Bridesmaids

Wedding party - please be at the Covington Embassy Suites at Noon on 9/13 for pictures!!!

Who:

Maid of Honor: Pam Jones (Tampa, FL)
Matron of Honor: Jen Sokoloski (Lebanon, OH)
Bridesmaids:
Kate Stegman (Northern KY)
Marianne Gerl (Northern KY)
Robin "Poppy" Wheeler-Barber (St. Louis, MO)

What you need to know so far:

Aug 28: Amazingly I have time to update the web site. Woohoo! We leave tomorrow! For those of you traveling, Pam is bringing a steam iron for the dresses. Go Pammy!

The Schedule for Sept 13 is as follows:
NOON - meet at the Embassy Suites in Covington for pics. (Bring your fans.)
1:15-ish - Receptions (where we get to eat first)
8 pm - Informal afterparty at Kevin & Shel's (optional, of course)

July 15: The shower this weekend was wonderful (round of applause here for Kate and Jen, who did a magnificent job). My only complaint is that more of my guests couldn't (didn't?) attend. Some people had really great reasons, but others just failed to show up. :-( But, some of my oldest, dearest friends were there and that more than made up for those who didn't make it. There was a Southern theme to the shower - very "Ya Ya." It was absolutely perfect!
I've purchased my hair thingys and necklace/earrings from Paris Hats & Tiaras. It just sounds like a fun place doesn't it? Everything else is happening - I'm just behind on your fans, the programs, the favors, and the centerpieces. Aaaaa! We're getting many more declines for the reception than I anticipated (as of right now I'm down 50 warm bodies), and I'm learning not to take it personally. We're also starting to recieve wedding gifts! I'm on top of all the thank you notes though - for the showers and the wedding! Hope it stays that way.
June 29: I am officially going insane. I haven't yet started your all's fans, I'm afraid to call my florist (because of cost), and I haven't even started on the wedding favors (which involves burning lots and lots and lots of CDs). I'm completely freaked. There are 63 days between now and the wedding (a little longer until the reception, but there's not much time home between). And my work and $$ situation is, quite frankly, out of control.
The good news - I'm done with the invitations. They took no time at all. Addressing and stuffing for an hour or so here and there and voila! finished! Kevin was allowed to help with the stamps. ;-) The invitations will go out sometime this week (look for them after the 4th of July). My cousin gets married the week before I do and hers go out tonite. As soon as I receive hers, I'm mailing out mine. We're sending them slightly early in case anyone else decides to join us on the trip.
A little ahead of the game, we're purchasing stamps for our wedding thank you notes. His side gets Cary Grant and my side gets Audrey Hepburn. It's silly, but it makes us laugh. Thanks to Kate and Jen for introducing me to those Audrey stamps on the shower invite. BTW, I can't even tell you how much I'm looking forward to that shower. That's an insane weekend - I'm hosting a shower for my cousin at my place on Saturday, going to Kevin's class reunion that night, going to the shower for me on Sunday, and rounding off the weekend with front row seats at the The Cheiftains concert that night. Which reminds me - I need to look into Buffet tix.
I now hate my own silver sandals and am on the hunt for the perfect pair. They all make my feet look huge, as they've all got these dainty straps. And since my relatives recently took it upon themselves to remind me how ugly my feet are (at my first shower no less), well, I'm a bit self-conscious now.
I'm down 9 pounds (maybe more - haven't weighed in this week) on the great diet/workout plan. In fact, I need to wrap this up to get to the gym.
Love you all and thanks for all the support. I've almost got your bridesmaid packages complete. Just a little something more ... I'll get them out at the beginning of August I hope.

