ahhhhh all done!

I def slacked in the past 2 months on postings... In short, everything was wonderful. It was how I imagined and MORE. My decorator did a phenomenal job along with the caterer. I cannot say enough good things about the venue :-) Cheers to being relaxed and not consumed with wedding wedding wedding 24/7! I'm enjoying it!

really? 23 days?

wow have I been a SLACKER!! I'm soooo busy. Between final projects for school, work, and this wedding - my brain is going 150MPH! But I am beginning to see the light, whoo hoo!! Update:

• My dress is at my seamstress, I should have first fitting next week. I love it now!! yah! Thank you YELP!
• We met with our desert GURU and I am SOOO excited about our desserts! they are going to be FAB and the cake (her idea!) sounds soo much fun!
• Got most my gifts done - all that's left is brideman & my parents... struggling but thinking constantly.
• my gram and aunt come in a week from tomorrow, WOWSERS!
• I only have ONE class left for school - just a final project and paper due in a week from Monday I have yet to start! this weekend....
• Josh's bach party is this weekend at his cabin - have fun guys!
• we have our rings, tucked away in a safe spot!
• we have our marriage license
• still have a decent amount of RSVPS out there! if anyone reads this and hasn't responded, send it in!

That's it for now!

crazy

So, I think I'm officially starting to go crazy. It's nothing I can pinpoint and say, "this part is really freaking me out", it's just the constant anxiety and constant worrying that has taken over my body. I feel like I am forgetting something or I am behind on something... but I don't think that I am. I guess it's just something I am going to have to deal with for the next 40+ days or so? yuck.

We have contracted/hired d.michael floral design to help with decor ideas & for the day-of decorating and I could not be more excited!! Such a HUGE relief, and I am so excited to be working with David on this endeavor :-) Here is his website: http://dmichaelfloraldesign.com - I have attended a wedding last year which showcased his work, and I fully trust him for the day of! Yay!

My bachelorette party is this upcoming weekend. I cannot believe it is here so fast. I am SOOOO excited for the day and night... we're starting by doing a strip pole dancing class at noon on Saturday! Will be GREAT! Then we proceed by hanging at my friends in the city, getting ready, grabbing sushi at a byob, and then going out! whoo hoo!

wedding shower

Group of family & friends with Josh & I (after shower)

Dessert & cake set up

My BMs and I getting some eats

Me & My bridesmaids minus Shari, who had an emergency

The YUMMY cake I went off my diet to eat... I want more!

My wedding shower was the past weekend and I love love loved it! It was just perfect. I wanted a luncheon and everything to be done in 3 hours (and not to BORE people) and we finished at 2:55pm, when it started at noon! I love getting to see everyone I love in my life - nothing beats that, and getting lots of new things! It's been a struggle finding a 'home' for everything in the kitchen, as my FH and I live in a 1BR apartment, tho a very lovely 1BR apartment it tis.

Thank you all!

the fun part!

We got 3 response cards back yesterday - one we already knew about b/c my FMIL had heard from her friend that she had sent it in! The anticipation is fun while opening them up - who is it? yes or no? how many? The amount of people that accept will shape much of the evening as far as how many tables to set up - how much booze to get, etc... I hope there are more today!

My shower is Saturday - I cannot believe it's already that time. I feel like I just dropped the invitation labels off to my MOH... The weather is looking to be pretty $hitty unfortunately. It's in a nice patio room with sliding windows/screen doors overlooking a little pond & fountain - very nice environment if it were to be nice - but 40 degrees won't get those windows open! There is a fireplace though that we will be putting on! [and it's heated in there!].

invitations OUT!

I dropped them off this morning at about 9:10am at the Romeoville Post Office on my way to work, feels sooooo good! I had the awesome help of my FSIL and BM last night to finish them - I was waiting on more paper this week, then had to glue them together, then stuff, stamp & seal. She was a TON of help!! There they are above all sitting pretty in the box before I handed them over to the postal lady! Now the fun and exciting part is waiting for the RSVPs to come back!!

my yelp review

I was mean!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/evas-bridals-of-oak-lawn-oak-lawn#hrid:-GrpJ36bjuBwCKH2TlKbIA

my yelp review.. it may change.

update on dress

ahhh, the drama! Long story short:

• I wrote bad review for Eva's on Yelp (love Yelp!)
• manager called me within hours to fix issue
• i picked up dress from seamstress and brought back to Eva's
• Eva's says dress is wrong size
• Maggie Sottero is shipping a larger size within 2 weeks and Eva's is putting in zipper for no charge

Better situation! But still cutting it close! wayyyy closer than i ever intended and why i ordered my dress in MARCH!

Invites go out TOMORROW! Took ONE to post office today and they weigh MORE than a 44 cent stamp! i had to buy 160 17cent stamps... ugh, it NEVER ends!!! Can't wait until they are out though, my house is a MESS! stuff everywhere.

