Save the Dates = sent!

Totally I took all the Save the Dates, individually and carefully hand-stamped, to the Post Office to send them out.  I'm actually a little annoyed because I wanted to take a picture of them all stacked up to send out...but I forgot.  Most people should have them tomorrow, or a few days for the out of state folks.  I think my hours of rubber stamping paid off....because they look great! 

I'll post a picture of them, and both sides of the envelope, so you can see for yourself!

Invitation--Draft 1

Prom Date Eric just sent me the first draft of our wedding invitations.  And.  They.  Are.  AMAZING!

He made Fred & I a logo, which I will have made in to a stamp....and put on everything! 

The invite is perfect for me.  It's vintage, soft, and fancy.  I sent him my feedback & he'll work with it.  I can't wait to see the RSVP, directions/accommodations/etc. 

I am so excited!!!!

Return address stamp has arrived!

Our return address stamp arrived in the mail this morning!  I hand stamped it on to each Save the Date, and they are now officially ready to send!  I'll take them to the post office Monday, and they'll be on their way!  I had my Dad's dog over today, since my Mom is out of town and he's alone.  He's four months old, and was very interested to see what I was doing. 

I'll post a picture of the stamp a little later.  Now I can check another (big) thing off my knot.com checklist!

Hurry up USPS!

I have been patiently (or not so patiently) waiting for the arrival of our return address stamp, so I can send out the Save the Dates.  I wouldn't be so particular, except I really don't feel like handwriting my own address one hundred or so times.  Plus, the stamp is very cute.

I have been constantly stalking USPS Track and Confirm....but no delivery yet.  As of 10:18 this a.m., my stamp is in Pittsburgh.  That means, it should be on my doorstep before noon tomorrow. 

Come on USPS!  I'm impatient!!!

The dreaded seating chart

I can see why people say the seating chart is the worst part of the planning process.  Those people are right.  To be fair, it was pretty split.  Half of the guests were very easy to place, and worked out very well.  The other half were pretty tricky.  Partly because they are friends of Fred's family (some of whom I don't know), but also because a few couples don't know anyone, making it hard to place them.

It's definitely a rough draft, and only 3 couples are still unplaced.  Overall, though, it was pretty seamless!

Book club is tonight, and Fred dropped the cake I made for Sarah's birthday on the floor  :)  ...so I have to go take the second one out of the oven!

Save the Dates are in!

Our Save the Dates arrived!  They are so perfect!  I love them, and they go so well with our theme!  Extremely excited!

Update:  because of my OCD & love for postal mail, six hours later, and I'm still working on them.  In my defense, each one needed a handwritten address, three stamps, and a postage stamp.  They're all set to go, except I'm waiting for my return address stamp to come in the mail.  Hopefully I'll be sending them out tomorrow!

Finally a part of this process that is fun!

Etsy saved the day!

Long ago I fell in love with etsy.com....and I'm so happy I did.  Since I was not too long ago I finally picked a date, I'm late to sending out the Save the Dates (which will arrive on my doorstep tomorrow!)  A week ago I chose a custom made return address stamp.  Unfortunately, the seller backed out.....today.  A wonderful seller on Etsy came to the rescue!  She drafted one up, and is mailing it to my doorstep, tomorrow!

Custom stamp, for my custom invites.  I like the ring of that.

Double date with Dave

Last night we went to dinner with our groomsman Dave, and his fiance Stevie.  It had been way too long since we'd seen them and it was so good to catch up.  I actually got really excited for the wedding again.  Spending so much time scouring theknot.com and researching online is so draining, and really not enjoyable.  When there is so much to do, in not much time, it feels like much more of a chore. 

I'm guessing this is why all these wedding sites tell you to take time to do fun things while planning.  On that much, they're right.

I love my senior prom date

As luck would have it, over the holidays I ran into my senior year prom date.  He now lives in NYC as a graphic designer.  Recently, he won a prestigious award for the work he did on a Hellmann's Mayonnaise ad. 

And he wants to design my wedding invitations!!!!

I found a style I really love on etsy.com.  However, they're hand stamped, at a whopping $3.95 per invitation.  (RSVP's, direction cards, accommodation/map inserts are each around $1.50.  Plus programs, menus, etc, etc, etc.  I'd be spending a fortune on the paperwork alone). 

I showed him the design I liked.  He'll use it as inspiration, but use my colors, and he wants to add a graphic of the actual chandelier that's hanging in the atrium of our reception hall.  These may be the best invitations ever!

