Mission Slideshow Has Begun ...

So I admit it - I am "that girl" who always has her camera and loves taking pictures of anything & everything.  I feel bad for Mr. BB who is burdened with the task of taking the pictures whether he likes it or not.  THANK YOU for that, honey, and I must commend you on being an extremely talented photographer. :)

When I first got engaged and started thinking about the reception, I knew that I wanted to incorporate a slideshow in some way.  Since our relationship began almost 12 years ago back in high school, Mr. BB & I have tons of pictures together throughout the many phases of our relationship.  (And yes, those pictures highlight the various interesting fashion/hairstyle choices I have had along the way.)  But it wasn't until my mom, the driving force behind this whole wedding extravanganza, came up with yet another genius idea - that I knew exactly how I wanted to incorporate a slideshow into our June garden wedding.

We have spent the weekend going through boxes of pictures from boxes that Mr. BB & I have together & boxes from both of our parents houses (Which is quite entertaining, I might add, and I recommend it whether you have a reason to do it or not!).  Our main goal is to gather pictures of my father & I, Mr. BB and his mother, and of course, of the two of us.  The day of the wedding, as we have our first dance as husband and wife, the slideshow with pictures of us will play on a large screen behind us.  As I dance with my dad (a guaranteed emotional moment for me), a slideshow will play with pictures of us, and when Mr. BB dances with his mother, their slideshow will play.  This will serve dual purposes - as it will provide a great way to incorporate the many pictures we have - and will also provide a diversion for our lack of dance ability.

THANKS, Mom, for the idea, as always.  Back to gathering pictures ...........

Bridesmaid Dresses ... CHECK!

It wasn't until I became a "wedding planner/bride" (Did you notice that wedding planner came first?) that I grew to appreciate the value of a check during this process ... but oh, how I love one now!  And by a check, I mean a check off the list of the 2,145,302+ tasks there are to complete when planning a wedding.

Today marked a check of the bridesmaid dresses - and for any fashion-obsessed bride - other than the dress, this certainly is a big check.  While I chose the dresses back in the summer and had each of my fabulous nine bridesmaids place their order (thanks girls!), today they actually came in!!!!!!!!!  And it was completely by accident that we were in my favorite bridal store, Pure English, to find out that they were here.  If I must confess, when we found out that they were in, we were actually there to stalk them, as usual, because my mother and I love that place so much.  In fact, we were actually thinking of inviting the owner and all of her sales associates to the wedding.

So here they are, the big reveal ...

Jim Hjlem, Style 5054, Color:  Pear

The dress caught my eye because it just screamed garden party, and because I knew it would be flattering to the shapes of all of my girls.  And yes, it also happened to match the floral print shoes that I had already found for them to wear.  Pictures of those to come ... 

Christmas in October!

Yes - I do realize that the rest of the world is consumed in the details of their Halloween costume, pumpkin carving, and candy for trick-or-treaters ... but in my house, it's Christmas that is on my mind.  It came early this year!  That is, in the sense that I was greeted at my door yesterday by my SECOND favorite man ... don't worry honey, you are definitely the first!  And if you were wondering, my SECOND favorite man was dressed in a UPS uniform and was bearing gifts!  He had a box marked Forever 21 on the outside.  My heart skips a beat every time that I see those words, beautifully written in that same font I have grown to love so much.

Now why does this pertain to my June wedding, you ask?  While perusing http://www.forever21.com/ last week, as I do most days, I found what appeared to be the perfect short, white lace dress - fit for a bride.  It's not what you are thinking ... while I absolutely adore Forever 21, I acknowledge the fact (halfway unwillingly) that I cannot get my wedding dress from there.  This dress, however, ...

Would be absolutely perfect for a bride on her rehearsal dinner, bachelorette party, bridal shower, bridal luncheon, esc.  And at the affordable price of $27.80 (Did I mention my adoration for Forever 21?), who could resist?

Birdcage or Fingertip Veil?

Not for Mr. BB's Eyes ... Wedding Day Style Will Be Addressed!

The very topic of today's blog entry is the reason why I am loving the experience of being a blogger ... because, other than my mother, I don't know that there is anyone who could understand the significance of what this will play on my June 25th wedding day.  Before I was engaged and had the vision of myself as a bride, I always imagined a long veil flowing as I walked down the aisle to my gleaming husband-to-be.  It wasn't until about two months into the wedding planning, after I had said "YES TO THE DRESS," that I started to think about the possiblity of a birdcage veil instead.  It has now started to consume my thoughts (I know, this is crazy, but I am a fashion teacher! ... ). 

So, being a type-A personality that I am - when in doubt, write a list!  Here are the advantages and disadvantages to wearing the birdcage veil instead of the fingertip veil:

Birdcage Veil; Advantages: 

1. Would look better with my hair down, which is how I plan to wear it in the ceremony.  I already have purchased a flower from Etsy that I am LOVING and so excited to soon have in my own possession ... and can perfectly picture the birdcage veil, with the flower, with the hair down.
2.  Would bring the "vintage, Sweet Home Alabama" vibe that the rest of the wedding will have.  Who wouldn't want to look like Reese Witherspoon on their wedding day? 
3.  The birdcage veil would be more of a fashion statement, and aren't you supposed to bring your personality and style into your wedding day?

