The Rehearsal

Okay, so here we go...months and months late and I am finally writing a post about the wedding.

I should note that I have another blog now Baileys Brides, that keeps me busy.I have started my own wedding planning business, and things are doing well.

Anyways...back to the basics.

My mom flew up the week before the wedding. I loved the idea of having my mom around to help with all the last minute things, I honestly thought I was so organized though that there would be no last minute things! I laugh  out loud at this *snort snort*. My mom and I spent the entire week cleaning the apartment, gluing ribbon to the cake stand, tying cute little bows to bubble wands, printing programs and little minor projects that did not seem imperative at the time...but boy were they time consuming in the end. All moms are a blessing.

After working our butts off on my home front we headed to the church on July 21, 2010 for the rehearsal. A mere three days before the wedding.

 Us practicing to hold hands and to love each other until death

 The girls listening and paying close attention

 The boys....not so much

The rehearsal went great, off without a hitch. (literally...that's not for another 3 days!)

Some suggestions to the future brides. Bring your Marriage Certificate to the rehearsal and give it to the pastor then. I have heard way to many horror stories of no marriage licenses arriving to the church on the day of the wedding! Also, we had a photographer and videographer, we invited them to come to the rehearsal. This gave them time to go around the church and the grounds to check out lighting and to do some practice shots for the big day. Try to set the time for the rehearsal for when you will be having the ceremony, this works well for lighting etc.

All photos are courtesy of my dear mother :)

I have failed

Blogging can sometimes be a difficult thing...i wanted to maintain it...you know, have some followers and be awsome. But I have a life and now dear readers...im a wife!!!

I want to fill you in on all the juicy details...the dress, the flowers, the girls and boys, cake and diamonds....but I will slowly do this...or atleast try. Keep you in some sort of anticipation and wait.

For now, I will tell you this. The day was perfect. My life is perfect and my husband (wow) is perfect.

and arent these purple shoes and socks perfect?

Out of town bags

I have a few do it yourself wedding projects on the go, they are great for saving money....but not so great for saving time.

You have already seen my centerpieces which I am incredibly happy with and for 5.00 a centerpiece I can not go wrong.

One of my other projects are my out of town bags.

I purchased only 13 white bags for my out of town guests, one per couple. In each bag I placed a handful of fliers for things to do in the area and on campus where we are getting married. I printed off the above labels and coloured them in with the wedding colours, brown, green and purple.

One of the labels had the wedding date on them and the others had our names (in case people forgot). I also put two water bottles in each bag and a card saying "thank-you."

I have seen other peoples bags and mine seems by far the most simple but it was most cost effective and it got the idea out that Mr. Panda and I were thank-ful for them coming all this way.

In total each bag cost me about $1.50 each. Cant go wrong right?

Did you do out of town bags?

Engaged! (awhile ago....)

I may have jumped a little ahead of myself blogging. I started blogging about the wedding and planning and all that jazz almost 4 months into planning and have obviously forgotten some details that are very very important. You know how Mr. Panda and I met....but how did I become his fiance?

Mr. Panda and I had flown to my little hometown to spend Thanksgiving with my family. One of my sisters' was still in Australia but my youngest sister and her boyfriend (now fiance) were there.

On October 10, 2009 my family, Mr. Panda and sisters boyfriend all took a drive into a neighboring town, upon our return my dear dear mother was insisting on taking family photos and that I should go get dressed up. Needless to say I was very aminent that this was ridiculous but upon some persusaion from my sister I went and got ready.

While I was in the shower all chaos broke loose. Mr. Panda, sisters' boyfriend and my dad fired up the four wheelers. Mr. Panda and sisters' boyfriend took off flying up the trails on the four wheeler to the waterfall behind my house and returned as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile my sisters was doing my hair and makeup (me not clueing in AT ALL that it seems a little odd that ONLY I was getting all dolled up for family pics). Mr. Panda was in the kitchen by that time, slidding and pacing around in the kitchen, my family sat him down and gave him a few shots of Rum from Cuba to help him out :)

After getting dolled up they went to the creek/fireplace in my yard to take some family photos. My mom and dad insited that the Mr. Panda and I should go for a short walk before the photos, so we meandered up to ....the waterfall... Mr. Panda had placed the ring and a bottle of champagne with glasses on top of a rock in front of the waterfall. We climbed on top and Mr.Panda got on one knee and gave an amazing little talk about how much he loved me and then asked if I would marry him...

