A Month of Marriage

Yes, today's date of July 25th, 2011 signifies the fact that it has been exactly one month since I became a married woman.  It's true ... as many of those who were in attendance could confirm ... I walked down the garden path with my dad at my side, exchanged (some pretty special) vows with Mr. BB, ran through a blur of confetti, and danced the night away before departing on a boat that marked the beginning of our life as husband & wife.  Of course, there are quite a few details from our wedding celebration that I missed - but to sum it up, it was amazing, unforgettable, and exactly what I had hoped for.  And a little bit more.

We are patiently yet anxiously awaiting both our professional photos & videos from our day ... and I completely plan to share the results when they arrive.  In the meantime, I thought it was only fitting to revisit my former close companion, The Burgundy Bride, precisely one month after my wedding day.  And while I couldn't even attempt to recount the entire day, just as I did prior to the festivities, I have every intention of remembering the many details myself by sharing them on my beloved blog.

So first things first, and for obvious reasons ...

Just as many other brides and grooms do, Mr. BB & I decided to exchange gifts on our wedding day ... or possibly that was my idea?  Regardless, as usual, he did not disapoint.  And furthermore, I guess he had been aware of this blog I had been visiting for a over a year, because our brother/best man delivered a book that I will always cherish approximately two hours before I walked down the aisle.  My husband-to-be had printed my ENTIRE blog ... each letter, word, & sentence ... and bound it into a book with a cover that he personally made himself.  It was pretty remarkable, to say the least.

Over & Out ...

As my mother told me yesterday, you know the big day is getting close when the flowers have arrived.  And they have ... along with the tables, chairs, dance floor, confetti cones, completed programs, favors, esc. -

 and currently, the employees from Distinctive Rentals are setting up the tent that will cover my Great Aunt's backyard.

So yes, we are close.  Really close.  So close that today's post will be my last before I am officially a married woman and my June garden, backyard wedding is a memory rather than an upcoming event to plan.  While I previously had planned, (my Type A personality is always planning), to blog through the day of the rehearsal ... I have since realized that this week will be a whirlwind of completing last minute to-do's, welcoming out-of-town guests, and obviously, setting up the vast amount of decor we have been planning for what now feels like forever.  Therefore, I must succomb to the fact that while I may want to, I will be forced to stay away from my Pink Dell laptop until I am Mrs. BB  ...

When I first began writing these posts approximately a year ago, it was in an effort to be a part of http://www.weddingbee.com/ ... one of the many wedding blogs that I frequent for creative wedding thoughts & ideas.  Well, that never happened.  But as I look back, the opportunity to reflect on this unique journey through writing about my daily experiences has been so valuable to me.  And even if no one besides my mom did read it (other than Mr. BB, when I directly asked him to!) ... I am thankful that "the burgundy bride" came to be.  Furthermore, while I realize that I will no longer be a bride past Saturday (yet an official married woman!) ... I plan to continue to visit this site.  Because the truth is,

I always have something to say. 

And of course, I will have to recap that June garden, backyard weddind that I was just speaking of. 

Until then ...

Passports, "Packing", & Pocket Schedules: Check.

Among other things ... of course.  Yes, we have now officially entered the single digit countdown to our June 25th wedding date, and more specifically, we are only five days away.

We feel like we have been in our own bridal boot camp for the past few weeks ... and by that, I am referring to the fact that we have been doing little else but tending to each & every detail for the big day.  So since the last time I updated my blog, a lot of loose ends have been tied up (literally & figuratively).

Some highlights include ... my FI finally receiving his passport (and thus eliminating all of my family members & friends who were lining up to join me on the sand in the Bahamas); successfully packing myself for the night before my wedding, the day & night of the wedding, and of course, that Bahamas trip I just spoke of; and lastly, typing, formatting, printing, folding, & tying the "pocket schedules" that our wedding party will recieve tonight at our official boot camp (more information to come).

Information Includes ... Times/Days of Events, Important Phone Numbers, Addresses ...

My Dad & Grad ...

Even if it was't less than 10 days before my wedding, this would still be a really, really thrilling time for me (as it is every other year).  As my fellow teachers know, the initial days of summer bring a sense of excitement that only we can understand.  Thoughts of long, relaxing days at the beach with no responsibility dance in our heads ... while the assurance of a paycheck every other two weeks still remains. 

There really isn't anything better.

Another constant that arrives each June?  The weekend in which we celebrate both our "Dads" & "Grads."  Both are celebrations that would be impossible to forget, since Target, Hallmark, and Macy's have been feverishly advertising them both since the beginning of May.  And personally, I plan to relish the opportunity to show some special people in my life how much I appreciate them.

Anyone who knows me is aware of how much I respect my dad, and furthermore, those who have met him understand exactly why.  I am fairly sure that I have expressed my thoughts on this subject on a previous post - but my father is seriously the best dad in the world.  He has always been there for me whenever I have needed him (which tends to be a lot ... still ... ) and I am beyond fortunate to have him. 

Secondly, although I look forward to graduation each year (and I have already explained why), this year will be extra special.  My youngest brother, Aaron, will be graduating from high school tomorrow evening - and if my family has anything to do with it, and we will - he will have the biggest cheer at the ceremony.  I am so proud of him & what he has accomplished, and again, those who have met him understand how incredible he really is.

Congratulations to my dad & my grad ... this weekend is all about you. 

