Hey girls

I will be away from this Friday after work through until the Monday week, the 9th! The dress is being delivered to work, so I have given our receptionist instructions that she is to take it to FMIL's house if it arrives. Sigh. I hope that it gets here this week!

I will be on an i-do hiatus and will be suffering badly no doubt. I will have to get your mobile number Kate and you can text me updates.

I wont be able to fulfill my duties to my new buddy that week - I will be flat on my back apparantly! (in a sore, not so fun typa way)

I know that when I have this 'organ' out, I will be better for it. I hope that it will give me the get up and go to get motivated and lose some bluddy weight, which is really getting me down at the moment. I am sick of being sick and tired. I hope that feeling better will also make me perform better at work, because I have been so bad lately - so so so slack.

I think that over the few days I have off, I might work out how I am going to make the invites and set up the templates etc, put together the addy list for the mail merge and that sort of stuff. Read more bridal mags I hope!

They say that the scar should be really small (it is keyhole surgery) although I will have to be carful for a while, as they clamp where they remove it inside, so have to be gentle and so on so that the clamos dont rupture or move or something. I will look forward to the opportunity to spend a week in bed being waited on. Wahoo!

Laurette good luck with your operation hope everything ends up well for you .Now make sure you stay in bed and do what the doctors say and get plenty of rest FH will survive and it will be a good learning curve for him to know what its like to have to look after someone instead of being looked after.Make sure you let us know as soon as dress gets here.


Kate glad to see you are working out your reception venue sounds like the surf club will be a great place to have reception cant wait for photos.


Amanda is off to Bali tomorrow I wont be able to rest till she is back home and safe.I made sure her and Paddy have extra padlocks on their bags Im affraid Im a bit paranoid about that place at the moment.

Kathyxxxx

Laurette,
I hope everything goes fantastic for you! You will feel better in no time after the operation!!

WEDDING PLAN UPDATES:
1:We have a celebrant to do the ceremony,
2: thinking about having the reception in BIL backyard (still undecided about that one) but if we did we would have a marquee and everything
3: possible wedding ceremony venue: peppers fairmount resort @ Leura
4: Found my dress!! I am buying it off the shelf, its made by Mr K and i am getting it when the winter season runs out (which will make it cheaper for me!)
5: have worked out that we are having no attendants just a best man and 2 witnesses (makes our lifes alot easier)

will update when more plans are finalised

Very sad today, due to a lot of trouble finding a venue that was available we've moved our wedding day a week forward to 10 March.

I know I'll get used to it but I was attached to 17 March

Hi Ellerson 82

My finacee is in the army as well. And I am exactly the same as you. I am a little bit scared of the dark and read right up until I feel asleep. He has only been away for a couple of weeks so far this year, but with winter coming they will be going away more. He is away from 9 to 20 May and will probably be away for the entire month of June (some exercise with the navy).

I have also been having dreams about wedding. I can't quite remember what it was but I woke up last night all warm and fuzy (so obviously good dream). I had been reading a bridal magazine just before I feel asleep.

Sharon

Morning Chickies

Like my new avatar? I am paying homage to my favourite man in the world (after H2B and my brothers), David Bowie. He's lovely (and yes I'm deranged).

Labyrinth was my fave movie ever, and he is here as Jareth....

Oh, David...

Laurette I have updated my avatar too.............it's just little old me!

Also put some tickers in my sig but the daily countdown scares me so I might give them the flick

Ahhhh Laurette,
You have now taken me back to my teenage years(the 70's) with your avatar.To think I was there when this guy had concerts in Sydney but it wasnt at the entertainment centre it was at the Horden Pavilion if they played there they were the best of the best.

Kathyxxx

Hi gals!

Im so BORED today!!!

Nothing wedding related to report

Anyone care to keep me company in here today?

Oh oh! I do have some news... Im getting my hair cut and coloured tonight!!!

Kate what style and color you going?

