I've moved...

Hey-

If there is anyone still out there...I've started a new lifestyle blog, check it out here....

SORRY ITS BEEN FOREVER!!!!

xoxo,

Kate Kinz

Have to Pee? the MOH is a tough duty...

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For lack of ability to come up with a better term in this AM, I am blogging about having to Pee and how this relates to my duties as a MOH.  Some off you may know that one of my closests friends and BM, I refer to as P.  I can explain that later, but for times sake, just know that it is actually a positive reference not a disrespectful one.  However, surprisingly, this post, though deticated to that, has nothing to do with her, but about my MOH, who is getting married in September where I am her MOH.

As girls, we tend to go to the bathroom a lot, some more than others, especially when we have had some champagne or two.  I typically dont go that often so thats good.  My lovely MOH is no exception like me, but actually above and beyond the rule.  She has had many close calls in the nights that I have known her and if you went to college with us, you are probably shaking your head but smiling right now.  As a psychology major, at one point I even questioned what was happening in her development during the time of her potty training, but it shockingly has never come up in my convos with her mom.  Until now...the MOH's job, or any BM, is to help the bride when she has to go.  This will be a tough duty. Then came along this blog...

 

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Some of you who have been reading other blogs maybe have read this original one or this latest one on this new thing called "bridal diapers". Are you tilting your head with confusion? This bride-to-be was.  Apparently there are actually brides out there that will be wearing diapers so that they "don't miss a second of their big day" and can do this like "wear satin lace underware diaper covers" to dress it up.  Listen ladies, I apologize now if this is your game plan, but umm, what? No lace or satin will dress up the fact that you will be sitting in your own urine the entire night.  All I keep thinking it what? Won't it smell and look bulky? Plus, talk about way to start off your wedding night?! I guess there are some brides out there that are that concerned with missing something in the day they have spent a lot of time planning, I get it, makes sense, in some warped way. But listen, hire a good photographer and you'll be ok. 

However, lesson learned, have a game plan with your bride about bathroom strategy prior to the wedding day.  I will make sure to do this in the next month as we will need a game plan with my MOH!

What do you think Diapers or BM help?

one hundred :) (theres an Ap for that)

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Well, everyone, it's officially 100 days until the wedding and yes I'm a terrible bride and the only reason why I know this is because I have an I-Phone and there's an app for that. :)  All it has is the countdown.  Ck noticed that it says "god's knot" at the bottom and I have no clue why, haha.  But a lot has happened in the past 100 days and my little heart is only wondering what is next to come.  For those of you who are just tuning in, let's take a walk down memory lane for this post....

1. At the end of February, Ck broke his arm in 6 places....see post here

2. and we picked a location and a date......see post here

3. In the beginning of March, I asked my girls to be part of my team...see post here

 

4. In the middle of March, I chose big letters for our entrance to our ceremony, our letters are so awesome because its CK and KC, yay!...see post here and I also chose the look for my girls, vintage with chunky necklaces during this post

5. At the end of March, I picked this detail and have everyyyone saving me toilet paper rolls (CK is thrilled to have a house full of toilet paper rolls) see this post here

6. In April, I shared with you my *wedding crush and inspiration...see all the full pics here

7. and I shared our unique way of asking our guests to save the date....see it all pics here

8. In May, I shared my struggle with picking BM dresses and the pick of the fuchsia bridesmaids dresses..in this post

9. and I also shared about going dress shopping with one of my BM, who recently got engaged at this post

10. And then there was June...it was a long month...my car got broken into in the first week in June and all my wedding stuff was stolen...seen here

11. and the jeweler had my ring for not the promised 1 to 2 weeks, but for six and half weeks...see here

12. and my maid of honor switched her title to Matron of honor as she caught onto the wedding fever and decided she is going to get married in 2 1/2 months, labor day weekend in which I am her #1 as well...see it here and here

So whats left for the crazy life of this bride to be??? Well, I have been helping my #1 plan her wedding with her mom a lot these nights so its been tough to do some wedding stuff.  But posts to come should include, the official decision on the boys attire, the invitations,escort card ideas, the programs, the shower and the bach. parties for both me and my number 1 since I'm planning those for her, and I'm sure other fun details that pop up in my life along the way.  Stay tuned, I'm sure the best is yet to come :)

Did you feel ready on the 100 day mark?

