China

So I registered at Macy's for the china set that I would love to have. And then I took it off, because I found this set...

They only thing that is different between the set I picked and this is the white design between the silver lines. OH AND NOT TO MENTION THAT I PURCHASED MY ENTIRE SET FOR $10!! Yup, $10.

Heres how: I went to a thirft store once day and found this set, I asked the worker if the price on the one plate was for the whole set, and she said yes! Then, I asked if it was on sale, and she said YES!!! This is what I got:

9 Dinner Plates

7 Salad Plates
7 Dessert Plates

7 Saucers
8 Tea Cups
1 Serving Plate

1 Serving Bowl

Now I know you are saying - well this isn't a full set - No its not, but thats okay because there is a website that I can go and get all the piece individually. I can finish the entire set for less that $200 - WELL WORTH IT!!!

Bridals Show Lessons

So I went to a bridal show a while back. And I learn and recieved alot of information including some great gifts!!!

What I learned:
1. China is too expensive! But I still want it cause my family actually used theirs and I will too.
2. Some companies are just there for the brides and parents who want to spend a fortune on one day

3. Bridal shows are better when you have not book a single vendor yet

4. There were only 2 bakers, and NO florist at this show

5. I got way too much informational pamphlets.
6. I did get some useful gift certificates - ecspecially the one to Longaberger Baskets!! I am so totally using that one!

7. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT!! - I want this at my wedding for cocktail hour!

Guest Book?

So we all know that there are about a million different types of guest books, and its really hard to choose which one to buy. You can get books, picture books, plates, pictures, the possiblities and endless. I decided to go with the picture frame because I will never look at the actual book again....

Total price for the pen, matte, and frame = $25

I love Michaels & Hobby Lobby... their 50% off sales will save my budget BIG BIG BIG TIME!

Unity Candle

So since we have broke the bank with certain services, everything else needs to be cheap for the wedding. So, while I was at Hobby Lobby today, I noticed that a packaged Unity Candle Set would cost about $25. THEN sitting next to the packages of sets, were the bases - costing about $20.

So I figured I could get the candle, the tapers, and three vases for much cheaper.... here it goes:
1 Plain White Unity Candle = $6
2 Plain White Taper Candles = $2
2 Taper Holders in Glass = $12
1 Unity Holder in Glass = $8

TOTAL = $28

After the sale - THAT I DIDN"T KNOW ABOUT.....

=$14.50 with tax

I was pleased. Now all I will do is tie some nice ribbon to the candles and the holders and it will be perfect!

P.S. I also added a picture of what the centerpieces would look like before I add the ribbon on it...

DJ & Cake

We BOOKED THE DJ!!!!

yay - I'm jumping for joy, you have no idea!

Now its time for the baker to be booked. We are starting to look at bakers, have about 4 that would be available, so hopefully we can settle this issue soon.

We have an idea of how we want the cake to look. We were thinking three tiers - white buttercream, with a simple music scroll wrapping around the cake and the topper would be a trumpet and a clarinet. (still considering putting the standard people on top too... what do you think?)

Save the dates

I finished the save the dates and they look amazing! They all got sent out and everyone was very happy with them. Now on to the invitations!!! Imagine the Save the date listed earlier with a dark blue cardstock behind it with four white-stamped brush stokes surounding the magnet. They look wonder and I was even please that my Fiance helped me piece them all together with out any complaints! Thanks again to him & his mother!!!

Appoligies

I appologize so much for not updating - I've been uber busy with teaching and things. Anyways I will start posting tonight and get everything updated!!!

Mary Kay

So I recieved another Bridal pampering thingy from a Mary Kay consultant, and decided to take her up on her offer - only cause she gave me a $13 gift card. It was just me and her, still don't have any close enough friends to invite to something like this here in town... but anyways, it was great and we had a blast. I really really really would like to get the little compact of make-up for th wedding and just have all the eye shadow colors, blush, mascara & lipstick in one place, but it cost $66!

Then towards the end of the session, she tells me that the $13 gift card she game me.. I can not use, I have to give it to a friend! Bummer on my part, cause it is only good for her buisness, its non-changable to another consultant...

i hate fine print!

Rose Petals

So I found this great deal on rose petals from this store called http://www.efavormart.com/ for $12 I got 1000 dark blue rose petals. This was a terrific deal, the cheapest I found online. We are going to use them for the flower girl's basket and on all the centerpiece. They shipped really quickly and I'm glad because I will have plenty time to buy more if I feel like it!

Now the debate is whether to have an aisle runner or not? There is a neat pattern with the two hearts..but I'm not sure if I want to spent money on a runner...

Save the Dates

So the save the dates are in and now it is time to assemble and get them mailed!!! They are supose to be dark blue, but right now they look purple - no biggie. Once we put the dark blue card stock behind it the color will look darker.

They have two hearts (waterpaint style) and then our information on it. I am placing them on magnets then get to mount them on Cardstock, and address all the letters (so looking forward to that part..not).

