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10/14/2008

Tiffany sugar box

For you Tiffany Brides

Mini Cake/Favor box

I was at Barnes & Noble today and saw this book called "Beautiful Cakes." I can't remember the author, but I took a picture of the cover of the book. They had this recipe/instruction on how to make these Tiffany sugar boxes. They can actually open. So maybe for you Tiffany blue brides, you can use these to double as a favor box. I don't know how expensive it would be to have these made, but just throwing the idea out there! Sorry for the poor quality pictures-- I only had my phone for the camera.

tags: tiffany blue, blue, favors, favor boxes, cakes

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10/12/2008

mario cake

mario cake 2

halo cake

halo logo

Cake

Getting some info

Since my wedding is being held in my hometown, about 2 hours from where I currently live, I am getting my sister (my MOH) to check certain things out for me, including the cake. I sent her an email this week with the names of the bakeries and things to ask. I'm not terribly concerned with having some big fancy cake, and I actually saw on another bride's blog this picture of a Super Mario Brothers cake! I can't remember whose blog it is, but I LOVED IT! So I am trying to think of 2 options... 1) Go with a similar (but smaller) Mario cake, or 2) do a Halo 3 cake. My husband and I both love video games. Our game of choice to play together is Halo 3, so that would definitely reflect something that both of us like. But then Mario is such a classic video game icon! I posted pictures of both the Mario cake and a Halo cake.

We are not doing some huge cake to serve all our guests, but we are going to have a small 1 or 2 layer cake for the two of us (so we can do the cake cutting), then we want to have cupcakes for our guests. If we do a Mario cake, it will be similar to the ones in the pictures. If we do a Halo cake, I want to either do just the "3" symbol from Halo, or have the entire Halo logo put on the cake. If we did the Mario cake, I am thinking of doing a mix of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, have white icing, and have the baker draw the famous mushroom on the cupcakes. That would be pretty easy I think. If we did the Halo cake, we would probably do the "3" symbol on the tops of the cupcakes.

tags: cake

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10/12/2008

i_love_blogging

For non-wedding stuff

you can look here!

I had actually done this a couple of months ago, but with an email address change, I needed a new one..... a REGULAR blog. I got the motivation to finally do it from fellow WBC bride Soontobemrskeiling, so thanks!

http://www.tatem2payton.blogspot.com

tags: blog

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10/06/2008

grey's anatomy

Another A! Wooo!!

NWR: just excited!

I got my 2nd A in my Anatomy & Physiology lecture class!!! I was so sure I was going to get a B at best, but I surprised myself! I, however, definitely failed my quiz in lab today. But that is because I had that (which was on the bones) AND my lecture test today and I put all my focus on studying for lecture. But I did that on purpose because the lab quiz was only worth 15 points out of the total 400+ points for lab, so I could afford to do badly on this quiz. But that just means I have to study extra for the lab practical which has the bones. But I am excited about my A! If I keep getting A's on the lecture tests, I will be exempt from the final exam.

Speaking of anatomy, did anyone watch the season premier of Grey's??? *spoiler alert!* Omg, in the beginning when they had Meredith's dream that Derek died, I was already in tears! I cry over pretty much any slightly sad part on shows or movies, so I was crying within the first 2 minutes of that episode! I was so relieved when it was just a dream though. Phew!!! If McDreamy ever died, that would be the end of the show for me. I saw Can't Buy Me Love on TV the other day (for the first time), and Patrick Dempsey's voice sounds exactly the same! It was weird. I was mad that Grey's didn't come on last week! Dang Presidential debates ruining my TV schedule! The Office didn't come on either!

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10/01/2008

save the date

Save the Dates

Ordered from Vista Print!

I ordered my save the date cards last night from Vista Print! I got 100 postcards and 100 envelopes for about $20. It cost about $4 to upload my own picture, then about another $4 for the envelopes, plus shipping. I hope they print out nicely!

tags: save the dates, vista print

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09/28/2008

nintendo ds

My birthday gift!

Love it!

