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?