Save the Dates & {Other} Updates

Have not updated in a while so here it goes...

First, Save the Dates

When sending out Save the Dates,
you have to think about a few things.
These include, but are not limited to:

• If most people call you by ___ (insert nickname here). Will they know who I am with my formal name?-- Some of Chris' family did not know that my real name is Christina. Not Nina.
• Will people (mostly parent's friends & extended family) know who we are without last names?
• Should we include a parent's address that people are more familiar with-- many people may not know that you move 40 miles away from Downriver.

We have learned all of these from...
well, I'll just say it {our mistakes}. haha.
But you learn from mistakes & you move on.
It made a good story wehaveheardmanytimes to discuss
of how you realized that it was us
Chris Brown & Christina/Nina Marti
that sent the Save the Date cards.
Then the compliments & congratulatory wishes soon followed.

Does that mean you must include last names & formal names & nicknames & parent's addresses on your Save the Dates?

Absolutely not!

But just think about your audience.
A lot of people still knew who we were. haha-- to be honest, it kind of made it more funny.
& we are funny quirky people, so it kind of fit "us".

I must add, our guests definitely now
will remember now that there's a wedding in July!!

Second, registering...

This picture depicts what happened during our
14 hour
or so
{long}
not really
registration
@ Macys--

Chris being goofy. Me seriously thinking
about which plates we should register for
& Rae [our maid of honor]
photographing the memories.

Chris also included a birthday card on the registry.
Which I believe has been {magically} deleted.
Hmm.. I wonder how ; ) (not me, I promise!)

We have also registered @ Crate & Barrel. Just Chris & I that time. I {lOvE} that store! Chris & I walked up to the cashier, stated politely **of course** that we would like to register. The {very helpful & kind} saleslady said, "I could tell! You two had that glow!"

Hmm.. "that glow!"
I wonder what that means?

Tonight, Chris & I register @ Target with our bridesmaid Erin. Should be lots of fun! Plan to register for some surprises too ; )

Third, cake & favors...
**No pictures SORRY!!**

cupcakes vs. traditional wedding cake

We have met with a couple bakers
(beyond wedding shows) for the
traditional wedding cake route.

1st was {very delicious} &
the bakers were {very kind}.
However the price was just
a little out of liken budget.

2nd was {delicious} &
the owner seemed a {little too pushy for my liking}.
However the price was just
in our liken budget.

So...
do we go with the {kind} people & pay more?
or go with the {pushy} guy & pay less?

My decision was to try a cupcake place (I mean, come on, I love cupcakes. I bake them all the time!) to help us in our decision.

We went to Just Baked in Twelve Oaks Mall. Met with the owner & tasted some molto delizioso cupcakes. One bite of this {baby}

& I was smitten.Completely smitten.
::Grumpy Cake Cupcake:: courtesy of justbaked.com

Needless to say...
We went this route.
Cupcake tower instead.

They include a complimentary 6 inch round cake for the top of the cupcake tower. We can use this to "cut the cake" or keep for the 1 year anniversary cake. Decided to do about 5 different flavors for variety, with ::Grumpy Cake:: definitely being one of them!

Favors. We met a {lovely lady} at the Plymouth Green Fair last summer that had a booth promoting her company The Biscotti Bar. We finally decided to meet with her. We now have wonderful favors of organic YaY! biscotti in two different flavors.

& At Last, tuxedos

I have researched
& researched
& researched
some more
about what I want
the men to wear
on our BIG day.

We made a trip to Downtown Rochester.
Met with a very nice guy
@ President Tuxedos.
Discussed choices
& finalize choices.

We have the tuxedos picked out!!

All men will be in black suits with
black vest & shoes * & socks too!*

Chris will be wearing a black tie.

Paul (BM) & Brian (GM)
& Matt and Jimmy (ushers)
& other ushers not officially
asked yet
will be wearing red striped ties.

My dad & Chris' Dad
& Grandpa
will be in...

WAIT FOR IT...

black
BOW TIES!
I <3 it!

I am VERY happy with our choices :)

& then there was RaNdoMNess...

I think that's it for updates.

Still finalizing some stationary items. We have to finalize an idea for our "place cards". Or whatever they are called. Escort card. Place cards. I never know which is which!

Only real big thing left to do is choose flowers & centerpieces.

I am very pleased that every vendor we are working with is so
kind &
caring &
supportive.

I think that's important to me. I want a wedding to be complied of good memories to come & kindness & happiness. It starts with the planning of the wedding. Which vendors definitely encompass the planning of the wedding!