Monday, July 8, 2013

July 8 wedding shtuff update.

Hey girls!!

Okay, a month later and I have some new things to tell you.

First off.

I will be in CT Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday July 22-24. I know that's awkwardish, but it's because I'm riding back from a wedding shower in NJ (thrown my by new MIL) with my parents the Sunday before, and I need to be back in VA by the weekend because we are moving to a new house. Yes it's a crazy time! So. I will have my wedding dress with me. ... and I would love it if all of us (minus sweet Sarah) can pick a time that works to have dinner together, maybe then go back to someone's house and we can catch up, talk a little wedding stuff, I can see the purple dress, etc. Basically I am dying to see you all BEFORE the wedding, and BEFORE the party weekend in October. Informally, just us type thing :-)

I think if you could all post your e-mail addresses HERE that'd be helpful (I'm quitting Facebook soon, thankfully .... way too addictive and time-wasting for me). Mine is mskarenannfuller@gmail.com

So. We had a lot of issues with our wedding budget (mainly a $3,000 car repair, UGH) that forced us to simplify the weekend, but in the end it's very "us" and we're much more comfortable with a semi non-traditional event.

You will be getting your official invites mid-August. I need to have an idea NOW whether you will have a guest (your boyfriend, or someone else, whatever), this will help as I plan food, rehearsal dinner reservations, etc) or not. So please share, email me. (see address above).

This is kind of how things will go. In the info packet we're going to put together, we have a block of Hampton Inn rooms reserved, I believe it needs to be done by Sept. 6 or we lose the group rate. I thought it would be cool for you guys to reserve one or two rooms next to each other (one of them accessible) and I will join Friday night. I think they have a little restaurant for breakfast, fine for me. We'll then get in the car and get ready Saturday morning at the B&B where the ceremony will be held (15 min from hotel), because it's beautiful and John and I are paying crazy $ for it. We'll have someone to do our hair (okay I'm thinking something simple and braided) and I'll have boxed lunches for all of us  from an awesome local veg-friendly coffeeshop.

Oh, Friday -- we haven't decided on a "rehearsal" time yet, but we're thinking of pushing it as close to dinnertime as possible (like 5 pm-ish) so you guys can not feel rushed arriving, I know it's a long ass drive. I love that you guys might be renting a van to all come down together? I wish I could be on that road trip!! Love that idea. So yeah, we want the wedding party (my people and John's people, and our parents) to have a "rehearsal dinner" at a local restaurant that showcases local seafood and stuff like burgers and salads for people who want that and is pretty and looks out onto the marshes of the atlantic. i'm calling them tomorrow to see about vegan meals, too. the rehearsal itself will be short, it's not that complicated to figure it out, hoping an hour tops then we can all head to the restaurant (15 minutes from the hotel) and have an awesome, fun dinner.

So on wedding day, we'll do the morning get ready thing, then at 2 we'll have some apps and coffee for an hour. the ceremony will  be at 3 and we'll do a reception line thing ... but eventually head out with you all for photos (we're actually staying on site for those, it's big and pretty enough to get good ones without going anywhere) while other guests eat more apps and get more wired on coffee. then we're going to do champagne toasts and cake (hopefully, vegan, gluten free from Whole Foods) and there's probably a couple hour gap between that winding down and then we're going to have an open house party at our new place (2 miles from the hampton inn) starting about 7:30 to whenever. We're planning on beer, homemade sangria, and a make your own taco bar (easiest and most fun way to satisfy different diets cheaply) and the rest is BYOB. And, that's IT!! That will be dress casually if you wanted to change in between places.

And on Sunday, well, that's it, everyone's on their own. We thought about a brunch but it really would just be too much. We've decided to be reasonable and have quick breakfast with our parents, then go to Savannah, GA (mini road trip, 8 hours) so we want to leave that day and have a week there. We'll include a bunch of awesome eastern shore stuff to do if anyone's interested in staying another day (some have that holiday monday off).

I hope you guys like our ideas ... I want you all to be in the specific know on stuff ... when we get together soon we can discuss shoes, etc. but know that nothing is really complicated or traditional. We're not even having a band (can't afford it!!) but people will be having instruments and revelry at our place later. Also, no awkward dancing. Nah, we just like the party thing.

Oh, and we have a lot of our registry info here, where I was long-winded and overly thorough as usual :: (this info will be sent in wedding packets, too)  -- http://www.honeyfund.com/wedding/karenandjohn2013

I love you all so much and I've been missing you all and wanting to write you all a letter and maybe I will anyway!! Thanks for being part of this day. It would never be the same without you!!

