As I write this, I am watching Say Yes to The Dress and I can’t help but think about my fittings coming up in July. I will be heading down to Kleinfeld’s for a three-day, three-fittings, round of appointments. After more than a year-and-a-half of waiting for it to arrive, now I can’t believe it’s sitting there waiting for me and when I go for the appointment the wedding will be less than a month away! I’m really looking forward to our wedding day, and I hope to hear about all the other bloggers days as well! I feel like I know you all now and I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity with you all.

Tomorrow (which will be two weeks in the past when you read this) I will be assembling my invitations with my two bridesmaids. They arrived last night, packaged beautifully wrapped in tissue paper and placed carefully in brown boxes. Thank goodness for our dining room table, since we’ll need a lot of space to spread everything out. My invitations were created by Anita at Creative Expressions and to save on costs I also printed map inserts and the reception cards myself.  Joseph was kind enough to pick them up at 10 at night after work so we would have them in time to work on for the weekend!

While the girls assemble invites, the guys will be off to get fitted for their suits at Waxman in Montreal. Joseph has already tried on his. We both went together to make sure the style was right for him. We are going quite formal by choosing to have the men wear morning suits with ascots. But we really feel it suits the venue and I think it will definitely match with the style of my dress. Of course, Joseph doesn’t know that yet.

I think now that I am in this stage of the planning process that is when it really starts to feel like it is real. When you book the reception hall and the DJ, I don’t think it really hits you. Because most of the time the wedding is still quite a while away. Once booked, you have some downtime and now it is more like crunch time. Haha. But I still don’t feel too stressed, and I’m still enjoying everything, which I think is important.

What really hit you while planning? What was the thing that made you realize it was all getting down to the wire?

So I guess this is it. I want to thank everyone who read and commented on my blogs. To everyone planning their wedding I wish you all the best! Enjoy every minute of it, and may all your dreams come true. Thank you to Stephanie for taking care of all of us and good luck and all the best to all the other bride bloggers!

Take Care! Xoxox

Jessyca

The bow on the front of our menu booklets

I guess when you’re just a little over two months away from your wedding, that’s when everything really starts coming together. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had more appointments than I can count.

To give an update on my hair, I went for another trial and it was much better than the first. Completely different style and this hairdresser really knew how to handle my thick hair. It didn’t budge at all. I made sure to jump up and down to be sure! I’m really excited that that aspect was taken care of.

My room has now turned into a printing press! I’m printing maps, menus and ceremony programs, and the piles of paper are starting to overtake me. I keep saying I’m glad the guest list is on the smaller side, because it would have multiplied the cost and the amount of work. For our menus I decided to tie Tiffany-style bows around every single one. I’m glad to say I completed the task much faster than I thought, and it really cut down on what it would have cost if I hired someone to make them.

I was hoping I would have a photo of our centrepiece by now, but the stock has not arrived as of yet. We decided on renting centrepieces using silk flowers rather than real ones from a florist. This especially kept some costs lower, considering florists don’t offer rentals! Not that I know of anyway. If everything goes as planned it will be a very tall trumpet style vase, with a large pomander or roses and Gerber daisies.

The inside of our menu

I’m starting to think that we are late in sending out our invitations, some people have wedding on later dates than ours and they have already sent them out. When do you plan on sending your invitations out? From what I had read, I believed eight weeks was the right time, but I think most people send them out before that. I’m really looking forward to receiving them, but not looking forward to assembling and addressing them! Thankfully it shouldn’t be as long as the bow-tying!

I think the most exciting of all wedding-related issues that I have been taking care of lately, is that my dress finally arrived!! It’s been a year and a half since I ordered it at Kleinfeld’s in New York. I religiously watch Say Yes to The Dress (I watched it even before I was engaged). I always wanted to go there, just for fun, whether or not I found the “one.” I just got the call this week, and I made my fitting appointment. Can you believe they are already booked up until halfway through June? So I’ll be heading down there just under a month before the wedding to make sure it fits right. I can’t wait to try it on again! Are any of you waiting for dresses to arrive? Was the order time long?

So I guess I spoke about a lot of things, but so many things have been going on lately, I couldn’t just pick one! I feel like everything is a blur and before I know it, it will be August 7^th!

Card Box design (mine will be in Tiffany blue and ivory with pink flowers)

As the weekends are slowly crossing themselves off my calendar I’ve set my mind to trying my best to get everything done by the beginning of July (my aunt says I’m kidding myself) and I probably won’t be even close to finished, but I’d like to have less rather than more on my plate.

