Rehersal Dinner

Today we (Tim, Tim's mom, and I) went to visit Giovanni's for a visitation for the rehearsal dinner. We will be having the pre-wedding events there on Friday evening. It'll be a good meal. Yum.... So, Friday, September 14th get ready!

Cake

The appointment was this morning. We had a mini sampling and it was SO good. I haven't decided on flavors or fillings, but I don't have to yet. But, she did bring out the photograph of the cake that I want. It is so beautiful and you can specialize it any way you want. There are no photographs of it online, so I asked her if she could mail (snail or e-) and she said I could take a hard copy and just mail it back to her. So, I scanned it...and here it is. Ooooooh, I just love it!!!

Beautiful Cake

I have an appointment this Monday (the 11th, Danielle Miller's birthday coincidentally) to meet with a (or the, I don't know which yet) cake lady. I saw some of her cakes and they are beautiful. I (my mom included) fell in love with a particular cake style that is called a grapevine cake or something. It has a cage of sorts around the square cake tower. Its almost like a frame. Then the frame is adorned. I can't explain it, but its so beautiful. Anywho, again, I'll let everyone know how it went.

Banana Boat English Lace

So, how did it go today? Is anybody wondering that? Probably not. But, I will tell anyone who actually reads this anyway. And if you're wondering "what did you do today anyway", we went to Priscilla of Boston's sample sale in Northbrook. I really wasn't sure how a sample sale worked, but I guess I didn't realize that it was all the old floor models from last year, not this year's at all. But I did try on some of the new ones, don't worry! ;-) And here's the great part, the ones that I LOVED on paper I didn't like on me. That's okay, because they were $4,000-$5,000. So, not to keep anyone in suspense, but I did buy a dress today. There was some drama surrounding it too. I had originally pulled it off the rack and tried it on. My mom LOVED it. I walked outside of the room to look at it on me in normal light. People were walking by and looking and smiling and saying how beautiful it was. I guess while I was there a consultant saw it on me and once I was done trying it on, it was asked if I was going to take it or not, because someone else wanted to try it on. I said, sure, she can try it on. But if she didn't like it, I wanted it back. So, we tried on others, and (well, not we I guess, I tried on others) we wanted to know if she liked it or not because I wanted to try it on again. I guess she liked it and wanted to buy it. My mom said I shouldn't have let it go in the first place. Later, the assistant manager comes in and says that she knows we had the dress first, and that if we wanted it, we could have it. We were basically offered the dress first because we had it first. We said, yes. This other girl was upset I guess, she really wanted this dress. I think I heard she was crying. Whoops! But I guess they didn't find that dress in another store and were having it shipped to this one, so no worries. Anywho, the dress is a Priscilla of Boston dress. It is classified as "english lace". It's very classy, yet a little old-fashioned looking. I shouldn't have to have it altered either! Oh, and I guess there is little Swarski crystal beadings all over the dress. When I'm done, I can cut the crystals off and make a necklace or jewelry out of them! Isn't that awesome!?

And, as for the DJ, we did go and listen last night. We weren't impressed at all. They had two DJs and it was a younger guy and a girl. They typically dance when the music is on, but this dancing was just a step to each side with the music, if that makes any sense. Anywho, the girl wasn't into it at all and she was just going through with the motions. It was lame. They get out costumes to particular songs (like with the Banana Boat by Harry Belafonte, they wore a rasta wig and hats ang sunglasses) and it was just weird. Tim thought it looked like a carnival sideshow and he didn't like it at all. I wasn't sure, but it looked tacky. I didn't want to base my opinion on only about 15 minutes. But, I'm not sure what we'll do now. Maybe keep looking for someone else.

P of B

Woo hoo! Sample sale at Priscilla of Boston this weekend at Oakbrook Terrace. My mom and I are going and have an appointment at 1:30. Priscilla of Boston bought out my favorite, Melissa Sweet, so maybe they will have both designers there. Let's keep our fingers crossed on any of my favorites! For a look of some of the dresses...

Priscilla of Boston

Melissa Sweet

Got a picture of my weekend in Minneapolis with my cousin and some other family...thought I'd share.

Chitty chitty bang bangs

Another important event for the wedding (well, at least to me). Today, I went to get a trim for my hair, and came out of the salon with one less inch and bangs! They are classified as long, sweeping bangs. And the inch was necessary to get all of the split ends off. It feels so good. Now, I can actually put my hair up and not look like a man! Also, an "up-do" is also a possibility with the bangs now. I'm so excited! I love them!

The latest

I went my appointment with the photographer last Monday. I had to go into Rockford and my mom and I went to that together. I knew my mom liked him before we even got there, but it was for me to be persuaded. But...we talked for a while and I came out of there with a pretty good feeling. I still wanted to look at others, but he has everything we're looking for. I also needed to talk to Tim before we made a definate decision. Tim, of course, said "whatever you like, I like". So, I mulled over the decision and discussed a bit more with Tim, and I called today and had the photographer fax my mom the contract to sign. So, we have a photographer. I don't know if I should say the photographer right now, but I eventually will. Next, I have to decide on the DJ. We have DJ that we are eyeing. This place has performed at the weddings of two women at her work and they both spoke highly of them. (Not the women's wedding, but their daughter's weddings.) At LaMere's people were coming from other parties to come see these guys. I guess they perform, more or less, than just DJ. They have several packages to choose from, as well as many add-ons. They won't reserve the date without a deposit, however, we have never seen them perform. So, in a way its like a blind shot in the dark. They have two of four possible units already taken for September 15th. So...we need to make a decision. And Tim, as always, has no opinion. I'm leaning towards them because of two reasons. They have many years or experience and they come highly recommended. That's the two things that all sources say you need. And...they are from Chicago (Rolling Meadows) and they travel to Wisconsin and Iowa, as well as staying in the northern Illinois area. I don't know what to do. I can see them perform a wedding on December 2nd, but that is a while off. I have to mull it over more......decisions, decisions....

As of now

So, just to update on things as of now, this is where we are at on the planning. We have the locations of the ceremony and reception, Klehm and Cliffbreaker's respectively. And that is really it. Sorry to disappoint. Tomorrow, the 13th, I am heading into Rockford to meet with the photographer of Better Image Photography to look at his work and discuss details. My mom really likes him, and so do I. He has a artsy veiwpoint on photography and I LOVE that. And we have a lead on a DJ also. I have contacted them, and I have not gotten a second reply back from them. I will probably check into them again tomorrow. And....I believe that is it as of now!

Welcome

Welcome everyone! This is my first post in my addition to my wedding planning. As I mentioned before in my header, I will be posting plans, details, problems, questions, etc, etc, etc on this website. I just love blogger and decided it would be the best format for this blog. I will still keep my weddingchannel.com website, but this I will be able to communicate with everyone daily/weekly/hourly if I'd like. ;-) So, if anyone wants to, please post any comments, plans, whatever! Please share! I love my family and friends and would love to hear from them more than I do. So, here goes nothing!!!!!!!