For anyone still checking the blog, I have finally been able to see some of our professional pictures. Our photographer posted a few for a sneak peak before the disc goes in the mail to us. You can check them out at
http://lifeinpicturephoto.blogspot.com/
As soon as I get the disc with all of the pictures I will get them uploaded at the shutterfly account as soon as I can. Still working on the honeymoon pictures...
http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterfly.com/
Monday, November 16, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Life back to normal…
Life is finally getting back to normal. We have all of our thank yous out, a few gifts exchanged and the “wedding room” in the basement is in some kind of organized. I have had a chance to go through the left over decorations, throw what we don’t want and organize the crap we want to keep for whatever reason.
Getting back to work was a struggle for both of us. The honeymoon was awesome and after having 2 weeks away from work, it was really hard to get back into the swing of it. I am still working at Wal-Mart part-time a couple nights a week and Randy is still traveling for Dak. Not as big of a deal now to have some extra things to do with the wedding all over with :(
I just want to thank everyone again for coming and celebrating with us. I finally have the pictures that the DJ took at the wedding posted at Shutterfly. Follow the link and check them out. There are some pretty good ones! I just cannot say enough how amazing the day was for both of us. From the beginning of the day to the end, it was just incredible and so so soooooo much fun! I would love to relive the day, just to completely enjoy it once again.
For anyone that is getting married in the future…I do have a little advice for you. Take it or leave it, this is just from my experience…
1. Be organized. I tried to have everything figured out to a T exactly how I wanted things for the reception decoration, church, and all the little details on the day of. When the big day finally came, there were very few questions of how something was suppose to go because I had it all figured out. There were no surprises that this or that was missing or a quick decision had to be made.
2. If you decided to try something new…make sure everyone knows their part. The reason we decided to do something different for our dollar dance is because it seems like it always takes forever and one line is always longer than the other. So we decided to try something that we saw at a wedding and it was a huge success. The wedding party went around and sold tickets for a chance to win a dance with the bride and groom. Like a 50/50 raffle at a basketball game. Once all the tickets were collected, we pick 5 or 6 those folks “win” and get to dance with us. Total flop. We didn’t really tell our wedding party that we needed them to sell tickets. Rip them apart, keep one, and give one to the guest. Our wedding party was either feeling, very very good, and wanted to dance or didn’t have a clue what we were asking them to do. It was a total flop and I wish that we would have just don’t the traditional dollar dance and limited the songs.
3. Let people help you. I was organized and prepared to do everything myself if needed. On the day of the wedding, let everyone help you…they want to. Everyone wants you to enjoy your day and not to have a care in the world. If you need something or want something…tell someone, and it will get done. I had forgotten my camera battery in the hotel the morning of the wedding. I couldn’t go get it, nor did I ask anyone too. I then didn’t have my camera until ¾ of the way through the dance. I know I have everyone else’s pictures, but I should have just asked someone to get it. People kept asking me all night if I needed anything!
4. Stay sober. I drank very little at my wedding dance. I had a few drinks on the party bus and a little Champagne, but I felt great the next morning. The day goes by so quickly and it is so hard to remember what happened that if I would have had more to drink, I wouldn’t have remembered anything and would have been really upset with myself. So much time goes into planning, I wanted to see how it all played out. Heck after the dance I was sober, and drove a car full of people to Perkins after the dance!
5. Dance, dance, dance. If you want a fun dance, the wedding party has to be on the dance floor. I gave my wedding party a little pep talk before we headed into the reception. I reminded them that they were the wedding party and they were setting the tone for the night. I refused to have a lame-o dance that everyone sat and didn’t boogie…so I made it pretty clear to people to have fun! Our wedding party came through with flying colors and it was a great party! Also, you have to remember that everyone knows where the bride and groom are all night and they are watching you to see if you are having fun. If you are dancing and having a good time, the rest of your guests will follow. If you hang out in the back of the reception hall and choose not to dance, don’t be surprised if your dance is a little bit of a flop.
6. Fake eyelashes are a must. I cried more and had probably one of the most emotional days of my life, but my make-up looked great! No mascara to run and the pictures looked good too. I didn’t have anything fancy, just some Maybelline ones that I picked up at Wal-Mart. Buy 2 sets and practice putting them on first, before the day of the wedding. The glue that came with mine wasn’t the best so I bought some separate glue that ended up lasting throughout the night.
7. Plan some time to talk to your guest. We thought we had this covered. Our plan for the night was to arrive at the reception at 6:00, eat at 6:15. Cut the cake, watch the slide show, give our speeches and have everything done by 7:30 to have 1 hour to mingle with everyone and the dance would start at 8:30. I should have had the cake cut before everyone ate so people could go though the line and grab their cake, not have to get back up again after they were done eating. We should have ran the slideshow while people were eating, because once people got up to get their cake, no one wanted to sit back down. And our speeches should have been given while people were sitting down as well. The small bit of chaos that went down, and not having things timed out as well as I would have liked, gave us no time to go around and individually talk to most of our guests. The danced was ready to start, and we needed to be on the dance floor. Once we were out there, there was no getting us off. The music was good and everyone was having fun. I wish we would have had that hour to mingle with our guest. Sorry everyone! That is one day that you for sure need to be in 2 places at once!
8. Write a speech. Don’t leave it up to chance. I was very happy with the way everything turned out, but I would not have been in any shape to think of something off the top of my head at that very moment. There were so many people to thank and to acknowledge and I wanted everyone to know how much it meant to us that they came. I also thought I would be very nervous to stand up and talk to everyone, but wasn’t at all. I was very at ease and knew that I was talking to friends and family that were their to support us. Just be prepared, start early, tweak it, add to it, and have it printed off and ready on the day of.
9. Take lots and lots of pictures. Between the pictures uploaded to Shutterfly from our guests, the pictures I took, and the pictures our DJ took, it has been so much fun looking through them all to see everyone and everything we may have missed. After the day is all over, you do just have the pictures to remember the day. Make sure they are good and you have lots of them!
10. Hire a videoagrapher. I went back and fourth on this one I don’t know how many times. Do I spend the money? Will it be worth it? I ended up running into an old college buddy of mine this past spring at a wedding. We got to talking and I found out that he started his own business…videoing weddings. I got his card and thought, and thought, and thought about it. Finally about 2 months before the wedding, I booked him. I just cannot tell you how much of a blur the day really is. The ceremony…don’t remember much after starting to walk down the aisle, the speeches, I really don’t remember much of what was said, and all the other little things that we missed, we have now. Also, you have no idea what is going to happen. If someone would have tried to tell me that my grandma would be rushed to the emergency room the night before the wedding I would have said your crazy…but it happened and she missed the wedding. I am soooooo happy that I decided to hire the videoagrapher because now she has the ceremony, reception line, the speeches and our first dance and cake cutting to see. Book someone!
I am still waiting on our professional wedding pictures, but will get them uploaded to Shutterfly when they arrive. After our big hobo day weekend (SDSU homecoming) I am hoping to get the honeymoon pictures on their too. We got our computer back last night so within the week I should have the Mexico pictures up. Keep checking back!! Also, I have still had some people not able to get the Shutterfly link to work. If you can’t get in my clicking on the link, try typing in the address. I’m not sure what the deal is with it! The link again is http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterfly.com/
Getting back to work was a struggle for both of us. The honeymoon was awesome and after having 2 weeks away from work, it was really hard to get back into the swing of it. I am still working at Wal-Mart part-time a couple nights a week and Randy is still traveling for Dak. Not as big of a deal now to have some extra things to do with the wedding all over with :(
I just want to thank everyone again for coming and celebrating with us. I finally have the pictures that the DJ took at the wedding posted at Shutterfly. Follow the link and check them out. There are some pretty good ones! I just cannot say enough how amazing the day was for both of us. From the beginning of the day to the end, it was just incredible and so so soooooo much fun! I would love to relive the day, just to completely enjoy it once again.
For anyone that is getting married in the future…I do have a little advice for you. Take it or leave it, this is just from my experience…
1. Be organized. I tried to have everything figured out to a T exactly how I wanted things for the reception decoration, church, and all the little details on the day of. When the big day finally came, there were very few questions of how something was suppose to go because I had it all figured out. There were no surprises that this or that was missing or a quick decision had to be made.
2. If you decided to try something new…make sure everyone knows their part. The reason we decided to do something different for our dollar dance is because it seems like it always takes forever and one line is always longer than the other. So we decided to try something that we saw at a wedding and it was a huge success. The wedding party went around and sold tickets for a chance to win a dance with the bride and groom. Like a 50/50 raffle at a basketball game. Once all the tickets were collected, we pick 5 or 6 those folks “win” and get to dance with us. Total flop. We didn’t really tell our wedding party that we needed them to sell tickets. Rip them apart, keep one, and give one to the guest. Our wedding party was either feeling, very very good, and wanted to dance or didn’t have a clue what we were asking them to do. It was a total flop and I wish that we would have just don’t the traditional dollar dance and limited the songs.
3. Let people help you. I was organized and prepared to do everything myself if needed. On the day of the wedding, let everyone help you…they want to. Everyone wants you to enjoy your day and not to have a care in the world. If you need something or want something…tell someone, and it will get done. I had forgotten my camera battery in the hotel the morning of the wedding. I couldn’t go get it, nor did I ask anyone too. I then didn’t have my camera until ¾ of the way through the dance. I know I have everyone else’s pictures, but I should have just asked someone to get it. People kept asking me all night if I needed anything!
4. Stay sober. I drank very little at my wedding dance. I had a few drinks on the party bus and a little Champagne, but I felt great the next morning. The day goes by so quickly and it is so hard to remember what happened that if I would have had more to drink, I wouldn’t have remembered anything and would have been really upset with myself. So much time goes into planning, I wanted to see how it all played out. Heck after the dance I was sober, and drove a car full of people to Perkins after the dance!
5. Dance, dance, dance. If you want a fun dance, the wedding party has to be on the dance floor. I gave my wedding party a little pep talk before we headed into the reception. I reminded them that they were the wedding party and they were setting the tone for the night. I refused to have a lame-o dance that everyone sat and didn’t boogie…so I made it pretty clear to people to have fun! Our wedding party came through with flying colors and it was a great party! Also, you have to remember that everyone knows where the bride and groom are all night and they are watching you to see if you are having fun. If you are dancing and having a good time, the rest of your guests will follow. If you hang out in the back of the reception hall and choose not to dance, don’t be surprised if your dance is a little bit of a flop.
6. Fake eyelashes are a must. I cried more and had probably one of the most emotional days of my life, but my make-up looked great! No mascara to run and the pictures looked good too. I didn’t have anything fancy, just some Maybelline ones that I picked up at Wal-Mart. Buy 2 sets and practice putting them on first, before the day of the wedding. The glue that came with mine wasn’t the best so I bought some separate glue that ended up lasting throughout the night.
7. Plan some time to talk to your guest. We thought we had this covered. Our plan for the night was to arrive at the reception at 6:00, eat at 6:15. Cut the cake, watch the slide show, give our speeches and have everything done by 7:30 to have 1 hour to mingle with everyone and the dance would start at 8:30. I should have had the cake cut before everyone ate so people could go though the line and grab their cake, not have to get back up again after they were done eating. We should have ran the slideshow while people were eating, because once people got up to get their cake, no one wanted to sit back down. And our speeches should have been given while people were sitting down as well. The small bit of chaos that went down, and not having things timed out as well as I would have liked, gave us no time to go around and individually talk to most of our guests. The danced was ready to start, and we needed to be on the dance floor. Once we were out there, there was no getting us off. The music was good and everyone was having fun. I wish we would have had that hour to mingle with our guest. Sorry everyone! That is one day that you for sure need to be in 2 places at once!
8. Write a speech. Don’t leave it up to chance. I was very happy with the way everything turned out, but I would not have been in any shape to think of something off the top of my head at that very moment. There were so many people to thank and to acknowledge and I wanted everyone to know how much it meant to us that they came. I also thought I would be very nervous to stand up and talk to everyone, but wasn’t at all. I was very at ease and knew that I was talking to friends and family that were their to support us. Just be prepared, start early, tweak it, add to it, and have it printed off and ready on the day of.