Bags, Bags, Billions of Bags ...

Seriously, where does the time go?  Mr. BB & I talk about it often - how as you get older ... minutes, hours, days, even years ... seem to go by faster & faster.  Are we the only two who remember when we were younger and an hour used to feel like FOREVER?  You know, when your mom told you that you had to wait an hour until you could go play with your friends and it sincerely felt like a lifetime before it would ever end ...

So my point is that the last 18 months have officially gone by so incredibly fast that they feel like a blur, and the fact that my wedding is now exactly 10 days away is pretty unbelievable (and incredible all at the same time).  And what are we spending these last few days doing?!  LOTS - in fact, we all (my mom, fiance, dad, brothers, sister, future brother-in-law, esc.) have a list of to-do's before the big day can become a reality. 

My main job has been getting the billions of bags together for the many people who are involved in this upcoming celebration.  That includes:  kids bags, bridal survival kit bags, "friend-or" bags (those people who have helped us from the goodness of their dear, dear hearts), vendor bags, and OOT bags (out-of-town bags).  My house, which was already "packed to the brim" with materials needed for a week from Saturday, is now completely overflowing with bags, bags, and more bags.  And I must admit that both my future husband & myself are very much looking forward to handing them out (thus, clearing out our home) in the days to come.

"Lunch"ing with the Ladies

I am constantly thankful that I was not the first of my girlfriends to get married, as prior to going through the process with two of my best friends recently, I certainly was not aware of many of the bridal traditions & customs that exist.  It is seriously hard to keep up will all of them, although I would now consider myself officially an expert on the subject.  One of them was definitely the bridal luncheon.  Sure, I had heard of a bridal shower and as a girl who loves a celebration of any sort, I have thoroughly enjoyed the ones I have attended.    And obviously, the bachelorette party was an event that I (sometimes) looked forward to even more than the wedding.  But the bridal luncheon was something I was unsure of ...

You know you are getting older when you look forward to giving gifts more than recieving them.  (You remember Christmas as a young child, when you tear open your gifts so quickly you aren't even sure of what Santa actually brought you ... and then feel slightly depressed after you realize there aren't any more presents labeled with your name.)  Needless to say, I have been thinking about the perfect gifts for my special ladies for over 18 months now.  In fact, I actually began on them last summer ... when on a few of my days off, I hand-painted vases in colors that reminded me of each of my girls. 

So over the weekend, I was positively thrilled to be able to thank the extraordinary woman in my life who have made this wedding process so unforgettable for me.  (And , of course, had my mom to help me in this pursuit, even though she is definitely the one who deserved the biggest thank you).  Together, we hosted a luncheon at Rockafellar's Restaurant, in which we were able to celebrate over yummy food, cocktails, a fantastic view, and of course, gifts for the girls.

  

Thank you, again, to my ladies for all you have done, and all I know that we have to look forward to.  And of course, to my mom, who we all know that I couldn't have done (any of this) without.

Licensed To Wed.

Well, another weekend has passed and we are now that much closer to our "big day" ... a day we have been planning & anticipating for well over a year now.  Although I must fully admit that I don't know that the reality of it has struck me yet, either that or I am just that anxious for it to be here. 

And I know my FI, mother, grandmother and various other family members & friends would express their "readiness" for June 25th as well.

So it's a good thing that we have now made it official by getting "licensed to wed" - Mr. BB & I visited the courthouse to obtain the all-important marriage license on Friday!  As with most other events thus far in my life, I was a tad tardy to meet my husband-to-be, who was starting to think he had a runaway bride on his hands.  (He should have known, since he knows me, that I had walked into three different buildings before finding the correct one, in which I ran into another issue since my camera wasn't allowed in the building.)  Nevertheless, I made it right before their 4:30 closing time, and after handing over our applications and raising our right hands to solemnly swear that all of our information was correct - we had another check off of our wedding to-do list.  As VA law states, the certificate is valid for 30 days, and now all that remains is the signature from our officiant (and a fabulous celebration).  And I must mention that the manilla envelope that holds our marriage certificate even even has a sparkly heart sticker on the outside.  Such a sweet touch.

As I stated, cameras were not allowed in the building, but I did manage to get a few on the way out ...

LOVEMYJOB

I am not one of those people who has a "personalized" license plate, but I do often find myself analyzing them to figure out their true meaning.  And as my FI knows, there is one particular license plate (placed on a car that belongs to an individual who lives in our neighborhood), that always seems to catch my eye.  It reads "LOVEMYJOB," and everytime I see it, I wonder what career its owner is in.  I mean,  who really likes their job that much?  The point of a job is to get paid, and then, in my case, spend it at Forever 21 ... although, as a wife, I truly plan to be better at that.  But to my point, even after listening to all of the guest speakers in my classroom each year say "Love your job & you will never work a day in your life" ... is that really true?  Does anyone really love their job so much that they would do it for free?

So, as the school year draws to a close and my desire for summer days "Ms. Wright-free" grows stronger ... my thoughts have been on my own career.  And while I fully admit that I wouldn't do it for free, I have been thinking about how fortunate I really am.  The excitement that my students have for my wedding is evident, and when I really think about it, it makes me giddy.  They ask questions about it daily, continue to assist in DIY projects even though they are completely exhausted, and express their anticipation for the day often.  Furthermore, on the last official Friday of the school year (tomorrow) ... those students who will be "working" the wedding are staying after school to discuss last-minute details ... while most of their friends will be at the beach or the mall celebrating their upcoming freedom.

