“I have fought and conquered”

was the theme for today, and it just so happens to be the official Byrne family motto.

I drove to Rockford today to do what I affectionately refer to as “wedding crap.”  My first stop was an appointment at a florist shop.  I’m not going to name it, because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to go with them.  I want to get an idea of what it would cost to have a florist do our flowers vs me creating fake flower arrangements vs getting fresh flowers online at Sam’s Club and creating the arrangements.  There are some really gorgeous fake flowers out there, but there is still something about real flowers.  A coworker recently did the Sam’s thing for her daughter’s wedding, and she was very pleased.

Our wedding colors are (pretty much) robin’s egg blue, black, and white.  BUT, I’m not all matchy-matchy, so I don’t really want the flowers to look that way.  My favorite color is green, so I’d like that in there, plus, I like pink, purple, and yellow.  I also don’t want ginormous bouquets.

Act I…

Back to the visit to the florist…she had me look through a book for ideas.  I would have preferred to have looked at the real thing, but this florist isn’t doing so well (another reason I know I won’t be going with them).  I flipped through page after page after page, and, wouldn’t you know it, the bouquet I even remotely liked was the last one in the book!

I kinda sorta liked these for boutteneires and corsages:

The bottom are the corsages and the top are the boutonnieres

Interlude…

After this appointment, I met Logan and my mom at Beef-a-Roo in Roscoe, then we went to my parents’ house where I worked on the guest list.

Act II…

Next came the meeting with the caterer.  Mom and I met Todd’s dad, Gary, and stepmom, Mel, at ABC Catering where we talked with Erin.  Erin was great!  She talked us through everything, and knew to think of things that I hadn’t thought about like table linens, silverware, table skirts, etc.  Todd and I are very lucky to have parents who are so generous and love us so much.  I get all teary eyed thinking about how generous they are!  It was at this meeting that it all became real for me, and I realized…

…we’re getting married!!

Another Interlude…

We all headed over to Big Al’s for drinks and appetizers.  Debbie, my matron of honour, met us there.  We had great conversation, food and drinks, and we all got to know each other better.

Act III

The last of the wedding crap was a bridal show at the Indoor Sportscore.  My friend and fellow bride-to-be Erica met us there, and we walked from booth to booth picking up freebies and signing up for prizes.  It was a great surprise to see our friend and wedding party member JD Mason, of Delta Disc Jockeys, set up at a table!  Quinn, who’s standing on the other side of me is another friend, and employee at Delta, who will be our DJ.

Quinn, Amy, and JD

It was a great day, and a great night, but I’m glad I’m done!  I hope no one asks me to make a decision for a couple of days, at least.  I’m all decisioned out!

The Wedding Warriors

Mel, Amy, Linda, and Debbie

Stay Tuned…

Tomorrow morning I try Curves Circuit Zumba!