Under 300

So, we're down to 299 days, yikes! But, on a bright note, and I do mean BRIGHT, we have possibly decided on colors. We'll just keep them a secret for now though. I was inspired by some scrapbook embellishments, let's just leave it at that. Hope you don't mind.

Gumballs & Easter Eggs

It appears we have settled on a save-the-date design, now that we're down to 10 months away. Now we just need to finalize the ever-expanding guest list so we know who to send them to. We still need to decide on colors. I like all of them so it's a challenge. He thinks I'm gonna make it look like a 12-year old girl's birthday party, but I say more like a 3-year old...

via Creative Parties & Showers

I love this one too, but I must apologize because I don't remember where I found it.

You see among the many, many simple things that bring me great joy, colors and dots are two of my favorites. So how perfect are gumballs, M&Ms, candy dots, and balloons? Amazing! Now, if I can just get him on board we will be in business.


And one more, for good measure...this one came from the same place as the gumballs and I still don't remember where. My profuse apologies. I will try to do better in the future. Promise.

This one works on several levels. 1) Our wedding is the weekend before Easter. 2) We live in the Cherry City. 3) Dyed eggs are colorful and if you look at them from the right angle they are round like dots. 4) Plus, eggs are for fertility.

Does it matter that our save-the-dates have nothing to do with any of these ideas? I'm gonna say NO! What say you?

PS - He does like the save-the-dates.

Wedding Estimate

Thanks to Project: 10K Wedding I ran a wedding cost estimate, which you can do here, and this is the result:

Based on the zip code you entered for 97209 Portland, OR , the number of guests (200+), and the items selected, the estimated wedding cost is between $21,559 and $35,931.

I'm hoping to shave at least $6,000 off of that bottom line. Wish me luck!

Wedding Woes

Picking up my dress tomorrow. Thinking about trying a few on at a different store first. Why is it harder to commit to the dress than the guy? I really need to get crack-a-lackin' on the wedding plans. We haven't even agreed on colors yet. What I do have:
man - check
venue - check
date - check
dress - kinda
wedding party - mostly*I say mostly because he still has to ask his friends

I suppose I'm doing alright, it's still 10.5 months away. I wanted to send out save-the-dates already, but the guest list is still a work-in-progress. (read completely out of control). The months are ticking away rather quickly which concerns me. Hopefully after the recital, ahem June 7 ahem, I can devote more hours to planning this once-in-a-lifetime shindig.
The other question I get a lot is "where are you going on your honeymoon?". Great something else to plan!

Where:

We did it. We booked the Crystal Ballroom for our wedding. Now to plan all the other million details.

Dress Success

I set up an appointment to go wedding gown shopping earlier this week. I know the wedding is over a year away, but my sister (and MOH) is leaving for Greece on the 24th and will be gone until mid-July. Then she will only be home for a few weeks then it's off to some place for law school...Chicago, Pittsburgh, who knows? So, I thought she should at least see a few before she leaves. I made an appointment at a store in Keizer (I didn't like the vibe at the same store in Eugene when I was bridesmaid dress shopping), but I thought it was a good place to start. Surely this would just be the beginning of many, many shopping trips.
We (sis, mom, & grandma) arrived a couple minutes late because Brie (my sister) had a final in Eugene that morning. They seemed like they weren't expecting me. They left us just standing there for a few minutes, bewildered. Finally a sales lady came in from the back, where she had been eating chips & salsa. She asked what size pants I wear. I told her (blank), but when I bought a dress here before I needed size (blank) to fit my chest. She didn't even bother to look at the pictures they told me to bring of my favorites. I spent a lot of time and effort putting together a collection of favorites, hmph! She pulled a bunch of dresses, none of which were in my inspiration book. She asked what size bra, and of course they don't even make my size. So I had to make do with one about three cup sizes too small. I tried on dress after dress in a not quite big enough size. Did I mention that you can see straight into my dressing room from the front parking lot? Awkward! I told her I liked the skirts with the pick-ups but it was like she wasn't listening. I told her I didn't like the corsetted bodice, but half of them were that way. I don't want to feel like a rack of lamb or some kind of roast on my wedding day, or any day for that matter! My sister hated all the ones that the sales lady liked, I think that rubbed her the wrong way. Finally, we got her to bring a dress with pick-ups in the skirt...guess what? I hated it on me! Funny, I love that in the pictures. I also decided I like the corset because I can get a dress big enough for my chest but cinch it in around my waist, and I don't look like a roast. Now I just need to tone up my arms.
I ended up falling in love with the second dress I tried on. So she went back for the right size and laced all the way up and plopped the veil on my head. Awwwww!!! But I couldn't bring myself to buy it right then, even though it was on sale. I just thought no way! It's not this easy! I have to go to half a dozen other stores first, right!?! I always second guess myself anyways, and this is way too much of an expenditure to second guess. I did put a deposit on it. This did two things: 1)lock in the sale price and 2) left me with the feeling I had accomplished something wedding related. You know, other than the groom. Plus, this way if I change my mind I'm not stuck buying from that store, although my sister will be buying her bridesmaid dress there if that is the case.
You'll just have to wait for pictures though. We can't have FH (future hubby) seeing it before the big day! This is what it does NOT look like. Hehehehe.

via uglyweddingdress

Crystal Ballroom

This place will quite possibly be the location of our wedding. What do you think of the space?

Brooke + Scott

I realize it's been a while since my inaugural post. I had hoped to post daily, but planned to post weekly and here it is nearly a month later...bad blogger!!! After reading my first post my fiance, Scott, replied dejectedly "You didn't even mention me". In an effort to make amends for this slight I shall now tell you the story of us. Scott and I met in the Oregon Marching Band. This was definitely by chance as I happened to join the only sorority that had a member who was in the band. I, being a dancer did not want to convert to colorguard, but my Big was in the guard and talked me into doing it with her. She quit after that year, but I stayed for 5 total...Yay free Nike gear!!! Scott played trumpet in the OMB, he noticed me, I noticed him, blah blah blah. After a bit of encouragement from our friend, Ray, and maybe a little stalking by me, we ended up on our first date. We went ballroom dancing at Gerlinger. And a short 8 years later, here we are finally planning a wedding for next spring.

Then...

Now...

BB + SO = LOVE