Mint to Be Together

Here Come the Men in Black

2009-01-03T12:54:00.000-08:00

There are few things I love more than a man in a tux, especially when it is A in a tux. We debated, but settled on ordering tuxedos from Men's Warehouse. It seemed easiest because his best men x7 (Andrew still has not/does not seem to want to pick a best man) are all over the country, from Washington to Florida and our fathers live in Illinois (mine) and Minnesota (his). Andrew will be wearing an ivory vest/shirt to match my dress: The groomsmen will be wearing the same pattern of vest in brown to match the bridesmaids: The fathers will wear the same pattern of vest in silver: All of the dapper gents will wear these tuxedos in Super 100 as to not wilt during our outdoor ceremony: The will all wear these cuff links: And, we are not going to follow the trend and go with ties. Andrew has chosen the ever classic bow tie to complete his wedding day look. I was quite surprised!

Andrew will be wearing an ivory vest/shirt to match my dress:

The groomsmen will be wearing the same pattern of vest in brown to match the bridesmaids:

The fathers will wear the same pattern of vest in silver:

All of the dapper gents will wear these tuxedos in Super 100 as to not wilt during our outdoor ceremony:

The will all wear these cuff links:

And, we are not going to follow the trend and go with ties. Andrew has chosen the ever classic bow tie to complete his wedding day look. I was quite surprised! How did your fiance surprise you when you were chooisng his wedding day attire?

All pictures and products from www.menswarehouse.com.

Rave Review-Tungstenworld.com

2009-01-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

We ordered his band on Wednesday, it was here on Friday, even with the New Year's holiday. It is exactly what he wanted, fits like a glove and came in a beautiful wooden box. Not only that, but Tungsten World offers some things that no other jeweler we shopped at did: a 30 day exchange policy, in case the fit isn't quite right, a guarantee that the ring will be replaced if his ring size changes (Tungsten is so hard it can't be sized) and it can be engraved (which is rare because tungsten is such a hard metal)! All this for under $200! I swear I do not work for www.tungstenworld.com.

Without further adieu...My man's band:

Now I need to devise the perfect phrase for engraving...Hmm...Any suggestions? What did you inscribe on your FH or DH's band?

Congratulations Bridgette and Dave!

2009-01-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

On December 29th, my friend and bridesmaid, Bridgette got engaged. Here is the very sweet story, in her words:

"We got back Saturday from a great visit home to both of our parents' houses for Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations. Sunday we spent the day relaxing, then headed up to the mountains that night. Monday was spent at Keystone on the slopes. It was a beautiful, warm day with a perfectly blue sky. When we got back to the condo from skiing, Dave suggested that we take a walk before sunset. We spent time exploring the shores of Lake Dillon and the amphitheater. On our way back to the condo, Dave took my hand and turned me around toward him. He reached in his jacket and said, I've wanted to do this all day." Then there at 9,017 feet by a glorious ice-covered lake and snow-capped Rocky peaks, Dave got on one knee and asked me to married him. I, of course, said yes! Afterwards we spent the next few hours calling family and friends. That night we celebrated with dinner at Pugs Ryan and then a movie by the fireplace."

Congratulations you two! I've already had so much fun planning and dress shopping with Bridgette!

Long Time, No Blog...

2009-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

Okay, so all of the usual excuses apply. I had a huge graduate school project due, I was in Minnesota for a week visiting A's family and I got sucked in by the holidays. But here I am and I'm back with a vengeance. This past week has been, as I affectionately refer to and as A somewhat less lovingly refers to, bridal boot camp. In this past week we have checked off several to dos including:

Reserving the space for the rehearsal dinner.
Selecting and ordering A's wedding band.
Choosing and ordering tuxedos.
Choosing an invitation suite.
Asking A's cousin, Mark to give the sermon at our wedding.

Yessss! Less than 6 months to go and feeling pretty good:) If I can only get a real handle on Weight Watchers in 2009. Sigh.

Ohhh...Ahhh...

2008-12-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

This is being shipped out on Saturday! I plan on placing it on the escort card table. How will you decorate yours? Photo and product from http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317160.

Great Christmas Gift Idea!

2008-12-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

I saw this on Brooklyn Bride; these wedding cake replica ornaments are made by Etsy seller gorgeousredhead.What a cute ornament for a newlywed couple to add to their Christmas tree!

Special Moments Playlist

2008-12-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

So far, these songs are on my play list for the wedding; it's kind of early to start thinking about music, as our wedding is not until June, but I've been trying to compile them as I go along so I don't get stressed out in the months leading up to the wedding:

Wedding Play List:
First Dance-FI is going to pick this one out; I'll be curious to see what he chooses!
Father/Daughter Dance-“You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor
Cake Cutting-“How Sweet it is to be Loved by You”-James Taylor
Last Dance- “Goodnight Sweetheart”-The Spaniels

Any other suggestions? Any moments I've missed? What songs do you love to hear at weddings?

Any help will definitely be appreciated!

On My Christmas List...

2008-12-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

Design/Hoodie from www.inkboxdesigns.com.

Technically I Didn't Need It, But...

2008-12-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

I ordered it anyway and I love it! What a cute photo opportunity, come rain or shine! It wall also be a wonderful keepsake from the wedding that will make me smile every time it rains!www.signaturebella.com. How are you preparing for extreme heat or rain on your wedding day?

We Searched High and Low And...

2008-12-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

The dress my sister fell in love is so new that David's doesn't even have it online yet! I'll post pictures as soon as it makes its debut. It's strapless, tea-length and has some ruching along the waist. She will be wearing it in candy pink, which is between a baby pink and a fuchsia. I love it because it is like the other bridesmaids' dresses from J. Crew (simple, dress cotton and tea length). While the other gals will wear brown, they will also wear sashes with their dresses in candy pink. I love that the color is named candy pink, as it combines two of my greatest loves (candy and pink, of course). We did not expect to find her dress at David's Bridal, but in the end it was our favorite. What unexpected items or shops have you uncovered during your wedding planning?

My Mom Ordered Her Mother of the Bride Dress Today...

2008-12-03T07:33:00.000-08:00

Hers will be clover green (which is basically a cross between the color of a green apple and kelly green). Her dress (and my sister's which I will post tomorrow) is from David's Bridal (www.davidsbridal.com). Check and check. Where did your mom find her dress?

If I Didn't Already Have Enough Pairs of Shoes...

2008-11-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

I would buy these to wear as my "something blue." Sigh.
Image courtesy of Oprah Magazine.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T07:34:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! A and I are celebrating in Chicago with my family, so we'll see you again on Monday! Cheers!

Image from: cbdyag.wordpress.com/.../

Maid of Honor Attire

2008-11-25T07:20:00.000-08:00

My sister, my mother and I are going shopping on Wednesday so my sister can find and order her Maid of Honor(MOH) gown. Since she is the MOH, she will be distinguished from the other bridesmaids by wearing a different syle gown in a different color (light pink). I love the affect of this in pictures, and since she is 10 years younger (literally) than the rest of us, I thought a different dress would be more appropriate. While all of the other lovely ladies are wearing dresses from the J. Crew Occassions Cotton Cady Collection in brown, she is currently favoring these little numbers(in light pink):

This one, which for some reason turned out HUGE compared to other pictures, is her favorite choice.

This is another simple option. I like the idea of her wearing a brown sash, as all of the other girls will wear pink ones. I have a cute broach I would give her to add to the sash as well.

This picure was added to show which color her dress will be. Luckily, she likes pink too:)

All pictures taken from:http://www.jimhjelmoccasions.com/teas/index.html

Meet the Parents

2008-11-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

Andrew and I are finally introducing our parents to one another on the day after Thanksgiving. We are all getting together for lunch; A's parents are driving from Red Wing, MN to Morris, IL where A's only living grandfather resides. My parents, A and I will drive from my parents' place in Frankfort, IL (a SW suburb of Chicago near Orland Park) and meet them there. I predict they will get along well, but here are some tips from The Knot I found to read to calm myself a bit beforehand:

DON'T FORGET
*You can prepare until your eyes pop out, but whatever happens will happen. Here are some mantras and tips to keep in mind once the food starts flying:
*You Are Not Responsible For Them: Parents are adults (too) and you can't tell them what to say or how to act. They are responsible for their own actions and mistakes.
Have a Sense of Humor: The best defense against disastrous first meetings? Lighten up and keep your sense of humor cemented firmly in place.
*Cut Your Parents Some Slack:Don't sweat it if your dad tries too hard to be funny or your mom fusses over every little thing: Remember that your parents are very likely nervous about this meeting. It's not everyday they meet people soon to be permanent (albeit extended) members of the family!
*Steer the Conversation Away From Dangerous Waters:The purpose of this first meeting is simply to get acquainted. This means no wedding talk -- especially about the budget! -- no white elephants (charged issues), no political debates, no talk about exes. Remember: This is not the negotiating table.
*Don't Force Them to Click:You'll likely be stunned at how different your parents are! Don't try too hard to find things they have in common or to show how much they should like each other. The chemistry may take time, or may never happen. All you can hope for it that they get along -- many couples don't even enjoy that luxury!
*Edit Yourself:No matter how comfortable you are with your parents or with his, remember that they don't share the same easy rapport with each other (yet). Keep dirty jokes and personal stories hush hush for now.
*Suck It Up:If the evening seems interminable, remember that this may be the only time you'll have to spend with both sets of parents alone. From here on, other family members and friends are often included in the mix, easing the pressure considerably (whew).

