When we received the quote for our reception cost, it included linens. I wanted lavender organza table runners, and I thought I wanted the tablecloths to be gray.
Once we scrapped the plan to get everything through a caterer, I knew I had to come up with linens somewhere.
We were offered some by a person we know who hosts events, but it was becoming difficult to communicate about the sizes of the linens and tables, and I was going to have to compromise on color. It would have been nice to borrow them, but we would have the cost of laundering and would need to do it immediately so the person could have them for their next event. I wasn't so sure we would save money by borrowing them, so Chuck said to just buy them and get it done.
As I searched for the best deals, I found that it was going to cost as much to rent them as it would cost to buy them.
I searched around for different things. I first thought I'd try to find some lace tablecloths, because we have a vintage feel going, and I'm using lace in another way. But everything I found was either too expensive, had stains, or wouldn't fit the tables we have. I thought of using them as an overlay, but then I would still have to come up with the underlay. Ugh.
I looked on eBay, and at some of the local stores and even thrift stores.
Craigslist was another place I tried, thinking maybe someone had the colors and sizes we would need.
I found what we needed on eBay, and I tried to be sure I was getting them from the USA so they would arrive in time. I got tablecloths and organza runners brand new, in the package, from a company in Kentucky. (I'm really pleased with the way eBay lists the country of origin with the item. It made my search so much easier.)
I am sure they aren't all made here, but I wanted them to be shipped to us from the US. Some of the items I've purchased have come from other countries, and they are arriving in time, but as it gets closer I am more reluctant to order from other countries. Also, by owning the linens we can launder them a bit at a time on our own schedule.
I was hoping to do this wedding without amassing piles of stuff, but we now have 15 tablecloths and 30 organza runners.
Instead of gray tablecloths, I ordered ivory and went with organza runners in gray and lavender. They all arrived and are ready to go. I opened one of each just to be sure they were what I wanted, and they are beautiful. I can't wait to see how they look when the reception is set up and ready for guests to arrive.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
Reception Food: Wedding Plans
After we saw the price tag for the reception through a catering service, we decided those plans were a bit lofty.
Thousands of dollars. Thousands. For hors de' oeuvres, tables, linens, etc.
Our ceremony is at 2 p.m. We figure people will eat lunch before they arrive for the ceremony. The reception begins at 3-ish, and only lasts a few hours. We aren't partying into the night or anything. They can have a light snack, mingle and socialize and have fun, and then make their way to a favorite restaurant or head for home for dinner.
That has been our plan all along. And we didn't want to pay thousands of dollars for some snacks.
And so we decided to scale way back.
We're still in the planning stage of what foods will actually be served, but we are doing it ourselves. We know it will be fruit and cheese type foods, maybe some kabobs and such. We definitely will have smoked salmon as the main dish, because we have a lot of it. We have one that has just been smoked, and our photographer has offered to bring some as well.
My friend Shane has offered to help with slicing cheeses with her fandancy food processor. I have a friend from church, Karen, who is my doorkeeper for Sunday School class and has offered to help with a punch or some other beverage.
I've looked at a chocolate fondue machine, but the lady at the shop said they had one at a formal event and chocolate was everywhere and got on their clothes, and so I put it back on the shelf. In my mind all I could see was chocolate all over the train of my dress from drips on the floor, and streaks down Chuck's suit, and chocolate all over the linens, and the floors, which we would have to clean before leaving the venue.
Maybe it was a bit over done in my mind, but I just didn't want to take the chance. Maybe we can dip fruit in chocolate ahead of time, thick chocolate that won't drip, and set those out with toothpicks.
It's all coming together and we feel ready.
Thousands of dollars. Thousands. For hors de' oeuvres, tables, linens, etc.
Our ceremony is at 2 p.m. We figure people will eat lunch before they arrive for the ceremony. The reception begins at 3-ish, and only lasts a few hours. We aren't partying into the night or anything. They can have a light snack, mingle and socialize and have fun, and then make their way to a favorite restaurant or head for home for dinner.
That has been our plan all along. And we didn't want to pay thousands of dollars for some snacks.
And so we decided to scale way back.
We're still in the planning stage of what foods will actually be served, but we are doing it ourselves. We know it will be fruit and cheese type foods, maybe some kabobs and such. We definitely will have smoked salmon as the main dish, because we have a lot of it. We have one that has just been smoked, and our photographer has offered to bring some as well.
My friend Shane has offered to help with slicing cheeses with her fandancy food processor. I have a friend from church, Karen, who is my doorkeeper for Sunday School class and has offered to help with a punch or some other beverage.
