Check List Update

I know I just posted but since it's the new year I wanted to see how I was doing with the wedding planning check list. Lets see...
TO DO

Budget(WIP)
Date(done)
Guest List
Color Scheme(done)
WP(done?)
Type of Dress(done)
Types of Flowers
Centerpieces(done)
Ceremony Decorations
Reception Decorations(done)
Food
Honeymoon
Linens


Things to Book:

Ceremony Site(done)-Maybe
Reception Site(done)
Photographer(done)
Officiant(done)
Baker(done)
DJ(done)
Band(done)
Photobooth
Florist(done)
Transportation
Rehearsal Dinner Site
Honeymoon
Linens/chairs

DIY List:

Design STDs(done)
Centerpieces
Unity Candles
Programs
Pomanders?
Bathroom Baskets
Flip Flop basket
Thank You parasol?



Things to Do:

Order Gown(done)
Buy shoes
Bridesmaids Dresses
Create Wedding Website(WIP)
Send Invites
Register for Gifts
Block off hotel rooms
Pick Out Wedding Bands
Order Wedding Bands
Parents Gifts
WP Gifts
Take Engagement Photos(done)
Create Must Take Photos for Photographer
Create music playlist for reception

Good to see that I have gotten some stuff done. FI and I are going to register towards the end of the month, still deciding were. I have taked to many hotals and have decided where I have going to have the main set of room blocks, they provide a free shuttle to and from reception site! I will try to get the room blocks in this month. I have picked out the BM dresses but I am waiting until 6 months out until I have the girls order the dresses. 2011 has a lot in store and I can't wait!!!!

New Year, New DIY

Happy New Year! 2011 is finally here and yes, that's the year that I get married:) New Year's Eve was nothing grand, watched a movie and relaxed, which is what I needed. I really do not have a new years resolution but I have a few goals, is that the same thing? First and foremost, I need to work on relaxing and not stressing out so much. Second, I want to be heathly and active. A friend and I are going to be work out buddy's and help eachother stay motivated and get active. We are meeting on Thursday to set a game plan and maybe play "Just Dance" on the Wii.

Wedding related, not that much to report. I couldn't sleep on night a couple weeks back and decided to design the STD's. I am very proud of myself. I can't believe I did it all by myself, well and the help of my knotties:) I knew I wanted a calendar STD with a picture of FI and me. After searching designs I found a few that I really liked. The overall process was hard but still easier then I thought it would be. I used Publisher to design them. I first broke the design into 4 text boxes and went from there. The first one I designed was simple and clean but FI wasn't crazy about the colors so I changed it. Here is the first one:


Please excuse my my bad paint job to block out the last names:)Now the final product...

The back has our wedding website and a nice quote that I used to fill some space. I made it looked faded in the back ground. The quote is:
The day is fast approaching
and we can hardly wait
we want you to be with us
so please be sure to save the date!

I think it was a nice touch and filled the empty space. I uploaded the images to Vista Prints, used the 100 free postcards and paid for express shipping(because I could want to see them), the total was $24. The next test is to mail one to myself and make sure that any sort of printing the post office does on the postcard doesn't cover up the wedding website. Wish me luck!

Happy New year...Now time to get some DIY done!

CHECK!

We have an officiate! I am so excited. I was having a lot of trouble with this check for sure. I could justify paying someone $400 to marry us, it would take them a total of 10 minutes to do. Well, after talking to Gerald we decided to ask my friend Sam if she would want to get ordained and marry us. Let's just say that she was speechless, which doesn't happen much with her, and then said it would be an honor. I told her that Gerald and I were going to talk about the idea some more and once we made the final decision, we would pay for her to get ordained if we ended up going that way. Well, I get a call from her last night and she just wanted to let me know that she was ordained and could marry us if we wanted. I couldn't believe she went out of her way to do that, before we have decided what we wanted to do. I offered to pay for it and she wouldn't have it. I am beyond happy that some I love, trust and admire is going to marry Gerald and I. I'm one happy bride right now:)

Venue!!!

