Wedding Planning Weekend

Midterms finally ended and I have to admit that I could barely sit still through the last exam.  The anticipation of Jeff coming to visit for a weekend of relaxing and spending time together was just too much for me to take!  After my exam ended, some of the girls headed to Northlake to go to Kristine's birthday lunch at PF Chang's.  I had a great time chatting with the girls.  It was also nice because it kept me from staring at the clock! :)

After lunch, I headed home, made a grocery list, and headed to the store.  I wanted to make a nice dinner for Jeff and one of his favorite sweet treats - coffee cake.

**Story of Jeff's love for coffee cake: We went to visit Little a few years back, and her mother made coffee cake which instantly became one of Jeff's favorite things.  He joked that I almost lost him to my little all because of that cake! hehe**

The coffee cake was more challenging than I anticipated, but it turned out amazing and was really yummy.  After I got that into the oven, I started working on dinner - steak, real mashed potatoes (not from the box) and steamed asparagus.   I was a little nervous about it all because I had never really made any of those things on my own.  I was really excited about the mashed potatoes because I know it is one of his favorites and I was hoping it would turn out yummy since it wasn't from a box... I wanted it to be amazing!

Here are some pictures from the yummy dinner and coffee cake...

Cooking the potatoes before mashing them...

 Prepping the steaks...

 Coffee Cake!!

 Mashed potatoes!!! Yummy!!

 Our yummy dinner...

 The handsome fiancé... 

The next morning, we both slept in a little and decided to kick off the wedding planning weekend with coffee cake and mimosas!  It was a delicious breakfast!  We started digging through wedding magazines for ideas and inspiration.  Only sad part of the morning was when Jeff accidentally knocked over his glass, spilling his drink everywhere and shattering the glass.  Luckily, it was an easy clean up and we were back in wedding planning mode.

While enjoying breakfast, we worked on "finalizing" the guest list and trying to estimate how many invitations and save the dates we would need to order so we can estimate costs for each of those things.  Then we started looking at save the date designs and invite designs.  Before we knew it, we had spent 3 or 4 hours looking through things and we were starving.  In the usual J&M fashion, we made a pizza for lunch and enjoyed our beloved "dark soda" (aka. Diet Pepsi Max).  Delicious lunch!

After lunch, we got ready and decided to head to Concord Mills to look at wedding bands and walk around the mall together.  The shopping trip was successful!  I found a super cute paisley tie for Jeff and he found a new Polo button up.  I fought the urge to buy new shoes - which was a huge success! :)  We were even successful in looking for wedding bands!!!  Jeff found several bands that he liked and I got to try on the one I picked out the last time we were at the mall together.  We can get Jeff's band and my band at the same place that he got the "sparkly" (J&M slang for engagement ring) from.  Because of the shape of my ring, I have to get a contoured band, and more than likely one that is a wrap style.  I tried on the same one that I tried on awhile back and it didn't quite fit exactly as I remembered, but Jeff assured me that it looked beautiful and that after the jeweler sized it down to fit my baby hands, it would look even better.  He always knows what to say and always knows when I am worried about something before I say a word.  Yet another reason to add to the list of why I am so lucky to have him in my life!  The rings he picked out are made by a designer that uses a metal that is tougher than tungsten and is shatterproof unlike other types of metals we had been looking at.  We learned that Jeff also has "baby hands" because his ring size was much smaller than what we thought it would be! :)  The different bands he tried on were all fairly similar and were not the traditional plain silver band.  They all had a little extra something that made them slightly different than the average band.  Jeff is just trying to decide if he wants a band with diamonds or without.  At least we have the choices narrowed down to a few different rings! :)  Check that off the list... kind of! :)

Originally, we were going to go to the Bank of America 500 NASCAR race in Charlotte, but as last week progressed the ticket prices increased so we decided to save the money and instead go out to dinner.  We went to the Rock Bottom Brewery in uptown.  Jeff had a chicken sandwich and I had a yummy chicken salad.  The restaurant was celebrating Octoberfest so Jeff and I decided to take part and celebrate by enjoying their Octoberfest brew.  The waitress asked us what size drinks we wanted, and Jeff responded, "The bigger ones will be fine" not knowing what the difference between small and large were.  The waitress brings us our drinks... we were shocked...

Fiancé with our drinks

These mugs were GIANT!!!

My drink is the one on the left... 

I was having trouble holding both of them up because they were so heavy!