May 25: Well, last night I started stuffing envelopes. Addressing these things is going much quicker than I dreamed (a little white wine and a Sex & the City DVD set can make anything fun) and I'll be done real soon! We should still have a little party, but no need for the envelope addressing party. This means Kevin and the guys get out of stuffing envelopes too (although he did a good job of helping me fold things last night).
I guess this page is the closest thing I have to a Wedding Blog (that being an online journal) and I know it's entertaining folks other than my bridesmaids. People keep complimenting me on the dress. That would be your all's dress though - I swear I haven't posted mine anywhere out here, have I?
Well the invites for shower #1 have gone out. That's the one thrown by my dad's wife for his side of the family. I didn't put you out of town ladies on that list, so don't worry. But everyone is on the Jen/Kate shower list and Mari's bachelorette party list. I hear we may even have a special chef appearance for the bachelorette party. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that. ;-) We updated all the registries this weekend at the two top stores, Lazarus and Target, so spread the word ladies. (Besides it's so so so fun - have you seen Target's Swell collection of, well, everything? I love it! Kinda hooked on their I Scream outdoorsy stuff too. I'm just a big kid who loves retro, what can I say? And, finally, both Target and Lazarus got in a classic drink maker - ie, a Milk Shake Maker! I don't think anything recently has made me that excited!)
Things are so crazy here with a million and one things other than the wedding. Don't worry if you don't hear from me. I'm in super-high stress mode and you don't WANT to hear from me. It makes me grumpy and snappish.
If you see me and I'm sans ring - I will be until sometime mid-July. We ordered our wedding rings and mine has lots of hand engraving. They're doing the engagement ring to match so I'm ringless. It's sad! But will look even more gorgeous when we get the rings back ... Ordering the rings was a huge thing. Sort of made it all real. So did working on the invites last night.
I think you all have your dresses by now - thank you!!! Don't forget - silver or taupe sandals. I have seen low-cost, low-heel (if that's what you want) silver sandals just about everywhere this year. I may pick up a casual pair for myself (mine are pretty dressy). Buy them soon. I've learned from experience that if you wait until end of August/early September, they'll be impossible to find because that's "Fall" for the stores - unless you live in Florida like Pam.
Thanks for the seashells Pam!! Perfect!!!!
Joe, my hair guru, and I worked out my hair. I'm going with orchids instead of seashells. I've got to run to a craft store and get the stuff and I need to get my butt in gear and call a florist (my friend Traci's mom) so that she can arrange silk flowers for my hair and my family. Oh, back to the hair - I'm going very simple and very 1930's Hollywood (sort of goes with my dress) - just a low chignon topped off with orchids and the veil coming from under the chignon. For the reception I'm ditching the veil and the silk orchids and wearing real ones to the left side of the chignon. In Hawaii, wearing flowers behind your left ear means you're taken. Just a bit of trivia there, courtesy of Modern Bride. I swore off those magazines, they're so dang expensive, but this month Modern Bride did Destination Weddings. So I bought it ... and there was my hair! Yay! Also, if you're getting your hair done on the island, you might want to find a picture of how you want it or learn Spanish. These folks don't do English you know.
Pedicure and manicure appointments have been made. Jen and Mari - you have appointments with me the day before we leave for the wedding. Jen, Mari, and Kate - you have appointments with me the day before the reception. Pamper pamper pamper!

April 28: Scratch what I said about earrings. I was shopping in St. Louis this weekend and found the perfect earring/necklace set. So I bought them! :-D I keep hearing great stories about finding the perfect pair of silver sandals too (although you can wear taupe if you want). Love you guys!

April 23: Can I just say how much I love you guys? You all have really got your act together. You discussed cutting off dresses (which I hear you're not doing) and Mari showed me the beads she ordered for her feet as you all discussed that too. How great is that?!!

I will be providing a necklace for you all - I just haven't decided what yet. It will definitely be silver toned, seeing as how the wedding colors are periwinkle and silver. I was playing with Mari's scarf though, and if you all want to bring 'em along as a shawl, go right ahead. I picked up a shawl for myself the other day just in case that island breeze chills my shoulders. (Let's hope for a breeze in the heat!) I am making/have made fans for you all to use at both the wedding and the reception. Wear your hair however you want it. If you think you'll want to have a professional put it up for you (if you decide to wear it up), let me know by the beginning of July so that I can have the hotel wedding coordinator make hair app'ts for all of us. My hair is going up - I have no preference on yours. Same goes with earrings. Wear them - don't wear them. Whatever you want. If you wear them, remember the necklace will be silver. As for nail polish - I only require that you have it on your fingers and your toes and that it's tasteful. I'll probably be wearing OPI's "I'm Not Really a Waitress Red" because I love that color and I want bright red toenails. If you're hating your toe nails, talk to Pam. She gets acrylics put on her toes! Again, you will eventually need shoes - both receptions do require them. Go with silver or taupe sandals - I'm not picky about the heel, just show off your pretty toes!

Sometime in the middle of August, you'll all be receiving a fun "barcel" - a bridesmaid's parcel! It'll have the necklace and other fun things in it - to thank you all for your help. If anyone local wants to join me, I'm going to try to schedule a manicure and pedicure at Salon Sabluex on August 28. They're not cheap (around $70- for the pedicure) but what a heavenly experience. If you want to do that (either or both), let me know by June and I'll try to schedule all of us at once. They may even cut us a bridal party discount. But don't feel pressured. Everyone is perfectly capable of doing their own nails as well. Getting married is just my current excuse for the pampering!

Anyone who wants to join me in early June for some dinner, white wine and then invitation addressing is more than welcome. I need a lot of help. As for other things, Jen & Kate seem to have the shower under control, and my stepmother has a separate shower under control; Mari is on top of the local bachelorette party. You guys amaze me! I'm glad you're all so together though, because I'm slowly unraveling!

March 3 : The dress is definitely the one from Chadwick's. Talk to each other about beads for your feet and length of dresses. Make your travel arrangements asap. You'll be carrying fans with flowers and ribbons. Call me or email me if you need anything! And check your email often, as I'm sending out periodic updates as opposed to updating this site.

