Music

The DJ requested a song list for the reception. I'm going to start working on that soon. Let me know if you have any requests (or even good ideas :)) for dinner music, dance music, and slow dances.

Dinner

Also, I meant to write it on your response cards, but you'll have another option for dinner. The bridal party, ushers, and parents have the option of steak (ribeye) for dinner. So please let me know and/or mark it on the response card if you would like steak instead of the chicken or tilapia.

Shoes

I'd like everyone to go with some sort of silver strappy sandal. I don't care if they match exactly or even if the heel height is the same. Get what is comfortable (and affordable) for you.

Just to give you some ideas-

Also- I'll be bringing some little ballet slippers to change into at the reception. Feel free to do the same :)

Laurie and I are going shopping for jewelry on Sunday, so I'll post an update after we figure that out also.

UPDATE: Flowers

I've been working with a florist and pretty much have the flowers nailed down. If I haven't already told you, everything will be done with tulips. I've posted some pics below. My bouquet will look like this but will be all white with a few very light pink tulips.
The bridesmaids bouquets will look pretty similar to this with white, light and dark pink tulips. And will have light gray/silver ribbon tie and streamers.

The boutonnieres and corsages will look pretty similar to these:

The centerpieces will be a bunch of tulips in a fish bowl like the picture below but will but will be with different color pastel tulips like light pink, yellow, peach, and purple like the picture next to it.

Cake

Just in case you were curious, thought I would post a picture of what the cake will look like.

It will pretty much look like the one below, but with tulips instead of daisies and blue ribbon to match your dresses instead of green. The icing will look pretty similar though- white with white piping alternating dots and swirls. As for flavor, each tier is two layers of cake- one will be white/vanilla and the other will be chocolate (so each slice will be half vanilla, half chocolate) and the frosting will be raspberry flovored.

James is still working on the concept for his groom's cake or else I would tell more about that also. All I do know is that it will be carrot cake.

Wedding Day Hair and Make-up

Hey ladies- I know I haven't posted anything in a while, but trust me I've been busy :)
Got just about all of the vendors set- cake, flowers, music, photographer, etc. Now working on the details.
So I just spoke with the salon about hair and make-up. Unfortunately I couldn't find anyone to come out to the country club while we were getting ready that was reasonably priced. So I found a salon that is not too far from the hotel or country club and has a good reputation. I'm thinking we can go there in the morning and then go to the country club to get dressed and finish getting ready.
The cost of hair will be $50-75 depending on what type of style you want. And make-up will be $25. Please let me know if you would like either of these, both, or nothing done. The salon advised I get you guys scheduled as soon as possible.

Thanks!

P.S. I was thinking we could go get nails done the day before- on the 9th. Let me know if you would like a manicure, pedicure, both or neither so we can get that appointment scheduled as well. Also let me know what time you’ll be arriving on the 9th.

UPDATE: Bridesmaids dresses

Laurie and I braved the weather and went back to Davids Bridal tonight and made a decision on the dresses. She tried on all three of them and we agreed that actually the one on the left pictured below looked the best. I even put on my dress again to see what it would look like next to it. It is much better looking in person than in the picture. I think you are all going to look beautiful in it. I'm so excited!
So the next step is for each of you to go to the store and tell them you want to try on the bridesmaid dress in my name. The style number is 8567 and color Serene, if there are any questions.
Let me know if you have any problems.

P.S. Ang- ask about the extended length. Laurie had to get it, you may need it too.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Phew! Dress shopping was quite an adventure last night. Thanks to Laurie for being patient and helping narrow down choices and focus. There are so many pretty dresses to choose from and you all know how well I do with making decisions! :) Anyway, we got it narrowed down to 4 dresses then 2 and finally the dress that we both loved, in the color I loved. Unfortuantely our consultant looked it up in the computer and it would take 12 weeks to get the dress in.... so back to the drawing board. At least I picked the color I want but they only have a limited number of dresses that come in that color (of course). So I found three more dresses that might be possibilities. Laurie and I are going back in tonight to see how they look on.

I had originally planned on giving you guys a choice of a few different dresses but after talking to the lady last night, I may need to just make an executive decision. The fastest they can get the dresses in is 6 weeks and then with a fitting and alterations, we're pushing it to meet the April 10th deadline. So once Laurie and I pick the dress tonight, I'll need everyone to get to Davids Bridal as soon as you can to place your order.

Ok so the color I picked is called Serene. Its a sort of a smoky slate blue. It doesn't look great in the pictures but I fell in love with it in the store.

First, althought it doesn't really matter, here's the dress i really wanted:

Here are the other options we are looking at tonight. My favorite out of these is the one on the far right. Any thoughts?

Oh and pretty much any of the dresses can have straps added if you're not a fan of strapless.

Honeymoon

Hmm...Hawaii or Paris? They both have their pros and cons. I guess it depends on what type of honeymoon we want. With Hawaii we would have some stuff to do but I imagine mostly laying on the beach for a week. :) With Paris we would have plenty to do and see. It would be cool to go to museums and see architechture and the package included a few days in Cannes so we would get a little beach time too. We meet with the travel agent Tuesday. I'll let you know what we decide. Mom, Liese...Any wisdom?

Flowers

I'll probably be calling the florist tomorrow to set up an appointment. I'm having a tough time deciding on flowers- I'll take any suggestions you have. I love startgazer lilies and i think the bouquet with the lilies and dark red roses is beautiful. But with it being spring, I was thinking a mix of wild flowers would be pretty. Or maybe tulips. It will all probably come down to cost, but anyone have any other ideas?

Favors

Thought I would share some ideas we had for favors. I think the golf tees will be cute since we will be at a golf course. Since it will be spring, I thought seed packets would be nice. I found these plantable cards which I think are really cool but kind of pricey. So I may just end up buying some bulk wildflower seed and put into little packets with a card attached. What do you guys think? Of course I would do candy or something on the table too, just thought these would be nice personalized gifts.

Ring

Here are some pictures of the ring I found. We are having it custom-made at a local jeweler so it is going to take a couple weeks before I get it :( You will all be the first to know when i do get it!

Dress

The pictures don't do it justice. I fell in love with it as soon as I put it on.

Hi!

Hey Ladies! Thank you all for agreeing to take part in my special day. I love you all so much and it means a lot to me to have you involved.

Since everyone is spread over half the country, I figured a blog would be a good way for us to share ideas and for me to get your opinions and advice on things I'll be deciding for the wedding.

I've already started a wedding website to give all the guests important info for the wedding.
You can find it at http://jamesandmelissa.ourwedding.com/
Check out the venue websites. I'm so excited and I know this will be a great day!

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, I'll post pictures of my ring and dress.

Laurie and I are going dress shopping tomorrow night. I'll post pictures of some dress ideas and everyone can let us know what you think.

Talk to you later!
-Melissa