Sunday, July 10, 2011

New Plans, New Planner

7.10.11

Big changes since the last post. Aaron and I got tired of trying to get this shit together ourselves. We were both getting super-stressed and it was making me more than a little snippy. So we've done what we should have done in the first place and have decided to hire an official, professional planner. His name is Dave and he's pretty awesome. He planned Amber's wedding so we know he's up to handling unusual requests. We've had one meeting with him so far and are hoping to have another on the 21st at the Freebird. He's working on tables, chairs, and linens, videograpgy, food, and he's going to emcee. We're still providing the music because, as he pointed out, he probably doesn't have what we want. Because we're not normal! Hee hee! But that does solve the problem that we had with not having an emcee. He's totally chill and laid back.

We put the deposit on the Freebird yesterday. Tim was expecting us to have a contract for him to sign as they don't generally write contracts. With them the deposit esentially IS the contract. But, for our own sanity we're going to put together a contact that he's gonna sign when we meet him again on the 21st. We're also going to show my mom, Marcie, and Dave the space.

Speaking of Marcie, she's going to be in town the week after next and wants to "do wedding stuff." I'm not really sure what we're going to do as we're taking care of a lot of it through Dave or the internet. I'm thinking about going for a mani/pedi. Anyone interested? If not that then maybe dinner? If you want to meet Marcie before the wedding this is your chance. We're going to bring her to the venue but other than that... not real sure.

Now that we finally are officially (and I hope that's the last time I have to type that) in the save the dates are going to a printer and will be sent out when we get them back. Aaron and I are starting to purchase decorations too.

FYI we are now registered at Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Etsy. There are links to each of our registries on our wedding website. Supposedly I'm supposed to tell you guys where we're registered and then you tell other people. I'm not allowed to tell people myself. Anyway, we found some really, really awesome stuff on Etsy *winkwinknudgenudge* so if you guys happen to send people to that site... Also, registering for gifts at BBaB is somewhat stressful. They expect that if we send out 200 invites we need to have literally 400-600 things so people can choose. What?! The lady who helped us set up our accound was encouraging us to throw away all our old stuff and get new. Greed and avarice! She also wanted us to get things like pillow protectors. They go under your pillowcase. Again, what!?

I'm pretty much where I want to be weight wise so I'm going to get measured for my corset soon and order it and my skirt. I've been in contact with Starkers and Wai-ching already.

Please continue with the dress search if you're still looking. Cici, the rest of the girls are going with a more vintage look, highligting a nautral waist, full skirt, etc. Maybe you want to find something similar? Laura is wearing a black dress with a red sash, Amber's dress is red, and the dress that Ashleigh is considering is red. Have you decided which color you'd like? Perhaps teal? You look great in that color and no one else is wearing it.

As for accessories, I know what Ashleigh wants, and Amber has her accessories narrowed down to a couple. Laura, are you wearing the feather peice you already bought or did you like something else? Sorry if you told me and I don't rememeber... Cici, have you decided? Let me know so I can start purchasing things for you. You can't have them until the wedding! :)

Just a note about your shoes. The ramp to the stage is very, very steep! Please consider wearing flat shoes or at the very least heels you feel comfortable and stable in. Stilettos are not a good idea. Keep in mind we'll also be descending a staircase.

Sorry for the mega-post. Don't forget to send me your choice of accessory if you haven't already!

One more thing. For some reason the spell-checker is not functioning. So, forgive the spelling errors in the above post.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Quick Update

5.28.11

Just a quick update. Aaron and I have launched our wedding website, www.detrickwedding.com, which hosts all of the information for our guests. I've posted what I've received from Laura and Shwee and will post Cici and Amber's info when I get it. All of Aaron's groomsmen have blurbs posted. Some of them are more off color than others. Here's the wedding party page: http://detrickwedding.com/?page_id=20.

The hotel reservations have been made, which I think I emailed you all about. And we're meeting with the caterer tomorrow, which I may also have mentioned.

After talking with the folks at Starkers they've suggested I order my corset at the beginning of August in case I lose any weight between now and then. Bacon and corned beef hash dinners aside (*cough*Tween*cough*) I do want to try and get into a healthier mindset and back in to yoga. As soon as the semester ends that'll be a priority.

Amber and I had brunch the other morning and talked about decorations. Got a couple more ideas and can't wait to start putting stuff together later this summer.

I suppose that's all for now. Kind of a throw away post... But if you haven't sent me your website stuff yet please try and do so when your schedule permits.

Thanks ladies!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

THE MUTHA EFFIN DRESS POST!

5.22.11

Hi ladies! Well, I've made my decision on the Dress Debate. I've been going back and forth for months about what dress to buy. I know some of you were getting a little stressed by it... *cough*Shwee*cough* And I was too. It's a big decision for someone who is by nature indecisive.

