R and R Wedding

Baby!!

2009-10-25T10:58:00.002-05:00

We are expecting a lovely baby girl February 2, 2010!!

For those of you who followed our wedding, we've started a site for our baby exploites. Please feel free to check it out:
http://richnlife.blogspot.com/

We appriciate all your love, care, well wishes, and prayers for our new marriage. But we are on to the next stage (quite fast!). Thank you for checking out this site, and feel welcome to see what our growing family is up to on the next!

2009-01-21T22:45:00.002-06:00

This is the Wal-Mart site where I've loaded up the official wedding pictures and you are welcome to order and print them from at your own price.

http://photos.walmart.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=42688490/sessionID=166599783/t_=21042620

If you have any problems accessing it, just contact me. :)

Photos

2009-01-08T21:55:00.002-06:00

Alright, I've uploaded the Wedding photos to Wal-Mart's digital Photo thingy. If you'd like you can order the ones you want to be printed at your local Wal-Mart.
If you need help with this, just get a hold of me.

Bridal Shower

2008-12-04T23:17:00.000-06:00

Pictures are ready!!

2008-11-05T13:02:00.002-06:00

Hey everyone, the pictures are here!! You can view (and order) at:

http://www.foxdigital.com/cgi-bin/tame/www.dinsmorestudio.com/login.tam?

The password is: 84693

Check 'em out!

Honeymoon

2008-10-29T23:29:00.000-05:00

We're Back!

2008-10-28T11:18:00.002-05:00

Yeah! Chris and I are back from our fabulous honeymoon in St. Lucia! I will be posting pictures of both the wedding and the honeymoon soon! Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes and love.

Bachelorette Party

2008-10-16T22:21:00.001-05:00

In-Law Bridal Shower

2008-10-10T12:49:00.001-05:00

Meet the Bridesmaids

2008-10-01T14:07:00.002-05:00

I guess I should say "meet the 'maids and 'matrons" because over half are married. In this blog I wanted to introduce you to each of the people in my bridal party. They are each from different walks in my life, from start to present. I tried to grab the one special friend from each major time in my life so far. So here goes:

Jennifer Walker is my Matron of Honor: She's also my sister! She's coming from Houston. She went to OU and got her masters degree at Colorado School of Mines. She just got married around last Christmas, where I was the MOH.
Sara Gayle is a Bridesmaid: She's from Talala, Oklahoma, and raises horses. We were roomies in college at OSU and have remained strong friends over time. I just attended her wedding July 19th of this year at the MOH. I see a pattern, but truely it's only those two.
Ara McCurry is a Bridesmaid: I have known her since before high school and we've lost and found each other multiple times over the years. She's the only bridesmaid that's available, so boy's watch out! She currently works at a newspaper for a place outside of Tulsa.
Heather Ward is a Bridesmaid: She also just got married... a little over a year ago. She's Chris' sister, and a great friend and has been a big help in this new place (Owasso). She also attended OSU.
Tracy Aksamit is my Flower Mistress: I know she's a bit old for a flower girl (she's a year older than me), but I really wanted to include her, and I couldn't go over the bridesmaid/groomsmen limit we'd set down. Tracy has been there for me thoughout college, and in spite of her now living all the way in Maryland, she makes great strides to keep us in contact. She's also single, but boys remember: I'm very protective of my girls!

The Bridesmaid Dresses are in!

2008-10-01T05:43:00.002-05:00

Yeah! I'm so excitted to see what they look like! I know that sounds a bit weird but I ordered a custom color mix, so it's not something they've done before. I know they'll look great though! I just want to actually see them!

Bridezilla

2008-09-30T22:09:00.002-05:00

Oye, I feel I've been having some Bridezilla moments. But don't worry, Chris is keeping me roped in. It's a good thing.

The Dress Is In!

2008-09-15T19:20:00.000-05:00

Yeah! So exciting! The dress is finally in. I tried it on for a fitting, and it looks great! I'm so excited. I want to post a picture, but then again I want you to wait to see it till the day... so no pictures yet... sorry. :) I'm so excited about it! You guys will see it soon enough!
Next: shoes! Gotta get those shoes before the final fitting.

Oopsie! on Invitations

2008-09-14T00:26:00.002-05:00

Just a slight correction

Flowers

2008-08-30T11:42:00.000-05:00

So I just ordered and paid for my flowers from RoseSource.com

We're using the following:

Cherry Brandy Roses

VooDoo Roses

Lina Roses

Cezanne Roses (only in bride and groom stuff)

And the filler is Yellow Asters.

