Brandi ~N~ Shawn **Wedding Journal**

[iviissbrandi]

We still haven't decided a date, but have made a lot of decisions regarding cake, invites and honoring my dad @ ceremony. I sometimes get confused (not in a bad way) but I'm happy to have a lot of selections with all wedding choices...I just can't wait to marry Shawn ... if I didn't have my heart set on the perfect wedding I would marry him in my front yard probably in my nightgown! lol! I have to make this guy mine; heart and soul! I've never seen or felt love like this! I know this sounds stupid but when he hugs me I can feel how much he loves me...just his touch can make me feel this (after 8 years)...I'm dorky in love!
There just comes a point when you realize "This is who I was meant to be with" and that I have faith we will always be together. My friend jokes b/c we are both (me & FH) Capricorn's! <~~devoted, faithful and once someone has taken the time to love them stay together! forever! Haha! (hey I'll take it) stability you say??? you can count me in!
I like this, I have a place to profess my love, and vent my frustrations!
Oh, and I can't forget babble, I do a lot of that!
Hope you enjoy reading!
Brandi

[iviissbrandi]

Woo-hoooo! We've decided on our favors...I'm so fired up! Miniature liquor chocolates (they look like mini bottles) and come inside a really cute crate that has a clutch lock. #48 ct for $20 < nice price! I'm guesstimating (haha, a little word I like to use guess + estimating = guesstimating) that this will equal 40 cents per guest <~I like that! Unless they take more than one (you know they will) I plan to buy a lot and leave in the original crates & decorate them.
We've also decided to put brushed nickel pails full of large champagne bottles on the tables w/ ice inside (like gift pails) decorated with ribbons and roses for all our guest to help themselves @ toast time!
We are opting for an open bar with free beer and wine <~while it last...so we are not held responsible for the over indulgers.
I'm so happy with our choices!
**but now I have to wonder about keeping kids away from liquor chocolates!
Not many will attend, but still I'll figure something out!
Till next time...oh and please feel free to ask about any of my ideas...I don't mind!
Brandi

[iviissbrandi]

I'm scheming about our wedding theme and everything I have chosen so far: vanilla & hot chocolate roses...rum raisin and/or cinnamon chocolate bridesmaids dresses IS IN THE NAME OF A SWEET TREAT! So this is it! I'm having a "heavenly decadent" theme wedding! for the heavenly part I will have an angel flowergirl, angel wing ice sculptures and angel fluff <~ (I don't remember the name of this stuff) for decorations and a ton of sweet confections for a "dessert and champagne" reception! (along with my other ideas mentioned in above posts)... I'm going to use some bakery candles from qvc to make the entire place smell like decadence ... they have a ton of confection candles!

Please be aware I could change my mind about this in a the flick of an eye, lol! Right now it just feels like inspiration & a sign...I'm jotting them down so I can remember & maybe give some others ideas!
Brandi :D

[iviissbrandi]

I feel like I got the best deal in the world today! I located a Mediterranean mansion for our reception and included in our rental is all beverages (I made sure she's insured so I'm not held responsible) floral -- candles -- slips -- table covers u name it...all I have to buy is food! For some reason I want to get married here but don't know how well that will play off yet! It's possible!

STILL NEED:
Photographer
Transportation (stuck)
Music (prefer a dj... I like 2 dance 2 much)
Newspaper stuff (pics & wording) to announce
Marriage license** (easy cheesy)
Choose my dress (ivory and designer has 2 be)
Catering ( I have 2 make up my mind)
Wedding day accessories (pillow garter pen & book basket)
Buy FH a present
Get our rings
Final cake decision*** (adore 3 layer with fresh flowers) Grooms cake***
Final floral**
Final favors** (kinda still unsure)
Final maids attire**
Final invitations**
Final reception location*** (ok I know already)
Final date* (2nd or 3rd / 9th or 10th of December 2005)
*** close to being absolutely complete!

[breitzke]

Your ideas sound delicious!

[iviissbrandi]

TY!!!
A lot has changed since my ideas above.... The liquor chocolates really look cheap and I have returned them...I instead have purchased little round candles and got some packages of miniature flowers (I pushed a cream pearl pin thru the flower and heated the tip then inserted into the candle) I also wrapped very small ribbon and tied bows prior to the flower pin. They look like little Christmas bulbs and are so elegant! Much better than the chocolates!

I have rented out the mansion for a whole day (marring there) and purchased liquor packages that are a great deal...$11 per person! I also got the caterer to cut my cost due to the amount of guest to $9 a person!

All my bridesmaids feel really weird being escorted when I'm not so they have talked me into no groomsmen ... everyone so far has agreed to this, so that was easy!

My date is December 9th 2005 !!!!!

My FH is so cool with everything that I feel like I will wake up @ any moment!

My only trouble is the GUEST LIST! or should I say the "STRESS LIST"

I have 2 final dress options...Reem / Bonilla???

We are having an adult only reception with exception to children of the wedding party...Some people are very upset but I have no choice due to the amount of guest! and the children who are there have a play room to keep entertained! :D

[nle5]

TY!!!
A lot has changed since my ideas above.... The liquor chocolates really look cheap and I have returned them...I instead have purchased little round candles and got some packages of miniature flowers (I pushed a cream pearl pin thru the flower and heated the tip then inserted into the candle) I also wrapped very small ribbon and tied bows prior to the flower pin. They look like little Christmas bulbs and are so elegant! Much better than the chocolates!

