Fine China

Oh, I'm sorry... did I forget to mention my fancy china that I'm utterly in love with and talk about all the time -- as in every day [legit].

Well, let me just say that registering for china was something that we really thought argued about. Sean felt pretty strongly that it would be wasted, that we rarely have over people/that the people we have over aren't into fancy plates, and that it would inevitably just take up space... space that we don't actually have.

So, I registered for it... and took it off the registry... and registered for it again... and took it off the registry again... and pretty much went back and forth for a while.

Ultimately, I decided to leave the china on our list for a number of reasons:

1. I loved the pattern
2. China is not an item I would buy myself
3. I felt that if I didn't get it now... I never would
4. I fully intend on having people over... in order to use the china
5. I wanted it

Okay, so the last reason is kind of a childish excuse... and I sort of vetoed his opinion in this situation but really?! I wanted china. And I felt like why shouldn't we have nice things? We can have a dinner party just like anybody else! And one day we will! (hopefully!)

So at my shower I was so excited to see that we received some china... 5, count'em FIVE, sets of china to be exact. Pretty sweet!




The set is the Kate Spade Larabee Road collection (we're registered at Macy's but they're available lots of places). Along with the china sets, we received our toasting flutes [that we'll use at our wedding!] and a few goblets... I couldn't be more excited [or grateful] about this!

Shower Gifts

The day after my bridal shower I really wanted to go through all my gifts -- again. At the actual shower, like I said, I was feeling rushed... and didn't get to thoroughly enjoy and stare at everything. So when I was doing this the following day I had a thought: take pictures with all the gifts!

Originally, I thought I may include these pictures with the thank you cards I was sending in the mail. I thought it would be cute to send a picture of me holding the gift(s) each person gave to me.

But when it came to writing out the thank yous... the pictures kind of took a backseat. I really wanted to get them in the mail and taking the time to have the pictures printed just never happened.

Although, I have to say that I'm so glad I took the time to do this little (time consuming) task anyway. It was fun(ny) and I loved looking at everything!

Here's a few of the pictures:

Bed, Bath and Beyond Blues

When we registered for gifts I read up about certain stores and found out all their ins & outs regarding registry return policies, completion programs, rewards, etc.

For instance, I didn't register at Target because I read such horrible reviews of their store policies -- I knew I wanted to choose Crate & Barrel and Macy's and the dishes I wanted were from Bed, Bath and Beyond. So I had already sort of picked my three stores -- which meant that my love for Target got pushed aside for adorable things at Crate & Barrel, beautiful china at Macy's and my everyday dishes from Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Another thing we registered for at BB&B were our suitcases!

I saw them and loved them! And we actually got them!!

But... do you see how they come in 3 sizes? Well, the largest one... is large. And I mean ENORMOUS. As in I could fit inside of it. So after debating whether or not we should keep it... how heavy it would be if it were actually filled with clothes... and designating Sean as the one who would be lifting/holding/moving/in charge of the suitcase -- we opted to exchange it for the middle-sized suitcase.

Here's where I'm annoyed:

I brought it back to BB&B [with the proper receipts] hoping to just swap it with the medium size. Unfortunately... they didn't have one in stock at this particular store. So I had to order it. Fine -- I understand that.

What I don't understand... is why I have to pay for shipping for said suitcase... that I traveled to the store to purchase.

It's not my fault they don't have the item in stock & it's not my fault they don't offer site to store shipping (most stores offer this at no charge).

Although the price difference between the medium and large suitcases was about $20 adding shipping onto that reduced rate pretty much brought the total back up to the original price! & after tax was included I almost had to pay money!

Luckily, she allowed me to apply a coupon to the purchase (thank goodness I threw one in my bag before leaving the house!) so there was actually a price difference.

BUT THEN... they gave me my store credit... and it was a paper receipt! PAPER! Like, as in it printed from the register tape roll. WHAT BED, BATH & BEYOND?! Why are you acting like it's not 2011.

I'm thoroughly disappointed.

All I can say is: it's a good thing I love those suitcases & the ink on my store credit better not fade away!

=)

We're registered!

Even though, we have no place to store these things... here goes:



We'll see what happens. =)

Wedding Date: July 16, 2011 & I'm pretty sure you just need to know our full names to check it out.

Some updates!

I'm really slacking on my duties here on the wedding blog & people have let me know! I never really knew how many people read my posts daily until I stop posting every day.

So what's going on?

