Las Vegas Bride

Announcing...

2009-04-02T19:28:00.000-04:00

My new blog. (It is in progress, template to be completed this evening).

http://melissavegas.blogspot.com/

My wedding planning is done, so no need for this special journal anymore. It will remain up, so I can refer to it. But no more posts.

I hope you'll join me on my other blog!

Updates - Table Markers & Placecards

2009-03-28T23:46:00.002-04:00

Updates - Jewelry

2009-03-28T23:43:00.002-04:00

Watch from my meme. Can't wait to wear it!

Updates - Bridesmaid Jewelry

2009-03-28T23:39:00.001-04:00

Updates - Guestbook

2009-03-28T23:36:00.003-04:00

Updates to come

2009-03-26T14:21:00.001-04:00

I plan to post a large update this weekend with all the stuff that hasn't been included yet. So..watch for it! :)

Favors!

2009-03-26T14:19:00.002-04:00

They have a chip from the Wynn, two Vegas dice, and a flickr card in each one :) Soooo cute! And EXACTLY what I wanted.

Bridal Shower!

2009-03-14T23:43:00.005-04:00

View more bridal shower pictures (and eventually wedding photos) at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whittaker23/

2009-03-02T15:32:00.001-05:00

I'm on a roll today. Signed up for our pro flickr account so people can upload their own photos they take at our wedding.

Booked our helicopter tour tickets too! :)

2009-03-02T13:37:00.001-05:00

Just booked our nail appointments for the day before the wedding. I'm not sure I can relate to you how much stress this was causing me. I was having a terrible time finding a close, inexpensive place. The hotel salons charge about double to triple what the normal price is for a manicure/pedicure.

PHEW!

In other news:

I'M GETTING MARRIED NEXT MONTH!

Update...

2009-02-06T10:37:00.003-05:00

So, jury duty is all taken care of. I get to go to Ayer in July. :) Yay for small victories!

My sweet bridesmaid, Ali, bought us a set of vases for our sand ceremony on Saturday. They're simple, from AC Moore, but will work perfectly. We had originally picked out this heart shaped set online, but everywhere I looked, including ebay, they were about $60.

Lots of small stuff left. Shannon is working on the placecards and table markers. We are getting together tomorrow to do the final designs for the bridesmaid jewelry, all their pendants are in. :)

Two and a half months away. Man, its getting so close! So much to do. Hopefully we're going to list the house after we get back, so we've got some major packing/fixing up to do around the house too, in addition to the rest of the wedding stuff. :)

2009-01-30T22:56:00.000-05:00

I opened up the mail today, and saw it...a jury duty notice addressed to me.

Fully knowing they send these things out about 3 months in advance...I could feel it...

They picked me for Wednesday, April 22, at 8am.

Joy.

I filed my request for a change of date (and venue, actually - they gave me Woburn again. Last time I did jury duty, it was in Woburn, and I had a panic attack trying to get to the courthouse).

Tuxes!

2009-01-18T21:21:00.001-05:00

Just some photos. Tuxes are Ralph Lauren. Brad's vest is burgundy, and the guys are wearing oasis to match the ladies.

2009-01-08T21:37:00.002-05:00

I updated the to do list. Look how freakin' long it is! OMG.

I know my RSVP's aren't due for 3 more weeks. But I only have about 10 of them back out of 29...so now I'm of course freaking out thinking that people I thought were coming aren't. And I don't have RSVP's from alot of people I KNOW are coming, and that bugs me because I wonder if they think they don't have to send the RSVP because I know they are coming. Of course you do! Shannon bought really cute stamps!

Anyway, just typical freak out stuff. I have 3 1/2 months and there's so much to do still. Its going to FLY. It's already flying. Man!

2009-01-07T19:23:00.003-05:00

Shannon and I went shopping this past weekend and we were very productive! I got a fedora for brad for the reception, gifts for my parents, and a solitaire pendant to wear. Now all my jewelry is complete for the wedding.

I did spend time and came up with the almost final playlists - i have to do some shuffling, per Shannon's review, but the essential songs are put together. Also decided the music:

Guest Seating: Air on a G String
Processional: Canon in D
Sand Ceremony: Gift of Love (instrumental)
Recessional: Michelle Branch's You set me Free

For the Reception, the essential songs are:

Bridal party intro: Ever Ever After by Carrie Underwood
First Dance: A Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins
Father/Daughter Dance: White Wedding by Billy Idol
Cake Cutting: When I'm 64 by the Beatles
Last Dance: Don't Stop Believing by Journey

And I revised my to do list (in my notebook, i still need to update this site) and realized there was about half the stuff not listed on my original list. Ugh!

