You want thing-a-ma-bobs? I’ve got twenty…

Source

Yes, please note the Disney movie reference. You know, the scene where Ariel is swimming around her treasure trove of gadgets and gizmos? Ah, so many delightful things…

Well, I haven’t mentioned this previously, but my venue happens to have its own little treasure trove of goodies…

Back in July when we first toured Carlouel, we were escorted into a storage room upstairs…and it was filled with some pretty awesome things…vases, candles, lanterns galore!!! Shelf upon shelf of materials for weddings or events. Chuck (the manager) explained to us that he has had a lot of brides who didn’t want these things at the end of their wedding, and just left them at the site. WHAT?!?! Left there!??! Does…not…compute…I don’t see myself ever doing that, but hey…ask me again in 6 months and perhaps my story will change.

Anyway, Chuck continues to inform us that we are able to use anything and everything we find in this room, absolutely free of charge! The staff will clean containers and have them sparkling and ready to go for us. And, if we want to swing by on the week of the wedding and pick things up so we can arrange/prepare them at home, we are able to do so as well!

When he first told us this, I’m quite sure that both my mom’s and my chin hit the floor. This is un-freakin-real! There are multiple bins FILLED with different tea light candles in different shaped containers…which we will definitely be using on the reception tables…

My favorite shelf happens to be this one…it is packed from front to back with white pillar candles of different heights…these will be topping the mantle in the front entryway, as well as other locations throughout the venue!

So, overall, this wonderful discovery is going to help tremendously with some of the décor cost! Although we’d only be using small candles on each table, I want to use quite a lot of them throughout the venue…and now we don’t have to buy a single one! Pillar candles can add up in price as well, so I am so excited that we can cross that off of our “to-purchase” list!

Did your venue include some awesome extras as part of the package???

Did you miss me?

First, I apologize for the temporary hiatus in posts. Justin and I were making a bit of a trek! On Thursday, we made the long drive from VA to FL to come home for Thanksgiving week! Yay!

Lucia was such a trooper...

When she wasn't sleeping, she wanted to help us drive...

She literally switched back and forth from me to Justin...placing her head on our shoulders...awwww

Sneaking in a kiss...

It is totally normal to have philosophical conversations with your dog...right???

All in all, I am so glad to be at home, and to be with family, albeit for a relatively short time period. I miss my parents when we are up in Virginia!

Sadly, this trip is not exactly going to be leisurely and relaxing...I have a TON of wedding-related things to take care of! While I'm home, I am going to:

1. Have an appointment with my hair stylist (yay!)

2. Re-visit our venue; they are having a wedding there today, and we are going to go take a look at the setup!

3. Taste some cake (YUM!)

4. VISIT AND INSPECT MY DRESS! (the excitement is literally palpable...)

5. Practice making centerpieces/shopping for containers in which to place said centerpieces...

6. Have a preliminary tasting at our venue with my parents and Justin's parents.

Oh yeah, and I guess we'll be making a Thanksgiving dinner somewhere in there as well...

Anyway, I am so excited about all of the upcoming activities, and I can't wait to share all of the info! I'll be back soon to start with our Save the Date saga...

The Inexperienced Bride

Source

I have a confession to make. Wedding planning scares me to death sometimes!

…and why is this, you might ask? Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret about myself.

I am inexperienced…at weddings. To date, I have only attended two (yes, count ‘em…two) weddings. One of them was my aunt and uncle’s wedding when I was a pre-teen, and the other was on Valentine’s Day this year (one of Justin’s best friends). So, as you can imagine…I have not exactly been inundated with ideas from the nuptials of others.

This is good and bad. On one hand, since I am the first out of my group of friends to tie the knot, I get to “set the bar,” or whatever you would like to say, for wedding expectations. I am the first to pick color schemes, bridesmaid dresses, etc, and I don’t have to worry that I’m copying someone else’s look. Although, personally, that really doesn’t matter in the end (I can say with confidence that no one’s wedding in my group of friends is going to be exactly the same…so who cares if colors or dresses are similar?).

