My wedding is in 57 days. That is less than two months. As I said in a prior post, I am whittling down my to-do list.
When people talk to me about the wedding, they ask a funny question.
Are you excited?
No, I’m dreading it. It’s going to be a horrible day, and I hope no one comes.
Just kidding. I know that people ask me this to start a conversation, or to make sure I’m not stressing, or even to see where my heads at. Am I excited? YES. Of course.
Then I wonder: What are they really asking? Are they curious about if I am excited for the day? The planning to be done? The marriage itself?
It’s probably a combination of all of the above. It’s still amusing, though!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Honey-Done List
I have been using the checklist on TheKnot.com. Thus far I have found it to be very detailed and helpful. It has really been instrumental in keeping me busy (read: sane) during our year-long engagement. I am now down to the last items, a lot of which I cannot do, because they need to be done closer to the wedding. Some I can't do because they are RoyBoy's job, and others I am still waiting on. It's been great checking things off and seeing what I can do next.
A girl at work said that I am handling everything well. Given that I've only known her for since late February, I think that that says a lot about me. It's not like I've been regailing her with wedding details. She was speaking about me on the whole. I have to admit that I am pleased to hear that others see that I handle stress well and can stay organized.
Of course, I'm not perfect. It's impossible not to feel overwhelmed from time to time. What matters is what you do about it and what you do to prevent it. Stress is critical to life. It helps us prioritize, stay motivated, and keeps our brains going.
I think the best way to handle stress is to be self-aware. I have learned my limits. I review my check list, my plans, and my ideas constantly to see what I can do, but also to know what I cannot do. Reviewing keeps me focused and prioritized. It's also vital to do things other than focus on your stressors. I make myself read, exercise, and watch TV. Your brain and body need to unwind and have a break from stress.
Thus, my list is being narrowed, but my brain is still running smoothly. My blood pressure is normal, and I am not constantly on edge. Ah, weddings. They can make you, or break you.
A girl at work said that I am handling everything well. Given that I've only known her for since late February, I think that that says a lot about me. It's not like I've been regailing her with wedding details. She was speaking about me on the whole. I have to admit that I am pleased to hear that others see that I handle stress well and can stay organized.
Of course, I'm not perfect. It's impossible not to feel overwhelmed from time to time. What matters is what you do about it and what you do to prevent it. Stress is critical to life. It helps us prioritize, stay motivated, and keeps our brains going.
I think the best way to handle stress is to be self-aware. I have learned my limits. I review my check list, my plans, and my ideas constantly to see what I can do, but also to know what I cannot do. Reviewing keeps me focused and prioritized. It's also vital to do things other than focus on your stressors. I make myself read, exercise, and watch TV. Your brain and body need to unwind and have a break from stress.
Thus, my list is being narrowed, but my brain is still running smoothly. My blood pressure is normal, and I am not constantly on edge. Ah, weddings. They can make you, or break you.
Sizings
Last night I ordered RoyBoy’s wedding band. It is titanium, and he picked it out. It is a simple, classic yet modern design, and I am very excited for it. We ordered from the Etsy dealer Titaniumknights, and I should get it within a week or two!
In other exciting news, I got my dress back! About a month ago I had my first fitting, and today I went back with my mum, “second-mum,” and “almost-sister.” The dress fits beautifully. The length is now to my knees, which is also great. My goal for the next month is not to lose or gain any weight! Hahaha My other goal is to try to keep it from getting wrinkled!
In other exciting news, I got my dress back! About a month ago I had my first fitting, and today I went back with my mum, “second-mum,” and “almost-sister.” The dress fits beautifully. The length is now to my knees, which is also great. My goal for the next month is not to lose or gain any weight! Hahaha My other goal is to try to keep it from getting wrinkled!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Drink Me
I have been considering beverages for the wedding. Not alcoholic, but refreshing drinks that are fun and kid-friendly. And cheap. I have all sorts of interesting drink recipes: flavorful fruit drinks, agua frescas, lemonades, and a delicious white tea.