2008-12-01T17:30:00.003-05:00

Picked up the dresses for Shannon & Heather this weekend. I originally hated Heather's dress, I thought it made her look so naked on top. But turns out, in the deeper color, she looks very nice. The dress is actually a little too big for her. I guess I really just HATE the light teal color (pool?) that David's Bridal carries.

Shannon's dress looked fabulous on her in the Oasis color, just as she had looked in black. I'm very excited. Everyone's dresses are in, and at my mom's for safe keeping (except Shannon's, awaiting potential alterations). Everyone's fits (except potentially Ali's, since she didn't try it on! It should fit though, we had ordered 1 size up from what she tried on). I'll be transporting all the dresses with me to Vegas (to keep myself from being super stressed about them all arriving undamaged and on-time, and also, so mom has time to press them all).

The only dress not in yet is my red rehearsal dinner dress, but no biggie on that.

I have a goal to start hardcore exercising and dieting on Jan 1st. I have no willpower or desire to skip the holiday foods, especially when I still have plenty of time to lose just 11 pounds, so I'll start Jan 1, and just be really, really strict about it. I've done it before, I can do it again. I will do it again.

Brad and I spent this Saturday night at my dad's 25th anniversary party, and Brad danced to a few songs that he just loved, so I'm going to add them to our playlist. I have such a problem! I have 12 hours of music I'd like to play, and only about 4 hours to play it in! :)

Oooh, gotta update my todo list!

Edit: Done! So, Shannon and I spent alot of time doing the invitations last weekend. I bought the return address labels today (design myself) and then they are ready to go! I'm hoping to mail them TOMORROW! So awesome! Can't wait til I get that first RSVP!

I have an amazing MOH!

2008-11-18T23:00:00.003-05:00

Shannon bought me the most amazing jewelry to wear for my wedding. I love it so much. The bracelet is absolutely STUNNING. And the earrings are beautiful, and they are perfect so that I can also wear them after the wedding for basically anything. They're sooooo pretty.

I love them!!!! Thank you Shannon!

Dresses

2008-11-15T23:51:00.005-05:00

First - this is MY FOURTH TRY AT THIS POST. WTF IS UP WITH THE PICTURES?

So we finalized the dresses today.
Shannons, then Heather's, then my rehearsal dinner dress, then the final wedding party:

Updated Wedding Party

2008-10-26T15:22:00.001-04:00

Summer's dress

2008-10-26T15:16:00.000-04:00

My Ring! (Not sure if I posted before!)

2008-10-08T17:42:00.000-04:00

Regrets....ish.

2008-10-08T14:57:00.002-04:00

Lately, I have been very sad that I am not having an October, fall-colored wedding, outdoors, in New England. It is crazy. I have never wanted an outdoor wedding. I have always wanted, since I was 21, to be married in Las Vegas. And I always had June 23rd in mind as a date. When my ex used that as his wedding date I needed to change it, but I never ever ever considered any months except April through June.

And yet now, I am sad, that I didn't take more time thinking about colors, and themes, and even venues.

So after alot of thought today, i am strongly leaning towards changing some of my wedding colors/themes. Nothing I have already chosen, just what I could change. Being - Summer's dress color (chocolate brown instead of canary yellow), placecards/tablemarkers - bronze maple leaf holders instead of playing card style holders and a fall table marker instead of doing the Aces, kings, queens theme I was considering. Plus, some fall-ish decorations at the reception. I'm not talking pumpkins, though if I were having that dream NE wedding I would. I am thinking leaves and fall colors added to the Maggiano's centerpieces. Just some simple fall decorations.

I've decided to list what I love, and what I want to change about my wedding. Because most of it, I love.

My dress - I love it. Its perfect. When I put it on, I knew it was THE ONE. Of course, too much "Say Yes to the Dress" is bad for you, and has me wondering if I should have tried more on at other salons. But I know this dress is fabulous.

My rings - love them. Sure, I love LOTS of rings. And I look at other ones and think, hmmm..that would have been pretty. But my ring is my ring and its gorgeous.

Brad's ring - so happy with his choice. :) It is PERFECT.

Vegas - In the end, I am happy about it. I'm struggling because my grandmother might not be able to make it, and Lindsay can't make it. And the whole NE/Fall thing...but I am sure I am going to be thrilled with Vegas. Vegas is me. Vegas is us.

