The Guest List...

...is astonishing!

J's parents got their "number" to my mom and me this weekend, and I spent Monday night on my family's list. Got an Excel Spreadsheet working and everything. My family's list is quite ambitious, because of my pretty large family, VERY large church family that has seen me grow up, Dad/Mom's work, and various friends from different stages in MY life. And to be honest, the majority of these people still live in or around my hometown (within 1.5 hrs) and will likely come to the wedding.

We're definitely having my dream-- a big wedding. How big? The first draft is 400, guesstimating that 300 or so will attend. We'll see if we have to make cuts depending on the cost of catering.

The Saga...

I also plan on mandating that no children under 6 are allowed in the ceremony--including family. Children at the reception--that's fine--they can make as much noise there as they want. But they are not ruining my elegant ceremony. I cannot tell you how many weddings I've been to with a chattery 3 yr old or wailing infant interrupting the vows. I love kids; I usually find their incessant cooing adorable. But not during the ceremony. My wedding director or other appointed nazi will steer the parents/children to an equipped, staffed nursery within the church.
I am starting to get panic attacks about blocking rooms for THE hotel in my hometown. It's a Fairfield Inn that is the nicest by far, and within walking distance of the quaint downtown area. Once we estimate how many out-of-towners will stay, we can get those rooms blocked.
ETA: My mom put a call in, and we've officially blocked 35 rooms (all they had left due to a family reunion booking 50!) All the rooms are part of a new wing, though, so that is exciting. I worry that won't be enough, but there's also a Bed and Breakfast we can book and another (less desirable) Comfort Inn available if necessary.

In other news: I have scheduled IntraLASIK surgery!!!! Yes, it has been a goal of mine to get the surgery done at some point, since I cannot wear contacts (too skeeved out, have tried three times). The surgery is scheduled for Feb 10! It's costing a freaking pretty penny, too, but it's worth it because my surgeon is literally one of the pioneers in the industry. He's performed over 50,000 of the IntraLASIK (the blade free), making him the most experienced in the world, teaches all over the country, etc.

I am one of those people who hates having anything around/touching/near my eye, so I will be awfully uncomfortable pre-surgery, but apparently they give Valium to calm the jitters, which I am all about!

I have worn glasses 24/7 (well, 16/7) since I was 8, so I will be one of those people for which the surgery will be truly life-altering. People don't know me without glasses. It will be so fun. I'm so excited about getting engagement, bridal portrait, and wedding pictures without glasses!

Finally, I have lost my touch with scrapbooking. No one likes my work anymore, the least of which is me ;)

Addendum to the Color Scheme...

Orange Sherbet. I have decided to weave this color in with the blue and brown and cream. It will be a great pop of color in the bridesmaid bouquets and centerpieces. I have worried a bit that the flowers would need a little "umph" color-wise, and I think the orange sherbet color is the answer. Plus, orange and blue are complimentary, of course. Orange is summery. I'll just need to make sure the colors are the same value (you scrapbookers know!)

The impetus for this epiphany is a shower curtain my future sister-in-law has in her guest bathroom. I could look at it all day.

ETA: Here is the exact shower curtain. The colors are espresso, orange sherbet, blue (not powder blue as shown, though), cream. Of course, the green will be represented through the greenery. The colors are more vivid IRL, but this gives you a general idea:

The Colors

Well, the next big step is getting the guest list number down, roughly. It is my hope to have that by Thanksgiving or at least the end of the month. After which I can contact the caterer we've booked and the lady we'd like to do the wedding cake. The reception is the biggest expense of any wedding, and until we get the rough # I have no idea how much it will end up costing. Which as you can guess affects the other areas of planning as well. I don't know how much I can allocate where until the catering stuff is taken care of.

I guess I could also tell you our colors. We're doing espresso, robin's egg blue, and cream. (See left) The blue will be in smaller touches, and in the bouquets...the flowers in the wedding will be blues and periwinkles and whatever else the florist can weave in. He just knows I love blue (and brown).

The bridesmaids dresses, the impetus for the entire color scheme and based on a picture I saw in In Style a few years ago, are espresso brown, organza, tea-length, with blue sashes.

I didn't want my bridesmaids wearing shiny cheap satin (not flattering) nor looking like big pastel Easter eggs. I think brown is so chic. Here is the dress I've all but decided on (see below):

...except both layers will be espresso to give a deep, dark tone and I'll switch out the ribbon sashes with whatever ribbon color I find at Michael's. They're simple, strapless, flattering tea-length A-lines:

I'm baaack....

I have been out of town for work meetings and just got home tonight.

I'll be updating soon. Hope you are having a great week! xoxo

Fiancee Confessions...

I can’t cook. There, I said it. If it’s more difficult than Hamburger Helper, I fret. whispers: My dinners are often of the frozen sort... If the recipe sounds too complicated, I won’t attempt it. Well, I can follow most simple recipes, but I don’t know a whole lot about cooking techniques. You know, those things every mother knows will make something just right. The basic ways to cook things! How done is done? (I am terrified of undercooking things. So J bought me a meat thermometer.)

J on the other hand, is a wizard in the kitchen. A chef. A Williams-Sonoma gadget loving, technique savvy, tuna-steak and twice baked potatoes-making gourmand. After cooking for himself for years, he’s also worked in kitchens and at a country club helping with weddings, banquets and events. He even made omelets for Arnold Palmer and Mel Gibson, among others. Cooking is just an extension of his artistic talents. And he’s good at (and persnickety about) it.

I just want to learn enough to be adequate in the kitchen. Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll ever love it. It’s just too much work for me. I don’t know how you moms do it--if you’ve worked all day at the office, or if you stay at home chasing the kids all day—and still have the energy to make a good meal. When I get home from work, all I wanna do is make a PB&J, soup, and watch Friends reruns.

In an effort to improve myself, I signed up for a cooking class at our local organic supermarket. It’s called, seriously, “How to Boil Water” (and other kitchen techniques). It’s truly a beginner’s class, where we’ll learn basic techniques and cooking methods. It’s in January, so I’ll start the year of my married life with some new skills :)

J and I have unofficially decided that he will be the one to make the meats and related entrees, and I’ll tackle sides since I looooove making creative things like lemon-lime rice. People always say you gain weight after you get married, but honestly, I think I may lose a pound or two. With all the junk food, pizza, fast food, etc that I eat weekly, cooking at home will be better for mine, and J’s, health!

Dress Shopping....

I thought you might like to see some of the pictures from the weekend me, my mom, sister and J's sis went dress shopping in Raleigh. Since none of these made the final cut, it's fine to post.

The lighting is horrific, and please also excuse the fact that I am sweating (I mean glowing) profusely in these pictures. Come to think of it, perhaps it's an indication of what I will look like after a couple hours at the reception ;)

Loved the fit of this bodice, but it's strapless and I am trying to avoid "the norm." Beadwork was about as much as I would tolerate. LOVE the dropped waist.

Full length -- I hate all the detail on the train. Hate.

Yayyyy! A ruched waist! Yayyyy! But still, strapless.

Absolutely love the blue sash here, and the halter neckline is gorgeous. Something was just a little too plain about it, though (GOSH, I am picky):