nine years in the making

sneak peek - photos are in!

2010-12-29T17:49:00.003-08:00

{picture by Gina's Portraits}

Alrighty, this isn't the BEST picture to showcase Gina's talents BUUTTT I love it anyways. Look at Colton, my nephew, on the bottom right. We are leaving the Church and he is upside down, sliding down those little stairs.

Bahahahaha.

the pics are amazing. They really are. I am so pumped and just have to go through them and see the ones I want to showcase.

Besides this one, that is.

{where I am...}

2010-12-05T23:28:00.002-08:00

Hey readers,

I am waiting on my pro-photos from the First Look, formals & candids and the ceremony. I really want to finish my recaps buts it's hard with no pics.

Boo.

But I am alive and well and blogging at denelicious.com, which is my personal blog. I've actually been there for 2+ years already and this blog was just my wedding blog. So come visit me there, if you would so like.

Later,

tc

8. early morning juice and hairspray

2010-11-24T11:12:00.002-08:00

At 8 in the morning, my cousin Tara walks in. Hairsprays, curlers, straighteners, bobby-pins, a huge awesome purse and a cup of Timmies in her hands.

She looks at me.

"Shit. I forgot to get you something."

We then start giggling hysterically.

"You shit," I say, pushing her then pulling her in for a hug. Tara and I are complete opposites and so much alike. She's my cousin, the one I grew up with. She's wild and fun and free spirit and so damn cool without even trying and I'm a person who makes five-year-plans and savings accounts and doodles. We laugh some more and get down to business.

There's no pressure, at least not for me. I'm sure Tara was more worried about it than I. We had done a trial run a few days prior and it had turned out great, so I was calm.

It was quiet, aside from our rez playlist on the iPod and our chatting. We talked about babies and boys, husbands versus boyfriends, growing up and being an adult yet still feeling like a kid, our family and the drama that would happen that night.

It was calm. It was me and one of my best friends. It was perfect.

At the end, an hour later, my hair was curled and styled, not to move the rest of the night. I was feeling happy and Tara was relieved it was done, I'm sure. We hugged again and she left, off to do her own hair and makeup in the next hour or so.

I looked around and realizes that there was no one to help me tie up my dress or corset, and that I had forgotten my toothbrush and toothpaste at Diana's the night before.

Damnit.

7. getting Lucy the Dress prepped

2010-10-23T09:51:00.001-07:00

I jumped into bed, texted Allen and he said goodnight. There was no giggling, no hyper-aware nervousness, no chaos. The TV was off, the iPod was charged. The programs folded and seating chart made. I sighed, snuggled in, and turned off the light.

Then I jumped out of bed again.

The damn dress.

I quickly brought it out of the garment bag, hanging it from the shower rod. The deep red was a brilliant reminder that tomahawk was the day.

The dress had been custom made for me by Kathryn of pure something, and it was a perfect fit. The red, the white laces, the detailed beading, the flowers. I loved it all.

So I admired it for a minute, shut the light, and crawled back into bed.

Seven AM would come early.

6. my last night...

2010-10-08T09:19:00.001-07:00

After the rehearsal, Allen and I went to the room. Tiffany and Brittany had taken the programs Lesia had printed at Staples, and offered to do some folding. They would meet me later at the hotel room for some visiting.

Allen decided to chill out in the hotel, with his mom and family, while I went to Diana's. I had some printing to do and some editing to fix and I needed a printer. I quickly did the last printing for the seating chart, such as it was, and gave Diana and Leroy a hug goodbye, cruising back to the hotel.

And I mean cruising.

As I was zoned out, thinking church programs and pew balls, these really annoying red and blue flashing lights appeared in my rear-view mirror.

Ohhhh boy.

I sighed, shook my head, and turned off the main road. I grabbed my driver's license and registration, rolling down the window and craving a smoke.

"Hello Officer-Man," I said, grinning, as the police-man came to my window. I handed him my ID's. He grinned at me, shaking his head.

