September 14th, 2009 : 33 days!

Wow. We're down into the 30's. This Thursday will mark exactly 1 month until the wedding, and Saturday will be exactly four weeks. Tyler and I were discussing this last night and it seems almost unreal. I think that being engaged for over a year does that to a person. I can't imagine those who have really long engagements. I'd get so bored! As it stands, I was pretty bored during some of it because I couldn't do things early.

RSVP deadline is tomorrow, and we're still short a few RSVP's. Hopefully those people read the website occaisionally, because I'm putting their names up... first names only, for the sake of the internet :(

• Jean & Jim
• Joan & David
• Willie & Kathy
• Jason
• Jamin & Amanda
• Frank & Liz
• Loren & Sylvia
• Joe & Justina
• Pete
• Danny R
• Robert & Jill
• Danny & Jenni
• Grant
• Katie
• Wendy & Kelly
• Shane

If any of you read this entry and go "Whoops! I almost forgot!" Please email me to let me know what's going down!

This past weekend was my bridal shower and stagette, and it was a blast. Thanks so much to Jill, Jamie, and Kaalyn for putting it together and surprising me with awesome things. Thanks to Monique for lending us her house. Thanks to everyone who came and participated, and thanks for all the wonderful presents that I have already started using. Formal thank you cards will be going out this week, but I felt the need to at least say thanks ahead of time.

Deb will be throwing a bridal shower for me at her house in Hague on September 25th at 730pm. If anyone is interested in coming to this, contact her or myself and we can give you directions and whatnot.

Tyler and the boys finally got fitted for their tuxes this past weekend, but apparently didn't use the suggestions that I had made months prior. Kaalyn's going to check it out (she works at Moores) and make the appropriate changes if they need to be done. I told Tyler that I trusted his decision, but the face that Kaalyn made when he mentioned the colour/tuxes that they went with makes me iffy on my support. We'll see.

Our wedding rings came in this weekend, and we're going to be picking them up NEXT weekend, which is awesome. Does anyone know a good place to take them to get engraved? I didn't even think to check at Heinrich's, where they're from, so perhaps that should be my first stop?

I believe that's enough updating for now. Those almost-tardy to respond people, please contact us either way so that we can start planning out the tables and get final numbers to everyone. As more things progress, as always, I'll update.

Posted by Paige

September 1st, 2009 : 46 days!

A lot has happened recently, not all of it good, and not all of it I'm going to go into here. Believe it or not, the internet is NOT the place where you can say whatever you want!

After speaking with the liason at our reception venue for the first time in about 6 months, we've found out that instead of being allotted 130 for dinner, we're only supposed to have 120. She said they can squeeze the 130 in, but it'll be tight. I'd rather have people comfortable. We've got a handful of people on our B list for dinner, so as soon as spots open up, I am filling them like a baker fills a donut : quickly.

The registry is updated for the last time. After looking at it and realising just how selfish we look only asking for big ticket items, I've gone in and deleted things and added a lot of items that we do actually need, but at a lower price point. I know that the bridal shower is going to be kitchen gadget themed, so by all means go crazy! Also, and I always forget this, I need cake pans. I have zero cake pans. Multiple muffin tins, cookie sheets, I even have a springform pan... but no cake pans. Or 9x13 pans, or the square 8x8. So if anyone actually reads this and hasn't thought of a gift, there you go.

I just realised how selfish and expectant that sounded. "Buy us this if you haven't gotten us anything yet". By no means are we "expecting" gifts. The only reason I suggested that was if someone were stumped, and was already planning on purchasing a gift.

With about a month and a half to go, a lot of things are starting to pop up that need to get done. But, obviously, they'll get done or they won't. And no one will know the difference :)

That's all for now, check back in the next few weeks to see how things are going!

Posted by Paige

August 23rd, 2009 : 55 days!

Hmm. Maybe I should have waited a bit before updating. Then it seems like its even CLOSER.

We ordered our wedding bands yesterday, which is quite exciting. They don't match one another, but they match us. And that's all that counts. AND they aren't ridiculously expensive, either! Approximately the same price for either one, which is something we are VERY comfortable with.

Spoke with the florist last week (Caley at Little Shop of Flowers). She said that I am super easy to work with, because I know what I want, but I'm still open to suggestion. Jamie came with me and helped to make one of the decisions as I was torn, but it helped.

