Below are the 13 most recent journal entries recorded in 09_23_05's LiveJournal:

Sunday, June 19th, 2005
8:57 pm	Father's Day For a while now, I have been debating how I want to walk down the aisle. Since my father obviously can't do it, I wasn't sure if I wanted anyone else to take that place of honor. I seriously considered walking down by myself (as seen in Sound of Music, and I think it's very powerful). But instead I decided that I really want my brother to walk me down the aisle. I decided this a while ago, but have been waiting for an opportune moment to ask him. I decided today was it. I wrote Frank a note in a blank card telling him how moving it has been watching him raise Maddie these past few years, and how from all the stories I've heard, he is as good of a father as our dad was. I told him that on this holiday that I've never really celebrated, I'd like to ask him to honor me by walking me down the aisle on my wedding day. It was a very special moment. He got a little choked up and I cried outright (as did Michelle when she read the card). I've never felt so close to him, and I'm proud to have him take that place of honor in my life. Current Mood: touched (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Friday, June 17th, 2005
9:56 pm	Amnesty part II We've gotten a fair amount done since I last posted. Both of our rings are in, and I have a hard time not trying it on every second of the day....you know, otherwise known as wearing it! It's really beautiful, and I'm excited for it! I went through and picked our ceremony music. I'm really happy with our choices. I think they'll be beautiful. I was a little disappointed, however, when I realized there wasn't a lot of room in our ceremony for music. There is only one place in the ceremony itself (outside the procession and recession) that will be set to music. Since we are both big music lovers (obviously) this is a bit sad. But I'm just not seeing any way to fit more in. Our invitations came in today. Now, invitations are almost always assembly required, but I didn't realize quite how much assembly is required! It's not really a lot, just more than envelope stuffing, which is what I assumed. Now we have the daunting task of addressing all those pretty envelopes. Since our address list is not complete yet, it'll be a few weeks until they go out, but it's still exciting to know they are here! I booked our limo yesterday. Nothing exciting, but Sue might be happy to hear that I went with Today's Limo (the same company she used). =) I also made an appointment for next week to go and meet with the veil lady. She makes custom made veils for brides. I'm not really sure what I want, so it'll be fun to see what ideas she comes up with! I think that's about all we got done this week. Our next big task is the invitations. And this weekend we are hoping to get back to the tux places and finalize that decision too. Current Mood: content (Comment on this)
Sunday, June 12th, 2005
10:45 pm	Payments & Tuxes Okay, so the planning part of this entire process is SO much fun! However, I could do without the payments. We have just paid for a couple of big things (rings, invitations, a few deposits that are adding up), and we have a big payment coming up (the rest of the honeymoon). While I know that it'll all be worthwhile in the end, shelling out a ton of money and not getting anything for it immediately is a bit irritating! Also, we recently went looking at Tuxes, and I am absolutely dumbfounded at the process! How is it that men don't try on tuxes???? You look at different styles, put them together on a mannequin, and the guy working in the shop tells you if it would look good on you or not. Then, they take your measurements and send you home telling you to come back a few days before your wedding to try it on and make sure it fits. Seriously, if girls wore tuxedos, these places would no longer be in business! I think this is totally insane! I can't imagine being comfortable enough to pick something to wear on my wedding day (or any day for that matter) without trying it on first! Seriously, am I the only one who thinks this is nuts???? I just don't get it! Current Mood: restless (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 11th, 2005
10:11 pm	Done and left to do It's been a while since I last updated about wedding stuff, but that's because it's been a long time since I've done anything! We definitely got wrapped up in the buying of the house, and the wedding seemed so far away... Luckily, we're getting back on track. I organized a time to come home for a bridal shower (which was no small feat trying to get all my BM's schedules to coordinate), so I'm excited about that. We ordered our wedding rings this past weekend, and they'll be in in about a month. I LOVE mine! We met with a travel agent yesterday, and are in the final stages of planning our honeymoon. We are doing a 10 day Mediterranean cruise. We start in Rome, then it's off to Capri, Italy for 2 days, then to Florence, and Portofino, Italy. Then we spend a day in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and then head into Provence (Marseille), France. We have a break then as we spend a day at sea before going to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and end up in Barcelona. I can not describe how excited I am about this trip! And we got a good deal. The cruise line is a nicer one than we we thought we would be able to