I'm so excited! I saved a lot going through the website, instead of a local florest.
I can't wait to see them.

The Dress

2008-05-23T23:49:00.000-05:00

I got the Dress! THE Dress! The dress of my dreams! It's georgous, it's beautiful, it's wonderful! There aren't enough adjectives to describe it! I love it! I don't like that it's expensive, but other than that... It's perfect!!! It's the Maggie Sottero Tuscana I've been looking for. I was so surprised anyone had it. Mom, MOm-in-law, and I went around to a place Patty knew of that she thought might have it, and **wala!** they did! But it's a good thing we decided to shop around, because Patty knew of this other place which was where Heather had gotten all her prom dresses at. We went there and they had the REAL verson we were looking for. It's the full couture verson: longer train, 3-D lace, better beading, etc. That and they were cheaper... well, they were about the same price given the upgrade. But they would have been cheaper if the other store had tried to sell me the right verson! So we went with the second store. They were way cool about everything. I'm so excited to get it in!!! But it won't be until the end of September :( Oye. I'll just have to wait... but not as long as you! :)

Dear Reader;

2008-05-07T08:37:00.001-05:00

How do I break this to you? I guess like a bandaide: Chris and I got married already (April 25th). We had a quick and quiet wedding in Alabama with the Justice of the Peace (a Judge) in his chambers with only him, us, and both sets of our parents. Alabama doesn't require a blood test, so that's nice.
After that we had a quiet dinner with some of our closest ASF friends at a little Italian resturaunt. It was on the last day we'd be in Alabama, so it was also like saying "goodbye" to everyone. Chris and I just wanted something small, because we're still doing the big wedding in October... so don't worry. The chapel wedding is still going on as planned. I know there were some concerns there, especially since we were away on a honeymoon and everything and unable to be contacted. But no worries! October goes on as planned!

Tea Time at High Noon

2008-04-25T17:05:00.000-05:00

The Wife's Bill of Rights

2008-04-16T07:18:00.000-05:00

by Jill Adler

Preamble:
We, the wives of America, love being married to the husbands of America. We know we have our faults, but with our ever-morphing roles these days, there's a lot of pressure on us to be superhuman. We care for our families, manage the home, keep ourselves attractive, and even bring home our shares of the bacon. We know we sometimes lash out, but we really do want to "live happily ever after" with you. Our mutual acknowledgement of these amendments can go a long way toward achieving that.

Amendment I
We have the right to dislike your buddies.
We know it's important for you to have your guy friends, but you should know by now that we're not turned on by your stories of the good old days at college, your sexual exploits, or which relief pitcher the Red Sox should trade. Disappear for a while and be boys—it's OK, go chug beer and high-five—but please don't expect us to be happy when your friends come over and put their feet on our coffee tables or leave their beer cans on the floor.

Amendment II
We have the right to experience PMS in all its glory.
Either give us our space or accept the consequences. We know it's unfair, but some of us just can't rein it in. You knew that before you married us. We may shout, cry, belittle, act irrationally. It lasts a few days each month, so please deal with it. Or even better: Bring home dinner, clear the dishes, and give us a big hug.

Amendment III
We have the right to demand you finish a household job.
We're not your mothers, and we loathe having to act like them. If you wash the dishes, do them all and clean the sink, too. Don't just bag the trash, take it outside to the bin. If you start a load of laundry, put it in the dryer and fold it too. We don't like nagging any more than you like hearing it.

Amendment IV
We have the right to an honest answer to "What's wrong?"
We admit guilt in this area too, but "Nothing" says nothing. If we ask, it's not because we're trying to make casual conversation. It's because we love you and need an honest answer. If there truly is nothing wrong, then ask why we think otherwise. Yes, this could open a can of worms, but remember when we dated and talked about everything?

Amendment V
We have the right to keep our secrets.
Not marriage-ending ones, just small secrets we choose to hide from others. If we don't want to speak our age or share our true hair color or reveal the cheesy TV shows we watch in private, it's not your place to reveal them to our friends, your business partners, or your ex-girlfriends/wives. We're not asking you to lie for us, but we would appreciate your discretion.

