-- Wedding Singers --

We all know though, that music can make or break a wedding and I for one will not have it break mine!  I've worked way too hard to make this a good time for everyone so finding the right band or DJ is a big deal!  I think we've got it down to the fact that unfortunately we have to go with a DJ.  I really wanted a band.  I just think they are more fun.  I like the feel of live music.  It's brings a sort of sophistocation to the event.  But DJs have their plusses too. 

Usually bands can't play all the songs that DJs can, DJs generally cost less, there are those charasmatic DJs out there who can MAKE the event and keep it going all night long, but then again, there are those who can't and kill it like Adam Sandler did in The Wedding Singer as pictured above.  Love Stinks...Yea, Yea! 

Bands can run upwards of $1000-2500!  However, a good bandleader will play the master of ceremonies at your reception if you want him to interact with everyone on the dancefloor.  My venue is perfect for a band becuase there is a full stage!!!  Which kind of sucks, but whatever. 

Mike and I know who we'd love to have! ZANNA DOO!!! But they are out of our price range! They are the one band that I know that gets everyone out on the dance floor. I don't know what it is about them, but they've just got it! But due to budget restrictions I think it's down to R-n-B Sound out of Fort Fun or Dr. Feelgood Inc.  Why do they all have to be so cheezy?  I mean why can't there just be a classy DJ?  I think Cheezy comes with the territory.  Oh well.  My biggest fear is this...

There are some great websites out there that help like GigMasters where you can see actual perfomances and here actual footage of previous gigs they have done.  And do your research and make sure they are working for you...they need to be open to your likes and dislikes and be willing to play or not play certain types of music because after all, you are the one paying them and the customer is always right! 

-- All you need is LOVE --

All you need is Love, right?  I love the Beatles.  I could listen to them non-stop.  Well, in this case, I think all you might need is a little bit of a touch of LOVE. 

I am a big fan of this idea. 

(source)

Monogrammed mugs from Anthropologie each contain a different type of flower here.  I think I might use them in a little different way...not quire sure yet, but I sure do love this idea. 

And at only $6 per mug, it's a $24 accent to your wedding that is just simply wonderful.  Plus, you can drink from the mugs until you accidentally break them!  They are forever keepsakes! 

Checklists will never go away!

I feel like I'm getting nothing done when I look at my knot.com checklist.  It's got so many things with ticking timebombs and undone items!  Then I go through the items. 

• Start taking better care of yourself. Get in wedding day shape by eating right, joining a gym, and/or even hiring a personal trainer.  -- Started.  I think the Mini Marathon Training should work on this...now if we could only get Mike on board. 
• Sign your catering contract and send in a deposit.  -- You have to use the caterer that goes with the reception hall and we've already talked to them.  Probably need to discuss deposits with them soon. 
• Envision your wedding flowers and set up appointments with wedding florists in the area to discuss options. -- I think I'm going to tackle this myself with a mix of silk and fresh and the inspriation of JL designs. 
• Start looking for and auditioning local reception bands or DJs. -- This is all in Mike's hands.  He was supposed to call the DJ 2 weeks ago.  I'd better lay down the law soon. 
• Set up appointments with various florists to discuss options.  -- Maybe we'll call for a bouquet.  I love the bouquet seen here. 
• Decide on your officiant and set up a meeting to plan the wedding ceremony and talk about any religious requirements (such as premarital counseling).  -- We are doing the Catholic Ceremony (so far).  I'm hoping for no more glitches, but we'll see.  I feel like they are all over along the way.  Ugh.  Next step is meeting with the big priest to go over our FOCUS results...hopefully we are semi-compatible. 
• Choose your florist and send a deposit to reserve their services. -- I choose me, ikea, some rentals, some ti leaves, some orchids, some succulents, some manzanita trees, and some other green flowers.
• Have engagement photos taken (if you want). This is a great opportunity to get comfortable with your photographer before the wedding day.  -- Going to get another set done.  It came with our "package" through Amanda Wilcher Photoghraphers.  I can't wait to get to see Amanda and Kyle again before the big day and get some AMAZING pictures taken!
• Start researching ceremony musicians in your area and listening to demos. Also start forming an idea of what style of ceremony music you want, and any specific songs you’re looking for.  -- I think this comes with the church, but it's on a list of questions to ask next Friday!
• Book your reception band or DJ, sign the reception music contract, and send a deposit. -- MIKE!!!
• Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.  -- Another Mike Task since I have no negotiating skills whatsoever!
• Fill out your wedding registry, and don't forget to include some choices appropriate for your upcoming bridal shower. -- I filled out some Crate and Barrel items last week as you can see from recent postings!  I heart that store.  Next up Bed Bath and Beyond and Macy's.  :)
• Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Look for rehearsal dinner sites in your area and provide the host with contact information for your attendants and any other guests. -- Darla is going to do this although I have some great ideas.  Maybe those will be in some upcoming posts! 
• Start working on your invitation wording and design. -- The invitations are done they just need to be printed and put together!  And some of the extra pieces need to be ordred, but this could be checked off. 
• Finalize your invitation wording. -- goes with above.
• Finalize the reception menu and service details with the caterer. -- The menu is about finished...I think we just need to sit down with the Caterers and decide what is best and taste everything a bit.  I can't wait for that part.  :) 

So basically everything is checked or at least halfway checked off. I feel like there is so much more to do than this list though and I can't even begin to fathom how it will all come together, but hopefully it will.  I feel like i'm doing a really good job on my own.  I think the next things to order are going to be the flower girl dresses and the bridesmaid shoes!  I'll post on those soon! 