Empty!!  Well almost... Mine was on the right... :)

After a very delicious dinner, we headed home.  We were going to meet up with a few people but decided we would rather share a few drinks together at home and play cards.  We were both pretty tired from the previous week.  Staying home turned out to be a great idea - we had a BLAST playing rummy... I think Jeff won... Which means I have to beat him next time...  At least we weren't playing Monopoly because that gets super competitive! :)

Sunday arrived too quickly.  We enjoyed more coffee cake for breakfast (around noon - haha) and then started looking at invitation options again.  We watched a little football, and celebrated the idea that the Bills didn't lose this week... probably because they had a bye... :)  Browsing through all the invitation ideas inspired us to go to the craft store - Jeff's favorite place! (haha)  We headed to Matthews (where the closest AC Moore was) and began looking at all the options for making our invites.  We learned about different embossing machines, different heat embossers that use stamps and powders, and tons more.  We left empty handed but full of ideas.  Just as we were jumping on the highway, we noticed Michael's was right off the exit, so we made a quick turn and headed in to check out what options they had.  We left Michael's excited that we found some paper we liked and bought a few pieces to make a sample.

By the time we left Michael's we were starving!  We decided to head to a sushi place I found a few weeks ago.  Jeff is not a big seafood person, and I was never a huge fan of raw fish.  But, a year or so ago, one of my friends forced me to eat sushi and now I am addicted.  I don't eat all of the sushi options, but there are a few rolls that I absolutely love!  I convinced Jeff while we were on vacation this summer to try sushi at a bayside restaurant and he loved it!  He was as excited as I was to enjoy some sushi at this cute place.  We both had crispy California rolls.  Jeff had a side of garlic noodles (which were amazing) and I had some fried rice. We were STUFFED after we finished.  The food was amazing!

After sushi, we took a walk through Trader Joe's so Jeff could see what it was all about.  It is a pretty neat grocery store filled with organic and healthy items.  The best part about the store is their selection of "2 Buck Chuck" and their amazingly low prices on cheeses.  I have found a new love for goat cheese which can be pricey - except at Trader Joe's! :)

After our walk, we headed home and tried to make our first invitation sample! We have pictures of the final product, but we don't want to ruin the surprise of what the invites will look like.  If you want to see what we are considering, let me know! :)   Here is a photo of Jeff hard at work...  

We had an amazing weekend together!  I wish it could have lasted longer.  It seemed to fly by - but I guess that is because we were having such a great time!  While we didn't officially cross anything off the to-do list, we did get a lot accomplished because we made some decisions and got some ideas that will help us in our decision making.  This week I am going to pick one thing to look at online and get ideas for... maybe I will look at flowers... maybe bridesmaid dresses... maybe centerpieces... who knows... I will figure it out though!

I can't wait until I get to see Jeff again in just a few days when I head north for WVU's Homecoming!!  Not only will we get to spend more time together, but we will also get to see TONS of our closest friends!  It is going to be tough getting through the week with all the anticipation of the fun weekend ahead!!!

We are really looking forward to the next few weeks because we will get to see each other a good bit!  :-)  The next several weeks will be spent traveling a good bit, but it will all be worth it! :-)

xoxo
J&M

Two Mountaineer Fans... One Awesome Football Game... Two Lives Forever Changed

4 years ago ...

• WVU played Syracuse at home
• WVU won that game 41-17
• There were 23 Mountaineer first downs...
• 13/20 completed passes...
• 65 total offensive plays for a total of 562 yards...
• 6 penalties for a loss of 70 yards...
• and for approximately 35 minutes of the game, WVU had their hands on the ball...

October 14, 2006 was a wonderful day for the WVU football team.  That was a happy day for Mountaineer fans everywhere.

That day was extra special for two WVU fans who had met about a month before.  Two fans who were introduced through a mutual friend and were only intending to become friends.  But upon meeting, those same two fans realized there was "something there" between them.

Those two fans spent almost every day since being introduced together learning more and more about the other until finally on the day the day that WVU beat Syracuse with a final score of 41-17, they decided to make their relationship "Facebook official." (haha)

While the excitement of the game was incredible, there was something more incredible for two Mountaineer fans, as they began a journey together.  Those two fans had no idea where their journey would take them, but they were both incredibly happy and knew they made the right choice.

4 years later...
Those two fans are planning their wedding where they will begin a new journey together.  Who knew that two strangers who only intended to be friends could end up where they are today...

We have had an amazing 4 years together full of laughs, fun trips here and there, sporting events, amazing memories, awesome friends, wonderful families, and most importantly, each other.  We have had our share of ups and downs but our relationship has endured and I am certain that the strength and quality of our relationship will continue on for many, many years to come.  This might be the last of our "October Anniversaries" but soon enough we will have new "July anniversaries" to begin celebrating.

