... I attempted to take a picture and then upload it, but this version of a jpeg file looked [if you can believe it] more clear than the iPhone [gasps!].

In case it only looks clear to me [because I already know what it's supposed to look like...] the first page consists of what I thought was really important "stuff". I wrote a thank you to all my bridesmaids to let each of them know how much it means to me that they said "yes!" to my proposal to them!

I included all the wedding day details: date & time & place, a small blurb about our venue & the rest of the vendors we've already "hired" - I guess you could say.

The second page was information about the boys in the wedding party. None of my girls have met any of his boys and while I think boys are better about being thrown down the aisle with anybody [as long as they aren't the one saying "I do"]... I think girls are a little more curious as to who they may or may not be arm & arm with up and down the aisle.

Just like I have a matron & a maid of honor, Sean has two best men: his younger & older brother. For them [since they will be my family now] I included a few brief sentences about them with their pictures. For the rest of the boys, I made sure to write their first name as well as their relationship to Sean.









The third page was all about the dress! Not mine, SILLY! Call me, old-fashioned, but that baby is packaged, locked away & is only being revealed to family in person. Which means this page is about the bridesmaid dress!

I included all the important info about the dress: where they could buy it, the style number, the price & the perks [detachable straps & pockets!]. I also used pictures from the website of the dress as well as pictures of two of my bridesmaids in the dress during our first "find the dress" outing.













The last page was filled with phone numbers and emails to stay in touch, the potential date for my shower [given by my mom & aunt], pictures and details about the bridesmaids bouquets, a few questions I feel I need answered to fulfill my hope in getting gifts that fit and are useful, and what I'm planning to do next.

I hope they enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it!

I think it was successful & plan on sending out another one in December. =)

Paper Source

Like many others, I seem to have found a special place in my heart for Paper Source. It's a store that, literally, has everything and seems to leave nothing behind.

For instance, the store in Wellesley has an entire back room devoted to envelopes. You may think... how many envelopes could there possibly be?

However, don't be fooled.

Source

They have every size, shape and color imaginable. I bought these for my first mailing out to my bridesmaids.

#10 open ended envelopes, in fuchsia!

I bought a few packs since I plan to send out a couple more things to my girls and would like to remain consistent with the envelopes I use.

I can't wait to show you what I sent inside these fancy envelopes!

I'm slacking & I'm not even busy.

Lately, I've been feeling like I have nothing to post. Which makes me sadder than one would assume.

Before Sunday's engagement shoot [which was absolutely successful & I can't wait to see the results in 3-4 weeks], I worked on our seating charts... for real.

A few months ago, I tried and just really felt like I failed.

Now, I know what you're thinking! It's so early to do those pesky seating charts! You don't know who will come and who will decline! It's a waste of time!

However, I kindly disagree. This is why:

When I can take my guest list and put each name to a table & a table name it really helps me envision how the reception will go. I feel like putting certain people together or apart, close to the dance floor or further away, or near the bar or on the other side of the room -- really puts our reception in perspective for me. I think the seating chart can make or break the reception. I really want people to feel comfortable, know the people they're sitting with and genuinely enjoy their time. I want to get it right.

I don't know how I feel about putting people who don't know each other at the same table. But some couples won't know anyone other than the person they came with. So what am I to do? They cannot sit alone... so I'm torn.

I know most people wait & wait [& wait some more] to do these seat assignments. But in the effort of over-planning... I thoroughly enjoy practicing. Plus, The Knot's seating chart makes it easy to set-up mock charts and change them as many times as necessary.

Tomorrow I plan on posting about our outfits for yesterday's photo shoot. And, toward the end of the week I'll share with you what I recently mailed out to all my bridesmaids! [After all, I have to give the post office some time to get it to them before I post all about it and ruin my surprise].

Weekend Update!

I know I've posted these before but I think these shoes would be a perfect item for my something blue! My only concern is that I need shoes with a bit of a heel so that I don't have to hem my dress. But they would be perfect shoes to change into during the reception! I could dance the night away... as long as I don't trip on my dress, that is.

Yesterday, Lizzie came to David's Bridal with me to try on the bridesmaid dress. It looked really great on her! I thought it was going to be huge but it fit pretty well. I'm so excited!

Let's see... what else is new?

I'm in the process of putting something together for all my bridesmaids that I hope to get finished before my trip to Seattle this Wednesday. We'll see... we'll see. More on that once it's sent out, of course!

I'm getting really excited about our engagement photo shoot which is scheduled for the first of August. I'm not really sure what to wear but I know I'll figure it out soon enough!

I've also asked Christina's if I could come in this week to look at the ceremony area now that it's summer and the flowers have [most likely] bloomed. Last time I was there, it was cold and there were definitely no flowers in sight. So I'd love to see what I can expect for next year around this time. We'll see... we'll see.

Bridesmaid Update!

So, last weekend, I put together my bridesmaid invites -- to formally ask my girls to be part of my bridal party.

And now that I've heard back from 5 out of the 7 (one is in Mexico! and one I've heard, has received her invite through a second-party) I can post some pictures of what was sent!

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera out in the beginning of this craft (I KNOW!). I had already sealed 4 envelopes when I realized [quite hysterically] that I should have been taking pictures throughout the entire process. I contemplated opening up the first 4 envelopes just to take pictures, but realized that was a bad idea because the envelopes would then be ruined and they were specific for the card stock paper I purchased... dilemma.

But, here's goes...






The poem, which yes -- I wrote (using help from my mom and Barb) -- says,

Where you lead, I will follow

Seven cousins walking down the aisle
Would really make this bride smile.
The job will be simple, and really stress-free,
Just walk down the aisle in front of me!

It would be such an honor,
If you would say "YES!"...
To agreeing to wear a bridesmaid dress.
It won't be hard, it'll be quite easy,
And the dresses won't be tacky or sleazy.

It won't cost that much,
Just your shoes and your dress.
If you bring your smile,
I'll take care of the rest.

Have no fear, you won't be on display,
After all, it is my wedding day.
It'll all take place in July of next summer,
But if you refuse it'll be a real bummer.

Like the poem says, I've asked my seven girl cousins [on my mom's side of the family] to be involved in our wedding party! I printed the poem on cards I bought from The Paper Store, and paired each poem with a ribbon that says "Bridesmaid" in rhinestones for the bridesmaids. I also purchased cute luggage tags [no pictures... sad face!] that say "LOVE" on the front and on the back I used glitter stickers to write-out "Matron of Honor" for my matron and "Maid of Honor" for my [I hope!] maid of honor [she's in Mexico and hasn't responded...].

Sean choose to ask both his brothers to be his best men, so I thought it was fitting to ask two of my cousins to be my maids of honor. And seeing as how, Chelsey will be getting married THIS July [YAY!] she is going to be a MATRON by next July!

They seem to all be excited about this and I absolutely can't wait!

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!

Exciting!

So starting next week, I will be sending out my first official wedding stationery to my potential but hopefully realistic bridesmaids =) After putting everything in envelopes and packages I have to bring everything to the post office and make sure I get the correct postage amount. I don't want any mishaps!

Also, next Tuesday, I have a meeting with a photo booth company: Shutterbooth. They will be the first vendor I meet with that offer this pretty neat (I THINK) idea. I'm hoping there is a way I can negotiate a lower price for their services... I mean not that low, but a little something. I know it's a MUST service. I want it, for sure. But any discount would help.

Other than that, no new news to report!