Tiffyb's Blog

Hi ladies! Well it's about 5 weeks before my BIG day, so it's about that time to begin my blog. Before I get into my planning details, let me just say that I am so excited, but these last few days or so have been really difficult. Between working on my midterm project due next week, working on these last minute details of the wedding, and now some unnecessary drama with my family, and I'm really feeling the pressure. Because of the way I'm feeling, I have no motivation to complete my project. I still have time to do it, but I am falling behind. Your prayers would really be appreciated. And as far as my family drama, why can't people just respect the rules of your day. I have one cousin who just doesn't seem to understand our decision to eliminate the "and guest" option. Her inner envelope was addressed to her and her son, and no one else, so when she asked if she could bring some random man in her son's place, I told her no, and she said that I hurt her feelings. Although I didn't owe her any explanation beyond "my day, my way," I told her that her son's empty seat will go to a family member or friend who did not make the list. So the next email she sent was, oh, I probably won't come to your wedding now because I don't have a sitter for my kids! Now for weeks, she was emailing me and my sister about how excited she was about the wedding, even sent her RSVP card in accepting her invite. She never mentioned not having a sitter, and we are actually providing a sitter. So only after I mentioned she couldn't bring her friend, she decided she wouldn't be attending her own first cousin's wedding. And she went on to tell the whole family that I hurt her feelings, trying to make me out to be a horrible person. She even had the nerve to say "I think you and your husband to be's rules are bit harsh." So I am done with that girl. As far as I'm concerned I love her, but right now at this moment I don't like her at all. And suddenly out of the blue her brother, who is an usher, sent my brother a text saying to tell me that he cannot be an usher and is not coming to the wedding because of personal reasons! Now this may be true, but it's just a coincidence that all of this happened in the same night. The things that is so crazy is that these are my 1st cousins. We have all been so close for so long. So he called my brother today and said that he is sorry, and he will still be an usher if it is not too late, and he actually just called my phone, but I don't have time for these games right now. He said on the voicemail that he still wants to come, and that no matter what, he could never see himself missing my wedding. He said his situation is personal, and has nothing to do with his sister, so maybe it doesn't, I really don't know. Sorry this is so long, but writing always makes me feel better! My next post will actually inform you of where I am with my wedding planning!

Ok, so as far as my wedding day, no one has taken the joy away from me! I am still so excited about March 15, and it will be the most special day of my life! So, here is where I am at:
Completed:
-Program layout
-Purchased centerpieces (mirrors, oversized martini glasses, rose petals-still need floating candles)
-All but one of the GM's have been fitted!
-The ladies are in the process of getting fitted-i'm staying on them!
-Have materials for programs (except satin ribbon)
-Purchased containers for candy station
-Purchased tiara, all other accessories
Still need to complete:
-Make final payments to all vendors(1st will be florist bill due Feb. 15th)
-Make final decisions on order of ceremony and musical selections
-Purchase gifts for attendants and groom (will do once I get to Pittsburgh)
-Final fitting (Feb. 23)
-Buy earrings, make-up, and "hair"
-Go get the marriage license with FH
-Assemble the ceremony programs
-Need to purchase guest book and pen (already ordered signature photo frame)
-Need flowergirl basket (didn't plan on having a flowergirl! last minute decision!)
-Plan to purchase the liquor at the army base in Pittsburgh Feb. 23

Most of these things will be done on our next trip up to Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks.

Thank you ladies! Turiya, you are a mess...lol!

[quote="soon2bmsj"]Wow-Tiffy...sorry to hear of your drama-NOTE TO YOU>>>DO NOT READ MY BLOG!!!!! LOL
Please remain focused on your project-you have come to far to mess it up now...just think of how rewarding it will be to be able to celebrate your wedding and your successful grade! hang in there sweetie... :)
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By the way Soon, too late, I've already read your blog!! Sorry for your drama too! It's just unavoidable, especially the closer we get to the big day. Hang in there girl, we'll make it!!

