Juliette will be marrying Matt on 9th November 2019 at Ashford Estate in Allentown, New Jersey, USA. Click here to read all Juliette’s planning posts to date.
THREE FACTS: (1) Juliette and Matt met in Hebrew school when they were 16 – aww! (2) Juliette and Matt are both Jewish, but they are having a Jew-ish wedding – Juliette’s dad’s side of the family is Catholic, and they want to make sure everyone feels included on the day. (3) Juliette is a member of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club – and she calls STG her “secret weapon” in wedding planning!
My last post
I cannot believe this is my last blog post for Smashing the Glass! I feel like I am going to blink, and I’ll be walking down the aisle. I have loved getting to share my planning experiences and emotional ups and downs throughout the process.
With only a month left there have been some amazing highlights and some HUGE #WPWs (wedding planning wins).
If I haven’t mentioned it before the only real reason, I am able to make this wedding happen is because of my support system. My mom and mother in law are amazing and help with everything from hair extensions to packing invitations.
Also, huge shout out to my bridal party, especially Amanda, my MOH. She hosted and planned the most fabulous glittering unreal Bachelorette Bash. Then as always Matt is there keeping the positivity and reminding me why we are even throwing this shindig in the first place!
Juliette’s Last Splash
This past July I attended the best bachelorette a girl could ask for. My Maid of Honor Amanda is truly meant to plan parties. She surprised me with my entire Bachelorette.
She hosted a big chunk of my bridal party at her family’s home in Florida. Every room was decorated, and she had a full scheduled itinerary for us all to enjoy! She even made every bridesmaid a bag filled with goodies upon our arrival.
We went to beach bars, fancy restaurants, and even a cigar club. She arranged a pontoon boat to take us all out and created a fabulous photo backdrop. We took over 700 pictures in 3 days and I think we drank Fort Myers Beach out of White Claws.
All the parts I can remember were fabulous and fun and I forgot how much I loved to just see my friends and gossip. All the wedding planning has had me constantly with Matt and it was fun to get away and not have to schedule and provides answers to a million detailed questions!
My Bridal Shower
Following my Bachelorette, the focus quickly turned to my Bridal Shower. My mom obsessed about my shower and meticulously planned every part of it.
Her and my MIL hosted it at one of my favorite restaurants on the Jersey Shore. She arranged for me to have my hair and makeup done the morning of and planned for Matt to drive me after her so she could arrive early to decorate.
Having her plan all of the details had me feeling really calm, honestly probably too calm. I have never had a big event that didn’t have some sort of drama involved. Sometimes it’s the weather, or a missed flight, but it’s not usually Matt.
He picked me up to drive me to my shower, about an hour from my parents’ house, and told me he had picked up a surprise from his trip last week.
I opened the small package on my seat to find the cutest penguin chocolate. Now, Matt and I have been together for almost 10 years he knows all of my allergies, so I thought nothing of popping the entire chocolate into my mouth because I was STARVING.
Immediately I feel crunch and start spitting out almonds, which I am deathly allergic to. After a full stop to the car and mouth washing and crying and freaking out a Benadryl is found (thank you Chloe) and I arrive to my beautiful shower dazed, confused, and so excited.
My love language is gifts, and this was a party with the main event watching me open presents. I reveled in it. All of my friends and family were there drinking cocktails, laughing and talking about how soon the wedding was.
My mom arranged games for everyone and played present BINGO as I opened my gifts. My best friend Kaite arranged a gorgeous dessert table with homemade treats. She had a photographer and made it so fun for all of us! After seeing these pictures if anyone is looking for a wedding planner/shower coordinator my mom is available after November 9th.
One Month To go
With only a month left I feel like there is still so much to do. My sister in law is handing all of our stationery, she created some gorgeous artwork that incorporates our initials and I am living for it.
We have centerpieces and menus for the rehearsal dinner to order. Table seating charts and RSVP collections (side note: if you are reading this and have not sent me your RSVP, I know who you are so please send it). We still have rings to pick out and pick up and vows to write.
I had my first dress fittings and they were honestly extremely nerve wracking. I completely flipped out and thought the dresses wouldn’t fit. It’s hard to cognitively understand that even though they measure every inch of your body and you paid thousands of dollars that the dress wouldn’t fit perfectly.
Having things altered is the norm but that didn’t stop me from having a full-on freak out. I also didn’t help myself by impulse ordering a second dress I never tried on so when I was with it in the dressing room my hands shook so badly, I couldn’t unbutton it.
I hadn’t seen my one dress in over a year and am still so happy with my choice. Its gorgeous and luxurious and I can’t wait to see Matt’s face when he first sees me in it.
Wedding Planning Wins
If there is anything I have learned while being a part of the Smashing the Glass Brides Club is that you have to celebrate your wins.
I recently found my wedding sneakers and they are super fancy and comfortable, and I want to wear them every day and keep telling myself I can’t. I figured out the perfect gift to give Matt on our special day and haven’t totally ruined the surprise.
I also got to spend some time celebrating our wedding with Matt. We planned some time for just us to talk through wedding activities and go on our favorite date (backroad drive and pizza).
He also invited me to his Bachelor party which I think shocked a lot of people, but we share a lot of friends. We danced the night away at Tao Downtown with all his groomsmen and I loved getting to celebrate and see Matt having so much fun.
My main focus as the wedding quickly approaches is spending time with Matt and my family and friends. We have some exciting engagement parties to attend and we are going to visit Matt’s great grandma in Florida to have an earlier celebration!
Everyone around us is twinkling with anticipation. Last week Matt called it “The Bash of the Century”. I am still in awe that I get to marry one of my best friends in only a month. The next time you hear from me I’ll be Mrs. Brandman!
Click here to read all Juliette’s planning posts to date.
Juliette & Matt’s Wedding Vendors booked so far:
Venue – Ashford Estate
Photographer – Fred Marcus Studio {offers a free engagement shoot}
Bride’s dress – Kleinfeld {offers $250 off a special-order wedding dress (terms apply) to all members of Smashing The Glass’s Brides Club}
DJ – LJDJs
Bridesmaids – Jenny Yoo
Flowers – Adam Leffel Productions
