breath, stretch, cake

i understand that it has been a while since i last updated. we have been on a low-key buying binge. slowly yet steadily, we are purchasing the parts of the centerpieces, elements of the favors, bridesmaid's gifts, and more. i am really glad we started early... i would be SO stressed out if i had all of that on my plate in addition to the certain haze of the next three months.

that being said, we tasted food and cake at the peabody today.


i am not sure how much money we would save if we hired a caterer and had our reception at another site, but i know whatever we're paying extra is WORTH IT! the food was AMAZING, and do not be fooled: the peabody does not order from some wholesale warehouse. the food they make is HAND made, from scratch. and it is delicious. also, we hardly have to decorate because the room where we are having th reception is already beautiful. i would post some pictures, but i want everyone to be surprised :)

we also took our engagement pictures at the beginning of august. this is was one of those things i couldn't decide on. part of me thought it was a bit wasteful, and part of me really wanted to have some fun pictures celebrating our engagement. i am glad we did it! see ALL of them (or just have a browse--i have not sorted through them at all!) at http://thecountries2009.shutterfly.com/.


jordan simmons did our photos and brought her SWEET friend meagan summers along to shoot. it was SO fun and i love the momento we now have of our engagment bliss. if you're teetering, do it! just make sure that you are able to get a feel of your photographer's style before signing up!

that's all for today. more soon, because we are have a date with the florist on saturday and a PLANNING party in two weeks! tomorrow will be 100 days until i marry my best friend--the only person in the world who will put up with me.

cheers, a.

registering

i decided to drop the "a:" because, let's be honest: john is never going to post again!

well, wedding plans are kind of at a halt because we have a while to go, and all the things that are supposed to take a long time (choosing a dress, reception location, vendors, etc.) is pretty much finished! we have really tackled this. what can i expect with a go-getter mom like mrs. beverly. seriously. we are excited about the "real" planning, as things get a little bit closer. in fact, we almost caught ourselves wishing that this part would give way to the "excitement" of being a little closer to december. but, it's MAY! that means there are just a little more than 7 months away! seven months goes by really fast, especially when three of those are summer months.

one of the things i love most, though, is registering! it's really the one time in our lives when we can choose things we want and actually get them (probably). it's so fun to wander up and down the aisles, imagining all the different things we'll be using in our future together. it's like playing make believe--except it's real. i am kind of indecisive, so john probably finds it tedious, but he likes pointing the scanning gun at least. :)

my only tip to anyone who is registering is to try and divide the rooms you are furnishing by store! it helps. we're trying to focus on kitchen gadgets, our bedroom, and entertaining at bed bath & beyond; tabletop and linens at dillards; specialty decor and some furniture at pottery barn; and hardware (tools and honey-do items!) and best price things at target. of course, it never comes out that simple, but it adds some method to the madnes. we are registering for everything we want and need, because even if no one purchases the $400 vacuum cleaner we want, we can get a sweet discount on it after the wedding.

but, it's like you always hear: the most important part is to have fun! i was getting way to serious about getting the right number of dessert plates and wine glasses, and i was making it stressful to john and myself. once i lightened up and started letting him scan everything we liked, it became FUN! there is only one (hopefully) wedding registry in your life... carpe diem!