Flowers - Check

One more item to check off the list and I couldn't be more excited about it. I had almost canceled the appointment earlier in the week after I had met with two florists and the first met my criteria and budget. Boy am I glad that I didn't cancel the appointment. From the moment I arrived at the appointment till the moment we left I was so excited about every idea put in front of me. Everything just seemed to fit so perfectly and the design work was amazing!

Laurie (owner and designer) of Laurelwood Designs truly knows her stuff and her done her homework. Her picture website alone was filled tons of examples so I was able to browse through in advance and show her just what I was looking for.

For the bouquets Laurie understood the richness I was looking for out of the flowers. The bouquets are going to include: confetti roses, mango calla lillies, brown hyperain berries, leonida roses and other small details. Laurie was a headpiece designer before she went into the floral business so she loves the small details to finish off the wrap of the flowers whether it's incorporating pearls or crystal accents or other things to match. Then for the church we are going to keep it simple with just some beautiful aisle bows, with satin ribbons and fall leaves and berries tied into it.

My favorite ideas revolve around the reception items. I was so excited when I saw a picture on Laurie's website that she does the pumpkins for the name table cards. That was one item I was looking into doing and the fact that Laurie is able to do it and provide the pumpkins and red apples is so fantastic - it's one less item I have to worry about taking care of! Then if that wasn't enough in the center of that table she will CARVE us a funkin (a non perishable pumpkin) with our wedding monogram in it - so the leaves from our save the date that Mike's dad designed - I couldn't believe it when I heard this! And then she'll decorate the table with fall leaves and votives, and do the same on the cocktail hour tables, and our sweetheart table too.

There were just so many great ideas that she brought up during our meeting I was overwhelmed, I don't even think I could remember them all right now. Of course there's the centerpieces for the tables. Which will look similar to the picture here. But Laurie will also incorporate mini red apples into also. I love the candle in the middle and even just the foliage is the perfect share and gives it that rustic fall felling. In addition she'll put votives around it and fall leaves on the table. I knew by the time she was finished going over all of the ideas with us and she even came in right at budget (I was so worried that it was going to be more) I had no doubt in my mind she was the perfect florist for me. I booked her on the spot without even consulting Mike - and he was sitting right next to me! I could not be more excited for working with Laurie and the flowers for our wedding!

Save The Date

Although we're still a good 11 months out from the wedding we decided we would go ahead and send out the save the dates. As we know from personal experience calendars to fill up fast so we wanted to make sure we got the date out there to everyone! (Although all of the important people already know the date already). We were lucky enough that Mike's dad was able to custom design our save the date for us and also that two of our great friends (Anna and Dennis) got us our save the dates as an engagement gift (much thanks to them - they both rock!)

We headed off to Staples to find some envelopes and also label stickers. I came to the conclusion that the envelopes were apparently too small for our printer to handle, so label stickers it was. So picture Mike and I in Staples on a Saturday morning (Mike is hungry and wants to get to Dunkin Doughnuts) and I said since the envelope size we needed did not come with a peel off sticker to seal them, they would need to be sealed. Now I wanted to purchase one of those moisture things, which I estimated to be maybe $5, apparently I over estimated turns it out it was only 99 cents! (Mike now says hind sight is 20/20).

So now it came down to assembly time, we had the box of magnets, envelopes, labels and Mike to seal the envelopes. My side of the production went well, I was in charge of well pretty much everything except sealing the envelopes - as we know that was Mike's job. I was reminded of the Seinfeld episode where George & Susan bought the cheap wedding invitations and Susan died from licking the envelopes.

Although I'm told it tasted disgusting at times Mike did manage to seal all the envelopes. So if you should happen to receive one in the mail and you've read this post you will appreciate that Mike sealed that envelope with love for you and he is forever scarred of envelope taste forever - and next time he'll let me purchase the envelope moistener for 99 cents!

Flowers & More Flowers

In continuing my search I met with another florist yesterday afternoon. I attempted to drag Mike with me but he was having none of that. He claims that guys do not go to florist appointments, although I beg to differ, but anyway... I headed off on my own to the appointment.

The florist did have a lot of experience, that much was clear and her work was beautiful. Her style was quite different than that of the other florist that I met with. Although her work was beautiful I must admit I was disappointed in comparison to the other. The other florist had a great deal of passion and enthusiasm for all of my fall ideas and worked to incorporate all of those ideas into the plan. I never even got to discuss my ideas and theme for the wedding with this florist. Both coming in at virtually the same budget, I'm def going to say this one was off the table.

Now my only decision is do I book the original florist I met with right now or I had two other appointments set up, do I go to those first and then book. Decisions, decisions...

Beautiful Fall Day

On what was an absolutely beautiful fall day (especially for early November) Mike's very best friend from childhood married his best friend Amy in what was a beautiful small, intimate wedding. With their closest friends and family present John & Amy had their perfect wedding. Amy was absolutely a true princess in her poofy, princess dress. It was everything she had wanted and dreamed about for so long.

Following the ceremony guests headed off to The Tides Estate for the reception. We were greeted with a fantastic cocktail hour with all kinds of delicious foods like coconut shrimp, eggplant rollatini, tortellini al fredo, pizza, and of course all the classic salads, cheeses and many other delicious items. After that it was on to the main event where we danced the night away to some classic 80's songs and had a great time celebrating John & Amy's marriage!

Domestic Diva

..... I think not

In an attempt to be all domestic and make a lovely meal for me and the fiance, I thought it would be nice to make a nice oven roaster chicken with some classic sides. Now me not being the culinary wizard, I asked my mom how to prepare the chicken and she said to just put it in the oven, so that's exactly what I did. An hour and a half later I went to take the chicken out of the oven and attempted to cut it to see if it was done. While cutting it I pondered.... "Where is all the white meat?" Only to determine it was on the BOTTOM, I had cooked the chicken upside down....I'm sure 20 years from now I will be a pro at making some delicious oven roasted chickens - a cook's got to start somewhere right? :-)