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Today I was thinking (when Bill was lugging an air conditioner to the basement in my office) – how did I get so lucky? How did I find a man who really understands me? Sometimes I have to pinch myself because is this really happening? I smile because it is.

My education is in graphic design. I have my Bachelor’s Degree from The Art Institute of Los Angeles – Santa Monica. Whenever I would have to design something that needed “copy”, spelling was always an obsession for me. I would check, check and recheck making sure that everything was spelled right. I mean how embarassing to have a piece of your artwork up for critique and no one can focus on the design – just the error?

So you can only imagine how I was having to proof my wedding invitation from Paperwink. I go the final proof and went over it a few times. I even had a co worker look at it. I signed off on the proof and voila! my invites were off to the printer! About a week later I got the invitations and they looked BEAUTIFUL. Like nothing I had ever seen before. We had bright fushia foil stamped on chipboard. It was simple, and unique, yet elegant. I was thrilled. As I was addressing the envelopes I gave one to Bill. Here is the conversation:

Meredith: “What do you think”?

Bill: “Ummm this is not good”.

MY. HEART. DROPPED.

Meredith: “What”?

Bill: “My middle name is not James”.

Meredith: “Shut up – yes it is”.

Bill: “No – it’s not – it’s John”.

Meredith: “Who is John? You’re joking”.

Bill: “My grandfather, and I will show you my birth certificate”.

Which he did.

Low and behold my fiance’s middle name is John NOT James. I think he told me that once before but I had James stuck in my head. I never thought about asking him. I just assumed. Or thought I knew. Well – I didn’t. Never assume. Always double check. This was worse than a spelling mistake. I felt awful. Now I am crying on the couch blubbering about how I am a bad fiance – and what I schmuck I am. Bill could have cared less. He thought it was funny.

I thank God for his easy going personality.

I had the invitations reprinted. I had to. I could not let the man who has been so wonderful to me the past two years, not have his name correctly on HIS wedding invitation. Couldn’t do it. (The foil reflects the flash on the invite – but this is one of the reprints).

That whole incident makes me love him that much more!

P.S. If any word is spelled wrong – sorry!

Ed Note: Thanks to Meredith for blogging this week on the way to her 8.8.09 wedding! We can’t wait for her to come back to EAD after her event to recap!

I am all about practicality. I am not a pack rat – never have been. If I haven’t used it, worn it, looked at it, touched it or seen it in over 6 months – it’s in the garbage. Bill and I have had some disagreements about our “stuff”. He has a lot – I don’t. He feels like I am trying to get rid of all his. I’m not – I just like it my way right? (I am getting better with this. My therapist calls it “letting go”).

I (we) wanted my (our) guests to have a practical favor they could take home and use. I got my favors from Beau Coup – a great site for gifts! I have thrown out countless single shot glasses, beer glasses, and votive candles. My thought? If you are going to give someone something – have it be something they can use. I don’t want to spoil the gift if my (our) guests are reading this – so I will reveal the favor after the wedding!

I also wanted my guests to have a program that they wouldn’t throw out immediately and could actually use!  {August can be the hottest month of the year in Rochester, NY I didn’t want anyone fainting}. I guess programs are practical to begin with – they guide everyone through the ceremony and tell you, who’s who!

I was 100% inspired by Anna Melcon Bond of Rifle Design:

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Ever since I can remember I have always wanted to get married at my Aunt Jean’s and Uncle Mitch’s house (this link is to the blog I started just before Bill and I were engaged). I think about 5 minutes afer I said yes to Bill’s proposal – I ran over to my Aunt and Uncle and said “Can we get married at your house”? They graciously said “yes”.

Now, I am thrilled to be getting married here I don’t want anyone to think differently. It is 1,000 times more work than I expected. When you get married at a hotel, restaurant, country club, there is usually an events coordinator. Someone who guides YOU the bride through everything. That is not the case with private residences. I AM THE EVENT COORDINATOR. I have had to manage and figure out everything from portable bathrooms (yup) to coffee mugs. Just the other night I woke up from a dead sleep and thought “salt and pepper shakers – who gets those”?

Should we have eloped? Nah. I can handle this. I am an organized control freak. I love xcel spreadsheets, numbered bullets, lists, catergories and checking things off those lists! Check out how we are sorting out the YES and NO responses:

Bill is convinced I am nuts and that’s ok. I am in better shape than I thought I would be. Here is a peek at my to do list for the past month and on going:

• Address invitations
• Buy wedding shoes at www.unforgettablemoments.com
• Call Crescent Moon for bathrooms
• Get Bill’s suit tailor
• Pick up Bill’s suit
• Finish programs
• Make puff balls for aisle
• Get vases from friend Robin
• Pay Mary Corcoran (the best photographer ever)
• Email caterer for final $$$
• Buy hot pink tissue paper and circles from Paper Source
• Get mason jars from Sharon
• Rig up mason jars
• Bill – shoes?
• Birdcage – spray paint pink
• Garbage cans
• Call valet parking service
• Take table number pictures
• Start making table place cards for guests

I could go on and on and on and on – you get the picture.