9. Take lots and lots of pictures. Between the pictures uploaded to Shutterfly from our guests, the pictures I took, and the pictures our DJ took, it has been so much fun looking through them all to see everyone and everything we may have missed. After the day is all over, you do just have the pictures to remember the day. Make sure they are good and you have lots of them!
10. Hire a videoagrapher. I went back and fourth on this one I don’t know how many times. Do I spend the money? Will it be worth it? I ended up running into an old college buddy of mine this past spring at a wedding. We got to talking and I found out that he started his own business…videoing weddings. I got his card and thought, and thought, and thought about it. Finally about 2 months before the wedding, I booked him. I just cannot tell you how much of a blur the day really is. The ceremony…don’t remember much after starting to walk down the aisle, the speeches, I really don’t remember much of what was said, and all the other little things that we missed, we have now. Also, you have no idea what is going to happen. If someone would have tried to tell me that my grandma would be rushed to the emergency room the night before the wedding I would have said your crazy…but it happened and she missed the wedding. I am soooooo happy that I decided to hire the videoagrapher because now she has the ceremony, reception line, the speeches and our first dance and cake cutting to see. Book someone!
I am still waiting on our professional wedding pictures, but will get them uploaded to Shutterfly when they arrive. After our big hobo day weekend (SDSU homecoming) I am hoping to get the honeymoon pictures on their too. We got our computer back last night so within the week I should have the Mexico pictures up. Keep checking back!! Also, I have still had some people not able to get the Shutterfly link to work. If you can’t get in my clicking on the link, try typing in the address. I’m not sure what the deal is with it! The link again is http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterfly.com/
Monday, October 5, 2009
Shutterfly
Ok...I had a typo with the Shutterfly username for everyone. We tried to take some of the work out of uploading and created a generic username and password. I typed it wrong in my last post.
The user name is schilling@hotmail.com, password is august29.
http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterfly.com/
The user name is schilling@hotmail.com, password is august29.
http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterfly.com/
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
We're back
For those of you still checking the blog, we are back from the honeymoon. Well, we have been back for awhile I guess. Our 10 days in paradise came to an end 9-10-09 when we arrive back in Minneapolis to a cold wet airport. We made it to our car and headed home.
Friday was back to reality at work and Sunday Randy and I opened gifts. The past week or so we have been going thru wedding stuff that needs to be returned to Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart and where ever else. We got our thank you cards ordered and are working to get those out to everyone soon.
But the HONEYMOON…
It was AWESOME! We left early, early Monday morning out of Minneapolis. We used Randy’s frequent flyer miles so were a little limited on where we could fly in and out of and when and what days we could actually fly. But early Monday morning put us in Cancun around 2:30 and we were to the hotel and in our suits by the pool by 4:00. The weather was hot and humid. Something we have been missing all summer at home! We stayed at an all inclusive resort so all of our food and drinks, alcoholic or non-alcoholic included. When in Rome…so we started in with the rest of the drunk idiots at the pool.
Not only did the resort have 7 different restaurants to pick from, but you could pick off of a room service menu 24 hours a day…all included. We hit that up more that we probably should have and decided by the end of the trip and we really shouldn’t have been eating for 4 at each meal! But the food was amazing…everywhere we went. Not only was it good, but it was all about presentation. Everything came out on a fancy plate decorated with swirls and stick things coming out the top of whatever you were eating. One place we ended up going to twice, had the best steak ever…in Mexico. Weird!
We laid by the pool most every day. Did some snorkeling, kayaking, and walking on the beach. We were also pretty close to 6th Ave, which was a huge market for anything and everything you either may have forgotten or wanted to buy while in Mexico. So we did some shopping and came back with t-shirts, picture fames, and the normal tourist crap!
One night we went to a fire show at the Blue Parrot. The fire show was at a hotel down the beach and the stage and performance was right on the beach. It was really good. The show didn’t start until about midnight, to make sure enough people had paid to get in, and the darker it gets, obviously the better the show looks. So they got started swirling fire around on everything imaginable and the more they performed, the bigger the crowd got. People walking along the beach would stop and watch and pretty soon, there wasn’t even a good place to stand to see the show.
Another evening we headed to a place called Coco Bongo. This place was a dance club disco, but had a large stage about 40’ in the air that performers lip synced to popular songs including Elvis, Queen, and of course Michael Jackson. There were backup dancers and a large video board behind the dancers playing a music video or concert clips that everyone danced and sang to. It the middle of it all were 2 sunk down bars – oh ya all you could drink after you paid the $50 cover – with people dancing on it and around it. The place was crazy. Not like your usual club where there are places to sit and then a designated dance floor. People just danced around in their spots and danced to whatever was being performed on stage. There was only 1 song that I had never heard and that was after the Michael Jackson performance, so we figured that was when the tourists should leave…and it was 3 am.
We met a bunch of different people from Canada, New York, Miami and England. People from everywhere seem to vacation in Mexico. It was interesting to talk to people that had been here before, others that were also on their honeymoon, and still others that found this place on trip advisor and were just on vacation.
All in all it was wonderful and we were not ready to come back to reality. Now that we are back in the swing of things, I plan to get some pictures uploaded online at http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterly.com/ and get something written up about the wedding day and posted on the blog. Also don’t forget to upload any pictures you may have taken at the wedding. Follow the link and either enter your Shutterfly login, create one, or use the one we set up. Login: schilling@hotmail.com, and the password is august29. My photographer is out, actually getting married herself this weekend, but she hopes to have photos uploaded soon. You can check her blog at http://lifeinpicturephoto.blogspot.com/ to get the first look at some wedding pictures!
Friday was back to reality at work and Sunday Randy and I opened gifts. The past week or so we have been going thru wedding stuff that needs to be returned to Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart and where ever else. We got our thank you cards ordered and are working to get those out to everyone soon.
But the HONEYMOON…
It was AWESOME! We left early, early Monday morning out of Minneapolis. We used Randy’s frequent flyer miles so were a little limited on where we could fly in and out of and when and what days we could actually fly. But early Monday morning put us in Cancun around 2:30 and we were to the hotel and in our suits by the pool by 4:00. The weather was hot and humid. Something we have been missing all summer at home! We stayed at an all inclusive resort so all of our food and drinks, alcoholic or non-alcoholic included. When in Rome…so we started in with the rest of the drunk idiots at the pool.
Not only did the resort have 7 different restaurants to pick from, but you could pick off of a room service menu 24 hours a day…all included. We hit that up more that we probably should have and decided by the end of the trip and we really shouldn’t have been eating for 4 at each meal! But the food was amazing…everywhere we went. Not only was it good, but it was all about presentation. Everything came out on a fancy plate decorated with swirls and stick things coming out the top of whatever you were eating. One place we ended up going to twice, had the best steak ever…in Mexico. Weird!
We laid by the pool most every day. Did some snorkeling, kayaking, and walking on the beach. We were also pretty close to 6th Ave, which was a huge market for anything and everything you either may have forgotten or wanted to buy while in Mexico. So we did some shopping and came back with t-shirts, picture fames, and the normal tourist crap!
One night we went to a fire show at the Blue Parrot. The fire show was at a hotel down the beach and the stage and performance was right on the beach. It was really good. The show didn’t start until about midnight, to make sure enough people had paid to get in, and the darker it gets, obviously the better the show looks. So they got started swirling fire around on everything imaginable and the more they performed, the bigger the crowd got. People walking along the beach would stop and watch and pretty soon, there wasn’t even a good place to stand to see the show.
Another evening we headed to a place called Coco Bongo. This place was a dance club disco, but had a large stage about 40’ in the air that performers lip synced to popular songs including Elvis, Queen, and of course Michael Jackson. There were backup dancers and a large video board behind the dancers playing a music video or concert clips that everyone danced and sang to. It the middle of it all were 2 sunk down bars – oh ya all you could drink after you paid the $50 cover – with people dancing on it and around it. The place was crazy. Not like your usual club where there are places to sit and then a designated dance floor. People just danced around in their spots and danced to whatever was being performed on stage. There was only 1 song that I had never heard and that was after the Michael Jackson performance, so we figured that was when the tourists should leave…and it was 3 am.
We met a bunch of different people from Canada, New York, Miami and England. People from everywhere seem to vacation in Mexico. It was interesting to talk to people that had been here before, others that were also on their honeymoon, and still others that found this place on trip advisor and were just on vacation.
All in all it was wonderful and we were not ready to come back to reality. Now that we are back in the swing of things, I plan to get some pictures uploaded online at http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterly.com/ and get something written up about the wedding day and posted on the blog. Also don’t forget to upload any pictures you may have taken at the wedding. Follow the link and either enter your Shutterfly login, create one, or use the one we set up. Login: schilling@hotmail.com, and the password is august29. My photographer is out, actually getting married herself this weekend, but she hopes to have photos uploaded soon. You can check her blog at http://lifeinpicturephoto.blogspot.com/ to get the first look at some wedding pictures!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Missing Veil
Please everyone think long and hard and check your trunks, my veil is no where to be found!
If anyone remembers seeing someone grab it off the head table or knows where it is, please leave me a comment or sent me an email at marydecker1@hotmail.com
I left it on the head table during the dance and when I went to grab it at the end of the dance all of the table cloths and skirting was pulled off and my veil was gone. I just assumed that someone had grabbed it and figured I would worry about it later. Well, I should have worried about it that night, because we can't find it anywhere.
Thanks everybody!!!
If anyone remembers seeing someone grab it off the head table or knows where it is, please leave me a comment or sent me an email at marydecker1@hotmail.com
I left it on the head table during the dance and when I went to grab it at the end of the dance all of the table cloths and skirting was pulled off and my veil was gone. I just assumed that someone had grabbed it and figured I would worry about it later. Well, I should have worried about it that night, because we can't find it anywhere.
Thanks everybody!!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Ready to ROCK!!
Reception hall is decorated, everyone is paid...we are ready to go people!
The weather looks great for tomorrow. Not too hot, not too cold. Who would have guess that for August. We meet at the church tonight at 6 for the rehearsal and then dinner to follow at our place.
We start early tomorrow with hair, makeup and pictures. Everything is going to go great and we cant wait to see you all tomorrow!!
Oh my...tomorrow!!!!
The weather looks great for tomorrow. Not too hot, not too cold. Who would have guess that for August. We meet at the church tonight at 6 for the rehearsal and then dinner to follow at our place.
We start early tomorrow with hair, makeup and pictures. Everything is going to go great and we cant wait to see you all tomorrow!!
Oh my...tomorrow!!!!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
7 DAYS!
I cannot believe our wedding is 7 days away. At this time next week we are going to be involved in getting dressed and ready for pictures...our wedding pictures!
All the hard work over the last has paid off. I am ready. I finished up the slide show for the reception this last week, paid the DJ, our wedding party gifts are in the mail. We do have a few things to finish up, but nothing major. Last night we picked up the beer for the rehearsal dinner and party bus...I think the people at the liquor store thought we were total alcoholics. We have a few other things to get for rehearsal, work on our speeches, and get the itinerary out to the wedding party.
Now that the big day is almost hear, and everything is pretty much done, our excitement is growing! We have 2 weddings to go to today which we have been waiting for, that seemed like forever away. I have been wanting to have all of our stuff done so we can enjoy the day with our friends. One, is a friend of mine from work at 3 and then back to Brookings for Brett & Meghan's at 5:00. Brett works with Randy and we have all shared in the wedding planning fun for the past year. Their reception is at the Days Inn and they have the same photographer as we do. They are going to have a beautiful day...I can only hope for a day like this next week! Holy crap...next week! Saturday looks like about 70 and cloudy. We can work with that!
Better get to it. Thanks everyone for checking in and we will see you all in 1 week!