Cheating continued...

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The Cheating on my wedding continued as I tried to stay in communication with my MOH about her quick wedding that is in less than 3 months.  I encouraged her to pick the BM dresses out ASAP as usually you need 6-8 weeks AT LEAST to get them ordered by.  So she quickly picked them and off I went to Davids Bridal to get my dress.  I would be in Candy pink and the other girls would be in pool, which is like a light blueish/green.

(the color POOL, but not the actual dress she picked)

(once again the color-not the actual dress she picked)

However, when I went to the store, after trying on the dress she picked for me, which was great by-the-way, the lady came back and looked like she was hit by a truck.  I had pre-warned her that I knew it was really close to the wedding, and that they may have to be rushed, and how we are planning this wedding last minute, so whatever she has to do to make it work, I will figure it out $$ wise.  "This dress, as well as any others that are this length, cannot come in candy pink before September" whhhaat!? My MOH has a lot going on, so apparently she forgot to check this detail.  Now, worried that I don't want her to think I am changing the dress or her chosen colors, I slightly panicked inside.  Then I pulled myself together and called her.  She didn't answer, as usual. So I called again and then I called her mother.  Luckily, while I was on the phone with her mom, she called me back.  Two and half hours later, crisis resolved, and the two of us worked together through phone picture mail to pick a new dress for me and the coordinating flower girls.  Luckily, the plans I had for the rest of the day, were nothing major, as you know how busy I am, and we could get this done.  I will now be in a shorter dress then the rest of the party, as mine will be below the knee and theirs will be mid-calve but that was the only option we really had.  And the color will be "PInk" which is a paler pink.

(personal photo of the two dresses together)

I dont know if you can tell, but my dress has little iridescent dots on it, that actually pick up blue reflections, certain ways you turn.

Here's another pic of my dress, just in a different color, but you may be able to see the dots better. Its like the new hit dress for DB so you probably have seen the advertisement for it.

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So I go to check out and wouldnt you know, next crisis.  My MOH never registered so there is no name to put it under.  BRIDAL TIP: If you are getting dresses all in one location/store, the bride should pre-register so that the shop has all the dresses under one location and has the wedding date and details all in there.  Also, then if there is an issue, they have a contact person as opposed to having to call all the BMs.  Whoops, she probably didn't think about this detail either.  Do I call her back after the last 2 hour session that totally freaked her out? I didn't.  Luckily I had gone shopping there for dresses last month for my wedding, so the poor sales lady who I put through a long morning, agree to just put it under the OTHER category under my name.  I don't know what the other girls will do when they go, but I made sure, as the good MOH that I am, that their dress came in the color POOL and would be in on time, so it should be much easier and shorter visit for them.

Anyone else have a BM dress crisis while order their dress?

I've been cheating...

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I have been cheating (Gasp!) on my wedding that is :) (seriously, I mean if you really thought I was cheating, you dont know me, because there is no way I would be able to pencil that into my schedule).  Continuing on, I have been cheating on my wedding, meaning that the past week, I have been more focus on the up coming weddings, especially my MOH's that I now have added in September, that I have done much for mine, hence the lack of entries.  So, before I talk about the Sept., planning a wedding in less that 3 months debacle, I share with you the story of the invites for CK's cousin's wedding in Aug. (its kinda funny)