Kathyxxxx

Hi Katrina! Im getting married on the 4th and got engaged in August 04!

Where are you from?

What have you got planned??? We need details!!!

Kathy I dye my hair dark brown (I like to call it "catherine zeta-jones brown" ) but I have auburn hair (julia roberts is my closest match - my hair is quite dark anyway) so it gets a really nice undertone.

My sister has the most stunning hair. Im jealous!

Where abouts is Milton Park???

Your mum sounds like a cack! my mum comes up with some really out there suggestions too... and she cant keep her mouth shut! Everyone knows everything thats going on! Its cute that shes so excited, but sometimes I just want some things kept 'in the loop' IYKWIM.

The Cory in the teeth whitening banner, is that the 'Cory and Rich' Cory??? Ive always thought they looked similar... never occured to me that it might be her! (might not be either! huge co-incidence tho!)

Just click on anyones ticker to get one in your sig!

Yes!!!

Yay!

I just realised my ticker is out I tried to fix it, but its still saying 10 months 5 days

How funny!

I work out at Picton at the moment, and I live in wollongong, so quite close.

One of the girls here is building out near bowral, so you might get some local knowledge!

Yeah that's Cory and Rich... Same one!

Welcome Katrina...

Kate, have fun at the hairdresses tonight - make sure you swing past a newsagency and get the new Cosmo Bride on your way to keep you entertained.

*Wanders off singing 'Fame'*

Ive been really really good with bridal mags.

I got one when mum put our engagement ad in the newspaper and then brought this years version... and was most upset when nearly every single page was a repeat of the previous years.

Only the featured weddings and photographers fave shots were different.

Nearly every single ad was the same also!!!

Im starving! off to grab lunch (homemade canelloni YUM!)

Hi sharon, good to know Im not alone! I have to stop myself coming to this site before I go to sleep or else I dream about weddings all Bl00dy night and dont get sleep!!

My fiance wont be going on any more exercises for a few months I hope, as he is doing a new course in Melb and doesnt require much field. Before xmas he was away for 6 weeks, and in feb he was away for another 6 weeks straight, thats a lot of time to be alone!!

cheers, michelle

I love bridal mags. I will count at lunch, but am sure that I have in excess of 25, so at $15 a pop, that's roughly $375 worth. Ouch.

Your lunch sounds so nice Kate. I think that I will have to make something with pasta for tea.

Kathy, my dad got me into Bowie. In my baby album, there are actually two tickets to the 'Serious Moonlight' tour which was at the Superdome in Sydney (I think that was the location) two days after my birth. Only one of them was used. Mum stayed home with me while dad went! Thankfully! I think that mum was hoping I would have been about a month old (she went over due date with me) and she could have left me with her parents or something. But being that old, she was probably still in hospital!

I love the Labyrinth movie - I could watch it over and over and never tire of it. I am thinking of using one of his songs from it at the wedding. These are the lyrics. I know that there is bits about 'falling' and so on, but it really is a love song and so so beautiful.

"As The World Falls Down"

There's such a sad love
Deep in your eyes
A kind of pale jewel
Open and closed
Within your eyes
I'll place the sky
Within your eyes

There's such a fooled heart
Beatin' so fast
In search of new dreams
A love that will last
Within your heart
I'll place the moon
Within your heart

As the pain sweeps through,
Makes no sense for you
Every thrill is gone
Wasn't too much fun at all,
But I'll be there for you-ou-ou
As the world falls down

Falling
Falling down
Falling in love

I'll paint you mornings of gold
I'll spin you Valentine evenings
Though we're strangers 'til now,
We're choosing the path
Between the stars
I'll leave my love
Between the stars

As the pain sweeps through,
Makes no sense for you
Every thrill is gone
Wasn't too much fun at all,
But I'll be there for you-ou-ou
As the world falls down

Falling
As the world falls down
Falling
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling
Falling
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down
Makes no sense at all
Makes no sense to fall
Falling
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down
Falling
Falling
Falling in love
As the world falls down

Wow, you girls with servicemen for partners are brave. I dont think that I could handle being alone for six weeks or longer straight. I would be so lonely.

