BM Kim is still a BM

BM Kim did not let us down. I received the envelopes today and they are very nice and just the color I wanted. Good job BM Kim!

Anyone want to take a bet on whether or not I Gocco the envelopes tonight (with my address)?

A mission not so impossible

BM Kim was given a mission when she was out to visit. It was a simple one but if done incorrectly, could set off a tidal wave fury that she is ill-equipped to handle. She had to go to Paper Presentation and see if the coco envelopes they sell would match the invitations and were a similar color to the chocolate brown envelopes from Paper Source. Online the envelopes from Paper Presentations appeared too light but envelopes there are about half the price of Paper Source.

On Wednesday, I arrived home to find this email message waiting for me:
"Mission accomplished. The coco brown is rich and luxurious and I think it will compliment your invitations nicely.

It is the color of a hershey bar. Milk, not the Special Dark."

B was a little apprehensive to purchase based on BM Kim's opinion because he did not understand what her qualifications were. But once I explained that she saw the Paper Source version of the envelope, saw the invitation color scheme in person and knew I would hurt if she steered me wrong, he took her word as gospel.

I have placed my order and they are expected to arrive tomorrow.

Bridesmaids take notice...

I outlined what the Maid of Honor needs to be doing for me and now I will outline what the maids should be doing according The Knot.

The bridesmaid is an integral part of any wedding, on hand to comfort, console, multitask, and party hearty at all bridal event(s). Whether it's your first bridesmaid gig or your 50th, here's a cheat sheet of your to-dos.

• Offer to help with prewedding tasks. Try to be specific when you volunteer. For example, say, "Would you like me to help you shop for bridesmaid dresses/stuff invitations/pack for the honeymoon?" instead of just, "What can I do?"  

• Scout out bridesmaid dresses, shoes, jewelry, and other accessories. Pay for the entire ensemble. (Break in your shoes before the wedding day -- that will minimize slipping, blisters, and aching tootsies.)

• Help to plan, cohost, and pay for the shower and bachelorette party with other bridesmaids.

• If the maid/matron of honor isn't already handling this task, keep a record of all the gifts received at various parties and showers (so that the bride/couple can write thank-you notes); maintain RSVP lists.

• Attend the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. (Keep abreast of all prewedding parties, and go to as many as possible.)

• Run last-minute errands. On the day of the wedding, be on hand to confirm flower delivery times, meet and greet the ceremony officiant, or satisfy junk food cravings.

• Stand in the receiving line at the bride's request.

• Serve as auxiliary hostess at the reception by introducing guests, making sure they know where the bar is located, and inviting them to sign the guest book.

• Hit the dance floor when the music kicks in. Dance with groomsmen during the formal first-dance sequence. Also, be on the lookout for toe-tapping guests who might need encouragement and/or a dance partner.

• Give the maid/matron of honor a break by helping to carry the bride's train whenever necessary. Bustle the train before dancing begins, and be ready to help fix it if it comes unhooked. Accompany the bride on visits to the restroom, if asked.

• Purchase a wedding present perhaps with one or several of the other bridesmaids. This provides more buying power, and two heads are better than one when it comes to gift ideas. Sometimes the entire bridesmaid troupe pitches in for one knock-her-socks-off wedding gift.

• Be a trooper, no matter how stressful the ordeal becomes. Try not to complain about the bridesmaid dress -- even if the color is horrendous. Be gracious and tactful.

• Provide plenty of emotional support during the planning and on the wedding day.
  

Trying on of the bridesmaid dress part 1

While BM Ellen is the only bridesmaid to actually have the dress, she opted to wait until a few months after giving birth to even try the dress on (she was eight months pregnant when the dress was brought to her). When BM Kim was up in Boston, she tried on her bridesmaid dress and while it was the same size as she tried on at RK Bridal, they fit was a lot different. I remember the sample dress was very big on her and was nervous when she ordered the same size. The sample dress would have needed a lot of alterations but when she tired on the actual dress, it was much better than expected. I mean, it will need to be taken in in spots but definitely not to the degree we both were expecting so that is good. Hopefully we do not have issues with the other dresses.

