Cake update

We went to Cakes Etc today and had a quick meeting with one of the bakers. They don't do traditional (read: customized to bits) cakes, and they don't do fondant at all (fine by me). So what it is, is you just select whatever cake you want from their list (there's about 10, and they sound yummmmmy) and they decorate it. You can pay extra to have them make it look more wedding-cakey with swirls of icing or whatever, but they look pretty the way they are with chocolate shavings or sliced almonds or other similar things pressed into the sides. If you want flowers or anything on top, you provide them and they'll arrange them.

She sent us home with samples of four different cakes, so we'll try them tonight and see which flavour(s) we want. Brooke likes the spread-out look that we've seen in a bunch of pictures (rather than stacked one above the other) so we might go that way.

I think I can, I think I can

Or should this be titled "Slow and steady wins the race"?  Yesterday I made some progress in a few different areas.

I had previously purchased a necklace from Claire's that turned out to be too chunky, so on Sunday I returned it, along with the matching earrings.  About an hour later, I was in a store that had the exact same beads only less chunky, and way cheaper than buying it as a pre-assembled necklace.  They had tulle, and ribbon that matches celadon quite well.

So then yesterday, Brooke & I stopped in at a decorator and picked up their price list.  I think we might have them decorate the chapel a little bit, and we're going to go back out to the reception location again and see what we want for decorations there.

Then we went back to Claire's and I bought the matching earrings again.

Then we went downtown and I picked up my wedding band while Brooke circled the block.  And circled, and circled…. It took quite a while.  :)

Late last night I assembled my necklace.  I think it'll work out much better this way, having made it myself, because it is exactly the length I want, and not a single bead longer.  Then I was feeling crafty so I brought out the tulle and ribbon and made up a couple of sample favours and decided on what I think is the best balance of number of truffles and length of ribbon, etc.  I'll look at them again in a day or two and make sure I still think the one I decided on is the best, and then see if I can wrangle any volunteers to help me make them all!  It wasn't too difficult making them, but it took me quite a long time to make five myself, so it would be nice to have some help.  (Once the tulle, plastic wrap and ribbon are all cut to the right size, they assemble quite quickly.)

We have an appointment on Friday to talk to a lady about a cake -- they don't do "wedding" cakes, just fancy cakes.  I'm not sure exactly what they'll look like, but I will know in a couple of days.  It means the price is less than half of what you have to pay as soon as you stick the label "wedding" on it, so that sounds good to me!  (I cannot justify spending $400 or more on a cake.  It's just a dessert!  And for that price, it's usually not even big enough to be the only dessert - you still need to get a "real" dessert besides!  Yikes!)

To do next (February, part 2)

I'm not completely done the previous list, but I thought I'd carry the ones not finished forward and get started on the next things. I have my shoes now and seamstress chosen (and dress is now in her possession and being altered this week!) I'm waiting for a call back from one jewellery store as I mentioned in my 3-month to-do list, and that'll be done. So the only thing not done is the Great Cake Decision.

• Figure out what to do about the cake. (Go full-out traditional, multi-layer? Just get a slab cake? Have a small traditional cake for photos and a slab cake for eating?) Also decide on a bakery.
• Finalize groups we want to have photographs of, so we can give a list to the photographer.
• Decide what to do about attendants' gifts. I have a couple of ideas, but I don't want to post them here in case any of the attendants are looking at this blog!
• Start figuring out what we want to have happen in the actual ceremony. (Vows, readings, etc)

RSVPs

The invitations were mailed three weeks ago, on Monday, January 23. I set the RSVP deadline two months before the wedding: March 13th. I sent out 52 invitations, and have heard back from 19 people already, for a total of 32 people attending (including us) so far.

If everyone we invited was to come, there would be 124 people. We're expecting it'll be more like 95. (80 adults, 15 children)

My To-Do List (3 months)

Here's an update to the status of my to-do list I last posted on January 8. The wedding is currently 3 months away.

