{Click here to catch up on our wedding recaps:

Hair appointments; Picking up flowers; Getting ready; The Gown; Our First Look, Girls & Guys Attire, More Photos, Jitters and Communion, Ceremony Decor; Our DIY Ceremony Programs, Prayers, Readings and Music, Walking Down the Aisle, More Ceremony Shots, The Getaway Car, Reception Table Centerpieces, Wishing Tree & Photo Displays, Photos From Our DIY Photobooth!, Analysis of our iPod Wedding and Our Honeymoon}

I’m finally nearing the end of my wedding recaps, which is fitting, since Jordan and I have been married almost one year already! I can hardly believe that ten months have already passed by; what a blessing it is to have someone by my side each and every day. While our first year of marriage hasn’t been a walk in the park, this year (so far) has been full of blessings.

I wanted to share with you today a list of the vendors that we used throughout planning our wedding, so that any of you local SD brides will have all of these resources in one place! Also, stay tuned for a full list of Etsy vendors that we used – that’s the next post that I’ll write! Also coming up is a final list of the DIY projects that we completed for the wedding, so if you don’t see something listed below (i.e. the boutonnieres or my garters), don’t fret, because it was either purchased from Etsy or DIY!

Materials for Invitations:

Cards & Pockets (ordered online)

Sioux Falls Rubber Stamp, Sioux Falls, SD

Map of Sioux Falls – Wedding Invitations:

Designed by a friend of the bride

Printing:

Brown & Saenger, Sioux Falls, SD

Wedding Rings:

Sara’s Engagement Ring and Wedding Band: Riddle’s Jewelry, Sioux Falls, SD

Jordan’s Wedding Band: Helzberg Diamonds, Sioux Falls, SD

Photographers:

Creative Kindling, Brandon, SD

Florist:

The Flower Shop, Sioux Falls, SD

Sheet Cakes (Remember, we DIYed the Rice Krispie Cake):

HyVee on Sycamore Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD

Manzanita Branches – Wishing Tree:

Save-on-crafts.com (ordered online)

White Shutters – Photo Display:

Purchased from a seller at Benson’s Flea Market (Sioux Falls, SD)

Fabric – Wedding Napkins:

Hancock Fabrics, Sioux Falls, SD

Classic Car:

Borrowed for the day from a friend of the family

Hair and Nails on the Wedding Day:

Hair: Salon Ne-Zhoni, Sioux Falls, SD

Sara’s Manicure: VIP Nails, Sioux Falls, SD

Sara’s Pedicure: Radiance Day Spa, Sioux Falls, SD

Wedding Gown:

Purchased from Happily Ever After, Sioux City, IA (gown was by Alfred Angelo, and has since been discontinued)

Veil:

Purchased from French Door Bridal in Sioux Falls, SD (veil was by Signature Bridal)

Tuxedos:

Rented from Evelyn’s Floral and Formalware in Sioux Falls, SD, a business which has since closed its doors (the tuxedo was by Calvin Klein)

Groomsmen/Ushers Gifts:

Flasks – Brown & Saenger, Sioux Falls, SD

Socks – Express (ordered online)

Ceremony Helpers Gifts:

Wine purchased from HyVee Wine & Spirits, Louise Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD

Bridesmaids Dresses:

The Dessy Group, ordered online from www.bridesmaids.com

Ceremony Site:

Augustana College Chapel of Reconciliation, Sioux Falls, SD

Organist:

Kyle Quanbeck, Sioux Falls, SD

Vocalist:

Sister of the Groom

Catering, Reception Site:

Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, SD

Wedding Weekend Accommodations (Guests):

Holiday Inn City Centre (Downtown), Sioux Falls, SD

Wedding Night Accommodations (Jordan and Sara):

ClubHouse Hotel & Suites, Sioux Falls, SD

I also wanted to make sure that I made a list of places that I shopped for a variety of materials for all kinds of projects:

Hobby Lobby, Sioux Falls, SD

Michaels, Sioux Falls, SD

IKEA, Minneapolis, MN (votive candles)

I think that’s it! In terms of whether or not I would use these same vendors again if I were to do it all over again, the answer is a resounding yes. I was so pleased with all of our vendors, despite some last-minute stress from HyVee regarding our cakes. But, everything couldn’t have been more perfect, and we think back fondly on our wedding day and all of the vendors that made it happen for us. Cards & Pockets is a fabulous online resource for those of you who plan to DIY invitations in the future, and I couldn’t recommend the ladies at Happily Ever After in Sioux City, IA, any higher. The Flower Shop did an extraordinary job realizing my vision for the flowers, and the staff at the Augie Chapel and the Washington Pavilion couldn’t have been more helpful. Brown & Saenger also played a huge role in pulling off our wedding in terms of satisfying all of our printing needs, and our day wouldn’t have been chronicled in such a meaningful way without Creative Kindling. We couldn’t have been more blessed!

