01/14/06 Several people have asked if we had our wedding bands engraved, so I thought I'd share our rings with you. We purchased our wedding bands for each other and had them engraved independently. Jason chose to engrave mine with: "Forever my soulmate" along with our wedding date. My wedding ring is a 2mm flat white gold band, and it is PERFECT with my engagement ring. My engagement ring is 1 ct TW, with a center round stone flanked by two tapered baguettes. For Jason, I selected a heavy domed Comfort-Fit band in white gold. I had it engraved with a Bible verse from our wedding: "Love never fails" along with our wedding date. Here they are:      12/27/05 Hopefully, you have all received your rehearsal packets with the Order of Worship and the invitation to the rehearsal dinner by now. Please look over these and learn about how everything will flow that night. Everything should go quickly and smoothly if we all know what happens when. Feel free to call with any questions... and again, thank you so much for your friendship and participation. I look forward to seeing you all soon!!! 11/13/05 To the Bridesmaids: We found some silver Caparros shoes at Shoe Station in Baton Rouge that match the dress well and are on sale for a very good price. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the right size for Margaret. Since they were on sale, we purchased the shoes for the rest of you, and will keep looking for something similar for Margaret. Below is a picture of the silver Caparros shoe. 11/01/05 To the Groomsmen: Thank you for sharing in our special day. Your participation is very important to us, and we appreciate it! Below is the information you need for your tuxedo rental. We have selected Squire's Formalwear for the tuxes. They have the most locations, so you can first be measured close to home, go for your second fitting and alterations in Baton Rouge on Thursday afternoon (January 5) before the rehearsal, and then pick up the finished tux on Friday morning before the wedding. That seemed most convenient for everyone. Please go as soon as possible to get fitted, as Squire's will need to make arrangements to have the appropriate size tux available for your final fitting. This is a very popular tux for formal Christmas and New Year's events, so we'll need to have our reservations in early. Here are the locations where you can be measured: Squire's - Kenner: 817 West Esplanade, Suite E (504) 463-1789 Squire's - Mandeville: 2995 Suite A, Highway 190 (985) 727-4700 Squire's - Baton Rouge: 7474 Corporate Blvd., Suite 306 (across from Whole Foods, near Jefferson) (225) 929-9559 You will be wearing the Chaps Ralph Lauren 2-Button Barrington tux in black, with a silver Spectrum vest, matching silver necktie, pleated white silk flat-collar shirt, and black shoes. Jason will be wearing the same tux, but with a white vest and tie. The rental cost for the complete ensemble is $125.00. When you get measured, please be sure to specify that you want to go for final measurement and pickup at the CORPORATE BOULEVARD/BATON ROUGE location. This store is located closest to the church and also closest to the proposed rehearsal dinner location, so it should be most convenient for the wedding activities. Here are some pictures, so you have a better idea of what you'll be wearing. The tux (but you'll be wearing a different vest and tie): The vest (but you'll be wearing a pleated flat-collar rather than an unpleated one): Thank you again, for your friendship, for your support, and for your participation! 10/21/05 Yes, two updates in one day… can you tell I'm getting excited?! We're planning on having a second line to leave, and are giving personalized handkerchiefs as our guest favors. I wanted to show you the design we just ordered, imprinted in silver, on the corner of each handkerchief. I also booked the LAST limo available on our wedding day. With the date change, it's been really difficult finding anyone who had a limo left in town!!! Unfortunately, one limo isn't enough to accommodate everybody. At this point, it looks like the readers and families will be traveling in personal vehicles between the wedding and rehearsal, and Jason and I will be using a smaller limo that is being loaned to us by friends in the Celtic Society… but we are still looking for additional limos in hopes that the whole party can be transported together. I'll update with more info as we get closer to the wedding day. Finally, we've finished planning most of the reception activities. We're including a bridal party introduction, bride/groom dance, father/bride dance, toasts, Victorian cake pulls, cake cutting, money dance (controversial, but we decided to go with it for tradition), garter/football toss, bouquet toss, and second line to leave the reception. I would really like your input on the music, as we want to play everybody's favorites. Could you please send me the name and artist of one song you would definitely like to hear played at the reception? Thanks!!!! 10/21/05 I looked at our countdown today and realized it's 2-2-2… 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days until I am Mrs. Jason Randall Pick! Have I told you lately how HAPPY I am?!?! Thank you all for being part of this very special day for me. I can't really express how wonderful it is to have such great friends! The bridesmaids' dresses will be in soon, and we will need to decide on shoes. Are 2.5" heels okay with everyone? I haven't picked a particular pair yet. If we get matching shoes, then I will also be purchasing the same ones to wear with my rehearsal dinner and going-away dresses. So don't worry… I won't pick ugly, clunky shoes!!! ;-) 10/07/05 Thank you to all the bridesmaids for hosting a shower on October 30, 2005! Also, thanks to Katherine and Erica! Margaret told me that you also volunteered to help them. Y'all are the best!!!! =) 08/20/05 Bridesmaids: Please go by Ballin's to get measured for your dresses as soon as possible. They should be ordered before the semester starts; it will be too late to receive them before the wedding if we wait until winter break when you're all back home again. If you need any additional info, please call Margaret (Maid of Honor). Thanks! Kate =)

