I’m finally getting some work done on my centerpieces. Check ’em out:

Man, I thought this was going to be easier has become my wedding planning slogan. Ugh. Putting together what I thought were relatively simple invitations turned out to be quite the ordeal.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s very frustrating when everyone has a different idea about everything. This goes for more than just invitations, but here’s the short list of tiny dramas encountered on the road to inviting people to our nuptials.

• what to include in/on your invitations
• who to invite/not invite
• how many people to invite (which, of course, depends on your food cost-per-plate)
• whether or not to include registry information
• where to register, if anywhere
• when to send invites
• how to explain the unusual concept of hometown receptions
• etc.
• etc.
• ETC.

As I work on completing the last step in this lovely process, I’ll admit it’s kind of empowering to know I can figure all of this out. More importantly, Ed and I have been engaged for a full year plus one week, and we’re more excited than ever about getting hitched. Here are the invites (and yes, Mom, I censored our return address).

As of 11 something-or-other this morning, my dress is ordered. The contract is signed, and there’s a no return policy. Want to see it? Check it out below. I ordered it in a size larger than the sample size I’m wearing in the picture, but you’ll get the idea. Simple, cheap, classy… the way I roll with this wedding business.

Ironically, I am significantly more excited about the arts & crafts I’ve been able to spend copious amounts of time working on during my last weekend before classes begin on Wednesday the first. I’ll have posts up soon about how I made the flowers and garland below, with links to one of my favorite DIY wedding sites & the inspiration for these two projects, Martha Stewart Weddings.