<p>Don’t know what music would be suitable…unless it’s techno contra or something. I don’t expect to have the slide show as a presentation to all – just looping on S2’s monitor. DIL’s dad did something for her 21st bday that I think he may want to use when he makes his comments – we’ll see when he gets here.</p>
<p>JEM, we were married 14 years before we bought our first house. Had to pay off the student loans, get past the child care expenses and save for the down payment. Things seemed easier then, ya know?</p>
<p>I think the Etsy artist who did the cake topper forgot we had agreed on expedited shipping. It’s coming from Israel and it normally takes three weeks. She knew the wedding date and I had OK’d the expedited expense. I should have checked the final stuff more carefully. I am sick about it. Please point PVCs in that little box’s direction! I have a picture of it which we could frame and put on the top of the cake, or I guess we could get a Tardis. But, ^%$#, that topper is so cute and perfect.</p>
<p>^ If she knew the wedding date and you OK’ed expedited shipping I am hoping you will be OK. Can you e-mail her to ask and put your mind at rest? (Don’t know what a PVC is though.)</p>
<p>On the other hand I figure we all have to accept that something will not go as planned and we will have to roll with it. </p>
<p>My big uncontrollable is the weather and I am already prepping to say to myself, “All that really matters is that they have a good, long, happy marriage.”</p>
<p>You are doing a tremendous job, CD, and my MOB hat is off to you.</p>
<p>Oh, CD, I hope it all works out about the cake topper. I do understand that after putting so very much thought and detail into all these preparations, it’s perfectly natural to be disappointed. Another MOB hat off to you…hang in there. The most important thing (and the thing I keep saying to myself) is that, in the end, they will be married!</p>
<p>I heard a story from a new bride the other day…she actually had the same dress my D chose, but the store had ordered a size that was WAY too big. It was altered for her, but it just did not look like it’s supposed to (lace with a “keyhole” back…altered, it looked more like a slit than a “keyhole”). It was still lovely, though. The real kicker was that they’d ordered a custom made cathedral veil with lace to match the dress. They got the veil, took everything down to Florida for their destination beach wedding, and on the wedding day—after hair and makeup was done and the dress was on… NO VEIL. Somehow it got lost and, I gather, never turned up.</p>
<p>She’s married, though, and happy. Had a lovely wedding day. That’s what all us MOBs have to focus on! (I keep telling myself).</p>
<p>We were on weather alert and tiger lily alert all week before D’s wedding. Torrential rainfall day before, but sun came out about an hour before on day of. Just enough time for chairs to be set out (though we’d have made people stand for 5 minutes if necessary and there were a few benches if someone couldn’t.)</p>
<p>Tiger lilies bloomed late this year. 1 bloomed 2 days before, 4 on the day before (remember they’re day lilies so you can’t stockpile them), then day of there were 12–just enough for each bridesmaid to carry one and a bouquet of them for D.</p>
<p>A week later there were hundreds, possibly thousands each day (yes, in June, we’re the tiger lily house–people stop and point when they go by.)</p>
<p>^ Great re the tiger lilies, garland. So special that your D could use flowers from your home garden.</p>
<p>I am a big flower gardener but my D does not share my passion. A friend of her fiance’s does floral work as a sideline and offered to do the flowers for the wedding. When someone asked me what flowers my D would be using, I asked her, and all she could tell me was that they had met with this friend, had gone over pictures online, and that the flowers were “pretty ones.” I told her I was SO glad they were not going with UGLY flowers for this event! ARGH!! Have no idea what she is carrying in her bouquet, etc. … but am sure it will be fine!
(Can’t ask the fiance either as he is equally as clueless on this topic. They are a match for sure.)</p>
<p>P.S. Actually, I have a suspicion based on their theme color and the season, but will have to see if I am correct.</p>
<p>CountingDown - I cannot, cannot, cannot wait to help you set up for the reception. So exciting. I can hop in the car and take care of any last minute situations that arise. Your preparations sound cool - my daughter is also geeky.</p>
<p>Well if that topper doesn’t arrive it will make a great first anniversary present, but I’m sending speedy vibes your way. </p>
<p>We got married in August in Pasadena. It never ever rains in August, but we had a sprinkle that morning. Just the weather gods messing with us apparently!</p>
<p>We were pretty poor too. Married at 28. Post doc in Germany - we shared a furnished apartment for three years then traded places with someone in the same building for a smaller apartment we could have on our own. We didn’t get a house until we’d been married over five years, but that was really because we were in Germany most of that time! We’ve been lucky with furniture, much of it came from my parents and later from dh’s parents.</p>
<p>My son just became engaged last weekend! I hope that whatever they decide to do, it is meaningful for them and reflects them. I live on the other side of the world and as next summer is also busy with 2 graduations, can’t be very practically helpful in a hand’s on way except maybe a week or so before the wedding. My nephew was married last month and his very crafty and talented mother was so vital to their being able to do what they did on the budget they had. </p>
<p>My current plan is to offer opinions only when asked and to send a check… but it would be fun to be helpful in a more tangible way…</p>
<p>robyrm - Congratulations on your S’s engagement. By coincidence, my D got engaged last weekend. We are looking 2015, but weddings are on my mind these days.</p>
<p>Counting down I can’t believe the wedding is almost here. How great that eddie is going to be with you!</p>
<p>Eddie, it is so kind of you to help me! We are still debating whether to spring for an extra hour of setup time, esp. since the venue seems adamant about not letting us in before 1 pm. Was over there today taking measurements and scouting out stuff one more time.</p>
<p>Update on the cake topper: It has gotten to NYC and based on what I found online re: the status posting, it just might have cleared Customs already. Cross your fingers, send good vibes, etc.! Have not heard from the artist. I’m wondering if perhaps she <em>did</em> send it expedited and simply charged me the wrong amount for shipping. If that’s the case, I’ll happily fork over the extra $18.</p>
<p>Veil is done. Tiara wire frame is done. Steampunk tile coasters almost done – 20 left out of 240. Installed the new printer tonight so I can start production on the menu cards, program fans and table assignments. Gotta see if the scanning function works for all those old baby/toddler pics. I have pics of S1 at a computer when he was six weeks old (and regularly after that). S2 and I bought wine tonight; found a nice chardonnay at the TJ’s next door to the wine shop (we went to VA) for a VERY reasonable price.</p>
<p>We still have the sofa we bought in 1985! </p>
<p>Going to go clean out the fridge now.</p>
<p>Congrats to robyrm2 and FallGirl! The fun is just beginning!</p>
<p>Today is wedding day for CountingDown’s son. Set up was so much fun and was fairly smooth. Much joy and a few stressful moments, but she handled it well. Everything looks beautiful and very personalized. I will let her tell the rest, but just know she is super organized and so talented.</p>