Bridal Party, I mean Shower!

I'm so fortunate to have the friends and family I do. All the love and support everyone gives is overwhelming and truly amazing. Kim, with the help of my mom and some of the other bridesmaids, hosted a Bridal Shower at La Cazuela, a local restaurant in Lawrenceville.

It was a beautiful private venue that overlooked the downtown arena. They had structured it laid back but quite fun! The guests were able to play a game of Bridal Bingo, Guest Libs, and a word search for some prizes. We also had karaoke but we didn't quite make it to that part of the night.

We have roughly 45 guests show up and had a wonderful time. Couple of priceless moments:
When Mya gave Scott a hug (the flower girl is very shy!), when Brice (ringbear) helped out with all the presents, and when Tyler and Connor (Helen and Pat's kids) got excited when they found the word Hug in the word search and it wasn't listed. Which goes to show why you need kids at the wedding :)

We got some amazing gifts to use in our future home and we are so excited about when that time comes to be able to share with everyone in return.

Tips for other brides.. send those thank you notes ASAP! If it piles up you will dread doing it!

An Image of an Aisle

As time gets closer and I keep watching all these wedding movies (not really but it feels like it!), I have this video replaying in my head of the day. Of me getting dressed, riding in a limo to the venue, and hanging out in the dressing room for time to pass. For my dad to see me and start crying (though he says he won't, I know he will!), for my mom to cry, and for me.. well I probably will cry but at the same time I feel like I will be too over emotional to the point of almost being in shock not knowing what to think or do. I see the video of me walking grabbing daddy's arm, my knees shaking, my stomach tightening up, and my breathing getting really shallow with nerves. I see myself with the doors open walking through the door and a hundred fifty plus people starring at me. And I see Scott and that's where my video stops. I have no earthly idea how he will react! He may cry or he may be just as in shock as I.

RSVP'd Out!

It's become an expectation everyday that I call dad and he answers the phone with his same response, "Are you ready?" And I tell him, "Yes!" with my laptop open and my spreadsheet of all the guests. Today marking the date of when the RSVP's are due has been pretty exciting. Dad receives all the cards at home and we tally them up on the phone. So far the total is around 150 with only a handful of no responses. It has almost turned into a guessing game of who will send them in next! There's quite a few family members from Scott's side that are coming; it will be really exciting to meet them for the first time!

I'm also on the edge with some others.. A few important people I sent out without a response yet. Crossing my fingers they will be able to make it.

A note to those who have not sent them in (even if you are not coming!) Shame on you.. lol!
Anyone who has even planned an event with food (knowing the cost of food) should be more than courteous enough to send it!

Anyway, we have 42 days and the clock is ticking!

Royal Bridesmaids

My bridesmaids dresses came in this past week. We scheduled to go together to pick them up on Sunday. Unfortunately, many of the dresses will need to be altered in some part or another, but they are lovely! The sample dresses they tried on were all purple and we were all nervous about the turn out of the color, but everyone agreed royal blue was perfect! Kim's dress was also gorgeous; her's is the same color and fabric with a different style top.

Following the dress excursion, we all resumed to my house for some bridal party bonding - including the guys - and mom and I revealed that we were making the jewelry for the girls in efforts to try and offset the costs. They are wearing pearls, similar to mine but more simple - continuing with the theme of a simple and elegant wedding.
The ladies have also decided to get shirts and are in the process of getting them done!
Let's see what happens!

Crunch Time... Literally!

January is nearly half way through and there are so many details left to plan! It's crunch time with 44 days left, and I want to catch you up on all the details!

Martin Luther King Weekend was spent over looking details again that otherwise cannot be postponed. We created a game plan for the table decorations for the cake, gift, and sweethearts table. We also looked into how to plan the seating chart and how to have the table numbers displayed. Finally, dad and uncle Marcos finished painting our awesome lanterns for centerpieces and worked on a majority of the wood slabs.

I'm putting a general request out that if you have any mid sized jars (roughly 3-6 inches tall) or baby jars that you are currently not using, please let me know! I will gladly come by and pick them up to take them off you hands!

Mom and Kim are planning the Bridal Shower - to be hosted on January 28 at La Cazuela in downtown Lawrenceville, 5pm I believe. I was able to do some shopping with them for some decoration but they've kept me out of the loop to keep it a fun surprise.

I've also scheduled my last fitting to be the morning of the 28 to ensure the alterations came out exactly as planned. I love putting on the dress - it will be the fourth time and possibly last before the wedding but it excites me even more every time I put it on!

RSVP's are also due shortly and about a third have been returned thus far. Turnout looks to be pretty good so far but I hope to hear from the others soon! I'm surprised with the responses of some yes's and no's but the people currently coming is proving to be a great mix! Some very important people have also not RSVP'd as of yet!! HINT HINT

The Musical Talents Of....

I have a previous post regarding my music selections. We will in fact be having and remaining with our current DJ, Complete Music and Video, for the reception. However, I wanted the ceremony to be a bit more romantic. For those of you who know me I play the viola, and have been playing since I was in 6 grade. It's not a very well known instrument to those not musically talented, and is not typically an instrument many seek to play. Well, performing in orchestra and excelling in my concerts, I have learned to appreciate classical music, the sounds of my instrument, and acoustic tones in general.

I had a friend who offered to play his acoustic guitar at the wedding but due to scheduling conflicts was unable to commit.

Fortunately after much complaining, much frustration, and much hair pulling, I was able to find a replacement that turned out to be what I had dreamed about to begin with as ceremony entertainment...
My neighbor Britton, who shares my love of orchestral music, has put together a string quartet to perform! The musicians all currently perform with the Kennesaw Philharmonic Orchestra. Musical selections will be left a surprise to not completely spoil the wedding, however acoustically 550 Trackside should sound amazing with the instruments!