Wedding Wednesday... on Thursday

There were a couple of months not too long ago where I definitely hit a wedding planning lull, and I've told myself that that's not necessarily a bad thing, and that I likely needed a mental break!  We were at a point where we had booked all of our big vendors, but were too far away from the wedding to start really focusing on all of the little details, like DIY projects, figuring out favors, etc. so I just kind of took a breather and spent a lot of time browsing Pinterest (which will assuredly lead to being the end of me, I honestly have no doubt).

And then the six month mark hit a few weeks ago, and we're now looking at 170 days until I get to marry my best friend and EVERYTHING IS FAST FORWARD... but I'm so pumped.  Our day-of coordinator sent me our updated timeline yesterday and there was one bit of time set aside for "bride to be bustled" and then "bride and groom have first dance" and I got a little teary, and then couldn't stop smiling-- I'm so stinking excited for all of this, I almost cannot stand it!

Even more exciting is the fact that we're getting to that time where wedding events are starting to happen!  One month from today I'll be home with some of the best and closest women to me in the world, enjoying my very first bridal shower!  They've kept me completely in the dark about all of the details, so other than the guest list and vacation, I'm clueless (and I love it!!).  It will be so nice to be home with Brian for a few days to relax and enjoy time with my people.  I have big plans for a haircut on Friday afternoon, and my Daddy will undoubtedly be firing up the grill because ribs are Brian's "thing" and my dad makes the best!

Now, for checking things off of my obnoxious to do list!

PRE-CANA-- check!
Holy moly, y'all.  Two weekends ago we had our pre-Cana retreat at a little Catholic center about a half an hour away from where we live.  The class started at 9am, which meant we had to be on the road by 8:15am at the latest.  Go ahead and cue the grumpy fiance, add in a humid, rainy morning, and top it off with the fact that the class was from 9am-4:30pm, and you had two very unexcited soon-to-be-newlyweds.  When we arrived, they directed us down to a conference room for coffee and muffins, and said we could find everyone else across the hall.  We had no idea what to expect, thinking there would maybe be 2-3 other couples, and this would be a really intensive one-on-one kind of day.  Nope-- TWENTY other couples sat there looking just as excited for the day as we were.  


After 7 hours of small group work, lectures, and a full Mass, we received our lovely little certificate saying that we had passed (alleluia).  We'd had big plans to go to dinner and toast to our success at a nice little spot on the water, but we were wiped. out.  So what did we do instead?




We drove straight to the only Tex-Mex restaurant around and drank beer-ritas the size of our heads with a side of chips and queso, obviously.  And then we went home and drank wine and ordered takeout Indian food because REWARDS are just necessary sometimes.

Although we didn't have a choice to NOT take the class (in order to be married at our church, anyways), I was really glad at the end of the day that we had to sit through it all.  There was something kind of comforting as we went around our small groups and shared our grievances and the things that we love about our partners-- I realized that I'm not the only one who wants to throw away all of his socks when I find stragglers just laying around on the floor, and that having to compromise on TV time because a game is on (regardless of the team, it's just the fact that a game is on and apparently must be watched) is a common thing.  And I think it comforted Brian to realize that it was not a coincidence that he heard the word "Pinterest" float around that room 57 times and that his fiancee has not completely gone over to the dark side alone, and that girls as a whole tend to cry at the drop of a hat, particularly when elbow-deep in wedding shenanigans.  There were writing exercises for ourselves, and writing exercises that we shared with each other, and something about it made getting married so very real.  I am the biggest culprit of getting caught up in the "I'm Planning A Wedding!" side of being engaged and worrying too much about stirrers vs. straws, the stamp on our cocktail napkins, which font should I use for signage, so having that one full day where we had to sit back as a couple without any interruptions and focus on the marriage part of our wedding brought it all back home for both of us.  Our wedding is one day but our marriage is FOR-E-VER (points if you said that like Squints from the Sandlot), and THAT is pretty damn exciting!


GROOM/GROOMSMEN SUITS-- check!
This past Saturday we headed out to find suits for the boys, and Brian (of course) had them chosen in approximately 10 minutes.  When we first started planning, we had both agreed that we liked the less formal look of charcoal gray suits, versus tuxes.  I do love the classic, elegant look of a tux, but our ceremony is at 1:30pm, and I just feel like it's a little more formal than the direction we've pictured for our wedding, and Brian was pretty set on not having his guys waste $200 on a tux rental, which is understandable. We went back and forth and I finally told myself to pick my battles with this wedding planning, and let Brian have at it to choose suits for himself and his groomsmen.  The majority of his groomsmen work in the corporate world where an investment in a new suit makes sense, so off we went to make our decision! 