My birthday isn't actually until Wednesday, but Kenny gave my present to me early as a birthday/we're married gift! Yes, we are officially married, but our wedding is not until May. But we got married officially on Friday by a marriage commissioner! I am not sure it's really sunk in yet that I'm a wife. I think it'll really sink in after the wedding. Or maybe once I get a new driver's license haha. But my last name is now officially Payton! Anywho, he got me a pink Nintendo DS Lite with Mario Kart! I had been saying I wanted one for a while, and I had also told him about the Hello Kitty DS cover at the Sanrio store, and he got it for me and had it all set up when I got home! I love it! It even came with a Hello Kitty stylus and 4 little game cases with Hello Kitty on them. I'm such a video game nerd, it's ridiculous.

I think for Christmas I am going to TRY and get Kenny a PS3. We'll see though. Luckily with my family this Christmas, I think we are drawing names, so I don't have to worry about getting a million people presents. I got my grandma's name. I'll probably still get little things for other people, but at least I don't have to worry about getting EVERYONE really nice gifts. Plus now I have double families to buy for since we have Kenny's family also. I wish we'd draw names for them too. I get so stressed shopping for people because I never know what to get anyone and I feel like I always get the same person the same gift for every occasion.

tags:

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09/28/2008

engagement picture 2

engagement picture 3

engagement picture 4

engagement picture 5

engagement picture 6

engagement picture 7

engagement picture 8

engagement picture 9

engagement picture 10

engagement picture 11

engagement picture 12

engagement picture 13

engagement picture 14

engagement picture 15

engagement picture 16

engagement picture 17

engagement picture 18

engagement picture 19

Photography

More engagement pictures!

Our photographer posted up several more of our engagement pictures on her blog! This will probably be the extent of my posting of the engagement pictures. There are probably going to be around 50 or 60 of them, but our photographer just posted these on her blog, then the rest will be hosted on a separate website for ordering and we'll be receiving a DVD of the images as well. We should be receiving the DVD next week sometime! I'm still so excited to see the rest of the pictures! I was just so pleased with how they turned out! It's going to be hard choosing which picture(s) will go on our save the dates!

tags: engagement pictures, photographer, photography

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09/23/2008

DJ CAT

Not hiring professional DJ

How do I make sure there are smooth transitions?

I am not having a professional DJ. They are just way too expensive. I know that professional DJs kind of know when to say what and how to make a smooth transition from one event to the next. But I am paying one of my bridesmaid's sisters (she is like, 16 now) to be my DJ. Basically I will have my laptop at the wedding which will be hooked to the speakers, and she just has to follow the playlist/list I give her. But I want to make sure that certain things start at certain times and that there is enough time for each thing. How should I make sure this happens? Should I give her like a specific time schedule or an interval time schedule? That is, maybe I should say, X-minutes after the bride and groom arrive, announce first dance/father daughter dance.... then X-minutes after that, start cake cutting.... etc. Or should I do it by specific times; i.e. 2:30 begin this, 3:15 begin this... I think the minute thing is better just because you never know how long something might take or we are not even sure the exact time we will arrive to the reception.

Is anyone else having a friend DJ their wedding, and if so, how are you making sure they know when to start certain things?

tags: dj

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09/23/2008

bridal-party-groomsmen

Want to involve my brother

What can he do?

I want to include my brother in the wedding somehow. He's uh, 31 I think, and I am not sure if he is expecting to be in it, or if he even wants to, but I thought it'd be nice to ask if he wanted to do something, but I just don't know what. I don't want it to be some menial role that doesn't really matter though. I was thinking of asking Kenny if he'd be willing to make him a groomsman (seeing as I really want his party to even mine out!), but I am not sure if that would be awkward. They don't really know each other very well. I'd say I could make him an usher, but I am not really sure what he would do... do the ushers just seat people and hand out programs or what?

tags:

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09/21/2008

Engagement pictures

Engagement session/booked photographer

Today my FH and I booked our photographer and had our engagement session! Her name is Katelyn James. Our engagement session was supposed to be yesterday, but it turned out to be a pretty cloudy day and looked like it might rain, so we did them today instead, and today turned out to be beautiful! She obviously hasn't edited them all yet or sorted through the 800+ images she took, but she did one and put a "sneak peek" on her blog, so here's the first picture!