I've ordered/purchased the bridal party gifts, or at least one part of them. For part two, I'm asking anyone if they see black pashmina's anywhere in Saskatoon to please let me know where and what cost. The ladies will be wearing them when we're outside and/or when they're cold, so they need to be large enough to go around shoulders and cross over in the front. Was going to do ivory, but decided black would be more practical (and more matchy to the groomsmen!)

Amanda has purchased Jessa's flowergirl dress, and she is so incredibly adorable in it. Once fall rolls around, Amanda's planning on getting her a little faux-fur shawl to go over it, so she can be a little warm. SO CUTE!

RSVP's have started coming in, but at a very slow trickle. For the sake of my sanity, PLEASE RSVP sooner rather than later. I realise that 2 months in advance is, well, a little far for some work schedules. However, this way you can book the time off and no one will be upset! Email address and phone number were provided on the little card, or there's always Facebook.

Also, if you were invited to the Bridal Shower, PLEASE RSVP to Jill as soon as possible. She apparently hasn't gotten very many back, and it would really suck for her to have to call everyone because they just didn't get around to it.

That's all for now. I promise I'll wait a little bit longer before updating again :)

Posted by Paige

August 17th, 2009 : 61 days!

Or in better terms, two months! Sweet sassy molassy, where has all the time gone?
Oh, PS, this countdown is brought to you by WeddingBook, c/o Facebook. Its actually 60 sleeps, because it counts the actual wedding day as a day. Just in case any of you were wondering any of that.

So we've actually accomplished a fair bit. We've booked hotel and transportation (Full size SUV from Budget as opposed to stupidly expensive limosine), sent out invitations, started to receive RSVP's, have put in the order/request for the cake. Tomorrow I will be speaking with the florist, letting her know what I have in mind and letting her work her magic.

If you are checking out this website, please remember to RSVP by September 15th to the email address or phone number provided in the insert card.

Posted by Paige

August 5th, 2009 : 73 days!

We've officially reached the two and a half months until W-Day mark. Its a little nerve-wracking. Why? Well, because now is the time when all the money spending happens. Before, it was as simple as putting down a measley deposit. Now? We've got to start actually having money to pay for things. Wedding bands, for instance. Tyler should probably work out a day for us to order those. I also need to go meet up with the florist sometime this month, before she bursts (she's a little pregnant at the moment...). Biggest thing? We need to send out our invitations. They are currently in neat stacks on the table, sealed, addressed, and ready to go. Just without postage. Hrm...

I go for my first dress fitting tomorrow, which is both scary and exciting. Scary in that I hope my dress fits. Exciting because this is my dress. Its not a sample. My mother paid good money for this that is mine. I just hope that my nightmares about it being the wrong dress don't come true. Or my heart will be broken.

That's it for now, more to come as it happens!

Posted by Paige

July 27th, 2009 : 82 days!

Now, before you get all finicky about the fact that I've updated twice over the span of a week, let me get this out.

OUR INVITES ARE PRINTED!

They are printed, in their box, about two feet away from me. Having it on paper makes things just that much more real.

Parents have also informed me that my Dad's friend whom we're going to rent/borrow sound equipment from is asking such a nominal fee that my parents are just going to pay for it. Tyler and I air-fived over that one (as he was on the couch and I was at the kitchen table).

This week will be dedicated to getting those last couple of addresses, and starting to put the invitations together. We're going to have to practice our wax-sealing.

This coming Sunday, the 2nd, we're meeting up with Kirk (For Fotografic Photography and Design) for a dinner meeting and some location scouting. Stay tuned for more awesome pictures courtesy of him. Also, check out the gallery for a new album dedicated to the wedding things that I currently have in my possession!

That's it for now, but seeing as we're about 2 and a half months away, expect a lot of updates!

Posted by Paige

July 20th, 2009 : 89 days!

Hey look, kids. Less than three months AND we're in the double digits as opposed to triples! How's THAT for getting close?

I belong to this planning website, EZ Wedding Planner that emails me when I need to do things. You can add or delete as you see fit. Well, I've deleted all that I think I won't do, and there's still a huge list of things to do. It emails me every day, pretty much, and I keep sighing and saying "Yeah yeah, I know". I will call the priest this week to set up a time for us to get together so we can plan out the ceremony; I will get invitations done and sent out (although by their calendar, I apparently don't need to send them out until the end of August. Excuse me, but I don't want to be two days from wedding day and still be receiving RSVP's).