<3 <3 <3



Friday, June 7, 2013

June 7 update, not much new yet

Hey girls --

So I'm sorry but I still haven't heard back about the weekend rate for the house rental ... I will let you all know ASAP. I would love to offer up our new home for you all to stay at but there is not an accessible bathroom there. So we are crossing our fingers and hoping the house idea works out. If not there are some other options in the area for rentals I can look into it's still far enough ahead of time.

I want you all to know that I am well aware that all of us are doing our best just to pay our bills from one paycheck to the next (me too). I am willing to pitch in as I can to help anyone in need and I'm doing my best to keep the costs of things low but still have a really nice event. Please ignore the expensive stuff on our registry we were really just putting it on there for fun or for older guests who actually might like to purchase such things. They are nothing we'd ever be able to buy for ourselves! We tried to put some cheap stuff on, too but mostly we're hoping for ANY gifts of cash that we could use how we feel best, which of course is on antiques/pottery, that sort of unique thing!

As far as the honeyfund.com registry, we are switching our honeymoon to renting a cabin of sorts on the Outer Banks. just less stress/cost and only a couple hours drive for us from virginia. so i do have to change the site to reflect that and will get to that soon.

You girls are my very best friends and it just would never, ever be the same day without you all. I don't expect anything other than your presence at and participation in the ceremony and reception. Just putting that out there!!

I am planning to be home for a week-ish July 22. I would love if we could all meet up to hash out some of the more minor details. I'm going to bring my dress too :-)

Jenn has informed me the bridesmaids' dresses need petticoats. have you all gotten your dress and tried it on? is it really flat and ugly without the petticoat? i don't know how i missed that you needed one of those. i REALLY hope this isn't the second dress we have to put the kabosh on!! :-(

Shoes .... zappos so we can trade links? they have a ton of fun, affordable shoes and their shipping and return policies are just stellar.

that's all i got ... for now ....  i also have addresses that i will forward to sarah and mary for the shower invites.

love you ALL!!! miss you so much.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

lehman's

also started a wish list in my name at lehmans.com

so far just canning stuff on it.

https://www.lehmans.com/wishlist.aspx

Target link

Sorry not much on it yet
https://www-secure.target.com/RegistryFindListCmd?hostName=www-secure.target.com&loginAction=fromRegistry&jsRequest=true&catalogId=10051&status=completePageLink&cumulativeTime=-1&listId=uyb-dD_NV8WvxT-JDg-Rfg&langId=-1&segmentGrpName=I&pageName=GiftRegistryMyItemsListView&listType=WD&storeId=10151

williams sonoma link

here is our registry so far: (i will likely be adding other things, we just wanted to get our big stuff on there, yes i asked for a crazy vitamix when else will i ever get one?? lol)
https://secure.williams-sonoma.com/registry/tp58h2qdrg/registry-list.html

a few updates for you all

Hi girls!!

I finally had some time to check out the two house rental options I was given three weeks ago! Sorry I've been so scarce. School has been stressful and driving me nuts as we wrap up the year. Anyway I think this is the one (the other one is super tricked out and SUPER expensive to boot). It will sleep everybody just about I think. I have just now e-mailed the realtor and asked for a discount from the 1,950 since we'll only need it for the weekend not the week, I'm hoping we can get it reduced by almost half so that would be under $1,000. No promises but I think that's do-able. It's a nice place for me to spend the night before the wedding with you and a place where we can have our boxed lunches delivered and get our hair done, etc. here is the link with lots of photos: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p387847#rates

What do you all think? I will get back to you guys on price ASAP so we can start coordinating deposits, etc.

Also do any of you have news on swatches for me as you are getting your dresses hemmed? Have you purchased the hair feathers?

I am getting invites wording out today to Bonnie up in VT and I'm hoping to have invites out to everyone by mid-July.

If you need registry info for shower planning reasons we have just started that process, check online in our names we are registered at Williams Sonoma and Target but stupid Target's scanners weren't working so I have to go on their site and plug everything in online so it will be awhile before anything shows up on Target. We found the registry hard to do because we are fairly nontraditonal -- we don't have a home to set up yet (so how can we get matchy towels, etc?!), and we are also going to be asking for cash to use at antique/pottery type places because how can you possibly register those. And finally, we have most of what we NEED already since we are older and what we are asking for is really just stuff we wouldn't normally buy for ourselves. I am still working on Honeyfund.com for the honeymoon help gifts of $, but I'm having issues with the site and address and bank verifications so that will be a while before it's edited, fixed and ready but that link can be included on shower info too. We actually have decided to rent a cabin somewhere along the outer banks of N.C. as it's just much cheaper/less stressful so I do have to edit the page to reflect that but we are excited for a few slow days away and not a far drive. Finally we tried to register at Lowe's for a grill we wanted but they don't do registries (grr)...the grill is here: http://www.lowes.com/pd_404333-40307-720-0819A_?productId=3850057

All of that will be included with the wedding invitations, too.