On the other hand, I really wish that I had the experience under my belt of attending a wedding of a friend at this point. I feel so unknowledgeable in regards to etiquette, the order of how things progress throughout the ceremony and reception, and the like! My own wedding is going to be the first time that I’ve really been able to experience the full effect of one of these events…and I feel as though I’m going to be unprepared…or leave out something important! I sometimes wish that I had some friend nearby with experience in wedding planning to help me out (although…yay! My MOH has recently joined the ranks of engaged gals…). However, I do thank my lucky stars for the online support that I have received in the past months (Weddingbee, my fellow bloggers, etc). I am amazed at all of the creative ideas that I’ve stumbled upon, and what a supportive community I have found in the wedding world…its very impressive! I can only hope that I can inspire or help someone else the way that many of my fellow bloggers have!

So…let’s hear it…are there any other “inexperienced” brides out there like myself? How have you managed to find planning help/advice?

Lamentations of a Long Distance Bride

Source

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the situation, I am a long distance bride. Currently, I reside in Virginia, and our wedding will take place in Florida. It is about a 14-hour drive to get home from where we live, and plane tickets are…well…expensive considering the economy right now!

This puts me in what is sometimes a frustrating situation! When we first got engaged, the excitement of the wedding planning was in full swing. The venue search was a relatively fast ordeal…my dress was selected after only a few trips to bridal salons (I am decisive, what can I say?), and after attending a wedding expo, I was the lucky recipient of a prize for flowers from a local florist, as well as a DOC package. It seemed as though things were falling into place, and I was at peace.

I don’t feel that way lately.

Ok, so for the most part, the important aspects of our wedding have been booked. ***Insert a temporary sigh of relief*** But, when it comes to the small (yet important) details, I start to feel a knot forming in my stomach. I need to get our Save the Date’s printed, addressed, and sent out…I need to start on DIY projects (because there are many…the guestbook, flower girl pomander, favors, centerpieces, table linens, etc…I could go on…but I don’t want you to fall asleep…), and I need to maintain sanity while doing so!

It isn’t that I don’t think I can accomplish this on my own. Its that I wish I was getting the support I know I would receive if I were still in Florida. I wish my mother were around to help me. Lately, with all the plans we’ve been making, I feel as though I am constantly on the telephone, attempting to relay information…or making a phone call to ask advice/confirm details before I make a decision. It definitely doubles the amount of time it takes me to get things done!

Is there anyone else out there struggling to be a long-distance bride? What have you/are you doing to streamline the process?

Copycat Conundrum

source

Ok, am I the only one that feels this way? Do you ever look at other brides' inspiration or ideas and think, "holy crap! That is EXACTLY what I was going for!?!?"

I am currently having that sinking feeling in my stomach. I cringe because I don't want to be viewed as a copycat!!!!

Realistically, I know that the guests at my wedding will have absolutely no idea if my choices are very similar to that of someone they don't even know...but it just gets my goat at the moment! It makes no sense either...I don't even know this person! I am so irrational...but how is it that there is someone else out there that is picking the same music, the same ceremonies, the same guest book ideas, etc. etc. etc.! I have always been someone who has fresh perspectives on things...someone who has cute ideas and inspirations. Apparently, I have a twin out there. Frustration...galore!

Has anyone else out there experienced this feeling? What did you do?

When reality strikes…and what I am doing about it

I had been waiting for the moment when the reality of wedding planning was going to strike me. It struck…hard…last week.

When I started the process of wedding planning a few months ago, everything seemed like rainbows and unicorns and sunshine…it was so fun! I had so much inspiration (and still do), and it seemed like there was an endless list of aspects that I wanted to incorporate into our day.

Then…you get price quotes from vendors. And for me at least, I wanted to just throw up. Mind you, I did realize that the price quotes were going to be extremely high, and most likely much more that I’d be willing to pay for certain things (around $1000 for ceremony flowers?!?!?! Gasp…), but nevertheless, seeing the numbers on a piece of paper or a computer screen really make the reality sink in.

source

I’ve said it before; I am a bargain shopper. And, I’d like to think that I’m a pretty creative/crafty person. Therefore, in lieu of this new information, I am now on a DIY quest. Of course, there are going to be some aspects of the event that I will have to hire someone to do for me, but here is my hope: I want to DIY certain projects for a portion of the full retail price (I’d like to do it at half price…we’ll see if I can manage that!).

