I'M BACK!!!

Hi Girls.

I got married! OMG, I am still on a high. The day was perfect, especially the weather. Everything went off without a hitch. (Well except for my bustle. It fell apart, but we had a few ladies who were handy with a needle and thread so that wasn't really a problem.) The food was fantastic. The DJ played everything we asked for. Everyone danced. The flowers and the cake were just what I envisioned but so much better. The flowers especially.

Here are a few photos that guests have shared. Don't have the formal shots from the photographer yet. You should be able to access them at

http://kelliandbobswedding.snapfish.com

Access code is 10142006

The day does go by so fast. From the point I left my house with my dad in the limo to when I was at the altar with Bob felt like 30 seconds, but I remember every moment in between. Just in fast forward. A lot of people told us that we wouldn't remember the ceremony or the reception, but I remember it all very clearly.

As for the honeymoon, Hawaii is heaven on earth. Our trip was delayed by one day because of the earthquake and power outages, but we made the most of it. We spent the first day of our honeymoon walking/driving around the North Shore. We went to Rockport, and had lunch on the water, then toured around. We lost a day in Oahu, so we had to run around and see everything on Wednesday (Pearl Harbor and the rest of the island.) We flew to Maui on Thursday and finally got to relax. We went snorkeling, had a helicopter tour, sat on the beach and by the pool, and went to a luau. We ate a lot! We had the best sushi ever. It was so hard leaving Maui, and arriving in MA just in time for Saturday's big storm, but I am looking forward to "real" life with Bob. (It's really easy being married on your honeymoon in Maui ;-)

Hope all wedding plans are going well. If I can be of service to anyone, let me know.

Fun with Coach and Other Adventures

Hi ladies! So, as mentioned, I got my marriage license yesterday! Yay! So now whatever happens, I can officially get married... I have a guy, a pastor, a dress (okay, that's not necessary but important to me), and the official okay from the State of NY. I'm good to go. All the rest is just details.

Some things to report... my guest list is incredibly down. We invited ~240 people. It now looks like, getting into the final week (responses were due on Monday), with all our surprise nos and some actual cancellations, we're down to about 135 attending- and that includes the B&G, and the photographers/DJ (they have to eat too!). I'm really surprised. We were originally planning on around 175! But, as hard as it is not to take it personally, I realize I won't be thinking about the people who aren't there at all on the big day, we are saving money, and I know I'll get to spend just a little more time with my guests that day. So, in the end, I realize it's all great. :)

Target... sent me a double gift from one of my friends. I've emailed to make sure she didn't get charged twice, but if not, bonus!

My computer.... decided last night to refuse to charge with the charger. So, I'm running on my fiance's six-hour battery, and he's charging our other batteries in his computer. <> Of course! At least it didn't die, and I'll be able to back everything up to CD before the fix-it guy comes. (Note.... now my fiance's computer is acting up. Great.)

And as promised- FUN AT COACH! We had to drive to NY to get our license, so we just went right over the border at the end of the Pike. This isn't really that far from us, so it wasn't bad at all. On the way back we stopped at the Lee Outlets so I could get my bridal party and mom's gifts. Weeee! I can't even tell you how exciting it was to walk into the Coach outlet and buy 8 bags. The prices were unbelievable.... on my final receipt I saved about $150-200 more than I spent!! My biggest bargains were the purple bag for one of my BMs (super discount of 60%) and the big cream bag for my mom (~55% discount), although all the discounts were great. I leave you with a picture of my triumph:

http://webpages.charter.net/caracierge/coach%20fun%20003.jpg

(Okay, whatever. It won't load. Here's a link.:))

GTG?

I know that in the next month we have at least 3 weddings, but if anyone needs to blow off steam and relax with a few pops before the big day, just let me know! Hope all is going well for everyone...let me know if you need anything!

