Jenn050709's Planning Journal~~May 7, 2009~~**05/09/07 Update~BM Dress Ideas**

[Jenn050709]

Alrighty, I've finally got this thing up and running Hopefully you all can stay with me

Feel free to post comments!! I could ALWAYS use some advice from an outside perspective!!

Tim and I have officially decided (AGAIN) May 7, 2009. I'm so excited, but not too excited yet. With our track record of changing dates, we're not going to tell anyone until we start booking things, and things are set in stone.



So this will be our index page for everything to do with the wedding. I am SO excited to finally be able to start this journal and I can't wait until things start coming together!!

*Wedding Checklist*
*About Us*
*The Proposal*
*Proposal Pics*
*Ceremony*
*Ceremony Music*
*Reception*
*Reception Music*
*Menu*
*My Dress*
*Tim's Attire*
*Bridesmaids*
*Bridesmaids Dresses*
*Groomsmen*
*Groomsmen Attire*
*Theme*
*Decorations*
*Flowers*
*Hair and Makeup*
*Accessories*
*Wedding Bands*
*Save the Dates*
*Invitations*
*Programs*
*Cake*
*Photography*
*Videography*
*Honeymoon*
*Attendants' Gifts*
*Favors*
*Hotels*
*Out of Town Baskets*
*Must Have Photos ~ Part I*
*Must Have Photos ~ Part II*
*Must Have Photos ~ Part III*
*Tim's Gift*
*Gifts for Parents*
*Registries*
*Transportation*
*Monograms*

 

[Jenn050709]

Okay, I'll start with my checklist first, so it's always on my mind Things in Red are done, things in Orange are to be done, and things in Gray will not be done:

12 Months or more
May 7, 2008 or before
- Create a wedding binder. Keep all ideas, swatches, photos, correspondence, etc. and keep it in an easily accessible place.
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Consider purchasing wedding insurance to protect your special day.
- Compile a reasonable guest list. Don’t over invite assuming guests won’t come because of travel. Invite anyone you want to have present (budget permitting) and allow the guest to decide if they can/want to travel.
- If you are getting married outside of the country, consider hiring a wedding consultant who specializes in destination weddings.

11 Months prior
June 7, 2008
- Set up a profile of the type of destination wedding your want
- Research, research, research locations before you book. Note distance from airport to hotel, weather, seasons and time of year (consider hurricanes) amenities, etc.
- Settle on a wedding date.
- Send save the date cards.
- Verify marriage residency requirements.
- Research travel and accommodation options for guests
- Consider visiting the destination to be sure this is THE spot for you.

10 months prior
July 7, 2008
- Make destination wedding planning trip, if necessary
- Set up meetings with any stateside wedding professional who may be traveling to your wedding locale.

9 Months prior
August 7, 2008
- Start putting together any legal documents required to marry at the destination wedding location.
- Make travel arrangements to the destination wedding site, if possible.
- Book the lodging accommodations for wedding attendants
- Complete itinerary for tours or any other extra curricular activities for guests, if applicable
- Make your own travel arrangements for the wedding

8 Months prior
September 7, 2008
- Register for gifts
- Determine style, formality and colors of wedding
- Consider style of stationery, invitations

7 Months prior
October 7, 2008
- Select your wedding gown
- Choose and order bridesmaids wedding dresses
- Order groom and groomsmen attire
- Shop for wedding rings

6 Months prior
November 7, 2008
- Make final selections on wedding cake baker, florists and décor, and transportation necessary.
- Work on ceremony details and buy any necessary items
- Finalize menu and wedding cake order

5 Months prior
December 7, 2008
- Purchase fiancé’s gift (optional)
- Order favors (optional)
- Buy gifts for wedding attendants and parents

4 Months prior
January 7, 2009
- Finish addressing wedding invitations and mail out

3 Months prior
February 7, 2009
- Update your budget
- Review contracts again and familiarize yourself with arrival times, etc.

2 Months prior
March 7, 2009
- Start creating seating charts. Yes, it is hard but it must be done.
- Call guests who have not yet responded

1 Month prior
April 7, 2009
- Release any unnecessary rooms
- Finalize all wedding day itineraries
- Confirm travel arrangements with the hotel/resort

3 Weeks prior
April 16, 2009
- Send out emails to wedding providers who have been contracted to finalize the details.

3 Days prior
May 4, 2009
- Arrive at wedding destination
- Meet with banquet manager
- Go over details
- Bridal beauty - manicure, pedicure – no change in facial products at this time. Any change in cleansers or makeup should be done at least one month prior to the wedding.

The day of
May 7, 2009
- Relax, say “I DO” and live happily ever after!

