My Birthday
Ticker iCode: kkqrfa
JR's Birthday
Ticker iCode: atjbmg
Our First Date
Ticker iCode: eabmpm
We Got Married
Ticker iCode: maaaqc
Working at W&M
Ticker iCode: nmbjbn
.
.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hmmm... I haven't been here in a while. Haven't had anything new to report until now.
Tomorrow I'm going up to my mom's and on Thursday, I have a 1:45pm appointment at the Macy's Bridal Salon by Demetrios in Tyson's Galleria to try on dresses. I called them and the lady (and she was extremely nice) said that they had a few plus size dresses so I decided to give them a try. I hope this won't be a waste of time and gas. I'm going to be terribly upset if I go and can't try anything on. I hate that salons act like big girls aren't supposed to try on dresses. Apparently we aren't supposed to be getting married. The more I think about this, the more I think I'm going to call them back again today and inquire a little bit more about their plus size stock. There is no sense in me going if their plus size is a bridal size 14 and I'm sitting here a street/off-the-rack size 22/24.
Anyway, here are some Demetrios gowns that I've seen and liked.
e.t.a @ 12:06pm - Charge the camera, we’re going on a photoshoot
!
I just talked to Macy’s and they have dresses in sizes 18, 20, and 24 for trying on
.
Tomorrow I'm going up to my mom's and on Thursday, I have a 1:45pm appointment at the Macy's Bridal Salon by Demetrios in Tyson's Galleria to try on dresses. I called them and the lady (and she was extremely nice) said that they had a few plus size dresses so I decided to give them a try. I hope this won't be a waste of time and gas. I'm going to be terribly upset if I go and can't try anything on. I hate that salons act like big girls aren't supposed to try on dresses. Apparently we aren't supposed to be getting married. The more I think about this, the more I think I'm going to call them back again today and inquire a little bit more about their plus size stock. There is no sense in me going if their plus size is a bridal size 14 and I'm sitting here a street/off-the-rack size 22/24.
Anyway, here are some Demetrios gowns that I've seen and liked.
e.t.a @ 12:06pm - Charge the camera, we’re going on a photoshoot
!I just talked to Macy’s and they have dresses in sizes 18, 20, and 24 for trying on
.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Venue Thoughts
I've been pondering venue ideas and one of my favorite places that has always stayed at the top of my list has been the Crowne Plaza of Williamsburg Fort Magrudger (http://www.cpwilliamsburghotel.com/weddings/index.html).
Back in the 90s, we (me, my mom, and friends/co-workers of my mom) used to go there for lunch at least once each month because it was such a lovely hotel in an excellent location ... the all-you-can-eat steamed shrimp buffet didn't hurt either! The staff were always very friendly and the food was delish. I've always thought that if I were to get married, I'd like to do it there.
I've made an appointment with them for next Tuesday.
I'm not going to put all my eggs in one basket and just go with them and not visit with any other locations. I'm also going to look at:
The Hospitality House
The Ramada 1776
Legacy Hall in New Town
Historic Yorktown Freight Shed
And a thought just occurred to me - suppose W&M had their Homecoming weekend during my wedding weekend
?!? That's a potential for disaster!
I'm not going to borrow stress just yet by thinking of various "suppose" scenarios.
Back in the 90s, we (me, my mom, and friends/co-workers of my mom) used to go there for lunch at least once each month because it was such a lovely hotel in an excellent location ... the all-you-can-eat steamed shrimp buffet didn't hurt either! The staff were always very friendly and the food was delish. I've always thought that if I were to get married, I'd like to do it there.
I've made an appointment with them for next Tuesday.
I'm not going to put all my eggs in one basket and just go with them and not visit with any other locations. I'm also going to look at:
The Hospitality House
- http://www.williamsburghosphouse.com/weddings.shtml
- They are in a prime location, relatively easy to get to (unless it is a weekend with a home football game) and they have a parking garage.
- I'm suspecting that they are out of my budget, though.
The Ramada 1776
- http://www.ramadainn1776.com/banquetscatering/
- They are in an excellent location and the grounds are very nice.
- Their website is NOT good but hopefully, that is NOT indicative of their wedding services because they have been a go-to place for weddings in the 'Burg for as long as I can remember.
Legacy Hall in New Town
- http://www.jccegov.com/legacyhall/
- Using this location would involve having a caterer.
- This is an excellent location and a beautiful hall.
Historic Yorktown Freight Shed
- http://www.yorkcounty.gov/freightshed/index.html
- Using this location would involve having a caterer.
- The location is beautiful although not the easiest to get to. Having our day here would enable us to have our day at the beach because they are located at the base of the York River Bridge.
And a thought just occurred to me - suppose W&M had their Homecoming weekend during my wedding weekend
?!? That's a potential for disaster!I'm not going to borrow stress just yet by thinking of various "suppose" scenarios.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Wedding Ideas ~ Unity Ceremonies
There are many ways to personalize and customize your wedding ceremony. Two of the more common and most beautiful elements are the Unity Sand Ceremony and the Unity Candle Ceremony. In both of these ceremonies the couple is symbolically joining themselves together through the use of sand or flame. Once joined, these elements become impossible to separate and in a sense become greater than they were before.
