How's everyone's week/any checks?

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

Anything, anyone?

FI and I decided to nix the unity candle and go for the three cord ceremony instead. Small problem though: Since we didn't decide until now, we left the unity candle on our BBB registry, just in case...and someone bought it.

Soooo...here is the registry question of the day. Do you need a reciept to return things? Or will they accept it without because it was a shower/wedding gift? I mean, obviously Macy's is going to take back Martha Stewart Collection items, since they are only sold there, but what about the other items?

Other than that, I can't wait for SATURDAY!! It's my SHOWER!!! I can't wait to see everyone! Side note: What should I wear?! Skinny jeans and a nice top, a casual dress? I have my dress that I bought for the rehearsal dinner ($25 at Forever 21...they have a great plus size section where the first word that comes to mind is "chic" not "dowdy"!), but because it was so inexpensive, I could wear that and leggings (it has a black stretchy teeshirt top with an empire skirt that is white and black messy squares, its not on the website anymore), and then, for that price, either check out the store again or order off the website. Thoughts???

dibsontop · August 2010

If nothing else, you should at least be able to return it to BBB for store credit/gift card. And I'm sure you'll have no trouble using it.

I had such a hard time figuring out what to wear to my shower. Since I knew about it ahead of time, it put all that much more pressure on me. I mean, if you didn't know about it, you're forgiven for your outfit choice. But if you do know about it then all I could think in my head is that people are thinking, "that's what she chose to wear?!" LOL

Anyway, I went with a nice pair of dark jean with a new, bright yellow floral print top from Old Navy with a white cami underneath. I was afraid I'd be underdressed but I was happy with my choice in the end. I felt comfortable and not super fancy, like I would have if I'd gone with a dress. Personally, I was really nervous and not looking forward to the shower (I'm an extremely shy person even around family and HATE attention), so comfort was key for me that day.

JayElleJayCee · August 2010

I think skinny jeans and a really nice top is the best outfit for almost anything!! lol

This week is good. I finally put the deposit down on my venue! woo hoo!!!

I have interviewed 3 photographers so far
Barnyard Photography
Photography by Leah
BlackSilver Imaging

and I have a meeting with Marisa Taylor on Sunday (who I recently found out I used to work with years ago) lol

ps.. where is everyone?? I feel like the board is lacking some action this past week... I think it's time for a siggy challenge? or something!

Hope everyone else is coming along!

LandM11 · August 2010

I agree- skinny jeans and a cute top. Very cute. Plus, you are the bride, you can get away with anything

JayElle- I'm meeting with the same 3 photographers this weekend! That is too funny!

JayElleJayCee · August 2010

LANDM11 - that IS too funny. lol. This was my experience...

Barnyard - Loved Ben - he was very confident and he shoots haunted houses! haha. One our favorite things!! The prices are amazing!! The only downside is that you have to pay money to choose your photographer (they have several that work for the company) however I don't doubt their ability too much. Ben seems like a perfectionist. Both FI and I felt very comfortable with him and so far he is our top contestant.

Leah - She was very nice and professional. Her pictures are beautiful!!! I probably would have gone with her but she was a little more expensive than I wanted to go. And she only has 3 package options and there really wasn't an option to create your own package.

BlackSilver - I met with Paul. It was the quickest meeting out of the 3. He was nice but a little quiet. He didn't really have that many pics in his portfolio to show me but he did understand the vision I wanted. His wife Cammy is very nice through e-mail. The prices there are also great, however, he didn't really want to negotiate too much (i don't need a flatscreen display of my ceremony pics which is offered in all of the packages) I wanted to take that out and add an extra hour to a package but that was a no go.

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

Jay and LandM, I am going to PM you both about Barnyard. Be on the lookout.

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

JLJC, I can't message you for some reason- it says you aren't a registered user. Do you have an email address I can email you at?

JayElleJayCee · August 2010

THAT'S WEIRD! yes jayellejaycee@yahoo.com

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

Sent.

JayElleJayCee · August 2010

thx! I sent you one back!

LandM11 · August 2010

Thanks for all the information!!!