Maggianos - no question, I am THRILLED with it! And the food

My cake - it is perfect. And it will fit nicely with my fall colors, as the ribbons on it already are bronze and burgundy.

My flowers - I love the white calla lillies with the burgundy flowers mixed in. And the burgundy ribbons on them. Those will be just perfect.

My bridal party - I love them. I could leave my sister out though. She isn't holding back rubbing in my face every chance she gets that she has to pay to come out for the wedding and that she can't move out because she has to pay for the wedding and that she needs a second job to pay for the wedding. A wedding, mind you, where I am paying for the bridesmaids dresses and jewelry. All Heather has to do is airfare and hotel, which the other guests are not griping to me about. So if Heather doesn't show up, I really don't care. I would prefer to know BEFORE I purchase her dress, however. If she doesn't show, She WILL be paying for it, though, I'll make sure of that.

The groomsmen - they will be fantastic. :)

The date - as I said, regretting it right now, but all in all, April 23rd is really the ideal date.

The color theme - I always pictured burgundy or teal. But burgundy was what I pictured for a long time. (Once I was over my purple everything phase). I'm getting burgundy AND teal. I want to change the yellow out though, for chocolate. I think, if I had that October wedding though, my colors would be more of a red wine (burgundy I suppose), and orange and yellow. So yeah. The color scheme, it isn't ideal. It's not my dream wedding. But I am satisfied.

The music - I am not happy with my current playlist. It needs major re-tooling. Although I have stuff for all ages, it seems very immature, and customized for ME, not for the rest of the wedding guests. I want music I love, but I also don't want people to be like "WTF?" So that needs work.

The honeymoon - GOING TO BE AH-MAZING :) We're staying at the Palms. 3 nights at Wynn then 6 at the Palms. MMMM Heaven. We're going on a helicopter ride, and a tour of a ghost town.

That's it. At least. That's what I can remember right now :)

2008-10-06T17:24:00.000-04:00

Haha. Bought my MOH her gift this weekend! Yes!!!! :) Another thing checked off my list.

2008-10-06T15:25:00.003-04:00

We booked the Palms for our honeymoon! Yippee! We have hotel for our entire stay in Vegas :) Sooo super cool :)

My pal from wedding_plans is leaving for her Vegas wedding at Caesar's in two days! I'm so excited for her! :)

AH! Its now only 199 til I become Mrs. Bradley Guy Whittaker! OMG I am soooooooooooo excited.

Brad's ring came in!!!!

2008-10-02T20:32:00.003-04:00

Yay FOOD!

2008-09-30T13:02:00.000-04:00

Just signed the Maggianos contract - here's what you'll all be dining on:

First course:

Freshly Baked Bread
Mozzarella Marinara
Bruschetta
Caesar Salad
Chopped Salad

Second Course:

Ziti Marinara
Four Cheese Ravioli, Pesto, Alfredo Sauce
Oven Roasted Pork Loin, Balsamic Cream Sauce
Chicken Marsala

Wedding Cake

Third Course:

Fresh Fruit Plate
NY Style Cheesecake

And of course - its OPEN BAR! (for all 4 hours) The bar package includes premium liquors, imported and domestic bottled beers, fine Italian and domestic wines, and assorted sodas.

Placecard Inspirations

2008-09-26T15:05:00.001-04:00

2008-09-26T15:01:00.001-04:00

Brad picked his ring today! He's going to order it this weekend:

2008-09-23T11:02:00.000-04:00

ITS SEVEN MONTHS TIL MY WEDDING!!!! 212 days!

Small updates

2008-09-22T11:52:00.005-04:00

While at David's Bridal this weekend, we found Ali's dress, and I bought a different pair of shoes to wear on the wedding day. Photos below.

Also, I found out that I could carry on my wedding dress on the plane, and have David's Bridal in Vegas press my dress for free.

I also discovered how expensive it would be to preserve flowers using the service Wynn recommended (like, $400), so I'm going to do them myself. If I bring a container, and silica gel with me to Vegas, I can dry them myself in the hotel room, for really cheap!

Ali's dress in the right color (oasis), and her in the dress in the wrong color.

2008-09-15T15:05:00.003-04:00

Lots accomplished during the Vegas trip. Met the new wedding coordinator. Ordered the bridemaid, groomsmen, mine and Brad's flowers. Discussed ceremony order and music. Discussed photography. Discussed booking my hair and makeup. Booked our day after lunch. Figured out that we should use Mens Warehouse for tuxes. Determined how to fedex my dress out there. (its going to cost me $130 to get it pressed!!! F*CK). Finalized the Maggianos menu (had our tasting, it was heavenly). Got to see the room at Maggianos! :) I feel great having all that accomplished.

oh! and the YMCA hats came!!! :)

Invite Mockup!