I guess what I am trying to get across is – you have to be super duper organized to do an at home wedding, unless your budget allows a wedding planner.

By the way, I am over the salt and pepper shakers. If our guests need salt they can ask my Grandma. She probably has some in her purse.

Are you having an at-home event?

Anyone who knows me, knows I love black and white together. I love the damask pattern, black and white check tiles, gingham, b & w photos – you name it. So when it came to colors for our wedding (I have really been trying to say “our” not “mine” – it’s very hard) I figured I would be inspired by black and white. I wasn’t and I surprised myself. I don’t consider myself a very colorful person, but in my daily internet exploration, I came across this site and found the fabric below:

Flamingo Disco Dot is the name of the pattern. I was hooked! But how was I going to use this awesome, fun, fabric? I mean – I couldn’t wear it. I couldn’t make my matron of honor wear it – and then it came to me….a photobooth! I bought about 6 yards of this fabric and my sweet mom is going to make a drape to hang between two trees at the reception. Then my guests (ours, not my) can have their pictures taken in front of the fun filled color fabric!

Have I said “fabric” enough?

Anyway, the polka dots above are my inspiration. I love the bright simplicity of the colors. On our tables we are having pink and orange dahlias. My sister and I are carrying dahlias as well.

Bill and I bought Vera Bradley ties and cuff links in a great pattern: Raspberry Fizz.

I am excited to see this all come together. Because I have planned everything down to the teaspoon, I have this “vision” in my head of what it is going to look like. I can’t wait.

Did you surprise yourself with your color choice?

I was the “bride to be” that had the favors in October 2008 for a June 27, 2009 wedding. The photographer, rental company, DJ and caterer were booked in August 2008. I had all the hotel rooms booked in September 2008 . I bought a wedding binder the day after we were engaged! I started my guest list – the day we got engaged! I may be nuts – but hey I am organized – and ready!

It definitely threw me for a loop when my sister called me in November (2008) to tell me the great news that her and her husband were expecting their first child! I was thrilled! I GET TO BE AN AUNT! The first question I asked? When are you due? Her answer “June 27,2009″. Really? What are the odds? 1 in 365 I guess.

I’m not gonna lie – my insides sunk. All these thoughts came running through my head:

• Do I change the date?
• If I change the date what if the other vendors are booked for the new date?
• Do I risk not changing the date and hope that sister goes early or late?
• When can we move the date? May weather in upstate NY is unpredictable (it could snow) and August is way too hot. I mean 90 degrees with 100% humidity.
• I can’t have the wedding in June – I am going to Denver for another wedding and Lauren is due
• I can’t have the wedding in the beginning of July because the baby will be too new to travel
• I can’t have the wedding in the middle of July – my other friend is getting married and two of my girlfriends are having babies.
• I can’t have it at the end of August becuase another girlfriend is having a baby
• I can’t do it Labor Day weekend – Bill and I are going to Seattle for another wedding (Darcey from Paperwink)!

I was upset at first. We both were. She felt awful that these events came together. I felt bad because she felt bad, because I didn’t want to move the date up or push it out.

So what did we do? We changed the date to 08.08.09. If it’s hot – I’ll deal with it. Someone can fan me – I would like that! I could not imagine my sister, my maid of honor, my best friend, not standing up for me. It wouldn’t be my wedding without her there.

I was upset at first. We both were. She felt awful that these events came together. I felt bad because she felt bad, because I didn’t want to wait another month, because – just because. I was being selfish.

I have tortured her throughout her pregnancy saying she better have the baby on June 27, 2009 – or it better rain all day long.

In the long run - I don’t care. As long as she and the little one are healthy, I’m happy!

As it turns out my sister is having the baby June 29, 2009 – she is being induced and I can not wait to meet my new niece Reese!

What unexpected surprises have popped up during your planning?

Ed Note: Everyone give a big welcome to Meredith, who is going to be guest blogging this week about the planning leading up to her 8.8.09 wedding!  We’re thrilled to have her here this week and can’t wait for her to come back to EAD and recap her event!

It’s pretty amazing what happens after you get engaged. I floated on cloud nine for about 3 weeks. I remember putting my ring on my bedside table at night and randomly waking up to “check on it”. Like it was a baby. Yeah – I am a bit of a freak (control, neat, clean, you name it).

I am lucky enough to have my proposal from Bill on video. I was caught WAY OFF GUARD. I mean he got down on one knee in front of 40 friends and family at my surprise 30th birthday party!! Shocked? Yes! Surprised? You betcha! Did I cry? I didn’t stop.

We are getting married 08.08.09 and I can’t wait! Ever since I as a little girl – I have always wanted to get married at my Aunt and Uncle’s house in Rochester, New York. They have the best yard, garden and trees – it’s so beautiful! Who wouldn’t want to get married here? (I guess if you didn’t like the outdoors or have allergies – this venue isn’t you)!

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