Looking beyond "Happily Ever After"

After weeks of nagging by family and friends, Jacob and I are finally going to give in and begin our wedding registries. Yes, we are joining the bandwagon and registering at multiple stores: Macy's; Bed, Bath and Beyond; and even a Home Depot (I think they are the home improvement store with a registry...if not, we will figure a replacement out later). And I must admit, I am rather distraught that Pier One no longer offers a wedding registry, I heart that store!

Why a Home Depot, you ask? Why what kind of homeowners would we be without a proper lawn mower, yard work tools, patio furniture, etc?

Still a solid six months out, we are not going to have these complete, by any means, in the near future. But we will at least begin getting the key items on our list.

People who know me realize how much of an organized freak I am...that said, you can rest assured knowing that a detailed list has been created and added to over the last 11 months (we have been engaged 11 months today!) outlining those items we plan to add to our registry. Some of the most interesting items on our wish list include:

• Towel warmer for the master bathroom - Jacob greatly opposes this idea...does not want to get used to having a warm towel every time he gets out of the shower...if you ask me that is crazy talk. A master bath would not be complete without one of these!


• Soup crocks - A random, but very useful, dish. You can make soup and not burn your hand while holding the bowl. And they are super cute!
  
• Water purifier for kitchen sink - I am very weird about tap water. Very weird. If the pipes are more than ten years old, I am very skeptical about the quality of the water. I am a freak, I know. As Jacob's (soon to be OUR) house is over 60 years old, we are in dire need of a Brita purifier that hooks directly to the faucet.
  
• Breadbox - I realize this is not 1955, but I love the idea of a breadbox. A super cute way to store perishable bakery/bread items in the kitchen.


• Herb keepers - This Spring, Jacob and I are planting our very first garden, including an herb garden on the patio for fresh mint, basil, rosemary, etc. What better way to keep these herbs fresh than a handy herb keeper for your fridge?

Sorry for the boring update today...but there is not much going on with wedding planning front as of late. Instead, we have been basking in the joy that is being engaged. :)

"So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness."

I realized the other day that I had yet to post pictures of my sample bouquet charms I created. Please note this is purely a sample (thus does not look spectacular)! During this trial run, I did not spread the glue out like I should have, which created unsightly bubbles under the marble. And I did not have a circle hole punch, so the circle was cut freehand (and not very well). I have since purchased one that will make the charm making a much simpler process.

I must say that this DIY project turned out pretty decently, all things considered. Now I just need to determine which photos to use for my girls and begin the creation!

The other day, I got out my box of wedding-related items and came across two things I purchased a while back for the big day:

Serving set to cut the cake: snagged this beauty up on clearance at Pier One at the end of last summer. Love the bronzy color!! And these will be fun to use post-wedding.



Baskets to hold the programs: found two of these at Michael's at 50 percent off. Will be useful after the wedding to hold extra rolls of toilet paper in the bathroom or hand towels in the guest bathroom.

Oh and speaking of programs and such, I am not sure if I mentioned it or not, but we have finally chosen what I have dubbed as our "honor attendants." You know, the program hand-outers, ushers, readers, guestbook attendant, etc. Here they are:

• Reader one: Christie - she and I have been friends since junior year in high school when we met on a CIY trip. Love her! I am not sure yet what she will be reading, but we all know she will do it with style. Oh! And Christie is also choreographing a dance for Jacob and I for our first dance. God love her for taking on this next to impossible task.
• Reader two: Jacob - Jacob is one of my cousins and I am thrilled he will be reading in the wedding. What is funny about Jacob is his name (Jacob Ryan) is the opposite of my Jacob's name (Ryan Jacob...yes, Jacob's real name is Ryan but he goes by his middle name). We have not chosen a reading for Jacob at this point either.
• Guest book attendant: Kelsey - She is one of Jacob's cousins.
• Program hand-outer (is this even a word?): Ben - He is one of my cousins; Jacob's brother actually.
• Ushers (yes, we are adding even more people to wedding party by not having the groomsmen usher guests to their seats BUT we are adding dear cousins to the wedding by doing so!): Billy (my cousin...and he was born exactly four days after me; our moms were in the hospital together); Adam (my cousin - Billy's brother); Kyle (Jacob's cousin and Kelsey's brother); and Ryan (Jacob's cousin and Kelsey and Kyle's brother).
  

As most of the major details are planned, I now need to sit down with my various lists and countdowns and get organized on that front. That is my plan for this week: re-organize myself. Time to take inventory again!

Taking Inventory

With a 17 month engagement, I knew that we would have plenty of time for planning...being engaged...and saving money. However, I think the extra time has made me lazy! Jacob and I have been engaged for nearly 7 months already and I feel like there is still so much to do. In actuality, we do have quite a bit to accomplish, but we are moving along at a nice leisurely speed.

What gets me are the people who have gotten engaged recently and have just as much - or more - planned for their weddings that are just as far off as mine! Makes me feel like even more of a slacker. :)

My big thing lately has been to get organized. The wedding binder is looking good, budgeting spreadsheets have been laid out, checklists created and timelines drafted. I am in a good position. I just need to move forward!!

To feel a little better about what I have accomplished, I am going to do a little inventory.

Things I have to date:

• A date/time: September 18, 2010
• Ceremony site: Southland Christian Church (where we both grew up)
• Reception site: Keene Run Golf Club
• Caterer: DaRae and Friends
• Wedding Party: Check (sans a few of the ceremonial roles/ushers)
• Minister: Todd Tyler (close to Jacob and the Kelly's)
• Color scheme: emerald green, dark orange, white
• Photographer: Mary Lashbrook

Things I have ideas about:

• Invitations
• Programs
• Centerpieces
• Reception/ceremony decor
• Ceremony components
• My dress
• Wedding party attire
• Flowers

Goals to accomplish before Christmas 2009:

• Research and hire a DJ
• Research and hire a florist
• Make a decision about a cake and hire a baker

Also along the way, I have bought misc. items that we will need for the big day. Things like crafting supplies (bone folder, paper cutter, corner rounder), dessert serving set (super cute orange/green set from Pier One), dried grasses and berries for a centerpiece at the reception, etc.

The many ideas out there are a bit overwhelming...I think it is my fear that I will get the whole thing planned and then have some totally other ideas come into mind. And then what will I do??! I think the only thing is to make my decisions and stick with them...no matter what else may come up.