To do 8 - 10 Months Before

• Shop for your wedding dress and accessories. I have my shoes now. I bought a necklace and earring set from Claire's but it turned out the necklace was too chunky. I'm going to return it and see if they have one with smaller "pearls" but if not, my seamstress also sells necklaces and she has one I quite like.
• Shop for bridesmaids' dresses. Dresses are ordered, and will arrive around April 21.
• Pick a Honeymoon destination. Check if any inoculations are required. No decision yet.

To do 6 - 8 Months Before

• Order formal wear for groomsmen. Done!
• Order Invitations. Done
• Select table favours. No change, still don't have anything to put them in yet.

To do 4 - 6 Months Before

• Address wedding invitations. Done
• Mail invitations to out-of-town guests. Done
• Choose gifts for attendants. Have started thinking about this, so that's a start.
• Buy wedding rings. We now have his ring. I checked into mine yesterday. I'm waiting for the store my e-ring is from to get back to me (probably Monday) about whether the matching band can be ordered without the diamonds, and what that would look like. I can't imagine it looking good though (although I'm sure they wouldn't sell it that way if it looks ugly) so I have a plain band picked out that will look fine if that one doesn't work out. So either way, I'm nearly done this one!
• Arrange rehearsal dinner. Haven't made any specific plans, other than location.
• Arrange transportation for wedding day. Still not started. Will likely rent a couple of nice cars, but not a limo.
• Order cake. Haven't decided on one, but I am meeting a lady who makes cakes later today, so I'm finally starting on this.

To do 2 - 4 Months Before

• Meet with Officiant and confirm details of ceremony. Not done.
• Make hotel reservations for out-of-town guests. Done, and information included in invitations.
• Book any equipment required for wedding reception. Not sure if there is anything I'll need.
• Buy guest book & pen. Not done.

These are the things that are coming up in my to-do list. It's getting close enough now that I might as well list them, too.

To do 1-2 Months Before

• Pick up marriage license.
• Have final gown/bridesmaid's dresses fitting
• Make appointment with hair stylist to plan your wedding hairdo
• Make appointment with hair stylist / esthetician for wedding day
• Buy wedding gift for groom/bride
• Mail invitations to in-town guests. Done (at same time as out-of-town ones were sent)
• Select MC
• Confirm site for photographs
• Arrange to change name on legal document
• Make arrangement for bridesmaid's luncheon or dinner.
• Book date & time for rehearsal Done, although we may need to change it to as late in the day as possible since Brooke will probably be out of town that day.
• Make plans for rehearsal dinner.
• Address wedding announcements - to be mailed after wedding

To do 1- 2 Weeks Before

• Consult and discuss final details with florist, caterer, photographer, videographer, musicians, DJ, Officiant etc...
• Discuss attire with those hired for service at your wedding
• Bridesmaid's luncheon, present attendants with gifts.
• Draw up seating plan
• Send wedding announcement to newspaper
• Inform caterer of number of confirmed guests at the reception

To do next (February, part 1)

The bridesmaid dresses have been ordered now, as of yesterday, Feb 1.  The online store had a better price, but because the dresses would be shipped to them first and then they'd have to ship it to me, they couldn't guarantee them any earlier than the day before the wedding.  Not good when we know they're going to need alterations!  So the dresses were ordered locally for more money, but better peace of mind.

 

We're going this evening to look at tuxedos -- I am going to go along because I think it'll be fun watching the guys play dress-up.  :)

 

Here's what's next:

• Keep shopping for shoes (apparently it's not quite spring season yet -- nothing decent is out yet)
• Get price quotes for alterations for both my dress and the bridesmaid who is here.  Apparently there is quite a range in prices for things like hems.
• Take the dresses to the best seamstress to get them altered.  (It might be different for the two dresses!)
• Get price quotes and timelines on having my wedding band notched, and decide whether I should do that now or wait until after the wedding and just have them not fit together perfectly for now.
• Figure out what to do about the cake.  (Go full-out traditional, multi-layer?  Just get a slab cake?  Have a small traditional cake for photos and a slab cake for eating?)  Also decide on a bakery.