Shout out: Happy birthday to Alett!

RSVP Take 2

I noticed a small error on the RSVPs that I had already made and it was annoying me. So to make myself feel better and move on, I reprinted the RSVPs. This time I did it with BM Kim. She was amazed by the Gocco machine (it will blow your mind seriously people).

So she helped me line up the cards as I printed them and she drank wine (I partook in the red wine after I was finished so as to not GUI - gocco under the influence). Not a bad job by BM Kim. She has earned the right to still be a BM.

BM Kim is on a bus back to New York and we are sad.

That's what friends are for...

Has hell frozen over? B and I always say that no one comes up to visit us but here we are about to have a visitor for the second weekend in a row. Yay! Last week we had POTFRK and this week we have BM Kim. Things I want to do with Kim here:

• Go to Somerville Open Studios
• Gocco more of the invites
• Dress her up like a doll
• Go out to dinner

I put new sheets on the bed last night and that is it. It is not the Ritz Carlton so I hope she doesn't expect turn down or concierge service.

Shout out to Maureen - Happy Birthday you foxy minx!

Fun with scanners

My brother Tim might have had a small heart attack after reading the title (I scanned a picture from 1980 that looks very dated. Don't worry Tim - that picture will have its day) but this "fun time with scanner" brings us my first grade school picture. B and I were going to use pictures of the bridal party during their childhood but have since changed our minds. So below is a picture that contains myself and bridesmaid Kim.

Things to do this month...Part 2

Last I saw you trusty readers we had just discussed the 15 things the best man is expected. Today we will discuss what the Knot things the maid of honor should do.


1. Lead the bridesmaid troupe. It's the maid/matron of honor's (MOH) job to direct the other maids through their duties. Make sure all bridesmaids get their dresses, go to dress fittings, and find the right jewelry. Also provide them with the 411 on all prewedding parties. - Ann, you are the boss!
2. Help shop for dresses (the bride's and the bridesmaids'). And the MOH pays for her own entire wedding outfit (including shoes). - Done and Ann was not here. Actually Kim picked it out and Ellen approved it.
3. Offer to help the bride with prewedding tasks, from addressing invites to choosing the wedding colors and nodding enthusiastically when she waxes poetic about wedding cake. - Um, there has been no offer.
4. Spread the news about where the bride and groom are registered. - Actually I am sure that all of Jonesboro may know. This side of the Atlantic, not so much.
5. Help the bride change for her honeymoon and take charge of her gown after the ceremony. Arrange for storage in a safe place until she returns. - Have fun dressing me - just like the old days, except I am fully continent .
6. Lend an ear. Whether it's about the planning, the marriage, or the registry china patterns, the MOH should assure the bride that she has someone with whom she can share her thoughts. Even if she seems to dwell on the same subjects repeatedly, the MOH keeps listening. - Basically, she is my bitch.
7. Host or cohost a shower for the bride. - Ann get on this!
8. Attend all prewedding parties. - We haven't had any parties. Yet.
9. Keep a record of all the gifts received at various parties and showers (or delegate a bridesmaid to handle this). - She can do this because I like her handwriting.
10. Plan the bachelorette party with the bridesmaids. - I am not having one so she is off the hook.
11. See to it that all bridesmaids get to the rehearsal; coordinate transportation and lodging, if necessary. - Who coordinates Ann's lodging since she is the one that really needs it.
12. Make sure that all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done, get to the ceremony on time, and have the correct bouquets. - I think she should do all the bridesmaids hair and make up. That would be funnier.
13. Hold the groom's ring during the ceremony. Safest place to put it? On your thumb. - Nah, already gave this job to the best man in the last post.
14. Arrange the bride's train and veil before the ceremony begins and just after she arrives at the altar. The MOH might also need to help her bustle the train for easy dancing at the reception. - Really, you do have to take care of me the whole day!
15. Hold the bride's bouquet while the couple exchanges vows. - Again, you are my bitch.
16. Sign the marriage license as a witness, along with the best man. - Again, good handwriting is key here.
17. Stand next to the groom in the receiving line (this is optional; the bride may decide to have attendants circulate among the guests instead). - We may or may not be having a receiving line and if we do, only B and me will be standing in it.
18. Play hostess along with the other bridesmaids at frequent points during the reception: show guests where to sit, direct them to restrooms, tell them to where to put presents, invite them to sign the guest book, etc. - She has to do as much socializing as the bride and groom while the Best Man has to dance.
19. Collect any gift envelopes brought to the reception and keep them in a safe place. - I trust her.
20. Make sure the bride takes a moment to eat something -- refresh her drink, get her a plate of food from the buffet table, or instruct the wait staff to keep her entree warm. - Again, you must serve me! This day is going to spoil me.
21. Dance with the best man during the formal first-dance sequence and possibly be announced with him at the beginning of the party. Also dance with other groomsmen, the groom, and others. - You don't have to if you don't want to.
22. Toast the couple after the best man. (This is optional, but it is a nice touch.) - We have decided she is not going to do this. It was a mutual decision.
23. Troubleshoot emotional crises. In most cases, this will require lots of tissues, hugging, and hair-smoothing. The MOH continues to be a trusted friend, a good listener, and a smart advisor. - How unstable am I going to get?
24. Keep the bride laughing. For the stressed-out bride, laughter can be as effective as venting. - Don't make me laugh on the alter because once I get the giggles I can't stop. And usually it is at inappropriate times.

