So my mom came out last week and helped me with my dress decision. Really there was not much of a decision left on the dress front because I had more or less decided on the one I wanted before she came out, but I still wanted her opinion on it. After trying on the one that I was eyeing and the one that was in the runner up position, we both decided that the first one was the one. Then came the hard decisions...the veil and accessories. I have two necklaces that were passed down to me from my grandmother and great great aunt...pearls vs something sparkly. The sparkles won in that category. I also found a hair accessory that I got for half off (Score!) and my veil. I am still undecided as to whether I will wear a bracelet of some sort and I still need shoes and a garter, but other than that I think I am set.
So now on to the other things that I need to do....next up on the docket: Bridesmaid dresses, photographer and officiant...among others. Sigh!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Update: Photographers and Dress
So I have finally started doing some more planning and such. This weekend I was looking at photographers that are in and around Victoria. Most of the photographers have package prices/details on their websites, but there were a few that didn't so I decided to send them a quick note saying that I was looking at several photographers and that I would like information about their packages.
The two responses that I got were very different. The response from one photographer was a simple congratulations and an attached pdf file with information about the packages and such. The response from the other one however was a little more infuriating. The first response from second photographer was a whole list of achievements and a long drawn-out explanation that he would like to meet Jeff and I to see if we click and such and how it is important that the photographer and client click and whatever and a small mention that packages start at $950. Ok, so I agree that you want to work with somebody that you can stand working with. Nobody wants to work with a jackass. But to send a ridiculously long email and to not actually answer my initial questions, you have already started out on the wrong foot.
So I emailed this photographer back asking for the package details and price ranges. This time he sent them but also added the following line: "On thing I know for sure is that most people who have hired a photographer on the price bases are regretting now…"
Interesting. I wonder why he would say that....oh because the cheapest bare bones package (2hrs of time, coverage of ceremony, portrait session with bride and groom and one pic with guest) is $1450 and the ultimate package (Full day coverage with all the perks) is almost $10000. Hmmm people who have hired a photographer bases on prices...um hello! there is this thing called a budget. I realize that the portraits are important and that they are the only lasting memeory of the day. but there is no way I am paying close to $10000 for the ultimate package when there is a photographer who will do the same full day coverage but not necessarily the same amount of pictures for approximately a fifth of the cost. Now I can understand why he didn't want to give me the prices! Cuz they are totally outrageous and way outside my budget.
On another front though, I finally kicked my butt out the front door and went to look at wedding dresses. I was kinda dreading this part because all of my wedding party and my mom are out of town so I have to go looking by myself. Its a scary prospect especially when you have no idea what you are in for once you walk in the door. So I decided to go to two different stores this weekend...however I only went to one actually. The first one I went to did not make me comfortable at all and it makes me wonder how they actually get any business at all. This shop was in a part of town that is not the most safe feeling (I know what you are saying, you are in London, not Calgary or Toronto, how is there a place that is not safe feeling there, well trust me I did not feel safe walking around there). To add to the uncomfortable feeling, the shop is beside what looks like an abandoned building, the front facade of the building is a worn and could use some love and in one of the display windows I can see paint trays. Hmmm not something I want to see around wedding dresses. So I didn't go in.
The second store however was much better. They were very helpful and I think that I found my dress. I am just waiting to think about it, and I think my mom is going to come out in a couple weeks to help me finalize my decision. So no progress on the photographer front just yet, but yay on the possible dress.
The two responses that I got were very different. The response from one photographer was a simple congratulations and an attached pdf file with information about the packages and such. The response from the other one however was a little more infuriating. The first response from second photographer was a whole list of achievements and a long drawn-out explanation that he would like to meet Jeff and I to see if we click and such and how it is important that the photographer and client click and whatever and a small mention that packages start at $950. Ok, so I agree that you want to work with somebody that you can stand working with. Nobody wants to work with a jackass. But to send a ridiculously long email and to not actually answer my initial questions, you have already started out on the wrong foot.
So I emailed this photographer back asking for the package details and price ranges. This time he sent them but also added the following line: "On thing I know for sure is that most people who have hired a photographer on the price bases are regretting now…"
Interesting. I wonder why he would say that....oh because the cheapest bare bones package (2hrs of time, coverage of ceremony, portrait session with bride and groom and one pic with guest) is $1450 and the ultimate package (Full day coverage with all the perks) is almost $10000. Hmmm people who have hired a photographer bases on prices...um hello! there is this thing called a budget. I realize that the portraits are important and that they are the only lasting memeory of the day. but there is no way I am paying close to $10000 for the ultimate package when there is a photographer who will do the same full day coverage but not necessarily the same amount of pictures for approximately a fifth of the cost. Now I can understand why he didn't want to give me the prices! Cuz they are totally outrageous and way outside my budget.
