Extra, Extra!

Now I think that I'm really getting into the meat and potatoes of wedding planning. But I'll get to that in a second... first things first: Last Saturday Ed and I had our engagement pictures taken, which was probably the most fun we've had in a long time. Wedding planning is exhausting and sometimes it's just nice to spend time smiling at each other for an hour while the photographer says how adorable we are. After our photo shoot, we went out for Italian and them walked down to the Monona Terrace, where we got a great view of the city! I actually just got our copy of the engagement prints in the mail today, so they should be up soon. I'm going to try an upload them to Picasa. Knowing my computer skills, this could take a while. I promise to have them up soon!!!!

Anyways, I have also found the dress that I will be wearing when I say "I do" to the love of my life. People, this is an engagement blog, so I have every right to be a little sappy every once and a while. I'm really glad that I have this out of the way too. Just another thing to check off of my list.

Now, here are the things I still have to do: Finalize the guest list; book a block of hotel rooms; sample cake; discuss the menu; DJ; flowers; centerpieces; invitations, and SAVE-THE-DATES!

So, I'm really on the ball as far as invitations go. My future Miller family and I started slicing and dicing on Sunday. I estimated that we would need to make 130 save-the-dates, but now it looks like we're going to need somewhere around 150, just so we have a couple extra. Now, my plan is to have these out by the first weekend in December. Yikes!!!!!!

Some people are starting to wonder WHY I want to make my own invitations, versus ordering them from one of the many places that sells PRE-made invitations. I have my pride and I love making things myself, so therefore, I am going to tackle this beast and all my invitations will be made with love, because I'm only getting married once and I want everything to be just so. Whew- that was long!

Anyways, I just needed to vent this out. Thanks for listening.

Love,

R.

Invitations anyone?

First of all, I absolutely LOVE the website splitcoaststampers.com. If your crafty senses are tingling, you should defiantly visit this site. Here I found the inspiration for my wedding invitations!!! Of course, I'm not attempting this massive feat of paper-craft alone; my godmother, Donna, has been so kind to assist me and give me creative advice. She's also a Stampin' Up demonstrator, so she has great ideas! I couldn't think of a better person to help me out with this. ; - )

Here's some pictures for you to get a little preview of what I've got up my sleeve. Our wedding colors are going to be orange and yellow, with a little bit of pink thrown in to brighten things up. I really want to use a lot of bright colors at our wedding. I also want to use a lot of gerberia daisies. What a better way for me to take the flowers that we will be using and put them on the invitation! So, without further adieu, here's the pictures that inspired me:

Ok, so here's how this is going to work: The top picture has all three colors that I'm going to use. The bottom picture is how the invitation is going to look, but not with those colors, of course. It has a pocket on the right where you can put the rsvp, directions, and accommodation information. In place of the black bow there will be a beautiful two-toned white ribbon. The center of each flower will have a pewter colored brad. Let me say, these are really large brads as far as brads go. Getting back to the flowers, they will be made up of three different colors layered upon each other: pumpkin pie, daffodil delight, and melon mambo. Fun names, right? I have no idea yet how many of these flowers I need to make, but it's going to be a TON.

As always, let me know if you have any ideas! Exciting news: I'm going wedding dress shopping tonight and tomorrow! I think once I get that first dress on it will really hit me that I'm getting married. I don't think I can talk too much about my dress on my blog, because I don't want to give Ed any hints of what I'll be wearing. For all he knows, I could be wearing pants!

~Rachel