Thanks Pam, but my cousin has already told me that she is not coming and is going to stay home and babysit the kids, so I told her I have removed her name from the list. If she shows up at the reception she will be rejected at the door because my guest list is very tight and we will have a seating chart. Her decision was made and that's that. As you said, I have plenty of other people who will be there to support Kyle and I on our big day, and her presence will not be missed.

[quote="soon2bmsj"]Looks like you are on a roll Tiffy! how many containers did you purchase for your candy station? I am expecting my candy in today (yeah) and so far I have about seven...I thought I would stop buying until I actually see how many I will need because what the h-e-l-l am I going to do with all of those vases/bowls when it is over??? LOL
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You know Soon, I was thinking the exact same thing about these containers for the candy station!! What in the world am I supposed to do with all these things once the reception is over...LOL!! I have 10 containers. I think that should be just fine. I have the same problem with my centerpieces though, the oversized martini glasses! I have 30 of them, so my planner suggested that I place a sticker under one chair at each table, and the person sitting in the chair will take the centerpiece home. If not there is always Ebay...lol!!

Thank you ladies for all of your advice. House, I am feeling more focused on my project now, and I have decided to put the family situation behind. My sister took over that situation for me, and a couple of days after starting this mess, my cousin decided everything was her fault, and that she owed me another apology after taking her first one back. Being that I am trying to stay focused on this project and wedding planning, I blocked her name from my email, and removed her name from phone. I just can't deal with her nonsense right now. And as far as the usher, he called me and let me know that his situation is personal, he is having some serious financial difficulties. It has nothing to do with his sister. He said no matter what his problems are, he can't see himself missing my wedding, and if it isn't too late, he would still love to come. So I told him of course he can still come, but just as as guest. With his money issues, I wouldn't want him to spend any extra money on having to pay for a hotel, or whatever he may need to buy to be an usher for me. I have two other ushers, and my planner said if necessary, she will use a couple of the groomsmen as ushers. His sister however told me to remove her from the list, and that's just what I did. Thanks ladies for all of your encouraging words! I am so over this situation, and have decided to focus on my project, and once completed, back to the lovely world of wedding planning:)

Hey ladies. Thanks for all of your prayers and words of encouragement while I was going through my difficult times with my cousin and struggling to complete my midterm project. Just wanted to let you know that I completed my thesis midterm project on time, and I drove down to Florida Sunday and presented to my chairs and jury yesterday. Everything went well, and they gave me some great advice to help me complete the project. They also kept reminding me that the final presentation is only 6 weeks away, so time is of the essence! I'm thinking wow, wedding in a little over 4 weeks, final thesis presentation in 6 weeks, crazy! But I'll get through it with lots of prayer! I did manage to sneak a little wedding planning in while working on my project! I'll update you in a bit!

Alright ladies, I think it's about that time that I fill you in on my progress being that the Big day is only 27 days away:) Things are still pretty busy around here, but I've been getting a lot done! Here's where I stand as of today:

Completed last week:
-Purchased all candy for candy station (just waiting on three to come)
-Mailed in final florist payment on Friday
-Ordered scoops for candy
-Finished programs and proofread, just have to print and assemble
-Received signature photo frame in the mail
-Waiting on memorial candle to arrive(should come this week)

The majority of my "to do" list will be completed when I go home to Pittsburgh next week. Aside from these things, there are a few things I still need to do over the next day or two:
Still need to complete:

-Buy floating candles for centerpieces
-Buy aisle runner
-Buy favor bags
-Buy buttermints to place on tables

So far we have received 60 of the 137 rsvp's that we mailed out. As of now we have 104 accepts and 23 declines. The deadline is February 23, so people really need to get moving on these. We are hoping to have about 210 people, but looking at our list, we are thinking that we will end up with between 220-230. I'll keep you posted. I'm so excited!! The time is almost here and I am just about done with everything:)

So I am in Pittsburgh right now, and I had my 2nd "final" fitting today. Everything turned out fine this time around, so I took my dress home to my sister's house! FH and I went and applied for our marriage license yesterday...woo hoo!! We purchased the liquor for the reception at the army base here in town, so we ended up saving a lot of money. Today we went to Sam's club and purchased the last two items for our candy station. So I only have a few items left to buy, but I won't buy them until I return the week of the wedding. I'll be coming back a week before the wedding to take care of any last minute details. I think that's it for now!