I LOVE it so far and I am so excited to see the rest of the pictures! She said she will upload several more on her blog later this week, and in about 2 weeks I will have the DVD of digital negatives. She said she narrows them down to the best 50 or 60 images. I can't wait to see them!!! The toughest part will probably be choosing which to use for our save the dates! It was so fun walking around with Katelyn. We went to downtown Norfolk and took a bunch of pictures in front of some old building and stuff, then we found this cute little neighborhood with cobblestone streets and this Japanese garden type of thing next to a dock. The pictures by the buildings were nice because it was a break from the traditional "in the park" type of pictures.

I'm also so glad she found that cute neighborhood because it is making me want to see what the price is to live there!

I will post several more engagement pictures whenever I get them!

tags: engagement pictures, photographer

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09/18/2008

happy-bride-2

Venue booked!

FINALLY!

I went and put the deposit down on Cannon Ridge today! So now our date of May 23, 2009 is officially OFFICIAL! And then Saturday we are doing our engagement pictures as well as putting the deposit down for the photographer.... Kenny needs to figure out what he's wearing for our pictures! He has grown out of his jeans and all his shirts are t-shirts! I like his Avenged Sevenfold t-shirts and all, but not for pictures! haha. Tomorrow I will probably get my eyebrows waxed and possibly get a manicure. Kenny said he'd get one, but I'm not sure if he was kidding or not... probably was. Oh well haha. Well anyway, I am excited about our venue!

tags:

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09/18/2008

hooray

I got an A!

NWR: First A&P test!

I am so proud of myself! I had my first lecture test in my Anatomy and Physiology class. And I got an A on it!!! I was SOO nervous about it. This first test is only worth 5% of our lecture grade, but I don't even care! I hope I keep this streak up! The class average on this test was a 56... (eep!) AND in lab, we've had 2 quizzes so far and I've gotten a B on one and an A on the other, both of which were well above the class average. I SO want to pull an A in the class overall because it will GREATLY help me with getting into nursing school! I guess having this as my only real class is helping :-)

tags:

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09/17/2008

branch centerpiece

Centerpieces

Branches

So my original idea for centerpieces is probably getting thrown out. Either that or I just need to add something bigger to it. Our tables are are pretty big. They are round and just under 6 feet in diameter. So my first centerpiece idea I think would make it look too small. I admire all the centerpieces incorporating branches. However I don't really know where to get them (and inexpensive ones). I think I looked on www.save-on-crafts.com, but I want to say that the branches they had I didn't think would work. They need to branch outward enough to hang things, and a lot of theirs looked like they were just straight up and down. Any suggestions on a good place to get them?

tags: centerpiece, branches

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09/16/2008

red shoes

Engagement pictures!

Got my outfit and I'm ALL ready!

We have our engagement photo session on Saturday! I bought this satin-ish light gold colored button up short sleeved shirt from H&M, Kenny bought me a pair of dark jeans from Pac Sun, and today I bought some hot red shoes from Payless! They were on sale for $18. I don't have a picture of the shirt unfortunately. The H&M site is weird and only has a few things on it. But the picture is of the shoes I got! Payless also had these adorable red slingbacks with a small heel, and they were so cute! But I tried them on and they were a bit uncomfortable, which was sad because I really loved them. But I am happy with the flats and I am much more likely to wear flats on a more regular basis than heels.

tags: shoes, clothes, outfit

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09/15/2008

boysarestupid

His guy friends?

Such negativity towards marriage!