Good luck to all of you who are meeting your FI's parents for the first time or are introducing your parents to one another! Please let me know how it goes, or feel free to share any tips you may have with us all!

Source:http://www.theknot.com/ch_article_local.html?Object=A00801171351&keyword=DC&market=&MsdVisit=1

Time Off

2008-11-19T09:20:00.001-08:00

I'm taking today and tomorrow off from posting to celebrate my birthday! I hope everyone has a wonderful end to their week!

A Little Black Dress

2008-11-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

For my birthday date with A coming up this Saturday. I found it at J. Crew and I love it! What do you think? What shoes would you pair it with? I am thinking some calf-length, high-heeled, suede boots...

Gifts For The Cure

2008-11-17T11:09:00.000-08:00

As my grandmother is a breast cancer survivor, I've done all that I can to support breast cancer research and support and do at least one Race for the Cure each year (I once ran one on showshoes!). Naturally, when I saw this in the American Cancer Society's Hope Shop , I had to buy them for my bridesmaids.

I will use them as welcome bags (which will include each girl's favorite snack, a Nalgene waterbottle in her favorite color, a pair of flip flops from Old Navy in her favorite color and an enamel picture frame in the wedding colors.)

Portions of the proceeds from the sale of the bags benefit the American Cancer Society. To purchase, for $10 each visit www.cancer.org/hopeshop. Happy shopping!

Boot Camp

2008-11-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I think I may drop in at Genesis Fitness for a Boot Camp workout. I'm looking to shake up my routine and to look toned in my dress. Have you ever been to a boot camp workout? What did you think? I'll be sure to let you know how it goes if I make it instead of going for a run.

Where in the World are Erin Marie and Andrew?

2008-11-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

Since Andrew's busy season as a wind energy project manager is summer, we'll only be taking a quick mini-moon after the wedding (from the Monday through Thursday follwing the wedding). We're toying with a few ideas; the wish list includes a locale with a relatively brief flight (3 hours or less), a combination of romance/adventure, and a place that is somewhat inexpensive. We plan to go to South America (Peru to hike the Inca Trail and possibly Ecuador to dive the Galapagos), so this will just be a quick trip for us to get away as newlyweds and to enjoy one another's company in a relaxed setting after the stress of the wedding. So far, we have these ideas....

Nappa Valley (http://www.flickr.com/)

Lake Tahoe (http://www.beautifulvista.com/)

Oregon Coast (http://www.oregoncoast.edu/)

Sedona (www.traveleze.com)

Which would you recommend? Do you have any other ideas that we have not considered?

Cocktail Hour

2008-11-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

Since we met at the Kentucky Derby, Andrew and I are planning to serve mint juleps during the cocktail hour. I've found several recipes, and I can't wait to try some of them out (in the name of wedding planning, of course)!

Recipe #1
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky Whisky
Silver Julep Cups
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2004/derby_experience/mint_julep.html

Recipe #2

Ingredients
4 cups bourbon
2 bunches fresh spearmint
1 cup distilled water
1 cup granulated sugar
Powdered sugar
Directions
To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.
To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.
To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.
Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it's right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to "marry" the flavors.
To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.
When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.

Are you serving a signature drink? Do you think that we can get away with only serving mint juleps at cocktail hour, or should we plan on serving another drink(s) as well (We plan to have a full open bar afterward.)?

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sara-moulton/the-perfect-mint-julep-recipe/index.html

I Couldn't Resist...

2008-11-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

So I made the tags that I will tie with ribbon to the postcards I plan to order for the OOT bags. Here they are, from zazzle.com. I got them on super sale, 100 cards for $12 including shipping. What seemingly small wedding details have you been really excited about?

The front has our monogram printed on it, and the back reads "We are so glad that you are here! We can not wait to celebrate and to have you join us on our wedding day. If you would like, please send us a postcard after the wedding describing your favorite memory from the weekend. Keep the other postcard for yourself or for a friend."

New Love....MultiColor

2008-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

I love this new tool, which I found out about via Mrs. Cherry Pie on weddingbee. It is called Multicolor http://labs.ideeinc.com/multicolr/. It's fun and easy to use...the perfect distraction from work and graduate school. Simply pick up to 10 colors and Multicolor will generate a color palate with the colors you chose. Perfect for seeing your wedding colors come to life!

Ciao!

2008-10-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

I am going on a girlfriends' getaway through Monday. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend!

Photo credit http://www.astrophoto.ca/. I hope to have some of my own to share soon!

Note to Self (Literally)...

2008-10-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

On weddingbee today, Mrs. Pinot Noir posted about her out of town bags. In them, she placed pre-stamped post cards from the region her wedding was held, along with a note to guests to send one (that was pre-addressed) to the happy couple after the wedding describing their favorite memory from the weekend; the other was for guests themselves or for a friend. I love the idea, and found 200 post cards for $40.00 :http://shop.rockymountainreflections.com/. It's a bit too early to order them now, but I definitely plan on it as the wedding draws closer.

It's Amazing and Free!

2008-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is the best (FREE-gasp!)wedding idea ever! Simply enter the email addresses your friends who will be attending your wedding and The Wedding Lens will email them and remind them to bring their cameras to the wedding. After the wedding, guests will receive an email requesting that they upload their pictures into an online album for sharing. What a great way to have all of your photos in one place and to get some pictures from your wedding while you are waiting for those pro pics (not to mention a variety of photos that you may bot have seen otherwise).

Visit www.theweddinglens.com for more details.

I Need This, Right?

2008-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's only $50, matches our wedding colors/flowers and would be a cute item to have around the house as a non-creepy memento of our wedding...right? Right? Should I buy it?

By the way, this amazing clay floral arrangement is from Etsy Seller DK Designs http://www.dkdesignshawaii.com/. You have to check out her website and her gorgeous work!

Shhh...We Don't Live Together Yet!

2008-10-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

The most controversial wedding decision that Andrew and I have yet to make is one that we are not making. Simply put, we've decided not to live together before we get married.

Here are some stats I gathered on this topic:

There are 9.7 million Americans living with an unmarried different-sex partner and 1.2 million American living with a same-sex partner. 11% of unmarried partners are same-sex couples.- U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

41% of American women ages 15-44 have cohabited (lived with an unmarried different-sex partner) at some point. This includes 9% of women ages 15-19, 38% of women ages 20-24, 49% of women ages 25-29, 51% of women ages 30-34, 50% of women ages 35-39, and 43% of women ages 40-44. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Cohabitation, Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the United States." Vital Health and Statistics Series 23, Number 22, Department of Health and Human Services, 2002.

The number of unmarried couples living together increased 72% between 1990 and 2000.- U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

55% of different-sex cohabitors get married within 5 years of moving in together. 40% break up within that same time period. About 10% remain in an unmarried relationship five years or longer.- Smock, Pamela (2000). "Cohabitation in the United States." Annual Review of Sociology.
All of this information has been gathered courtesy of http://www.unmarried.org/statistics.html.

Why am I not joining the 49% of women in my age bracket who live with their partners before marriage? There are a few reasons and I am happy to share them. The first is that I relish being single. Don't get me wrong, I can not wait to marry Andrew, but in the meantime, I want to treasure nights snuggled up in my bed, face mask on and Godiva Ice Cream in tow reading trashy novels without judgement, long conversations with my girlfriends without an audience, painting my toenails while I watch "Grey's Anatomy", and all other "Secret Single" (a la Carrie Bradshaw) behavior that Andrew loathes before I make the move to move in with my boy. The next reason is because I do my best (though I do not always succeed) to follow the tenants of my religious faith. I don't mean to say that those who live with their significant others are somehow wrong, immoral or "sinners", but simply to say that this was not the right choice for me based on my personal beliefs. The final reason is pretty cut and dry. My parents are making a generous contribution to the wedding and have threatened not to if we live together; as a city school employee, suffice to say that I would have a hard time paying for the wedding of my dreams on my own...