All the hard work over the last has paid off. I am ready. I finished up the slide show for the reception this last week, paid the DJ, our wedding party gifts are in the mail. We do have a few things to finish up, but nothing major. Last night we picked up the beer for the rehearsal dinner and party bus...I think the people at the liquor store thought we were total alcoholics. We have a few other things to get for rehearsal, work on our speeches, and get the itinerary out to the wedding party.
Now that the big day is almost hear, and everything is pretty much done, our excitement is growing! We have 2 weddings to go to today which we have been waiting for, that seemed like forever away. I have been wanting to have all of our stuff done so we can enjoy the day with our friends. One, is a friend of mine from work at 3 and then back to Brookings for Brett & Meghan's at 5:00. Brett works with Randy and we have all shared in the wedding planning fun for the past year. Their reception is at the Days Inn and they have the same photographer as we do. They are going to have a beautiful day...I can only hope for a day like this next week! Holy crap...next week! Saturday looks like about 70 and cloudy. We can work with that!
Better get to it. Thanks everyone for checking in and we will see you all in 1 week!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Updates...
We are 17 days away people! Last night I officially freaked out. Not sure if it was the fact that the laptop computer fan went out and it going to have to be sent in to be fixed and my slide show isn’t really started or if I figured out that if I don’t order my programs by the end of this week I will be assembling them the week of the wedding or that I can go get my marriage license because we are 17 days away.
Holy crap! I still have some stuff to work on. I got to work this morning and emailed the last few people that I am waiting on to make stuff for me. We are waiting on wedding party gifts, parents gifts and the unity candle. I ordered everything with the thought that we had so much time for it all to arrive. We still do, but I just want the crap here now!
I also have a lead on the usage of a computer for the next couple weeks. My brother got back from Texas yesterday and is heading to Vegas for 4 days. He doesn’t need his computer. Best of all he has movie maker software on his computer and said you can put a slide show together in no time. Ok, that’s good news.
Last week I sent final payment to the photographer, still have to get her the final timeline for the day of and what pictures we want with who. Today I am sending final payment to the party bus guy along with a map of Brookings and place we want to hit up in between the church and reception. We need to get a hold of the DJ and get the first dance and wedding party entrance details figured out. He is probably going to want some money too!
Tomorrow I have my practice updo and a few of the groomsman and dads are coming to Brookings to get fitted for suits. Should be a busy rest of the week!
I apologize for not having more pictures on the blog or updated from the bachelorette party and shower that I had last week, but between everything else that is going on…I think you all understand! And with computer issues...we probably shouldn't be using it as much as we have!
Holy crap! I still have some stuff to work on. I got to work this morning and emailed the last few people that I am waiting on to make stuff for me. We are waiting on wedding party gifts, parents gifts and the unity candle. I ordered everything with the thought that we had so much time for it all to arrive. We still do, but I just want the crap here now!
I also have a lead on the usage of a computer for the next couple weeks. My brother got back from Texas yesterday and is heading to Vegas for 4 days. He doesn’t need his computer. Best of all he has movie maker software on his computer and said you can put a slide show together in no time. Ok, that’s good news.
Last week I sent final payment to the photographer, still have to get her the final timeline for the day of and what pictures we want with who. Today I am sending final payment to the party bus guy along with a map of Brookings and place we want to hit up in between the church and reception. We need to get a hold of the DJ and get the first dance and wedding party entrance details figured out. He is probably going to want some money too!
Tomorrow I have my practice updo and a few of the groomsman and dads are coming to Brookings to get fitted for suits. Should be a busy rest of the week!
I apologize for not having more pictures on the blog or updated from the bachelorette party and shower that I had last week, but between everything else that is going on…I think you all understand! And with computer issues...we probably shouldn't be using it as much as we have!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Saturday's Shower
I had my last big event before the wedding on Saturday. Two of my bridesmaids thru me a wonderful shower in Brookings. I had college friends show up, Randy’s sisters all came, and a bunch of co-workers were also able to make it.
We grilled out back, ate way to much, and I got to open another slew of gifts. I received wonderful things yet again and we still have not doubled up on anything. I have all of this nice new kitchen and bathroom stuff and cant wait to put it all to use!
After we ate and opened presents we kicked back and had a few drinks. Some people left, others stuck around and we headed downtown Brookings around 10:30. We had a lot of fun. We hit up Cubby’s, Ray’s Corner, and the 9. Drank way too much and wasn’t feeling the absolute best Sunday morning.
We lived thru it and now back to wedding planning. I finished up all of my thank yous last night and put those in the mail. I figure that everyone was nice enough to pick me out a wonderful gift and come to my shower…they deserve a thank you as soon a possible.
More to come people…18 days to go!
We grilled out back, ate way to much, and I got to open another slew of gifts. I received wonderful things yet again and we still have not doubled up on anything. I have all of this nice new kitchen and bathroom stuff and cant wait to put it all to use!
After we ate and opened presents we kicked back and had a few drinks. Some people left, others stuck around and we headed downtown Brookings around 10:30. We had a lot of fun. We hit up Cubby’s, Ray’s Corner, and the 9. Drank way too much and wasn’t feeling the absolute best Sunday morning.
We lived thru it and now back to wedding planning. I finished up all of my thank yous last night and put those in the mail. I figure that everyone was nice enough to pick me out a wonderful gift and come to my shower…they deserve a thank you as soon a possible.
More to come people…18 days to go!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Another busy weekend…
August 1st came and went and I may have freaked out a little bit. I as looking at my list of things that needed to get done and just didn’t think that there was any way we were going to be ready. Between a few kind word from my mom and bridesmaids, I figured it was better to freak out now and get stuff done, than freak out later and be totally out of time.
So this weekend, I made myself a list of all the things that I wanted to get done:Work out the details of the rehearsal dinner. Make up a guest list, finalize the programs and get them ordered. I also wanted to finish up the seating arrangement for family and the wedding party and finish getting the name cards made up. Update my flowers for Hy-Vee, work on center pieces..which turned out awesome! Put the wedding party gifts together and work on the program.
I pretty much got everything done that I wanted to. Betty found a dress and it is ordered. We finally figured out who will be walking up with who and made some changes to the program. Randy and Josh worked on the garage finishing up door and window trim. We added hooks in the garage to have a place for all of the boating stuff to hang to dry out, tubes, life jackets, wakeboard, etc.
Mom came up and worked like a dog. She helped clean, vacuum, do laundry, clean bathrooms, dust, sweep, dishes, everything I have completely neglected for the past couple weeks. It was wonderful to have someone there doing something all day and I was sitting at my kitchen table working on wedding stuff. An extra person there to help, made so much of a difference this weekend.
Even though we did get a lot done, we still have a list to work on…
Monday – Randy heads to Salt Lake City for work. I need to drop off a check at the Days Inn and work out the details of our flowers with Hy-Vee – over my lunch break. Return the samples from the party depot that we used this weekend to figure out our centerpieces and I have a haircut appointment at 5:30.
Tuesday – Randy still gone. I have to work the weight watchers meeting over lunch and meet with the church at 6 to get program approval and finalize music selections.
Wednesday – Randy home and I have nothing planned. Free Day!!
Thursday – Chiropractor appointment over lunch and meet with the church and Steve – my soloists – in the evening.
Friday – Is it Friday already? Another week down and only 23 days until the wedding.
Saturday – My shower in Brookings
Sunday – Recoup to start all over again
So this weekend, I made myself a list of all the things that I wanted to get done:Work out the details of the rehearsal dinner. Make up a guest list, finalize the programs and get them ordered. I also wanted to finish up the seating arrangement for family and the wedding party and finish getting the name cards made up. Update my flowers for Hy-Vee, work on center pieces..which turned out awesome! Put the wedding party gifts together and work on the program.
I pretty much got everything done that I wanted to. Betty found a dress and it is ordered. We finally figured out who will be walking up with who and made some changes to the program. Randy and Josh worked on the garage finishing up door and window trim. We added hooks in the garage to have a place for all of the boating stuff to hang to dry out, tubes, life jackets, wakeboard, etc.
Mom came up and worked like a dog. She helped clean, vacuum, do laundry, clean bathrooms, dust, sweep, dishes, everything I have completely neglected for the past couple weeks. It was wonderful to have someone there doing something all day and I was sitting at my kitchen table working on wedding stuff. An extra person there to help, made so much of a difference this weekend.
Even though we did get a lot done, we still have a list to work on…
Monday – Randy heads to Salt Lake City for work. I need to drop off a check at the Days Inn and work out the details of our flowers with Hy-Vee – over my lunch break. Return the samples from the party depot that we used this weekend to figure out our centerpieces and I have a haircut appointment at 5:30.
Tuesday – Randy still gone. I have to work the weight watchers meeting over lunch and meet with the church at 6 to get program approval and finalize music selections.
Wednesday – Randy home and I have nothing planned. Free Day!!
Thursday – Chiropractor appointment over lunch and meet with the church and Steve – my soloists – in the evening.
Friday – Is it Friday already? Another week down and only 23 days until the wedding.
Saturday – My shower in Brookings
Sunday – Recoup to start all over again
2nd Dress Fitting
Last week Tuesday I had my 2nd dress fitting. The bustle was done and my veil was in. We decided to have the veil shortened, a hook replaced on the back and a couple stitches added to the top part of the dress. My final dress fitting is scheduled for August 18th. That is crazy to think my final fitting is scheduled! I feel like I was just writing about my first dress fitting.
Kelly and Emily came down with me and had their dresses looked at for alterations. Shouldn’t take much on either of the dresses. Both of them are too big. Which is a plus. All of the bridesmaids dresses were too big on everyone! Easier to take in than let out.
Kelly and Emily came down with me and had their dresses looked at for alterations. Shouldn’t take much on either of the dresses. Both of them are too big. Which is a plus. All of the bridesmaids dresses were too big on everyone! Easier to take in than let out.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
My bachelorette party was awesome!!
I had the absolute best time over my bachelorette party weekend! It was one of those weekends that once it was over I was ready to relive it all over again!!
We all took off from our respective starting points around 1:00 on Friday. Road trips as they are, usually interesting. Between traffic and conversations that go on over a 5 hour drive, you are ready to get out of the car and have a drink when you arrive at your destination! Kelly and I left Brookings and had a pit stop in Mankato. I needed a couple things for my bridesmaid gifts and I had already bought out the Sioux Falls store. From there we headed north to Minneapolis to pick up Amy, my personal attendant. She had flown in earlier in the day and her mom had picked her up at the airport and they had spent the day together at the Mall of America.
We were on our way and only had about 20 miles to go. We all arrived in Hudson around 6:30 or so showered up, took the bachelorette party oath and headed out. We went out to eat and opened gifts. Not sure why, but I totally didn’t think too much about bachelorette party gifts, and what usually comes in them…lets just say it wasn’t fruit baskets! One of the most memorable gift was Willy…you will see him in the pictures!
We ate and took a recommendation from our waitress to hit up a little bar on the corner that sells all drinks, 2 for 1. EVERYTHING was 2 for 1. You ordered a $4 beer, you got 2. You ordered a red bull vodka for $7 you got 2. Shots, other mixed drinks, everything. We were all getting to feeling pretty good, played a few songs and started introducing Willy to the crowd. He was a dude magnet. More guys wanted to sign, touch, feel, and play with that thing than I would have ever imagined! We headed to bar #2…Ellie’s. This was more of a dance type bar so we kept drinking and started dancing…and dancing…and dancing. Willy was an exceptional dancer and made his way around the crowd making friends all over. The night ended around 2, and back to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow!
We woke up around 9 or so ready to go for the day. But as we looked outside expecting to see hot sunny weather for our day on the river, we were very disappointed to find clouds, rain showers, and very little sun. Temp was holding steady at 65. Ohh going to be a hot one! We ran around and did a couple things. Picked up beer, a few things at Wal-Mart and some pizza. No one was in too big of hurry to get to the river too soon. But once was all ate and got changed, we decided that we didn’t drive 5 hours to sit in a hotel room and we were floating down that river…RAIN OR SHINE!
