The Post
Eric and I nearly forgot to grab a newspaper this Sunday! His brother called to remind us that our very own wedding announcement was in the paper. I took a picture of it with my phone. The quality sucks but you get the point. Later, when I have more time, I'll scan the little snippet and post it. I think it came out nice and will be nice for my children.
We were reading the announcement in the paper while we drove to pick up a close friend. Eric was driving, I was reading. Just as the front of our car passed through the first white line of an intersection, during a VERY solid green light, a crazed man in a silver car ran a red light. He was driving probably 45 miles an hour (in other words
flying) through the intersection, missing us by maybe 5 to 7 feet. NEAR DEATH we were while I was reading allowed our wedding announcement.
I can't help but say that we could either be dead today, or in the hospital fighting for our lives. I am SO GLAD that my life and Eric's didn't end just 3 short months from our wedding day. Kiss your husbands tonight, extra good! You never know when they'll be creamed in a crazed man red light running accident.
Butt-flies!
The wedding planning is coming along. It's really too bad that you're only supposed to do this planning crap once in your life because it sure is fun! I don't think I could do it professionally. I am pretty sure that I could NOT plan a wedding that wasn't mine. If some chick wanted silk flower bouquets and caviar whore-durves -- I'd smack her!
I think it's especially interesting how Eric has his own expectations about our wedding. I mean, I figured he'd have a thing or two to say -- but he has had some puttin the foot down moments. For the most part he's staying out of my way -- but there are a few things he wanted that I could have done without. None of them are a big deal -- by any means. He wanted to: get married outside, have leaves on the trees, a sit-down dinner VS a buffet, a reception VS no reception, and of course the private (family only) wedding ceremony, but that part we both agreed on.
Deannie on the other hand also has her expectations. That is even more INTERESTING! Since ...well since I've met her..she's been talking about the Butterfly release that she and Dean did at thier wedding. Basically you get shipped a box full of half frozen butterflies, they thaw out, and you and your guests release them in to the wild! Personally, I think it's a very special idea. It may be a tad too tree-hugger for Eric and I -- but who could hate butt-flies? Of course when Deannie came to me, begging me to release butt-flies at my wedding, I couldn't turn her down. Thanks to Deannie we're releasing startled frozen butt-flies in to wild on our wedding day. There is a little story that is read before everyone flings thier frightened buttfly from it's pretty paper envelope:
If anyone desires a wish to come true, they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since they make no sound, they can't tell the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit. So by making the wish and releasing the butterfly, it will be taken to the heavens and be granted. Today, Deannie has chosen for this couple to keep this tradition by performing this unique form of Indian celebration. Please come and join them in their wish!
Contract-schmontract
So we signed the contract today. That means that we are 4-rizzle getting married in August! Oh my! Not that I'm having cold feet, because I'm not, but there ain't no thinking time now! It's menu, dress, fitting, location, music, vow -- NOW!!! So many things!!!
Good news? The Bridesmaids dresses are ALL SAID AND DONE! All three girls got their dress orders in tonight. The bridal salon thought there was a so-so chance that we'd be able to get them in by the wedding date -- but if not -- Mr. Eric ("I have to have leaves on the trees") is going to be paying for the rush service. Oh yes.
The wedding estimate came back today. No too bad! Now all I need are DJ, Flowers (4 bouquets and 4 Buccaneers), and invitations. Oh and some ceremony music. Unless the bridal party can humm...."Here comes the sweaty bride"...which might work.
Dad's doing the photography. CHEAP! =)
Pick up a Washington Post this weekend!!! The final should be in the paper on Sunday!! I've decided, against my earlier e-mail, that I'm not posting the pictures of our engagement. You'll have to go buy a paper -- OR wait until a day or two after. That will A) make the $$ we're paying to post it worth while and B) give me time to shrink all the pictures to put them on line.
Loves.
So the final date
As you know our original wedding date was November 11th. Eric decided that he wants to get married with leaves on the trees. November 11th is not a leaf friendly time of the year around here. Since we have other friends getting married in September and October -- the only date left was August 26! Yes, I'm planning a wedding in 3 months. So that means that my bridesmaids dresses are to be in no later then this WEDNESDAY! Liz has already got hers ready to go - THANK GOD!
I'm hoping to get done with our wedding website and whatnot but the end of the week so we can let people know the scoop. Our engagement should be in the Washington Post this Sunday.
This weekend our parents met. We had a kick-ass dinner party for them at our house. Eric made his famous ribs and I did the sides. The party was a hit! The parents get a long and I think everyone feels comfortable about spending the rest of their lives together.
During the dinner party we had Dad take pictures for our Washington Post announcement. I accidentally left them at home -- but I'll post those tonight. We already picked our favorite -- but your opinions are always welcome!
CRAZY AROUND HERE!
THANKS TO DEANNIE'S MOM!!!
I have these pictures to share. We took some photos of the wedding dress last week. I initially had a bruise on my arm and a dressing room behind me -- but thanks to Deannie's Mom -- I now look like a lovely bride. Ok a lovely bride that probably could use a shower and a fresh hairdo -- but you get the point.
What's the word, bird.
Sorry -- long time no write. I had a wonderful weekend away with Eric. We drove to Staunton, VA to stay in the Bed & Breakfast that we are getting married in. I found it on-line but I couldn't just GO GET MARRIED THERE without checking out the digs, right? So we made an overnight reservation, pulled the directions from Yahoo, and off we went to a hopeful weekend of romance and wedding planning.
