7 months to go!

Okay, forget theknot.com when it comes to checklists! Swann Soirees (our day-of coordination team) has supplied us with the greatest checklist ever!! It is MY kind of list - very thorough, detailed and organized. And for a second, we were behind! (so much for a Holiday break from wedding planning!) But it's OK - luckily, I got one awesome party-planning fiancee...so we got back on track. Either way, we're trying to enjoy Christmas and the New Year, but got a few things done - since Jon is leaving for the Philippines for 3 weeks on January 9, 2011.

• Pick Bridesmaid dress: When we first got engaged, I had my heart set on the ladies wearing sexy cocktail dresses, so they can look cute in strappy shoes in the summer time. Then Jon and I decided that the attire for our wedding would be "formal" - so it just wouldn't look right if our family and the God-Parents were in gowns and the BMaids were in less-formal cocktail dresses. And then I saw this dress in The Knot magazine, and I suddenly changed my mind to have them wear floor-length dresses. (it's so classy and elegant! Timeless!) And now, they can wear whatever style of grey/nude shoes they want, since we won't see them anyway- it'll save them a few $$, right?:

• Begin researching your honeymoon: We are going to Cancun!!! Our lovely reception package from the Omni includes a complimentary honeymoon stay at the Omni Cancun Resort and Villas (4 night stay, 15% off food and beverage). All we gotta do is pay for our flight. Not bad huh? I'm really excited!
• Meet with Officiant: The pastor of St. Mary's Church (and a very close friend of the family), Fr. Dennis, will be officiating our wedding ceremony. We attended the Diocese Marriage Preparation class - it was such an eye-opening experience! Jon and I enjoyed it and it opened up A LOT of lines of communication for us. I'll blog about that separately. We're so honored and lucky to have Fr. Dennis marry us - he's been there since the beginning of DiJon!
  
• Research Accommodations for Out-of-Town guests: we have a room block with a great rate at The Omni. However, I need to look for rooms that are more "economical." Although the rate of $179 is GREAT for an upscale, Downtown hotel - it may not be for our guests that are staying here for 3+ days. I've contacted Gillian again from the SDCVB and she is helping me look for room blocks at other hotels. I'm particularly interested in the Best Western Marina Gateway (off of the 5 freeway). It's down the street from the Church and just a few miles from Downtown. Another option (well, mainly for my mom's family) is to rent a vacation house for the week. My darling friend Trixia told me about Vacation Rentals by Owner - and I was searching for homes. I found this awesome estate in Bonita that has 5 bed/5bath, (perfect for the 5 families that are coming here from Reno). Here is a picture of the game room! But can you see why I'm a BIT HESITANT to even inquire about it??

Our Save the Dates are done!! I'm going to hand write the names and addresses on them, so that will be my ongoing project for the next few weeks (plus I don't have everyone's addresses yet). I know the month of January will be a busy one - lots of items on the checklist!! And with Jon gone for 3 weeks, that may be a good and bad thing. Okay, I'm craving some Ramen right now.