Amendment VI
We have the right to clean air.
You may think it's funny, masculine, or natural to pass gas anywhere and anytime you please, but when the smell drives us to gag, it's uncool. There is something inherently wrong in the relationship if you must walk over to us and fart, or if you intentionally set a bad example for the kids. We fart too, but we do so discreetly for a reason. You may not like our potpourri and scented candles, but they're infinitely better than toxic and flammable methane.

Amendment VII
We have the right to keep and bear tons of girly bathroom products.
You have your tools; so do we. These items are expensive and to be used sparingly. It brings no joy to see our $15 bath bar shrunk down to the size of a quarter after two passes on your chest and legs.

Amendment VIII
We have the right to speak to our girlfriends every day.
About whatever we want, whenever we want. Please don't eavesdrop or criticize. We know you're not that interested in gossip or psycho-analytical interpretations of why some people do what they do, so we turn to our like-minded female friends for instant gratification. Yes, we do talk about you—a lot. It helps us work through issues. This keeps us happy, sane and, usually, off your case.

Amendment IX
We have the right to flirt.
Not the kind that makes you jealous, but the healthy practice of connecting with another person on a non-sexual level. Light banter is fun, quick-witted, and encouraging to our self esteem. It might even remind you of why you feel in love with us. And if it gets us a smoking deal on that new furnace or a free stay for the family at a million-dollar ski chalet, so much the better.

Amendment X
We have the right to foreplay.
A fine bottle of wine, soft music, deep looks into each other's eyes, compliments, holding hands, cuddling—these are all forms of foreplay, and we insist on them. Please don't reach for our crotch or breasts and expect us to melt into a porn kitten. It didn't work when we met, it most certainly doesn't work now. Sure, we women are strong and independent, and appreciate an inspired quickie when the moment strikes, but we also have an inner soft spot the size of Texas that needs squeezing and cherishing. We appreciate you more when you think about how it feels to us rather than how it feels to you.

Name Changer Kit

2008-04-05T19:58:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking and looking around... I think one of the presents I'd like to receive (because I've been very tempted to buy it myself on many a many occasions) is one of the many bridal name changer kits. They seem pretty awesome. They have all the paperwork for you to change your passport, address, drivers license, etc. They seem pretty cool.

Halelula!

2008-04-03T16:12:00.000-05:00

Chris has finally chosen his ring! He is getting the one featured below:

The metal is Tungsten carbide, which means it can be removed if he's in an accident. "Emergency rooms are usually equipped with jewelers' saws that can easily cut through gold and silver rings without injuring the patient when the ring cannot be slipped off easily. However, these saws are incapable of cutting through tungsten carbide.

Tungsten carbide rings can actually be removed in an emergency situation by cracking them into pieces with standard vice grip–style locking pliers. Although standard ring cutting tools cannot be used due to the hardness of this material, there are specialty cutters available that are just as effective on tungsten carbide as they are on gold and platinum."

This is his work ring. We are getting him a really cool custom ring for the October wedding, because it won't be done by then, but... you'll just have to see...

Chris' Rings

2008-03-29T15:48:00.000-05:00

Chris needs to choose a freaking ring. I thing we have looked at hundreds! I know I've looked at thousands, and that's not counting the ones that Chris has looked at with me. I keep telling him that for being so laid back and easy going, he is really really pickie!!!

He needs to just freaking choose one! I thought I knew what he wanted but it turns out I don't. Which is why I have deemed it necessary for HIM to choose the darn thing. I love him to death, but... grrr...

I will give it to him that it is a hard decision. It was a hard enough decision to choose my ring, so choosing his own is understandable. I'm going to take him to the last jewelry store in town and see if he actually picks out one. We shall see... we shall see...

Ring around the finger

2008-03-29T12:35:00.000-05:00

I am trying soo hard to loose that last little bit of weight... okay, maybe not that hard. I have been cheating a bit lately because I've been feeling so cruddy with my allergies being so bad lately.
I can almost almost fit in Chris' grandma's ring. I think I'm gonna just have to fess up and get it sized before the wedding.

Fun Wedding Post

2008-03-21T14:21:00.000-05:00

One of my box office gal-pals forwarded me this story about a wonderful idea for a home-cooked wedding written by a smitten bride:

I'm so, SO smug. I got married about a month ago and it went so smoothly and graciously. My lovemonkey proposed while we were spending a year teaching in another country and we scheduled the wedding for one month to the day after we stepped off the plane back home. Nuts? Nah. Look at all the problems it solved!

Q: "Oh my goodness, how will you manage to get the invitations sent and RSVPd in time?"
A: "Livejournal!"