Yes, I would have to say that I love my job.  I am really anxious for the amount of time I will have back after the wedding to devote to improving my daily plans for the students who have devoted so much time to me.  And lastly, I may even forgive them for telling me that my new last name sounds like an old lady in class today.  Maybe. 

Crazy for A Canvas

Obviously, with nuptials less than 3 weeks away, all of our invitations have now officially been mailed & we finally have the list of guests that celebrate with us on our wedding day. 

 (On a side note: our "head count" of 150 somehow grew to 188 plus 15 kids ... but we have "made it work" ... the more, the merrier, right?!!)

So now that our "babies" have been released & retrieved, it's time to reveal my personal favorite part of our wedding invites.  As previously posted, thanks to many extraordinary & hard-working people, there were quite a few elements to the final product.  But, without a doubt, my heart belongs to the hand-painted picture that my good (no, great!) friend/bridesmaid Niki created.  The picture is of my FI & I in the backyard of our Tall Trees estate in which we will be married.  Needless to say - it is certainly special to us both and we feel lucky to have had it as the first element of the invites that our guests were able to see. 

What made me feel even more fortunate?  When Niki gifted me with the actual original canvas ... a gift that I immediately placed in our home and (obviously) plan to always keep.

Thank you, Niki, for creating something beautiful, unique, and personal to our day.  I love that this is a part of the wedding that will last a lifetime.

Passport is Packed. I'm Prepared.

But unfortunately, that only makes one of us.  In less than 3 weeks, the plan is for my new husband & I to embark on our honeymoon in Freeport, Bahamas.  And after 18 months of planning, the vacation is one that is sure to be completely necassary & well-deserved.  I have seriously been having dreams of us sitting on the beach, sipping cocktails with pretty umbrellas strategically placed in them, for weeks now. 

But those idealic thoughts may have to be placed on hold for just a minute ...  

Mr. BB & I went to apply for our passports approximately a month ago, and (especially) after attempting to joke with the lady who was assisting us with the matter, realized how serious this process was.  But with a lot on both of our minds with an upcoming wedding to plan, we both didn't devote much thought to the need for a passport after applying for them that day.  That was until last week, when I casually went by our mailbox after school to find ...

A FedEx Envelope ... Containing My Passport, Complete with the Official Book that Surrounds It.



And then immediatly placed it in my bag that holds many of the other items that will come with me on my honeymoon.



  So yes, it was an exciting moment that made our impending "escape" more of a reality.  That was until I noticed that my FI didn't have a beautiful FedEx envelope like mine, but instead a rather small, lightweight letter placed to him from the same return address my big envelope had.  And I immediatly thought back to high school, when you were applying to colleges, and you knew that the heavy letters meant good news and the lightweight ones were just the opposite.

It wasn't good news.  Mr. BB had been denied - that is until he submits a birth certificate with the correct embossed seal from the state.  So since then, we have submitted (in fact, overnighted) the correct record of his birth.  Now, we are just waiting for his FedEx envelope to arrive.

In the meantime, anyone up for a trip to the Bahamas?  Keep in mind - You have to have a passport.

Last Wedding Before the Wedding ...

It certainly feels like there are a lot of "lasts" lately ... especially since I just got through encouraging my students to make it through the week by reminding them that it is their last full week of the school year.  Other "lasts"?  This is the last year that my students will call me by my current last name,  Friday night marked our major last meeting before the big day, and over the weekend, Mr. BB & I attended the last wedding we will before our own.

So after that rather overwhelming meeting (in which we had a discuss that infamous rain plan that we have been trying not to think about for so long!) ... my FI & I were able to enjoy someone else's special day for an evening.  It truly was a beautiful event, and one that made me that much more anxious for our own.  My favorite parts of the wedding?  When the bride & groom were announced for the first time - as I couldn't help but think that I will myself will be a Mrs. in less than a month.  And of course, much like any other wedding I have ever attended, I was a sap for the father/daughter dance. 

Here we are at the last wedding before our own ...

With my husband-to-be!

Notice the stunning backdrop ... love those backyard weddings! :)

So yes, they had the ideal weather for such a special occasion.  And after the "Plan B" meeting I previously mentioned we had the night before, I was a tad bit envious of their chosen day.  Cross your fingers with me (and even your toes) that we will be just as lucky.  And of course, congratulations to the newlyweds! 

Locked & Loaded ...

When planning an event for what is now 190 people (plus 18 kids) ... there is bound to be a lot of "stuff."  And by "stuff," I am referring to plates, signs, cupcake toppers, mason jars, favors, ties, straws, shoes, flags .....

The list could seriously go on, and on, and then on.  Over the last 18 months, with my mom and I at the helm, we have aqcuired quite a bit.  And until this past weekend, it was spread over three houses in random boxes and corners of various rooms.

Well, my mother deserves more than a simple thank you for this one ... as I find myself saying quite often lately.  As my FI & I partied the night away for our bachelor/bachelorette weekends, she spent the 3-day holiday weekend organizing all of that "stuff" that our backyard wedding will require.   And as a result, we are truly locked & loaded for the big day.  Of course I don't want to get too carried away ... there are quite a few loose ends that need to be tied up before our guests arrive ... but we are certainly more ready than we were before.   Here is what our wedding room looks like now:

Impressive, right?!  Thanks mom. :)

Flowers from the FI

Yes, the pretty flowers above are currently sitting on my kitchen table ... and yes, they were put there after I brought them home from school.  And how did they get to school?  My future husband sent them to me last Friday to wish me an enjoyable bachelorette weekend.  It's true.