We did it. The river was…refreshing. But the more we drank, it seemed like the water got warmer. Perfect. About ½ way down there was a large sandbar that we stopped and met some people. I took my first beer bong and we picked up 2 people who’s group had left them earlier. A little ways down another sandbar and yet another group of people parting…so we stopped. Here we met some really nice people yet again. I also received some good marriage advice from a gentleman that seemed to have the world figured out. Trust, communication, and honesty.
By the end of the river we had lost Bridget and Betty at one of the rapids, had ran out of beer, and we were all freezing cold! We got done, pick up the missing, and headed back to the hotel to sit in the hot tub. It was grrrrrreat! Hungry and still wanting to have some fun, we showered up and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for supper…at11:00 pm. We ate and Kelly, Amy, and I tried to head back downtown. We couldn’t do it, we were tired, hung-over, but still sobering up, and still a little drunk. It was time to call it a weekend. Made for an ok drive home. Wasn’t hung over…just tired.
To everyone that came with to celebrate: Thank you so much for taking a weekend out of your summer to hang out with me. I had the best time ever and would love to make it a yearly party. Hopefully we can pick a warmer weekend! But I really had so much fun. Thank you all for the gifts and begin troopers to float down that river on a 73 degree day! I love you all and cant wait to celebrate again at the wedding!!
We all took off from our respective starting points around 1:00 on Friday. Road trips as they are, usually interesting. Between traffic and conversations that go on over a 5 hour drive, you are ready to get out of the car and have a drink when you arrive at your destination! Kelly and I left Brookings and had a pit stop in Mankato. I needed a couple things for my bridesmaid gifts and I had already bought out the Sioux Falls store. From there we headed north to Minneapolis to pick up Amy, my personal attendant. She had flown in earlier in the day and her mom had picked her up at the airport and they had spent the day together at the Mall of America.
We were on our way and only had about 20 miles to go. We all arrived in Hudson around 6:30 or so showered up, took the bachelorette party oath and headed out. We went out to eat and opened gifts. Not sure why, but I totally didn’t think too much about bachelorette party gifts, and what usually comes in them…lets just say it wasn’t fruit baskets! One of the most memorable gift was Willy…you will see him in the pictures!
We ate and took a recommendation from our waitress to hit up a little bar on the corner that sells all drinks, 2 for 1. EVERYTHING was 2 for 1. You ordered a $4 beer, you got 2. You ordered a red bull vodka for $7 you got 2. Shots, other mixed drinks, everything. We were all getting to feeling pretty good, played a few songs and started introducing Willy to the crowd. He was a dude magnet. More guys wanted to sign, touch, feel, and play with that thing than I would have ever imagined! We headed to bar #2…Ellie’s. This was more of a dance type bar so we kept drinking and started dancing…and dancing…and dancing. Willy was an exceptional dancer and made his way around the crowd making friends all over. The night ended around 2, and back to the hotel to rest up for tomorrow!
We woke up around 9 or so ready to go for the day. But as we looked outside expecting to see hot sunny weather for our day on the river, we were very disappointed to find clouds, rain showers, and very little sun. Temp was holding steady at 65. Ohh going to be a hot one! We ran around and did a couple things. Picked up beer, a few things at Wal-Mart and some pizza. No one was in too big of hurry to get to the river too soon. But once was all ate and got changed, we decided that we didn’t drive 5 hours to sit in a hotel room and we were floating down that river…RAIN OR SHINE!
We did it. The river was…refreshing. But the more we drank, it seemed like the water got warmer. Perfect. About ½ way down there was a large sandbar that we stopped and met some people. I took my first beer bong and we picked up 2 people who’s group had left them earlier. A little ways down another sandbar and yet another group of people parting…so we stopped. Here we met some really nice people yet again. I also received some good marriage advice from a gentleman that seemed to have the world figured out. Trust, communication, and honesty.
By the end of the river we had lost Bridget and Betty at one of the rapids, had ran out of beer, and we were all freezing cold! We got done, pick up the missing, and headed back to the hotel to sit in the hot tub. It was grrrrrreat! Hungry and still wanting to have some fun, we showered up and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings for supper…at11:00 pm. We ate and Kelly, Amy, and I tried to head back downtown. We couldn’t do it, we were tired, hung-over, but still sobering up, and still a little drunk. It was time to call it a weekend. Made for an ok drive home. Wasn’t hung over…just tired.
To everyone that came with to celebrate: Thank you so much for taking a weekend out of your summer to hang out with me. I had the best time ever and would love to make it a yearly party. Hopefully we can pick a warmer weekend! But I really had so much fun. Thank you all for the gifts and begin troopers to float down that river on a 73 degree day! I love you all and cant wait to celebrate again at the wedding!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Bachelor/Bachelorette Party – THIS WEEKEND!!!
Pack your bags everyone, it’s time to party!!!
Randy heads out tonight for lake Shakatan to camp for the next 3 days and my crew heads out tomorrow at noon for a weekend at Apple River WI.
Sounds like Randy will have a couple campers for people to crash in, several boats for some days in the sun, and a grilling competition for Saturday night. We plan to arrive in WI tomorrow evening, change clothes and head downtown for dinner and drinks. We are all dressing up, everyone wearing black dresses and I will be wearing white. Should be a fun night, but not too much fun because we want to start down the river around 11:00 Saturday morning. It is a 3 hour ride, so highly recommended to do it twice…OK!
I cant guarantee anything from Randy, but I plan on taking some pictures…check back next week!
Randy heads out tonight for lake Shakatan to camp for the next 3 days and my crew heads out tomorrow at noon for a weekend at Apple River WI.
Sounds like Randy will have a couple campers for people to crash in, several boats for some days in the sun, and a grilling competition for Saturday night. We plan to arrive in WI tomorrow evening, change clothes and head downtown for dinner and drinks. We are all dressing up, everyone wearing black dresses and I will be wearing white. Should be a fun night, but not too much fun because we want to start down the river around 11:00 Saturday morning. It is a 3 hour ride, so highly recommended to do it twice…OK!
I cant guarantee anything from Randy, but I plan on taking some pictures…check back next week!
37 Days People!
No one else is probably as aware…but this wedding is in 37 days!
I am not freaking out…yet, but I think it is coming. Last Saturday I went to Sioux Falls with Emily and was able to get a bunch of stuff done. We started at PaperWerks and started designing out the program. I didn’t have all of the information ready for it, but I have heard so many stories about putting the programs together the week of the wedding or printing them out the night before. I don’t want to do that, so hopefully by starting them a little early, I think, I will be able to catch the mistakes, and have them ready to go. One thing we are working on to go inside the program is a meet the wedding party insert. I figured that we have a lot of people in this wedding party and not too many people know much about the people we hang out with or how we all met. So we are working on those little details.
We also stopped by the French Door picked up bridesmaid dresses for everyone out of town, stopped at hobby lobby and bought more ribbon, target to pick up a couple of small glass bowls, and the mall to shop for jewelry to go with the dress. Ended up back in Brookings around 5 or 6 and we were exhausted. It was a lot to do in a day and I have a lot to go.
But the little things are starting to come together. Napkins are ordered, tags for digital cameras are ordered, suits are ordered, lime green garter ordered, and we are getting going on gifts. I am working to get flowers finalized, place settings for family and wedding party settled, working on the design for the unity candle, and getting the kissing balls for the flower girls ordered. We have been busy and still have a lot to do. Next week…slide show.
Its coming together people!
I am not freaking out…yet, but I think it is coming. Last Saturday I went to Sioux Falls with Emily and was able to get a bunch of stuff done. We started at PaperWerks and started designing out the program. I didn’t have all of the information ready for it, but I have heard so many stories about putting the programs together the week of the wedding or printing them out the night before. I don’t want to do that, so hopefully by starting them a little early, I think, I will be able to catch the mistakes, and have them ready to go. One thing we are working on to go inside the program is a meet the wedding party insert. I figured that we have a lot of people in this wedding party and not too many people know much about the people we hang out with or how we all met. So we are working on those little details.
We also stopped by the French Door picked up bridesmaid dresses for everyone out of town, stopped at hobby lobby and bought more ribbon, target to pick up a couple of small glass bowls, and the mall to shop for jewelry to go with the dress. Ended up back in Brookings around 5 or 6 and we were exhausted. It was a lot to do in a day and I have a lot to go.
But the little things are starting to come together. Napkins are ordered, tags for digital cameras are ordered, suits are ordered, lime green garter ordered, and we are getting going on gifts. I am working to get flowers finalized, place settings for family and wedding party settled, working on the design for the unity candle, and getting the kissing balls for the flower girls ordered. We have been busy and still have a lot to do. Next week…slide show.
Its coming together people!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Check, check, check
Today was productive. Between yesterday and today, we ordered the ties for the groomsman, ushers, dads, and Randy. It took a little time finding several lime green ties that all matched but not too matchy matchy. Here is what we decided on:
Ushers:
Groomsman:
Randy:
Ring Bearer: 
I also finalized details with the videographer, sent our engagement announcement to the Brookings Register, and booked our piano player. I love crossing stuff off the list!!
New webiste to check out!
One of the things on my to do list is to create photo cards for the reception. Instead of having disposable cameras on all of the tables, we are choosing to have people take their own pictures with their own cameras and upload them to a shared website. I kind of thought that so many people have digital cameras these days, and so many people have told me that the pictures they got off of their disposable cameras were crap.
So we are going to give this a whirl. I am going to have photo cards printed and they will be placed at everyone's plate. This way people will know right away to take pictures and plan on sharing them with us after the wedding. The card will also have uploading instructions.
The website is up and running: http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterfly.com/
I have pictures from my recent bridal shower and will be adding pictures from the bachelorette party when we get back. Keep the website in mind at the wedding and take pictures and check back to see what others have uploaded!
So we are going to give this a whirl. I am going to have photo cards printed and they will be placed at everyone's plate. This way people will know right away to take pictures and plan on sharing them with us after the wedding. The card will also have uploading instructions.
The website is up and running: http://thedeckerschillingwedding.shutterfly.com/
I have pictures from my recent bridal shower and will be adding pictures from the bachelorette party when we get back. Keep the website in mind at the wedding and take pictures and check back to see what others have uploaded!
To do list
This weekend I sat down and tried to think of everything that I need to do before the wedding. As you can see from the counter on the side, I am down to 46 days until the wedding. Time to get my poop in a group!
A few things on the to do list:
place cards
programs
rehearsal dinner invitations
newspaper announcement
ceremony details - readings, music, etc.
suits/ties
decorate candles for reception
decide on other reception decorations
finalize details with the Days Inn
gifts for our attendants
get a marriage license
rings
music for the reception
and on, and on, and on.
I quickly have realized that there are more things that I have to get done than I thought. Or I am realizing that I have less time to get everything done than I thought. It doesn't seem like that long ago this wedding was 6 months away, or even 4 months away, but we are down to 6 weeks. The excitement is building but so is the stress. Each day I am trying to get a few more things done, but I also seem to add a few more things to the list. Right now as a type I am thinking...hmm are we going to have a unity candle...probably. I guess I can add buy a unity candle to my list.
A few things on the to do list:
place cards
programs
rehearsal dinner invitations
newspaper announcement
ceremony details - readings, music, etc.
suits/ties
decorate candles for reception
decide on other reception decorations
finalize details with the Days Inn
gifts for our attendants
get a marriage license
rings
music for the reception
and on, and on, and on.
I quickly have realized that there are more things that I have to get done than I thought. Or I am realizing that I have less time to get everything done than I thought. It doesn't seem like that long ago this wedding was 6 months away, or even 4 months away, but we are down to 6 weeks. The excitement is building but so is the stress. Each day I am trying to get a few more things done, but I also seem to add a few more things to the list. Right now as a type I am thinking...hmm are we going to have a unity candle...probably. I guess I can add buy a unity candle to my list.
Bridesmaid dresses in
Received a call late Friday afternoon...bridesmaid dresses are in. The timing is perfect. I am planning on heading to Sioux Falls Saturday to meet with our videographer, start working on programs and run a couple other errands. I can swing by the French Door and pick up the dresses for my bridesmaids that live to far away to have the French Door do their alterations and then get their dresses to them next weekend at the bachelorette party.