 

[Jenn050709]

Jenn

My name is Jennifer, but you can call me Jenn. I'm 24 (25 on April 13), from Northwest Indiana and a bride-to-be. I work for a lawfirm as their receptionist/docket clerk, which means I do way too much for way too little. I started college at Purdue Calumet, in Fall 2000, going for El.Ed., but a year later realized that I didn't want to live my mom's dream for me. I just liked playing with kids and lacked the organizational skills to actually be a teacher. So that led me to Sawyer College in 2002. I graduated in January 2003, a certified Microsoft Office Specialist (yay me )

Summer 2003, I started back at Purdue Cal going for my Management degree b/c I thought it was an easy degree, and my mom, once again, suggested it. This past year, I've realized it's not for me, and once again, left Purdue. I am taking this year off to get my life back in some sort of order. When I go back in the fall, I'm going to finish my Management degree (on MY terms) and then possibly pursue either my Masters in Management or Doctorate in Pharmacy. Who knows yet.....but enough about me....time to meet the man

Tim

This is Tim. Isn’t he cute?? Who wouldn’t love that face Tim will be 29 on October 9, yay He is a Journeyman plumber and works with his Dad in the Illinois union. He's the breadwinner right now...but hopefully I can catch up soon!

Tim is not one to let anyone tell him what to do, and I honestly wish I could be more like that. He has been my rock through these past couple years and I honestly don’t know what or where I’d be had he not been there. He doesn’t have a long and dragged out life story like I do, so I’ll move on to us

Tim and Jenn

Here we are!! Tim and I met on Match.com in March 2002. I had just ended a semi-serious relationship and Tim had been single for a year and a half, but had been previously engaged. We weren’t looking for anything serious. I was basically looking for people, in my area, to hang out with. We talked for a few months and finally decided to meet. We met at the mall nearby, and seriously, I felt an immediate connection with him, like we had known each other for a long time. So we wandered around the mall for a while (I had my niece with me), and then we decided to leave. I wasn’t ready to let him go yet, so for the first and last time in my life, I asked him out

Well, he followed me to my house to drop my niece off, and then we headed out to the movies so see Spiderman (his 6th time, the poor guy!). After the movies we went to dinner at Applebee’s, and then he drove me back home. We stood in my driveway for a long time, just talking and flirting and then he said he had to get home. I gave him a hug goodbye and started to walk away. I got about halfway up my driveway when I heard him say, “Ummm, Jenn? Can I have your number?” SERIOUSLY!! That’s how comfortable I was with him, that I just assumed that I had known him forever and he had my number! I felt like such a dork, but I gave him my number and the rest, they say, is history!!

Our official anniversary date is June 15 and Tim proposed to me on April 16, 2005 (b-day is April 13, so it was a present) and we’re planning our wedding for May 7, 2009.

 

[Jenn050709]

On April 16, 2005, Tim and I had plans to go to Chicago with our friends, Curt and Jhenn, to celebrate my birthday and Curt's. We were going to meet Curt and Jhenn at a park in Crown Point (by the Hub pool) to look at a gazebo that Jhenn had decorated for her friend's wedding that was the following day (April 17, 2005). Curt and Jhenn were running late (nothing unusual) so we decided to look at the gazebo before they got there.

I was in my own world looking at the beautiful decorations. There were wedding bells, white flowers, white lace, and a video camera. Yes, I said video camera. I was told this was to deter anyone from tampering with the gazebo. Always the cautious one, I badgered Tim for a while about someone stealing the camera, until he finally made it clear that nobody would try to steal the camera.

Tim then directed my attention to a picnic basket, on a table, at the back of the gazebo, and suggested we peek inside. I thought that it was a nice touch for the wedding, so I, being the good girl, told him not to be nosey, and that it wasn't ours. Being as he never listens to me anyways, he opened it up, and inside were a bride and groom Build-A-Bear. As I was oohing over the bears, for the wedding, Tim handed me a note to read, which I thought was very rude of him. I thought he wanted me to read a note intended for Jhenn. However, as I started reading, the first line turned the lightbulb on in my head (you can literally see me get it on the video).

It said, 'Jen, I know by now you're saying Oh my God,' and then it hit me, and the tears started.

The whole note said,

Jen,

So I know by now you have to be saying "Oh my God," but ever since we started talking on the internet, I knew there was something very special about you. And I was right. You are the most caring, loving, thoughtful, most beautiful girl I've ever met. You are anything and everything that I could ever want. You complete me, you make me whole inside. I love you so much. You are my soulmate, my companion, my best friend. You have touched my life in every way possible, and I want to be with you and share everything with you from this day on, for the rest of our lives.

