When you were in DC...did you get a chance to see the National Building Museum? I think you would have really loved it...

http://www.nbm.org/

Just don't do like my husband and I. We got the church, the reception, the dress, the tuxes, the flowers, the cake, the invitations, yada, yada, and forgot about the marriage license. On my last day of work about 2 days before the wedding, someone mentioned "license" and I looked blank. Husband-to-be and I made an emergency trip to the county government center and pled insanity in order to get them to issue the license in time for the wedding.

Setting up a timeline and running it by someone who's done this before might help you feel less diquieted about the whole thing. Also picking a theme or colour might help, maybe you already have those in mind....

Yes, someone reminded us of the license last week-- I think we're going to take care of it in a week or two. As for colors and timelines...we have those (thankfully) already. I think it's more the close-to-the-end details that are getting to me.

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im planning a wedding, too, can totally relate to this all being a new world we never planned for. i am happy i found the beautiful guy, too. yay.

i had my hair and makeup done by someone recommended by someone from Abigail Kirsch and it was more than I would have liked but it did look awesome. probably would have looked fine without, but the last thing i wanted to be worrying about was crazy hair, as mine is wont to be. i can pass on the info if you'd like. and as for nails, the generic nail shop for a $20 mani/pedi is well worth it.

I don't know about the rest, but I definitely recommend making an appointment (with a girlfriend) to get a manicure and pedicure... forget that your nails will look good... your hands and legs will feel awesome, and it will be fun and relaxing.

girl, I am totally with you. I am getting married late April and am feeling overwhelmed about all the thousands of tiny things I have to remember to do. All the millions of errands and decisions. I am at the point now of just looking forward to just being there and then it being over. I can't imagine how good it will feel not to be worrying about the wedding on some niggling level of my brain.

Get your hair professionally done. Ask for a recommendation from your current stylist for someone who does up-dos or whatever you want done to your hair. Go for a trial visit. If you like it, book the person to come to you on the day of the wedding. They can also do your bridesmaids' hair if you want. For the makeup, go to the makeup counter at a high end department store. Find a brand you like. Ask the salesperson if he/she freelances (they usually do). Set up a trial visit, or have them do it at the makeup counter. If you like, hire. They will also come to you. As for the mani/pedi, get one the day of your rehearsal dinner. No biggie, an hour and you're done. nothing dramatic, light pink or something simple.

I definitely agree about getting a manicure/ pedicure. I mean, they are so cheap, why not?

Do you have a friend who is sort of good with hair or make-up? I went that route and it worked out fine (I couldn't have done anything like it for the life of me).

I will have none of this "going to the makeup counter" crap. Professionaly trained, awesomely talented, totally willing to work for champagne and bagels makeup artist RIGHT HERE! I mean, only seeing you every couple of years or so doesn't quite qualify us as bosom buddies, but any friend of Sean's is a friend of mine. And I can hook you up with a hairstylist if you want (though you'd have to pay them.) Email me.

wow, i could have written this post myself. i am so lost when it comes to this "bridal" stuff. ack. i keep telling myself to just enjoy this and try to have fun with it.

good luck to you!

For beauty bridal stuff - do things that make you feel good - if you don't normally do mani's and pedi's - you don't have to(but if you do - go for a light color - it won't show if it chips). Definately do trials for everything professional - hair/makeup. If you know you are going to be nervous - get a massage a day or two before.

Remember - you want to look like yourself the day of your wedding - but a little more polished.

Do you HAVE to do all this silly girl stuff? If you don't want it, don't do it. I had a friend get married recently who did the whole filly foofy 500-person guestlist thing because her mom insisted upon it. Who's wedding was it?

I don't HAVE to do anything :) But on the flip side of things, I have spent the majority of my consciously sarcastic life making fun of the girly things...and part of me is curious. I've never gotten my nails or hair done. Why not pamper a bit before a big day? The girly things are all my idea. I would definitely not being going along with something if it made me feel uncomfortable.

Alrighty then, fair enough.