Wow!

All I can say is wow!!!!  The day was amazing!  I will do my best to describe it:

We had a great rehearsal dinner the night before at Paul Martin's.  It was wonderful to catch up with our out of town visitors and to have a chance to relax before the big day.  I slept at the hotel the night before so that I would be able to get ready with my Mom.  We were still trying to do last min. things until about midnight.  I fell asleep, hard, until I woke up at 3:00 a.m.

There was NO way that I could fall back asleep; I was way too excited!

My wonderful hair and makeup artist Jennifer Gilchrist showed up at the hotel at 7:00 a.m. and got started! Both my Mom and I were so happy with the results!!! (See pics below).

My Matron of Honor and Flower Girl came to pick me up just before 9:00 a.m. and we were off to La Provence (minus my bridal undergarments; more on this later in "TIPS")!

The hour before the wedding flew by so quickly.  It seems like I blinked and almost missed it.  I got got to walk around the venue a bit before having to get dressed; what a blessing!  My day of coordinator Bekah was phenomenal!  I knew I wouldn't have to worry about anything while she was running the show!

Before I knew it, I was pinning corsages and boutonnieres, and getting ready to walk down the aisle.  The processional music started (thanks DJ Hustle!), and we took our places.  I could see the guys walking down to the ceremony site; then it was our turn.  My Matron of Honor started down, followed by my Flower Girl.  Then the music changed over to "When I Say I Do," my parents took my arms and we headed down.  I was literally doing everything I could to not cry.  Mr. T said that he could see me holding it in.  When I got about half way down the aisle I was able to see his face and I was fine; no more welling up! :-)

The ceremony was perfect.  Our pastor knows us very well, so it was extremely personalized.  At 10:40 a.m., Pastor Dwight pronounced us married!  We celebrated up the aisle to "Higher and Higher!"

The rest of the day really does go by VERY quickly.  It seemed like just minutes had gone by when we were cutting the cake, thanking everyone and saying goodbye!

Looking back, I can honestly say that it was the best day of my life (so far)!  I can't wait to continue my life as the MRS. T!!!

(Professional pics to follow)

Thank You!

Thank you all for the well wishes!  The day was a dream :-)

I will be back to posting in full force when we return from our honeymoon in about a week and a half!

All the best,

The Mrs. T!

Another Productive Day!

With 11 days to go:

• Ordered 12,000 ivory rose petals, 750 ivory roses (250 Amelia and 500 Vendela), and 80 stems of white hydrangeas!
• Finalized rentals!

I'm on a roll baby!

Check, Check, And Check!

Phew!  We've gotten tons done!

Last Friday Mr. T and I went and got our marriage license (kind of important!).  I picked up my mom and she and I met with the on-site coordinator at my venue along with with my day-of coordinator, to go over all the final details and time-line.  Then the three of us (my mom, my day-of, and myself) went to Miosa to my dress fitting.  We ended up talking with Michael, the designer at the shop for over an hour; he's awesome!  Oh yeah, the alterations were perfect :-).  It was on to Michael's from there to get the table number stands.  Finally we went to See's Candies to pick up the truffles for our favors.  All of this by 2:00 p.m.!

Sunday afternoon was wedding prep time!  We took all the vases and supplies for the favors to my matron of honor's house.  A couple of friends came over and the four of us got to work.  We prepped all the vases (washed and grids in place), and put together 150 favors.

It feels good to get so much done!

Flowers, Flowers And More Flowers!

What type of flowers are you using for your special day? Mr. T and I have decided to go primarily with hydrangeas and roses, all in various shades of ivory/cream.

We will have 30 centerpiece arrangements, one sign-in table arrangement, and an aisle lined with rose petals. I can wait to show you how it all turns out!

Source

Checklists

Okay all you Future Mrs. out there!  How many of you are "list ladies?"  I know I am!

Let's go through my major to-do list:

Done:
Venue: Check
Officiant: Check
DJ: Check
Photographer: Check
Cake: Check
Order Wine and Champagne: Check
Order Favors: Check
Pick-Up Wedding Bands: Check
Wedding Dress/Suits: Check
Groom: Check!

