Andy is about to go out to sea for 20 days so he's trying to get a handle on groomsman gifts before he leaves. Let me tell you... he's FRUSTRATED. I sat down to look for bridesmaid gifts and help him out. I'm here to share you the wonderful "practical" gifts we've come across.

Who doesn't want a custom post-it holder? This screams masculine to me.

A super practical silver plated USB drive. Its a whooping 512 MB for $45. Clearly the silver plating makes it worth it. It'd be silly to buy a plastic 4GB on buy.com for $10.

Ali "Hey Andy, how about a flask that hold golf tees?"

Andy "None of them play golf"

Randi "Maybe its cause they have no where to put their golf tees?!"

That's just a few for now, I'll share more tomorrow!!! As you can see, we have so many viable options, I'll really need to give this some good hard thought.

I need help! I don't know how to wear my hair, my makeup, etc. I had a dream the other night that I went to my wedding in a pony tail... so I've been looking for hair inspiration. I found a salon to go get a hair trial BUT I need to take them ideas!!!

I really want to wear a headband. I love them. I bought that amazing trim to use for a headband. I have enough for one or two like in the picture! But, I definitely think my hair has to be up for a headband. But, I'm not sure my hair is quite long enough for this!

October is an odd month in Mobile. It can be hot or cool. If its hot I think I'll want my hair up but I actually think I look better with it down. ugh!

I also want to wear a flower. But a real one, a real purple orchid, or two or three. I just love flowers in hair too. Plus, it'll add some color to my outfit.

And I like my hair curly. So maybe something like this. But, can I wear  headband and a flower? I feel like it might be overkill. But, I'm not wearing a veil so I do want something special.

Then, there's also the half up, half down like below. Probably no headband in that case but definitely a flower where the brooch is?

I like the loose, curly look. I love love love LC's hair in the photo below but it may be more 'cause I just love her in general.

Anyone got any thoughts? Opinions? Advice? I'm overwhelmed!!!!

After a month of summer school hell, I'm in wedding catchup mode. Tomorrow is exactly 2 months out from the big day. To kick it all off, we're having our first "crisis".

Saturday morning, while hanging out with the darling fiance and my friend Laura, my phone rang. It was a local number but not one in my phone book so I almost ignored the call. Unfortunately, it was my officiant. He accepted a job in California so he's moving and can't officiate the wedding.

I was pretty proud of myself. I didn't freak out. Andy and Laura were much more pissed off up front. I just said to myself that something was bound to go wrong eventually so this might as well be it. Thankfully, the guy is really nice and he's given me a list of referrals. So, tonight, while I print wedding invitations, I'm looking over this list of new potential officiants. Andy leaves for a research cruise in exactly one week, so we have to figure this out!!!

Potential candidate #1 : Nice website. Very weddingy (yep, just made that one up!). " It captures a moment in time, the moment where two separate individuals come together and create the foundation for the life they will share" This sounds good. Then I scroll down and see...

Ask about our "Dove and Butterfly Release".

You've got to be kidding me. I am NOT a dove and butterfly release person. There's little other info on the website so I guess I'll just have to give them a call.

Potential Candidate #2: seems like they only do weddings in Pensacola Beach. That is not where I'm getting married. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. On the plus side, I can rent a bamboo arch from him if I desire (grr).

Potential Candidate #3: wants to charge twice as much as the original guy and extra to come to Mobile. great.

Potential # 4. Oh thank goodness. Maybe we have a winner. She does ceremonies in Mobile. She's from Michigan (bonus points within the family!)

Now I'm off to send out lots of emails to check availability. Lets hope this is the worst crisis we have :) And, lets hope these people aren't total weirdos. It was hard enough to find the first guy. Becky,  you may get your wish to officiate this thing after all ;)