Today I am leaning towards the dark grey tux vs the light grey one.  I still have the same dilemma, but I spent some time reviewing the book from Island Formals, and wanted to share a new option with you.  Let me know what you think.

Even though the tie accents in the Lavender and the Platinum are black, I still think they will look really nice with the dark grey tux.  The platinum is light enough to contrast against the dark grey, which was the dilemma I was having in the first place.  I showed them to Tom and he thought they were nice too!  (Although I just discovered the Ice set and haven't shown it to him yet. It's close to white so I am not sure if he will like it or not but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway :)

We're still open to suggestions, so let me know what you think and if you have any great ideas!

-- Jo Ann

Tom and I visited Island Formals in the Indian River Mall and picked out tuxes for the wedding.  Since we are having a Spring Wedding, we decided to pick out GREY tuxes for our bridal party.  When we went to the shop, I had in my mind that we wanted light grey tuxes, but then they showed us one that was a darker grey that both Tom and I really liked.

Okay, above you can see both tuxes.  The Wisteria square is the color our groomsmen will wear for their vests and ties.  Since our Matron of Honor (my sister, Jodie) is wearing a slightly lighter purple dress, we picked out the Lavender square for our Best Man, Michael.  The silver is the color of Tom's and Braeden's (our Ring Bearer) vest and tie.  This is where the dilemma lies.  We think the purples will look great with either tux, but I thought the second tux was too dark for the silver vest and tie and Tom didn't like the white vest/tie set. 

Now what do we do?  I really thought I wanted the light grey suit but the more I look at it, I like the dark one too. I posted them here so hopefully somebody would have some insight that wouould help us make a decision. We have some time, they said we don't have to make a decision until about two weeks before the wedding. . . . but of course I want to get it done as soon as possible.  :)

It's open wedding season!  Christmas has come and gone, the new year is here and it is finally time to get down to the nitty gritty of my wedding plan.  I have already started some things rolling and, in celebration of starting the100 day countdown, I have a BIG announcement.
1.  I have finally mailed the check to reserve our Bartender from  Bootleggers Mobile Bartending.  Tom and I are both really excited about working with Zak and he came very highly recomended from our coordinator.

2.  I have made contact with Stephanie who has done the alterations on my dress for Jessica's wedding and also did my friend Kelli's wedding dress.  She has agreed to do my dress and also any of my bridesmaids who may need alterations.

3.  I have made an appointment at David's Bridal for Jodie, Andie and Kelli to order their dresses on the 22nd.  The following Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday I will be meeting with Angie and Pinu to get their dresses ordered.  If I count correctly, the would mean everbody's dress is on it's way in the near future.

4.  I have been working with my Photographer, A Tappen Photography, to set a time for the ceremony (in order to optimize the best light for pictures after the ceremony) and arrange for our engagement session.  This is a tricky one because I really want to do something creative for our engagement session and I also really want alot of color in the pictures . . . so I am open to ideas and suggestions if you have any.

5.  Finally, My Dress.  My wedding dress is on it's way to Sebastian, to be delivered via UPS tommorrow at my mom's house.  I am sooo excited.  I thought I was going to Orlando to pick it during the 23-25 trip, but the bridal shop is, unfortunately, closing and needs to have all dresses out of the shop by the 14th - so it is on it's way to my mom's house.  I wonder how often I can try it on at home without Tom noticing.  :) Somehow, bringing my dress home really makes it feel like our wedding it just around the corner.

Okay  my weddig folks   . the clock is most definately ticking away.  The time is nearing for alot of things to start happening at once: The final deposits on certain vendors is coming due, I have to order the linens, make final decisions and start addressing invites.  My school sememser is over, so that is one less thing on my plate between now and the wedding.  My hours are still crazy for work since Christmas time is Jewelry season . .  but Tom and I have agreed to make the front toom (normally called the Holdiay Room) our Wedding Central  - right after the holidays.  Then the REAL madness beginss. 

These are the things I can remember off the top of my head that need to be done, but I am sure there are things I am forgetting or don't even know need to be considered. . .

I still have one bridesmaid that has not picked out her dress, but we are hoping to remedy that in the next couple of weeks with a trip to Orlando on one of my rare days off.  Several girls have already ordered their dresses and the others are supposed to being doing that soon (like this week) if they haven't already.  Since we picked out our invitations last year (and got them on sale), we just need to figure the wording, decide on an actual time for the ceremony and finalzie the gues list.  Then we have to figure out seating arrangments  :) And!  we still need to figure out who is officiating . .that's a big one.

I am stil deciding on how to incorporate some minor details, I need to speak with my coordinator about some decor she said we could borrow, and I may need to hire a dry cleaner to de-wrinkle my linens after I order them. 

Tom is still deciding on what wedding ring to get, it seems now there is a decision between one of three for him to make, I need to order HIS wedding present, and I need to make sure Stephanie (here locally) can make the alterations to my dress.  We have alot of music decisions to make as well as figuring out the day of coordinations.  I've spoken briefly with the girl I would like to do my hair and the hair of my bridesmaids, and will be going for a trial run sometime prior to the big day.  Oh! and the cake, we sitll have final decisions to make on the cake.