On another front though, I finally kicked my butt out the front door and went to look at wedding dresses. I was kinda dreading this part because all of my wedding party and my mom are out of town so I have to go looking by myself. Its a scary prospect especially when you have no idea what you are in for once you walk in the door. So I decided to go to two different stores this weekend...however I only went to one actually. The first one I went to did not make me comfortable at all and it makes me wonder how they actually get any business at all. This shop was in a part of town that is not the most safe feeling (I know what you are saying, you are in London, not Calgary or Toronto, how is there a place that is not safe feeling there, well trust me I did not feel safe walking around there). To add to the uncomfortable feeling, the shop is beside what looks like an abandoned building, the front facade of the building is a worn and could use some love and in one of the display windows I can see paint trays. Hmmm not something I want to see around wedding dresses. So I didn't go in.
The second store however was much better. They were very helpful and I think that I found my dress. I am just waiting to think about it, and I think my mom is going to come out in a couple weeks to help me finalize my decision. So no progress on the photographer front just yet, but yay on the possible dress.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
ARRG!
Ok so this is not a wedding post but it totally fits into the title of my blog (What have I gotten myself into!).
Jeff and I recently purchased new appliances for the condo (stove, washer, dryer, and dishwasher). We got the first three a couple weeks a go and they are working wonderfully. We had a bit of trouble disconnecting the washer from the water and putting the stacking kit together for the washer/dryer, but overall it went well.
We are now getting our dishwasher today and oh my god I don't know who to shoot first...the person that installed the dishwasher in the first place or the person who installed the newer tiles before I bought the place.
Let me back up. The way our delivery works from the place we bought the appliances is that they will deliver and take the old ones away (for a fee of course) but we have to disconnect them from all supplies before they get here. Ok fine. That is ridiculously easy for a stove, a washer and a dryer and in theroy fairly easy for a dishwasher...
Here are the steps for unhooking a dishwasher.
1. Turn off power to the dishwasher. Check
2. Turn off water to the dishwasher. Check
3. Locate power supply, drain hose and water supply. Check (Score, the power supply is a plug in the wall behind the dishwasher!), Check (the drain is easily removed) and Check....wait, the water supply is connected by a copper pipe running from the shut off valve to the dishwasher that seems unremovable. Oh crap!
4. Disconnect power supply. --> will do when the unit is pulled out
5. Disconnect water supply. --> oh wait we can't because it seems that the dishwasher was installed when the condo was built and therefore it is "hard piped" in. There is a connection on the dishwasher side but it is impossible to disconnect and there is absolutly no connection point near the shut off valve.
6. Disconnect drain. --> What's the point when I can't disconnect the water supply.
7. Pull unit out.--> oh wait the tiles are notched around the feet of the dishwasher and the notch is not big enough to be able to pull the unit straight out. For *beep* sakes!
So there you go, how to remove a dish washer in seven easy steps. Oh wait, it's still in there.
The solution? Mr Rooter. Yes we had to call a freaking plumber to help replace our dishwasher. As of this moment, we are in the 9-12 window for service today and the dishwasher is supposed to be delivered sometime today (don't have the 4 hour window for that yet). Hopefully once the water is disconnected we will be able to get the dishwasher out without breaking the tiles.
BREAKING NEWS...The dishwasher will be here in an hour and we still can't get the old one out. Oh joy. We will get a refund on our takeaway fee. Can this day get any better?
Jeff and I recently purchased new appliances for the condo (stove, washer, dryer, and dishwasher). We got the first three a couple weeks a go and they are working wonderfully. We had a bit of trouble disconnecting the washer from the water and putting the stacking kit together for the washer/dryer, but overall it went well.
We are now getting our dishwasher today and oh my god I don't know who to shoot first...the person that installed the dishwasher in the first place or the person who installed the newer tiles before I bought the place.
Let me back up. The way our delivery works from the place we bought the appliances is that they will deliver and take the old ones away (for a fee of course) but we have to disconnect them from all supplies before they get here. Ok fine. That is ridiculously easy for a stove, a washer and a dryer and in theroy fairly easy for a dishwasher...
Here are the steps for unhooking a dishwasher.
1. Turn off power to the dishwasher. Check
2. Turn off water to the dishwasher. Check
3. Locate power supply, drain hose and water supply. Check (Score, the power supply is a plug in the wall behind the dishwasher!), Check (the drain is easily removed) and Check....wait, the water supply is connected by a copper pipe running from the shut off valve to the dishwasher that seems unremovable. Oh crap!
