Just another day on the good old planning block!

It seems like I've always got a list of things to do these days, as the days get closer and closer, my time seems to be disappearing as does my energy, excitement and interest. I'm still very much anxious to walk down the aisle and celebrate my love, but gosh...the journey is just sooo long and quite tiresome. I'm attempting to be as cheerful as possible, but its hard. I'm just wiped out...I decided to do a little list to refresh my thought process and renew this whole planning period.

Flowers/Decor - I need to start thinking about this with my florist...I've decided to go for lush romance with lots of candles and as my colors are fuchsia, black and silver, I want to use lots of orchids and stargazer lillies with some hints of greenery and black calla lillies.

Bridesmaids Gowns - in January, I need to round up my girls to purchase their dresses, and pick out hair options and make-up palattes, this should be relatively easy

Menu - I've already got a general idea of the wedding menu I'd like to have, so this is just a matter of identifying the last minute details and pulling it all together and finalizing my guest list (this should all be done in February or March, so I can schedule my tasting for April/May and not spend my last month of near sanity (June) doing last minute details.

Stationery - this is a hard one, as I have ideas but not really sure where I want to go, custom, modern, contemporary, classic, tie-back, trifold...just not sure...I'll be looking into this next, so i can get a jumpstart...I'm about 10 months away from the date now and still have much to do.

What about you ladies, what other things do you have to consider before the big day?

Fall Frenzy

Ok! I am quite excited to join this group and dish on all things wedding!

Essential Details:
Current Professional Status: Law Student
Anticipated Wedding Date: Fall 2007
Wedding Preparations: Minimal
Level of Stress: Quite high

So, you've got the basics, let's get down to the nitty gritty.

Let's just say that I have a few qualities that may not always lend themselves to stress-free wedding planning. I'm a perfectionist and I want my hand in every pot. I admit it.

Knowing this about myself, I have used one of my more "wedding-friendly" skills: organization, to map out a plan that will make my wedding planning as stress free as possible. This is the schema: Take on the projects you a) truly, truly enjoy or b) truly, truly would die, die, die if it went wrong – and do them yourself. You delegate (another “wedding-friendly” skill) the rest. So, far it has worked like a charm. Of course, need I remind you, current wedding preparations status: Minimal.

Right now, there are two pressing issues on the horizon. First, we must find a venue. And not just any venue, I might add. A venue that can accommodate 400 people seated, and will allow us to use our own caterers. Not a small feat, but a challenge I must assume. Final result so far: The Galleria in D.C. We are giving it until the end of the month to make a final decision. In the meantime I would definitely welcome any suggestions!!!

The second issue we are currently dealing with is the planning of our family introductions. We are having a small get together so that our families can introduce themselves to one another. In both of our cultures, marriage is seen as the union of two families, not just two individuals, so it is important for our families to get to know one another before the marriage takes place. But, the logistics!! His family will be coming to my hometown to meet my family. And low-and-behold, I have utilized my first instance of delegation. I have let my mother and aunt plan the whole thing. Too much delegation you think? I sat and thought about it for awhile. And I thought: it’s a family party - will I die, die, die, if it goes wrong? No. Major Progress.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that everyone gets to know one another and they enjoy themselves. And I can live with it if the invitations (yes, invitations! What was supposed to be a small, casual affair, has ballooned to about 50 people respite with invitations….still casual mind you, just a wee bit larger than anticipated) go out sight unseen by me. I feel a newfound state of what I like to call, delegation Zen, (otherwise known as “DiZzy”), if you will, (or maybe just the effects from the Theraflu I’ve been taking all week).

And with this newfound inner calm, and the utmost of energy, I will proceed to the next wedding project on my list (Oh, did I mention I have a chart with a strict timeline that has me finishing all things wedding by January?) Hah! We’ll save that little timeline for another discussion….

Next step: wedding invitations. Ultimate control: Do it Yourself. Delegation possibilities: Minimal.

Brides Against Breat Cancer in Baltimore

Mid-Atlantic Curves and MIX 106.5 Present "Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Bridal Gown Sale "

October 2-14 Donate a Wedding Gown or make a $50 Pink Envelope donation at any participating Mid-Atlantic Curves and the Service Fee for annual membership will be waived - a Savings of $149.*
Here is a list of the participating clubs, see if one is near you so that you can get your pre-wedding workout on.