Can't see pic to reply to Jen's post

Oh Sok, that is horrible! I worry about that every day! I have workers coming in to my apartment all the time working on our kitchen. I get so worried because the apt. is filled with crate and barrel boxes and macys boxes. I know one of them pretty well, he's been coming a lot, but there are others who I only see once and never again. Who knows who they're talking to!

Its been pretty crazy. Finalized seating arrangements, still have to put together favors. I only ended up buying 5 pounds of brown m&m's on mms.com and I may even cancel that order. Instead of them sending me a 5 pound bag of brown and 3 8oz. bags of cream they sent me 4 8oz bags! As of yesterday they haven't sent out the replacement bag and can't guarantee that it will be here by the 3rd! Nice! So no way I'm giving them anymore money. We went to BJ's last night and bought 39 pounds of regular m&m's! Less than 100 bucks! Got to start putting those together tonight.

Glad to hear everyone else is doing well!

Seating probs...

So I have two seating situations (not that I have actually started the seating chart)

1. Divorced couple with 2 adult children attending, each parent is bringing a date. The woman (one of my mom's oldest friends) came up to me after I had been in my shower for about 10 minutes, asks me where do I plan on seating her, she needs to sit apart from divorced husband and with both kids. A little demanding, huh. I was thinking to sit one son with his mom and the other with his dad at separate tables. Would that be terrible???

2. Tables are for 8 or 10. We each have bridal parties of 6. Chris and I will be sitting at a sweetheart table; bridesmaids and groomsmen will be seating in groups with their dates. MOH and 1 bridesmaid will not be bringing dates. Another bridesmaid is FI of BM. So that leaves 9 at my table. But that makes 11 at groomsmen table (one GM will not be bringing a date.
11's too squished, no?
Chris' idea was to put the single groomsman with the ladies!
Any ideas?

Oh where or where

has all the time gone? T- one month for me today! I cannot believe it! The due date is on Monday and we still have about 50 replies outstanding, out of about 120!!!!!!! That's a lot! (But I just saw the mailwoman pull up- we'll see what we get today!)

Jen, Andrea, how we doing? Andrea- did you figure out who the phantom replies were yet??

I have to admit, I'm getting stressed. Like a general stress... what am I missing, am I going to get it all done, that kind of feeling. But, I know I have the important things... a groom & a dress, so whatever happens, at least I know I'll have me a husband:)

Thinking Positive Thoughts

So I know Kelli's honeymoon is in Hawaii... I don't think she was supposed to leave until today or maybe even tomorrow, so everyone think positive thoughts that she gets out okay and her flight isn't cancelled or delayed! (And that there are no more earthquakes while she's there!)

Thank you now, or later?

UPDATE: My uncle sent the reservation info to my parents so I will be sending out a thank you tomorrow!

I just found out, via my mom, that my uncle is planning on taking care of our hotel accomodations for the two nights before we go away for our honeymoon. Should I send him a thank you now, wait to see if I hear directly from him (he lives in Florida and will be coming up for the rehearsal dinner and wedding -Nov. 2nd and 4th), or wait till after when I do the rest of my thank you's?
What would you do?
I'm inclined to do it now.

Congratulations Kelli!!!

Just wanted to put this out there early in the week to make it more likely you'll see it... Congratulations and good luck this weekend!! Come back to us when you're a Mrs!

I finally got one!!

Got my first blank wedding response card today!! And the winner is: Tim's aunt & uncle! I know they're coming- they made their reservations in December or January- but still have to find out what they want to eat. Thank goodness for numbering the backs!

