While I consider myself organized, I’m a self-confessed ideas girl. I can’t stop making new lists of ideas, and just need help pulling everything together. Plus, with my crazy busy schedule, a planner is just what I needed to stay sane.  I think what won G over is that fact that a sane bride is a happy bride (and groom). 

We now have Details Planning Company on board and they are such a good fit! They know exactly what our vision of the day is and we seem to naturally click really well. The ball will get rolling faster after the holidays and I could not be more excited.

Erika came to Des Moines this fall and shot our engagement shoot at IKONIX Studio. It was amazing! We had a blast doing a ton of different stuff, one shot even involving deer antlers per request of the gr0om-to-be, (and she even stuck around after that!) A little peak of the fun is below!

Also, part 2 of our engagement photos will be hitting the blog soon! My friend, Sara from Sara Boutros Photography came to out to our acreage and shot a bunch of great outdoor shots. I heart having talented friends.

The big reveal:

Since the girls are so geographically spread out, and only one store in the state carries the dress, they are each ordering them online at their convenience.

Next up:

• Continue to gather addresses for the guest list.
• Prepare for upcoming engagement photos with the fabulous Erika Leigh Photography! SO excited for this!
• Get planner on board. (First bring G a 6 pack, then get planner on board:))
• Get confirmation from priest (one small detail we haven’t yet confirmed)

Here are some images from google maps. The first is outside at our house where G proposed!

This is my mom parked on the road hiding until I drove by. My friends were also on various gravel roads waiting!

My dilemma was just HOW to pop the question. Since they range from being just 20 minutes away to living in Washington D.C., I knew I wouldn’t be able to ask everyone in person. Boo!

Here were the top runners for ways to ask:

1. Crafty card.
Seriously cute – seriously. But let’s face it…I find myself in the center of a path of destruction simply wrapping gifts. The directions via Anna Bond of Rifle Design have pictures, which is a huge bonus in my book.  Although it appears to be “grade-school easy”  I’m not taking my chances that I’ll not get some odd-looking paper girls. Ashley + Crafts = No.

2. Bridesmaid Bubbly Buzz.
I love the idea of cute mini champagne bottles like the one below found here. I especially would have loved it if I could have figured out a way to have the question only visible once the bottle was empty:). Not that I need to get my friends buzzed to agree to be involved in my mini-bridezilla moments until June 18 or anything, but it certainly wouldn’t have hurt – and it would have been good for a chuckle.

 3. When all else fails, offer them COOKIES.
A skill I picked up from my babysitting days, with a twist. Who doesn’t like a sugar cookie? Better yet, who doesn’t love a pink sugar cookie with a cute little dress asking you to be a bridesmaid? This is the option I went with. They were a mere $4 a piece with custom decoration from Hy-Vee.

I had to get a bit creative with presentation. The first two I had to come up with quickly, so I bought the cookies and decorated them myself…in my car, 10 minutes before our dinner date. They didn’t look as polished, but were definitely from the heart!

Another I had ready, but ended up having to send via picture message and the best “creativity” at work was the two cookies Fed-Ex’d with care….bubble wrapped and sent to Washington D.C. They didn’t make it, but crumbs resembling a cookie did. This made for a good laugh, after my disappointment of what I thought was going to be the cutest package ever wore off. Who knew? Thankfully, I included a card with the packages as an after thought, or there would have been two totally confused girls.

Results: They all said YES! I have the best bridesmaids & personal attendants a girl could ask for.

Since my blood pressure was climbing daily knowing we didn’t have a location or a date yet, I knew we had to get this squared away - and soon.  G and I took a day last week to visit a couple of venues, and we BOTH liked them both! I left my trapper keeper planner stuffed with photos and lay-outs in the car per G’s request to appear normal:)

Option 1: Park Farm Winery, Bankston Iowa

Pros:

• TENT – already set up, overlooking a gorgeous view.
• Absolutely gorgeous setting!
• The location “felt” right – it had a very romantic feel, and G was content knowing there’s “record book bucks” in the area. (Did I mention he’s a bit odd?)
• Ample parking
• Easy favor idea: mini bottles of wine with custom labels.

Cons:

• It is somewhat difficult to get to for guests from out of the area, (or from the area for that matter).
• We would have to chop our guest list – the venue doesn’t comfortably fit many guests in the small indoor area and tent.
• Restrictions on alcohol: Although we would get a ton of free wine to serve, and beer is okay at a charge, there is absolutely no hard alcohol of any kind due to their liquor license.
• Although the venue was gorgeous,  a “winery wedding” didn’t fit the overall feel I’m going for. 
• Weather wild card.

Park Farm Winery Photos: Isn’t it pretty?!

Option 2: The Palace Ballroom, Farley, IA
Pros:

• Easy to find.
• Large space.
• Full-service bar
• Freedom to make the space our own with decorations and creative extras.
• We’ve attended a gorgeous reception here before.
• No weather wild card.

