Today marks 10 months from our wedding day. It seems like we have so much time until then - but it will go quickly! We are starting a new school year (we're both teachers) - and that year will be over before we get married!
We've been working on getting a few more major items checked off our To Do List. We just chose our florist. I met with a few local vendors and ended up choosing Morrison's Flowers and Gifts because Arlene seemed to listen to me and be on the same page as me. She also went out of her way to make some mock up designs and show me my options. I had a definite budget that I wanted to stay around and I wanted the flowers to be pretty uniform throughout. A few vendors said they "got" what I was asking for - but then described adding more and more to the pieces. Of course, I understand that they are trying to make money as a business, but I felt they also needed to keep with what I was asking for. I am really excited with what I have chosen so far. Of course, I have time to make changes, but I am loving the overall vision we (ok, I ) have developed for the flowers.
Coming up - continuing to think about the reception theme and me accepting that maybe I can't get everything 100% how I am envisioning. Turns out I have pretty expensive taste! Also, there are many details that aren't noticed as much. Spending a lot of money on things that are left behind and thrown away (such as place cards) seems more and more wasteful. We'll see what comes of all the thoughts, pintrest sessions, and worrying!
On a funny side note, James said he is happy that school is starting up again so I have something else to think/worry/talk about other than the wedding. I guess I tend to become fixated on things!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Friendships and Choices
I've been thinking some about all of the people involved in our wedding - and also about those who may not be as involved as we'd like. James and I have a relatively long engagement - about 18 months. This is presenting interesting dilemmas. We were engaged in January and waited until late February to ask people to be a part of our bridal party. It was a difficult thing, choosing from our friends and family to put together our bridal party. Some people are a given - my twin sister, for one - but then you get into choosing friends, some of which have been in our lives for years while others are more recent friends but have gotten close very quickly. How do you include them all? And how do you go about choosing without offending people? We made our decisions and are happy about them, let me say that first, but as time has gone on I've gotten closer to other friends, too. Choosing again now, I may make different decisions to be able to include them. Obviously I can't do that now, but, because I can't help myself, I wonder what I'll think in another 6 months, and then another. (I know, what a problem...having too many people to choose from to be a part of our wedding and having so many people want to be so involved! We are truly lucky.)
The whole issue has me thinking of friendships in general. It's interesting to reflect on the people in my life - those who have been there for me for years and those who I've just met and started to spend time with. There are people who were such major parts of my life over the years but for whatever reason we've lost touch. (Some of these people I always imagined in my bridal party, but they're not...) Others have become such a solid presence, I can't believe I've known them for only a few months. None are more important than others, but friendships are different and serve different purposes. I'm grateful for all of the wonderful, loving, inspiring people who have blessed my life, and who continue to do so. If you are reading this and it makes you think of an old friend you haven't spoken to in awhile, call them - they'd love it!
The whole issue has me thinking of friendships in general. It's interesting to reflect on the people in my life - those who have been there for me for years and those who I've just met and started to spend time with. There are people who were such major parts of my life over the years but for whatever reason we've lost touch. (Some of these people I always imagined in my bridal party, but they're not...) Others have become such a solid presence, I can't believe I've known them for only a few months. None are more important than others, but friendships are different and serve different purposes. I'm grateful for all of the wonderful, loving, inspiring people who have blessed my life, and who continue to do so. If you are reading this and it makes you think of an old friend you haven't spoken to in awhile, call them - they'd love it!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
I Said YES To The Dress!
After going to a number of stores and trying on over 40 dresses, I bought my wedding dress today! I had a handful of favorites that I've been thinking about and looking at pictures of since I tried on dresses with my family in July. Those days were interesting - a lot of the dresses were gorgeous and were possibilities. Some I put on and knew they weren't for me. Mostly, I had to decide what I wanted to look and feel like on our wedding day. I had narrowed it down to two, but really had one that kept popping into my mind. The dresses were very different from one another - in fit and style. One was a bit more of a traditional dress, the other not as much. Again, I really had to decide how I envisioned myself looking on our wedding day. I wanted to try on the dresses again and see what I thought. Well, I did and I decided - it was actually easy. I put on what will be my dress and just smiled. I love it. What does it look like, you ask...you'll have to wait and see! My dress is one of the things that I want people to see on the day of our wedding. I want to see people's initial reactions and feel beautiful and special. :-) Now to wait for 6 months for the dress to be made and shipped here...that is enough time to find jewelry and shoes, right?!