Q: "Oh my goodness, how will you rent a hall in time?"
A: "Boy, guess we can't. Looks like we'll have to have it in the backyard!"

Q: "Oh my goodness, what if it rains? Your dress will get ruined!"
A: "I couldn't bear that. I'd better wear something comfy and warm instead. And tanker boots."

Q: "What are people going to eat at the reception? You can't find a caterer in time!"
A: "Hot damn, you're right. Potluck reception with Trader Joe's wine!"

Q: "What are you going to do for a cake? Bridal bakeries only do tastings once a month!"
A: "Sheet cake. A big ol' custom sheet cake. In my favorite flavor."

Q: "Aren't you going to have a registry somewhere?"
A: "No."

So we had an outdoor winter wedding by the beach in Seattle , and it rained. And it was awesome. There were cormorants and SCUBA divers. I wore black and red, the lovemonkey wore green and black, and we both got completely SOAKED. There was no priest, no judge, just him and me and a bunch of people taking pictures with disposable cameras. We made up our vows on the spot. My Maid of Honor didn't know she was the Maid of Honor until I made her come hold the ring box--damn skirt didn't have pockets.

After the vows on the beach, we dripped back up to the house and had an EXTREMELY fine potluck--because my friends and family are good cooks--and good coffee and good wine and NO GODDAMN DANCING. Some people left gifts, some didn't, and everyone had a sweet laid-back time.

The week after the beach ceremony, we went and got legally hitched by a very nice justice of the peace. Then we went for Thai.

I got all the thank-you notes mailed out last week.

And do you know what all this means? It means I'M SO AWESOME. Everybody should have a wedding as cool and homegrown as mine was, but they CAN'T, because I have used up all the cool. Yes I have. There is none for you; give up.
Radcakes
Seattle , WA Tuesday, January 24, 2006

outside the chapel

2008-03-12T09:52:00.000-05:00

More Dress ideas

2008-02-05T19:25:00.001-06:00

Here's one I really like, but I've forgotten what website I found it from, grrr...

Yes!

2008-02-05T13:10:00.001-06:00

moar funny pictures

Photographer

2008-01-30T12:53:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I have finally decided on a photographer and put a down payment on them. I'm getting them to come up from OKC, but they are a really good price and really good. I'm really looking forward to what they come up with at our wedding. Here's their website. Their name is Gordon Dinsmore Studio.

Sister's Wedding

2008-01-22T12:48:00.000-06:00

http://walker-wedding.blogspot.com/

The above is the link to the really gorgeous pictures of my sisters wonderful winter wedding! Everyone should check them out.

Vesica Piscis

2008-01-17T15:03:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I really would like for the wedding to take place at Vesica Piscis Chapel. It was actually made for weddings... and it's available. The following is a list of what comes with the Diamond package:

Wedding Coordinator
Pianist
Guest Registration Table
Candelabras and Candles
Unity Candle Stand
Bride and Groom Dressing Rooms
Chapel Setup and Cleanup
Baby Grand Piano
CD Equipment
One Hour Rehearsal
Limousine
Banquet Hostess
Servers
Tiered Bride's Cake
Groom's Cake
Draped Cake Tables
Draped Guest Tables
Cloth Napkins
Plates, Glassware, Flatware
Crystal Punch Bowl
Silver Serving Pieces
Signature Punch
Tea, Water, and Coffee
Nuts and Mints
Centerpiece Containers
Cake Table Candelabra
Use of Bride & Groom Toasting Goblets
Dance Floor
White Garden Chairs
Easel for Bridal Portait
Reception Setup & Ceanup
Disc Jockey
Caterer
Security

All is included, but we don't need everything (or I was planning on getting things from other places). I'm in discussion with them about that.

Dress Slideshow

2007-11-23T21:56:00.000-06:00

Dress

2007-11-17T17:27:00.000-06:00

Okay, So I've found a lot of dresses I like from Demetrios

They've got a lot that fit the different styles I like, and a little bit more in range (I think). I'm still looking, but need to reel it in soon. More importantly, I need to start reeling in a place. Any suggestions? Aquarium seems out now.

Details Details

2007-10-27T22:59:00.000-05:00

Alright: So here are some things I've been thinking.

JesseReich is a bit expensive and doesn't give us everything we want... so he's out. We're trying to find another photographer.

But they do have this great PhotoBooth for rent... and it seems realy cool.