The past couple of weekends have been wedding-filled. I stumbled on a great special on the exact paper we had been planning on getting for our ceremony programs and our menu cards—75% off! I was ecstatic! Construction on our house was completed. I found a beautiful card box and matching guestbook (from etsy.com), that will be arriving in June. I finalized the linen rentals for the guest tables, I’ve started to look at everyone’s schedules for a good night for the rehearsal dinner and I had a trial for my hair.

By the time the weekend is over I don’t want to think about weddings anymore! I’ve been surprised with my productivity and my luck at finding and getting things done the past few weeks. Unfortunately there’s always some bad to go along with the good.

I tried out a hairstyle for the wedding day, and I didn’t really know what I had in mind, but I’m open to anything. The trouble comes with finding the right person to do it. My hair is very long, and very thick. Many hairdressers have trouble with it, because it takes a lot to get it all in place if you’re not used to working with so much hair. At first the trial went great, but while my mom was still finishing up at the salon, I was walking around and decided to start moving as if I wasn’t a porcelain doll. I jumped up and down a few times and the whole thing fell out. Better now than August 7th right? So I’m still on the hunt for someone to do my hair. I really don’t want to risk it being done by this salon now, just in case.

{Hair Trail – Pre-Jump!}

One thing I am thrilled with is our menu cards. Not only did I get them at that great price, but I just think they are going to look so cute on the tables! I Googled how to tie bows and couldn’t come up with a good method that ended up working out (maybe because I’m left-handed), so I ended up varying the instructions to suit me. I’m probably putting extra work for nothing to get this bow to work, but at least they look adorable! I probably won’t be saying that after I’ve done it 100 times. I think I’m going to start doing between five-10 a night, just so I don’t send myself over the edge. hee hee

The coming weekends are filled with tuxedos fittings, centrepiece meetings, invitation assembly, favour assembly, and I guess some more hair trials as well!

I think I’m doing good time, I’m not feeling the crunch yet, but people are telling me I seem to have it under control. How about you? Is there anything you’ve really put off? Or are you completely ahead of the game?

What type of hairstyle do you think I should go with? I’m really struggling with this one.

1. Updo

2. Half up half down

3. All down

I have two great things to blog about today! And who knew one could be so excited about two little things!

I really wanted a unique garter to wear for the wedding. The traditional white lace with blue trim was just not going to cut it for me. I checked in some stores in town but they all looked the same. So I turned to the world wide web for help. It didn’t take long! gartersbykristi.com turned out to be the perfect match for what I was looking for. She has an endless supply of sports themed garters, paired with a great variety of “classic” styles and other designs as well. I was able to find a garter that matched my wedding and it will really stand out with the flash of colour. I chose a mix of hot pink and tiffany blue by emailing Kristi and asking if I could customize one of her existing designs that was only shown in one colour on her site.  I don’t know the going rate for garters, but I thought it was quite reasonable for something unique and personalized. And for those of you banking on the garter being your “something blue” all of Kristi’s garters have a something blue bow on the inside trim. So you still have that element incorporated. It’s a different option that is out there if you’re looking for something unique, and I just felt that I had to share it!

The next element that I wanted not only for the wedding, but to cherish as a keepsake through our marriage was our cake topper. My parents kept theirs and they actually still have it to this day. I thought that was sweet and wanted to do the same with ours. At first I thought I would go with our monogram, but I think I found something even better. Through Etsy I searched cake toppers, and came up with Lynn’s Little Creations. I don’t have a picture of mine yet, since it is scheduled to be created sometime in May, but I’ll post it on a future blog so you can see it.

I thought it was really neat, that through submitting photos of yourself, your fiancé, your dress, flowers, groom’s attire, even your hairstyle, that she will recreate a replica of the two of you on that day. And afterwards it can definitely be displayed in your home as a memento of the day. It’s a cute addition to the traditional memory keepers of photos and videos.

And as Lara (Destination Bride) also blogged about, there are so many neat things to find on either Etsy or just by searching the Internet as well. We’re very fortunate to be able to reach out and make connections in this way. It’s a great opportunity and I think we should all take advantage of it!

I know we’ve heard of some through comments and blogs that have already been posted, but has anyone else found something unique either in a store in their hometown or on the Internet?

I found them!! Hoorah!

I love shoes. I have at least 50 pairs of them, boots, stilettos, flip flops, flats, sandals, sneakers, you name it I probably have it. And I knew what I wanted for my wedding. Being 5’10” with a fiancé who is exactly the same height, I decided to stay completely away from heels. This was a tough decision for someone who wears them almost every day. However, I really do not want to be taller than Joseph, and even though he said I could wear them if I want, I’m sure deep down he doesn’t want me towering over him either.