 Birdcage Veil; Disdvantages: 

1.  I have always pictured myself with the traditional fingertip veil, which is definitely the more "classic look."  When I look back at my pictures from now, will I look trendy with a birdcage veil?
2.  My mother prefers the traditional veil. 
3.  Joe would probably prefer the traditional veil.

And so - what to do?  Do you prefer a birdcage or fingertip veil?  And is there a way to incorporate both?

Save-the-Dates

As promised, details on our final save-the-dates ...

As a fashion teacher with a love for design - I knew from the start of our wedding planning that our "paper products" were important to me.  Lucky me! ... I have a bridesmaid with graphic design experience & tons of talent!  Niki agreed to design both our save-the-dates & the invitations for the wedding (although after the save-the-dates ... Niki, are you still in for the invitations?!!!).  After getting lots of inspiration from my favorite wedding blogs, http://www.weddingbee.com/ & http://www.greenweddingshoes.com/   ... my mom & I met with Niki to share our vision!  Needless to say - she certainly delivered and created more than we could have hoped for!

Final Save-the-Dates ...

The save-the-dates were entirely designed by Niki and printed at Kinko's on their white glossy paper.  The labels were created by a girl that my mom found on Etsy to match the save-the-dates that Niki designed.  The brown envelopes are Kraft envelopes found online, and the smaller envelope is "vellum" and was also found online.  Mr. BB, his mother, aunt, and my mother spent one afternoon stuffing the envelopes and embossing the "save-the-date" on the outside with a stamp that she purchased online.  The magnet in the small envelope was designed & purchased on Vistaprint.

We are really happy with the end result!  It was worth all of the hard work!  Next step - INVITATIONS!

Save-the-Dates ... In the Mail!

It's official!  Save-the-Dates are IN THE MAIL and one giant task is checked off our to do list!  We are really happy with the end result - but were surprised at how long they ended up taking ... from picking out the envelopes/paper/stamps/magnets to getting everything printed in the right format, to collecting all of the addresses, finalizing the guest list, & FINALLY stuffing & labeling the envelopes before taking them to the post office - it was certainly an overwhelming task.  So although I am currently feeling the joy of completing them - I know it has to be short-lived, because it is now on to the invitations.  If the save-the-dates took this long, I can only imagine the amount of time it will take to perfect the invitations for my June 2011 wedding.

Stay tuned for pictures of the final save-the-dates ....

First Image is Posted!

I finally learned how to add images on my blog!  And yes, now I do realize how unbelievably easy this is to do and I should have been doing it all along!  So now I have DOZENS of images to share ... but today wanted to show my FI's fantastic birthday present to me!  He actually burned the A & J letters on the wood, plus our wedding date on there himself!  He kept this piece of wood since it looks like a heart!  How precious!  We will have it on one of the tables at our June 25, 2011 wedding and it will definitely fit our vintage theme to perfection.

Contest Entered - Fingers Crossed!

Although I have never been a particularly lucky person (other than "lucky to love," honey!) ... I decided to go ahead and register to win a $5,000 honeymoon today.  I came across it on one of my favorite blog sites, http://www.stylemepretty.com/, and simply had to write a 200 word essay on why I should win the contest.  Since I like to write (obviously, I am a blogger now!), I figured that I didn't have anything to lose. 

I have seen various wedding contests/give-a-ways online throughout my daily wedding web searches, but have chosen to focus in on the ones giving away honeymoons!  I know my FI, Ms. BB appreciates this, since it is him & I that will be paying for the honeymoon that will definitely be much deserved after all of this planning.  The destination is still up in the air ... currently dependent on how much money we can save ...

Or maybe, we could win one of these contests?  I am going to search for more tomorrow, Mr. BB!  And in the meantime, keep your fingers crossed for us!

Have you entered any contests online?  Do you think it is worth the time it takes to complete them, or is it too much of a longshot?

Weekend Wedding Excitement

It's official!  This weekend - I practiced & completed my first-time role as a bridesmaid!  My friend Sara is no longer a "single lady" and is on her honeymoon in Hawaii!  The weekend began with a beautiful rehearsal/dinner at a local Italian restaurant, continued on early Saturday with a meeting of the bridesmaids to get "fabulous" for the day, and finally ... what we had all been waiting for ... Sara married her sweetheart and it was time to celebrate! 

For me, the highlight of the wedding was definitely the newlyweds "first dance" as man & wife!  Sara, a former dancer, had mentioned that they had been working on a surprise for the reception - but the true montage of dances that guests were able to enjoy was completely unexpected!  Guests cheered as the two glided, hip-hopped, and entertained us all on the dance floor. :)

It got me thinking about my own first dance with Mr. BB ... neither of us are anything close to good dancers, so we are sure to go the traditional route.  We are having a hard time deciding on a song since "our song" dates back to when we first started dating in high school almost 11 years ago ... anything by Josh Radin is a current favorite.

