Hello Again!

Wow - I can't believe it's been a month since my last post, and exactly three months since Arthur proposed!  Time really is flying.  So a quick update on everything.

First I want to congratulate my cousin (and bridesmaid) Amanda on her engagement last week!! I'm so excited for her - she will undoubtedly be a great planner and beautiful bride.  Best wishes to you and Mark!

Second, the planning.  All along I've sort of thought of my planning in three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Essentials - venue, church, minister - the items needed to set a date!  Phase 1 is of course complete, so I sort of checked out of wedding planning to work on the engagement party.  After the party was over Arthur and I had a week off, which I thought would probably include lots of planning, but instead filled with fun & relaxing. 

Since we got home from our vacation I had been going full steam on Phase 2, High Impact Elements.  For me those are the photographer, one of the few elements that will be left over after the big day, the DJ/music for a great atmosphere, and my dress.  We've met with a couple of photographers now so that process is well underway, I've got my first dress appointment scheduled (and have started my get in wedding shape plan), and have started contacting DJs.  Phase 2 planning is really exciting but a little stressful at the same time because these 3 elements are all really important to me.  I know I would be disappointed if I didn't have wonderful pictures to document everything we've spent a year planning and the beginning of our life together.  A DJ really can set the tone of wedding - fun, cheesy, dull, etc.  I definitely don't want anyone stuffy because I want everyone to have a great time, but I also do not want things like the chicken dance or an overly interactive DJ.   Just sometime to keep the flow of events moving, get people on the dance floor, and then let the rest unfold naturally.  Then the dress.  I don't really want to say much about that, mostly because I'm not breathing a word to Arthur about it, other than it will be white...

Finally Phase 3, the details.  Really everything else like the invitations, favors, flowers, tuxes, etc.  I'm super excited to get to these.   For me, there won't be as much pressure as each a smaller elements with lots of options.  I've also worked on a few of these elements in the last couple of weeks - bridesmaids dresses have been picked, started to look at different readings for the ceremony, I scheduled our pre cana counseling, and we scouted a few rehearsal dinner location options. 

All and all I'm very pleased with how the planning is coming.  Unfortunately work has really picked up for the summer busy season, but despite the 60 hour work weeks I don't think that will really deter me too much.  Hopefully I'll be able to blog in a bit more detail later, but that's where things stand as of now :)

Engagement Party

It's been a very busy week at work, so I'm a little behind on my posting, but I'm back now!  The engagement party was so wonderful - everything I was hoping for and then some.  The week before I got all the cleaning & cooking done so that Saturday morning could be spend decorating and setting up.  First we transformed the backyard with paper lanterns, a few tents, some balloons, and lots of chairs.  Then we got everything else ready!  Mr. & Mrs. Andersen, my parents, and my surprise visitor, Aunt Sheryl, were so helpful and made everything come together.  We had around 50 people show up - a great mix of the Andersen & McGowan families, Bentley grads, Sudbury high school friends, Maine bffs, Cornell classmates, Deloitters, and Ropes co-workers.  Thank you to everyone who came!!

Menu

Hamburgers

Hotdogs

BBQ Chicken

Pasta Salad

Chips & French Onion Dip

Fruit Salad

Veggies & Ranch Dip

Cookies

Brownies

Pound Cake

For those of you who wanted the Lemonade cocktail recipe here it is:

3 parts Frozen Lemonade (I mixed both pink & plain) made with half plain water, half seltzer water.

1 part Vodka.  For the vodka I mixed plain vodka with a splash of X-Rated Fusion Liqueur.  Probably about 3 parts plain to 1 part X-Rated. 

Most of the recipes I read called for a 1 to 1 Lemonade - Vodka ratio, so I'd play around with the ratios based on your preferences.  Given the almost 90 degree weather and afternoon setting I went more with a spiked lemonade ratio, rather than hardcore cocktails.  Personally I'm a fan of the X-rated liqueur, so I go a bit heavier on that when making ones for me :) 

These were one of my favorite details of the party.  I just couldn't resist! 

Can't wait for June 4, 2011.

It was also the first time all the bridesmaids got to meet each other.  I was so happy they could all make it.  I really can't think of a better wedding party.  And such stylish ladies too!

As I said before - it was perfect.  Laid back afternoon BBQ with perfect weather, surrounded by lots of our favorite people.  Can't wait to plan the next party!

Engagement Party Prep

Our engagement party is only 2 days away! Needless to say, I'm getting quite excited.  We are anticipating between 50-60 people, which is absolutely wonderful, as I love entertaining.  It will also be great for our friends & family to meet each other and to visit with people we haven't seen in awhile .  The forcasted temperature has varied throughout the week, but it looks like it should definitely be sunny and between 80-90 degrees.  Perfect BBQ weather :)

The real Mrs. Andersen and my Mom are bringing most of the food, and I've been busy all week gathering party supplies, testing cocktail recipes, and getting decorations ready.  Arthur's also been super helpful getting some condo improvements done too.  Tonight I will begin some of the food prep starting with homemade BBQ sauce and spice rub (recipe courtesy of mom of maid of honor, Mrs. Shea).  I've had Mrs. Shea's BBQ chicken before and its delicious, so hopefully I can do it justice.  

It's been a fun week getting things ready, but now I'm ready for the real fun.  Can't wait to see some of you on Saturday!

Wedding Website

First bit of the wedding website is complete.  Here's a preview: www.stephanieandarthur.weddingwindow.com

Groomsmen & Website

Arthur has finalized his groomsmen so we now have a complete wedding party!  Our groomsmen will be Arthur's brother Jonathan, my brother Phil, and friends Rob, Allen, Michael, & Fleischmann.  We are very excited about each of them.

We have also been working on a wedding website.  Now that some of the bigger details have been worked out, we are almost ready to share the link.  So stayed tuned, it will be up soon!

It's Official

June 4, 2011!!

Everything worked out great this weekend, so our date is officially set.  We met with the priest at St. James Church in Portsmouth and set everything up with him to be married there.  The location is great in relation to the Wentworth (less than 3 miles from one place to the next).  After finishing at the church, the groom and I scouted out some of the area hotels for places for people to stay next year.  Portsmouth has a lot of options, but we came across a wonderful new hotel that had only open 1 1/2 weeks ago.  Beautiful inside, and a great spot right in the downtown area, again about 3 miles from the Wentworth.  All in all, a very productive wedding weekend.

Up next: The Engagement Party!

One Year Countdown

So a few things have happened since my last post.  We met with Father Jim, the Andersens' family priest, and started the process of preparing for our marriage.  We have also received a contract from the Wentworth for the cocktail hour and reception.  So we have an officiant and a reception venue, which just leaves the ceremony location.  Tomorrow we are meeting with the priest at St. James Church in Portsmouth to finalize the ceremony location, and then we will officially be getting married on June 4, 2011.  That makes today 1 year from our soon to be wedding day!