And finally! I have found the name of the flower! It's a Grandiflora called About Face. But you have to watch out. Not all of them when you google are the right ones... be sure to double check that the picture is close to the one I provided.

All I know is that we want it to be fun fun fun, especially the reception, because that's where the party's at! And the party is for everyone to enjoy.

Pirate Wedding

2007-10-27T15:28:00.001-05:00

Love on the High Seas: A Pirate-Theme Wedding

Some time ago, Jessica dropped a note in our inbox about her pirate theme wedding ... and painted a vivid picture right off the bat:

"I'm 22 years old, and got married in early July (on the hottest day of the year). Now, my wedding wasn't a lavish $20,000 event. My budget was so low, I don't even know what it was! I was my own wedding planner. I searched endlessly online for deals and creative ideas. I even managed to find the dress — you know, "The One" — on eBay for a mere $125.

"In the beginning I wanted the traditional wedding. I had some ideas about earthy seafoam greens and browns. But about a month after trying to figure out how to throw this all together, I got fed up. In fact, I pleaded with my fiancée to just marry me in Las Vegas.

"In the end I found out he wanted a large wedding ... even more than I did. But he also wanted a themed wedding. And somehow, and I don't know how, he convinced me to have a pirate-themed wedding." This, she admits, after he initially pushed for a circus and then a superhero theme.

"It actually turned out rather beautiful."

First the Courtin'; Then the Marryin'

For invitations, Jessica created some of the cutest messages-in-a-bottle we've ever seen. And luckily for us, she shares exactly how she did it.

"I bought 200 plastic sand art bottles with corks for $118. And we designed and printed out our own little treasure maps. I spent endless hours burning the edges, for realism. Then we rolled them up, tied them with gold ribbon and tucked them in the bottles.

Finally, we sealed the cork with gold wax, and stamped the top with an "S." Really, our guests were delighted when they got them."

What's more, she says, they actually mailed these invitations directly in the bottle, with "To" and "From" labels attached. "The post office allows it," she said. "I had no clue we could do this, but my mother-in-law tipped me off." (Editor's note: this is where purists can really see the advantage in plastics.)

"I think it all worked out to about $.60 a bottle," she says. "We saved a lot of money doing it this way." But, she admits, after the twentieth one (out of 200!), the process became a pain. "Printing, burning the edges, sealing, stamping ... yikes."

Droppin' Anchor at Home

Bill and Jessica, who hosted the event in their own backyard, couldn't have dreamed up a better venue, with their spacious yard, lush tropical landscaping, and weathered solid board fencing, oh-so-reminiscent of an island oasis. "We'd looked around for other places, but I just wanted a place where we were in complete control.

"We were lucky enough to have a large yard."

Saucy Wenches & Stylin' Swashbucklers

Still, not everything ran according to plan ("as we headed to the ceremony, I think we both had thoughts of just driving right on to Mexico," says Jessica, who needed some last-minute hair and dress tweaks), but when they arrived, most things fell into place. Including the world's most adorable ring bearer.

"I wanted the ring bearer to be Peter Pan, and the flower girls to be little Wendys, dressed in white nightgowns. Actually, they ended up being little Tinkerbells.

"For the ring bearer, we actually made an alligator pillow out of green velvet."

Bill, of course, wore a pirate costume custom-made for the occasion. "It turned out beautiful." Jessica had her dress custom-fitted by the seamstress who made Bill's costume, and ordered a matching veil.

Okay, but what about the guests? The bridesmaids? The (erk) mothers-in-law? Did they play along?

Indeed, says Jessica. The invitations mentioned that dress-up was an option ... and pointed out that the bride and groom would be really glad if they did. "Most people loved the idea," she said, recalling that a lot of male guests took to classic pirate costumes complete with billowing ruffles, cuffed boots, headscarves and magnificent three-cornered pirate hats. While some donned rentals, others showed up in lovingly-handmade outfits.

"Two men came as islanders, and women mainly dressed as wenches. Of course, not everyone warmed to the idea right away. It took a while to talk the mothers into dressing like wenches.

"But in the end, we did."

Trickin' Out Me Timbers

Once they'd agree to a pirate wedding, the couple settled on a color scheme of black, red and gold. They draped the romantic fencing with wide swags of red and gold tulle, covered the tables with red and black, and punctuated the corners with swaggering skull-and-bones pirate balloons.