That being said, I can understand the many reasons why people do live together before marriage (and am more than occasionally jealous of those who do). Bills are pretty expensive, especially in this economy, and it would be nice to have someone to split them with. Over half of these relationships end in marriage, but some do not; perhaps those who live together first avoid what could have potentially been disastrous marriages. That, and I can definitely understand the desire to have your loved one near. It makes perfect sense to me, and I judge not. We all have to make the choices that are right for us.

What bothers me, I guess, is how much I have been called upon to defend my beliefs on this matter. I usually just give people the last reason (about the parental wedding support) and it seems to nip the conversation in the bud. However, it would be best not to have to defend my position at all. As Rodney King once replied in a much more urgent situation, "Can't we all just get along?". After all, aren't weddings supposed to be about love?

What do you think? What did you decide about living together before marriage and why did you make that choice?

Letter Your Legacy Lust

2008-10-23T09:00:00.001-07:00

I would love to spell out our married name and hang one of these pieces from Letter Your Legacy in our master bedroom. In the meantime, I will settle for ordering them for others (my parents and grandparents) for Christmas.

What creative gifts or objects of lust have you found during your wedding browsing?

Products/photo credits http://www.letteryourlagacy.com/.

Picking a Pretty Palette...The Decorating Continues.

2008-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Now that we had linens and furniture, we need to get the guest bedroom painted.We will also be painting the master to get ready for its future makeover. Here are the colors we chose:

Master (We will paint one wall the darker grey as an accent, and the other three walls a lighter grey.):
Guestroom (The light brown will be the primary color on all of the walls, the dark brown will be the trim and the cream will be for the ceiling):

The accent color for the guest room will be chartreuse, and the accent colors for the master will be chartreuse, burnt orange and robin's egg blue. I'd love to use the wedding colors (pink and brown) but A was not so into the idea-he he he!

How did you pick the colors for your nest? Did you start with the paint or with the linens/decorations?

Paint colors/swatches from http://www.myperfectcolor.com (Benjamin Moore).

Moving On To The Master...

2008-10-21T09:00:00.001-07:00

Linens... Throw Pillows...

More Throw Pillows...

A charteuse throw...

A pretty picture...

And some lamps...

Heavy Nesting

2008-10-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

I would like to take a break from my regularly scheduled wedding posts to blog about my latest obsession....nesting! Because, let's face it, as much as you (and I) may love wedding planning, sometimes a girl just needs a break and a time to focus on something new.

It all started this weekend when A and I started envisioning how we wanted our home to look. Since I already own a home that he will move into when we are married (more on that later). We decided to make it "ours" by furnishing it together with things we both loved. Let me tell you, finding things we both loved was a lot more easier said than done...While I love Andrew, this shopping excursion was definitely a lesson in compromise, balancing his love of contemporary style with my affection for all things classic. In the end though, it was nice to hear his opinions and to see him invest in what we are building together. Anyway, I am sure you just want to see the pictures, so here goes...

It all started with this bedroom set.... It will go in our guest bedroom(minus the tall dresser and the square mirror).

And these are the linens! I bought them right off our our registry at Crate and Barrel, because I simply could not wait!

I fell in love with these Sammy Vases...They will look perfect on the dresser and will pull all of the colors of the linens together.

Since we decided that we liked the green best of all of the colors in the linens, we chose this lamp to really draw it out.

And, this throw should also help to that end...

What do you think? Would you like to stay in our guest bedroom?

Top picture/furniture www.oakexpressions.com. All other pictures/products www.crateandbarrel.com.

More DIY Goodness

2008-10-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night I am getting together with my 3 favorite Denver gals to go to Archiver's for some scrap booking and paper crafting fun.

While I am there, I plan to work on 2 projects:

Bride's Room and Groom's Room Signs (in our pink/brown color scheme). I hope that these will make for some fun pictures on our wedding day!

A Thank You Banner (also in our pink/brown color scheme) for us to hold; we'll have a picture like this one made into a postcard to send to our guests after the wedding. I am hoping that these postcards will make the arduous task of writing thank you cards more fun!

Photo credits to: kristaselegantweddings.com and etsy seller EdenInspirations, respectively. I'll be sure to post photos of my own projects as soon as they are complete!

Details, Details, Does Anyone But Me Notice or Care?

2008-10-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

My latest obsession is card boxes. I am really wondering how much of a feature they are at weddings and how much anyone notices them. Is this a project worth spending time and money on? In my earliest musing about this detail, here are a few I have found around the Internet. All pictures and products were found on http://www.ebay.com/.

The card boxes I found ranged from traditional like this one....

To bird cages like many bees are using...

To a wedding cake shaped one like this...

To my personal favorite (though I am not sure I would pay $155+shipping for a card box)....This last one can be custom ordered in your wedding colors from eBay seller For the Modern Bride.

What will you do for your card box? Should I stress about mine?

"Bridezillas"

2008-10-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I love "Bridezillas". I would even go so far as to call it a guilty pleasure. But there is a part of me, deep down inside (or maybe not even so deep) that really hopes that these ladies really are lovely and are being paid boku bucks to play up their tempers in order to get a little extra money. After all, who doesn't need a creative way to pay their wedding bills...right? Cast your vote and weigh in. Are these good girls behaving badly, or do these people really behave this way "in real life"?

Poster Lust

2008-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

(As I blogged yesterday) Since Andrew and I met at the Kentucky Derby in 2004, we are trying to tie this serendipitous meeting subtly into our wedding theme. However, subtle is the name of the game; we are getting married in the mountains in Colorado and do not want to detract too much from the natural beauty that surrounds us. Recently I stumbled on this poster while browsing the Internet for Kentucky Derby table names. The question of the hour is, would this poster be a sweet addition to our wedding decor, or would it be over the top? If I do add the poster into the visual landscape, how should I use it? One thought that I had was to put it on an easel near the escort card table. What do you think?

What's Your Wedding Saying?

2008-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Before I got into the world of wedding blogging, I did not know that a wedding was supposed to have a theme, or how to go about executing that concept. To be fair, I am not even sure that our wedding does have a theme, but there are a few elements that will tie it together.....

Our monogram will appear in many places, from our invitations, to our programs to our signage, to a gobo projection on the dance floor...
Gerber daisies will make an appearance in the fountain outside Lionscrest Manor, in our ceremony (and aisle) decorations, in all of the bouquets, in the centerpieces and will top the cake...

Last but not least, since we met at the Kentucky Derby, there will be subtle hints that evoke "Derby"; we will be serving mint juleps at cocktail hour and will create table names with Kentucky Derby themes (i.e. Run of the Roses, Churchill Downs, Seersucker, Mint Julep, etc). A sign on the bar will explain why we are serving mint juleps, and another sign on the escort card table (which will both include our monogram, natch) will explain the table names...

What do you think..do we have ourselves a theme? What is yours?

Top 10 Reasons I Love Andrew

2008-10-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Andrew has been out of town for the last few weekends, and off an on during the week for work. In honor of his actually being home this weekend, I thought I'd write a post about the top 10 things I love about Andrew:

10. He is always good to his family; he has driven hours to Santa Fe in the middle of the night to visit his sister when she needed him, used vacation time to help his father build a cabin and adores is mother.

9. He is so wonderful with our dog that I know he will make a wonderful father if we decide to have a family of our own.

8. I rarely, if ever, hear him say anything negative about anyone.

7. He often surprises me with thoughtful words, actions and gifts.

6. I love the hobbies we do share (running and reading ) and the fact that we also have separate hobbies of our own.

5. He is so good to my friends...

4. And even better to me.

3. He is so handy...I swear that he can fix anything!

2. He knows all of me and loves me anyway!

1. He knows my hopes and dreams and always supports them (and has amazing hopes and dreams of his own that he allows me to support too).

I am so excited to be his wife and hope to show him every day that I love him!

My Latest Love

2008-10-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Another weddingbee find. I plan to order a "Love is Sweet" banner for our midnight cookies and milk table, and a runner for our cake table with our monogram. And...best of all, Lydia, the etsy.com seller, has been a doll already!

Upon exiting the reception, guests will be greeted with crates full of white chocolate chip cookies, a galvanized pail of individual Horizon Chocolate Milk, and this banner.

