My fabulous Fiance sent me this great article the other day from one of his favorite financial websites, Mint.com. The article, Not Maid of Money: The Burden of Being a Bridesmaid, shows an adorable graphic and says that the Estimated Cost Breakdown to be a bridesmaid comes to the not-so-adorable number of $1,695.
One-thousand, six hundred ninety-five US dollars.
Granted, this is allotting $300 flights to a shower, bachelorette party AND the wedding, $200 worth of gifts to the bride, and several other items ($50 for lingerie??) that are more than a little unnecessary (errr, at least for our wedding).
The article also lists Best Practices for the Bride and the Bridesmaids. It's a cute, short read and it really made me grateful to the ladies whom I've stood up for. I did not spend nearly $1,695 to be a part of their special day and consider it a gift in itself that I have wonderful friends who want to stand up for me on my wedding day.
So, dear friends, just because I'm asking you to wear that dress, just think, it could be worse ;)
2 MONTHS AND COUNTING!!!!!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
I Love the Mailman
Whoa, back-to-back posts! I'm on a roll!
I initially tried to make this post into a Lesson Learned but I really just awoke the anxious person inside of me so there is, unfortunately, no lesson here. I am working from the home office today and suddenly I heard the noise. You know, that noise. The sound of something opening and slamming shut followed by an acceleration and a slow down. The noise of the mailman! I patiently watched the postal truck (like a stalker out of the window) make it's way down our short street, counted to 10 and bolted outside to see who RSVP'd today. Answer: 0
I know, I know. We haven't even mailed all the invites yet but I came to the realization that I will now be rushing home from work everyday for the next four weeks to see how many small, ivory envelopes are sitting in the mailbox, waiting to be ripped open and recorded in my google spreadsheet. This is so exciting!
I initially tried to make this post into a Lesson Learned but I really just awoke the anxious person inside of me so there is, unfortunately, no lesson here. I am working from the home office today and suddenly I heard the noise. You know, that noise. The sound of something opening and slamming shut followed by an acceleration and a slow down. The noise of the mailman! I patiently watched the postal truck (like a stalker out of the window) make it's way down our short street, counted to 10 and bolted outside to see who RSVP'd today. Answer: 0
I know, I know. We haven't even mailed all the invites yet but I came to the realization that I will now be rushing home from work everyday for the next four weeks to see how many small, ivory envelopes are sitting in the mailbox, waiting to be ripped open and recorded in my google spreadsheet. This is so exciting!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Cars and Beauty Pageants
Yes, it's true, we're a well-rounded bunch.
My boys and I are sitting on the couch watching the Miss USA pageant right now. This is one of my favorite nights of the year as I love looking at all of the sparkly gowns! Back in the roommate days, we used to practicing walking around in our heels and waving, and then go back to the couch and finish our ice cream. Something about gorging ourselves on unhealthy food always made a beauty pageant better. Anyway, I digress. We're watching Miss USA right now and I'm so happy :)
Our old, beloved 1999 Mazda died a few days ago so we spent the weekend car shopping. Good news is that we didn't have any other major plans so is was a relatively stress-free experience. Well, as stress-free as car shopping gets. We took a four-hour test drive (had to fun a few errands involving the wedding invitations!) and tried our hardest to negotiate down to our pre-determined budgeted price. Unfortunately, the didn't take the bait. My negotiation skills failed us. Our search continues.
In the meantime, the first round of invitations went out late last week and the remainder will be in the mail by Wednesday. Big shout-out to Aunt Claire who was the FIRST person to return the RSVP card!!!
My boys and I are sitting on the couch watching the Miss USA pageant right now. This is one of my favorite nights of the year as I love looking at all of the sparkly gowns! Back in the roommate days, we used to practicing walking around in our heels and waving, and then go back to the couch and finish our ice cream. Something about gorging ourselves on unhealthy food always made a beauty pageant better. Anyway, I digress. We're watching Miss USA right now and I'm so happy :)
Our old, beloved 1999 Mazda died a few days ago so we spent the weekend car shopping. Good news is that we didn't have any other major plans so is was a relatively stress-free experience. Well, as stress-free as car shopping gets. We took a four-hour test drive (had to fun a few errands involving the wedding invitations!) and tried our hardest to negotiate down to our pre-determined budgeted price. Unfortunately, the didn't take the bait. My negotiation skills failed us. Our search continues.
In the meantime, the first round of invitations went out late last week and the remainder will be in the mail by Wednesday. Big shout-out to Aunt Claire who was the FIRST person to return the RSVP card!!!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Accessorizing
I don't know what it is about today but I've been thinking a lot about hair accessories. My original hair plan for the wedding may be changing (I'll know after my fitting in a couple of weeks!) so I'm trying to decide my new plan of attack. I did a little research and I'm really not a tiara or a bling-bling type of girl so I haven't found exactly what I'm look for yet.
Ever heard of Charming Charlie's? A dear friend introduced me to the beauty that is a giant store (think J.Crew size) full of nothing but accessories, organized by color, with totally reasonable prices. Ahhh-mazing! I've only been completely overwhelmed once but fully intend on trying it out again tonight now that I sorta kinda know what I'm looking for.
In the meantime, I found the most perfect fascinator... maybe I can wear this to the rehearsal?