Some of you (or, Allison and her Mom, Jeanne....since they're the only ones that read this blog.  Hi ladies!) may be wondering why I'm so excited about the invitations, since I haven't been enthusiastic about any other part of the planning process.  Sidebar begins now:

I have a serious love for the postal mail.  I have a cabinet full of stationary, and not all that I own even fits in there.  I send a card for any reason I can think of.  I check my mail daily, because even a catalog or advertisement is better than an empty mailbox.  I have been dreaming of the wedding invitations I would send out basically since forever. 

And now, I have my very own graphic designer to make my custom dream wedding invitations a reality!

Now THAT is a wedding detail I can get truly excited about :)

Centerpiece shopping

Tonight I met Sarah for dinner, and went to Ikea to look at possible centerpiece options.  Our venue states we must have candles enclosed, but I don't like hurricane vases.  Centerpiece shopping is difficult.  It's hard to choose things individually, and it's tough to see what it will look like once it's all together.  It's much easier when you're choosing from a wedding planner's catalogue, or basically copying a picture you found.  While Ikea had some nice, and affordable vase options, I still have plenty of shopping around to do before deciding.

I also went to Michael's, Pat Catan's and Joanne Fabrics tonight on the search for stamps for our envelopes.  I'm fairly certain I'll need to get a custom stamp made for the swirl.  Our return address stamp should be mailed tomorrow, but I haven't received the final proof yet.  Hopefully she'll email it, I'll love it, and she can pop it in the mail. 

The best part of the evening was having dinner with Sarah.  Having married in 2008, she's full of advice and suggestions.  We talked a lot about the guest list (which I'm fairly certain is every bride's nightmare) and discussed shower ideas.

All in all, a pretty productive evening.

Save the Dates are ordered!

Today I chose the design, made some adjustments, and ordered the Save the Dates.  I chose magnets, because I think it's a cute idea....and to be honest, they stay on people's fridge for much longer than a paper Save the Date does.  I still look at the magnets from past weddings and remember how fun those days were.

We chose one of our engagement photos, and designed the magnets in our wedding color scheme.  Conveniently, Fred and I are also wearing our wedding colors.......because I'm psycho like that.  :)

They should arrive in a week....at which point I will address them and pop them in the mail immediately!

Once they arrive I'll upload a picture :)

And here we have....our wedding website!!!

Alright.  Anyone in the world would enjoy tasting cakes.  But designing a wedding website? 

Tedious.

Unenjoyable.

Time consuming.

Overly detailed.

Not.  Fun.  At.  All.

Do people really even look at these things?  Don't people who want to know the time of our ceremony just look at the invitation I'll be sending you in the mail! 

I'm sure some girls truly enjoy choosing their 20 favorite photos of them & their fiance to put in the Photo Album.  I'm just not one of them.

If you care to have a look, here's my masterpiece:  www.theknot.com/ourwedding/KateFerri&FredDawson

WE SET A DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We set a date.

WE SET A DATE!

I, Sarah Katherine Ferri, finally & absolutely
SET A WEDDING DATE.

After 3 years, and 3 months of "have you set a date?"  "when are you getting married?"  "you're still engaged?"  "oh, I thought you'd be married by now"  and my personal favorite "Is this a fake engagement?" ....I can now happily reply with,

May 14th, 2011

Fred and I are going out with Allison tonight to celebrate.  Because it's been three years coming, and it's finally official!

PS- Yes, I realize it's exactly four months from today.  I have a lot of work cut out for myself, but thankfully I have many of the major details solidified already.

Dream photographer = amaaaaaazing

Alright.  Still pretty stressed out today.  But the phone conversation with the photographer went SO WELL.  She really is such a nice person, and she answered all of my questions (and with the exact answers I was hoping for).  From what it sounds like, she will try her best to get 9,000 pictures for our wedding.  All the options I could possibly hope for.  Not to mention, creative, fun ones. 

We discussed an engagement shoot in the early spring.  If we are able to book her, we'll get to meet with her before the actual wedding.

Awesome, awesome, awesome lunch conversation.

Hello, stress. And mini freak out.

Okay, I'm panicking.  I've hit the point of major panic. 

Today I looked at the calendar and realized I have exactly four months.  FOUR MONTHS.  AND I DON'T HAVE A DATE SET.

This is bad.  This isn't good.  This is not good at all. 

I'm still waiting to hear back from the venue.  I HAVE to let Jamie know, absolutely as soon as possible, so she can get a flight.  And my brother, so he can get one from Oregon.

I'm calling dream photographer in a few minutes, and hopefully we can iron out some details so I can calm down about that.