Until next time! 

My Etsy Favorites of Today

The first thing you do when walking into the wedding and/or reception is sign the guest book, but then what do you do with the guestbook??? So why not get creative? The Wedding Perch on Etsy has a great alternative! Their Small Natural Wood Wedding Guest Book/Memory Plaque, Wedding Gift With Shadow Box Frame is a great idea for anyone who is trying to get away from the plain old guest book!

This is something that is unique, could hang in your house forever, and is a conversation starter as well! Love! And it's only $60.00

Next I love this Custom Bridal Bouquet from Cultivar. It is handmade with recycled fabrics and detailed beadwork. I especially love that the one shown here has fabrics with a little pattern on it. It's very detailed with out being too ornate. $125

There are a lot of bows at my wedding, but not your typical bows...althought this is an example of a classic bow. From Belcanto, the 1940 Staret Spun Art Deco Rhinestone Bow Bridal Haircomb is one that is sure to be the perfect accessory. This is a lovely and rare find!!! $125

Wedding Planing Trip Home Part I (Reception Venue)

I need my own computer. Seriously. At this moment, my fiance and I share. That has got to change soon. I may just have to splurge. Problem is…I’M TRYING TO SAVE FOR A WEDDING!

I went home this past weekend and had crazy bad luck. I’m sure many of you are in the same boat as me — planning a wedding from another city. Did your dad tell you “You will get married (insert city name here)?” Well dad, if you are reading this, I’m sorry but you did. It’s ok, but it’s making things very difficult.

While Fort Wayne is only 1 hour and 45 min away from Indianapolis, parts of it may be 10-15 years behind. I’m sorry, but it is. It’s working on it but this is making my “dream wedding” a bit harder than once anticipated. Reception venues were harder to find. Ceremony sites are proving to be very tircky. I’m still plugging away at it though. Cake makers…well, that’s a-whole-nother blog. I haven’t attempted florists yet. Thank god for Etsy, SMP, and Wedding Chicks or I’d be lost and gone forever!

But while I was home this weekend, I had a goal of finding a cake shop, a ceremony site or a church, a place to get suits for the gusys and anything else that we could do. I also had to stop at the reception venue to ACTUALLY see it. Up to this point, my mom was the only one who had seen it. It’s Gorgeous! The Philmore on Broadway was originallyy opened in 1923 as the Broadway Theater. See the pictures below as it’s still undergoing a bit more renovation from being a straight restaurant. I love it! now it’s going to be a Jazz Club and Events Center! Lucky for me because this place is a Gem!

*M*

Status 10-5-09

Bridesmaid Dresses: Check

Bridesmaid Cards: Check (Once I know they’ve been received I’ll post the Final Product)

Wedding Dress: Check

Now what?! I feel like I’m ahead of the curve but really I’m behind. I need to secure a DJ for the event, a baker although I do have my cake picked out – it’s a show stopper! I was obsessed with Cake Girls out of Chicago and I got my idea from them on Amazing Wedding Cakes.

Oh, and I need to decide on a place to get MARRIED!!! That might be a high priority on the agenda when I go home next weekend! We have a reception venue picked out and booked…it’s a vintage theater that has been renovated and is absolutely wonderful! If my mother knew how to use a digital camera, I’d post the pictures right now, but she took video segments instead of pictures so they are unusable! When I go home I’ll take more! It has an upstairs bar, a stage, and it’s just gorgeous. I can’t wait to share with you all b/c it’s AMAZING!!! I think it’s going to be called “The Broadway” but right now here is an image of Catablu (what it used to be – a restaurant).

My theme for the day is URBAN CHIC which I think I can pull off. My mother and I are doing this all ourselves. Of course, we are getting help here and there from others, but the majority of the work will be done by us! I’m doing the invitations and she’s going the bouquets (which once I go home again I will have to take a picture of b/c I hear they are GORGEOUS!). I’m sure I’m forgetting other things we will be doing.

True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach

*M*

1st Venue was a Home Run!

Now that I am the Bride to be, I only felt it fitting that I actually start working on getting some items chosen for this event.

I wanted a very different unique feel for my wedding. One that is something you don't see every other wedding in Fort Wayne. I found this was very hard to do with everything in Fort Wayne being older and dated (according to my standards). I was not looking forward to looking at venues. I had made appointments at 2 places and was sure that one of those would be the winner because it had to be. However the night before I headed home to the Fort, my mom called and said she'd made an appointment at the Brand NEW Parkview Field.

Boy am I glad we went! It was settled! That was easy! But we still had to go to the other places to look...UGH. But we did and it just sealed the deal that we were going to reserve the stadium.