Yesterday, CK and I had dinner with his Gmom, and of course the topics of all the family weddings came up.  We just got the invite and so we were super excited to discuss how unique it was and the arrangements.  Of course, CK hasn't book our room yet, but I am trying to put my Type A-ness aside and trust that he can take care of this small detail for me (umm, he better soon!) Ck's gmom tells us that we should pick the pork chops because she heard that was the entree that was amazing, so CK says then we shall.  I sat a little perplexed...how did she know what the entree options were? So, I ask.  She looks at me and says You lost the response card? You have to send that back, they are waiting, maybe it fell out, you'll haveta check, but you haveta find it.  The panic intern-bride in me came out.  I was sure, There was no response card, at least I am pretty sure. However, let me back track.  The invite (which CK saw when he brought in the mail) sat under junk mail for a few days before CK said, Oh I think you wanted to see this. BOOOOOYS, they are so dumb sometimes.  Um yes, I've been waiting for the invite, thanks dear, envelope ripped all destructively, like as if he opened it with his teeth, and hot sauce stuck to the corner, surely not how it was intended to look. But, no it says on the invite to RSVP on the couples website (which on a side-note totally cool idea).  I tell his Gmom that maybe she got a special card because she doesn't do the whole computer thing, but she and I both sat confused for a little, wondering.  But I went on the site today and yes everything is ok and I picked the pork for us both.  So, whether there was a RSVP card and I lost it, or not, all is ok in the world again.  I share with you the creativity of the invites with examples of the inspirations as well...

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Other inspirations with this type of invite....

This program-

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And lastly my friend G was in love with this idea too and created her own...

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I just love how these invites tell the story of the couple.  Of course, I also love the different fonts and icons on them due to my artsiness.

Sharing with the guests how the couple met is something extra special or unnecessary? (I LOVE THE IDEA, personally!)

putting your return address on things...

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So, you haven't heard from me for a little because I am in the process of designing the invitations.  (I know this should be done already, but I got distracted with the being a maid-of-honor for a wedding in less than 3 months).  Anyway, so while choosing options, which let me tell you there are so many decisions to be made, I just got stuck on one thing, I'm just not sure how I feel about.

The return address for the RSVPs.  Do I put me so I can see what friends of mine can't come? ( I'm not saying this to being pessimistic, just a realist, because my friend G's wedding is 2 weeks before mine, and maybe people won't want to travel twice in a short period of time.) Or do I put my parents' address, let them keep track of the cards and just fill me in? (my type-A personality cringes at this option) What if they get lost in the mail? who's house is safer to send it to? Will my father begining texting me with everyone's yes or no throughout the day while I'm at work, since hes the mail getter? But should it be sent to their house because he will want to know the exact number count, as I know it, and his bank account knows it? ahh, see what I mean.  Techinically, my parents are hosting the party, so then they should get it? I'm going to have to do some investigative work on this issue.  Just means more decisions for me to do since CK lacks an opinion. But I share with you an idea I've been tossing around and my BM, FB, sent them too...

How cool are these though? I wouldn't have to write all of them...

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Cute, just how I would write it, yet dont have to take the time to over-analyze everything!

Anyone's RSVPs addresses different than your return addresses?

My dream company (why didn't I do this?!)

So in case I haven't said this enough, wedding planning has made me realize how much I miss incorporating my artistic talents in my life.  A few weeks ago I found a photo of this place in NY and I just can't keep my mind off it.  It is so cool and I wish I had thought of something like it, though I wonder if he makes a profit or not.  The colored walls are to-die-for.  I share with you the photos now as they are an inspiration to me to be creative.  Oh, by the way, in case you didn't know, the knew trend is unique flowers for weddings, such as paper flowers.  Though this doesn't really go with my concept, you will see below how creatively awesome it is and I just had to share....The shop is called The (purely paper) Flower Shoppe by Davis Stark (you can check out this photos and more at his site which he called his "sketchbook")...

What inspires you to do DIY tasks?

Maid of honor, scratch that, Matron of honor...

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Remember when I talked about "my team" as CK referred to it?  Well, its been a little crazy these days with my team.  The team leader, the Maid of honor, got a great deal at a local venue, and saw how much fun I was having planning my wedding (sarcasm) that she caught onto the wedding bug and is getting married...wait for it...on labor day weekend (THIS YEAR), as in less than 3 months.  YIKES! and some of you thought I was crazy planning a wedding in 6 months!  So many things went through my head, dress-going to have to be rush ordered, BM dresses too, invitations need to go out in like a two weeks, the list goes on. 