We are going to Augustana in quad cities this weekend for Josh's college homecoming.. will be nice to get away and not think about the WEDDING.

dress woes

i was excited & nervous to get my dress from Eva's today. it took 7 months to get in -it's that "will i still love it? did i make the right decision?" - I do still love it, BUT my fear came true... I ordered a couple sizes bigger than what I am fitted for b/c I planned (and still will!) on removing the corset back to put in a zipper with buttons - that is what I always wanted and love. The salesgirl told me to get a 12 and said that I needed that size for the fabric to match when you put the zipper in... Well, it's too small - not too small if i was to want to wear the corset back, but too small near the top of the back and the fabric does not match up. There's nothing i can do b/c you sign something saying you are aware you are ordering NOT the size you measure for, so OH WELL from them. I was afraid of this all along. panic came over me - i immediately called my seamstress and was able to bring it to her this afternoon, she could sense the panic in my voice over the phone.

it's not an ez solution and unfortunaltely I did not hear from her, "oh no big deal!" like I wished. Not b/c i do not trust her capabilities, but b/c it's not ez to make something larger... She is going to take the 2 seams out on the sides and see how much she has to work with and call me, and we'll go from there. I feel good that it's 2 months to the DAY, and the dress is with her, but it's not the greatest 'picking up MY wedding dress' sort of day I wanted. ahhhh, good times. I pray it will work.

On a better note, i am meeting with a couple of friends/guys that are going to do my decorating the day of, and that is a HUGE relief. one less thing to worry about.

9 week and i'll be married and on my honeymoon at this moment!

OMG! 9 weeks from Saturday!

updates updates! My dress is in - i got a call and a message that it's in and I have to make an appointment to pick it up. I've called two times today with no luck of speaking to anyone that knows what's going on. I really just want to get it out of the store, since it has taken nearly SEVEN MONTHS to come in (just REDICULOUS!), and to my seamstress so she can start - I'm having some sort-of major work by removing the corset and putting in a zipper & buttons... Hopefully i can get it Sunday!

Invites are printed and ready to be assembled at home! Fresh off the press - I can't wait!! There are layers of colored paper, so they need to be put together, with labels on, and then in the mail next week! SOOOO excited and I'm dying to see them!

One BM dress is in - was ordered from David's Bridal only about 2-3 weeks ago - now they are the company to work with if you can find something there!

This week we went over our ceremony and started the outline with our officiant - everything is getting more and more real and I can't wait!

In between I have been slaving away on a project I have due for class today, which has consumed all of my freetime this week. It's over tonight after I give my presentation - ahhhhhh!

Kelly's wedding!

Tomorrow is my friend's, and bridesmaid, wedding! The time has gone by so quickly that I cannot believe the day is here! We are working on our invites - the paper is at the printer for him to print us a sample. They have become much more involved than originally planned but I believe they are going to be beautiful and I am so excited to send them out for everyone to see. I am missing only 5 addresses, and the labels are set up and formatted - ready to print! I just need to get some clear labels.

Decor, ahhhh decor. It's somewhat on hold as I need to speak with someone about asking them to be my day-of decorator... i'm waiting for a return phone call. I pray that he will say yes... please pray with me! I have piles of pine cones and vases and branches in my house... just what to do with them!

rehearsal dinner site

we went yesterday and found our spot for our rehearsal dinner - one more things off the checklist!

been so long

Less than three months and things are picking up. My shower invites are out. We are working on wedding invites with hopes of them being complete and stacked in our house on 10/1 - that has been my deadline. Things are beginning to feel more real - not that they didn't before, but once you go through actually SENDING things out, I think a sense of realism sets in... yes, I couldn't invite everyone I want - same will be for our wedding. It's a hard hard thing to do - balance your guest list with expectations of others... I hope I do not offend, but feel it's impossible not to - and our time to offend is coming closer and closer!

Soon I will post what our invites will look like. The search for the right color paper is on!

Facebook reconnects Tinley Park hardware store employees :: The SouthtownStar :: Tinley Park :: Orland Hills

Facebook reconnects Tinley Park hardware store employees :: The SouthtownStar :: Tinley Park :: Orland Hills

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what we doin

i saw a friend of mine last night who asked me how my blog was going - shout out to LM! :-)
i had to think and remember i had not updated it in a while. I guess I've been busy, started school, but it's not hard yet b/c it's early in the semester. Love this part of the school year. And my one class is taught by a Chinese prof who believes in lecturing for 3 hours straight, so the reading that is required is not discussed in the class... at this point I'm thinking, why read it?! Word is it's the easiest A in the program - saaaaawwweeet!

What we are working on:

• invites - FH's cousin, and BM drew us up a diddy of a pine cone design we will be using on our invites. not sharing the pic - no chance for copywright infringement (is that right?) and want to be a surrrprise!
• decor - it's ongoing. been buying tall vases from Michael's for part of centerpieces - got 50% coupons and help from my FIL's!
• ceremony - how long (25 min-ish), readers, unity candle?, much much more... Starting this very large discussion with PW in couple weeks at next counseling session
• guest list - think we're done. ahhhhhhhh. need some more addresses - not too many. have them all in label form.
• music - mainly ceremony.... what are we going to do. this is a priority.
• wedding party gifts - for me, my bridesmaids and brideman - i'm nearly done... I'm so excited for my theme of gifts & surprises that i already can't wait to give to them!
• guest book - friend of FH family has home in the Keys and has purchased a book for us to possibly use, which sounds exactly like what we want! waiting on that...
• shower labels for MOH - DONE! bringing them to her on Tuesday.
• my accessories - i need a hair comb piece. I'm seeing my stylist on 9/12 and i'd like to have something to bring with me that day. Need to look NOW! i found one i really like at DB, but it's $50, and i don't want to spend that much... Got my corset, shoes, and veil in hand already!

