The waiting process begins. We sent out our wedding invitations a few days back, and now we play the waiting game. Though we have a fairly good idea of who can attend our wedding, it's still fun to receive the little "RSVP" cards in the mail. Only one real disappointment so far, (just because we were so sure she'd attend), but other than that - very exciting stuff!
We started working on the budget this past weekend, as well... (perhaps a bit late, but important nonetheless!). The good news is that we've already paid for a good chunk of it, and some has been "sponsored" by our families, which is quite helpful. :) Still, it's a good chunk of change!
I have my first alteration fitting on Saturday, and I'm a bit stressed. I haven't lost much weight (at all), since I first bought the dress back in January, though I was really hoping to firm up a bit more. I guess I still have some time, but... I gotta get off my butt and do it! That's the hard part. ;)
Getting ready to design the wedding programs, and we have most of the wedding favors planned out. Hoping Stinkerpants is available for the programs, too. Sara works wonders!!
Stay tuned!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
I FOUND A DRESS!! I FOUND A DRESS!
... and of course it's much more expensive than I was hoping to spend!
My good friend Katy Haggerty had suggested that I check out the bridal shop that she went to for her dress a while back, and I finally decided to book a time and visit.
Today, Katy, her husband Thomas, Soren and I headed out to Berkeley to meet our friends Sara and Yorkey for lunch at Cafe Gratitude in Berkeley. Well, originally we were going to meet at Cheeseboard Collective - a vegetarian pizza place on Shattuck, but to our dismay is closed on Sundays!! Anyhoo, considering that Katy is vegan and Sara is vegetarian, we headed off to Cafe Gratitude instead. Sara and Yorkey had been here before - none of the rest of us had.
When we were seated, the waitress informed us that none of the food there is cooked. NONE. Wow... for us omnivores, that was a tall order. However, the stuffed avocado salad that I'd ordered was actually quite tasty, and the "milkshake" that Soren and Thomas had was actually really good! We were quite pleasantly surprised ... until we got the bill. $125 for lunch for 6 people, where everything was basically SALAD!! Wow. Eating healthy ain't cheap!!
So, after lunch, Sara and Yorkey went back to Castro Valley to continue planning their chicken coop; Thomas and Soren headed down the street to drink a few beers and watch the game; and Katy and I headed off to Kate's Kouture for the main event!
As we entered, we were greeted by the nicest sales person I'd ever met - very laid back and friendly. She informed me that we had about an hour and a half to look and try on dresses, but I must admit that I was already overwhelmed. Tons of dresses hung around the floor, and I didn't even know where to begin. She started to ask about budget, but I was so lost in the sea of champagne tulle, ivory bodices and sparkling beads that I agred to try on everything she brought me.
Let me remind you that when I started, I was thinking a ball park of $300-$500. Boy had I underestimated the prices of wedding gowns!!
She led us upstairs, we stepped behind a curtain, and I began to undress. She handed me the first dress, and I crawled inside. The body felt a bit big, and she informed me that it was a size 12, and that I was probably closer to a 10. (Yes, wedding dresses do run small, but ... a 10??!!?). As I pulled back the curtain, I saw Katy's face - and her incredible smile lit the room. "That's beautiful" she breathed. I stepped up onto the pedestal in front of the floor length mirror, and took a look. It was beautiful. And it was THE dress.
Just to be sure, I tried on about 8 more - all of which were equally beautiful in their special, sparkly way. But I knew the first dress was it. IT WAS IT.
I tried it on again, and without my saying a word, Katy agreed - "I think this one looks best."
I glowed!
We then tried on a variety of veils - so much to consider! Especially given that the Danish tradition is to TEAR the bride's veil... the thought of our guests destroying any of those beautiful veils just made me shudder! It also horrified Katy and Kate when I explained the tradition, and they agreed that I should look for a "cheap" ... or perhaps free? ... version to have the guests tear instead.
Once I placed it on my head and draped the front down over my face, I stood back and took a deep long look. Up until that point, I'd been very businesslike about the process, asking for prices and practicality (i.e. how can I dance in this dress; how can I sit, etc.?), but once that veil was down... my eyes began to well up. Kate brought over a box of kleenex, and I made a little joke about it being a very appropriate thing to have around in a bridal shop! She said that it was ususally more for the mothers, but I guess I really am just a big sap for wedding stuff! Heck, I bawled at our first wedding, so I shouldn't be surprised!! ;)
So, I said ... "I'll take it!," and walked out of Kate's shop with a bigger dent in our credit card, but my feet barely touched the ground.
4 to 6 months, she said... but she'll email to confirm the shipment in a few days.
Dress? Check!!
My good friend Katy Haggerty had suggested that I check out the bridal shop that she went to for her dress a while back, and I finally decided to book a time and visit.
Today, Katy, her husband Thomas, Soren and I headed out to Berkeley to meet our friends Sara and Yorkey for lunch at Cafe Gratitude in Berkeley. Well, originally we were going to meet at Cheeseboard Collective - a vegetarian pizza place on Shattuck, but to our dismay is closed on Sundays!! Anyhoo, considering that Katy is vegan and Sara is vegetarian, we headed off to Cafe Gratitude instead. Sara and Yorkey had been here before - none of the rest of us had.
When we were seated, the waitress informed us that none of the food there is cooked. NONE. Wow... for us omnivores, that was a tall order. However, the stuffed avocado salad that I'd ordered was actually quite tasty, and the "milkshake" that Soren and Thomas had was actually really good! We were quite pleasantly surprised ... until we got the bill. $125 for lunch for 6 people, where everything was basically SALAD!! Wow. Eating healthy ain't cheap!!
So, after lunch, Sara and Yorkey went back to Castro Valley to continue planning their chicken coop; Thomas and Soren headed down the street to drink a few beers and watch the game; and Katy and I headed off to Kate's Kouture for the main event!
As we entered, we were greeted by the nicest sales person I'd ever met - very laid back and friendly. She informed me that we had about an hour and a half to look and try on dresses, but I must admit that I was already overwhelmed. Tons of dresses hung around the floor, and I didn't even know where to begin. She started to ask about budget, but I was so lost in the sea of champagne tulle, ivory bodices and sparkling beads that I agred to try on everything she brought me.
Let me remind you that when I started, I was thinking a ball park of $300-$500. Boy had I underestimated the prices of wedding gowns!!
She led us upstairs, we stepped behind a curtain, and I began to undress. She handed me the first dress, and I crawled inside. The body felt a bit big, and she informed me that it was a size 12, and that I was probably closer to a 10. (Yes, wedding dresses do run small, but ... a 10??!!?). As I pulled back the curtain, I saw Katy's face - and her incredible smile lit the room. "That's beautiful" she breathed. I stepped up onto the pedestal in front of the floor length mirror, and took a look. It was beautiful. And it was THE dress.
Just to be sure, I tried on about 8 more - all of which were equally beautiful in their special, sparkly way. But I knew the first dress was it. IT WAS IT.
I tried it on again, and without my saying a word, Katy agreed - "I think this one looks best."
I glowed!
We then tried on a variety of veils - so much to consider! Especially given that the Danish tradition is to TEAR the bride's veil... the thought of our guests destroying any of those beautiful veils just made me shudder! It also horrified Katy and Kate when I explained the tradition, and they agreed that I should look for a "cheap" ... or perhaps free? ... version to have the guests tear instead.
Once I placed it on my head and draped the front down over my face, I stood back and took a deep long look. Up until that point, I'd been very businesslike about the process, asking for prices and practicality (i.e. how can I dance in this dress; how can I sit, etc.?), but once that veil was down... my eyes began to well up. Kate brought over a box of kleenex, and I made a little joke about it being a very appropriate thing to have around in a bridal shop! She said that it was ususally more for the mothers, but I guess I really am just a big sap for wedding stuff! Heck, I bawled at our first wedding, so I shouldn't be surprised!! ;)
So, I said ... "I'll take it!," and walked out of Kate's shop with a bigger dent in our credit card, but my feet barely touched the ground.
4 to 6 months, she said... but she'll email to confirm the shipment in a few days.
Dress? Check!!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Christmas in Denmark!!
We're getting ready for our first Christmas in Denmark! Julemand, here we come!! :)
More Registry work..
... I never knew it was so difficult to create wishlists!! I mean, I've always kept one on Amazon for Christmases and such, but never a bridal registry. Talk about complicated! Plus, we are trying very hard not to duplicate items on the lists, since we're registered with about 4 sites now. So much to read and consider... it can be quite overwhelming.