Cons:

• No tent:(
• Not exactly a scenic location – located right by the Farley Race Track.
• Must use on-site catering (although it looks great so this shouldn’t be a problem).

VERDICT: The Palace Ballroom, June 18, 2011 (!!!!!!!)

I didn’t snap any photos of this location, although I should have! I’ll definitely need to make a few more visits  as we’re preparing.

Next Step: Confirming awesome photographer – more on her soon!

New worse case scenario: I’ll be at the venue, in my dress:)

I received a voicemail yesterday from the bridal shop. It was one of those where you live with the annoying flashing red light on your phone for awhile out of nervousness to listen to the message.

I finally pulled myself together and listened to it at lunch and heard the GREAT news that the dress had not been cut after the trunk show. - The not so great news was that  they simply had to know by 5 p.m. if I was going to buy it. WHAT!? Thankfully when I called them back using my best bride in distress voice they agreed to wait a day.  

SO… today I’m the proud owner of my wedding dress!!! Now, just a short, six month wait to be reunited. Now, to focus my attention to the other little details, like oh maybe a date?!

In my love for wedding planning, I have never been one to focus on “the dress” – I preferred to focus on details like mini cheesecakes and witty cocktail napkins. Those days are gone….for now. I am 100% obsessed with the dress I found this weekend…accidentally at a designer trunk show. (No, really, I swear it was a legit coincidence).

I was lucky enough to have three bridesmaids and my mom be able to be along for the jam-packed day of intense dress shopping all around the metro. Seriously, they are saints – even willing to pose in different lighting to test the colors in photos to appease me. SAINTS, I tell you!

Back to the dress: The first shop that I had an appointment at, just happened to be having a designer trunk show…by Martina Liana that of course ended that day. I knew the idea behind a trunk show, but had never actually been to one. In simple terms, it’s a one or two-day event that a designer shows off their new line to see what will sell.

This particular show was a make or break show for the “tester” dresses. Which is exactly what MY dress is. I had one shot to order it and have it made or run the risk of having it cut on Monday. The designers were literally meeting Monday (this morning) in Australia to decide what dresses would be cut and never make it into stores for the 2011 season.

I immediately grabbed the dress as a first round pick. Although, after trying it on the first time (okay half-way on – who sized these things anyway?) I wasn’t able to say “yes to the dress” - (although prepared, after watching an entire season straight through). I just needed to continue to the other appointments to see how others matched up.

Several hours later, and an afternoon of me rambling about the dress, we wound up back at the shop. It was convenient that my girlfriends just happened to leave their cars there – so we just had to go back anyway.

This time, without an appointment, I was lucky enough to be able to try on the dress again. This time though, I had the whole ”omg, this could be my wedding dress” reality set in, that I never thought would happen. Seriously. I had to catch my breath. Slightly embarrassing, but hey, I LOVE the dress.

The loss of breath also very well could have been due to all of this happening at once:

• The realization that the price tag was double what I intended to spend.
• I had 15 minutes until close, the end of the trunk show, the end of the dress in the store, and possibly the last chance to buy it ever.
• I was standing in the middle of a room with a too-tight dress half-on and in the wrong color, in a store full of people.
• All while trying to plead with and get information out of the designer’s consultant about what she thought the dress’ fate would be. I totally should have tried bribery. Kidding.
• Being ooood and awwed by the sales associate placing bling-covered tiaras and veils on me, and taking my attention back to the mirror. This had to be WAY too easy for her. I loved staring at myself in the dress and it was much more fun than thinking about the price tag.
• Trying to listen to my friends’ and mom’s level-headed advice.
• My crew exchanging “is this really happening” glances about the whole situation.
• Attempting to decide if I was going to buy it right then and there in 15 minutes and counting and save 15% or watch the dress be whisked away back to Australia at closing time.

The only other thing we needed was some awful bridal decision-making music playing in the background, and it could have been the ultimate of stressful situations.

Verdict: I went with my mom’s wisdom and didn’t buy the dress. Although, I can accurately say that I spent the entire rest of my weekend cyber-stalking the dress in hopes that it got leaked as well as reveiwing the photos we snapped of it in the store.

I called the shop today after work, and I didn’t have to say much, I apparently left the impression as “that girl we’re calling as soon as we call Australia”. (okay, I’m a little flattered). They plan to call the designer’s consultant tomorrow morning to hear the fate of the dress. If it survived the cut, I’ll again be faced with the hard reality of the price tag.

Fingers crossed!!

Since the big, exciting decisions are on hold, (probably for another week or so, I’ll post about the delay soon, it’s a goodie! And not to my lack of trying), I’ve had lots of time to ponder the other important stuff, ie: bachelorette party themes and the like.

For those waiting to hear about actual big wedding steps taken, sorry this is not the post! I really want to write about things as they actually are done/have happened, so in an attempt not to get too ahead of myself, but mostly because  because nothing has happened, I bring you the not-so-deep post of bachelorette brainstorming!

