Work is sooooo slow today...

So - I clearly need to post an updated to do list. I'm starting to burn out on all things wedding. I'm getting anxious for July to come already so we can have this party. I've never put so much thought and time into one event before. Work has also been dragging lately so I would like a vacation.



Location - venue is booked but the final payment needs to be made - $550. I will make this payment when we go see the venue in person over Memorial Day weekend. Yes, we booked the venue without ever being there in person. My mom did go and check it out for me (THANK YOU MOM). Our original venue closed for the 2009 season in December due to state budget cuts - it was a state park. Unfortunately this was 9 months before the wedding and the loss of this venue completely threw our budget off since it was an INCREDIBLE deal - $175 for 24 hours of a private park, building, kitchen, parking, tables and chairs. So, we were stranded and I kept getting really snarky replies to my inquiries regarding availablility since everything had already booked and everyone felt the need to explain to me that you are supposed to book earlier than 9 months in advance. Many of the venues were also hideously expensive (at least to me). I am not going to spend $3000 on a room for 5 hours - no way, no how (especially when you then have to have them cater for even more $$$).


So we booked a petting zoo. Well, not the whole zoo but a remodled "event space" on the same grounds as the zoo. Less than $1000 and we get the building, a private outdoor area, kitchen, sink, refrigerator, sound system, parking, bathrooms, the right to self-cater and 24 hours.



Ceremony Accessories - DONE - I have all the ingredients for the programs and am part-way through creating/assembling them. I purchased tags for the fans (from etsy) and my friend is going to stamp our initials on them.



Officiant Fee - DONE - As we have already been legally married, this is now unneeded.



Food - $700 - no further developments in this area.



Drinks - $310 - no further developments in this area although I did spend a ridiculous amount of time today looking at boylan soda and Izze on line.



Cakes - same old, same old



Veil - DONE - Aunt N. repaired it and it is ready to go.

Bridal Accessories - $50 - nothing

My dress - Aunt N has worked out the beading design and will be sending me fabric swatches shortly. ~$300

Kids' dresses - M's mother is still on the case and has decided to pay for it as well - Hooray!

Groom's clothes - $100 - I gave him a May 1 deadline for this, lets see if it works.

Flowers - $100

Reception decor: Done: Cake stands, tablecloths, jars Undone: card container, tubs for drinks, drink dispensers, tea lights, signs for tables, fabric banners (being created for me by my friend).

My ring - $650 (I'm pretty sure he knows it is supposed to be here BEFORE the wedding, but who knows).

His ring - Done

Attendant gifts - $50

Event insurance - $100 (will hopefully be completed in April since I have to renew my car insurance then).

Plates, cups, utensils, napkins - Done

Polaroid - still need approx. 5 packs of film - wish me luck.

ALSO:

Print and send invitations - deadline - May 20, 2009

Write the ceremony / vows

Create marriage certificate

Find someone to "officiate"

Finalize menu / beverage choices

Progress

I must say that I have made a fair amount of progress on actually acquiring items for the wedding in July. Its amazing what a little bit of actual money will help you acomplish - thank you tax refund.


$200 - vintage tablecloths - primarily off of e-bay with a couple from etsy. I have 16 - 10 for guest tables and 6 for cake/gift/drink/game tables. I think I might get 1-2 more because a couple I got I'm not loving so much. As we can all tell I went way off the deep end with the tablecloths, but I really like them.




$100 - cake stands. I was going to go vintage but I don't go to garage sales very often (M won't go at all) and the ones I was finding online were terribly expensive for the ones I liked. So, I got 5 Martha Stewart cake stands, 2 in red, 2 in aqua and one in white. I really like them although I don't know what I'll do with them after the wedding.






$100 - plates, cups, utensils - this seems expensive but they are all compostable and eco-friendly - from Branch Living.


$32 - napkins - this seems ridiculous but I wanted a specific version from Plum Party Supply -

$200 - M's ring, sized and everything.

$200 - Legal details (M and I got officially married on Feb. 13 for various practical reasons. The $200 represents the cost of the marriage license, my dress for that day along with lunch and cake for us and our friends/witnesses.) No one knows about the official marriage except for us/our witnesses and my office mates. We don't want to ruin the fun of the actual wedding for everyone in case the fact that the legal details have already been settled would effect their experience. This also solves the problem of the officiant who was going to charge $175 when the wedding was in its original location. We'll never know how much it would have been once we moved the location an hour away.

Anyhow, now we are focusing on a more quaker-style ceremony - similar to the one used by the bride in A Backyard Wedding. We just need to choose who will "officiate" the ceremony since clearly that person will need to know we are already married.

I have also gone on a polaroid spree. I now own three cameras in addition to the one I had already borrowed and I'm stocking up on the ridiculously expensive film (along with EVERYONE ELSE). I have some e-bay frustration.

Progress is being made on my dress. The primary fitting will take place over memorial day weekend - when everyone can get together.

I think my next post will be an updated to do list. This event is now less than four months away. eeek.