I am sure I am not the only one who has a FH whose friends have made some rude and stupid comments toward the marriage thing. I guess it's just a typical guy thing to say, but the other night, Kenny went out with some of his friends from work who wanted to "celebrate him getting married." Which really, he says it was just an excuse for them to go out to a bar and get drunk. I was pretty upset about this "party" because I didn't want to make a big fuss over our ceremony this month and then all the fuss could be made about it around our wedding. But ANYWAY, so yesterday, I was joking around with him and said, "So none of your friends talked you out of getting married?" And of course I would never think that anyone could talk Kenny out of marrying me, but as I assumed, his friends made comments such as, "Why do you want to get married?" or "You have your whole life..." blah blah blah. And I know that boys will be boys, but I just don't understand people's negativity towards marriage!!!! And it drives me completely insane. And it doesn't help that all his friends are marines and they are assholes anyway, but seriously! Like, they don't even KNOW me and they want to talk shit? Not that these guys are really his CLOSE friends, but still. It just annoys me. I just hate when people who aren't in or are unable to be in any kind of meaningful and stable relationship say bad things about those who actually have found the person they want to spend the rest of their lives with. I think it's just a sad way for people to live. You would think that they would want to find someone like that for themselves, but because they can't, they want to bash those who have. It makes no sense to me. I know that whenever I go out with my friends prior to our wedding, they are not going to ask me, "Are you sure...?" They are mostly happy for me and are excited. And I guess that is just a girl thing. But ugh, it's just annoying to know that his friends say things like that when they haven't even met me. Maybe if they met me and got to know me, they would say that I was awesome and that they were happy for their friend that he's marrying me! Luckily these "friends" aren't that close and they just work together and there is no way in hell even half of them are even invited to the wedding (and that is Kenny's choice, not mine). Anyway, just wanted to rant.

tags:

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09/14/2008

exterior

interior

Wedding Night

The Jefferson Hotel

I want to stay here on our wedding night!!! I stumbled upon this hotel when I was searching for wedding venues. I passed it up as a venue because it was WAY out of our budget (I am not sure I even looked into it much because I could just tell by the pictures it would have been expensive), but I was thinking that if we can afford it, to stay here on our wedding night! We are hoping that his parents will cover our honeymoon (at least what isn't covered from our honeymoon registry if we do one), so then we would be able to stay here on our wedding night. If we have to cover the honeymoon, then that is probably a no go. But this is what I'm hoping for!

tags: hotel, wedding night

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09/12/2008

gold dress

shoes

Chinese laundry mystic

Ask a Question

NWR: shoes to match a dress

I have a marine corps ball to go to in November. I have this dress that my sister gave to me because it didn't fit her or my niece. I couldn't find a picture of it online because I actually have no idea when it was bought, but the picture I posted is the closest to the color of mine, but mine's slightly darker and the only part that is satin is the bust area up and the hem. But it's a goldish color. The top part (like from under the boob area up) is a satin material, then from under the boobs down is like a chiffon type of material. Then the hem is the same satin as on top. I have these shoes (the ones pictured), but it's a purpleish color. I bought them to go with the dress originally, but now I don't really want them with that dress. One reason is because I just am not sure how well the color goes. The other reason is that when I walk, my heel kind of pops out of the back and it's annoying and if we're going to be dancing, that is just not going to work. SO, what color shoes would go with a goldish color dress? It's not like a bright shiny gold. I will probably post an actual picture of it whenever I get around to it, but I'm just being lazy right now. Do you think some brown shoes (like on my last post) would match? That way I can knock out marine corps ball AND wedding shoes. It'll give me a chance to break them in. Or black shoes? I just don't know what color really matches!

tags: shoes, dress, nwr

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09/12/2008

Chinese laundry mystic

Chinese laundry remy

Chinese laundry friday

Chinese laundry harp flats

Chinese laundry jenna

More Shoes!

Chinese Laundry

I discovered this brand of shoe, Chinese Laundry, at DSW the other day. I think some of them are so cute! They didn't have my size in some of them at DSW, but I am thinking of ordering them off the website. One pair of them (the last ones) are unavailable on their site right now, but I'm going to see if I can find them somewhere else. Anyway, I think their shoes are so cute!!

tags: shoes

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09/11/2008

honeymoon registry

Ask a Question

Honeymoon registry- Honeyfund & Paypal- Help!