Why does the MOH have 24 things and the BM only has 13? And why do I need all this assistance and B needs none? These lists are unfair and not very balanced.

Bridesmaid Contract

I was reading the Knot last night and this was listed at the top of the NYC message board:
"Did you make a bridesmaid contract to keep your bridesmaids “in check” or maybe you just sent it out as a joke? Or are you a bridesmaid who was surprised when you received a bridesmaid contract or list of rules to follow by?"

Are brides getting this controlling as to actually have contracts? This seems a bit much to me and if I was a bridesmaid, I would not sign it. Or I would but then I would break all the rules to spite the bride.

Introducing the girls...

My cousin mentioned that I should post about the wedding party and I was planning on doing that but I was waiting until B asked all of the guys first. B asked the last guy over Christmas. So I figure I would start with the girls side. Once I scan some pictures maybe I will post them but as of right now - no pictures for you!

So let's start with the only person who asked what his or her job would be - Ann aka MOH aka matron (I hate that word) of honor. I had planned on asking Ann when I was in Ireland two weeks later but she beat me to the punch. Ann is part older sister, part mom, and part friend and all around perfect person. If there was a stand in for mother of the bride, Ann is it. Ann thought she was going to do a reading since she does them in Ireland all the time. She is the best reader in all of Armagh - just ask her.

Next asked was Kim, best friend since first grade and we could embarrass the hell of each other so I won't share any stories of prank phone calls or anything like that. Kim was the one who found the dresses tht the girls will wear. I was seeing Kim a few weeks for a camping trip three weeks after getting engaged - I wanted to ask everyone in person (Ann ruined it though - maybe she is not so perfect after all).

Ellen was the last to be asked because B was putting off asking his family (I was done with a week of being engaged). FYI - Ellen is B's sister and that is why he asked her (I asked all members of my family and he asks his) While out to dinner, there was a lot of talk about the bridal party, so much so that it got awkward for us to keep avoiding that we had asked people but not everyone. So on the way home, B pulled Ellen aside and asked her. I am sure she remembers the spot on Third Avenue that she was bestowed this honor and goes there often to remember the glorious moment.

And that is the female side of the bridal party. Everyone, bridal party. Bridal party, everyone.

Bridal Party Beware!

Don't piss me off or you will be stuck on armpit duty.

Those committing minor infractions will just have to keep my wine glass full.

(picture from divinecaroline.com via weddingbee.com)

But don't worry, I will never ask you or anyone else at the wedding to do this.