Party's Over, Just 30 Days To Go!

Whoa...where has all the time gone? I'm getting married in 30 days! 30 days! Holy crap!! I'm so excited that it's almost here. Let me get through next weekend and I'll be even more excited with it being May...and the honeymoon just being around the corner.

Well last weekend was my final bridal shower/bachelorette party. What started out as a really rough week full of bad news turned so much better thanks to my awesome family and bridesmaids, Melissa & Tracy and my Maid of Honor, Christie.  We rented out the clubhouse here at the apartment for the afternoon and had a great time with lots of laughs.
Here are just a few pictures:

I got our martini glass set from Crystal

Melissa, Christie & Tracy

Opening More Gifts

We had a great time and I can't thank these ladies enough for putting together an awesome party with so many last minute changes.

Last week I also had my bridal portraits take with Mrs. Judy Kay in downtown Charleston. We stayed within a 5 block radius and took so many pictures is so many different areas. I got some teasers from her last night and I cannot wait to see more.  She is fabulous and for anyone looking for a photographer in the state of South Carolina, I highly recommend her and her husband!

Things to Book:
Ceremony Site
Reception Site
Wedding Photographer
DJ
Videographer
Officiant
Baker
Makeup Artist
Hairstylist
Pre-Wedding Night Hotel Room
Honeymoon
Honeymoon Transportation

Things To Do:
 Pay Off Vendors
Meet with Officer's Club For Catering
Download Ceremony Music
Meet with Officiant to Design Ceremony
Guys Get Measured
Have Beads On Dressed Fixed/First Fitting
Second Dress Fitting
Bridesmaid Order Dresses
Make "Must-Take Picture" Lists
Send Envelopes To Be Addressed
Have Invitation Weighed
Stuff & Stamp Invitations
Schedule Bridal Portraits
Make Hair & Makeup Appointments For Bridals
Apply For Marriage License
Water Bottle Labels
Pick Out Picture For Sand Ceremony

Have Bridal Portraits Done

Send Photographer Pics For Guest Book
Register for Gifts
Plan Rehearsal Dinner <-- Dave's Mom taking care of

Write Thank You Notes for Shower

Change of Name Paperwork
Give Final Headcount to Venue 
Confirm Final Payment Amounts with Vendors
Confirm Location/Date/Time with Photographer
Confirm Location/Date/Time with Videographer
Confirm Location/Date/Time/Playlist with DJ

Things to Send
Save the Dates
Invitations
Thank Yous for Shower
Thank Yous for Wedding

Things to Order/Buy:
My dress
Shoes 
My Jewelry
Garter  
Day Of Wear
Wedding Rings 
Rehearsal Dinner Dress
Invitation Postage
Wedding Day Gift for Dave
Clear Labels For Invites
Water Bottle Labels
Koozie Favors
Flute & Serving Set
Bridal Party Gifts
Sand/Sand Ceremony Frame
Sparklers/Ribbon/Lighters
Pen For Guest Book
Parasols

Things to Make
Cardbox 
Envelope Liners
Rhinestone cake Topper
Tears Of Joy Packets
"I Spy" Game
Info sheet with contact numbers
Wedding Day Timeline
Wedding Day emergency bag
Monogram
Programs


Week-of-Wedding To-Dos
Rehearse Ceremony
Pack Bags for Wedding/Honeymoon
Put final payments and cash tips in marked envelopes
Wrap bridal party gifts
Drop off Materials at reception site
Prepare toasts/thanks to guests
Give wedding day schedule, directions and contact list to parents, wedding party and vendors

85 days to go... And Thinking Of Those Who'll Be Missing Out

Man how time is flying now... It seems like the year just started...but no..Tuesday is the first day March already!

Things are getting done and finished... including paying off all of our vendors. Thanks in part to our tax returns, that is now done!  That's a big accomplishment! Now it's just to finish up all the small things.
We got our favors delivered last week! They turned out so awesome! I can't wait for everyone to see them!

I feel like things are getting done, but I can't remember any more what I've done.. lol
The best thing done.. wedding invitation envelopes are done!! There's a handfull left for Dave's mom to do but she's in town this weekend and brought them with her! They look awesome!!

We had a little issue with the bridal party this week. Dave's groomsmen Anthony is in the Marine Corps and is stationed in Yuma, AZ. He got orders this week for deployment soon after the wedding, so with him living out of state, he needed to step down to take care of things for his deployment to Afghanistan.  So Dave decided to ask my step-dad Joe to be a groomsmen, and he happily accepted so things are good now.  Thanks Anthony for your service and you will be missed! But country comes first.

Mr. & Mrs. Anderson Young

One another note, I went to a wedding last weekend. My friend and sorority sister, Prissy, got married.  Her wedding also gave me a chance to see our wonderful photographers, Judy Kay & Wayne last weekend. Prissy looked amazing and had a great wedding. Everything was beautiful. Brooke and I had such a good time. (Both of our guys backed out on us last minute so we went as each other's date.. Hey That's what a sisters for!)