Tell me about it!

I couldnt handle it.

I get my hair done in 3 1/2 hours!!! I cant wait! Its the best feeling! Goodbye yukky dead ends, goodbye funny looking regrowth, hello the dead-straight-only - hairdressers- can- get hair!!!!

I went to the newsagent and they didnt have the new Cosmo Bride there... I was crushed.

Maybe tomorrow!

Hi Girls,

I'm checking in and getting my lunch time I-do fix!! Hi Katrina. Welcome to our March 06 thread!! Your Mum sounds too funny! My Mum lives in Perth, so apart from her asking me for updates every time she rings, I'm pretty safe from the "Mad Mother" syndrome!!!

Good luck with your hair Kate!! I always feel so much nicer after getting mine done. It's a nice little pamper time - LOVE the scalp massages when they wash your hair.

How did the bridal mag count go Laurette?? I've got a few as well - though I'm too scared to count!! I'll check tonight. I was madly addicted to them, but I think I'm getting better. I seen a few new ones this week but when I flicked through them they had all the same stuff and (so far!!) I've managed to resist buying them. But I will definitely buy the new Cosmo. For some reason, the newsagents near my work haven't got it in yet - they are still carrying the last one with the lipstick. (BTW, love your new avater. i loved the Labrynth movie as well - haven't seen it for ages though).

Jo.

Ooh getting your hair done sounds nice. Im overdue to get mine cut, but the hairdresser hacked so much last time and layered it badly so Im trying to grow it as much as I can before I go and get it trimmed again.

I could easliy fall asleep while getting my hair done, stuff the hairdresser gossip, its so relaxing Id rather have a nap!

I hope all this talk about your mums is tongue in cheek

Kathyxxxx

Well I can breathe easy for a little while.Just heard from Amanda and Patrick and they are save in Bali.

Kathyxxx

My hair is black

Im not dealing with it too well lol. Ive been at my sisters and had a cry already this morning.

And to make matters worse, we have a solicitors appointment this afternoon and I am going to rock up looking like morticia addams.

Kate you poor thing did you ask to go black or is that the color that the hairdresser put in if so you should be able to get it fixed no charge.But i would be worried about damage to your hair from over use of chemicals make sure you check with her about what can happen to your hair if you have it fixed now.Thank god it wasnt a week out from your wedding.

Kathyxxxx

I actually went to my cousin, whos a qualified hdresser. Shes preggers and I thought Id do the right thing and give her some money rather than my usual salon.

I wanted a dark chocolate brown, but the front is BLACK BLACK, theres parts in the middle where it just hasnt taken at all (which could probably pass as 'highlights') and the back does have a brown tinge, but its WAYYY too dark.

Worst thing is it ended up costing me the same amount as when I go to the salon anyway, and they have all my details on file!

And Im stuck in relation to going to the salon, cos my usual H'drsrs hubby works with my cousins hubby and theyre all really chummy, so it'll get back to my cousin and I dont want to make her feel bad.

AND Im a natural redhead, with freckles, so its not even like its passable.

Matt keeps telling me he likes it and it suits me... which is the response thats been drilled into him, but its just making me angry cos it SOOO doesnt and hes trying to make me feel better about it.

Cos im a redhead, Ive been told in the past that stripping my hair could be risky cos... I cant remember exactly, but its something to do with the follicles or something.

Oh no, Kate. That's not good!!! You were so looking forward to going and getting it done. As Kathy said, it's a good thing it's not a week before your wedding. And on a positive note, at least you know now NOT to go to your cousin's salon when you get your hair done for the wedding. Stick with your other hairdresser!

Maybe the black will tone down in a few days????

jo.