Tyler's back from chess tournament, and has told me that he's going to be all wedding, all the time now. Everyone together, let out a large guffaw and let's move on.

Registry is updated, no thanks to Tyler. He didn't want to go, so I registered for everything that I wanted, not we. Pink kitchen utensils it is.

Check for updates in the other sections of this site, you never know what you'll find!

Posted byPaige

June 17th, 2009 : 122 days!

Or in better terms, 4 months to go! Wow. Now where has all the time gone? On the 15th, Tyler and I "celebrated" one year being engaged. Seems like only yesterday Tyler was proposing to me as I was trying to sleep as I had to work at 5am the next day. Oh the memories.

We've been working diligently on trying to tackle our list of things to do.

• We've received the special item that we're using for our invitations and programs and anything else we're so inclined to use it for, which is fantastic.
• We've also gotten most of the addresses that we need. This weekend our wedding party is all going to get together for the first time, which is exciting.
• We'll be making our invitations either sometime this week, or sometime early next week because my parents leave on the 27th for a few weeks and I'm watching their place and the invites need to go out while they're gone. Yeah, I know, I've said all of this before, but whatever.
• We looked at wedding bands. I think we each know what we want in a wedding band, AND we know what the other wants.
• Tyler's gathering information on transportation and accommodation and will be getting that reserved within the next few days
• I will be helping pick out the flower girl attire sometime this week with Amanda (Jessa's mom)
• I've gone into Moores and picked out the tuxes. Tyler told me I can't be there for the actual picking out because he wasn't there when I picked out my dress. So I've technically given "suggestions" heh
• I've figured out what I want for cake and flowers, just have to wait until it gets sooner to give the respective professionals what we're looking for
• We will decide on a menu sometime this month
• We will get together with Kirk at some point to make a photograph list, and figure out locations, AND do another photo shoot.

Weddingbells.ca tells me that we've done 31 out of the 68 things we need to do. With four months left, I feel confident that I won't be as stressed out as I thought I initally would be.

Okay, that's it for now. I will update once more has happened, I promise it won't just be a recap of everything like this one seems like it was :)
Posted by Paige

June 7th, 2009 : 132 Days

We attended the wedding of our friends Brittany and Brett yesterday, and it was beautiful and awesome. The bride was beautiful, the groom was respendant...and it really made things feel real. We've been to weddings since we've been engaged, but when its friends that are this close to us getting married, who got engaged close to us, it really puts it into perspective that things are going to happen, and soon. 132 days seems like a long time, but put into a monthly perspective... we're looking at 4 months, 10 days. I keep saying that I'm waiting for more things to do for the wedding, but there's plenty I can be doing. As of right now, I am in the frame of mind that I don't need any help doing it. But maybe I'm wrong? I'll consult my checklists and get back to you.
Posted by Paige

May 31st, 2009 : 139 Days!

Almost all of the addresses have come in, which is getting more exciting. Went to look for invitations, at Staples, Michaels, and Wedding&Party Boutique. My parents thought that there were some pretty awesome kits out there, which I agree. I mean, if we can get things that come all together, why NOT do it? However, we couldn't find anything that we really liked. The designs were either too "out there", too plain, or just the wrong colours. Oh well. This way we can custom make something. I'll have to get on it soon, though, seeing as Mom & Dad are leaving for Toronto at the end of June for a few weeks, and the invites have to go out in July... The crunch is on! Hooray! Something to do!

We still have to choose bible passages and who we want to read them, and then go in to see the pastor again, and that'll happen sometime in July. I'm going to get Tyler to set it up, because he hasn't done as much on the wedding as I have as of yet. Look at how diplomatic I am. Maybe today we'll order the wax seal too!

I'm on the fence about following the traditions before marriage. Like, the whole spend the two weeks prior to the wedding apart, etc. Its something to think about, I guess. AND, its not like if I lived at my parents house it would be a million miles away. It would be about 10 blocks.