Another WBC bride mentioned something on one of my other posts about Honeyfund. I've looked at the website and it sounds great and best of all, it's free. But I am a little confused. Say my FH and I wanted to do an all-inclusive resort. When you book those, you are not really purchasing a bunch of separate items (i.e. hotels, airfare, food, etc). Everything is just in that final price. So if we registered for something like this, would we just kind of make up separate items on Honeyfund? Say if people wanted to contribute to our airfare, and our total airfare was $700, we could split it up into $100 increments and just say we want 7 of them? And my BIG question is, how exactly do we get the money? I know they have a paypal option which I am not even 100% sure how Paypal works and if someone could explain more of that to me, that would be great. If they used the Paypal option to pay for the gift, does that mean we get money in our Paypal account? I know it said they charge roughly a 3% fee (that is, Paypal charges a fee). And how would I retrieve that money from my Paypal account if I set one up? Also, say someone wanted to pay by cash/check, how does that work? Does that basically mean they say on the website that it's been purchased and then that guests comes to the wedding with cash/check for that amount? Are we just supposed to trust that the person brings that amount? I'm not trying to sound greedy haha. But say someone purchased 2 "airline" things (so $200 in my example), would they just print out the little certificate from the website then come to the wedding with either $200 cash or check? What if they said they were going to pay $200 on the website but end up coming with $100? I am just so confused as to how we get the money from the registry! And I need some Paypal explanation! If someone has used this and doesn't want to leave a huge comment, feel free to send me an email. Thanks! Sorry this was kind of long and probably confusing :-)

tags: honeymoon, registry, gift registry

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09/09/2008

Alfani shoes shoemetro

Shoes

I like these!

I saw these shoes online and I really like them! The website only has them in a 10, but maybe I can find them elsewhere. Finding shoes that I love has been hard! I just haven't seen anything that really catches my eye, but I have like, 8 months, so I have time.

tags: shoes

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09/08/2008

The Inspired Design by Katelyn James

Photography

Found our photographer!

Kenny and I met with a photographer yesterday and I absolutely LOVED her! Her name is Katelyn James and she was SO incredibly nice and her photos are beautiful! And to top it all off, she is MUCH less expensive than other photographers that I liked. I mean, if I had the money for it, I probably would book a $3000+ photographer. But Katelyn takes just as beautiful pictures and my whole package will cost less than $1500! That is for unlimited pictures for our whole wedding day, we get an included engagement photo session or bridal session (though I will probably fork out an extra $175 so I can do both), our images on a DVD, images hosted on a website for ordering prints (which aren't nearly as expensive as some others) and we'll get 10 complimentary images, she includes 40 miles of travel, and a DVD slideshow with the best 50 images accompanied by music! I'm so excited! We scheduled our engagement session for the 20th of this month! We haven't officially booked with her yet because we are still working things out with the venue, but once that is done, we will book her as well!

tags: photographer, pictures

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09/05/2008

blue and brown garter

brown and ivory garter set

Hello Kitty garter

Garter

I found these garters on www.letsdancegarters.com. The brown and blue or the brown and ivory go with our color scheme AND the brown and blue has a little pearl (which I am trying to tie in as much as possible). I would have TOTALLY loved to have the Hello Kitty garter... but it's $130 and I just don't think I can justify paying that much for a garter. I've also debated getting a marine corps garter... Not sure which I'll do though. Actually, what I'd really love to have is a South Park garter haha. But that isn't an easy find and I'd probably have to figure out a way to make it if I wanted it...

