Box-Checking

The Knot says that this is what we have to do this month:

Finalize the guest list.

Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests

Purchase and send guests save-the-dates if your celebration is over a holiday weekend or at a faraway locale.

Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Provide the host with contact information for your attendants and any other guests

Finalize menu and service details with caterer

Order your invitations and announcements (don't forget plenty of extra envelopes)

Grooms: Start looking to buy or rent tux, suit, or other formal attire

Grooms: Start planning your groomsmen's attire: Tux or suit

Compile packages for out-of-town guests with hotel reservation and city information, and mail them out

Grooms: Decide on your groomsmen's attire

Grooms: Give all of the groomsmen the information they need to buy and/or reserve their attire.

Make or buy favors. Allow extra time for custom-made favors (i.e., chocolates in a preprinted box)

Grooms: If you are renting a tux, visit the formalwear shop to get measured.

Talk to your maid of honor and best man about party plans (such as the shower and bachelor party).

Pick up your invitations.

If you are handling the bridesmaid dress order, confirm the delivery date

Brides: Confirm delivery date for your gown and schedule fittings

Start addressing invitations or drop them off with the calligrapher (you'll need to send them out at the two-month mark).

Talk to people you'd want to do special performances or readings as part of the ceremony

Start taking better care of yourself (eat right, exercise) so you look and feel great on your wedding day

Arrange for all insurance policies to include you and your future spouse: health, auto, homeowner's, and life insurance.

Grooms: Choose and buy any accessories you will need: shoes, shirt stays, cuff links, and a pocket square.

Brides: Provide a guest list to bridesmaids for your shower.

Arrange wedding-day transportation for you, your wedding party, and guests (as needed).

Send out invitations (be sure to add extra postage for overseas guests).

Begin working on vows, particularly if you're writing your own.

Confirm reservations for out-of-town guests.

Begin writing the ceremony program if you are having one.

Who knew that weddings were so much work??

Stimulus Check

Mine was deposited but it was only for 360 bucks. Where is the missing 240?

Did anyone else receive their checks? If so did any of you get shafted as well?

Ian

Whew! (that is a heaved sigh of accomplishment)

So, we have gotten SO much done in the past few days. We are wedding workhorses, and we are proud. Here is a sampling, for bragging purposes:

*Sent my ring in to have a band made for it. I saw the wax cut of it yesterday and let me tell you- it looks awesome. They look like they were were made for each other! Kind of like me and Ian. Aww.

*And on a ring-related note, the jeweler who is making the wedding band told us that my engagement ring is not white gold after all, but PLATINUM! Just goes to show you, always buy your jewelry from little old ladies who don't know the difference.

*Bought our plane tickets to HAWAII!!!



*Booked a river-view room at River Place Hotel for our wedding night. Yay!



*Um, I think Ian called Cricket Cafe to see if we can have breakfast there the morning after the wedding with the families and a few friends.

*Did I say that we registered at Macy's? We are still looking for a bedding set that suits our style and has a reasonable thread count / price ratio.

Is that all? I can't seem to think of anything else at the moment, but suffice it to say, we had a very productive weekend. Two weekends ago, that is. Last weekend was the laziest 2 days man has ever known. We wore pajamas, ate chips and became intimately acquainted with the couch and DVD/Nintendo player. It was a disgustingly luxurious 48 hours of vegetation and mild gluttony that will not be soon forgotten.

More updates to come!

One for the Students

On my way to work I spotted a flyer for a Portland hostel and remembered that we, in fact, do have a couple of hostels in the area. So that's another option for all the college kids and grads, or really anyone who wants to save some money on lodging for the wedding. The one I have seen is a really nice house on Hawthorne St., a great area for shopping, restaurants, people-watching and general hanging out.

The picture of the other one, which happens to be conveniently right downtown, shows a gorgeous old Victorian house on NW 18th (also a great area with tons of fun stuff within walking distance.

This one has dorms and private rooms, free wireless internet, and several tours available. The dorms are $20 a night and the private rooms start at $36 and go to $69.

If anyone you happen to talk with is interested, send them our way for more information!

Also, here's a list of some things to do around Portland while you're here!

I got one too

Just look at those womanly hands.

Mine is less diamond filled.

Who has the most beautiful engagement ring?

ME!! Wanna see?




Ian gave it to me! He's neat.

WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!! (sort of)

Wanna see? We get to take him home in 4 weeks! Meet Chippy Koopa, your new grandbaby.




And if you wanted to see a recent picture of your other grandbaby:



Ok, please let us know if we start turning into "CAT PEOPLE", as in "the cat lady" but both of us.

For Your Browsing Enjoyment

My dad's recent reply included some links to suit ideas for Ian. Unfortunately, they were blocked visually by the "leave a reply" box and thus un-linkable. As I find his ideas particularly pertinent to the question at hand, I have reproduced his full reply here:

OK, I got some great ideas for you:


First, the stylin' look.


Or, keeping the locale in mind, there's this.


Or, with the new slim & trim look, you might consider this.


Kinda dressy, no?

Then there's something in white. White is always classy.


OK, that's enough of that. Just thought I'd drop a little levity into this blog!

I hope you found that as helpful as I did. On with the search!

Suit

A few questions on what I should wear:

What should I wear?
Macy's has a buy one get one free sale, is that too cheap?
If it is, how much should I spend on my suit?
I am losing a lot of weight, when should I get this thing tailored?

Lisa likes fancy ($$$) but I want to look good without going broke. Ideas?

Ian

Dear "Brandon Warner"

Who are you and how did you find me? You are not my moms and dads!

Lovingly,
Lisa