Mrs. Sewing, BM A, and BM L please stop reading this post at this time. The below information is a surprise for you and will be presented to you in November.

So in an effort to show you I am not so uncommitted to my task of planning Mr. Darcy and I’s wedding I wanted to show you we have made some progress with some wedding decisions, two in fact. Our rehearsal dinner food and the bridesmaid gifts (Mrs. Sewing, BM L, and BM A there will be a warning for you to leave later, because I really like for these to be a surprise). So first up the rehearsal dinner. You may remember back in this post that we were struggling to figure out what to feed our guests. Well a few weekends ago Mr. Darcy and I went to visit his mama and we headed off to lunch at BJ’s Restraunt and Brewhouse, where I order their Classic Giant Stuffed Baked Potato. It was so yummy and huge (Mr. Darcy finished it for me). I loved it. On our way home I quickly reminded Mr. Darcy of our pending decision regarding feeding people at the rehearsal, since he was trapped in a car with me and couldn’t avoid the decision. I reminded him of the giant stuffed potato bar from Jason’s Deli and how that would be so yummy, just like lunch today. He quickly agreed that he thought that would be the best course of action. Yeah for quick, painless decision making with Mr. Darcy! So just a reminder of the food will be serving at the in-suite rehearsal dinner.

Loaded Baked Potato

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Good now that my most important ladies are gone, I can share with you what they will be getting for participating in the Austen-Darcy wedding. I told you before, that I wanted to make up some awesome swag bags for these ladies. So here’s what I have decided upon.

1. The Tote Bag- The most useful and awesome part of this whole this whole shebang.

Bath and Body Works Reusable Tote Bag

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I love these babies. I own several. They fold up into small little squares, so you can pop into your purse and pull them out when you need them. Plus, they come in all comes of different designs. Pretty and Useful.

2. Bath and Body Works Minis- I wanted to give them a little something yummy to use on their weekend trip for the wedding, and who doesn’t love smelly bath things.

Mini Travel Set

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3. Mini Travel Candle from Bath and Body Works- To make sure their hotel room smells yummy.

Bath and Body Works 1.6 oz Candle

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Of course I will add in a book of matches, so they can light this baby.

4. Rose Salve- This all purpose beauty remedy is a personal fave of mine and I think everyone should have one stashed in their purse.

C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve

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5. Lounge Socks- These babies are infused with shea and lavender. In the cold months I wear these babies all the time. They keep my feet soft and warm.

Bath and Body Works Lavender and Shea Infused Lounge Socks

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6. Robe- I love photos of bridesmaids and brides getting ready in coordinating robes. Then I saw this post from Miss Bunting over on wedding bee and fell head-over-heels in love. I mean look at this picture, who wouldn’t want to be in one of these robes or have photos like this.

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So consequently each of my ladies will be receiving one of these gorgeous kimono style robes from Plum Pretty Sugar.

7. Kate Spade Earrings for the Day of the Wedding- I know some wouldn’t consider this a gift, because they are for the wedding, but they are going in their bags. I personally think these earrings are totally re-wearable and hope they get some post-wedding use, they are Kate Spade after all. At the very least, I feel like it’s one less thing for my ladies to have to stress about.

Kate Spade Gumdrop Earrings in Blue

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8. Scarf- This last gift will only appear in Mrs. Sewing’s bag. It will be a special thank you for all her hard work and support.

J. Crew Refined Silk Cashmere Scarf

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Were you able to solve your wedding planning dilemmas quickly in order to make progress? Were seemingly minor tasks, such as choosing the rehearsal dinner fare and picking bridesmaids gifts, more time conmsuming than you thought?

 

 

 

So now we have discussed where we will be rehearsing the ceremony (in my parents’ suite) now I have to figure out what to feed these people. I know really, how many event must a bride be expected to plan? Just kidding. I am totally going to feed all these very important people, who are taking part in the most important ceremony ever for both Mr. Darcy and I. The question is just what to feed them. Here are the options:

1. Yummy Italian food from Maggiano’s Little Italy.

Chicken Parmesan

Source: Maggianos

Pros:Their food is super yummy. They deliver and delivery includes set up and all utensils, plates, etc. They are budget friendly.

Cons: We are having Italian for the reception, although be it different style of Italian.

2. Jason’s Deli.

Loaded Baked Potato

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Pros: This caterer offers everything from deli trays to chili and corn bread. They even have a potato bar package I am totally digging. (Caesar salad, potato bar with baked potato, chili, broccoli and cheese soup, sour cream, bacon, cheese, butter and green onions, and strawberry shortcake yum.)

Cons: They don’t bring all the extras with them.

3.  Pizza and Beer.

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Pros: Cheap and Easy. Mama Austen loves the idea, although she will not partake of either.

Cons: I probably won’t eat because I don’t want to be bloated the next day.

I know there are other options, like Mexican (heartburn) or BBQ (bbq sauce and tutus don’t mix). What are you serving your VIPs at the rehearsal dinner?

Practice makes perfect, right? So that’s why we have wedding rehearsals. Mr. Darcy and I debated about a rehearsal for a while. We didn’t have the extra $500 it would cost us to do a rehearsal in the chapel and besides that they had no times available the day before our wedding. This would mean anyone who was part of the ceremony would need to be there two days before the wedding instead of one. So after much thought, we decided to do a rehearsal in my parent’s suite.

Mandalay Bay Suite 1500x2/ Source: Mandalay Bay

Now we have decided we will be doing a dry run of the ceremony without our coordinator or officiant, but that’s okay. On the day of we will have walked down a pretend aisle and Papa Austen will have practiced lifting my veil and Mrs. Sewing will know how to make sure it lies flat. Yeah for our wedding rehearsal. Now to decide on other important points, what to wear and what to feed the people. First up, what to wear. Now most girls’ would probably find some gorgeous dress, like any one of these options (all priced under $150, because Miss Austen is a budget conscious kind of bride).

Tahari Metallic Woven Sheath Dress with Bead Trim

Source: Nordstroms

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Embellished Mock Two Piece Dress

Source: Nordstroms

Yes, I am a fan of the white cocktail dress for the rehearsal dinner, but then I then came upon this idea from the lovely Mrs. Sewing. What about a tutu? Yes, I said a tutu. How adorable would it be to wear a tutu with a silk cami and cardigan for the wedding rehearsal. It is Vegas after all. Something a little whimsical like a tutu, wouldn’t even make people bat an eyelash in Vegas. When I asked Mr. Darcy about it he looked at me a little strange and then said, “That would work. If it’s what you want to wear.” I think it would be cute. Something along these lines minus the big bow and with three pieces (cami, cardi, and tutu).

Source: Luna Tique Art

What do you think? Would you wear a tutu? Or am I just crazy? What are you planning on wearing to your rehearsal?