Countdown ... 25 days

Hard to believe that we'll be married in less than four weeks. Even harder to believe is the number of small details that still have to get fine-tuned over the next two weeks.

The past two weeks have also been quite a whirlwind. Two Saturdays ago, June 21, we landed in the Quad Cities where my old reporter buddies Jim Butts and Andy Walters picked us up at the airport and drove us to the couples shower my parents were hosting in Waterloo.

We decided to stop for lunch in Iowa City, but we couldn't get downtown because of the flooding. Instead we headed to Coralville and stopped at one of my all-time favorite places, Pancheros. My burrito was good but the set-up had been converted to make it eerily similar to Chipoltle. I searched The Burrito Blog for a while, but couldn't find out if they are now the same company. In other burrito-related new, Qdoba e-mailed me a certificate for a free birthday burrito (I'm July 12), so that was good news.

Once we arrived in Waterloo things were really popping. We had a pretty good turnout at the party and also excellent food (props to everyone who helped).



It was nice to spend time with some relatives and friends who I hadn't seen in a few months, even though the time always go by so quick in those situations. My cousin Kim, on a whirlwind tour through the Upper Midwest, was kind enough to take photos for free.

Here's one of me attempting to pin Allie without stabbing her:



I also got to meet Matt and Erica's daughter, Lana, for the first time:



Later on, a good 'ol wiffle ball game broke out as well. Moreau won round 1, and I think Kent won round 2. Looks like my Mom's smack talk really got into Andy's head.




Later that night was my first bachelor party, organized by Matt Daddy Schafer. After a day of drinking beer, we had to freshen our breaths with some smooth shots of peppermint schnapps (Walters loves this stuff)




I wrapped up the night by going from the chip leader to out of the money in the poker tournament. Oh well, at least there was free beer.

The next day was a little bit low-key, but Allie found a necklace and matching earrings for the wedding. Meanwhile, I scored a new pair of shoes and a Northern Iowa Panthers basketball jersey that has come in quite handy the past few hot days.

On Monday we were back to the city, but of course our flight was delayed. We didn't get home until after midnight to Captain Toes and Joey, a pair of cats who were none too happy. Then we were right back off to work and they really let us know how they feel.

During the party. my family and others had given the shower a "pair" theme, dressing up different couples like these little fellas.



We brought some of them home, but Joey took none too kindly to the other dressed up brides. Seems she wants to be the top female in the house (after Allie).

She may look innocent:



but we believe she is responsible for this bride skunk losing its tail.



We also used our weekend in Iowa to pick out preferred songs for the DJ, but when I went to load them up today it looked like they had been erased. I have one idea about how to get them back though, so hopefully it's not back to the drawing board.

When we got back it was still nose to the grindstone time. As you've read earlier we met with our photographer on Tuesday and decided to risk it and go for the outdoor photos at the Washington Monument. The next day, I was working with our hotel manager to make sure that people were getting the rooms reserved by the time they could no longer be held.

Some good news on that count ... as long as you can still get a room at the Plaza Hotel, the lower Sandstrom-McLeod wedding rate will be made available.

As you can see, there is little rest for a procrastinating planning couple like us. On that Thursday, we took a nice leisurely trip to rural Virginia where family friend Suzy helped us get a great deal at Wollom Gardens, where she works.

We also met with florist Cammie, of Like Water for Tulips,who helped us pick out some great bouquets and centerpieces. I don't want to give it all away, but we some of the more prominently featured flowers include dahlias




hydrangea



As if all that time thinking about flowers would make you passive, Allie proved otherwise. As our softball team was about to be one girl short on that Thursday, Allie stepped up and showed true Nighthawk spirit. In a match-up with the rival Firestix, bad blood again began to boil. The Firestix complained about every call, and when Allie used her speed to leg out an infield single their third basemen got so mad that the umpire kicked him out. He looked like this:



Alas, the Nighthawks fell short 15-11, but still it was a good effort.

Well, of course with all this work on wedding planning I don't have too much time to spend blogging. This week's main agenda is to finish bachelor party II planning on Tuesday, have thorough attraction info on Wednesday and wrap-up music by Thursday. We have also settled just about all the details for the ceremony, which will be nice to have finished.

Hopefully I'll be back up here Tuesday night, but faithful readers know I have not always been that diligent. I am trying though.


Nate

We're no poetry critics

Allie and I have read a lot of love poems in the last week, but nothing has struck us as perfect for our main reading during the ceremony.

So, I'm launching a contest. Please send in any suggested readings you have either to Nate via e-mail or by posting them by clicking on the "comments" link on the bottom of this post. If we select your suggested reading, you will win an awesome (as defined by Nate) prize.

Void in Massachusetts — those bastards.

--Reminder--Book hotel now!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to remind people that the reservation block at our hotel expires on July 3 (a.k.a this week). If you would like to stay there at the discounted rate, you have to book the room by then.  Detailed instructions are available on the right side of the page.

It's been kind of a whirlwind week otherwise, with us taking a trip to Virginia to pick out flowers, possibly coming up with a honeymoon plan and Allie getting an opponent to get kicked out of our Thursday softball game. 

I'm going to post a week in review on Sunday morning, 'cause right now I have to jump in the shower, get a haircut and head to work. :(

Here's hoping the weather cooperates

Having an August wedding in Baltimore means you are taking a risk that it will be extremely hot and humid. Combined with the inevitable chance of rain, Allie and I had decided fairly early that we probably wanted to keep most wedding activities inside.