I hope that was helpful -- Sarah and Mary I promise I am starting work on getting all the addresses you will need for the bridal shower. Please let me know if you need anything else at this point.

I have four days left of school this week and then thank God, I will have some more time though I am taking a two-week trip west just to get away from it all finally. it's been a rewarding but in many ways very difficult year at work!

love and miss you all and remember to send me pics of you in your dress! anyone have any further ideas on shoes? I did have a thought that we could all try to get them from zappo's maybe they are very reputable and I know we're going to get all different ones but that way we could all share links to each other's. also we will have different sunflower yellow cardigans, i'd love to see pics of those as well.

we have decided that the men won't be wearing suits (groom's party) -- they will wear white button down shirts, black pants and shoes, and each will have a different vintage-y hat and a sunflower corsage. The ties will be purple, we haven't figured out yet but i'm hoping for a print.

Arianna I will be home the week of july 20 and i'm going to bring the wedding dress so you can get yarn for the gloves. (i'm taking it to my LYS tomorrow to find shawl yarn! yay!!).

Hope I haven't overwhelmed with all this info but I think that's it for now!! I will post about the house but please tell me your opinions price aside for now!!

Love you all,

Karen

Sunday, May 5, 2013

house/hotel rental?

Okay, girls.

I am SO glad you all settled on such a pretty dress! have you ordered the hair feather, too?

can you all send me pics of you in your dress when it arrives? i can't wait to see them!

i am thinking of a sunflower wrist corsage too.

btw -- purple tulips ARE available here in october. i know it's weird ... but true. i was also thinking though that lavender sprigs would be gorg. but not sure on availability.

as far as accomodations go -- there are house rentals in the town of cape charles, fully furnished 3-4 bedroom houses, for $950-1250 for the weekend. assuming the cheapest route (hell yes) split 10 ways (you all plus one guest) the cost is about $100 for friday, saturday and sunday nights (if you're going to stay sunday) or you could just reserve at the hotel rooms we're going to block at hampton inn or holiday inn express. what do you girls think? i don't know what the hotel rooms will cost yet but assuming the rate is 70-100 per night ... might make more sense to share a house. plus it would be more comfortable, have a kitchen, etc. if you are interested in the house rental you can check out :: http://www.baycreekresort.com/rentals/rentals.asp  i do need to know really soon though which way you all are leaning. i want it to just be budget-friendly in the end. we can of course make sure the rental is accessible.

that's all i have for now, we are meeting with the wedding planner lady in about an hour.

xo

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

i'm back, a little more positive this time

hey girls!!

sorry for the last post. lots of ups and downs lately. i am also sick with a nasty cold. :-(

bonnie wildwood has finished our save-the-date postcards so look for those in the mail soon! we'll be sending out the invites this summer.

finances have caused us to scale back the number of guests so it will be somewhere quite a bit less than 100. an intimate gathering actually sounds fun. it's about US after all not a huge party for people we feel we "have" to invite. i never wanted that. but i still want a pretty party!!

i'm not sure what i will need your all's help with yet, we are nailing down more details the first weekend in may when we meet with our wedding lady. we'll need you to be here friday oct. 11 for the rehearsal dinner.

 i need to know how you all feel about renting a house here on the shore for the weekend at a group rate as opposed to a hotel. when i get in touch with the realtor i will hopefully have a price estimate for you on that.

i think having the bridal shower/bacherlorette weekend the weekend before the wedding is a must for the benefit of Sarah and Marybeth, who will have to travel quite far to do it. since most of us are on the east/coast ct we should do something in or near CT. mary f and sarah k are putting the plan together, i think? i don't know how it works. i have no frame of reference :-) if you guys need my mom you can reach her at 860-223-6266. i'm assuming she helps with the bridal shower since family members are invited too as well as friends. i don't want anything corny for that just a nice lunch somewhere maybe. so maybe friday night for the bachelorette, then a brunch or something saturday and then we can all take some rest and then sunday for the bridal shower? let me know all of your ideas. we'll put together something VERY affordable and awesome.

that's all i have for now. oh, my flowers will probably be purple tulips and sunflowers :-)

ari, i'm hoping to get home this summer at some point. i'd still like you to knit me a pair of gloves if you are up for it. i will buy the yarn you need. i'm assuming you'd have to see my dress though.

also on that note, maybe i'll come up to CT for a weekend this summer and those of us that are around can get together, have fun, see the dress, and plan any details that need working out then.

i love you all!! xo





Sunday, April 21, 2013

wedding schmedding??

Okay, girls.

