Although this blog is related to MY wedding and things about ME (and the FH), it’s nice to venture from the path occasionally. Plus I’ve been on a nice, encouragement kick lately. Imagine that!!
Anyway, so remember how I announced we picked our photographer about a month or so ago?
Well it just so happens that Michael proposed to his girlfriend on Monday and she said YES!! So, CONGRATULATIONS to you both!
(Don’t you just love that weddings make people so giddy?? Especially me, the queen of all crankiness)
Now a quick update:
Lately I’ve been having unnerving dreams about the wedding. Is this normal? One time the tuxes were all wrong; another time I had no shoes. Once it was a cake that looked like it belonged on Cake Wrecks (I assure you this IS a disaster). Most recently? I dreamt we were unable to get married because we had not completed our required marriage preparation things. It’s been nagging at me since Sunday, so today I finally got around to calling the priest to set up what (I think) is the last step. So next Wednesday Chris and I are going to take the FOCCUS test. Thankfully it’s not a test we can fail, so it’s not like they won’t allow us to get married unless we score above a certain percent. It’s not really even a test per se, it’s more of a profiling tool to outline your strengths and challenges within your relationship.
I’ll admit, I’m not exactly looking forward to answering a 200-question exam but if it’s anything like Pre Cana I’m sure I’ll end up being pleasantly surprised.
Plus this way I can go back to obsessing over the flowers, invitations, and all that other fun stuff. Hooray!
PS. How come no one tells you planning a wedding is like a second full time job?! I feel LIED to, people!!
One of the best things about getting married are all the really awesome perks. Everyone is really excited and happy, you get new presents, and you basically get to plan a really awesome party for pretty much everyone you know. With that, you get a dark and slightly damp underbelly.
That underbelly are shows about weddings. Dress Shows, Ceremony Shows, Bride shows, the list goes on and on, and almost every day there is a new one.
Damn them both.
I am so insanely tired of watching so many shows about weddings. I am also completely done with shows about babies and celebrities, but thats another rant. I just want to watch tv without having to think about dress designer or cake tiers or hall setups. I want my MTV cartoons back.
I just want to have my own wedding, without TLC or We trying to get all up in my planning business.
You didn’t really think I’d reveal my dress, did you??
To start out with the less exciting stuff, the guys’ tuxes. And let me tell you, Chris was thrilled over the experience:
Can’t you just see the joy and excitement in his face? After a squabble, a bridezilla moment, and a hideous jacket a la Willy Wonka later, these are the ensembles we picked:
Chris' Tux
The Best Man's Tux
Groomsmen Tuxes
The one thing Chris & I did agree on were the shoes. Chris picked these for him and his guys to wear:
And now on to the fun girly stuff!
My maid of honor will be wearing this dress:
Maid of Honor Dress in Oasis
And my bridesmaids will be in this dress:
Bridesmaid dresses
and a peek at my veil:
and my shoes:
I <3 these Stuart Weitzman Pumps!!
So–Thoughts? Love it? Hate it?
I know this is kind of old news but I have yet to post about it so here goes!
Chris & I have selected our wedding photographer and I’m pleased to say we are working with Michael Williams of Michael Will Photography!
We didn’t spend much time shopping around for photographers, but one meeting with Michael was all it took for us to decide he was the photographer to shoot our wedding. We absolutely loved his style and we really think he will capture the spirit of our wedding perfectly.
He’s also going to be doing some engagement photos for us, so we can’t wait for that!
One year from today, Chris & I will finally be Mr. & Mrs!!
So today Chris and I had our Pre Cana class, and it wasn’t horrible!! Surprise!!
okay, not really. I didn’t think it would be horrible based on what others had told me, and I was actually looking forward to it. Chris, on the other hand, was skeptical. But I’ll have him post his own thoughts on the process.
So anyway, we had a super nice guy named Frank leading the group of about 36 couples. The morning started off with a quick prayer, and I was thinking to myself “uh oh, if this is going to be ultra religious Chris is going to freak”. I mean the poor guy can’t even make the sign of the cross. We started off with an exercise listing things about our past, who has influenced us, what were key events that shaped who we are today, etc. Then we had to list qualities we thought we had, and qualities we thought others thought we had. The whole point of the exercise was to share your answers with your partners and surprisingly I learned things about Chris right off the bat I didn’t already know. Then we did other exercises with the couples at our table, listing what we thought were the 3 most important ingredients to a marriage, aside from love. Each table shared their list to create a master list, and everyone had different thoughts and ideas.