Lucky for us, we get to celebrate our last October anniversary planning the first day of the rest of our lives together.  What is even better, is that a week later, during WVU homecoming, we get to 're-celebrate' our last October anniversary where it all started - at the WVU v. Syracuse game - alongside all of our friends!

Two Mountaineers... Many years of love...

The List That Never Ends

I can't believe that I am already in the middle point of the semester!  Unfortunately for me, that means I am living in sweat pants (which isn't the bad part) and spending almost every waking minute at the library studying for my exams.  I have one exam behind me, one tomorrow afternoon and one more Friday morning.  I can hardly wait for Friday to arrive when I can finally relax and spend time with the love of my life.  


For those of you who know me really well will agree when I say that I am the type A personality girl - I am the one who has a checklist, who has everything (well almost everything) planned out and organized.  It is an awesome personality trait and a terrible one all at the same time.  I am not nearly as planned out as I used to be, but my closet is still color coordinated as is my planner.  I just can't help it.  Lucky for me, Jeff deals very well with my organizational craziness and really helps me when I stress out when it seems like my list is growing instead of shrinking.


Last night, after spending the morning taking an exam and the remainder of my day studying Constitutional Law, I decided to spend some time browsing the web for wedding inspiration.  My roommate even joined in the fun and I stumbled across an amazing blog that has inspired me to get my wedding planning more organized.  This blogging bride found a checklist and every once in awhile will update her readers about her planning progress.  I got the list below from her site... 


So here it goes... here is my wedding to-do list with the progress... or lack of progress...




10 - 12 months before the wedding:  July - September 2010
• Announce your engagement to family and friends  - CHECK
• Arrange for both families to meet if they haven't already done so - CHECK
• Have an engagement party (optional) - QUESTIONABLE - NOT SURE IF THIS IS REALLY OUR STYLE
• Set the wedding style and size of the wedding (bride magazines are great for ideas) - IN PROGRESS
• Set your wedding budget - CHECK
• Start creating your guest list - CHECK (We have started this - it isn't finalized yet...What a job this is!!)
• Set the wedding day and time - CHECK (Although we are still confirming the start time of the ceremony with the priest... long story there...)
• Decide on whether to have a religious or non-religious ceremony - CHECK
• Choose and book your wedding officiant - CHECK
• Choose your maid of honor, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen - CHECK
• Choose and book your ceremony and reception locations - CHECK
• Purchase wedding insurance (optional) - IS THIS SOMETHING I SHOULD BE DOING??
• Meet with caterers and taste samples - CHECK (I mean, not really. But we already booked the venue and the 'big meeting' is scheduled for the end of January...)
• Meet with florists and decide on real or silk flowers - NEED TO DO
• Meet with and audition DJs or bands - CHECK
• Meet with photographers and look over their portfolios - CHECK
• Meet with videographers (if you're having one) and look over their portfolios - N/A (we decided that a videographer really isn't necessary)
• Create a wedding website - WORK IN PROGRESS

**2 items are past due... eek!**

7 - 9 months before the wedding: October - December 2010
• Bride: shop for and order your wedding dress - CHECK!!!!!!! :-)
• Bride: shop for and order/purchase bridal accessories: veil , shoes , jewelry - NEED TO DO
• Bride: (with your bridal party) shop for and order bridesmaids dresses - WORK IN PROGRESS
• Book the florist (be sure to sign a contract) - NEED TO DO
• Book the caterer (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book DJ or band (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book the photographer (be sure to sign a contract) - CHECK
• Book the videographer (if you're having one) - N/A
• Start planning your honeymoon - IN PROGRESS (I think we have found the place we want to go... I still need to get a passport...)
• Finalize the guest list - WORK IN PROGRESS
• Start making wedding favors if you're making your own - NEED TO DO
• Meet with bakers and sample wedding cakes - NEED TO DO
• Start looking at wedding invitations - WORK IN PROGRESS
• Start thinking about the wording of your wedding invitations - NEED TO DO
• Start planning the rehearsal dinner - NEED TO DO

4 - 6 months before the wedding:  January - March 2011
• Join a bridal registry - NEED TO DO
• Book the baker for your wedding cake - NEED TO DO • Order your wedding invitations - NEED TO DO
• Book a block of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests - NEED TO DO • Contact out-of-town guests about the wedding (prior to sending out invitations) - NEED TO DO • Finalize dinner menu with caterer - NEED TO DO
• Purchase wedding guest favors - NEED TO DO
• Book the limousine or other wedding day transportation - NEED TO DO
• Book the rehearsal dinner site - NEED TO DO • Book a calligrapher (if you're using one) - IS THIS SOMETHING I NEED TO DO??
• Groom: start looking at tuxedos or other formal wear - WORK IN PROGRESS
• Book the honeymoon - NEED TO DO
• Book a hotel room for the wedding night - NEED TO DO • Book a photo session for engagement announcement in local newspapers - NEED TO DO • Start thinking about wedding ceremony decorations - NEED TO DO • Bride: buy bridal lingerie in time for first dress fitting - NEED TO DO