If you have any questions, please let me know!

[Photo by Creative Kindling]

{Click here to catch up on our wedding recaps:

Hair appointments; Picking up flowers; Getting ready; The Gown; Our First Look, Girls & Guys Attire, More Photos, Jitters and Communion, Ceremony Decor; Our DIY Ceremony Programs, Prayers, Readings and Music, Walking Down the Aisle, More Ceremony Shots, The Getaway Car, Reception Table Centerpieces, Wishing Tree & Photo Displays, Photos From Our DIY Photobooth! and Analysis of our iPod Wedding}

Jordan and I spent six days in Jamaica for our honeymoon. In terms of deciding where we wanted to jet away to for our honeymoon, we both wanted to go somewhere warm with a beach and an ocean, and we felt excited (and anxious) about going abroad. It was the first time being outside of America for the both of us, which truly was an experience in itself. We’ve never before been herded like cattle through customs (which, apparently, is an all-too-common experience in other countries), and that was a bit of a disarming experience.

In terms of actually booking our vacation, we utilized the expertise of a family friend who has been in the travel agency for quite some time. We booked our six-day stay at Breezes Rio Bueno in Rio Bueno, Jamaica. While we had a good time overall and made the best of our vacation stay there, it wasn’t the ideal honeymoon locale for either of us, for the following reasons below:

1. Our first time overseas was completely overwhelming; looking back, for our honeymoon, we would have rather stayed stateside.

After finally arriving at our resort after a full day of flights and sitting around in airports, we were exhausted, and I (Sara) was completely overwhelmed by the airport experience of going through customs in Jamaica, and also by the car ride from the airport to the resort. (Note: I (Sara) felt like the car was going to run off of the road countless times; plus, we were offered illegal drugs not only in the airport, but also when we were driving – passengers in another car shouted to us and (I’m not kidding) dangled a little baggie of “goodies” outside the window.)

2. Our room was underwhelming, to say the least (despite the fact that Jordan looks super comfy above!).

We stayed in a total of two different rooms during our stay at Breezes; our first room was, to put it lightly, not comfortable. We found ants in our room crawling on the floor, and our bedsheets were stained. There was barely any furniture in the room, and we were quite unsatisfied. So, we asked to move to a different room, which the resort staff granted us on the second day of our stay. While this room had more furniture, no bugs and clean bedsheets, it still was not what we were expecting. We were hoping for a cushy bed with many, many pillows and soft linens, but the bed linens made us feel more like we were staying at a motel than a resort that we shelled out many pennies for. Also – no bathtub. Boo.

3. We couldn’t get room service.

If we had known this prior to booking, we probably wouldn’t have booked at all. Who wants to go somewhere where you can’t order food to your room on your honeymoon?!

4. The atmosphere of the resort was geared more toward families and young single people than to couples on their honeymoon.

From the games and activities (think: wet t-shirt contests, dance contests, and the like, along with your regular water volleyball games, which Jordan enjoyed) to the other people staying at our resort, we came to realize that the beach getaway we had wanted originally was what we received (and, to the credit of Breezes, the beach and the ocean were fantastic), but wasn’t what we wanted. Now we know that if we ever embark on a trip overseas to an all-inclusive resort again, we want a couples-only resort with cushy linens, room service and a bunch of yummy food.

5. Jamaica is, well, a third-world country, which made it scary (for us) to leave the resort.

Despite the fact that Jordan and I were well aware of this before leaving, the disparate divide between poverty and wealth is so obvious when you’re driving beside shanties, and just down the road, you see a mansion. It was certainly eye-opening. But, in light of the fact that our surroundings were so unfamiliar (and, to us, rather scary), we never left the resort, which probably was a detriment to the fun we had on our trip. But, we just didn’t feel comfortable leaving the resort.

What We Liked

What we will say, however, is that we really appreciated the staff of this resort. They were always kind and accommodating. We also liked the food, too! We ate at a French restaurant one evening, and at a Japanese hibachi restaurant another evening, both of which were quite delicious! The other restaurants, however, left quite a bit to be desired, although Jordan sure enjoyed his omelette every morning, and we both still crave the fresh orange juice! Lastly, the beach was seriously insanely beautiful. The weather was a bit rainy when we were there, but the sun always came out eventually, and it was wonderful to lay by the beach and read, drink in hand. We also took a glass-bottom boat tour (the bottom of the boat was glass, which allowed us to see the sea life swimming around below us) that was fun, too.