So excited because I'm really starting to see things come together!

P.S. - found a great deal on rose petals, so I ordered them ...way too far in advance.
&
found my garter for under my dress - just got to put a bid in on eBay for it...

Centerpieces

So a while ago, my mom was at the Christmas Tree Store in New England and called me to tell me she had found the centerpieces for the wedding - @ $3 each!! Heres a picture:

Now I need to explain that it is the redish box towards the left with the actual candle holder in the middle. We are taking off the flowers and will be decorating with dark blue ribbon! I'm really. please that my centerpieces were only $3 - it really does help when you are having a budget wedding!

Photographer

We book the photographer! He is one of the best in the area, and I'm really excited! Check out his pictures: http://www.sunderphoto.com/!

He is really nice and so if his wife. We havn't picked out our package yet, but we have till the end of September to decide. Its a nice package because he and his wife will do the wedding together, so he will go to wherever Chris is getting ready while she is over where I am getting ready. This way we can have an acurate depiction of what was going on before I walk down the aisle to be with the man of my dreams for the rest of my life!
I'm really excited now that wedding plans are falling more into place! more to come...

Flowers

So my thoughts about having Stephanotis as my main flowers is out the door. Me know absolutely nothing about flowers found out real quickly that an all stephanotis bouquet would cost me $600! And that the type bridal bouquet cost between $100-200 bucks! That is so much more than I can afford

So after talking with one florist, I think I can do all the bouquets, boutineires (sp?), & coursages for about $200 - hopefully even less. But now instead of Stephanotis, we go with Daisies - hopefully a dark orange or dark red. We will see, I have a alot more florist to talk to! It will take awhile!

Apologies!

So I am so terribly sorry for not writing, my computer had crashed. But I'm back now, and I will be posting frequently and back-posting with the developments of the wedding!

Still going strong & Ironism

So I am surviving teaching and still loving it! I really enjoy the little kids and I'm really happy with the school district that I am in. Everyone is really incredibly nice and I feel like I made the right decision to teach grades that I never even observed while in college, and teach in a private school! I'm just really glad everything is working out so well.

So my friend Alli and her boyfriend Travis got engaged this weekend! It is ironic because of the simillarity that their relationship has to me and Chris'. Only 1 month apart in dating, getting engaged, & the wedding date! Now we might just have a bet going on who will have the first kid! lol.

Clarify

So I guess I wasn't crystal clear on the details!

1. I found the DRESS - it is absolutely beautiful and I am just waiting to buy it!
2. We booked the CHURCH! - same Church as in the pictures on this blog. Gorgeous Church and the dark blue color will look gorgeous with the marroon decord in the Church.
3. We have our OFFICIANT - My fiance's uncle will be conducting the ceremony!
4. We booked the RECEPTION HALL/CATERER - Location #3 in the pictures. Beautiful hall and we are excited.
5. We got the CENTERPIECES - they are really neat candle holders! Don't have a great picture cause Mom has not sent that yet, but they are nice. Once we decorate them appropriately, I will post some pictures.
6. We are finalizing the following: Musicians, Photographer(s), & Invitations.
7. Our Wedding Website is now running and we are just missing a few things on it!
8. I got my ONLINE BRIDAL SHOWER ready to go - just need to get the guest list done.

Is this better, Sara? lol.

GREAT WEEK!

WE BOOKED THE RECEPTION HALL & THE CHURCH!!!!

I also did my first two days as a teacher! Very exciting, no problems what-so-ever. I'm really thankful that the school district I teach in is very nice, and I feel really happy to finally be teaching.

How cute are these... for Thank You Gifts?!

Found these at www.wherebridesgo.com. just too cute!!

Reception Sites

NOW BEAR WITH ME - IM POSTING 3 OPTIONS - 2 OF WHICH ARE NOT DECORATED FOR A WEDDING AND 1 IS - WHICH MEANS THAT THAT ONE WILL LOOK THE NICEST!

#1 - In town at a hotel. Very nice in side, but everything is red! Decorated it will have a buffet line, dance floor, and the tables and chairs will be in all white with chair covers and sashed.

#2 - In town and a Veterans club. Not as nice of a place, have less options and would have to rent out for our linens and things.

#3 - Preferred Choice!! Beautiful inside, price is decent! Has catering, dance floor, and all the other things as choice #1.
sorry the lady had just turned on the lights - this is just $35 extra to have!

The Church

This is an absolutely beautiful church that we saw and I REALLY REALLY want to use this church for the wedding. To me, there are no other options about what church to use!

It can seat up to 350, the colors in the church will work wonderfully with the dark blue that I am going to have. There are rooms for the Bride and Groom to hang out in. Plus, with the deposit we get use of the kitchen and fellowship hall for a rehearsal dinner. The pastor at the church will actually be there running the sound equipment for no extra cost! Plenty of room for the musicians and the reciving line will be lined up here...