They dressed the arch with swags of red roses, and the wedding party proceeded down a white runner strewn with red rose petals. ("Though it would've been nice to find a red one," muses Jessica.)

"Bill picked the music," she adds, "and the wedding party walked out to 'Love Story' from the Princess Bride.

Later on, after the party started, the DJ played 'I'm a Believer' — the Shrek version."

Then I saw her face (ha-ha)
Now I'm a believer (listen)
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind
I'm in love
(Ooh, ahh, yeah)
I'm a believer
I couldn't leave her if I tried ...

"No one warned me ... but the kids sure loved it."

"I, Mad Dog Bill Take Ye, Saucy Jessica As Me Heart, Me Soul, Me Good Wench."

We had to bring up the tricky subject of vows. After all, Elvis Vows are one of the main attractions at certain Las Vegas chapels. Were we talking pirate vows, with lots of "Yars!" and "Ahoy, mateys"?

"Actually, Bill did want them," says Jessica. "But I wanted real ones. Our roommate tracked down some pirate vows, and they really were funny, but I wanted this one part to be serious.

"It was our roommate, ordained online, who performed the ceremony. I wasn't sure if I could find a normal minister to do a pirate wedding," she laughs.

... And a Bottle of Rum

Sometimes the greatest magic in theme weddings lies in the smallest touches: the witty favors, the movie-set food. Needless to say, this wedding was full of them.

"We focused on finger food. For example, we served lots of kebabs. Like, maybe 400 kebabs, with five different kinds. And we had tropical fruit, and chocolate fountains."

Her sister-in-law came through with the perfect centerpieces ... and even made them herself. "We had small chests filled with jewels on planks of wood that we scattered with sand. And next to these, we placed miniature galvanized pails we filled with three types of mini liqueurs — Jack Daniels for me (I'm a Tennessee girl), tequila for him (he's Mexican), and Captain Morgan for the theme.

"Everyone loved the mini bars."

That Takes the Cake

The really tricky part, says Jessica, was finding the cake topper. "It was tougher than I expected," she said. "Everyone said, 'try eBay,' and believe me, I did, but I wasn't having any luck.

"I spent three solid days looking for that figurine. I asked at Yahoo! Answers and everything.

But I finally found the topper I wanted on Ebay after all — only it was called 'The Captain and His Lover,' and the word pirate was nowhere to be found," she sighs. Still, it was totally perfect.

Set Sail, and On Toward Morning

So, does the couple have anything else to share with other lovebirds hitting the high seas of romance?

"Actually, I don't suggest that anyone ever plan their own wedding," laughs Jessica. "It's so much harder then I expected.

"Still, at the end of the day, we were happy with how it came off. Everything cooled off when the sun went down, and people were eating and drinking — clearly enjoying the dance music the DJ played. In fact, the whole thing went on until midnight." Blackbeard, Captain Hook and most other infamous roisterers would approve.

Check 'Em Out

2007-10-26T18:19:00.000-05:00

They're in and they're very fun! Check out our engagement photos!

http://www.destinypix.smugmug.com/gallery/3713104#212895431

What Wedding Dress I want

2007-10-18T18:09:00.000-05:00

If I were able to design the dress, or have someone design one for me, it would have the following details:

Sweetheart neckline
strapless
full length
bead work around the bodice and trickles down
lace trim work
light weight
corset top (back laces up)
off-white (ivory, pale gold, etc)

Other than that I have no idea. I want it to be romantic and fun. I had thought I wanted a convertible so that I could be dressed down a bit for the reception, but the more I think about it the more I think "no one else is going to change. They don't expect the bride to, either."

Wedding Dress

2007-10-18T18:06:00.000-05:00

Patti and Destiny came down to visit and took me dress hunting. They had scoped out this cute little boutique that had a plethora of wedding dresses! The ones I like the most are all from the same designer: Sophia Tolli. You can check out her website and see the dresses I like. I narrowed it down to three; the Jena, the Emily, and the Danielle. They are all beautiful in their own right.

