Here is a compilations of the things my mom has sent me via email:

Suggestion for ceremony music:

PRELUDE:
Music that is played BEFORE the processional of bridesmaids and Bride – Read this – great info. Your prelude not only entertains guests as they arrive, it sets the tone for your wedding. Think about choosing a few pieces that convey a mood that matches the style of your ceremony. If traditional classical music seems insincere, go with your instinct and program music close to your heart.
Preludes usually begin 20 minutes before the planned start of the ceremony, but we usually will have thirty minutes prepared in case the wedding does not begin on time.

Recommendations: Handel’s “Air, from Water Music”; Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” or “Sheep May Safely Graze”; Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”

PROCESSIONAL:
1. The mothers of the bride and groom are seated after all guests are seated, mother of the bride is seated last, and immediately before the start of the processional music. They are usually escorted to their seats by a brother of the bride or groom, (Patrick) or by another usher.
2. After they are seated, the officiate (pastor), groom and best man enter by a side door (or yard – in your case) and wait at the altar.
3. Then comes the Bridesmaid (Jess)
4. Then the Ring bearer and/or flower girl (Julia)
5. Then the Maid or Matron of Honor (Sami)
6. When the attendants are in their place, the music changes to announce the Bride.
7. Then the bride enters, escorted by her father.*
8. The Maid of Honor holds Brides Flowers and helps father lift up her veil from her face.
9. Father gives away Bride, helps lift up her veil, gives her a kiss, shakes the Groom’s hand and then father goes to his seat and the Groom escorts the Bride to Altar.
10. Music fades out and the Minister begins. (Do you want the minister to ask “Who gives this woman away?” IF SO, then he would ask that before Dad goes to his seat. Dad would answer, “Her mother and I do” – he would lift your veil – give you a kiss, shake John’s hand and head to his seat. Then John would take your hand and lead you up to where you’ll stand for the ceremony.**
11. Then the minister greets the guests and begins the ceremony.

* Will have to add a 7.5 to the list where mother ties ribbon around roses that were added as I walked down the isle.
** Will have to see what the booklet outlining the ceremony the pastor gave us says

RECESSIONAL: (Leaving the wedding ceremony) The Wedding March can be played during the recessional.
1. Bride and groom leave first – then Flower girl – then Maid of honor and best man – then bridesmaid with groomsman.
2. Then parents leave – bride’s mother escorted out first – with father.
3. Then the groom’s parents are escorted out.
4. Then other guests are excused, front-most rows first, through the back rows.

I’m a little torn about what to do about the guestbook.  At first, I was just going to use the book that I bought for my college show from Target.  But since we’re just going to have about 25 people, that would be pretty lame.  What, are we going to have 25 names?  How is that a keepsake?  So I’ve been looking around for some other ideas.

On Little Jenny C’s wedding site, she posted about having a mat framed with room for their favorite wedding photo placed inside it.  I LOVE THIS IDEA!

And Regina posted about the guestbook she had at her wedding, which I think is awesome.  It has a place for people to draw something above their message/names.  I just don’t know if my guests would actually do that…

I’ll probably end up going with the first one, but the second one would be pretty great.

Still to do:

- Go through the replies to my Craigslist posting asking for musicians to play during the ceremony (I’ve crossed out the ones I don’t want)

• Steve Rutledge, classical/acoustic guitarist. [Link] – $200-350
• The About Face Band, live jazz duo, solo classical guitar, deejay/emcee, dance party group, sound system, and light show. [Link] – $?
• Nathan DelleFave, vocalist (Bass1-Tenor1 vocal range) [No Link, can email mp3] – $75 per solo performance
• Nick Barretta, guitarist [Link] – $?
• Patricia Rolland, oboist [No Link] – $?
• Adrian DiMatteo, jazz guitarist [Link] – $120
• Paulsen Baker & Garvey [Link]- $?
• Luminescence, vocal trio [No Link] – $400

- Reply to the emails sent out to Reverends/Pastors I contacted about performing our ceremony

• Pastor Wilck from Lutheran Church of Our Savior
  (I ended up going with him)
• Pastor Jeff Hedin from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
• Rev. Ken DeSoto from Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church

Although, now that I think about it…since we just bought a house, I should look for someone from a church around there so I can start to build a relationship with their congregation…

- Research honeymoon locations. We’re thinking that we want to go to the Poconos or someplace like that, but who knows. It won’t be too cold, so maybe we could go to Maine or camping in the Adirondacks. I think one of John’s co-workers has a cabin. There will be NO tent camping on MY honeymoon, lol.

- Finish making the invitations (above) for people who don’t need them mailed out. (I made the ones that needed to be mailed out and sent them out last month.) I need to get cracking on this one. The picture above is just the mockup I did to make sure I cut everything to the right size before I went and made all 40 of them. The pocket is really pink, and the paper behind the invitation is printed to look like woven ribbon with pearl accents. They came out so great. I’ll make a post dedicated just to them later.

- Buy more or find different suitable ribbon to finish off reception favors.

- Make photo collage of baby pictures. (?) I’m not sure if I want to do this just yet.

- Make appointment with Lisa’s co-worker to talk wedding hair.

- Confirm with Molly about her doing the makeup for the ceremony.

Aside from follow up meetings with the various vendors and my dress fitting… could this be it? Mom, let me know if I’ve forgotten anything!

… For the reception tables: Leaf shaped soaps in pink & white in cellophane bags with grey ribbon. Gotta work that fall in there somehow!

John found this on a website (again no link…sorry!) and I think its so sweet.

We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Mark, O Spirit, and hear us now,*
Confirming this our Sacred Vow.

*I might change this to “Forever and always, hear us now.”

John and I have been doing a lot of internet research lately. He’s been really good at finding sites about small weddings. Here is a list of some of the ideas we’ve picked from the various sites. Sadly, I don’t have those links anymore.

• garden or restaurant for reception, ask even if they don’t publicly offer weddings
• wine and cheese mixer while photos are taken
• play slideshow on screen during mixer (Hello PowerPoint!)
• have people on isles add flower to bouquet to symbolize family contributions to relationship (LOVE THIS ONE & we’re definatly doing it!!)
• have fancy & personal program, thank people individually
• rent trolly or carriage if reception is close to ceremony
• give one flower from bouquet to single women instead of tossing bouquet
• appoint someone as “host” to point people to the guestbook, direct them where to go, etc *cough* Mom *cough*
• ring an “Irish Wedding Bell” at the end of the ceremony, then keep the bell somewhere prominant in the home
• Small horseshoe in bouquet for luck