Toss the bouquet!

We officially have a florist! After researching our options, we have decided to sign with Stephen Hein, who is seriously one of the city's best florists. His work is absolutely gorgeous. And the best part: I never would have been able to afford him had I not won the gift certificate at the July 2009 Bridal Show. This gift certificate is saving us $500 worth of flowers/greenery.

We have not placed our final order quite yet, but our quote includes:

• Bridal bouquet (orange lilies, white stephanotis flowers, greenery: wanted a fresh-picked kind of look);
• Toss bouquet (not sure if I am going to do the traditional bouquet toss or not, but regardless, this bouquet will be a smaller version of my bouquet);
• Eight bridesmaids' bouquets (orange lilies, bear grass and seeded eucalyptus);
• Groom's boutonniere (three white stephanotis flowers, seeded eucalyptus);
• Boutonnieres for seven groomsmen/four ushers/Todd Tyler/two fathers/one grandfather (two white stephanotis flowers, seeded eucalyptus);
• Nosegay bouquets for two moms (white orchids);
• Pin-on corsage for one grandmother (white rose);
• Greenery for three candelabras at the church;
• Cake topper (orange lilies) and greenery for base of cake;
• Three medium eiffel vases of orange lilies/greenery (decoration at reception); and
• Three short eiffel vases of orange lilies/greenery (decoration at reception).

We are setting another meeting for next week to add additional corsages and boutonnieres for our honor attendants (readers, guest book attendant, program person, etc.), delivery options and discuss the option of pew decorations. Stephen has some great ideas of using greenery to decorate every third or fourth pew. Hopefully it is something we can do and still remain in budget!

Next on the list: find and book a DJ!

Another item off the list!

Being fortunate enough to work for a company that gives us the week between Christmas and New Year's off means that I have plenty of time to get a handle on some wedding-related tasks that need to be done.

On today's agenda: choose guys' attire for the wedding. This was really the simplest task I have encountered to date! Seriously. We literally walked into Geno's Formal Affair on Southland Drive and within 15 minutes, we had everything chosen. If only every detail could be so simple!

Jacob and I both fell in love with this tux (right). He and his eight groomsmen will wear this exact ensemble, yet the gray tie will exchanged for emerald green. Love it! Oh and Jacob picked a pair of black shiny shoes to complete the look. I think this color will look stunning with the emerald green bridesmaid dresses. The only question we need to determine: will the guys wear pocket squares (these are essentially handkerchiefs) or boutonnieres? It is considerably less expensive to go with the pocket square route...but would the guys look silly without the flower?

The Dads (and grandfather) will wear this gray color as well...except they will have a gray tie instead of a green tie.

And seriously, we just have to give the guys a deadline to get fitted and when they go pick up their stuff, they pay. How easy is that?! It is really too bad that girls' wedding attire is not this simple!

Oh and on top of today's progress, Jacob and I met with Stephen Hein (of Stephen Hein Florist) for a consultation (estimate) of wedding flowers. Very nice guy. Will hear back from him within the next day or two and hopefully by the end of the week/this weekend, I will know which florist we are going with! Stay tuned!