I am still trying to figure out what I want, besides water. I have contains, which can hold at least one gallon each (yeah, I need to re-measure, so sh). The next task was figuring out how much I needed. I looked at several ‘beverage calculators’ but they weren’t helpful. Most involved alcohol, which is all fine and dandy, but not what I wanted.
Then I managed to find Ellen’s Kitchen, which had a VERY useful page, called “Quantities to serve 100.” FANTASTIC. http://www.ellenskitchen.com/bigpots/plan/bevmisc100.html
EXCEPT that this does not say how long these servings are good for. According to a few other sites I can expect each person to drink at least 2 drinks per hour. This gives me roughly 80 gallons, depending on how I do the math.
That is a ridiculous amount of beverages. I am not making that much lemonade. Luckily, I know people with a membership at a local wholesale store. The agua frescas will have to wait. Luckily, I have $480 in my budget for drinks!
I am still trying to figure out what I want, besides water. I have contains, which can hold at least one gallon each (yeah, I need to re-measure, so sh). The next task was figuring out how much I needed. I looked at several ‘beverage calculators’ but they weren’t helpful. Most involved alcohol, which is all fine and dandy, but not what I wanted.
Then I managed to find Ellen’s Kitchen, which had a VERY useful page, called “Quantities to serve 100.” FANTASTIC. http://www.ellenskitchen.com/bigpots/plan/bevmisc100.html
EXCEPT that this does not say how long these servings are good for. According to a few other sites I can expect each person to drink at least 2 drinks per hour. This gives me roughly 80 gallons, depending on how I do the math.
That is a ridiculous amount of beverages. I am not making that much lemonade. Luckily, I know people with a membership at a local wholesale store. The agua frescas will have to wait. Luckily, I have $480 in my budget for drinks!
Count Down: T Minus 2 Months.
TWO MONTHS! Oh my goodness. In two months we will be getting married. Ah! How exciting! How crazy!
I have to admit, I think I’m doing really well with this thing. I don’t think I’m stressing too badly at this point. It is so surprising that I only have two months left!
RoyBoy and I have come to a very important decision: I will be moving to Florida on May 24th . I do not have a job, but I have a place to live and some job leads. Little things also keep falling into place about moving, so that is very encouraging. It will be great to see RoyBoy again!
In preparation for the move, I will be taking the week before I leave for FL to pack and make sure I do everything I can for the wedding. I will be calling everyone who hasn’t RSVPed and then completing all deposits. I will have to pay the rental folks (chairs and tent), the caterer, and the baker.
Speaking of moving and packing, I have so much stuff! It’s crazy! Yet I don’t want to get rid of it because I want to use it for the rooms of future kids- toys, books, etc. Plus, a lot is from my childhood, and I’m not ready to give it up yet. Sentimentality is great but can be a physical burden! Haha.
I have to admit, I think I’m doing really well with this thing. I don’t think I’m stressing too badly at this point. It is so surprising that I only have two months left!
RoyBoy and I have come to a very important decision: I will be moving to Florida on May 24th . I do not have a job, but I have a place to live and some job leads. Little things also keep falling into place about moving, so that is very encouraging. It will be great to see RoyBoy again!
In preparation for the move, I will be taking the week before I leave for FL to pack and make sure I do everything I can for the wedding. I will be calling everyone who hasn’t RSVPed and then completing all deposits. I will have to pay the rental folks (chairs and tent), the caterer, and the baker.
Speaking of moving and packing, I have so much stuff! It’s crazy! Yet I don’t want to get rid of it because I want to use it for the rooms of future kids- toys, books, etc. Plus, a lot is from my childhood, and I’m not ready to give it up yet. Sentimentality is great but can be a physical burden! Haha.
Monday, April 12, 2010
April Shower!