This will be beautiful for our cake table, and will be fun to use as a table runner for future anniversaries (with our monogram, of course).

Products and Photos:http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5317160

Any other good finds on etsy that I should know about ? :)

Girls in Brown Dresses with Pink Satin Sashes

2008-10-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

So...the bridesmaids dresses are in! I couldn't have planned it better. There are 3 styles and 6 girls, and 2 chose each dress without any suggestion for me! This was wonderful as I tend to be...ahem...minorly obsessive (okay very obsessive) about bizarre things like symmetry that I am sure no one else notices.

Here is 1 of the styles:

I love the dresses and so do the girls! The construction is high quality, the fabric is a nice blend of dressy/casual and, best of all...the dresses have pockets! However, when I thought of these dresses next to mine, it seemed like they might need a little something...

To dress them up a bit and to define waistlines in high-waisted dresses, I ordered these sashes in pearl pink from David's Bridal:

Photo credits and products: www.jcrew.com and http://www.davidsbridal.com/.

Did you add anything to your bridesmaids' dresses once you saw them in person?

Another Way to Continue the Monogram

2008-10-07T09:00:00.001-07:00

This...with a light pink "T". I can't wait to take pictures with it, just like this one!

Product and photo credit: http://www.pamelasparasols.com/.

Something Blue, Parts I and II

2008-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have 2 items that will both serve as my "something blue." Here they are without further adieu:

I thought these blue undies (from Hanky Panky) would be a fun and flirty twist on an old tradition:

I fell in love with the monogrammed dress label idea. I loved the label so much that I ordered a matching table runner and hankie for my bouquet (though the lettering for those is in pink, not blue).

For now, these photo credits belong to: http://www.bizrate.com/ and aweddingkeepsake.com. As soon as my camera decides to behave, I'll post actual pictures of my dress label.

What is your something blue?

More DIY Fun-Door Decorations!

2008-10-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

E is for Erin... Please pardon her iffy photography skills...

Extreme close up! Letter A details.

I made these for the doors that separate the cocktail area from the ballroom. This was a quick, easy and fun project that I hope will add a little flair to otherwise nondescript French doors. I still need to add the pink satin ribbon I bought to hang them from.

Materials:

Letters: $0.89/each

Paint: $0.99

Ribbon $2.99

Stickers $3.99

Total Cost: $9.75

Total Time: Under 1 hour each

What little details do you hope guests will notice about your wedding decor?

Save the Dates are Out!

2008-10-03T12:13:00.000-07:00

Here they are, resting atop my wedding scrapbook:) It's hard to tell, but they are magnets!

These do not look fuzzy in person; the blown up version of the picture+my poor close up skills distorted the image a bit:)

Elements:

Save the Dates http://www.savethedatemagnet.com/

Stamps: http://www.stamps.com/

Engagement Pictures: http://www.elegant-image.com/

Delightful DIY

2008-10-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

I loved this sign from Delightful details, but did not love the price tag that came with it ($74). I decided to take matters into my own hands and to see if I could make my own sign before I spent more $ on wedding related items. So, without further adieu, here it is....

It's hard to tell in the picture, but there is a brown border around the pink, just perfect with our wedding colors! Also, Andrew still has to drill the holes in the top for me so that I can add the ribbon to hang it at the site (from a shepard's hook).

Materials:

Wooden Sign:$9.99

Paint $ 2.97 (.99 for each color at Hobby Lobby on sale)

Ribbon $2.99

Stickers $11.99

Total Cost:$27.93

Total Time 1.5 Hours

Top photo credit, Ms. Petunia from http://www.weddingbee.com/.

Alternative Registries

2008-10-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

I have read a lot of different things and heard a lot of chatter on both sides, but I believe that alternative registries (for camping gear, honeymoons and charities) are a wonderful way for a couple to express themselves and to focus on spending time together, experiencing new things together, and supporting causes they believe in together instead of acquiring more items to fill their homes (which are likely to be small starters anyway!). We will have 3 registries: 1 at Crate and Barrel, 1 at Bed, Bath and Beyond and a 3rd with Team in Training. We would like to participate in a triathlon together and would love to support this great group (who I ran my first marathon with) at the same time. Do you have any alternative items or categories on your registry?

Perspective

2008-10-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's the fact that I've been engaged for over a year, or maybe it's the change of season that draws my focus away from the planning and on to other new beginnings, but I find myself really appreciating anything I read, see or hear that helps me gain more perspective on myself (and via myself, my ability to not let wedding planning take over my life and my relationships). I thought this excellent slide show from http://www.eightprinciples.com/ was a breath of fresh air, and I hope you might too! Photo credit and slide show http://www.eightprinciples.com/.

Old Navy Bargains

2008-09-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

Though I rarely shop at Old Navy, each time I go I always wonder why I don't visit more often. I love the cute clothing and low prices! My latest delight came in the form of 30 pairs of flip flops for $2.50 a piece + shipping. I tied them together with personalized ribbon from Things Remembered (we had some left over from tying on the bubbles for the recessional), added them to a tin bin I found at Ace Hardware for $25 and viola....flip flops for our female guests for under $100. Photo credit (and flip flops) http://www.oldnavy.com/.

Wedding Sebbatical

2008-09-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

A glorious fall hike in Colorado!

Erin Marie is among the Aspens.

No trip down I-70 W would be complete without a stop in Georgetown!

One of the things I have had to be mindful about during our wedding planning process has been to take breaks to enjoy our relationship and to focus on building a strong foundation for our marriage. Andrew and I try to take time each week where we spend time together and where we don't discuss the wedding. This weekend it was Andrew's turn to plan our "date" day. He took me on a gorgeous hike to Eaglesmere Lakes in Silverthorne, CO just in time to see the Aspens change for the fall. After our hike, we had dinner at the Red Ram in Georgetown, CO. It was so nice to spend time with my sweetie and to fall in love with him all over again. How do you and your love stay connected during the wedding planning process?

Here is the obligatory (and not so flattering) self-portrait by Andrew.

The photo credit for Georgetown photo belongs to http://www.futuregringo.com/.

Pencils

2008-09-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

Here are the pencils that I wrote about in my previous post: http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?requestURI=processProductsCatalog&sku=47/362&tabId=Everyday&BP=8067&cm_mmc=srchdex-_-Personalized+Mega+Pencil+Assortment-_-srchdex-_-srchdex&CM_REF=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.orientaltrading.com%2Fproducts%2FC379100.jsp They are $14.99 for 72.

During Dinner Fun.

2008-09-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

As Andrew would be the first to note, I have an attention span that is shorter than the average 2 year old's. I also know that I have been to one too many weddings where I have sat by people I didn't know and was forced to make awkward conversation. For my own wedding, I printed copies of this mad lib: http://weddingprojects.com/Wedding%20Day%20Mad%20Lib.pdf. I plan to pull out 1 chair and put 5 of these (1 per every 2 people) and 5 personalized pencils (I got 144 for under $20 at Oriental Trading) out for guests. I included a cover sheet that explained Andrew's and my love affair with Mad Libs and encouraging guests who create especially funny Mad libs to give them to the DJ to read during dinner. I also plan on having him announce that if a table wants us to kiss, all of the members of the table will have to get up and sing a song with the word "love" in it. Do you have any entertaining ideas planned to keep your guests amused as they dine?

Little Details Make a Big Difference

2008-09-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Call it what you will (The Welcome Party, The Rehearsal Dinner, The Groom's Dinner), I am as excited about the night before the wedding as the wedding itself. All of the big picture items are coming together-an outdoor tent, a bluegrass band and barbecue in a fun and beautiful location. Now for the real fun...the details. The tablecloths will be red and checkered, just how I like them and a sunflowers have been ordered as centerpieces for each table. How fun would it be to set out colored bandannas, like these, at each table; these would serve as napkins (and "green" ones at that) and souvenirs all at the same time. Since this is her event to plan,I hope my FMIL likes the idea as much as I do:)

Things I Love...Registry Edition

2008-09-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

I feel very blessed to say that I have just about everything a girl could want; I have a beautiful home of my own, great friends, a supportive family and a wonderful fiance. When it came time to register, Andrew and I tried to be spares because there was very little that we needed. However, seeing this today on Weddingbee reminded me that even the girl who has it all can still dream from time to time. How beautiful is this china? I din't even know I wanted china until I saw it. Anything on your registry that you are coveting?

