I got my business card holder pages at Target, but they have them at Office Depot and Office Max. If you have either of those down there. hth

I know the Dollar Tree by my house has an online service that allows you to buy things in bulk from them so you don't have to go around to every store on a wild goose hunt. Maybe Dollar General has the same service?

Good luck! I know how crazy expensive ribbon can get.

Now THAT'S what I call confidence! He booked the church & reception hall before he proposed? Hmmm, sounds like it was a done deal! How cute too, making a faux save the date to propose. Sounds like you've got a sweet one that is creative too! Good luck with the planning vacation. (Christmas? What Christmas? This is our planning holiday break!) 

"Really....You did all this in two days?" - haaaaaaaaaaaaaaha ha ha.
That is hilarious! Aw, boys are so cute.

Don't worry, you'll be grand, you'll be great. You've got nearly 9 months. I got engaged February of '07 and got married July of '07. If I can do it in five months, you could do it twice in 9 months - I have no doubt!

Can't wait to see your planning take shape. Be sure to post us lots of pics!
Have you been to Snippet & Ink yet? Ooooooh, inspiration land. I still go to look at the website for colour combo inspiration. I love the inspiration boards.
http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/

[CONGRATULATIONS LINZ! That's awesome. No more "theoretical planning" for you. From here on out it is all ACTUAL planning.]

Well I can finally do this:

*print*

CONGRATULATIONS LINZ! That's awesome. No more "theoretical planning" for you. From here on out it is all ACTUAL planning.

Great job! That fabric is fantastic! I hear you about the purses with black liners, too. You need a flashlight to find anything.

If you sister absolutely cannot make it (wow! what a strict school schedule!), and it would ruin the day for you for her NOT to be there, then I would consider another date. If you feel that you are putting out too many people by changing the date, or you have your heart set on the date, then I would go with the date you have. Ultimately, you have to consider your feelings the most, because those are the feelings that will linger. And if she can't come - just make sure you have some great video of the day and have a "wedding" party the next time you two are together. Maybe include something of hers, a bracelet, a pendant, or something to symbolize her. When you can watch the vid, look over the album, make a fun cake. She'll feel included then, even if she couldn't be there. And you still get to share everything with her.

Good luck. Planning from so far away is hard. I feel for ya!

(and CONGRATULATIONS on the upcoming wedding, it sounds like it will be beautiful!)

I did!
We had about 80 people at our wedding reception following our wedding. We bought the plates at Dollar Tree. They are sort of the squarish-white ones. I washed all those plates myself three times! First after we bought them, then after the reception (very DIY), then after the second reception later on.

It was worth it to us, we used them twice. The plates cost us a dollar each, but renting them was $1.30 each time. The washing was a pain in the arse, but if you are too busy, you can assign this to a willing friend/family member. We also bought our own wine glasses from IKEA - 6 for $2.50 I think. Water glasses. And something else.

I've still got them. I want to sell cheaply or gift them to someone in my area that is having their own reception on a budget. So, if you know of anyone in Chicagoland that wants them - holler.

Linz, you are an AWESOME theoretical planner. Just think how thoroughly everything will be worked out once you have the ring! (precongrats!) 

Check out the book by Kevin Petrie - called "Glass and Print".
I think Amazon has it.

Also, you can use waterslide decals that you print in your home printer and heat onto the surface of glass, just like with ceramics. I have sheets of it that I use in my glass pieces, I can't remember the manufacturer name as I went in with another person to buy it in bulk. If I run across it, I will let you know.