[Disclaimer! This is Deirdre, not Leila posting. That's why the photos look sub-par. Sorry.]
Wedding planning! First of all, get the perfect invitation that just screams “Rosie”:
Check.
Now, pull out the pens and pretend that you know how to calligraph. (For some of the calligraphy, a very talented friend helped. Hers came out better, but we don't have photos of them.)
Check.
Now – wait anxiously for the responses to come in!
Here they come!
We learned a few things about the RSVP from this experience. First of all, we really liked when there were little special messages added in by the respondents like this:
And when one has to decline, it's sweet to add personalized regrets. For instance, on the back of the card like this:
Personally, I loved getting the mail! Receiving RSVP cards was fun, enhanced by occasional personal touches.
At the very last minute, when all of those late responses are in, you put your finalized guest list together.
And then — horrors! — you have to figure out where everyone will sit!
A few evenings before the wedding date, the Mother of the Bride gets to sit down with the bride and hash this issue out.
Now, generally speaking, the reason that this wedding happened was because we all just jumped in and helped wherever we could. Someone has a task? Tell me what I can do to make it happen. You need bridesmaids to run errands? Done.
In this case, however, I noticed that my services were not needed (and Suki probably had the same idea).
Another cook in this kitchen will not be helpful! Too much to think about as it is.
Clearly, Mom and Bride just need several hours to talk through this with the aid of many lists and model tables to label.
Every variation of the arrangement must be considered…
Who will make good conversation at table 7? What kind of person does Guest X want to relate to? Are those two still dating? If we put Guest C next to Guest D, will Guest C say something offensive to Guest D? Wait! You forgot entirely about Guests E and F!
Now what you need to know is that this is no ordinary bride. Exactly one month before the wedding, poor Rosie was diagnosed with Mono. At this point (4 days til W-Day), her strength is returning and she's not quite so fatigued. But still, there are limits to how long she can stay up and slave over these tasks. She's doing her best, but she's fading a bit…
Mom keeps her sense of humor in spite of all.
Don't despair, Rosie! Ok. We'll start over on Table 4. Don't worry. We'll get this.
She's still happy. The most important step: take it all in stride.
Yes, after many hours of struggle, they got it done. As far as I could tell from the head table, everyone was happily engaged in conversation and no one lacked a comfortable group to sit and dine with. One major advantage is having great friends to invite who make up Guests A-Z!
Besides, they can't be sitting for too long, anyway —
There's a dance floor that needs populating. You can leave that task to the bridesmaids. 🙂
Pippajo says
AAARRRRGGHHHH! The seating arrangements! The single worst thing about planning a wedding! At least it was when I got married. I tried to warn my younger sisters when they got married but they laughed at me. Until it was too late. And then they laughed no longer…I loved those photos; they captured the essence of the task perfectly!
Hillary says
oooh, I love the notes on the RSVP cards. I love leaving them, too. As for the seating chart, boo! I just gave up for my wedding and let people fall where they may. We were lucky to have a small and casual enough wedding for it to work out.
Anonymous says
How darling is this whole post? Love the invitations, personal notes on the invitations (I'll do that the next time I rsvp…cute).Congrats, Rosie! You are a beautiful bride. Hope you are feeling better!mary
Anonymous says
This is a different anonymous Mary. I really enjoy your blog and especially the posts about your wedding. I am known as 'my mother's daughter' as I gather you all are.I am recently engaged and looking for wedding ideas that are simple, different, and unique. My sister is getting married a few months before me and is doing the traditional country club reception. NMS (not my style).So, please keep the posts coming!Congrats!
Ann Kroeker says
Wonderful series of photos–so real, so charming, capturing the struggle so well.
M. Alexander says
Quite an undertaking especially with over 300 guests!
Jen says
My seating companions were lovely! Excellent job!