I’m lovin’ it

Yes. I must confess. I caved. Today….

I ate a cheeseburger.
Not just any cheeseburger.
But a “McDonald’s Cheeseburger”….and well
…a small order of fries.
And you know what?

I loved every bite of it.

I’m done stressing about fitting into my dress…because I pick it up tomorrow! There is no more time to take it in / let it out! No more worrying about a silly wedding diet! The time has come. The wedding is next weekend! (insert smile)

That cheeseburger was the best $1.00 I spent in a long time. :o)

How to make a beauftiful life together

My Aunt Eileen has always been an inspirational person in my life. She is my dad’s sister and the wife of my late Godfather Tom Holtzhaur.   I was very touched by a insert she included in a card she sent me this week and wanted to share it with all of you.   

Let love be your shelter, the world is noisy and confusing at times,
So make a home that is a haven,
A peaceful place where you can listen to your hearts and savor the
Comfortable closeness you share.

No matter how busy your days may be,
Make time for yourselves.
Hold hands.
Unwind.        
Surprised each other.
Find little chances every day to show you’re grateful
To be partners, to be friends, to be married.

Life is not perfect.
You will make mistakes,
But each time you meet life challenges together,
You will grow wiser, stronger, and surer of your love.

Cherish your yesterdays.
They are irreplaceable souvenirs of your journey through life.
Make memories that will bring smiles and sighs
Whenever you look back. ( Look back often)

Look forward too.
Dream together. Plan Together.
Make promises to keep.
Believe in your tomorrows,
Because tomorrows are what forever is made of.

To make love last,
Put each other first.
That is the way to make a beautiful life together,
he kind of life you both deserve so much.

How beautiful!
Looking forward to seeing you again Aunt Eilleen!

Playing around …

Yes, I am messing with the website theme again. I tried a couple options. The one with the photo at the top was difficult to read so I went back to this one. It might change again but the information is still all there…just reorganized.

Word to the wise…

Just when you think you have everything planned to a T…you will meet with another vendor who tells your your so-called “timeline” is not quite accurate.

Basically I realized today that I did not allow enough time for photos and travel time to accommodate the depth and breath of formal photography that we (okay “I”) planned to take.

There are quite a few elements that go into creating the timeline for the Wedding day. Your photographer has a timeline and suggested order of events…your reception hall has a timeline and suggested order of events…. and then your musician (band/DJ) might have another. A lot depends on the schedule THE COUPLE wants…but also (and most importantly) the photos you want to capture.

So, we need to decide….

Which photos do we really want in the album?
Which setting / photo locations are most important to us?
Which photos will still be “frameable” in a year or so from now.
Do we really need an individual photo with each bridal party member or sibling. Would I value a nice group photo more?
How many different combination of family photos do we really need? Which ones are more important?
Would it be possible for all family members arrive to church for pre-ceremony photos so we don’t delay our arrival the reception by taking photos after church?

Oh decisions, decisions.

Advice is welcomed.

Photo album must haves

On Monday night we meet with our photographer to go over the “photo shot list” of all the must have photos.  I know she’ll capture all of the standard / formal shots (us with family, wedding party, priest, grandparents, the ceremony, standard reception photos, etc.) but what I need help with are the “photo-journalistic” shots.

Photos that we might want include:

Still shots of the bouquets, corsages, shoes, jewelry, etc.
Bridesmaids helping me carry my train
Alex’s dad / grandpa fixing Alex’s tie
Photo of Alex helping me in / out of the car
Wedding party crossing the street downtown
Images of the place cards, centerpieces, programs, guest book, etc.

If the weather is nice, we’ll be taking photos downtown on Fountain Square and in Piatt Park. However, if Mother Nature does not cooperate, we’ll take photos up at Krohn Conservatory where it is always green and dry!

I’d love to hear about your “nice to have” shots,  links to photos you like, suggestions of photos you love… or wish you would have had or forgot at your wedding! Thanks!

Can’t wait for this…

Cancun, here we come!

T minus 2 weeks

Sorry for the delayed updates…I have been swamped!

Yes, we are down to days. 15 days to be exact.  Time flies!

I think I have everything done for the wedding and reception to take place..the rest are minor details to make things extra special. As long as we don’t get hit with a major snow storm, we are good to go!