However, outdoor wedding photos are always nice so a few weeks ago we decided to scout some possible outdoor photo sites. We swung by Mount Vernon Place (pictured left) and decided that the park's mix of scenic elements and urban features would be the perfect fit.

We met with the photographer and last night and he agreed. The parks department says that so far nothing is scheduled there that weekend, so our new plan is to meet here two hours early and get wedding party photos prior to the wedding. Now we just have to hope that the weather cooperates and that no one decides to be a jerk and interfere with the photos.

Succesful weekend

The couples shower this weekend went great. Had fun catching up with many relatives and friends. Also survived bachelor party part I and Allie had some fun with the girls. More photos and stuff when I get back to Baltimore tomorrow.

Oops. I'm an idiot.

I have a calendar on my Blackberry that I use to keep track of important dates, and last week I noticed that -- holy crap -- a final head count on the rehearsal dinner was due on June 23, according to my calendar.

That seemed awful early for an Aug. 1 party, but I couldn't find my copy of the contract so I decided that the Blackberry and its loyal operator could not be wrong. Then I mailed out invitations with an RSVP date of June 21.

After an hour of extensive cleaning in my office tonight, I found the contract AND found that the actual head count due date was July 23. Woops.

I wasn't the only one making mistakes though involved with our wedding though. We've had a few trips to Glen Burnie this week that were the source of frustration.

First, on Monday, I stopped by MWTux to drop off measurements for some groomsmen. I was told something like this:

"Woops, nothing you requested was put into the computer. And the person you worked with is no longer here. So you have to do it all over."

At least they were nice. But it took about an extra 30 minutes so I didn't have time to make it down to Marley Station Mall to straighten out things at Kay Jewelers. Allie and I have gotten about 10 different answers over three conversations regarding when Allie will get her engagement ring back (it's being used to create the wedding band) and when we will get the band.

So today we went to the store, talked to manager and I think it will all work out. We also got Rita's afterward (bonus), but they were a little off their game in terms of flavor selection today. I settled for peach.

Also the Twins and O's both won tonight, so overall I call Tuesday a good day.

Now, I'm looking forward to the Iowa trip this weekend. As long as I can find a place to land. For those who aren't familiar with it, floods have battered the Cedar River Valley (where I'm going) this past week.





Complete Waterloo Courier coverage here.

Can't wait to see those of you who are going to be there for the party on Saturday. If you somehow didn't find out about it, here are the details:

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday
Nate's parent's house
3904 Oak Park Circle
Waterloo, Iowa 50701

Fortunately the forecast is mostly sunny.

--Nate

Spread the word

So.... if you're getting your invitation today you're probably noticing that's it short on details. I'm regretting that it doesn't have this Web site address on it. I hope people are not annoyed that the invitations themselves don't come with accommodations/directions. If anyone asks you about this information and doesn't know about this site, please refer them to it so they can get the info!

Thanks,
Nate

(Most) invitations are in the mail!

If you live in Maryland, you're probably getting your invitations today. If you live elsewhere, you should see them this week (except for a few people I'm tracking down updated addresses for.)

Hope you can make it!

Back to blog

So I don't know if anyone still checks this because I've done a lousy job of keeping Nallie '08 up-to-date. Some of you may even be wondering if this thing is still happening.

Well, here's my proof:



Allie and I got our marriage license on Monday and can legally get married in about two hours from the time I am writing this (there's a two-day waiting period — just like buying a gun!). Not that we plan on changing the date from Aug. 2, I'm just saying.

The process of getting a marriage license is not too hard, at least here. Mostly you just need to answer a few questions, like saying no to"Are you two related in anyway?", then you fork over $35 and its yours.

We also picked out wedding bands on Monday. Here's a photo of what mine will look like:





It's titanium, which the jeweler tells me means it will be durable. I also like the plainness. I've never worn a ring so I think it will be weird, but I guess I will get used to it.

Allie's is going to be custom made, so I can't show you what it looks like yet.

On Tuesday, friends and family in the Midwest probably received an e-vite for a shindig my parents are throwing on the afternoon of June 21. If you didn't get it it is probably because I don't have your e-mail address. Just send it to me or e-mail the blog or whatever and I will get you the info. You can also come even if you did not get the e-vite.

That night is also bachelor party Part I, the Iowa version.


Matt Schafer is organizing that and I am sure he is doing a fine job. He may also be getting a bus for transportation. Contact him if you need more info.


It's hard to believe that we are less than two months away from the wedding. Invitations should go out late this week/early next week. We have all of the big things done, like booking photographer, DJ, reception, etc; but according to that damn checklist at The Knot we have like 100 more things to do.

I can tell you at least one thing we got out of the way — the first round of songs that we will be on the "Do Not Play" list.



Drunk requests sound like fun, but don't expect to hear YMCA at my reception.

Hope to have more tomorrow. Blogging is back.
Nate

Christmas in August?

How the weeks go by so fast. On deck this week has been gift registering. Is that a noun? Spell check doesn't flag it so I'll run with it.

I kind have a guilt thing going on in registering for gifts, but it has gone OK so far. Well, the first day didn't go so great. We want to Target and only picked out five things. Probably going back this Sunday to add to the list.

Just got back from Crate and Barrel where we managed to pick out nearly two dozen items. We have been cooking a lot lately so maybe some of this stuff will be useful.

Not sure where else we will register but will have a final list up here by Memorial Day. Also think we are picking out the rings this weekend. I'm just now realizing that whatever I pick is going to be on my finger until I die, so I guess I better take it seriously.

Nate