Not only did the dresses come in, but my veil and head piece are in too. Now I just need to find some jewelry before my next fitting and we will see how everything comes together.
Not only did the dresses come in, but my veil and head piece are in too. Now I just need to find some jewelry before my next fitting and we will see how everything comes together.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th!!!
Happy Independence Day Everyone!!!!
Last night we headed from Bookings up to Lake Poinsett. Hit up a live band at one of the bars on lake shore and didn't make it home until 3.
Today the weather is perfect...no wind and no rain. Lets get the boat on the water!! We will be heading to Chester, SD to spend some time with my family.
Have a save and fun day!
Last night we headed from Bookings up to Lake Poinsett. Hit up a live band at one of the bars on lake shore and didn't make it home until 3.
Today the weather is perfect...no wind and no rain. Lets get the boat on the water!! We will be heading to Chester, SD to spend some time with my family.
Have a save and fun day!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
RSVPs
Randy waited for me to get home from the gym, as he had a hunch that there might be something fun and exciting waiting for us in the mailbox. He was right! Our very first RSVP had arrived!! The honor goes to…Grandma Ingalls & Kenny. One of my co-workers handed me his at our usual Tuesday morning meeting, but I put it in the mailbox and sent it to myself at home. Dumb...yes, maybe, but I figured I paid for the stamps, might as well have the post office earn their $.28!
Today when we checked the mail at lunch I waited with excitement as Randy opened the mailbox. Tucked away between the bills, weekly newspaper, and other junk were 11 bright green posts cards. I don’t know that I have ever been so excited to get the mail! As I fingered thru each post card I read the name out loud and proudly announced that each person checked YES they would be coming to our wedding.
So, adding these 11 RSVPs to our 2 guests from yesterday, and the grand total for wedding guests is 28. I think that is a pretty good start for only having the invitations out for 3 days!
Keep em coming people!
Today when we checked the mail at lunch I waited with excitement as Randy opened the mailbox. Tucked away between the bills, weekly newspaper, and other junk were 11 bright green posts cards. I don’t know that I have ever been so excited to get the mail! As I fingered thru each post card I read the name out loud and proudly announced that each person checked YES they would be coming to our wedding.
So, adding these 11 RSVPs to our 2 guests from yesterday, and the grand total for wedding guests is 28. I think that is a pretty good start for only having the invitations out for 3 days!
Keep em coming people!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Invitations are out!
We finished them up this morning and they are officially in the mail. We are probably waiting on 10 addresses or so from friends that we have lost contact with in the past few years. But the majority of them are out. I think we sent out just under 200 so we should have a good turnout for the wedding.
Not too often do I hit a goal that I set for myself, but I wanted these out no later than this weekend and they are out. I am so relieved to have that done. Now or never. People are invited, this party is happening!!
All the invites headed to the post office!
Not too often do I hit a goal that I set for myself, but I wanted these out no later than this weekend and they are out. I am so relieved to have that done. Now or never. People are invited, this party is happening!!
All the invites headed to the post office!
Invitation addressing
Wednesday night we started addressing invitations. We had to make a few calls to get addresses for a few of you that have recently moved. But we had most of them ready to go. We numbered the RSVP cards so we can match up the number on the card with the name on our excel sheet, just in case someone forgets to put their name on the RSVP card we will know who is coming.
Randy thought this looked like so much fun, he wanted to help too. Actually he probably would have been fine not helping, but I made him! 
Randy thought this looked like so much fun, he wanted to help too. Actually he probably would have been fine not helping, but I made him!
First Dress Fitting
Tuesday night I had my first dress fitting. As I put the dress on I kept my fingers crossed that I would be able to get by not have to getting it hemmed, having the dress taken out or taken in. I knew that I would be paying to have a bustle put in and bra cups but I was hoping that would be it and I could save some money on alterations.
The dress fit perfect. I will not have to have it altered much at all. The hem line is absolutely perfect too. My shoes are the exact height they need to be to pull the dress just up off of the floor. Next dress fitting…July 27th. Bustle should be done, my veil should be in and I will be able to see how everything looks together.
Here is how the bustle will look 
Here is the veil I ordered 
The dress fit perfect. I will not have to have it altered much at all. The hem line is absolutely perfect too. My shoes are the exact height they need to be to pull the dress just up off of the floor. Next dress fitting…July 27th. Bustle should be done, my veil should be in and I will be able to see how everything looks together.
Here is how the bustle will look
Here is the veil I ordered
Friday, June 26, 2009
Invitation Assembly
Saturday before the shower, I picked up our wedding invitations…all 230 of them. After my cousin’s daughter was baptized on Sunday, we got busy. My aunt Dawn, cousin’s wife Lyndsay, and mom all pitched in. We only ran out of double stick tape once and had to make a trip to Sioux Falls. And we only put about 10 of them together wrong right away. We fixed those up and kept going. After 5 hours they were completed. All the ribbon was attached and they were ready to be addressed.
Dawn, Lyndsay and Mom – THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!
Here we are working hard and the invitaions ready to go!
Dawn, Lyndsay and Mom – THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!
Here we are working hard and the invitaions ready to go!
Bridal Shower
My first bridal shower was a HUGE SUCCESS! I had a great turnout and a wonderful time. It was great seeing friends and relatives that we usually only see a couple times a year. My family came, my aunt and cousin from Atlanta came, and Randy’s mom and sisters all came. It was great.
It was a Mexican fiesta so everyone was offered a margarita when they arrived. We sat around and visited for awhile then played a game. How well does everyone know Randy and Mary? My hostesses had contacted Randy to get some little details about himself that everyone may not know. Who likes ketchup on their ketchup? Randy. Who has road rage? Mary. Who pushed their sibling into a coffee table causing stitches? Mary. Whose mom was sick during pregnancy? Randy. But found out that she wasn’t really that sick, just sicker than she was with the other pregnancies.
We all enjoyed a taco bar then it was time to open gifts. I got so many nice things, I just cant believe it. I was little worried as so many people I talked to warned me that people buy what they want, not really what is on your registry. Not true for my guests. Everyone stuck to the registry and I have a whole lot of new stuff to break in.
They day really was perfect. At the end I tried to get up and tell everyone how grateful I was that everyone was able to come. I know how busy summer gets with activities and running here and there and it meant a lot to me that everyone took time out of their day for me. I have been invited to a lot of showers and it was a totally different feeling having all those people there for me. The presents the recipes…all for me. I was very touched and felt very fortunate to have the friends and family that I have. I love you guys!
A day like that doesn’t just happen however. I had some great hostesses that put a lot of time and effort into making the day what it was. Dawn, Jane, Donna, and Katie – thank you, thank you, thank you! You gave me the perfect non bridal shower…shower!!!
It was a Mexican fiesta so everyone was offered a margarita when they arrived. We sat around and visited for awhile then played a game. How well does everyone know Randy and Mary? My hostesses had contacted Randy to get some little details about himself that everyone may not know. Who likes ketchup on their ketchup? Randy. Who has road rage? Mary. Who pushed their sibling into a coffee table causing stitches? Mary. Whose mom was sick during pregnancy? Randy. But found out that she wasn’t really that sick, just sicker than she was with the other pregnancies.
We all enjoyed a taco bar then it was time to open gifts. I got so many nice things, I just cant believe it. I was little worried as so many people I talked to warned me that people buy what they want, not really what is on your registry. Not true for my guests. Everyone stuck to the registry and I have a whole lot of new stuff to break in.
They day really was perfect. At the end I tried to get up and tell everyone how grateful I was that everyone was able to come. I know how busy summer gets with activities and running here and there and it meant a lot to me that everyone took time out of their day for me. I have been invited to a lot of showers and it was a totally different feeling having all those people there for me. The presents the recipes…all for me. I was very touched and felt very fortunate to have the friends and family that I have. I love you guys!
A day like that doesn’t just happen however. I had some great hostesses that put a lot of time and effort into making the day what it was. Dawn, Jane, Donna, and Katie – thank you, thank you, thank you! You gave me the perfect non bridal shower…shower!!!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Bridal Shower
My first bridal shower was a HUGE SUCCESS! I had a great turnout and a wonderful time. It was great seeing friends and relatives that we usually only see a couple times a year. My family came, my aunt and cousin from Atlanta came, and Randy’s mom and sisters all came. It was great.
It was a Mexican fiesta so everyone was offered a margarita when they arrived. We sat around and visited for awhile then played a game. How well does everyone know Randy and Mary? My hostesses had contacted Randy to get some little details about himself that everyone may not know. Who likes ketchup on their ketchup? Randy. Who has road rage? Mary. Who pushed their sibling into a coffee table causing stitches? Mary. Whose mom was sick during pregnancy? Randy. But found out that she wasn’t really that sick, just sicker than she was with the other pregnancies.
We all enjoyed a taco bar then it was time to open gifts. I got so many nice things, I just cant believe it. I was little worried as so many people I talked to warned me that people buy what they want, not really what is on your registry. Not true for my guests. Everyone stuck to the registry and I have a whole lot of new stuff to break in.
They day really was perfect. At the end I tried to get up and tell everyone how grateful I was that everyone was able to come. I know how busy summer gets with activities and running here and there and it meant a lot to me that everyone took time out of their day for me. I have been invited to a lot of showers and it was a totally different feeling having all those people there for me. The presents the recipes…all for me. I was very touched and felt very fortunate to have the friends and family that I have. I love you guys!
A day like that doesn’t just happen however. I had some great hostesses that put a lot of time and effort into making the day what it was. Dawn, Jane, Donna, and Katie – thank you, thank you, thank you! You gave me the perfect non bridal shower…shower!!!
It was a Mexican fiesta so everyone was offered a margarita when they arrived. We sat around and visited for awhile then played a game. How well does everyone know Randy and Mary? My hostesses had contacted Randy to get some little details about himself that everyone may not know. Who likes ketchup on their ketchup? Randy. Who has road rage? Mary. Who pushed their sibling into a coffee table causing stitches? Mary. Whose mom was sick during pregnancy? Randy. But found out that she wasn’t really that sick, just sicker than she was with the other pregnancies.
We all enjoyed a taco bar then it was time to open gifts. I got so many nice things, I just cant believe it. I was little worried as so many people I talked to warned me that people buy what they want, not really what is on your registry. Not true for my guests. Everyone stuck to the registry and I have a whole lot of new stuff to break in.
They day really was perfect. At the end I tried to get up and tell everyone how grateful I was that everyone was able to come. I know how busy summer gets with activities and running here and there and it meant a lot to me that everyone took time out of their day for me. I have been invited to a lot of showers and it was a totally different feeling having all those people there for me. The presents the recipes…all for me. I was very touched and felt very fortunate to have the friends and family that I have. I love you guys!
A day like that doesn’t just happen however. I had some great hostesses that put a lot of time and effort into making the day what it was. Dawn, Jane, Donna, and Katie – thank you, thank you, thank you! You gave me the perfect non bridal shower…shower!!!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Bridal Shower
Tomorrow I have my bridal shower! I am super excited to see everyone and celebrate a little bit. And I’m not going to lie, I get Christmas in June! Rumor on the street is that my aunt Paulette and cousin Callan from Atlanta are even flying in.
A big thank you goes out to Donna, Jane, and Dawn for thinking of me and taking the time out of your busy schedules to do this for me. You are so nice to think of me and open up your home to let everyone celebrate. Love you guys!
A big thank you goes out to Donna, Jane, and Dawn for thinking of me and taking the time out of your busy schedules to do this for me. You are so nice to think of me and open up your home to let everyone celebrate. Love you guys!
Shoes
My first dress fitting is next Tuesday night. They advised me to have everything that I plan on wearing with the dress with me that day. Hmmm suppose I should have some shoes? I didn’t want plain white shoes, cause come on, I will never wear them again. I wanted something a little more fancy than just flip flops and I didn’t want to spend $80 on a pair of shoes.
