The Heat Is On April 30, 2008

After completely dropping our original reception idea and deciding to go for something that wouldn’t require us to haul a bunch of stuff, rent linens and bring our own liquor (hello, heavy lifting!), we started from scratch.

A new list with new guidelines — I still decided to stick to my “no hotels” rule, but I decided to seek out restaurants that would allow us to host our reception in their location.

There were surprising a lot, but many don’t have enough space for 150+ people.

At any rate, I managed to sort through hundreds of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Stillwater restaurants and narrow it down to 2! An Italian restaurant in Saint Paul (omg, it smelled SO delicious when I checked it out) and a more hip, Spanish restaurant in downtown Minneapolis, which I will be visiting today.

Truth be told, money is an issue… if we can get one place for $3000+ less than the other, I’m sold. But… taste, decor and location also weigh in. Here’s hoping we have a winner by week’s end!

Oh, So Cute April 25, 2008

If something were to happen and I were to, oh, not have a dress, this could be super cute.

I heart the shirred bodice, the ribbon belt and the floufy layers of the skirt. Plus, the fact that it would cover my ugh-ley knees? Nice.

It could even be a non-wedding frock, but where to wear it? Perhaps the bachelorette party? Or on our honeymoon (still crossing my fingers for Bora Bora!!!)

I May Have Strayed April 23, 2008

I feel so guilty.

I have been enamoured with I Do & Baby Too for months, and totally planned to get my dress there. Until I went to Macy’s Bridal Sample Sale (THAT experience is coming in a future post).

I found an awesome Vera Wang gown for a deal. Its what I would call “beyond snug” but I figure I can get some exercise, have some alterations done, get it cleaned (and boy, after sitting at that sample sale and everything before it, it certainly needs it). Or maybe I won’t wear it. Who knows. I could end up as a 3-dress bride.

Anyway, now I have to figure out how to tell the AMAZING Kimberly that I will probably not get my dress from her shop (but I will, of course, get my purse, a hairpiece, probably some jewelry from her). I adore that woman and feel terrible that I found a different dress elsewhere. But I guess that happens.

Want to see the dress? I can’t show you, but I can let you see that the top is similar to the attached image (without the brooch and with a less shimmery material — so not TOTALLY like it, but similar design — I can’t give it all away).

Oooh, The Anticipation April 22, 2008

I got an email today from Myra Kim — turns out my awesome veil is nearly done!

I have NO idea what it looks like, but I have total faith — Myra has been making beautiful custom veils and amazing floral headpieces for tons of women. She’s completely amazing and doesn’t overcharge — and she’s super patient (I was like, I want a veil that’s not too long, probably cheek-level or so, I don’t want the attached fascinator to be too poufy or flat. I don’t care about colors — and she still took what I said and has been working on something).

So… we shall see how it turns out. I am QUITE excited.

If you’re looking for something original and beautiful to wear on your wedding day (or, heck, just to wear and feel a bit of springtime glamour), check out her shop.

As Things Change April 17, 2008

We decided to sit down and map out where our budget is going, so we could figure out how much we had to spend on flowers, table decorations, favors and other miscellanea.

Well… that was a bad idea. It turns out that we’re ALREADY over budget. And, looking at our numbers, I don’t know how or where to cut back. I mean, I want something meaningful and wonderful, but do really really need to rent 200 chaircovers and sashes (even though they’re a steal at $550!)? Did we overspend on our photographer?

So, we’re rethinking. Do we want it at the Historic Courthouse? Do we want it in the evening? Is there anyone we can cut from our guestlist.

Sigh — this is tough business.

Charlie! April 14, 2008

Okay — this video is short and cute, and I wish I hadn’t watched it about a dozen times this weekend. Its a nice respite to the planning and the start of stress (I totally jinxed myself in a previous post).

Charlie Bit Me

My Wedding Planner April 10, 2008

My wedding planner is a shiny black accordian folder-on handles by Russel + Hazel.

I’ve got 15.5 months left to plan this wedding and I feel very confident.

Decided on decor? Check
Decided on my wardrobe? Check
Chose favors/invitations/bridesmaid dress/flower girl dress/flowers/location? Check

We still have to find a band, decide on a caterer and bakery and figure out what we want to do about liquor (hire a service or purchase the liquor ourselves), but I am already bored.

What is that most brides stress about? Why do so many women get a wedding planner?

Perhaps I am approaching this whole wedding wrong… perhaps I am too laid back, too organized, too much of a researcher. Maybe I’ll freak out later, but at this point… my biggest worry is that we’ll finish everything too soon and just have to sit in anticipation.

Chair Covers? And they’re cheap! April 9, 2008

We tossed around the idea of chair covers… the GTB was hesistant ($1,000 for something people won’t even remember?!) but I went ahead and decided that we need to have them… the chairs at the reception hall we’ve chosen is too ugly. So I started searching… and came up frustrated, wanting so much to avoid ridiculous charges and fees.

There’s Festivities, which doesn’t list any prices online — blah.
Lasting Impressions has limited colors, though they say they can special order any color and their prices are decent, $1.95 for cover, sashes are $.95-$1.35)… so the prices aren’t too shabby.
Apres has a mind-boggling selection of linens, but the prices far exceed the meager amount I would spend. I guess I could beautifully cover the head table chairs, or maybe one chair at each table

So… I decided to give the interwebs a shot and found Urquid Linens. If you keep thinking Urquel, like Steve Urquel, you’re not alone.

Anyway, they had a special going on — each chair cover with sash was $2. Wow. So I ordered 200 (naturally) with shipping both ways, it was around $550, which is pretty spectacular.

Their customer service is pretty excellent (Tiffany responded to all emails in no time) and they sent me samples of their available fabric, which I could keep (in case we need a spare sash, I suppose).

Another Great Photographer April 6, 2008

We’ve already chosen our photographer (Shannon Hady of 1 Fine Day and Serendipity), but I just want to point out to anyone in the Twin Cities area, another fine photographer with a stunning portfolio.

Check out Federer Photography — Joe Federer covers your wedding from the beginning to end, with the help of a second photographer. His style, eye for lighting and decent prices are worth checking out.

Awesome Wedding Photography April 4, 2008

Wow — what a cool idea. I saw this idea on the website of a U.K. based photographer. Here’s his version, I think we’re going to have to try this ourselves — how easy — hire someone to snap the photos, hang a curtain or sheet as a backdrop, and bring a digital camera, and of course a cool, oversized frame.

Check out Martin Oliver’s site for more amazing photography.