So what I’m searching for are flats. Not just any flats—flats that look just as beautiful as a great pair of heels. At first I didn’t think it would be so hard. Boy, was I so very wrong.

I have gone into every shoe store I pass, I have spent at least two hours combing the Internet and online shoe stores to try and find something I love. No luck. Having already compromised on heels, I am not about to compromise on colour too. So I refused to give up.

I planned a day out with the girls (my two bridesmaids, my MOH, my mom, my grandmother, my aunt, and Joseph’s mother) to get shoes for my bridal party, a dress for my grandmother and Joseph’s mom, and since my mom had already picked her dress, some shoes for her too. I was hoping I would find my pair of shoes, but it quickly seemed like I would still be in “barefoot” status as we went to the first store. We were shopping on St-Hubert Street (a popular destination for wedding gowns and accessories in Montreal) and they have a few stores that offer the option of dyeing shoes any colour you wish. I thought this would give me more options, because any shoe could be turned hot pink. But flats were few and far between amongst the throngs of heels on the shelves. And when I did stumble upon one, it was a simple ballerina shoe, which in Size 10 looks very plain and unflattering (on my feet anyway).

Needless to say, my mom, my grandmother, my two bridesmaids, my MOH and Joseph’s mom all found their shoes. I’m not kidding! Within 30 minutes we had purchased six pairs of shoes, and in the two months I had been looking hadn’t found one.

{From Left: Kerrie, Kendra, Me, My Mom, Darlene, My Grammy (Patricia), Mikayla, and Joseph’s Mom, Sharon.}

If I am being completely honest I was getting upset. I really don’t believe I will be a bridezilla from now until or on the wedding day. I think I stay pretty calm, and don’t let the small things get to me. But I guess I was tired of looking. I have never had a hard time finding shoes.

By chance we asked a bridal gown store if there were any other good shoe stores on the street. She told us to go to Semy, just over by one block. I really wasn’t holding my breath. I expected it to be the same as always; nothing. And at first all I saw were high heels when I walked in, and I was really about to walk out.

Then I saw a beautiful pair of leather flats, the most attractive pair I’d seen in my entire search. And alas, they were white. In my mind, it was over, because who dyes leather shoes? All the dyeable shoes were satin. My mom asked anyways, and I couldn’t believe it when the owner told me, “Of course leather can be dyed, and there is a place just up the street, hot pink won’t be a problem at all!”

Well I didn’t jump up and down just yet, because the next question I ask is always a potential problem no matter what shoe I’m looking for … “Do you have a Size 10?”  I believe things happen for a reason, so when he turned to corner with the shoe box in his hand, I knew it was meant to be. Sounds silly I guess, but if we hadn’t asked the saleslady we would never have walked in. It was the last store we were visiting since my MOH had to catch a train.

Has anything “just happened” to you while planning, when you were least expecting it to? Or is anyone else having a terribly tough time finding shoes?

I’m so glad I have finally found them!

Joseph and I enjoying a day of skiing!

With everything going on—building our house and planning the wedding and honeymoon, it feels like that is all we talk about. Joseph’s been working long hours, I’ve been trying to make sure we don’t forget to book anything, and it’s starting to wear down on us.

I had read some good advice about going out together and not talking about the wedding. Lately it didn’t seem possible. It really starts to consume your everyday life! Especially as you get close to the date.

Between his work schedule we finally got to plan a night out, on the anniversary of our first date. And it wasn’t even hard to not talk about it for the evening. It was very refreshing and some much needed fun and time together. I highly recommend anyone feeling a bit stressed out should definitely plan a night where you don’t talk about any of that “stuff.”  It really did us both a lot of good.

When we started planning and saving we had to cut down on other things we used to do:

1. Going out to dinner (we can save a lot of $ just by cutting out the eating out)

2. Shopping (this was pretty much directed at me rather than Joseph—whose had the same jeans for three years. While I must admit at times it’s hard, I’ve realized it’s for the greater good. My clothes need a closet! lol)

Our first date March 22nd 2001

3. Going to movies (a big one for us. It’s sort of our hobby—if you can call seeing movies a hobby. We now rely on “Scene” points from my Scene Visa card to get us there! And I have to say wedding deposits have helped with point earning! But where we used to go every week, we are still only making it there every month to two months)

It’s definitely been hard, and I think because of that we felt like we were spending less time together.  So we’ve made a point to find more time for “dates.” hee hee

I’d really love to hear any compromises you’ve made for your wedding, and if you have planned an evening where you both promise you won’t talk about it either.

Back into wedding mode now, our next step is flowers. I’ve met with the florist, and I have planned so far to just get bouquets. I hadn’t really thought about flowers to decorate the ceremony, and I’m wondering what do people think about that? Is it worth having? I know I can move them to the reception after, and I would definitely do that. I just wonder what others are doing for this.

