one more sleep!

So! Tomorrow is the big day! I can hardly believe its here already! I had all these plans to add posts this week of the little last minute projects and DIYs I have worked on, a post on our rehearsal night and a few other things, thinking I would have at least *some* time, being off work all week. But nope, I haven't had a chance to do any of it! At least it will give me a chance to have something to write about while we wait for our professional photos though, so I promise I'll get around to all the things I wanted to record (I have been taking pictures as we go, although I'm sure all look back and wish I'd gotten better ones!)

I'm writing this on my iPhone, as I lay next to my sleeping fiancé for the last time. As a result, there will be no pretty pictures, nothing spectacular but probably plenty of heart.

Today we take the last of our things for the ceremony and reception, all of our clothes and make up and shoes and the kitchen sink (just kidding) over to our venue, check into our rooms, meet up with our friends - our wonderful bridal party - go shopping for some food for tomorrow, work out where we all want to share a meal for the last time together tonight and then...

We separate. Tomorrow, when my Graham and I see each other again, it will be to make promises to each other, to share our love with our family and friends, to exchange rings and a kiss and to become man and wife.

I cannot wait.

I am not nervous in the slightest. Neither, he tells me, is he. We are ready. We can't stop grinning. And hugging. I can't wait to see him waiting for me at the end of the aisle. Whatever happens tomorrow - whatever the weather (rain today, clearing tomorrow with a 30% chance!), whatever goes wrong, whatever is missing, whatever changes... All I care about is kissing those lips after exchanging those rings and leaving that Chapel his wife.

Tonight I'll distract myself with my ladies. Tomorrow morning I'll have fun getting ready and giving the girls their presents. But tomorrow afternoon, 1.30pm - that's the time I'm really looking forward to...

See you on the flip side!

My last time signing off as Miss Amanda xxxx

a wedding catch up post

So I've dropped out of Blogging Land for a bit, but with good reason. Outside of everything mentioned in the last couple of posts, I've also been dealing with tonsillitis for the last 7 days, (which I've been trying very hard to get rid of before next week!) attending baby showers, birthday celebrations and concerts (I saw Hanson with my SIL for my belated birthday present...my 12 year old self was in her happy place!) AND we have been working very hard to knock a bunch of things off our To Do List!

Following my countdown checklist post at the one month mark, I created a thorough "To Do" list of things left. We've managed to cross a good many off and by tomorrow, a good many more will be gone!

Included in this was making our favours and candles with the lovely Laina on the 5th of September - it was a lot of fun and I managed to sneak in some cuddles with the pretty Miss Talei as well.

I also managed this quick mock up of our ceremony table with my Mum. Please excuse the exercise equipment in the background and the lack of table cloth (we picked that up the next day!). There is also a distinct lack of signs. The Program sign was made a while ago but I still have to make the signs for the two hat boxes (they aren't actually hat boxes, but that is the way they are shaped and it's just easy to refer to them as such!). It's also hard to see how pretty the tealight holders are in this picture - there will be close ups of them later I'm sure!

Today I visited both our little flower girls to make sure their shoes fit them, started making all of our placecards, made a mock up of our ceremony programs (we still need to decide on one more piece of music before I can finish them off and start making them all!) and had a relaxing, much needed coffee break with my MoH. Tomorrow I have my pre-wedding hair cut, I'm buying all the cardstock for our programs, spray painting 1 frame that's a little scratched up, spray painting our chandelier and decorating it, going jewellery shopping with my Mum, hopefully picking up our rings and finishing off our placecards. If I have time, I might get a chance to get started on decorating/writing up our seating chart!

I just realised I haven't told you our entertaining ring story...well, it would be less entertaining if we hadn't (luckily) had time to sort it out. I had received a phonecall to say that both my rings had arrived, but the future hubs hadn't yet (when we ordered mine, we ordered my eternity ring at the same time - it was too good an opportunity to pass up. I won't be wearing it, it will be in the hubs keeping until the right time!). Well, when I went in to try mine on, the future mister came down and they double checked his wasn't there. Turned out it was, but the girls had thought that it WASN'T because the supplier had sent the complete WRONG size - it was SO BIG that the staff had thought that someone had simply put a display ring in the bag to mark that one had been ordered (as they sometimes do that during stocktake and they had just completed stocktake). Oh my. There was no way this ring was fitting my poor guy's finger. And because he has ordered a Tungsten ring, they are not able to be resized, new rings have to be ordered when you want a new size. So the store had to contact the supply and tell them off for their mistake, alert them to the fact that our wedding was 3 weeks away at this point, and get them to send out a new ring. They apologised and I was told on the 12th that the ring was apparently shipped on that day (I dropped my e-ring in for cleaning and re-dipping on the 12th). So it should be arriving this week for us to pick up with my e-ring and my band. We purposely left my band in store to collect them all together. SO, the plan is to do all that tomorrow. *fingers crossed* Otherwise my poor man will be wearing a stand-in ring from the store on wedding day...

