This weekend we went to my hometown of Omaha, Nebraska to celebrate the 4th of July. If you haven’t been to the Midwest for the 4th, you haven’t lived. The entire city explodes into one large firework for about three days. It’s pretty amazing.

However, the weekend is over – and our wedding is quickly approaching. I mean, it’s next week. Next. Week.

Which means we have kicked into high gear in getting our remaining to-dos done. I created a full-page list of things that need to get done, with the goal of being finished by Sunday so we can enjoy our last week of being engaged.

Last night, Andy (who is being super helpful) cut out all of the tents for name cards. Tonight, I am going to finalize our ceremony program (and that pesky “thank you” message) and I’m going to format the guest names for name cards, which Andy will print out tomorrow. Favors should be arriving this week (hopefully) and then we’re done with orders (huzzah!).

Then, we need to finalize other signage for the reception, create the table numbers, send emails regarding rehearsal stuff, schedule my mani/pedi (rough) and a few other things.

Any tips for remaining sane in the last week and a half before the big day? Besides wine? You can totally suggest wine.

Especially when the purses are this adorable:

Why yes, I do need a cute flower purse for summer. How do you always know, Kate?

The word love in a different language at each table. But, since we may have up to 25 tables, that gets to be a bit tricky. (finding languages that are distinct enough from one another)

Then, we thought about naming each table after a memory we had together and including a story and a photo. But, I feel like a lot of folks go that route. And, it’s hard for guests to find their tables without some sense of “order.”

My new obsession combines traditional table “numbers” with the second idea we had. What would brides do without TheKnot.com?

In both of these examples, the table numbers obviously don’t correspond to the number of tables in the room. However, there is some opportunity to still put them in order, if we feel that’s necessary.

I think it’s a great way to still share memories with our guests, while providing a little play on traditional “table numbers.”

Now the challenge is converting our memories into numbers. Phew.

What do you think? Will we confuse guests if their table assignment is 311? (my sorority house number)

Am I right – or Am. I. Right?

Ok, maybe it’s a bit excessive to pay $1700 for a pair of shoes. Maybe I should instead be-dazzle the heels of my favorite shoes at home.

But aren’t they dreamy?

Because really, when else (aside from high school prom) can you legitimately wear a garter if not on your wedding day? Plus, it’s an easy way to get the “something blue.”

However, after thinking about it for a while, I’m not sure I want to do a garter toss at the reception. Or a bouquet toss.

I’m not sure that guests actually enjoy it, but rather trudge up onto the floor to humor the bride. And if guests don’t actually enjoy participating, I am really tempted to axe the whole thing.

Plus, my wedding dress is giant and I don’t think I’d enjoy the awkward minutes that Andy would spend crawling up it to track down my garter. Just sayin’.

Thoughts?

Do you enjoy participating in the garter/bouquet toss? Did you do it at your reception?

Alright, technically, RSVPs aren’t due until Friday. Four days from today. Technically.

However, I’m really amazed at the number of people who have yet to respond. (We’re talking less than 30 percent) Amazed and overwhelmed, thinking of the number of calls we will have to make.

I’m resisting the urge to be bossy and send an email to parents – asking them to push on their friends and family to RSVP. Also resisting the urge to post a message on Facebook asking our friends to get on it.

Again, I know the deadline is Friday. But I’m itching to get going on all of my to dos. Come on, folks. RSVP already. It’s super easy. It’s even online!

How did you deal with RSVPs crawling in?