Things I Love...Bridal Shower Edition

2008-09-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

Bridesmaids can continue a whimsical Victorian tradition by pulling one of these charms from the cake at your bridal shower. Each charm reveals her "fortune", be it wealth, health or true love...This picture/item can be found at:http://www.myjeanm.com/engine.cfm?iCatID=10005

This platter would be a fun guestbook that would be sure to be used again, rather than gather dust in the attic. I saw it on the "With This Ring" blog. How cute is that?This picture/item can be found at: http://www.serendipity-crafts.com/personal_76.html

Check, Check and Check!

2008-09-13T00:43:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy again with the start of a new school year and a new graduate program. I also needed a bit of a wedding break, but am excited to be back again:) I also had a "power planning" day today. Items accomplished:

Reserved 3 cargo vans to accommodate bridal party and dates
Blocked off hotel rooms for the guests and reserved our wedding night suite
Made reservations for wedding day brunch with my 'maids
Made appointments for my sister to try on dresses
Ordered bridesmaids' dresses. We ended up going with the J. Crew Cotton Cady Collection.

The save the dates should be out by the end of next week. I'll be sure to post pics as soon as they are sent out.

Take that, knot checklist!

The Glass is Half Full

2008-08-27T20:19:00.000-07:00

We had our first wedding-related let down last week. I definitely expect that everything won't come together perfectly, so it did not upset me too much, but I have to say that I was disappointed. Originally, we had planned our rehearsal dinner as a welcome party, as we anticipate so many guests will be coming from out of town. Band, check. Checkered tablecloths, check. Inexpensive but tasty casual supper, check. Sunflower centerpieces, check. Venue, check. Or so I thought...

I was a little disappointed by the Dark Horse Bar and Grill's lack of professionalism. I'd given them a deposit in July, and it late August it hadn't been cashed. As it turns out, they bumped us for another event and sent us back the original check. No call, no real explanation; they simply sent us a letter and the check and said what amounted to "sorry". It was back to the drawing board for us.

Right now we are considering the Gateway Fun Park in Boulder, CO. Both Andrew and I are actually more excited about this choice. Gateway has an "events tent" (the white type you see in wedding pictures), checkered tablecloths, a horse shoe pit, a sand volleyball court, a place for our band to set up and....miniature golf, go karts, batting cages and more. What a fun way for guests to mix and mingle. The only drawbacks at this point are that it will be more expensive, but I feel good about the choice regardless. After all, you only do this once, right?

Summer Sale!!

2008-08-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

Expressionary.com is having a summer sale; 30% off with free shipping. I actually found a code HOME4 that works as 40% off and free shipping. Expressionary has adorable items from personalized note cards to embossed cards and address stamps. I would highly recommend this site! I got Christmas gifts (personalized note cards and matching address labels) for 6 people and 50 personalized thank you cards for shower/early wedding gifts for under $200. Not bad, I would have to say.

Guest List Woes

2008-08-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

It poured so much this weekend in Denver that I was about to buy supplies for an ark. Since it was so crummy outside and our plans to go to the local amusement park were dashed(for a last summer hurrah before I headed back to school today), Andrew and I snuggled up on a couch at the Tattered Cover and worked on our guest list. I think every blogging bride-to-be out there could write or has written a post about the dreaded guest list. I have to say, aside from the budget, the guest list is DEFINITELY my lease favorite part of the planning process, without question. It has a way of growing and growing that boggles the mind. Well, at least one section of the list is growing a bit too rapidly. However, my latest problem is actually quite the opposite. One list is fairly small (due to a tiny family and a few close friends rather than many acquaintances). This sounds like a dream come true, but I don't want the wedding to be dominated by one person's guest list. What do you do in a situation like this? Anyone? I am clueless, so any ideas would be appreciated!

The Bucket List

2008-08-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I saw "The Bucket List" as a part of our Valentine's festivities last year. Of course, the conversation naturally turned to the items on our own bucket lists (things we would like to do before we die). Two of his items were skydiving and heli-skiing (taking a helicopter to the top of a mountain and skiing down). For our anniversary this year I got him a gift certificate to go skydiving (Even though I had been, I was so nervous that something would happen to him! Guess that means I am growing up!). I plan to keep giving him experiences from his list as gifts, and am saving up to buy him a gift certificate to go heli-skiing as a wedding day gift. Hopefully I will be able to keep it a secret until then!!

Cutest Video Ever!

2008-08-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

Back to School Rules...

2008-08-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

Especially is you are putting together favors for the littlest attendees at your wedding. Target has crayons on sale for $0.22! That is less than 1 cent per crayon in a box of 24!

So far, I have picked up the following for the kids. Each favor will consist of 1 of each of the following:

Natural colored mini-totes at Michael's $0.38

Box of crayons (Crayola, 24 pack) $0.22

Doodle Pad from Target $1.09

Slinky (8/$2.50) about $0.30 each

Cost per bag so far $1.99. Not too bad. I think I will add a juice box and some sort of pre-packaged crackers or cookies (bought in bulk at Sam's Club) and call it a day. The grand total per kid should come in under $3.

To add to the cutesy factor, I also bought foam punch outs in the shape of stars/crowns (in our wedding colors) and ribbon to tie them onto the bags. On each tag, I will write each child's name in silver stickers.

Green Housing

2008-08-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

We are doing everything we can to host a "green" wedding". We are haviing the ceremony/reception at the same (outdoor) venue, we are using charter buses to transport guests, we are donating the flowers as a way to recycle them, and are printing less programs (1 for every 2 guests), etc. One of the best additions to our green wedding line-up is the Boulder Outlook Hotel. The Boulder Outlook has the following green features: a non-chlorinated pool and a zero-waste philosophy (our florist is also zero-waste). Even better, guests can walk from the hotel to the welcome dinner site (it's .75 miles). My mom and I stayed there recently when she was in town and were pretty satisfied overall. I enjoyed the bouldering rocks and mom liked the hot tub. If I had more time there, and hadn't just gotten my own, I might have rented one of their "cruiser" style bikes to explore Boulder on. I was also wishing Teddy were around, as the Boulder Outlook has pet-friendly rooms. Finally, they have an "adventure concierge", which is excellent for many of our guests who are outdoor-oriented. I am super excited about this lodging option for guests, which is also very reasonable (at about $100 per night without a wedding discount). Anyone else find sweet lodging for their out-of-town guests?

A Hidden Gem

2008-08-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

You could get married by this lake....And have your cocktail hour al fresco, outside an historic cabin (built around the turn of the century)....

All images and information taken from www.emeraldvalleyranch.com.

High Voltage

2008-07-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here they are...my wedding shoes! The model is named Volts, by designer Stewart Weitzman. They are comfortable for dancing (I can't wait to start our lessons!) and will be fun to wear after the wedding day is over. I love me a good pair of silver shoes! What color are your wedding shoes?

Boudoir Photos

2008-07-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am having a boudoir photos taken at the studio of Trystan Photography here in Denver: http://www.trystanphotography.com/. They have an excellent package, which includes a 2 hour session and a 5"x 5" custom hard cover album for $325! I am excited but nervous to see how it will go. To prepare, I spent Sunday at Revive Day Spa, getting a facial, mani, pedi and the requisite bikini wax. I had my nails painted the gorgeous red pictured above. Today I am getting my hair cut and colored, at Denver's recently named top salon, Luxe. Tomorrow, Mary from Luxe will do my hair and I am having my makeup done at Simply Moore in Cherry Creek. I will be sure to post before/after hair and make up pics as I am using them as my pre-wedding trials as well as boudoir photo prep. Don't worry, I'll be keeping the pictures themselves to myself!

For the photo shoot itself, I am packing the following "outfits":

1 set consisting of a pink and black swiss dot bra, panty and corset with matching black stockings and black stilettos

1 set consisting of a nude lace cami and boy shorts with chocolate brown ankle strap stilettos

1 pair of a navy print panties with a white bow and a dress shirt of Andrew's (I had to get creative when making up an excuse to take his shirt!)

1 pair of lace thong panties, my veil, tiara and silver kitten heel wedding shoes to be worn with a string of pearls

As I have never done this before, I can't help but wonder..am I missing anything?

Sexy Little Bride

2008-07-26T00:13:00.000-07:00

My sister just got a job for the summer at the Victoria's Secret Pink store. She get's a discount. Hmmmm.....

So much better than the traditional bachelorette party regalia, lacking the typical male genitalia. Nice!

How cute would this be for the day of getting ready pictures?!?