Brooke & I 

Chaunte', Josh & Stee

That same weekend I went home to Columbia was a great weekend to go home.  My friend Josh is a member of the South Carolina National Guard and on Sunday, February 19th.. he deployed to Fort Hood, Texas for a month before heading to Afghanistan for a year tour. Dave and I had spent the weekend before with Josh and his fiance', Stee. 

On Shem Creek

They came to Charleston to celebrate Stee's birthday and Valentine's Day and they stayed with us and we got to have lunch together out on Shem Creek.  Dave and I were glad we had some time to see Josh off at the airport before heading home to Charleston. It was a very emotional moment... as we spent the time with Josh and his family before he left.
We hate he won't get to join us for our wedding but we know he'll be there in spirit.  Josh-- Thank you for what your doing. We can't wait to meet up when you're home for R&R, but more importantly, we look forward to your safe return and ride on the Thriller next summer!

Taking Care of The List:

Need to Do:

  PAY OFF VENDORS

·            Meet with Carol for catering 

·            Update flower list with Sandra

·             Download wedding ceremony music  <-- started

·             Meet with DJ – list of “to play” and “not to play” songs

·              Measurements for Guy Tuxs <--Papa & Dave have been measured, other guys have been sent info

        Make Appointment for Alterations

        Have beads fixed on dress <-- dress is dropped off

·              Bridesmaid Order Dresses < -- DONE!

·              Must take picture list < -- started working on

        Send Envelopes to Susanne to be addressed

·              Go to post office to weigh invitation

·              Schedule hair trial

·              Figure out who’s doing my makeup <-- My good friend Brittany has agreed to this, along with doing hair

·              Apply For Marriage License

       Send photographer disc of pics for guest book  <-- going out this weekend

       Water Bottle Labels

   Need to Make:

·              Card Box <-- just need to buy lazy susan and put together

        Rhinestone Cake Topper

        Tears Of Joy Packets 

·              Programs

·              “Day Of” wear  <--ended up just buying

·              Emergency Kit

       Envelope Liners  <--cut out, now need to put in addressed envelopes

      

   Need to Buy/Order:

·            Clear Labels for Return Address

·              Postage for invitations

·              Pick out other gifts for Bridal Party

·              Sand/ Sand Ceremony Frame set

·              Dave’s wedding band

·              Garter

·              Sparklers, Ribbons & Container

·              Pen for guest book

·              Koozies 

·              Parasols 

·              Flutes & serving set <-- mom is taking care of

·              Solemates – heel covers

And the blogging/planning begins....

Well it's been just almost 6 months since Dave and I got engaged and so much has happened in those few short months.
I've moved to Charleston and starting working at a new news station now as a producer, putting together the 7pm newscast for ABC News 4. So far, I'm loving it. We live in West Ashley in a great apartment in the middle of everything. Life's great.

As for wedding planning... the ball is finally rolling. Date is set. May 21, 2011.

We started looking at some different venues before I moved down. Christmas weekend we drove out to Ft Jackson to check out the Officer's Club while Dave's mom was in town and we really liked it.
So back in January..we headed back to Columbia to check it out the Officer's Club and fell in love with it...so we booked it!
We plan on having an outdoor ceremony right in front of the lake with a reception to follow inside the Regimental Room. They do all the catering there, so that makes things easier. We don't have to go out and find one. And from what I remember from high school, their food is delicious!

That same weekend with met with a photographer. I seriously think I was driving everyone crazy while I looking at photographers on line. I kept sending out links to Dave, his mom and my mom just about every day for feed back. We met with Judy Kay and Wayne Bryan of Photography by Judy Kay at Starbucks in the Vista and we just clicked. Their work is amazing and they care so much about the couples they work with. We booked them right on the spot. Check out her site: www.photosbyjkay.com

Valentine's Day-- I talked Dave into going to a bridal show with me here in Charleston since he'd be out of town during the one that was taken place in Columbia. Believe it or not.. he liked it!! He didn't complain one bit. I think he's glad he went as he got to talk to some guys about suits for the wedding. This is what he likes..except with an orange tie and he wants to wear flip flops.

Well this past weekend, I went to Columbia to attend the WNOK Bridal Expo with mom and mama and was looking to find out more about a DJ as well as invitations and maybe a cake. We two out of three were there. I was shocked that there weren't any bakeries there. There were a few stationary places...some stuff stood out but I still like some other invitations I found.
The hard part of the day... the DJ. There were 4 different ones there... including one whom I've said I've always wanted for my wedding. (They shall remain nameless as I was very disappointed with their presentation to me.)

I talked to the people of Sound Quest DJ's out of Irmo and was pretty impressed with their setup and price. They were offering a special if you booked that day. I knew it was something I needed to consider. So after calling Dave since he's out of town on travel and talking it over with him, a DJ was booked.
I'm pretty excited about them as well. They'll be doing our ceremony as well as reception.

Lots more to do. Over the next few days... I'll start sharing ideas. That way I won't forget about all the wonderful things I want!