"Do you know why I stopped you?" he asked.

"Not a clue."

"You were going 20 click's over the speed limit," he said, his eyebrows rising.

"Was I? Sorry, bro. It's my wedding tomorrow and I'm really zoned out. All I'm thinking about is pew balls." I grinned again, shaking my head. He started laughing, a good sign.

"Pew balls? Never mind, I don't want to know." He shook his head, checking out my license. "I can't give you a ticket now - it's your wedding tomorrow."

I grinned really, really big.

"But watch your speeding limit." He gave me a stern look. I wiped the smile from my face and nodded, a very serious frown on my face. He handed me back my id's, said his congratulations, and walked away.

I grinned really, really big.

Back at the hotel, Allen was waiting in the room. He was going to take the vehicle and spend the night at Leroy's. I walk him to the door and he looks around. Our room is a mess of paper, laptop and gifts.

"Whose staying with you tonight?" he asks. I look around and see no one. I shrug. I had meant to spend it with Diana and Jody, or someone, but everyone had things to do. I had even asked Mom but she thought Allen was going to be there, so she said no. So it was just lil' ol' me.

"I can stay." He starts to come back in and I push him out.

"I'll be fine." I shrug away his concerns and we kiss by the car. The night is already chill and I'm getting goosebumps. He rubs my back, wrapping his arms around me. I lean in and sigh.

"I love you."

"Luv you too."

He drives away. I lock the door behind me and sit down on the bed, looking around.

I'm alone.

It's not how I expected to spend the night.

But then my phone chirps and my friends Britt & Tiff tell me they're coming down for some last minute wedding details. I cheer up, mix myself a drink, and they arrive, in a flurry of programs and ideas.

We talk, we laugh. Jody comes by, and we all have a bit to drink as Tiffany and Britt finish the seating chart. It is looking fierce, and it's solely thanks to them. I am mixing my orange juice and vodka. We are talking about nothing. About everything. About stupid stuff. About smart stuff.

And I am happy.

It's around one in the morning when they leave. I crawl into bed, thinking about tomorrow. I'm still alone, but now I feel okay. The dress is laid out. The rings are here. My friends all have their outfits ready. Allen is safe. My parents are happy.

I begin thinking about meeting Allen when I was seventeen and how I knew he was special, but even I couldn't imagine we would end up where we are. That the past nine years have been something else - not always perfect, but their have been some amazing moments. That with him by my side, we have traveled ocean to ocean. That we have done things people from our reserve never dream about. That he is man enough to let me be a strong, smart, independent woman. That he is the man that makes me want to have babies and have lazy Sunday mornings and spend all day laughing at cartoons. That a touch from him can calm my whole world, as well as shake it to its core.

I think how lucky I am.

And I fall asleep.

Tomorrow, I get to marry my boyfriend.

5. gifts for the men...

2010-10-07T00:57:00.000-07:00

Allen and I spent a few months searching for groomsmen gifts. I wanted them to be similar, affordable and useful. Allen wanted them to be shiny. I think we managed to get a mix of both.

Unlike the girl's gifts, almost nothing was bought on Etsy. Everything was at Wal-Mart, Winner's, Metrotown Mall in Burnaby and other local stores. In truth, since I wasn't sticking to a damask theme, it was much easier and quicker to get the boys done.

Every gift had AXE body products. It's Allen's favorite shower stuff and it came in these freaking adorable packages, so it worked well. We also added in a macho-macho DVD for each package. If they already had the DVD, they traded with someone who didn't. It worked out. We also included dress socks so they wouldn't have to buy dress socks for the wedding.

Since TK was the best men, he got clothing.

Yeah, just an idea of what the gifts looked like. Pretty simple and straightforward, and everyone seemed to appreciate them.

4. gifts for the ladies...