Ceremony Flowers (for decor):

a) yes, definitely a must

b) don’t bother

c) depends where the ceremony is

Hopefully I will have some sample pictures of our bouquets next time.  My maid of honour is coming home for two weeks, and we’re trying to arrange to get that done with her and the bridesmaids, should be a fun afternoon for all! See you soon!

"Its even got a blue interior!"

I had been completely ahead of the game on planning this whole event. We had decided to be engaged for two years, which gave us plenty of time to find vendors we loved, and really think about what we wanted. It was nice to feel relaxed about making decisions and not rush into anything. I have to say that so far, I think that has helped make planning this wedding less stressful.

Now, as we are getting closer I’ve started to realize all these tinier details that still need to be worked out, and just when I thought it had all calmed down, I find myself pre-occupied with yet another checklist of things to do!

One of which, (not so small a problem I might add) is whether we should hire a limousine or not—either for us, or our wedding party. I’ve always thought that this was a way I could save on costs. My father has an old 1955 Chevy, in “almost” Tiffany Blue colour that he could have one of his good friends drive us around in. Now I thought this could be a great idea, with a nice vintage touch.

However, I feel quite guilty not splurging on a limo for the wedding party. I just don’t think it is very nice of us to ask them to drive around in their own cars. I’m starting to think I should book one, at least for them. Especially going for photographs, everyone would have to find parking, etc. It might just get complicated and be frustrating for everyone involved.

I haven’t heard too many opinions on the issue, and I just wonder, is it customary to rent limos for the wedding party and parents? Do parents drive themselves or ride with the wedding party?

My family hasn’t weighed in too much on whether we should have one or not, and I’m really torn as to which way I should go.

Then I thought about a potential problem…

How do they get home afterwards?

"Can you picture it with a big pink bow? lol"

Do they hitch a ride with relatives, or does the limo drive each member to their respective abodes.

I wonder what decisions you have made so far on limousines, if you are hiring one at all, or alternative methods of transport that you have decided to use.

And of course, I would love your input on the following

Should Joseph and I:

A. Take the 1955 Chevy

B. Hire a professional chauffeur with an antique limousine

No matter the vehicle one thing I know I want, is a “Just Married” sign on the back. Some people may think it’s cheesy, but I can’t help but think of it as cute.  If I could add on the cascade of tin cans, I definitely would go for that too! But from personal experience they are definitely VERY loud, and possibly illegal??? hee hee

P.S. The ’50s garb in the photos can be explained as my grandparent’s 50th anniversary sock hop party two summers ago. Just in case you thought I went out like that everyday. ;)

I had been looking for a way to get the information about our wedding out to our guests, and also get both sides of the family to know each other a little better before the wedding.  Joseph and I thought a great way to do that would be with a wedding website that shares information about ourselves and about our families.

This way, even guests that were out of town, or that we hadn’t seen in a while could feel closer to us and the events leading up to the big day.

Now that the save the dates are mailed, (like Emily, I can’t call them STD’s either!) I can share with you our wedding website. One day I stumbled upon wedsite.com. A place specifically catering to wedding website design. It’s simple layout that you can customize with colour, music and photos—that actually looks quite professionally done, without the cost. You can sign up for a one- year or two-year membership, and away you go with your design. They also offer the first 14 days free to see if you like it.

I really felt it was nice to be able to put our story out there, for my parents friends who are coming, that might have known me as a child, but not Joseph or I as a couple. I also thought it was a nice way to honour our wedding party!

While creating the site I definitely realized a few things:

1. I really love our family

I realized while making the site that sometimes we don’t say the things we mean to our loved ones, and we can regret not sharing our feelings. I was really happy that I was able to write special messages about each of them and though I hope to say the same things in person on the day, I’m glad that I got to put it up there also, so that they all know how special they are to us.

2. Joseph was not cut out for website design!

Joseph wanted me to do the whole site, but I told him he had to write about his family too. I think he was shy to write something that everyone could read, but he eventually got it done. Now I still have to get him to write about his groomsmen! Hopefully before the rehearsal dinner! Heehee.

3. There are so many memories

After being together for nine years, it was definitely a bit emotional looking at different pictures to put up on the site, and choosing the songs that have been special to us over the years. Being together since 15 years of age, you have basically grown up together. It was definitely a nice moment of reflection about our relationship.

I’ve seen a few wedding websites from other brides and I’m pretty sure a couple of bloggers have some too, is anyone else planning a website?

If anyone wants to visit don’t be shy! Remember to sign our guest book :)  jessycaandjoseph.wedsite.com