Jayme & Dave Sept 23, '07

[DavidsWife]

Like many others of you I have decided it would be a good idea to start a thread of all of my wedding stuff since Iam getting into the heavier parts of planning...Just a place to put all my check-marks and future Ideas..Blah Blah Blah...

Thanks for putting up with me thus far girls...

And THANK-YOU in advance for all the help and hugs along the way...

Some things I have already Completed are...

* Venue
* Wedding Dress
* Center Pieces <---Iam changing our center pieces



Still Have tons to dooooo...Slowly but surely...Who's rushing right?

[maroki13]

Yahooo!! It is great to have everything in one place. I don't know if you are an A-type personality like I am, but I had a HUGE list that I kept track of all the things I needed to do, and it totally helped me to see what I needed to do and be proud of all that I had accomplished.

Let me know if you want me to dig it up for you!! I think it may still be around here somewhere in my old bridal journals section....

[555Ann555]

Have you started looking at photographers Jayme? They can get booked up quite quickly for the more popular months

[DavidsWife]

No Ann I havent...This has been something we have really been struggling with...We have considered not having one...For the sake of saving money I know it's bad~ They can just get soooooo expensive...

I want the pictures, I guess I just don't want the HUGE bill!!!!

[breezy]

Originally Posted by DavidsFiance

No Ann I havent...This has been something we have really been struggling with...We have considered not having one...For the sake of saving money I know it's bad~ They can just get soooooo expensive...

I want the pictures, I guess I just don't want the HUGE bill!!!!

Jayme, I felt the same way about wanting them but not a HUGE bill. There is a thread somewhere on ideas to reduce cost.

Some ideas, check local college photo dept., check craigslist, and use your local forum on the knot to ask about up and comming photographers in your area... an photographer trying to build their portfolio isn't going to charge as much.

We ended up interviewing a few photographers and found our off the knot. He hadn't done any weddings yet, but had 2 booked when we booked him. I really liked his work, and we got a great deal. He's charging 3x or more for next years wedding pics.

[sparklesweetie]

I'll come take your pictures Jayme!!!! I have a knack for photography....which was what irritated me about my own wedding day, I was in most of the pics and couldn't take the ones I wanted.

[555Ann555]

I don't think I could have found a way to be happy without my wedding photos. It was a huge part of the planning process for me, but I was wiloling to comromise on a whole heap of other stuff in order to afford a good photographer...

(EG didn't have a huge dream dress, got family to make the cake, handmade all the stationary... )

Have you sat down and made a list of what is really important to you in the wedding? I found this a really useful excersise...

What do you remember most about the weddings you've been to/seen on here/in magazines?

Is it the amazing dress? The beautiful personalized vows? And increadile band playing/great DJ? Was it the amazing decor? Or the lovely food? What rocks your boat wedding-wise?

And what have you not like about the same things? Have you seen anything that you know you don't want? (an example for me is a wedding I went to where the B&G looked as though they were saying their vows to the minister because they didn't look at each other for more than a second, and they were facing him the whole time! That really bugged me, so I made sure ours wouldn't be like that)

Try to think what you'll treasure after the wedding is over...

[mommy03bride]

Originally Posted by DavidsFiance

No Ann I havent...This has been something we have really been struggling with...We have considered not having one...For the sake of saving money I know it's bad~ They can just get soooooo expensive...

I want the pictures, I guess I just don't want the HUGE bill!!!!

i feel the same way jayme! my ffil knows someone that can take pictures for us. i have a cousin that is always taking pictures. so i figured i will hire both of them. buy all the film and pay for them to get developed as well. that will save us a bundle of cash.

[DavidsWife]

I would LOVE to have someone I know take our wedding pictures...

For some reason, I just feel they will capture the most amazing pictures because they know us as acouple...It sounds wierd I know

Dave's Aunt Lydia loves taking pictures and enjoys doing it...We were maybe thinking about having her come from Switzerland...(She's invited to the wedding) but we would ask her to take pics....

But thennnn....Do you think she wouldn't be able to be as involved if she were taking the pictures?

Jayme

[DavidsWife]

Well, Lately I have been feeling less weddingish, if that makes any sense at all?

Yes, Iam SOOOOO happy to be getting married and I can't wait! I just feel like I should be doing more planning and havent! Am I falling behind?