Flowers

2007-10-13T10:53:00.001-05:00

from the website www.pashweddings.com
love ya
mom
» Home » Floral » Using Your Birth Month Flower

Using Your Birth Month Flower
By Sharon Naylor | Published 08/31/2006 | Floral | Unrated

Sharon Naylor
Sharon Naylor is the author of over 30 wedding books, including 1000 Best Secrets For Your Perfect Wedding, 1000 Best Wedding Bargains, Your Special Wedding Vows, Your Special Wedding Toasts, The Mother of the Bride Book, Mother of the Groom, The Groom's Guide, The Essential Guide to Wedding Etiquette, The Complete Outdoor Wedding Planner, and more. She has appeared as a wedding expert on Nightline, Lifetime, Inside Edition, ABC News, Fox 5 News, and on hundreds of radio stations nationally and internationally. Read more about Sharon Naylor here. Sharon is also happy to asnwer your wedding-related questions in her forum.

View all articles by Sharon Naylor
Using Your Birth Month Flower
For years, brides and grooms have used their favorite flowers in the bouquet, the centerpieces, other décor, and the boutonnieres. As weddings become more personalized, they brought in their mothers’ favorite flowers, their grandmothers’ favorite flowers, even the flowers that were a part of their love story – such as pink roses to commemorate the first bouquet the groom ever bought the bride, or Calla lilies because they were a part of the wonderfully romantic proposal scene planned by the groom. These flowers told a story, both as reminder for the bride and groom of each step of their romance, and as a telling touch for guests to appreciate the details of their relationship.

Now, there’s another way to personalize your wedding – using your birth month flowers. The bride born in June would derive extra meaning from her tightly clustered bouquet of white roses, and the groom born in February might have a tiny violet on his lapel to coordinate with the bridesmaids’ lavender gowns. Your two birth flowers may work together wonderfully as a pair – white roses with lily of the valley, for instance – or they may work as individual touches. We’ll list some suggestions in a moment, but first…we wanted you to know about the biggest new trend in birthmonth flowers for the wedding day: giving the wedding itself its own birth month flower. The month of your wedding is the birth of your new relationship, the start of a new life together, and so it’s only fitting that your wedding own its personalized bloom to be worked into your wedding design and celebrated in the future on your anniversaries.

Here is the chart of birth months and their corresponding flowers:

January Carnation
February Violet
March Daffodil
April Daisy
May Lily of the Valley
June Rose
July Larkspur
August Gladiolus
September Aster
October Calendula
November Chrysanthemum
December Poinsettia

Now here are some ways that you can bring your birth month flowers into your wedding style:

• Use your birthmonth flower in your bouquet, using only your month flowers at the start of your ceremony, then adding your groom’s flowers into your bouquet after the ceremony – or switching to a second bouquet that includes both of your blooms.

• Use both of your birthmonth flowers in your bouquet

• Have your birthmonth flower sewn onto your gown, as more designers are doing…with fresh roses sewn onto the bottom of a plunging backline

• Use your birthmonth flowers, as well as the birthmonth flower for your wedding, in your centerpieces and place on each table a note signifying the meaning to your guests.

• Place petals or blooms of your flower on the tablecloth around the centerpiece, around votives, scattered on guest book and gift tables, and more

• Give your mothers bouquets including your birthmonth flower

• Use your birthmonth flower, combined with hers, in her corsage, wristlet or bouquet

• Use your children’s birthmonth flowers in your bouquet, as well as theirs

• Use an image of your birthmonth flowers on your invitations, wedding programs, place cards, save the date cards, and other printed items

• Use your birth month flowers to decorate your wedding cake and other desserts

• Use your birthmonth flowers as fresh accents to serving trays or display trays on a buffet table

• Give your birthmonth flowers out as shower favors, and also as wedding favors when single stems are individually wrapped

• Use the scent of your birthflower for your wedding day perfume, such as a rose scent or lily of the valley

• Use the flower of your wedding month to decorate your ceremony site

• Use the flower of your wedding month as pew bow décor, and as ceremony seat attachments

• Again, use the scent of your birth flower in the candles you choose for your tables

• Choose candles in your birth flower’s scent to give out as favors

• Leave fresh flowers in your chosen months in your guests’ hotel rooms, with a note as to their meanings.

• Give your bridesmaids single flowers in their birthmonths on the morning of the wedding

• Personalize your bridesmaids’ bouquets by using their birth month flowers in their bouquets

• Create personal-wear floral jewelry for the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, children, bridesmaids and yourself by having your floral designer create a delicate flower bracelet or choker made from your flower (not recommended for poinsettias).

• Use your birth month flower as extra décor in your outdoor wedding setting, such as planting groupings of daisies throughout the yard.

• The men can choose their own style of boutonniere flower, including the option of their birthmonth flower (guys sometimes want to go traditional, and an aster on a lapel may be a bit too much for some men).

