Playing Musical Chairs

We have received the majority of the RSVPs, which is so exciting! My mom loved getting them in the mail. After we harass our beloved friends and family who didn't RSVP on time (why does this always happen?), the next daunting task will be . . .

THE DREADED SEATING CHART!

You know, when I've gone to weddings, I just grab my little table tent card with my table assignment and I go sit there. Done.

I now realize that what goes into that little table tent is one of the big un-sung tasks of wedding planning.

People can look at flowers and say, "pretty!" They can taste the scallop wrapped in bacon and say "yummy!" But no one looks at the table of seat assignments and sighs, "wow, so much work went into this. How lovely of the hosts to put all this time into deciding where to seat all of these people!"

Nope, they do what I do: keep a cocktail in one hand and put the table tent in the other hand, and go find the ladies' room.

The Bachelorette (sans Chris Harrison)

My bachelorette party is this weekend! Like Cinderella without her glass slippers, what's a bachelorette without a rockin' (and teeny-tiny-bit slutty) outfit (and Chris Harrison telling her this is final rose this evening)?

Since I can't get Chris Harrison for the weekend, I decided to focus on finding fun outfit. Well, since I haven't gone to a frat party in seven years plus I'm a GAP card-toting white girl in Connecticut, I quickly realized that nothing in my closet was suitable for the occasion. So, off to the mall I went (believe it or not, Matt came and was actually very helpful).

First, I kept trying my old stand-bys (Ann Taylor Loft, the Limited) only to be reminded that I'm looking for party clothes, not work clothes. So I decided to be a little daring: I went to this store called "Maybee," which should've immediately indicated that I'm too old to shop there. Everything I tried on reminded me of Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear: "Don't try to compete with the 20-year-olds. Those bitches always win."

Fine, so no luck at Maybee.

I tried H&M, the old go-to store for cheapo party tops. And guess what I found? Nothing!

Suddenly, I was feeling rather old and un-fun. See, I get that I'm 29 and not 19, but what the hell, I still wanted something saucy (but not too expensive) to be the bachelorette!

Luckily, I did eventually find such a number at Express on my third day of shopping. It's a strapless sparkly dress that in all likelihood I will never wear again, but I'm okay with that! It'll be the perfect outfit for this bachelorette.

Now the question is whether my darling girlfriends are going to make me wear anything cheesy and bachelorette-y. I already said no checklist tee shirts or anything like that, but beyond that, I will be a good sport.

Wish me luck and a minimal hangover!

Shaking Hands with the Devil

Alright, you guys, I admit it.

Despite having a 16-month engagement and having done so many things in advance, the wedding is seven weeks away (!!!!) and I'm starting to feel all jittery, like I haven't done anything at all.

At this point, I truly understand the expression, "The devil is in the details." Everywhere I turn, I either spot the devil or his horns are starting to peek up:

• Making sure everyone's got a ride on the big day


• Scheduling beauty appointments


• Deciding exactly who is doing what during the ceremony


• Remembering to get my shoes dyed


• Making sure I don't forget to pay someone . . .

Devilish, I tell you, downright devilish!

I'm Alice, He's Ralph!

For those of you who don't watch the marathon on New Year's Day, I'm referring to Ralph and Alice Cramden - the Honeymooners!

Matt and I booked our honeymoon today! He is back from training in Virginia, and we got the OK from his new boss to book our honeymoon! We are so excited. We are going to The BodyHoliday (coincidentally, where Amy Winehouse went to dry out) in St. Lucia, island o' honeymooners. We are leaving the Monday after our wedding and we'll be there for six nights.

Is it bad that I almost want to just fast forward to the honeymoon?!

In other news, my mom starting mailing our wedding invitations this week! I can't believe it's really happening . . .

Follow That Bride!

Since my last post has brought in a record number of comments (four so far! thanks, dear readers!), my ego's puffed up a bit so I hope that my readers would like to follow my blog.

To follow my blog, in the right pane under "Wedding Kool-Aid Sippers," just click the Follow button or click "Follow This Blog" in the top banner. Then, whenever you sign into Blogger, you will have a link right to my blog. Easy, right?

Plus, I'll feel cooler knowing that people really do read my blog. :)

Shall We Dance?

Matt and I haven't picked a first dance song yet. I am chock full of silly suggestions. Suggestions that are silly because a) Matt would never go for it, b) the song is so corny it would be hard to keep a straight face, or c) all of the above.

Allow me to share my ideas.

A Moment Like This by Kelly Clarkson / This Is My Now by Jordin Sparks / The Time of My Life by David Cook
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: C
I am an American Idol junkie, but even I admit that an Idol coronation song is pushing the limits of corniness.

Stand By Me by Ben E. King
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: A
Because Matt is crazy. He actually told me he doesn't like this song. I don't get it.

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: C
I absolutely love this song and all its early-1980s glory, but I think the music video is proof enough for why I can't even suggest this one to Matt.

Open Arms by Journey / You're the Inspiration by Chicago
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: B
Again, I love this song, but I would feel like I'm at the end of summer dance at Camp Bernie in 1992. Matt and I would have to dance arm's distance apart!

A Whole New World from Aladdin / Can You Feel the Love Tonight from Lion King / Beauty and the Beast from Beauty and the Beast
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: C
Much as I love Disney, I can admit how dorky we'd look dancing to one of these songs. (Though I did really consider seeking out a Disney-inspired wedding dress.)

Every Breath You Take by the Police
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: C
Great song, but I don't think dancing to stalker undertones is the way Matt and I want to kick off our marriage.

Glory of Love by Peter Cetera
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: C
Yup, this is the song that plays during Daniel-san and Kumiko's date in Okinawa in Karate Kid Part II. Enough said.

This Is the Night by Clay Aiken
Reason why this will not be my wedding song: A
I love Clay dearly - he's my all-time favorite Idol! - but I think I know better than to even bring this up to Matt.

And yes, all of these songs are in my ipod. Try not to be jealous.

Wedding update -- I had my first dress fitting this weekend and my hair trial!

The Ridiculousness of Getting Pretty

I received those three pairs of shoes. Two were gross, so they got returned. One pair I liked, but they were too big, so I exchanged them for a smaller size.

I got the shoes in the smaller size, now I'm paranoid they're going to be too small after a whole day on my feet and dancing with my prince. (Yes, Matt, I do expect you to dance!)

So, in a truly bridal moment, I doubted my judgement in the first place so I sent away AGAIN for the original shoes that I returned. By my first dress fitting this Saturday, I will have the shoes in both sizes.

Matt just rents his shoes.

For the beauty apppointments on October 24, the hair and makeup circus starts at 8:30 a.m. May I point out how EARLY that is when I will surely have just tossed and turned all night? My wedding isn't until 3 in the afternoon, but the salon, makeup artist, and photographer all seem to think 7.5 hours is a normal amount of lead time on beautifying ourselves. Seven hours to make us presentable. Seven!

Matt just showers and shaves.

You know, sometimes I love the whole silliness of being a girl -- hair products, nail polish, mascara, eye cream -- but I will be a bit jealous of Matt on the big day. His beauty process will set him back about $2 (if I round up) and will take maybe an hour if he REALLY takes his time. My beauty process? More than $300 and seven hours! I'm serious!

I better look damn good. And my shoes better fit!