And.... BREATHE....

I think I'm at the point that I couldn't wait to get to... the big things are kinda done. Decisions to be made and details to be put into action, but really, the "planning" itself is complete!  Not that there isn't still a lot to do, mind you... but now it's on MY schedule not trying to book other people's time.

Our families were in town last weekend, and it was a fantastic time! We managed to cram "all things wedding" into Saturday afternoon.

Friday night, I surprised Mom (couldn't hold it in anymore!) that the next day at noon we had an appointment to taste our wedding cake.  For those of you who know my mother... this thrilled her beyond belief.  I think she may deem the cake might to be the most important part of this wedding, LOL.

So, Saturday, we started at Piece of Cake bakery with my parents and Mike's dad, where we tasted to our hearts' content.  Tasty... and Jessica makes everything so easy.  The rest of Mike's family (mom, Kristen, Al, Sarah, Leah...) met us AT the bakery before we headed out on our tour.

Next stop, we visited the two hotels were we have rooms blocked - just to show them the location is reference to our next stop...

Morningside!  I was particularly excited to show everyone where we would get married (and party into the night!).  Before seeing it, Mom kept asking "what was wrong" with some of the other places we had visited and I really didn't have an answer for her.  It was more about what Morningside DID have....  that VIEW!!  We really had to place to ourselves, so we were able to show them the entire place and really get into that "what, when, where" for the day of the wedding.  Everyone seemed to love our pick.... especially the little ones who spend some quality time rolling down those hills!  :)

Next, we were off to get rid of some of the hunger pains at Brewer's Alley (where our rehearsal dinner is going to be!). Lucky for us, the event coordinator was in and we were able to take our families up to the banquet facilities.  Also, our lunch was AMAZING.

With bellies full, we headed to our last stop and took them to the winery where we got engaged.  It was so nice to share "our" place with them, and of course they all did a sampling.  Between all of us, we walked out buying a case of wine. No wonder why they love us over there! LOL.

Truly, an awesome weekend. Also, truly exhausting... we're still recovering a bit! :)

This coming Sunday we have our engagement shoot... which means I can create and send our "Save the Dates" not too long after that!  Soooo thankful that the weather looks like it's going to cooperate.  73 degrees and somewhat sunny? I'll take it!

Said YES to the Dress!

Wedding Gown.... CHECK!

Saturday's shopping trip was quite the success story.

Mom and I started the day at Bridal's by Sandra for our 11:30am appointment.  My consultant, Alicia, took us back into our room to get a feel of me, our wedding and what I was looking for in my dress.  And yes, I totally felt like I was on my newest NetFlix obsession, "Say Yes to the Dress".  She disappeared for a while and came back with several dresses to try on.

The first dress was amazing, and had everything that I mentioned to her. Different than anything I had previously visualized, but that is the benefit of the fresh eyes and ears of the consultant!  I tried on about 6 other dresses.  The last one was gorgeous... "if".  We made a few modifications to it, and I thought this could be it.  I didn't feel comfortable in that decision enough to cancel my second appointment elsewhere, later in the day, but I asked to put on #1 again.  Mom gasped when seeing it again and I could feel tears starting to form.  This was the one, I just knew it.  After the typical sales lines "Ooooo.... that could be tough to get for October" and then the "Great News! It'll be in August 1st... if you order it today", I knew deep down I was going to be ordering this dress and cancelling that second appointment.  And I did just that. :)  ONLY "bad" thing is, I don't think the shoes I originally picked out (and bought) will work.  Oh the horror, Dana needs to go shoe shopping again!  LOL.

On the way home, we still stopped at David's, since mom wanted to try on a dress I found for her online.  We waited just a few minutes for our walk-in appointment (time spent browsing the Mother of the Bride section anyway...). Then we got to switch places and SHE tried on a few dresses (including my original pick).  Success there too! We walked outta there less than an hour later and her MOB dress ordered.

While visiting with multiple family members this weekend, I was pleasantly aware of how many answers I had to their questions about the planning progress. Either got to say "already booked" or had some sort of idea or link saved to what I was going to do.  I guess I really am on top of things!

All in all, quite the productive weekend!

Hard Rock, Rivera Maya

On another (exciting!) note, Mike called and booked our honeymoon on Friday!  With many many thanks to my future in-laws for letting us use some of their timeshare points towards our room, we're headed to Heaven at the Hard Rock Hotel Rivera Maya for 7 days of All-Inclusive bliss.

This weekend coming up, in additional to Valentine's Day on Friday, we have a tasting/vendor event at our reception venue!  Since we'll be in the area, scouting rehearsal dinner venues and booking a block of rooms at a couple hotels is also on the itinerary.