Giddy

I just got my first response cards yesterday! Whee! So very exciting. Is it bad though to be a little disappointed that they all chose the additional shrimp option? ;)

PSA - www.parksleepfly.com

Hi All.

Just wanted to give you all a heads up to a website recommended by a work colleague. He and his wife use it all the time. www.parksleepfly.com. Basically, it's hotels near the airport that quote you a rate for the room and parking the car while your away. Bob and I were going to take a limo to Boston and stay in a hotel the night before our flight which leaves at 7:05am. Limos from the Cape are expensive, as is the parking garage for two weeks (and I refuse to park way out in the long term parking lot.) We're staying at the Courtyard Marriott in Revere for $229. I could have gone cheaper ($169), but the hotel was already sold out. So book early!

Pats vs Broncos

Okay, I don't usually toot my own horn, but I did something for my sweetie, and he's in heaven. I was able to get two tickets to this Sunday's Patriots game. It was so cute how I did it, I had my "feelers" out there for a few weeks, and someone in my office asked me if I wanted to buy tickets for this Sunday. I snatched them up of course, and called my fiance. I asked him if he still planned on going over to his friends in Boston to watch the game, and he said yes. I told him to call his friend and tell him he couldn't come over. At first he was a little upset, as he had been looking forward to doing that, but then I said, well you have to call him because we're going to the game. He was shocked. He has been beaming the last few days, and can't stop talking about it. I'm a huge fan too, but was more excited about the fact that I was able to do this for him. What makes it better, the seats are amazing. We're only 17 rows back and in the end zone. I took off work Monday because it's a late game, and we are going to have a blast!

I also have a small confession, I've slowly started to look at venue ideas again. Although we are now definately waiting until 2008 because of his comp exams next fall, I've missed the planning and we're hoping to do just a little bit at a time. Things are good. Still not sure what's going on with my job though, so far, I'm still here. We shall see.

PSA- Priceline

Inspired by Kelli saying she was having trouble getting a room in Boston the night before her honeymoon (on b.com- I replied there too).

Priceline is your friend! Try it! :)

Tim & I use it all the time for hotels and rental cars, the rental cars being the especially cheap deals. We get rooms at the Airport Hyatt regularly the night before trips, or if we're just coming into Boston and need to spend the night, for $50 or less. We used it for our whole trip to Denver last year and didn't pay more than $112/night.

So, if you haven't tried it or were skeptical about it, or just plain ole forgot about it, here's a big recommendation!

--C.

WTF!

So we are receiving replies from our invitation. Today 2 come back, totally blank! No name, no "will" or "will not attend" checked off, no meal selection! Last week, we received one that had no name, but 2 will attend and they both want prime rib!
What is the matter with these people! I think they are Chris' guests though judging from the PO stamps...

I wish I numbered each card!

Make sure you number each card to a particular guest!

It will save you a lot of frustration!

I'm Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?instanceid=39024946

Okay I hope this works. This is a slideshow I made of the few pictures I have gotten from people. We had a great time and I am extremely tired right now, just got back tonight. If anyone has myspace, the slideshow is on there as well, and if anyone has problems accessing either...here is my favorite to tied you over.

Music Lists

Hi Girls.

Does anyone have any playlists for the DJ that they'd be willing to share? I'm so far behind in my planning right now, and that's the one thing that I haven't even looked at yet. I've got a million and one things to do for my wedding and my sister's shower. You can send an email to kjwlaw@hotmail.com if that's easier.

Thank you in advance!

Bluefly

Hi Ladies- I have a special discount code for Bluefly.com for $15 off of a $100 order:

9JEZ3JB

Also, if anyone is interested, I got the code from this promotion they're doing right now with In Style, a win designer shoes game. If anyone is interested, I can send you an email invitation to play. Just let me know!

Last weekend

Hey ladies!