Anyway. Drum roll please. I have decided to go with the Zolotova dress from Wai-Ching. That's the one with the colorful skirt. However, there's a twist. Wai-Ching is doing the Zolotova skirt in custom, but Starkers Corsetry is going to be making me a corset to wear as the top. Sorry I didn't talk to you guys about it, but I realized the reason I couldn't commit to the Zol dress was that I don't love the top and trying to change it was going to be difficult.  So I've been talking to Starkers and they said they can custom make a fuller coverage corset for me. Now Amber had problems with an Etsy dealer when she ordered a corset for her wedding so I'm being extra extra careful. Starkers actually wants a ton of measurements AND photos showing where I want the neckline to fall. I'll be getting a cotton mock-up too and may send them a bra that fits me as well. They've been making corsets for 11 years and we've been conversing through emails. I trust them. They've also been on Offbeat Bride a ton of times.  

To put it all together, starting from the top, I'm going to have a feather and or flower fascinator with a small veil. Then the skull earrings from a previous post. On my shoulders I'm going to wear a cream colored bolero, maybe with some flower details, possibly a peacock feather. Under that I'll have the corset in black and then the Wai-Ching skirt. To see the skirt go to http://www.wai-ching.com/. It is a flash site. On the side bar to the right choose "bridal". Scroll down to the Zolotova dress. The skirt is the one I'll be ordering in custom colors, reds and blacks with some teal highlights. We haven't discussed the colors in detail. I'll have her help me get the right balance so the skirt looks right.

So yeah. It is good to get that out of the way.

Aaron and I are meeting with the caterer on the 30th and Aaron found the hotel contract and is taking care of that.

What else?

There is one problem that I have to get off my chest. Please keep this to yourselves but I could use some moral support. My good friend Wendy is supposed to perform our ceremony. She is like a second mother to me and I have known her since I was 12. Her daughter and I used to be very good friends and it was that friend that introduced Aaron and I. Long story short we had a falling out and are not friends now. A year ago or so we talked and I felt like we had closure. Last week she contacted me and told me that she did not want her mother to perform the wedding and that doing so would cause a huge rift between them. She said it made her angry and frustrated and that Wendy was only performing the ceremony out of respect for my mother. I talked to Wendy who told me that her daughter threatened her with never speaking to her again if Wendy didn't ask me to let her out of the wedding. Wendy is very hurt by this, as am I. Wendy is going to talk to her daughter next week and try and work something out. My question is, should I tell Wendy that it's okay if she steps out? Having her perform my wedding was something I asked her to do when I was a teenager and is hugely imprtant to me but I have to consider her feelings too. She told me that anything her daughter does is not my fault and that she will still perform the ceremony. But I still feel guilty. Another part of me simply doesn't want her to win which is hugely childish of me. So, what to do? I'll feel sad if she doesn't perform the ceremony and guilty if she does. I could really use some advice here.

Thanks ladies for being there for me!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Tidbits

5.7.11

Quick update with a few tidbits!
  • Laura has purchased the materials for the Tardis card box! Yippee! I know that Aaron will love it. Thanks Laura!
  • Looks like not everyone could be involved if we went to Sanibel for the Bachelorette party, so I think we should officially scrap it.
  • Also wik, Aaron has offered to rent us a limo if you guys plan something for in town!
  • Aaron is still waiting on his uncle about the cake-stand.
I think that's all for now!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Summer Schedule, Preliminary Party Info

4.17.11

As you all know I'll be taking the fall semester off. I wanted to let you know that my summer schedule is set. I'll be taking classes from May 16th to June 24th. So, no school between June 24th and January. Holy crap! What this also means as that after June 24th I want to start collecting decorations, working on favors, collecting music, etc and for that I'll be needing your help! I'll be working 4-5 days during this period to try and accumulate both monies and leave time. I'm not sure what my off days will be during this time but I'd like to try and get a combination of weekday/weekend days. We'll see.

Questions about the Bach party. Should I start planning this? When would you ladies like to do it? If Sanibel is still on the table I'd like to let Marcie know a possible date so she can plan for us being there. The place has one king bed, two singles, and a couch that folds out into a full. I can also get an air mattress if we need one. The condo has a full kitchen so we can buy groceries and eat in for most of our meals so it wouldn't be so expensive. I'd be happy to bring a supply of food for you ladies! It's just a 5 minute walk to the beach too and the gulf is beautiful. There's also a nice pool. We have GIANT umbrellas if you're the type that wants to avoid the sun at all costs! Hee hee. If you do want to go to Sanibel we would probably have to go during the summer and should probably plan to be there for a couple of days. They usually rent the condo out during the fall and winter months, so we might not be able to use it then. Keep in mind that it is a 7 hour drive. If you're not comfortable with that or the idea in general and you'd rather do something in September or October we could do something in town.