Well! Last Sunday, my mom and I spent about 3.5 hours, yes you read that right -- three and a half hours, at Bed Bath & Beyond... registering for literally everything. Someone opted out of the excursion, probably keeping in mind the events that unfolded a few months ago at Macys. Nothing bad happened... but it sure was a long night.

I realized a couple of things during this process. Here goes:

1. It's really hard to register at more than one store. I kept seeing all these great things at BB & B but telling myself I was pretty/almost/maybe "sure" that I already registered for these great things some place else.

AND...

2. It's really hard to register for things when you don't have a house in mind to decorate. We'll move again before the wedding but don't plan on having our own house until a few years from now. But I still want to register for gifts we'd need/want at a house... or else we may never get the chance to have these things. Right?

In other news:

I've been receiving lots of phone calls recently from vendors I must have met many months ago at all the bridal shows I attended. I feel like everyone is going through their lists again and making calls -- which is somewhat annoying to me because I don't need to book anything else [I don't think]. So now I'm having to screen calls... again -- just like I was doing back in the winter time.

Next:

Bridesmaid shoes?!

I love the color & the style. But they may be too high. =(

But the price is right where I'd like it to be and they're literally what I pictured for the bridesmaids...

Another drawback along with the height is that I've only found them online [not in stores] so what if they order them and they don't fit... or aren't comfortable? I'd like everyone to try them on first...

I don't want anyone to be in pain...


And then:

I think I've literally posted these shoes like 4 times. I love, love, love them. And I want them. So I think my decision is made.

For a while I wanted blue shoes... but now I think I want blue ballet flats for the day of the wedding while getting ready. It'll be cute.

Now that our save the dates are in... we have to get addresses! But suddenly I'm realizing that I don't know anyone's address... at all. Not even close family or friends. So strange...

I guess the internet has really taken over everything.

Great finds!

I would love to have these made for us! They're so cute, functional & unique! I would love, love, love to buy them... or receive them as a gift. [hint, hint!] =)

Speaking of gifts... I'm starting to think more about our registry options.

People have been asking those important questions: have you registered? where did you register? where will you be registering?

And the truth is, we have... but I'm so indecisive about my our choices that I'm so hesitant about revealing the answers to those questions in fear they may actually go out and purchase something off our registry that I we will soon decide I we no longer enjoy, like or need.

Like I've asked before... do we really need 8 place settings of fine china && everyday china -- if we don't have room to store them, never have guests over and only have two chairs at our table?... And of course, I know the correct answer: Yes. Because down the line, when you have a house and larger cabinets you'll enjoy that dinner set that was given to you as a wedding gift.

But I have to admit, right now, I don't get it. =(

And, I wish I did.

But, I've decided to pick a date and after that date if the questions are asked... you know the ones... have you registered? and where?... I will answer them honestly, rather than "oh, not yet..."

=) We'll see what happens.

What to do... what to do...

Like I said, I'm completely inspired to register for gifts. It's very hard to imagine what our house apartment should look like. Do I we want it to be modern, or classic, colorful or plain, monochromatic or crazily bold? Should we register for all types of wine/margarita/martini glasses?... Even though we don't drink any of those drinks. Should we really register for 12 place settings even though we've never even had 2 guests at the same time... and have never had anyone over for a meal. These are hard decisions! Don't get me wrong... I've definitely began the process -- but until I figure out what it is I we want "our" style to be, I won't reveal where...

There are a couple of things on my to-do list...

1. Location/Date for engagement shoot.
2. Set up a time when at least some bridesmaids can try on some dresses =)
3. Figure out Save The Dates... style, names/addresses, stamps, pictures, etc,.
4. Put together an "inspiration" folder

Back from California!

I'm back from Chelsey's shower! It was beautiful and so well put together and so exciting to be a part of!

I took so many pictures it's hard to decide which to post!

We started the shower at 1 and had lunch with amazing desserts!






We played a Newlywed Game that consisted of questions previously answered by Tucker that Chelsey then had to answer as if she were him -- the punishment for every wrong answer... a piece of bubblegum. She sure had a lot by the end of the game!




After the game, it was time for gifts! My job [as a bridesmaid!] was to make the rehearsal dinner bouquet out of all the ribbon from all the gifts. End result...



It was so much fun!

I can't wait for mine!!

And, it was so inspiring to see her open all her gifts that when I got home I decided -- I want to register!

So, I'm looking into where I should and I [may] have started doing so. =)