2010-10-06T00:15:00.003-07:00

The gifts to the bridesmaids was such fun. I made the decision pretty early on to stay within a damask theme with gifts, as long as they were relevant. I lucked out. I loved shopping for fun and authentic items to get them. Outlined is what I got each bridesmaids, as well as links to relevant Etsy sellers and Amazon links.

A staple of the gifts were these two items - a set of damask tissues and a damask necklace. I had bought the tissues in Jasper, BC for 50% off, and I bought the necklaces from another damask bride in California. These were the little items that each bridesmaid received.

Some gifts aren't pictured, as I did a lot of last minute shopping for Diana and Jody, as I wanted to get them something a lil' more unique to them.

| mini keyfob from Sew Gracious | pink & red damask frame from Chapters |

And for packaging, I bought each girl reusable damask shopping bags. They sell in packs of five for $19.99 so I bought ten and wrapped their gifts up in there. This is what the bags looked like:

{reusable damask bags}

All in all, a good thing. The girls were touched that I got them something and I was pumped that they actually liked it. Win-win.

3. Rehearsal Dinner - Who's Your Dad?

2010-10-05T01:00:00.002-07:00

After Church, we went our different ways. We had an early rehearsal and we had decided to have a dinner that night at the hotel restaurant. We had out of town guests to visit with, friends that had flown in from across the country and family that had traveled from up North.

Where I'm from, rehearsal dinners aren't really done. The night before the wedding, the entire bridal party and families are usually at the Arena decorating. Bridal party gifts aren't a norm at all, and no one gathers just to relax. It is go-go-go the entire week of the wedding.

I just didn't want that.

I wanted to celebrate the night - spend it with friends and family, especially my two besties who had drove out from Vancouver and Ontario.

So I did.

I had expected about 25 people to show up, and was very surprised that closer to 40 showed up. It was a room filled with some of my most very favorite people and I couldn't be happier.

We started out the evening with guests trickling in, smiling huge smiles as they walked into the backroom where we were. There were hugs all around, kisses on the cheek, and adorable baby boys playing with each other. My family got to meet my friends and the friends got to meet my crazy family. All of Allen's family was there, and they sat with small smiles on their face, their pride in Allen just showing. It was a good feeling, especially now that my anger at my brothers had vanished and I could see that people were coming out and supporting us, even though "it was a Wednesday wedding."

My family gathered round, drinking tea, sipping coffee. One of the loudest tables there, they joked around, telling stories about when Allen and I met, about their kids, about how we need kids now.

Settle down.

I handed out buttons I had my bridesmaid Caitlin make the night before, just for shits and giggles. They had random sayings like "dene assasin", "I love Dene", and so on, as well as the normal "T&A" (hahahah), and our wedding date.

The buttons were a huge freaking hit. Everyone loved them, were fighting over them. I didn't even get to keep any of them, as they were gone like that. My nephew Cole spent the rest of the night trying to "sell" the six remaining buttons so I don't even have a keepsake button. Just gone, which is fine by me.

I kept table hopping, stealing food from people. My cousin Joylynn was there, and I never get to see her. Allen's cousin Shawn was there, and he was an amazing groomsman. My bridesmaid were pumped, my family was enjoying themselves together.

Nothing else really "happened".

We visited. We drank coffee. We laughed.

I handed out gifts, giving a small intro to each bridal party member. They oohed and awwed, laughing at their gifts. All the adults were impressed that I had actually given gifts. All the bridal party were laughing, as they each had something personal from us.

Tommy came over and gave Allen a toonie, as not to cut his own luck. Allen had given him a knife, so apparently when you're given a knife, you must give something back? I don't know, but I was impressed.

The night ended. We packed up after our good meal. Payed for our food. Laughed some more. Hugged and hugged, kissed each other. Laughed some more. Dawdled on our way out, holding hands and eating the last of our desserts.

It was good.

2. Church Rehearsal - I'll cry if I want too...

2010-10-04T08:35:00.008-07:00

The day of the Church Rehearsal, the 21st, I had my one-and-only breakdown.