* Dress will be ready to take home Tuesday.
* I have my wedding band with 10 little diamonds to represent our 10 years together.
* Alex has his wedding ring.
* Final vendor meetings take place next week (photographer, reception, limo, florist, cake)
* We are finalizing our programs and slideshow. Those are my weekend projects.

…and my matron of honor Tricia has been doing a wonderful job keeping me sane and helping me prioritize all the little details. Thank you sooo much Trish!

I have a number of logistical things to work through but I hear that is pretty typical with most weddings.

Thanks for everyone being so patient with me the past couple of weeks!

In the news

Wedding Bands

Today Alex and I ordered our wedding bands. Alex chose a simple band - inspired by his father’s ring. I thought he would go for something more contemporary with squared off edges, but he said he has always like his dad’s ring and found something similar.

I turned my engagement ring over to our jeweler for the upgrades that we are making. Now, my left hand now feels slightly odd without my engagement ring.

It’s like Tricia said below, it feels like when you think you forgot your purse…I don’t like it. I think I’m going to have to go out and find a “dummy ring” for my left hand, just so I don’t feel so uneasy. Have other brides-to-be done the same? I am sure I am not the only one! We also worked on our gifts for our bridal party and ordered his tuxedo today.

And now we rest.

Ceremony programs

This week we are working on our ceremony program. The program will include a list of everyone involved in the ceremony along with the music, readings and a few specials messages from the two of us.  Now it’s up to Alex’s creative mind to design the program, similar to how he designed our Save-the-Date cards and Invitations. A few bridesmaids and I will then assemble next weekend.  Here are some ideas I found on online that I really like.

Trumpeter confirmed!

That might sound like a silly statement to most of you reading this, but it actually means a lot to this bride.  I am super excited to know that a trumpeter will be playing Trumpet Voluntary as dad walks me down the aisle!

I haven’t heard a trumpeter at most of my friends weddings here in Cincinnati, as I don’t think it is as common. However, it one of those “standards”  back home in Minster (St Augustine Church)…it is one of those things everyone has in their wedding ceremony….it’s just what you do…and Larry Coppess always plays.  I almost asked if Larry could travel to Cincinnati for our wedding since I did not know another trumpeter. :o) Luckily our music director came through with one!

Although planning the wedding here in Cincnnati was much easier for Alex and I and we are still happy with our decision, I will feel “at home” when I hear the trumpeter play from the choir loft at “our” new church - St. Teresa.

Logistics

Yes, that is this week’s agenda. Figuring out who needs to be where and when.

When and where should the flowers be delivered?
What time should the cake arrive?
When can I drop off reception centerpieces, placecards, etc.
Where and when should the bridal party meet?
Can we get an early check in at the hotel?
Where can I find a trumpeter at last minute?
When and where do we want photos (esp if it is windy/snowy)?
Most importantly…when will we find time to pack and finalize last minute details and still find time to eat some  turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving!?

I’m also cutting in my holiday shopping schedule.
What was I thinking!?

Oh yeah…Getting married on our 10 year anniversary. That’s why! I guess that helps bring some perspective to all this. Yay us. Cheers!

Silver sixpence in her shoe…

Today I came home to yet another sweet surprise in the mail from my brother’s friend Carol.  It was nicely wrapped silver sixpence coin and personal note.

A few months ago, I wrote a post about Something Old…Something New...and wrote about how there is a last line that says “and a silver sixpence in her shoe”.  Carol’s note stated that the “sixpence” must be worn in the left shoe as the bride goes down the aisle to insure wealth and prosperity in the marriage.

My favorite line from her note was…”Michelle, when I found this, I thought of you and hope it brings you and Alex lots of wealth in your marriage…What the heck, it already is creating wealth in your marriage because the sixpence is no longer minted therefore it can only go up in value. he he
Hugs,
Carol

Very thoughtful..and witty. Thanks Carol.

Last priest meeting

We finally had a chance to sit down with Father Bolte and talk through the rehearsal and ceremony details. There are lots of little details to complete and/or bring with us to the rehearsal…church donations, server gifts, marriage license, our written petitions, aisle runner, flowers for sign of peace & Mary, unity candles, confirm readers, offertory and communion distributors…and attend confession within two weeks of our wedding date. I’m sure I’ll think of a few more…

Now that both the music and readings have been finalized, we can also start to create our ceremony programs.

