Gifts and Cake!

Before I start this, I want to add that I'm dragging these pre-wedding recaps out as long as possible because I still do not have our pro-pics.  I checked the mail half a dozen times yesterday and when it finally arrived, there was no disc.  So, I emailed Howie to see if the disc had been sent yet (remember, he said I'd it in my hand by the weekend).  He emailed back this morning to tell me that he had just finished editing them this morning and he'd put them in the mail tomorrow.  I'm getting frustrated.  I know that average wait time is this or longer, but it's double what Howie had told me originally.  Grrr... At least when I have them in my possession, I know that they are going to be fantastic!

Anyway, on with the recap.  You might remember that I bought a special groom's cake for Philip especially for the rehearsal dinner.  I chose R2D2 because Philip is a huge Star Wars nerd--er, I mean fan.  ;)

I was actually really pleased with how it turned out.  It looked like R2D2 and had a special touch especially for us:

 

It's a bit difficult to see, but it says "9  24  2011" with a little heart after it.  

Philip digging in to R2D2's leg.  Do robots have legs?  lol

Poor legless R2D2.

Unfortunately I was not as impressed with the taste as I was the look of the cake.  And, even more unfortunately, I wasn't the only one.  Many of the guests and I thought the cake tasted really not good -- like it had been made a week or more ago.  It was dry and flavorless.  And, I had specifically told her not to use a lot of icing (Philip doesn't like lots of icing).  However, apparently she couldn't get the cake to hold together without a ton of icing.  

Although I was disappointed, Philip thought the cake tasted fine and he loved how it looked.  In fact, after we walked in, he turned to me and said, "Did you see the cake in the corner?!"  I told him that I did and that I had ordered it for him.  :)  He was very pleased.  

And, since it was a bridal shower, we also got presents.  :)

 

 

 

 

While we were opening presents, Philip's uncle Dave was making everyone laugh hysterically (as evidenced by the last photos!).  It was definitely a good time.  

Afterwards, we mingled a bit more and then said our goodbyes.  I was exhausted and ready for bed!  So, we headed back to Dave and Melisa's house to get some sleep.  Unfortunately, Philip turned on the TV to Son-In-Law and I got sucked in, so I didn't get to fall asleep right away.  And, even more unfortunately, I still had to get up early the next morning!  But, more on that next time!

Photos courtesy of Philip's mom Kim, my mom, and myself.

Miss something?  Catch up here:
We arrive in Pennsylvania

We begin setting up

We stock the bar (and skip a rehearsal)

We have dinner and play games at our "Rehearsal" Dinner

Less than a week to go!

I can't believe it.  We've got less than a week to go.  The wedding is THIS Saturday!  Ahhh!  We will be flying to Pennsylvania on Thursday.  It just doesn't seem real.  By this time next week, Philip and I will have landed in Rome!  Oh, how I'm looking forward to that! 

I'm kind of in shock that it's so close.  Today, after doing invoicing for work (yes, I've been bringing work home all week -- I'm hoping to actually be caught up by the time we leave!), I downloaded a bunch of music and ordered some last minute items.  What did I order?  

Well, since you asked!  I ordered this lovely to sit atop our cake:

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At $29.67, it's much more than I had intended to spend on a cake topper.  However, I'd been searching for months and months for something that I would fall in love with.  I wasn't able to come up with anything until last week.  This little guy caught my attention and I knew it would be perfect.  

Next up, I finally ordered the server set for us to cut our cake with:

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At $39.95, this is definitely more than I thought I'd spend on a server set; especially one without engraving.  However, I searched and searched for a good set and didn't find anything I liked.  The ones I liked the look of were light or hollow and I wanted something solid and usable beyond the wedding.  The ones that were solid were just not very pretty.  I ended up with these because I know Oneida makes a great product.  And, I thought if I was going to use the serving set in the future, the engraving would wear off anyway.

I also bought a veil.  I actually bought one back in July off ebay but it didn't work out.  The lady attempted to scam me but I was able to see it before it went too far and cancel the order.  I got my money back but it left a bad taste in my mouth.  So, it took a while for me to reorder.  I ended up with this one: 

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It's just a plain, fingertip length, double layer veil.  I think it's probably going to end up being too white but we'll fix that with some tea dying if need be.  We shall see.  At $14.99, I can't complain too much!

I also bought my garter set.  I wanted a keepsake garter as well as a toss garter so I just bought them in a set.  

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They're nothing spectacular but they will certainly work for me.  They're just plain, cream, satin garters.  I was hoping to figure out a Yankees garter, but I just couldn't get myself to spend that much money on something that I didn't really like that much.  I'm still hoping that I can find a Yankees charm of some sort to attach to these.  That would make me very happy!

I also bought some gifts for parents and host/esses and grandparents.  I am not going to share them here though because I know that those are the people who most often read this blog!  You'll just have to wait, ladies!  :)

I think that's about it for now.  It's going to be a busy few days.  Wish us luck!  :)

A package arrived...

As I write this post, I am working on redoing the dye disaster.  I'm not holding my breath.  It's been about 15 minutes and so far, it just looks a darker shade of purple.  *Sigh*

Anyway, I got a package in the mail today.  Well, actually two of them.  One of them was this beauty: 

It's much better in person than it was on the website.  I'm really glad because I was worried!  And, my hope was right.  They do look wonderful next to the pearls!

And that brings me to the second package.  The gifts for the girls.  Ladies, if you'd like to be surprised by your gifts, I suggest you stop reading now!

 

I got them matching pearl earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.  I love them!  I can't wait to see them on the ladies on the wedding day.  In case you hadn't noticed, I love me some pearls.  ;)

There was another item in with the girls' jewelry. 

Philip's wedding band!  He had already left for work by the time I received the package, so I haven't been able to verify if it fits or if it is has he had imagined.  I guess I'll be able to tell you that tomorrow!

For now, I'm off to check on the dye and then to finish a few other projects.  :)

Wedding Registries

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If only that were a possibility, right?  ;)  But, kidding aside, registries are hard.  I don't know what to put on them.  I've been on my own for years now so I've already accumulated a lot of stuff I need for our home.  

Plus, I kind of feel awkward about it.  It's like I'm asking for gifts when I'm doing the registry.  I don't want people to think that they have to give us gifts.  But, all of the etiquette things say to do at least 2 registries to make it easier on the people who do want to buy you gifts.  

So, a lot of the stuff on our registry is the upgraded version of whatever we've already got.  I don't know what all kinds of things are supposed to go on a registry, so I think ours might be a little strange.  I don't know.  There's just only so many dishes you can register for before you get bored.  ;)

Also, I'm supposed to put smaller things on there for people to get me for a bridal shower gift.  I don't know what to put!  Who knew registries were so complicated!?  Any ideas for me to put on there?  Any help is greatly appreciated!