Ever heard of Charming Charlie's? A dear friend introduced me to the beauty that is a giant store (think J.Crew size) full of nothing but accessories, organized by color, with totally reasonable prices. Ahhh-mazing! I've only been completely overwhelmed once but fully intend on trying it out again tonight now that I sorta kinda know what I'm looking for.
In the meantime, I found the most perfect fascinator... maybe I can wear this to the rehearsal?
Hello, perfect!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Slideshow
... because I know you all like pictures best anyway :)
Before:
Close-up of the overgrown juniper bushes:
During:
Where we're at now (not quite ready for "after." still have to plant a few things!):
And, lastly, this is why I love my friends:
SMILE!
Before:
Close-up of the overgrown juniper bushes:
During:
Where we're at now (not quite ready for "after." still have to plant a few things!):
And, lastly, this is why I love my friends:
SMILE!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
SuMMer!!
I love summer. Like, seriously, ridiculously, OMG love summer. Today is the first day of the year that temps are reaching 90degrees. Summer is here!
We survived a double-wedding weekend last weekend and I am still telling everyone who is willing to listen what a wonderful time we had! Saturday morning started with a long drive to Pueblo, CO to attend Ashley and Colin's wedding at a beautiful Catholic church. The ceremony was wonderful, the bride was stunning and the time with my former co-workers was priceless. We headed back up to Denver for Kari and Jue's rehearsal dinner at a local Chinese restaurant (yum!) and I'm proud to say that the rehearsal paid off for all of us! Sunday was the bridesmaid brunch and pre-wedding festivities followed by a beautiful ceremony and reception at Arrowhead Golf Course. Kari was glowing in her custom-made dress and has inspired me to take my own wedding to a whole new level!
We met with our Rabbi on Monday and I'm relieved to say that not much work, on our part, needs to be done for the ceremony. One less task on our to-do list is great! Speaking of to-do list, guess what we did last night? Yup, put together the longest to-do list you've ever seen! Just when you think you don't have that much left to do, you realize that it's the little things that are so time consuming. Etsy has become my new best friend so some of our DIY projects are pushed in that direction - which is fine with us!
Wedding Craft Party, Round II has been officially scheduled for Sunday, June 12th. Thank goodness for friends who are willing to try their hand at my crazy, crafty ideas! We're going to spend this coming weekend building a retaining wall in our front yard... just be thankful I didn't send out an invite for that!
Happy Summer!!
We survived a double-wedding weekend last weekend and I am still telling everyone who is willing to listen what a wonderful time we had! Saturday morning started with a long drive to Pueblo, CO to attend Ashley and Colin's wedding at a beautiful Catholic church. The ceremony was wonderful, the bride was stunning and the time with my former co-workers was priceless. We headed back up to Denver for Kari and Jue's rehearsal dinner at a local Chinese restaurant (yum!) and I'm proud to say that the rehearsal paid off for all of us! Sunday was the bridesmaid brunch and pre-wedding festivities followed by a beautiful ceremony and reception at Arrowhead Golf Course. Kari was glowing in her custom-made dress and has inspired me to take my own wedding to a whole new level!
We met with our Rabbi on Monday and I'm relieved to say that not much work, on our part, needs to be done for the ceremony. One less task on our to-do list is great! Speaking of to-do list, guess what we did last night? Yup, put together the longest to-do list you've ever seen! Just when you think you don't have that much left to do, you realize that it's the little things that are so time consuming. Etsy has become my new best friend so some of our DIY projects are pushed in that direction - which is fine with us!
Wedding Craft Party, Round II has been officially scheduled for Sunday, June 12th. Thank goodness for friends who are willing to try their hand at my crazy, crafty ideas! We're going to spend this coming weekend building a retaining wall in our front yard... just be thankful I didn't send out an invite for that!
Happy Summer!!
Friday, May 20, 2011
100 DAYS!
We got the guest book last night! I was really nervous about how it would turn out. I made it myself using Picaboo (which I highly recommend for online book creation) and got to the point where I was so frustrated that I just hit Order Book. How many times can you stare at a single page to make sure the pictures look good on opposite sides of the binding, that the frames line up just perfectly and wonder if you actually do want to put a picture of Travis sticking his tongue out at me for all of our friends and family to see? Well, I decided that I needed to stare at least 1,000 times before I was sure. I made it to about 756 before I ordered. Anyway, I digress. IT LOOKS GREAT!! That's one more item checked off the to-do list.
Round II of Natalie's Wedding Craft Party is slowly being planned. I won't subject my amazing friends to any hole-punching this time but there will be lots of glue and tape and general craziness. The venue has now been fully paid for (thank you, MOB!!) and the dress is preparing for a final fitting (gulp). We're in the home stretch, Ladies and Gents!
My dear friend and BM is having her own Wedding Craft Party this weekend so I will be at her house working on the same madness that I subject my crew to. So excited!! Next weekend, Memorial Day weekend, we will be guests at TWO weddings and I am so looking forward to them both. We just booked our hotel room for a Chicago wedding in July but are still praying to the Southwest Airlines Pricing Gods to give us a good sale in the next couple of weeks. Yes, I downloaded DING! on my computer. The good news in all of this...
Wedding season has arrived!!
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