It's the Monday before the wedding and things are falling into place! Tomorrow we meet with Hollyhock Hill to give a final head count and finalize all the details. Then on Thursday Joe and I go to get our marriage liscence! Nothing like getting the paperwork to make it really sink in that we're really getting married! We will also be picking up Joe's tux Thursday and meeting with our photographer one last time to go over shots we want. It's coming down to the wire now, and we are so excited to be celebrating this big day with all of you.

Joenand I had a wonderful meeting with our Preist, Father Guy Roberts. We went over the details of the big day and he answered questions that we had. Joe and I both felt a sense of peace leaving the meeting. We know we are in good hands. 

According to the RSVP's we've received this will be a wonderfully intimate ceremony and dinner; which is just what we were wanting. A chance to celebrate with family and close friends.

The day has come that I have been anxiously awaiting: my wedding dress is here safe and sound! After one too many nightmares about my dress, the stress of something going wrong with it is over. 

In other news, we're meeting with Deborah the cake lady for one last time to discuss the cake. I found pictures of beautiful scroll work that I'd like her to do. My Mom and I are also going to meet with Kathy who will be doing the flowers to discuss the final touches. 

The big day is right around the corner and although I'm feeling slightly stressed with all the planning, I know it will all come together beautifully. 

We've thought more about it and Hollyhock Hill suits our needs out of every restaurant we've looked at. It's perfect! Beautifully decorated, wonderful food, and that home-like atmosphere you just can't get anywhere else.

Things are moving right along! I have the photographer booked, the flowers booked, the music picked out, and the design of the cake is coming to life.

I'm still anxiously awaiting the arrival of my wedding dress; the estimated arrival date is August 1 - so I have a ways to go! I can't wait for it to be here!

I've ordered the invitations and should be getting them in the mail within the week. Next on the list is to take them to kinkos to have them printed.

The countdown is on! September 22 will be here before we know it!

Slight change in plans! It turns out McCormick & Schmicks was not a good fit for us. We've decided on Eddie Merlot's: it is a beautiful restaurant with the friendliest staff. I've been in contact with them to reserve the Merlot Room for our special evening.

Joe and I met with St. Joan of Arc's music coordinator, Joseph Burrows this weekend and chose what songs will be played during the ceremony. It was a very memorable experience as we sat back and chose our music!

We will also be meeting with our cake lady soon. Deborah is a family friend, and her cakes are out of this world!! I can't wait to taste them soon!

I'm also anxiously awaiting a phone call from David's Bridal on the status of my dress. (I've already had one nightmare of them not being able to find my dress!) Needless to say I can't wait to have it safe in my posession!

Good news! McCormick & Schmicks IS available to host our wedding reception. I will be contacting them within the week to reserve the banquet room!

I'm also putting the finishing touches on the save-the-dates and getting those ready to be sent out.

The time has come to try on dresses!! I know that once I see myself in a wedding dress it's really going to sink in that I'm getting married. I have a few picked out that I found online, and I'm very excited to see them in person. I'm trying not to have my heart set on that one dress, but I did find one online that I love! It's elegant and unique - just my style.

Joining me will be the important women in my life: my Mom, my Sister, my Cousin, my future Mother-in-Law and my future Sister-in-Law. I can't wait to spend this very special day with them!

After a wonderful dinner at McCormick & Schmicks, we have decided that we will be having the dinner after our ceremony here!

We were greeted with the friendliest staff once we walked in. We informed them that we are very interested in having our wedding reception here and were given a folder of information to take home with us. We immediately loved the ambiance of the restaurant: beautiful stained glass decorates the ceiling as well as the tables, the wait staff were dressed professionally, and the service was wonderful. We were treated like Kings and Queens!

The food was amazing! Joe started with a cup of Clam Chowder and I tried the Lobster Bisque. For our main course, we both ordered seafood: shrimp scampi, freshly grilled salmon, seared sea scallops, stuffed shrimp, fried shrimp, green beans and mashed potatoes. The food was very impressive and we wanted to make sure we chose the restaurant for the amazing food.

The entire evening I couldn't stop imagining having our reception dinner here. It was perfect.

Tonight Joe and I will be traveling downtown to look at McCormick & Schmicks, Joe's first choice for the reception dinner. We can't wait to see what their banquet room has to offer!

We're happy to announce that our flights are booked! We chose assigned seats so that we're sitting together for each flight. Hooray! Key West, here we come!

We also snagged the cozy bungalow we were hoping for: they were going fast! It's a block away from Duval Street in Old Town Key West. I had my heart set on it and I'm thrilled that it's ours.

It's just what we were looking for: something cozy and romantic - steps away from all the action but nice and private. It's a one bedroom unit complete with kitchen, and the best part: a private gated courtyard with outdoor seating and a private jacuzzi. It has access to 2 pools and a weber grill just in case we want to grill out.

We're relieved this part of the trip is secure and set in stone. Now on to planning what we'll be doing in Key West while we're there! I'm planning on meeting with a good friend (who also has a love for Key West) to get some insider tips on great places to go.