afford, but they have a deal running where if you take this cruise, you get free airfare! And from Albany -> Rome and from Barcelona -> Denver, that's one heck of a deal! And we can pay $50 to get a 'flight deviation' so that we can pick our own flight times, and not have to adhere to their schedule. Since the cruise doesn't leave until the 28th, we're planning on spending a few days in Rome before the cruise. It's going to be an amazing trip! Neither Nate nor myself have ever done a cruise, and we are both really looking forward to it! So despite the fact that we've been more productive lately, my to do list is still about 135 items long! We have a few big things left to do, such as invitations. Those are a pain, and we are having a hard time agreeing on anything. We still have to figure out where our Rehearsal Dinner is going to be, and set up limos. Other than that, it's a lot of decision making. What flowers do I want exactly? What kind of centerpieces? We have a baker, but what should our cake look like? I think we are doing alright time wise, but September is creeping up fast. I know a lot of the slowness is my doing. I have this irritating habit of needing to research the crap out of every little detail before making a decision. I feel like I get to do this once, I had better do it right. Although, it's frustrating at times (more for Nate than me), I love how with every option I mentally cross off, the 'wedding picture' in my head becomes a little bit clearer. For the longest time I just had vague ideas of what I wanted, but the details are really starting to fall into place, and I just can't wait! I think it's going to be truly lovely! =) Current Mood: excited (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, October 24th, 2004
1:23 pm	Funk I am officially in a wedding funk. I have a wedding planning trip home coming up in a week, and I am so not ready for it. I'm really not even looking forward to it. No, that's not true. I'm very much looking forward to seeing some family and friends, and being home. I am not looking forward to the actual purpose of the trip. I designated today as 'do wedding stuff day' to help me get motivated and ready for the trip. I even have a big ol' stack of new-to-me (they were given to me by a friend) wedding magazines. I've looked through one, and am like, eh. In some ways it feel like we're already married. I had my crazy excited phase and my obsessive phase. Now we've taken the 'next marital step' and bought a house, and when I think about my obsession with wedding stuff, I smile as if in fond memory. But it's not a memory; it hasn't happened yet! It's a bit worrisome. I'm attributing some of my funk to not being able to find the right flowers (not that I've looked all that hard). I really like Calla Lillies, and I think they go with the 'idea' of my wedding really well, but I'm not loving any of the bouquets or centerpieces I'm finding. I'm also having dress doubts, but lets not even go there, shall we. Current Mood: blah (Comment on this)
Saturday, October 9th, 2004
5:26 pm	A Wedding Trip I'm coming home for 5 days to do some wedding planning. I'll be home for Nov. 2nd-Nov. 7th. During that time I need to: -Find and book an officiant -Find and book ceremony music (preferably live) -Get a block of hotels set for my out of town guests -Meet with Kevin, my site coordinator -Meet with Paul, my DJ -Meet with Michael, my photographer -Meet with my florist and choose flowers (this is a big one and will probably be one of the most time consuming...I have taken from my floral budget to give to everything else that I just 'had to have' and I'm not sure I'm going to be happy with what I can get...but we'll see! -Hang out with my MOH (Maid of Honor) and BM's (Bridesmaids) to attempt to find dresses for them (and to see them all, cause it's been too long!) -Get my ring checked Also, not wedding related, but I'm hopefully going to get to see my family when I'm home, since I won't be seeing them for the holiday's this year (I'm spending Thanksgiving in Disney with Nate, my Mom, my Aunt Linda, and my sister Diane, and Christmas will be in CA with Nate's family this year. This is going to be a very different holiday season for me!) Another thing that I do have to get cracking on (which is wedding related by doesn't need to be done in time for the trip, necessarily) is planning the honeymoon. Or at least picking a honeymoon spot. Nate and I really want to do Hawaii, but that just might not be realistic. We've also talked about a cruise, but I've always said the cruise I would want to do most would be a Disney cruise. So we are tossing that Idea around a bit. I'm not sure though, because I've always wanted to go somewhere I've never been, and since I've been to Disney so many times, I'm afraid it will seem 'less special' (as in the memories might easily blur with all the other Disney memories in my head). But we've also talked about not doing a honeymoon, and a blurry honeymoon sounds better to me than no honeymoon at all, so we'll see! Phew, I have a lot of researching to do before I come home, and it's going to be a pretty jam packed five days! I just hope I'm ready for it when the time comes!!!! Current Mood: busy (Comment on this)
Monday, August 2nd, 2004
6:12 pm	Uh-oh So I got a 'return to sender' letter in the mail today. It was my deposit for my DJ. I just called him and left a message, but I'm terrified he thought I blew him off and booked my date already. Everyone keep your fingers crossed!!! Current Mood: anxious (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, July 31st, 2004
