Almost done...

I'm almost all done with everything I need to do for the wedding. Seriously. How awesome is that? I can just sit back and relax!
This weekend I finished getting my bridesmaids gifts and figured out what to get my parents. Eli has figured out what to get his parents, so we just have to go and buy the stuff.
Now it's just odds and ends. This weekend I'll put together the program. I have to find the version of "You Are My Sunshine" for the pianist. Things like that. No biggie.
I have given up one project. I was going to do a slide show but decided that it was just way too stressful. Picking out the pictures, scanning them, making them the right size and then putting them in a PowerPoint was way too much. Eli was a little sad when I told him this but, hey, I'm the one doing all the work so I can say when, right? I do have to let Cory know since he was going to get me the projector... but he reads this, right? :)
We're also getting the RSVP cards back. Only one person has forgotten to write their name on it. We'll figure out who it is eventually... Some bounced back too because we had the wrong addresses. Oops. We'll get those out again as soon as possible!
On the tanning front things are going great. I'm getting so brown and I think my back is starting to tan... hopefully that tan line will fade soon. I actually am starting to like going tanning, how scary is that? I like that it's the one time in my day where I just have to sit still and I like feeling the warmth. But I keep referring to it as the cancer box to remind myself I can't do this forever!

Whoops...

Well I figured out a little mistake I made with invitations, it's no big deal but could lead to some confusion. On the RSVP cards we gave people three meal options and put a line next to it for them to check which one they want.
We've started getting some of the cards back and I realized that I didn't ask them to write the name next to the meal. So Jim and Joan Smith will reply with one check next to beef and one check next to chicken. Who wants what? I have no idea. So I think we'll just kind of guess when we create the name cards cause we have to put what meal they want on the name card so the server knows what they will get.
So if you are coming to our wedding and haven't RSVP'd yet, please put your name by the food option. And if you already sent it in and didn't put your name by it, well you may get the wrong meal. But look at the meal the person you're with got and you just have to switch!
Oh well, not a big deal...

Tanning

I went tanning for the first time last night. It was crazy and really should have been an episode of Seinfeld or something.
First, there are like three different types of tan you can get in three different beds. Who knew? I had a coupon and I think I ended up getting enough tans to last me through 2009. I had no idea what I was doing but the girl who worked there was very helpful. She would ask me questions and I would just smile and give an apologetic shrug. Do I want the bronze tan or the turbo tan? How the heck am I supposed to know? I just need to get rid of these tan lines.
Then she asked me if I was going to use any lotion. I said oh yes, of course I am. I brought SPF50 for my face. I don't want wrinkles. She smiled politely and said she recommends a lotion that will treat my skin and help me tan easier. Oh. I didn't even know.
She suggested this one kind that helps with anti-aging. She had me sniff it and asked if I liked how it smelled. Sure. Smells like diesel fuel and flowers. Whatever. At least it comes with a free turquoise bracelet!
She takes me to the room. We agree six minutes is the best for me to start and I'll start with the bronzing tan to build a base. She tells me to put the tanning lotion all over and get into the bed. Hit the red button to start or stop. Hit the yellow for facial cause our faces tan last! (and wrinkle first, I think to myself).
She leaves, I put on a ton of SPF50 on my face and then the tanning lotion over everything else. I get into the bed, put on the goggles and turn it on. (not to mention pulling down the cover over me that reminds me too much of a coffin) A woosh of air starts flowing and the lights are on full blast. Here is my train of thought:
What's with the air flow? Is that so I don't sweat? Gross. I'm laying in other people's sweat.
This is kind of bright. I should keep my eyes shut, even with the goggles. (clench eyes shut) Wonder what would happen if the glasses fell off? Would my eyes burn out of the socket?
Crap. I put the towel under my head but it's blocking my shoulders. (I rearrange, which is difficult with the goggles on and the confined space).
Crap, my hands. What if they burn. How am I supposed to write with burned hands? (I clench my hands into a fist)
How long is 6 minutes? This is really long. What if she put it on too long? I would burn up and they wouldn't find me until they started smelling that smell. The cops would come in and take my body. (envision what a burned body looks like... and yes I know what one looks like) Someone would write in the paper about how I had such a bright future ahead of me and was supposed to get married in two months.
(I then start panicking and try to take deep breaths but then the lights go out, 6 minutes done)
But it worked out pretty well. Today I see a little color, but not much. Oh and I kind of burned my boobs. Not a lot, but they're kind of pink. They hurt a little this morning...