Here is the winner…
Here is the winner…
Invitations are ordered
Not only did I get to vacation for 4 days, but I was even able to get some wedding stuff done. INVITATIONS ARE ORDERED!!! They will be ready for pick up Saturday and then the fun starts. Assembly and addressing – all 230 of them. I asked around at work and found out about some scrapbooking tape that is suppose to work wonderfully to attached the layers together. Pit stop at hobby lobby and we will see how it goes.
Once they are all assembled, I am hoping ot have them out no later than next weekend. Should be a fun week!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Texas was Great!
Our trip to Texas was awesome! The weather was hot, no rain and we got to spend 4 days with Luke and Amy. The great thing about their job is that when you visit, you get to hang out with them pretty much the whole time they are at work. Needless to say, we spent 3 full days at Sea World. Thursday we hit up the shows – Viva, Shamoo, the Ski show. We fed the dolphins, went to the aquarium and walked and walked and walked. We rode a couple rides…water rides…at 104 degrees we needed to cool off somehow.
Thursday night we went to a movie. The movie was funny and the theater served beer and food. That was pretty cool. A waiter keeps coming around and filling your drinks and then gives you a bill at the end of the show…something to introduce to South Dakota? Friday was another day at Sea World. A couple more rides, shows and we rode in the boat during the ski show. After watching the show a couple times, everything is very fast paced and it goes even quicker when you get to cruise around the lake at 35 mpr for 25 minutes. A fake fire drill gave us a chance to jump out of the boats into the lake and we felt refreshed for about 20 minutes…until we dried off. Friday night we headed to downtown San Antonio to the River Walk, went to a piano bar and got home late.
Saturday we floated the river! I had been waiting to do this since last year when we visited. It is the same concept as Apple River, WI – get a tube, get a cooler, float. We started at 2:30 and were off the river at 8:30 – only went ½ way. We later found out that the water level had dramatically decreased due to a reservoir problem upstream. We wondered why it took 2 hours to float past the parking lot, and why we seemed to go backwards more often then forwards.
Sunday was another Sea World day and out last day of vacation. We visited the new beluga whale that was born while we were there, went to the giant water park, and watched the sea lion show. Monday was sad…Amy had to go to work and Luke had to take us to the airport. Our vacation was over...
Luke & Amy – We had a blast. Thank you so much for letting us invade your living quarters and bum around with your for 4 days. We miss you a ton this summer, but know you are having a blast and living the dream in Texas. Wedding planning and going out just isn’t the same without you guys, but we know that you will be home soon. Enjoy your time in Texas – it will be over soon and then you will have to come back to the real world with the rest of us!
LOVE YOU!!!! Mary, Randy & Betty
Thursday night we went to a movie. The movie was funny and the theater served beer and food. That was pretty cool. A waiter keeps coming around and filling your drinks and then gives you a bill at the end of the show…something to introduce to South Dakota? Friday was another day at Sea World. A couple more rides, shows and we rode in the boat during the ski show. After watching the show a couple times, everything is very fast paced and it goes even quicker when you get to cruise around the lake at 35 mpr for 25 minutes. A fake fire drill gave us a chance to jump out of the boats into the lake and we felt refreshed for about 20 minutes…until we dried off. Friday night we headed to downtown San Antonio to the River Walk, went to a piano bar and got home late.
Saturday we floated the river! I had been waiting to do this since last year when we visited. It is the same concept as Apple River, WI – get a tube, get a cooler, float. We started at 2:30 and were off the river at 8:30 – only went ½ way. We later found out that the water level had dramatically decreased due to a reservoir problem upstream. We wondered why it took 2 hours to float past the parking lot, and why we seemed to go backwards more often then forwards.
Sunday was another Sea World day and out last day of vacation. We visited the new beluga whale that was born while we were there, went to the giant water park, and watched the sea lion show. Monday was sad…Amy had to go to work and Luke had to take us to the airport. Our vacation was over...
Luke & Amy – We had a blast. Thank you so much for letting us invade your living quarters and bum around with your for 4 days. We miss you a ton this summer, but know you are having a blast and living the dream in Texas. Wedding planning and going out just isn’t the same without you guys, but we know that you will be home soon. Enjoy your time in Texas – it will be over soon and then you will have to come back to the real world with the rest of us!
LOVE YOU!!!! Mary, Randy & Betty
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Asta La Vista Brookings
As I type, Randy, Betty and I are sitting in the Sioux Falls airport ready to board a plane to San Antonio, TX for a few days.
My brother Luke and his girlfriend Amy are once again living the dream and water skiing professionally for the summer at Sea World San Antonio. Excuse for a vacation if you ask us! We leave this afternoon and get back to South Dakota late Monday afternoon. Randy leaves from San Antonio and heads to Chicago for a conference.
Today I also picked up my invitation proof. IT LOOKS GREAT! A few minor changes and they should be ready to order. If I can get them ordered this week, they will be ready for pick up when I get back from Texas.
Have a good weekend everyone! No work...all play for us till Monday!!
My brother Luke and his girlfriend Amy are once again living the dream and water skiing professionally for the summer at Sea World San Antonio. Excuse for a vacation if you ask us! We leave this afternoon and get back to South Dakota late Monday afternoon. Randy leaves from San Antonio and heads to Chicago for a conference.
Today I also picked up my invitation proof. IT LOOKS GREAT! A few minor changes and they should be ready to order. If I can get them ordered this week, they will be ready for pick up when I get back from Texas.
Have a good weekend everyone! No work...all play for us till Monday!!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Engaged Encounter Weekend
Well, we lived thru it…barely
Oh it really wasn’t so bad. There were about 50 couples all getting married in the catholic church in the next year or so. We met at one of the Catholic schools in Sioux Falls. We each had a work book that outlined the topics for the weekend and a list of questions to answer for each other. Once our presenters finished telling us the situation they were in and how they made it thru successfully, we split up and answered the questions presented. After about 20 minutes or so we met back up in our own classroom, read what the other person wrote and discussed.
Now the first couple went ok, we said a few things and then just hung out. After about the 6th hour though, we were loosing steam. There is just only so much I want to learn about randy in a 14 hour time period. They weren’t kidding on that either. We started at 8 am and didn’t leave until 9:30 pm. A long, long day.
Church was scheduled for 7:30 Sunday morning, so we set our alarm for 6:30 giving us enough time to shower and be there on time. Oh well, nice try. We didn’t hear the alarm go off and woke up at 7:20. Honestly, we had every intention on going to church…especially during Catholic camp. That was our ticket to shame for the last couple hours of the weekend. The only couple to miss church.
We waited until service let out and met back up with our group. I honestly don’t know if anyone knew that we were missing. But we felt really bad that we missed it. Sunday, to our surprise, was a much shorter day. Suppose to run from 8 am to 3 pm, but we were done by noon. That gave us plenty of time to get our registry updated, do a little shopping and back to Brookings early evening.
Oh it really wasn’t so bad. There were about 50 couples all getting married in the catholic church in the next year or so. We met at one of the Catholic schools in Sioux Falls. We each had a work book that outlined the topics for the weekend and a list of questions to answer for each other. Once our presenters finished telling us the situation they were in and how they made it thru successfully, we split up and answered the questions presented. After about 20 minutes or so we met back up in our own classroom, read what the other person wrote and discussed.
Now the first couple went ok, we said a few things and then just hung out. After about the 6th hour though, we were loosing steam. There is just only so much I want to learn about randy in a 14 hour time period. They weren’t kidding on that either. We started at 8 am and didn’t leave until 9:30 pm. A long, long day.
Church was scheduled for 7:30 Sunday morning, so we set our alarm for 6:30 giving us enough time to shower and be there on time. Oh well, nice try. We didn’t hear the alarm go off and woke up at 7:20. Honestly, we had every intention on going to church…especially during Catholic camp. That was our ticket to shame for the last couple hours of the weekend. The only couple to miss church.
We waited until service let out and met back up with our group. I honestly don’t know if anyone knew that we were missing. But we felt really bad that we missed it. Sunday, to our surprise, was a much shorter day. Suppose to run from 8 am to 3 pm, but we were done by noon. That gave us plenty of time to get our registry updated, do a little shopping and back to Brookings early evening.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Invitations
Randy and I sat down on Friday night and made a to do list. Stuff that he can work on with out me and a heads up that there are a few things that I will need his help on in the next few months. Now he knows, no surprises. Invitations – well that was something just on my list as he said he trusted me completely on what I liked.
Monday I left work early to head to Sioux Falls and pick out invitations. As I write this, I know that you all are thinking – wow she doesn’t have invitations picked out yet. Ya, I know. The pressure has been building and as the months, weeks and days grow closer to the wedding I am realizing very quickly that I have a lot to do.
Invitations first on the list. I have been collection invites from past weddings I have gone to, some I have seen on my friend’s fridge and they have saved for me. I had a good idea of what I wanted when I headed down, just a matter of if what I wanted fitted into the budget. Invites are great and something you must have, but after the wedding they get trashed. How much should you really spend?
We looked at several options and variations on the idea I had in my head. Prices ranged anywhere from $1.00 to whatever you wanted to spend. I said $5.00 would be my absolute max and didn’t really want to spend that much. Think about it 250 invitations at $5.00 a piece. We would be looking at $1250 on invitations + tax + assembly. NO THANK YOU!
The one I decided on is $1.92 per invite. We are going to do the assembly and addressing ourselves which saves some money. They are black with lime green and white paper with black font and a polka dot ribbon. You will see them all soon. Mock up takes about 1 week and to save a little time, they are going to email me the final draft. Once we give the final approval and number to make, they only take about a week to print.
Check invites off the list!
Monday I left work early to head to Sioux Falls and pick out invitations. As I write this, I know that you all are thinking – wow she doesn’t have invitations picked out yet. Ya, I know. The pressure has been building and as the months, weeks and days grow closer to the wedding I am realizing very quickly that I have a lot to do.
Invitations first on the list. I have been collection invites from past weddings I have gone to, some I have seen on my friend’s fridge and they have saved for me. I had a good idea of what I wanted when I headed down, just a matter of if what I wanted fitted into the budget. Invites are great and something you must have, but after the wedding they get trashed. How much should you really spend?
We looked at several options and variations on the idea I had in my head. Prices ranged anywhere from $1.00 to whatever you wanted to spend. I said $5.00 would be my absolute max and didn’t really want to spend that much. Think about it 250 invitations at $5.00 a piece. We would be looking at $1250 on invitations + tax + assembly. NO THANK YOU!
The one I decided on is $1.92 per invite. We are going to do the assembly and addressing ourselves which saves some money. They are black with lime green and white paper with black font and a polka dot ribbon. You will see them all soon. Mock up takes about 1 week and to save a little time, they are going to email me the final draft. Once we give the final approval and number to make, they only take about a week to print.
Check invites off the list!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Engaged Encounter Weekend
This weekend Randy and I will be going to Sioux Falls for a fun filled weekend of bonding. One of the requirements of being married in the Catholic Church is to participate in marriage counseling. The first step is a compatibility test. So a few months ago we met with several other couples and took the test. Once a week for the last month, we have been going over our test results with our priest.
Step 2 is a group session. We had our choice of 1 hour a week for 8 weeks on Thursday nights or a weekend retreat. With Randy’s traveling once a month, we knew that he would most likely be gone for one of those classes and we would be out of luck. If you don’t complete the counseling session in full, they will not marry you.
So we will be getting packed up and have to be in Sioux Falls by 8 am Saturday morning. The weekend consists of different training sessions to cover the topics of us as individuals, us as a couple, us in relationship to others. Snack breaks, lunch, and dinner will be provided, and Saturday goes until 10 pm. Then we start bright and early again Sunday morning 8 am. Sunday isn’t quite as long, we only go until 3 pm.
I will report back next week and let everyone know how we did.
Step 2 is a group session. We had our choice of 1 hour a week for 8 weeks on Thursday nights or a weekend retreat. With Randy’s traveling once a month, we knew that he would most likely be gone for one of those classes and we would be out of luck. If you don’t complete the counseling session in full, they will not marry you.