2 - 3 months before the wedding: April - May 2011
• Give the photographer a list of "important shots" you want included - NEED TO DO • Purchase your wedding rings - NEED TO DO
• Purchase maid of honor gift, bridesmaids gifts , best man gift , groomsmen gifts - NEED TO DO (I have some ideas in mind... just nothing finalized yet...) • Purchase the groom's gift or the bride's gift , whichever applies - NEED TO DO • Groom: finalize tuxedo /formal attire and pass on rental/purchase details to groomsmen - NEED TO DO • Run engagement announcement in local newspapers - NEED TO DO
• Bride: schedule your dress fittings - NEED TO DO • Bride: make sure your bridal party has purchased their accessories - NEED TO DO • Bride: book your hair and makeup appointments - NEED TO DO • Bride: if you're changing your name complete the proper documents - NEED TO DO • If your state requires it, have blood tests done - NEED TO DO • Bride: talk to your maid of honor about a bridal shower - NEED TO DO • Address and send out wedding invitations (invitations should be mailed at 2-month mark) - NEED TO DO • Groom: purchase your accessories including shoes, cuff links, handkerchiefs, etc. - NEED TO DO • Start writing wedding vows, especially if writing your own - N/A  
• Decide on whether to light a unity candle or honor past loved ones during the ceremony - WORK IN PROGRESS
• Start working on wedding program - NEED TO DO


4-8 weeks before:  May- June 2011
• Mail invitations out eight weeks prior to the wedding date and send accommodation info to your out-of-town guests  - NEED TO DO
• Fill out a change of address form at the post office, if necessary  - NEED TO DO
• Pick up your marriage license- NEED TO DO
• Have ceremony programs printed  - NEED TO DO
• Purchase a guest book and other wedding accessories including toasting glasses, cake knife, ring pillow, etc.  - NEED TO DO
• Keep your wedding website updated with directions and event details  - NEED TO DO
• Choose your hair and make-up stylists and schedule a trial for both; also book appointments to have your hair, make-up and nails done on the day of the wedding  - NEED TO DO
• Review insurance information with your fiancé to see if any updates need to be made prior to the wedding (car, home, medical, etc.)  - NEED TO DO
• Plan a bridal luncheon or dinner with your bridesmaids  - NEED TO DO


2-4 weeks before:  June 2011
• Create a seating chart for the reception and make place cards  - NEED TO DO
• Contact your caterer with a final guest count  - NEED TO DO
• Print out a timeline of events for your wedding party and vendors - include contact information and cell phone numbers  - NEED TO DO (Love this one!)
• Meet with your photographer and florist to finalize details  - NEED TO DO
• Finalize your ceremony and reception music and song list for your wedding band or DJ  - NEED TO DO
• Confirm lodging reservations for out-of-town guests  - NEED TO DO
• Place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper  - NEED TO DO
• Pick up wedding bands and make sure the fit is good  - NEED TO DO
• Schedule a final dress fitting  - NEED TO DO
• Write rehearsal dinner toasts  - NEED TO DO


1 week before:  (July 3-9)
• Write out final checks for your minister, organist, DJ or musicians, etc. and organize in envelopes for one of your attendants to distribute at the wedding  - NEED TO DO
• Pick up your wedding gown  - NEED TO DO
• Confirm limo or other transportation reservations  - NEED TO DO
• Pack for your honeymoon and confirm travel arrangements  - NEED TO DO
• Have your local post office hold your mail, if necessary, while you are away on your honeymoon  - NEED TO DO


A few issues...
1.  Save the Dates... where do these fit in?  When should I order them?  I'm thinking sometime soon... eek!
2.  I have a few things that are over due... but I guess I shouldn't be too concerned because they are things that are not that large... and I have a few things done ahead of schedule...
3.  Am I forgetting anything??


Plan of attack... Yes, I have to gather my thoughts and get a plan together to bring it all together...
- This upcoming weekend, Jeff and I are having a "wedding planning weekend."  That means we are going to spend the weekend checking out this to-do list, gathering our thoughts, ideas, etc and make some wedding decisions and get some things accomplished.  We have so many fun things planned for the weekend that I am almost afraid it might fly by too fast...  Regardless, any time I get to spend with him, no matter how short, or how fast it goes by, is time well spent and time that I enjoy every minute of.


Check back after the weekend to see how our successful our weekend of planning is... :)
<3 M & J