There has been a slight change in wedding party, so please check out that section of the website. The pictures are all there, so we're set!
posted by Paige

May 23rd, 2009 : 147 Days

Okay, now things are getting a little closer. With all the bridesmaid dresses fitted, down paymented, and ordered as well as our centerpiece rentals down paymented and (essentially) ordered, things are getting done. I sent out a massive email asking for addresses for whomever I can't just get from my mom's address book. Sometime soon I'll be going into Home Outfitters and The Bay to update our registry, as apparently there's a lot of things that have been discontinued. Makes me wonder if we should even register, or if we should just say to heck with it. Maybe I'll try to get a consensus on the interwebs. There are lots of pros and cons, but Tyler is pretty okay not having a registry.

Invitations are still up in the air. I've been trying to design one, but it just seems like an awful lot of work. We've looked into the kits, but there's nothing that has really caught our eye. Yes, I meant to say our. Tyler came with me to Wedding and Party Boutique to pick out centerpieces and look at invites, and we also went to Michaels. Nothing, really, at either place. We may just have to get our stuff printed out on some card stock, and play arts and crafts. Tyler has promised his relatives glitter macaroni invitations, complete with liquid glue globs.

Sometime over the summer we're going to need to meet up with the officiants again, get the tuxes ordered (Tyler has expressed that I am not allowed to be there when he orders them and tries things on, so I'm going in another day to pick things out at Moores with some of the staff there so they can steer them towards what I want haha).

Okay, enough babbling for now. Until next time...
Posted by Paige

April 26th, 2009 : 173 Days

Again, 173 seems so far away. Its kind of like "whoop de doo". However, I guess once it gets to, say, 99, then I'll be freaking out. Thinking that there's so much to do with so little time. Whatever.

I am now on the hunt for ideas for flowers, as well as designs for invitations and whatnot. My dad has graciously offered to purchase cardstock and print our invites, so all I have to do is come up with one. If anyone is willing to help me in that department, I am all on board. I may come up with some sort of trade or payment or IOU or something fun like that.

I'm also going to tell you to check out our photo gallery for some amazing engagement shots done by Tyler's sister-in-law Amanda, and Kirk. I've labelled everything as to who did what pictures. I am so happy to have these kind of people in my life.

I'm also going to start working on what passages and readings we want during our ceremony, and who we'd like to say them. Tyler's aunt Vanessa said that she'd be on board, but she might have just been saying words. Who actually knows.

Website updating is fun. No for reals. I guess it would be more fun (or "funner" according to a US dictionary) if I had a chair that was made for sitting in for extended periods of time... not a fold up chair that we accidentally stole from Tyler's gramma (we'll return it once I buy a real desk chair). Check out the updates to the wedding party link

Until next time...
Posted by Paige

April 20th, 2009 : 179 Days

You know, every time I put an actual day count up there, it makes it seem further away. Saying "Holy cow, less than 6 months!" sounds just that much more exciting!

Met with Caley, of "Little Shop of Flowers" today, just to basically touch base, find out when we need to start doing things florally. She says sometime in summer, which is just wonderful for me. And then I proceeded to buy flowers for the office because I am awesome like that.

Yesterday, we had a little photo-shoot with Kirk. I used the facade of wanting more engagement photos, but really I wanted to see the man in action. He was fantastic. He let us be ourselves, but also gave us direction. I don't think anyone's told Tyler and I to kiss that much ever. Not even our own brains.

Pictures of the wedding party will be up sometime over the next few months... gotsta brush up on my html-ing skills to put them in there correctly, so there may be some cursing or ignoring of the site if I can't figure it out. But I've got help.
That is all, I must go and take these Crest WhiteStrips off my mouth before ... actually, I don't know what will happen if I don't.
Posted by Paige

April 18th, 2009 : Less that 6 months!

Sure, sure, its only one day less than 6 months, but its still exciting!!

Last weekend we got our bridesmaid dress situation figured out, which is great because I was almost getting stressed about it. Almost. But not quite. They're going to purchase them sometime around the end of May as it only takes 4 months for them to get in. Maybe mid-May so that if there are any problems, we still have tons of time for alterations of whatever to happen. Sweet.

We've been discussing our invitation options, and I think we're leaning more towards buying them. We've found a couple great websites that charge ridiculously awesome prices for them, so I am digging it. Like, under $500. Awesome-o.