We were late. The whole day had been a go-go-go kind of situation, despite the many steps I took to make sure it wouldn't. I made crystal charms all morning, I printed off a sample program, I showered, but didn't have time to do my hair, I barley ate breakfast. I sent Allen to get Brittany from the airport. I went to Wal-Mart for some quick supplies.

I had only just realized that I had nine bridesmaids and damnit, I could make them do shit for me. Caitlin went to get me some leggings for under the dress (it was cold) and Lesia was sent to Staples to print off 120 programs on my special paper.

But I could do nothing about the traffic jam at Broadway and 8th, where we had to drive in order to get to the Church.

We left with twenty minutes to spare and arrived thirty minutes after the appointment.

That was stressful, I'm not gonna lie. Everyone was waiting for us.

I kept getting texts as well. Where are you? Everyone's waiting! Hurry up! The priest is gonna leave. (a complete lie, btw) Everyone is leaving - we have places to go to, you know. Mom is mad. (another lie.)

I was pissed.

And it just came down on me.

I cried.

Not huge sobbing tears, but I simply looked out the window, told people to stop damn texting me, and let the tears come. I had a headache, I had ungrateful, ass-y brothers who thought their gassing up was more important than my rehearsal, and I wanted to cry.

So I did.

I cried quietly, wiping the tears from my face, knowing I would look a mess but not giving a fuck either. I just couldn't shake this off.

Allen noticed, reaching over and holding my hand. His temper was already short as well, with the traffic jam, and seeing me upset made him even more testier. He said all the right things, kissed my hand, told me it would be alright and we got through the traffic jam.

By the time we drove up to the Church, I had stopped crying but damnit, my eyes were all red and I was still mad.

Apparently, so was Allen.

My brothers saw us and as soon as we got out of the car, Allen starts giving them shit.

Allen never gives anyone shit.

But that's also not the way to talk to my family.

I snapped at him, pushing him inside. He shook his head and walked off, my brothers giving each other lost looks. My wedding planner came up to me, asked if I was alright. I nodded, gesturing inside. Dad came up to me, as I was guiding/pushing everyone inside to get on with the rehearsal so they could get on with their very busy lives.

In the midst of all this, Allen gets a phone call from someone who has his nephew (our ringboy) and Allen must go PICK HIM UP RIGHT NOW or else he's going back to Patuanak.

Seriously?

At his own wedding rehearsal?

Grrrr.

He shook his head, angry now and upset that this woman would pull this kind of crap. I shook my head once he told me what he had to do. "You're not going," I said, not even contemplating it. "Send Tommy, or another one of the groomsmen. They can help you out." Allen clenched his fists, crossed his arms. He wanted to go, it was his only nephew, but he had to make a choice. He finally walked inside and Tommy came out, car keys in hand.

I waved at Tommy as he left and I stood silently for a second, trying to breathe.

I heard my Dad come up to me. "What's wrong, bih-toon?" he asked, using his old nickname for me. I felt my eyes welling up again. I shook my head, clenching my jaw shut. "Are you getting cold feet?" he asked, trying o figure out why his only girl was crying on her rehearsal.

"No!" It burst out of me, all that had happened, in an angry and jumbled mess. I cried now, sobs that hurt my chest and made my throat raw. I let go, and Dad hugged me, rubbing my back, like I was three again and my brothers had hurt my feelings.

Which they had.

Dad soothed me, let me cry and then said, "Alright now. That's enough." And just like that, it was. I stopped crying, wiping the tears from my face, and sighed. It was a deep, shaky sigh but it helped.

I walked inside the Church, went to talk to the priest, who told me to take a few minutes to compose myself, to breathe. There was no rush, no one was leaving, we had all the time we needed.

I breathed.

Then I went to talk to Allen.

