Sooo...

MY WEDDING DRESS IS HERE!!!

3 months early!!!

I get to visit it for the first time on January 2, at 2pm. I am SO excited. I can't wait to see how it fits after my 5 months of working out almost every day!!!

Plus... have been working a lot on our invitation design. I think I find a design I like... then I change my mind about 3 minutes later. We worked out how much we're going to need to gocco- 200 invitations, 200 envelopes, 200 maps, 110 welcome dinner invitations (family/bridal party), 60 brunch invitations (family), 200 RSVP postcards, 225 placecards, 125 programs... and I am sure there will be more projects. I ordered another 1500 rhinestones and 75 yards of ribbon as well. I think we'll start them in January or February sometime- the envelopes need to be at the calligrapher in April! It's sneaking up on us, slowly but surely!

It was pouring rain last night so instead of studying for my calculus final, we started wrapping our favors. We're doing sudoku books and a donation to the Alzheimer's Association, in memory of our grandparents. We have 216 to wrap, and I had no idea how long it was going to take. It's a good thing we started last night... because in 3 hours, we wrapped 35. I know, we're pathetic. At this rate, it's going to take until the night before the wedding!

I just remembered I never blogged about our new honeymoon! I know, what number is this...4? Well, I guess we learned our lesson- don't make plans too early. Not only was I scared to go to Thailand now because of the political problems, but the economy just keeps getting worse and worse every day. It seems like you can't pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV without hearing "the Dow hits another record low" or "Thousands of jobs lost in the past month". We both were getting nervous about Jacob being able to find a job after he graduates, so it became a question of whether we want to completely splurge on our honeymoon, or whether we should be smart, save that money, and go on a less expensive honeymoon. It was struggle, but we have decided to be smart (see, that college degree does knock some common sense into you!). So, after an extensive search, we are going to....

Dreams Puerto Vallarta!

We got a great honeymoon package through Orbitz- about 50% the price the resort was offering. It's an all-inclusive resort, so flights, rooms, food, alcohol, and activities are all included! Dreams is located on a gorgeous private beach, and we were able to book a "Dreams Suite" with a private pool! We got the entire package for the same price as the flights to Thailand would have cost. Plus, it only takes 2.5 hours to get there! Yippee! They even do baby turtle releases, have snorkeling, boating, hiking, scuba diving, you name it. I have some photos, but I will add them later when I shouldn't be procrastinating from studying!

Although I was sad to give up Thailand (and the cruise... and Costa Rica....) I know that this is the best option, financially. I also know that our honeymoon (all 7 nights, 8 days of it) will be an amazing adventure and provide incredible memories no matter where we go.

We also booked the hotel where we'll be staying on our wedding night! (Wedding party... take note!) We'll be staying at the Inn of the Spanish Garden, a gorgeous hotel located just a few blocks from the Historical Museum. We splurged a little bit, but oh well... it's our wedding night! The most important part to me was having a jacuzzi tub to relax after the stress of the wedding day- and we have a huge one! The only sad part is that we can't take the Mav... oh well!

I hope that after the 1st of the year, things will start flying by. We both are so ready to get married! Only 7.5 more months...

A pretty picture to end this post, because I don't have any of my own right now:
I dream of transforming the museum into a lantern-lit wonderland!