I had my shower last weekend! It was on Saturday. It was a terrific time. It was at the Summer Street Grille at the Boston Athletic Center in South Boston. Its a small place that's only open for functions on the weekend (week its a restaurant). It was a ton of fun. My mom and friend's did a great job. Good food, that I hardly got to eat because I'm on south beach diet! Both my family and Chris' family were there. Chris ended up staying the entire time. He told me that if he felt uncomfortable, he would leave after saying hello. Other guys came later on, my cousin and my dad. At some points opening presents I thought I might pass out. They were giving them to me to open so fast! The girls had a bingo game and a buzzer game going. Only my younger cousins and Nana were playing bingo. The rest of my family was at the bar! Chris' family played though.

My bachelorette party was that night, too. We went to the comedy connection and a bar called Sanctuary in Fanueil Hall. The comedy connection was fun. Sanctuary was... well, not what I would have chosen what to do, but for the most part fun. There was a little drama though, which I'm still pretty sad about. It was not what I expected my bachelorette party to be like.

Jen, how was your shower?!

9/11

Hi Girls.
Something I would never post on b.com, but just wanted to say. It's funny how thoughts come back to you. We all know it's the 5th Anniversary of 9/11, but a story from the tragedy came back to me this morning, while I was emailing one of my bridemaids. I remembered reading about a groom who died at the WTC who was IMing his groomsmen that morning about the wedding that was to occur the following Saturday. I read the story nearly 5 years ago, and hadn't thought about it since. I thought about it this morning, and it made me wonder what happened to the woman he was going to marry. I hope she (and he) found peace.

It's amazing how fast life can change in the blink of an eye. How tragedy and wedding planning can somehow coexist in this crazy world. I feel so blessed to be marrying Bob in 33 days, and my heart is so full of love for him. It scares me to think that something could occur at any moment that would take him away from me. Just that thought brought me to tears this morning. God willing, we will lead a long and happy life together in love. I will take and enjoy what ever time we are given. I know love is strong, stronger than the evil that men do, and hopefully in the near future we will see an end to such unimaginable hatred.

Cocktail Napkins

Jennifer,
How many cocktail napkins did you order from JeanM? I'm thinking of ordering the "Eat, Drink and Be Married" napkins and would like to know how many I should go with.
Thanks,
Kelli

Cake Severs!

Hi girls! I got my cake set yesterday and I LOVE them! I was so not interested in anything I saw, I wasn't even going to buy them (just use the reception venue's) until I found these:

http://www.juliespracticalart.com/services.html

They're not for everyone, I'm sure, but they're very different, not too wedding-y (something I appreciate), and came out absolutely beautiful! Julie was very nice and it was only about 2 weeks from my order to receiving them, I think. It was quick, however long it was. (Mine are black, silver, and crystal bead, with a very few pearls thrown in.)

Happy Thursday!

Shower Favors

Hi All.

Help. Amidst everything I'm doing for my wedding, I'm hosting my sister's wedding shower on September 23. It's at a Japanese Restaraunt in Hyannis. My dad suggested bottles of wine as it's sort of co-ed. (We invited the male members of the family.) Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Thanks in advance.

Kelli

Invitation Opinions

Okay gals, I'm trying to add a personal touch to and jazz up my invitations. Here are my 2 mock-ups, along with the invitation itself (response & reception cards have the same color and design as the inivtation, btw). Let me say first that these are quickly thrown together, so they're not cut well, centered, etc. as they should be- they were just idea tests. What do you think? Are they cute, or are they too arts-n-crafts? I'm a big girl, so honest opinions please :)

Invitation:














Jacket 1:



















Jacket 2 (I think it would be smaller... it seems a little big):



















Thanks for your opinions!

send out invites on diff. days?

Hey ladies!

Hope everyone is having a good week! I started school today, kids come on Thursday, yay!

Quick question about sending invitations. I had planned to send out my invites this week. FI's sister offered to write out the addresses for their side of the family and Chris' guests. I'm extremely grateful but it looks as though I will not be getting them until Saturday. Can I send out my side's invitations or should I just wait till his are ready? No one should know each other to feel slighted if they receive theirs later. I'm just so excited to send them out, I don't wanna wait!