RecoveringActor · August 2010

Generally speaking, Kohls will take back pretty much anything. Regardless if you have a receipt or not. One of the women who worked the CS desk at Kohls said "and depending on whose back here... regardless of if its even sold at Kohls or not." So if Macy's won't take it back, try Kohls!!

I will have kind of a big check next week... my FMIL was supposed to be making my dress, but the pattern I picked is, well, impossible to be fitted.... so now I'm going dress shopping next Saturday! Ack!

rainsfallsoftly · August 2010

I'm going to have to check out the Forever 21 Plus section--had no idea they had that. I think both the jeans/nice shirt or dress would look nice, but if it were me, I would probably wear the dress.

I have some checks, but they are not all from this week. Up until last month, all I had booked was the venue, but as I crept up on the one year mark, I started to think I better get a move on! Here's my checks, all within the last month:

Within last month
Photographer-Creative Imagery
DJ-Don Timlin from D&J DJ Service
Officiant-Bryant Heisinger
Videographer--guy I work with who's just starting his own videography business; wasn't originally going to do videography, but he does great work and gave me a good deal

Within last week

Flowers-Belak Flowers (Thanks for the recommendations, ladies! Posted how that went on my BF thread.)
Bridesmaids' dresses-not purchased, but color and fabric picked (pool blue, chiffon, knee length)
Save the dates--designed and ordered from Vista Print
Wedding website-put some details on it

I think that's it but feel like I am forgetting something!

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

Great job ladies!

Yeah, the Plus Size section is to the back of the store. If you are standing in front of the dressing rooms, looking at them, the section is to the left. And the turn over at the store/on the website is very, very high- like every two weeks, they have completely new items in. But the prices can't be beat. A pair of skinny jeans for $11.50, a pair of jeggings for $9, camis for $3.50...obviously they have some other stuff that was more pricey, but the basics are great prices. And dresses for $25? Yes Please and Thank You.

JayElleJayCee · August 2010

Forever21 is one of my favorite stores! I can get lost in that store for hours!

EiDuffy · August 2010

i would go with a dress, but i love an excuse to dress up a little more than usual...i haven't really made any progress yet this week, still emailing back and forth with the caterer we might go with, got an estimate (wow- more than i thought it would be) so hopefully i will book him within the next few days...

JayElleJayCee · August 2010

Ei - When you got your estimate from Bixby's did they charge $800 for china and $1000 for a service fee on top of the price pp??

EiDuffy · August 2010

JLJC
We have to rent everything for our venue so for china, tables, chairs etc it was a fee of $1200, $450 for linens, $650 for dance floor, $50pp, $1500 for staff, no other service fee that i saw...

JayElleJayCee · August 2010

Wow!!!! That's alot!!! I feel like when you think of hiring a caterer things would be different. I spoke with Glen from Appleton catering when I first started planning to get ideas of venues. When I told him I wanted Bellevue he said that he used to cater to Bellevue and that they have "hidden fees". Apparently Bellevue charges the caterer around a thousand dollars and the caterer is expected to charge the customer. Glen didn't agree with it so he no longer caters there. That's why I was wondering what the charge was for a different venue. And that's why I ultimately decided to not go with Bellevue. It was my dream place but it was just wayyyy too much after you factor in catering + the rental!

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

Unfortunately, there is often a misconception that catering it will be cheaper than going with an all-inclusive hall.

When we first started out, we looked at one of the VFWs that had just redone it's hall. While it was pretty and all, the lady we were going to use for catering (who was a friend of the family also) asked us where else we were looking and how much it was. When we told her we were going to look at Executive, Clayton Hall, etc, she told me flat out that with the catering, china, table, chair, glassware, silverware, and all the other fees (gas/transportation, cooking, serving staff, etc), there was no way she would be able to beat the prices that they offer- plus the halls often have extra incentives, like a free cake and free centerpieces, things she wasn't able to do.

Just a thought to consider for you other brides. Explore all options before choosing the one that you think is the least expensive. You never know what you may find to actually be the true cost effective way to go.

How's everyone's week/any checks?

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