....SINCE today we are officially 10 days out! Oh my! Where did the last few weeks go? They certainly snuck up us! It's so exciting yet so surreal at the same time...I have one day left at work, then 3 glorious weeks off. 2 of which will be spent chilling with my new hubby. Can't wait!

a countdown check list!

As we are now officially under the month mark (yep, yesterday marked 1 month!) I'm beginning to freak out that I'm forgetting little things (or big things!) that may have just slipped my mind. I thought that this post (while possibly boring for others...I apologise if it is!) might lend itself not only to being a record of where we stand at one month out, but also as a step by step refresher to jump start my brain into remember anything it may have forgotten!

And so, I plan to break down the day in pieces, to work out what we have and haven't yet done!

ATTIRE

Bride's Dress - Ordered, fitted, waiting on final fitting and hopefully collection on the 14/09/2012
Bride's Shoes - 2 pairs! Still have to choose, but both are the same height so do not alter the dress
Bride's Undergarments - Cute underwear (a requirement in my mind!) have been purchased (very bride-y...white lace with sparky sliver ribbon...in case anyone wanted that much information...come on, we're all girlfriends here! haha), gorgeous white corset was purchased in case needed for the dress (it's not) and now will be kept for the wedding night and/or honeymoon, white satin nightgown purchased for wedding night AND today I got some cute little PJ's to wear the night before the wedding. I mean, we're having getting ready photos - I can't be wearing daggy PJ's! I also have a white satin "Bride" dressing gown that I'm probably a little *too* excited to get to wear! Oh and my BEAUTIFUL garter arrived earlier this week. I'm in love with it!
Bride's Veil - Still undecided. I need to choose between a new one and my Mum's veil and in order to do that, I need to take my Mum's into the store to try with the dress. Hopefully I can do this next week.
Bride's Hair - I purchased a gorgeous little inexpensive flower (despite finding any number of beautiful ones on etsy!) from a local store on my lunch break a few weeks ago!
Bride's Accessories - Clutch has been purchased (and will hopefully arrived in the next 2 weeks...cutting it fine!). Drop earrings were purchased some time ago and in my second earring hole I will be wearing the matching diamond studs to my engagement ring that the future hubby bought me. On my wrist I plan to wear my grandmother's gorgeous antique watch, one of my "Something Old" (it's sparkly...not a normal watch!). On my fingers will be only my engagement ring and my ring from my family from my 21st birthday, which has 1 diamond for each family member :)

Groom's Suit - Purchased, fitted and hanging in our bedroom! Includes his vest.
Groom's Accessories - Shoes are owned, will need to be shined (he didn't want new ones and risk getting uncomfortable ones he hates!). Belt has been purchased, cufflinks purchased, tie still to be purchased (this will be the bane of my existence, I swear!). I will purchase him some new socks! (and maybe some new hair paste!)
(How much easier is the boy's list?! Pffft!)

Bridesmaids Dresses - All purchased and were fitted, although we will have a "trying on" day in the next 2 weeks
Bridesmaids Shoes - All purchased, although one bridesmaid still needs to try hers on to confirm size, which will be given to her this weekend
Bridesmaids Accessories - Earrings were purchased by myself and are part of their gifts (although they are aware of this). Due to the style of their dress, bracelets aren't possible. Have been trying to look for a ring for each of the girls and will continue to do so, but due to teeny fingers, might not have luck. Possibly look for plastic ring inserts? Also, find out what type of clutch the girls would like.

Flower girl/Page Boy - Flower girl dresses arrived a few weeks ago, we have tried them on both girls and they fit perfectly. Need to get ribbons taken up and purchase shoes for the girls. Aiden's suit was ordered on Saturday and we are waiting for it to arrive, then we can have adjustments made. Also need to purchase shoes, shirt and tie.

Groomsmen Suits - Ordered, waiting on delivery. Then get all alterations made.
Groomsmen Accessories - All groomsmen except 1 have been in weddings in the last 6 months (and 3 of 4 in the SAME weddings) so all have black shoes and belts which they will use for our wedding. Cufflinks have been ordered and arrived. Ties were purchased and were collected by myself on Wednesday.

Confirm with all bridal party members who their partners are so they are aware for the day and are also aware what colour tie, etc. they will be having. Also provide each member with a rundown of the day. Create timeline for bridal party members.

