How Are The Plans Going?

Today at work, Janet asked me how the plans were going. I sat there and realized I hadn't done a concrete thing for the wedding since we booked the place. I went to The Knot and went to the checklist. I checked off a lot of things, but the list says I have 172 more to go.

Eeek, much?

Granted, it's still just over a year away and I have PLENTY of time, but it's hard not to see such a huge number of things to do and not panic. Plus, we need to find a photographer after all (for the more formal and traditional shots), and there are LOTS and LOTS to choose from in Chicago. That's a little bit lot overwhelming!

This is what I am tempted to do for the boquets: Head over to the grocery store the day of the ceremony and pick up some of the flowers there. My first choice is an orange gerbera daisy, but man, the thought of dealing with all this stuff is kind of making me hyperventilate.

I got a few sample invitations in the mail. Thank God places let you see samples. The really inexpensive ones from Ann's Bridal Bargains aren't that great, and the Mickey Mouse ones are too big. I REALLY like these:

Of course, they're from my favorite place, Invitations By Dawn. The color I really like is called Tuscan Sun, and it's the orangy-looking one on the right, behind the light green ones. I can get 50 for $102.80, and 50 response folders (with envelopes) for $55.50. I don't think that's too unreasonable, especially for an invitation I really like, but I can't help but wonder if there aren't some that are less expensive. I mean, it's so simple, after all. But there's just something about the color—it's perfect.

We'e been getting requests to register. I think we're going to hit our first store next month, when we're together for Thanksgiving. We could register online, but then we wouldn't get the little gun. Adam really wants to use the little gun.

So, I'm trying not to freak out too much here. After all, I do have more than a year for everything to fall into place. No need to stress. Right?

Invitations & Stationery

Invitations by Dawn has DISNEY invitations. If I weren't trying to save money and have a low-budget wedding, I'd SO get these:



I mean, how cute, right?

But... Helen did offer to rustle up some samples for me, so of course, that will be my first choice. I'm looking forward to seeing what designs she comes up with for me. In the meantime, I am having a lot of fun looking at all the different catalogs and Web sites, and ordering free samples. You'd better believe I'm ordering a free sample of the Mickey Mouse one. :)

My second choice is getting invitations from Ann's Bridal Bargains. They have nice, simple invitations for as little as $35 for 100. I totally don't need that many, I'll probably only need to order 50, which is $30 or something low like that. Their most expensive is about $85 for 100, which isn't bad at all. Most places charge at least $130 for that many.

So far, my favorite catalog has been Invitations by Dawn; they have an amazing selection of invites, many that would perfectly match the theme of the wedding, but unfortunately, they have the price tag to go with it.

This is a list of things I absolutely need, stationery-wise:
- invitations (reception info will be printed on the invitation)
- response cards/envelopes
- "save the date" cards
- "thank you" cards (but those will not be custom ordered; I plan to get a plain box from Target or something!)

I wonder if I could get inexpensive "save the date" cards from Vista Print. IBD has magnets, which is a very charming idea. Expensive, but charming.

Thinking of invitations also gets me thinking of the verses. Verse This seems like a wonderful resource for all sorts of verses for all sorts of ceremonies. As you should know, this is my second marriage, but Adam's first. I have a little boy who is going to be part of the ceremony somehow. I need to communicate our personalities, the ceremony/reception information, and Aidan's involvement in 14 or fewer lines, plus a few extra for corner copy. I'm thinking this site will be helpful. They have loads of ideas.