My gramma is totally making me an apron/bib for my dress. No jokes. This is so when I'm eating, I don't have to worry about spilling all over myself and ruining my dress for pictures. Huttah!

That is all for now, I guess... Oh! We're going to talk to a travel agency and set up a registry there to help pay for our Honeymoon. How awesome of an idea is that? Pretty awesome, I would say.
Posted by Paige

April 6th, 2009 : 193 days!

Or almost 6 months. Now THAT is scary. Sure, I have friends getting married sooner... but this is starting to be the final countdown. Ala Europe. Great.Now I have that song stuck in my head. Thanks a lot, brain.

I have rounded out the Maid-of-Honour trifecta. Jamie, Tara, and Jill will all hold MOH position, as they're all contribuiting their time and energies and MOH-type things and I couldn't settle on just one. Or two. And now, when I line up my ladies according to height, it won't matter if one of them is my MOH. What matters is they won't look ridiculous walking down the aisle with someone significantly taller than them. Wait, that's how Jamie's going to look regardless of how things are... I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but all of Tyler's groomsmen are over 6 feet. David tops the scale at a whopping 6'3 or something. Maybe taller. I told Tyler that its a good thing that there are steps at the church, so he can stand on the tallest step and be the same height as the guy on the bottom step.

I'll be talking with our florist at some point this month, just getting the balls rolling and figuring out what we want to flowers. I've already got some ideas tacked onto my corkboard, its just planning out what flowers and costs and colours that will be the hard part.

This Saturday is the day we search for bridesmaid dresses. Yes, I know, I was so excited about already finding them before... but then I bought MY dress, and the bridesmaid dresses don't work anymore. Formal satin gown with flowy chiffon? Talk about a wedding cohesion faux pas!

Marriage prep went well. It was a Friday from 6-9 and Saturday 9-4. We passed, thankfully, but let me tell you... it was not easy sitting through some of the presentations. It was put on by Catholic Family services, and it was kind of dry and difficult to listen to for some parts, but others were good. We talked a lot, and we're stronger from it, at least I think so. Next on the agenda is to make sure that I get a new baptismal certificate from the church that I was baptised at, and then meeting with the officiant in July to touch base again!

I'm taking a week off in July for a vacation and building invitations. So I've got 3 months to decide what I want for inviations... wait, sorry, what WE want for invitations... and purchase the supplies. Jill is gifting us with her scrapbooking skills, which I am TOTALLY thankful for.

I can't think of too much else that needs to be said... check back for pictures of our wedding party, and updated locations of where things are going to be held and when.
Posted byPaige

February 18th, 2009 : Less than 8 Months!

Uhhh, okay. So its only a day less than 8 months. Big deal.
So! Things have happened since we last updated. Went to something blue for that champagne shopping party. Big super awesome time, aside from the fact that I wasn't able to try on very many dresses. In fact, they only had 5 available that I could fit into. Big bummer in that category, but we found the bridesmaid dresses! They'll not have that hideous flower on them, and they'll be either burgundy or a jewel tone purple. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the swatch they had of the burgundy, but once it gets time for the ladies to purchase their dresses, then the executive decision will be made.

I found my dress!! Jill and I went out on Thursday to Wedding and Party Boutique, and there was SO much there that I could try on. Their prices are unbelievably low, but unfortunately I didn't quite find "it" there. So on Saturday (Valentine's Day), my mom, sister, Tara, and I went out to Jenny's because I hadn't been there since November, and it was the first dress I tried on. Yes, I tried on several others afterwards, and there was almost a deliberation needed because there was another one that I really liked... but this one just took the cake. Simple, yet not so simple that my mom would say "Its too plain" (like she had done before). The saleswoman was fantastic, and so I can honestly say that I'm glad I went there. Lots of people have told me horrible things about Jenny's, but apparently I look like a snobby bitch enough to get good service :) .

Sunday we met up with Kirk to discuss photos, and it was great. We threw a lot of ideas around, and got settled on a few things. I'm really happy with our decision to have him do our wedding.

I guess the next things to happen are Marriage Prep in March, as well as one last Bridal Show, then we start thinking about other things... invitations, flowers, cake, favours, honeymoon... Tying up all the odds and ends as they come up. But don't worry. I'll keep you posted.
Posted by Paige

January 17th, 2009 : 9 MONTHS TO GO!