I realize that to many, flowers are a normal occurence.  But I have always told Mr. BB not to spend his money on them ... because I have an issue paying money for an item that will eventually die.  I really never understood the importance of it all.

However, at a point in which I was beyond highly stressed over a wedding less than a month away & (I admit it!) a little frazzled over all I had to do  ... they made me quite blissful.  Ecstatic even.  And, they were just what I needed to rmark the beginning of my "last fling before the ring" with my closest girlfriends.

As I posted yesterday, the weekend was just what I needed to "relax, rest, & rejuvenate" for the final plans that are to take place in the next 3 weeks.  It's crunch time; but certainly a cheerful time.  There are a lot of final touches that need to be made ...  and if I start to feel a little tense or anxious over it all, I plan to look at those pretty flowers from my FI to feel better.

 

Our WILD Weekend ...

And it certainly was a wild one.  In fact, wild is probably an understatement.  With my MOH/little sister in charge, and 7 of my beautiful bridesmaids (plus one), in tow ... we headed for Charlotte to celebrate my "last fling before the ring."  The weekend was full of memories & the perfect way to celebrate with my favorite ladies.  It was such a lovely celebration ... that we decided we should have a girls weekend at least once a year for, well, forever.  Why not, right?!

Mr. BB's bags next to mine ... his weekend was jam-packed with 4-wheeling, tents, and beer. 
A little different from mine, to say the least.

Cars were decorated ... imagine the looks we got on the way.  And the way home.

Perfect movie for the weekend.  And, by the way, it was absolutely hilarious.

At dinner in our "animal-print" themed outfits.

After dinner, ready to celebrate!

Reunited!  And a little bit struggling ...

Thank you is not enough for my ladies who truly created the perfect weekend.  It was a much needed stress-reliever, and made me that much more excited for the big day.  And while I thouroughly enjoyed every minute of it, I couldn't have been happier to see my soon-to-be husband's face when I pulled in the driveway.  We are that much closer to what we have been working so hard for ... and I think we are now both more ready than ever.

Rain, Rain, Go Away ...

But seriously, don't come back on June 25th.  Please - I know it's good luck - but I really do think that was made up to make those brides feel better about their rainy "once in a lifetime" day.  So while we keep putting it off (if you don't think about it, it's not a reality, right?!) ... both my mom & I are well aware that we need to have a rain plan in place for our June "backyard" wedding.  And if you live in Hampton Roads like me, weather is on the brain due to the rather large storm that caused flying trash cans, school closings, and (worst of all) power outages this week. 

(For the record - I really, really had a difficult time dealing with the lack of a microwave the other night - I seriously thought about asking my FI to put my Smart Ones on the grill.)

But in better news ... this weekend, I, along with 7 of my wild bridesmaids, will get to leave the crazy weather behind for my bachelorette weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.  And yes, there is a theme, and it is Ashley's Wild Bachelorette Weekend ... complete with a leopard print invitation, animal print "goodie" bags for the girls, & animal print attire for all.  Here is a reminder of the shoes that will adorn my own toes:

And as I stated before, how can you not have a good time in those?!

Stay tuned for pictures from what is sure to be a memorable weekend ... in the meantime, we will be getting wild in Charlotte.

ONE MONTH ...

Yes, it's true.  There is exactly one month until the day that I will officially become Mr. BB's wife.  And I am really ready.  Of course, we have some (and then some) loose-ends to tie up ... and therefore need every minute of the 30 days ahead ... but when it comes to being mentally prepared, I am 100% there.  So, now that I am about to be a wife, (which, by the way, I still don't believe I am old enough to be called!), what am I most excited for? ...

1.  My new last name.  Ever since my fiance and I first started dating (I mean "going out") in high school, I have really loved his last name.  As embarrassing as it is, I still remember coloring it in the sides of my notebook paper in study block.  And now that I am older and it actually is a reality ... I am even more anxious to have a last name that has two syllables (harder for my students to shout out throughout each day) & is closer to the beginning of the alphabet.  Not that, dad, I am not a fan of the last name that has taken through the first 27 years of my life.

2.  The extra amout of time we are about to have.  Eighteen months of planning is a long time, to say the least.  And while we have certainly enjoyed it, and the many highlights & memorable moments we have had along the way  ... I don't think anyone would argue that the additional time we are about to have back will be a much-needed relief.  And when I say anyone, I am referring to the many members of our family & friends who have dedicated so much of their busy lives to our special day.  We look forward to spending some time relaxing with you all.

3.  Just Being MARRIED.  Even though I don't technically know it yet, I am assuming that there is something very comforting about being married.  And I really am so excited.  Mr. BB & I have obviously been together, and even living together (Sorry, Momma) ... for a really long time now, but I know that the day when I will actually be able to call him my husband will be extra special.  And something that will last a lifetime.  That is something I am beyond ready for ... and I never needed 18 months to be there.

Practice Makes Perfect?