Quasi-Nesting

2008-07-24T00:03:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I are not living together before we get married, which tends to raise a few eyebrows here and there. I think everyone should do what is best in their own situation, and in ours the decision is based on a variety of factors from traditional parents (my dad actually told me he would not pay for any part of our wedding if we lived together first), religion and finances (I have 2 roommates, so splitting the bills 3 ways is much more lucrative than 2). However, we are preparing for the move (Andrew recently sold his house and will move into mine), and are making slow and steady progress towards it. We've done some work in the kitchen, put sod in the yard and even built a new patio for outdoor entertaining. However, today I worked on the first project that really made me feel like it was "our house"; Andrew and I picked out paint together and today I started painting what will be our guestroom. It is a lovely taupe color called haystack. I also have to say that I put more loving attention into this project than any of the others, mostly because the nesting gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I can definitely see why it would be fun to live together already. Sigh. What is your living situation, and what are your reasons for your choice?

p.s. I will be sure to post pictures when the room is painted!!

What's Black and White and Cute All Over?

2008-07-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

This makes me wish that black and white were in my wedding color scheme. From exclusivelyweddings.com. Any ideas where I can get one of these in pink and brown? I have been searching to no avail.

Sendoff Solution

2008-07-21T00:42:00.001-07:00

I found them and I love them. The best part is that they were on sale from $37.50 for 12 to $9.38 for 12. I saw them in Brides magazine and bought them at www.katespaperie.com. I ordered 48 for guests to wave as we make our grand exit. Easy, chic and cheap...just how I like it.

Little Details, Big Difference

2008-07-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

My Mom was in town this past weekend and we had a wedding bonanza on Tuesday. Our schedule consisted of going to the wholesale market with the florist to get a flower preview(more on that later), lunch at the site of the welcome dinner (mmm...juicy hamburger), a tour of the venue and an overnight at the hotel we will block for guests. Perhaps my favorite task of the day was picking out our linens. We settled on a chocolate base linen with an embroidered, satin-trimmed, sheer overlay(pictured) and light pink napkins. For an extra $9/per table for the overlay, I believe that we will get a lot of visual "bang for our buck". Anyone else using an overlay on their tables?

Does It Get Any Better Than This?

2008-07-16T23:18:00.000-07:00

I have been coveting a "cruiser"-style bicycle for at leat two years. Guess what was waiting for me when I returned from Maine? I'm starting to think that I should go away on vacation more often!! Even better, mine has streamers and a bell too! It was 2am when I found it, so I had to wait until the next morning to ring the bell. It was worth the wait! Just another reason why I just can't wait to marry Andrew. He is always so thoughtful!

And...I'm Off

2008-07-02T22:28:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to say a quick goodbye before I head out. I will be in Steamboat Springs, Colorado from July 3-6, and then in Maine from July 7-13th. See you when I return!!

Happy Birthday to My Baby!

2008-07-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I have been together 4 years now, which means 4 birthdays together. I was thinking today about the evolution of those celebrations, from a big fancy dinner in his honor and cologne as a gift (Give me a break, we had only been together 2 months at that point. At least the cologne was the "boy" brand of my perfume "Romance" by Ralph Lauren, which he said he loved) to our celebration this year, which really honors Andrew and who he is.

On Thursday, the 3rd, I am going to be making a special meal for him, a la Glamour. Anyone ever heard of engagement chicken? If not, the recipe is here. http://www.glamour.com/lifestyle/dobetter/articles/2006/07/10/engagementchicken05feb .
I figure that he'll like it even though we are already engaged. I plan to serve the chicken with grilled asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. I even picked up a great white wine to complement it. This is going to be a huge surprise for him because I NEVER cook. My idea of cooking is warming up Lean Cuisine. Andrew prefers an intimate meal in to dining out, so this will really be a treat. I've already bought 50+ candles to set out to make it extra romantic.

Andrew isn't a cake fan, so I have baked his favorite, chocolate chip cookies with white chocolate chips for dessert. It works out well for us that we are both white chocolate fiends. I've made enough extra so that we can take them with us on our vacation to Steamboat Springs, CO this weekend.

In Steamboat, we are going to go with the flow. Hard for me, but his favorite way to travel. Again, I am working with his preferences here so that the weekend is really about him. We have a condo rented there for the weekend and plenty of groceries so that we can cook in. This favors his preferences and is better for my Weight Watchers diet. The only nights we will go out are the 4th for the Steamboat Rodeo/BBQ and to an Italian restaurant for the night of his birthday (which he picked). During the day we'll hike, bike and float in tubes down the Yampa River. I can't wait!

For his birthday, I also got him 2 small gifts-a new pair of bike shorts (which he needs and will be surprised to get) and Arrested Development Season 3. I even skipped the mushy card in favor of a funny one, just for him.

How have the ways that you celebrate each other's birthdays evolved since you met?

These and a cookie....

2008-06-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

How cute are these (in a galvanized steel pail on ice) and a basket of cookies, individually wrapped and tied with personalized ribbon near the exit of our reception site with a sign that says "Sweet Dreams"? Personally, while a touch overdone, methinks it would be a wonderful ending to an evening (though I am a self-professed sugar fiend). I've got the baker to make my cookies (half chocolate chip cookies with chocolate chips and the other half with white chocolate chips) and my graphic designer to make the sign. Now all I need is a pail and some milk....I hear Costco carries it. Anyone else offering a midnight snack at their wedding? Do tell!

Frame Favors

2008-06-19T16:18:00.000-07:00

In case you were curious, these are the frame favors that I was referring to in my earlier post. We will use these to hold the escort cards, most likely with 1 frame per guest. I got them on sale at:http://weddingshop.theknot.com/weddingwarehouse/UICategory.aspx?scId=Place%20Card%20Holders(KnotShop)&cId=Reception(KnotShop).

Paradise Found?

2008-06-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

I think that these cookies, featured on a weddingbee giveaway, are amoung the most adorable confections I have ever seen. Given that I am quite the conisseur, this remark was highly thought out. However, at $3.25 a pop, giving one of these to each of our 150-200 wedding guests is a bit too spendy (in addition to the other favors already purchased such as fans, bottled water and frames for escort cards). However, I noticed that Paradise Bakery, which has scrumptious cookies, has a catering menu which allows you to order 12 cookies for a mere $8.10 a box! That is less than $1 a cookie ($0.68). There would be some packaging logistics to consider, but I am contemplating ordering cookies as a midnight snack to be given to each guest as he/she departs along with a carton of milk. I would consider either A) having boxes of cookies and coolers of milk on the buses to be passed out with our fabulous monogrammed napkins or B) set out on a table by the door at the end of the night in bags tied with our personalized ribbon and a tin pail with ice/milk. Mmmm....cookies...

The cookies pictured can be purchased at www.gumdropcookieshop.com. The photo is taken from their website.

A Band for My Man

2008-06-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I have been browsing for wedding bands, and his favorite pick has surprised me a bit. I would have thought he wanted a very simple, somewhat square-edged band as he originally described. However, a few weekends ago, while browsing, we found this one, which he loved. I found it for significantly less than the jeweler's at this site:http://www.justmetal.com/ArtCarved-CORBIN-Tungsten-Carbide-8mm-Celtic-Knot-Ring-P75.aspx

With a 30 day return policy, perhaps we will go with an e-tailer over a brick and mortar jeweler after all. I am a bit nervous about it, but since his ring is under $500, the idea seems a bit more palatable. Anyone out there get their rings from an online jeweler? If so, how was your experience?

Waverly Damask, Where Are You?

2008-06-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I get myself worked up about the silliest things. The latest is the decided absence of quality damask table runners to be found for our engagement party. My friend Alexis has graciously offered to host one for us, which is just as much an excuse for her to cook up some tasty treats for a large(er) audience ( a favorite past time of hers) and for us to show off all of the yard work we have been doing/will have done by the time of the party (including a new rock/grass garden, new sod, a new pave stone patio, new flowers/mulch along our fence, a repainted front porch and a repainted/refinished back porch). So far I have secured damask invites, damask paper plates and lime green napkins/plastic utensils, but I have not been able to find the 2 damask table runners that I would like for the table inside and our outdoor dining set. I am not skilled with a Singer, so making them is out of the question. Anyone know where I can find some. Bueller? Anyone?

Wedding Wands?!?

