Planning Annoyances

Ok, so I understand things happen, people get busy, emails and phone messages get overlooked.  But the thing that has annoyed me most during this whole wedding planning process is when vendors take FOREVER to respond to a request.  I’d actually almost rather they didn’t respond at all instead responding 3 or 4 months later, all perky like you just talked to them yesterday.  Or at least say “I’m sorry it took so long to respond, is there anything I can do for you?” 

 

This super delayed response has happened twice now…here’s my commentary on the most recent.  I’ve edited it out of the kindness of my heart to protect the not-so-innocent!

 

———————————–

Hi Andrea – Just touching bases!

 

You recently contacted CATERER  in regards to an upcoming event at the VENUE . 

 

****This particular caterer is one of 4 exclusive caterers, the only one approved to serve alcohol at the venue we were interested in booking 4 months ago (which is how “recently” I contacted this caterer).  This was the venue we REALLY wanted to book, but the contact person never followed up with us. 

 

It would be our pleasure to assist you in any way possible.  I recently sent you an email in regards to getting a little more details on the event.  This will greatly assist me in sending you the information that you requested for your event. 

 

****I didn’t realize that “recently” could be used to explain something that happened 4 months ago.  I already responded to this “recent” email, on the same day she wrote me (October 28th to be exact).  And I followed up a week later when I didn’t hear a response from her. 

 

If you would be so kind as to provide me with the following details I will get you the information that you requested.

Event Date:

Event Start Time:

Event End Time:  

Number of Guests:

Area of the VENUE:

Full bar or Beer/wine bar:

Format (i.e. seated dinner, cocktail reception, buffet, food stations):

Budget: $

Have you already booked the VENUE?

Your Contact Information (i.e. Phone, billing address):

 

****Again, I already provided this information on October 28th. 

 

CATERER is a full-service catering and event planning company.  We are here to assist you with all of your event planning needs.  Please let me know how I can assist you with any of the following items:

Floral

Valet

Ice Sculpture

Menu Cards

Entertainment

Shuttle/car service

A/V Service

Etc.

 

****And of course you want to try to sell me on your other services. 

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns:

 

THANK YOU for considering CATERER  to assist you with your upcoming event needs.  We look forward to working with you and making your event a complete success!

****Really?!?! Because if you looked forward to working with me, you would have made it a priority to follow up sooner.  Thanks!

 

 

 

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Gowns Galore

The second time I went out in search of the dress, I brought a friend with me.  We went to a local formal boutique and a large chain.  I tried on some great dresses, but still wasn’t head over heels. 

I really liked the romantic feel of this dress.  It had good beading/lace ratio, and though the train was longer than I really preferred, I liked it. 

 The next dress looked awesome on the mannequin, but on me…not so much.  I felt like Bridal Barbie!

 Too shiny, and LONG, LONG train. 
 

  And weird, floppy butt bow. 

 This dress was a top contender that I actually have tried on several times. 

 Ultra slimming effects.

 And last but not least, big chain tried to sell me on too many accessories.  There were two veils and that awful choker.  

And don’t worry, I still have one more set of dresses to show you before the reveal.

Read Full Post »

Baby Presents

My best friend’s little boy turned 1-year-old a few days ago and they had a party this past weekend.  He is so cute!  It is difficult to buy a gift for a 1-year-old, but when I saw this, I remembered my own childhood.  I knew he’d either love it or be scared of it.  Luckily he’d been exposed to the Sock Monkey before. 

I did not get any pictures of the party with my own camera.  I almost always play back up hostess when friends have parties.  It’s honestly what I do best.  I answered the door, played with other little kids and took pictures with my friend’s camera, so they didn’t have to rely on getting copies from everyone else.  Especially during the requisite 1-year-old, cake smashing in the face shots! 

By the way, Taylor didn’t know what sock monkey was.  Did anyone else have a sock monkey???

Also, my best friend is also going to be in my wedding party.  I will have pics of how I “proposed” to my wedding party real soon!!

Read Full Post »

A Decision Has Been Made

I’ve been putting off the wedding dress decision for a long time now.  But realized that if I didn’t take the leap, I wouldn’t have very many choices.  I was comfortable with a dress but then saw something that made my heart flutter.  I won’t reveal it just yet (mostly because it is a few weeks out from getting here) but I did want to start sharing the long journey it has been for me to decide on the dress. 

A selected few photos from my first dress shopping excursion way back in October.  I brought the posse with me…mom, future mother in law, sister and best friend.  The things I thought I wanted in a dress: not strapless, lace, very short/no train, corset back.

(PS Welcome to the Self Deprecation Hour!)

This is the first dress I tried on.  Too much heavy beading on top, thick straps, long-ish train.

 Another dress, yay for corset back, boo for the wierd place the line of lace stops on my thighs.

The crowd favorite, every loved this one.  My mom would have dropped some $$ on the spot.  I liked it but wasn’t in love with it.  And it just barely fit, so I felt kinda sausaged into it.  This dress helped me like the strapless option & sweetheart neckline. 

