Changed

"Here you go, ma'am. Have a nice day," she said as she handed me a warm piece of paper, fresh from her printer. "You'll receive your new card in the mail in 7-10 business days."

"Wow, so that's...it? I'm done? That's all there is to it?" There was no way it could be so easy, not from all the stories I'd heard.

"Yes, ma'am, that's all," she laughed. "Congratulations."

I looked down at the crisp piece of white paper in my hand, unprepared for the emotion I'd feel finally seeing my new name in print.

Legal.

Bridesmaid Eyes

That's what I'll tell people at work today when they ask why my eyes are bloodshot. May Bride and I stayed up until after midnight working on wedding projects. She's down to the wire and really needed the help. But after last night/this morning, her table numbers, reserved table signs, basically all signs, the welcome note for the hotel goody bags and the flip flop project: DONE. Craft central station was in full force last night, friends, and let me tell you, I was proud.

Good thing I'm off all of next week. And I only have to work a half day on Friday. So basically right now, on Tuesday morning, it is already like a Wednesday afternoon. (J can't concentrate anymore because I mentioned Tuesday Morning and now he's thinking about what new plants we need just for the excuse of needing more pots.)

Five

Thank you to Facebook for reminding me that these two photos exist in such close proximity of each other. And I'm learning that if you want to see a really awesome camera, find a young mom. They've always got the coolest technology.

Laura's Wedding -- Springfield, Missouri

Joanna's Bridal Shower -- My Parents' Basement, Undisclosed Location, Kansas

Come to Mama

One fabulous part of having so many wedding events this year? The excuse to buy new outfits and fun shoes!

Behold, the May wedding shoes.

And my June wedding shoes:

Honeymooning

It's booked! 7 days, honeymoon suite, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

(Thank you to the dude who posted this beautiful shot on Flickr)

Cack

Yesterday was a day of over-indulgence; it was the catering and cake-tasting day.

The first place we went to was just amazing. It was really busy (just how I'd want my wedding cake bakery to be!), but the lady who helped us was just soo apologetic that we had to wait for ten minutes. I would've waited an hour in a place like that, with its smell of sweet frosting. She gave us a reasonable quote on what we want and was really accommodating. This became even more apparent when we went to the next place and realized that our proposed cake idea wasn't as cut and dry for some. But place #1 handed us a sample tray as we walked out, and we'd annihilated the entire tray in 15 minutes. Perhaps 10, if I'm being honest. That was some delicious cake!

The next bakery? Let's just say that J and I laughed so hard after we left that I almost gave myself an asthma attack. While place #2 (ha) smelled and looked wonderful, they had such odd, yet strict, rules about what they would or wouldn't do. You want a 6" white cake? No, they don't do that -- only white almond! Well, thank you very much, but you can keep your white almond. Also, they don't "do" a few of the other requests we had. And I consider what we want to be such simple things -- no. We were left to tally up the quote on our own, and as we discovered on the way home, they'd recommended about 3 times as much cake as the first bakery. Sorry, "Jenny," but this ain't my first wedding cake rodeo.

On top of everything else, we visited the bakeries after a HUGE lunch--excuse me, tasting--with our caterer. So when we headed out to talk cake, we were already tired and full and dreaming of naps. Plus the extremely loud and snobby vegetarian bride who sat to my right couldn't keep her eyes off my man -- but I don't blame her; J's quite a catch AND he provides thoughtful feedback, while her fiance was giving the old, "Oh I don't care...whatever," line, whilst talking fantasy football with one of the other grooms. My groom? He was helping me take notes on what we wanted to add to our menu. Have I mentioned I love J? He's earned the nickname "Groom on Fire" after he drew a sketch of our venue for the DJ, complete with shepherd's hooks on the water line.

All in all, yesterday we tried 95% of the things on our menu. Y'all, get ready, it was soooo good. Every single bit of it. We also added two things to our cocktail hour menu that will knock your socks off. We left our tasting feeling really good that we'll be offering an exceptional meal to our loved ones.

And now I know I'm going to call cake place #1 and ask to order samples specifically in our flavors (with the right fillings). But I'm pretty sure the chapter on cake is open and shut. Mmmm.

And now I'm hungry.