• For your tossing bouquet, create it from a combination of your birth month flowers, as well as your wedding birth month flowers.

• Use your birth month flowers to decorate the sign on your getaway car.

• Send your parents bouquets on the morning after the wedding, using your birth month flowers, or perhaps yours paired with theirs.

• Use your birth month flowers as the décor for your morning-after breakfast

• Give guests a single flower just before they depart from your wedding weekend

• Share the story of your birth month flowers, or your wedding birth month flowers, in your wedding program. Most florists can give you the history of the flower, such as the revelation that violets were the original Valentine’s Day flower of choice before roses took over.

• Look up ‘The Language of Flowers’ on the Internet to find out the symbolic meanings of your flowers

Registry

2007-10-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

So far we've registered at Bed, Bath, & Beyond as well as William-Sonoma. We've started a registry at Sears, Dillards, and I think there's one more, maybe not. We registered for waaay too much, me thinks. It's okay, right?

Spa and Golf

2007-10-01T15:18:00.000-05:00

Okay, So Heather's wedding day was a great example of how I'd like to do things. Have the guys relax with golf or bowling, and the girls go get primped at a spa. I think it's a fabulous idea! I found one place, the Berkshires spa and salon, online. They look fun and relaxing. But I need input from people in the area. I don't want to get ripped off, or get my eyebrow ripped off!

Expected Visitors

2007-10-01T14:19:00.000-05:00

Alright, so if a little busy lately, you'll have to forgive me. I've got a dozen and one people planning on coming. Very excited since the season is starting up and we can take them to shows now, too.
Mrs. Ma-in-la' is coming with a family friend, Destiny, and Chris and I get to take engagement pictures in a couple of weeks. Destiny is a great photographer, and I'm really excited we get to utilize her skills for a little bit. She won't be able to make it to the wedding for pictures, though. Sadness. Who plans their wedding that far ahead?! Wait a second... oh...
Tracy is coming in the beginning of November for a joint birthday celebration. Hopefully we'll be able to get last minute seats to the sold-out showings of Peter Pan.

Excited Part Deux

2007-10-01T14:07:00.000-05:00

I'm also very excited about my own wedding!!! Chris and I are getting married! Chris and I are getting married! Sometimes I just want to scream it to the world, but that would hurt my throat. So instead, I'll just type it a lot... at least until the caffeine wears off.
I've gone back and found a few more great places. But I'm sticking with these top three that Chris and I have agreed to.
1) Aquarium
2) Gilcrease Museum
3) Cherokee Casino
I think all of them would be fab! Mrs. Mom-In-Law-To-Be, Patti, is checking them out for us, so I'm kind of waiting till the report comes back to decide anything further.

Flower inspiration

2007-09-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

So we're back to orangish-red and yellow again. But we've added a new color that Chris will allow people to wear: Gold.
Alright so I want you guys to vote.
a) red, purple, and blue.
b) red, yellow, and gold.
c) don't really care.
d) other.

Colors

2007-09-21T14:18:00.000-05:00

So our colors have gone from Orangish-red and yellow to red, purple, and blue. We decided that the Groom's side would be blue, the bride's side red, and us joining together is purple. These colors will go with the Aquarium a lot better, so it's okay. I've just got to get used to this "compromise" thing people keep talking about (j/k).

Chocolate and Tuxes

2007-09-21T13:04:00.000-05:00

Grrr... it's already started, according to Andy. We're arguing over colors. Chris doesn't get that you can't just throw a color in there for use just because it matches if you're only going to use it once. It has to be a repeatable color. Grrr...
Also, my other gripe is that I've given up chocolate, which just happens to be what everyone is getting me loads of this week... I gave it up and Chris hasn't given up anything! It makes me very vexed that I feel like I'm puting so much into this and he isn't even though that was one of the things we talked about doing once we were engaged (giving up something like that). Also, that I ask him what he wants to do and he says he doesn't care about any of the wedding stuff, so I go full throttle into it and then come to a screeching halt when he decides he absolutely won't wear one of the colors I've chosed and neither will his groomsmen. He wants to wear something that doesn't go at all! Grrrr... boys. They just don't get it.

The Big Day!

2007-09-21T10:50:00.000-05:00

So, Chris and I are getting married!!! Yeah (celebration ensues)!!! Anyway, we chose a date: October 18, 2008. We've got a few ideas already about the event, and I'll be updating you at this post site about what we've figured out.