2008-09-02T16:27:00.003-04:00

Thanks to my amazing maid of honor, Shannon Fisher, and her super sweet daddy, we created our mockup invites this weekend! We have details to work out on the buffet for all the guests, but the images and wording is mostly complete! Here's a shot from my camera, and screen images of the actual invites :)

Strip map

2008-08-29T21:06:00.001-04:00

Cake update

2008-08-29T17:56:00.002-04:00

I think we've changed our minds about the cake. I like this one better.

2008-08-29T17:51:00.003-04:00

So, today was a...weird day. I got a phone call from my wedding coordinator - and she's leaving Wynn in 2 weeks. We will get to say goodbye when we are out there on 9/8, and get introduced to our new coordinator - Cabriole (Cabi, I believe that's how you spell her nickname). But we are just very sad, because she was our reason for choosing Wynn over Bellagio. She will be very missed. Brad is pretty upset about it too. I'm glad we get to say goodbye.

The strange thing is - I dreamt about this 2 months ago, that I showed up for the wedding, Sunnie had left Wynn, and no one had told me. About a week after the dream, I got news that her assistant was leaving. So I figured, phew, we're in the clear. But nope! Sunnie's leaving. And that's sad :( But, I am happy for her - her husband is getting a great opportunity in L.A., and, she'll be closer to Mickey (Disneyland), which is something that she and her husband are obsessed with.

New Wedding Website

2008-08-29T10:41:00.003-04:00

It's still in progress (I will finish this weekend), but I changed our official wedding website because the one on brides.com was very limited.

You can view it at:

http://lasvegasbride.weddingannouncer.com/

2008-08-28T11:51:00.002-04:00

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

2008-08-26T16:43:00.000-04:00

I realized I have the exact bracelet I'm looking for for my wedding. Yay.

Something OFF the to-do list!

2008-08-23T17:11:00.003-04:00

Woohoo! 8 months to the wedding!

I spent the morning dancing to the wedding playlist. What a workout!

Music

2008-08-22T21:55:00.004-04:00

Need to obtain:

The Hooters - And We Danced
The Beatles - In My Life
The Beatles - When I'm 64
The Beatles - Ob La Di (???)
The Beatles - Twist and Shout
Cotton Eyed Joe

Shannon - can you email any of these to me? (except Hooters-Brad has that one) If you have them. Holy crap we're inundated with Beatles songs. But I want two and Brad wants two.

Cake

2008-08-22T11:08:00.003-04:00

We're doing this cake, only with teal ribbon. Same topper. Half chocolate cake, half white/yellow cake. (I THINK).

Parent's Gifts

2008-08-22T10:55:00.002-04:00

I ordered my mom this gorgeous Lenox figurine. She loves Lenox, and I just see this and picture us. She will love it. It even has pure 24K gold accents. You can put a personal message (with a metallic pen) on the bottom - which I probably won't do though, because I'd write something stupid or mess it up).

Here are pictures:

Invitations & Guest Book

2008-08-22T10:39:00.001-04:00

Shannon & I designed up our invitations and our guestbook pages last night! I had so much fun doing that. The guestbook pages still needs some graphics, but they are going to be so fun. We have some great questions and a place for everyone to draw a picture of me and Brad. I have to get some fun markers, or sharpies or something. I don't want the color to bleed through the page, but I also don't want it to fade that much over time. Maybe gel pens are the way to go?

The invitations are so cute so far. We still need all the decorations, but we made a mockup pocketfold invite and designed the little cards to go inside them. So cool.

Reception Timeline

2008-08-22T10:32:00.002-04:00

I found a generic timeline online today that is a big help to me. So here's how I think I'd like the reception to go. Of course, I still have to talk with Maggiano's to see if they have a set timeline.

approx. 3:30 pm - Bridal party introduction
3:35 pm - first dance
3:45 pm - dinner
4:45 pm - cut the cake
5:00 pm - dancing begins!
7:15 pm - bouquet toss
7:20 ish pm - last dance

More music

2008-08-21T14:57:00.001-04:00

I forgot. Avril Lavigne's HOT and Innocence.

Another request!

2008-08-21T14:30:00.001-04:00

Send 'em my way guys! I will work them in as best as I can (we have 4 hours!)