10:21 am	Overdue Update Not much has happened since I last posted. Wedding stuff is sort of on hold while we are doing the house thing. In truth, that's okay because we've got a lot done! Since I last posted, we have booked our Photographer, Michael Gallitelli (www.metrolandphoto.com), and our DJ, Paul Malo (he doesn't have a website, he gets work by referral only). I also booked a florist. We are using price chopper. I've heard good things about them and they are inexpensive (as far as florists go, anyway). I really wanted to use Amaryllis, who I've heard nothing but raves about, but they are pricey, and God knows I need to cut corners somewhere! The next things that need to be done are finding an officiant and booking some ceremony music. I'm hoping to come home toward the end of September (hopefully the weekend of the 24th so I can be home the corresponding weekend of my wedding next year). And that's about all that's going on with wedding stuff. I'm amazed how quickly the house took over the forefront of my mind. Hopefully once we are settled in to our new place, I can resume the role of maniac bride! ;-) (Comment on this)
Monday, June 28th, 2004
12:31 pm	Update Alright, so it's been a while. Here's what has been happening: I ordered my dress and got it in within 5 days. It was a little dirty, so I sent it back to be cleaned (I ordered a store sample, which means I got a great discount, but that other brides probably tried it on at the store, but overall it was in good shape). It should be back in soon. I'm a little anxious because I know things can go wrong with cleaning, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed! My mom and aunt are meeting with my top choice photographer on Wednesday. I'm almost sure I'm going to go with him. If for no other reason than because I've seen lots of his work (they had some of his albums at the Hall of Springs that I got to look thru while I was there). Since I'm picky about photography and trust no one else to make this decision for me, this is a huge plus! That way it's one less trip that I'll have to make to NY (which is good mostly from the money standpoint). Also, I've heard ONLY great things about him, and have heard positive and negatives on everyone else I've looked at. Oh, his name is Michael Gallitelli and you can see his work at www.metrolandphoto.com/ if you are interested. Also, Nate and I have (finally) asked our attendants to be our attendants! We each did it our own way, but for my girls (since I am too far away to ask them in person), I sent them cards that I made. On the front were little dresses that I made (black with a red ribbon). On the inside was a poem that read: The day, the dress The Bride, the Groom The joy, the tears Will all come so soon Professing true love to my Husband-to-be With Family and Friends All watching me I hope that the sun Will be shining down Keep your fingers crossed That I'll fit in my gown But there is one more thing That there needs to be and that is YOU Standing up there with me! Will you be my Bridesmaid??? Okay, so it's a bit cheesy, but I thought it was cute! Anyway, we've heard back from everyone and they've all said yes! My Maid of Honor will be Morgaen (best friends since we were 8) My bridesmaid's will be: Annette and Jessica (sisters, best friends since high school) Angela (best friend and fellow voice major at SUNY) and Ceci (who you all know) Nate's best Man will be Paul (his brother) His groomsmen will be: Jeff Gordon (best friend from childhood) Matt Blye, Matt Hitchens, and Jon Ganz (again, who you all know) Phew, okay, I think that's about all I've done since I last posted. Once I get the Photographer settled, I'm going to start looking into DJ's. Current Mood: cheerful (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Friday, June 4th, 2004
12:02 pm	Right, so I'm a pretty serious cheeseball... While my mom and my two aunts were here, we went Wedding Dress shopping. We went to 3 stores. The first one I didn't find much of anything. The second one I went to show them the dress that I've been in love with forever, and in the 3rd store, I found THE dress. Again, it's out of my price range (you'd think I'd learn!), but I've found it for cheaper online, but alterations are giving me some concerns, but I'm in the process of figuring that out. And when I do, assuming that it works out, I will have a dress. I'm a little nervous because the wedding is still so far away, and tastes change, i could gain or lose weight, etc. But then (and this is where the super cheese comes in), I took all the pictures of me in the dress (which there are a fair amount of), and put them in a slideshow in iPhoto with one of the songs that Nate and I are considering for our first dance. As I watched the pictures go by and listened to the song, I actually teared up. I believe, ladies and gentlemen, that the search is over!!! =) P.S. Did I mention that the name of the dress is 'Erin'...I think that seals the deal! =) Current Mood: loved (Comment on this)
Sunday, May 16th, 2004