Can you guess????

I said yes!!

Hey liar!

See that post below me...the one boasting about how im not stressed and everything is "like soooo totally awsome"...I lied. Well not really...per say. At the time I wrote that post I was feeling pretty confident about myself and the whole wedding stuff, but something happened over night and over the past few days......im not ready...im stressed....and now i am sick!

It all began when someone says "Do you have all your songs picked yet?" In my head I know I don't and in my calmed heart I know it will get done so im not worried in the slightest, but then they say "Oh my gosh, you DONT, you must be soooo stressed" and like a slap to the face my heart skips a beat and someone in my head starts screaming "WHY ARENT YOU STRESSED...GET STRESSED NOW" and is if on que, I became stressed. My to do list, which was ONLY one page is now ONE HUGE page, it looks long and daunting and i sweat bullets looking at it.

When people get stressed they do random things, some people eat alot (me), or eat very little, chew their nails, pull their hair....anything! ME....I ...get...sick! Two days after a frightful phone call from a friend talking about how stressed I SHOULD be...I got sick and when I am sick I lose sleep, and when I lose sleep I become even more ill and then cranky and unproductive. So the cycle begins.

How does one deal with it? I have been joking about taking our mini-moon BEFORE the wedding but I know that would only throw stress fuel on my already high octane stress fire. Imagine "relaxing" with your hubby to be while you have a half put together candy buffet at home and a seating chart with no names....doubt...very highly doubt that it will be relaxing.

I have a great network of friends and family who have offered to help...but when i look at my tasks it seems it would all just be easier if i just did it myself. Do I REALLY want people driving an hour to come help me buy ribbon and tie it around a vase?

Tonight I am attempting to unwind. Get rid of this incredibly sore throat and "move on" from it. Im going to go to the tanning bed to feel some warmth and coziness, have some dinner, dust (its KIND OF relaxing cause i am getting something done), get in my PJ's, make some hot tea and watch some TV...maybe possibly cut the ribbon for my vases.....:)


Wish me luck?!


How do you manage the wedding stress?

Im ready

When I first got engaged, which in one way feels like a million years ago and in another way...yesterday...my countdown marker started at over 200 more days till my wedding.

Today it reached 29 more days...which is one day shy of four weeks, which means, next month, which means.....SOON.

Im not super stressed, I do not have a huge list of to do things, and the list i do have does not stress me out. But the fact,...the sheer fact that I am not stressed out gives me butterflies in my tummy. I actually "act" stressed when people say "ohhh its coming up so fast..how do you feel" I always respond with a sigh and "stressed?!"

My wedding to me is big and I do have things to do, but I honestly feel like things are winding down instead of speeding up with last minute details. My stagette is over, I have all 94 RSVP's in (all yes!), everything is booked, everything is signed, sealed and delivered. Im ready.

Im ready to take fun pictures, to get dressed with my mom, to see my future husband dressed up for the first time, to walk down the aisle, to become Mrs. Panda. Im so ready to dance with my father, to share my slideshow with my guests, to so see my grandma all dressed up, and to dance with my husband. Im more then ready to rip up the dance floor with friends and family, to show off all my hard work and take photos in my fauxto-booth with pom poms as my ears.

Im ready to spread some love as a wife.

How long? - LONG distance -

Mr.Panda and the future Mrs. Panda - The beginning

Mr.Panda and I met at an odd time in our lives. He was still in school obtaining his degree in Physics and Math and I had just moved back from a 1.5 year haitus in Vancouver. Our relationship is funny, I would not change it for the world...but its funny.

I was recovering from an engagement gone wrong and was not really looking for a relationship and as it turns out Mr. Panda was not really ready for one either. But when love hits it hits hard and there is no avoiding it. We dated for a three months before he moved back to Vancouver for the summer, and so began four months of long distance.

Ever done long distance before? Its tough, I give total credit to anyone who can do it. I spent hundreds of dollars that summer flying to see him and he visted me with what time he could get off. Although long distance is hard, I found it very valuable in our relationship. It strengthened what we had and it really made us value the time we did have together. As funny as it sounds I would never change the fact that we had to spend four months, at the beginning or our relationship, apart. It forced us to talk alot via phone or email and it was such a great way to learn who we are and who they are.

