The Wonder-ment of Hobby Lobby

Have you ever been to Hobby Lobby? I don't have one near me so all of my 23 years have been spent in the expensive aisles of Michael's or Joann Fabrics. To get my cheap fix, I've even resulted to Walmart for all of my crafting needs. Never more, never more.

My invitation guru, Lisa Arruno, suggested we hit Hobby Lobby for some design ideas. So this past Saturday after our mid-mark meeting with the hotel, we trekked out to Bolingbrook (yuck) to see the Wonderful Lobby of Hobby. We arrived (for the second time after having to make a bathroom/lunch pit stop at Panda Express....?) and I immediatly grabbed a basket. I tend to have a short attention span and get cranky, whereas Mike is darting all over the place looking at things we've looked at four times, or discovering a new corner. To my amazement, they DO have awesomet things. And everything is 50% off? What kind of place is this? A Christian store...

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Long story short we snagged some sweet booty for like $40 that is really going to add to the style and design of the wedding. Granted, I'm not really sure what style/design we're going for at this point but we're full of ideas and have the merchandise to match!

We picked up a large glass jar for the "Candy Bar." We will actually be borrowing four penny candy jars from Lisa that she used for her son's birthday party. Best.Mom.Ever! Also for the "Bar" we picked up some little easels and chalkboards to write directions and the candy types. We will be doing a mock-up closer to the wedding! Now we just have to decide on the candy types but I found a fabulous website of Old Fashioned Penny Candy that is reasonable so I'm very excited! We plan on purchasing Chinese takeout containers and putting our monogramed stickers on them and VOILA: favors! So exciting!

We also picked up some decorations for our head table that will be cute as decorations in our home as well....when we get one.... :)

Until next time!

xoxo

100 days! Scatter-brained....

No lies, this is the diary of a scatter-brained bride. For whatever reason I cannot seem to concentrate on one task at a time. I guess I don't feel THAT bad about thinking I'm behind on the wedding stuff because I talked to the friend who does my hair; her wedding is August 6th and she is at the same point we are! One small victory at a time, Kelly....

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That brings me to my topic of the week - 100 day countdown! Remember in grade school when the teacher would announce the 100th day of class and you would do things that had to do with the number 100. Both educational and fun, right? Well there's nothing educational about wedding planning except the fact that Mike and I might be able to start a business with all the planning knowledge we have behind us at this point.

The 100th day countdown to the wedding can only mean one thing - tomorrow we're in double digits! Which only makes me lose it just a little bit. It doesn't help that this is the busiest time at work and I'm sick in the middle of summer but to say I'm stressed would be an understatement. I bought some candles, aromatherepy, and got a facial to deal with the stress but I feel like it's still here...underlying stress....

So just for kicks I thought I'd go over what's left for us. It really isn't anything too terrible that we can't handle but just to get my bearings...

1) Find a ceremony musician. (The church provides one, of course my mom wants to find someone to play the "actual organ".)

2) Tuxes. I think I'm going to have to step in on this one because Mike and the groomsmen went out to Bdubs to get together a couple weeks ago and only talked about shoes, went shopping for Silly Bands, and watched my brother eat 9 of the hottest wings. No, they're not 16. (Well, Marc is 15...) but their median age is 22. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself...?

3) Bridesmaid dresses - some have ordered. Some have not.

4) Florist - need one. Cheap one.

5) Table decs - we're doing these ourselves but we keep going back and forth about what we want....

6) Invites - have been ordered but we'll need to be stuffing and sending these soon.

7) Honeymoon - still can't decide.

8) Finalize menu with the Hyatt

9) Make church decorations - more info to follow on those!

10) Make flower girl's gift

11) Bridal party gifts (we know what we're getting we just haven't gotten them yet!)

12) Transportation?! - *silent scream*

13) Complete Pre-Cana. We're signed up, just have to make sure we show up and get the certificate! :) (And learn something!)

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I'm sure I'm missing things but, as I said before, scatterbrained bride cannot seem to think of what these are! A lot of things are on our completed list however!

1) Venue booked

2) Ceremony booked (Church)

3) Dj Booked

4) Photographer booked

5) Invites ordered (pics to follow)

6) Save the Dates sent

7) Makeup artist picked (trial to follow)

8) Ceremony singer booked

9) Bridal Dress and Veil purchased (fittings and alterations to follow) shoes purchased too!

10) Shower booked! (August 7th!)

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So most of the HUGE BIG things are done. Just little things to do. Hopefully that makes us feel a little better. Mike's coming over tonight for pizza and we're going to go over everything wedding! We're going to check our lists twice! Updates to hopefully follow :)

xoxo,

Scatterbrained Bride

Details, Details DETAILS!

One of the most important aspects in planning my wedding (besides the music!) is the littlest details. It's the smaller things in life that make pictures, moments, and life. While, true, one could care less about the font on the menu cards, I believe the details MAKE a wedding. Why else do we go out of our way to order flowers and arrange tables? Why else do we make sure the dress, shoes, hair, makeup are perfect? Because when details come together, they make memories.

