Wedding Planning Just Got Real – The Imperfect Bride’s Guide to A Near Perfect Wedding –  Part 2

The last wedding check in was at eight weeks to go, and I really did mean to update this at least a few times, but, as mentioned I am far from perfect, and suddenly we are just one week away! But we are actually feeling pretty organized right now, just moments ago I just finalized the cake flavours and we are currently chill-laxing in our hotel room at Walnut Beach Resort before heading out to another event as part of the Osoyoos Oyster Festival. We are on our pre-wedding honeymoon of sorts and couldn’t be happier! Pictured above we are at Watermark Resort for their BBQ party…..and now you know why I get my hair done professionally so often #frizz!

Last we reported in at the 8-9 month check list stage and had the following to do’s:

Wedding license (now done), Michael’s wedding band (check), then shoes (Fluevog), music (playlist in progress), welcome baskets (have all ingredients) , plan rehearsal dinner (a few details left here), and next day brunch (must still book a table), welcome gifts and wedding favours (must be really important to me as I listed twice!) , jewelry (THANKS Elsa Corsi Designs), underwear (Diane’s Lingerie of course), keep the fitness and diet routine going (nailed it and won the weight loss competition with the help of I-remove, trainer Kate McNulty, nutritionist Ashley Freeman and my Dailey Method Classes, have to keep it up this week of course, so ran yesterday, did yoga today and have a cycle class for tomorrow), and maintain skincare and general self-care (been working with Alfa Renaissance and using Apothekari skin care).

I also celebrated my Bachelorette in style at the Pan Pacific Hotel on the club floor, went to Spa Utopia and Hy’s Encore for dinner and Michael took a less formal approach and did the Regal Beagle. We do have slightly different tastes.

We’ll now pick up at the 6-7 months task list!

Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles – Meeting with Mary-Ann Morley this Thursday for a hair trial. Had some fun with make up at Spa Utopia this past weekend, so will stick with that look-ish.

Meet with officiant to discuss plans for ceremony – Thursday too….busy day!

Reserve rentals: chairs, linens, lighting, décor, etc. – Using Avalon Rentals and confirmed numbers on Friday and just need to add a few more to that. Also borrowed some antique tea cups and saucers and using my mothers china for the dessert table.

Choose cake style and schedule tastings – Using Whisk Cakes

Decide on groomsmen attire – No official groomsmen but my Dad is walking me down the aisle and I’m confident he’ll be stylish. Bow tie in check.

Hire ceremony musicians – Michael is creating a play list and we’ve bought a JBL Extreme speaker from Best Buy.

Book transportation to and from venues – Very close by so people can drive.

Purchase wedding bands – Mine purchased a while ago and we got Michael’s a couple weeks ago.

Order Thank You Cards – Have a nice selection of these!

4-5 months The finishing touches…

Choose flowers for: wedding party, attendants, venues, cake, etc. Mom has this organized. We have picked and dried hydrangeas an baby’s breath and ordered white roses and greenery as well.

Schedule dress fittings – Just did one fitting on Wednesday and lace just needs a bit of cinching in. Please let it zip up and allow me to breath. Gotta sweat it out on Friday a.m. for sure!

Book honeymoon flights and hotels – We are at the Manteo for a week after for our official honeymoon, thanks to my sister and bro-in-law who have a place there.

Book room for wedding night – Manteo is booked. Michael checking in the night before.

Order wedding cake – Whisk Cakes Kelowna!

Plan welcome baskets for out-of-town guests – They’ll be wine, jam, chocolate and olive oil.

Finalize wedding guest list – Just did today!

Assemble rehearsal dinner guest list – Done, mainly family.

Book rehearsal dinner venue – My parents house for a BBQ. It’s gorgeous there, and we are amazing cooks, right? So why wouldn’t we?

Order Rehearsal Dinner Invitations – Who does this? REALLY??

3 months You’re getting close!

Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order – Double checked on hotel reservation.

Plan ceremony and reception seating – It’s a stand up reception and will be quick and easy. Please no RAIN!!!

Experiment with hair and veil with stylist – Thursday!

Finalize readers and readings – Who, what? Please nothing too formal for us, this will be a very casual affair.