But let me state one thing....we never did it again :) The next summer Mr. Panada stayed in Prince George with me and the following September (or more late August) we moved to Vancouver together.

source

So you have done long distance before?! but have you moved to another city, far away from your friends andf family with a boyfriend that will not live with you till your married?! I might have one up on you with this....que.....Mr.Panda and future Mrs. Panada move to Vancouver - Future Mrs. Panada living alone and scared....and/or angry?"

To stagette or not to stagette....this is one of many questions

Amazing ladies, amazing time, fun and memories!

This past weekend was my stagette and as far as stagettes go...mine was the best (biased much!)

My lovely and amazing bridesmaids planned a weekend getaway in the lovely Whistler. They rented a three story townhouse high in the mountains, supplied food, goodies, games, good times and of course drinks.

I imagined my stagette as much as i dreamt of my wedding, i think they are so much fun. When i was younger my stagette idea was definitely different from what i wanted at the age of 27. By the time a reached 27 I was not up for the raging evening of drinking and a written off day of nursing a hangover...I honestly do not know who at this age has the time to write off a day (old much?!) I was looking for a laid back weekend, catching up with all my ladies, gossiping, chatting and having a few drinks and dances. And that we did...for two days!

I arrived late friday night with three other girls from Vancouver and came to the townhouse to meet my two besties from Prince George. I was so excited to know that all these girls were here just for me...it was so humbling. (I could cry!). My MOH had martini glasses for us w

ith candies in them, leis, and our initials on each glass, so adorable. Oh and of course a dozen or so things for me to wear and prance around in.

We spent the friday night having drinks,catching up and playing games. The next morning we slowly woke, got dressed and headed into

Whistler Village. It was an AMAZING day (especially considering it was thundering and lighting). We took the peak to peak, a gondola or ski lift from one mountain peak to another. What an amazing trip! Seriously though, a true test of friendship is when two girls, petrified of heights climbs into a gondola for the bride! (greatest girls ever!).

PS I do not know who the two ladies in white hats...they seemed to think we were beautiful though and wanted pictures taken with us.

We came home for the evening to a scavenger hunt that had been set up...the final and last clue was a pinata made in the shape of a glass of wine, made by my dear sister, hilarity ensued. We then had some dinner, had some pre drink sex and the city cocktails and then went out for dancing.

We danced.....and danced and danced. It was an AMAZING weekend filled with so much thoughtfulness, love and fun! I would not have changed anything!

Crazy comes crazy goes

Wedding nightmares? Anyone heard of them? I read about them on a blog once and thought these girls were nuts...how would you let one day get to your head so much that you actually dream...wait....let me rephrase that....HAVE NIGHTMARES about your wedding day?

Que minus 49 days to my wedding.

My very first wedding nightmare, and i like to think last but i already know the jokes on me. I was getting ready for the big day with all my girls, it was se exciting and everything was running smoothly. No tears in the dress or tears but i always felt like something was missing. I met up with Mr. Panda to take our first look pics and realized..hmm...where is the photographer. Thats when i realized she was a no show. I collapsed into a balling mess on a flight of stairs and proceeded to panic and panic and panic. I woke up in a mad sweat, teeth clenched and ready to email my photographer...just to make sure everything was okay.

Unsettling to say the least.

I have read and re-read that the way to avoid these freakish reality impending doom wedding nightmares *sigh* is to NOT think about your wedding before you go to sleep. To this i say HA HA HA...good luck....I eat, drink and breathe wedding right now.

So, lastly I have to say....only 38 more days of potential wedding nightmares :)

My engagement ring dilemma

Remember when I told you that I win alot of stuff? Well this was a HUGE win, so huge in so many ways!

Firstly, when I saw this draw I thought to myself...I do not need ANOTHER one of those...but what girl does not want MORE of those?...especially for free!! So I did my due diligence said what I had to say, filled in the ballot and then WON.............

THIS!!! A beautiful amazing Verragio ring! But whats a girl to do? I had already received back in october a ring that Mr. Panda and I had picked out together...that I LOVE.

The thing is this ring would have been the EXACT ring I would have chosen if we had unlimited funds. We have contemplated selling it but its hard and we would never get the money the poor ring deserves. Mr. Panda LOVES the ring and he wants me to keep it and although I love it as well (we drove an hour to the closest store just to try it on!) I would feel odd having a "free" ring as an engagement ring....hmmmm. Mr.Panda wants me to wear it, I would love to wear it...the dilemma, the guilt....all the engagement pics with my other ring in it!!