So, now that I’ve made it public, I am going to have to stick to my guns to deliver on my promise. I know I can do it, and I will appreciate any helpful links, tips, etc, that you are able to throw my way as I journey through the planning process. Wish me luck!

The Venue, Part 2…The First Contenders

Ok, so after narrowing down some of my criteria for selecting a venue, it was time to hit the pavement, so to speak!

After some discussion with Justin, we decided that we wanted to include the beach in some way, whether it would be to have the ceremony on the beach itself, or to simply find a venue that is nearby/on the beach.  Since many of my guests (and some of his as well) will be coming from out of town, we knew that the individuals attending our wedding would be eager to hit the sand and surf during their time in Florida. I mean, how can you take a trip to Florida and NOT go to the beach?  That would surely be a crime, no?

Ok...so what are the options then!?!?  My heart starts to sink....slightly...because intrinsically I knew from the start that beach weddings in FL = expensive (at times).  Boooooo.

 

Option 1 – Honeymoon Island State Park

They do hold wedding ceremonies at the beach where we met...but knowing me...realistically this might not seem to be my dream location, although it was the location where our love story began!  Even though there would be special meaning behind having a wedding at Honeymoon Island, there might be more downsides than up.  I have seen ceremonies taking place on the beach there, amidst the tourists, annnnd I know that I would be the Bridezilla attempting to shoo them away!  Not to mention the public restrooms on the beach?  The horror!  I cringe to go into them when I'm scrubby and sweaty from the beach.  Could I seriously expect my guests (and MYSELF) to use those when they are dressed in wedding attire?  Not cool.  In the end...budget friendly?  Yes.  Dream location?  Certainly not.

 

Option 2 – Hilton Clearwater Beach

Hmmm could this be an option? The hotel is located smack dab in the center of the Clearwater Beach strip. So...on the beach? Check. Wedding options on the beach? Check. I loved the thought that my guests could stay at the same hotel where the wedding and reception take place, how convenient! So, I got into contact with the catering manager for some more information, then promptly thought I’d think twice about it…

They offer different dinner/hors d’ouevres/bar packages…and they started at a pretty high number in my opinion. And, there was not much room for flexibility. You pretty much pick from a set menu, and the ceremony, dinner, and reception take place in a regulated time frame…the hotel has it down to a science. Although I think that having some sense of order in this process is great, I wasn’t so sure if I enjoyed not having flexibility on my menu, etc.  Scrap this venue? Eh, probably.

 

Option 3 – Nova 535

Thinking I should be realistic, I decided to also take a look into somewhere other than the beach, just to see if something amazing caught my eye.  One of my friends from high school recently had their reception at a venue in St. Petersburg, Nova 535...and I clearly photo stalked them on Facebook. It is an art gallery with brick walls, wooden floor…very modern…very much a blank slate for you to decorate as you see fit.  Very very cool…this has possibilities, right? I love the wood floor for dancing, and they even have a spotlight that they shine on you and your husband for your first dance, how fun!

Hm…although a very beautiful setting, it definitely has nothing to do with the beach…which kind of defeated our original ideas. And, I'd have to rent tables, chairs, linens, potentially hire a caterer, the whole shebang. My head began to hurt, as well as my checkbook, at the thought. Even if the venue itself didn't cost much to rent, I'd be adding exorbitant costs for everything else. Boooooo.

 

***Sigh*** So, with a sense of defeat, I decided to continue the search at a later time…surely the perfect venue was out there for us, it had yet to be discovered though!

 

Stay tuned for Part 3…

So much to do, so little time!

I have recently become cognizant of the fact that I have a very short amount of time left before I leave for Virginia. Of course, I'm excited to start something new; I decided I wanted to go to graduate school at about this time last year, and it has been an incredibly long and nerve-wracking process: quitting my full time job, filling out the applications (all 18 of them...yes...18...I am indeed that insane), taking the GRE's (and slightly dying inside because I hated that test), and then waiting for what seemed like an eternity to get the responses, both good and bad.

