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!

Behind the Scenes {bridesmaids, DIY; Papyrus}

This month (which has flown by btw) I've dedicated most of my time and creativity to my bridesmaids.  The first of my tasks was to make sure all dresses were ordered by the middle of November.  Check!  I also looked at several local stores for the perfect hangers for their dresses.  When my search left me unsuccessful, I turned to Etsy.  I was able to find the exact ones I wanted through a company called Whisky and Wedding Bells.  We are all familiar with the personalized hangers (you know, the ones with names spelled out in wire).  Those are great, but because I wanted something a little more original, I decided against them.  I decided to go a more DIY route!  Here's a sneak peek at some of my supplies:

This pretty pink flower (above) will go on the hanger that my wedding dress will hang on.  I bought the flower and the crystal pin separately from Benno's Buttons.  After struggling with the glue, I finally managed to glue the crystal pin in the center of the flower.  I've also been working on a few other things for my girls of which I won't go into detail in case they are reading this post!  I will tell you that I was browsing on Etsy and came across "something useful for a bride in need".  And after mom's suggestion, I am looking for pink tops for my girls to wear the day of the wedding while we get ready.  She described how cute they would be -for pictures- while we get ready together - mom is very detail oriented like me.  There are a few other things going on for the girls behind the scenes and I cannot wait until they arrive from New York!

I made post cards, like I did from our Dallas engagement party, with the big group picture from the "I do" BBQ and mailed them to the family.  I absolutely love this picture!  What a great moment in time where we were all together under one roof!  I also made our hosts (dad and Shawna) a picture book with all the special pictures from the party.  

Thanks again for a great party!

Our save-the-date cards arrived last week!  I picked them up from Papyrus and couldn't wait to get home to inspect them.  The cards were perfect, but I was so disappointed when I realized the envelopes weren't the ones I ordered (I ordered very specific ones, of course).  I immediately called Papyrus to inform them of the error and they made a couple phone calls in attempt to fix the problem.  Papyrus said they would have the correct envelopes for me in a few business days; and then offered to reimburse us the cost of the original envelopes I ordered or offered to print the addresses for us for no charge.  Their offers to fix their mistake made me feel so much better, reassuring me that I made a good decision by hiring them.  It's great that sometimes someone else's mistake can be in your favor ;)

White Garments {hosts' gift, registries, marriage counseling}

We all know how much I love themes and the challenge to tie everything together, so since the "I do" BBQ was a family celebration, I was in search of a gift associated with the love of family.  This plaque I found at Francesca's couldn't have been more perfect!  How special will it be when my dad and step-mom look at this plaque and are reminded of a fun night of celebrating and the blessing the "little world a family creates by love".

Tying in the country theme of the party with my pig drawing.

As I mentioned, mom came down this week to sub in for Matt while I started the registry.  It's a good thing he had a sub because mom and I spent three hours (!) scanning bar codes; and we only stopped because we were starving!  We took a quick lunch break and headed to our next stop - Benno's Buttons.  I was in search of something special for my bridesmaids and expected to drive all over town looking for what I was envisioning; but we hit the jackpot when we walked into this little boutique!  Mom and I were able to find the perfect matches for the girls' dresses (matches you'll have to wait and see the day of the wedding)!  

Excited about the silverware from Pottery Barn.

Love these glasses from Crate & Barrel.

Ribbons at Benno's Buttons

More ribbons at Benno's Buttons

Matt and I met with our officiant, Roy, and his wife, Casey, for our second marriage counseling session.  We opened up our Bibles and followed along as Roy read from Genesis 2:7-25, explaining how, pre-fall, everything was perfect:  God created a perfect garden for man to tend to and created woman from man to be his helper; and since woman was taken out of man, man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, becoming one flesh.  Complementarianism, the view that man and woman have different but complementary roles and responsibilities between a marriage, gives man the responsibility to lead and woman the role to collaborate with and respect her husband.  It brings me such joy knowing that God created me as a helper fit for Matt.  Roy said for us to be honest with each other about our weaknesses and that we are to praise one another publicly and correct each other privately.  Great advise that I will strive to do everyday!  Roy ended our session with Ecclesiastes 9:2-9, describing how we all share a common destiny.  But before your time under the sun is up, "Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.  Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.  Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you... "  Ecclesiastes 9:7-9.  

November wedding to do list:

- Order save-the-dates
- Select formal invitations
- Start collecting guests' addresses
- Research places for honeymoon
- Get passport
- Discuss menu details
- Make sure all bridesmaids' dresses are ordered
- Research rehearsal dinner sites

6 months until the big day!