4. Disconnect power supply. --> will do when the unit is pulled out
5. Disconnect water supply. --> oh wait we can't because it seems that the dishwasher was installed when the condo was built and therefore it is "hard piped" in. There is a connection on the dishwasher side but it is impossible to disconnect and there is absolutly no connection point near the shut off valve.
6. Disconnect drain. --> What's the point when I can't disconnect the water supply.
7. Pull unit out.--> oh wait the tiles are notched around the feet of the dishwasher and the notch is not big enough to be able to pull the unit straight out. For *beep* sakes!
So there you go, how to remove a dish washer in seven easy steps. Oh wait, it's still in there.
The solution? Mr Rooter. Yes we had to call a freaking plumber to help replace our dishwasher. As of this moment, we are in the 9-12 window for service today and the dishwasher is supposed to be delivered sometime today (don't have the 4 hour window for that yet). Hopefully once the water is disconnected we will be able to get the dishwasher out without breaking the tiles.
BREAKING NEWS...The dishwasher will be here in an hour and we still can't get the old one out. Oh joy. We will get a refund on our takeaway fee. Can this day get any better?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Order of operations...
So I have started to look into the various little details like what kind of flowers I want to have (I believe I have settled on lilies...now whether they will be calla or otherwise is still up in the air), bridesmaid dresses, centerpieces, etc, but I seem to keep coming back to the same problem...order of operations!
For example. I have been looking at bridesmaid dresses. There are some that I like the style of but then I start thinking: "Well if I have these three as my bridal party, will they want/be comfortable in strapless gowns? Should they by long or short? I should probably try to get a style that flatters all of my bridesmaids....however I should confirm who they are first.
Another example is the centerpieces. To try to save some money I have decided that instead of the traditional flower centerpieces that I would try to find some celestial themed centerpiece/candle holder (which I think I have found) but then it comes down to how many do I order. I want one per table, maybe some other ones else where but the number of tables is highly contingent on the number of guests and the number of guest per table.
I think that overall, I am probably attacking the wrong things first which is why I am coming up with these dilemmas. You would think that I would know how to use the order of operations by now, but I guess not.
On an update note, I believe that Jeff and I have determined our bridal party and we will be asking people in the next day or two. Hopefully that will clear up some of the confusion on my part. Oh and prepare for the cutest flower girl and ring bearers ever (Jeff's Niece and Nephew)...at least in our opinion :)
For example. I have been looking at bridesmaid dresses. There are some that I like the style of but then I start thinking: "Well if I have these three as my bridal party, will they want/be comfortable in strapless gowns? Should they by long or short? I should probably try to get a style that flatters all of my bridesmaids....however I should confirm who they are first.
Another example is the centerpieces. To try to save some money I have decided that instead of the traditional flower centerpieces that I would try to find some celestial themed centerpiece/candle holder (which I think I have found) but then it comes down to how many do I order. I want one per table, maybe some other ones else where but the number of tables is highly contingent on the number of guests and the number of guest per table.
I think that overall, I am probably attacking the wrong things first which is why I am coming up with these dilemmas. You would think that I would know how to use the order of operations by now, but I guess not.
On an update note, I believe that Jeff and I have determined our bridal party and we will be asking people in the next day or two. Hopefully that will clear up some of the confusion on my part. Oh and prepare for the cutest flower girl and ring bearers ever (Jeff's Niece and Nephew)...at least in our opinion :)
Thursday, August 5, 2010
And so it begins...
I have wanted to start a blog for a little while now (ever since watching Julie & Julia on one of my random plane trips) but have not been able to think of a topic or a cool name, or have been living in a cool place far from friends and family that I feel compelled to tell everybody about (Ya, London Ontario just doesn't cut it as an awesome cool place that deserves to be blogged about)
However, I have determined that a great topic for the next year can be the planning of my wedding. My hope (at least until the wedding) is for this blog to connect Jeff and I with our wedding party (still to be determined) and families that are inevitably going to be spread across country if not the globe. After that, we will see what else I get myself into that I can talk about.
So without further ado, I will take this opportunity to announce our date/location and post a nifty countdown widget
Date: July 16 2011
Location: Victoria, BC
More details will follow soon I hope.
However, I have determined that a great topic for the next year can be the planning of my wedding. My hope (at least until the wedding) is for this blog to connect Jeff and I with our wedding party (still to be determined) and families that are inevitably going to be spread across country if not the globe. After that, we will see what else I get myself into that I can talk about.
So without further ado, I will take this opportunity to announce our date/location and post a nifty countdown widget
Date: July 16 2011
Location: Victoria, BC
More details will follow soon I hope.
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