Save the Dates

Please don't be jealous of my paint shop skills on covering up our names. ;)




Matches our Chicago theme pretty well, don't you think? I love love love them! Now I just need to address them. (Thanks, google docs.)

xoxo

I love my ring

I've officially had my ring for 6 months now and I've been feeling really creative today so I decided to go out with Edward (my nikon d60 camera) and take some ring shots.

It's no secret that I love my ring. I seriously still just stare at it. When people notice my ring at work, they will seriously grab my hand and admire. Seriously, people have grabbed my hand out of the blue while I'm in the middle of taking care of them and have breathlessly asked me "is that an engagement ring?!" I'm a very very very lucky girl to have a fiance who listened when I told him what I liked and got this ring for me. He says it's all me but it's so all him. He picked the ring that speaks to who I really am. That is not easy. I'm so proud to call him mine. :)

yeah, I was really scared to do this.

You did a fantastic job, PeachGroom.

xoxo

Crazy times, bride brain

I can't even begin to tell what is going on right now. I never knew that so many of the decisions that have been made would upset so many people. If I would have known this, I would have kept my opinion about making decisions and wouldn't make them at all! Indecisive is the way to go! No one gets upset. I so wish I could vent all over the place here but I'm going to refrain just in case someone stumbles across this blog. I never, ever knew so many silly, idiotic and down right stupid things would make me upset and cry. I just want the wedding to be a happy affair for us, our families and friends...

Then I need to remember this awesome advice that I got from Brittany... don't lose your voice in the planning. She's totally right. No matter what, this is our day and I'm going to make sure it reflects us. I'm going to bring in some things I don't want to do for my mom (so pretty much every wedding tradition known to man), I'm going to listen to what others want...but it's our day. I need to do what's right for us.

Is there a support group for brides? :)

xoxo

Dress shopping

I can't believe I've tried on wedding dresses! It was a surreal experience. I couldn't believe it. Me. Trying on wedding dresses. Wow...is this my life?

I started at David's Bridal. I'll be honest...I actually kind of really liked a couple. I couldn't believe how heavy the dresses could be though! I was also taken by surprised how different my style ended up being. Every dress I saw in a magazine had too much going on. I liked plain dresses. I still do but I can see how a little detail makes a dress that much more personal.

My second shop was House of Brides. It was weird to have someone just ask me what I want and then have me search the racks for it. Well after I found about 4 dresses that fit to put on I found a couple that I really really liked. The woman who was "helping" me (which consisted of zipping me up and telling me whether or not she liked the dress on me) said to my friend that I must know what I want because all of the dresses I pulled were generally the same style. Really? I didn't know I knew what I wanted...cool! :)

So it looks like my mom and I are going back to these two stores for her to see the dresses I like on me. I'm still on the hunt for my dress but I'm hopeful that it won't take too long to find *my* dress.

xoxo

Officially registered!

Well, at least at Target. :)

I had so much fun going around with the gun and scanning things we want and need. Everyone should do that. Not only for just weddings, but could you imagine how much more fun making birthday and Christmas lists would be?? (What? You don't make those anymore? You just don't admit it.)

It was also funny to hear some of Peachgroom's suggestions. Well, I'll be honest. He only asked about something silly once which was some pest control thingamabob that plugs into the wall. This is the part where I should say that I said we should register for New Moon on bluray (even though we have it already) and a pink wii remote.

That's my question. Amongst all of the things we need like a non-stick rolling pin, some contemporary lamps, measuring cups...what about things we want like a pink wii remote? (Ok, only I want that.) We did register for a radio to go in the kitchen but what about other things entertainment-wise? I did feel it was a little weird seeing my friend open wii fit at her bridal shower so I guess I'm not one of those brides that can register for something like that but I can register for something like a radio?

I hope I don't turn into one of those brides that stalks their registry though. I am definitely the type who likes to be surprised, so let's hope I keep my head even though everything is right at my fingertips. :)

xoxo

flower decisions

Before I say anything else, let me just say that I am not a flower girl. It skipped a generation. The first time I received flowers from PeachGroom was the first time I actually liked getting flowers. They were gerbera daisies in a cube vase and I just adored them. Other than that, I'd really rather receive a box of chocolate, thanks.

So of course, it would come down to this. PeachGroom and I met with a florist together on Saturday. The woman was amazing. Really nice and she got our vision...well, my vision I guess because PeachGroom just told me a little while ago that he knew less than I do about this department. Anyway, I felt really good with her and pretty much made up my mind that I wanted her to do our flowers because I trusted her. She even gave us flowers to take home! Now that's just really kind.

Yesterday, I met with the third florist alone. They had really great ideas but I don't think they quite understood me and what I wanted. They kind of took what I wanted and added to it, which is great since I know nothing but I kind of felt they were taking it a bit too far. Once it started spinning I just didn't know what to do so... They kept our main ideas at what I wanted (like the centerpieces...nothing is changed or added to them) but some things totally changed. For example, I want mini gerbera daisies for boutonnieres. The man said to me "I wouldn't choose that for my wedding, but..." Well, that's ok but that's what I want. So only the groomsmen and ushers would end up with gerberas for the bouts. I should have totally spoken up but I wanted to hear their ideas and I don't like to step on others feet.

So here comes the problem. The woman we met on Saturday who gets our vision isn't bringing one thing in that I really wanted for our centerpieces: lemons. Too costly. People I met yesterday asked what my budget was and as I tried to take a stab at it, I said 700 below of what it actually was. So I get their proposal today and it's 350 less of the woman's that I met on Saturday and we get the lemons. Now, I know it's like no question! Go with the one that's less money! I know, I know...but I really like the other one. She gets us...does that matter over money?

xoxo

Venue shots

Last night we had a meeting with a lighting vendor at our venue. Lighting vendor thinks that 8 uplights is not enough for our room and doesn't like the split of the mirrors so he's pushing for 16. Lighting guy for the hotel says that 8 is fine, 16 would be overkill. Is lighting vendor just trying to get more money out of us?? I'm thinking so...which is sad because on one hand I don't want to give him business if he's acting like that but at the same time, he's fairly cheaper than most (especially lighting guy at the hotel). Decisions.

This meeting also gave us an opportunity to see the room since we had last seen it in January, I think. I was armed with my camera, as I always am and took some shots. :)

here it is! the carpet isn't totally ugly!

here's a little alcove where our sweetheart table will probably be! (bars will not be there)


cool mirrors

when you walk to go inside the venue make sure to say hello to sting!

Ok, so there are tons more but I don't want to overload this post. I'm so excited! I can't wait to see it all done for our reception. Awesome space. So happy we went with this venue.

xoxo!