Still To-Do
Rentals: Finalize this week
Flowers: Finalize this week
Follow-Up On RSVP's: Hunt down the stragglers this week!

Am I forgetting anything?

Crisis Averted!

Yesterday I took my dress to Miosa Couture bridal salon to see about having it shortened.  Yes, you read that right, shortened.  I am 5' 9"; the "perfect" height for most bridal gowns.  Unfortunately, the dress I chose was too long, even with my 4" heels!

I was extremely nervous, as the bridal salon where I had originally purchased my dress from had told me that the alteration would be anywhere from $400 to $600.  The high alteration cost quoted was due to the amount of work required in removing and reapplication the delicate lace applique, the scalloped seaming at the mid-thigh (yeah for mermaid styles!) and the hemming of the satin under layer.  Please keep in mind that I got a screamin' deal on my dress; if it was going to cost me $400 to $600 I might as well buy a new dress.

In swoops Miosa Couture!  I had my consultation over my lunch hour yesterday (I have to say that I looked pretty silly walking downtown with my dress, my petticoat, which was not contained, and shoes in hand). Though I had purchased my dress through another salon, my consultant and the rest of the team at Miosa never gave me anything other than superior customer service.

I got dressed and the seamstress immediately got to pinning.  She discussed the different possibilities for the alteration, and came up with a solution that I was comfortable with, that would also be cost effective.  In fact, Miosa is able to do the alteration for about half of the original quote.

Yeah for Miosa Couture!

1125 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-443-1301

Today Is The Day

Today is the day that we find out  if we can shorten my wedding dress, or if I am back to looking for a new one.

Here's a little background for those of you who are new to my site.  Several months ago I found a beautiful Justin Alexander dress, that was a sample and fit me perfectly, with the exception of it being slightly too long.  We (the consultant, my friend Mrs. S, and myself) were all sure that with the right petticoat and the right shoes the dress length would be perfect.

Well, I tried on the dress with everything last Wednesday, only to discover that it was still much too long.  Because of the way the dress is constructed I am concerned about what the costs will be to have it altered.  I have an appointment at lunchtime today to get an estimate; if it is too much than I am back to trying to find a sample dress, in my size, with less than a month to go. 

I will keep you all posted.  Wish me luck!

Save-On-Crafts.Com

Who loves Save-On-Crafts.Com?  I do!  I have used Save-On-Crafts for everything from floral foam spheres, to candles, flower girl baskets to centerpiece mirrors, and floral tape to natural branches.

As a premier site for catering, special event planners, wedding planners, and the DIY bride, they have everything you want, and a few things you didn't didn't even know you had to have!  They have pretty much everything you will need, minus fresh flowers, at a great price.

I just opened my shipment of floral supplies.  I can't wait to use my Oasis Mini Deco Holders to make the pillar arrangements for our family tables!  I'm even considering using one of their great DIY projects, a floral tree, for our sign-in table.

Everything ships from Watsonville, CA, which is great news for you west coast brides; I placed my order on a Friday morning and received it the following Monday.  Everything is packed with care, and shipped via UPS.

Have you found any great deals out there for DIY brides?  I'd love to hear about them!

Source

Hula Hula!

30 days to go till our big day and our honeymoon is completely finalized!

I will do full write-ups when we get back; for now, here's our itinerary!

• Day1: Arrive in Maui! Check Into The Grand Wailea Resort
• Day 2: Morning, Alii Nui Sailing, Snorkel Sail; Evening, Hawaii Fun Planner's Dinner on the Beach
• Day 3: Morning and Afternoon Free; Dinner Followed By the Ulalena Theater Show at the Maui Theatere
• Day 4: Morning and Afternoon Free; Dinner at Nick's Fishmarket
• Day 5: Morning and Afternoon Free; Dinner, Drums of the Pacific Luau at the Hyatt Regency
• Day 6: Valley Isle Excursions: Hana Highway Tour
• Day 7: Check Out of the Grand Wailea and into Ho'oilo House; Alii Nui Sailing, Sunset Sail
• Day 8: Breakfast at  the Ho'oilo House; Fly Home

Do you have your honeymoon all planned out?