Invitees

OK Here is my conundrum.

Someone else in my program is getting married before me and she invited the whole class.  That was really nice of her!  I am definitely going to the reception, the ceremony unfortunately is still on Shabbat and I can't get there (but the reception is after Shabbat, so I can make it!).  The thing is, she is getting married in Chicago, so it's different, kind of?  I'll explain.

Our wedding is in Maryland.  There is a good chance most people in my program won't be able to make it because flying is too expensive and it's a 12 hour drive.  Plus, on top of that, the hotel costs, etc.

So then, should I invite everyone in my program, or just the people I am close with?  We are having numbers issues, and are cutting back on invitees because we are running out of space.  I don't want to invite the whole program because we just don't have room for many more people.  I don't want to invite select people for the reason that BECAUSE most people won't be able to come anyway, all that would accomplish is making some type of statement as to who my "real" friends are in the program.  Or, should I not invite anyone from the program (I don't really like this option, I have already become good friends with some of my classmates)?

On a positive note, a surprising number of our friends have already said they have booked hotels or flights!  People we were unsure of because of financial concerns are coming anyway!  How exciting!!  They are sharing hotel rooms, shacking up with friends in the area, etc.  Some are even coming for the whole weekend!

Updates & Clarification

HEY everyone,

#1, I wanted to clarify something important about the blog, because I think I have given the wrong impression to some people.  This blog is where I post things that I like, things that I think are pretty, not necessarily things that I *have* to have.  I'm not actually a bridezilla.  I just think things are pretty.  Mostly, I am flexible about the wedding, and have in fact given up control over most things because I don't have time or I'm not overly concerned with how it turns out.  I do have general ideas as to what I want, which I post here, but it's not set in stone!  So what I post here is the same as a bride-to-be buying bridal magazines and clipping things out that are cute.

Also, just a note, I lapsed in renewing my domain name, so images may not show up on the site for a couple of days.  They will be back soon, hopefully.

#2, Updates!  We are having our invitations done by OrangeBeautiful, and they are pretty awesome, so check them out.  They also have a blog, where they post pretty things that THEY like!  I'm having my second meeting with them next Thursday, when we'll go over some designs they are working on for our awesome invitations.  The invitation is going to have a tri-fold, with the third section being a tear-off RSVP postcard.  How fun!  They're going to play off of the cuteness of the imagery of our Hebrew names, which mean Bird and Tree.  WE ARE SO ADORABLE.

Also, I am taking a trip to Maryland in December to meet with florists and wedding planners.  We are thinking of hiring someone for the weekend to make sure things go smoothly, and if not the weekend then definitely a day-of coordinator.  My mom is putting together the itinerary of my meetings and I'll just go to them and chat (maybe we will go together?)

Things are coming together without me having to do too much, which is also awesome.  My mom and JewishGuy's dad are working on Shabbat services, the whole family is participating, reading Torah or Haftorah or having aliyot or leading services.  It's going to be awesome.  I am really excited. :)

DesignerChick is working on setting up a consult with her make-up artist for me also for my trip in December.  I probably won't have the dress yet, but we are going to design my make-up concept.  Ha!

CankeyB along with my other bridesmaids are hard at work on my bachelorette party, although I don't know much about it other than it will be a slumber party the Thursday night before the wedding.  OBVIOUSLY I am ridiculously excited!  (Also... I have a sneaking suspicion there might be a "surprise" bachelorette party for me here in Chicago thrown by people in my program...)

I think that's it for now in terms of updates...!

Long Time No Post

Well, it's really been a long time since I've done a wedding post.  Basically, I am overloaded with grad work, so I have pretty much given everything away that I can give away for other people to do.  I am immensely grateful for the stepping-in of family and future-family!  I don't know how this would happen if it were just up to JewishGuy and me, seeing as how we are both working our butts off and JewishGuy is traveling at an average every other week.

However, things are getting done.  My mom is working with a florist for various arrangements, JewishMIL is going to MAKE the chuppah (woo!), we are going to do our own centerpieces, we've booked our print media contract (OrangeBeautiful, check them out, they are awesome).  We've made some decisions, like no wedding cake but heaps of desserts.  People are volunteering for Torah reading, JewishGuy is doing the Haftorah, for our aufruf.

Still have no dress!

And on and on.  One day I will be finished with the major assignments and I can go back to posting!

Gorgeous!

I took this photo from Jessica and Ben's post about a featured photographer, Tec Pataja.

I just think this is a gorgeous veil.  I don't know if it's what I want, but it is so pretty!