Updates

I've been slacking on the wedding recaps, I know.  So I'm back, but I'm moving locations.  I'm moving over to a new blog where I will still do some wedding reporting, as well as my crazy dreams and some other life updates....all in one place so I don't have to manage multiple blogs.  So I hope you'll join me at Heeren's Nest!

Yeah, mon

Sadly, we have returned from Jamaica.  Despite a rainy forecast, we ended up with 6 beautiful days in paradise. And we looooooooooved it.  We stayed at the beautiful Couples Tower Isle in Ocho Rios.  It was the perfect place for people who want to be active yet relaxed, because they include so many excursions.

The resort had so much to do that we were really busy which was good for two people who aren't good at laying around on the beach.  We snorkeled, went horseback riding, ate, went on a catamaran cruise, kneeboarded, ate, went to the pool, climbed a waterfall, ate, played beach volleyball...and ate.  Four restaurants and an all inclusive package can be a DISASTER.

Things we learned in Jamaica:
Matt can't understand Jamaican people.  At all.
Erin can gain 5 pounds in 6 days (thank you, buffets).
Matt really doesn't like Asian food.
Erin can't kneeboard.  At all.
You should probably still wear sunscreen even when it's raining.  Luckily we learned this the last day.

We loved it and can't wait for another tropical vacation.

We did it!

We survived the wedding!  Wooooooooo hooooo!  I don't think I've ever been as tired as I was this morning, but it was totally worth it.  Matt and I had an absolute blast.  To everyone that was in attendance, thank you so much for coming!  And for everyone that couldn't make it, you were missed.  

Matt and I spent a good hour recapping our favorite parts of the day, and they just kept on coming!  I really think I wouldn't change a thing (including the topless fisherman walking through the ceremony).  

At the request of a friend of mine, I will be continuing the blog post-wedding.  I'll break down some parts of the ceremony, possibly feature some of the craft photos we did...or just ramble about married life!  But today is a rest day.  I leave you with a photo that I stole from my friend Danielle, who wins the prompt picture posting award.  Thank goodness for facebook!

How do people get married without Michaels?

Before we got engaged, I don't think I'd ever been to Michaels.  Now I'm there at least once a week.  Sometimes three times.  Sometimes, like last night, twice in 10 minutes.  Upon my second trip into the store, I realized exactly how much time I had spent in Michaels and I got a little sad.  Wedding planning is almost over!  Well, I guess the planning is over, let's how I have the thing planned by now!  But the prep work, the creativity...it's all coming to an end.  It made me sad, even though I'm also excited for the day to be here! (And let's be honest, also excited for it to be over.) :)

This week has given Matt a glimpse into what I do for a living.  As he's grumbling through prep work and projects, I reminded him last night that this is how I spend all day, every day, so he should have new found appreciation for me!

But back to my unendorsed plug for Michaels.  The place has everything!  Even things you didn't know you need!  It's actually kind of a train wreck...new ideas are born within the aisles of the store.  Now that I think about it, brides are probably happier never having stepped foot in Michaels.  But they don't know what they are missing, it's amazing.

And thus ends my delusional rant.  Clearly I'm sleep deprived...

Craft Central

Wow, wedding week is really here!  I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit in denial.  I also may be obsessively checking the 10 day forecast. (So far so good, 83 and sunny.  Cross your fingers.)  I also am most definitely up to my ears in DIY projects.

A warning to all future brides: wedding blogs are a blessing and a curse.  While I've gotten some fabulous advice and ideas from sites like Weddingbee, I've gotten too many ideas!  And of course, wanted to do them all.  And true to form, didn't start any of them until two weeks before the wedding.  What can I say, that's how I roll.

So this past week has been entirely devoted to ridiculous wedding projects.  THANK YOU to Matt and all of my friends who are blistered and bruised from helping me. :)  But the good news is, we got it all done!  I may have spent every waking moment working on the wedding all week, but I am starting to feel like this wedding may actually happen!  Which is good because there's no turning back now, and my friends informed us that after they spent 5 hours assembling programs, we are getting married no matter what happens this week or they will disown us. :)

Long time no post

As it turns out, planning a wedding leaves very little time to blog about planning a wedding!  We're in crunch time - two weeks to go!  Since I've abandoned the blog for the past month, here's a quick run down of what's been going on:

My bachelorette party in Kansas City was a blast!  12 girls spent the weekend shopping, going to a Royals game, and hitting the downtown evening entertainment.

Matt's bachelor party in Chicago was also great!  8 guys enjoyed whirly ball, a Cubs game, and the Wrigleyville area bars.

My house sold!  Woo hoo!

In a dramatic turn of events, my dress waited until this week to come in to the store.  Somehow I refrained from having a heart attack when it was two weeks late.  And it fits...despite being long enough that Matt could probably wear it.  Still, it fits!  Phew!

Hair trial, done.  Final florist meeting, done.  DJ meeting, done.  Reception venue meeting, done.  Marriage prep, done.  And we have our marriage license, thank you John for attesting to our identities.  This wedding may actually happen after all.  Oh and the big news you've all been waiting for...the chairs have been ordered, you don't have to stand. :)

We went a couple weeks ago to stalk watch another wedding at Simon Estes to see how they did things...let's just say that was a lesson in how NOT to plan a wedding.  Let's just say, be very happy that I ordered you chairs, and never fear, our wedding will be starting on time.

So now we're down to little details which I've brought upon myself by dreaming up 20,000 DIY projects at the last minute.  Bring it on, wedding, we're almost ready for you.  Almost.

Kansas City, here we come!

I'm headed out on my bachelorette party weekend and I'm so excited!  Twelve girls, two nights, Kansas City = fantastic weekend!  On the agenda: shopping, Royals game, and Howl at the Moon, the BEST PIANO BAR EVER!

I can't wait!  Stay tuned for a recap! :)

Yes, shortest post ever.