I'll Be Wrapped Around Your Finger

Last night was a huge milestone. So far, with wedding planning, it is all kind of like a fantasy. Sure you're planning something, but at this point it's just me making a ton of calls, signing contracts, making a few choices...but it never really feels like we're moving forward because I don't have anything tangible to show for it. It's not like I just had a surreal first fitting, like Lil Joj!!!

But now, I have a lack of tangible. I have no engagement ring. But it's a good thing.

We ordered my wedding band last night! And it's being made from a cast of my engagement ring. So while my wedding band will be brand new, it will match all the subtle details and old charm of my heirloom ring. I'm so excited!

But I'm also impatient. When I asked our jeweler how long the process usually takes, he said, "Not long." And while I settled for that in the store, as soon as we were in the car I turned to J and said, "Umm, 'not long' to me means next week...think there's a chance?"

In the meantime, to prevent myself from having a panic attack every time I realize my finger is bare, I'm wearing a fill-in ring. Something interesting has happened since I've been engaged. The rings I used to wear on my left finger are too big now due to my permanent "ring ridge." Specifically, my mother's promise ring from my dad. So I ended up choosing a simple sapphire in an ornate gold band that my dad bought for me on a trip to Asia while still in the military. I am pretty sure if I tell him that a ring he gave me is my stand-in during this process, he'll probably cry. Scratch that--he'll definitely cry.

Return to Send-ah

The night of the never-ending address updates...

11PM

"Mom, you sent me two addresses for your friend Ruth. Which one is right? Ok, and you're sure? Thanks, goodnight."

11:15PM

"Sorry to call you again so late, but just out of curiosity, I googled that address...if Google doesn't recognize it, does it still exist? Ok, Mom, ok, I trust you. Goodnight again."

-------------------

Today, 5PM

"Hey Mom, guess whose save the date was returned to me today?"

Mom: "Hmm, well I guess I'll double-check with her..."

Oh, Mom...that fail was worth more than just 44 cents...

Take it to the Forum

Providing no background whatsoever, I ask you this question:

If someone asked you to make them an exact recreation of your wedding save the dates (or invitations for that matter) before your wedding has occurred, would you politely decline or would you accept the job? As in, you just replace your name with her name and maybe change a color or two.

I've already got my answer, but I'm curious about other people's opinion. And I am also curious to know if I am insane for feeling slightly offended by this request.

You Can't Stop the Mail

Despite the freak blizzard that hit most of the northern part of the state, I found out how long it takes for mail to travel from my neck of the woods to:

-local area: next day

-rest of state: next day

-Boston: next day

-Midwest: 2 days

-West Coast: still waiting

To Whom it May Concern

One teensy little detail that I'd not given very much attention to (until last night) was addresses.

I've been in the process of compiling our addresses so that when I'm done assembling our save the dates, in a perfect world, that they'll be ready to be slipped into a mailbox. Hands clean. Done. I had no idea how silly of a girl I am until last night. As soon as J proposed, seriously adorable, he started a spreadsheet for our musical choices because that's one thing he's a huge stickler for. He also started a tab for addresses. And all those little return addresses I'd been ripping off mail for the last two years, those puppies came marching out and made a home on our spreadsheet. Easy, right?

But what about those divorced women who kept their married names? What about those married women who didn't "retain their maiden names," but instead hyphenated? What if one of those women is a doctor? And her husband is a retired Army Officer? And good gracious, do we really have an Esquire coming to our wedding??? Sigh.

They say the devil is in the details, but when you're as anal retentive as J and I happen to be, you'll forgive me for stressing for a few days that we've labeled everyone correctly, carefully spelled out each "Virginia" (dear God, please don't let me be that girl who invites people to her wedding in Virgina). You can imagine I'll be running every single spellcheck, GREP, and crazy searches that InDesign allows.

Hey, at least my up-til-midnight bloodshot eyes aren't nearly as red as last week's!

Hungry Eyes

One of our most unique Christmas gifts this year was from J's mom...and it came in the form of dance lessons! And of course we realize this is in prep for the wedding, not just like a gift certificate for jazz class (still, that would've been equally as awesome).

It should come as no surprise that I was a teensy bit more excited about these dance lessons than J...there may have even a hand clap or two from me, if we're being honest here. I'm smart enough to know the only reason J will go to these sessions with me is to make our first dance at the wedding a little less nerve-wracking, and for that, I will accept his willingness to learn the foxtrot, or the waltz, or maybe if I'm reeeeally lucky....the Merengue.