Whats a girl to do?!

What have you won today?

One of the perks of going to Bridal Shows is winning stuff!! I could spend day putting my name in draws...winning stuff is fun, no one can deny that.

I should make note to everyone that there are probably a few horseshoes stuck up my butt :)

In the past 2 years I have won a new golf bag (Mr. Panda was happy with

this), a cruise, yes thats right an all expenses paid 1 week cruise to Alaska....did i mention it was a balcony suite?

Four tickets to the No Doubt concert with a meet and greet and a

night at the Opus Hotel and last but not least...Mr. Pandas heart. After he proposed to me I won a few GREAT and AMAZING wedding related things.

The first is a mini-moon!

I won a trip to the Eagle Nook Resort and Spa on Vancouver Isla

nd, Mr. Panada and I are so excited about this. It gives us a great opportunity to get away and enjoy our time alone...but at a much much more affordable cost.

I always tell my sister who is getting married next year, that it is really really easy to stay under budget if you just win everything!

Weddings are expensive and honeymoons even so. Alot of people are taking to mini-moons like Mr. Panda and I. We are going for 3 days to an all exclusive wilderness resort. Staying in a water front room with 2 days of gourmet meals and a 200.0 credit for the spa! Bliss.

For those people who dont win everything, here are what Mr. Panda and I were going to do until we won this.

Road trip from Vancouver down the Oregon Coast for a week...camping where our heart pleases and singing to our favorite tunes.

Vegas! Vegas! Vegas! From Seattle to Vegas, the flight and hotel for both was only around 700.00 (for both!!!)

San Fransisco...never been...looks sweet.

When money is tight and the mind has to be open? Did anyone else do a mini moon that they loved?!

Wedding shows in the Lower Mainland

Since the wee days of being a budding bride I dreamt of the day that I could attend a Bridal Show as a bride. I dreamt of how I would walk through the door and have vendors everywhere looking for my buisness, cutting me great deals and giving me free treats...just grand, simply grand.

I have been a bride for 7 months, I have gone to countless shows and its not all its cracked up to be. My favorite by far were the free ones...maybe cause im "frugal" so I enjoyed the fact that I was at a free event, or maybe because they were just awsome.

I have gone to the ones that cost 35.00 to 40.00 to get in and all the vendors, and I mean ALL, were out of my range, to "high class" and just not what I was looking for. I found the atmosphere "stuffy" and the "treats" were not all they were cracked up to be.

The best, by far was the Welcome Wagon one that I went to. It was FREE...yes free...no catches. They let the Bride wear a beautiful rose to stand out and feel special and they had affordable, local and "down to earth" vendors that were very helpful (not that the other ones werent). They had a FANTASTIC fashion show that was fun and relaxed and a good bag full of delightful treats including cookie cutters (how cute!) and lastly, you put your name on ONE BALLOT and it was drawn for every prize, instead of putting your name in every.....single....vendor....box..ugh! BRILLIANT.

Well with out further ado, here is a list of all the shows taking place in the lowermainland for the next year (or so);

LANGLEY BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
Tuesday July 6th, 2010 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Ft Langley Community Hall - 9167 Glover Road, Langley
604 533-5569
www.langleybridalshow.com

September 2010

LANGLEY BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
Sunday, September 16, 2010 5:00 pm to 9:00 PM
Pacific Inn - 1160 King George Hwy, Surrey, BC
604 533-5569
www.langleybridalshow.com

WELCOME WAGON – Chilliwack Bridal Showcase (Free)
September 2010 6:30 pm
Best Western Rainbow Country Inn, Chilliwack
A Bride to Be Welcome Wagon

WELCOME WAGON – Abbotsford Bridal Showcase (Free)
September 2010 6:30 pm
Garden Park Towers, Abbotsford
A Bride to Be Welcome Wagon

WELCOME WAGON – Maple Ridge Bridal Showcase (Free)
September 27, 2010 6:00 pm
Meadow Gardens Golf Course, Pitt Meadows
A Bride to Be Welcome Wagon