I'm a little better

I got through my stressful weekend in one piece. My mom is still trying to work something out with the hotel and hopefully she succeeds.
We met with the pianist on Saturday. She is so awesome, I liked her immediately! She is going to play "Sea of Love" while we walk down the aisle. She played a little of it for us and I got teary eyed. She also is going to play "What a Wonderful World" after the ceremony while we walk out. But I'm starting to get nervous about that cause it's kind of a slow song. Thoughts? I wanted something upbeat. Honestly, I wanted "You Are My Sunshine," but my friend Dan did that at his wedding so I don't want to copy. But I may have to play it anyway, cause I really, really want it :) It's such a fun song!
Also on Saturday I went with my mom, sister and grandma shopping at Mall of America. I got a purse to go with my outfit, it's dark blue and is the exact same color as my shoes and the bridesmaids dress. And I got it for $10- score!
My mom got her dress and it is absolutely gorgeous! My sister and I walked into Macy's and saw it at the same time and went "Mom! That's it!" We fell in love. She wasn't so sure cause it's a long dress, but either way it would have to get hemmed so she's going to have it be made it knee length. It's perfect for her, though. It's a dark maroon color (perfect for her skin tone) and has all this gathering on the top. Very cute!
So things are moving along smoothly. My dad supposedly sent out invitations yesterday so we should start getting back RSVPs soon!

Deep breaths...

I'm stressed. Really stressed. We have had an issue with check in times at the hotel. Apparently check in isn't until 4 p.m. and the wedding starts at 4 p.m. So what are our guests to do who need to change before the ceremony? Try the bathroom. Or maybe find a friend. Maybe, if they're lucky, they can check in early. But they can't guarantee that.
I sent in my super mom to figure it out. She's tough and reasonable. Hopefully she can work out something with the hotel.
But seriously, I don't want guests inconvenienced. That's the whole idea behind having the ceremony and reception in one place. No one has to drive somewhere else or wait between events.
We'll see what happens.
Today I ended my marathon day of wedding planning. This morning Britt came with me to my dress fitting. Everything looks great and I tried on my necklace with the dress- it looks awesome! Britt told me that the look is totally me, which is a big complement. I want to look like me, not some carbon copy bride.
I drove to the cities and went to my hair run-through with my mom. It turned out super cute and very curls. Think Christina Applegate in Samantha Who? I love it. It's very bouncy. We cut an inch and a half off and it feels so much lighter!
This evening we met with the DJ. I'm really excited for that. We found out that we get to have videos with our music- how cool is that? The videos will be playing with most of the songs. Very cool.
Tomorrow is another day of planning. We're meeting with the pianist in the morning and then going shopping. Looking for a dress for my mom and sister and some accessories. Good times.
After this weekend, though, most everything should be lined up!

Shower, invitations and more

This weekend Eli and I had our first wedding shower. It was so much fun! Family and friends attended and we lucked out with a beautiful day outside.
We got a lot of great gifts, like dishes, an immersion blender and a pan. It was kind of fun when we came home and went through everything. I used a new bowl yesterday, how sad is it that I was so excited about a bowl? Eli was jealous that I used one so he made some chocolate milk in a new coffee mug. We're dorks, we know. But I'm in love with our new dishes. Eli picked them out and he did a great job. They're really heavy duty and are a chocolate brown. Very nice.
I also got my necklace at the shower. This is a two-necklace set made by my friend Mary. I cried when I opened it because it's so beautiful! I can't imagine the time she put into it. It's fantastic and I can't wait to wear it! I'm going to my dress fitting on Friday and will try it on with the dress then. It is everything I hoped for :)
We also finished invitations this weekend. Luckily my Auntie Nancy was in town and volunteered to help. She has the most beautiful handwriting ever, so she addressed half of them and my sister did the other half. Kris has perfect handwriting as well. She should teach first grade (so she can teach kids how to write...). Anyway those should be going out this week.
I have Friday off and plan to do a lot more wedding stuff this weekend. Friday I have my dress fitting and am meeting with the hairstylist to do a practice run. I'm wearing my hair down and have been growing it out. I'm hoping she wants to cut some, though, cause it's starting to drive me nuts :) We're also meeting with the DJ and pianist to get the music in order.
Saturday we're going to the mall and picking out dresses for my mom and sister.
There's so much going on and I'm starting to feel the stress! There's a ton with the wedding and I'm also in a crunch at work because I'm working on a huge project. I knew August was going to be the busiest month and I'm feeling it already :(
Deep breaths....