Thursday, February 25, 2010

7 months 2 weeks and 2 days till I marry Simon!

It may seem like a long way off, but it’s getting closer!  We’re pretty much at the halfway mark in our long engagement, or getting close at least.  Okay, I did the math, we’ll be halfway in another month.  Still…time flies! 
I feel like not much is getting done at the moment, again.  I also think I need to take stock soon and figure out EXACTLY what I have left.  Maybe you all can help me?
Done:
Venue booked (comes with caterer), deposit paid
Photographer booked, deposit paid
Videographer booked, deposit paid
Baker booked, cake designed, deposit paid
Honeymoon booked and paid in full (flights and resort)
Engagement announcements sent
Save-the-dates, thank-you cards, wedding announcements purchased
Half of the favors purchased (pens)
Bridal and bridesmaid jewelry purchased
Ceremony musician booked (a friend)
Officiant booked (a family member)
Lighting designer booked, deposit paid
Reception furniture researched
Decorations and silk flowers picked out
Wedding gown tentatively picked out
Bridesmaids’ dresses picked out
Bridal shoes purchased
Rehearsal dinner venue tentatively picked out
 
Whew!  Here’s what’s left:
Finish paying all booked vendors
View reception furniture in showroom and make final decision
Send save-the-dates
Design and print invitations
Purchase the other half of the favors (donations to the American Cancer Society)
Figure out how we’re getting a keyboard to the venue and who has one
Purchase bridesmaids’ dresses and shoes and groomsmen’s ties
Get my cousin ordained online so she can officiate
Purchase decorations and silk flowers, put together décor and bouquets
Decide on and purchase bridal party and parent gifts
Research and book our rehearsal dinner venue
Pick out and purchase wedding rings
Find and book wedding day transportation
Find and book a hair stylist and makeup artist (I have one in mind)
Finalize and purchase my wedding gown (waiting until July pending weight loss)
Meet with caterer to do tasting and finalize menu
Create iPod playlist to play during the reception
Purchase an instant camera for guest pictures
 
Okay, that second list looks really long.  The good thing is most things are DECIDED, just not DONE.  I feel like the biggies, invitations and gown, are looming over my head.  Other biggies, like transportation and caterer, also have me worried but don’t need much time really.  Basically, I need to finish cleaning my craft room at home and purchase everything I can buy ahead of time so that it’s DONE.  Weekend project,  I think!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Yay my uncle's okay and out of the hospital, no surgery needed!

Well, this has been a nerve-wracking week.  My aunt Rena was my mother’s older sister.  She’s the only one left in their immediate family.  She and her husband Aaron have been my parents since I lost my own.  The night I got engaged, I called them and asked Uncle Aaron to walk me down the aisle.

He recently became ill and ended up in the hospital.  He was going to need surgery if he didn’t get better.  I was so nervous to lose another parent.  I know it sounds selfish, but I was petrified that I’d lose him too.  I need him at my wedding.

Luckily, I found out Wednesday morning that he was out of the hospital and doing much better.  I am SO relieved!  My aunt has lost so many people, and this would have just destroyed her.  And now I have him healthy and whole to walk me down the aisle!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

So my cousin's destination wedding that's 6 months after our honeymoon is in Cozumel, Mexico, directly south of our honeymoon, same resort

It figures.  Right after Simon and I finish booking and paying for our honeymoon, I get a save-the-date from my recently engaged cousin.  They’re having a destination wedding in Cozumel, Mexico, just south of our honeymoon in Cancun, in the same resort family, six months after we get back.

Now, I am very excited for her, especially since she’s over 40 and thrilled to death to finally be getting married.  I can hardly blame her for wanting to go all out.  This is just gonna get expensive!  Obviously, I could say no, but technically we have the money, and it’s my dad’s side of the family, which I never get to see because they live on the other side of the country.  And of course, she gave us plenty of head’s up, as the wedding is in April 2011.

It just figures.  ;)

Simon wonders if we should try to change our honeymoon to her wedding date, but I’m selfish and don’t want to share my honeymoon.  He agreed with my reasons; I’m going to want to see my family while we’re in Cozumel, while on our honeymoon I barely want to be anywhere but bed or the pool!  I’ve never even taken one tropical vacation before, never been to an all-inclusive resort, and now I’m going to two in six months.  Luckily, that means if I’m not at my ultimate goal weight by our honeymoon (which I doubt I will be), I sure as heck can be by that April!  Woo hoo bathing suits!

So that’s my “oh goodness” moment of the week.  What were the chances?

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Going to the Museum Of Science Friday to meet with our wedding coordinator again

How do you justify taking a day off from work to see the Harry Potter exhibit?  By also meeting with your wedding coordinator while you’re at the museum, of course!

Simon and I were planning on going to the exhibit anyways, but we actually won tickets, which makes it even sweeter.  We didn’t want to go during school vacation or on a weekend, so we needed an excuse to go during the week.  I have a ton of things I want to talk to my wedding coordinator about, and she’s free this Friday, yay!

Most important is the floor plan:



I want to make sure all of the above will work.  I’ve done it to scale to the best of my ability, including the tables, couches, end tables, bar, cake table, photo table, etc.  This would work for up to about 70 guests (10 chairs at each round table, plus 4 couches), but if I get more than that I’ll add another table.  I’m setting it up sort of like a lounge, with couches for people to socialize on, instead of being assigned to tables.  With it just being hors d’oeuvres and desserts, there’s no need for strict seating.  I’d like people to mingle!

I have no idea what the food set-up will be, so that’s what I need to ask the coordinator about.  I also want to take more pictures of the room (they have some online) to help me decorate.  Thank goodness I hired a lighting designer, because the room is VERY bland.  I’ll save on centerpieces by only having 5 or 6 tables.  Stools from IKEA draped with fabric will serve as end tables, we’re renting the couches, and we’ll buy throw pillows because they wanted $15/each just to rent.  We can buy them for the same amount!

I just need to get back in that room, I haven’t been since June.  I should also check out the ceremony room again because I have NO idea how I’m setting that up.  8 months to go, time to make some decisions!