Okay, fine. Its not the days. But hey, its 9 months exactly. Babies could happen in that time. Not that they will, but they could.

Not much to report, other than my friend Kirk is going to be our photographer. So totally stoked about that, I love his photography, and he's going to be a total hoot to work with. May be going dress shopping tomorrow with Jill, dependent if the places are even open on Sundays. May have to look into that, to tell the truth...
Posted by Paige

January 3rd, 2009 : 288 days to go

Uh, so, just as an aside... if I happen to miscounting the days, someone please tell me . For serious guys. I don't want to be looking utterly ridiculous.

HOORAY! It is January! The month where I get more things done! Such as marriage prep classes (which start on the 11th), go dress shopping for real instead of just trying on, start trying to figure out what we want for invitations and order supplies for them (maybe? Might wait a bit on that one). This is also the month that I want to start getting people's addresses. If you know that you're invited (for example, I've talked about it non-stop to you, or you're in the wedding party, or you're related to someone in the wedding party), please send me your mailing address, email address, and telephone number that you can be reached at. We probably aren't sending out save-the-dates, but we will more than likely send out an email to remind everyone.

That is all. End transmission.
Posted by Paige

December 29th, 2008 : 293 days to go

Christmas went by in a blur. I can't believe that its almost January! January is the month that everything that isn't booked for the wedding is going to be done!

Amanda has agreed to be our photographer, which is awesome. Totally totally awesome. I know that she'll do an awesome job because she will want to, just for us. I can't thank her enough!

Which only leaves the dreaded audio equipment. Tyler said he was going to do it, I think because I've set absolutely everything else up. Which is completely fine by me... I want him to be somewhat involved. After this, it will be time for purchasing dress, and then slowly building up everything that we'll use for invitations, decor, etc... I'm getting so excited!
Posted by Paige

December 21st, 2008 : 300 days to go

We could go by weeks, too, and say its only 43... No, counting days is more fun.

Two updates in one calendar month? Say it ain't so!!

I've booked a shopping party at something blue : a bridal boutique for the end of January. We're going to shop in style! Champagne party, with the cost going towards a purchase of a bridal gown. That being said, I need to make sure that I can at least try gowns on. Get myself proper undergarments to try dresses on, and go from there. Tara and I had found what we THINK is going to be the bridesmaids dress there, and so it only makes sense to book the party and have all the girls try things on. I mean, I love the continuity of having the same dress for everyone, but if my girls look good in different dresses with similar styles, sold! I'm hoping that they'll get some more stock in that I can at least squeeze into so I can possibly get my gown there, as I would really LOVE to keep everything in the same shop.

I'm looking into photographers STILL (have been persuing a few different people, but price is really an issue!) , and have started the search for audio equipment/DJ... We were at the Faculty Club this past weekend and realised that their "house system" is pretty brutal. We'll need everything from microphones to speakers.

Oh! One other thing! We've secured our cake-artist! Tangyne Berry is a friend of my mom's (as her daughter and my sister dance together), and when my mom had announced to her dance friends that I was engaged, apparently her first sentence was "That's fantastic! I want to make her cake!". Her prices are amazing, her creations are amazing, and it will be nice to know who's making everything!
That's all for an update today... Christmas is in 4 days, winter has "technically" arrived, and in less than 10 months Tyler and I will be married. AWESOME.
Posted by Paige

December 5th, 2008

So! It's been awhile since an update. My bad. Even though I sincerely doubt that anyone even reads this aside from myself, I'm going to type stuff out anyway. We have thus far secured our florist, and will be discussing options with her in the new year... got her last spot for October 17th, hooray for me! Little Shop of Flowers is where we'll be getting our fleurs done, as that's where Tara is getting hers... I've gone with her on some of the consultations, liked what I saw, liked her, and we're going from there!

Tara and I went dress-trying-on... apparently the wedding gown I'm 90% sure I'll get is the one that she had tried on and was almost going to get, that she thought I should try on... great minds think alike!

I'm getting so stoked for this. None of you have any idea just how excited. I can't wait to go over the fine details, get everything written down and paid for... speaking of which, we need to send off a cheque for marriage prep classes... whoops! Thank you, brain, for forgetting about that for a few weeks. Jerk.
Posted by Paige