Nightmare

Everything that could go wrong for my wedding and reception did. This was my nightmare last night. In my dream, the reception happened the day before the wedding. I was wearing a pretty yellow satin gown. There were so many guests that there were tables set up in the lobby of the hotel to accommodate them. Then some of the musicians were fired (by whom, I don't know) so we had to use our iPods for music. I guess in my dream I hired some performers who put on a show where they kept forgetting their lines or words to a song. It was so awkward that it was painful to watch.

The next day was the wedding. I was wearing my nice wedding gown and it happened to be in a church. I went in through the side door of the church, not the middle, and I don't think I had anyone walk me down the aisle. In the middle of the ceremony, I asked if we could start the whole thing from the beginning because I wanted Dad to walk me down.

So we started it all over again. This time I went through the main doors. My dad had some sort of bloody wound on the left side of his face. When we got to the altar, I could see Rich sitting on the floor of the church and texting on his Blackberry.

And then I woke up.

Couch Potatoes

When we first moved into our apartment, we had so few furniture and the apartment was such a nice large size that we had that minimalistic l look without even trying.

We only had one sofa facing the TV. As a result, when people came over, everyone just sat on the sofa facing the TV. It wasn't really conducive to entertaining.

But thanks to Gregg's older brother John, we have a "new" sectional couch. We recruited Rich to help us pick up the couch from Queens. Then we bought a new gray cover from Ikea and voila! A brand new couch!

We didn't mean for it to happen, but our sofas and rugs now match the colors of our wedding!

Bridesmaid Dresses

Finally. It's chosen. David's Bridal names the color "Canary" but it looks more like a buttercup yellow to me.

This isn't my pic, but shows the color and overall design of the dress.

I went to DB to try it on for myself. Unfortunately, they only had a size 8 in the yellow. They clipped it in the back, but it still looked kinda big on me.

Below is the dress on the model in the clover color. Not sure what to do with that extra flap of fabric in the middle of the dress. It's really a nice chiffon fabric and very light. It MAY need to be hemmed because it was already a little long on me and I think I'm the tallest one amongst my bridesmaids.

Below is a picture of a real wedding using this dress. It's a good depiction of the color of the dress.

RSVP's are rolling in

I was able to reach my deadline for sending out invitations. On exactly January 31st, 2011 I mailed all those suckers out. All of them, that is, except for the international ones.

I must be the laziest person in the world who can't walk 5 blocks to the post office to mail the international invitations out. I cannot physically make myself get up, put on my boots and coat, and trudge down to the post office before it closes at 4pm. First of all, with my staycation ongoing I can barely wake up by 12 noon.

However, the RSVP's have been coming! Every day there's been at least one little envelope in the mailbox. I get giddy everyday when I put the key in the mailbox. I was totally confused the first time I saw an RSVP envelope for some reason. I think it was because I saw my name and address written in my own handwriting and I got discombobulated for a second.

I know this is bad, but with a long guestlist and a limited amount of space, I am actually relieved when someone declines on the RSVP.

The count so far is approximately 35-40 confirmed.

Here are the invites:

Reception - Part 1

In some ways I'm organized about planning this thing and in others I'm a complete mess. I'm hoping putting all my ideas down here will help me when figure things out and make it easier for me to reference things. I don't even know what that last part means.

So, this is some thoughts and ideas for the reception.

ON THE TABLE:

For the tables, the main part is the centerpiece, obviously. However, I'm keeping it pretty simple. Below is a sample from my florist of what Gregg and I had in mind:

It will be three clear vases with white flowers composed of peonies, rancunculus, tulips. The vases will be surrounded by votive candles. I will be providing the votive candles instead of the florist. Cheaper that way. I'm ordering 72 candles from Amazon: ($14.99)

http://www.amazon.com/Hour-White-Unscented-Votive-Candles/dp/B001D8QJXK/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_b

72 candle holders ($26.99) from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Clear-Glass-Votive-Holders/dp/B001D90HZK/ref=pd_sim_k_1

This way it'll be approximately 58 cents per candle with holder. 4 candles for 12 tables = 48 candles. 24 candles left over for cocktail table, placecard holder table etc.

Yellow maracas for each place setting. On the plate or next to the forks. http://www.amols.com/catalog/product/MX750Y

$1.95 a pair. Approximately 100 needed = 50 pairs. $97.50 total.

Need tags for the maracas. Vistaprint?

Need menu.

Need favor. Tabasco sauce?

Presence/Presents

Gregg and I did the whole registry thing just because it was sort of an expected thing to do. We don't expect any gifts at all because we feel that people are already spending a good amount of money just to be at the wedding in the first place. Plane tickets, hotels, other transportation - it all adds up. So if people come to the wedding, we'd already be overflowing with gratitude that they're there in the first place. Their presence already IS a present.

We don't expect anything even from guests who can't make it.

So it always comes as a nice surprise when we receive a package in the mail from one of our registries. We've gotten two so far, both from Crate and Barrel. I think it's so much better because it's so unexpected.

One was from Kevin and Katie, Gregg's younger brother and his gf. Their package came as a total surprise because it arrived in October and they're both already going to the wedding, Kevin being a best man and all. They said they didn't want to have carry the gift all the way down to Mexico.

The other was from Gregg's friend and gf who wouldn't be able to make it. It was a wine-inspired gift with wine glasses, wine stoppers and a wine rack. Perfect for my wine-loving fiance!

As I said, we don't expect any gifts but it does come as a pleasant surprise when we receive one.

Bridesmaids Gifts - Check!

I was so happy to have found my bridesmaids gifts this weekend. I was so excited when I found the gifts. As soon as I saw them I knew I just HAD to buy them for the girls. Yay!