But, that is neither here nor there at this point...I'm moving...in just a little over a week! And my calendar has somehow become extremely full every day up until my move. Go figure! Here is my life for the next week or so, at a glance:

Today: Extreme excitement; our photographer, Chad Pilster, will be coming in town to take our engagement photos...YAY!  I'm hoping that the weather decides to be wonderful...I can't wait!  And, Lucia and Theo will be making an appearance in the photos as well!

Friday: Yeah, I probably should take this day to start...packing?

Saturday and Sunday: My last 2 days at work...single tear!  No more driving the golf club beverage cart after this weekend.

Monday: Having a preliminary meeting with our florist

Tuesday: Another preliminary meeting, this time with our "Day of Coordinator"

Wednesday: Getting my hair cut...for the last time until Thanksgiving? Gulp...

Thursday: Moving truck arrives, and we pack!!!

Friday: Begin our trek to VA! Much singing in the car and complaining of back aches and butts numb from sitting in the same position for hours will ensue.

Saturday: Move into the new digs...collapse? Haha...

Do you ever just feel like you have so much on your plate, it is overwhelming???

The luckiest week EVER!

Source

Ok, so this post is going to be short, but I have to gush! It is only Tuesday, and my week is off to such a fabulous start! Woo hoo!

Ok, so as I mentioned before, on Sunday mom and I had our adventure at the wedding expo in Tampa. It was exhausting, but SO WORTH IT! I already divulged my good news from yesterday (I won $500 in wedding flowers! YAY!!!!)...but it just kept coming today!!!!

I was in the car with my mom on the way to get my custom measurements taken for my dress, and my phone started ringing. I looked at the caller ID, and, as always when I don't recognize a phone number...curiosity just kills me. I am always always always compelled to answer the phone...who wants to get in touch with me?!?!

Come to find out, it was Eventions, one of the event management companies that had a booth at the expo. Annnnnd guess what!??! I am the lucky winner of a DOC (day of coordinator)! Heck...to the...yes! Obviously, I have to get together and meet with them to see exactly what the deal is, but I am extremely excited about the prospect at the moment!

For those of you who might not be familiar with what a DOC is; they are pretty much a bride's wedding day guardian angel. They oversee the setup of your ceremony and reception decor (whew!) and make sure your vendors arrive and are set up properly. The DOC coordinates the ceremony and reception to make sure that the elements run smoothly/on time, and they will assist your band/DJ with introductions, toasts, dances, bouquet toss/garter toss, and cake cutting. They will also make sure that the event is broken down afterwards...score! Seriously, I am not kidding about the guardian angel thing! I am definitely looking forward to our meeting to see what I am able to accomplish!

Well, my week is off to a great start at the moment, but you know...good things come in 3's...so I'm still waiting to get the call from a travel vendor saying that I've won a honeymoon as well! Hmmm...think that could happen? I'll keep you posted...

Entering the world of blogging...

Well, I resisted it for the longest time, but I finally gave in...I decided it was time to test the waters in the blogging world, and we'll see how it goes!

So now of course, I ask myself (as I have whenever I have seen anyone's blog in the past), what is the point for this? Well, up until the past month or two, I really haven't been able to put my finger on something, but then my life took a wonderfully pleasant turn!  As of June 13, 2009, I am (extremely) happily engaged to the man of my dreams, and we are delving into the world of long-distance wedding planning!  *Gasp*  And, of course, my entire wedding party, friends, and family are from out of state as well, and it is just overwhelming to think of how to keep in touch with everyone regarding details without sending out a million emails, making countless phone calls, and the like!  Well, here we have it...a way to keep everyone in the loop!

Oh, and of course, I'm sure I'll have to make mentions of my upcoming studies and experiences in the world of grad school this fall.  I'm about to embark on a Ph.D. program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which both excites me and scares me out of my mind.  But, I am so eager to learn new things and further my education (I'm such a nerd)...so I'll let you know how its progressing (lets hope I don't flunk out)!

So, stay tuned as I muse about every little wedding detail, crazed perfectionist and planner that I am.  I plan on DIY'ing a bunch of things, so I'll need some input and inspiration!  I'm so excited to put everything together!