There was one point where we had 8 different suits in identical varying shades of charcoal gray and I think I started to feel chest pains.  Who knew that a suit had the potential to be stitched eleventy billion different ways?  Well, as of 3pm on Saturday, I did.  Brian's pretty good with suit shopping though, and he went in knowing what he wanted.  After trying on a few different options, he'd made his pick and we were off with instructions to start collecting measurements from the guys-- easy stuff!

I can't find a picture of the suit, but the color is similar to this (minus the vests): 




WEDDING BANDS-- partial check!
We technically have plenty of time before we need to choose our wedding bands, but let's be honest-- if I have a chance to go in and look for a suitable lifelong partner for my engagement ring, I'M GONNA DO IT.  I was also kind of (really) excited to see a ring on Brian's hand!  He is definitely not a jewelry guy, like doesn't even wear a watch, so it was a little weird at first seeing that lovely band on his finger, and I'm pretty sure he was equally weirded out!  We went through all of the metal options and widths and designs and... good gracious, there are lots of options for the menfolk!  But we both agreed on one that looks great and complements his personality and lifestyle (the man works at a desk and in meetings and plays golf, so he didn't exactly need the titanium), but are going to go in a little closer to the wedding to make the final choice.  We did have a small conflict when I pointed out, very jokingly, that the ring may affect his golf game and he looked totally stricken, and then said he would just take it off when he golfs.  I THINK NOT, DEAR SIR.  We'll see where we get with that one... 

I absolutely love the one that we chose for me too-- it has the same style and feel as my engagement ring but is a tiny bit different so that they're each their own thing.  I don't plan to have them soldered together, so they don't necessarily have to match and lay flush against each other.  SO, that was fun!




This week had a REAL fun loop thrown into the mix. All along, we've planned to have a 2pm ceremony without a full Nuptial Mass, which would allow us plenty of time to get to our reception venue for pictures afterwards.  We aren't doing a First Look, so while we'll take as many pictures separately as we can pre-ceremony, we'll still need pictures after, and since Daylight Savings Time falls the weekend before the wedding, we're literally racing against daylight for pictures!  We assumed there wouldn't be any issues but after speaking with our priest earlier this week, we realized that he most definitely was going to STRONGLY insist on a full Mass.  After using my legit negotiating skills, I not only got him to agree to letting a ceremony or full Mass being left up to our decision, but he also agreed to a 1:30pm Mass instead of 2pm.  I feel like a got a Catholic gold star-- this priest is extremely old school, so the fact that he was willing to work with me was epic!  SO, we're now having a full Mass at 1:30pm, and it will be fabulous.


This is the wordiest Wedding Wednesday (on Thursday) ever, so I'm outta here!

Six Months to Go!!!

Y'ALL.  As of yesterday, we are SIX MONTHS from the wedding!!  I am managing to feel thrilled/terrified/nervous/stressed/giddy all at once and it's kind of fabulous!  To say that shit is getting real around here would likely be the understatement of the year.  


Since Day 1, I've had a pretty legit list that has kept me sane/pushed me towards the edge, but it's nice to be able to go back to something and physically check things off, and see what else I have ahead of me to take care of.  Let me introduce you to my personal crazy...

Set a date 
Book church 
Book venue 
Book photographer 
Book florist 
Book DJ 
Book videographer - debating on this one
Book makeup artist and hair stylist - have salon reserved; need to stop in
Book personal trainer 
Ask wedding party to be in the wedding 
Email groomsmen with details 
Create wedding website 
Take engagement photos - Saturday, May 17

Register (Macy's Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel) 
Book flight for TX shower in June 
Book flight for bachelorette party in September 

