My wedding- do's and don'ts!

Hello People,
Let me just tell you folks, that not planning a wedding is amazing!!!  But let's go back and talk about the wedding for just a minute!

Wedding Talk
1.  The wedding was amazing!  I'm married to the man of my dreams!  I didn't sweat the small stuff!
2.  The day before and sometimes even the day of...it didn't feel like my wedding day!  It was very weird...ha ha ha!  Even when I was shouting out the window "I'm getting married today!!!"  Ha ha!
3.  The people at Starbucks were a bit rude!  They didn't even call out "Bride"- so that was annoying!  Nor did I get a free drink!  That was also buggy- however that could have been because I was not in my wedding dress!  It was 9am- who gets dressed that early!  I did have a bride sweatshirt on...Oh well!  My sister said "Oh, Bride, your drink is ready!"  Ha ha ha!  My suggestion is to go to a bigger Starbucks...
4.  Having my hair and makeup done was amazing!  I would like to do that every day!
5.  Having all my sisters there was also great!
6.  We had plenty of time to get ready- I even packed my bags for the honeymoon while everyone was getting ready!  We were able to eat lunch and just relax!
7.  Eat something!  Order your favorite meal!  We ate Mr. Goodcents...double yummy!
8.  Plan how everyone is getting to the Church- that was a little stressful- nothing too much...just a bit!
9. Once at the church everything went pretty smooth!
10. Having a list of pictures was perfect!  This way someone could read the list and make sure that every picture that I wanted was being taken!
11. Sometimes ideas in your head don't turn out as you want them too!  That is okay...you just have to go with the flow!  I feel pretty good about my going with the flow!  Not thing anything went wrong, they just didn't go exactly how I had pictured them!
12.  I tried my hardest not to cry, but hearing the music, seeing Curt standing down at the end of the isle, knowing that I was marrying the guy that I love...in the wedding that I had planned...the wedding of my dreams...it was just too much!  At least there is one picture where I was smiling...ha ha ha!
13.  The wedding ceremony itself was wonderful!  The Pastor's sermon was wonderful and to the point!  Our vows were amazing!  It took me a bit to get through mine, but I was determined to get through it with a semi normal voice! I might have said "One minute" on several occasions.  But it was wonderful!
14.  Riding in the Limo going to take pictures was my favorite part of the day!  It was the only time- once the wedding started- that I was able to relax!  That I did not feel obligated to be anything other than happy!  It was perfect!
15. All of the pictures were amazing from the Bridal Party as well!!!
16. The reception was not what I had pictured.  The lighting was not what I had pictured.  The DJ was not what I had pictured.  It was good to know that everyone had a wonderful time!
17.  The entrance to the Reception was pretty fun!  Curt carried me over his shoulder!
18.  The video was perfect!  And entertaining!
19.  Dinner was great- I loved the Mashed Potatoe Martini's.  However they ran out of martini glasses!
20.  Knowing the seating chart was also funny- because I knew where people were sitting and saw who didn't show up!  That was kind of hard!  Especially since we had put up some extra tables...that was not needed and looked a little funny...ha ha ha
21.  The cake was amazing!!!  It was beautiful and looked exactly how she told me it would!!!  We should have practiced going over what to do...I had no clue!  And the details of cutting the cake- see things I would change.
22. The group dance was a success!!!  Everyone did a great job and I was so happy with it!
23.  Dancing for the rest of the night was a bit weird.  I thought more people would be dancing- I don't know if it was the music that was played...or that people weren't in the mood to dance.  Or as my sister said- when the bride and groom aren't dancing- no one really is!  Is that a big deal?  No, it was just different than what I thought would happen!
24.  Being the bride and groom is hard work.  Everyone wants to say hello!  Everyone wants a picture!  It's hard to just sit back and enjoy the night!  I'm not sure if there is any other way to be...!  As someone said on the honeymoon- I want to go back to the wedding as a guest at my wedding!
25.  We danced the last dance all by ourselves!  It was awesome!  I walked down the isle to his song for us, we had our first dance to our song, and our last dance was my song for us!  It was perfect!
26.  There was a large crowd waiting for us outside!  As we walked out to the car- everyone had a bell wand and they were ringing it!  And then all of a sudden Curt's mom was throwing them at us!  I was a little peeved, since it took us so long to make those.  But oh well!
27.  The car was decorated with glow in the dark balloons!  And writing on the windows!  There were also beer cans on the back (but we didn't know that until later).  As we were driving to the hotel- a car drove by flipping us off- so we drove by them and flipped them off.  Ha ha ha!  We later saw the cans and wondered if one flew off and hit them.  Ha, oops!
28.  The hotel was wonderfully decorated by me family (a family tradition!)!
29.  The next day we got up and left around 9am!  We had brunch and opened gifts with my family!  Then my sister Dana, drove us to the airport!
30.  All of our planes were on time and we made it to Mexico and our hotel in one piece!

Things I would change-
1. Hire an assistant for the few weeks before the wedding!  I could do most things myself, but the last few weeks- especially with working full time- were rough.  I was not thinking about all of the little details like I should have been.  I wanted to just enjoy everything- but things like making sure someone was cutting the cake- those type of details would have been nice to go over!
2. Talk to the lighting people as too where the lights will be- I had pictured them differently...and didn't like how they turned out!
3.  Talking to all of the vendors!  That would be why the assistant would be amazing!
4.  Have a plan about who will pick up what and write it down.  Not everyone realizes what goes into planning or cleaning up of a wedding.  So, to have a list of who is doing what and letting them know that they are doing it!
5.  Keeping papers needed for the actual rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception...in the same folder!  It got a little crazy for me.  Things seemed to be everywhere!
6.  Ask people for help.  I can not even pin point what I would have people do...but I realized how tense I was after the wedding.  My dad said, we should have done more.  Again - what would they do?  I don't know...but I should have asked!
7.  Being out of my own house that last week was difficult!  I felt displaced!  It was amazing being able to see my sisters as much as I did.  But I felt slightly out of whack.  I had done all of my planning at my own house...so to be removed from there was rough!

As I said- the wedding was amazing!  The things I would change are very small details!  I mean, I was pretty organized for being in charge of as many things as I was!  As everyone kept saying and I kept reading "In the end if you are married, it was an amazing wedding!"  I am married!  I had a wonderful day!  We had an amazing honeymoon!  And now being back we are starting to put our married lives back together!  It's not easy!  It's not hard...it's just a lot!  I will write about the honeymoon and about how the new Alderman's are doing later!  Happy Thursday folks!

I'm stress free!

The wedding is over!!!  To be honest, I loved it!  I had a wonderful time.  Looking back there are a few things that I might have changed...but overall it was amazing!  All that being said- I'm so happy that I am done planning a wedding!

A few moments ago, I realized that my week has been pretty great!  My moods have been great!  I am able to go home and get some stuff done!  I'm not feeling exhausted- or feeling like I should be doing something and that I don't have time to sit and relax!  I did not realize how stressed out I was about the wedding.  If someone would have asked me, I would have said- I feel great!  Until this week!  Even while on the honeymoon I would now say that I was a little stressed.  Probably the trying to bring life back to normal.  A new life of no wedding planning, no shows to choreograph...it's brand new terrain!  Ha ha ha!

So, looking back at the last 4 days- it's been great!  I have gone home and done some laundry!  I have been able to relax and just enjoy the evenings!  Curt and I have been getting along great!  So, maybe the wedding stress was more than I realized!

Yay for having an amazing week!  Yay for being in better spirits!  Yay for trying new things (I started having ITWorks Greens in the morning)!

I will begin my wedding posts today or tomorrow,  so stay tuned!  I'm sure all of my 2 readers will be waiting with breathless anticipation!  Ha haha!  Okay- bye!

12 days!

Holy Moly!!!  Folks, there are 12 days until I'm getting married!!!  That is just nutty!  I'm feeling pretty good!