I loved the gold color of this dress on me, but the side gathers hit me in a wierd spot that made the fit unflattering.  It also had a corset back.  (PS…The color of the room is even more awful in person!)

 

So after many dresses for day 1, I found out that:

1.  You only have the armpit/boob fat if your dress doesn’t fit properly.  This means strapless isn’t out of the question. 

2.  Just because I love a dress in a magazine, doesn’t mean it will look good on me.

3.  I still want a short train. 

4.  Corset back is great except when annoying bridal consultants insist on strapping you up, properly, the entire way, which happens to take 20 minutes.  Especially when about 1 minute in you realize you don’t really like the dress that much. 

5.  Wear socks or flip flops WITH THE DRESS.  One of the stores I went to that day had some yucky carpet pedestals to stand on.  It was icky.

6.  It is really tiring ducking and diving into all those dresses.  Don’t forget to eat first and bring some water with you. 

 

 Up next, Rounds 2, 3, & 4, and the dress.

Read Full Post »

Blog Share

Today, I am sharing my blog space with an anonymous blogger.  -R- at and you know what else has kindly organized the share and I’m out there anonymously one someone else’s blog too.   At the end of the post is a list of all the participating blogs.  Without further ado a warm welcome to my anonymous guest blogger!

———————————————

Boy, this blog share could not have come at a better time for me. I have a problem, see, a rather personal one, and there’s no way I’d ever have the guts to post about it on my own blog. So thanks, -R-, for allowing me to seek the advice of the interwebs without venturing into serious TMI territory with my own blog readers. My problem is this: I have lost my sex drive. It’s been MIA for a long while now, and I don’t know what happened to it or how to get it back. A little background: I’m in a very serious, committed relationship, and although we are not married, we mutually agree it’s where we’re headed. We’ve been together for the better part of a decade, and we’ve been living together for most of that time. I love my boyfriend dearly. He’s my best friend, he makes me laugh, he’s supportive and compassionate, he’s an all-around great guy. He’s good in the sack, and he’s never pushed me to do anything I’ve been uncomfortable with. But every time things head toward Horizontal Mamboville, I suddenly get a little … just … disinterested. It’s not like I don’t want to be close to him at all. I still love the cuddling, the kissing, the comfort of sleeping with him next to me. But for reasons that are maddeningly unclear to me, sex just doesn’t enter my mind anymore. It’s like that part of me has left the building, but has left behind all the love and commitment and other stuff that goes along with any healthy relationship. (Oh, and by the way, I’m 29. Not menopausal. I should be ready to hump at a moment’s notice right now, biologically speaking.) Needless to say, this has caused some problems. He doesn’t understand, and I can’t help because I don’t understand. I suspect it may be my birth control pills, but a lack of health insurance has forced me to let my prescription run out. It’s only been a few weeks since my last pill, so if that was indeed killing my sex drive, perhaps this situation will resolve itself. But what if it doesn’t? This is where you come in, dear readers. Have any of you experienced this? If so, how did you deal with it? Can you recommend any medicines or herbal supplements or lifestyle changes or anything? I am desperate here, people. My relationship is suffering because of this, and it’s gone on too long. Help me!

———————————————————–

Blog share blogs
And You Know What Else
Andrea Unplugged
Blue Soup
Bright Yellow World
Bwildered
Caity of the Keps
Catheroominations
Citystreams
Daily Tannenbaum
Did I Say That Outloud?
Dispatches From The Failed Mommy Club
Face Down
For The Long Run
Full Of Snark
Heidikins
In Java, Literally
Just Below 63
LizLand
Malfeasance
A New Duck
NonSoccer Mom
The North Is My Snowcone
Not The Daddy
Operation Pink Herring
Pants, Pants, Pants
Red Red Whine
Sassy Buster
Sauntering Soul
Shushing Action
Snarke
Snow-Covered Hills
Swimming With Sharks
Thinking Some More
Trueish Story
Way Way Up
Whiskey Marie

Read Full Post »

It’s a wonder

…that anyone actually reads my blog anymore.  I suck at this but I do love that there is an outlet for me and my randomness when I feel the urge.  Without further ado, I present a photo montage of my recent Vegas Vacation/Work trip.

I’m that person who takes pictures out the window of the plane.  It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful it all looks from up there. 

I stayed at the Riveria, home of the Crazy Girls. 

I checked out the Venetian 

I did not check out this place

It was next door to this place

My friend Linsi flew in to hang out.  So we visited Paris

the fountains at the Bellagio

the Treasure Island Pirate Show

And the volcano at the Mirage

We drank yummy margaritas

And a fair amount of wine.

The guy with no shirt really liked himself and nearly fell in a fountain while we were watching.

Right after meeting some sketchy drug dealer dudes on the Deuce (ha check out that alliteration!) we were in downtown Las Vegas…the old part of town. 
 

And we saw Kenny G (sorry he’s blurry)

And someone telling everyone they were going to hell and they are sinners.

We went back to the hotel and got all dolled up for a night out dancing…and don’t have any pictures!  Seriously I suck!

Last thing we visited on my way out of town was the world’s largest gift shop.  And I didn’t even buy anything. 

Read Full Post »