We're in the 2010!

Happy New Year my lovelies!! I can't believe it is 2010 already!!! I wish you all a year full of health and happiness. I feel really good today, as some personal things I've been stressing over are finally resolved. Thank God for that!
So far this journey to my wedding has been full of ups and down. I feel like I am on a rollercoaster ride that never ends!!! My wedding was originally set to take place in New York but is now happening in South Jersey. The new place is actually very lovely and offers so much more in their package so it is a welcome relief to my wedding fatigued ears. I don't have to worry about centerpieces, linens, chair covers, even the cake. Hallelujah! Unfortunately I have to find a new ceremony place because I am not ready to commit to get married outside. An outdoor wedding is my dream but I don't think I can handle any more stress; because I will fret over the weather from now until May.
My wedding planner resurfaced and everything is back on schedule. I also finally cut down my part of the guest list and gave my parents an ultimatum to provide me with their part on Friday. We'll see how that goes. My BMs are working on my bridal shower and I am super excited about it! I keep looking up things online and have to stop myself. Its not really a surprise since I'm providing the guest list and my theme. Lol.
And we got a new photographer who also happens to be my graphic designer. I am excited that she has so many talents and can't wait to schedule our engagement shoot. WhoHOO!!!

I also went with my bridesmaids to try on their dresses and that was a two hour ordeal. It was a good thing I went because the color I originally wanted, sangria, turned out to be more burgandyish. So I had to change to lapis, which is more of a deep purple. It looked really great on my sister. My MOHs had to find their dresses and it was pure torture trying to find dresses that they both liked. I wasn't even trying to have them wear the same dress; that was asking too much! But surprisingly, we found a knee length one that they both liked and looked good in. Now I just hope that everyone orders their dresses on time! Here is a picture of their dress in a different color, I'm not tech savvy enough to get it in lapis! Lol.



I also found a new website get married.com and it has a video showing you how to make bouquets. I am going the DIY route with my more experienced cousin so I thought this was a great find! I haven't looked at the whole video so let me know if its good!
I thought these bouquets were really pretty and simple. (Courtesy of Mike Kehr Photography)

I saw this bridal party shot on Essence.com and just loved the look of the brick building behind the girls.

9 Months to Go!! says The Knot...

9 months still doesn't feel that close to me but I know in terms of wedding planning, I have too many things to do in too little time. Not sure if its a good thing but I am not feeling any stress. I'm a procrastinator so I'm sure this is a bad thing.
I have been going back and forth on the bridesmaid dresses. The ones I really wanted cost around $200 and I don't want to make my ladies pay that much for a dress that (lets be realistic) they may never wear again. I also liked the Jcrew dresses and finally got them an appointment later this month. It was a nightmare dealing with for whatever reason. I thought my appointment was made and it never was...blah blah blah...The only thing I'm worried about is if they really do have a variety of sizes in their selection. I want everyone to feel comfortable. And I also just received my color swatch from Jcrew in the mail and I was pretty disapointed at "spiced wine". It wasn't purple-ly enough.

When I first got engaged, I swore up and down I would not use David's Bridal. But it seems I must renege on my word. I have finally found a few dresses that I actually like and there is a DB's everywhere. One of my MOH is going away to medical school upstate and I was worried about getting in dress fittings before then.
Here are my favorite dresses: The first one is geared towards my MOHs and the second is for the BM's. I like the color right now but I am worried that it will look different when I see the actual fabric in the store. My next step is to schedule an appointment in the store.






We finally sent in our security deposit for our reception venue. Unfortunately, I have not been able to contact the manager just to confirm my date. I'm in my rotation all day and when I get out, she is gone. I've also emailed her and no response as of yet.

What else is new? Its been such a long time since my last posting...Oh yeah! I've added another girl to my bridal party. She's my good friend from college and she actually helped me pick out my wedding dress. Welcome to the wedding mania, T!! So far, she has been very helpful. It doesn't hurt that she was just in a wedding last month, hehe.
Next on my agenda: I have to talk to my parents and get them more involved in my wedding, as per the suggestion of my FMIL. Not looking forward to it at all. But it must be done.
Thats all for now folks!

Reception venue Pain

So...school is a drag, I think one of my professors hates me, and I've found my dream venue. I found this reception site that I abolutely love via computer. The price is fabulous and the FI approves it. The downside is that the damn venue people DO NOT pick up their phone or return messages. No lie, I have called them at least five times and left messages three times. I actually made human conatact on Friday but my damn cell was losing reception. The lady hung up on me and when I called back IMMEDIATELY after, she did not pick up. It could have been due to the fact that it was close to four in the afternoon and she was probably about to get off, but do I look like I care?

I'm sure their lack of availability should be a red flag for me, but all I want is to visit their venue and see if I really and truly love it. So I'm going to try again tomorrow during my break in between classes.

I'm so tired of school. I'm trying to be positive but I am literally tired. My plans for a relaxing weekend vanished in thin air so I am starting this week on very low gas. Plus the FI is sick and he's never sick, so hopefully I won't be sick either. Because I have absolutely no tolerance for that. And i'm tryin not miss any classes.