The morning progressed talking about other similar topics, like balance of time together and with others and setting up boundaries. We wrapped up the morning by writing a letter to our future spouses to be exchanged and discussed over lunch. I was a bit nervous about this because even though I’m a blogger and have no problem putting myself out there for everyone to see and judge, it’s a bit scary when it comes to sharing those intimate thoughts with Chris. So we quickly read each others letters and then chowed down on Portillos. I had no desire to really discuss my letter with Chris over burgers and fries surrounded by tourists.
After lunch we reconvened to touch on topics ranging from finances, to children, to natural family planning and even (gasp) sex. We did a few more exercises with the group and individually and before we knew it, it was 4pm and the class was over.
So, what did I think of the whole process and what did I take away from it? I thought the day was very informational, interesting, and fun.We sat at a table with other couples in the same boat as us, the girls being the Catholics and the boys along for the ride. We were all getting married in different parts of the country, and came from different backgrounds, but we were all there to learn the same thing and go through the same process together. I really felt it made you take a step back and think beyond the wedding itself, and realize what exactly it means to be married. I wish everyone was required to take this class, I think so many marriages would benefit from it. The leader of the group was great, not too preachy.
So the next step is our FOCCUS test and based on today, I’m sure it will go smoothly. I’m really excited to finish another step on the road to marriage. 377 days and counting!!
I’ll admit that I had fun today. I learned a lot of things I otherwise would not have thought about, and I think I can have a better marriage because of today.
I think this is something that should be required for everyone to take, because I thought I knew everything I could ever want to know, and today taught me a few more.
It really was not at all preachy, even though it was held at the church, and the book was called “A Marriage in the Lord” I think that kinda gave me a start at first, but I really enjoyed it. I actually looked at the book after the class, and may look at it again before the wedding.
I think today also made me really realize that I was getting married. Today was the day it really took hold, and I am really excited about it.
If only it wasn’t 12 months away.
We set a date for our precana, which will take place on August 29th.
I don’t really know what to expect from this, because about the only classes I’ve taken are book learnin’ classes. To have someone tell me ideas for life is kinda strange for me.
As usual a trip to Wikipedia gave me a heads up on what to expect. I have to admit, I’m pretty excited. For this as well as for the date we picked, September 11th, 2010.
First thing’s first: I’m not pregnant.
Moving on…
My priest must be on twitter or something, because he finally called me back!! (Okay I really don’t think he’s on twitter, but he would totally earn a +10 in coolness for that)
Can I just take a step back and tell you how difficult nailing down a wedding date has been?
First we wanted to get married in October of 2010. I’ve always wanted a fall wedding and I totally love fall colors.
Then I changed my whole color palette and theme to a peacock theme. This opened up a whole new world of dates since I wasn’t limited to a fall palette anymore.
To make a long story short: we decided on the month of September. September 18th to be exact. My mom already told us we couldn’t have it the weekend of her 50th birthday, even though her birthday is on a THURSDAY but whatever. We’ll ignore that. So after many rounds of phone tag with the Father Michael, I finally get him on the phone only to find out September 18th was already taken.
Oy.
So after much consideration, we decided on September 11, 2010. For obvious reasons we were hesitant. But seriously, isn’t that a great way to re-label that date? After some reassurance from a friend and the priest also giving his assurances, I was sold. Date booked!!!
Now we can get Edgar to print out our super formal Edgar’d invitations. Expect yours in the mail soon!
I have never seen the movie, but I feel confident in assuming that it was pretty sucky. I’m sure it was full of assumptions of the Catholic church’s strictness and ridiculous rules and expectations involved in a couple’s desire to marry. Fortunately Chris & my experience was nothing like that.
Basically I knew this meeting was going to go well right from the start because the priest had the same Jesus figurine I do. I refer to him as “Fast Pitch Jesus” because if you shake him really hard his arm spins in a circle rapidly.
He didn’t go into anything too personal, or get all preachy with Chris for being what I like to call a “Pretend Catholic”, or lecture us for living in sin. Halfway into our chat he tells us he will be splitting us up to ask us questions regarding our freedom to marry. I quickly volunteered myself to go first, and after a few simple questions we switched and it was Chris’ turn.
Then I asked him the big question: “Can I have some of that strawberry candy on your desk??” I had been eyeing it since I walked into his office (after I saw Fast Pitch Jesus of course). I’m not gonna lie, I was pretty pumped over the candy. I’m pretty sure it lured me into a false sense of security or something, because through the whole interview I was thinking if I answered all the questions correctly & truthfully I could have some of that delicious candy.
Then I asked if I could now officially set my wedding date. And of course he said yes. I never had a doubt that he would give us permission but it’s such a relief now that we can tell everyone we finally have a date set.
And of course he gave me candy on my way out.