Ok, i'm exhausted. half from that list, half from drinking wine last night and going to bed too late.

109 days!

As The Knot reminds me, there is 109 days until our wedding! All very exciting as well as nerve racking (sp?). I started my Fall semester this week, which means I will have school on the brain as well as wedding planning & work from now until the Thursday before we are married (12/10). WOW. It's an insane thing to think about, but also so exciting that it's getting closer and things can start to be planned more.

This past weekend I worked on centerpiece ideas with my FSIL, and we (mostly she) came up with some great ideas! Now the shopping for what's necessary begins. We are going to be doing something like pictured here with twigs and berries (haha, i said it!).. with pine cones anchoring the bottom of the vase (we didn't have any to play with). These will be on my high top tables (our cocktail reception is mixing high tops & traditional rounds). We have an idea too with some birch wood that will incorporated into the design...

My FH has officially asked everyone to stand up and we are set with a FULL bridal party - yay! People have started booking rooms - last I checked, 15 rooms have already been booked at the Carleton Hotel! I'm so excited for this, as I love the hotel and the fact we are able to do a "breakfast" the following day for those that are staying.

I am now on the hunt for a hairpiece.. I'm looking for a smaller comb to only go in the side of my hair - I am wearing it back/up, but do not want too large of a bling bling in my hair - something elegant & discreet. My dress should be in next month, so I feel like I will have more to pull together once I see it again and will gain some inspiration.

out.

where to register...

FH and i spent few hours in Macy's yesterday tidying up our registry... He got the gun and I headed over to lingerie to try on some corset/boustierres (no clue spelling and don't feel like looking it up). I had no luck, they had like 2 items... I want to get a few things to take with me when my dress comes in to see what I like best. The search continues.

We then headed over to Sears, where we thought we wanted to register as well. After walking through the store, where there was 1000 employees working (have no clue how they can afford that?!), we were stuck with not having too much we want from there! I really want an air mattress, since we only have a 1BR apartment - i always have to borrow my FSIL's air mattress when we have guests... so that was the main reason for my registry at Sears. Not really a good reason! So we decided to scratch that store, and to to Target instead - they have everything that was on my Sears registry and are so much more convienent... and they have more stuff too and at reasonable prices.

So, it's final: Macy's, C&B, Target. all with very easy on-line access! I also have been updating our website which i'm about to add to this site - the info is out there people! no excuses!

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/JamieLamm&JoshuaTate

4 months 4 months 4 months!

Holy majoly - but very exciting! I think of 4 months ago [April] and that doesn't seem too far away, so it is nuts to me that in 4 months we'll be getting married. Today I'm sending in the retainer letter & deposit to my florist (very excited about the direction we are going). My FH and I are going to have a date night on Friday - our pastor has given us the 'orders' and we must report back to him on Monday, our next session of counseling. We are at the point where we are going to start discussing ceremony and timelines and all that other stuff. I went to Borders after work yesterday to look for a Florida Keys coffee table book to use for our guest book - no such luck - nothing even close! I am going to have to order one online and hope for the best that it will be good. I was hoping to be able to skim through it to make sure it's what we'd want... but there are some choices online.

Other things I have been thinking about and working with others on: menus, itinerary for evening [my aunt], programs [FSIL], and FH has started working on music - starting by initial reception music... I told him I'm in control and on top of the late night music, ha!

whatimadoin

i'm on a 2 week break from school. although I am still working, I feel like I am vacation. I have begun to work on some projects. I have assigned my mom the "welcome bag" job for the hotel guests - she has already purchased a small item to include inside. I have given her the direction I am looking for with them, and I feel good that they will not be a last minute thing. I just placed an order for "oatmeal" brown paper gift bags with handles [in bulk] that I will be using for them. I also need them for project #2 I am working on and that is a surprise I don't want to discuss b/c I think some of my BMs may read this blog from time to time... no big deal, just something I've thought up for my shower. no more hints.

I went to Michaels yesterday - I was trying to avoid it b/c i want to buy everything - but had to stop at SuperTarget for some food (Atkins day 6!) - I have a new obsession with rubber stamps and homemade cards. I for a long time do not really purchase "regular cards" and like to use blank ones anyhow, but now I just bought some very nice cardstock and envelopes with some cute stamps to use as my thank-yous... I made a purchase a couple months back of 50 cards for thank yous from Home Goods (wayyy good price) but I will be needing more than 50! Right now I have about 120 thank you cards including the cards I purchased from Michaels yesterday to make. I want stamps for everything now. Birthdays, thank yous, Miss yous, thinking of yous, etc...... I realize there is a whole sophisticated world of rubber stamp card making, but i am exciting to try to enter it! :-) i want every rubber stamp to my disposal! Could I get this good?:

so it begins!

