Sunday Simplicity #4

Ruffled

things done, and yet to do

Accomplished:

- Venue booked and deposit paid

- My gown selected and purchased

- Menu planned with caterer

- Met with potential florist

- Designed table numbers

- Began designing wedding website

- E-mailed potential makeup artist (Mary Kay consultant)

To-Do:

- Reserve a block of hotel rooms for out of town guests

- Final venue payment

- Sign catering contract

- Plan menu for and book rehearsal dinner

- Choose florist and sign contract

- Select and book officiant and attend premarital counseling

- Select and book DJ

- Select and book cake baker

- Engagement photos and announcement in newspaper

- Register for gifts

- Choose and order invitations and other paper goods

- Bridesmaids' dresses and accessories selected and purchased

- MOB and MOG dresses selected and purchased

- Flower girl's dress and accessories selected and purchased/made

- Bride's fitting and alterations done as needed

- FI's tux and accessories selected and purchased

- FI's wedding band purchased

- Groomsmen's tuxes and accessories selected and purchased

- Select and invite ushers and readers

- Choose hair/makeup stylists and have trials

- Bride's headpiece and garter set selected and purchased

- Bride's jewelry selected and purchased

- Bride's shoes selected and purchased (searching for a 2 3/4" or lower wedge heel, purple and strappy would be perfection!)

- Rent bistro tables for terrace and all table linens

- Purchase cake stands for dessert table

- Purchase unity candles, guestbook, card box, cake topper, and server set

- Purchase lots of vases for reception tables

- Make all table numbers

- Favors

- OOT bags

- Attendants' gifts

our food proposal

The food proposal (does not include alcohol):
- Cheese/fruit plate during cocktail hour; buffet dinner with green salad, parmesan crusted chicken, ham biscuits, green beans, mashed potatoes, and macaroni salad; sodas, coffee, sweet tea, and lemonade; and mini desserts (banana pudding, mini cheesecakes, chocolate covered strawberries) - $18.75 per person
- China, Wine, Beer & Water Glasses, Cutlery. - $4.00 per person
- Servers & Attendants: service charge of $20.00 per server per hour. Hours billed include set-up, event time and clean-up. (Suggested 6 servers @ $120.00 per hour for 125 people)
- Bar Set-up - .2.95 per person.

We have several options for alcohol:
- Have the caterer get the ABC license and provide everything; price would be based on consumption
- Get our own banquet license and buy everything ourselves; we would have to estimate how much we'd need

And we haven't decided yet whether to do:
a.) Just beer and wine
b.) Beer, wine, and 2 signature cocktails (probably a mojito and something vodka-based)
c.) Beer, wine, and semi-full bar

Married readers, what did you all do? The caterer said option C usually ends up costing around $1,000 when the cost is based on consumption.

Sunday Simplicity #3

Etsy seller Twirliewhirlies

out of town bags: virginia ideas

I would really like to provide welcome bags for our Out of Town guests!

Filler ideas:
- A list of recommended restaurants and sights to see in the area (I like the way Weddingbee's Mrs. Pinot Noir bundled her brochure with some official guides.
- Souvenirs: A "Virginia is for Lovers" bumper sticker or stamped postcard, something UVA/Tech related?
- Drinks: Bottled water or maybe a Dr. Pepper
- For the A.M.: Mill Mountain Coffee and some tea
- Something Sweet: A chocolate Roanoke star or dogwood from Chocolatepaper or The Farm Basket (or homemade chocolate dogwood using this mold.
- Something Crunchy: Route 11 Chips
- Something Fun: A little toy or crayons and a coloring book for the folks whose kids are attending the wedding
- Contact information for emergencies

Progress Post: Venue, Flowers, Wedding Party

The first big wedding decision for us was choosing our venue. When FI proposed in November, we knew we wanted to get married this summer even though I was aware that a lot of local venues and vendors book a year or more in advance. The first venue we visited ended up being the one we chose- the Vinton War Memorial. We fell in love during our tour of the facility- it was easy to visualize our ceremony and reception talking place in such an elegant setting. During a sneaky secret mission to investigate another potential venue (a restaurant; we went for brunch and scoped things out!) we realized that we were still talking about the War Memorial nonstop. We knew it was the one. They only have one Saturday left this summer- we'll take it!

Then it was off to one of my favorite stores in the world - Michael's Arts and Crafts! Surprisingly, it was FI's first trip (of many? I like to think so). We spent most of our shopping trip in the silk florals section choosing wedding colors by putting together various bouquets. Our final choices were blue and purple hydrangeas (his favorite color is blue and mine is purple, plus hydrangeas remind me of my paternal grandmother) and off-white garden roses, with a dogwood branch thrown in as a tribute to the War Memorial's decor, town Dogwood Festival, and Virginia state flower.

I also picked up materials at Michael's to make "Will you be my..." cards for my Maid of Honor, bridesmaids, and flower girl. I was able to give my flower girl her card in person tonight- her mom is one of my oldest friends. Tomorrow, MOH and I are headed to my first bridal show. I am really beginning to feel like a future bride! The commercial on the radio says that when I leave this bridal show, my wedding will be planned- if only that really were the case :)

Sunday Simplicity #2

Splendid Wedding Co.

Sunday Simplicity #1

Style Me Pretty