BRIDAL GOWN PREVIEW PARTY & SALE

Thursday, October 19^th 7pm - 10pm

Preview and purchase thousands of designer gowns before they go on sale to the public. This night of fun will include champagne, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, bridal registry and more.

$50 Admission / $75 Bride and a guest

BRIDAL GOWN PUBLIC SALE

Friday, October 20th and Saturday, October 21^st 10am - 6pm Free admission

Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport
1739 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD

Don't miss this chance to purchase gowns ranging in price from $89 to $799, including hundreds of beautiful, new and used name brand and designer gowns valued up to $4,000. More than half of the gowns available during each event are new designer gowns that have come directly from bridal shops and manufacturers. We have sizes 4 to 44 in a wide range of styles and fabrics.

This is a very unique opportunity for brides-to-be to find one-of-a-kind gowns at fabulous prices and help grant a wish for a woman or man with terminal breast cancer. Cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted as payment for gowns.

Proceeds will benefit Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, and all donations are tax deductible.

Cash AND a Second Honeymoon???

Honeymooner’s Review Guide, a valuable guide for honeymoon planning and selecting destinations and resorts, has announced its intention to award a prize of a paid romantic holiday and $500 in cash. The contest is open to all couples who completed their honeymoon over the past 2 years. Entry is completed by going up to their website at www.honeymoonersreviewguide.com or directly to the short questionnaire at: http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/75547/7c8c/. The questionnaire about the honeymoon experience must be completed and submitted online at that address by Dec. 31, 2006 to be eligible for the drawing held in January 2007. The Contest prize will consist of a minimum of 4 nights, 5 days at a 4star or better romantic resort setting. Airfare is not included, but it comes with $500 in cash which can be applied to any expenses. Rules and regulations regarding the contest are listed on their website. For those couples who have not yet completed their honeymoon, you can register to enter the contest online and will receive an email upon your return reminding you of the contest and directing you to the entry page.

American Diabetes Association Favors

It was only a matter of time, before this caught on and Oh, how happy I am! Now you can go directly to the Diabetes Association and have personalized announcements created for your wedding. Minimum donation amounts do apply for the free personalization, but it's still a great deal if you ask me. Head on over to www.diabetes.org

In lieu of traditional wedding favors, give a donation in honor of your wedding guests and in honor or in memory of a loved one.

Announce your contribution with complimentary invitation cards and your choice of personalized table tent cards, scrolls or bookmarks. See photo at right.

Once you complete your donation, you will have the opportunity to select and personalize your announcements.

If you would like to give a wedding donation in honor of the bride and groom and do NOT want gift announcements, please use our Honor Donation Form.

Donations are tax deductible, minus the cost of services and goods. See our Wedding Donation FAQs for more information.

To continue with your online gift, please select your quantity of announcements and enter your donation amount below.

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Please Note:

• We recommend 4 tent cards per table. You will be able to specify more exact quantity ranges after you complete your donation.
• We suggest a donation of $2-$5 per guest. The minimum wedding donation to receive personalized announcements is $200.

Free Bahamas Wedding????

The Bahama Beach Club, a family friendly luxury resort in Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, is offering a complimentary wedding package to couples tying the knot. When a wedding party rents five or more condominiums for a minimum of three nights, the wedding package is free of charge. The all-inclusive wedding package includes a personal Bahamas wedding consultant, a beachfront Bahamian ceremony with a tropical palm arch, wedding cake, fruit basket, bottle of champagne, documentation (marriage license, affidavits and marriage certificates) and a minister or marriage official and all fees. More details about our unique Bahamas wedding promotion can be found here: http://www.bahamabeachclub.com/pages/weddings.htm

Free Bahamas Wedding????