What have I finished thus far:
1. Finish Table Numbers

2. Escort Cards

3. Groomsmen gifts- a little something

4. Specialty Drink- Wednesday? 

5. Ceremony Music is a 2 parter

  A.  Arrangement and words for "Can't Take That Away From Me"

  B.  Music for everything else

6. Make a Pick a Seat sign

7. Cake- I have a meeting on Wednesday  

8. Wedding Video is a 2 parter as well

  A. Video montage of pics of Curt and I

  B.  Other video- we have started working on it

9.  Bathroom Baskets- Girls & Guys

10. Rehearsal Dinner Stuff

Alright!!!  Now even though my list keeps getting smaller...I seem to keep adding things to the bottom!  So, here is the current list!
1. Escort Cards- I made the first attempt at a seating chart today!
2. Welcome bags- that should be easy!
3. I need to add music to the slide show
4. Background music for Rehearsal dinner
5. Print wedding programs
6. Fold the wedding programs
7. Wedding party announcement
8. Make CD of the music for the Ceremony
9. Make CD of the slideshow for the Rehearsal dinner & the Reception
10. Make CD/DVD of the Dance
11. Write letter for the wedding box
12. Wrap Groom's gifts & get card
13. Get Rehearsal dinner gifts
14. Get rehearsal dinner gifts ready to go
15. Finish shopping for the honeymoon
16. Get suitcase for the honeymoon
17. Pack for the honeymoon.
18. Pick a seat Sign
19. Tossing Bouquet

Wait a second?!?  How did my list of 10 things wind down to 4 things...and then back up to 19 things and counting?  That is just crazy!  A lot of the stuff seems to be pretty easy things, just getting them done!  And if you hadn't noticed as of yet...when I get something done...something else gets put on the list!  Oh dear!  Well, I'm off!  I'm not sure what I will be doing, but it will probably be something wedding wise!  I'm out!

Um, Spring Break was amazing!

Holy Spring Break!  It's almost over, but I'm feeling so great!!!  I have worked my fanny off to get a ton of stuff done!  The amazing thing is that tomorrow I get to relax!  And I mean really relax!  I might do one load of laundry, but besides that...it's a do nothing kind of day!

As of right now we have 193 people coming to the wedding.  With 30 some people still waiting to hear from!  Then it's been a total crafty sort of week!  To show how much I have gotten done, I will highlight what was done this week!

2.  Table numbers- I need to find pictures of myself and start converting them to 4x6's.  Then I need to take all of Curt's pictures and make them 4x6's and see how many more of them we need.- I have a few pictures of me, but a lot of Curt!  So, I'm not feeling too bad about this!- I still have a few more to scan, but I'm feeling pretty great!
3.  At some point we will need to put the centerpieces together- Waiting until Spring Break!
4.  Start looking at what pictures to use for the Escort Cards- Or an idea for the escort cards


7.  Gifts (Groomsmen)
8.  Bouquets- Done by March 7th- after bridal shower 
9.  Put Table Numbers Together

11. Finalize Menu
12. Specialty Drink
13. Reception Music
14. Wedding Video
15. Ball Conference Center Table Cloths- meeting sometime between 3/9-3/13

17. Ceremony Decorations- Lanterns, Chests, Fabric Draping?

19. Ceremony Music
20. Make a Pick a seat & not a side sign- Spring Break
21. Uncle Curt, Here comes your gal- Spring Break

23. Talk about cake- We are going to meet some time in March.  No rush!- have an appointment on Wednesday

25. Bridal Pictures & Hair Trial- March 15th

26. Corsages/Boutonniere's

27. Chose a reader 

 

  I mean, it's just so exciting!  I can go to bed a super happy Bride!  So, if we start a new list...