So, here’s a recap of what we learned:

- We aren’t really all-inclusive resort people. We love nothing more than to make our own experience together by choosing to go to this shop or that restaurant to eat, and we found the all-inclusive environment rather limiting.

- We like a comfy room, complete with cushy soft linens and room service. And a bathtub instead of a shower!

- If we ever do an all-inclusive resort vacation again, we’ll stay at a couples-only resort. And, we would probably be open to going to an all-inclusive resort with friends (though, not Breezes) – that actually might be a good time!

- If we do go to a third-world country again, we will know what to expect in terms of the poverty level, among other things.

*Interesting fact: when I went to the Breezes Rio Bueno home page today to link to their site, I found the following disclosure:

“Please note: Breezes Resort & Spa – Rio Bueno will be closed as of April 30, 2011 indefinitely. For reservations after April 30, please see our other Breezes Resorts & Spas in Jamaica and in other destinations.”

Quite interesting, since we certainly felt that the resort was lacking the comforts that we wished for and expected.

In looking back on our honeymoon, we feel grateful for this experience, because it taught us what we want (and what we don’t) in a vacation. In fact, this summer, Jordan and I are embarking on a bit of a honeymoon-redo to…SEATTLE! That’s the best part about a honeymoon; you learn what you really want to do together on vacation! We’re so excited to experience a part of the United States that we’ve never been before, and we’re especially excited to enjoy all that Seattle has to offer.

Where are you headed on your honeymoon? Are you staying stateside or going abroad? What’s on your must-have list for your honeymoon destination?

[All photos by Jordan and I]

Hello readers! Just a little note from me to tell y’all that we’ve been FEATURED on A Practical Wedding today! Jordan and I are so excited to share our wedding with Meg’s wonderfully smart and sassy readers – it’s a great community over there! Feel free to head on over and check it out.

Lots of love (and promises of more wedding recaps soon), Sara

[Photo by Creative Kindling]

Here’s what we’ve been doing:

- Last week, I spent the evening building our photo booth with the great help of my future father-in-law. The photo booth turned out wonderfully; I can’t wait to see how it looks in our wedding photos! I hope to provide a full tutorial for you all at some point, so stay tuned…

- Made a list of must-have photos for our photographers, and met with our lovely photogs to discuss our wedding day. I’m SO excited that we’ve chosen such wonderful and supportive photographers; they will be so great to have with us on our wedding day, and I know that Kara will help to keep me relaxed.

- Started tanning! While I’m definitely not a fan of how bad tanning beds are for my skin, I do need to build up a base tan of sorts before heading off to Jamaica. So, I’ve stared tanning a few times per week!

- Started the napkins process! With the great help of my bridesmaid Serena and her mother, we’re making headway with the DIY napkins project! We’re about halfway through the project, and I plan to bring the last batch of fabric over to Serena’s home this week for cutting.

- Mailed our rehearsal dinner invitations. They turned out wonderfully, and we’re so excited for our Italian-themed rehearsal dinner!

- Ordered 3 one-half sheet cakes for our wedding reception. We ordered 1/2 sheet of red velvet (my favorite!), one half sheet of strawberry (Jordan’s favorite) and one half sheet of vanilla cake from a local bakery. I’m glad to have that completed!

- Set up a final meeting with our on-site reception coordinator and our florist to cover last-minute details. Both of these appointments are next week, and I’m excited to finalize all of the details!

- Set up a meeting to visit the chapel where our ceremony will take place. I’m visiting my alma mater, Augustana College, this week to set up decorations around the chapel to see what they look like. I’m excited to see how/if the pew bows will attach to the pews…frankly, that’s all I’m concerned about. I know that everything else will look great!

- Finalized gifts for the groomsmen and ushers; everything should be done next week, so I can wrap the gifts!

- Secured a classic car to transport Jordan and I from the ceremony to the reception!

- Got the guys measured for tuxes! Only a few of our guys have yet to do this, and they’re under strict instructions to do so ASAP.

- Finalized our wedding ceremony script. Yes!

- Trying to wrangle wedding pictures of our relatives; I only need a few more pictures, and we’ll be set!

I think that’s it!

Here’s what we have left:

- Our reception playlist. We’ve started working on it, but Jordan’s school quarter ends this Friday, so Jordan will have a lot more time to devote to finalizing our playlist starting next week. This is his pet project, and I’m excited to help with this process as much as I can.

- Getting a few more props for the photo booth, as well as finding/purchasing baskets for the day’s needs, a few picture frames, and a few props for our wedding photos on the wedding day.

- Figuring out what camera to use for the photo booth.

- Print the wedding programs. We’re waiting for the final OK from our officiant, and as soon as we have that, we’re good to go!

