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 :)