I've looked at a chocolate fondue machine, but the lady at the shop said they had one at a formal event and chocolate was everywhere and got on their clothes, and so I put it back on the shelf. In my mind all I could see was chocolate all over the train of my dress from drips on the floor, and streaks down Chuck's suit, and chocolate all over the linens, and the floors, which we would have to clean before leaving the venue.
Maybe it was a bit over done in my mind, but I just didn't want to take the chance. Maybe we can dip fruit in chocolate ahead of time, thick chocolate that won't drip, and set those out with toothpicks.
It's all coming together and we feel ready.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Killing a few birds, as they say --Best price on champagne glasses and reception stuff: Wedding Plans
(I wrote this post in late April, 2013 and forgot to publish it.)
On Friday night we dropped off both kids with the other parents and stopped a few places to gather things for the wedding reception.
First we swung by a house in the Green Lake area to pick up some reception decor stuff that I found on Craigslist. They are galvanized French buckets that I will use for flower arrangements. I got six of them.
Stuff in the trunk, we set off to find food. As we drove along Green Lake, we came upon Duke's. It's pretty famous for clam chowder. I'm not very famous for eating it, but Chuck really likes it. I knew I would find something on the menu.
There really were Crabby Patties on the menu. I have to tell Sean when I see him.
I chose the crab melt. Delicious.
Once we had our fill, we moved on to Ikea, where we found the champagne glasses for our reception. They were the least expensive glasses I could find anywhere, including Dollar Tree. They aren't anything fancy, but we don't care about fancy. We just wanted to have enough for everyone, and in this case we preferred buying rather than renting. We scored 100 glasses for, I believe, about $86.
We do entertain a few times a year, and we can use these again.
On Friday night we dropped off both kids with the other parents and stopped a few places to gather things for the wedding reception.
First we swung by a house in the Green Lake area to pick up some reception decor stuff that I found on Craigslist. They are galvanized French buckets that I will use for flower arrangements. I got six of them.
Stuff in the trunk, we set off to find food. As we drove along Green Lake, we came upon Duke's. It's pretty famous for clam chowder. I'm not very famous for eating it, but Chuck really likes it. I knew I would find something on the menu.
There really were Crabby Patties on the menu. I have to tell Sean when I see him.
I chose the crab melt. Delicious.
Once we had our fill, we moved on to Ikea, where we found the champagne glasses for our reception. They were the least expensive glasses I could find anywhere, including Dollar Tree. They aren't anything fancy, but we don't care about fancy. We just wanted to have enough for everyone, and in this case we preferred buying rather than renting. We scored 100 glasses for, I believe, about $86.
We do entertain a few times a year, and we can use these again.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Shoes: Wedding Plans
So, I can be a little bit undecided on some things. When I pictured my wedding day I had a shoe in mind, and way back when I was first shopping I found what I thought was the perfect pair of shoes.
They really are beautiful. They are Nina, ivory satin with a beautiful of center bow at the toe. I love them. However, they are 3-inch spike heels, and I know there is no way I can handle that, literally, all day.
I walked around the house in them one day, and decided they were 30 minute shoes for me. I wear heels to work once in a while, but I don't wear spike heels. Most of mine are 2-inch heels, and anything taller than that is a wedge heel.
Plan B. And by Plan B, I mean a complete 360 from the Nina's.
I started shopping again. After work one day I headed for Nordstrom, because I figured they would have the best selection. They had a great selection, but nothing appealed to me at all...until I saw a cute pair of crocheted Toms.
I tried on a pair of black ones, and a pair of gray ones, but decided on a different color. And I'm so glad I was there at that moment because I got the last pair of size 7s in purple.
Once I went for the fitting appointment I was so relieved that I had decided on the Toms. Standing there for more than two hours was difficult in Toms, but would have been impossible in those heels.
I do still love the Nina's. I put them on eBay and they didn't sell, so I've decided to keep them. I'm sure I'll wear them someday for some event that isn't an all-day affair.
They really are beautiful. They are Nina, ivory satin with a beautiful of center bow at the toe. I love them. However, they are 3-inch spike heels, and I know there is no way I can handle that, literally, all day.
I walked around the house in them one day, and decided they were 30 minute shoes for me. I wear heels to work once in a while, but I don't wear spike heels. Most of mine are 2-inch heels, and anything taller than that is a wedge heel.
Plan B. And by Plan B, I mean a complete 360 from the Nina's.
I started shopping again. After work one day I headed for Nordstrom, because I figured they would have the best selection. They had a great selection, but nothing appealed to me at all...until I saw a cute pair of crocheted Toms.
I tried on a pair of black ones, and a pair of gray ones, but decided on a different color. And I'm so glad I was there at that moment because I got the last pair of size 7s in purple.
Once I went for the fitting appointment I was so relieved that I had decided on the Toms. Standing there for more than two hours was difficult in Toms, but would have been impossible in those heels.