October 2010

WELCOME WAGON – Langley Bridal Showcase (Free)
October 4, 2010 6:00 pm
Northview Golf & Country Club, 6857-168 St. Surrey
A Bride to Be Welcome Wagon

WELCOME WAGON – Richmond Bridal Showcase (Free)
October 14th, 2010 5:30 pm
River Rock Show Theatre, 8811 River Road, Richmond
www.welcomewagon.ca

VANCOUVER WEDDING SHOW $20/$25
October 2010 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
604 538-9110
www.vancouverweddingshow.ca

LANGLEY BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
October 2010 5 PM to 8:30 PM
Princess and the Pea B&B - 21628 48th Ave., Langley
604 533-5569
www.langleybridalshow.com

BROCK HOUSE WEDDING SHOW $25 ($35)
October 17th, 2010 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
3875 Point Grey Road, Vancouver (Jericho Beach)
Ph: 604-537-3575
www.dreamgroup.ca/weddingshow.htm

WEST COAST WOMEN'S SHOW
October 2010
TRADEX Trade and Convention Centre
1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford (adjacent to Abbotsford Airport)
(604) 298-7469
www.westcoastwomen.net

WELCOME WAGON – Surrey Bridal Showcase (Free)
October 26, 2010 6:00 pm
Compass Point Inn, 9850 King George Highway, Surrey
A Bride to Be Welcome Wagon

November 2010

THE WEDDING SHOW AT NEWLANDS $12
November 2010 5:00 - 9:00 pm
Newland's Golf Course - 21025 48 Ave, Langley
604 533-3288
www.newlandsgolf.com/wedding-shows.htm

URBAN WEDDING GALA (Free - must pre-register)
Sunday, November 2010 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Roundhouse Community Arts & Rec Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
gala@urbanwedding.com
www.urbanwedding.com

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME – grand wedding showcase $35
Sunday, November 2010 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Four Seasons Hotel, 791 West Georgia, Vancouver
604-288-1691
www.cremedelacreme.ca

LOVE STRUCK $45 bride/$35 guest
Sunday, November 2010 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
The Vancouver Club, 915 West Hastings
604-551-9680
www.lovestruckbrides.com

MISSION WEDDING SHOW (Free - must pre-register)
Tuesday, November 2010 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Best Western Mission City Lodge,
604-287-0038
www.ktbweddingdesigns.com

January 2011

WEDDING FAIR ($20/$25)
January 2011 9:00 am -7:00 pm
Westin Bayshore & Resort - 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
604 251-1217
www.weddingfair.ca

LANGLEY BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
Sunday, January 2011 11:00 am to 4:00 PM
Pacific Inn - 1160 King George Hwy, Surrey, BC
604 533-5569
www.langleybridalshow.com

INDIE I DO - Alternative Wedding Show ($15/$20)
Saturday, January 22, 2011 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Heritage Hall - 3102 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
604 605 1272
www.indieido.com

February 2011

WELCOME WAGON – Maple Ridge Bridal Showcase (Free)
February 2011 6:30 pm
Meadow Gardens Golf Course, Pitt Meadows
www.welcomewagon.ca

WELCOME WAGON – Maple Ridge Bridal Showcase (Free)
February , 2011 6:30 pm
Meadow Gardens Golf Course, Pitt Meadows
www.welcomewagon.ca

WELCOME WAGON – Langley Bridal Showcase (Free)
February 2011 6:30 pm
Langley Events Centre - 7888 200th St, Langley
www.welcomewagon.ca

EAST WEST WEDDING SHOW
February 2011
www.eastwestshows.com

VALLEY WEDDING FAIR ($10)
February 2011 1:00-4:00 pm
Ramada, Abbotsford, BC
www.valleyweddingsolutions.com

March 2011

WELCOME WAGON – Surrey Bridal Showcase (Free)
March 2011 6:30 pm
Eaglequest Golf Centres at Coyote Creek, Surrey
www.welcomewagon.ca

WELCOME WAGON – Richmond Bridal Showcase (Free)
March 2011 6:00 pm
River Rock Show Theatre, 8811 River Road, Richmond
www.welcomewagon.ca

FRASER VALLEY WEDDING FESTIVAL (Free)
Sunday March 2011 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cascades Casino-Coast Hotel & Convention Centre, Langley
778-241-3275
www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com