Honestly, I hadn’t put much thought into this, even completely  overlooked it at first with the excitement of my new bling, and the laundry list of other to-dos. (Young, college Ashley would be so disappointed in myself! Isn’t the bachelorette party the best part?).

Thankfully, I no longer think the party is the highlight of the wedding festivities, BUT would not pass up a night out with my girlfriends – a hilariously themed night at that!

A girlfriend kindly reminded me of this important detail and we brainstormed over dinner, drinks and a jukebox.  If I didn’t  know her better I would think she was more excited about the party than the actual wedding.:)

This will serve as a fine temporary break from the actual wedding details. If G is lucky, and I have even more time on my hands before the actual planning, I might just plan his bachelor party for him too. I’m thinking UNO and root beer floats…Perhaps that will speed-up the agreement/decision-making process a bit:)

Top girls’ night ideas so far:

Idea #1: A twist on this hilarious “grumpy old men” birthday party from the  Jesi Haack Weddings blog.

For girls to pull this off would either be the funnest thing ever….or we could just get a lot of strange looks, which… could be even more fun.

Idea #2 Golf-theme: Circa The Wedding Date

No, I don’t golf, but it’d sure make for cute outfits! Plus, there would always be a “round” of drinks to look forward to at each stop….although two rounds would probably be plenty!

There is tons of inspiration on how to plan the golf outing.

The only downside may be the rules…espicially for someone who doesn’t entirely understand the whole regular golf thing. Check out some of the rules to bar golf: (excerpts from Wades of 108, the blog has lots of information about the game, also check out this post, if bar golf is right up your alley. It looks like they had a blast!

Rules: from Wades of 108
1: Plan your route. Plan out the bars (or “holes”) you’ll be visiting ahead of time. Bonus points: plan food holes into your route.

Step 2: Determine your scoring. 
Example:
Eagle, -2 pts = signature drink from that bar or a classic cocktail or shot
Birdie, -1 pts = well drink
Par, 0 pts = beer
Bogey, +1 pt = water or nothing

3: Make awesome scorecards.

4: Dress the part.

5: Send out themed invitation.

6: Assign a designated golfer to each hole.

OR Idea #3: SPA DAY!  
This is looking  pretty good… golf made me a bit tired just writing about it!

I have been hoping my next post would be a giant to-do list with big red check marks next to half a dozen things. I even had the cartoon-style check marks picked out! Trust me, they’re cute! – But will have to make their debut later.

THE GRIDLOCK
The booking of vendors and tasting of cakes has come to a screeching momentary halt. G seems to think that we need to have a firm budget set before we set a date or start securing anything in stone. (So, I’m doing everything but).

Seriously, fiancees (while I do love having one) can be such buzz kills! …Especially the financial planner types. I’m really of the do now ask questions, suffer retail remorse later line of thinking.

He is not. He is actually “that” guy in line at the grocery store price checking everything. He is certain it’s a conspiracy to charge slightly more than each item is marked. Ah, but I still love him (from a distance, sitting in the car to spare myself the stares of disgruntled shoppers). But hey, please forgive him for about a year - his savings might just get me a chicken dinner or bar service upgrade!

We should have the budget set any day now, after which we can officially pin down the date.
Once the date is official, my check list will become big (and urgent – add flashing red lights here)
This weekend I came to the realization that a one year engagement means other brides have already booked photographers and other vendors through next summer.

I quickly cleared the evil schemes from my mind, when I was brainstorming ideas to free up some dates and have just started to get more creative. I’m hoping this will pay off! 

The ”asap” checklist that shall be the target of my trapper-keeper planner and I the minute the date is official:

• Secure venue: I love our venue! We’ll be the first wedding there, but, like the rest of our wedding is turning out to be, will take a bit more coordination. (oops) First, we have to get approval. We’re already working on an aerial layout of the event to take for the approval. (I’ll post this when it’s done). Not positive if this is actually required, or if G just really likes aerial photos as he’s accustomed to scouting out his hunting terrain.
  Note: Line item # 2 under venue: Talk G out of having Bad Boy Buggies chauffeur guests into the venue. I’m having a hard time picturing my grandma Boss on one of those “bad boys” in her Sunday best.
• Photographer: I love wedding photos – especially documentary-style photos. I’m willing to spend a bit of the budget to be happy with the results.
• Caterer: G and I clash on this subject, so I’m sure choosing just the right caterer will be an experience. For instance, he is convinced that the Earville, Iowa Volunteer Fire Department should be our servers. A: I’m not entirely convinced there is an official volunteer crew, and he won’t just pull people from the streets of Earlville and tell them they are firemen for the day with an all they can drink perk.  B: The wedding I’m planning is quite a bit more formal, I’m picturing professional servers. I don’t think that’s too much to ask?
• Rentals: Let’s just say, I’m starting a list of things we DON’T have to rent.

 Did I mention I have my “theme” picked?! Here’s a little teaser: