Table numbers are done

So table numbers are done. Got the wooden numbers, brown paint, and brown glitter from A.C. Moore and FI helped me knock them out today. You can't really tell from the picture that they are glittery, but they are. I'm actually going to put a bit more on them to add some more sparkle since we have plenty left over and as they currently are they don't yet have the pizzazz I was going for. But I think the idea of 3D table numbers is pretty nifty and paired with the centerpieces and bright white linens the venue provides, these babies will really stand out and help the guests find their tables just fine!

Goodies for the bridal party

I finally got FI to sit down and pick a gift for his groomsmen. They're all very different guys and he didn't know what to give them so I'd been helping him brainstorm. We ran through the list of typical groomsmen gifts but personalized beer mugs were a bad idea since some of the boys are non-drinkers, pocket knives just seemed so boy scout-ish, money clips are lame when most guys just have wallets, and pricey fountain pens seemed like a waste. We finally came up with the idea of cufflinks. Now cufflinks to me also seemed cliche, but instead of making them all matchy FI is ordering each of his men cufflinks that represent them individually so they will have special meaning, and I'm sure his guys will be happy to wear them again later on down the road. I'm pleased to say I'm on top of my girl's gifts too. I got them all sets of pearls, those neat and oh-so-handy purse hooks, a little photo album to put pictures of all of our bachelorette and wedding shenanigans in, little mini bottles of lotion from Bath & Body Works, and monogrammed key chain wristlets I found a great deal on by searching ebay. Now we've just got to figure out what to get our parents!

Let the good times roll

Me and FI's bridal party and loved ones are all driving at least two hours to get to our venue for a run-through of the wedding day festivities. I want the drive to be worthwhile and I've been racking my brain thinking of where to have our rehearsal dinner (or luncheon really since we have to hold the rehearsal early because there's another bride getting married in our venue the night before our ceremony) and I was having a really hard time. Our wedding is a formal sit-down dinner so I wanted something really low key for the rehearsal where the bridal party could just let loose and have fun conversing and hanging out. I love the idea of a backyard BBQ type thing, but since no one on the guest list nor my family lives in the city in which I'm getting married and thus there are no familiar backyards available, that posed a problem. And I discovered that the local parks don't let you rent out shelters for events so it would have been a bit disorganized and we would've just had to hope that nobody else was occupying the pavilions that day. My brilliant idea was that we could hold a rehearsal picnic at McCormick Field where the Asheville Tourists play since FI is a big baseball fan and sports marketing major and he used to take me to games there all the time. That way our loved ones would get a meal and the opportunity to watch an all-American pastime with great seats and we would get scoreboard recognition and a little baseball memento (not to mention a keepsake photo with the mascot! lol). But sadly the team is playing away that weekend so that's a no-go. So after consulting with the ladies of the August '09 board on TK, I'm feeling Shan's idea of having a rehearsal dinner at a bowling alley! FI and I are really just big kids, so this is pretty "us" anyway. So far from the comments I've heard from our bridal party, they are all excited about it. I mean what's more fun than bowling, hot wings, pizza, and beer?? And really nothing coordinates better with a cute ass rehearsal dinner dress than bowling shoes.

I want to be showered with panties

I hadn't planned on having any bridal showers of any kind because for one my bridesmaids are all scattered about in different places, and for two FI and I didn't register anywhere which makes it kind of hard for people to get you things. Some of my girls are insistent on throwing me a shower of some sort though, and it got me thinking. FI and I have been together for a really long time...over six years now in fact, and I think in that time I've maybe owned three pairs of really nice, sexy, matching lingerie sets. I've just never been one to go out and spend money like that since we're both still students living the college life (aka eating ramen noodles and bumming wireless internet off our neighbors to save money). So I've made up my mind that if someone wants to shower me with something I want it to be panties. And matching bras. I would love to have some different things to take along with me on the honeymoon, and I'm sure FI would appreciate the gesture too ;) I'm really looking forward to the new Pussycat Dolls lingerie collection coming out so maybe I can put that bug in someone's ear. Hmmm....