However, I believe we're starting to nail it down. We've got a few up, (all done via the internet, as we've not even stepped foot inside a store - which might come back to haunt us... but I digress), and I *think* even the links are correct!
Update on Save The Dates:
So far, only Soren's guests have replied. Which is to be expected, I suppose, considering that they won't have to travel very far (i.e. not at all), to be at the ceremony. I'm getting a bit concerned that my guests might not be able to attend! I mean, what with the current economy, I totally understand that a flight halfway around the world is a bit steep these days. Plus, a good number of my girlfriends are informing me that they might be PREGNANT by August, 2009. Which is also sort of a bummer. I mean, great for them... but ... well, you know what I mean. :)
It's also only early December, so they've got at least a good month to reply... so I won't fret too much, just yet. :)
However, I believe we're starting to nail it down. We've got a few up, (all done via the internet, as we've not even stepped foot inside a store - which might come back to haunt us... but I digress), and I *think* even the links are correct!
Update on Save The Dates:
So far, only Soren's guests have replied. Which is to be expected, I suppose, considering that they won't have to travel very far (i.e. not at all), to be at the ceremony. I'm getting a bit concerned that my guests might not be able to attend! I mean, what with the current economy, I totally understand that a flight halfway around the world is a bit steep these days. Plus, a good number of my girlfriends are informing me that they might be PREGNANT by August, 2009. Which is also sort of a bummer. I mean, great for them... but ... well, you know what I mean. :)
It's also only early December, so they've got at least a good month to reply... so I won't fret too much, just yet. :)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Dress Dilemma.
So, according to all of the wedding time-lines that I've read, I'm supposed to begin looking for wedding dresses. However, considering that I will have to pack the dress for the long plane ride to Copenhagen, I'm a bit stressed. Plus, I'm hoping to lose a bit of weight before next summer...
In addition, I refuse to spend more than $500 (MAX!) on a dress that I will only wear once.
I keep getting calls from David's Bridal, as I made the mistake of registering my info on their website. I told the guy not to call me back until February, but I'm wondering... will that be too late? How long does it take to find the right dress? How long for alterations? How much?!?
All of this wedding planning stuff is giving me quite a headache. It took us over a month to get our wedding website up and ready... and that was just the WEBSITE!! So much stuff to think about (and pay for!).
I know it'll all be worth it next summer, but .... geesh! I can see why people hire wedding planners!!
In addition, I refuse to spend more than $500 (MAX!) on a dress that I will only wear once.
I keep getting calls from David's Bridal, as I made the mistake of registering my info on their website. I told the guy not to call me back until February, but I'm wondering... will that be too late? How long does it take to find the right dress? How long for alterations? How much?!?
All of this wedding planning stuff is giving me quite a headache. It took us over a month to get our wedding website up and ready... and that was just the WEBSITE!! So much stuff to think about (and pay for!).
I know it'll all be worth it next summer, but .... geesh! I can see why people hire wedding planners!!
Save The Dates are in the mail!
From the genius that is Sara Olsher and Stinkerpants.com, our beautiful Save-The-Date cards and magnets have been crafted, and are in the mail! We seem to have over-estimated the # of cards needed, and now have plenty of magnets and cards left over. Perhaps Jake and Karly can find some fun art project to use them in, or maybe we'll just include the left-over magnets in our invitations... as extra reminders? Not sure about the etiquette on that one...
My wonderful hubby has offered to mail the last batch on Monday, and now all we'll do is ... wait! We've asked guests to please RSVP by January 1st so we'll have a better idea of how many folks can attend. Considering that the reception will be in Arne and Jonna Morch's front yard, we need to keep the # of guests ideally somewhere between 60 and 80. Mette had about 60+ guests at her wedding, and we've invited around 80 people so far. Will be interesting to see how many can actually make it!
Next up... invitations!
My wonderful hubby has offered to mail the last batch on Monday, and now all we'll do is ... wait! We've asked guests to please RSVP by January 1st so we'll have a better idea of how many folks can attend. Considering that the reception will be in Arne and Jonna Morch's front yard, we need to keep the # of guests ideally somewhere between 60 and 80. Mette had about 60+ guests at her wedding, and we've invited around 80 people so far. Will be interesting to see how many can actually make it!
Next up... invitations!
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