Buy THE DRESS and my veil 
Choose bridesmaids dresses 
Order bridesmaids dresses - by May 16 
Choose and order groomsmen suits and accessories 
Choose shirt, tie, socks we'll give as groomsmen gifts 
Choose and order ring bearer outfit and accessories (shoes, bow tie, socks) 
Choose and order flower girl outfit (bow, shoes, tights?) 
Buy ring bearer pillow 
Buy flower girl kissing ball (Etsy) 
Book ceremony musicians 
Book cocktail hour musicians 
Book cake baker 
Order save the dates 
Mail save the dates 
Order invitations 
Find pretty stamps (zazzle?) 
Address invitations (calligraphy) 
Mail invitations 
Finalize guest list 
Meet with Father Cannon 
Confirm wedding with Father Cannon or Deacon Maddie 
Schedule pre-cana classes in Duxbury for May 
Buy or register for cake knife and server 
Order cake forks from JessicaNDesigns 
Hotel room blocks 
Order guestbook map 
Buy non-bleeding pens for map 
Price how much/how long it will take to have framed/matted to set out at reception 
Engagement announcement in Temple Daily Telegram and Scituate Mariner - submit in June 
Cake topper 
Calligraphy - PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE 
Take bridal portraits / hair & make-up trial - October
Shop for Mother of the Bride dress 
Buy wedding shoes 
Buy garter 
Grooms Cake  
Buy wedding jewelery (earrings) 
Menu tasting 
Give final selections to Kim - May
Choose and ask three readers - two have been asked, deciding on  third
1st dress fitting 
2nd dress fitting 
Book hotel room to stay in Friday/get ready in Saturday 
Order cute clutch with new monogram (to use again and again!) 
Something Old lace from my mom's wedding gown sewn into mine
Something New my dress
Something Borrowed 
Something Blue 
DIY ceremony programs 
Research printer for ceremony programs/have printed
Custom map
Order thank you notes for shower 
Order thank you notes for wedding 
Book honeymoon 
Look into passport renewals, and vaccinations/travel requirements for HM destination
Collect family wedding photos
Book limo for wedding party 
Book buses for guest transportation 
Decide on wedding favors 
Finalize contents of welcome bags 
Make day-of emergency kit 
Put together bathroom baskets 
Make sign to hang/post on bathroom doors at BRCC 
Menu/thank you for table (DIY) 
Order monogram from Southern Proper for guest book table 
Make canvas with monogram (DIY) 
Buy candles for cocktail hour/reception 
Buy candle holders for tables 
Buy bridal party gifts 
Buy groomsmen gifts 
Order handkerchiefs for Mom, Daddy, Meredith 
Order striped straws for cocktail hour 
Buy wedding bands 
Apply for marriage license 
Put together must-have picture list for CoCo 
Gift for Brian 
Put together must-play and DO NOT play list for Nick/DJ 
Playlists for cocktail hour 
Finalize menu choices with Scarlet Oak Tavern 
Buy going away outfit 
SHOP FOR HONEYMOON-- WHOOP!! 
Select music for ceremony 
Sort out final payments and tips for vendors (include note from Pinterest) 
Buy shower dresses, 2 
Buy rehearsal dinner dress - emailed Lula Kate
Hostess gifts for showers 
DIY sign for signature cocktail 
DIY sign for stationary displays 
DIY table numbers 
DIY card box 
DIY escort cards 
Pick-up marriage license in Boston!! (Thursday, 11/6)
Rehearsal dinner invitations (Minted) 
Bridesmaids luncheon for Friday 
Order koozies for reception 
Order pashminas for cocktail hour 
BACHELORETTE PARTY!! 
DIY signs for our chairs 
Wedding announcement in Temple Daily Telegram and Scituate Mariner 
Pack overnight bag for Saturday night/Sunday morning 
Wedding timeline for day-of 
Weekend timeline for welcome bags 
Order doorknob hangers for welcome bags 
Ask Jenna to be point-person 
Make and laminate vendor contact sheet (to distribute to Jenna, Kim at BRCC, Amanda, parents) 
Bring extra invitation suite for CoCo to shoot 
Create direction cards for guests driving to the reception 
Shoes to change into mid-reception 
Custom monogram 

WALK DOWN THE AISLE AND GET MARRIED!!!! 



Whew!  It makes me tired just reading that thing.  Tons of the little things are easy check-offs, just a matter of sitting down together and getting them done.  My plan is to tackle a few items every week so that it doesn't get too overwhelming, and so far, so good.  

As for tonight, we're ordering takeout Greek food and I'm planning on a nice, big glass of red wine, with a good long run tomorrow morning to start the weekend off right.  We have our pre-Cana class tomorrow from 9am-4:30pm, and dinner and drinks scheduled for after because WE'LL NEED THEM.  

Have a wonderful weekend!!