I do still love the Nina's. I put them on eBay and they didn't sell, so I've decided to keep them. I'm sure I'll wear them someday for some event that isn't an all-day affair.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The Wedding Gown Fitting Appointment: Wedding Plans
I know there are some people who are able to buy a dress right off of a rack and be done.
Not me. Not one of the wedding gowns I tried on fit me. Even after ordering the size I needed, my wedding dress had to be altered.
I made the fitting appointment the day I ordered the dress, just in case it needed a tuck here or there. The dress arrived earlier than I thought it would, and I had to keep it here at home until the day of the fitting appointment because they won't hold it at the store.
I kept it in the bag it arrived in, and also bought a garment bag from David's Bridal to keep it in. I was so tempted to try it on here at home, but just knew I would end up getting dust or dirt or who knows what on it. So I left it alone in the closet.
When I got the reminder call about the fitting appointment, I was told to bring my underpinnings and shoes that I would be wearing the day of the wedding. I also brought along my friend Shane, because my bridesmaids don't live here and I thought she could give them instructions on how to get me into the dress.
My first appointment for the fitting was really long. I started out in the alterations department. I was put into a room with a mirror, and told to get into my bra and slip and shoes. I had to ask for help because my bra is a bustier, and the slip fits tight around my ribcage and needs to be held in place while it is zipped. Once I was ready, I was helped into the dress. The fitting was moved to the main area where people try on gowns because we needed more room.
The dress is sort of big, and has a train, and layers of material. I stood for about two hours while the fitting specialist pulled and tucked, crimped and folded and pinned.
She was great. She would pin up a hem, then have me walk and she would actually get down on her belly and watch the layers of material as I walked to be sure they were just where she wanted them.
If they weren't she'd have me stop and she would repin, then have me walk again. She looked from different angles, and was finally satisfied.
Then the bustling began. I decided to get it bustled because I want the dress to stay as clean and undamaged as possible. It's a French bustle, and it's gorgeous. She first started pinning and showed me how it could be, and then showed me the same bustle, but that she could bustle the layers separately.
I left there with no doubt it would fit me as if it was made just for me, and that the bustle would be beautiful.
I knew my appointment for the second fitting was sometime in May, but it didn't appear on my phone. I called to confirm and had only a few days until that appointment. Shane came along again. This time I really did need her to be there to watch how the bustle is done.
As I stood looking to be sure everything was right, I noticed a spot on the dress. I almost had a moment, but the girl (different person that the one who did the fitting) said she could clean it right away. I also had a little malfunction with one part of the dress where a button was loose, and they fixed that while I was there also.
Overall, it was a good experience. And they gave me a little bag with all of the material that was trimmed from the dress to make it fit. I plan to use the material in some way.
Next Post: Shoes: Wedding Plans
Not me. Not one of the wedding gowns I tried on fit me. Even after ordering the size I needed, my wedding dress had to be altered.
I made the fitting appointment the day I ordered the dress, just in case it needed a tuck here or there. The dress arrived earlier than I thought it would, and I had to keep it here at home until the day of the fitting appointment because they won't hold it at the store.
I kept it in the bag it arrived in, and also bought a garment bag from David's Bridal to keep it in. I was so tempted to try it on here at home, but just knew I would end up getting dust or dirt or who knows what on it. So I left it alone in the closet.
When I got the reminder call about the fitting appointment, I was told to bring my underpinnings and shoes that I would be wearing the day of the wedding. I also brought along my friend Shane, because my bridesmaids don't live here and I thought she could give them instructions on how to get me into the dress.
My first appointment for the fitting was really long. I started out in the alterations department. I was put into a room with a mirror, and told to get into my bra and slip and shoes. I had to ask for help because my bra is a bustier, and the slip fits tight around my ribcage and needs to be held in place while it is zipped. Once I was ready, I was helped into the dress. The fitting was moved to the main area where people try on gowns because we needed more room.
The dress is sort of big, and has a train, and layers of material. I stood for about two hours while the fitting specialist pulled and tucked, crimped and folded and pinned.
She was great. She would pin up a hem, then have me walk and she would actually get down on her belly and watch the layers of material as I walked to be sure they were just where she wanted them.
If they weren't she'd have me stop and she would repin, then have me walk again. She looked from different angles, and was finally satisfied.
Then the bustling began. I decided to get it bustled because I want the dress to stay as clean and undamaged as possible. It's a French bustle, and it's gorgeous. She first started pinning and showed me how it could be, and then showed me the same bustle, but that she could bustle the layers separately.
I left there with no doubt it would fit me as if it was made just for me, and that the bustle would be beautiful.
