I have been trying to get everyone together now for a few weeks to make faux mustaches on sticks (props for the photobooth) - and I should have realized that things were getting fishy when everyone happened to be available on the most gorgeous Saturday afternoon the month of August has ever seen. With plans of when and where changing more often that you can imagine we finally settled on getting together at my mom's house the afternoon of the 7th. My MOH asked if I would pick her up on my way so I could quickly meet her new horses! Being a HUGE animal lover, of course I agreed.

I was greeted by all of the people I love the very most. SURPRISEEEEE! Ugh. They totally got me! I instantly started to cry - it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. The hard work, and love that my family and BM's put in this shower still leaves me speechless.

Every detail was covered. Huge Dahlia's flowing out of mason jars, tissue paper pom poms hanging from trees, handmade napkins, table cloths and runners all in coordinating punchy colored fabrics, amazing food, homemade strawberry jam favors, and the best friends and family anyone could ever ask for. My aunt even drove out from Wisconsin to hand deliver a family heirloom - a pitcher and glass set that belonged to my great grandmother. Can you believe that!? Just awesome.

Shannon, a photographer friend of ours was here to celebrate with us and was able to document the entire day. She just posted a sampling of the photos to her blog. I feel so lucky to have such talented and generous friends! It couldn't have been a more perfect day!

http://shannonsorensenphotography.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/katies-rhode-island-bridal-shower/

Ladies I need some help! Can anyone suggest an inexpensive videographer? We originally thought we didn't need one, but now are thinking we definitely do. We're less than two months away from our wedding, and our remaining budget is very small. Any suggestions?!

It took me what seemed like forever to pick out shoes for the wedding. I absolutely drove myself crazy. All along I knew I wanted some a little snazzy - but couldn't see myself spending a lot of money on a pair of shoes I'd just get one wear out of. I have a major shoe thing - so once laid eyes on these, I knew I had to have them. And they'll look super cute with a simple dress at another occasion!

Photo from JCrew.com

Help! We received our first gift in yesterday's mail! Yayyyy! I can only assume it's a shower gift from out of town (I know I'm having a shower, just don't know when, where, etc...) Is it okay to open it?! The suspense is killing me! Mr. Kartwheels says "NO WAY!, it's like opening Christmas presents before Christmas!" :)

Help Ladies! What's the right thing to do? If it is a shower gift, I'd like to be able to send out a thank you card in a timely manner.

For as long as I can remember, my green thumb has had a serious thing for succulents. I don't discriminate. I love them all. I have them all over the house, at work, the yard. I could have a worse addition, right?

Flowers and Photography where my main focus for planning our wedding. I'll get to the photographer later!

So, when we decided to have the ceremony and reception at the Botanical Center (they have a cactus display in the room where dinner will be served!!!) I knew what I wanted the floral scheme to be. Succulents, and any other out of the norm plant (Asparagus, anyone!?) I could stuff into my bouquet. I'm not really your rose, cala lily and hydrangea bride - though I think they're all gorgeous.

I went to speak to a few florists - several of whom said right off the bat: "That's not the kind of work we do" Really? In an economy like ours, I didn't think anyone would be turning down work. But, I guess, in the end, I appreciated their honesty and keep moving on.

I have worked in Wakefield for years, and have had the great opportunity to get to know many of the local business owners there. I don't what what I was thinking, but I should have stopped at Weeweavers first and saved myself a ton of time. Elaine is wonderful, and I've been going into her shop for years buying myself, and others beautifully arranged plants and bouquets.

Here's our game plan: I was in charge of finding the pots for the centerpieces. They're going to be succulent garden in 12 inch pots. (I found some great cream colored ceramic dish-like pots at Ikea for just $10 each! ...okay, we had to travel to a few different Ikea's to get enough, but that wasn't a big deal) While I was there, I picked up 18 of these white vases that'll be perfect for the cocktail table - with yellow Billy Buds in them!

We've decided that my bouquet will be all sorts of peculiar succulents/lots of texture/and maybe a sprig or two of asparagus. The bridesmaids bouquet will each feature one element of my bouquet, with smaller quantities of other things. Don't worry, no one is going to have a bouquet of asparagus....I'm not THAT crazy!

The favors and place cards are going to be vintage/distress clay pots with different varieties of small succulents.

Photo courtesy of: Martha Stewart

So, as well all know, some things are just more important to some brides than to others when it comes to certain elements of your wedding. Originally, to me, the cake was at the bottom of my list. I just wanted it to be pretty! Didn't care what the flavor was, how many tiers, who made it.... Well. I'll have you know that as soon as we walked into Konditor Meister in Braintree my mind was changed. IMMEDIATELY! We were greeted by the nicest woman in the world, and stood for a minute in awe of the presentation of the yummy treats that were for sale behind the glass counter. We we escorted to our tiny table in a room with about 6 other couples. Judging by the size of the tables, we were certainly NOT expecting what was about to come next.

We were brought out 11 different slices of cake to try! Yes, you read it correctly. Eleven! Hello Heaven! The flave's went from Oreo all the way to Mimosa (which was awesome!) We sat so quietly for a few minutes just wondering where to even begin! We had been cake tasting once before and it was nothing at all like this! In the end we decided on a four tier cake, with 3 different flavors(each tier has 2 frosting layers):

1. Rum Cake with fresh strawberries and a chocolate mousse
2. Gold cake with a lemon mousse and pasty cream
3. Chocolate cake with chocolate mousse
4. Gold cake with lemon mousse again - for next year!

We played it pretty safe with the flavors, they were so classic - and so perfectly moist - we just had to go with simple. If you do go for a tasting, the carrot cake is delicious, as it the Champagne torte, and the Strawberry Peach Torte!

Hi everyone! My name is Katie, and my fiancées name is Dave! We are coming into the last stage of our wedding planning - I can't even believe it's almost here! Our wedding will be on September, 18 of this year at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center. The gardens are absolutely spectacular, and the environment fits us to a T! If you've never visited it, you must, must, must!

Two month countdown here we come!!!