Yes, it is what you think it is.  That is my rather proud father walking me down the garden path that we will actually be walking down in approximately one month.  Crazy, right?!!  I must admit that the moment (even though it was far from the real thing ... due to the lack of a dress, veil, music, guests, esc. ) was still kind of incredible.  And really made this feel beyond real - something that seems to be happening a lot lately.  And furthermore, that's a good thing - since it is.

Over the weekend, we met with our parents & wedding officiant at our "backyard garden party" wedding site.  While there, we did an actual "run-through" of the wedding ceremony that had been months in the making, and I'm happy to report that it seemed to go as planned.  In fact, there were parts that made me a bit teary-eyed ... although I admit that isn't very hard to do.  See below for the actual steps in which we will say "I DO" ...



.... Really soon.  Hard to believe, but very exciting. :)

I Love Being a Girl ...

Other than the fact that we are officially at 33 days until THE DAY ... excitement is in the air after a weekend of fun-filled events.  And one of the highlights was certainly my tea-party themed bridal shower held at my grandma's house. 

I am so grateful to both my grandmother & cousin for hosting a fabulous shower, and also to the lovely ladies who came to celebrate while sipping tea & wearing some rather festive hats.  It was the perfect way to "de-stress" during our busy time & to spend my last days as a single girl.  But perhaps my favorite part of the bridal shower was the opportunity for all of the special people in my life to finally meet (after hearing so much about each other for a significant period of time).  I truly feel like this is why a wedding is so important ... it provides an avenue for all of the parts of your (busy) life to come together as one.  People from both of your extended families, work friends, parents friends, childhood friends ... can all meet. 

One of the many reasons that I love being a girl ... Mr. BB definitely didn't get the chance to sip tea with family & friends.  All he gets is that bachelor party in the woods this weekend.  I'll pass on that one.


A Bridal Tea Is Where We Will Be ...

It is hard to believe that another week has actually gone by, and that another "Wedding Friday" is upon us.  Perhaps even more astonishing?  That I just counted ... and after tomorrow, there are only 3 Fridays left before the Friday that will be our cowboy-themed rehearsal dinner, otherwise known as the day before I am officially a married woman!

So as the days quickly go by, the celebrations keep coming, and this weekend will be no exception.  Truly, I consider myself one lucky girl to have some fabulous people to celebrate with.  I realize that it is these members of my family & closest friends who will be those continuing to surround us in our new life as husband & wife, one that I am really getting anxious (and excited, and delighted!) to begin!  

 My bridal shower will be a tea party... complete with fun hats, "girly" dresses, tea cups, saucers, and (of course), lots of tea.  Possibly my favorite part?  It will be held at my grandmother's house, the same house that she has lived in since I was a little girl.  Seriously, my memories at this house date back to when the cement was poured around the pool & my dad helped me trace my name into the ground.  And I am fairly sure that Joe & I have been there to visit (and eat lots of my grandfather's good cooking!) at least 100 times. 

So I could not think of a better place.

Thank you to my grandmother & cousin for hosting such a special day, it means so much to me, and I am so grateful.

(Even though I am convinced that same grandmother will never read this ... she has yet to figure out my blog ... ). 

Our "Friend - Ors"

The past 18 months have been jam-packed with meetings, appointments, and visits to places that we certainly did not have a need to stop into before.  We have been introduced to a new world that we previously did not even know existed ... one that keeps many, many people employed, has its own "lingo," and that is simply massive.  My mom & I often talk about how the bridal business is one of very few that doesn't seem to be affected by a bad economy.  After all, even when finances are tight, most women aren't willing to give up on that wedding that they have been dreaming of since they were little.  (However, I must admit that the wedding that will be my own in June is hardly one I could have ever imagined as a little girl ... )

But to my point ... which is that throughout this entirely new experience, we have met many special people who have truly been incredible to work with.  My mom & I are beyond grateful for their hard work & dedication to our vision, and have truly made memories that we won't forget.  Our vendors are people who started out as strangers and have ended up as friends.  (Cheesy, I know ... but we really do feel like we were fortunate with the people who have surrounded us while working on the special day. )

The day of the wedding will obviously be a crazy one, so we plan to make sure that our new "friend-ors" are entirely prepared.  It is sure to be a long one, and obviously, we know that anything can happen.  So I have spent the past couple of weeks working on "vendor bags" that will be given to each of the many people who will be helping us on our wedding day in June.  What will we include in our bags?!  Some of it just happens to be pictured below ...

Something Borrowed: Part Two

Yesterday, I wrote about the famous wedding custom:  " Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Old, & Something New," & promised that I would share details on how we are incorporating this practice into our own day ... other than just the conventional way.  So here goes ...

Although I am sure my traditional, conservative grandmother would rather us have a "dry" wedding without any alcohol at all, that was never an option.  It is a celebration, and when guests come to a wedding, they expect to be able to enjoy a drink or two to commemorate with the newlyweds.  So obviously, a large portion of our budget had to go to alcohol merely because of its high expense.  However, we were able to save money by only offering beer & wine, which in my opinion, is more than enough to celebrate with.  That was until we had an idea for our cocktail hour, in which we will serve 4 different mixed drinks in the theme of (You guessed It!)  ...

"Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Old, & Something New"

Because I don't want to give everything away .... I will share on of our 4 "themed" signature drinks.  Our "Something New" will be a drink inspired by my good friend Karie's husband, Seth.  Seth is entirely well-versed in this area because of his job as a bartender, and therefore, was the perfect person to go to when we needed to know what our "Something New" should be.  We wanted a drink that was (obviously) new, pretty in the beverage dispenser (my mom's priority), & that tasted good.  And his solution did not disapoint.  The mix includes Orange Juice, Pinnacle Whipped Vodka, & Sprite, and yes, we have "tested" it to ensure that our guests will enjoy it.