"At Last" by Etta James

The Details, so far

2008-08-21T14:09:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday, 4/22, at 7pm we're having a "rehearsal dinner" for the wedding party & our parents. This will be at Kahunaville in Treasure Island. We're condensing the menu, but it will include some tasty hawaiian stir-fry dishes!

The wedding is at Wynn at 2pm on Thursday, April 23, 2009. It will be live on the internet as well as for a full month afterwards.

Reception to follow at 3:30 pm at Magianno's just across the street. It will be 4 hours, and is open bar! Hell yes!

Friday, we're having a brunch for all the guests. Hopefully at the Mirage buffet, but we will finalize that when we visit Vegas in a few weeks.

We are staying at Treasure Island on 4/21, and Wynn on 4/22-4/23. Followed by Excalibur for the rest of the wedding.

Hair Inspiration

2008-08-21T14:03:00.002-04:00

This is how I'd like to wear my hair.

Flower Inspiration

2008-08-21T14:01:00.000-04:00

Inspiration for the bridesmaid Flowers

My Accessories-so far

2008-08-21T13:59:00.001-04:00

Hairpiece

Reception Shoes

Ceremony Shoes

My Dress

2008-08-21T13:48:00.003-04:00

Time for.....pictures of my dress!!!!

Brad's requested music

2008-08-21T13:42:00.001-04:00

He finally gives me music, and suggests a song (or version, rather) that I can't stand. The things I do for love.

Hey,

First, to update the list, Walking On Sunshine is by Katrina and the Waves :) Oh the thinks we remember. Also, if we could get Lick The Tins version of Can't Help Falling In Love I'd be happy. Finally, what was the song Summer wanted that was played at Charlene's party? We still doing that?

I'll think of songs to add but for starters maybe:
And We Danced - Hooters
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - Beatles
When I'm 64 - Beatles (during dinner)

Just a couple of thoughts.

Love,
Brad

One of the coolest pictures I've seen

2008-08-21T13:28:00.004-04:00

Makes me want to just cancel Vegas and do Disney!

Music

2008-08-21T13:10:00.003-04:00

This entry is probably going to change regularly. I will publish a final playlist in order just before the wedding.

So far:

To play while guests are seating: Air on the G String in D (approx 5 mins)
Processional (Bridesmaids & Bride): Pachelbel's Canon in D (approx 5 mins) - for my mommy!
Recessional: Michelle Branch, You Set Me Free

Introduction at Reception: Carrie Underwood, Ever After

First Dance: Groovy Kind of Love, Phil Collins

Last Dance: I've Had the Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing

Father/Daughter Dance: no clue yet

Must plays - Dance part of reception:

You Can't Hurry Love - Dixie Chicks
White Wedding - Billy Idol (for my daddy)
Paradise by the Dashboard Light - Meatloaf
Beat It - Michael Jackson
I Like to Move It (for Joel)
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson (for my bro)
Electric Slide
In My Life - Beatles
Baby Got Back (for my daddy)
YMCA - Village People (i'll have hats for everyone!)
Macho Man - Village People
Time Warp
Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
Kokomo - Beach Boys
Twist & Shout - Beatles
Walking on Sunshine
Everything I Do, I Do It For You - Brian Adams
Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis
A World to Believe In - Celine Dion
I Could Not Ask for More - Sara Evans
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
What I Like About You - Lillix
Thriller - MJ
Keep on Loving You - REO Speedwagon
Panama - Van Halen (for Shannon!)
The Glory of Love - Peter Cetera
Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
So Close - from Enchanted
Forever Young - Rod Stewart

Then there are a bunch of extra slow or love related songs for dinner music.

Dress Your Wedding

2008-08-21T12:27:00.002-04:00

Done on David's Bridal's website. I couldn't get flowers on there that look like anything we're carrying, so I used the burgundy purses as an example to show all 3 wedding colors.

Engagement Photos

2008-08-21T10:32:00.002-04:00

Click the picture to view our engagement photos!

About Us

2008-08-20T17:24:00.003-04:00

Well hello there!

My name is Melissa, and my fiance is Brad. We're getting married on April 23, 2009, at Wynn in Las Vegas. We've been engaged since July 4, 2007.

Brad and I met while working part-time at McDonald's oh so many years ago. (Seriously - TEN years ago!). We've been together for eight years tomorrow.

I wanted to start this blog to be able to post anything and everything related to planning for our wedding, as well as loads of photos of us and our wedding inspirations. I'll do some catchup entries now, and then hopefully update whenever I have new information or thoughts or ideas for the wedding!