[quote="FutureMrsKeepUp"]Won't be long now Tiffy! Looks like you have it under control though.
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I know, it's right around the corner!! I think I have everything under control as far as the wedding, now if I can just do the same with school, I'll be good to go...LOL!

[quote="Ginoue"]Remember to relax Tiffy and enjoy your showers (bridal showers)
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Thanks Ginoue. I definitely plan to relax! I actually had my shower in December. Because of my schedule with school, I had to have it a little early. I forgot to let you all know that I posted the pictures on my website a little while back! But I am getting ready for that bachelorette party:) My sister has been planning this thing for months, and I am very excited about it. Sounds like we are going to have lots of fun, and lots of entertainment if you know what I mean...LOL!!

[quote="soon2bmsj"]Great Tiffy!! seems like everything is falling into place! the excitement REALLY begins now LOL
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You are right Soon, the excitement begins now, for both us!! Everything will fall right into place, so we can relax from here on out, minus a few small details here and there of course...LOL!!

Thanks ladies. Actually G, I decided to have the bachelorette party on Thursday night rather than Friday night so that I will be well rested on Saturday! I often get migraines when I don't get enough rest, so I want to make sure I enjoy myself completely and don't have to sit around and worry about how late it's getting! So puffy eyes shouldn't be a problem!! You are a trip Soon, talking about "Diva G worried about the "puffy eyes"-not you bowing down to the "porcelain king"!! :) G is a true diva!!"...LOL!! I was rolling when I read that!! She is a true diva isn't she!!

[quote="DaughterRhonda"]Tiffy you ain't no joke girl!!!! Conrats on all of the accomplishments with the wedding and school!
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Thank you Rhony! I'm trying girl...it's not easy, but I'm hanging in there:)

[quote="soon2bmsj"]Tiffy my sistah...have you looked at the ticker lately?!?!
18 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
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Girl yes! I can't believe it! Now we only have 17 days to go!

Thanks Dee! Well ladies, the final count is in. Our final number is 171. We actually invited 277, hoping that no more than 200 would come, so we are really happy with our final number! We were really nervous in the beginning because we were receiving nothing but accepts, so FH and I were running to the mailbox everyday in search of declines...lol! But everything turned out fine in the end, being that a lot of my FH's family doesn't travel, and with the wedding being in Pittsburgh, his closest relatives are in Detroit. So things are coming down to the wire, and I am in a pretty good place. I just have a few minor details to take care of, mainly my personal items (earrings, panty hose, slippers for the reception, anything else I might think of along the way). Other than that, there are 3 or 4 items that I need to take care of when I get to Pittsburgh next Sat., but for now, I am focusing my time on school, and FH has pretty much taken over any wedding responsibilities. He has been terrific these last few days! By the way, he did a break down of the budget yesterday, and we have gone over! Our budget was set at $15,000, and as of now we are at $17,500 and counting!!

Hey ladies! My time is really approaching quickly, and I am so excited, yet so ready to get all of these last minute details over and done with! I will be leaving for Pittsburgh on Saturday, so I will be able to finish up any small details once I am up that way. Here are a few pics of my DIY layered programs, and a menu card I decided to throw together at the very last minute:)

[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x248/tiffyb08/Wedding%20DIY/DIY022.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x248/tiffyb08/Wedding%20DIY/DIY006.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x248/tiffyb08/Wedding%20DIY/DIY018.jpg[/IMG]

Thanks ladies. I know, only 7 days to go, I can't believe it!! My flight to Pittsburgh today was cancelled due to the snow storms in the east, so I will not be going up there until Monday morning now:( Luckily the storm hit this weekend, and as of now, next weekend is looking pretty good.