Today is Thursday

Things have been pretty dang normal around here lately. Nothing spectacular is going on, nothing too exciting and nothing deserving of it's own blog post. So here's a peak into life lately. 

+ Researching music for our wedding ceremony is hard. We aren't getting married in a church so I don't want things to be overly traditional. But at the same time I know I don't want to walk down the aisle to something too modern either. A good, classical piano piece that doesn't scream "wedding song, I'm a bride!!!" is tough to find. Any suggestions you've seen and/or used?

+ I went and did a swim workout Monday and yesterday after work and it felt amazing. My work facilities has a pool, hot tub, tennis & basketball courts as well as a gym and the only thing I've ever used has been the pool. I don't think I've ever mentioned it but I swam competitively from age 6 until I graduated from high school so being back in the pool just feels so normal again. 

+ Similarly, things are getting real around here when it comes to workouts. J's been having me lift with him some days and it's really pushing me. We even went and got some lifting gloves for me this past weekend and I shoulder-pressed 20lbs dumbells the other night!

+ J, O-dog and I are headed to San Luis Obispo this coming weekend to visit my sister's college town. Her and my mom are driving from Colorado to move her into her first apartment and we're going to be there to help move furniture and explore the town on a mini-vacation for the long weekend. I can't wait to get out of town for a little bit and see somewhere new. 

 + One of my gifts from my shower was an ice cream maker and in the month that we've had it, it's been used at least 6 times already! We love this silly machine. Our first and our favorite has been a variation on a strawberry ice cream that came with the mixer. We substitute fat free milk for the whole milk and splenda for the regular sugar making it still delicious but much better for you. I also tried to make a cheesecake that we really didn't like and then J has been making his own concoctions with almond milk and protein powder for his "manly ice cream". I think we might take my sister a batch when we go visit this weekend as a "house warming" gift. 

 

+ I'm super excited for my girls "date night" tonight with a really good friend. Most of the time our life is just J and I, doing our normal routine, taking care of things, working and being together as a couple so I'm really looking forward to some girl time. And happy hour appetizers and adult beverages of course :-)

 

+ I recently ordered us an adorable, custom return address stamp from Paper Clouds. I had been putting it off because we moved into our house knowing that we'd hopefully be moving in a few years so I didn't want to spend a bunch of money and then not be able to use it. But with wedding invites to address and plenty of other mail in general I figured why not! Plus we can always save it as a momento to our first home.

 

+ I also ordered our wedding cake topper! I knew I wanted something simple and elegant since we're not doing a huge traditional wedding cake and also something that I could re-purpose as home decor after our wedding. I serisouly cannot wait for it to get here!

 

Hope everyone has a splendid holiday weekend!

Tying the Knot: Options for Unity Ceremony

J and I are chugging along when it comes to wedding planning. Crossing at least a few things off the seemingly endless list each week. We are approaching our 4 month countdown mark and I cannot believe how fast the time is flying by.

This week, I've been doing a lot of thinking about our ceremony. Who are we reserving seats for? What song will I walk down the aisle to? What type of ceremony do we want? Do we want a family member or friend to do a reading or just leave it all up to our officiant? There is so much you can do to really personalize the ceremony that I have lots and lots to think about.

So here's where you come in.... J and I know we want to do a form of a "Unity Ceremony" as part but don't know what exactly we want to do. We both know we want something a little different but without going overboard. I could not imagine standing at the front of the room during our ceremony and sipping whiskey with my future-groom. That is just not our style. Here's a few options and I'd love to hear more suggestions about what you've done, seen done or would do!


Unity Sand: Two colors, one for the bride and one for the groom poured simultaneously into a pretty glass vase and later displayed in your home. It's taken off in recent years and seems like everyone is doing it.

Source: professionalweddingphotographerflorida.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: professionalweddingphotographerflorida.com via Amber on Pinterest

Unity Candle: Individual candles for the bride and the groom (traditionally lit by their mothers) and then used to light a larger candle together. This is definitely the most traditional of what we'd consider.

Source: megphoto.com via Meg on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Plant on Pinterest

Ring Warming: While the ceremony proceeds, the wedding bands of the bride and groom are pasted throughout the guests who are then able to give a silent wish/blessing/hope for the new couple before they exchange the rings. I've never seen this one done but am really liking the idea.

Source: lafeteweddings.blogspot.com via Jayme on Pinterest

Source: intimateweddings.com via Jayme on Pinterest

What do you think? I have an idea in my head about what I like, what J likes and what I think our family/friends would like the best but it never hurts to get another set of opinions!

Tying the Knot: Big Time Check-List

The current countdown to the wedding is at 134 days and I can't believe we're almost to the "4 months left" mark! Time is absolutely flying by and I wanted to get everything laid out as to what has and needs to be done. Overall, I'm feeling pretty good about how the planning is going. There are a few bigger things that still need to be checked off the list but thankfully most everything either can't be done yet or is going to be done soon. This planning process has been tons of fun for me so far but I'm sure that as the days tick away things will get more busy!