Most often a Unity Ceremony is placed in the wedding immediately after the exchange of rings and is presided over by the Wedding Minister. Sometimes the minister reads a short passage explaining the meaning of the ceremony and sometimes the couple chooses a song to be played so that the beauty of the ceremony can really show through.
Sand Ceremony . . .My personal preference
Groom and Bride have each taken a bit of sand from the beach; this sand represents their individual lives, their hopes, their dreams and their aspirations. They will pour this sand into one container representing their new life together. Just as it would be impossible to separate this sand, their two separate lives have also become one. Grooms and Brides, your individual hopes, dreams, and aspirations are now bound to your partners. Realize that together, you can accomplish much more than you ever could alone.
Most often a Unity Ceremony is placed in the wedding immediately after the exchange of rings and is presided over by the Wedding Minister. Sometimes the minister reads a short passage explaining the meaning of the ceremony and sometimes the couple chooses a song to be played so that the beauty of the ceremony can really show through.
Sand Ceremony . . .My personal preference
Groom and Bride have each taken a bit of sand from the beach; this sand represents their individual lives, their hopes, their dreams and their aspirations. They will pour this sand into one container representing their new life together. Just as it would be impossible to separate this sand, their two separate lives have also become one. Grooms and Brides, your individual hopes, dreams, and aspirations are now bound to your partners. Realize that together, you can accomplish much more than you ever could alone.
by Scott Ziegler, Wedding Minister ~ Virginia Beach Wedding Company ~ 757.641.4010 ~ scott@abeachwedding.com
Feeling Smug :c)
And do all October brides have a feeling of smugness because we chose the best time of year to get married? Not too hot, not too cool, and Mother Nature does a lot of decorating for us? 
Needless to say, I can't wait for this fall. I'll be out in the parks picking up pine cones and acorns and anything else I can find that I think I might be able to use in my decor.
Which reminds me ... I need to get some of those giant plastic storage bins - the clear ones.
Needless to say, I can't wait for this fall. I'll be out in the parks picking up pine cones and acorns and anything else I can find that I think I might be able to use in my decor.Which reminds me ... I need to get some of those giant plastic storage bins - the clear ones.
Invites
The REAL reason I came to post got lost in my budget rants. I wanted to share some invites I found at www.paperdirect.com.
#SEV300C 
#SEV1141BE 
#SEV3047
#SEV4296 
#SEV9122
#SEV553
#SEV1143G
#SEV1148
#SEV300C #SEV1141BE #SEV3047#SEV4296 #SEV9122#SEV553#SEV1143G#SEV1148
Budgets - Worksheets
Budgets - Worksheets
I found a couple of worksheets at http://weddings.about.com/library/blbudgetworksheet.htm and http://hrweddingplanner.com/calculator.htm.
I'm going to monkey around with them when I get home this evening.
Ok, I just cut and pasted the chart from HR planner into a spreadsheet.
On a whim, I added up the %-column ... Now why did that total come up to 101%??
I'm going to monkey around with them when I get home this evening.
Ok, I just cut and pasted the chart from HR planner into a spreadsheet.
On a whim, I added up the %-column ... Now why did that total come up to 101%??
Working on the Budget
It's difficult figuring out what the breakdown of the budget is going to be when I'm having trouble figuring out what stuff is going to cost.
What I know fo'sho: the budget is about $5k, the ceremony/reception location will be about $2,600 and I have about $2,400 to monkey around with.
Technically, I have a dress I can wear that will do just fine and thankfully, it was only $20 and I'd probably be happy with it if we were having a beach wedding (that's what I snagged it for), but we're going to be in a totally different setting and I'd like something a little less casual, you know? But I don't want that special dress to cost me more than $400. And I've been keeping my eyes on eBay, trust. I think I may table the SERIOUS dress hunt for November/December/January.
And just how much does a tux run?
JR has already stated (quite emphatically I might add) that he will NOT 
wear a rental. Can he get a nice looking ivory tux for about $300 including shirt, vest, tie, and shoes?
And that bouquet - just how much can I anticipate it costing? I've been seeing prices range from $20 to $120 ... and that's for silk flowers!! I don't even want to know what real flowers would run
.
Then there's photography.
And printing.
And decorations.
And the cake. Just how much should that thing run anyway? Surely it shouldn't be 1/5 of my budget should it??
What I know fo'sho: the budget is about $5k, the ceremony/reception location will be about $2,600 and I have about $2,400 to monkey around with.
Technically, I have a dress I can wear that will do just fine and thankfully, it was only $20 and I'd probably be happy with it if we were having a beach wedding (that's what I snagged it for), but we're going to be in a totally different setting and I'd like something a little less casual, you know? But I don't want that special dress to cost me more than $400. And I've been keeping my eyes on eBay, trust. I think I may table the SERIOUS dress hunt for November/December/January.
And just how much does a tux run?