Our "Something New" is certainly refreshing & tasty.  Our only complaint?  It was so good that our guests could be celebrating too much, too soon! :)  I guess not everyone would consider that a problem, though.  Cheers to our signature drinks, and a wedding that is now less than 2 months away!  

Something Borrowed ...

Something Blue, Something Old, Something New 

Even if you aren't in wedding world as I have been for the past year or so, you most likely know how the saying goes.  Even the few "good men"  in my Fashion Marketing class (relunctantly) admitted that they had heard it a time or two.   Obviously, as I expect most brides do, I will yield to the tradition on my own wedding day and will thus wear an item that meets each of the 4 standards mentioned. 

(Even though I would not consider myself highly superstitous, this is kind of like a no-brainer, right?!)

But apart from the well-known tradition, my mind has been on the term Something Borrowed more than ever lately, and some of you may even agree.  I admit that I am a sap for romantic comedies (which probably comes as no surprise), and my favorites all tend to have Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, or Rachel McAdams featured somewhere in the film.  So even if I wasn't in the previously mentioned wedding world, I would have still been beyond eager to see the movie Something Borrowed, which just so happens to be a movie starring Kate Hudson & one that has a plot surrounding weddings.

So, as our conclusion to "Wedding Friday"  ... the MOB & I picked up dinner and were able to enjoy some much-needed & well-deserved relaxation while watching the movie.  And it didn't disappoint.  Kate Hudson was hilarious, as usual, and the fashion was entertaining to look at, too (in my opinion, one of the highlights of any movie).  Our only complaint was the ending ... which I won't give away ...

PS - More to come on how we will incorporate Something Borrowed ..  into our wedding.  Other than just the traditional way.   Because we are.

PPS - If you have read the book, you already know how the ending goes.  And don't you agree - should it really have ended that way?!! 

Obviously, It's A Night to Remember ...

It is sometimes mind-boggling to think that all of this extensive planning goes into one night that, according to most former brides, goes by in the blink of an eye.  And if the last 18 months have been any indication, my own wedding will certainly be no exception.  So although I was unsure at first, I am now convinced that having a videographer at the wedding is not only important, but one aspect of our day that I couldn't do without.

I don't why I didn't initially realize the importance of having our special day recorded.  I always regarded the photography as an essential part of the wedding (perhaps even as my number one priority) ... but did not forsee Mr. BB & I valueing a video recording.  I think those bad, cheesy 80's videos were set in my brain (you know what ones I mean ... no offense anyone!), and therefore, completely wrote it off.  Then, I started following some of my favorite blogs and falling in love with video after video ... videos that were creative, artistic, and just plain sweet.

So I am delighted that we have used part of our budget for a videographer, and even happier after meeting with her last weekend.  Like many of our other vendors, she is young & innovative - and I can't wait to have her help us to always remember such a monumental day in our life.  I am convinced this video will be invaluable to us - much like the one from our engagement (thanks for my FI's careful planning!).

His & Hers

It's true, in less than 2 months, I will have a rather sparkly new addition to my left hand.  Perhaps even better, Mr. BB will have his own symbol of commitment encircling his ring finger.  In other words, today, we ordered our wedding bands!  And just as I have felt on several other occasions over the past couple of months - this whole "married" thing feels a lot more real.  Deliriously real!

It was a no-brainer where to purchase our bands (therefore any stalling of this "check off the list" was due to a lack of funds rather than any uncertainty).  Any jewelry I have recieved from my FI (including my engagement ring) has been from Baker's, a jewelry store owned by a family friend.  But when we went over the weekend to make it offiicial... I seriously think my heart skipped a beat when I looked down to see Mr. BB's finger with a band wrapped around it.  Due to my love of fashion, before meeting my better half, many often assume that he shares my passion for clothes, accesories, and "purchasing" in general.  However, the statement "Opposites Attract" must have some truth, because that couldn't be farther from our reality.  While certainly handsome, my FI leaves the glitz & glamour to me.  Therefore, June 25th will mark the first day I see him adorned with an accessory .... and gosh, I can hardly wait.

Seriously MAD for Hats ...

OK ... so this post is not particularly a June garden wedding update ... but as our date gets closer & thus, our days get busier, I could use a short escape from my own wedding world.  Not that today's topic doesn't surround weddings, just not my own.

I realize that the royal wedding is now "old news" and that most likely, it is time for me to drop the subject.  In fact, I am fairly sure that when I brought out the article with the official reviews of Catherine's wedding dress in class today, I saw a few of my girls with their eyes rolled bank into their heads.  But regardless, I am indeed a sucker for these kinds of things, so I have to let it go just a little bit longer.  Especially since I haven't yet discussed the fabulous, fantastic, fashion-forward collection of hats adorned by the guests at Westminster Abbey on April 29th.

Other than the obvious highlights of the morning, such as Catherine's arrival, Prince William's face when he first saw his future wife, and (my personal favorite), Prince Harry's comment to his brother as the bride was walking down the aisle ... I was entirely entertained by the guest arrivals.  And I don't think I was the only one.  Now, my desire is that this trend will come to the United States - something about wearing a hat immediatly makes you feel more confident. 

