Maria and Sam's Bloghttp://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/maria_and_sam/atom.aspxCommunity Server2009-08-10T20:55:00ZFound the dress - Jim Hjelm 8800!!!http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/maria_and_sam/archive/2009/11/07/found-the-dress-jim-hjelm-8800.aspx2009-11-07T19:20:00Z2009-11-07T19:20:00ZFound the dress - JIm Hjelm 8800!!!<img src="http://community.theknot.com/cs/aggbug.aspx?PostID=25600149" width="1" height="1">Maria and Samhttp://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/default.aspx?UserName=Maria+and+SamDecision to minimoon then honeymoon...http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/maria_and_sam/archive/2009/09/07/decision-to-minimoon-then-honeymoon.aspx2009-09-07T21:40:00Z2009-09-07T21:40:00ZWe decided to minimoon for several days in Ireland, right after the wedding, and then New Zealand for the actual honeymoon in October/November, when they have their spring - so excited!!!<img src="http://community.theknot.com/cs/aggbug.aspx?PostID=22060965" width="1" height="1">Maria and Samhttp://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/default.aspx?UserName=Maria+and+SamFound THE DRESS!!!http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/maria_and_sam/archive/2009/09/07/found-the-dress.aspx2009-09-07T21:39:00Z2009-09-07T21:39:00ZI went wedding dress shopping this weekend and found THE DRESS!!! It's a Jim Hjelm, Style 8709, and I am in love with it and can't wait to wear it. It's vintage and modern at the same time, perfect for our wedding.<img src="http://community.theknot.com/cs/aggbug.aspx?PostID=22060939" width="1" height="1">Maria and Samhttp://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/default.aspx?UserName=Maria+and+SamWhere to minimoon and honeymoon?http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/maria_and_sam/archive/2009/08/26/where-to-minimoon-and-honeymoon.aspx2009-08-26T23:35:00Z2009-08-26T23:35:00Z<P>So fiance and I are wrestling with the idea of minimoon-ing somewhere right after the wedding, and then honeymooning several months after, in October (really wanted to go to New Zealand and July is their winter). Wonder where we should minimoon???</P>
<P> </P><img src="http://community.theknot.com/cs/aggbug.aspx?PostID=21460836" width="1" height="1">Maria and Samhttp://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/default.aspx?UserName=Maria+and+SamOfficiant booked!http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/maria_and_sam/archive/2009/08/17/officiant-booked.aspx2009-08-18T04:06:00Z2009-08-18T04:06:00ZWe booked Jeffrey Sumber from Celebrate Love Chicago, since we are having a secular ceremony. His philosophy really resonated with our own, and his style is to basically individualize each ceremony to the couple. Looking forward to working with him! We also have 3 marriage prep sessions included in the package. I think the ceremony is going to be my favorite part of the wedding!<img src="http://community.theknot.com/cs/aggbug.aspx?PostID=20947924" width="1" height="1">Maria and Samhttp://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/default.aspx?UserName=Maria+and+SamLots done.http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/maria_and_sam/archive/2009/08/10/lots-done.aspx2009-08-11T01:55:00Z2009-08-11T01:55:00Z<P>Soooo... Sam and I got engaged in May and already I've had a ton of fun booking our vendors and planning our wedding - which in my mind, is just a huge party you throw for your friends and family with the focus being you and your hubby. Really can't wait to dance my as* off.</P>
<P>That being said, here are the vendors we've booked already. Luckily, Sam and I have not been super picky and have been able to get pretty much first choice on all of the vendors we've chosen so far. So far, so good - all of our vendors have been FANTASTIC! Let's hope the ease lasts through the wedding. I've perused the reviews and gotten help from friends, and so wedding planning has been relatively easy!!!</P>
<P>The Newberry Library <A href="http://www.newberry.org/">www.newberry.org</A></P>
<P>Pen Carlson Photography <A href="http://www.pencarlson.com/">www.pencarlson.com</A></P>
<P>Simply Elegant Catering <A href="http://www.simply-elegant-catering.com/">www.simply-elegant-catering.com</A></P>
<P>Emotia (videography) <A href="http://www.emotia.com/">www.emotia.com</A></P>
<P>Starlight Makeup <A href="http://www.starlightchicago.com/">www.starlightchicago.com</A></P>
<P>Artistrings (string quartet) <A href="http://www.artistrings.com/">www.artistrings.com</A></P>
<P>Style Matters (DJ) <A href="http://www.stylemattersdjs.com/">www.stylemattersdjs.com</A></P>
<P>April Joy Events (flowers) <A href="http://www.apriljoyevents.com/">www.apriljoyevents.com</A></P>
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<P> </P><img src="http://community.theknot.com/cs/aggbug.aspx?PostID=20553783" width="1" height="1">Maria and Samhttp://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/default.aspx?UserName=Maria+and+Sam