Small Details

I figured since I have an itch & I feel the need to write, I would just make a list of things I must absolutely have at my wedding. I don't really care if anyone thinks these are irrelevant/unnecessary/etc but this is mostly for my benefit anyway. (: This list will also include things/services I've decided on but haven't booked yet. This post will be edited and updated as things become available.

Theme:
The color is called Begonia from David's Bridal. The general "theme" were going for is diamonds & bling, but not gaudy. It's going to be mostly hot pink & white with hints of silver & sparkle. Think "Shine Bright Like a Diamond" by Rihanna. ;)

Favors:
I originally wanted to do a candy buffet, but now we're just going to fill organza bags with candy & probably get some match books for everyone. This is still up in the air.

Photographer:
Marcia Dixon Photography. She's quoted me a price & a general idea of what's included but hasn't given me any actual details. She has written me in her planner so it's as good as booked. She's a family friend & I've seen her work dozens of times. She's an awesome person & she will be more of a guest taking awesome photos than an annoying photographer following me around all day.

Photobooth:
This is still a huge maybe. If there's enough room in the budget, we're all for it. I know how expensive this stuff can get, however. Paige's boyfriend's dad has connections & can get us one for I think $500, but our DJ also offers one for I think $600 & me might be able to do it cheaper since we're booking him.

Hair:
I'm still slightly undecided, only because it all depends on my accessories. I know I either want my hair half up/down & curly with a pretty, sparkly pin/clip/barrette/whatever, or all up with some sort of tasteful tiara & curly, etc. I've got dozens of photos pinned on Pinterest for inspiration. Natalie has asked her friend Nicole which did my hair for Pam's wedding to do it again for my wedding. It's still up in the air as far as whether she'll be able to do it or not.

Makeup:
I've spent way too much money on makeup to not do it myself. Plus, I've seen too many brides get their makeup done by someone else & they just don't look....right. I'd rather just do it myself because I'm perfectly able to & I know what I want.

Guys Attire:
To be perfectly honest, Gary & I both couldn't care less about what the guys wear as long as it's a black tux, white shirt & Begonia vest & tie. We're more than likely going to choose the least expensive option possible.

My Shoes:
I feel like it's 100% absolutely necessary to have hot pink shoes. I actually purchased a pair today, NOT for the wedding (but if they're comfortable then I absolutely will wear them) but strictly because I had the opportunity to get a $50 pair of shoes for $20 with free shipping. If it's possible, I would like to get swarovski crystals & glue them on the heels. I want as much sparkle as possible.

"Choose a Seat, Not a Side":
Ever since the first time I saw it on Pinterest, I wanted to have a board saying something along the lines of that. It only makes sense. I always forget what side you're "supposed" to sit on at weddings, & I hate it when you're friends with both the bride & the groom & you're forced to choose a side. I want everyone to feel comfortable with each other so I don't want people to have to sit on one side or the other. They can sit wherever they want.

No Seating Chart:
I don't plan on having plated meals, so this works out perfectly. I hate the idea of a seating chart & I think it's unnecessary. By the time dinner is over no one sits where they originally were anyway so what's the point? I'm planning on making a sign letting people know there's no seating plan with a cute little rhyme.

Update!

Things are moving along nicely. As I posted before, I have purchased my dress & we went to put the first two deposits down on Crystal Gardens also. I'm so excited. I have to start making appointments & everything is getting so real now. I need to make an appointment with my coordinator just to ask questions, it's kind of funny. I went to Pam's house last night & her, Natalie & I all went through a bunch of stuff and made a list of questions that need to be asked.

I need to start looking at cake designs that I might want. I have a whole board on Pinterest but that doesn't really mean anything. I need to narrow it down to my favorites & have my MOH's help me decide. I also need to choose a DJ (well, I already have...I just haven't told CG which one yet) but I think that will be done when I make my appointment to ask all of my questions. I found out that the vendor CG goes through cor cakes is Cakes By Stephanie, which is the #1 baker that EVERYONE has told me to go through. I'm so excited that we're going to get an amazing cake at our wedding. (:

I chose an officiant last night, thank God. It was getting really stressful because I didn't even know where to start. Pam went online & did a search, & I contacted Ceremonies by Christina to ask her if rehearsals are included in their packages. They are, which is super exciting, & I think we're going to go with the first package. It's the least expensive but honestly? I want short & sweet & inexpensive. What would be ideal is if we knew someone who was ordained & we could just throw them some cash & let them party for free. That would be cool.

