Soooo Thankful!

For the first time ever, I feel like I'm on top of things...what a GREAT feeling! My invites couldn't have turned out any more PERFECT! MAJOR props to our photographer: Jessica Moen-Baker with One Swift Click. She has been AmAzInG in this WHOLE process, I can't even begin to thank her! She has made us feel so comfortable and has been so easy to talk to I feel like I've known her for years. (Well, it has been about a year and a half that we've dragged the poor thing through our many dates and destinations, what a trooper!!) I can hardly wait to send them all out to you!

On Tuesday, Brad's mom and I went to plan our "design" I think you call it (??) for our wedding cake. Jan's good friend Nikki is creating the masterpiece that will be our wedding cake. Again, another AMAZING person to get to work with and so TALENTED! (Not to mention putting up with my mind changing a million times....I'm starting to see a pattern here...) She gave such great advice and we went from a boring white cake to something that is going to be so beautiful I can HARDLY wait to see it!

Yesterday Brad and I went to the Grand Ely Lodge to do our food tasting. (Not telling the food options, you have to be a LITTLE surprised, right?!) Once again, we had the sweetest person help us through all this. Not to mention she is my co-worker. :) But seriously, Barb is so PERSONABLE and genuine and makes you feel like you are the ONLY Bride and Groom in THE WORLD.

I called David's Bridal today and my bridesmaids' dresses are in--hooray!! (Oh and I got their gifts in the mail the other day!)

And tomorrow I leave for the cities for my first Bridal Shower being put on by my mom's side of the family. We are SO THANKFUL for ALL these people and MANY more! And to ALL of YOU that have been thinking of us and helping us and encouraging us. I could just well up with tears because our friends and family have been the BEST during this whole process. We are SO EXCITED to spend this day with all of you!!

Getting EXCITED!!

All of a sudden I'm really getting butterflys in my stomach at the thought of how close this thing is and the excitement can probably be seen from miles away. Things are slowly falling into place and I have a sense of relaxtion knowing that I'm probably running right on track for how these things are planned. I took the next 3 days off for a girl's weekend that I won't be able to attend for a couple of reasons. So since I can't make it I'm instead going to send Rylee to day care and get a few more little things checked off my list. Then I think I will pamper myself a little, because hey, I deserve it! :)

P.S. The tuxes have been ordered! whoo hoo! One more big thing checked off the list!!!!

The FINAL COUNTDOWN!

WOW! Only 3 months til the big day! I'm feeling alot more ready now days but wondering if I'm going to survive the busy summer with work, planning a wedding and raising a 3 year old!

So here's a few things that have been going on:

1. Last Saturday I met with the florist to pick out bouquets and centerpieces. (Check, check!)

2. Brad found a pastor but told him the wrong time of the ceremony! (Ha! but we'll get that fixed. Check!)

3. The girls, Brad's mom and I went and picked out the girl's bridesmaids dresses and they are ordered and should be here by July. (We went with "fern green" at David's Bridal if you're curious! Check!)

4. I have the bridesmaids gifts picked out and just need to be ordered. (Can't tell, it's a secret! check!)

5. Engagement pictures are done, and we are working on the invites! (whoo hoo! Check!)

6. Group block is set up and rooms are being booked. (Check! Don't forget to book your room!!)

7. Hair appointments are made! (Check!)

So as you can see, I'm feeling pretty good and not so far behind! :) There are a few more things we need to check off our list and I'm sure more will be added.

If you can think of anything we're forgeting, let me know!!

Room Information

Our Group Block is set up! It is under the Larsen/Akemann Wedding Block at the Grand Ely Lodge. For reservations, call (218) 365-6565. Or you can book online at www.grandelylodge.com

1. Go to the "Reservations" Tab on the left hand side

2. Enter in the desired date (reminder the wedding is Sat. Aug. 21! )

3. In the "Group ID" field, enter our ID #103567 (See picture below)

In the screen below, select the desired room type and select "Continue" to go to the next screen which will ask for your name, address, cc info, etc.

We look forward to spending this special day with you!! :)

Engagement Pictures!

This last Saturday we did our Engagement Pictures (I know, a little late!) on Lake Superior with the wonderful, talented Jessica Moen-Baker, who will be also be doing our Wedding Photos. They turned out GREAT! Kudos to her! Enjoy!

">Brad and Tara-Engagement Pictures

Check!

Ok so I can check a FEW things off the list!! :)

#4 Check!
#15 Check!

Oh, oh....I thought I checked more than that off!

Well, I have a few ideas on centerpieces, cake topper and we have talked to a paster, just waiting to hear back from him! We're hopefully doing engagment pictures next weekend...and my appointment with the cake lady got rescheduled. But we have picked the date for the bridal/bachelorrette party (Aug. 7th)...now just to come up with the guest lists.

Feel free to email me you address at tarakay2@yahoo.com!

Too many "TO DOs" before "I DO" !

4 months from today, and I'm starting to panic a little bit!

I have been on this computer for the last hour, hour and a half googling "wedding gifts for bridesmaids, wedding centerpiece ideas, wedding jewelry, wedding flowers". If it has "WEDDING" in front of it, believe me I HAVE GOOGLED IT! And the worst of it is, the more I look the harder it is and the more behind I feel. I need to keep reminding myself of the "for sure things". The things that I am 100% about so that I have a little confidence in my planning skills. I tend to second guess everything, and so I have changed my mind about too many things. (I have probably collectivly planned 3 different wedding in the last year in a half!)

Ok so here's some "FOR SURE THINGS"

1.) Brad (whew, right!)
2.) Location
3.) Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girl & Ring Bearer
4.) Rings
5.) Dress
6.) Color of the wedding
7.) Photographer
8.) Date (I guess this counts too, huh?)
9.) Who's doing the cake
10.) Who's doing the flowers

Doesn't look too bad, huh? Until I remember it's FOUR MONTHS AWAY and my "TO DO LIST" looks like this!:

1.) Pastor
2.) DJ
3.) Centerpieces
4.) Bridesmaid Dresses
5.) Tux
6.) Bouquets
7.) Cake
8.) Gifts for bridesmaids/groomsmen
9.) Dinner menu
10.) Chair covers??
11.) Rent chairs for outside
12.) Engagement pictures
13.) Invites
14.) Set up Group Block
15.) Make hair appointments
16.) Plan Grooms dinner
17.) etc, etc, etc!!

If you have any suggestions I would be more than happy to hear them! :) Wish me luck!