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Planning is slow right now...
I realized the other night that I haven't updated you all about wedding planning in awhile - that's because there hasn't been that much going on! We are a little less than 11 months away from our big day. Here are a few of the things I've been working on:
(1) I finalized our wedding hotel block - our guests will be staying at the fabulous Hospitality House in Williamsburg. The hotels is literally right across the street from the chapel we'll be married in and where we're having our rehearsal dinner. It is also very close to Colonial Williamsburg and The College of William and Mary, which has a beautiful campus. The city trolley stops right outside to provide easy and affordable transportation to other areas of Williamsburg. Oh, and they offered us a great group rate - under $100 for standard rooms!
(2) I am still working on my dress. I have been thinking about the ones I've tried on and mentally comparing them. Thankfully, the stores allowed us to take photos, so I've pulled up various montages to compare what they looked like and what I want to look like on our wedding day. I have narrowed my options to two, and really I think I have 95% decided on one dress. I have an appointment to try on one of the dresses again. After that, I hope to have a clearer vision and make a decision!
(3) Pre-cana, or pre-marriage preparation, planning. I contacted the priest who will be marrying us and he outlined the church's requirements for pre-marriage counseling and workshops. We meet with him at least three times, attend a weekend pre-marriage course, and meet with a couple from the church to complete the FOCCUS Inventory and review the results. I have to say, I am excited to start this aspect. It will be nice to focus on our relationship and really look at areas that may work well and that may be sticking points for us in our relationship. We have talked about a lot of our ideas and dreams - finances, parenting, etc - but having an organized and outside perspective will be nice! I am hopeful that the time spent preparing for our marriage will serve us well as we move through our years together.
That's about it! Of course, I have been thinking about centerpieces and flowers and such, but no planning or meetings yet. I am attending a bridal show today, so maybe I'll come back with a few ideas and a few prizes won! I'll let you know!
In other news - congratulations to one of the most fabulous couples I know - Emily Gerdelman and Matt Radjaneck - on their engagement and to my new friends Elizabeth Cavallari and Austin Ziltz on their wedding yesterday!
(1) I finalized our wedding hotel block - our guests will be staying at the fabulous Hospitality House in Williamsburg. The hotels is literally right across the street from the chapel we'll be married in and where we're having our rehearsal dinner. It is also very close to Colonial Williamsburg and The College of William and Mary, which has a beautiful campus. The city trolley stops right outside to provide easy and affordable transportation to other areas of Williamsburg. Oh, and they offered us a great group rate - under $100 for standard rooms!
(2) I am still working on my dress. I have been thinking about the ones I've tried on and mentally comparing them. Thankfully, the stores allowed us to take photos, so I've pulled up various montages to compare what they looked like and what I want to look like on our wedding day. I have narrowed my options to two, and really I think I have 95% decided on one dress. I have an appointment to try on one of the dresses again. After that, I hope to have a clearer vision and make a decision!
(3) Pre-cana, or pre-marriage preparation, planning. I contacted the priest who will be marrying us and he outlined the church's requirements for pre-marriage counseling and workshops. We meet with him at least three times, attend a weekend pre-marriage course, and meet with a couple from the church to complete the FOCCUS Inventory and review the results. I have to say, I am excited to start this aspect. It will be nice to focus on our relationship and really look at areas that may work well and that may be sticking points for us in our relationship. We have talked about a lot of our ideas and dreams - finances, parenting, etc - but having an organized and outside perspective will be nice! I am hopeful that the time spent preparing for our marriage will serve us well as we move through our years together.
That's about it! Of course, I have been thinking about centerpieces and flowers and such, but no planning or meetings yet. I am attending a bridal show today, so maybe I'll come back with a few ideas and a few prizes won! I'll let you know!
In other news - congratulations to one of the most fabulous couples I know - Emily Gerdelman and Matt Radjaneck - on their engagement and to my new friends Elizabeth Cavallari and Austin Ziltz on their wedding yesterday!
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