Jan 21: Shoes I just found out that we will be on sand walking down the aisle, although the actual wedding will take place in a gazebo. For me, this is an issue, because I wanted to wear silver sandals with heels. I'll sink or fall on my face trying to walk on sand in my heels. I've spoken with an acquaintance, Eva, who got married in the exact same place last month. She definitely recommends low-heeled sandals, as her low-heeled mules (not open toe) were filled with sand. My friend Kara suggested I get these and I think I will. However, for the reception at the restaurant after the wedding, shoes are required, so I'll wear my silver heels then. Of course, this means my scalloped-hem dress that can't be taken up will drag during the wedding, but that's what dry cleaners are for (to clean the dress before the local reception!). I still want you all, for both receptions, to have taupe or silver sandals. Heel-size to your choosing. But, if those of you who think you'll go to the actual wedding would rather have the beaded footwear like I'm getting to wear for the ceremony, go for it. But everyone at the ceremony would need it, not just one of you, and you would still need real shoes for dinner afterwards. (No going barefoot into restaurants after all.) This decision, while it certainly doesn't have to be made immediately, might affect whether or not you want to cut off the dresses. Your dresses, at least, can be hemmed to not drag. It's up to you! Any day now, you should all have your Bridesmaid newsletter. You know how to reach each other now!

Jan 19, 2003: I'm almost postive I've found the dress. It's a dress I would wear. It's incredibly like a short dress I've seen Pam wear, so I know it will cut off lovely. It's affordable, AND it's periwinkle! And as I'm discovering that so many of us have tattoos, it should show off those nicely so that if we all get dresses (okay -- I'll have a bride's dress, but anyway) we can get a tattoo shot! I'm quite excited about that! How many brides have that in their wedding album? Here's the link to the dress on which I'm hooked: Chadwick's. I love the color of periwinkle they offer as well. The empire waist should be flattering to everyone and the chiffon on the bottom will be all flowy and romantic in the beach breeze. For shoes you could get sandals in taupe or silver -- up to you. Heels or not - whatever you're comfy in. Let me know what you think of the dress real soon, and once I have a majority, you can go ahead and order if you think you'll be wanting to wear it to either the reception or the wedding! I would like everyone who showed up at the wedding to wear the dress again at the reception. That will help with pictures and make people happy who weren't at the wedding, as they'll get to see what all the dresses looked like. There will be a photographer at the reception, so if you don't make it to the wedding and don't buy the dress either, you'll need to at least wear periwinkle-ish so that you match the rest of us. I know it seems like I'm waffling on all this, but what is really happening is that it's all coming together on paper AND in my head.

Oh, And if you all discuss it amongst yourselves and decide you all agree on a length and you WANT to get these cut off before the wedding so that they are short, go for it. You just all need matching lengths.

I'm working on a bridesmaid's newsletter today to get you all in touch with each other.

Jan 12, 2003: I had a thought. It will be hot. Perhaps instead of bouquets you all could carry straw fans, decorated in periwinkle and white flowers and seashells, with silver and periwinkle ribbons hanging off the handle. That would keep you cool AND look flirty. I could do it with fans from Pier 1, flowers from Old Time Pottery, and my trusty hot glue gun. I might make one up to see what it looks like. It would also be something you could all have, whereas those who can't make it to the wedding would miss out on a bouquet. (Personally, I keep those things until they fall apart.) Let me know what you think.

Jan 11, 2003: As of right now, I have very little info. When the hotel gives us a TIME for the wedding, we'll talk about dresses. It looks like I'll have at least 2, possibly all of you, coming to the wedding. For those of you only coming to the reception, you can decide if you want to buy a dress or not. If you can only come to the reception, you get to sit up at the big long table with Kevin and I. If you can't make it to either event, you WILL be listed in the program as "Bridesmaid in Absentia." Works for me. I'm not too picky that way, and I know that you're with me in your heart! Sometimes life just gets in the way of travel!

If the wedding is in the evening, we may just go with basic black. In the meantime, keep your eyes out for periwinkle. I love periwinkle (check your Crayola box to see what color I mean). I can't decide, at the moment, if I should have you all just buy dresses to your taste, of the same length, in periwinkle, or if we should buy these, or if we should have those same dresses made. Jen is on the lookout for a similar pattern and we can get the fabric here. We just need a seamstress. We can buy the dresses for $150 + shipping, and although they are silk, I hate to have you pay quite that much. So think about it, and let me know your ideas. I'm pretty open on everything but the color and the length. I don't really want you all in floor-length gowns. My main goal is that you can wear these dresses again without too much hassle. The wedding colors, at the moment, are periwinkle and silver, with a seashell theme.

Also, I don't know if attendant flowers are part of the wedding package at the resort. So, start thinking of something OTHER than candles that you can hold walking down the aisle without tripping, and that can be packed in a suitcase and won't freak out the folks at customs.

I'll be putting you in touch with each other at the end of the month, once I have more things finalized.

That's all I know so far, so let me know your thoughts and ideas, because all mine are still subject to change!!