Go you Panthers go!

So, have you  heard? Elder High School (Alex’s Alma Mater) has a chance of making it to State Finals in football this year! Woo hoo!

However, the game might fall on the same day as the wedding! (Oh no is right!)

The wedding was already planned to accommodate the OSU/Michigan football game (per my brother’s request) but I never thought about a high school football conflict. ha ha! Just to be clear…I will not be upset if anyone is sneaking away to catch the latest scores or wearing ear plugs throughout the day! Just make sure you share updates with all of us! :o)

I wish the team the best…and will try my hardest to get Father Bolte to bless the team during his homily…and have the reception band learn the Elder Fight Song! Alex taught me the song many years ago…when he asked me to wear his Letterman jacket…in college!

Go you Panthers, go.
And let this wide world know
Of Purple Panther might,
So fight team, fight, fight, fight!

When the Panther roars,
The Panther always scores.
So hit ‘em high and hit ‘em low,
Go, you Panthers, go!

I’m lovin’ it

Yes. I must confess. I caved. Today….

I ate a cheeseburger.
Not just any cheeseburger.
But a “McDonald’s Cheeseburger”….and well
…a small order of fries.
And you know what?

I loved every bite of it.

I’m done stressing about fitting into my dress…because I pick it up tomorrow! There is no more time to take it in / let it out! No more worrying about a silly wedding diet! The time has come. The wedding is next weekend! (insert smile)

That cheeseburger was the best $1.00 I spent in a long time. :o)

How to make a beauftiful life together

My Aunt Eileen has always been an inspirational person in my life. She is my dad’s sister and the wife of my late Godfather Tom Holtzhaur.   I was very touched by a insert she included in a card she sent me this week and wanted to share it with all of you.   

Let love be your shelter, the world is noisy and confusing at times,
So make a home that is a haven,
A peaceful place where you can listen to your hearts and savor the
Comfortable closeness you share.

No matter how busy your days may be,
Make time for yourselves.
Hold hands.
Unwind.        
Surprised each other.
Find little chances every day to show you’re grateful
To be partners, to be friends, to be married.

Life is not perfect.
You will make mistakes,
But each time you meet life challenges together,
You will grow wiser, stronger, and surer of your love.

Cherish your yesterdays.
They are irreplaceable souvenirs of your journey through life.
Make memories that will bring smiles and sighs
Whenever you look back. ( Look back often)

Look forward too.
Dream together. Plan Together.
Make promises to keep.
Believe in your tomorrows,
Because tomorrows are what forever is made of.

To make love last,
Put each other first.
That is the way to make a beautiful life together,
he kind of life you both deserve so much.

How beautiful!
Looking forward to seeing you again Aunt Eilleen!

Kids Table

So, our latest project has been the Kids Table – to help occupy the little ones during the reception. We’ll have some snacks (animal crackers, pretzel sticks and Goldfish) along with some coloring books, puzzles… and a surprise! I made sure not to have any small pieces at this table and put their safety first. This surprise is something we may all enjoy!

Another great way to entertain kids is to play a cartoon DVD in a back room.  I’m not sure I’ll be able to pull that off in time, but it’s a great idea! Hopefully the kids at our reception will kick off the dancing and get the adults out there on their feet! No empty dance floor at this reception!

Feel free to share any other ideas for a Kids Table, as I have a few brides-to-be following my blog looking for ideas for their own wedding. Thanks!

Playing around …

Yes, I am messing with the website theme again. I tried a couple options. The one with the photo at the top was difficult to read so I went back to this one. It might change again but the information is still all there…just reorganized.

Word to the wise…

Just when you think you have everything planned to a T…you will meet with another vendor who tells your your so-called “timeline” is not quite accurate.

Basically I realized today that I did not allow enough time for photos and travel time to accommodate the depth and breath of formal photography that we (okay “I”) planned to take.

