Chad and I finally finished our gift registries last weekend. We were planning to work in the yard, but with the incessant rain from the week before the ground was just too soggy for mowing. So, we headed to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to actually be productive.
I have to say, the registry consultant at BB&B did give us a lot of attention and he even walked us around the store to show us the different sections and make some recommendations. Compared to our miserable experience at Target (”Here’s the scan gun. Good luck on not forgetting anything!”), and the less than impressive Macy’s assistant, BB&B was head and shoulders above the rest in service and helpfulness.
Oh, and Target? Yeah, we ditched that registry. They just didn’t have any real good quality items. I love their clothes and decorative stuff, but they really aren’t the best when it comes to setting up housekeeping.
We decided on Macy’s for the Muncie folks, and BB&B for the Bloomington people. (There is no BB&B in Muncie, otherwise we might have just used them–they were that good.) I thought I would share with you some of my favorites from the two lists. These are the items that I will go out and buy myself after the wedding if they aren’t chosen for gifts.
Sprode Blue Italian
I love this china pattern. I am pretty sure it is the same one that my granny had, and probably still has. I love the scenes and the blue and white. It’s so pretty! If I get anything from this line I will be ecstatic. I plan to slowly collect them until I have a full set.
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I am so lucky.
After this weekend’s shopping trip, I am so aware of this fact: I have the best bridesmaids friends ever!
Saturday I met up with Jessica, Tammy, and Meredith to go shopping for the dresses they would wear in the wedding. I had no expectations and I wasn’t even sure we would find anything on a first try, yet somehow we came out VERY successful.
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I thought I should tell you all about the person we chose to be our officiant.
This is David.
If you can’t tell, he’s a lot of fun.
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We’ve pick out our caterer for the wedding–KRC Catering, here in Bloomington. We originally were hoping to get catering from one of Chad’s favorite restaurants in town, Smokin’ Jack’s Rib Shack, but through a series of phone calls, we discovered that KRC does the catering for the Rib Shack, as well as several other B-town restaurants.
You can probably infer from the name of the restaurant that we want BBQ.
I’m really excited about the food. It’s going to be SO good! I really think all our guests are going to be pleased with the selection of food that will be available. We’re trying to accommodate every type of eater out there. Red-meat-eaters, poultry-only-eaters, vegetarians, and pie-atarians will all be satisfied. Yes, I said PIE-atarians. We are having pies! All kinds of pies, and most likely your favorite kind of pie.
Oh, and here’s the scoop: there will be no alcohol at the reception. I’m sorry! Church grounds, and all . . .
HOWEVER, we will be having a JUST MARRIED AFTER PARTYat our house, somewhere around 6:30 PM (full details will be included in the formal invites). There will be beer/wine/spirits and lots of snacks provided. Casual attire is encouraged. (Please go back to your hotel and change into something comfortable, and then come over and celebrate our nuptials in a relaxed atmosphere.)
I can’t wait to see everyone!
Chad and I just confirmed our wedding party (bridesmaids & groomsmen) this week. Meaning: we finally called up the people we had intended to ask all along, to make sure they were willing and available. They were all available, and for the most part, all willing. Toasts are intimidating things, and a cause of hesitation–don’t worry Jack, you could just say, “Cheers!” and we would be happy.
So here is the line up:
Matron of Honor (cause she’s married now): Jessica
Bridesmaid: Tammy
Bridesmaid(matron): Meredith
Those are my ladies. Aren’t they lovely? You know what I love best about them? They are so goofy–that’s why I put up these goofy pictures. They make me laugh, and laughing is one of my favorite past-times with these women.
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It hasn’t been purchased as of yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be this one:
Mori Lee, Style 2105, Ivory
I didn’t really expect to like a dress like this–strapless, longish train, corset back, etc.–but I do. It looks really good on me, I think. (And my mommy thinks so, too!)
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We’re getting married for sure now . . .
We just put a down payment on our honeymoon. AHHH!
In my mother’s words, “Now you’re committed.” (Not that we weren’t before–but the idea of those palm trees, beaches, and non-refundable airplane tickets are really helping us keep up with the wedding planning.)
Where are we going, you ask? Why, to the number one honeymoon destination for the last 50 years or so–Hawaii!!!
Last Friday, Chad and I talked to our travel agent (a very valuable friend of the family) and she really hooked us up with a great deal. We will be in Oahu October 4-7th, and then in Maui until the evening of October 12th.
Oh, and one of the best things? Our hotels rock! Check them out:
Oahu: http://www.royal-hawaiian.com/
Maui: http://www.sheraton-maui.com/
Photos of Sheraton: http://www.sheraton-maui.com/360views.htm
About a month after we decided to get engaged, Chad and I hosted an engagement party at his house. The idea was to give our families a chance to meet for the first time in a relaxed, informal way. I sent invitations to my relatives who lived the closest (and might actually be able to make the trip in a day). Chad sent invites to pretty much his whole family, since they all settled around here.
Chad and I decorated the outside of the house up with mums and pumpkins and set up some long tables in the back yard for the meal. Chad and I were able to get some tables and chairs from his work, and I layered them with lace tablecloths I picked up from the yard sale we hosted a while back. The back patio and yard are pretty spacious, so we had plenty of room for everything. We lit tiki torches and had a little fire pit going; there were candles and pumpkins and mums all over. It was very pretty.
The week before the party, I dragged Chad over to the local superstore to get a few mums and a pumpkin or two. (I say that I dragged him there because he loathes shopping in any form.) We left with three flowers of varying size and colors, and one big pumpkin. We got home and put them on the front step–so cute. The next day–surprise!–Chad said he wanted to go get more mums. Ok, I like Mums, no problem. We got three more Mums and three more pumpkins. We dispersed them around the house–adorable. Not two days pass, and Chad wants to go get more mums. All in all, we ended up going on three mum-and-pumpkin-runs, and though the end result was a gorgeous front step and back patio, I couldn’t help but find it hilarious that Chad was the one with the decorating bug.
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