Asking my Bridesmaids

Since we've been engaged for 6 months all of my bridesmaids already know who they are. I didn't ask them in a formal way. I just asked them. But when I found these great cards on fluffpaper.com I had to ask them officially! I think the ugly dress card is hilarious (& so me)!

(Source)(Source)

I must admit that I'm not normally a card person. My moh always gives me a card on my birthday where she write a lovely message on the blank side of the card reminding me of funny moments that we had together over the year. Honestly, I just have never seen a point in cards (that is, if you don't write a personal note -- which most people don't.) Why? I have a box full of Hallmark cards from b-days & other event with just a "love so&so." Which is fine, but what does one do with all of these cards? I feel guilty throwing them away because I know that they were given to me with love but I don't know what to do with them. (I know I'm lacking in the sentiment department.)

However, I want to thank the special women in my life who I have chosen to stand up next to me and support me when making this big decision. Ah -- cards do have a purpose! I can't wait until the girls get these in the mail! (Yep-- I'm using snail mail. How else could I surprise them?)

New Goodies!

Yesterday I received my Mindy Weiss guestbook & tote that I bought from OneKingsLane! They are so adorable!




Originally I was going to make my guestbook with romantic vintage postcards the I found on ebay. However, when I saw this deal (and it was a deal--like 50% off -- onekingslane.com is awesome!) I had to have it! It matches my colors besides! So, I'm using my diy skills to make a guestbook for Kristin and I'm using the Mindy Weiss design for inspiration. I love the mini envelopes on the pages. I think it is so fun to write on the little wish cards & put them in the envelopes for the bride & groom to open later.

Never a bridesmaid...

(Image Source)

Just out of curiosity I thought I would investigate the tradition of a wedding party. I think we've all heard of this one:

"From the 17th to 19th century, it was believed that "evil spirits" would attend weddings to harm a bride and groom. So, the closest friends of the bride and groom would stand next to them and dress the same, in order to confuse spirits. To this day, bridesmaids usually wear the same dresses or colors at a wedding."

These were new to me:
"The Western tradition of the maid of honor is believed to have originated from Roman law, where ten witnesses were needed to confirm a wedding."

"Traditionally, bridesmaids were unwed women and young married women. Bridesmaids were also chosen based on the size of a family, to indicate the family's social status and wealth."(Traditions Source)

This summer will be my first experience as a bridesmaid! My own MOH has been in 11(?) weddings to-date. She is very much a girl's girl. While I have always had a few close girlfriends, I have never really been good at keeping a large network of close girlfriends. I guess this has translated into saving $ for me since none of my close girlfriends have been married. Kristin will be the first (8/1/09). I'm excited and honored to be a part of her wedding!

I laugh at how the wedding plans have highlighted the differences between us. I'm obsessed with the details. I can't wait to put all of the planning together and I have a million ideas of what I want our wedding to look and feel like! (Explains all of my color scheme posts!)

Kristin is much more relaxed and has said that the details aren't her priority. She has delegated many tasks to her mom & fmil that I know I will have to have 100% control over. (I will have to take a lesson from her on my actual wedding day!) The best news for me is that I get to make her a guestbook! I'm very excited to try out my diy skills and I have a great idea for the book! I just hope what I envision in my head can translate to real-life!

The Engagement!

We both have divorced parents so holidays with our families are crazy! (4 houses-4 meals- 1 day... wasn't there a movie made about this?) Anyway... we generally spend the whole day driving from house to house eating as much as we can. This past Christmas we decided that after 4 years of this craziness that we would take a year off and go to Mexico!! Our families were disappointed but we managed to work out other times to celebrate with them -- and thankfully they didn't fall on the same day.

When Jake suggested the trip I hoped that he would propose as it would be the perfect time and place. When we arrived in Cancun the first night we went to dinner. Jake knew I was expecting the question so he explained to me that he had originally planned to propose but because of the economy and the nature of his real estate business that it wouldn't happen on this trip because he couldn't buy a ring yet.

Side note -- He and I have always differed on this point. I used to work in a jewelry store and I've always been of the opinion that it's the meaning behind the ring not the diamond that matters. I've said to him to just get me a $30 cubic zirconia -- we can upgrade later! But, having a real rock is a huge deal to him. He says he wouldn't feel right proposing with a "fake." (Although, to the naked eye, there's seriously no difference.)

Back to Cancun-- He told me that he wanted to let me know at the beginning of the trip because he didn't want me to wait all week for something that wasn't happening. (He was letting me down easy.) The next night was Christmas eve and we had arrived at our destination of Isla Mujeres. We wanted to get away from the party scene in Cancun so we decided to stay on the island. We booked a room with a private balcony in a small hotel on the east side of the island. We were getting ready for dinner when Jake wanted me to come look at "how cool" the ocean looked. I'm like, "yeah, yeah I'm getting ready, I've seen the ocean." He kept insisting that he really wanted me to come out there so I finally did -- (albeit frustrated because my hair wasn't finished).

His line: "We'll get married someday won't we?"
Me: "Well, when you ask me."
Him: "Will you marry me?" (pulls the ring out of his pocket -- a real one!)

It was perfect, very low-key, very "us." (The picture is one we took of ourselves right after.)

Treading Water

I've found that with a long engagement it feels like treading water. I know there is a lot to do for a wedding, but I feel like I can't do anything yet(hence the treading)! We picked our venue and our photographer (the two most important things to me!) but now I feel like I have to hurry up and wait. My weddingwire virtual planner has "due dates" for when I should complete the 118 tasks it claims I have left to complete. Funny thing -- my due dates don't start until September 5th! Apparently the average wedding takes a mere 9 months to plan. I suppose I should have planned it for this summer, but because of the financial investment (and the possibility of being accepted for the Fulbright teacher study abroad) 2009 wasn't in the cards. So I wait... and wait...

The only problem with waiting (besides that I'm really excited) is that I keep changing my mind. (For example, the colors have changed at least 5 times, as have ideas for invitations, favors etc.) If I had a limited timeline then I would have been forced to make a decision and stick with it! (It would have been blue dresses and white hydrangeas!)

The benefit of having this loooong engagement is... I don't feel rushed! I can pretty much accomplish any diy project, make my own invitations, learn calligraphy, bake my own cake, become a registered officiant, (jk on those last two. I am a horrible baker!).

More Color Inspiration

So one of my favorite blogs to follow is StyleMePretty. It always features great ideas for stylish wedding planning. A recent post featured the rehearsal dinner to the right. I love that it is a softer version of my color scheme choice. (I'm trying it out with my blog colors again-- it such a good visual!) It matches the picture on my inspiration board with the gerber daisy. This option might lend to more flexibility with flowers! I could see incorporating lily-of-the-valley to add to the fresh natural look.

Color Inspiration Board

Here are some pics that inspired my color scheme. I found these using a website I learned about on one of the many wedding blogs I follow --I can't remember which one at the moment :( . The site is by idee labs (click here to visit it!) You can pick a combination of colors and the site will search flicker and alamy to find pictures that match those colors. Cool!