Monday, December 28, 2009
ahhhhh all done!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
really? 23 days?
- 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!
Monday, November 2, 2009
crazy
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!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
wedding shower
Group of family & friends with Josh & I (after shower)
Dessert & cake set up
Thank you all!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
the fun part!
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!].
Friday, October 16, 2009
invitations OUT!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
my yelp review
http://www.yelp.com/biz/evas-bridals-of-oak-lawn-oak-lawn#hrid:-GrpJ36bjuBwCKH2TlKbIA
my yelp review.. it may change.
update on dress
- 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.
Monday, October 12, 2009
dress woes
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!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
OMG! 9 weeks from Saturday!
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!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Kelly's wedding!
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!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
rehearsal dinner site
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
been so long
Soon I will post what our invites will look like. The search for the right color paper is on!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
what we doin
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.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
109 days!
Monday, August 17, 2009
where to register...
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
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
4 months 4 months 4 months!
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!
Monday, August 10, 2009
whatimadoin
Friday, August 7, 2009
so it begins!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Less than 5 months to go!
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!
Friday, June 26, 2009
stuff
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Less than 6 months!
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.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
To photo or not to photo.... before the ceremony!
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!
Monday, June 1, 2009
photog
Friday, May 29, 2009
flower girl dress shoppin'
Morning after breakfast...
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!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
shower and all that fun stuff!
- 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!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Less than 7 months....
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.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Happy Spring!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Music
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!!
Friday, April 24, 2009
flowers, bouquets, etc....
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.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
More registering!
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!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Less than 8 months
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Day 3 since finding my dress!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Dress.... check!
Monday, March 16, 2009
TO DO LIST
- 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!
Monday, March 2, 2009
no dress!
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.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
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.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
hiatus
Friday, February 13, 2009
contracts......... signed!
- 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!
Monday, February 9, 2009
yah!
Friday, February 6, 2009
sidenote
so 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.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
registry
Monday, February 2, 2009
registering before picking venue!
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?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
still need a dress!
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 :-)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
update
Friday, January 23, 2009
appreciate life
waiting
Friday, January 16, 2009
out
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
invitations
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 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!