This past weekend was my bridal shower! It was so exciting. I had been looking forward to the shower for a while (who wouldn’t?) and I was very touched by who was able to come, the little details of the shower, and just how great it was.
The guests were great. It was nice to catch up with people I hadn’t seen in a while, although I wish I could have spent more time with everyone. I was glad at how many people were able to attend! Everyone participated in the games we played (Stephanie Jeopardy and a MadLib), and it was nice for guests to get to know one another as well.
The shower was planned by my MOH, The Koala, and by a dear friend of mine who is basically my second mom. My bridesmaids, of course, did their part in helping. They did such a great job!
Here are some of my favorite details (well, pretty much everything is a favorite!).
-The theme tied into the theme of the wedding- simplicity; our colors of orange, pink, and yellow; the gerbera daisies; polka dots.
-There were small candies with hand-made wrappers. Some had one of two pictures of RoyBoy and I. Others had small umbrellas, and still others had hearts and said “Love is patient, Love is kind.” Those little candies were so cute and I was touched by the creativity and thought.
-The cake was adorable! The bottom tier was orange frosting with swirls while the top tier was pink frosting with polka dots. Small fondant balls in pink, orange, and yellow lined the bottom- a cute touch! My sister also had them order a small little fondant sign saying “Yay Stef!” It was so cute! (But didn’t taste good, and I know because I took a bite out of it!) The cake also tasted great. The bottom half was almond with raspberry, and the top was chocolate with peanut butter. Delicious!
-The shower was held at our church in a Sunday school classroom. The whiteboards were covered with polka dot wrapping paper, and then pictures of me were put on up as decorations.
-Guests were encouraged to write advice on small colorful hearts. There were some really silly ones, but also some great advice.
-The favors were small pansies for guests to plant in their gardens. Since pansies are the flower for thoughts, I thought it was fitting.
The presents were all great as well. I am SO excited to live with RoyBoy and create a home together! We received great things for entertaining, a picnic basket that we can bring on the honeymoon, and our bathroom is pretty much decked out!
All in all, a great shower! Well planned, well executed, and time well spent.
The guests were great. It was nice to catch up with people I hadn’t seen in a while, although I wish I could have spent more time with everyone. I was glad at how many people were able to attend! Everyone participated in the games we played (Stephanie Jeopardy and a MadLib), and it was nice for guests to get to know one another as well.
The shower was planned by my MOH, The Koala, and by a dear friend of mine who is basically my second mom. My bridesmaids, of course, did their part in helping. They did such a great job!
Here are some of my favorite details (well, pretty much everything is a favorite!).
-The theme tied into the theme of the wedding- simplicity; our colors of orange, pink, and yellow; the gerbera daisies; polka dots.
-There were small candies with hand-made wrappers. Some had one of two pictures of RoyBoy and I. Others had small umbrellas, and still others had hearts and said “Love is patient, Love is kind.” Those little candies were so cute and I was touched by the creativity and thought.
-The cake was adorable! The bottom tier was orange frosting with swirls while the top tier was pink frosting with polka dots. Small fondant balls in pink, orange, and yellow lined the bottom- a cute touch! My sister also had them order a small little fondant sign saying “Yay Stef!” It was so cute! (But didn’t taste good, and I know because I took a bite out of it!) The cake also tasted great. The bottom half was almond with raspberry, and the top was chocolate with peanut butter. Delicious!
-The shower was held at our church in a Sunday school classroom. The whiteboards were covered with polka dot wrapping paper, and then pictures of me were put on up as decorations.
-Guests were encouraged to write advice on small colorful hearts. There were some really silly ones, but also some great advice.
-The favors were small pansies for guests to plant in their gardens. Since pansies are the flower for thoughts, I thought it was fitting.
The presents were all great as well. I am SO excited to live with RoyBoy and create a home together! We received great things for entertaining, a picnic basket that we can bring on the honeymoon, and our bathroom is pretty much decked out!