2008-06-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

Our wedding site does not allow a lot of leeway as far as items to be used for introductions as husband and wife and for the end of the night exit. Fireworks, seed and rice, as well as confetti of any kind (which I believe may include rose petals) are banned. For the ceremony, we will use bubbles; I ordered the plain white kind and have tied personalized ribbon with our names and wedding day around each one. The exit is a bit trickier; I don't want to overuse bubbles. I loooove sparklers for a midnight exit, but again, these are banned. Today I came upon the idea of ribbon wands. The jury is still out on these. Would anyone really wave them? Would they photograph well at midnight? And, would I have time to make them? The site below has a beautiful product, but I am just not sure if $300+ for 50 wands can be justified. http://www.mimiopapers.com/new_store/mary_dann7.html

$20 for Pashmina

2008-06-04T22:10:00.000-07:00

You heard me right. I got one for myself and one for my sis (MOH). With a price that low, I couldn't resist! www.bbcrafts.com

Another Great Gift for the Groom

2008-05-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

I am working on filling this out to give to Andrew on our wedding day. I have been having so much fun, and love the constant reminder of the many reasons I love him. I hope he will too!

Sex and Marriage

2008-05-28T09:29:00.001-07:00

With the much anticipated release of "Sex and the City" on Friday, I found myself reminiscing....Over the years, the ladies on "Sex" came to feel like friends, so much so that I can imagine nearly every friendly foursome has discussed who would be who if they were to be characters on the show. Many who know me personally will not be surprised; both my peer groups and an Internet quiz (http://quiz.ivillage.com/astrology/tests/sexandthecity.htm) have confirmed that I am a "Charlotte". I started thinking that one could even describe her wedding day personality in terms of the "Sex and the City" crew. If you had to pick, whose wedding is yours most like?

Carrie's wedding has not happened yet (or may never happen, according to press releases/interviews about the movie), but the released photos suggest that it will be just like her sense of style-uber modern, quirky and edgy with a romantic twist. I am picturing a slightly raw urban space-(a loft perhaps?), a modern gown (shown below), a martini bar (maybe made out of carved ice) and bridesmaids and guests alike in couture. I am envisioning formality without stuffiness, class with a modern edge. My wedding is likely to be the least like Carrie's, as I am a sucker for classic designs and we opted to get married in the mountains in the country over having a city wedding in Denver. While her wedding will be gorgeous, it's just not me.

Miranda's wedding is the wedding I wish I could have. I love her practical, down-to-earth attitude and the simplicity of it all. With 40 members in my immediate family alone (including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins) it was never likely that I would have such an intimate affair. Plus, to be honest, I am a Charlotte, you know?

Charlotte's second wedding is also a sight to behold with a more modern dress, a more intimate gathering, etc. However, her wedding still has the same over the top flair that you would expect from Charlotte and her wedding coordinator, Anthony. My favorite part of this wedding is that Charlotte realizes that the perfect marriage is more important than the perfect wedding. I hope that I can really remember this throughout the planning process and will take it to heart when issues arise on the wedding day.

I love Charlotte's first wedding to Trey. It was classic, elegant and every detail was accounted for. Her classic Tiffany solitaire seems to embody the spirit of the day. Out of all of the "Sex and the City" weddings, I believe that mine has the most in common with this one, down to the fact that my father is threatening to wear his dress kilt (Yes, he has one that he wears to Scottish Society Balls-shudder.) .

So ladies, I asked is before and I'll ask it again...Which wedding is yours most like?

On A Gift Buying Binge

2008-05-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

I picked two of these up last week, one for a friend who will be reading in my wedding and another who will be my guestbook attendant. I wanted to get them a little something for being a part of my big day. Luckily, Victoria's Secret was having an amazing fragrance sale (7 for $35 with an 8th free), so I was able to score a lotion, shower gel and body spray for these gals, and one to add to the tote I got from my sister, also from www.preppymonogrammedgifts.com. Love them! Of course I had to pick up a few things for myself while I was there!!

Wedding Night Wow

2008-05-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

I went into Sol in the Cherry Creek section of Denver with the intent to return and walked out with this. It is sure to wow the mister on our wedding night, as he loves the "pin up" look. I thought that the stockings were killer, so of course I bought those too. Now that I have this cute lingerie, I am getting excited about the possibility of boudoir shots. Has anyone out there done them? If so, do you have any tips, tricks or recommendations? Extra points if you know of someone good in the Denver Metro area.

Next step, getting abs like hers. On the upside, I am down 11 lbs since joining Weight Watchers. Getting close to that goal!

Personalized Jones Soda

2008-05-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Andrew LOVES Jones Soda. If I can afford it, when the time comes, I'd like to have personalized bottles (ala Mrs. Lemon and Ms. Candy Corn on Weddingbee) at our Welcome Party as favors to guests. How cute would that be? To order, go to www.myjones.com.

Rehearsal Dinner Update

2008-05-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

When we started talking about the details of our wedding, one thing that Andrew really wanted was a bluegrass band. I loved the idea, as we make an event of The Telluride Bluegrass Festival every summer, but I wasnt sure that either A-guests would actually dance to bluegrass or that B-it would fit in with the overall feel of our event. So, I decided to surprise him by finding a bluegrass band to play at our rehearsal dinner. Unfortunately, he found out, but it will still be a great time!

We are hoping to hold our rehearsal dinner, which we will call a welcome party and invite all of our guests to (it is likely we will have a smaller RD after the rehearsal with just the wedding party) at The Dark Horse Bar and Grill in Boulder, CO. It basically wins for three reasons. Here I go again with the letters: A-It is inexpensive. It will cost us about $10 person to offer burgers, fries and an appetizer. We may even be able to add a keg or two in for that price. Although cheap, the food is very tasty! B-It is a great place for a live band to perform. C-Most importantly, it is within walking distance of the main hotel we plan to book for our guests. Since we are providing a shuttle to and from the wedding/reception, this means a guest could participate in all of the events without having to rent a car!

As you may or may not be able to tell, the bar is a bit of a dive. To dress it up, I will put checkered tablecloths on each table in our reserved area.

And, I plan to contact our fabulous florist, Boulder Blooms, to see about adding a sunflower centerpiece to each table for some additional flair.

What do you think? If you were a guest, would you come to our welcome party?

Also, if you are a native/local, do you know of any good bluegrass bands in Colorado?

Chair Sashes on the Cheap

2008-05-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

Picture this....as guests walk up to the venue, they will be greeted by a gurgling fountain, dotted with pink and white Gerber Daisies...Just past the fountain will be a sign (ala Mrs. Petunia of Wedding Bee fame) that says "This way to the wedding" in our colors. As guests arrive at the ceremony site, they will find a table with 3 baskets arranged in ascending order, one containing sunscreen, another containing bubbles and another containing pink and brown fans. Next to these baskets will be a framed sign that says "Please help yourself" in our wedding font/colors to match our stationery. As guests face the aisle, the backs of the last row of chairs will be tied with the brown organza ribbon pictured above. 54 sashes were a steal at $77 total with shipping (rounded). Yes, that is $1.42 a piece! I got them at http://www.bbcrafts.com/. On either side of the aisle will be pink stock flowers in large galvanized pails. Walking up the aisle, guests will see small pails of pink Gerber Daisies arranged loosely in miniature galvanized pails, hanging from the chairs by brown satin bows. An arch decorated with pink flowers will mark the altar. Guests will find a program (more on that later) and personalized water (more later on that too) at each seat. I hope it will look as lovely as I picture it in my mind. How are you decorating your ceremony site?

List Mania!

2008-05-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

When I first started planning our wedding, it seemed like there were so many details and items I was unsure of. After all, I have never done this before and the budget, guest list and choices were more than overwhelming. Thankfully, my friend Dana has recently been married, and she has many good ideas. One of them was The Knot's Book of Lists. This book has been a lifesaver on many occasions and offers things to look for when meeting with vendors, checklists of topics to cover and items that you should ask about/look for in your contract with them. I would highly recommend it to any bride-to-be. It's less than $15 with shipping on http://www.amazon.com/.

I'm So Excited....

2008-05-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

and I just can't hide it! My cake topper finally came in the mail. I love it! I got it from www.topperswithglitz.com. The very talented (and very local) Sari from Toppers with Glitz did not disappoint. Our topper looks similar to this one, only in a "T" and with pink, brown and clear crystals. I will do my best to actually keep a promise and to post a real, live picture soon. The posted photo is from Sari's site, www.topperswithglitz.com.

On another spectacular note, I tried on my wedding dress again when my Dad was in town (for his benefit, of course) and it was too big! Hurrah!