There are quite a few elements that go into creating the timeline for the Wedding day. Your photographer has a timeline and suggested order of events…your reception hall has a timeline and suggested order of events…. and then your musician (band/DJ) might have another. A lot depends on the schedule THE COUPLE wants…but also (and most importantly) the photos you want to capture.

So, we need to decide….

Which photos do we really want in the album?
Which setting / photo locations are most important to us?
Which photos will still be “frameable” in a year or so from now.
Do we really need an individual photo with each bridal party member or sibling. Would I value a nice group photo more?
How many different combination of family photos do we really need? Which ones are more important?
Would it be possible for all family members arrive to church for pre-ceremony photos so we don’t delay our arrival the reception by taking photos after church?

Oh decisions, decisions.

Advice is welcomed.

Rainy Day Photo - How fun!

Photo album must haves

On Monday night we meet with our photographer to go over the “photo shot list” of all the must have photos.  I know she’ll capture all of the standard / formal shots (us with family, wedding party, priest, grandparents, the ceremony, standard reception photos, etc.) but what I need help with are the “photo-journalistic” shots.

Photos that we might want include:

Still shots of the bouquets, corsages, shoes, jewelry, etc.
Bridesmaids helping me carry my train
Alex’s dad / grandpa fixing Alex’s tie
Photo of Alex helping me in / out of the car
Wedding party crossing the street downtown
Images of the place cards, centerpieces, programs, guest book, etc.

If the weather is nice, we’ll be taking photos downtown on Fountain Square and in Piatt Park. However, if Mother Nature does not cooperate, we’ll take photos up at Krohn Conservatory where it is always green and dry!

I’d love to hear about your “nice to have” shots,  links to photos you like, suggestions of photos you love… or wish you would have had or forgot at your wedding! Thanks!

Can’t wait for this…

Cancun, here we come!

T minus 2 weeks

Sorry for the delayed updates…I have been swamped!

Yes, we are down to days. 15 days to be exact.  Time flies!

I think I have everything done for the wedding and reception to take place..the rest are minor details to make things extra special. As long as we don’t get hit with a major snow storm, we are good to go!

* Dress will be ready to take home Tuesday.
* I have my wedding band with 10 little diamonds to represent our 10 years together.
* Alex has his wedding ring.
* Final vendor meetings take place next week (photographer, reception, limo, florist, cake)
* We are finalizing our programs and slideshow. Those are my weekend projects.

…and my matron of honor Tricia has been doing a wonderful job keeping me sane and helping me prioritize all the little details. Thank you sooo much Trish!

I have a number of logistical things to work through but I hear that is pretty typical with most weddings.

Thanks for everyone being so patient with me the past couple of weeks!

In the news

Me lucky charms!

Thoughts on marriage from one of my bridesmaids…Jacque Baker.

Surviving planning a wedding requires 3 basis things:
1. Love
2. Organization
3. A bit of luck!

She goes on to say a few more things about how we already have love in our relationship and that I am pretty organized, so she wanted to give me a gift of luck….lucky charms to be exact! This little one-month count down gift included five little “charms” (similar to a charm bracelet).

Gourd, the Chinese symbol for luck
Four-leaf clover, for faith, hope, love and and luck
Shooting star, to make a wish
Horseshoe, to ward off evil spirits
Dice for luck in the game

How clever! I was honored to be in her wedding and now she is in mine. That said, I’d have to say the #4 basic to planning a wedding is the support from family and friends….not really luck! :o) Many thanks to all of you!

Wedding Bands

Today Alex and I ordered our wedding bands. Alex chose a simple band - inspired by his father’s ring. I thought he would go for something more contemporary with squared off edges, but he said he has always like his dad’s ring and found something similar.

I turned my engagement ring over to our jeweler for the upgrades that we are making. Now, my left hand now feels slightly odd without my engagement ring.

It’s like Tricia said below, it feels like when you think you forgot your purse…I don’t like it. I think I’m going to have to go out and find a “dummy ring” for my left hand, just so I don’t feel so uneasy. Have other brides-to-be done the same? I am sure I am not the only one! We also worked on our gifts for our bridal party and ordered his tuxedo today.