WELCOME WAGON – Chilliwack Bridal Showcase (Free)
March 2011 7:00 pm
Best Western - Rainbow Country Inn, Chilliwack
www.welcomewagon.ca

WELCOME WAGON – Chilliwack Bridal Showcase (Free)
March 2011 7:00 pm
Best Western - Rainbow Country Inn, Chilliwack
www.welcomewagon.ca

WELCOME WAGON – Abbotsford Bridal Showcase (Free)
March 2011 7:00 pm
Garden Park Tower - 2825 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford
www.welcomewagon.ca

THE BAY ABBOTSFORD BRIDAL EVENT (Free)
Sunday March 2011 12:00 to 3:00 PM
The Bay (China Dept) 7 Oaks Mall, Abbotsford
604-853-7711 x 341 RSVP

WEDDING SHOW AT NEWLANDS (Free)
Thursday, March 20101
Newlands Golf & Country Club 21025 48th Avenue, Langley
604 533-3288
Newlands Golf and Country Club

LANGLEY BRIDAL SHOW (Free)
Thursday, March 2011 5:00 to 8:30 PM
Princess & the Pea B & B - 21628 48 Ave, Langley
604 533-5569
www.langleybridalshow.com

April 2011

PROJECT WEDDING - THE BOUTIQUE BRIDAL SHOW $25/$35
Sunday, April 2011 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel - 15269 104th Ave, Surrey
604-306-4851
www.projectweddingbridalshow.com/

VANCOUVER WEDDING SHOW $20
April 2011 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
604 538-9110
www.vancouverweddingshow.ca

A TASTE OF MANHATTAN WEDDING FASHION SHOW - $25 ($40 for two)
Sunday April 2011 1:00 – 4:00 pm
The Gizeh Centre, 3550 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby
604-421-2711
www.thenewmanhattan.com/tasteofmanhattanshow.html


Truly ladies....enjoy your time as a bride and go to as many shows as possible.

The last one I went to I won the honeymoon!!! but more on that later.....

Cake Topper

I simply MUST do a shout out to Caroline from Made with Love. She just opened the most adorable shop on etsy that makes personal cake toppers.

To me a wedding simply is not a wedding with out all the personal unique touches that lets all the guests know who and what this couple is all about. Is there no better way to do this then with a unique caketopper tailored to your liking?

I know exactly what my topper would be all about? Can anyone guess?

YEAH! You guessed it. How perfect would that be? Although I dont know HOW much Mr. Panda likes the nickname panda...(he ever so often says "Sometimes im just Andrew not Panda") and where exactly the orgin of that nickname came from is unknown to us both but we can both agree that I am obsessed with squirrels!

This is an example of Carolines work...so cute!

Made as an exact replica of a young bride and her future husband and their lovable pets!

Please check her out, such a great inexpensive way to show your guests what you and your hubby love.

Invitations

My invitations have been sent out sometime ago actually....say...mid-feb. I made an RSVP deadline of April 1st, 2010, a little "ahead of the game"???

I have been treating my wedding like a destination wedding. I could be completley selfless and say its all for the sanity of my out of town guests, so they can book rooms and flights but its also for me...alot!


By sending out the invites so early before the wedding it gives me many opitions, freedom and a little flexibilty with things.


1- I can prepare name tags for the seating chart much earlier (who doesnt want to get DIY projects out of the way as soon as possible?)

2- I can send out a wave of "B" list invites after April 1, 2010 to make sure my seats are all filled with lovely friends and family

3- My "B" list aka my friends can actually come now that I have invited all my (zillion) family members and the obligatory invites .

4- Two weeks before the wedding i am not running around trying to get RSVP's out of people



Now obviously all good things have to come to an end...or more...this seems to easy why isnt EVERYONE doing it....Giving them out so early leaves a possibilty for two major flaws.

1- People say no...or yes...so far ahead of the game and things might "pop" up leaving them to change their answer again

2- yeah, thats it....they change their mind....then what?!

I have yet to tackle to obscure thought of the "ohh cant come! sorry deary" and then the phone call two months later saying "surprise we can!!" I like to think I would be just brave enough to say.."sorry the seats are full"...but family right....yeesh, not likely.

As of now, Mr. Panda and I sent out 108 invitations for our 100 person function. We have 60 RSVP's with yes on them so far, and a little over 8 no's. 10 more sleeps and I get to start phoning people asking if they are coming or not. Im actually looking forward to this process, most Brides dread it but I see it as an opportunity to call some friends and family and talk to them about the wedding!