Is next week too late for a Nov. 4th wedding? On the reply I asked that responses be sent by Oct. 15th.

Oh, and what's up with this "hand canceling stamps" at the PO?? Never heard of it before. Is it worth it? What do you guys think?

Thanks!

Altered bride

Anyone else keeping up with the Altered Bride soap opera on Boston.com. Oh my, what a drama. I think the owner is making herself look really bad, if she is the one who is posting. It looks like she is losing her store a lot of business. There are a lot of scams in the wedidng business, it's really scary. My friend, who is getting married in 3 weeks has to practically starve herself because the place she bought her dress accidently ordered it a size too small and it's too late to get a new one. Why don't many vedors feel acoountable in this business? That stuff really stresses me out.

What's up with BDC?

Who is cbear77??? Almost looks like your alias, Cara. Isn't that weird?? It's only tuesday and drama is a-brewing haha.

How was everyone's weekend?

I went to my best friend's dad's wedding Sunday.... never again will I let my mom drink so much Hennessy. Her and my hubby were going shot for shot with a couple of my friends. She was super drunk and decided to say a few choice words to my best friend and I. I think she was joking, it was pretty funny. Her and my hubby couldn't walk up the stairs right... both passed out on a couch (her at her house, him at our house). It was just too funnY!!!

Ugggh.. I start school today =(

Big Decisions

Hi ladies! First I have to thank you ALL for your support, it's been so amazing to get all the positive feedback and wonderful suggestions for locations, and how to relieve stress. I'll always be grateful.

After a long talk with my finace, we've decided to halt our wedding plans for now, and have a long engagement. Since I just moved to the area, and am adjusting, not to mention my finance working on his PhD, things are hectic at best. So add a wedding on top of that, neither one of us are enjoying it. We've dated for almost 7 years, so another 2 years of waiting, is no biggie for us.

I'm extremely relieved. Rushing into wedding plans right now isn't the wisest choice for us at the moment. I think taking some time to just enjoy our engaement will help us a lot right now.

I'll pop in every now and then to see how things are progressing for you all. I wish you all happy planning, happy weddings, and happy birthdays. ;-) Talk to you all soon!

Possible Reception Locations

Hi there ladies... this is mostly meant for Tammy. I was waiting for Tim to get up this morning, so I've been reading my free copy of the Worcester Bride & Groom magazine.... lots of local venues in there. So, I'm not sure what your budget is, or how many guests you're expecting, but here are a few fairly affordable ones (based on site quality & offerings) that might be worth checking out....

Leicester Country Club (www.leicestercc.com)- They have several package tiers, but I even thought for the top one (platinum, I think), where you basically get everything (flowers, cake, entire meal with appetizers+ cheese & crudites & 3 courses, 1 hour open bar, champagne toast, chair covers) but your dress and tuxes, seemed like a pretty great deal. I priced a 150 person wedding with a chicken dish and the top most expensive one... lobster something for like $12k. Obviously, it could be way less, based on the other packages. I thought it looked pretty nice! Wow, if you would be willing to have it Nov-March, they have a GREAT winter package. $53/pp with everything above + a dj!

Periwinkles (www.periwinkles-giorgios.com)- This is a restaurant in Auburn... Tim & I go there, and his father knows the owner. Okay, when you just drive up to it, it's not that impressive. I'm not going to lie. But the Garden Room is really nice, and the prices are unbeatable. Once you're in the reception area, your view is great. I personally think it could just use some chair covers, and it's a really elegant space. If you're trying to keep a tight budget, I think this place is really worth a look.

Zukas Hilltop Barn (www.zukas.com)- I didn't really price this one out, but it seemed like a neat space. Indoor weddings only fit 130.

Hidden Hills (www.fourstarcatering.com)- Looks pretty reasonable, and I thought the barbecue menus were completely fun and affordable. Drawback- it's kind of in the middle of nowhere, just over the NH border near Lowell. Lowell's not really a bad town though... they have a few fun bars, and the Spinners or Lockmonsters are a blast.

Okay, that's all I have time for :)

Have a great weekend everyone!!