The bridesmaids dresses have been chosen (in Begonia), but no one was purchased them yet. They need to by the beginning of Feb. - mid Feb. at the LATEST. I made a post on facebook in the group I made but I'm not 100% sure if everyone has seen it yet. I know Pam & Natalie are planning on getting theirs soon, & Paige will go with Pam whenever she goes. I'm pretty sure Jenny is waiting for her tax return but I'm not sure what's going on with Nicole. She might just be waiting until the last minute just for the hell of it. That wouldn't surprise me. :P

We finalized details for centerpieces yesterday as well, granted the ones CG will provide are as hideous as I think they are. The lady showed me something that was like a gold candle holder which I hated. Natalie seems to think they're not THAT bad, but even my mom didn't like them. We're going to check them out when we go to ask questions.

I need to sit down & figure out the flower situation. I originally wanted all pink bouquets, which will work for me, but they will blend in with the girls dresses because they are pink also. Natalie suggested we wait until one of them gets their dress to determine what we should do. I think their bouquets will end up being mostly white with pink mixed in. Or we could do a combination of hot pink, light pink & white. THERE'S an idea! :D

I found DIY S'mores kits on Pinterest this morning, & now I think I might want to do those as favors. They're adorable. I was originally just going to get either some personalized mint tins or match boxes & then fill these organza bags I have with candy. I still might just do that because it'll be easier. I'll have to get more silver bags though, because as of right now I have about 140-144 (I'll have to recount) of hot pink, & we're thinking we're going to have between 175 & 200 people there. Which is something else that is freaking me out. The more people, the more money. Although our contracted price is for a minimum of 175 people & we've been paying on that, I'm not sure if they're going to add more money onto that total. Who knows...

Nat & Pam made final decisions on what they're going to do for the shower. It's luau themed & it's going to be in my back yard. I'm happy with that. I've always wanted to have a luau & now's my chance. It helps that we know people with tents & tables & chairs, so all of that is free. Natalie's dad is friends with someone who owns a printing company, so hopefully I'll be able to design  my own invitations. I just need her to ask him if there is any special formatting or anything along those lines.

I still need to go in for my dress alterations, but I'm trying to get my accessories first. I want to get a belt type thing to add some sparkle to my dress, & I need to find new shoes. The ones I originally got don't fit so I won't be able to wear those. I might just get some from David's Bridal so I can get them the same color as the bridesmaids dresses. There's a pair that I really liked but Paige told me they hurt her feet pretty bad. There's a pair that I tried on at Payless that are pretty much perfect, but they're only in ivory & that just won't work. I've found several belts/sashes on Etsy, but they're pretty expensive. I know my mom will probably buy it for me, but that comes out of the total amount that they're giving us for the wedding. *sigh* I guess I'll just have to talk to them about it. My dad might just tell my mom to buy it, lol.

Well, that's all for now. I'm starting to get a headache from thinking about it too much. I feel the need to go into my Wedding Tote now & play with the flowers. I might just do that. (:

WE HAVE A VENUE!!!

This whole wedding planning thing is coming along nicely. For a while there I felt like NOTHING was going to get done, AT ALL. We finally decided on a venue last week. I was desperately trying to get everything as affordable as possible, thinking I wasn't going to get everything I wanted. Things started to add up quickly & I was starting to stress out. I finally decided to go with my Mom & MOH to get all of the info on booking our ceremony site at a location that is ran by Crystal Gardens. Well, once we got there & started talking to the sales rep, I changed my mind completely & decided to go with an all inclusive package at a local banquet hall (Crystal Gardens). I'm so relieved I finally made the decision because literally EVERYTHING is included. Well, except for the photographer, but I've already chosen & tentatively booked one. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but after itemizing everything & getting a price-per-person number with the a la carte things we chose, it's only about $7 more per person, & I get a LOT more with the all inclusive venue. They're even going to give me a discount because my invitations are included but I decided I wanted to make my own, so I don't need them. We also won't need a limo, unless we decide to get one, because the ceremony & reception will be at the same location. Once we get the ball rolling & start meeting with them about times & everything, then there's a possibility we will change our minds.