Time already is going by SOOO QUICKLY, It's scary!!!! It feels like just yesterday Dave and I had decided to not pick dates until March, and now less than 9months to go!

I think we will look into ordering our flowers here sometime in January! Crap, we haven;t even picked out bride's maid colors UUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!I Know Dave's suite can wait until acouple months (maybe even 1month) before the wedding 'cause he's renting. We *Think we found his wedding band, I already have mine.

I don't think we'll be getting a photographer ( I know not a smartt idea) But I think it's gonna be ok!

My mom, MIL and myself are going to the bridal fair on the 14th, so maybe that will give me some ideas!

Do you guys have any suggestions?

We know what are invitations will look like!

Maybe I should do up a list of things I KNOW off the top of my head that we need to do (what I think maybe should be done sooner than later)

I think I will!!!

NEXT POST....

[DavidsWife]

Thing's I can think of that need to be done....
Can u girls help me out as to what order they should be gettng done? Keep in mind, less that 9months to go)

THANK-YOU!

- Wedding invitations
-Figure out our guest list
-Dinner Menu
-BM and FH's colors
-Flowers
-Music
-Who will take pictures
-Find hair dresser/make-up (Sunday wedding might be hard)
-Get Jewlery and shoes (Maybe wait until dress comes in)
-Get serious about picking our honeymoon (Mayan Riviera?) We want honeymoon asone of our gift registries
-Dave needs to decide on BestMan

See, Iam already at a loss, I'm forgetting so much! I just know it!!!


Thanks again girls and imput is GREATLY appreciated!

[maroki13]

I don't know about the order that things need to be done, but I have an extensive list that might help you out. Let me find it.

*Things that are completed.

Invitations
*put together
*stamps x2
*print envelopes
*send in mail
track RSVPs

Favors
buy M&Ms
cut ribbon (24")
mix M&Ms
print favor tags
cut favor tags
make favors

Marriage
marriage license

Caterer
finalize menu
room set up diagram
give final numbers
leftover food?

Ceremony
pick music
write vows
counseling
pew decorations
alter decorations
*write ceremony
special readings
meet with organist
chapel set up

Programs
*design program
print programs
fold programs
cut ribbon (24")
fold vellum
tie programs


Gifts
*buy thank yous
send thank yous
make card box
buy frames for parents
write letters

Music
meet with DJ
pick impt. songs
make song list

Reception
*plan centerpieces
*guest book idea
cut writing squares
buy decorations
print placecards
*pick out cake
*buy sea glass
buy cylinders
*buy fabric
make fabric circles
room set-up diagram
room decoration pic

Rehearsal Dinner
*make guest list
*plan menu
plan cooking
buy food

Day Of Stuff
*hair appointments
transportation
emergency kit
lunch
wedding night bag
FH present
*candid photos

Bridal Party
*buy gifts
discuss jewelry
*hair appts
*makeup appts
send out dresses
decide on shoes

Wedding Rings
*order rings
*pick up rings
get rings cleaned

Bride
*buy accessories
*BM learn tie dress
*buy veil
mani/pedi
waxing
*schedule fittings
*alterations
practice hair/makeup (consultation)

Cake
*pick cake flavors/decoration
*finalize cake numbers
*organize cake delivery

Photographer
"must have" shots
pay credit?
ask about book
finalize schedule
pay remaining bill
engagement photo

Groom
tux measurement
*buy accessories
pick up tuxes
trim hair

Honeymoon
pack suitcases
reserve rental car
Mexican money
pick up on Sat.
tan
buy clothes

Flowers
pick flowers
meet with florist
arrange delivery
arrange bouquets

Personnel- Find people to do these things
ushers
*reception greeters
*organist
*flutist
*officiant
ceremony decorator
church clean up
reception decoration
reception clean up
present taker


That was my list I started on here about 2 months before my wedding, but it includes a lot of big things that I had done in previous months. I hope it helps!!!

And you have a TON of time left, so don't worry if this list seems overwhelming. It really isn't.

ETA: I also have it in an excel spreadsheet if that would be easier for you to use. Let me know and I can send it to you.

[maroki13]

Originally Posted by DavidsFiance

Thing's I can think of that need to be done....
Can u girls help me out as to what order they should be gettng done? Keep in mind, less that 9months to go)

THANK-YOU!