So i can write.. i have things to say. I started my "diet" on Tuesday - it's my combo atkins/south beach diet. I did this for Emily's wedding last year, without working out, and lost about 10 lbs?! maybe a LITTLE more? SOoooo, with working out, b/c I am going to add that in (although my weight was ok, I was flabby - particularly my arms) and I want to be CHISELED yo! Day 2 was rough, yesterday was OK - but I drank wine, a NO NO, but it was my last day of summer school, I attended a wake of a friend that tragically died, and I was having dinner with another friend I haven't seen in a while... 2 glasses of vino was in the cards!

So on my lunch today out of boredom i decided to check out Payless for some shoes, and I ended up buying my wedding shoes for $7!! I love them too -they are adorable with a good size heel, and comfortable enough! I'm sure I could have found ones i love MORE (i've been eying some peep toe ones on zappos) but why spend $60 on shoes you do not see, and will not wear again?! I'd rather spend that money on somehting that WILL be seen!!

Less than 5 months to go!

this past weekend we hosted a party for the bike races that happen in our town. Alex was here from Philly for his 30th birthday. He and I went to Oak Park Friday night to check out 19thCC and restaurant, and he met my caterer. I wanted him to get a good feeling for the venue to help with decor. FH & I had a counseling session last night, soon we will start discussing the ceremony, length, music (no clue!!), vision of wedding, etc... That's the fun part!

My "knot" 5 months to go email said to start talking about groomsmen's outfits and groom's outfit and order... we still do not have a full wedding party!

stuff

Yes yes yes, I never post anymore! But not like anyone reads this anyhow - a few do I think, but I don't have a long list of followers begging for my next entry. I started summer school (slightly regretting it) but I'm 2 weeks into an 8 week course, so that's promising.

Alex comes in 2 weeks!! yay!! I pick him up from the airport on 7/10 and we're going straight to Oak Park to Cucina Paridiso for a bite to eat and cocktail - once it's not too busy, Anthony will take us over to 19thCC so I can show him the space. I'm sooo excited b/c he's so creative and I want him to see it and help me with decor. It will be wonderful to have him be able to picture everything rather than just looking at pictures. And then, it's his 30th bday on 7/11!

I have been finalizing my ideas for flowers with my florist, Carolynn - she has been wonderful in dealing with my tight budget and my "all over the map" ideas. I think I have settled on something [above] minus a few things. I love love love this bouquet and am so excited. I'm having holly bouts (thank you Katherine Heigl wedding last winter where I got the idea).

We have been discussing ceremony music, and still doing counseling with our pastor... things are moving, nothing HUGE, but moving! TGIF!

Less than 6 months!

Not too much new to report, therefore the lack in blogging. I'm starting to get my addresses together - I have taken our guest list and at least put everyone into a Word address list - so I can start to manage who I need to get addresses from, and those I already have. I am lucky to have Josh's sisters addresses from her wedding last year, which I have used as my template and now have addresses from his side of the family.

We had another counseling session with our Pastor last night which went well. It has been fun and beneficial for him to get to know us better and vice versa. I feel that will really be a positive thing for our ceremony, rather than someone that is "rented" or means nothing to us. The counseling/discussions force you to talk about things that you may not want to bring up, or already know, but just good to get it out there and bounce it off someone else too!!

We have started talking about our ceremony music -I contacted some people [mostly pianists], and we have some bids, but we need to pull the trigger and get on it.

We were at 6 months last week - still lots of time, but still lots to do! I start summer school today, blah.

To photo or not to photo.... before the ceremony!

We met with our photographer, Michael, this week - I think it's decided that we will not see one another before the ceremony. For a while, I was pushing for it because our ceremony will begin at approximately 5:45pm in December and therefore it will be DARK. We will not be able to take any pictures with natural light, and that sort of bums me out. He gave us the option of doing an engagement shoot, which I really was not into before, but now that we will not be seeing one another to use natural light on the day of our wedding, I am liking the idea more. He suggested some places around the city - my FH thought the Museum Campus when the colors are changing - so we'll see - don't have to decide that now. The studio we are working with is who my brother used to work for nearly 5 years - so I am excited as I know many of them and I know they will do a fabulous job! Check out their website: http://www.yamashirostudio.com/

After our meeting we had a great dinner with some friends at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (one of my favs!) and then met up with an old friend from NYC that I went to FSU with :-) Any chance for me to talk about the Seminoles is a good day and night!

photog

Tomorrow we are meeting with our photographer after work to go over what we are looking for, timing, etc.... I haven't thought much about this yet, so I better start. I need to start getting in my head the timing of everything that will be going on that day (i.e. when I will start getting ready, do we want pictures before, etc.). My first phone call with him I had no answers!

flower girl dress shoppin'

A couple of weeks ago, my MOH and i took the FG to Davids Bridal, which is the BEST for flower girl dress shopping. They leave you alone, let you take however many dresses with you into the dressing room, and there are mirrors everywhere. It's a dream for a diva like my FG :-)

She must have tried on 8 dresses with the 2 I posted the final choices... Hers is the the sparkly A line dress, where I saw her more in a poofy skirted dress like the other. I am a sucka, and will let her pick what she wants - but her taste does change - Originally she SWORE she had to have as much POOF as possible. Both are adorable on - all the dresses were - so really it doesn't matter! We will most likely tie in a black ribbon in either one of these to match the BMs...

