Packing and Prepping

This shows promise. At least its an improvement. But sadly, things are not looking good in 'ole San Juan.

I'm packing myself up for the wedding and honeymoon today. I leave tomorrow! So many things to do so I can't write for long! But its officially 7 days out! =)

It's all a whirlwind right now

Well, I don't like this. Not at all. But, it's Texas so stay tuned...

We finalized the seating chart so now all of you have your little table at the wedding! :) We are ordering our alcohol this afternoon! All gifts are purchased but need wrapping and cards. We've received the sparklers, the candles, the pictures. It's all coming together...!

Oh, yeah, and I finished law school yesterday! And mailed my bar application today! Woo-hoo!  And how crazy is this year:

April 30 - OUR wedding!
May 2-10 - honeymoon in Puerto Rico
May 15 - law school graduation
May 17 - BARBRI class starts
May 28 - an Austin wedding
June 11 - another Austin wedding
July 16 - an Arizona wedding
July 26-27 - THE BAR EXAM
July 28-Aug 18 - Bar trip to Europe
Aug 22 - Erik starts at BDW
Sept 2-5 - Labor Day in Austin
Sept 19 - Start date at Finnegan
Nov 12 - Texas wedding
Nov 19 - another Texas wedding
Nov 24 - Thanksgiving
Dec 10 - a Mexico wedding
Dec 25 - Christmas

Home Stretch

Two weeks from today I'll be waking up to get ready for my wedding day. It never ceases to amaze me how much time has passed and how quickly we are approaching the finale! My guestbook arrived today, and it's AWESOME! I just love it, and I'm so excited about it.

My mom ordered sparklers yesterday. Yes, that's right. Of the firework variety. They look fantastic in nighttime pictures for the final send-off! However, my dad is convinced that I'm going to burn to the ground or that my dress will be covered in tiny holes from the sparks. I told him that we are not the first people to use sparklers at a wedding. Like I've said before, nothing at a wedding is original. But regardless, the sparklers are used at the end of the night, and I'll never wear that dress again. (*tear)

I had so much fun chatting with a friend of mine last night about weddings. She's getting married too, but she's in the early stage of the planning process. It was nice reliving that stage. They are trying to figure out where to register, etc. Such fun...

Loose ends...

Phone call with the caterer today to finalize the menu and seating details! We are at 146 guests but I guess it's 148 including Erik and I. My guestbook was shipped this morning, so I cannot wait to see it! And I ordered a hair accessory yesterday from wedzu.com. Great website, like Etsy, but for weddings! We figured out our recessional song last night, and Erik showed me a mock-up of the ceremony program. So pretty! We should have that finalized by the end of the weekend. And last night we had a dance lesson to our music for our first dance -- OMG I cannot wait! It's going to be sooooo much fun and a great surprise. Just somewhat concerned how I'm going to do this dance in my dress, but it'll work out. I may have to take off my shoes or something :)

Heed the warnings!

It's almost...ALMOST...time to start paying attention to the weather report in Austin, Texas. I noticed this week was clear skies, warm weather, and no rain. But the 10-day forecast predicts some scattered showers. However, let's be honest, this is Texas we are talking about. If you are from Texas, you are aware of the ever unpredictable, unreliable Texas weather (is it like this other places?...I don't really know....DC is weird, but as inconsistent as TX). So looking at a 10-day forecast is certainly no adequate indicator of what the weather is on Day 10...not to mention Day 18 (quick: AAAAGGHHHHH it's 18 days out!!!). 

But we are getting closer so I am trying to remind myself to look at the forecast now and then. Plus, it's nice to see how sunny and lovely it is in Puerto Rico. Ahhhh...20 days.... :)

What a difference a day makes...

When I saw the countdown move from 20 days to 19 days, I think my jaw dropped! 19 DAYS!?!? I cannot believe it's gotten here so quickly! And with so many major milestones happening in the next six weeks, I am overwhelmed and overjoyed!

We finally decided on the ceremony music and the readings (well, almost...the recessional song is still TBD). So this week we are going to make our programs! And order gifts. And start designing the escort cards. And this is the big critical week for turning in our final headcount (must do no later than Saturday), so much of the week will be spent following up on some RSVP's. We think we are down to about 150 people which will be a great amount--intimate but large enough for a festive crew! Will let you know on Saturday though.

I ordered my guestbook this past weekend, but I had to immediately cancel my order because I realized the first page, which had a caption to a picture, was missing the picture image! Then I couldn't find that darn picture for the life of me. So this evening, it's down to the storage unit to rummage through old boxes and files. I'll be so sad if I can't find it--it's our first picture taken EVER! (Meaning, it is a really horrible, rumpled image but it has sentimental value.) BTW...get a good look at the guestbook at the wedding! It's nontraditional, AND I LOVE IT! I keep telling Erik how obsessed I am by it. It's so cute and will be a great memento. Please PLEASE find it, browse through it, and sign it at the wedding!

Out with the old...

I just had a moment of inspiration. I thought I'd spend the afternoon cleaning my apartment in preparation for Erik's return. And right as I was going to start on the floors, I saw one of my stacks of bridal magazines in a corner. Turning left, and seeing some wedding gifts piled in the middle of the floor with nowhere to go, I came to terms with the fact that it is time...finally time...to throw out the mags. After all, my wedding is planned, the details are finalized, and I've seen and read it all!

So I grabbed a trash bag and dumped the stack inside. But I didn't stop there. I knew I had another stack on the bookshelf, and a third stack buried underneath my bedroom dresser. Three bags later, I counted them up.  
Forty-five magazines! 

Note to future brides: This is what happens when you have a 2-year engagement!

I'm sure I missed one or two, buried beneath Erik's Wired magazines on the coffee table or stuck inside the last bag I took on an airplane. But it felt great to throw them away. It means we are almost there! And we no longer need to consult the bridal experts!

And now we have an extra nook or two for wedding gifts ;)