Purchase: toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow – Flutes that we are using for bubble are ordered, we own serving pieces, no thanks on the guest book, we have flower arrangements ordered and rings don’t belong on pillows we have boxes.

Finalize reception menu – We will BBQ some great locally raised meat and make some great salads and dessert. Figuring out this week.

Order Menu Cards – It will be obvious what you are eating. If you don’t know what pork, couscous, salad and flatbread is, you’re likely not our friends or family.

Order Wedding Favors – We are delivering the favours in the welcome baskets and have sourced only the best of olive oil for this (of course).

2 months Crunch Time

Mail Wedding Invitations – That was called an email and it was done a while ago. Digital is where it’s at kids.

Develop system for organizing RSVPs – Thank you Microsoft Excel.

Begin writing vows – We have to say something, of course, I know, and it’s in my head percolating right now.

Review ceremony details with officiant – Thursday.

Lay out the content for Wedding Programs – There are no programs, it’s not that tricky of a day, but we have the schedule.

Apply for marriage license: order 2-3 extra – Done at London Drugs and it took all of 2 minutes. We don’t need extra paper though.

Finalize seating arrangements – It’s fluid seating. We are not telling people where to sit as they are adults (mostly) and can figure that out.

Write out honeymoon itinerary for family at home – They know where we are.

Decide “Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue.” – We’re both old and we have the lovely Honda Accord Hybrid for 3 weeks, so it’s borrowed and blue. THANKS HONDA CANADA!

Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party – YUP Excel Salon for lashes and waxing and ??? for nails and ??? for colouring.

Purchase gifts for attendants – I will have something for my maid of honour and flower girl and boy. Not telling or I don’t know yet, not telling which either.

1 month Don’t Forget …

Call vendors to confirm date, times and location – Done

Confirm honeymoon reservations – Done

Pack for honeymoon – We’re packed for the whole 3 weeks we are up here.

Pick up wedding rings  – Long time ago

Pick up marriage license – Done

Final dress fitting (with shoes & undergarments) – Done

Write Thank You notes as gifts are received – No gifts yet, we’re not that popular.

2 weeks Down to the wire.

Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d – For those who haven’t by now, their loss.

Give final count to caterer – Just did today.

Update registries – We have asked for Best Buy Gift Cards so we can purchase some kitchen appliances.

Begin breaking in wedding shoes – Runs to bedroom, puts on shoes.

Make arrangements for the caring of pets and plants while on honeymoon – We have outdoor plants and are in Vancouver. The rain will take care of.

Send playlists to DJ/band/ceremony musicians – Michael and his playlist strikes again.

Get final haircut and color – Monday.

Delegate wedding day duties: gift table, guestbook, etc. – We do need something for cards me thinks. No thanks on the guest book…..more paper.

Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals and tend to wedding dress – People rent things? Actually we bought Michael’s suit and Avalon picks up their rentals.

Send directions to wedding day limo/transportation driver – Everyone has directions, but I will send an email Monday to confirm all on Monday.

1 week Relax, almost there!

Prepare final payments to vendors + cash tips for service personnel – Done

Give readers their scripts – Not doing scripts.

Give photographer and videographer your image and video requests – Need to come up with something-ish.

Lay out wedding clothes – I can’t do this yet, he’ll see the dress. Besides, it’s still at the dressmaker.

Prepare wedding day emergency kit – My purse always has an emergency kit and my Dad is a Doctor so our house is well stocked.

Get spa treatments for you and the bridal party – Thursday/Friday!

Day Before Can you believe it?

Deliver welcome baskets – Will do!

Get mani/pedi/massage – Booked

Attend wedding rehearsal – Of course!

Get to bed at a decent hour – We’ll try. Michael is at the hotel with and I am staying at my parents.

Wedding Day Enjoy your day!

Eat a good breakfast! Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready – On it! I’m also going for a run to relax.

Give wedding rings and officiant fee to best man – We are paying ahead and recommend the same for sure and carrying our own rings.

Relax, smile, and soak in every incredible moment – Smile, laugh and celebrate we will!

We’ve got a few things to do, such as pick up a couple gifts, deliver baskets, wear in shoes and book the brunch, bu we’re on it and so far I’ve still got a groom! Now to get off to that cycle class to help ensure I can still get into that dress! See you at the altar.