The Countdown Has Really Begun!

Jeff and I drove from San Diego to Littleton on Wednesday. 18 hours in the car is always an adventure and we were very thankful that the roads weren't as bad (snow/ice/poor visibility/etc) as they were predicted to be because driving through the Rocky Mountains at 10pm in a blizzard is never fun. Trust me, I've done it. 

And over the last few days we've been running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to get everything finished for both Christmas and the wedding. I cannot believe that Christmas is in 3 days and our wedding is ONE WEEK from today!

Jeff is off in the woods having "mountain man time" with his groomsmen and some other awesome guys for his bachelor party this weekend and I'm here in town constantly working on something. Here's a bit of what the last few days have consisted of. 

+ Instagram hashtag for the wedding!

+ Middle of nowhere Utah and a gorgeous sunset

+ Our monogramed aisle runner I made last night

+ A Christmas tradition of chocolate dipped pretzels

We've also:

+ Ordered our cutting cake

+ Picked up tons of vases and glassware for our centerpieces

+ Got our marriage license

+ Had my final dress fitting with all the accessories

+ Made decorations for the aisle chairs at the ceremony

+ Finished all our Christmas shopping

+ Wrapped all wedding party gifts

+ Sent in our final wedding counts to the caterer

+ Made the final seating chart that Jeff just needs to approve

There are still tons of other smaller things to take care of at some point between now and either Christmas or the wedding but I'm very happy with all we've been able to get done so far. Plus the week after Christmas is going to be filled with festivities like my bachelorette party, trial hair appointment and rehearsal. I apologize if there's not much updating going on around here in the next week or so but I'm sure you understand! 

And you can always follow me on Instagram @jaymeeryn and search our hashtag too!

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Tying the Knot: The List is Getting Shorter!

+ Pick a wedding date

+ Choose your wedding party

+ Find a ceremony site

+ Choose a ceremony officiant
+ Plan the ceremony details (unity, readings, etc)
I am loving the unique and personal touches we've come up with and I can't wait to share them with you soon.

+ Find a reception site

+ Plan the guest list
+ Plan the VIPs/toasts for the reception
In the casual manner that a lot of our wedding is taking on we aren't going overboard with planning these types of things specifically. We assume our parents are going to give toasts at some point (rehearsal/reception/etc) as well as the MaidofHonor/BestMan speaches but we will go with the flow for these.

+ 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

All done and even in Colorado already. Just need to wrap and deliver!
+ Buy gifts for our parents
I love the pieces we picked out. They don't scream WEDDING but I hope they serve as great memories of our special day.
+ Buy gifts for each other

+ Plan special dances & "must have" list of songs
A lot of our special moments were easy to put songs to and I have been constantly adding "must play" songs to the growing list. I'm having a bit of trouble with the ceremony part of this step but know a phone call with our DJ will clear a lot of it up.
+ Figure out day-of transportation
This process was seriously so stressful and it definitely shouldn't have been. Between harassing phone calls from a company to round & round conversations with others I'm so glad this is finished!

+ Set up wedding registry

+ Book night-of hotel room
I had grand plans of staying somewhere luxurious but we ended up going with the same hotel where our block of rooms are. It's easy, close to the venue and might be free.

+ Book Block of Hotel Rooms

+ 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
I know I personally am finished with mine and I believe J is done as well. We both need to print/write them out to have with us on the big day but that's easy!

+ Get marriage license

46/52

Only 6 more major things that need to be taken care of. Minus making sure everyone is paid and the last minute details we feel like adding but aren't essential items. I'm definitely feeling good and with only 23 days left the excitement is growing!

Book of Lists: v1

I decided about a month ago to start participating in the Book of Lists project. 

And about a month ago I was supposed to pick out a little notebook of sorts, something to call mine, something to decorate all cute and fill with lists (if that wasn't obvious) and I was supposed to blog about said-notebook.

And well, it's taken me that long to get things together around here. 

Life has just quite frankly gotten in the way, until today. Thanks to Keri for her tweet this morning because it knocked some sense into me that today is in fact December 3rd which means List #1.

 December 3, 2012: Wish List

Also, if you've never used these pens before you need to go get them now! Super fine tip, won't bleed, pretty colors. An office-supply-lover's dream. 

Next month's topic: Looking Forward

I'm playing along with the guidance of Kathleen from Kapachino. You should too!