Quick update on planning: Aaron is going to contact the hotel this week to book our rooms for out of town guests. We decided to go with the Quality Inn and Suites because it wasn't that much more expensive, but was much nicer. It is almost directly across the street from the venue. Aaron also contacted his uncle about a cake stand and is waiting to see what he has to say about it. Laura is working on caterer stuff. The other plans for this week include nailing down the Save the Date cards. I'm also going to order my dress. Eeeeee! And maybe get a tattoo. Eeeeee!

Comments, questions?

Friday, April 8, 2011

Random Update

4.8.11

Met with Laura the other night to discuss caterers. We narrowed it down to one and she is going to contact them to set up and appointment for Aaron and I to meet and/or taste some of their food. Sweet. I don't remember the name off the top of my head, but once I've asked Laura about it I'll post the website so you can see the sample menu. They have quite a variety of foods, even a couple Aaron likes. If they can do mini-corndogs (classy!) even better. We are going to do our own cakes and probably bring our own plates and cut it ourselves. Apparently you have to pay people to cut your cake and they won't provide plates if you don't accept the plating fee. WTF? Clear plastic plates will just have to do. I am NOT paying someone to cut a cake. Laura has also offered to make sure the coffee bar (aka, two Keurigs) is under control. Yay!

Laura has her dress! It's a black velvet dress from the 50s. It's faboo. Ashleigh also has her dress picked out. It's from Mod Cloth and as soon as it is in stock again she's going to order it. It's red and fits to the waist then flares out. Laura's does that too. Amber and Cici, if you want to get something similar, that's the shape to shoot for. If not, that's cool too. If you ladies do know what you're going to wear please let me know. No rush, I'm just curious. There's still plenty of time.

Laura also found what she's going to wear in her hair. It's a thin black headband with peacock and black feathers with little crystals on it. She got it at the Riverside Art Market. If you're interested I can post a pic here. I know what Ash wants to wear too.

We've set the guest list to between 160 and 180 so I'm going to start accumulating decorations soon. I'm sure I'll need a lot. I know I'm going to get small black metal lanterns with red glass and with teal glass. I'd also like to have a collection of miscellaneous tall vases in red and teal. I want to have one tall element (like a vase, or candle stand, something interesting), one short element (like the lanterns), and one small floral-ish element (carnations in a cool container, or peacock feathers in a cool container). I'm hoping we can get red and teal tablecloths with maybe some black runners or some other type of fabric to go in the middle. I think there's going to be some thrift store shopping in the near future. We can always dye and spray paint stuff.

That's all for now! Feel free to drop a question or a comment.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Tardis Card Box

3.18.11

I stole this from Offbeat Bride. It's a Tardis for collecting cards at the wedding and I know Aaron would loooooove it! Cuz he's a nerd. He's talked about getting a fridge for the eventual nerd-cave and turning it into a Tardis... Any of you ladies think you could make this as a surprise for Aaron? I think it's just blue felt covering a cleverly constructed box. This is far too crafty for me. I'd happily buy the felt if any of you think you could re-create it.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Earrings!

3.13.11

I effing LOVE these earrings. They're by laiet on Etsy. They've already sold but if she can make another pair I'm seriously considering purchasing them to wear to the wedding. Aren't they adorable! I don't think they're too over the top either especially since I'm not planning on wearing a necklace.

Would any of you ladies be interested in anything similar?



Sooooo cute!
Ahhh! At distance you probably wouldn't
even know they were skulls!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Freebird Update, Assignments

3.11.11

The Freebird is officially ours for November 5, 2011. Yay! The deposit isn't due until August, but the date has been booked/reserved for the wedding! So... now it's time to hand out some assignments. Please note, feel free to decline if I ask you to do something you don't want to do, don't have time to do, etc. We've all got lives. I understand. Also, if there's something you'd rather do instead please let me know. Anything you guys want to help with is super appreciated!

Laura: Caterers! But you already knew that. We're shooting for heavy h'ordeuvres for between 160 and 180 people. I'd like to have a good variety of foods. Some of my guests may be vegetarians so having some veggie options is important. Also, Aaron only eats a limited type of foods... The Freebird has very limited fridge space and no way to heat things so that will have to be worked out. Would you like to be in charge of the cake too? Because Freebird does have a fridge we really could do Jello cake. I'll need to have Aaron taste it to see if he likes it but if he does that might be a good way to save money AND have a cake people will want to eat. Comments? Ideas?