JR has already stated (quite emphatically I might add) that he will NOT 
wear a rental. Can he get a nice looking ivory tux for about $300 including shirt, vest, tie, and shoes?And that bouquet - just how much can I anticipate it costing? I've been seeing prices range from $20 to $120 ... and that's for silk flowers!! I don't even want to know what real flowers would run
.Then there's photography.
And printing.
And decorations.
And the cake. Just how much should that thing run anyway? Surely it shouldn't be 1/5 of my budget should it??
Ludamercy. I'mma need a job and a therapist.
Note to self . . .
Note to self . . .
Avery business cards would make nice little table numbering things.
Pitiful, I don't even know the terminology yet.
e.t.a. PLACE CARDS!!!
Pitiful, I don't even know the terminology yet.
e.t.a. PLACE CARDS!!!
Budgeting for an Affordable Wedding
Budgeting for an Affordable Wedding
Perspective
* When all is said and done, what will you have to show for your wedding day? The rings, the bridal gown, the photo albums, and the videos. The bridal gown will probably be packed away, but you and everybody else will be looking at it in photographs for years.
* The rings will be worn for the rest of your married life and the photos and videos will be shared untold times over the decades. Don't skimp on these items. Buy or rent a wedding gown that you like and that looks good on you. Get a professional photographer. Buy good quality rings that you like.
Set Up a Budget
* A budget is absolutely essential in planning your wedding. Costs can easily spiral out of control, and if you don't document them, you may end up paying far more for your wedding than you planned.
* Remember that what determines your costs more than anything is the number of guests you invite. Why not keep the list down to people you really care to share the biggest day of your life with?
One of the most overlooked costs, which can be significant, is tipping. Plan on tipping caterers, limo drivers, photographers, and others 15 to 20% of their total bill if their services are satisfactory.
Averages
* The average bride spends approximately 40% of her total wedding budget on the caterer (food, cake, and alcohol), 3% on the facilities for the reception, 8% on flowers, 10% on entertainment, 14% on clothing, 7% on a photographer, 4% on invitations and other printed supplies, 4% on gifts, 2% on transportation, and 8% on miscellaneous items.
Reduce Costs
* Some of the biggest ways to save money are:
- Reduce the number of guests
- Have a buffet or hors d'oeuvres instead of a sit-down dinner
- Have a cash bar, or close the bar during dinner, or have an alcohol-free reception
- Consider an off-season wedding (November through April) to reduce costs for the reception site
- Consider having your wedding on any day other than Saturday to reduce costs for the reception site
- Have a smaller wedding party (number of attendants)
Perspective
* When all is said and done, what will you have to show for your wedding day? The rings, the bridal gown, the photo albums, and the videos. The bridal gown will probably be packed away, but you and everybody else will be looking at it in photographs for years.
* The rings will be worn for the rest of your married life and the photos and videos will be shared untold times over the decades. Don't skimp on these items. Buy or rent a wedding gown that you like and that looks good on you. Get a professional photographer. Buy good quality rings that you like.
Set Up a Budget
* A budget is absolutely essential in planning your wedding. Costs can easily spiral out of control, and if you don't document them, you may end up paying far more for your wedding than you planned.
* Remember that what determines your costs more than anything is the number of guests you invite. Why not keep the list down to people you really care to share the biggest day of your life with?
One of the most overlooked costs, which can be significant, is tipping. Plan on tipping caterers, limo drivers, photographers, and others 15 to 20% of their total bill if their services are satisfactory.
Averages
* The average bride spends approximately 40% of her total wedding budget on the caterer (food, cake, and alcohol), 3% on the facilities for the reception, 8% on flowers, 10% on entertainment, 14% on clothing, 7% on a photographer, 4% on invitations and other printed supplies, 4% on gifts, 2% on transportation, and 8% on miscellaneous items.
Reduce Costs
* Some of the biggest ways to save money are:
- Reduce the number of guests
- Have a buffet or hors d'oeuvres instead of a sit-down dinner
- Have a cash bar, or close the bar during dinner, or have an alcohol-free reception
- Consider an off-season wedding (November through April) to reduce costs for the reception site
- Consider having your wedding on any day other than Saturday to reduce costs for the reception site
- Have a smaller wedding party (number of attendants)
Fall Flowers
Fall Flowers
Allium, Anemone, Baby's Breath, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Cockscomb, Freesia, Gladiolus, Iris, Gloriosa Lily, Orchids, Queen Ann's Lace, Statice, Star of Bethlehem, Sunflowers, Zinnias.
Some examples of my favorites from the list above:
Mums
Cockscomb
White Freesia
Gladiolus
Iris (in various shades of reds and oragnes)
Orchids (just certain varieties)
Queen Anne's Lace
Statice
Zinnia
Allium, Anemone, Baby's Breath, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Cockscomb, Freesia, Gladiolus, Iris, Gloriosa Lily, Orchids, Queen Ann's Lace, Statice, Star of Bethlehem, Sunflowers, Zinnias.
Some examples of my favorites from the list above:
Mums
Cockscomb
White Freesia
Gladiolus
Iris (in various shades of reds and oragnes)
Orchids (just certain varieties)
Queen Anne's Lace
Statice
Zinnia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)