I can't even begin to describe how happy I am that I made the decision (with the help of my parents, of course). My parents aren't paying for everything but luckily for us, they allow payments in however many increments we want. That's a huge deal, especially considering our original savings was depleted down to nothing.

Things that are included in our package:

• Hall Rental (duh)
• Food (buffet style for guests, family style for head table)
• Cake (my choice, completely customizable)
• Invites (or chair covers if I decide)
• Choice of Champagne Fountain or late night Supreme Pizza Buffet
• Premium Bar with Bartender(s) (including champagne toast for head table)
• Appetizers (cocktail hour)
• "Master of Ceremonies" (coordinator...)

I'm so relieved that we got pretty much everything out of the way. I already feel less stressed & it's been less than a week. I also bought my dress (!!!) at a ridiculously low price, but I'm not going to post about that here, obviously. ;)

Meet Our Wedding Party

So I bet I know what you're thinking. You're probably wondering why I made yet ANOTHER blog. Well, I made this blog a long time ago, & I had planned on using it as a personal blog where I can write whatever I want. I still plan on doing that, but I also plan on documenting my adventures in wedding planning. 

As we're almost a year away (Aug. 23, 2014), I thought now was as good of a time as any to start. I haven't done much as far as actual planning goes but I can at least let you know what I've done, what I plan on doing & what I'd like to have at our wedding.

This post is going to be dedicated strictly to introducing our wedding party. I had my girls chosen for years & I knew exactly who I wanted standing up there with me on my big day. Gary has had the same two best friends since high school (one since he was in kindergarten) & he's always known who his best man would be. 

I have two "maids of honor". I couldn't choose between my two best friends, & I can't understand how anyone would expect me to. I have Natalie (maid of honor), who has been like my sister since 9th grade. It all started when people used to ask us if we were twins. We spent pretty much every waking moment together all throughout high school. Then I have Pamela (matron of honor). Her & I have been best friends since 5th grade. We had our ups & downs like all real friendships have, but I think it made us stronger. I consider her family & I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Gary's best friend since early elementary school has been Tommy (best man). The funny thing is that I went to school with Tommy & shared every single class with him up until he moved out of the school district after 8th grade. Him & I still shared the same circle of friends, (& my inner hopeless romantic likes to think it was meant to be) & the same year I graduated (2003) I met Gary. Gary & Tommy were basically inseparable, & from what their mothers have told me, they wreaked havoc together since day one. 

My next two girls are a given. Jenny & Nicole, Gary's two sisters. I'm not saying they're only in my wedding party because I feel obligated to have them there. I would never imagine marrying Gary without them involved. I've considered them my own sisters from the very beginning & I'm so happy to be able to share my special day with them. 

Gary's next groomsman is Jake. Him & Gary have been friends since 10th grade. After everyone graduated from high school & Gary & I got our very first apartment together, Gary & Jake got really close. That's also when we introduced Jake to Pamela (MOH), & they got married in 2010. (:

Then we have Milton. Gary & Milton have been friends for a long time. There are memories they share from high school, memories that I probably shouldn't share here. ;) They have been through a lot together & Milton is a great friend. Gary & I are excited to be sharing our day with him.

My last bridesmaid is Antonia. She's married to Tommy & we've been friends since Gary & I started dating in 2003. We've had our share of ups & downs just like everyone else, & I'm so glad things worked out they way they did & I'm able to have her in my bridal party.

Gary's last guy is a new friend, but great friend. Gary met Shane when he lived with his sister in Taylor. They were practically neighbors & the rest is history. Even though their adults, it's almost as if they still "went outside to play" together. LOL

Gary's having his nephews as Junior Groomsmen, & while they will be escorting Gary's mom to her seat, they will also escort their mom Jenny down the aisle.

It's completely coincidental that our ring bearer is our best mans son, & our flower girl is our matron of honors daughter. Aimee, our flower girl, is Pam & Jake's daughter & my absolute favorite little girl. She's almost 2 1/2 now but she will be almost three at the wedding. I knew the day she was born she would be my flower girl. Lucas, our ring bearer, is Tommy & Antonia's two (three in July) year old son. Gary loves him to pieces & we both knew right away he had to be our ring bearer. 

So there you have it, our wedding party. Gary & I are ecstatic to be sharing our day with all of these special people. We are so blessed to have each & every one of them with us through it all. ❤