This and That... from my "Knot" profile Caterer: As is customary in the South, we have opted to serve hot and cold hors d'oeurves buffet style rather than having a sit-down dinner. Our menu will include Seafood Noble with rotini pasta, beef brisket (with rolls and condiments at a carving station), fried catfish, finger sandwiches, a centerpiece of fruit and vegetables, meatballs, fried chicken tenders, stuffed mushrooms, hot crab dip with mini pastry shells, hot spinach dip, seven layer dip with chip display, cold shrimp mold, pralines, pecan fudge, punch, fountain drinks, kegged beer, wine and champagne. We are currently trying to decide on a signature drink, so let me know if you have any suggestions! This menu will be supplemented by the wedding cake and a chocolate fountain with strawberries and fat pretzels. Below are pictures from a previous reception serviced by our caterers, with similar food choices, that was held at our reception site. Wedding Cake: We've already ordered our cake from a New Orleans pastry chef. His cakes are WONDERFUL!!! Luckily, his store was undamaged during Katrina. =) In keeping with the historical location for our reception, each of the fillings was chosen for the Victorian meaning of the ingredients (pineapple for hospitality, strawberry for perfect goodness, almond for goodness in old age together). We will use "Happiest Day" by Lladro as our cake topper (thanks Nonnie and Grandpa!!!). Pictured below is the cake design we are using, the silver cake plateau we purchased, and our cake topper. Flowers: Due to our date change to a winter wedding, the color of the bridesmaid dresses is now platinum. Many of the flowers I previously selected aren't available in January... and due to lost deposits, we're going with do-it-yourself table centerpieces and smaller arrangements and with A French Garden providing the larger arrangements and bouquets. Bride's Bouquet - For my bouquet, I will carry a cascading bouquet of white roses, along with leatherleaf fern, ivy, myrtle, waxflower, and bouquet jewels to coordinate with my bridesmaids' bouquets. I chose each of these for their Victorian meanings. I love the idea of telling a story with my bouquet!!! Here are the Victorian meanings for what I'm using: white roses - purity, unity, respect, beauty ivy - wedded love, fidelity leatherleaf fern - sincerity and confidence myrtle - marital bliss, passion, joy waxflower - riches Bridesmaids' Tussie Mussies - I'm going with Black Magic roses for the bridesmaids, highlighted with bouquet jewels and a collar of greenery. The bouquets will be placed in silver Tussie Mussies. I chose a sleeker, smooth finish Tussie Mussie rather than a more Victorian looking piece, to bridge the gap between this lovely historic custom and my maids' contemporary dresses. The silver Tussie Mussie stands will be placed on the fireplace mantles at the reception to hold the bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces. Below is a photo of a silk bouquet that my mom made as a pattern for the bridesmaids' bouquets (the red rose one). Also pictured are one of the bows mom made for the stair rails, one of the lighted topiaries we are using on the guest tables, and the silk version of my bride's bouquet. These were used to help with planning at the meeting with A French Garden, but we will carry live flowers for the wedding. Flower Girl's Pomander - As pictured, with a crystal handle instead of the red ribbon... and perhaps white roses rather than red Attire for the Wedding: Gown, Jewelry and Tiara - I've already ordered my bridal gown, but I decided not to post pictures until after the wedding. =) I've also purchased my jewelry and several tiaras. I can't decide how to wear my hair, so I haven't made a final choice on the headpiece. Here are pics of what I have so far, compared with the front detailing of my bridal gown. (Imagine the gown in all white, with silver thread and clear crystals.) The jewelry is all Austrian crystal in rhodium settings from the Givenchy bridal collection. Veil and Hair - I selected this shoulder length veil and blusher of very soft white tulle. I looked at elbow and fingertip length veils, but I think they would hide the detailing on my dress. I also didn't want the possibility of Jason having grief lifting a longer veil during the ceremony. I am still choosing a hairstyle, but I have pretty much settled on an up-do rather than half up/half down. The humidity in Louisiana kills curled hair, even in January. The hairstyle will determine if I wear my veil in the traditional way or tucked under my hair. Either way, this veil seems the perfect length to go with my gown. Bridesmaid Dresses - Obviously, this is your Dessy dress from Ballin's. I love these… I know you will all look beautiful in this style! =) Flower Girl Dress - My aunt has already ordered my cousin's dress from a bridal shop where she lives (Ohio). Fortunately, we were able to order it with a platinum-colored sash, to match the bridesmaids' dresses Registry