Is anyone else calling their guests if they have not RSVP'd in the deadline time? I feel I have thrown tact to the wind in my case...but honestly, how much tact do you have if you can not RSVP to someone (and remember this is my "A" list, meaning FAMILY...you think it would be automatic). I will start calling April 8, 2010 at about 4:47 pm....they better be ready. Come hell or high water I will have a yes or no for every invite that was sent out :)

Centerpieces

I told you all I have been busy for the past few weeks!! So many things have happened and I have yet to share all this awsome news with all you wonderful people.

I got bridemaid dress', did a mock up of my centerpiece and even sent out all my invitations and have yet to post my proud picture of them! I will try and catch up on these posts..in the meantime, here is my centerpiece.

TAA DAA

So the pictures absolutley do not do them justice, truly, they dont.

Here is a little break down:

Vases: free (borrowed from my work place!)
Rocks: $15.00 for a bag from a gardening store
Witch Hazel and Curly willow: $20.00 for a HUGE bundle
Crystals: off an old chandalier (free!)
Silk branches: $30.00 for a huge bundle off of craigslist (they are available at Michaels Craft store for 4.99 each...they are on sale for 40% off right now though!! (go go go go))

So in total, for 11 centerpieces it cost me about 6.00. Such a great deal, incredibly easy to make and I feel, they look fantastic :) I will be placing some tealights around the base on the table to add some "mood" and am debating wether I should add some ivory ribbon I have to go around the vase and glue the table number on to that. What do you think?

Wedding Clothes

As a bride, as a person and as myself I am always a busy girl these days so I have been lacking on the updated posts...which makes me sad...and makes me feel more stressed as I feel the need to "catch up on something!"

The last few weeks have been filled with an abundance of events. A couple of weeks ago my parents came in to town and we took this opportunity find wedding clothes...for everyone.

We were able to get a great suit for my dad, this was such an awsome moment for me as my dad never wears suits....or dress clothes for that matter, so to see him all dressed up pulled at my heartstrings. We were also able to get a smashing out fit for my mother and....most importantly...FOUR bridesmaid dresses OFF THE RACK.

I know...impossible right?!! Thats what I thought as well for the last 4 months leading up to buying these dratted dresses. Bridal stores would always looked shocked when i said my girls were coming into town March 6 to buy bridemaid dresses for July 24th...they always said I would have to put a rush order in :(

BM dress shopping is tricky, atleast it was for me. I did not want my girls going out and buying a 400.00 dress they would never wear...or shoes etc. I wanted them all to be comforable in something and all agree on something...impossible....

Bryans (not Bryans Bride...just Bryans) Had these four dresses for 99.00!!


The little peek of black bra wont be seen at the wedding...but all the same...marvelous right?!
I have four BM. The one above, and another girl who has the same shape and then two taller, slimmer girls. I dont have a pic of the taller girls' marvelous dresses but they are the same colour, same material and same length. The only difference is their neckline is higher, they have pockets and the style is more "Audrey Hepburn".

The best part of this entire BM dress shopping experience is....the girls all LOVE their dresses. Like "Im going to wear this to a wedding after yours" love.

This makes me happy :)

Our Meeting

Before I get carried away with the engagement, wedding, house, babies and retirement (a few of these are many many years down the road) I thought I would fill the blogging world in on how I met Mr. Panda

Many many moons ago..okay 10 years ago, I started attending UNBC. I was young (17) and living on my own...it was sweet :) In my third year of Uni I met a guy (NOT Mr. Panda...more Mr. Ass) and we dated for a while. It was a long and troubled relationship that I was focused on for almost three years. That whole time though, it seems a wonderful man..a small little panda was involved in my life when I didnt even know it. Mr. Ass and I attended church regularly and that included a home group that Mr. Panada went to.

Mr. Panda can remember the first time he saw me. He said I was "cute", what a doll. He was even at one of my birthday parties in my house! (I didnt believe him till I saw pics). Seems Mr. Ass may have rubbed some ass attitutde on to me. To this day I still am in awe that I never noticed this little panda.