Musical selections

So FI and I sat down and finally chose the songs that are muy importante to the wedding. We're not exactly a traditional bunch and our musical tastes are random so don't be expecting to see "Canon in D" and "Butterfly Kisses" on the list. We both like a wide array of music from country, rock, oldies, alternative, and top 40 stuff so we wanted to try to incorporate a little of everything in the wedding. Here's what we decided on thus far. It's not set in stone and is subject to change but probably won't because I rather like the selections we've got :)

Grandmothers and wedding party entrance-"Heavenly Day" by Patty Griffin

Processional-"Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World

Recessional-"Warning Sign" by Coldplay (Odd title for a wedding, but it's a beautiful song!)

Reception introduction-"I'm a Believer" by Smashmouth ***UPDATE: FI and I decided we are going to be introduced to "Ain't That A Kick In The Head" by Dean Martin instead***

Father/daughter and mother/son dance- "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

First dance-"Come Away With Me" by Norah Jones

Cake cutting-"How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor

Garter removal-"Kiss" by Prince

Bouquet toss-"Single Ladies" by Beyonce

Anniversary dance-"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton

Last dance of the night-"I Could Not Ask For More" by Edwin McCain

DIY projects

I'm going to be undertaking quite a few DIY projects for the wedding for many reasons. Firstly, it's helping me save money. Second, I'll get to custom design everything in the colors and styles I want rather than having to frantically looking around to try to find something I like. And lastly, I think they add a nice personal touch to a wedding and FI and I are going to take pride in knowing we helped make our wedding look that damn good! Here's a few of the projects I have lined up that we're making rather than buying:

• Save-the-Dates
  
• Invitations
  
• Centerpieces
  
• Favor boxes
  
• Photo boards
  
• Tissue pomanders
  
• Unity candle set
  
• Program fans
  
• Framed seating chart
  
• Decorative votives
  
• Table numbers
• Etched memorial vases

I will, of course, post pictures of my various projects after I'm finished with them. This might take a while though seeing as how I'm a total procrastinator and I've been super busy lately. I'm going to try to recruit FI and get motivated here in the next week or so that way I can get a head start on these projects before the big day sneaks up on us!

Gettin' gorgeous

I've made up my mind that I'm going to have to have someone do my makeup for me on my wedding day. I can already imagine how nervous and tightly-wound I'm going to be, and I don't trust myself to make me pretty under those conditions! I have been looking for some ideas as to how I want "my look" to be, but I've ultimately come to the decision that I'm going to give whatever makeup artist I choose free reign over making me over because I want something that looks good on me and not on some celebrity or other person with a completely different face. I figure they know what they're doing since that's their job and can give me a look that's uniquely mine and compliments me. I don't want anything too heavy like a smoky eye look or red lipstick because I just can't pull that off, but I don't want to look completely "natural" either. What's the point of getting your makeup done if it's not going to look like you've got anything on, right? I just want something soft and girly like peachy cheeks and pink lips. I'm considering the airbrush makeup thing, only because my skin tone never truly looks "even" since I have freckles, and I've heard this gives the look of a more smooth complexion. I've also started on a beauty regimen to get me looking good for the big day and the honeymoon where I'll be spending most of my days scantily clad in a bikini with the weather being as hot as it will be. I've started religiously exfoliating with sugar scrub to prepare my skin for the self-tanner stuff I'm going to try out. I'm so fair-skinned that I usually just burn when I go to the tanning bed and with the risk of skin cancer in my family I probably don't need to be going anyway. So I'm going to try the spray tan in a can and keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't turn me Oompa-Loompa orange! I've also been doing my yoga and breaking out the Carmen Electra strip aerobics DVDs just to tone up. I'm not allowed to lose or gain any weight in these next four months because my dress fits me perfect right now!