So we will be getting packed up and have to be in Sioux Falls by 8 am Saturday morning. The weekend consists of different training sessions to cover the topics of us as individuals, us as a couple, us in relationship to others. Snack breaks, lunch, and dinner will be provided, and Saturday goes until 10 pm. Then we start bright and early again Sunday morning 8 am. Sunday isn’t quite as long, we only go until 3 pm.
I will report back next week and let everyone know how we did.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
House Projects
There are a few projects around our house that have been put on the back burner since, well we moved in. Not anyone’s fault, just have continued to put them off. For instance the countertops in our house our concrete. Not just one piece of concrete, but several that the seems have to be caulked together. After about a week after install, the caulk started pulling apart from the countertops. Now, a friend of ours did the install so we weren’t going to call and complain, and after building the house, figured it was something we could tackle. 1 ½ years later, it is finally complete! Randy was on the road a couple weeks ago and I pulled out the old stuff and sealed it up good. Go me!
So this weekend, after a headed discussion on how we had “nothing to do” we started Friday night and worked until Monday. We cleaned out the garage and started taping and texturing. We called in reinforcements…Josh…as he just got done tape and texturing his entire basement. He had all the tools so we got started. If anyone is thinking this might be a good career change…think again. This job sucks! It takes for ever, hard on your back, and working on the ceiling, forget it. I keep reminding myself that it will all be worth it in the end. Since we are having the rehearsal dinner at the house, the garage is our backup plan if for some reason it decides to rain in August. Another couple nights of work and it will be ready for primer and paint.
That wasn’t all. We have had landscaping lights in our storage shed since we moved in. Last year after the yard was planted, we worked on our landscaping. Another career change that I wouldn’t recommend! Once we finished up with planting and moving rocks, we didn’t want to install landscaping lights, and they were put on the back burner as another one of those someday projects. Now we didn’t buy just solar landscaping lights that just stick in the ground and your done. Oh no we bought the lights that need electricity to run. Sunday we started early, put everything together and got going. We laid out the lights and started playing in the rocks. Each light had to hook to the wire and ran to the next light and the next light, and then hooked up to the electrical box. It was a long day, but by 9:00 pm everything turned on like it was suppose to and we had another project crossed off the list!
Not only did we get the garage started and landscaping lights installed, we also put a walk way down from out cement pad to the patio in the back of the house, finished painting the trim on our storage shed in the backyard and worked on laundry piles – even after the dryer took a crap.
We need more 3 day weekends!
So this weekend, after a headed discussion on how we had “nothing to do” we started Friday night and worked until Monday. We cleaned out the garage and started taping and texturing. We called in reinforcements…Josh…as he just got done tape and texturing his entire basement. He had all the tools so we got started. If anyone is thinking this might be a good career change…think again. This job sucks! It takes for ever, hard on your back, and working on the ceiling, forget it. I keep reminding myself that it will all be worth it in the end. Since we are having the rehearsal dinner at the house, the garage is our backup plan if for some reason it decides to rain in August. Another couple nights of work and it will be ready for primer and paint.
That wasn’t all. We have had landscaping lights in our storage shed since we moved in. Last year after the yard was planted, we worked on our landscaping. Another career change that I wouldn’t recommend! Once we finished up with planting and moving rocks, we didn’t want to install landscaping lights, and they were put on the back burner as another one of those someday projects. Now we didn’t buy just solar landscaping lights that just stick in the ground and your done. Oh no we bought the lights that need electricity to run. Sunday we started early, put everything together and got going. We laid out the lights and started playing in the rocks. Each light had to hook to the wire and ran to the next light and the next light, and then hooked up to the electrical box. It was a long day, but by 9:00 pm everything turned on like it was suppose to and we had another project crossed off the list!
Not only did we get the garage started and landscaping lights installed, we also put a walk way down from out cement pad to the patio in the back of the house, finished painting the trim on our storage shed in the backyard and worked on laundry piles – even after the dryer took a crap.
We need more 3 day weekends!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The gym is working!
So this weekend I made a trip to Sioux Falls to pick up a couple things, bum around, and try on my dress. I have been at the gym for 5 weeks now and figured it as to be helping, right?
Oh ya it is! The dress doesn’t fit perfect…yet. But it is so much better than 5 weeks ago. I set up an appointment for my first fitting – June 23 – which gives me another 5 weeks to workout. Hopefully it fits even better by then.
Oh ya it is! The dress doesn’t fit perfect…yet. But it is so much better than 5 weeks ago. I set up an appointment for my first fitting – June 23 – which gives me another 5 weeks to workout. Hopefully it fits even better by then.
Guest List
Our latest project has been to finalize the guest list. We started one shortly after we got engaged and have been adding to it ever since. I have been feeling some pressure on getting invitations order and want the guest list pretty well figured out before that happens.
A few people that I have talked to said that 8 weeks is sort of the deadline to have invites out by. Ok, so 3 weeks to make them, they will have to be assembled and address. Yep, I need to get those ordered. I have some ideas and Randy isn’t too concerned with what I pick, its just getting them picked and getting them ordered.
I am hoping with in the next week or so, I can get something picked and get them ordered. Just one more thing I need to get checked off my to do list.
A few people that I have talked to said that 8 weeks is sort of the deadline to have invites out by. Ok, so 3 weeks to make them, they will have to be assembled and address. Yep, I need to get those ordered. I have some ideas and Randy isn’t too concerned with what I pick, its just getting them picked and getting them ordered.
I am hoping with in the next week or so, I can get something picked and get them ordered. Just one more thing I need to get checked off my to do list.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Projects
Decorations – I have had about 40 candles sitting on my kitchen table and not a clue what to do with them. Last weekend I drug Amy and Kelly to Hobby Lobby and spent about 3 hours coming up with different ways to decorate them. It was a successful trip. We left with a bag full of ribbon, beads, and a bunch of ideas. Now I just need to sit down and work on it.
Candy buffet – If you have kids, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry! But instead of having candy at each table or a bowl of mints and peanuts, we are having a candy buffet. I have all of the dishes picked out and most of the candy decided. Chocolate – kisses, m&m’s, reeces, jolly ranchers, skittles & starbursts. Not to forget pixie sticks, laffy taffy and mike & ikes. There should be something for everyone, and it’s a buffet – fill a bag and enjoy!
Candy buffet – If you have kids, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry! But instead of having candy at each table or a bowl of mints and peanuts, we are having a candy buffet. I have all of the dishes picked out and most of the candy decided. Chocolate – kisses, m&m’s, reeces, jolly ranchers, skittles & starbursts. Not to forget pixie sticks, laffy taffy and mike & ikes. There should be something for everyone, and it’s a buffet – fill a bag and enjoy!
Bachelorette & Bachelor Party
The day is set, time and place to be determined yet, July 25th & 26th bachelorette & bachelor parties. We both decided that 1 night wasn’t going to do it; we wanted an entire weekend to party. So hopefully the dates workout and most everyone can join us.
There has been a bit of “discussion” as far as how the weekend is going to play out. Randy was determined not to have a “hag & stag” party, and I thought it would be fun. We could do our separate things, and just meet up later in the evening. I was out voted, but I was determined not to miss out on any fun. Anyone that knows me understands when I say, if there is something going on, I don’t want to miss it. I don’t like to leave early, cause something good might happen, and I wouldn’t be there to see it. I would pretty much go bonkers knowing Randy was out having a good time and I wasn’t. So I did talk him into having our festivities on the same weekend.
Randy is talking about a camping weekend with the boys. Take out the boats, maybe rent a party bus and hit up some of the small towns around the area. He has also talked about heading to Okoboji, IA for the weekend or maybe somewhere in northern MN.
I am leaning towards a weekend at Apple River, WI. Leave Friday afternoon, go out for supper and a few drinks and spend the next day floating down the river with a bud light.
All I know for sure is that it should be a fun time!
There has been a bit of “discussion” as far as how the weekend is going to play out. Randy was determined not to have a “hag & stag” party, and I thought it would be fun. We could do our separate things, and just meet up later in the evening. I was out voted, but I was determined not to miss out on any fun. Anyone that knows me understands when I say, if there is something going on, I don’t want to miss it. I don’t like to leave early, cause something good might happen, and I wouldn’t be there to see it. I would pretty much go bonkers knowing Randy was out having a good time and I wasn’t. So I did talk him into having our festivities on the same weekend.
Randy is talking about a camping weekend with the boys. Take out the boats, maybe rent a party bus and hit up some of the small towns around the area. He has also talked about heading to Okoboji, IA for the weekend or maybe somewhere in northern MN.
I am leaning towards a weekend at Apple River, WI. Leave Friday afternoon, go out for supper and a few drinks and spend the next day floating down the river with a bud light.
All I know for sure is that it should be a fun time!
Registered for Gifts
This was something that honestly I was not looking forward to. I think it was just one more thing that I knew we needed to get done but one more thing we had to find time to do. Saturday was the day and once we got started it was a lot of fun. We went to Kohl’s and started scanning stuff. Ok, I guess we could use some new towels and we don’t own a blender. Our toaster was $5 and doesn’t really work all that great. We found quite a few things that we can use now and will be useful someday I’m sure.
What we didn’t find at Kohl’s we found at Bed Bath & Beyond. I was a little worried about registering here, but when we starting going with stuff, there prices are pretty reasonable and I will definitely do more shopping here. They have some really cool stuff! We found a few more kitchen things; some silverware and new glasses that are not take home cups from a Vikings game.
What we didn’t find it the store, we can look for online. Each store gave us a log-in ID and password and we can go online any time and add or remove items from the registry. If we decide we want more of something, we can change the quantity without having to make a special trip to the store.
Now I am super excited to have a bridal shower. It will be like Christmas!
What we didn’t find at Kohl’s we found at Bed Bath & Beyond. I was a little worried about registering here, but when we starting going with stuff, there prices are pretty reasonable and I will definitely do more shopping here. They have some really cool stuff! We found a few more kitchen things; some silverware and new glasses that are not take home cups from a Vikings game.
What we didn’t find it the store, we can look for online. Each store gave us a log-in ID and password and we can go online any time and add or remove items from the registry. If we decide we want more of something, we can change the quantity without having to make a special trip to the store.
Now I am super excited to have a bridal shower. It will be like Christmas!
Save the Date
We have had this discussion several times: Do we do one? Or don’t we? They are a lot of work and extra postage. Oh but we should do it. People can get their hotel rooms early and we can give them the blog website. But now the weeding is like 4 months away, we will be sending out invitations soon, so maybe we shouldn’t do it.
We are doing it. But doing it a little bit different. We have a friend that went to school for graphic design and works her magic at a local printer in Brookings. So, I have been working with her to get the layout and venue information put together. It is looking good and we just have a few finishing touches to put on them before they are emailed out to everyone.
Yep you read that correctly, email. This way we get the information to everyone, easily accessible, and yes, it does save us some money. We don’t have to have anything printed, nothing to mail out, etc. Over the past month or so we have been collecting email addresses from friends and family, hoping that we have everyone.
Deadline for myself on this one…Saturday. Wish me luck!
We are doing it. But doing it a little bit different. We have a friend that went to school for graphic design and works her magic at a local printer in Brookings. So, I have been working with her to get the layout and venue information put together. It is looking good and we just have a few finishing touches to put on them before they are emailed out to everyone.
Yep you read that correctly, email. This way we get the information to everyone, easily accessible, and yes, it does save us some money. We don’t have to have anything printed, nothing to mail out, etc. Over the past month or so we have been collecting email addresses from friends and family, hoping that we have everyone.
Deadline for myself on this one…Saturday. Wish me luck!
Bridesmaid Dresses Ordered
Hats off to all of my ladies! Within 2 weeks, all of my bridesmaids had called into the French Door and had their order placed for the bridesmaid dresses. When I called to check on them last week, we have an estimated ship date for the first week in July. Not too shabby. I was getting a little nervous. I keep thinking that the wedding is like forever away, but it isn’t and things like this remind me of that.
