Bridezilla?

***WARNING!!!!***

*I'm sour grapes so just take this blog entry with a grain of salt...This entry is more of a blog rant..lol!*

Week two of wedding planning didn't quite go as smoothly as the first week. I have to admit, after week one I kinda had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder thinking to myself "planning a wedding is a piece of cake". I mean everything just seemed to fall into place...venue booked, dress bought...I just checked one thing after another off my list. Hmmm, isn't it funny how God always knows when we need to be brought down a notch?! I've been brought down a few this past week for sure. It included lots of headaches and more then a few tears but I'm still planning away, anxiously awaiting March 19th!!

I'll begin with the wedding dreams...yikes! A bride-to-be can't even get any peace in her sleep! Every night it's some new fiasco...sometimes multiple times a night! They've gone from Patrick seeing me on our wedding day before I walk down the aisle (bad luck!) to me losing my ring while jetskiing in Conneaut Lake (gulp!!). The crazy thing is they are never good, something bad ALWAYS happens! Why can't I have a dream that everything works out perfectly and I'm happy as can be?! Those kinds of dreams would make for much more peaceful sleep!

On top of my sleep deprivation the search for the perfect Bridesmaids dress is on. I have 8 girls with 8 completely different bodies...not the easiest thing to deal with! I want each girl to feel comfortable and love the dress but man, is it difficult to find! I will say this, they have all been troopers. We went dress shopping this week and each girl modeled different styles for me. Dresses were either too low cut, in an unforgiving material or just downright unflattering. When we finally did find what could be "the dress" it didn't come in my color! This happened twice...ugh!

I went out on my own on Friday after work and tried on dresses myself. From seeing my girls I know what we need to find and HOPEFULLY I found "the dress"! Fingers crossed!!! They will try it on sometime this next week...I'm half temped to post a picture of the dress but at the same time I don't want to give everything away...what do you guys think? Do you want to see it???!!!

I won't even get into Flower Girl dresses...lol...just know I didn't get off on the best foot there unfortunately. I'm sure it will all work out though and fortunately on this one I still have a bit of time.

Then the guest list...oui! It keeps growing and we are totally way above capacity for our room! We HAVE to make cuts and it absolutely breaks our hearts to have to do so. Right now we are 50 over...lol!!! I guess we'll figure it out, I mean we kinda have to - lol! It's just beyond frustrating because we have so many family members and friends that we want to be there to take part in our day and not everyone is going to be able to be there...sad.

Next big obstacle...transportation! We have 24 people in our wedding party...do you know how hard it is to find a vehicle big enough for us?! About the only thing that would work is a trolley which seats 32 people. Sadly the main trolley rental store, Molly's Trolly's, is booked on March 19th. Total bummer! I'm trying to find an alternative...

As I said before, this was a challenging week. I didn't figure out too much or book anything else. I did do my share of searching though and I have some prospects. I think I have my DJ selected...I'll know after a quick meeting next week. I also think I have the place picked out where Patrick and I will spend our first night together ;-) I'll dish more on these topics once they're both officially booked.

Now that I'm finished with my rant I will go onto what I promised in the last blog...info on my travels to New York and Tennessee :-)

Last Friday, September 17th, Patrick's cousin Kaity got married to her now husband, Nate :-) What a great wedding! First off, I'm so envious she got to have her wedding in the fall. I LOVE FALL! But when you marry a football player things like fall-themed weddings go right out the window. I'm okay with this, I wouldn't trade my situation for the world (even though it isn't always ideal -- especially now that Patrick is in Tennessee...more on this later) Anyhow, Kaity and Nate had a beautiful wedding. There was so much thought put into every little detail and I got a little jealous (I won't lie!) because I know there is absolutely no way I'm going to have enough time to be able to put that much thought into my wedding. Everything was just so perfect at her wedding and I feel like mines going to end up some hodgepodge - lol. Okay, okay enough about me more about the Drollette's :-)

Kaity looked stunning in her white Maggie Sottero gown :-) I loved the back!

How cool was Kaity and Nate's transportation????!!! There is no topping this one!

The entire night screamed Fall...their reception venue was even in a barn-like building :-)

The centerpieces (each named after something special in the bride and grooms life) had apples in them which came in handy for the Bailey family juggling contest...I hope I'm still welcomed into the family even though I can't juggle!!

BEST PICTURE EVER! I may not be capable of juggling but I sure can take a perfect picture :-)

The following day Kaity and Nate hosted a reception picnic at a local park. I snapped this picture of the cute couple in their adorable matching t-shirts :-)

Patrick's parents, his brother Aaron and I left the picnic early and headed toward Nashville, Tennessee for the Titans/Steelers game! It took us 11 hours, but we finally got there at 3:30 A.M. After a few hours of shuteye it was time to awake and get ready for the game. When we got to LP Field I outfitted myself in my first Tennessee Titans t-shirt.

