Hair Inspiration

Here are some pictures I'm using as inspiration for fine-tuning my day of up-do. 

I still haven't come across the perfect picture, but each of the ones above illustrate something about what I do want. The first picture shows the area of my head I'd like to have covered with curls, the second picture illustrates a few free flowing curls at the bottom of the 'do, and the third picture shows a good mix of the tight and loose curls that I'm looking for. I'm showing these pictures to my stylist on Friday, so I'm sure it will turn out great!

Wedding Week Itinerary

Just finishing up some last minute details! My mom is coming down to pick up my dress tomorrow so she transport it in the van (so we don't have to worry about it getting wrinkled in our car).  All things considered, I'm feeling pretty calm-- although I've had a headache for 3 days straight and really am hoping to wake up without one tomorrow!  Anyway, here's what the week ahead holds for us:

Tuesday, August 17th

• We arrive at Normandy Farm
• Dinner with our parents

Wednesday, August 18th

• 7:00 PM - ?: Bridal Party Meet Up at Normandy Farm - beer & pizza to be served

Thursday, August 19th

• 6:30 - 9:00 AM: Deluxe continental breakfast served at the Coleman Restaurant
• 10:00 AM - 3ish: Guys go golfing at Blue Bell Country Club
• 11:30 - 3:30 PM: Girls go to Head to Toe Healthy Spa
• 6:00 PM: Rehearsal in the Silos Garden (rain location will be a conference room)
• 7:00 - 10 PM: Rehearsal dinner at the Coleman Restaurant at Normandy Farm
• 11:00 PM: Time to rest up for the big day!

Friday, August 20th

• 6:30 - 9:00 AM: Deluxe continental breakfast served at the Coleman Restaurant
• 9:00 AM: Hair (Dar Clinton) arrives - 1st appt to begin at 9:30
• 12:30 PM: Make-up (Emily Aznavourian) arrives - 1st appt to begin at 12:45
• 1:30 - 2:30 PM: DJ/lighting (Tom Carroll) arrives
• 3:00 PM: Flowers delivered by Ways Florist, Lorraine Daley & assistant Greg (photography) arrives, Videographer (Well Spun Weddings) arrives
• 3:30 - 4:30 PM: Bridesmaid, Groomsmen, Ushers, Flower Girls, & Family Pictures
• 4:00 - 4:15: String Trio Arrives
• 4:30 PM: Nancy Hauser (officiant) arrives
• 4:35 PM: Groom, Groomsmen, & Ushers to meet up with officiant in Silos pre- function area
• 4:40 PM: Ushers begin greeting guests
• 4:50 PM: Bride & Father meet up in Silos pre-function area
• 5:00 PM: Ceremony begins
• 5:20 - 5:30 PM: Bridal party to have a few photos taken after ceremony
• 5:30 - 6:30 PM: Cocktail hour (Bride & Groom to have photos taken together)
• 6:30 PM: Reception begins - bridal party introductions & first dance
• 6:40 PM: Welcoming, toasts, & grace
• 7:15 PM: Dinner is served
• 7:30 PM: Father-Daughter & Mother-Son dances
• 8:00 PM: Table toasts from the bride & groom
• 8:30 PM: Cake cutting
• 10:00 PM: "After Party"
• 11:00 PM: Reception ends

Saturday, August 21st

• 7:30 - 10:00 AM: Regular continental breakfast served at the Coleman Restaurant

Another lucky win!

I haven't had time to enter contests lately, but I entered this one a few weeks ago for luggage.  Guess what?  I won!!!  : )

Yup, I won a $200 gift certificate to luggage.com!  I am hoping (but doubting) I will get the gift card info soon so I can get a big suitcase in time for the honeymoon.  Even if I don't, it's still free $ for a nice suitcase!

Escort Cards = DONE!

Finally!!  Our biggest final project is done!  I never want to do another escort card or seating chart again in my life!

If I had to do it over again, I probably would've gotten the cards pre-cut and scored, because those things were pretty time consuming.  I did the graphic design using Photoshop, and I think they turned out pretty well.  Now we just have to finish our videography editing form, submit our table breakdown, submit our banquet order form, print day-of time lines, attend my final fitting, get my ring cleaned- and just a few other last minute odds & ends.  Only one more full week of work until the wedding/honeymoon! 

OMG!!!

ONLY 2 1/2 WEEKS LEFT!!!

I'm learning that no matter how much pre-planning you do, there will always be a million last minute details.  The latest has been finalizing the seating chart, totaling up the head counts (adults, kids, vendors, etc.), filling out spreadsheets with table meal breakdowns (required by the venue), filling out/creating floor plans (required by our venue), and finalizing all of our playlists/music selections before our phone meeting with the DJ this Wednesday.  Once we tackle all of that, it will be on to the place cards.


I had my second fitting this weekend, and that went okay.  They hemmed my dress crooked, so they will need to fix that before my final fitting (scheduled for next Thursday).  My veil still hasn't come in yet, so that is making me a little bit nervous... but there's not really too much I can do about that.


I'm exhausted, but excited at the same time.  So looking forward to seeing everyone and having a great time!

Things Are Starting to Come Together

After I finished that long list of wedding tasks last weekend, I needed a little break from the wedding (not that that is really possible, but in terms of projects I took a break).  I have my second fitting this weekend, and possibly our last (or second to last) dance lesson, so it's starting to sink in that the wedding is getting pretty close.  I've continued to stalk the non-RSVPing guests, and I've gotten replies from most of them, but a few maybes are still lingering.  Once we get the final count, the next step will be place cards.  Other than designing and printing the place cards, everything else that is left really is just a matter of planning and organizing.

I've been working on table assignments, timelines, vendor contacts, etc.  I've also been trying to set up instructions to assist my mom's friend in setting up the cocktail hour/ceremony.  Look at my crazy precise little diagrams:

Below is a picture of what's going to be on the tables at cocktail hour. It's silver floating candles in a shallow vase with clear stones & pink gems on the bottom.

Then, on the outdoor tables at cocktail hour, we'll have the same shallow vases, but filled with a mix of pink and black candles (we couldn't find any gray floating candles).

Wedding Day Purse

I'm being having trouble deciding on a wedding day purse. Here are the candidates:

Option 1: Jessica McClintock Satin Flower Clutch at Nordstrom

Option 2: La Regale Gathered Satin Clutch at Endless.com

Option 3: La Regale Ivory Lace Clutch at Endless.com

Option 4: La Regale Silver Beaded Clutch at Endless.com

Option 5: Touch-ups Silver Satin Clutch at Zappos.com

At this point, I think I'm leaning toward option 2 or 5, just because they are the simplest and I don't want a flashy purse competing with my dress.  I also worry that anything that isn't simple might be "too much" when put next to my dress.  If you need a reminder as to what the dress fabric looks like, click here.  Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

***Update: Thanks for the input.  I chose #2.  Ah, another thing to check off my list  : )  ***