The Bahama Beach Club, a family friendly luxury resort in Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, is offering a complimentary wedding package to couples tying the knot. When a wedding party rents five or more condominiums for a minimum of three nights, the wedding package is free of charge. The all-inclusive wedding package includes a personal Bahamas wedding consultant, a beachfront Bahamian ceremony with a tropical palm arch, wedding cake, fruit basket, bottle of champagne, documentation (marriage license, affidavits and marriage certificates) and a minister or marriage official and all fees. More details about our unique Bahamas wedding promotion can be found here: http://www.bahamabeachclub.com/pages/weddings.htm

"Miss Lanham" Contact me.

Hi Miss Lanham
I need for you to send your email address to me at blogwithus@dcnearlyweds.com

You are currently anonymous and I can't reply to you.

Mrs. Nearlywed

Top 15 Wedding Jewelry and Hair Accessories Ideas

GlamForLess.com thinks so at least. I don't agree with #4. I love sample sales and would opt for a discounted original rather than a cheaper knock off.

Top 15 Wedding Jewelry and Hair Accessories Ideas:
1. Elegant Beauty
Purchase a simple but elegant gown and dress it up with glamorous jewelry and hair accessories like a jeweled tiara. For affordable wedding jewelry and hair accessories.

2. Simple Sophisticate
If you're wearing an ornate or heavily beaded wedding dress, choose simple jewelry like a single strand of pearls or classic diamond studs.

3. Bargain Basement
Looking for a less costly (but still chic) alternative to diamonds? Try a rhinestone necklace or a sterling silver bracelet.

4. Bargain Basement
In lieu of sample sales, shop online discount wedding jewelry stores which sells wedding jewelry and accessories at dramatically reduced prices. Wedding jewelry originally sold for $200 may cost as low as $20.

5. Beautifully Bejeweled
Choose matching stones: Don't wear a pink-pearl bracelet if you're wearing a rhinestone necklace.

6. Focal Point
Less is more: If you're wearing a headpiece, skip the necklace.

7. Bridesmaid Jewelry
Give your bridesmaids beautiful jewelry to wear on your wedding day. Affordable bridesmaid jewelry is available at http://www.glamforless.com/bridesmaid-jewelry.htm.

8. Luxurious Locks
Know how you’ll wear your hair―before you try on tiaras and veils. Small tiaras, side combs, and hairpins look lovely in updos, while jeweled headbands work well in loose, flowing locks.

9. Vintage Beauty
Search out a good jewelry shop for a piece of jewelry like a Victorian necklace that can be the centerpiece of your whole look.

10. Glitter Girl
Instead of a traditional tiara headpiece, accent your hair with sparkly accessories: a strand of crystals, pearls, or jeweled hair barrettes.

New Trend Raw Footage Video

Are you getting your wedding videotaped?

On the one hand you watch it once of twice and then you never look at it again and it's expensive, coming in at about $1500 on average for one camera perhaps the money is better spent somewhere else.

One the flip side, your wedding day is a blur. It goes by so fast, there are so many people, were the flowers as beautiful as the florist promised. Did my grandmother really do the Booty Call? I HAVE to have the video.

A new trend is having your wedding filmed in high definition but only paying for the raw footage. because everything is coming to you digitally it can be edited at any time, when you have more discretionary funds available.

The cost $500 -700 which is a huge savings. In our area check out Leo Zheng and Washington's Best

Register for Education

I do love Pottery Barn, Anthropologie and Restoration Hardware for the wonderful finds they offer for your gift registry. But every now and then I can be very realistic, especially when I see thenumber of couples that are either currently pursing graduate degrees or paying off student loans from previous degrees. There is a new registry out there where couples can register and guests can donate to Education. www.educationregistry.com

"This website provides a convenient and meaningful way for couples and parents to create gift registries that will allow their loved ones to contribute towards past, present and/or future educational costs. "

Couples and parents register cost-free with Education Registry, which allows them to create a web page describing the significance of education for them or their children, post a picture and describe upcoming events, such as weddings, baby showers, or birthdays. To announce their registry to loved ones, registrants can send e-mails directly from the website, and can opt to have cards mailed to them to include in event invitations.

Gift-givers can then go to the Education Registry website to view the couple's or child’s profile, through which they can directly and securely contribute to their registry. When a gift is purchased, they can post a message to be displayed on the receiver’s web page, and opt to have a gift card mailed to them to give directly to the couple or child.

Give it some thought!