Designs/Themes for wedding media

After a few months of haphazard research I FINALLY found a design theme that I want to use for the website, invites, save the dates, programs, etc.! I locked in my Maid of Honor, the STELLAR, graphic designer to help me out once I found what I wanted and I am feeling relieved. I had spent some time looking in the past few months and not finding anything that I really loved; a discouraging process. I was talking with Maid of Honor and my phenomenal web designer, @Phillip_Copley, and I think we'll be able to put all of the pieces together! I'm hoping the website will be up and running (with ongoing updates/changes) by the end of the month... that means I have to get to writing and details!

It's been really refreshing to ease myself back into the planning process, finding some fairly simple answers -- of course, I say that now!

Dresses!

I am excited to report that I have my first appointment to try on wedding gowns on Thursday. I'm going with my mom to a place near my apartment which is locally owned and operated. The upside is that everything looks affordable, and is a local business. The downside I have concerns about is that they are all sample dresses of the latest bridal gowns, but I'm worried that they'll be damaged or that the sample sizes will be too small for me to fit. I guess we'll find out!

I have another appointment on Jan 18th since I'm off and I've found a designer that I am thrilled with -- but who knows what the prices are like. The second place has options for the bridesmaid dresses, so I'm feeling a little more excited about the other place -- more size and selection.

I'm not even 100% sure what I'm looking for, but I know what I don't want: mermaid, dropped waist, gathering in the skirt, sweetheart neckline. I think I'd like something in taffeta or some other substantial, reusable material with lace and a corset back. I've found some stunning gowns from Casablanca that make me lose my breath!

I am really looking forward to the feeling I'll have when I start putting dresses on. I hope I finally start to feel like a bride. Most of all, I'm wondering if I'll really have the "you'll know" feeling when I put on the dress that I choose to wear down the aisle... or does it choose me?

Into 2010 with 300 days to go!

It's hard to believe we're already into 2010. I am enjoying some family time with my dad's side of the family in snowy, windy Hometown, PA. Trying to decide on my new year's resolutions (I'm a big believer in not making grandiose committments to ultra-strict goals) included some of the usual ones: spending more time reading, cooking more, and spending more time writing/blogging. I think the blogging will go hand in hand in the impending wedding planning. Helpfully, theKnot reminded me this morning of my 153 tasks to go!

Stay updated here on more of my adventures in wedding planning for the next 300 days!

Weekend with Family

This weekend was an awesome weekend with both my and FH's families. On Saturday, we went over to my Aunt Wendy and Uncle Brian's house for what turned out to be a day-long project. The family went in on a swingset for my two adorable cousins: K4 and K2. We expected to spend a few hours, but after 8 hours from FH and I, we were spent. The others spent 10+ hours!

Normally with a project of this magnitude, there would be emotions running high with family members and probably some short tempers. Not the case! FH was the entertainer and the foreman of the project, while there were several of us dividing and conquering the tasks as a part of the larger goal.

There were some mentions of the wedding being less than a year away and I sensed some genuine excitement which was really pleasant. I even got an offer of financial help/significant gift from my big brother. Have no clue where to even start on that one!

After 8 hours of swingset assembly, dark set in, and ND kickoff time approached. FH and I headed out separately to meet up at FBIL1 (future brother-in-law #1) and FSIL's house later. Got to watch the Irish win handily, as they should have, and spend some time with the family into which I'm marrying. It was a really relaxing night and I got some serious schooling (and later, some very kind instruction) on darts with FBIL1 and FH. FH and I had a great talk about family dynamics coming home late Saturday night.

Today, the family finished the swingset and I have gotten a lot of very long overdue tasks done around my apartment. I'm still obsessing about the briet, though. I've had two solid weeks were I have been at or not more than 200 calories over my daily calorie allowance. I'm not noticing instant results, so it is hard for me not to get discouraged, and to find the motivation to continue. Now that I know I can handle the diet part (Lose It! app on iPhone keeps me accountable), I need to make the time to get to the gym more often. I also found a great app on my iPhone that has workouts on it, so hopefully that can help me do some great workouts at home. I leave in just over 6 weeks for Cancun with the FILs, so I have to stay diligent!

We meet with our prospective photographer next week, but otherwise, the wedding planning has slowed. I had a meeting on Friday with our web designer, and I'm excited to see that keep moving. I think I had some really creative ideas, but I would love to hear any other ideas that have worked well for others.

I'm hoping to keep my posting more regular, but with my life? Who knows! Happy daylight savings!

Speaking of color palette...

I picked these two leaves up while walking into my building at work today. They are EXACTLY the colors I want, except with a little bit more rust orange involved. Beautiful!

ONE YEAR!

We are at 365 days... and counting. To go with the theme, perhaps we'll share some wine tonight to celebrate? When Adrian and I became a couple, we shared a bottle of Chateau St. Michelle Riesling -- I still have the bottle!

Not very much progress has been made, but I still am getting a lot of questions about what's next. Luckily, I don't have a lot of things that need to be done before the end of the calendar year. Here's my ambitious short list:

*Finally get in touch with my DJ friend who I asked (no lie) 15 months ago to DJ my wedding
*Choose color palette (done!)
*Create a list of florists to check out (done!)
*Insure my engagement ring (do I buy a merchant marine policy from FH's insurance co? Do I add it to my renter's policy -- same price? do I combine my car insurance and renter's insurance for a discount?)
*Schedule engagement photos with photographer
*FINALLY ask my Matron of Honor (other two are done)

So there's lots on my plate. I have also started eyeing up some save-the-dates on a great website (thanks future MIL!), so that's on my radar, too. Once 2010 starts, the clock REALLY starts ticking. I hope to start shopping for my gown and for bridesmaid dresses shortly after the first of the year.

We are meeting with our potential photographer next Sunday to see her work and, most likely, book her.

I promise to do better at updating, but there's just not that much to say right now. Have a great weekend!

Church!

The CHURCH! After 12 attempts, this is what we finally went with and I am so thrilled that it's finalized. It's a beautiful church with a fantastic staff!