Eventually Mr. Ass and I went seperate ways and through a move here and a move there I ended up on Mr. Pandas doorstep on a saturday. I was heading downtown to do some overtime at work (how cool am i, right?!) and stopped by to see if his roomie wanted dinner. The roomie was out...but the little panda was in. As most university students do, he was not willing to turn down free food. He came to my place for dinner and we chated for hours and the rest...is history....

On July 25, 2010 will will be together for 3.5 years, truly this has been the best three years of my life and I cant wait to spend many many more with him.

A real bride

I have been engaged since October 10th, 2009 which is a little over four months now and I have enjoyed every second...well lets just say every minute of it. Over the last few months I have done everything from dress shopping to dress buying, to getting tuxes, renting churches and renting reception areas...in all aspects the wedding is pretty much planned but I still do not feel like a bride..how is this possible?!

On Tuesday I sent out all my invitations and by friday most people had received them. RSVP's started flooding in and my ever reliable facebook page started popping up with comments about th

e invitations and "yes I can come!!!". Guess what...today February 19, 2010 I felt like a bride! My heart skipped a million beats as my first yes came in. It was next to impossible to wipe the smile off my face as I received one RSVP that was Jackson 5's "I'll be there" song...Im a BRIDE...and im getting married in 156 days. WOW.

Its hard to believe that people, from all over the world, near and far, are all coming together to celebrate in the day that Mr.Panda and I get married. It makes it feel so real, it makes it so surreal, it makes me feel like a BRIDE.

Rustic Yellow Charm

Maybe I should stop googling and facebook stalking people since I already have my wedding theme in mind. It seems everyday I stumble upon something where I gasp and say "Why didnt I think of that!!" but I guess the beauty at the moment is I am still able to do some of those things since the wedding is a little over five months away (or maybe im being a little to ambitious!?)

I stumbled upon this site today and have to say that Stephanie Fay Photography not only did an amazing job of taking these photos but may single handedly bring down my theme I have going for my wedding and let this one come to life.

I mean how beautiful is this?! seriously. Quaint, beautiful and simple filled with all the elegance and classy touches one could dream of!

Voila!

......VOILA! here is my "wedding", well to be more specific here are my wedding colours. Im really excited about this colour palette and although maybe it is not the most original its definitly helping me to obtain the ""image" or "theme" im going for which is...

Natural, Nature and Elegance

to obtain such a thing is pretty much as easy as it sounds, atleast I like to think so.

Here is a little background about moi.

I was born and raised in a really small town but live up to the whole movie stereotype of "small girl in a little town needing to break loose". Since I can remember I have always been a little more "main stream". I have been into concerts, theater and the arts etc. which has brought me to Vancouver many many times. Eventually I settled into Vancouver because of this...but mainly for Mr. Panda (aka FH).

Mr. Panda and I decided to get married in Vancouver for a few reasons....

1. Ocean, mountains, beach and snow (hello??)

2. We have many fond memories here

3. He has family in Calgary I have family up north....Vancouver...in the middle

4. Options, options, options

5. Expenses

6. Variety

Having a small town wedding in my families yard definitly crossed my mind a million times but I realized that to do that would be more for my family and not as much as what I would actually want. So through many agnozing tears I decided on Vancouver. My family seems okay with it but I know deep down they would like it to be in Hazelton.

So to meet in the middle I have come up with this palette, go figure!? Mr. Panda and I are going for something that looks and feels low key but is actually very elegant. We are obtaining this image through our centerpieces, invitations and decor. I feel the greens, brown and give a very nature theme...you know...cozy. Where as the purple adds the flair of elegance and richness.

I hope this works!

A place to begin

Time to start a blog I say! start start start...but what to write.

I feel I have hit a tremendous writers block because I have been told I talk about weddings to much and since being engaged....mostly MY wedding. But lets dig deep down to the root of this wedding "talk"....dig dig dig....I *heart* weddings. TA DA discovery at last.

Ultimatley my dream job would be to be a wedding planner, the best wedding planner in the world. I would plan small quiant backyard weddings all the way to billion dollar weddings and I would love every minute of it. Every second i say! every flippin second...But wedding planning is a hard profession to get into, especially in a place like Vancouver where competition is high and the more money you have the better you are. (I have no money in case you were wondering).

So now I resort to blogging about weddings. My wedding ideas, weddings I have been to, want to go to and should go to.

I hope you enjoy this blog and follow it, I promise...okay maybe not PROMISE...but it wont ALL be wedding stuff. :)