Lots to do!

Ceremony meeting

Tomorrow we meet with Father Bolte to finalize our vows, ceremony time line, music, and readings.  Alex and I still have a lot to read and talk through tonight before our meeting but we are pretty much in agreement of what we want, so that is good.

There are a lot of decisions to make!

Photo guest book

Yes, once again, I’m breaking the rules. Instead of a traditional guest book with lines where guests sign their names, I created a “photo book” using our engagement photos. This book serves as both our engagement album…and our guest book. Guests can sign between the photos in the “white space” and blank pages.  Yes, guests can write on the pages of the book. :o)  Not only can they sign their name, but they can also leave us a message if they so chose. Love it!

And…since I’m so excited with how it turned out, I want to share it with you now instead of waiting until the wedding.  (For the few brides-to-be that have been following my blog, I used Shutterfly.com and highly recommend this service! I simply uploaded my photos, created the page layouts and received it in about a week).

Click to view book.

Kristin will perform

Ever since I heard Alex’s cousin Kristin play the violin for the first time (many moons ago), I had hoped that one day she would perform during our wedding ceremony. That day is quickly approaching and we are honored to announce that she has graciously accepted. Yay!

Her music is absolutely beautiful. I simply can’t describe it in words. I am just extremely happy that the timing of the wedding and her travel plans home for Thanksgiving seem to coordinate. Kristin is Tim and Carol’s daughter, recently graduated from Berklee College of Music and just returned from a European tour with her band, The Young Republic. Many thanks Kristin!

5 month countdown

EEK! Where did the past month go? I feel like I just wrote the six month countdown post yesterday. Yikes!

So, there is this website called www.TheKnot.com which has been helping me organize our wedding “to-do” list and currently it says we have a few things over due.

Oops.

* Announce engagement in newspaper
Do couples still do that in Cincinnati? I know they do in my hometown.

* Book ceremony musicians
I did meet with the church music director and we tentatively selected the songs/musicians for our ceremony. I would love to have a trumpet play “Trumpet Voluntary” as Dad escorts me down the aisle, just like all the weddings back in Minster (St. Augustine Church). We’ll see…

* Finalize invitations
Alex is working on the design and I am focused on the wording. Both are more difficult than one would think!

* Reserve Limo/Bus
Not all limousine companies have limos that seat 26 adults. Got any ideas? I heard A Savannah Nite limousine rentals might be able to help.

*Engagement photos
We are scheduling those for July, probably up in Mt. Adams or downtown, as both are locations that are extra special to us.

* Groom selects tuxedos
Finally, a task that doesn’t really involve me! :o)

So, that’s where we are this week. I have a few other “secret projects” that I am working on and we’ll share those with you on the big day! (I can’t reveal everything about the wedding online! What fun would that be?!)

Call for prayers

I’ve been a little distracted from the wedding planning due to some family health concerns. In the past week, my brother David had neck surgery, my Mom had a chemically induced stress test and my brother-in-law Dale was diagnosed with two ruptured disks in his neck. Then I found out Stephanie, one of my best friends from high school, was in a serious car wreck along with her husband, one year old son and two dogs (car flipped multiple times).

I thought bad things come in 3’s, not fours. These recent events kind of helped put some reality back in my life about what is important…and what is not. I said from the beginning that this blog would be a diary of the “joys and challenges” along the course of our engagement, and I have been blessed to only report the “joys” until now…Please keep our loved ones in your prayers.

Happy Home Recipe

In my last post, I mentioned my favorite gift from the bridal shower was a cookbook the Weber aunts created. Tonight,  I wanted to try out one of the recipes and this was the first one listed. Let me know what you think.

Happy Home Recipe:

4 cups love
2 cups loyalty
4 quarts faith
2 spoonfuls of tenderness
4 spoons kindness
4 spoons understanding
3 cups forgiveness
1 cup friendship
5 spoons of hope
1 barrel of laughter

Take love and loyalty and mix it thoroughly with faith.
Blend it with tenderness, kindness, and understanding and forgiveness.
Add friendship and hope.
Sprinkle abundantly with laughter.
Bake it with sunshine.
Serve daily with generous helpings.

I think this recipe might call for two cooks in the kitchen. :o)

Thanks everyone!