Btw, thanks to the holiday I got 7 in today's mail- all accepts! My father and grandparents are finally officially coming and eating :) Still waiting on my mom :)

surprise, surprise

My bridal shower was this weekend. I was a huge shock and I am blown away but it all. My wedding is not until may 07 but it appears as if my family has been planning it all since spring. My FI's mom was in town and I had pland to introduce her to my 3rd cousins who I have become close to since I moved to Boston. When I was showing Mike's mom around their cool apartment complex, I led her to the "screening room" where movies are shown. I immediately saw my friend inside and thought that she knew someone else in the building. When I walked in, I saw my friends, family friends, cousins in the area who I don't see often and finally my mom and sisters. That was the biggest shock since my mom and sisters have all been up here twice in the 7 years I have lived here (my graduation and a family friends wedding) and I can't get them to ever visit. Anyway, I was so anxious about my lack of family support an they all really surprised me with all the effort. That was the best gift that I could have had and it was all I needed. Anyway, I couldn't wait to share it with you guys because I have shared with you my family issues in the past. Thanks

Color Scheme?

As you know my best friend is getting married to my cousin next summer. She is having a hard time with color scheme and asked which one I liked best.

Black/Red/White
Red/Gold/Black
Red/Silver/Black

The bridesmaid dresses will be Apple Red and I absolutely love the dress (the only BM Dress I love from Davids Bridal). I told her I dont like the red/gold/black combo. I like the red/black/white combo the best. Which ones do you think looks best?

Thanks ladies!!

Happy Friday!!! I hope all your wedding projects and things to do go well this weekend!!!

Slight dress disappointment

So I had my first fitting today and it was good... the dress still fits, and she's actually going to convert the back to a corset back (from these super-annoying buttons that needed to be repaired anyway), so it will be even better when that's done! Whew. That concern is taken care of. I still absolutely love the dress and feel so great in it, I know it was/is the ONE. My slight disappointment.... I don't love the bustle. The train is so long and detailed, the only thing she could get to look right and not be on my butt was a two layer French bustle. It's just not what I envisioned. I completely understand though that you have to work with the dress and not simply an idea... after looking online again at other bustles, I'm convinced that what she did is the best option (and looks a heck of a lot better than what I saw some other people do!), unless I wanted to have the poufiest butt ever (I'm naturally doing just fine in that category, so I wasn't really looking for anymore junk back there) and be about a foot off the chair when I sat. Still, it's a little disappointing when things don't work out quite how you wanted.

Veil shopping was really easy... I put on 3 styles, she looked at the last one in her hand and said, "oh, well, this one has swarovski crystals on it, so it's a little more expensive than all the others," and I said, "of course it is, so I'm sure I'll love it," and I did. Done. Ordered the most expensive one, of course :) I think I could have gotten it for maybe $50 less if I ordered online, but it's just so much easier to let them do it. I know I'll get exactly what I tried on and they'll take care of any problems and then steam it and everything for me. At this point, it's completely worth an extra $50 not to have to worry about one more thing.

Opinions on necklace?

Which one do you like better? The stone is citrine, November's birthstone. Is the first one too juvenile? The second one is about 1/3 of the price of the first one.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Crisis averted!

OMG!!! It's been a crazy, stressful last two days. I received a call on Tuesday afternoon from the place that's hosting the rehearsal dinner. "Oh...We're sorry, but we can't host it. The room's available but we don't have the staff to do it." What the f#$%???? This from a place with a full time banquet manager! I was a basket case on Tuesday night. Where do you find a place that will hold a party for 50 on 10 days notice? Thank heavens my parents know someone who owns a resteraunt in Falmouth. They're going to close it down for us. We planned the menu yesterday and it will be better (and cheaper) than the other place.

I just had to vent.

One month from today!!!

Still have to
-meet with organist
-find vocalist
-figure out who sent repies with no name!
-go to 2 more dress fittings
-lose a few more pounds!
-buy cute undergarments
-buy dress for after wedding (got one from bluefly, but makes me look too hippy!

Countdown!!!

OMG! There are quite a few of you ladies who are finally getting married in the next two months!!! The countdown has begun!! I am so happy for all of you!! What final things are you getting done before the big day??

Just thought it might be fun for you ladies to rant and rave here!!

<3 Sok