Wedding Planning: Set up for the reception

On Friday evening my assistant and I went to the rehearsal. I wanted to get there early to start setting up for the reception, but traffic said no way. Thankfully the rehearsal was short and we were able to get the tables arranged and make note of what I needed to purchase for the next day.

The wedding was at 6 on Saturday evening and we started decorating at 11. Full table cloths weren't in the budget so I made runners instead. I cut strips of burlap and gathered them and wrapped lace and twine on the ends so it wouldn't just hang. I did end up purchasing 40 jars to supplement the 20 jars I managed to collect. I had yellow and white carnations and hydrangeas that went into separate vases and were placed in groups of 3 at the ends of the tables. Hydrangeas are a wimpy flower, we had to keep then in the fridge until right before the reception. We also put ice in all of the jars to keep the flowers from wilting. For the "centerpiece" I put fruit trays (dollar store chic) on each table so guests could immediately eat without moving around too much in case it was still hot in the barn. I designed the reception cards to match the invitation. Some had a logo up top, some had a logo at the bottom. I alternated the placement and positioned the bowls and silverware in a way that you could see the logo.

We had indoor and outdoor seating because we still needed room for the dance floor and I didn't want a bunch of people crammed in and hot. What I didn't anticipate was how much space the dj would require. I had to rearrange a few tables and change the food placement when he strolled in with all his equipment. The new placement was even better than the original plan I had. In the end, the only thing I would change about the reception set up was the head table. Somebody was supposed to provide me with one, but only half delivered. I made it work, but it wasn't up to my standard (i don't have a picture of that yet.)

Next up: ceremony set up
Follwed by: How it all went down and Well I won't make that mistake again

Coming soon...

Wedding recap coming soon! I'm waiting on some pictures. I was so busy I didn't have time to take any.

Wedding Countdown

I'm almost at the finish line for the wedding. My ma is decorating for her friends vow renewal Friday so it's been double duty wedding work (all those roses are hers). I don't have much more to do except finish the program and figure out the ring bearer pillow situation. The rehearsal is Friday at 6 and I'll be there 2 hours early to make sure I have everything in place and figured out before the bride shows up. I have a few arguments I need to have with the lady that runs the orchard and I don't want my clients to have to be part of that.

MrC was supposed to be coming up with a name for me so I can seem like a true professional. If I decide that I enjoy and am good at this I want the focus of my business to be wedding and party planning. I want a cool name like a certain blogger that runs The PH Balance ;) but I can't think of one.

12 Months

We had our 12 month check up last week. Judah is 17.2 pounds and 27 inches. He's still not on the growth chart, but if he keeps on being as greedy as he is, we'll make the chart next time. We're getting into a pretty good schedule these days, but I'm still tweaking naps. Judah wakes up at 6:30 to nurse and then we sleep for another few hours. Breakfast is at 9 and I cook 1/2 cup of oatmeal and a fruit (apple, pear, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, mango.) For the past week nap time was at 11:30 and he sleeps for 2 hours. I want it to turn into a 3 hour nap eventually, but he doesn't agree yet. When he wakes up we have lunch which is usually yogurt, Cheerios, fruit and he nurses. Dinner is at 6 (1/2 cup grains and veggies) and bath is at 8. He nurses before bed and goes to sleep at 8:30. His favorite snacks are strawberries, blueberries and bread. He doesn't have any teeth but he things he can eat whatever I'm eating.

His favorite activities are looking out in the backyard at the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and bunnies and climbing up the stairs. He still isn't walking,  but he uses anything he can get to move to hold on to as he walks. He understands simple commands like "come here" and "go get your water." My mom claims she told him to go to his closet and he did it, but she exaggerates. When he can't do something he wants to do he arches his back and falls out and promptly gets a boy please from me and I keep it moving. He loves music and will raise his hands to rock out and bob his head at the slightest beat.

The first year wasn't what I expected of parenting. In a lot of ways it was easier than I expected, but on days when I was tired, hungry and didn't want to be bothered, I realized I didn't have the option to shut down or just chill because I had somebody to keep alive and safe. I honestly expected a lot more crying, frustration, and sleepless nights to be part of the first year. The scenes on tv of an inconsolable infant and parents spending 2 hours trying to figure out what's wrong happened less than a handful of times and all when
he was less than 2 months old. I also didn't expect to turn into such a breastfeeding advocate. I've had more conversations than I can count explaining and encouraging breastfeeding mothers. I've really enjoyed my first year with Judah. I think we're ready to try for number 2.