Morning after breakfast...

We have reserved a room at the Carleton Hotel for 2 hours the morning after the wedding. We will be providing a continental breakfast for all those that have stayed over after the wedding. It will be a great way for family & friends to get together that are not normally together for a few more hours, and just another way for us to express our thanks and gratitude to those that attended :-)

I am excited, as I have stated I love the hotel, and we have seen this room set up for a morning after breakfast on one of our previous visits. I can't say enough how accomodating the Carleton has been, and so very reasonable as well.

I have started contacting musicians through this site I found: gigmasters.com - to get quotes for our ceremony music. There is a Steinway piano available at the 19thCC, but not sure if we are 100% on using it yet, but just want to start the search for our cermony music. It will be live music of some sorts, whether it's a string quartet or piano... Next step is to think about the songs - I always hear ones I like, but have no clue what the names of them are!

Happy FRIDAY!

shower and all that fun stuff!

My DJ has cashed my deposit check, done! I have been working with my MOH about shower locations - we are on the search and have called/emailed a bunch of places. Date: 10/24/2009... I'm thinking around 50-60 people - don't want it to be too exp (of course) and not TOO much work for anyone/everyone either! We have a few places picked out so far:

• Isabella's in Tinley
• Fox's in Mokena (I love their screened in patio porch with a fireplace, but it will be late OCT?)
• Park district buildings to rent.... I'm racking my brain - going to check Palos Park, Orland...

I was really interested in Lake Katherine, but it's nearly $500 just to rent - not worth it!! We have an appointment to meet with our photog on 6/2 to discuss time, and what we want... I called and requested info on the "morning after breakfast" at the Carleton today - she is emailing me. So far so good!

Less than 7 months....

So I got the Knot countdown email a couple of days ago reminding me there are 7 months, now less, to the DAY. I'm not behind on anything, except thinking about what we want to do for ceremony music... I just sent in deposit for DJ.

One great thing that has happened, somehow I stumbled upon a weddingbee blog of a girl by the name of 'Miss Stiletto' (http://www.weddingbee.com/author/stiletto/) that is getting married at the 19th CC as well - as she & I have discovered, there is not much info online about the venue. We have traded emails discussing different things and she has put me in touch with a local Oak Park florist 'Fleur Lily Chic' [www.fleurlilychic.com]. I have been speaking with Carolynn and she has had some great suggestions for flowers in Dec that will fall within my budget. I am excited - as I previously discussed, my brideman will be arranging the bouquets, but Carolynn will be ordering the flowers for us to use. While this kinda takes away from the excitement of going in the morning and picking out random flowers, it also ensures the flowers will be of good quality and available... probably a safer and more reasonable option. She will be making my bouts and my corsages as well.

In a previous post I showed a bouquet of dahlias that i LOVED and would like exactly, but unfortunately they are not available in December - which I was afraid of... Their season is June-Oct, for all you summer & Fall brides - I LOVE dahlias... But Carolynn has suggested deep red Gerber daisies, somewhat similar, anemones (red with black centers) and some others that can definitely work as well.

Happy Spring!

It's been nicer lately; flowers are coming up and I found this picture that I felt was appropriate for a nice spring FRIDAY! And my friend and I were just talking about tulips - if either one of us were having a spring wedding (and we are not) how awesome it would be to have tulips everywhere, and tulip bouquets!

Music

I will book my dj for the reception soon - I am waiting for the contract in the mail. One more thing off the list! hmmm, what else. I have asked all of my bridal party - My FH has not asked anyone yet, but I think it's more important for the bridesmaids/man since I feel like they have a little more responsibility. We need to start thinking about the ceremony music - there are 2 pianos that you can use (rent) at the 19thCC and I think we should use them - but we'll need someone to play them!

I have 5 weeks and some change off of grad school and I hope to use the time to the maximum! After summer semester I have about 3 weeks until Fall semester, and then I have NO breaks until the wedding. Thinking of it that way is kinda insane, but why i need to use this time. It's getting warm!!!!! yay!!

flowers, bouquets, etc....

I am at that lull part of planning - there are not pressing things that I NEED to get done (music is starting to be though...) so I'm feeling a little lost and anxious - like I should be doing something. But according to my KNOT checklist, I am ok! One thing on the list is "set up appointments with various florists to discuss options". So I have been thinking about it.

We do not have a lot of $ in our budget for flowers, but this is ok - I was always planning on only having fresh flowers for my bridal party and family. I have been reading up, and thinking about the idea of heading to Whole Foods (a couple blocks away from hotel) the morning of with my BrideMan [Alex] to get some flowers for the wedding. He has experience doing this, and the "eye" and I always love what he comes up with. For some reason, this does not give me anxiety or make me nervous, b/c I have faith in the Oak Park area and Whole Foods. I brought it up to him, and he loves it - so I think this is what we will do. He assures me he knows how to put a bouquet together, as he did his sister's wedding, and his grandmother was a florist. I'm excited.

Happy Earth Day

Happy Birthday!

Today is my FG's 5th bday - a picture of her rockin on skates this weekend after her party:

More registering!