Kate,
I know how you feel as this did happen to me last year I dont know what my natural color is as I have been getting it colored for so long now but anyway i have it colored a sort of sandy blonde and last year in a momentry lapse of reason I said to hairdresser (not my regular girl)that i wanted to go a bit darker well i walked out of there with dark dark brown hair with auburn highlights well my hubby who loves my blonde hair was dumbfounded he just kept looking at me and shaking his head he sent me back to my regular girl who ended up putting 87 foils in it to try to tone down this god awful color it ended up costing him $300 but he said it was worth it.

Now as for your cousin go and see her you dont have to be angry or anything just say to her it really isnt what I was after and I think it is to dark for my complection and is there anyway she can tone it down Im sure as she is a hairdresser she would have come across this before and as you payed for it you are entiteled to be happy with what you end up with.

Kathyxxxxx

Morning Girls...

Laurette hope your operation goes well... full and speedy recovery wishes and hugs heading your way babe!!!

Oh no Kate - sorry to hear about your hair babe... what did you end up doing?


It's been a bit since I've posted in here... hows everyone's plans going? I'm getting there... I'm finding it so hard to get motivated though, I mean, I can't wait till the wedding to marry my gorgeous man, but with the hours I'm working of late I just can't find the time to sort much out... I mean just tues and wednesday this week I had already work about 30 hours... I'm too afraid to work out the hours at the end of the week... I'll get there, just once work slows down a bit, if it does!!!

Hopefully I'll have more to report after the weekend girls... hoping to get my Save the Dates done and a few other bits and pieces

Have a good one girls.... xxx

Laurette,
Hope everything goes well for you today make sure you rest and take it easy for the next couple of days.

Kathyxx

hi lovelies!

My hair has faded a BIT, and Im also getting used to it.

I still REALLY dont like it, and I scare myself when i see my reflection.

Theres not a lot I can do about it at the moment tho, so im just ignoring it, and wearing it back, hoping its not as noticable (it is... but you know!!)

Ive washed it 3 times already with H&S (which I usually use anyway) without much luck.

One good point is the lovely soft shiny hair you get just after its been done.

Luckily we dont have much planned for the next few weeks. A quiet one this weekend, then mothers day next, so hopefully it'll fade a bit by then.

I also (hopefully) finish this assignment in 4 weeks, so I dont want to start a new job looking like a freak!

Ahh well! Life goes on. Its only hair - plenty worse couldve happened!

Back to wedding stuff.

I told my sister I hate my dress yesterday morning (i thought Id add that in while I was sooking about my hair!) and she just shook her head and gave me the old tsk-tsk... but she promised she wont tell mum, and I know I'll be able to con her into dress shopping again!

We REALLY need to book a reception venue as well! We really like the surf club, but lots of hidden costs keep popping up (we need to pay $250 for wait staff, $150 for cleaning, need to hire linen etc) so we really need to sit with them and nut it out, then make a firm decision and BOOK SOMETHING!

Anyone else got any news?

Hi girls,

Leesha you must be absolute buggered from working all those hours. You poor thing!!! You must get to the weekend and just drop! Hopefully things calm down for you soon!

Laurette, all the best for you op. We're all thinking of you and sending our best wishes!

I booked in my photographer yesterday afternoon, so that is one more tick off the list. It is a bit more expensive than what we were hoping for, but we really loved his photography. So, we now have pretty much all the big things booked except, can you believek, the ceremony!!!! We're still stuffing around trying to organise the Church. We haven't been able to make it to the service for the last couple of weeks to hand in our application form, so hopefully they are still free on our date. If not, well, I guess it's back to the drawing board. So, i know how you feel about your reception Kate, you just want to get it bloody booked!!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend,

Jo.

Hi all

Just been trying to call the videographer that I want for the wedding to book him and he wont answer He's probably out filming a Friday wedding or something. I will try next week when I am home all the time so that way I can leave a message for him to call me back I guess.

Hope that you all have a fab weekend and dont get too drunk if you are going out (can you tell that I want to be doing something this weekend but have to behave due to upcoming anasethic).