10:55 am	Addiction I have an addiction. I'll be the first to admit it. There is a website called theknot.com. It's for people getting married. It has budget planners, lots of pictures of dresses, reception ideas, etc. It also has a chat board section. This has been the downfall of me! There are lots of different boards, local boards, dress boards, reception idea boards, relationship boards, etc. There are even boards for newly-weds...Wedding report (how the wedding went), buying a house, having a baby. Basically I can find stuff to talk about on this site for years to come! However, while the boards are fun, the best part about this site is the bios! Once you register on the site, you can make a bio. You can put ANYTHING in it, and people do! They put pictures of themselves, of their 'furbabies' (pets), and of course wedding stuff. Now we aren't just talking things that they are doing for their wedding, we're also talking about any ideas they've ever had! They post pictures of dresses, them in dresses, flowers, bouquets, centerpieces, invitations, bridesmaid's dresses, Mother of the Bride and Groom dresses, Groom's tuxes, basically anything you can think of (and often more) that goes along with the wedding. I find it to be a smorgasbord of ideas!!! Now I have one or two boards that I am addicted to at this point. One is the local board. That one is fine because it's just for people in my area (well, the NY area that I'm getting married in), so there isn't a ton of activity to keep up on. However, the dress board is world-wide (well, probably mostly country wide), and I find it to be another full time job to keep up with it! I feel like I have to or else I could miss something imperative to finding the right dress. It's pretty sick, and yet incredibly fun! So, that is basically what I've been up to lately. I should be trying to find a photographer, but like everything else, everyone that I like is out of my price range. But photography is super important to me (big surprise), and we are opting to forgo the videographer to have more $ in the photo budget. I haven't been keeping up on that task because I've found these boards and have been obsessed with dresses lately. I'm almost afraid that I'm always going to find something wrong with every dress I try on because dress shopping is my favorite part and I want it to last as long as possible (read that once I find a dress, no matter how great it is, I have to stop looking at dresses, and that'll suck!). Although I've read about a few girls who have 2 dresses (as in bought two and have to decide now) and others who bought two and are wearing them both!!! One for the ceremony and one for the reception. When I first heard this idea, I thought it was ridiculous, and now I am clinging to that thought because otherwise I might just give in to temptation and get two just so I can have two!!! Like I said, it's insanity! Okay, enough wedding rambling for now! It's breakfast time! =) Current Mood: crazy (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Friday, May 7th, 2004
10:18 pm	picture I have a new lj picture!!! This is the hall of springs. It's not the greatest picture in the world, but you get the idea. Current Mood: accomplished (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 6th, 2004
1:07 pm	Date, Place and Weekend Decisions I have a date! It's taken us over 4 months, but we've finally bitten the bullet and made the huge decision to have the wedding in NY not in CO. It was not an easy decision. I've been looking forward to planning my wedding about as much as I've been looking forward to having it. And planning it in NY takes a lot of that away. But in the end, it's not a given that everyone important in our lives would be able to make it to CO, and it's not risk not having even one of those people there, so NY won out! Now that the decision is made, it's a huge relief. Nate and I went to Albany this past weekend (Saturday - Tuesday), and it was wedding planning mania! We had all of our days scheduled to the last minute looking at ceremony sites and reception halls. Happily, we chose one of the places we saw on Monday, which gave us the rest of Monday and Tuesday to do some other stuff. We did some cake tasting, and met with a great florist. I also did a bunch of dress shopping! I felt bad because Nate couldn't come, but I've been dying to go with my Mom, Morgaen (my best friend forever and Maid of Honor), and Jessica (another best friend and bridesmaid). Since I don't have a lot of opportunities to do that since I'm in CO and they are in NY, I was happy to take advantage while I could! Getting back to the big reason for the trip, we have a date and place! We are getting married on September 23rd, 2005 (yes, it is a Friday), and it will take place at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga. It is a gorgeous place. Exactly what I wanted. Our ceremony will be there too, except that it'll be outside. In the back of the building is a huge grassy field with a reflecting pool, and that's where we'll be married!!!! The inside is huge with these big stone (marble, I believe) pillars and huge ceilings. It'll be beautiful. The physical space where I get married and have the reception is very important to me, so I am thrilled that I found someplace that I love so much! I'm really excited to finally have something finalized in regards to the wedding. It makes it that much more real, and I just can't wait!!! Sorry, I lost my train of thought because NATE JUST GOT A JOB!!!! I'm so happy about that that I can't even concentrate on wedding stuff right now! YAY NATE!!! =) Current Mood: ecstatic Current Music: Love You Madly (5 Comments |Comment on this)