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.

Logistics

Yes, that is this week’s agenda. Figuring out who needs to be where and when.

When and where should the flowers be delivered?
What time should the cake arrive?
When can I drop off reception centerpieces, placecards, etc.
Where and when should the bridal party meet?
Can we get an early check in at the hotel?
Where can I find a trumpeter at last minute?
When and where do we want photos (esp if it is windy/snowy)?
Most importantly…when will we find time to pack and finalize last minute details and still find time to eat some  turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving!?

I’m also cutting in my holiday shopping schedule.
What was I thinking!?

Oh yeah…Getting married on our 10 year anniversary. That’s why! I guess that helps bring some perspective to all this. Yay us. Cheers!

Silver sixpence in her shoe…

Today I came home to yet another sweet surprise in the mail from my brother’s friend Carol.  It was nicely wrapped silver sixpence coin and personal note.

A few months ago, I wrote a post about Something Old…Something New...and wrote about how there is a last line that says “and a silver sixpence in her shoe”.  Carol’s note stated that the “sixpence” must be worn in the left shoe as the bride goes down the aisle to insure wealth and prosperity in the marriage.

My favorite line from her note was…”Michelle, when I found this, I thought of you and hope it brings you and Alex lots of wealth in your marriage…What the heck, it already is creating wealth in your marriage because the sixpence is no longer minted therefore it can only go up in value. he he
Hugs,
Carol

Very thoughtful..and witty. Thanks Carol.

Something Old

This past Tuesday, Alex and I received a very special gift from Alex’s grandparents. It was a delicate, white lace handkerchief with a hand written note that said:

For all the future Backscheider brides to borrow for Something Old. This handkerchief belonged to Grandma Catherine (Lipps) Backscheider who carried it on her wedding day, which was June 20, 1931.

The handkerchief was still in its original box! I don’t believe we have many family heirlooms from the Prenger / Rodeheffer side of the family, so this gift is extremely sentimental for us.

I look forward to seeing Alex’s younger sisters and cousins carry on this tradition …as Something Old “must be something which has belonged to a happily married woman. The wearing of such an item insures a lucky transfer of happiness to the new bride and signifies a series of  continuity, tradition and represents the link to the brides old life and her family”.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Backscheider.

We have candles

…and lots of them! I came home today to two large boxes containing 144 white round floating candles on my porch. So, what is the first thing I did? Tested to make sure they floated!  Well, they passed!

I was extremely nervous about ordering these online but I must say that I am pleased with my decision. Our reception will now be completely illuminated as I had envisioned.

Online deals

If you do a lot of online shopping, you’ll notice when checking out that the order form usually includes a space for “promotional code or coupon”.  Chances are, if you Google for the promotional code, you’ll find it online. I saved us a substantial amount of money this week simply by doing this extra step. These same discounts might come in handy for a few of you!

(Example: Google “Shoes.com coupon” or “Shoes.com promotional code”)

Shoes.com What woman doesn’t need another pair of shoes?!
Coupon Code: ENTSHOES09 for 20% off and free shipping. (Spend $100)
Coupon Code: ENTERTAINMENT for $10 and / or free shipping.

Stamps.com For Custom Photo Stamps
Coupon Code: “tenoff” for 10% off your order
Coupon Code: “gen1″ for free shipping

Shutterfly Photo Book
Coupon Code: VS09-VISA for 15% off your order

Candles For Less.com Great for bulk floating or votive candles
Coupon Code: MC1907 for 10% off $100 order Expires 09.22.08

Sources for the Coupon Codes:
MyCoupons.com
MomsView.com
RetailMeNot.com
XPBargain.com
Hope this helps at least one person. Let me know what deals you find!

Meet the Weber Family

Then…and now.

What a beautiful and wonderful family! Awww…Alex was such a cute little kid (top right)! Check out that adorable smile!

Alex’s is the son of Bonni and Rick and his siblings are Aaron, Justine, Perry and Molly.
Thank you for always making me feel welcomed into the family!

Stationary inspiration

Love these!

Productive Day

Today I used my lunch break to meet with Lutz Flower Shop and then my dinner was well spent at Piece of Cake Pastry Shop on Glenway Avenue (referral from Brittany). I still have a few more places to shop and compare but would like to check these two off the list soon.

I know most people think cake is cake and a rose is a rose, but that’s not all I’m looking from a vendor. Personality and customer service is also key, as I am trusting my wedding day “theme” with complete strangers! :o)

For example, my dress, bridesmaids dress, tuxes, rings, hall, church….are all pretty standard and I am pretty confident on how they will look on 11/29/08 (heck, I should know by 10/1/08 if all goes well). However…I’m not really in control of the flowers, decorations and the cake design come the morning of the big day. I’m not really a bride-zilla, just a worry wort! I need to feel comfortable that “everything will be taken care of” and all I have to do is show up at the reception. (That’s why I have nine bridesmaids to shield me from any drama!)

So, referrals are key here so please leave a message below with any other vendors I should consider. Many thanks!

Red accent ideas

Our wedding colors are mostly black and white (bridesmaid dresses are black) but I’m trying to incorporate some fun accents of red. Here are some ideas that I really like. If you see something else that I might like, feel free to send it my way!

Cakes, florists & limos-oh my

So, yeah. That’s where I am on my to-do list this month. Got any suggestions or referrals? Please send them my way!

Favorite Flowers

Grandma Mary Backscheider’s wedding bouquets included Spider Mums and I’m hoping I can incorporate something similar in my wedding day flowers. My other favorite flowers are Gerbera Daisies, Cally Lillies and of course, Roses.

Flowers 101

So, I am a little tired of researching halls so I started to check out the fun stuff, such as flowers and center pieces! I know, not really top priority at this point in my engagement but I needed a break. I wasn’t really sure where to start with flowers so my co-worker/friend Katie (who is also planning a Cincinnati wedding) suggested the following list to consider when selecting flowers.

Bridal bouquet
Attendants bouquets
Junior bridesmaid bouquet
Flower girl rose petals
Mothers
Grooms boutonnier
Groomsmen boutonniere
Fathers
Grandparents
Grandmothers
Alter arrangement
Centerpieces at reception
Toss bouquet
Flower delivery at church and reception

However, keep in mind that flowers vary in quality and price by location and season. Check out which flowers are in season during the month of your wedding to save a few bucks. For you budget brides, the best prices thus far have been Adam’s Floral Design and Lutz Flower Haus, however, if you prefer a little more pizazz, check out Adrian Durban. To me, a flower is a flower but to some brides, it is their world.