tags: garter

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09/05/2008

DSC03383

DSC03384

DSC03385

DSC03386

DSC03387

DSC03388

DSC03391

Wedding Dress

Tried my dress on again

I tried my wedding dress on again last night. I'm going to try and make it a point to try it on every month or two to make sure I haven't gained weight. The bra is really tight... I should have gotten the 36 instead of the 34. When we tried it on, we didn't hook all the hooks, but man does it make a difference when all the hooks are hooked!! But I think I'll be okay for a few hours in it. I'm considering getting a different dress (a slightly more casual but lightweight dress) for the sendoff. I definitely want to wear my wedding dress the whole time. These pictures show my tiara a little better. In the close up picture of the tiara it's hard to tell the colors, but it isn't all white crystals. Some of them are a goldish color. But I love it! Does anyone have any suggestions in getting wrinkles out of the dress and the veil? I think the lady at David's Bridal said about a month before, let the dress hang free (not in the bag). But I am not sure that she was talking about that for wrinkles. I am nervous to take it somewhere and get it steamed or something in fear that it will ruin the dress somehow! Anyway, I still love my dress. The necklace I am wearing in the pictures are not the ones I will wear at the wedding. I am going to get chocolate colored pearls. AND I still need shoes!

I tried to edit the photos to make the lighter. The lighting in that room was terrible, even with the flash.

tags: dress, veil, tiara

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09/05/2008

Front of Golf Club

From where the ceremony would be held

The lawn where the ceremony is held

4 patio tables that will be dressed and used for the reception

Table used for a sweetheart table (minus the table runner)

Round tables for guests

Quick sample of a possible place setting

dance floor

some of the tables where the hors d'oeuvres will be placed

The square table won't be there

4 patio tables that will be dressed and used for the reception

Table used for a sweetheart table (minus the table runner)

Quick sample of a possible place setting

some of the tables where the hors d'oeuvres will be placed

Venue found!

As long as we can get one of the dates...

Yesterday I went and looked at 2 venue possibilities. The first was not very impressive, but I don't really blame them because they are more of a "go out" catering company than an in-house catering company. I think they have the facility if you WANT to use it, but I think they make most of their money catering to other venues. The room itself wasn't too bad. They had nice floors, decent tables, the chairs weren't the best (they were a mauve color), they had some nice lighting. BUT the outside was SO depressing looking. And if we went with them, we'd have to find another place for a ceremony because their ceremony spot (which wasn't really MADE for a ceremony because it's just this piece of land behind the building that if someone WANTED they can use it) was ugly. SO we are not going with them.

The one we ARE going to TRY and get is Cannon Ridge Golf Club! It was really beautiful there. Not as pretty as Maymont of course, but they are definitely a better deal and aren't ripping me off in every direction. There are 2 Saturdays in April that are available and 2 in May. I am trying to get either May 2 or May 23. I mainly want those dates because the ceremony and pictures would be outside and April is a little risky for rain. There were also some June dates but they were at the end of June and I don't want it to be that hot. I have to coordinate with my possible and probably photographer and with Cannon Ridge. The lady at Cannon Ridge said that she would "hold" the date without a deposit and just let me know if someone else inquires about it or if they get it. Hopefully no one takes it. I really hope that things work out! They want a hefty deposit though which is going to be a killer on my parents. They want 50% of total estimated costs I think. Whereas Maymont just wanted $500. Which by the way I am going to try and get our deposit back from them because of how horrible it ended up being! Ugh! But anyway, I want Cannon Ridge! I just want to get this date set!

tags: venue

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09/03/2008

bridal party

Bridal Party

sooo uneven!

Our bridal party is so uneven. I think I already threw out the whole concept of pairing people up for several reasons. One being that my bridesmaids do not know my FH's groomsmen. Everyone lives all over the place so it's hard to get people together... So it's just easier. What I am thinking is having all the guys up there at the beginning of the ceremony and just have the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. I am just trying to think of maybe an alternative way for everyone to stand so that it doesn't look so uneven (as in having them in places other than the groomsmen standing on the side of the groom and the bridesmaids on my side). I have 6 people in my bridal party... Kenny only has 3! He was going to have 4, but we think one of the guys he wanted as a groomsman will be deployed on our wedding... Now I sort of wish I didn't jump the gun in asking my bridal party so we could have even numbers... but I wanted my sister for my MOH, I knew I wanted my nieces (2), and then I didn't want to leave out my closest friends. So is anyone having some other kind of arrangement for their bridal party other than the traditional way? I just don't want it to look so awkward. I don't think Kenny wants to add anymore people. He really just wants his brother and his 2 best friends. I've suggested maybe some of the friends he has at work (like this one guy whose kids I babysat), but he said no because he's only known him since we moved here a few months ago and they aren't THAT close... So I don't know! If I have to, we'll just to the traditional, but I swear I'm OCD! haha.

tags: bridal party, groomsmen, bridesmaids

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09/02/2008

fonts

Fonts

A website with free downloadable fonts!