On Friday night, I stayed at home to unwind after a long week of wedding stuff. Just me, the dogs, a glass of wine and my first crush, Johnny Castle. I don't have the time to tell you how near and dear Dirty Dancing is to my heart. But I do have the time to tell you that for the first time since I was a kid, the thoughts of "that could be me!" came rushing back. Thoughts of J strutting into dance class in tight black pants, matching shirt, oversized shades, devil-may-care hair, with his jacket flung over his shoulder (yet hooked on his finger) a la dear Patrick Swayze excited me. It got me thinking.

We're totally doing the lift.

Panic in Level Three

We were kindly reminded yesterday that if we don't get our save the dates out soon, half of our intended guests will have made other plans. When I say that I came home from the gym, ate a quick dinner, and sat back down and worked until 11:30...can you even begin to imagine the shade of red of my bloodshot eyes? I look like I've been out on an all-night bender. Ouch and yuck.

Consider the first tidal wave of bridal panic as having struck its target yesterday. Part of the procrastination for me is that I'm in two weddings before my own. To me, my wedding is light years away! To J's West Coast family members, it's a few short months out.

But the good news is I should be able to get them out the door by the first weekend in February. And I'm forcing myself to stick to that date.

Patterns

Last night, we were still completely exhausted from our New Years ski trip. But when the future mother in law invited us over for dinner, it didn't take but a quick glance at our empty fridge to know that we'd suck up our low-energy levels for free din-din.

After we got there, J's mom says that his grandaddy left something for us. Seeing as how he's getting ready to move into a retirement home, there was no telling what this "something" might be. I was completely unprepared for it. He gave us his mother's china. Twelve place settings of J's great grandmother's hand-painted china. It's darling and exquisite and formal. But it is amazing. And now it's our wedding china.

On giving thanks

If you were wondering if I cried through the "what you're thankful for" portion of Thanksgiving dinner, your answer is yes. For the second year in a row. At J's folks' dinner table.

I truly think it's one of the best traditions there is, one that my family never adopted. Last year I was so nervous as it got closer to my turn. Partly because I get nervous speaking in crowds larger than 3. But also due to J's parents' home renovations and the fact that the cold temps in the house made cooking longer than normal and we didn't sit down to dinner until 9pm...even though wine had been flowing since 11am. So as soon as J's aunt Bryn starts to say what she was thankful for, she started to tear up, and then we locked eyes and shared a small sob. Because we're saps. I ended up botching my somewhat prepared statement about being so thankful to be accepted into such a wonderful loving family, and it ended up coming out like, "I'm thankful for this table!" Seriously. And J went on to profess how he was thankful that we'd started to build a wonderful life together and we don't need anything else since we have each other. But his girlfriend was thankful for the table!

This year I was determined to ace it. I mean, it's been a great year! I'm engaged! My mom was sitting there with me! I replaced my job (sort of)! We have an amazing place to live and don't have to move anytime soon! I've got a (future) niece who is amazing and wonderful and asks for me by name! And wouldn't you know, Aunt Bryn starts sharing her thanks for her family and its new members, and she named the babies that were born this year. And then she says my name. And I looked over at her and we both started crying. Again. Flash forward through the next 15 family members (including Grandaddy who was thankful for all of God's creatures, big and small...so sweet!) and then it was my turn. I know I managed to say I was thankful my mom was able to come out and visit and I was even more thankful for the reason she was visiting -- "Wedding dress shopping!" Yes, that's what came out of my mouth. What I intended on saying was how thankful I am to be planning a marriage to my best friend, the most amazing person I've ever known. Tables and wedding dress shopping, that's what I'm thankful for! Sigh...

Luckily, I'd managed to give my mom about two minutes' prior notice so she aced her profession of thankfulness. And of course so did J, who made me cry even harder. And Miss Berkley, 20-month-old leap day baby extraordinaire, what was she thankful for? "BOATS!" I kid you not. She apparently also prays for them at night. Smart girl.

Whoa

I bought a wedding dress on Saturday.

Reality has not completely set in yet.

Inspire Me

Big news friends! Last night I opened a fresh new InDesign document and named it "J&S_weddinginvite_v1"!!! And I worked on it for twenty minutes before bed. And I'm pretty sure I found a font I want to use -- Lauren, you can appreciate the hugeness of that statement given how we've flip-flopped over fonts together!