I well text Kate when the ops over to confirm that I am still alive!

have a great weekend everyone!

Luv Laurette

Ps - we must be about due to go to Page 9...

If I get page 9, I'll dedicate it to you ok haha!!!

Do you realise how this is going to affect ME??? Some of you other Marchies better step up and help fill the Laurette void that will be left in my inbox!!!

I'll be waiting on that text! If I havent heard anything by monday lunch, I'll assume the worst

In all seriousness... I hope all goes well and youre back better than ever monday week!

I will be so bored without you!

Kate glad to see that your hair is settling down a bit and your getting used to it.Laurette as i said in a earlier post good luck with your op and rest up dont worry we will keep kate busy while your away.

Anyway girls have a good weekend see you all next week.

Kathyxxxx

Kate - you definetly wont have heard anything by Monday lunch, as I will still be out of it by then!

I will try to get to you Monday night mate

Luv and kisses

Laurette

Hi everyone,
Kate have you heard how laurette's op went yet?

Kathyxxx

No Kathy, not yet!

Ill be sure to let you know as soon as I hear.

Are Amanda and Paddy back safely from Bali yet? Im sure theyre having a ball!

As for us... we're still having issues with our reception venue. We were originally having it at a Club, but then the whole no smoking policy could really hurt us (were all smokers - GROSS habit), then the surf club was a fantastic idea in theory, but Matt being ever so sensible pointed out that Id have to co-ordinate EVERYTHING as in staff, catering, decorations, drinks, and whatever else... and being slightly obsessive compulsive at the best of times, hes scared that Id overload and have some sort of nervous breakdown, which isnt in the gameplan.

So now we're basically back at square one. We had a really good deal at the Leagues club (approx $55 a head) and really doubt we'll be able to match that elsewhere, and we're budgetted that amount, so it looks like its back to the drawing board for us. ( I havent had the guts to tell him I want a new dress yet... but thats another story )

Hi Kate,
Amanda and Paddy dont get back from Bali till next saturday but we spoke to them yesterday and their having a blast.She has managed to get me my fake luis vuitton bag that I was after amongst other things have put my hand up for the duty free ciggies(yeah I know its a bad habit but one that is very hard to give up).


Now on to your reception for your $55 pp what are you getting is that just the meal or does that include room hire,decorations and cleaning.

What price was the other place pp?

As for doing all the work yourself is there family members and friends you can delegate to do certain things or maybe a catering company that can decorate tables etc.

My friends resteraunt that I work at sometimes to help him out does weddings but he doesnt have all the wedding decos (table cloths,chair covers etc) so he gives a price pp for food and then the rest is up to you to find a catering company who do this and they do an amazing job have a look in the yellow pages for wedding caterers and see what you come up with.

HTH
kathyxx

ETA:
9 PAGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dedicated to Laurette and her disapearing gall stones! lol! (and no- havent heard anything yet!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The $55 we get all decos (drapes and fairy lights, seat covers and sashs', table decs, lighting), food, alcohol (beer & wine), soft drink, etc we only have to organise a DJ and cake (matts nan is doing it) so basically its 75 x $55 = $4125

For the surf club

Hire = $770
Cleaning = $150
bar staff ($17*2ppl*7hrs) = $238
Grog = $800 (approx)
Catering ($35 *75) = $2625
Food staff ($25*2ppl*4hrs) = $200
Decorations = $800 (approx)

total of $5583 min.

Im the type of person that gets someone to do something for me, then when theyve finished, go and re-arrange it 'my way' so its usually just easier for me to do it myself. (terrible habit! OCD I tell you!)

Im hoping to find a restaurant that'll do it for about $60 a head (food and drink) and move a few tables to create a small dancefloor.

Im not overly concerned with draping etc. I just want something simple and classic. Got my eye on a few places. Cant wait to get home and talk to matt about it - although hes pretty over it at the moment too. We'd elope if we werent so close to our families.