All in all, a great shower! Well planned, well executed, and time well spent.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Cetus Lupidus! Melt down mode MAJOR!
Last night I had a little melt down. It was annoying. First I got frustrated over something I should have been able to shake off, but it just set me off. So then I cried, because when I get frustrated I cry. Then I think about all the other things I am frustrated about, and get even more upset. Then I get ever more upset because I’m so upset. It’s hard to be rational once the tears start. In the end, my mother said it was normal for me to be upset and feel overwhelmed by the whole wedding planning process.
Sometimes it just feels like it keeps adding up. I found out we had to add more guests, which is fine, but then I have to make and mail more invites.
I also found out I need to try to negotiate a change in a contract with a hotel to see if we can get the discounted price extended.
I ALSO need to plan something for an after party of sorts, but I need to talk with RoyBoy about this.
Plus, we are meeting with my aunt and uncle on Thursday- they are hosting the wedding and my uncle is performing the ceremony. So for Thursday, I need to be prepared to talk about the ceremony. RoyBoy and I need to discuss vows, the reading of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and what we want for the ceremony. We have established that we want it to be short, and no communion/ candle lighting/ unity candle.
The big problem is that RoyBoy and I aren’t together. This makes him procrastinate, and it makes it harder in general, because we can’t just sit down and talk.
Long story not-so-short, I cried a lot and RoyBoy felt bad. The plus side is, the invitations got printed (my dad went out to Kinkos and printed them for me, since our printer apparently doesn’t do cardstock printing) and RoyBoy picked out ties for his groom's men. To think all it takes is some tears to get things done… just kidding. The headache and aggravation felt was so not worth it.
Sometimes it just feels like it keeps adding up. I found out we had to add more guests, which is fine, but then I have to make and mail more invites.
I also found out I need to try to negotiate a change in a contract with a hotel to see if we can get the discounted price extended.
I ALSO need to plan something for an after party of sorts, but I need to talk with RoyBoy about this.
Plus, we are meeting with my aunt and uncle on Thursday- they are hosting the wedding and my uncle is performing the ceremony. So for Thursday, I need to be prepared to talk about the ceremony. RoyBoy and I need to discuss vows, the reading of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, and what we want for the ceremony. We have established that we want it to be short, and no communion/ candle lighting/ unity candle.
The big problem is that RoyBoy and I aren’t together. This makes him procrastinate, and it makes it harder in general, because we can’t just sit down and talk.
Long story not-so-short, I cried a lot and RoyBoy felt bad. The plus side is, the invitations got printed (my dad went out to Kinkos and printed them for me, since our printer apparently doesn’t do cardstock printing) and RoyBoy picked out ties for his groom's men. To think all it takes is some tears to get things done… just kidding. The headache and aggravation felt was so not worth it.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Keep Suckin' it in!
Last Sunday I had my first dress fitting. The dress comes with three sets of 3 ribbons in a row. This makes the dress come mid-calf on me. When you’re short, as I am, this is a very awkward length. If I were tall, it’d be fine. As I am not, it makes me look even shorter and pretty stumpy. When you’re the bride, you should look gorgeous, not stumpy. We are hemming the dress right below the second set of ribbons, basically taking off some 6 inches. This puts the dress right at my knees, which is a great length.
Can I please tell you how excited I am for my dress to be this length? I’m excited. Really excited. Why? First off, because I don’t look stumpy. Secondly, dress being knee length makes it SO fun and so cute and so flirty and so summery and therefore so awesome. It was really hard to imagine it before the seamstress put all the pins in. After she pinned everything (all 3 or 4 layers) it looked AWESOME. I loved it. It was sort of weird, since I’d only ever seen it at the awkward length, and then it was a totally different dress.
The seamstress also took a little in at the bust, because it was slightly lose.
It’s going to look so great! I have the final fitting on 4/28, and I am really looking forward to seeing it. Then I just can’t gain/lost weight! There’s no room in the budget for more alterations.
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