Perhaps I owe it to the inspiration board I pulled together last week at the suggestion of the previously mentioned bride. If you've looked at any wedding blogs you know the importance of a inspiration board -- a place to pull together all those images you've been bookmarking or squirreling away, and take them with you to vendor meetings as well as email them to mothers who don't see why you don't want red roses? And in the wedding blog world you always site your sources...so umm yeah I'm thankful for my small readership here. You guys won't be offended. Besides, five of them are my own pictures.

Some of them are obviously just that--inspiration, a starting point. Some of these are things I'd pluck right off of here and wear down the aisle if I could. So I'll be taking this in my hot little hands when my mom and I go meet with our caterer to discuss table settings on Friday. Our caterer sets up everything with the rental company...which is awesome if you're having a (half) tent wedding like us.

And for my sanity, here's a list of things we've already accomplished:

- Ceremony venue

- Reception venue

- Caterer -- menu at 95% completion

- Rentals

- Bridesmaids dresses (hey, I'm claiming it!)

- Some crafting (guest book, lanterns)

And hopefully by this time next week I'll be able to add:

- Wedding dress

- Table setting design

Whew, off to work...

Designer's Block

Listen, I know it's a bad time to be complaining about a job, not to mention a job you love. That's why I'm not complaining. However, I am blaming my job for causing my designer's block when it comes to actually starting my wedding invitations. I liken it to a chef who cooks all day at a restaurant and then comes home to find out they've got to cook dinner for their family. A craft you love, suddenly turned into a chore.

I place 100% of the blame on the fact that on any given weekday, I spend between 8-10 hours hunched over my computer at work...ruining my eyesight. Threatening my wrists with carpel tunnel. Severely impeding my posture. I blame my job as the reason why I'm delaying starting the task I thought I'd most enjoy about wedding planning. This should be so fun for me -- no boss to approve my design concept! No customer to insist I make a logo bigger (or, let's be honest here, add 14 more logos!)! No "helpful insights" from anyone other than myself and J.

I've already completed several crafts for the wedding, oh yes, so that's not the problem. But, it's totally the government's fault if--come a few months from now--you receive a folded 8.5 x 11 piece of white typing paper, hand-scrawled in black ink, with "Will you please come to my wedding? You know who I'm marrying and you know where it is. Check yes or no."

Aaggghh! Why can't I start? Maybe next week...

My first wedding post

I have said at least three times this week that if I didn't have a wedding to be planning right now I would've lost my mind. I'm not going to air my work business right now but let's just say things are rocky to say the least. Hence, all the planning and crafting I've been busying myself with as I avoid reality and refuse to let myself think of awful things like paycuts, layoffs and unemployment.

Without further ado, I would love to share a few things with you.

First, behold my new best friends. Small brown birds. They are votive holders. For the next year of my life, all but maybe two of the 23 I bought will be living in what is becoming my wedding-craft-closet as I start pack-ratting away small trinkets intended to make a cameo at our nuptials. Two, yes, I think two will live somewhere I can see them. Perhaps on our baker's rack.

So there they are. Posing so sweetly next to J's passion flower on the balcony. I envision them sitting sweetly at the base of the centerpiece on each table at the reception. I also wonder how darling they'd look with a nice full bloom in the holder instead of a votive, especially since we'd be on the water. Windy, windy water.

Oh, did I mention they came from the DOLLAR STORE? Yes. Sometimes it pays to look past the Hannah Montana toothpaste and Shasta. But my love for browsing the aisles of the DS is another story entirely.

Next up, my first wedding craft job. The guest book. Behold.

Thanks to a hardback sketchbook from Michael's, a billion baby envelopes from Paper Source, some delicious fabric that no doubt is going to pop up in other projects, it is now complete. Well, not entirely. We left a few blank spots on some pages to paste in pictures of us. I have to say that this was a super fun craft, and not only was it cost effective, but I was very pleased with the outcome. And now it and its 180 ribbon-tied hang tag friends get to go into the abovementioned wedding-craft-closet. Our dining room can now return to it's normal function. Once I clean up "Craft Central Station" as I've been calling it the past week.

PS, If I haven't said it before, our palette is marigold, eggplant, sage and chocolate...in that order. It should be noted that the eggplant was J's suggestion. He picked the purple, y'all, not me. How did I get this lucky?

Reception Venue: Check

Behold. A few beauties we snapped on Thursday. We've got a wedding date and everything!