Just typing that post title gives me butterflies – less than 10 days to go?! I’m feeling good, though!! Kate Murphy via Once Wed Since my last update: — My wedding gown has arrived in CT! The wonderful ladies at my bridal salon agreed to ship it post-alterations. — We finally decided on a song for our first dance! — I finished a whole heap of signage: our large menu board, our station menu boards, tented cards for passed trays, dessert signage, boutonniere cards, and reserved table signs, as well as various little flags and food pick thingies. WHEW! — We finalized details with our bandleader — I wrote my personal vows, and John is currently working on his — We invited guests to brunch on Sunday — I had my final call with our day-of coordinator (love her!) — Meanwhile, Marget made an AMAZING graphic for our rehearsal dinner favors, and my Mom has been a busy bee overseeing house improvements, locating boxwood bushes, polishing silver, and tracking down easels! A few of the tasks still on the list for the remainder of the week: — Write notes to go along with gifts — Finish slideshow — Confirm final details with caterer and send final balance — Finish bar menus after confirming with caterer — Compile lists of all guests/vendors for wedding and rehearsal and send to USCGA base security — Confirm details with rehearsal dinner location — PACK — Write our toast – planning to do this on the drive up to CT! There are still a few things on the to do list for this weekend, so I expect to be back with a final update post a week from today! In between, I’m hoping to share my second bridal shower and bachelorette adventure!

Yikes, time for our next update already! We have been super productive, though, I must say. Reminder on our kitchen chalkboard this week Since my last update: — We alerted our ushers to their ushering duties — I finalized all linen and rental orders, and our floor plan — I assembled drink stirrers — We invited guests to the rehearsal dinner and alerted our rehearsal participants to the rehearsal — I designed our programs and designed and printed stickers for our welcome bags — I purchased John’s gift (WHOO!) — We deputized rehearsal dinner detail planning to John’s very talented sister — I lettered three more pieces of signage — We received our ring bearer bowl and switched out the ribbon for one matching our palette (so pretty!) — We bought a second cat carrier (Yes, this counts as a wedding-related to do, because — per special request from the groom — our cats will be joining us for the drive up North and the week before the wedding. No, I am not kidding.) — I bought a rehearsal dinner dress (THANK YOU for all of your help!) A few of the tasks to be completed this week: — Invite guests to Sunday brunch — More signage — Assemble slideshow (almost done scanning photos!) — Put together our menu board — Print the wrappers for our favors — Finalize our wedding day schedule and reception songs (first dance, last song, etc.) — Print maps, welcome bag pieces, and ceremony programs — Make final selections for our bar

Less than five months to go!! Photo by Lane Dittoe and florals by Oak & the Owl Since my last update… — WE BOUGHT BRIDESMAID DRESSES!! Woo hoo! — We bought John’s tux and tuxedo shirt! — We finalized our invitation design and sent it to the printer to see samples — I designed, printed, and framed the first piece of signage for our reception — I designed our marriage certificate and guest book cards — I had my first wedding gown fitting!! — We scheduled our first meeting with our pastor, our tasting with our caterer, and our site walk through with our florist and day-of coordinator — Marget and I chose a veil designer, and I’m meeting with her tomorrow! — We received our first wedding gifts! I’m shocked by how far people plan ahead! — We booked the first night of accommodations for our minimoon Next up on the list? — John’s job is to lock down our rehearsal dinner venue, so I’m hoping he has that on his list for this month — I’d like to book the rest of the minimoon accommodations — I think we’re going to purchase our wedding rings! — I would love to finish the crepe paper flowers… and share my tutorial with you! More soon!

We’ve got less than six months to go until W-Day, and I’m starting to feel the pressure. Let’s recap the last month, shall we? Arrangement and photo by Poppies & Posies Since my last update… — We finalized our registry picks — We finalized our invitation design and are waiting on a few elements to come back from our calligrapher — I did yet more waffling on bridesmaid dresses. I don’t know why, but this decision has made me second guess myself more than every other wedding-related decision put together. UGH! I am hoping to place the dress order next week, so PLEASE cross your fingers for me! I will recap the whole saga once the dresses are purchased. — My sister and I made the first test blooms for a big DIY – paper flowers! I’ll write up a full tutorial soon, but you can see a sneak peek right here! Next up on the list? — We have got to get at least the groom’s attire nailed down this month, since he needs to have it ready to go for a friend’s wedding in June. — Bridesmaid dresses. Done and done. — I think we’ll be ordering our invites this month! — I’m so hoping I’ll get to have my first dress fitting soon!! On another note, apologies for the sparse posting lately! We’ve had a steady succession of house guests for the past few weeks (and have more scheduled for the next few weeks!), so I’ve been concentrating on enjoying their company instead of blogging. BUT, I have several fun posts in the queue, including one about the awesome shower invitations I made for my future sister in law (!), a practical one on my tips for booking destination wedding vendors, more about our wedding day timeline,