Here are some of the most memorable hat moments from the royal wedding ...

So I admit it ... I liked these at first ... until almost every fashion commentator described how awful they were.  I now get it, and think I was taken by my euphoria of the moment before.

Love these - all three.  Can I wear one to the next wedding I attend?  Would it be appropriate?

Always love these two.  Perfection - both of them.  Even the one without the hat, obviously.

While I would like to play it off that we too were guests at the wedding, the fan & kitchen cabinets probably give it away ... But at least we got in the spirit.  Clearly.





Hmm ...

Since beginning this journey towards planning our dream wedding 18 months ago, obviously, some aspects have been easier than others.  Many of the "key decisions" that couples struggle with were simple ... for example, we knew that a church wedding wasn't for us, that we wanted the vibe of the event to be informal, and I always knew that my bridesmaids would be perfection in the color green.  And as I have mentioned before, picking out attire for my pre-wedding events (bridal showers, bachelorette party, bridal luncheon, esc.) was so trouble-free that now my biggest problem is eliminating a few of the outfits because I now have too many.

A major decision that we have yet to check off the list?  Our first dance song.  I know - for many, this is a no-brainer.  It's the song that has been "their song" for the duration of their time together as a couple.  It has significance, memories, and is the perfect way to begin their new life as husband & wife.  It isn't that Mr. BB & I don't have any songs that hold meaning for us as a couple - since we actually started "going out" when I was in the 10th grade - we have quite a few.  The issue lies in the fact that we have so many, from various phases of our relationship, that it is difficult to narrow it down to the perfect one that encompasses it all.  Not to mention the fact that neither one of us are particularly eager to have the spotlight on the dance floor in front of our 150 guests ...

So our search continues - a search that began 18 months ago.  We have a few options, but nothing stands out as of yet.  One thing is for sure, a final decision will be made by June 25th of this year.  Either that or I may have to sing the song myself (and clearly, no one would benefit from that).

It's The MOB's Day ...

Specifically, on Sunday.  Even though she deserves more than just one day.  My mom (who, by the way, is a mother of 4, even though you would never guess it) has always been beyond supportive of all of us.  I still remember the time when she called the Dean of Radford University (who gets to talk to the dean?!!) when I was having roommate issues as a freshman in my dorm ...  by the end of that day, I was moved into another room, even though I had previously been told that was "against university policy."  In fact, I must confess that the majority of the obstacles I have had to overcome throughout my 27 years, big or small, she has had a part in the solution. 

Obviously, this year has been no exception.  In this wedding, the MOB has certainly been integral in the planning process.  Actually, she is the planning process.  While I wish I could take credit for our invitations, "creative" catering ideas, or decor at the wedding ... all of it has to go to her.  I should have known it would be this way - she did come up with the theme for every fashion show I have produced thus far. 

Thank you to my mom ... this is your weekend ... even though we both know it will begin with Wedding Friday tomorrow.  And even after the wedding, I know we will stay have our Fridays, we will just have to come up with another word to precede it.  I love you.

My Mom & I ... on one of our many Wedding Meetings!

Making Memories ...

As those closest to me already know, my engagement to Mr. BB was long-awaited.  (And I don't know that I could say I was always particularly patient throughout the process ... )  We had been dating for quite a while, had been living together, and had attended many weddings of friends/family our age.  And I will be the first to admit - there is no doubt he was feeling the pressure.  But when he finally got on stage at my high school fashion show to ask me to marry him ... he certainly made up for any time lost & I couldn't ask for a better time or place to begin our life together.

While going through the engagement process with some of my closest friends prior to my own proposal, I realized why planning a wedding really does lay the foundation for your life as married couple.  At times, it certainly may seem like all of the meetings, payments, & overall hours (upon hours) spent planning is all going towards one day ... but ultimately, all of the hard work is for your marriage whether than that one wedding date.

Our relationship has obviously grown throughout the past 18 months ... simply by being able to work together to create our special day.  But it is the opportunity for our "support system" - family, co-workers, and friends from different stages of our life - to get to know each other that I really appreciate most.  And it was my bridal shower this past weekend, that made me realize how fortunate I really am.  I have such an amazing group of people in my life and am so appreciative that throughout this process, they have gotten the chance to know each other and have really become a strong support system to us ... not only for our wedding day, but life ahead.

Thank you, all of you, for being part of this memorable experience, and more importantly, for being a part of my life to stay.  That is truly a comforting feeling.

Classic Catherine ...

It was obviously an eventful weekend in the news world ... as I am sure (unless you have been living under a rock!), you already know.  And for me, the weekend was quite busy, special, & memorable all in its own.  So much so, that it was extended to Monday as I just returned to work today.  On a side note, I could really get used to this 4-day week deal - the fact that tomorrow is already Wednesday makes me deliriously happy.

So obviously, there is lots to blog about, but it would be wrong (and completely unexpected of me) to not pay tribute to the newlyweds, who I'm told, are now officially referred to as the Dutch & Duchess of Cambridge.  Yes, I admit it, I am among those who woke up at 4 AM to watch the live coverage on each major news channel.  And I loved every minute of it ... so much so that I have now watched it 3 times. 

The verdict is ... she looked stunning, classic, and timeless.  And as I told my students today (whether they liked it or not, as I am convinced they think I am officially "mad" for talking about these people we don't know each & every day), the look of her dress will create fashion trends for years to come.  And I know that William liked her dress as well - one of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when he told her how beautiful she looked when she got down the aisle. (Mr. BB already took note!).

Now that the royal wedding is over - what is there to look forward to?  My own June wedding of course, although I don't know if it will make the news coverage quite like theirs did.  Something tells me no ...

That's What Friends Are For ...

I have always thought of myself as a true "girl's girl."  My FI might even say I was extra feminine - someone who loves to shop, chat with the girls over wine, & I admit it ... I often crave an afternoon complete with a manicure, pedicure (and maybe a little more shopping).   So there is is no doubt in my mind that even after I am an official Mrs. come June, my girlfriends will remain an integral part of my life.

Since Mr. BB & I got engaged 16 months ago, I have found myself feeling even more fortunate about the special people who surround me.  My friends have been just as much a part of this process as I have been - and it is their constant support that has made this experience that much more memorable.

This weekend marks my first official bridal shower, which will take place at one of my best friends/bridesmaids childhood home.  I am delighted to be able to celebrate with my girls ... 9 of who will be standing beside me on one of the biggest days of my life.  Thank you each for being you - and here is to many more life moments (and glasses of wine) to come.

A Plane Ticket, Passport, & A Prince

OK ... I realize it is not exactly accurate to describe Mr. BB (My FI) as a Prince, but with the Royal Wedding, Prince William and Princess-To-Be Kate have been on my mind ... and Mr. BB is my own Prince.  So it works, right?!

Today, "My Prince & I" were able to check off a major item from that always expanding Wedding To-Do List.  And it's a really good thing we did - since our Bahamas honeymoon is quite dependent upon it.  We each got our passports, and as a result, our first vacation as husband & wife certainly feels more real.

  The truth is ... even though we first started dating in the 10th grade ... the two of us have never even been on a plane together!  So, at the very least, this vacation is long-awaited & well-deserved.  After 18 months of planning and what is sure to be an eventful week of wedding excitement - somehow I already know it will be just what the doctor ordered.  We are both beyond thankful for this opportunity ... perhaps Mr. BB even more than myself, as he has never even been out of the country! 

PS - A special thank you to our Post Office Passport Extraordinare, who (as an early wedding present), did not charge us the usual $15 each to have our pictures taken ... even after she had to use white-out twice for the mistakes on my application (not my future husband's, his was entirely correct). 

2 Months ... Umm, Yesterday.

Most likely, it does not come as a surprise to anyone that I am a loyal wedding blog/website follower.  In fact, over the past 6 months, few days have gone by without a little time devoted to browsing through some of my favorites.  (I have several bloggers to thank for much of the decor that will surround my June wedding!). In other words ... websites that I previously didn't even know existed have become integral to our wedding planning process.  And on a side note:  I really should try to thank those former brides for their creative ideas that I have adapted as my own, although it's hard since none of them even know who I am. :)

The one website that I did know about was TheKnot.com, and it is most likely the "go to" for the majority of brides today.  It is for that exact reason, and the fact that we are striving for a different, innovative wedding, that I rarely type in it's address into my browser.  But today, its email was more informative than ever, as it updated me that my wedding is exactly 2 months away!

I don't know what surprised me more ... the fact that my wedding that once was 18 months/FOREVER away will be here in only 2, or that I am now so busy that the whole day went by without me noticing the importance of it.  It is seriously crunch time - an exciting time & certainly a busy one.

So here's to 2 months away ... and finally noticing it!  There sure is lots of updating to do in the weeks to come.

Back to Reality ...

It is definitely tough getting back to work after 5 days off, especially when the majority of those days provided us with clear, sunny blue skies & warm temperatures.  As I blogged prior to my week of vacation, this spring break was not going to be as relaxing as in years past, mainly because I was going to use my extra time to get some much-needed checks off our infamous Wedding To-Do List, and luckily, we were able to accomplish just that.  As a result, there are lots of updates that I could write about today, but one certainly sticks out in my mind ...

I've said it before - I am "that girl" who is constantly taking pictures and loves a good photo to commemorate a fun event or even just a standard dinner on a Saturday night.  I admit it, those few times that I have forgetten my bright orange Canon camera at home, my FI has to deal with my constant complaints and somehow, we just don't have as much fun. 

So it is no surprise that my bridal portaits were one of the pre-wedding events that I was looking forward to most.  Mostly, I was delighted to have the opportunity to put on the dress! ... the veil(s), shoes, and accesories, have my hair & make-up done, and obviously, to see the pictures afterwards.  It was a "trial run" before the big June 25th day!

How did it go?  The first part (the look) far exceeded my expectations ... I felt just like I a bride should and now, I am that much more anxious for Mr. BB to see me walk down the aisle.  The second part (the pictures) are still a work in progress, meaning that I have only seen one sneak peek from my photographer & the ones taken in that orange Canon camera.  But even if I did have them, they would have to stay a secret!  (Come on, Kate Middleton hasn't even released the name of the designer of her dress!). 

Here a few of what you can see ...

Picking up THE DRESS the day before ...
with my favorite wedding shop owner, Helen!

Getting my makeup done by my faithful bridesmaid, Sara!

A SNEAK PEEK ...


PS - I do realize that it is a bit of a stretch to compare the secret of my dress to the one that will be worn by the future Queen of England ... but we are both getting married in Spring 2011.  So I had to do it.