So, we took this rainy Sunday to drive to the city to do some more registering (and I got a new rain coat I love from my FH! :-) First to the North Face store, then a nice lunch at Rosebud, then onto Crate & Barrel, and last Macy's (for the 3rd time...) - Everything went great at C&B but the Macy's in Water Tower was very disappointing! They were out of everything and did not have much display for pots, pans and knives - the main reason we were there. We have everything else done at Macy's except those kitchen items so it was annoying.

I have officially asked my Matron of Honor and she accepted; I am excited! Tomorrow is Miss Madelyn's 5th bday, so we had her party on Saturday - and I spent the day with them after.

Tomorrow is one of my classes final project presentations that I am supposed to be working on right now... anything to distract me!

Less than 8 months

i've been SUUUUUPER bad about making posts.... end of semester for school and my FH and I were involved heavily in a local election recently... And the anticipation of spring/summer is killing me as our weather has been TERRIBLE lately. BUT sunday marked the 8 month mark - whoa. That kicked me into full gear that I must must must begin working out consistently. I woke up this morning at 5:55am [uggggghhh] and trekked to the gym - Morning workouts are the only answer to my hectic schedule and I have to do it - At some point I need to be up to working out 2x a day - Goal: lose 25lbs in less than 8 months :-) It's possible!

Day 3 since finding my dress!

I have officially looked at my dress pictures on snapfish at least once everyday since Sunday! I can't stop looking and need something else to focus on (i.e. MANY more things to do on the checklist!). I have plenty to focus on, although it is my spring break for school this week! We had our first "online" counseling session with our wedding officiant. Everything went great - it was FH's first time meeting him! We are so excited about everything! My next thing to tackle is the flowers - I'm only doing flowers for my wedding party (which is still to be determined at this point....FH!) - but I'd like to start looking so I can even get an idea on what I can/cannot do [in Winter] and in my price range! here's something simple that I am loving: they are Dahlias - no clue if available in DEC, but I love the color and simplicity!

Dress.... check!

I got my dress! I'm soooo excited! I love it - you're suppose to, right? I ended up purchasing it from Eva's in Oak Lawn on Sunday - we had an appt at House of Brides after visiting Eva's, but cancelled it after thinking it over at Panera for lunch... Yeah! And it feels great to not have to search anymore :-) It was fun, don't get me wrong, but after trying on at least 40 dresses, I was thinking there must be something wrong with me to not have found it yet!

MOST IMPORTANTLY!

Happy bday to my FH!! Love you babe - to many many years of growing old together... You're just a little older :-) hehe.

TO DO LIST

not much to update. i have been severly slacking in updating, even if nothing! I have been working on a "wedding website" that will provide all the info for the wedding. Will somehow send it out in the invites, whether it is on the map & directions - prob not on the invite itself. There is a link to this blog on the website. We have a lot we need to do - My "knot.com" list is growing, and I have not been able to check things off lately... including:

• Choose your bridesmaids & groomsmen (OVERDUE)
• Finalize guest list (OVERDUE)
• Start auditioning DJs or bands (OVERDUE) - we are debating on trying to do a "ipod" wedding or not...
• Set up appointments with florists (OVERDUE) ... but I only plan on having flowers for myself and my party, so i don't think i need to do this 9months before?
• Narrow down gown choices and make final decision [working on this!]
• Book band or DJ and send deposit
• Start looking into registering for gifts
• request demo tapes for cememony musicians (no clue what we're doing!)

So, I def have things to do. I have given my FH about one more month on choosing a wedding party.... He hasn't felt it necessary yet, and it's not, but getting there! Going this weekend to look at dresses at 2 new places, i hope i can find my dress then!

no dress!

not set FOR SURE on a dress yet, found a couple that I liked, but not sure they are the ONE yet... if there is the ONE when it comes to a dress -there are SO many and all are pretty in their own way! it's hard. at least for me. My FG thought that every dress I tried on was the ONE and every dress she tried on was the ONE. Too cute.

we were suppose to go register at C&B on Sunday, but did not. for a couple reasons. one being i needed a break after spending all day saturday at bridal stores, and i did not feel like being around a bunch of couples scanning items they wish for. so we woke up, got ready, then I decided that i didn't feel like it - we have so much time for that. oops.

Not doing anything for a bit - going to Utah to see my family this weekend. Leave thursday, can't wait - looking forward to getting away.

weekend! so close!

Here are some flower girl dress ideas - I love love love the first dress, esp if I end up getting an ivory dress... it's by UsAngels.

Other than that, we (her mother & I) are digging the sash - either being black (BM dresses) OR red... and accent color I'm using.

Tomorrow: having dinner (sushi!) with a couple of old friends :-)

Saturday: 2 dress appointments starting at 11:30 am with my mom, a close friend & the flower girl! yeah! I'm excited.

Sunday: 9-11am Wedding Registry event at C&B - one more thing off the list! Then onto a 1y.o. bday party :-)

I'm taking a hiatus from grad school this weekend - was given no HW in one class, and we just had a large presentation last night in the other BUT just got a 100+ page book to read (quickly) from the Rev for our counseling sessions, so going to get a head start on that!