I need to set the date.  Immediately.  I need to make a decision about bridesmaid dresses.  Immediately.  I need to get all of this set in stone.  Immediately.

I need a mid-day cocktail.

DJ, check!

One more thing off the list!

Music is KEY because I want everyone to have an awesome time.  Plus, everyone knows my love for dance parties.  A good DJ could make, or break, any wedding.

We talked to the DJ today and he is open for either date we're between.  He came very highly recommended from a friend, so this is good news!  We'll be in contact with him soon to lock it down!

Check another major thing off my list!  High five for me!

Get to the polls people, it's time to vote

Yesterday on Facebook I posted a few of our Save The Date pictures that were taken in October.  HOLY COMMENTS!


So far, everyone really likes:

                      It's candid, very in the moment, & ACP says it's "yay we're getting married!"

       While I like this one, I worry it's a bit too much PDA to put on someones fridge for a few months



I love both of those, and they would be very cute Save The Dates.  I guess in my mind, I always envisioned two smiling faces.  Sort of saying, "Hi!  Here we are!  Don't forget to come hang out when we tie the knot!  And enjoy your breakfast!"

                              Happy faces!  But the Save The Date I like is vertical, not horizontal
                                                         I'm sure it can be changed, easily

                  This one we chose for our Christmas card.  But who pays attention to that anyway?



Let the voting continue!

To change the date.....or not to change the date

Alright.  I've spent a good portion of the day hurriedly searching for a photographer in the event I keep 5.21. 

I am not satisfied.

I haven't talked to my Dad yet to see what he thinks about several of his relatives not being there.  Obviously, I realize that not everyone will be able to attend.  I really do get that.  However, when he only has one brother left, and only one sister-in-law he's relatively close with (as close as my Dad can be with people) and they BOTH can't attend....it makes me think perhaps that's not the best day.

Or maybe I just really want that photographer.

Well.  One of the two.

CRAP

My dream photographer is booked. 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Originally, we were looking at Friday, May 27th (because of the restaurant).  However, now that we don't have to do it on a Friday, we decided Saturday May 21st is the day.  Unofficially. 

When I originally talked to the photographer, I gave her the 5.27 date.  When I emailed her last night to follow up, she responded this morning letting me know she's booked that day.

On top of several key members of the Ferri family who are out of town on the 21st....now I am left to wonder, is it REALLY crazy to change the date.....for the photographer.  (And the family, of course).

Photography is my number one.  Ugh, this is frustrating!

Update: I made my bridesmaids cry

Remember back in October when I played the walk down the aisle song for Jamie, Allie, and Sarah, and they cried?  Probably not, but anyway...tonight when on the way to try on the bridesmaid dress, I played the song off my ipod for Allison.  She really liked it, said it was beautiful, and perfect for me.

Later on, I received this wall post on my Facebook:

I guess I'm making everyone cry.

Cocktail vs Full length

Alright, here's the two dresses we're deciding between.  Both will be in a shade of very pale pink. 

                                                           MOH Allie in the full length

                                                                  Me in the cocktail

                                                   Comparing my dress with each option

      

                                                   MOH Allison in cocktail, me in full length


Cocktail would be sassy, and fun to accessorize with chunky statement jewelry.  Full length is more classic and romantic. 

Decisions, decisions.

Bridesmaid Dress Search #3

Tonight, Allison and I are headed back to MB Bride so she can try on the first gown (full length).  We'll see what she thinks of it, and then head to dinner for some girl talk. 

UPDATE:  Jackpot!  Conveniently enough, as Allison had on the full length dress, and I had on my wedding dress, a girl in the dressing room next to us popped out in the cocktail dress!  How perfect!  So, we were able to take a look at both dresses, at the same time.  Also, we took a picture of me in the middle, with the dresses on either side. 

So far the vote is pretty split.  All the girls said they are happy to wear either one, but obviously, each has their preference.  My only concern now, is what the full length will look like in all pink.  It's GORGEOUS in a dark red...but tough to picture in pink.  Allison and I were discussing, and are a little worried it might turn out looking like Barbie/prom gown.
I'm going to review the pictures and send them out to the girls.

Bridesmaid Dress Search #2

Tonight I went with Sarah to search for more bridesmaid dress options.  I'm still not in love with the color of the dress we found the first day.  I refuse to put Allie in bubblegum pink....or anything remotely close to it.  I fell in love with a cute cocktail dress I saw at this store when I picked up my dress.  It's very modern, cute, and sassy.  I'm just not sure it meshes that well with my dress.  But it does have this adorable little belt.  I'm going to send the photo to my girls and see what they think.  After all, they're the ones who will be wearing it.