I have rented out the mansion for a whole day (marring there) and purchased liquor packages that are a great deal...$11 per person! I also got the caterer to cut my cost due to the amount of guest to $9 a person!

All my bridesmaids feel really weird being escorted when I'm not so they have talked me into no groomsmen ... everyone so far has agreed to this, so that was easy!

My date is December 9th 2005 !!!!!

My FH is so cool with everything that I feel like I will wake up @ any moment!

My only trouble is the GUEST LIST! or should I say the "STRESS LIST"

I have 2 final dress options...Reem / Bonilla???

We are having an adult only reception with exception to children of the wedding party...Some people are very upset but I have no choice due to the amount of guest! and the children who are there have a play room to keep entertained! :D

I think having groomsmen would be a wonderful idea still because they can escort your bridesmaids after you and your FH get married. The groomsmen do not have to walk down the aisle with the bridesmaids at the beginning of the wedding if this is your concern. They can stand at the front of the church with the groom. By cutting out your groomsmen you are leaving some responsibilities open such as seating of the guests, seating of the mothers, rolling out the aisle runner, etc. I am sure your bridesmaids would like to have an escort after your married and for the reception.

Good luck!

[reecey]

I think having groomsmen would be a wonderful idea still because they can escort your bridesmaids after you and your FH get married. The groomsmen do not have to walk down the aisle with the bridesmaids at the beginning of the wedding if this is your concern. They can stand at the front of the church with the groom. By cutting out your groomsmen you are leaving some responsibilities open such as seating of the guests, seating of the mothers, rolling out the aisle runner, etc. I am sure your bridesmaids would like to have an escort after your married and for the reception.

Good luck!


I agree - I think that you might want groomsmen/ushers - they can stand at the altar with your FH - its very common to have the bridesmaids walk down by themselves. Then they can escort your bridesmaids after the wedding at at the reception if you're going to have a "bridal party dance" it would benefit for them to have someone to dance with. Its soley up to you - just an idea to consider :)

[iviissbrandi]

When reading this my matron was here and thinks that is a wonderful idea!!! It was a concern of ours and we were thinking hard but you just hit the nail on the head!!!
*If I haven't said it before let it be now ... you all ROCK!!! I'm so lucky to have found this forum! Thank you...Thank you! :D

[armitage]

TY!!!
A lot has changed since my ideas above.... The liquor chocolates really look cheap and I have returned them...I instead have purchased little round candles and got some packages of miniature flowers (I pushed a cream pearl pin thru the flower and heated the tip then inserted into the candle) I also wrapped very small ribbon and tied bows prior to the flower pin. They look like little Christmas bulbs and are so elegant! Much better than the chocolates!

I have rented out the mansion for a whole day (marring there) and purchased liquor packages that are a great deal...$11 per person! I also got the caterer to cut my cost due to the amount of guest to $9 a person!

All my bridesmaids feel really weird being escorted when I'm not so they have talked me into no groomsmen ... everyone so far has agreed to this, so that was easy!

My date is December 9th 2005 !!!!!

My FH is so cool with everything that I feel like I will wake up @ any moment!

My only trouble is the GUEST LIST! or should I say the "STRESS LIST"

I have 2 final dress options...Reem / Bonilla???

We are having an adult only reception with exception to children of the wedding party...Some people are very upset but I have no choice due to the amount of guest! and the children who are there have a play room to keep entertained! :D


Is that $9 per person for a full sit down menu or a dessert reception as you originally mentioned? If it is for the dessert reception can you fill me in on how you will handle that, what kind of desserts on top of your wedding cake, will you serve appetizer / finger foods to help with the alcohol absorption? It has crossed my mind to do a dessert reception on a friday evening but not sure how to pull it off.

Good luck with your wedding day.

[iviissbrandi]

Is that $9 per person for a full sit down menu or a dessert reception as you originally mentioned? If it is for the dessert reception can you fill me in on how you will handle that, what kind of desserts on top of your wedding cake, will you serve appetizer / finger foods to help with the alcohol absorption? It has crossed my mind to do a dessert reception on a friday evening but not sure how to pull it off.

Good luck with your wedding day.

We have just decided to go with a buffet due to the fact that I was really worried about the time of my wedding...we have a very large selection of filler foods to help with the alcohol absorption (from Cajun favorites to finger sandwiches)...I really wanted the desserts ... they were really getting costly! We will have a few thou!!! I just bargained like crazy...for $9 a person that is!

[iviissbrandi]

I just wanted to write this down in my journal for brides to read.....
I have lost 10 pds by just moving around....rather than stand still when waiting in line @ the store I burn calories by sweeping my legs side to side....I do this at school...anywhere!!! It really works and by the end of the night & I sleep so well. As we speak I am turning my computer chair side to side with my legs...I fidget all day long: no time to work out. I believe it takes 3500 calories to equal 1 pd of fat...so I got a pedometer and started counting...I loose around 1/2 a pd a day (maybe a lil less) with 4 meals! I hope this helps someone!!!! :)