It's thunderstorming outside right now, and it's March this weekend...... please let that mean it's SPRING very very soon!!

hiatus

I haven't been blogging because I haven't been doing much... although the hotel is now blocked with rooms for the wedding weekend and I will soon post the info on the sidebar. I purchased some willow sticks and this weekend we may try to put some centerpieces together to get some ideas - I have in my mind what I want the centerpieces to look like, but not sure if it will turn out ok.... I am only having 10-11 round tables and then having about 6-7 hightops - so will have different centerpieces on each... I'm keeping my eye on these votive holders on C&B: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1340&f=26397 seeing if they go on sale... I'd like to mix them with regular votives on the table..

I can't wait to go dress shopping - I found a line I really like and will be trying on: Saison Blanche - we go in a week from Saturday! But i am all over the place [again] in what I like, so who knows what will be THE dress!!

contracts......... signed!

We are SET. Contracts signed and in the mail for both 19thCC and caterer. ahhhhh, relief! Sunday have another bridal show in Tinely at Odessey Country Club and then... taking a break until next dress appts on Sat. 2/28:

• The Dress by Nicole (Wheaton): http://www.shopthedress.com/


• Wolsfelt's (Aurora): http://www.wolsfelts.com/

There is a brand I'm really liking (http://www.saisonblanche.com/) that I will be trying on at The Dress :-) I'd post the picture of the dress, but I don't want to in case it's the ONE, but it's similar to the Melissa Sweet Becca that is in a previous post.

have a great weekend! I'm having a girls weekend as my BOY is away for a boys weekend!

yah!

update: everything was great on our visit Saturday. The contract for the 19thCC is being sent in the mail as I type. We will be putting a deposit down with the caterer. We ate at his restaurant on Saturday and the food was aaaahhhhhmazing!! We visited the hotel we will work with, the Carleton, and it's beautiful! I am so excited!! Ceremony & Reception location, done! Date, done! Wedding Officiant, done! (my very good friend's father is marrying us!). And i started dress shopping on Sunday and it went well - Jamie from Bella Sposa is HIGHLY recommended! I feel good, things are moving.

Here is website pics of hotel: http://www.carletonhotel.com/photogallery.asp

The suite rooms are HUGE so will work perfectly when getting ready with my girls!

sidenote

i'm trying to add a pic to every post b/c pictures are more fun than words - so explains my random shamrock shuffle pic below. ha.

so excited!

tomorrow we go to the 19th CC at 2pm to see Anthony (caterer) setting up for a wedding! It is me, my momma, FH mom, & future SIL. I am excited to see it again and to show them how much I love the place! We will do dinner later, and drive around Oak Park (and suppose to be 50 degrees!!) since I haven't been there in the day time; and hopefully visit some of the possible hotels and get a feel for the area! I am excited!

I have booked my first appointment to try on dresses at Bella Sposa in Tinely Park on Sunday in the morning - It's a smaller place, i was referred from a friend, and all of thier reviews on line are fab (which is HARD to find when it comes to bridal dress salons!!). I'm excited and hoping it will kickstart my diet I should have started... I am in a biggest loser contest (potentially $800ish at stake!!) and have had a hard time getting started... AND i'm running the Shamrock Shuffle (5mile) marathon March 29th! This weekend I MUST run 2 miles. Must.

registry

so I really shouldn't be blogging because I'm in my computer lab at school and suppose to be doing homework that is due Friday, but before it escapes my mind, I must share a little of our registering experience yesterday. We went to Macy's in Oak Brook for a wedding registry event (free bag with wine glasses & wine traveler deal) - We were early (about 30 minutes) and get inside the store and I start looking on the legend for where housewares are... I did not see them listed and then remember Oak Brook has a "home store", so I ask the guy in mens [where we were] where "home wares" are and if they are at the seperate Macy's store down the street - he replies YES.... NOW, i can't remember if I said "home wares" or "home furnishings", but I immediately think we are in the wrong place and we leave...

As we are driving to the other store, I am being questioned "are you sure? did you bring the card? do you have info on this event?" - thank god it's just 2 minutes away - We get to Macy's HOME STORE and there are literally 3 cars in the parking lot... Now i'm 2nd guessing what I asked the clerk... Long story short, we get inside, wrong place! AT the main store in Oak Brook... My FH smiles and is very patient (for once!) and tells me I am lucky they are so close... we finally get back to the right store and find the event upstairs...

At the end of the day, we had fun - he was more fun than I thought he'd be and we picked out a china pattern! everyone says that's the hardest thing, but was easy for us? we have similar tastes and I guess that means the hard part is over?! OH, and i went to the bathroom and while I was in there, my FH scanned 19 ceramic bunnies, 10 puppies & chocolates valentines, an ice cream maker, 5 popcorn bins, and 9 godiva caramel chocolates? I have since deleted them... :-) Here's our china pattern:

registering before picking venue!

Tomorrow we are going to a Macy's "sip & scan" event. They arm you with a gun, cocktails & appetizers, along with a list of "what you should register" for. I am feeling a little strange about it since we have not officially signed on with a venue yet - but we are very close. I guess how i am thinking about it is that you do not have to do things in a particular order, and if this is one thing crossed off the list to do, then fabulous!

We have an appointment to do Crate & Barrel on Sunday, March 1st from 9am-11am - you have the store to yourself (not just US, but other engaged couples) - this one is called the "Wedding Party" event -and they give you a free gift....... why not?

still need a dress!