So you can see, there is plent for me to do.  This is the calm before the storm, but come January 1st, it's full blown Wedding Madnes!  For now, have a Merry Christmas and Happy  New Year!

Today, while playing around online, I discovered MyRegistry.com <-- This site allows me to create an online registry from any site/store, whether they offer registry services or not.  So I added all the items that Tom and I picked out at Bed Bath & Beyond yesterday and then also added items from online wishlists like QVC (which does not offer their own registry service) and other sites.

I like the idea that you can, if you choose, shop in the store at Bed Bath & Beyond, or shop online at MyRegistry.com <-- the choice is yours!  :) 

--Jo Ann

We started our registry today at Bed Bath & Beyond. Not sure if it's a little early or not but we had fun at the store learning about different products and picking things out.  I still think I am going to try to create a QVC registry (even though they do not actually offer that feature) since so much of my kitchen stuff comes from there already.

We stopped by the mall today and I tried to convince Tom to take a look at the Mens Formal Wear so we could start getting an idea of what he wants to wear, but that was a no-go. 

On a side note, 3 of my 8 bridesmaids have ordered and received their dresses  . . .and all but one have at least tried on and picked out a dress.  Also, I may have found a way to save 40% on Tom's wedding band!  :)

We also took a ride to PSL to visit Traditions with Tom's Mom.  There was a wedding there today so we couldn't go inside but we drove all around to show her the location, spent some time shopping (including 2 trips to the chocolate candy store) and had dinner at Long Horn Steak House.

All in al, it was a fun day  . .  and the wedding plans are marching forward. 

--Jo Ann

It is finally time for bridesmaid dresses . . .can you believe it?

We are caravanning up to Orlando today to go shoppping . .first we are going to my bridal shop so I can show the girls my dress and then we are headning over to David's Bridal so the girls can try on dresses.  (BTW, we are looking at Wisteria very hopefully)  It is the first time we have all gotten together to make the trek and I am very excited!  It is going to be a long day but it should definately be fun!

-- Jo Ann

Okay! Where to start . .

1.  We are now into only 7 months left until I DO Day!! I am getting excited . . .only two more months until we are counting on a single hand :)  (According to my nifty coordinated countdown box, we are only 9 more days away from being out of the 200s)

2.  The Bridesmaids and I are planning a trip to O-Town to visit my dress and try on bridesamid dresses.  It will be the first time all of us are getting together and the first time any of them have seen my dress.  I am not sure which I am more excited about though: them seeing my dress or me getting to see them try on Bridesmaid dresses.  The look of the wedding had changed quite a bit since Tom proposed (a year ago this month, by the way)  and this is my first opportunity to see some things put together.  Our trip is planned for Sept 25, starting at 12:00 at Something Blue Bridal and then at 2:00 at David's Bridal.  Even my neices are coming to look at dresses .. . .it really should be a very fun Sunday!

3.  That trip also means I get to try my ebay veil and shoes on with my dress for the first time.  To be honest, I am more worried about the shoes then the veil, but that's silly right?  I am in love with my veil and know it will be perfect with my dress, but my shoes came little different then I expected and now I am wondering if I should just go with the white ones from David's Bridal that have the glitterly strap and the big bow in the back . . I am going to have to match them next to the bridesmaid dresses to see if they coordinate and then decide. 

4.  I am sad to say that Something Blue (the bridal shop wher I ordered and planned to have my dress stored) will be closing as of Jan 31st.  The owner has developed a heart condition and does not feel she can keep the shop running at her standards as she has done on the past.  Of course my thoughts are with her, but this also creates a small dilemma for me . .As I said, I was planning to store my dress there until my wedding date and to also have my dress altered there . .now I have to decided if I want to have it altered here in Vero instead (which may save me a TON of money but admittedly makes me nervous) and I also have to decide where I want to store after Jan.  Of course, my house is off the list - too much risk of Tom seeing it before the big day (Mostly because I'll want to show him!).  Need to think on that one  . . . .

5. Tom and I have decided to hire a bar tended that was recommended by our Coordinator . . We were pretty happy with his rates/services and he came highly recommended.  I am working on adding his link to my vendors page.   

6.  Lastly, I am still searching and buying center pieces for the reception.  My upstairs bedroom looks like the back room at Yankee Candle, but so far I am pretty pleased with all the pieces I have found.  I even got three wrought iron bases at a yard sale for $0.50  . .  for ALL of them!  That made me pretty happy.

Okay, I think that's it for now.  I have not decided yet if I am going to post pictures of next weekend or not .part of me wants to share my day with everybody, but part of me wants my guests to have some elements of surprise when they come for the Wedding.  I am definately going to take pictures, and then we'll see how much I can refrain myself from posting them.  . . . :)

 --Jo Ann

 

They are definately purple . . and cute!  A little different than I expected but they seem comfortable -- enough to dance the night away!! Can you tell I am super-excited??

--Jo Ann

That's right . . eight months from today, Tom and I will be running down the aisle - I hope the shoes I ordered are comfortable! 

:)

--Jo Ann