"Babe," I said, snuggling into his arms. He smelled of Axe body spray and coffee. "Never, ever talk to my family that way again. I love you, but that crossed a line." I saw him shake his head and look away. I knew he thought he was defending me, but he wasn't, really.

I explained to him that they were my brothers and I would handle my conflict with them, the way I always had. I could swear at them and they would let it go, as I was their sister. But if he swore at them in anger, they would remember that always. I also pointed out that it was very disrespectful and I had never, and would never, swear at his family that way, no matter how much they pissed me off. I would never disrespect him that way.

He finally got it, shaking his head again.

"Sorry, babe. I just got mad that they got you mad." He leaned down, kissed me, and held my face in his hands, looking into my face - red, swollen eyes, no make up, one huge zit that wouldn't go away and he said, "I love you."

"I love you too." I grinned, kissing him and feeling like I was 17 again, and he had just held my hand.

Butterflies, love and happiness - in spite of it all.

We got through the rehearsal with the kids running amok, the Priest cracking jokes, and Allen and I grinning ear from ear. The boys were on their best behaviour, all hugging me and kissing my cheek after the rehearsal and giving Allen a manly slap on the back-hug combo.

All was good again.

1. Getting him his gift

2010-10-02T09:02:00.004-07:00

Allen received his gift from me one week before the wedding. I didn't want him to open in front of everyone - b/c we hate doing that - and since we would be gone all of the week and he had to fly out ASAP after the wedding, I wanted him to get some use out of it.

So he opened it, with an adorable lost look on his face.

Bahahaha. A Wii, with a Mario game and all the extras needed. It was something he has wanted for a year now, but we couldn't justify it with all the wedding expenses. But.... I was sneaky and bought it for him anyways, at the Indian mall in Vancouver, when I was there picking up my dress.

He hooked it up and I didn't see him for three days.

I think he likes it.

random moment: the band

2010-09-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

I seriously only took 30 pictures that night, and my little point and shoot was dying, and so a lot of them are blurry and out of focus, which is kind of my memory of the day anyways. So Tal, my bro, is in a band. Or he's a gifted musician who knows other musicians and they got together and played at my wedding, for free.

How awesome is that?

They only had two rehearsals but they killed it. I also had many other awesome artists there so my friend Davey sang, my brother TK played the drums a bit, my groomsman Leroy sang, and my brother's girlfriend's sister serenaded us with a song.

The dance floor was packed all night - the band was getting requests left and right and once the iPod DJ was on (which was perfect and worked out great!), the dance floor was packed again. Loved loved loved.

random moment: formals

2010-09-26T11:59:00.003-07:00

I've slowly been receiving in images through facebook and my family camera's as the days pass by. I am amazed at what was captured, at how insightful these behind the scenes pictures are. Above is a picture by my dad, as me and the bridesmaids were getting individual photos done. They were huddled together for warmth. It was windy but with all my layers, I felt nothing. They were the ones told to "look warm" and huddled in their jackets between shots.

I love this photo so very damn much. My favorite women - all strong, independent, beautiful smart women - all gathered to celebrate the love they have for me and Allen, the marriage of one of their best friends. It makes me feel humbled, it makes me smile, it makes me realize how lucky Allen and I ar, to count these women as our friends.

One pic at a time, one memory at a time. That's how it's going to go until I get the pro-pics in.

married.

2010-09-23T07:10:00.002-07:00

I don't have any pics yet, not even my own. I misplaced my camera somewhere. Ha.

He drank way too much. I didn't eat enough. I cried when my dad mad his speech. I cried when my brother Tal and his friend sang us a song, giving us the gift of music. He laughed when my brothers welcomed him to the family, saying if he could survive a kick to the face from me, he could survive anything. I kissed my friends on the cheeks. I dragged their hubbies into the photobooth.

We made out by the dessert table.

Me and my husband, that is.

last notes

2010-09-21T23:38:00.002-07:00

It is close to midnight. I am sleeping in the hotel room alone. I have had one major breakdown today, my fiance has snarled at my family, and I have stopped answering my phone. I have had two vodka+sprites and plan to have one more before bed.

This is me, keeping it real.

I am happy. I am. But I am also exhausted. Emotionally, mentally, physically. I am just done. Of wedding thoughts, of bride brain, of having to awnser everysinglequestion, of having to plan, and plan, and plan and then get dirty looks for being "bossy."

I am so ready to just be married and to be done this.

Don't get me wrong - I am happy. I am getting married to my man.

But I am tired.

So on my last night as a "single" woman, I am penning a love note to Allen. On why I am marrying him, on why I chose him, on why I can't wait for our life to begin. I am focusing on the joy. On love, on friendship, on happiness.

But I'm still freakin' tired.

one

2010-09-21T07:53:00.002-07:00

Print, fold, stuff programs. Seating chart. Hanging crystals. Rehearsal. Rehearsal dinner. Pick up friend at airport. Check into hotel. Bring dress and accessories needed for hotel. Drop off food and decor with wedding planner. Confirm schedule with planner, photographer, MC and priest.

Chill.

Drink wine.

Relax.

Laugh.

Smile.

Take pictures.

Enjoy.

Indians VS The Seating Chart

2010-09-20T08:02:00.004-07:00

{source}

Bahahaha. Slightly racist title but very, very accurate. I've been spending two weeks trying to wrangle concise yes and no's out of people and I give up. I'm budgeting for 130-140, as people keep changing their minds then adding "guests," which is freaking annoying.

No, for real, they tell me "I don't know who my date is but I'm bringing someone." To which I say, "Please don't bring your fuck buddy."

Yes, we're a very elegant and subtle people, we are.

So I give up. I am doing the head table, the bridal party tables and two main family tables. And that is it. That is all.

Yet even that sucks. Who is bringing what date, where their kids will sit, how many people can sit at a table, and so on. I have many, many maybe's, which there really shouldn't be.

No worries though. It will all work out - it always does.

The Reception Music

2010-09-20T07:37:00.003-07:00

Entrance Song... 3.25 minutes.... which may be too short but we'll test it out

Cutting Cake Song... 4.24 minutes... which will be cut off/fade out once we're done...

First Dance... 3.55 minutes... which the bridal party will join in on the last few minutes...

Father-Daughter Dance... 3.53 minutes.... which we'll ask the other farther-daughter''s to join in

Then Tal's band starts it all off, and the dance begins. I'm not even sure if Allen wants a dance with his Mom, something to ask ASAP, but I'm glad these other things are covered.

Two full days, lol.

3 more sleeps

2010-09-19T20:51:00.002-07:00

I spent the day in Saskatoon, with Diana and Leroy and their family. It was my god-daughter's first birthday, which I was photographing. It was a day full of blush and bashful, helium balloons and bubble wands. There was kids laughter, adults chattering, two types of cake and ice cream. Hot pink gifts, ribbons and curly ties, little girl's dressing up as princesses and finally, a one year old stuffing her face with icing and KFC.

Hey. she is from the Rez.

It was a good way to spend the day.

Tomorrow, I have two whole full days to get shit organized. I've already transferred everything to Saskatoon, now I just need to list out what I have, what items I want where, and finsih those last pesky DIY projects.

But now, I'm gonna listen to my fiance speak baby-babble to my god-daughter.

another wedding :D

2010-09-18T22:59:00.001-07:00

I spent the day photographing a wedding in town.

It was awesome.

Now I'm off to Saskatoon in the morning.

Chaos begins.

**no nerves yet, although my bridesmaids have started to get teary and excited, which is kind of fun and sweet.

songs - The Bridal Party Entrance?

2010-09-16T07:34:00.001-07:00

I kind of like this song - gets the heart going and all that fun stuff. Sets a fun tone for the evening. I can imagine my bridal party rocking out as we sashay into the reception.

I'm having trouble with the timeline of my evening but once I get into contact with my photographer, it should all work out.

A Catholic Wedding Ceremony - the readings

2010-09-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

My new priest at St. Mary's gave me a booklet of readings to chose for what part.

How freaking awesome is that?

Diana, Leroy, Allen and I sat around on lazy afternoon on the deck, the BBQ going, the kids playing in the background, and we read aloud to one another. Some readings were immediately axed (something to do with how a good wife behaves...) and others we kept going back to.

We narrowed it down and chose our readings, which I'll share because I share way too much.

The first reading...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: A Reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to speak;

a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

I loves it. It is poetic and circular and never ending and true.

The second reading...

1 John 4: 7-12: A Reading from the First Letter of John

Beloved,
let us love one another,
because love is from God;
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God,
for God is love.

God’s love was revealed among us in this way:
God send his only Son into the world
so that we might live through him.
In this is love,
not that we loved God
but that he loved us
and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Beloved, since God loved us so much,
we also ought to love one another.

No one has ever seen God;
if we love one another, God lives in us,
and his love is perfected in us.

It's been a whole other ballgame planning a Catholic ceremony with a mass. It's harder than I thought. But once we're done choosing the songs and whatnot, I will definitely post the outline we used.

And everything just ends better when you post cute pics of babies.

one week

2010-09-15T09:14:00.003-07:00

photo by Gina's Portraits

I am getting married in one week.

omg.

Still a list of things to do that gets longer everyday but I'm happy. I'm calm. I'm centered. I'm gonna marry a wonderful man who adores me, wants to raise a family (and puppies!) with me, and loves my family and friends. I am marrying my rock, my love, my heart.

So excited.

a tie is an essential part to any outfit...

2010-09-14T09:03:00.003-07:00

Colton is my nephew, the one that gets away with it all. Spoiled rotten, adorable and sassy. We threw him in a dress pants and white t-shirt Mom had been given over the school year andit fit, so we threw on the damask tie I had bought him and his new aviator sunglasses.

It seems weird to say this about a kid, but he was Pimp.

Bahahaha.

He showed off, showed us his muscles, and said he was going to show his new girlfriend, Kesha. Yep, the kid goes to Headstart one week and comes back with a Kindergarten girlfriend.

So we're going to lose the jacket, un-tuck the shirt and fold up the sleeves and he should be good to go.

Freaking adorable.

Meeting the new Priest

2010-09-13T21:26:00.001-07:00

The church part of this whole wedding has caused me the most stress. Having three priests involved didn't help matters. But once I was in contact with my priest at St. Mary's, he made it all flow that much easier. It was epic and amazing and I'm so happy he's on our team.

We met with him for the first time on the 4th of September - I recommend meeting with the priest much earlier - ours was a special case.

He interviewed us, talked with us individually and we went from there...

This is where I had to sit outside and wait while Allen was interviewed.

Fun.

This was actually pretty easy and now I'm working on a Church Program with his help. He is quick to answer emails, quick to help me out when I need a question answered, and is working with me and my musicians to find appropriate songs to use throughout the ceremony.

Yay!

After our Church Meeting...

signage... seating chart?

2010-09-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make a seating chart.

Something fun, classy and a bit of pop.

A roll of damask wrapping paper from Micheal's, ($5 with coupon) some spray-on glue ($5) and a huge poster frame from Wal-Mart ($18), and I was in business.

I sprayed the back of the white poster thing that comes with the poster, and Mom smoothed it out. We cut it once it dried a bit, and fit it into the frame.

Tah-dah!

We was pretty proud of it, and Allen came around the corner and took a look. He smiled and said "it's crooked" and I glared at him.

How dare he mock our masterpiece?

Then I realized he was right.

And I realized I didn't care.

It's barely crooked, only someone intent on lines and details would notice it.

Like him, the ass.

It's not done yet. I have to make the seating chart itself, but it's a glam start and I'm optimistic.