Cici: Music! We're doing our own music from an iPod but you know my taste in music, you know, not stuff everyone likes or can dance to. Could you possibly come up with a list of songs that might be good for the reception? Maybe some popular stuff from the time we were in high school through now? You don't need to actually download anything. I'll do that so you don't have to pay for it but a list would be great. I've got a ton of music that I like, Pearl-type, but I need help so I can have a variety. I want to start downloading soon so it won't be so expensive at one time.

Amber: What I mostly need from you is advice. We've got a venue, a band, a photographer, and save the date cards. We're working on food and hotels for out of town guests. Any idea on what needs to be done right now? Did you get your tables through Dave or did you have to rent them separately? The Freebird has no tables or chairs. We'll need enough for 160-180 people plus food.

Tween: You're already handling a lot so I won't ask anything more specific of you right now.

All: Venue walk-through! I would love, love, love to be able to have you guys see the Freebird some afternoon. It can probably be arranged. If we can coordinate a trip up there I'd love to hear your ideas for decorations. So far we know we want to use custom concert posters with the wedding on them, metal lanterns, and paper lanterns.

Okay, wow. That's a lot of stuff. Like I said, if any of you ladies doesn't feel up to something or would rather do something else please call me and let me know. No worries! I want you ladies to be comfortable with what I ask you to do.

Thank you guys! <3

Monday, March 7, 2011

Save the Dates!

3.7.11

Just a quick update. Aaron and I have designed our Save the Date cards and have passed them along to Jak, Aaron's roommate who is a real designer, who is going to finish them for us. They're actually going to be magnets that look like concert tickets. We used a Ticketmaster ticket for the template and Aaron says that Jak will be able to match the font! 

I'm not sure when we're supposed to send those out. Four months? Six? Well, as soon as they're done I'll let you ladies see them! Hurray for progress. 

That's all for now!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Lanterns

I've been toying with the idea of using paper lanterns for decorating the Freebird. We've been okayed to pretty much do what we want up to and including nailing things into the walls. I thought it would look very pretty to string lighted lanterns from the balcony suspended over the ceremony space. Perhaps something like the photos below?



Okay, so this is just a beautiful shot!

Square lanterns!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fresh Flower Alternative

2.25.11


These are felt flowers made by handmadecolectibes from Etsy. I think they're gorgeous! She has a lot of different colors and I'm sure you could mix and match. Wouldn't different shades of red look fab? I'm searching for fresh flower alternatives for a good price. This would be $50. They're so pretty I could put them in a vase and use them again. I have not completely ruled out fresh flowers but like to have a fresh flower free option.

Bridesmaid Hair Accessories

2.25.11

I poked around on Etsy to see what I could find for you guys for hair accessories. Comments? Suggestions?


This one is pretty small, 1.5-2 inches.
By BellaFleur1

I think this was the one that Laura was circulating on FB.
By  pegasusmaiden

Love this one.
By stylesbym


Don't love the green flower, but the design is cute!
By birdcrap (yes, that's the name!)


Don't be hatin! I'm not in love with the flower
but the color combinations... wow!
By huiish87


Freebird!

2.25.11

Wow ladies! It's been 3 months since I've posted anything. A three months were Aaron and I did absolutely nothing. Seems that makes people a bit antsy when we're, you know, supposed to be planning a wedding. But, fear not! Ashleigh has decided to take the reins and since we've gotten quite a bit done.

The Freebird Saga has a new chapter, one in which Ashleigh has championed over Tim the booking agent. So without further ado: we're getting the Freebird! Ahhhhh! We still have to talk money with Tim, pay the deposit, and sign a contract, but (unofficially) it's ours November 5th! Yesterday we (myself, Aaron, and Shwee) met with Brad the manager of the Freebird who was awesome. With a little sweeping and possibly a carpet shampooer the place is going to be fabulous. The upstairs portion is big enough for a cocktail hour, the stage is great, they have rooms for us to use beforehand, and AND we can make a grand entrance coming down the stairs. A word of caution though, high heels may not be a good idea. The stairs are steep and so is the ramp to the stage. I don't want anyone breaking an ankle so I will advise you all to get flats! If we can arrange it I'd like you all to see the place beforehand. I'll need to go up there at least one more time in order to start figuring out decorations. Once I know when I'll let you know to see if any of you would like to scope the place out.

Yesterday we also started checking out local hotels which resulted in all sorts of hilarity. Shwee is going to bat on this one as well. It looks like we're going to get a block of rooms at the Best Western and the Quality Inn Suites. The Best Western isn't as nice, although I'd have no problem staying there myself, but it is cheaper. That'll give people options. Aaron thinks his family will probably stay at the Quality Inn and his friends the Best Western. We think we're going to get the jacuzzi suite in the Quality Inn. It had an awesome beach view.

So, that's really all for now. After we speak with Tim the official work will begin! Hurray!

Thanks ladies,
I love you all!