- Cutting table squares and a table runner for the reception; we are purchasing the fabric today, so it won’t be too long before this project is off our list.

- Sew a lining into our flower girl dresses. Again, the fabric for this has been purchased, so hopefully we can finalize this project soon.

- Purchase a gift for my personal attendant and our parents, as well as gifts for our hosts & hostesses and our ceremony reader.

- Gift-opening preparation and invitations.

- Bring my engagement ring and wedding band into the jeweler to be soldered and plated.

- Premarital counseling session with my uncle, our officiant, to discuss our personality inventory.

- Discuss our DIY tiered wedding cake with my mother, and maybe practice making a cake.

- Final wedding gown fitting; I’m so excited for this part!

- Final hair and make-up trial, as well as week-of beauty treatments; again, SO excited!

- Wrap gifts and box up ceremony/reception decor.

- Marriage license.

- Meet with our travel agent to finalize details for our honeymoon, and pack for our honeymoon.

- GET MARRIED!

Surprisingly, my stress level is rather low; while I know that there’s still more things to do, I feel remarkably calm heading into the final month before the wedding.

How are you handling wedding stress?

Oh readers…guess what? WE’VE BOOKED OUR HONEYMOON!!!!

After the wedding, Jordan and I will be jetting off to … wait for it … JAMAICA!

With the help of a travel agent (who is also a family friend), we booked a 6 night getaway to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where we will relax on the beach, dine at wonderfully yummy restaurants and enjoy our first few days as a married couple!

We’ll be staying at Breezes Rio Bueno in Ocho Rios; we’re so excited! While we weren’t sure for quite some time whether or not we would be able to take an extended honeymoon, we feel so blessed to have the opportunity to get away!

Where are you headed on your honeymoon!

Doesn’t that look lovely? I’d love to be sunning on the beach with a big floppy hat, HUGE sunglasses and a comfortable bikini cover-up…I guess Jordan can come along, too! Hee hee.

An update on our honeymoon: when I last posted about our plans for a honeymoon, I told you about the lovely Bliss Honeymoons, and the wonderful services that they provide. Well, as it turns out, one of my parents’ friends happens to be a part-time travel agent, so in the end, Jordan and I decided to book our honeymoon through her for simple convenience: we knew her, she knew us, and she lives where we live!

At this point, Jordan is trying to decide whether or not to take a graduate course in psychology during the summer term (he’s pursuing his Masters of Science in psychology through an online program). Originally, we had discussed having him take the summer term off to enjoy the wedding, but as it turns out, his classes don’t start until right before the wedding, so he’s doing some soul-searching to make sure that he wouldn’t feel too pressured to finalize our wedding plans and begin his next course.

As soon as Jordan decides on schooling, we plan to move forward with our honeymoon plans. If Jordan decides to take a summer course, we hope to be able to escape for 5-7 days, and we’re open to everything and anything (except a cruise!). We have two major cities that we can fly out of in addition to Sioux Falls (Minneapolis and Omaha), which may help us grab some last-minute deals.

If Jordan decides not to take a summer course, I think we’ll go the mini-moon route and enjoy a shorter getaway (3-4 days) a little closer to home.

Where are you going for your honeymoon?

From the moment J and I first discussed getting married, we both knew that we wanted a honeymoon where we could A) do things we’ve never done before, and B) relax, relax, relax.

However, since neither J nor I have ever planned such an important trip before, we’ve talked on and off about calling a travel agent to utilize their expertise and services in determining where exactly we should go on our honeymoon.

Enter Dana at The Broke-Ass Bride, who recently posted about one of her blog sponsors, Bliss Honeymoons & Destination Weddings. You could say that the clouds parted and angels could be heard singing in the distance, but that would be a little over the top, now wouldn’t it? :) Bliss Honeymoons specializes in helping couples determine what exactly they are looking for in a honeymoon, whether it’s relaxation, adventure, romance or a little bit of all three.

After I read Dana’s post, I immediately emailed J, and we quickly agreed to contact the wonderful travel agents at Bliss to help us plan our honeymoon. One of Bliss’s agents, Laura, contacted us promptly to set up a phone call (since there isn’t a Bliss office in our area) to talk about our ideal honeymoon and our budget.

The best part about Bliss Honeymoons? Because Bliss is a fully licensed travel agency, they are paid by the hotels. This means that couples just like you and me get all the benefits of working with an experienced travel consultant at no extra cost!

I’ll keep you informed as we talk with Laura about our honeymoon – we’re so excited to get started on this process!

NOTE: This post is not sponsored by the above company, individual, service or product line.

[Picture courtesy of Bridal Tweet]