As the days before our wedding dwindle down (51 to go!), and our to-do list tasks become more and more detailed, I feel as if I’m working two full-time jobs. I’m sure other brides can relate. When I’m not at my real full-time job or writing freelance articles, I’m getting up early and staying up late to send e-mails, update the guest list, or look at table numbers on Pinterest and Etsy. Like any bride at this point in the planning process, the wedding is all I think about, all I talk about, and all I devote my free time to. What the heck am I going to do after October 20?

Early on, Jack and I decided against hiring an official wedding planner. (Although, between our ceremony coordinator, reception coordinator, and a few very involved family members, we’ve pretty much got it covered.) Yet, there have definitely been days when I wished someone else was running the show. The last few weeks have been some of the busiest and most stressful thus far, but they have also been the most exciting. And since I haven’t blogged in a while, I thought I’d share some updates!

Our invitations have been printed, compiled, packaged, and sent. My sister, who runs her own graphic design company in St. Louis, is responsible for the beautiful design. I absolutely LOVE them and can’t thank her (and my future mother-in-law) enough for all the thought and work that went into them.

The invitation package.

One of my favorite parts of the invitation is the RSVP card, where we added a line for guests to request a song. It’s been really fun to open each of them and see the range of requests. So far, our playlist includes everything from Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” to 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” to Donna Summer’s “Last Dance.”

One of our RSVP cards.

My wedding dress (finally!) shipped from Rivini in late July, and I made a trip to Fleur de Lis Bridal at the beginning of August to try it on for the first time. A couple family members were there  to celebrate with champagne. (One of them even brought me a bouquet made in my wedding colors to hold when I tried on the dress!)  Currently, the dress is in the hands of the tailor, and  I won’t see it again for another couple weeks. (Believe me, it was a little hard to part with it after I had waited four months to get it!)

Earlier this week, Jack and I drove to Minnesota to attend several meetings (with our florist, pastor, reception coordinator, and others), but one of the most important things we did was apply for our marriage license. I pictured this experience being slightly more romantic than it actually was. If anyone has been in the basement service center of the downtown Minneapolis government building, you know the ambiance isn’t exactly, um, lovely. But after a 45-minute wait, we walked out with our marriage license—the first official document with my new name on it.

Most of my married friends told me that the tasting was their favorite part of wedding planning, and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed. Jack and I arrived at our tasting with empty stomachs and our caterer, D’Amico, provided us with enough hors d’oeuvres, main courses, wine, and dessert to last us a few weeks. I’m looking forward to having our guests try everything we chose!

Jack and I at the tasting.

One of the coolest experiences we’ve had was our meeting (or private concert) with our ceremony musician. Our church, Central Lutheran in downtown Minneapolis, boasts a very large, cathedral-style sanctuary. It’s truly one of the most spectacular churches I’ve stepped foot in. The ceilings, stained glass, and giant organ pipe are breathtaking. On Tuesday afternoon, Jack and I sat alone in the dimly lit church with Jane, an organ player of 40 years. The first thing she played was Pachebel’s “Canon in D,” one of my favorite wedding songs. I don’t know if it was because the church was empty, or because the organ had just been tuned, or because I realized we’re really getting married, but hearing that song echo through the sanctuary was completely overwhelming. I cried (probably not surprising to those of you who know me) and we decided that “Canon in D” was the best song to accompany my walk down the aisle. (Let’s hope I can keep the tears to a mimimum on October 20.)

Listening to the organ.

And finally, this weekend, the wedding festivities officially begin.  On Sunday, my sister will host a big wedding shower and afterward, Jack and I will be treated to an “after party”at his parent’s house with a huge group of family and friends. There are a few people who have been planning this for months and I couldn’t be more excited.