GIFTS

Bridesmaids - I believe that I have everything ready for the bridesmaids gifts except for their little tags with their names/thank you note. If I have time, there is one more little thing I would like to create for our "getting ready" photos. Oh! And we need to get one part of the gifts engraved.
Groomsmen - I still need to make the names/thank you note tags for the groomsmen gifts also, and one gift was sent incorrectly so we are waiting for this to be resent (hopefully it arrives in time!). We still need to purchase 2 things for the groomsmen, and also need to get one part of their gifts engraved.
Flower girls/Page Boy - Gifts are purchased/ordered, however we are waiting for one thing for Aiden's gift to arrive.
Parents - We are in two minds over these because what we really would like to do we would actually do AFTER the wedding. We don't think our parents would mind. But we still might get something small for during.

CEREMONY

Programs - Basic design has been created. Final details need to be added, then programs need to be printed, and made. Small vintage-style suitcase has been purchased to display the programs and "Program" bunting sign has been made for the suitcase.
Tossing lavender - All bags have been purchased. One more bag of lavender needs to be purchased, however the store was out when I went in the other day. Tags need to be created for the bags. Small hatbox-style box has been purchased to display the bags. Sign to be created for the box.
Handkerchiefs - All created, with tags attached. Medium sized hatbox-style box purchased to display handkerchiefs. Sign to be created for box.
Display table - Table has been purchased. Linen tablecloth for table to be purchased. Misc. items for table have been purchased. Practice set-up and a picture needs to be taken for reference on wedding day.
Music - Music for signing of certificate, exiting Chapel needs to be selected. Playlist/CD (for prior to ceremony) needs to be created. Bridal entrance has been selected. Friend needs to be asked if willing to run the music for us during the ceremony.
Readings - Have been selected (as of today!). Need to confirm with SILs that they are still willing to read and share the reading with them. Need to forward selections to our Minister.
Vows - Need to make final decisions and forward to Minister. Need to confirm if we need to provide ribbon for the ceremony.
Decor - Provided by the Sebel! (Phew!)
Flower girl/Page Boy - Page boy ring pillow alternative purchased and arrived a long time ago - no issues. Flower girl posey alternative's are half-done. Still need to buy 2 small butterflies and hot glue onto heart.

RECEPTION

Seating:
- Need to finalise approx. 7 RSVPs. When this is done and seating chart is confirmed, write up seating chart lists and then create and decorate seating chart for display.
- Create placecards and bag appropriately for Sebel staff.
Decor:
- Favour bags have been created, will be creating actual favours on the 05/09/12 with Laina, then adding them to bags. Will also be creating candles for display around the room on this day.
- 3 more family photos to print and frame (2 more frames to purchase).
- Create signs for Guest Book area and Polaroid area.
- Create "Cards" bunting sign
- Attend meeting with florist for centrepiece trial to determine whether more flower are required
- Spray paint chandelier and add jewels when it arrives
- Determine whether we want any other decoration in the dance floor area
- Decide on music for: reception entrances, cake cutting, first dance, bouquet toss, garter toss and goodbye circle
- Email music choices and generic music options through to our DJ/MC
- Determine information required by MC and email through
- Email seating chart information through to the Sebel

FINAL PAYMENTS

To be made to:

- Cake Company
- Minister
- Photographer
- Hairdresser
- The Sebel

....Okay. It's long. But not as long or painful as I thought it would be. I'm still fearful there's things I'm forgetting but I feel like there's a good To Do list creatable from that rundown that I can now work from, and I feel like a lot of it is administrative things that we can hopefully knock over really soon! I would love to get as much done BEFORE that last week as possible. Is that too optimistic? Please tell me it isn't!

Anywho, thanks for sticking through that horrendously long and probably tedious for everyone but me post. To make up for it, I promise somewhat entertain Hen's Night pictures coming up, as well as a post on my Mum's awesome punch, coming up soon! :)

into double digits!

Today we are officially under the 100 day mark! 99 days until our wedding and we have been busy little wedding bees this week!

All our wedding invites are finally finished and stuffed into their pretty little addressed envelopes - all that is left to do is seal them with the gorgeous little wax seal I bought today and send them on their merry way. I visited the local post office today to check that they could be hand-cancelled (they can) and check the postage that needed to be on them, only to discover we don't actually have to put stamps on them if we don't want - we can do what is called a "cash bulk payment", pay for all the postage together and send them off without stamps. They will still be hand stamped by the post office to say they have been paid, but they don't require an actual stamp. It would save me trying to chase down pretty stamps, which would mean we could get our invites out quicker...It's food for thought!