Chocolatey Goodness

2008-05-06T08:32:00.000-07:00

To say that I am obsessed with all things sweet would be a complete and total understatement. Since the beginning of our courtship, I have even managed to get my otherwise health-nut fiance on my sweet toothed bandwagon. After dinner, it is not uncommon for him to ask "What's for dessert?" I am confident that this would never have happened four years ago, and I find it simply endearing. So, when we planned our wedding, I had no doubt in my mind that we would have an extra sweet treat in addition to our lovely wedding cake. I love the idea of a candy buffet, but the idea of scouring Costco and the Internet, transporting the candy and having it set up to meet my....ahem...overly perfectionist (Yes, I admitted it!) standards did not appeal to me. The idea of personalized cookies is cute, but I find that some of the cookies that look the best are often the least tasty. I even contemplated a stand from Coldstone (and still may add it if budget allows), but in the end, I went with a chocolate fountain. I ADORE all things chocolate, and thought it might be a fun touch and a way to get people mingling. Now the question of the hour is, what flavor of chocolate? Dark chocolate is definitely out. Too bitter for me. I think the majority of people I know are not dark chocolate fans. That, and why would I want anything bitter on my wedding day (he he!). Next up is a chocolate blend. The pros? It's the best of all worlds-a blend of dark, milk and white chocolate. Sounds delish, is traditional and is bound to be popular. The cons, most of our cake (the largest layer) is chocolate. Finally, is white chocolate. The pros? Unique, won't be as conspicuous on the dress if I *happen* to spill and it is FI's and my FAVORITE chocolate. The cons? Probably not as popular with the masses. What do you think? Chocolate blend or white chocolate? Please vote and help me to decide!

Creature Comforts

2008-05-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

When I originally dreamt of my wedding ceremony, I wanted to print our program on fans. However, after many emails with Annie, our invitation designer, I decided to go another route. Annie makes gorgeous, traditional programs, which I thought would be a fun keepsake to have, as well as offer me the opportunity to include a blurb about each BM.

Instead, I ordered 100 of these (50 in pink and 50 in brown) from www.idealfavors.com. They are on sale for $0.99 each right now! When guests arrive at the ceremony site, there will be a basket of these waiting for them next to a silver framed sign that says "Please Help Yourself!" in our wedding font. Next to this basket, will be an identical one holding sunscreen packets, a la Martha Stewart Weddings, Spring 2007. I have loved this idea since I first saw it in Martha's magazine! This image came from the Faye and Greer blog www.fayeandgreer.blogspot.com.

If you are having an outdoor wedding ceremony, are you doing anything special to accommodate your guests?

Monogram Mania

2008-04-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

My invitation designer (Annie of Annie's Invitation Studio on Etsy) just sent me a copy of the monogram she designed for us today. It is going to appear in several places:

Our invitations will set the stage.

Guests will encounter our monogram again on the wedding programs.

Our monogram will also make an appearance on signs throughout the reception.

The lovely monogram will be featured on the escort cards.

Guests will find the monogram again on their table numbers.

When one gets a drink at the bar, or a treat from the chocolate fountain, they will find the monogram on the napkins that I ordered at http://www.foryourparty.com/.

Last but not least, the monogram will be projected on the dance floor, via a gobo projection.

I get so excited just thinking about it!! I suppose we will be getting good use out of our monogram!

Santa Fe!

2008-04-30T21:33:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I have been together 4 years tomorrow! To celebrate, he is flying me with him to Santa Fe this weekend (He has to be there for business on Monday/Tuesday). I am excited to go to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, to explore some beautiful architecture (and maybe find some fun new jewelery...hint hint) and to go to the spa for a 3 hour treatment on Monday. Aaahhhh...I am already feeling more relaxed!

Gifts For My Gals

2008-04-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Since many of my best gals have never been BMs, I wanted to make their first experience a positive one. Translation-they are going to be very spoiled!!

When they arrive, the BMs, GMs and their dates will be picked up at the airport in the 3 cargo vans (15 passenger) we have rented and will be whisked away to beautiful Estes Park and the cabins we have reserved for them there.

The lovely ladies will each receive one of these reusable grocery bags, which I found at Target. Since we are having a Colorado wedding, and Andrew and I are certified "greenies", I thought this gift would be great from our hearts to theirs...

Now for the inside of the bag....

And on a green note, but a practical one, as Colorado is VERY dry and you must drink A TON of water when you are here, each BM will receive a Nalgene bottle (very Colorado and also very environmental) in their favorite color, like so....

Additionally, in their favorite color will be a pair of the ever affordable, ever useful, Old Navy flip flops (purchased and image from www.oldnavy.com). I am proud of myself because I got them on sale!

Because I found them on sale at Target, and because I am a sucker for a good theme, I got the girls brown enamel frames with pink/green polka dots to add to their bags. This is not the exact frame, but is also adorable. It can be found at http://www.lapetiteplayhouse.com/.

I thought the bags were a fun, on vacation, summer-campish gift, which will be appropriate because we are staying at a summer camp!! The bags will also include each BMs favorite treat.

On a more formal note, the girls will each be receiving one of these to wear on the wedding day. I bought them at http://www.shaneco.com/. which is where this image is from. Thank you economic stimulus! I almost had enough to cover all 7!

And, the fun does not stop there. On the night of the rehearsal dinner, along with their pearls, the girls will all receive a letter than says a day of pampering has been planned in their honor. They will be treated to a brunch at the Dunshabe Teahouse, a mani/pedi at ten20 and will receive a $50 gift certificate toward getting their hair done. It will be an entire afternoon of pampering before our 7:00p.m. ceremony.

What do you think? How did I do?

Cute and Totally Unnecessary

2008-04-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

Since becoming a bride-to-be, I have become obsessed with some things that I never even dreamed would matter to me. Today I reached a new level of detail orientation and bought the groomsmen socks in our wedding colors! I heard that it would look "cute" in pictures, and I am sure that it will be:) If nothing else, it will prevent the groomsmen from wearing white socks!! These socks and this image were found on http://www.bananarepublic.com/.

Gifts for the Parents

2008-04-23T15:15:00.001-07:00

Another item in under budget! I found a digital picture frame on sale with a rebate at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Score! I thought it would be a more "modern" alternative for our parents than a wedding album; as a bonus, we will receive all of our pictures digitally, so they will not have to choose favorites! I also thought that this was an especially cool gift, because we will be able to update them as significant events pass; since Andrew's parents live in MN, my parents live in IL and we live in CO, this will be a wonderful way for all of us to feel more connected across the miles.

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)

2008-04-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

I just love this poem by e.e. cummings !

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

I plan to use this reading as Andrew and I are watering our unity tree. What is a unity tree you ask? A unity tree was our idea to replace the unity candle at our outdoor, mountain top ceremony. Our mothers will each bring mason jars with water (at which point we will give our FMILS roses) and we will use the water to nourish the tree. Same symbolism as the unity candle, but with a twist. Since we are getting married in Colorado, what is more appropriate than a pine tree? We will plant it after the wedding at our home to remain a symbol of our union. It's a nice bonus that this is a "green" option as well!

I LOVE it!

2008-04-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Isn't this the cutest idea ever? This knottie and her hubby donned monogrammed aprons to cut the cake and then passed out slices to their guests. What a creative way to visit with everyone! Knottie Mrs. Pink AJV Idea found on http://thepreppywedding.blogspot.com/. Hmmm....I wonder if this would work for our wedding?

Pretty Pink Parasols

2008-04-21T21:38:00.001-07:00

For all of my girls to carry....2 light pink, 2 lime green, 2 fuschia and a chocolate brown one for my MOH/Little Sis. They arrived from www.idealfavors.com today. Melanie from Ideal Favors has been a pleasure to work with!

Eye Candy

2008-04-21T21:32:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Andrew and I decided on a less traditional route for an engagement ring. He was against the idea of financing anything, and I stood by that choice. I told him I would be fine with a band first and a ring later, and he did the rest (much later than I would have liked-he he!) We hope to be able to plan the wedding without debt and to begin our marriage debt free. So....my engagement ring is actually a white gold, channel set (with filigree) diamond and sapphire wedding band (I promise to add a picture soon!). And my wedding ring will look like...the one above (top ring, round stone without the matching band)? This is the first ring that Andrew and I have both fallen in love with. It is by precision set, so it actually sits flush with my band, and has filigree detail just like my e-ring. The only difference is that my wedding ring will be in platinum (I'm too clumsy for soft white gold, even though I like its shine and weight better!). Andrew has made it clear that he gets to pick it out without any help, though I am allowed to weigh in;) I am looking forward to see what he picks out and to that extra special surprise on our big day! Has anyone else gone a non-traditional route when choosing an engagement or wedding ring?
Photo courtesy of www.precisionset.com.