+ Pick a wedding date

+ Choose your wedding party

+ Find a ceremony site

+ Choose a ceremony officiant
+ Plan the ceremony details (unity, readings, etc)

+ Find a reception site

+ Plan the guest list
+ Plan the VIPs/toasts for the reception

+ Pick a caterer

+ Decide on a menu

+ Find a florist

+ Find a photographer

+ Find a DJ/Band

+ Find a bakery
+ Decide on a cutting cake

+ Find salon/hairstylist/make-up artist

+ Have an engagement party

+ Take engagement pictures

+ Have a bridal shower

+ Have bachelor/bachelorette parties

+ Plan rehearsal dinner

+Find wedding dress

+ Decide on a veil

+ Find bridal shoes

+ Pick other accessories

+ Decide on Old/New/Borrowed/Blue traditions

+ Pick out bridesmaid dresses

+ Pick out tuxes

+ Decide on wedding bands

 

+ Have dress fittings and alterations

+ Buy wedding party gifts
+ Buy gifts for our parents
+ Buy gifts for each other

+ Plan special dances & "must have" list of songs
+ Figure out day-of transportation

+ Book night-of hotel room

+ Book honeymoon
+ Place flower order
+ Place bakery order

+ Send Save The Dates

+ Design Invitations

+ Send Invitations

+ Make guest book

+ Design wedding website

+ Decide on wedding favors

+ Create slideshow

+ Make ceremony programs

+ Make escort/place cards

+ Write vows

+ Get marriage license

26/50
Yahoo, over 50% done!
So what do you think?
Did I miss something crucial?
(I probably did... this week has been loooong. Oops)

Tying the Knot: Bridal Shower

This past Saturday while J and I were home in Colorado, two of my favorite ladies did me the honor of throwing me a bridal shower. I'll worn you that this is a picture loaded post...

My momma and I // The fabulous ladies who threw my shower, they're like my pseudo-aunts // Great friends from high school

Some of my all-time favorite appetizers // Adorably decorated cookies // The most delicious red velvet cupcakes of.all.time. I'm serious.

 Playing Games // "Fact or Fiction" and making words with the letters from my future new name // I couldn't play so I watched and laughed!

 Beautiful decor all around // Held in one of the hosts backyard, so pretty

Lavender bouquets as favors // Guests all brought a card with their favorite recipe // Seriously these flowers were so much more gorgeous than these pictures really show

 So blessed to receive such awesome gifts // Registered at Crate & Barrel // Little sister stepping in keeping track of gifts for me

 Apron from my future-aunt says "When I said 'I do' I didn't mean DISHES" // That box had an ice cream maker in it, so excited! // My future sister-in-law collecting bows (and balloons apparently) for the rehersal

My little family! // One of my greatest friends // My new big family!

Saturday night was one of the best parts of being home this trip because it made me realize how lucky I am to have these people in my life. I could not express how thankful I am for such a perfect afternoon and for such amazing women!

Tying the Knot: Crossing Things Off The List

This past week J and I were back home in Colorado to take care of some wedding related items and to spend some quality time with our family and friends. I am so happy with how the trip went because we were able to cross off everything from our list that we wanted to get done! Wedding planning is in full swing and I feel so accomplished getting so many things taken care of already.

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+ I finalized my decision about where/who I want doing our flowers for the big day. Since it's going to be the winter I knew almost immediately that I didn't want to go overboard with florals for our wedding. For one thing, the price of flowers is so crazy and it just isn't my taste to have them everywhere. We're sticking to just personal flowers (bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages) with a few individual buds for some of the tables. Here's some inspiration for you...

Source: google.com via Jayme on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jayme on Pinterest

+ I had my first alterations appointment and it went swimmingly! It needed to be taken in about a half inch on both sides, I chose to have cups put in the top and it needed a bustle like all dresses do but these things are all normal. And the best part was that it needed no hemming! Apparently dresses are made the right length for someone who is 5'10" which I am definitely not. When I ordered the dress my amazing consultant suggested that if I wanted to save some money (was she joking?) that we could order the dress to come to from the designer 4 inches shorter. We had to pay for it but the cost was much, much less than what putting in a hem would cost so I said yes. 

+ My wedding shoes have been picked thanks to the above appointment. The dress needed to be approximately 6 or 7 inches shorter when we ordered it originally. So the 4" chopped off from the designer plus a 2 or 3 inch heal and I was set. I had bought two pairs of shoes to try on with my dress and was so, so happy when I stepped into the first pair and the length of the dress was absolutely perfect! It couldn't have worked out better! Now I get to wear them around the house for the next 5 months to make them comfy.

+ There were a pair of earrings at the bridal boutique that I tried on with my dress and really liked. But I did not like the price tag. (Shocking, right?) Well my mom and I headed to one of our favorite places in town and found a pair almost exactly the same for less than 10% of the price of the first pair. Score!

+ The pre-consultation with a new hairstylist is complete and I know they'll do an awesome job. I have been getting my hair cut from the same lady (out of her house) since high school so I knew I needed to try a new salon for the big day. I was in desperate need of a trim so I booked myself an appointment/pre wedding consultation based on a suggestion from a friend. I am so happy with the job she did on my hair cut and we chatted the whole time about my perfect wedding look. 

+ J and I picked out the attire of the gentlemen for the wedding and I am so excited to see J all dressed up. I think we came up with a fabulous look for his groomsmen that fits perfectly with my bridesmaids and the winter setting and I absolutely love what J is going to be wearing. I do feel a little special that I get to know what he'll be wearing and he has absolutely no clue about my look!

+ I also had my bridal shower and feel so blessed to have so many kind, sweet ladies there to celebrate with me. This was one of the main reasons we went home when we did so the festivities deserves it's own post that will come soon but here's a sneak peak.

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+ This happened before we went on vacation back home but J and I went and picked out our weddings bands. It's a bit early for them but we both have known for quite some time what we wanted for our rings so we figured let's just get it taken care of! Now that we have them though, all I can think about is wanting to wear mine. Don't tell J but I've slipped it on my finger a few times already ;-)

+ I have also finished our guest book! I'm guest blogging for Syndal while she's on her honeymoon and shared all the details about it there so you should click on over and check it out. I personally love it... but I may or may not be biased!

So tell me, what have you crossed off your To-Do list lately?