We met with our wedding coordinator on Wednesday! It was a great meeting - I had a million questions about how things would be working, all of which she happily answered and I can now sleep a little easier knowing how things will run, who will be doing what and which things we can/can't do (pretty much everything we wanted to do, we can). We also got to sit down and have a first look at the colours for our seat ribbons and the linen squares for our tables...the choosing of these may be quite a process!! Luckily for us, there is a Bridal Expo at our venue in a couple of weeks, so we are going to head down and see things set up so we can get a better idea. Mum and I went last year but the future hubs hasn't really seen the room set up so will get a chance to have a better idea of what we're trying to visualize. A couple of the colours we are considering are highly likely to be used as well, so it will be good to see them in person!

We also got a chance to show our coordinator (the lovely Rebecca) some of the final inspiration pictures we'd chosen for our centrepieces. We were a little worried that the rustic vibe we were going for was going to be something the venue wasn't able to do, given that much of what they show in the Expos/packages lean towards more of a glass/floral look and these are what we had taken in to show her:

The one the future hubs originally voted for
...with some alterations on the flowers

[source]

The one I recently fell in love with...

[source]

The one we've decided together that we love!!!!!

[source]
Luckily for us, Rebecca said that she has about 3 florists that she works with and she thinks that she has one in mind that should be able to do something for us that will work! We're quite excited to see what we come up with now! Of course, the flowers within would reflect the style of my bouquet.

We also received a call from our DJ/MC company yesterday, who confirmed our details and stated they would be sending through all the paperwork for us to get started on. Looking forward to picking out all our music (which has already begun) and officially jotting it all down!

Other projects have been coming along as well...items for some bridesmaids gifts arrived this week for me to work on (sorry, those will be post-wedding posts!) and I purchased some items for the flowergirls bags (a post on these will be coming VERY soon!). Our table numbers will be officially finished in the next week or so and a post will be up on those very soon also. Everything finally feels like it is starting to come together! The future hubs and Best Man are heading out to look at suits again tomorrow while Mum and I hit up Winter Magic (remember WM from last year?) Oh, and MoH Annie and I also hit up the shops on Sunday to start looking for Bridesmaid shoes and also did some wedding night lingerie shopping - that was loads of fun and probably deserves a post to itself!!!

But remember those little triplets we were all waiting on? Well they came into the world last Friday! Groomsmen Mark and proud Mum Kylie welcomed little Evelyn, Connor and April into their family on the 15/06/2012 and the fiance and I went to the hospital to visit them last Sunday. They are teeny and just precious. I can't believe these little people will be at our wedding! Making the two of us all clucky they are...aren't they just precious?

Three sleeping angels...so tiny and precious!

So - this weekend is almost a weekend off from hardcore wedding planning for me. I plan to keep my eye out at Winter Magic for any awesome decor items and I might get a chance to get started on the wax seals on Sunday. But hopefully with the invites almost on their merry way to our guests (I will be sad to see them go!) I'll be posting a little more regularly around here soon. Until then - I hope all is well and I am still reading everyone else's blogs and enjoying them thoroughly! (Particularly all those wedding recaps that are out and about for the newlyweds! Congratulations to all you new Mrs!!! xxxx)

6 months to go!

Oh boy! We reached our 6 month mark today... Time is really starting to fly now... In just a couple of months I can see things REALLY starting to pick up - soon all the meetings about all the finer details will begin!!

More importantly... In just 6 months time (wow, the last year and a bit has FLOWN!), I will start a marriage with a wonderful man by my side... I can't wait!

9 month countdown...

I hope everyone has had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays! I've been absent from BlogLand thanks to the holidays but it has been the best - while I work my normal hours through the holiday breaks, I was lucky enough that Christmas Eve and Christmas BOTH fell on the weekend this year, so I got to enjoy both days with family (and still reap the benefits of the public holidays the 3 days after - saving up that leave for our honeymoon!)

In WeddingWorld news, we have hit the 9 month mark today! As my MoH so elegantly put it last night, we will be giving birth to a wedding in 9 months time! Eep! That seems so short! It seems like only yesterday we still had 18 long months ahead of us...

...better get a move on!

in one year...

On this day in one year's time, I will be getting ready with my girls...

On this day in one year's time, I will be getting last minute touch ups and trying not to cry...

On this day in one year's time, I will watch as each of my bridesmaids leave me...

On this day in one year's time, I'll take my first steps down the aisle...

On this day in one year's time, I'll meet the man I've chosen to spend my life with at the front of our Chapel, in front of our family and friends...

We'll smile. We might cry. We'll exchange our vows and promise to love and support each other, always.

On this day in one year's time, we'll start our lives as man and wife...