I'm not gonna lie, I was a little sad not being able to wear the black and gold. I found myself a little moody because of it. But that all went away when the Steelers returned the first kickoff for a touchdown...that was not how I wanted to see my fiance's new team start off the game! Especially since it was Special Teams...I mean that's essentially Patrick's team, and I never want to see that happen to the team Patrick is on! After that I found it kinda easy to cheer for the Titans - lol. I wouldn't call myself a full-blown traitor...I still caught myself cheering for the Steelers at times even though I technically wasn't supposed to - haha! I tell you, it was a hard game to go to!!

I noticed there are a lot of differences between a game at Heinz Field and a game at LP Field. First off, the Titans hook it up in regards to tickets! Our tickets were in the 6th row! At Heinz Field the Steeler family members were always placed in one of the last three rows of the bottom section, so essentially like thirty rows back from the field, which aren't bad by any means! It was just really nice to be so close to the field.

Tennessee has cheerleaders which obviously is a big difference from Pittsburgh. I was in awe of how they stayed so fresh-looking while I sat in the stands sweating my butt off. It was HOT! Ugh! And It had been cold in Pittsburgh so I had packed jeans...not smart! Heinz Field has it all over LP Field in terms of video production. Some of the stuff the Titans have to "pump up" the crowd are pretty comical.

It had to be so odd for Patrick to play against the guys he was teammates with two short weeks prior. I know he was excited to see his old friends and given the amount that came over to say hello to him I'd say they we're pretty excited to see him too :-) Even this guy who broke my heart when he released my man...insert "aww" now - haha!

Overall though, I really enjoyed Tennessee. It seems like a great place and I'm really looking forward to having the chance to explore it more as time goes on! My wonderful fiancee booked me a flight to visit him there at the end of October...that will be the next time I get to see him.

It's not easy being away from him. If there is one thing in this world that can make me feel  better at any time it's cuddle time with my man. I no longer have that. It's also tough to make all the wedding plans without him. I so wish he could be here with me making the decisions, but he's not, he can't be, and I have to be okay with that. I know it could be so much worse and I try to always tell myself that to keep it all in perspective. I need to just be thankful to be having this experience, even if he can't be here to help in it. It's so easy to forget that and I need to do a better job at remembering it!

When I got home from Tennessee I found my living room, dining room and hallways with fresh coats of new paint. A big thank you goes out to my Dad who spent his entire weekend doing it :-) I love it! I'll post before and after pics once everything is all finished...can't wait! Currently I'm getting carpeting quotes. Once it's down then we can move Patrick's furniture over and this house will be one step closer to becoming our home :-)

I'm going to call it a night here. Stay tuned for next week...hopefully it's a more peaceful one for me :-)

Check! Check! Check!

"Becoming Bailey" is finally up and running! I know I've been promising it for awhile now, and I've been quite tardy. I'm usually a once-a-weeker when it comes to blogging but my mind and time has been kind of preoccupied as I'm sure you can imagine...if you can't here's the rundown on my life (or lack there of - haha!)

1. Full time job selling Bone Growth Stimulators.
2. Planning a wedding in just 6 and a half months!!!
3. Moving my fiance out of his apartment complex within a month...
4. Selling my furniture, painting my walls and carpeting my floors to make my house our future home :-)
5. Following the Steelers and now also the Titans!!!

Yes, Maggie is a busy girl to say the least. But, this is a once-in-a-lifetime exciting time in my life so I want to make sure I am documenting it. Things may seem stressful now, but when it's all said and done I want to have something to look back upon to remember the fun times! So I'm getting by on very little sleep and Advil (one of the best engagement gifts I've gotten - lol!)

So, I've been engaged for 16 days now and already I have my date set, the church, the choir, the venue, my videographer, my colors, my bridal party and my dress! Gosh, even I'm impressed! I may be in the wrong career! I think I have a nitch for this kind of thing! So now I'll walk ya'll through it and try not to give it all away...I have to have something for everyone to look forward to! So please excuse me for being a little more generic then I usually am. I'm usually a big details girl but mum's the word when it comes to my big day!

Speaking of the big day, the date is March 19th, 2011. Or "Three-Nineteen" as I like to say :-) I'm saying my prayers now (feel free to add to them) that the weather will be nice then. In Pittsburgh anything could happen at that time of the year!!! We could have a snow storm, or it could be sunshining. Heck, it could be pouring rain already! I'm a little scared of this unknown but ultimately, I'm marrying the man of my dreams and nothing will be able to rain on my parade! I've dreamed of this day since I can remember and I know it will turn out perfect, yes, even if the sky is spitting out some sort of precipitation :-)

Our nuptials will take place at 2:00 p.m. sharp at St. Cyril of Alexandria Church in Brighton Heights - so if you're coming don't be late! I wouldn't want ya'll to miss my grand entrance when my dad, Fred, walks me down the aisle and gives me away. Music will be provided by the fabulous Mazzai Choir. My wonderful Godmother booked them for me! They will be the perfect addition to my already special day! I CANNOT wait to walk down the aisle to them...absolute dream come true!

