Finalizing the Menu and Packing for the New Place

Moving kittehs are ready to go!

Things are starting to get busy around here. Really busy. It doesn't help that we are busy at work too. We have set up all of our utilities at our new apartment, and Tom will be calling on Sunday to get our official move in date. Our "kids" have been "helping" me pack. They are fascinated by the empty boxes. It's a lot of work, but the idea of having my own kitchen again is enough to keep me going.

At the same time, I am continuing to finalize everything with our vendors. Our reception coordinator is going to be on vacation for the next week. This actually worked out nicely because it has forced me to finalize the menu and start working on our seating chart. I mentioned earlier that we have been upgrading with some of our vendors as a result of a low guest head count. The caterer was no exception.

Here is our finalized reception menu:

Hors D'ouevres:
Cheese Tray
Vegetable Tray
Seasonal Fruit
Assorted Snacks

Salad course served tableside

Dinner Buffet:
Steak Tips
Italian Meatballs
Honey Mustard Chicken
Vegetarian Lasagna
Whipped Potatoes
Macaroni and Cheese
Vegetable Medley
Potato Salad

And of course, dessert will be our wedding cake. Yummy!

Building a Nest

After a year (13 months to be exact) of living in my mother's basement, Tom and I will moving into a place of our own.

As of September first, this will be the view from our living room window

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We got ourselves a gorgeous two bedroom apartment in Portland. It is everything we want for our home; close to work, hardwood floors, clawfoot tub, two bedrooms, private deck, and a dining room. My mom found the listing, Tom took a look at it, and I did not get to see it until after we signed the lease. Tom did good. We move in September 1 so that everything will be unpacked for when we return from our honeymoon. As if I was not busy enough already. 

Upgrading our wedding cake

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I mentioned earlier that our smaller guest list means upgrades all around. The first thing we needed to change was our cake. A four-tier cake that served 180 did not seem appropriate for our guest list of around 50. It was too late to ask for a refund, but our baker was more than willing to upgrade. Now we are going to have a three-tier lemon cake filled with lemon curd and topped with almond butter cream. Have I mentioned that Tom and I REALLY like lemon?

Dress Fitting!

No pictures this time, but I had my first dress fitting yesterday. Many of you may remember that my seamstress recommended not having my first fitting until three weeks out. I am happy I listened to her, because if I would have had my alterations earlier, I would be needing more alterations last minute. Apparently, in the last month or so, I managed to lose a bit of weight.

Prior to my fitting, Tom helped me get into my long line bra. Usually it fits a bit snug. To the extent that usually the first column of hooks are hooked, and then everything is moved over to the second while I hold my breath. This time around, Tom just hooked in on at the tightest setting, and it was still quite comfortable. Once I got to my fitting, my seamstress laced up my dress, and pinned in the alterations. The dress fits me like a glove already, it just requires a half inch to be taken in at the bust, and a half inch hem. She is also putting the bustle in for me this time. Next time I go in will be my final fitting on September 6. That's only a few weeks before the wedding! Oh my goodness it's coming up fast!

Following up on RSVP's

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I should begin by stating that my graphic is intended to be light-hearted. I understand that schedules can be busy, and that not everyone thinks about me and Tom's wedding on a day-to-day basis. I can accept that. At the same time, I do understand why RSVPs are the top of every bride's list of frustrations. Tom and I could not have made responding to our invitations any easier, we included a self-addressed stamped envelope, printed the names on the RSVP card, and, just in case that proved to be an inconvenience, we have a place to RSVP online with our website. Regardless, our RSVP has come and gone, and we are still in the process of tracking down everyone on our guestlist. 

The number of acceptances has been on the low side, which we were expecting. All of our guests are travelling from out-of-state. While we aren't going to have the large reception we originally planned, we are able to add a bunch of upgrades that we thought were out of reach. For example, our now-smaller wedding cake will be filled with lemon curd, instead of the originally planned almond buttercream. We are also looking at upgrading the bridesmaid's bouquets.

One Month to Go!

One month to go! Tom and I are entering the last days of our 19 month engagement.

I am pleased to report that I finished my goal of completing all DIY projects before the one month mark. All bubbles and ribbon wands are done. I made a bunch of programs as well, and I might make more, as the last few RSVPs straggle in. I am waiting until I have all of our guests accounted for before I make a seating chart, and escort cards will be made after that. I'm more than comfortable with that.

The stress is definitely starting to take over. We are both very excited for the wedding, but at the same time we are more than realizing just how expensive weddings can be. We now have a list of stuff to purchase/replace "after the wedding." I think it is fair to say that we are both looking forward to heading to our jacuzzi suite in the mountains for some much needed relaxation during our honeymoon.

It's kind of weird not making goals to accomplish for the next month, but at this point it's sort of do or die. I have my dress fitting on Tuesday, 8/16. Tom and I have to finish our request list, and figure out our first dance song, and the father/daughter dance song. I need to finalize our flower order and the rental order. We need to meet with the photographer too. Oh, and I should probably mail out invitations for the rehearsal dinner. So much to do! On the positive, exactly one month from right now, I will be sitting in a spa, with my closest friends, sipping a mimosa, and preparing to marry the man of my dreams.

In other news, we have definitely started to look at life after the wedding. We are apartment hunting, and found a place that we love in Portland. Right now, the plan is that we will be moving out over Labor Day weekend, settle in during the week before the wedding, and then have a place of our own to return to after our honeymoon. In terms of long term housing plans, after the wedding we are going to focus on getting out of debt and saving up for a down payment. We want to be home owners in the next five years. Tom and I are also starting to plan our family. More on that after the wedding.

Happy Birthday Tom!

Another year older, another year handsomer. To my best friend, partner, and soon-to-be husband, happy birthday!

VIP Responses

During the first week of July, Tom and I mailed out VIP invitations to the governors of Maine and Missouri, as well as the President. The governor of Maine mailed us back the RSVP card with "Declines" checked. That is more than I can say for the governor of Missouri, but it would have been nice to get a letter or something. In comparison to the governors, the President outdid himself.

A signed (okay, stamped) letter of congratulations from the President and Mrs. Michelle Obama. We are going to display our letter on the guestbook table at the reception. After that? It will be a nice little momento for the wedding album.