Have to agree with the OCD being another bad habit I think that I will be sneaking in to Amandas reception place on the day and making sure it is all done how I think and how Amanda wants it to be.Well at $120pp it better be exactly how she wants it or heads will roll.

kathyxxx

Thats exactly right!

When we went to veiw our room set up for a wedding a few months ago, there was a ladder in the corner... it was the first thing I spotted, and its something that keeps playing on my mind. If i walked into my reception and saw a ladder in the corner, I would absolutely lose it!

I know at the time it would be the least of my worries, but Id hate to think of my reaction.

Ha Kate,
I just had a vision of your wedding photos and that bloody ladder was in everyone of them.Maybe its a sign of good luck ie:this relationship has nowhere to go but UP!UP!UP! If I was you I would look into having it decorated with flowers or something ITS A SIGN.Im a firm believer in signs

Kathyxxxx

Maybe it was a sign!

I dont think it was meant to be there - I think it was there to hang the decos, but still...

A ladder is a good ... whats that word... um... like a symbol... (is it metaphore or something ) I never thought of it like that.

The place Im thinking of atm is a cafe/ restaurant on the escarpment overlooking wollongong. I worked there as a young tacker (when I was 14) Only problem is its right on the escarpment surrounded my national park, so Id need to organise a mini bus or something for the drunkards, and just drop them at a central location where they could get cabs.

Their website must be new, cos its pretty uninformative check it out

Im going to talk matt into going there for lunch on saturday to scope it out. Could be either a goer, or completely wrong for us. We'll see on saturday I suppose... I'll let you all know!

If that falls thru, I think we'll have to really consider a sunday wedding or something to keep the costs down.

Just to clarify... cos I feel so stingy...

Our parents will nearly cover the cost of the wedding between what they have 'donated'. Im just generally a tight arse, and cant justify us spending obscene amounts of money on one day, thats going to be FAB regardless. Its just not 'us'.

Id love to be able to do it, but cos I budget and plan so meticulously, I also imagine every possible 'what if' and that keeps me in a constant state of fear that we wont be able to afford anything.

That being said... I love the fact that people spend a years wages on their day to make it perfect FOR THEM. Weddings are just so personal.

Ok, now thats off my chest, I feel I can talk about how cheap I am without everyone thinking Im a scrooge... if that makes sense!

Kate,

Just looked at other reception place what a veiw that would make great photo back drops.As for hiring a bus for ppl who have drunk to much should not be your responsiblity everyone will know where it is and arrange other transport.

As for $$$$ and weddings I have been to some where the ppl have spent over $20 to 30 thousand and then I have been to some where the ppl have spent only a fraction of that and honestly there was'nt much difference you get out what you put in.


As for you being a tight a$$ and worrying about being on budget there is nothing wrong with that if you dont then things can get out of hand like on the show I watched on arena called Bridezilla the cost of one girls flowers alone were going to cost what Amanda's whole wedding is going to be not one of these ppl set a budget and one had spent $45 thousand american on thankyou gifts for her guests now how over the top is that.Her poor H2B had no say but you could see he wasnt impressed with the amount of $ spent on things that you shouldnt spend a lot on.So dont call yourself a tight a$$ call yourself smart,clever and thinking about the future.And put what you have saved away for things that really mater like house deposits and children.


You are not a tight a$$ your a optomistic-pessimist.


Kathyxxxx

OMG! $45grand???? Spending that sort of money is inconceivable to me! I wouldnt be able to do my whole wedding for that even if I tried!!! (well maybe I could )

Our parents are putting $x each, and we'll have to put in about $2000 to cover the rest plus honeymoon costs (which will be domestic - and booked on one of the lastminute type websites).

We just cant see the point in it, when $10000 can mean a lot these days. We'd rather save the money, then when we have our kids, organise for $X to be transferred back into our everday account each week - which wont be as much as I earn now, but will help towards me having to go back to work full time.