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While I don't want to give away all of the intimate details of the wedding, because I'm sure you'd prefer to see them for yourself, I do want to share a couple of ideas that we will be encorporating into our special day!

We have been throwing around ideas for our card table for months! It has been such a topic of concern, mostly because when people will walk into the reception/cocktail area it will be the first thing they see. Therefore, it really sets the stage for the entire wedding. *MINOR FREAK-OUT* There are two ideas we are currently considering - branches vs. keys.

Because we're going for a really romantic feel, we love the idea of branches. In fact, the branches will most likely make up the majority of centerpiece decorations.

We love that the place cards are hanging and guests will have to locate their names. However, our concern is that if the branches are not sturdy enough, that people will be pulling on the branches and they will break. Also, if all the cards start turning like Christmas ornaments, it may be difficult to locate one's name.

Our second idea is keys. I love the symbolic meaning of an old key, however my concern is that the look and feel is not as romantic as the branches. We would have to find 150+ vintage keys and tie the escort cards to them. The symbol of a key is pretty romantic in my mind and it definitely goes along with my love for the Tiffany key collection. :) We will be going with one of these ideas but I'm going to keep it a surprise!

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We will most likely be doing the branches for centerpieces. HOW we do them is still up in the air. We still have not found a florist but we're working on it!

I love the branches with hanging votives but I know the higher quality, sturdy branches will be more expensive. But I do think this goes along with our "Romantic" theme very nicely don't you?

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In other news: Makeup! I have found my makeup counterpart in Linda Camacho. She is an independent licensed esthetician and makeup artist that was highly recommended to me by a stylist friend who is using her in her August wedding. She has a facial package for brides and I just did my first facial this week! I LOVE LOVE LOVE facials and she uses Bioelement products which I am familiar with. 4 days later, my skin looks absolutely beautiful. I want to make sure my skin is perfect in 4 months so I'll be going once a month, with the last facial being the week of the wedding!

I have not even done a trial with Linda yet, but I know she's the esthetician for me! I will be doing a trial with her within the next couple of months. The look I'm going for is flawless skin, eyes that pop with black liner and lashes, and a pretty pink lip. I LOVE Carrie Underwood's makeup here....

I love her hair in this picture too. I have described my bride styles as "Romantic" along with the theme of the wedding. My dress is in a soft ivory tone with lots of lace and beaded accents. I am wearing my hair down in soft curls, and want everything to be synchronized with the low candlelight - very soft. Side note: it's particularly hard to find celebrity makeup pictures who have the same skin tone as me. Probably the closest would be Julianne Moore! But she often does a red lip that would look hideous on me!

I am MOST excited to do my hair and makeup trials and have everything finally come together and transform me into a bride! :) And don't forget, it's all in the details.

Yes, I Googled.

I'll be the first to admit it: I am a Google fiend. If someone went through and checked my daily "googles" I'm sure there would be many, and they would be obscure.

Because sometimes I'm just sitting here at work and think of something I would like to know the answer to. And away I click and type.

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Today's topic of googling was "Changing Name After Wedding" because I'm clueless! Part of the reason I have a wedding planner is because I've never been in a wedding, my mom never had a wedding so I have no immediate experience or help! So, I felt pretty silly after googling this topic, however I also found it very insightful. Because as we start getting closer to the big day, I am realizing how many things and different documentation I am going to have to change.

And while I'm on the topic, I know that not everyone changes to their husbands name after the wedding. Yes, I thought about keeping my name but that's what I have brothers for! And besides, I'm keeping the same initials and my new last name is very similar. Plus, bonus points for how cute "Kelly Connolly" sounds! :)

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But my goodness! what a process it is! From my understanding, the first step is to actually get married (ha!) and order a couple copies of the marriage certificate. From there, you must fill out paperwork requesting a new Social Security card. Then, hit up the DMV for a new driver's license. Next, gotta order checks, credit cards, business cards etc. with the new name. Car registration and car insurance will also need to know of your new married name. The post office wants to know, but that will go along with us moving. But I think the biggest hassle of all will be changing everything at work. Do I change my email because it is firstinitiallastname@generic.com? It only makes sense right? But what about all the people who know my old email? I think I'll keep the email the same and perhaps just add my new last name next to my old one in my signature. And for payment purposes, I'll have to submit my new S.S. card to my employer. So there's a process and it all seems to begin and end with Social Security. Go figure.

Of course I'm excited to change to my new name, but I hope I'm still recognizable as...well, myself.

4 Month Mark!

Ahh! Four months already? It seems like minutes ago that Mike and I started dating! But no, 5 years ago! Wow, I'm old!

We have so many exciting wedding related things coming up this week; the most exciting of all that is not even related to our wedding! (We will be doing invitations on Sunday, and some craft projects in between! Will update later!)

Saturday, June 12, 2010 we're attending the wedding of our good friends, Brandon and Herminia.

Photography by Nick Gerber

I met Herminia through my roommate from freshman year at NIU. We pretty much clicked immediatly when we found out common ground - We were both engaged! After being at a couple mutual parties and seeing each other multiple times we figured out everything else we had in common; English majors, love for writing, passion for fashion, larger (ahem) busoms. It was friendship at first site.

More recently, we've been making our boys go on double dates with us but it's not very difficult because Brandon and Mike get along swimmingly. Brandon and Herminia are just great people, great friends, that we are so lucky to have in our lives.

Throughout this whirlwind of wedding planning, Herminia and I have shared notes. We've taken ideas from each other, gone registering together, and share our wedding coordinator and DJ! I attended her bachelorette party a few weeks back and met all of her bridal party and friends. Herminia's sisters and friends are such a great group of girls! I cannot wait to see them at the wedding!!

I am beyond excited to see how all of their ideas have come together for their wedding. I'm sure she's stressing out like no other, but I know everything will be beautiful!

Of course both Mike and I are running around trying to get our outfits together, make sure we have a card, and work on transportation for Saturday but hopefully I will have pictures to post soon.

B & H: We are sooo excited! You guys are such the perfect couple and I am honored to share in your nuptuals! I can't wait to see how beautiful you look Herminia, but I'm sure Brandon is the most anxious of all! See you Saturday, love you!

The Lovely Ladies

This past Sunday, we had scheduled time for the bridal party and I to hit up a David's Bridal and try on some dresses! My original plan was that each bridesmaid would choose her own dress, complimentary to the other choices, in black. This idea supported the fact that all of my bridesmaids are different; different body styles, different personalities etc. And I did not want to be one of those brides who makes everyone wear some hideous dress because I like it!

For example, when Laura and I were shopping for my dress, we browsed the bridesmaid dresses quickly and I grabbed a long halter number and said, "This is really cute!" Laura said, "Yes, that'd be cute on you but you don't have to wear it." Which is why I wanted the bridesmaids to be in charge of their own dress destiny.

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Upon arrival, we immediatly went through all of the racks, pulling probably 30 dresses for 4 girls! (Only Vicky, Megan, Molly, and Rosie were able to attend) As everyone tried on their selections, I played assistant and zipped them in with flare. Molly had chosen two shorter, very slim numbers. Both very fitted and stylish but one looked a lot better than the other. We thought we had made her decision. Rosie was having a tougher time, trying on long flowy dresses that just did not look right. Megan tried on some really cute ones, but had issues with the bust fit (as I do!). And Vicky tried on about 5 dresses that all looked fantastic. Our favorite for Vicky was a long pleated bust dress but because Molly had chosen a short dress, we had the sales consultant bring out the same pleated dress in a shorter version. Success! The dress was gorgeous!

After a bunch more dresses and making the girls go back and forth between them, we finally had Molly put on the same dress Vicky had been wearing. (The shorter pleated number) So cute!! We all pondered the idea of same dresses and Rosie said something weird about "the sisterhood of the traveling dress..." awkward. So we had Megan and Rosie try on the same dress style as well. (Mind you the pleated short dress came in a variety of colors. The black sample happened to be a size 2 so no one actually tried on the black! We had dark blue, lilac, orange, and green!)

Voila! The dress looked good on everyone! Every body type! The girls commented that it was comfortable! And wait for.....drum roll please ..... it has POCKETS! Yes, the skirt is pleated which allowed hidden pockets to be placed within the pleats! Doesn't everyone complain about not having enough room in their small evening clutch? Well, now you have pockets! So cute!

(Davids Bridal Style # 83312)

Laura and Krista still have to try it on of course before we start ordering the dresses but I really think that this will be the dress everyone will agree upon. The material is actually a sateen cotton which is nice because regardless of the early October wedding, it will work. After all, you can always put more clothes on but you can only take so much off! ;)

The girls will pair this dress with black or silver shoes of their choice and jewelry of their choice as well. (Because I have not yet decided what their gift will be. A lot of times brides give jewelry for the day of, but I think it's a little more individualized if everyone wears their own. Perhaps I can get them all different jewelry that shows their individual style.)

I will also be making or purchasing shawls for the the girls to wear, especially in church, and later if the weather is cooler.

***The most exciting fact of 4 out of 6 bridesmaids choosing this dress, is that the pleating on the top EXACTLY matches and mirrors the bodice pleating in my dress! (Unfortunatly my dress is no longer on Demitrios website and I would rather not post it anyway if Mike is reading this! :) )

Conclusion of dress shopping: very exciting and fun! We ended the day with Olive Garden, despite the suggestions for pie and tea from my mother. hehe! I can't wait to spend the next couple of months planning things with these girls! I'm going to put them to work on all my little projects - Megan has already seen the mental breakdown regarding our Save the Dates and address label making! Grr! haha Love you Megan!

Until next time....

Black White and Red all over! (Well, minimal red!)

The most important part of the wedding is the color scheme/theme. We're going for romantic elegance with Black and White and hints of red. I made a Dessy Style Board for inspiration: