Friday, January 29, 2010

Cheers To Great Finds!

MS and I aren't wine drinkers. Sure, I enjoy the occasional glass of Arbor Mist (it says wine on the bottle!), or I'll step it up a notch and go with a White Zin box (since it taste a little more on the fruity side). But other than that, we stick to our beer.


When it came to thinking about what we would serve in the way of beverages at our reception, there was no question that we are going to have kegs of beer. We are also going to have a margarita machine for our cocktail hour, and a bar. Since a lot of my family loves wine, we are going to get some bottles of wine too. MS and I will not be drinking the wine, so we thought we could just toast with whatever it is we are drinking. But then, while shopping at one of my favorite stores, Target, I found these:


 
(pic by me!)

How cute are they?! And they were only $2.99 a piece! I had to buy them!!!! So, we have decided that we will buy a bottle of sweet champagne for us to use for the toasts so that we can use these super awesome glasses!

Did you toast with wine or champagne? Or did you just use whatever you were drinking?

Thursday, January 28, 2010

To Look or Not To Look?

While our "situation" is not what you would call "old fashioned" (ie. I have a son already, we live together, we are building our house before getting married, etc), we are still a little old fashioned concerning the wedding. One example, I am wearing a "white" dress (it looks white, until you put it right up next to something white, then it looks more creamy-ivory, but still its "white"!).

So when it came to when MS was going to see me for the first time on our wedding day in my dress, we both initially thought, not until I come walking down the aisle. I have read a lot about first looks though, and was starting to wonder if maybe we should too. One of the awesome girls over on Wedding Bee explained why they did a first look, and it makes a lot of sense.

1. I don't even remember my walk down the aisle. It went by so fast, and I'm glad that during the first look, I was able to stop, pause and really look at my husband's face when he saw me. Because I don't remember what he looked like during the aisle walk!

2. The first look is more intimate, and like I said above, you take your time. Our photog gave us five minutes after the first look to go off by ourselves without being photographed to chat and take-in the moment.

3. You get more pictures without sacrificing time. AND you can probably attend your cocktail hour because that's usually when couples go off to do their portraits. Being at cocktail hour was great. We had more time with our guests, and during our portraits before the ceremony, we didn't feel at all rushed.

4. It really takes the pressure off. Our DOC told me horror stories about brides who just made themselves so sick with nervousness before walking down the aisle because they wanted to look perfect. Some felt like they were going to pass out, and others started to cry. It's very emotional because it's also in front of everyone, but with a first look, there isn't as much pressure. Or, if there is, you get it done beforehand, and you can relax a little before the aisle walk.



So, with all these great points I started to think that maybe a first look was a good idea. But, call me old fashioned ( ;) ), I think I'm going to stick to our decision of no first look. The reason why?

1. I'm the girl in the audience that when the bride starts to walk down the aisle, I look at the groom. I want to see MS's reaction to me when he sees me coming down the aisle for the first time.

2. I'm not a superstitous person, but I feel like it will "jinx" us if we see each other before then!

3. MS didn't want to see me until then. I'm sure I could convince him to do a first look if I tried hard enough, but I don't want to. This was a decision we made already, and something he really wants (he hasn't even seen my dress), so I'm going to stick to it.

4. And last, I'm really excited about the surprise factor of seeing me at that moment for the first time!

What did you do? What are your thoughts on a first look? No one is going to change my mind, but I'm curious! :)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Guest Book

I am not sure what to do about the guest book. I have always thought that I would do the picture mat that people sign, then it could be displayed in our house and we could see it all the time.



But I wasn't completely sold on this idea. I do like the look of it, but we would have way more than just the 12 signatures that are on this mat! And with that many signatures, it might start to look crowded and overwhelming. Thats when I saw this awsome idea:



Have guests sign wine bottles! And the best part of it all? My uncle makes lights out of wine bottles, much like this:




So, I could have my uncle make a couple of these gorgeous wine bottle lights, and set them out for our guests to sign. After the ceremony, we could place these bottles around our reception site (maybe on the head table or on the cake table?) and have them all lit up. We would be able to use them as lights in our house too, so then we would always be able to look back on them and see all the signatures.

I love the idea of having a "different" type of guest book. What are your thoughts? Did you do something different for your guest book? What?


Sunday, January 24, 2010

Armed and Ready

MS and I went on our first registry trip tonight. Registering really can be fun, if you are prepared for what your are getting yourself into. MS and I just decided to go tonight, without actually realizing what we were getting into. How complicated could it be? Go to the store, get a registry gun thing, pick some stuff out and be done. Well, it doesn't quite go that way!




There are a few things you should know before you head off to register.
  • First, make sure you have eaten plenty so you don't get hungry, and have recently gone to the bathroom (as MS had to go 2 times while we were there (me only once!)). 
  • Wear comfy shoes and bring bandaids
  • Have a plan. Maybe make a list of needs and wants, and yours and his.
  • Allot plenty of time (like hours). Despite how fast you think you can do it, you can't.
  • When you think you are all prepped and ready, head to your first store!
 Let me explain to you how I came to put this list together. As I said, MS and I just decided to run up to Bed, Bath, And Beyond tonight to register real quick. And it did start out good.

We got there, got someone to come help us in the special "registry" office, filled out a paper on our info, and was given a couple books to look through while he entered it into the computer. The books he gave us were fine China, silverware (or whatever fancy word it was that they used), and wine glasses and such. So, we picked some. When MS and I are going to use fine China, I have no idea, especially with a 2-year-old running around. And wine glasses? We don't even like wine. Maybe someday these things will come in handy, but I have NO idea when.

So, he handed us the gun, showed us how to point and click, and sent us on our way. He did actually offer to help us and walk with us, but we declined. How hard could it be?

The first few things were reasonable. A spice rack, much needed since the only spice in our cupboard is Johnny's Seasoning Salt and some garlic. Next, a set of mixing spoons and bowls. Right by the spoons and bowls was an ice-cream scoop. Much needed right? Along with the potato peeler, meat tenderizer, meat thermometer, potato smoosher thing, and something else in a really pretty blue. Ok, these things probably are needed (even though we already have them, but we can always upgrade right?), but we started to get out of control.

We scanned everything from a shish kabob holder to a kitchen soap dispenser to coasters for our coffee table that we don't own. I even had a potty training chair in my hand (little guy needs something too right?!), but decided against it (I'm just gonna go buy it myself!). MS was really seriously staring hard at a liquor dispenser (holds like 5 bottles and pours the perfect shot with one flick of a switch), even made me walk by it a few times, but I made him move on (wouldn't want to give anyone the wrong impression). We continued through the store marking everything we past. Clocks, water fountains, turkey baster (I don't even know how to use one), sandwich containers, pillows, magnifying mirrors... I lost him somewhere between the curtains and garbage cans.

Next stop, towels. Keep me away from this section. Especially when we are going to be having 2 bathrooms in our new home, so I get to decorate another one. I think total I registered for about 20 bath towels, and that was just for the 1 bathroom. I didn't even get started on the other one.

About half an hour later, I surface from the towel section. MS was snoring in the massaging chair (you bet that made the list), and the store was closing (great hint when ALL the workers are standing at the front checkout staring at you). Even though I could have continued, I woke MS and we made our way to the front.

"Get everything you were looking for?" No. I would like to continue, so go ahead and lock me in here. "Yes, we did, thank you. We can update anytime right?" "Of course!" (looks at watch). We took the hint and left.

My stomach was growling, both of our feet were sore (although MS's back was feeling pretty good), and I had a blister on my finger from pulling the trigger. We had to stop on the way home and get some asprin, which MS didn't hesitate to take. Our shoes didn't even get off before we collapsed on the couch. Sheer exhuastion. But, the nice man did give us a little booklet of items that are good for your registry. So after a breather, I started flipping through that handy book.

What did I find? TONS of stuff that we just have to go back and register for. "Later" MS told me sternly and rolled over. (Don't worry, I dog-eared the pages so I can make sure we get them next time!)

How did your first registry go? Where you prepared for it? How many times did you have to go?

Friday, January 22, 2010

Work, Work, All Week Long...

... Punchin' that clock from dusk til dawn... I don't know if you know that song by Alan Jackson or not, but it seems to be my theme song these days. At least the work, work, all week long part, except I continue into the weekend. Seems to be never ending.




I get up in the morning, race around the house, get my son ready, and head out the door. I zoom to daycare (all the while I hear "whoa mom, whoa!" and "weeeee!" coming from the backseat), and then fly off to work, were I am all day long. When my work day is done, I head off to start my school day, after which I run home to make some dinner, wrestle the little one into the tub, read him some stories, rock for about 10 minutes, then lay him in bed. Once he falls asleep you would think that I would get some relaxation time, but it never seems to work like that. I have to clean up the trail of toys throughout the house and get some study time in. Of course MS needs some attention too, so I pencil him in right before bed, or while we are laying in bed... ;)

Going to school while trying to raise a 2-year-old and work full time is enough to make anyone exhausted. And exhausted I am, but I can't quit there. I have a wedding to plan!!! The only problem I seem to be having is that I have all these great ideas and DIY projects I want to *attempt*, but I'm not sure when I will get the time!

Since we are almost done building our first house (!!!!), I'm hoping that I will be able to sneak away from the madness in the evenings for an hour (maybe pawn bathtime off on MS?), and lock myself in my new craft room and tackle some of these projects. I would tell you what those projects are, but what's the fun of that?! Maybe this way you will come back to see what they are (and if I ever get them done)!

Do you feel like you work, work, all week (and weekend) long? How do you find time to do the things you want? Are you getting you wedding projects all completed?

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The Meaning of Life & Marriage

I'm feeling pretty "deep" tonight, so I thought I would let you in on the secrets. Maybe I haven't quite figured out the meaning of life and marriage (I am working on it!), I do know what my thoughts and feelings are on the subjects. Lets start with life.



I am sure you all remember that great board game. The one where you are the car and drive around going through the phases of life. You first get a college education, start a job, get married, buy a house, and have some kids (getting to add a couple blue and pink pegs to your car). Well, my goals in real life weren't that far off at all. They were:
  • Go to college and graduate
  • Start a career
  • Get married to the man of my dreams (this one could be mixed into the first 2 someplace)
  • Buy a house
  • Have a few kids
See? Nothing that couldn't really happen, like go to the moon (although it would be fun), or anything like that. These are simple goals that I think a lot of people have. I was hoping for them to go somewhat in that order too. Well, I started on the right track.

After high school, I went to college (check), but I'm still not quite done with school. I have about 1 1/2 years left (so half check?). The other 4 goals kind of got a little mixed up. I will be starting a career, but it won't happen until after the other 3 goals are actually met. I am going to marry the man of my dreams in September (BIG check for that one!!!!), and we are in the process of buying (actually building) our first house (that has to deserve a check too). So, we will buy a house, THEN get married. Not a big deal to me that they are out of order. The kid thing, well, that got moved around a little too!

It actually came before buying a house, getting married, starting a carreer, AND graduating. Oops. Yes, my son is the result of an "accident". He has to be the best accident to ever happen though. And while it didn't work out with his father (thank God ;) ), I have met the most amazing man that has stepped up and accepted both me and my son, and he loves us both unconditionally.

So, there are my life goals. Happening in one order or another, but none the less, I am slowly checking them off. Now, the meaning of marriage.



Many people don't support MS and I in our marriage. It isn't a secret, and we aren't upset about it. They think we are too young (23 and 25), it happened too fast (within a year), and that we just aren't ready. What they don't know about us is this. MS and I have had many a long talk about what marriage means to us. It seems to us that in today's world, a lot of people get married with the thought that if it doesn't work, there is always divorce. We don't see it that way. If we weren't 100%, absolutely sure, about spending THE REST of our lives together, we wouldn't be getting married. We are making a commitment that we will honor and hold up until the day we die. Yes, it happened fast, but there is that feeling, deep down in the pit of our stomachs and in the very back of our minds, that just knows that we are meant to be. We can't explain it (I just hope someday you feel it too), but it is there.

So, in short, to me the meaning of life is to set some goals and achieve them. Its ok if they don't happen in the order you set, but make them happen. As for marriage? Reguardless of if people support you or not, when you know that you have found the one you can't live without, that makes your heart beat a little bit stronger, and you can see yourself growing old with, don't let them get away. Saying yes to my handsome man down on one knee in front of me was the best (and easiest) decision I have ever made.

What is the meaning of life and marriage to you? Have you set life goals? Are you achieving them how you thought you would?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

No Pain, No Gain... or Loss

Like most brides-to-be, I want to look sexy and skinny and hot in my wedding dress. So, I decided to take up working out. Off to the store I went to buy the videos (with motivating titles that make it sound like fun), dug out my old sports bras and gym shorts, and headed to the living room. I was all set to get the hot body I had pictured in my head.



After I had my son, I knew that I had to lose my baby weight. I was a single mom, hoping to some day get back into dating, and new it would up my chances of finding a man if I still didn't look pregnant. Well, baby weight drops fast! I didn't even do anything! Granted I was super stressed with having to move back into my parents' house, feeling alone and like I would always be that way, and getting up 3 times a night, so my appetite took a hike for awhile. The pounds dropped and I got back to pre-baby weight. I should be happy with that right? Well, I'm not! I want to lose about 10 more pounds now before our big day. So I set my mind to do it. Popped the video into the DVD player and got ready to jump around a bit, throw a few punches and kicks in the air, and look awesome afterwards.

About 15 minutes into my 40 minute workout, I was dying. My legs felt like led, my heart about to burst out of my chest, lungs on fire, arms dead weight hanging by my sides, and I even got that watery mouth that you get before you throw up. So, I started thinking. Why is it that once we get that ring on our finger, we feel like we have to suddenly change the way we look?

Didn't your man love you and propose to you? He didn't propose hoping that by doing so you would suddenly start eating better, working out, and turn into some hot super model. Granted it would make me feel a lot better to slim down, wedding or no wedding, but shouldn't I be happy that I found someone who loves me, and all of me (even if there is a little extra)?

Maybe I am just trying to make myself feel better while I sit here watching the rest of the workout video. I just get so discourage so quickly. Does anybody else feel or get this way? What do you do to workout and keep working out? (And not throw up while doing so?)

Monday, January 18, 2010

Mini Version Doesn't Equal Mini Price

Take it in, shorten it up, pinch it together. Words I heard a lot at my first fitting today! It was so exciting and fun, and can't wait until the next one, about 3 weeks!!! After I did that, I was feeling extra wedding-ish, so I thought I would stop by the local tux shop. Mind as well get an idea of the men's tuxes right?

It wasn't quite as exciting as I thought it would be (certainly not as exciting as my dress appointment), but it wasn't too bad. I think I got a pretty good idea of what the men should wear, and was really excited about getting a mini version for my son (who will be a groomsman, not ring bearer!). I mean, how cute is this?



Well, it seems that they don't make mini versions to match. Really? Yeah, really. I was mad! They have little mini versions of a tux, the difference though is that the mini tux they offer (you can either rent or buy it for the same price), doesn't come with a vest, or tie, or in the colors we are going for. Therefore, we would have one "groomsmen" standing up there looking different (ok, I know he will be looking different as it is since he is about 1/2 the height but 1,000,000 times cuter than the others up there). That just doesn't work for me. Maybe its my little bit of OCD, or the fact that I want my son to fit in also, but I want ALL the men to be wearing the same outfits. So, my other option? Go with a ring bearer tux.

Ok, I can handle that (if it matches perfectly), as long as no one knows its a ring bearer tux. I don't know why, but I want nothing to do with ring bearers or flower girls or the like. My son is my little man, and he gets the honorary role of groomsman, not ring bearer. But this is my only other option to satisfy my OCD side. So we look at the offered tux's. She makes a few calls to verify that we can have done what I want (the exact same tux, just mini version), then she tells me the total cost.

I know how much the men's tux are going to cost. Not a big deal. I know how much a mini tux costs (quite a bit less than a grown man's), perfect. I know now how much she is going to charge me to rent (not buy) a "ring bearer" tux. THE SAME AMOUNT AS THE GROOMSMEN TUX'S! How is that possible? He is HALF the size!!!! They are using half the fabric, half the time for half the tux. Shouldn't it be half the price? Or at least a little bit less?! No. I have to pay FULL price for a mini tux.

Anybody else find they had to pay outrageous amounts for mini things?

Friday, January 15, 2010

Must Read

My incredible sister/bridesmaid/wedding planner (!) has started a blog called Agreeably Engaged. She is a great writer and has wonderful ideas (she also talks about us!). It is definitely something that everyone needs to read! Good job sis!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Picture Perfect

Sunday we took our engagement pictures. The morning started off partly cloudy (but the sun was peeking through!) and a little foggy. Kind of a cool look actually. Then, as the day went on it started to snow. It was the perfect kind of snow. Big, thick flakes. I prayed that it would continue and we would be able to get some awesome winter snowing pictures. Of course, because its me, no such luck. The snow stopped right before we met our photographer. The clouds settled in, blocking the view of the surrounding mountains and completely hiding the sun.

Despite the lack of sun, or snowflakes, I think our pictures turned out perfect! I couldn't be happier with them and it was so much fun taking them. So, here are a few for your viewing pleasure!





Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Choosing A Date

Since not many people know why we chose September 18th to get married, I have decided to let you in on the secret: its cheap! :)



When looking for a venue, price was a big deciding factor. We had seen BruMar Estates and fell in love. Unfortunately the price was high during our regulary desired time to get married, the summer. So, we looked at the other dates that were less expensive (half the price to be exact). October. Ok, that will work. We wanted a more summer, outside, nice weather wedding, so to get closest to that we choose the first weekend in October. Off to BruMar we went with a date set in mind.

We walked around, talked a bit, told them we wanted to get married there, and threw out our date. Taken. The following weekend? Same story. I started to panick! We wouldn't be able to get married there, at that price, until November. Our dreams of an outside wedding slowly fell away.

Maybe it was the look on my face, or the tone of my voice when I said that it was OK, but I'm pretty sure the owners knew I was sad. Lucky for us, they are amazingly nice and helpful people! So, they asked if we would want the last weekend in September that they had available. Well, we had to be honest and tell them the reason we wanted October over the summer months, we couldn't afford it. Then they offered: How about the last weekend in September at the October price? YES! I didn't even care what the date was, just as long as we got it at the desired rate. But, the date is important to know, so we looked and it was September 18.

Perfect. Perfect because it is the middle of September, so we can still do our outside wedding. Perfect because we are getting it at the less price. Perfect because my wonderful parents will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary the day after we say "I do".

I don't think we could have picked a better date on our own. I am so happy how everything worked out and that our special day is so closely shared with my parents. There is one thing I am worried about though.

Every year (except on major anniversaries such as 20, 25, etc), my father goes bow hunting over September 19th. He was never a bow hunter when he got married, but a few years later he picked it up. MS has already started talking about learning to bow hunt. So my fear? That my mother and I will be anniversary widows every year together! Hey, at least we could celebrate with each other right?!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids Dress, Mothers Dress... Rehearsal Dress?

Obviously I knew about my wedding dress. I also knew about bridesmaids dresses, and mothers dresses, but a rehearsal dress? I have seen some posts lately about the dresses that girls are going to wear to their rehearsal too. Such as



I truly have never thought about a dress I would wear to my rehearsal. While it would be really fun to wear a dress like this:


I think it would be out of place. Is the rehearsal supposed to be somewhat dressy? We were going to go with a little bit of a more casual comfortable feel, thinking BBQ at the in-laws! So is it ok if we just wear jeans and shirt? Or should we dress it up a little bit more?

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Winter Wonderland

MS and I love the winter, and more, the snow. We have known for some time now that we wanted to take our engagement pictures in the snow.









We have been hoping to be able to them this weekend, January 10, 2010. The only problem? We have yet to get a really good snow fall that has stuck. Lucky for us, we got a lot of snow last night! (My pictures don't do it justice, but I thought the court house looked pretty!)


And, according to the weather station (lets hope they are actually right for once!), it shouldn't get too warm causing the snow to melt. If all works out, we will being having our engagement pictures done, and in the snow, just like we wanted! We just need to figure out exactly where we want to go to take them now!