Hey ladies! For all of you who like making monograms or just want some new fonts for some DIY invites, here is a site that offers free fonts you can download! In order for them to work, you need to have an unzipping program. I have CAM Unzip which I found online for free. Then when you download it, it should automatically open the CAM program. Choose a folder for it to extract to that you can find easily. Open the folder with the unzipped font file AND open your fonts folder that is already on your computer (should be in control panel). Then drag and drop your downloaded on into the computer's font folder, and it should install it! The site has some great calligraphy type of fonts that would be great for monograms!
**EDIT! Sorry! Forgot to actually put the website up!! its:
www.abstractfonts.com

tags: fonts, monogram

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09/02/2008

Monogram 1

Monogram 2

Monogram 3

Monogram 4

Monograms

Playing around with powerpoint

Here are some monograms I made in just a few minutes using powerpoint! Not sure what all I will use them for yet, but I'm sure I'll think of something! I'll probably post new pics of more monograms whenever I make more. I just need to decide which to use!

PS. If anyone is not so computer savvy, I'd be more than happy to make one for you..

tags: monogram

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09/02/2008

ask

Questions to ask venue/caterer

I have compiled a lengthy list!

I have put together a list of things that I need to ask the venue on Thursday when I go to look. I am not sure if we are visiting the TJ's place on Thursday because they haven't emailed me back about visiting, but I may just call them tomorrow... But here is my LONG list..... It may be helpful for some of you still looking for a venue also! And if I've left anything important out, please let me know!!

Canon Ridge:
-Do I need to be a member of the golf club? Do rates change for non-members?
-Other than catering, must I use any specific vendors or may I choose?
-See where ceremony would be held
*are chairs included? Arch? Aisle runner?
*Can ceremony be at 11 and reception around 2?
*If the weather is bad and the ceremony has to be held inside, can we still do them at the 2 times so the setup will be different for both?
-What kinds of table linens are included?
*Different colors?
-Can I use any kind of centerpiece I want and will the staff set them up?
-Are chair covers included? What kind of chairs? What kinds of tables?
-Are there any other fees besides the $1500 for the reception & $500 for the ceremony? (service charges; other than the gratuity and tax)
-Do the (50)s next to the hors d'oeuvres mean 50 pieces? Are there still plates and such on the tables? Could the hors d'ouevres be set up on plates on a table rather than passed around?
-Is there a room here for getting changed and getting ready?
-How are tables set up with an hors d'oeurves reception?
-Can an iPod be hooked up to the audio equiment? If not, a laptop?
-Is a microphone provided?
-Which of the things listed under "services" is included/complimentary in the rental price? (i.e. audio & video presentations, cake cutting, photographer, floral arrangements, balloon decor, wedding coordinator, champagne toast).
-Is the silverware, china, glassware, etc all included in the rental price? What about the dance floor, mirror tiles, and votives? (Want to see these)
-What kind of room fees may apply? (on website)
-the 4 hour reception is not including the setup and cleanup?
-How many people can sit at 1 table?
-Is there a food/beverage minimum?
-Are there any photographer restrictions?
-Will there be enough parking?
-When is the rest of the payment due?
-We want a sweetheart table
-How many tables will we be given and what are the dimensions of all the ones we are allowed to use?
*For caterer:
-How would "ticketed" bar work? Would a $15/hr charge still apply?
-How many glasses would 1/2 a keg be?
-With an hors d'oeuvres reception, are soft drinks still included? If not, how much is it?
-When does a final head count need to be in?
-How will last minute requests be handled? (i.e. guests showing up without an RSVP)
-How are the waitstaff dressed?
-Are there any charges that need to be paid AFTER the reception?