- Wedding invitations
-Figure out our guest list
-Dinner Menu
-BM and FH's colors
-Flowers
-Music
-Who will take pictures
-Find hair dresser/make-up (Sunday wedding might be hard)
-Get Jewlery and shoes (Maybe wait until dress comes in)
-Get serious about picking our honeymoon (Mayan Riviera?) We want honeymoon asone of our gift registries
-Dave needs to decide on BestMan

See, Iam already at a loss, I'm forgetting so much! I just know it!!!


Thanks again girls and imput is GREATLY appreciated!

And for the things you've listed here......you definitely should work on your guest list before deciding/ordering invitations, since you will need to know numbers and such for ordering purposes.

Are you going to color your hair before the wedding? If so, I would recommend finding someone about 3-4 months out who will color/highlight it once 2-3 months before and then again about 2 weeks before the wedding, to get your color where you want it. And it would be perfect if that person could also do your wedding hair and makeup. My hairstylist didn't do makeup, but I got it done at the same salon and it worked out great.

Flowers and music can be decided about 2-3 months out, although if you are having an extremely popular wedding date and the florists will be busy, maybe do flowers further out.

The dinner menu can wait until you have your guest list- since then you will know how many people and thus how much you can afford to spend per person. Our caterer didn't make us give them final menu decisions until 30 days before the wedding, and final numbers 4 days before the wedding.

[DavidsWife]

Thank-you so much, That list will defiantley help out!

[DavidsWife]

Well, I couldn't put my finger on why I coulnd't get in the swing of a "fall wedding"

I figured it out!

It's not fall colors that I don't like. It's the theme! I don't want all the leaves and so on! I want the colors!!!!

The Bridal show ROCKS! So does my mom! She has really been great through the whole thing!!!!


YAY FOR MOMS!!!! AND YAY FOR GETTING MY $HIT TOGETHER!

[DavidsWife]

We booked our hotel for the night of wedding!!!!

But we had to book it for two nights! The 22nd and 23rd! The check-in time is 3 o'clock, there wouldn't be enough time to get ready from 3-4? OH BOY!!!!

So yeah, 2nights it is!!!

It wont be too bad, this way we can go to the Hotel in Saturday and get everything ready for Sunday!!!

[tnbride]

cool, i need to do this too.

[BJC777SRL]

Originally Posted by DavidsFiance

We booked our hotel for the night of wedding!!!!

But we had to book it for two nights! The 22nd and 23rd! The check-in time is 3 o'clock, there wouldn't be enough time to get ready from 3-4? OH BOY!!!!

So yeah, 2nights it is!!!

It wont be too bad, this way we can go to the Hotel in Saturday and get everything ready for Sunday!!!

Feels great to be getting everything done huh!
How are you doing on the Guest list?

the 22nd is my birthday

[DavidsWife]

Oh Bree, The guest list? I have no idea!!!

We need to have it done End o Feb, to be honest Iam so stressed about it, I dunno, we need to sit down and figure something out!!!!

There's always the "FOR SURES" but then....all the others...We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings!

[Leslee&Jake]

I saw something on DIY network last night and thought of you let me see if I can find it!


I cant find it!! What they did was they had pillar candles and grasses and sticks and things like that and then they also had the gel candle wax and lots of cartons of different sizes and they cut the tops off the cartons and put a pillar in the middle(the top of the pillar stuck out of the box) and then arranged the sticks and grasses all around in the box and then filled the box with the melted gel wax stuff. When the candle was done it was really neat! it looked like a botanical candle holder for the candle. I will keep looking for a picture

I know you already picked out centerpieces but when I saw these for some reason I thought of you I am not sure why but I did.

[DavidsWife]

Thats awesome!!! It's nice to know someone is thinking about me!

I would love to see pics, but if you can't find them thats ok!!!

It sounds really neat!!!

Thanks again Leslee!

[DavidsWife]

We have picked out our

Invitations
Menu's
Guestbook

yahoooo.....just some more off the list!

[Leslee&Jake]

[DavidsWife]

Canu believe it?6months left!!!!


Sooooooooooo much to do!!!!

But, hey the dress is in!!!


Another check mark

[Kim&Bob2004]

JUST 6 MONTHS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!