And then there's me.  It's one thing to be a Bridesmaid, it's another thing to be her maid-of-honor while simultaneously planning my wedding too.  Though there is something fun about getting married at the same time as your BFF.  However, I'm going to need to pull together a shower and bachlorette party like ASAP and due to my festivities, we don't have many weekends left, as this is the duty of the MOH.  Me? Stressed? nooo.  Umm yes. very.  But luckily, things are coming together faster than you would think! 

But, let's me honest, secretly I'm even more excited, this just means more blog material for me :)

GAME PLAN:  plan a beach style wedding for 140 guests in less than 3 months.  She just picked her colors and they will be baby blue and light pink.  ( I will get to wear pink and the others will wear blue) What can I say, my girl knows me well!  Here's a few inspirations on this color scheme....

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And now, we're trying to figure out if the boys with wear tan or light grey? (to continue with the beach style she wants)....

 This site discuss this exact topic Tan vs. Light Grey (source for the pics below)

Tan:

Or Grey...

Funny, how no one seems to be doing black anymore, right?  Remember I said we are doing a dark charcoal, and I think my BM, B, is doing grey, and I'm not sure what my friend G is doing but I think it maybe grey because thats what her girls are wearing, and CK's cousin's boys will be in navy. Hmm..no black?? Is this a new trend ladies?

Needless to say, good thing I didn't print the programs for my wedding yet, because my maid-of-honor, will now have to be referred to as Matron-of-Honor as she is getting married a month before me now :) Something sounds kinda old when you have to say Matron, true?

Does Matron of honor not sound as fabulous as Maid-of-honor?

is she digging for gold?

(kayne west-"I aint saying she a gold digger")

For those of you who don't know Kayne West is a singer/rap/soapbox talker who has strong opinions on certain topics.  He has a song talking about gold-diggers (women who try and leave their husband and take all his money) and half way through the song they chant out WE WANT PRENUP.  After talking to a BFF of mine in a questionable similar situation around this, I decided to research this a little further. 

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A prenuptial (or “prenup”) agreement – also called a premarital agreement – is simply a contract between two parties before they get married. The prenup is designed to allow each party to lay out certain conditions and/or distinguish personal property (assets acquired before the marriage) from community property (assets acquired after the marriage). Prenups can also allow couples to provide for children from a previous marriage and protect assets in the event of death or divorce. (taken from this site)

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OK, so if a prenup is an agreement between two parties, bride and groom, then you would think that each has a say in what goes into the prenup, right?  Does that mean you get two lawyers?  And what if the couple has a child prior to the marriage? Can there be anything in there about custody or future financial education obligations?

The same above site states the following:

3.3 Child Custody

Child custody can never be addressed in a prenuptial agreement – at least not in a manner which will be upheld by any court. The court will always retain jurisdiction to make custody and visitation decisions based upon the best interests of the child.

3.4 Child Support

Similarly, child support cannot be established via a prenup. The support of the child must be based upon the needs of the child at the time of the child support judgment and not at the time of the prenup. A judge will use appropriate guidelines and calculations at the time of the divorce to set a child support obligation.

Good to know, right?

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But, in all seriousness, prenups can be scary but I can see also how they are necessary in some situations. I think its something that should just be left on the kitchen table or on someones purse, but as a contract that two people discuss throughout the process. Does that seem unreasonable?  It's hard though, you are basically discussing what happens when you get divorced, before you are even married?  And if there are children involved that an even bigger issue.  Basically, you need to protect yourself from a lot these days, which is, well, a total wedding buzz-kill.

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If we had a prenup, I would def. have to put a clause in there that I would get to keep everything pink. Hmm, but I'm thinking there wouldn't be any protest against that :)

Did anyone go through this prenup issue while planning their wedding?  If so, ever hear anything about child custody getting roped into it?