Was it easy for you & your FI to choose a first dance song?  Was it an obvious choice or was this another decision that you had to make?

First Time Bride ... First Time Bridesmaid!

Ever heard the phrase ... "When it rains, it pours?"  Well, in this case, it does!  In the whole 27 years of my exhistance thus far, I have never been a bridesmaid in a wedding (with the exception of when I was eleven and a junior bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding - does that really count?).  HOWEVER - I guess I am officially at that age - because in the next eight months before my June 25th wedding, I will be a bridesmaid TWICE, & then once again two months after I am officially a wife! It's true, my life is surrounded by weddings right now, and it is definitely exciting. :)

This weekend marks the kick-off to my new official role as a bridesmaid.  My close friend (and one of my own bridesmaids!), Sara, is getting hitched this Saturday!  Even though we have attended several bridal showers/luncheons/nail sessions/esc., I don't think the reality that we are old enough for this process will actually hit until I see her walking down the aisle at the church.  I know she will be a stunning bride, am proud & lucky to be her bridesmaid, and find it so fitting that we have been engaged at the same time. 

Details from the wedding weekend extravaganza to come next week ... it is sure to be memorable event.  And I can't help but be excited to not be one of the "single ladies" fighting over the bouquet on the dance floor.  Sara & I have been lucky to compare ideas/vendors/wedding etiquette throughout the planning process -

Were you able to plan with friends who are getting married around the same time as you?!  Did you find it helpful to your own planning process? 

Guest List Woes

FINALLY ... the guest list is complete!  For me, this moment is bittersweet!  Bitter - because there were many people that Mr. BB and I wanted to invite that we just didn't have room for ... and Sweet - because it is officially done and we don't have to worry about it anymore!  I am very thankful that you only have to compile one guest list (w/ full, complete addresses!) for both the save-the-dates and invitations! :)

Originally - my parents, Mr. BB & I decided on a guest list of 150, which seemed to be the perfect amount. Even after an initial list - we still thought the number would work for us and we would feel completely content with having 150 of our family and closest friends there.  That was until we started to REALLY think about the size of both of our families, all of those people close to us, work friends, parents friends, and the list goes on .........

I know we are both lucky to have so many people who we care about and want to be there on our big day ... and can't wait to see all of those faces closest to us on June 25, 2011. 

Did you have trouble when ultimately deciding your final list?  Was the amount of people you invited the same amount that you had initially planned on?

Busy Bee ...

Only have exactly 7 minutes to write today ... in between work (which currently involves planning a fashion show), grocery shopping, cleaning, & working out in now 6 minutes ... I hardly have time to breathe right now!  Planning a wedding while juggling life is hard work!  While I am definitely loving planning my June wedding ... I am also looking forward to married life - that WILL be less stressful, right?!

Needless to say - I don't think I will be one of those brides who is sad after the wedding because the big day is over.  Brides ... Will you have "wedding withdrawal" after the wedding?  Married women ... did you?

Rainy Monday

Mondays are undoubtably hard for everyone ... but being a high school teacher with a first block that begins at 7:25 AM seems to be, at times, almost unbearable.  Each and every time I walk in the room and ask "How was your weekend?", I look back to 28 super sad faces staring back at me, while feeling my own pain that I can read on their faces.  After approximately one week of continuous rainy days - this Monday was definitely no exception.

On a more positive note - just like every other Monday thus far - I made it through and am that much closer to another weekend!  After all of this rain though - I couldn't help but think about my outdoor June 25th wedding.  What would we do if it rains?!!  We have yet to think about a "Plan B", or rain plan, and we (by we, I mean my mother and I, the major planners in this process!) just keep trying to put the possibility of rain on June 25, 2011 out of our heads.  Cross your fingers for us!  We need it! 

Do you have a rain plan for your wedding?  Do you believe in the tale the "if it rains on your wedding day, it means good luck for your marriage?"

Neglectful Bride

I admit that I have been neglecting my blog for the past month - this is in part due to the fact that I have been extremely consumed in beginning of school activities, in part because I have been attending many events for my good friend Sara's pre-wedding festivities (her wedding is in TWO WEEKS!), but mainly, because my laptop has been broken and at the repair shop.  It wasn't until I took it there a month ago that I realized how much a part of my life it had become ...

It would be impossible to update on everything that MY MOTHER has been busy doing over the last month (Don't know what I would do without her ... seeing that, as previously mentioned, I have had no free time for wedding planning recently) ... but I will share that this weekend we made major strides towards our save-the-dates.  After meeting with Niki, our "invitiation expert/bridesmaid" and sharing our vision, she definitely fulfilled everything we had hoped, AND MORE!  I am super excited about the final result of the save-the-date card - and am anxious to get the labels, envelopes, esc. so we can actually get them in the mail!  Then we will have one more item to check off our "wedding to-do list", and only 302,467,535,667 things to go! :)

Stay tuned for pictures of our final save-the-dates ...