Hotel Reservations

We probably should have indicated this sooner, but the deadline to book a room at our discounted group rate was yesterday (Friday August 29th).  If you still need a room, just let us know ASAP!!

We're Homeowners!

I think today was the second most anticipated day of the year for us.  Today, we closed on our new home, a condo in River West!  Our closing was this morning at 9:00am downtown.  So many people had made comments about how many papers we were going to have to sign that we expected our hands to fall off before it was over.  It wasn't nearly as bad as we expected, though.  We were done with all the paperwork just before 10:30, but the wire transfer from the lender took some time to go through.  So we sat around until about 11:30 until we were all clear and received the keys!

We immediately went to our new home to look around (as if it had changed any since our final walkthrough yesterday morning) and wait for our contractor to show up and give us a quote for re-finishing the hardwood floors.  That project will start next Tuesday and we'll be ready to move in by next weekend!  It's amazing how fast things are moving now.  Hopefully we can stop our heads from spinning in time to enjoy our wedding!

Update 8/30/2008 - Mary took this with her phone today after we realized I was already getting mail here!

Groomsmen Gifts & Closing Countdown

Despite the fact that both Mary and I have been ridiculously busy in the last week, there isn't much we can cross off our list of things to do.  Mostly it has been phone calls with vendors, parents, family and bridal party.  Most of our vendors have been booked, so now we just need to follow up and finalize the details.  SOOOO many details.  Our heads have been spinning just trying to keep it all straight, let alone blog about it.


The goods news is that I've finalized all the groomsmen and usher gifts.  I have been thinking about this for some time, and it took me a while before I had a clue where to even start.  Fortunately, Mary was able to help me brainstorm some good ideas.  In the end, I'm really excited about each of my decisions, and even more excited to present these gifts to each of the men that will be standing up for me.


Also, what has been keeping us pre-occupied most of all lately, we'll be closing on our condo this Thursday!  As if closing on a home wasn't enough, we're scheduling a contractor to re-finish the floors starting immediately, a cleaning service to clean up after the contractor, and movers to move all of Mary's stuff and most of my stuff in!  Of course, I couldn't just work with all of those companies alone, I also have been coordinating with our condo association to make sure we have the green light.  All of that will be worth it, though, when Mary and I (and Bentley) can go to our brand new home after our wedding and just relax.  In just three days, we can call it our own!

On Their Way

I forgot to post this yesterday, but my dad, being the great dad that he is, took all the invitations into the post ofice personally and handed them to someone, as opposed to just dropping them in a mail box somewhere.  He told me that he even went so far as to tell the postal worker what they were and she assured him that they'd take care of them and they'd be on their way.  So as of yesterday, our invitations were mailed!

A Productive Saturday

This past Saturday might have been one of the most productive wedding days we've had since we started planning.  I mean, I thought we got a lot of things done before, but this was just great.  Jack and I started our day with a quick run to Starbucks and then headed to City Hall to apply for our marriage license (see Jack's blog about that here).  Afterwards, we headed to the jeweler to pick up our wedding bands.  We had to try them on, obviously, to make sure that they fit.  Once I put mine on, I didn't want to take it off!

I then dropped Jack off so he could go to the gym and do some of his own things for the rest of the day.  I packed up my car and then headed out to Oak Brook to the Nordstrom Rack.  Occasionally they have what they call "Large Size Shoe Event", which is a nice was of saying they are bringing in more shoes for people with abnormally large feet.  Since I fall into that category, I decided to check out their selection.  I found a few pairs, but much to my surprise and delight, I found my wedding shoes!  I had been searching various stores and online shoe sites for some options, but could never seem to found just what I needed.  This pair though is just perfect!  I don't think I could have sketched a pair that would have worked any better.

After my shoe adventure, I headed to my parents' house and for the rest of the evening, my mom and I prepped the invitations to be mailed.  Because she has the most beautiful handwriting, she volunteered/I asked if she would address the invites.  She worked all last week to get them done since she knew I was getting anxious about getting them out.  Then together we numbered, stamped, and stuffed all of the invitations.  We ended up with quite a system.  And while I put the final stamp on the outside envelope, she licked every last one!  I will say though that I really enjoyed that we did this together.  It gave us a chance to chat and make jokes and just a relax a bit.  It definitely gave me the feeling that we are in the final stretch of plans and preparations, which makes me very relieved and very excited!  Thanks for all your help, Mom!  I hope your tongue and writing hand has recovered! :)