Jewelry

I did some shopping around for wedding invitations today. That's going to be one giant hassle, I can see. And expensive. Between the invitations, save the date magnets, RSVP cards, announcements (for those who aren't invited to the wedding-relatives from far away), and envelopes, we're looking at $300. Not fun, but essential considering the fact that Mom has now had a few people ask her where Nick and I are registered. We aren't. So during Nick's three-day this week we'll be going to Macy's and Target to register. I've heard this is fun, so it's something to which I am secretly looking forward. Don't tell Nick though; he just thinks it's going to be a hassle (my word of the day).

Anyway, beyond the invitations, I did some jewelry shopping today too. I've found that I love the estate, vintage, and antique jewelry, so enjoy the photos of a few of the pieces with which I'm enamored. 

Check out this gorgeous cameo ring, circa 1890. I've always wanted one of these. I find them to be incredibly romantic and the style fits my personality and fascination with a bygone era.

Here is some of the estate jewelry I've fallen in love with for the wedding:

Victorian, circa 1880

Georgian, circa 1800

And this last one is perfect with the color scheme of the wedding: garnet, circa 1880

And there's more!

Let me just add programs and favors to the list of things to do. Apparently I have to have programs because people will expect it. Really? Nick and I don't have any attendants or a flower girl or ring bearer. So here's the program:

Nicholas Pritchett and Stephanie Welsh are getting married. Food to follow.

There, I did it. Check one off my list. Facetious? Yes.

And, since I told every one I wanted to MAKE my favors (what the heck was I thinking?), now I feel like I have to do that too. I still want to do velvet bookmarks, and I'll have the summer to finish them, but it's just another thing I have to do. 

I watched Bridezillas last week and the bride and groom had a murder mystery-themed reception. How about we just add to the massive amount of stress a wedding already heaps on us by adding some ridiculous game into the mix? No. This week the bride insisted on a choreographed "funny" dance. Stupid. Just get married. Say thank you to the people who came and love you, and eat some food. Why do we have to make everything so convoluted? Is that part of the American culture? No wonder we can't slow down and enjoy life. We're too busy making it as difficult as possible! Go us!

(Sorry for the sarcastic nature of this post. It's a mood, what can I say?)

Stress . . .

We are less than 5 months away from the wedding and I'm starting to realize just how much I have left to do. I've put off all of the smaller "stuff" (and some of the bigger "stuff" too) while I was still working and now that school's over in 4 days, I'm thinking that maybe I shouldn't have waited so long to complete some of my to-do list.

2 weeks ago Nick and I went to see the priest, who will be marrying us in front of our families at the beginning of September. He was very nice and I apparently made a good impression too, according to Nick's mom (this is her priest and church in which we are getting married). In order to complete this process, we need to bring in copies of our baptismal certificates, our moms have to go in and sign that we are free to marry, and we have to take a 150-question compatibility quiz and discuss the results with a successfully married couple in the church. We also have to choose all the readings and various other pieces of the ceremony the priest will be performing. All in all, it's not too overwhelming and I'm doing this to make Nick and his mom happy, so it is very important that we complete this item on our list. That also means we will be married in September, which is not too far away.

Some of the other things we need to get done:

1. Invitations! Yes, I still need to get my invitations, address them, and mail them off.

2. Veil and wedding jewelry

3. Dress cleaning and altering, if necessary

4. Join the gym and lose 15 pounds this summer 

5. Tuxes

6. Flowers

7. Script and readings for Weston

8. Finish paying the caterer

9. Figure out the seating chart (or decide if we're going to have one)

10. Order the wedding cake

11. Get our engagement photography session done

12. Reserve a room for the night before and the night of the wedding at Thornewood

13. Something new, old, borrowed, and blue

14. Music

15. Figure out all the times (start of ceremony and reception) before I can print the invitations . . . (no wonder I haven't ordered them yet!)

Isn't it lovely when you sit down and write out your list in an attempt at organization and freak yourself out completely? Nice.

Other than that, Nick and I have decided that we are going to try to buy a house this summer. We were planning on waiting until after the wedding, but the market is right to buy now and waiting seems ridiculous at this point. We are looking in Bonney Lake and are preparing to talk to my parents' financial guy and a realtor as soon as school is over and I can focus solely on this project. Let me tell you, it is the scariest thing I've ever taken on in my life. It's also frustrating and nerve-racking (a slightly different adjective than scary, as it causes heart palpitations). So many things are changing and I'm excited, but truly scared. This time next year, I'll be married, a homeowner, and possibly pregnant. Wow! I'm growing up!