I knew my appointment for the second fitting was sometime in May, but it didn't appear on my phone. I called to confirm and had only a few days until that appointment. Shane came along again. This time I really did need her to be there to watch how the bustle is done.
As I stood looking to be sure everything was right, I noticed a spot on the dress. I almost had a moment, but the girl (different person that the one who did the fitting) said she could clean it right away. I also had a little malfunction with one part of the dress where a button was loose, and they fixed that while I was there also.
Overall, it was a good experience. And they gave me a little bag with all of the material that was trimmed from the dress to make it fit. I plan to use the material in some way.
Next Post: Shoes: Wedding Plans
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Ceremony : Wedding Plans
It's almost time to begin a countdown.
There are so many little loose ends to deal with, and I have a list every day of things to do, people to call, and plans to pin down.
We've been meeting with our pastor each month, and last week we had our final meeting.
Each word of the ceremony has been carefully chosen, and Chuck and I have collaborated on everything that is going into that day. The work we've put into it has been a wonderful experience for us. We have been truly blessed to have such a committed pastor who is willing to do whatever we need in order to make this day special for us.
There are a lot of little things that go into planning, and I will be adding more posts as I go along to share my experience. But the most important thing is really the person I'm marrying, and the work we are willing to do to make our relationship one that will bless our family.
I know everyone has their own style, and their own vision for their wedding. For us, it has been very important to choose just the right scripture, to have our pastor bless us at certain moments during the ceremony, and also to engage our guests in a vow to support our marriage.
Our next meeting with the pastor will be at the rehearsal. I think we've got all of the words chosen and everything is ready to go.
In the meantime, Chuck and I are going through the list of things to do, and making contact with musicians and other people who will be involved that day to be sure everything goes as planned.
Next Post: The wedding gown fitting appointment
There are so many little loose ends to deal with, and I have a list every day of things to do, people to call, and plans to pin down.
We've been meeting with our pastor each month, and last week we had our final meeting.
Each word of the ceremony has been carefully chosen, and Chuck and I have collaborated on everything that is going into that day. The work we've put into it has been a wonderful experience for us. We have been truly blessed to have such a committed pastor who is willing to do whatever we need in order to make this day special for us.
There are a lot of little things that go into planning, and I will be adding more posts as I go along to share my experience. But the most important thing is really the person I'm marrying, and the work we are willing to do to make our relationship one that will bless our family.
I know everyone has their own style, and their own vision for their wedding. For us, it has been very important to choose just the right scripture, to have our pastor bless us at certain moments during the ceremony, and also to engage our guests in a vow to support our marriage.
Our next meeting with the pastor will be at the rehearsal. I think we've got all of the words chosen and everything is ready to go.
In the meantime, Chuck and I are going through the list of things to do, and making contact with musicians and other people who will be involved that day to be sure everything goes as planned.
Next Post: The wedding gown fitting appointment
Monday, April 8, 2013
Imagination Taking Flight
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| Sean looks to see what happens when he moves the control stick in the plane. |
About three years ago Sean and I went and were able to walk through the Concord, and another time we were able to see Air Force One, which flew President Kennedy. While we are not a family of pilots or anything, we really do enjoy that museum. Sean has loved airplanes and helicopters since he was really little, and I find them quite fascinating.
This time Chuck went with us. He had been before, but it had been a while. Chuck and I watched quite a few of the videos at various stations, and listened to some of the radio broadcasts of WWII. We spent quite a bit of time in the barn exhibit, which shows the beginnings of Boeing. It also has some models of the first airplanes, and lots of memorabilia from early pilots. It's something to see. Remarkable, really.
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| Two of my favorite guys looking at a display of war weapons used in flight during WWI. |
From there we ventured over to the WWII exhibit, then WWI, and over to the modern section.
We spent the better part of the afternoon looking at all of it, but still hadn't seen everything when it was closing time. As we were finalizing a selection in the gift shop, and Chuck told Sean we only had a few minutes until closing, an employee told us it was the first Thursday and they stay open late and it's free admission after 5 p.m. We were dead tired, and didn't want to stay any longer.
I'm sure we will go again, and when we go back I hope we can tour the space exhibit. We didn't get to that area.
It was most likely one of the last times we'll be in the kid zone. There is a small plane and helicopter, glider simulator, and some hands-on learning activities to teach how the controls of an airplane work.
Sean is getting bigger, so he probably won't fit into those small aircraft much longer, or be interested in that part of it.
But I'm sure he will go again and again for the flight simulator. He played that many times, and was trying so hard to perfect his landing. Luckily that one was free. There was another one that was more sophisticated that cost, but I don't remember the amount. I wasn't willing to pay, though.
The Museum of Flight was the perfect choice that day, as it was raining hard and an indoor activity was best.
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