The B&B is on a lovely street in a very historic Virginia town. The main house, or the "Manor House", is a 6 bedroom mansion loaded with lots of lovely antique treasures. There are two more recently built buildings on the property -- but they are achitecturally built to resemble late 1880s homes, on the inside. The grounds are complete with a coy pond, lush flower gardens, and two adorable sibling boxers who roam and wrestle throughout.
After peeking at each and ever room, taking a downtown historic tour (self-guided), and dining at the Inn's "fine" dining restaurant -- we were
hooked and fully confident that this was the place for us to be wed. Just after dinner we met with Dawn, the Inn manager and part owner, to go over the details.
November 11th it is! Or it
was! More in a tad!
Dresses dresses dresses
The date of the wedding is November 11th, 2006 unless the wedding location of our dreams can't take us that weekend. So being only a mere 6 months away -- I'm planning NOW. Lucky for me I have a dress already. Long story but I bought it a long time ago, very on sale, with the intent of marrying Eric some day. YES he knew about the purchase -- so it's not all that creepy.
Tonight me and the girls (2 local brides maids and one
Jimmy Neutron masquerading as a Lizzy.) are goign to the bridal salon so I can retry on my dress and also brainstorm on bridesmaids dresses. I'm not sure on the colors of the wedding yet. It's definitely going to be an earth tone -- being that the wedding is in the fall. I'll have to base some of the color choice on the dress company we go with. Not every dress company has the exact same colors. We're shooting for 3 brides maids in 3 different style dresses all of the same color. This way everyone can wear something that is fitting to their body style and preference. Wish us luck!
Friday, Eric and I drive down to a Bed & Breakfast in central Virginia to check out a possible wedding spot. We're hoping to have our wedding at a Virginia Bed & Breakfast where all our wedding needs will be bundled and our family members lodged close by. The wedding itself is going to be immediate family only (parents, brothers, and sisters) and then a reception/party following for our close friends and family. We're trying to keep it small and manageable since getting married these days costs more then one years tuition at Harvard. Hell no. I don't like
anyone that much that it makes me want to pay 80 gazillion dollars for them to eat/drink/dance to the loss of my possible down payment on a house. Sorry. Call me bitchy but
it is what
it is.
Next on the list -- the engagement announcement in the Washington Post. We have to find a ultra-cute picture of us first. We're hoping to take one this weekend at the romance spot.
Fun fun!
Eric's Saturday night gig
On Saturday we went to Eric's gig. He played at Remington's in Maryland again and the show was a hit. He got to use his new super-duper-rad guitar. Check out the pics.
Bridesmaids
Say hello to my 3 beautiful bridesmaids (no special order). Drum roll please....
Deannie! Deannie and I met years ago through friends of friends. We lost touch for a while during some strange times and reconnected a little over three years ago when I was single and going through a change in my life. She has been a blessing in my life since then. She is not only a friend but a big sister too. Deannie is a pillar of strength to me and a wonderful role model. She's kind, caring, emotional, fun, honest, and a great cook too. Her laugh can make an entire room glow. She is my best friend & I love her.
Lizzy! Elizabeth and I have been friends for most of 13 years. There were a few "breaks" in there where we had a difference in opinion. That is the result of two 17 year girls being brutally honest with each other - or in other words -- being "best friends forever." Now, at almost 30 years old, we still talk all the time, remain brutally honest with each other, visit regularly (Liz lives in Texas) and make fun of each other -- like old times. We're defiantly opposites in a lot of way but we still love each other. I guess in that way we're almost more like sisters. Elizabeth knows my biggest secrets. She is my vault. She has known me since before I had my first boyfriend and it's so great to have her there to watch me marry my very last boyfriend!
Holly! Holly...Holly...Holly! I met Holly in a strip club on my 23rd birthday; which, is not only really fun to say but is also one of the best things that ever happened to me. Holly was invited to my 23rd birthday bash at the local strip club by a mutual friend and she and I have been in love ever since. Holly is the smartest person I've ever met in my life. She is calm, honest, sensitive, non-judgmental, a math wiz, a wonderful mother, and my best friend. We have been through so much in the last 5 years. SO MUCH. Holly has been the lucky/unlucky friend with front row seats during my ups and downs. She's put up with everything from 4am calls about bad boyfriends to recent 6pm diamond ring freak outs! For that reason she is my maid of honor (really..it's "matron of honor", since she's married, but she thinks that's granny....so I'll wait to use that in the published wedding program).
I love love love love all these girls in a special way and I'm SO THRILLED to have them stand behind me in my wedding!!!
I got a ring and um...
Eric got a new guitar.....Ladies and Gentlemen...here is the lamborghini of all guitars (in Eric's guitar dreams anyway...) THE G&L TELECASTER...that he's been
waaaaaiiiiitttttiiiiiing FIVE MONTHS TO ARRIVE. (
Special ordered...to fit his needs...)
Um...no...
I'm busy studying for my History final so I don't have much time for freedom of expression, but I wanted to show you what I will
NOT be wearing to the ceremony of my nups.
Ok but this one I might wear....she kinda looks like me anyway...at least a me that's had too much wine!
Possible Brides Maids Dresses
So I've been giving a lot of thought to our upcoming wedding. I still have not settled on a color scheme yet. There are so many endless possibilities of brides maids dress styles and ideas. I'm still fancying the little bo peep look. But here are some other choices as well.