About a month ago I was at the French Door having one of my bridesmaids measured. The lady that was helping us nicely asked about when we were going to get the order in. I let it roll of my back and just answered with, “oh soon probably.” Having no intention what so ever to really get going and get the dresses ordered. Call me crazy, but I really didn’t like the job of telling my friends and future family that I needed them to fork over cash!
However, as we talked a little more and I told her when my wedding date was, she pretty much told me that my dresses needed to get ordered ASAP. The particular designer we went with was giving estimated ship dates of the middle of July to the first part of August. Reality check – the wedding is going to be here soon! Everyone was on the ball, we have them ordered and I have one less thing to worry about!
About a month ago I was at the French Door having one of my bridesmaids measured. The lady that was helping us nicely asked about when we were going to get the order in. I let it roll of my back and just answered with, “oh soon probably.” Having no intention what so ever to really get going and get the dresses ordered. Call me crazy, but I really didn’t like the job of telling my friends and future family that I needed them to fork over cash!
However, as we talked a little more and I told her when my wedding date was, she pretty much told me that my dresses needed to get ordered ASAP. The particular designer we went with was giving estimated ship dates of the middle of July to the first part of August. Reality check – the wedding is going to be here soon! Everyone was on the ball, we have them ordered and I have one less thing to worry about!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Gym
So after trying on my dress again on Sunday, I discovered a few things...
1. Technically it fits. It zips and that's about all.
2. There is no room for me to wear the dress and breathe.
3. There is no room for me to wear the dress and eat.
4. I need to go back to weight watchers
5. I need to join the gym
So new week...new game plan. Last year at this time I joined weight watchers. The program was easy to follow and by August 2008 I was feeling pretty good. Kept most of the weight off until about a month ago and I have packed 5 pounds back on. When you have a wedding dress bought and a wedding in 4 months...5 pounds is a big deal.
I started back to weight watchers on Tuesday. I am still under goal, but I have about 10 pounds that I want to lose so my dress fits comfortably. I started pushing myself again on fruits and whole grains, less snacking, and less bud light!
A big thing that weight watchers pushes is activity. Weird, don't you hear that all the time. Be active, get your butt off the couch. So, I joined PowerShop Gym. I figured this HAS to work. We are going to go to Texas in June, I want to feel good going down the Guadalupe River and by August I want my dress to fit...great.
Tonight was my first night...cardio pump. What an ass kicking! My arms still feel like noodles and I am told that tomorrow when I get out of bed...well it might be a little difficult.
Wish me luck that this works!
1. Technically it fits. It zips and that's about all.
2. There is no room for me to wear the dress and breathe.
3. There is no room for me to wear the dress and eat.
4. I need to go back to weight watchers
5. I need to join the gym
So new week...new game plan. Last year at this time I joined weight watchers. The program was easy to follow and by August 2008 I was feeling pretty good. Kept most of the weight off until about a month ago and I have packed 5 pounds back on. When you have a wedding dress bought and a wedding in 4 months...5 pounds is a big deal.
I started back to weight watchers on Tuesday. I am still under goal, but I have about 10 pounds that I want to lose so my dress fits comfortably. I started pushing myself again on fruits and whole grains, less snacking, and less bud light!
A big thing that weight watchers pushes is activity. Weird, don't you hear that all the time. Be active, get your butt off the couch. So, I joined PowerShop Gym. I figured this HAS to work. We are going to go to Texas in June, I want to feel good going down the Guadalupe River and by August I want my dress to fit...great.
Tonight was my first night...cardio pump. What an ass kicking! My arms still feel like noodles and I am told that tomorrow when I get out of bed...well it might be a little difficult.
Wish me luck that this works!
Bridesmaid Dresses
After the cake fiasco...I headed to Sioux Falls to have my last bridesmaid measured for the dress. I tried my dress on yet again, and it still fits to that's a plus.
The pressure is on however. When I told the lady when our wedding was, her jaw pretty much hit the floor. I asked what the big deal was and she kindly stated that we needed to get these dresses ordered NOW!
The designer that we picked is shipping dresses mid July. That doesn't give us a whole lot of time for alterations and problems that could arise. So, officially 1 dress is ordered and the rest of the bridesmaids will be getting a call before the week is over.
Bridezilla strikes!
The pressure is on however. When I told the lady when our wedding was, her jaw pretty much hit the floor. I asked what the big deal was and she kindly stated that we needed to get these dresses ordered NOW!
The designer that we picked is shipping dresses mid July. That doesn't give us a whole lot of time for alterations and problems that could arise. So, officially 1 dress is ordered and the rest of the bridesmaids will be getting a call before the week is over.
Bridezilla strikes!
Cake on Order
So recently I have been realizing that our wedding is less than 5 months away. HOLY CRAP! Not to mention I have a trip to Texas, a bridal shower, and a trip to Rochester all planned in the month of June. There goes a month of planning which puts me down to less than 4 months.
I need to get my poop in a group. Saturday we sat down and ordered our cake. Needless to say it was a disaster and ended up with me getting mad at Randy for not caring what our cake looked like, and a total freak out that was probably uncalled for. Go figure. I think wedding planning is suppose to come with drama...right?
The cake is ordered. A little more talking to the baker will need to be done to get things finalized. Now that the smoke has cleared from Saturday, I have a much better idea of what I like, rather than just picking a cake to get the hell out of that place.
Here are some ideas I like...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Hotel Rooms
We officially have hotel rooms blocked off for the weekend of the wedding. There are 25 double non-smoking rooms available for August 28th and August 29th. Now the hotel has other rooms available if you prefer smoking or 1 king bed, etc. We can only block off 25 at the Days Inn free of charge.
These rooms will be available until August 7. Any rooms not reserved with names and credit card numbers by then will be released to the general public on a first come/first serve basis. When you call to make a reservation ask for a room out of the Decker-Schilling Wedding Block.
The hotel doesn’t block off a particular area of the hotel, they just setting aside a particular number of guest rooms that will be held specifically for our guests. If you want a pool side room let them know. If you want a room a close to the reception hall, let them know that as well. Otherwise, the manager assigns room numbers grouped together in an effort to keep the group in one area of the hotel.
If guests call after the block has been released, they cannot guarantee what room types will be available, or where those room types will be located within the hotel.
Since the rooms just recently were set aside for us, if you have already called and have a room reserved, it isn’t under this block. Please contact them again and make sure you are included in our group.
Contact phone number for the Days Inn is: 605.692.9471
These rooms will be available until August 7. Any rooms not reserved with names and credit card numbers by then will be released to the general public on a first come/first serve basis. When you call to make a reservation ask for a room out of the Decker-Schilling Wedding Block.
The hotel doesn’t block off a particular area of the hotel, they just setting aside a particular number of guest rooms that will be held specifically for our guests. If you want a pool side room let them know. If you want a room a close to the reception hall, let them know that as well. Otherwise, the manager assigns room numbers grouped together in an effort to keep the group in one area of the hotel.
If guests call after the block has been released, they cannot guarantee what room types will be available, or where those room types will be located within the hotel.
Since the rooms just recently were set aside for us, if you have already called and have a room reserved, it isn’t under this block. Please contact them again and make sure you are included in our group.
Contact phone number for the Days Inn is: 605.692.9471
Flowers Ordered
Believe it or not, when it comes to flowers Brookings doesn’t have a whole lot of options. There are the floral shops that charge you and arm and a leg for 2 roses or you can try and book someone out of town and then figure out how to keep them cool in August.
When I was asking around, people had nothing but good things to say not only about the prices at Hy-Vee, but also the flowers. They have good quality and reasonable prices. So, I called them up and met with the manager. I took along some examples of the colors I like and the flowers I would like to use, and she gets it.
She put together a bunch of green stuff and a couple of these flowers and those flowers, and I really liked it. Now we are just waiting on an estimate.
Here’s are some of the ideas I like…
When I was asking around, people had nothing but good things to say not only about the prices at Hy-Vee, but also the flowers. They have good quality and reasonable prices. So, I called them up and met with the manager. I took along some examples of the colors I like and the flowers I would like to use, and she gets it.
She put together a bunch of green stuff and a couple of these flowers and those flowers, and I really liked it. Now we are just waiting on an estimate.
Here’s are some of the ideas I like…
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Party Bus: Check!
After a wedding we were at in Madison, WI this year, the one thing I wanted for our wedding day was a party bus. Instead of a limo or 14 vehicles to get the wedding party from the church, to downtown Brookings, to the reception hall, I wanted a party bus. I wanted to be able to have everyone in one vehicle and get everyone to the reception without anyone getting in trouble.
Problem solved. A 30 passenger disco ballroom on wheels. With 2 built in coolers and a $3500 sound system, I think we will be able to start the celebrating early! The bus is coming from Webster, SD and will be waiting for us after the ceremony. Wedding party, get ready, your chariot awaits…
Problem solved. A 30 passenger disco ballroom on wheels. With 2 built in coolers and a $3500 sound system, I think we will be able to start the celebrating early! The bus is coming from Webster, SD and will be waiting for us after the ceremony. Wedding party, get ready, your chariot awaits…
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bridesmaids
When we got engaged first thing I wanted to do was start asking everyone to be in the wedding. Everything I read said to wait...think about who is really important in your life and be sure that is who you want to stand up with you.
The other thing that I wanted, was to make it special. I didn't want to call up these people and say, hey what are you doing August 29th? I wanted to do something different if at all possible.
So I found a couple of poems on the Internet. They talked about being friends, sharing memories, etc. Perfect, but I needed to add my own touch. So I incorporated our wedding colors and a bottle of champagne.
The reason it took me so long to post this is because I did get excited and ask a few people. I asked Emily right away to be a bridesmaid and had a little too much to drink on Halloween and asked her to be my maid of honor. Kelly knew I was going to do this for all my bridesmaids, so I asked her on New Years Eve. Either way I wanted to do something for each of them. So, finally everyone has received their bottle of champagne and is in the wedding party
The other thing that I wanted, was to make it special. I didn't want to call up these people and say, hey what are you doing August 29th? I wanted to do something different if at all possible.
So I found a couple of poems on the Internet. They talked about being friends, sharing memories, etc. Perfect, but I needed to add my own touch. So I incorporated our wedding colors and a bottle of champagne.
The reason it took me so long to post this is because I did get excited and ask a few people. I asked Emily right away to be a bridesmaid and had a little too much to drink on Halloween and asked her to be my maid of honor. Kelly knew I was going to do this for all my bridesmaids, so I asked her on New Years Eve. Either way I wanted to do something for each of them. So, finally everyone has received their bottle of champagne and is in the wedding party
Valentines Day in Deadwood
Hopefully everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day...we spent our weekend in Deadwood. A little gambling, dinning out and tubing on Deer Mountain. Enjoy a few pictures. As you can see we had fun!
Coloring Books
A about a week or 2 ago I decided that if I was going to make these coloring books, I needed to get them done. This was something that I decided I wanted to do and if I wait too much longer, other things would take the front seat and these would not get done.
So, I called insti-prints and had them print up 30 copies. Sat down on a Saturday afternoon and I got busy. They turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!
These will be at the reception with a box of crayons for any kid that wants something to do. Or any parent that wants something for their kid to do at the reception!
If anyone wants the template for their future wedding, just let me know.
My workshop...
Working hard...
The finished product...
Stored till August...
So, I called insti-prints and had them print up 30 copies. Sat down on a Saturday afternoon and I got busy. They turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!
These will be at the reception with a box of crayons for any kid that wants something to do. Or any parent that wants something for their kid to do at the reception!
If anyone wants the template for their future wedding, just let me know.
My workshop...
Working hard...
The finished product...
Stored till August...
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Engagement Pictures are in
We got our engagement photos back today and were very excited to see how the rest of them turned out. We started of at McCory gardens on the SDSU campus and then to a few places downtown. Randy and I are really happy with how they turned out. I've included some of our favorites below. These are in addition to the great ones that Erin previously posted on her website. We really liked those ones too!
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