I am feeling so down and bummed about wedding planning right now. I have NEVER had a close friend or family member get married (last wedding in my family i think i was 12). I know that seems crazy. I have no idea what I'm doing. We do have save-the-dates ready to send by the end of this month. We know our place, we are meeting with the lady who's coordinating our event in two weeks, we have all kinds of things "started" but I'm finding this really hard to do blind and with a job that keeps me very busy to boot. I am trying to keep it "simple" but really no event this huge is simple!! I'm trying not to freak out and just elope ;-)

I am also really bummed that I know we're probably not all going to be able to get together for a weekend before the wedding due to financial constraints and we don't all live in CT. I totally get it. I just wish there was some crazy idea we could devise that could work for all. If not I think we should pick one of the first two weekends in August as many of us are in education and need to get back to things during the second half of that month. I'm thinking in or near CT as that's where most of us are concentrated? I love Mary's idea of a combo bachelorette/bridal shower weekend. I love the idea of classy girly fun, maybe a winery or a show of some sort, a big sleepover. Something that doesn't cost a ton of money but all/most of us could be together and have a LOT of fun :-)

I miss you girls like crazy. I hate living far away during this important time, from all of you, I wish we could have strategic planning nights.

I know it will all work out in the end. Our wedding coordinator is going to help us Tremendously. With all the major stuff. It's this limbo phase that's driving me nuts. We don't meet with her and get the ball really rolling until the first weekend in May.

One thing I am working on is getting you girls a house to rent on the eastern shore rather than pay for hotel it will probably be a cheaper way to stay here for a couple days and you can all stay together.

I'm not even sure this blog is a good idea, most of you never seem to be online (I'm jealous!!). I tried Facebook and I'm trying this. I just don't know what to do.

Monday, April 15, 2013

The bridesmaids' dresses

check this beauty out

and this one

a dress like this would be adorable in royal purple

cute and simple/elegant

So that's just a few ideas. ....

dress color: "royal plum"

basically we are going for a vintage/classy look but something that will still look good with boots around the knee-high range. think mad men/1920s-1930s-1940s but not flapper. i haven't decided on the boots yet that is in keeping with the rustic/farm-y theme.

no cleavage/boob dresses ..... best length will be just above or at the knee (remember, the boots) so that just a bit of your tights or whatever are showing.

the dresses should be feminine but not super clingy

no super shiny satiny stuff.

just keep it CLASSY <3  <3 <3

you can do sleeveless or short sleeves.

if you can, don't spend more than $100! find something you'll wear again.

the yellows are for a button-down, long-sleeved cardigan to wear over the dress, any of the yellows are fine.

i hope this helps for now. i'll post more images as i find them.

when you find a dress, please come on here and post a picture of it!!

did you all order your hair feather? they're very cute.


Sunday, March 24, 2013

first post!! :: 24 March


Welcome, friends! This is the best way for us to keep in touch and share ideas about the wedding. Plus, I don't want John to see the dress!! I'm so glad we can all be here together and that you all will play a part in our very special day. 

The very first thing I want to share with you is that I have all of your color swatches (paint samples from Lowe's actually!) ready to go and I will get those out to you soon. I think I will type up the dress specs here, meaning the type of dress I want you to try and look for. I want you all to wear the same colors but find a dress that is unique to you that you will be comfortable in (and hopefully can wear again). 

Above, yes, that is "the dress!!" i found it at a consignment shop in Virginia Beach for just $800 (originally was $4,000!). It's very me, Downton Abbey style, feminine and elegant. I am actually planning on wearing royal purple Hunter rainboots under it just for fun when it comes to having pictures taken, and the thing is outdoors so let's face it I want to be comfortable. 


I think it would be cute if we all wore the same hairpiece, below is the link to it the lady told Sarah she has enough for each of us to order one. Please let me know when you've ordered yours. 


basically the wedding theme-ish is a combo of simple/rustic/DIY with a bit of vintage-art deco-ish stuff thrown in but i DON'T want to be costumey. 

i'm not sure on shoes btw for you all but i'm thinking brown boots of some sort over tights or thigh highs whatever works best for you. 

also john and i are working out a possible house rental for the bridesmaids and groomsmen so you all can stay together in the same place and all chip in an equal share and it should be MUCH cheaper than a hotel. you all will need to come up friday for the rehearsal and dinner. i will be sure the house you'd rent would be wheelchair accessible of course. 

we're not sure on exact times, etc. yet but we are doing the wedding AND reception at Green Valley B&B, it's owned by one of my students' grandmas who is a seasoned wedding event planner so we are so happy about that! 

our wedding location

anyway i don't want this first post to be too long ... here are some more pics of the dress and of the vintage necklace i found to match in Richmond!