Butterflies {Dallas guest list, Stanley Korshak wedding dress}

I was warned by my married friends that the guest list is the most difficult task of wedding planning.  Well, if I would have known just how exasperating every aspect of acquiring a guest list was, I'd have hired someone to do it for us.  The process is tedious.  First, you have to choose a way to contact your guest, via phone call, text, email, Facebook, twitter, etc.  Then you have to wait for their response (and when you're as patient as I am, it's frustrating when they don't get back to you asap).  Once you get their address, you must find an efficient way to store, and an even more efficient way to share the addresses (with your printing company or calligrapher).  Working on a spreadsheet limited my creativity and left me feeling rather bored.  And to make matters worse, I spent over an hour perfecting my address file to be sent to Papyrus only for them to tell me the format isn't compatible with their printing machine.  So I spent over two hours reformatting it.  Maybe I should have just written out the addresses myself!  I am rather disappointed in Papyrus's lack of instruction.  Make sure you find out the proper format from your printing company before you spend hours on numbers/excel!    Anyway, in my annoyance, I realized how obsolete the whole process is.  With all of the technological advances of today, you would think there would be a new technological system, maybe an app for the postal service or just a more advanced way to find someone's address.  Maybe I'll work on developing a more modern system to help out my fellow brides.  Because wedding planning should be fun, right?  

Acquiring addresses and efficiently storing them literally took months and a lot of coffee...

Look what I got in the mail this week:

I smell paradise.

I am ecstatic!  Virgin Islands here we come!
Along with all of my island research, I've been busy on YouTube trying to find the perfect first dance song for Matt and me.  Thus far, I've been very unsuccessful.  I really have no clue which song is most special and most symbolic to us.  The song should be sweet and romantic but also fun and playful, reflecting the facets of our relationship!  Got any suggestions?  Because Matt is no help.

I received an email Tuesday morning from my bridal consultant:  "It's here!  It's beautiful!"  My dress has finally arrived from Europe!  Knowing that my dress is here and our wedding day is drawing nearer gives me butterflies!  I immediately called mom to inform her of the arrival of my dress.  She was as giddy as me!  We discussed when we should schedule the first fitting and if I was ready!  Since it's so close to Christmas and as swamped as I've been, it looks like I'll have to wait until the first week in January for my first dress fitting.  Until then, I'll be breaking in my wedding shoes!

Save-the-babysitter {Dallas wedding guest list, blushing bride, honeymoon}

Thus far, the guest list has been the most stressful task I've faced throughout my wedding planning.  After Matt and I included everyone, and I mean everyone, our headcount was pretty ridiculous.  So, let's be honest, we have been making some serious cuts; but don't worry, we still managed to include all of our family (4 sets) and our most special friends.  Matt and I also decided on an adult only wedding day.  *(If you receive a save-the-date, please also save-the-babysitter.)*  ;)  Among just comprising our guest list, getting everyone's address has been another stressful task [for Matt].  Poor Matt has been working so hard on retrieving guests' addresses (his deadline was last Thursday...)  I'm hoping to have them all this week so I can get them addressed before the holiday rush!

On a less stressful note, I found and fell completely in love with my wedding day shoes!  I would love to post a picture, but I won't; though I've been showing everyone the picture I have saved on my phone.  Earlier this week I went on the website just to gawk at the shoes; and then I noticed that they were sold out of my size!  I had a small panic attack.  In my hysterical state, I emailed customer service, [thankfully] received a response within five minutes and was connected to the Miami boutique, the only boutique that had my size!  Looks like I will be getting my Christmas present early this year!  Thank you my sweet Matt!  You never cease to amaze me, whether it's how hard you work on getting our guests' addresses ;) or how hard you work to make sure that I can have the prettiest wedding day shoes.  I love you, forever!

On my morning off work last week (wait, who am I kidding - as a bride-to-be, you don't have a day off), I had my coffee in hand, Pinterest on my laptop and the Today Show airing in the background.  The blushing bride wedding dress segment came on and stole my attention.  Since I ordered my dress, I haven't looked at any other wedding dresses, but I wanted to see the new trends so I tuned in to the Today Show.  They claimed that this season's trend is all about the back.  As the dresses were all beautiful, none of them would have been as perfect for me as my dress.  When the segment was over, I pulled up my iPhoto on my laptop to look at my dress and it never looked more beautiful.  :)  (And, yes, I got all giddy all over again thinking about wearing that dress while walking down the isle towards Matt.)

I finally applied for my passport.  It was super easy and super fast.  The guy helping me was even super sweet.  He congratulated me after explaining to him why I needed a passport.  I got my picture taken, filled out the paper work, paid and was out of there in under 20 minutes.  I couldn't help but notice the camera he used to take my photo!  When was the last time you saw a camera like this?  He laughed when I asked to take a picture of it.

We've narrowed our honeymoon destination down to the Virgin Islands!  We are still trying to decide between a few specific islands and would appreciate any feedback you have!  Where did you and your spouse go?  Was it beautiful?  Private?  And most importantly, how was the food?  ;)  Matt and I have never been to the Virgin Islands but we think it will be the perfect escape for us.  I cannot wait!  All my honeymoon research is having me itching to get away now!

So this week, I have a surprise for Matt that he won't receive until the night before the wedding.  (I've given him strict orders not to read this post.)  I am so excited to meet with Nadia (who you met several posts ago (June Bug Co.)) this week for my boudoir session.  Mom (my assistant) and I are meeting her in Arlington at a place called 3825 S. Bowen.  I've got some really great "outfits" for the shoot and maybe one will be appropriate enough to make an appearance on cloud9dallas!   

Random note for future brides-to-be and all wedding planners:  Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great times to make large purchases!    

December wedding to do list:

- Make sure save-the-date cards are addressed, stamped and ready to mail
- Finalize formal invitation wording
- Shop for and purchase wedding bands
- Choose rehearsal dinner site, select menu and give our hosts a list of those attending
- Purchase wedding day shoes
- If my dress arrives, which it should, schedule my first fitting(!)
- Finalize honeymoon destination

5 months until the wedding day!