10.29.2010

Bye Bye, Down Time!

Most brides know that there is a lull in your planning schedule if you have the typical year from engagement to wedding. Well, mine has come and is now packing its things to leave forever. I started planning fast and got a space booked and a wedding dress right away. But some things just can't be booked a year in advance...and some don't need to be. It was still too early to map out the tiny details. Not anymore. I'm coming up on our 6-month marker next weekend and it's time to get my booty back in gear.

The Wedding Salon
I haven't been completely ignoring the wedding lately, to be fair. I went to the Wedding Salon event at Sofitel Chicago with my best bridal blogger buds Hollie at Thrifty in White and Jennifer over at Peach Bride. We got to taste a few passed appetizers & desserts, get our pics taken in every photo booth we could find, and drink as much wine as we could get our hands on (which didn't end up being much because the place was so packed).
I blocked out the first one for everybody's sake. Jen, I LOVE the tiara. ;)

#1: Silly, #2: Awkward

Since our tickets were free via a promo code, it was well worth the trip just to get some ideas for hair styles and table decor, but I have to say that these events are NOT for the bride on a budget. They're great for inspiration and free wine but don't expect to actually find a deal there. The only thing that might end up working out is a honeymoon package from Sandals, who had a booth there. Oh, and Hollie's incredible chalkboard writing capabilities that I may have to barter for all-you-can-drink wine and/or DIY help. (Hollie, look what you got yourself into.) :)

House Hunting
Since I am slightly insane, we have started our search for a home while also planning a wedding! How exciting though, right?! If I'm sparse on the posts, that would be part of my excuse. We're taking our time and visiting places every weekend in various neighborhoods in Chicago (but mostly in Lakeview/Lincoln Park/Downtown). I must say I think I'm getting better at narrowing them down online first before we go see them because we are getting closer and closer to the perfect place every week. THIS is what I want to spend our money on, NOT the one-day event that is our wedding. So, in a way, the house hunting comes at a perfect time to keep me on track with our wedding budget. I'm so excited to have a place in mind when I'm registering for gifts!


The fiance and I are off to NYC next week for a family wedding and I am SO EXCITED to get to take some mental notes while I'm there. Seeing one in action will definitely get my creative juices flowing and inspire me to start getting things wrapped up for my own!
190 days...

4 comments:

  1. Haha!!! :) I think I'm going to go on record and say that the photobooth at a wedding is the best thing ever. (Next to a bridal show with the 3 of us.)

    I'm so excited to hear about your plans that you're going to be making now! :)

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  2. Looks like another get-together is in our futures...we need to catch up on your wedding plans!

    And hello, I would flipping LOVE to help out with signs or writing anything. Just tell me when & where and I'll bring the vino!

    No, seriously. I would LOVE to help. Jen can help also by showing up in a tiara :)

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  3. I don't even know how I stumbled on your blog but I am in awe! I never thought having a Chicago wedding within your budget was possible!
    I'm getting married this summer and one thing my fiance and I agreed on was that it HAS to be in the city.
    I've been going through your blog l
    like a madwoman looking for helpful hints :)

    BTW, Hollie is actually going to coordinate my wedding! What a small world!

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  4. Yaay!!! Congratulations to you! I'm so glad my blog has confirmed that a city wedding is indeed possible with (and I'm coming in under so far) my budget. Depending on how many ppl you are expecting, I have some great locations to recommend if you want the city to be a part of the wedding. Email me if you haven't found a venue yet and just if you have any questions about anything! I've been getting great advice from people and learning a lot about event planning in this city. I'm sure Hollie will have you covered on a lot of things though. She's awesome. Best investment of the wedding, hands down. :)

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