Following the wedding our guests will attend a reception at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association AKA The P.A.A. After searching high and low I finally found my venue! I checked out dozens prior but there was always something missing. Everything just felt right and the P.A.A. and I'm so excited about it! The decor is totally my style - I love it!

It wasn't easy finding my venue. It took me three nights to do so. I felt like Goldilocks...something was always wrong, but I knew somewhere "just right" was out there so I kept trying things. After loads of research I was able to cross a bunch of places off of my list which was a good head start. I then started on my visits...

1. William Penn Hotel - Grand Ball Room taken...only secondary ball room was open and it was kind of dark and dreary in there. If the Grand Ball Room hadn't been taken this may have been my place!

2. Hyatt at the Airport - HIDEOUS carpets...seriously...

3. Jay Verno - Too modern for my style and would just fit our magic number

4. Grand Concourse - Beautiful but would have to pay for alcohol by the drink...really, do I look like a millionaire?!

5. Springwood - Loved, loved, loved this place but kinda out of my way and it was a tad too small. Loved the glass atrium!

6. The Renaissance Hotel - Odd shaped room (it was long not wide) and it was $165/person and parking wasn't included...yeah, no! But very beautiful inside!

7. Shakesphere's - Beautiful modern day castle with delicious food but Katie put it best when she said "I feel like I drove to New Jersey and back" lol - too far away!

8. Pittsburgh Athletic Association - My "just right"! Beautiful room! Awesome food! Parking is included! We'll take it!

Somewhere in between I found our Videographer. A friend of the family, Robb Duty, of Flashpoint Digital Media is doing it for us. Robb shot my sisters wedding and her video turned out beautiful! I just watched it to refresh myself and I was so impressed with his thought-process throughout it! Robb is providing us beautiful quality for a reasonable price...who could ask for more?!

Last Tuesday and Wednesday Patrick and I spent the nights asking our closest friends and family to take part in our special day. Well, at least I finished my task...I know Patrick still has a few phone calls to make. We decided on 8 groomsmen/bridesmaids, 4 flower girls and 2 ring bears...24 person bridal party! Can we get an award for this??? Gosh and it was so hard to pick just 8 people - for Patrick and I alike. We both had a ninth person we wanted to ask but I was adamant about staying with an even number. It's never easy to pick things like this - but it's necessary...and I'm sure everyone understands that to some extent. All in all we got a great group of supportive friends and family members who I know will do us proud on March 19th! We thank ya'll from the bottom of our hearts for accepting to be a part of the big day!

I hosted a little Bridesmaid meeting last week to get the ball rolling on dress ideas from my girls. I am going to go with whatever the consensus says they like and feel best in. We will be starting up that process in the very near future!! Also to show my appreciation I got each girl a little Bridesmaid-Care-Package...complete with a purse pen (that is shaped like lipstick, how cute is that?!) notebook, nail file, polish, and aspirin!! I figure I'll give them at least one headache throughout this process so it's my way of trying to make up for it - lol!

Last but certainly not least, I got my dress!!! It's a Rina di Montella that I walked out the door with from One Enchanted Evening in Wexford!! I can say this safely because there is no trace of my gown at the store nor on the Internet (believe it or not!!). I only went to one store and only tried on about a dozen dresses before finding "the one". The saleswoman helping me picked it out and I'm so grateful she did! I will say no more then it's stunning and I can't wait to wear it for my future husband!

The dress process was EMOTIONAL!!! Gosh, I was bawling my eyes out, my mom was bawling...we were a mess! It was a beautiful mess though :-) Once I got that feeling I decided there was no use in trying anything else on. I said to myself  "Why waste the time? And why cloud your mind?!". This whole wedding process I've just been following my feelings and so far I feel confident they have lead me in the right direction! The last thing I want to find myself doing is second-guessing myself. I don't have time to do that!!! So if it feels right, I'm doing it!

It was funny I called Patrick after and left a message telling him I found my dress. I was totally cool, calm and collected when I made the call but bust into tears mid-way through! When I hung up my mom said "He's going to think you are CRAZY!" I said "He already knows I'm CRAZY!" lol It was a memory I won't soon forget.

This past weekend I attended my first Bailey family wedding andddd my first Tennessee Titans game! Sorry to put a cliff-hanger on here but ya'll will have to wait for the next blog for pics and details!!! (Sorry I meant to post this before the weekend but never got around to putting the pics in and now I just want it up so I can start the next one!!!) I'll tell you this much, my work is cut out for me to try and top this weekends Bailey wedding! 1.) Kaity looked STUNNING! and 2.) There was so much thought put into every detail! I already warned them they may be seeing some of those same ideas again in March lol! Until next time!
XOXO