And now we rest.

One month count down!

Yes, 30 some days now! 

Yesterday I was having a slightly stressful day at work and in the mist of a stressful conversation … a beautiful bouquet of flowers were delivered to my desk from my friend, loyal blog reader and bridesmaid…Liz. It was a one-month count down present…much unexpected but very much appreciated!

Notice how it is strategically placed next to my New Kids on the Block button / frame.

Everyone has been so thoughtful and extremely generous recently with their time and support to help put on this event. I’m getting pretty excited to see things start to fall into place.

Ceremony programs

This week we are working on our ceremony program. The program will include a list of everyone involved in the ceremony along with the music, readings and a few specials messages from the two of us.  Now it’s up to Alex’s creative mind to design the program, similar to how he designed our Save-the-Date cards and Invitations. A few bridesmaids and I will then assemble next weekend.  Here are some ideas I found on online that I really like.

Seating chart software

Attention all brides-to-be!

If you are planning to assign tables numbers at your reception, I highly recommend using Perfert Table Plan.

I was planning to just use an Excel spread sheet or some other non-technical way to organize the reception seating, but this program does all the work for you. You simply enter in every guest (including spaces for dates of guests) and then you can “click and drag” the name to a table. You can also upload your invitation list as a .csv file to save time. Easy as that!

Let me know if you have any questions before purchasing this program!

Wedding inspiration

This is so elegant and beautiful! These images are not of our wedding decorations, but similar. Our wedding is black and white inspired, but with red accents. Our bridesmaids will be in black dresses and one of the cake designs was very similar to the one shown here. I guess you’ll just have to wait and see which one we go with! Check out more wedding mood boards at Style Me Pretty.com.

Mail makes my day

Thanks for all the RSVPs! It’s sweet to read all the little notes of congratulations. I didn’t realized when we designed the invitation, that we did not leave much space on the return card for a note…but most people have found a way to squeeze something on there. I love it!

Thanks for all your kind words and loving support!

Trumpeter confirmed!

That might sound like a silly statement to most of you reading this, but it actually means a lot to this bride.  I am super excited to know that a trumpeter will be playing Trumpet Voluntary as dad walks me down the aisle!

I haven’t heard a trumpeter at most of my friends weddings here in Cincinnati, as I don’t think it is as common. However, it one of those “standards”  back home in Minster (St Augustine Church)…it is one of those things everyone has in their wedding ceremony….it’s just what you do…and Larry Coppess always plays.  I almost asked if Larry could travel to Cincinnati for our wedding since I did not know another trumpeter. :o) Luckily our music director came through with one!

Although planning the wedding here in Cincnnati was much easier for Alex and I and we are still happy with our decision, I will feel “at home” when I hear the trumpeter play from the choir loft at “our” new church - St. Teresa.

Presidential Suite

The Prenger family would like to cordially invite our extended families and hotel guests to the Presidential Suite at the hotel…before the ceremony AND after the reception.  It’s a large hospitality room up on the top (14th) floor of the Sheraton… with a bar, kitchenette, living room space and a great view. (This photo does not do it justice - it is much bigger in person).

It’ll be a great place to visit, grab a refreshment and arrange carpools to the ceremony. Come on back after the reception for some adult beverages, snacks and good conversation.  (Since it is a private space, you are also welcome to bring in your own food and drink if you so wish…I know a few of you crave Skyline and White Castles around midnight!)

We are thinking the bridesmaids and I will gather there around noon to dress, and then open the suite up to family and groomsmen around 2:00 PM or so. Hotel check-in is at 3:00 PM for most hotel guests, which is about the same time the wedding party and I will be leaving the hotel for pre-ceremony photos.

If I run into a few of you at the hotel before the ceremony, that’s okay. I’d rather spend some quality time with family and friends who traveled such a distance…and talk to a few that haven’t seen in a long time!

Just a reminder, the hotel is located directly across the street from the reception hall (walking distance) but about a 25 minute drive to the church.