It is now offical, we have are reception venue. You wouldn't believe how great it felt to sign the contract and send in the check for the whole thing! I felt a HUGE wait lifted off my back. The venue has a great location, in the center of Madison but far enough outside the city. It was a great price and table AND chairs are included. We are even able to get married outside in a beautiful courtyard if we would like:) Here are a few pictures of the venue, off of their website.

I love the patio that wraps around the back of the building. The reception space in on the second floor so we also get the whole patio. Also, it gives a space for the smokers to go. I will have to come up with a creative idea for that...

The past month has been pretty tough but I am finally feeling better and ready to get back to wedding planning and working out. We have a meeting with a wedding photographer in October and I can't wait to get that check done. Then it will be time for engagement photos!

Double Post Sunday!

I am posting twice in one day and that can only mean one thing, I have homework to avoid:) I just though I would share so DIY I did for my FBIL wedding two weeks ago. All of the DIY is last minute but I liked the way that it came out. I made a Cardbox and added a little something to the cake serving set and the B&G glasses.

I am still trying to get this whole uploading photo's thing down. Hopefully, as the year of wedding planning moves on I will get better at this. Well, time to do my homework and then help Gerald with his:)

UPDATE!!!

So a lot has changed since my last post. Gerald and I have decided to move the wedding back to Fall 2011. We are currently searching for a reception venue and once that is booked we will have a date. We saw a venue yesterday that I really like and is a great price! Plus it includes chairs and tables. I hope to get the venue nailed down in the next couple of weeks.

DRESS UPDATE!! I have bought the dress. I ordered the dress back in May and it came in, in August. I order the dress a size too small, so I hope that motivates me to loss all this extra weight. It has a corset back, so if something happens and I don't lose the weight it can be altered to fit me. The picture I have of the dress isn't my dress, because I haven't taken any pictures of me in it yet. Here is a picture of the sample I tried on:

The dress I ordered is in white, this one is ivory. I can't wait to try on the dress again in October. I am keeping it at my friends house right now since Gerald doesn't want to see it before the wedding.

Time for me to hit the gym. I am currently trying to go 4 times a week. I am also working on eating right. I think that I am doing pretty good and hopefully I will post some good, healthy recipes.

Time sure is flying by. Gerald and I just celebrated our one year anniversary! We went to Minnesota and did the whole Mall of America thing. Gerald LOVED Lego Land of course and we both enjoyed the underground aquarium they had. We got a nice hotel room with a heart shaped jacuzzi:) Currently I am trying to create a workout routine that works best for me and doing my best to eat right. Now back to wedding planning. I signed Gerald, Stina and myself up for a DIY wedding class at Archivers this coming Wednesday. I will write a review on the class. I have also been working on a to do list. Here is what I have so far....I'm sure there is a lot more to come.

Things to Decide:

Budget
Date(done)
Guest List
Color Scheme(done)
WP

Type of Dress
Types of Flowers
Centerpieces
Ceremony Decorations
Reception Decorations
Food
Honeymoon
Linens


Things to Book:

Ceremony Site(done)
Reception Site(done)
Photographer(done)
Officiant
Baker(done)
DJ(done)

Band

Photobooth

Florist

Transportation
Rehearsal Dinner Site
Honeymoon
Linens/chairs

DIY List:

Design STDs
Design Invites
Centerpieces
Unity Candles
Programs
Pomanders?
Bathroom Baskets

Flip Flop basket

Thank You parasol?

Things to Do:

Order Gown
Buy shoes
Bridesmaids Dresses
Create Wedding Website
Send Invites

Register for Gifts
Block off hotel rooms

Pick Out Wedding Bands
Order Wedding Bands
Parents Gifts
WP Gifts
Take Engagement Photos
Create Must Take Photos for Photographer
Create music playlist for reception

The Weeks Before:

Plan Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner
Finalize Menu and Service Details
Emergency Wedding Kit
Apply for Marriage License
Change of Name Paperwork
Prepare Toasts or Thanks to Guests
Mani/Pedi Session

Day Before:

Rehearse Ceremony
Drop off any Required/Necessary Materials at Venue
Rehearsal Dinner

Until next time....