The Undercover Accountant

Four weeks before our wedding day, Matt and I went with my mom to the florist to go over the details and check out a sample centerpiece. I get such a kick out of this guy! I want to ask him to go for a beer with me.

The rule that my mom has given me is that I have to chill out (code for shut up) and go along with the flowers and stop worrying about what they cost. She said she knows the budget and will (more or less) stick to it. Apparently she told Mr. Florist about this arrangement too.

At one point during the meeting, I was getting antsy. You see, I've gotten sucked in to the idea of these beautiful flowers and I actually wanted to ADD flowers. (This from the girl who didn't want much of any!) More corsages, some wreaths for the church doors, garland on a banister, why not! How delicious, this Wedding Kool-Aid!

However, getting nervous because I have no idea if we're within or over budget, I say to Mr. Florist, "Just let me take a quick look at the prices. I promise I won't add them up."

You know what he says to me?

"The hell you won't add them up! What are you, an accountant?"

Damn, he's good. (Little does he know though that I'm as close to being an accountant as I am to buying a designer wedding gown.)

Mom and Matt both laughed. I never got to see the prices.

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!