So i am beginning to think about setting a date to begin dress shopping. I was discussing this with my mom the other day on the phone expressing my concern with going to one of the bridal megastores like Bridesmart or House of Brides or even Eva's... I know some people have had a good experience with them, but I feel like I hear more bad things than good. The reviews online (every review site) are not good generally, and it's leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

I have decided to try out the smaller boutiques first - there are some around where I live. I feel like if i can't find a dress at one of them, then I will possibly try the larger less personal stores with the bad reviews. BUT I am optomistic and think I can find "the dress" while avoiding the bride megastores - plus it always feels better to give $ to the small business owner and not the corporation :-)

update

we have an appointment saturday 2/7 to see the 19CC again while the caterer is setting up for a wedding; taking Mom, Martha & Emily to gain feedback and ultimately for them to see the venue! Nothing other than that planned - Kelly, Beth, Madelyn & I attended a bridal show last weekend. It was fun to see the runway show (more fun to watch Madelyn watch the runway show - but no flower girls! disappointed). We are going to another one on sunday 2/15 that should prove to be bigger and hopefully different stuff.

appreciate life

i read the chicago tribune online at lunch most days (when I am not doing homework). I sit at my desk and eat my salad or whatever healthy thing I'm forcing myself to eat these days... Well today I came across an article about a girl around my age that started a blog about her fight of cancer.... It was impossible not to tear up while reading through her words since she ultimately lost her life just weeks ago. It made me reflect on how short life is, and how you must appreciate all your time here b/c you never know when it will be taken from you. Her sense of humor never stopped even when enduring painful treatments - it was very inspiring for those that have an interest and feel like crying: http://kindramclennan.blogspot.com/

waiting

yes it's been awhile, but i have done some updating to the sidebar, so that accounts for something! I've been working with the caterer to get a few proposals and things on paper... once that pans out we may move forward and have more information (fingers crossed!!). Then on to the fun things!

out

i immediately felt the need to blog because i just eliminated KLM from the running of sites. It was subconsciously out anyhow I think - we love the space - but it will just not accomodate our guest list in the manner we would like. We want everyone to be able to be in one room at any given time, and we just don't see how that can work at KLM. The coordinator, Deena, just called me b/c someone else is intereseted in the date [12/12/2009] and since we were penciled in, she wanted to give us the opportunity to sign a contract first (or at least she says...). BUT if anything, that forces you to have to make a decision! We pretty much knew, but now we KNOW b/c it's no longer an option!

invitations

for the sake of remembering, i came across some websites for inexpensive cardstock for invites:

http://www.cardsandpockets.com/, http://www.thepapermill.com/, http://www.paperandmore.com/, http://www.anchorpaper.com/retail/paper.htm (bad website, email Tom there for help)

Def early, but i wanted to remember these! I LOVE this site for ideas: http://www.weddingpaperdivas.com/ - I copied this invite for Emily's shower invitation and it came out great using Adobe Illustrator and recycled paper from Office Max!

twomaytoz catering

We met with Anthony from TwoMayToz catering [restaurant is Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park] the exclusive caterer for the 19CC [19th Century Club] last night. We both liked him, he lives near us and is friends of a friend so I am thinking that helped :-)

We came up with a good plan for a cocktail reception - he claims he's done many - and worked out some things that are necessary for us. He has done events at both KLM and 19CC, so we were able to ask him things about both places. We love KLM, but it would mean cutting our list significantly to fit everyone comfortably. If anyone is ever looking for a unique space that is reasonable and easy to work with for about 100-125 people comfortably - def check out KLM in Hinsdale!

We discussed everything from hotels to places to go out in Oak Park after the reception (in walking distance!! to possibly holding our rehersal dinner at his restaurant. He's a very nice guy that guarantees he will be at our event to make sure everything is golden... Here is a link to their restaurant: http://www.cucinaoakpark.com/

Stay tuned for more updates, hopefully soon!

post visit

ahhh, i am feeling lovely as I just indulged in sushi for lunch. it helps to take the stress away, for real. We met with the coordinator and took a tour of the 19th Century Club last night. We were especially impressed with the auditorium space; there is plenty of room to host 180-200 (the target)ppl. Not in love with the location - not Oak Park itself - it's a great community with a ton of stuff to do (especially great for out of town guests staying there - shopping, restaurants, etc..) but it's a little hard to get to - but a positive thing is that there will be no commuting between locales for ceremony & reception -this is an all-in-one [bonus].

I have made an appt with Anthony for Tuesday from Cucina Paradiso [TwoMayToz] to discuss all the other fun things that come with picking a venue: food, booze, etc..... He is meeting me closer to our house though, so score for him. Everything I've read is good reviews, but most importantly will it work for us within our budget.

The pictures do not do the place justice - plus it wasn't my camera [I forgot my camera at home so borrowed one from work before going]. You can see how gorgeous the floors are though, they have recently had them refinished. I am able to picture everything happening here, which makes me feel good, but will know more after next week!

a new year

I'm back! Nothing too new, but we have an appt to go see the 19th Century Club on Thursday. I'm crossing my fingers. here is a picture of gorgeous centerpieces I'd love to mimic - Emily sent this picture to me...