TJ's Catering & Celebrations
-What is included in the rental/catering price? (table linens, napkins, glassware, etc)
-What color linens/napkins are available?
-Are chair covers available and at what cost?
*Want to see tables and chairs
-Where would the ceremony be held? What if weather is bad?
-Are chairs included for the ceremony? What kind of chairs? Are we allowed to use an arch?
-Does a ceremony cost extra?
-Does the ceremony have to be included in the 4 hour reception time?
-How much time before the reception and after is there for setup and cleanup? (is that time separate from the reception time?)
-Is there an available room for getting ready?
-What kind of china etc. is there?
-How many people can be seated at 1 table? How many tables will we be given and what are the dimensions of all tables we are allowed to use?
-What are the bar charges? (for a ticket bar, then cash bar)
-Are candles permitted?
-What stipulations are there for decorations?
-Is there a dancefloor?
-Is audio equipment available or cost extra? (iPod hookup)
-The rental would be $500 as long as we used the catering services?
-Will there be a wedding coordinator?
-Other than catering, are there other vendors I am required to use or is the rest up to me?
-Is there a food/beverage minimum?
-Are soft drinks included in the catering prices?
-Who will be responsible for setup and cleanup?
-Any photography requirements/restrictions?
-Are there any service charges other than the rental fees (cleanup and setup fees, etc)? What gratuity percentage and tax is there?
-Will there be enough parking?
-What time will setup begin?
-When will a final head count be needed?
-When is the rest of the payment due?
-How will last minute requests be handled? (Guests w/out RSVP)
-How many servers per table?
-What is included in the per-person price?
-Are gratuity charges separate from service charges? Are there service charges?
-We want a sweetheart table
-How are the waitstaff dressed?
-Are there any charges that need to be paid AFTER the reception?

tags: venue, caterer, questions

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09/01/2008

cannon ridge

Venue

going to look at one on Thursday!

On Thursday morning my butt is getting up at the crack of dawn to head up to Fredericksburg. My reason is actually not to look at venues haha. It's to fix my car with this one place that we've been going to for a long time who have "fixed" my AC twice, but it never has really been fixed. Can we say annoying in the summer?? So I'm leaving here probably around 6 AM to get up there by 8 so I can drop my car off first thing.

ANYWAY, that day after I drop my car, my mom and I are going to look at 2 venues probably. One being the Cannon Ridge Golf Club! I am hoping that I like it. The website really doesn't have any pictures of where a reception would be held or anything (they are kind of new). We are going there around 2 PM. We also may be going to look at this other place earlier in the day. Both places kind of even out with their pricing. It's just a matter of which is the better deal as far as inclusions. I need to make a list of things to ask both places.

But I am so excited!!! It's pretty much the first step of my planning seeing as I basically had to start over.

tags: venue, planning

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09/01/2008

sandals

couples

Ask a Question

Couples vs. Sandals resorts?

As much as I would LOVE to go to Ireland or something for our honeymoon, it would just be much too expensive and we are not even sure whether my FH's parents are paying for the honeymoon or not. No one likes to tell us this stuff! Anywho, with Ireland, you can't really get all-inclusive, so on top of the few thousand dollars it would cost just for plane tickets and hotels, we would need spending money, food money, drink money, money for activities, etc. SO, we are probably going to go with an all-inclusive resort type of thing. The only 2 I know of are Sandals and Couples. So my question is, which one is better? Or what are the pros and cons? I have Google searched some reviews comparing the two, and it seems that some people say Couples is more relaxed than Sandals. AND I read that one of the Couples resorts has horseback riding which I would so love to do! But is one resort nicer than the other? Has anyone gone to one or both?

Second question: What other all-inclusive things are there besides Couples and Sandals? I'm kind of excited now that we are probably moving up the wedding date, we will be abl