As I was reading that and crying, I saw Tim get down on one knee and proceed to propose. He said, "Jennifer Aileen Orich, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I couldn't speak the words yes, instead shaking my head up and down going, "Uh-huh, uh-huh!"

After Tim slipped the most gorgeous ring on my finger, he stood up and I hugged and kissed him. It was during that time we heard a loud roar of cheers (you can hear it on the video). We looked to see a group of guys playing basketball cheering for us. It definitely made us smile. It was then that I noticed Curt and Jhenn coming out from their hiding spot (Yes, I’m gullible). They had tipped the basketball players off while hiding their car so I wouldn't notice, so the guys new what to expect and were just waiting for the right time to cheer.

We took some pictures, and I tried to soak it all in. I was shaking for a good hour.

After we were done at the park, Curt and Jhenn said they'd see us a little later and we headed off.

On the way out of the park, Tim told me we were going to stop by his house to tell his parents and then head to my house to show my mom (my dad was working the whole weekend)

When we got to Tim's house, I hugged his mom, started around the corner into the kitchen and to my surprise (literally) there was an engagement party waiting for us. My mom (Bev), Shelly (sister), Kyle (nephew), Kara (niece), grandma (Frances), Kay (Tim's mom), Norm (Tim's dad), Eric (Tim's brother), Angela (brother's girlfriend), Curt, Jhenn and their daughter Annalia were all there. I wish my dad could have been there, but like I said, he was working.

This was definitely a dream come true; I felt so much like a princess and this is a day that I will NEVER forget.

 

[Jenn050709]

Here are some pics from the day we were engaged (OMG was my hair short ):

This is right after he proposed and stood up...sorry you can't see very well, Curt & Jhenn took it from their hiding spot:

The gazebo:

My e-ring:

And my favorite pic:

 

[Jenn050709]

So far, our top choice for ceremony location is Disney's Wedding Pavilion.

 

[Jenn050709]

We haven't decided on anything yet.

 

[Jenn050709]

Here are two ideas, so far, for our reception.

The first is the Epcot - Living Seas VIP Lounge and the second is the MGM "Great Movie Ride"

Epcot - Living Seas VIP Lounge

MGM "The Great Movie Ride"

 

[Jenn050709]

We haven't decided whether we want a DJ/band or have a trio/quartet playing at the reception.

 

[Jenn050709]

We have NO idea what we want yet. The pre-made menus are a tad too fancy for our tastes. We just want something simple, so we'll probably create our own menu.

 

[Jenn050709]

So far, I have 2 ideas for dresses. As soon as I try them on/make a decision, I'll post about it!

I've found Sottero/Midgley's ASM3052(haven't tried it on yet):

ASM3052

Sottero/Midgley's ASM3074(tried is and LOVED it ):

ASM3074 (known as an "Updated Cinderella Dress")

And on Me! (don't mind the wrinkles...I was the first person to try this on!)

 

[Jenn050709]

I'll post what Tim is wearing here....right now he has NO idea!

 

[Jenn050709]

I'll post my side of the bridal party here.

 

[Jenn050709]

I know I want tea/knee length dresses in either red or yellow, and preferrably something the girls can wear again. Here are some ideas I've found so far:

Dessy

David's Bridal

Alfred Angelo

(Can be ordered in tea length)

 

[Jenn050709]

Tim isn't having 1 Best Man, per se. He told each of the guys that at one point or another in their friendship, they've all been his best friend and therefore, he can't pick just one Best Man.

I'm not sure if he's planning on naming them all Best Men or Groomsmen, but either way...here they are:

Eric - Tim's brother
PICTURE HERE

Carl - One of Tim's best friends, for almost 15 years

Jeremy - Another of Tim's best friends.

 

[Jenn050709]

I'll post what Tim's guys will be wearing here.

 

[Jenn050709]

We are thinking of a red and yellow color scheme, but other than that, we're just going to let our surroundings help out.

 

[Jenn050709]

I'll post any decorations we decide on.

 

[Jenn050709]

I'll post flower ideas for me, Tim, the BP and parents here.

 

[Jenn050709]

I know that I want my hair up, probably a little lower than the crown of my head. I also don't want it too "perfect". Maybe a bunch of semi-loose curls with a few pieces to frame my face. I also want the criss-cross look on the top, sides and back (see pictures below)

UPDATE 04/20/07: So since my hair is short now, I'm not sure how I will be having my hair for the wedding. As often as I change my hair, it's anybody's guess! I'll post some short hairstyles as soon as I can find some!

HAIR

For my makeup, I'd like something fresh and nautral, but I will probably have my eyes played up a bit.

MAKEUP