1. Finish Table Numbers

2. Escort Cards

3. Groomsmen gifts- a little something

4. Specialty Drink- Wednesday? 

5. Ceremony Music is a 2 parter

  A.  Arrangement and words for "Can't Take That Away From Me"

  B.  Music for everything else

6. Make a Pick a Seat sign

7. Cake- I have a meeting on Wednesday  

8. Wedding Video is a 2 parter as well

  A. Video montage of pics of Curt and I

  B.  Other video- we have started working on it

9.  Bathroom Baskets- Girls & Guys

10. Rehearsal Dinner Stuff

 

I mean, 10 more on my To-Do list is not exactly terribly when I'm 3 weeks out!  So, yay and go me!  I'm outta here to relax and fall asleep a happy bride!

 

 

I feel like I did stuff today!

Last night was a bit rough.  Chandler was bleeding and it took a long time (okay, so maybe a few minutes, but it seemed like a very long time).  I think it was a popped hemorrhoid or something.  He stopped bleeding and acted fine all last night and this morning.  Since he has to get his rabies shot, I decided to schedule that for tomorrow- so that we can take him to get that done and have the Vet look at him.
I don't like it when something is wrong with Chandler.  He is already getting older...it just makes me tear up!  Hopefully it won't be anything too crazy!  I will let you all know once we know something!

Then last night I had some really weird dreams.  The kind that linger with you after you wake up.  You know, give you weird feelings during the day.  There was about 20 min this morning when I couldn't remember the dream...but knew it was a weird/bad one...then it hit me when I was in the shower.  Very strange- a guy following me and a circus theme.  Anyone would be scared with that!  At least there were no clowns!  Yikes!

Alright, so in trying to move on from feeling weird from the dream/nervous about Chandler/ and well life...I decided to get some stuff done!  Things I have gotten done today:

1.  Found a wedding topper and ordered it!
2.  Got my days off approved (okay, so I didn't really have to do anything for that)
3.  I found a gal in Olathe that rents wedding items!  She has lanterns- which I want to use for the Church!  We have a meeting set up over Spring Break!
Hmmm, well I thought there were more things that I had gotten done.  Oh well, I'm so excited...wait I'm going back to type #3.  Okay, I feel better with my list!  Checking things off one item at a time!

I'm feeling better, still a little weird, but I also just might be hungry.  Ha ha ha!  Okay, I'm off to fix up my lunch!  Have a wonderful rest of your day and peace out!

It's not personal

IT'S NOT PERSONAL!!!

When people aren't coming to the wedding- it's not personal!

When people have family plans or weird plans or stupid (I mean come on...just say you don't want to go to a wedding) plans...it's not personal.  Well, that last one might be personal, but they also might just hate weddings.  Which would not be personal.

I have to keep telling myself that...especially since I feel like right now we have a lot of people saying "no".  It's not personal!  

I have to keep telling myself that the people that I really care about- nothing personal on that either to the other people- will be there!  I know that if I host a party with 50 people, how many do I actually hang out with?  About 10...so I'm doing okay!

We are at 128 people out of the 310 that we invited!  

We are still waiting on a ton of invites as well!  The good news is...the less people- the less money we spend!  So, maybe I will re-think being upset and really just enjoy the lower cost!

So, it's not personal in either direction!

Things are winding down!

I can not believe I am here!  I have one week until my last show for the current season is finished!!!  I have been doing shows non-stop for almost a year and I'm tired!  I'm ready to just plan a wedding...and then after that, I'm ready to just do nothing!  To go home after school and hopefully want to read more!  Or do more crafting!  Or write thank you notes!

I would like for the house to be clean...and to only really have to pick it up!  I'm not sure why my life is going to be like Leave it to beaver after I'm married!  I mean, let's be honest, it won't be!  But the thought of only have one job...is amazing!  Then, summer will be here and once again, I will only be working one job!  Then I will also have a full month that I have nothing going on!  That is what I'm so excited for!  To have nothing to do!  I'm also extremely nervous for that time as well!  Money wise that is...yikes!

4 more rehearsals & 2 shows until Aladdin is over!  44 more days until the wedding is here!  I can't believe it!  Then it's really time for me to get down to business!!!  To get my rear in gear for the wedding!  So much to do...with not exactly so little time.  But not exactly a lot of time either!

Okay, I'm out!