Don't worry, I will still post wedding photos on here (and there) when I get them back, but in the meantime, follow this link over to my new blog that is about life in general as I make my way into being a wife and someday mother, and create a successful marriage rather than a successful wedding!
I hope that some of my followers will follow that blog now that I am just about done with this one. If not, have fun in cyber space!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Housewife Status
As I'm sure you've figured out from my previous posts, my wedding was on Saturday, October 26th of 2013. I got dressed up, had a beautiful wedding to start a beautiful marriage, had beautiful people by my side through the whole thing. I couldn't be happier with how everything happened.
I had all of these preconceived ideas of how the wedding should be; I would shed a few tears as I walked down the isle and said 'I do', Jonathan would have a single glistening tear drop as he saw me walk down the isle toward him, and so on. As you can see from the small description of my expectations, I wanted the fairy tale wedding that went exactly according to plan.
For any of you new readers, I feel I should let you know that close to nothing has gone as planned through this entire journey. It's been a tough road for everyone involved, but we made it to the destination in time, so I won't complain. No matter what things tried to go wrong in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding, it went perfectly. I marriage the man I love with all of my heart, so did anything really go wrong to ruin that?
My advice to all of the future brides who may be reading this: Do not go into the wedding with too many expectations. I don't mean that in a bad or insulting way, I just mean that (the ceremony itself, at least) it will go by so fast that you're not going to have time to notice when one minor thing goes wrong and there is a good chance you're not going to remember any of the little stuff that happened throughout the day.
This will be one of my last few posts, seeing as I am no longer making the wedding in the title of the blog. However, I will post another post or two with a few pictures that you may or may not feel like seeing and will link to my soon-to-be new blog taking place in the married life as opposed to engagement! Hope to see some of my followers on there.
I had all of these preconceived ideas of how the wedding should be; I would shed a few tears as I walked down the isle and said 'I do', Jonathan would have a single glistening tear drop as he saw me walk down the isle toward him, and so on. As you can see from the small description of my expectations, I wanted the fairy tale wedding that went exactly according to plan.
For any of you new readers, I feel I should let you know that close to nothing has gone as planned through this entire journey. It's been a tough road for everyone involved, but we made it to the destination in time, so I won't complain. No matter what things tried to go wrong in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding, it went perfectly. I marriage the man I love with all of my heart, so did anything really go wrong to ruin that?
My advice to all of the future brides who may be reading this: Do not go into the wedding with too many expectations. I don't mean that in a bad or insulting way, I just mean that (the ceremony itself, at least) it will go by so fast that you're not going to have time to notice when one minor thing goes wrong and there is a good chance you're not going to remember any of the little stuff that happened throughout the day.
This will be one of my last few posts, seeing as I am no longer making the wedding in the title of the blog. However, I will post another post or two with a few pictures that you may or may not feel like seeing and will link to my soon-to-be new blog taking place in the married life as opposed to engagement! Hope to see some of my followers on there.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Relief Sets In
Though I am still having no doubts, I have been continuing to be nervous. Today I went back to the seamstress for another dress fitting, only nine days before my wedding. It fits PERFECTLY now. I have shoes to wear with it. A couple of weeks ago I had no shoes and it would only zip up halfway. I would have married my Jonathan with or without my ($600) wedding dress, but I am very happy that I get to wear it with. My wonderful seamstress is just finishing putting the lace back together and stuff like that and I get to pick it up on Monday.
A word of advice to any brides who buy a dress that doesn't fit quite right: Do NOT go to the seamstress employed by wherever you bought it. They may know the dress a little better, but they will charge an arm and a leg, and maybe your head too. At David's Bridal, I would have easily paid well over $200 in alterations alone for what I was getting done. By going to a local seamstress, I managed to pay $85 plus tax. It's incredible. She's been doing it for around 30 years and still charges reasonably!
Anyway, I will try to post pictures of the whole shebang sometime in the next week before the big day.
A word of advice to any brides who buy a dress that doesn't fit quite right: Do NOT go to the seamstress employed by wherever you bought it. They may know the dress a little better, but they will charge an arm and a leg, and maybe your head too. At David's Bridal, I would have easily paid well over $200 in alterations alone for what I was getting done. By going to a local seamstress, I managed to pay $85 plus tax. It's incredible. She's been doing it for around 30 years and still charges reasonably!
Anyway, I will try to post pictures of the whole shebang sometime in the next week before the big day.
Monday, October 14, 2013
There Comes a Time...
There comes a time during your engagement where all of a sudden everything hits you like a sack of bricks. This time has come for me. For anyone who has read my previous posts, you can estimate about how long until my wedding, right? For those of you who are new here, I will let you know that I am marrying the love of my life in 1 week and 5 days, give or take a couple of hours.
I've been doing a daily countdown of the wedding, so you couldn't say I wasn't aware of how close the big day was getting. Today hit me harder than it has been when I realized, "Oh, sh*t! I am getting married NEXT WEEK!" Pardon my French, but that is word for word what went through my mind. Knowing that there are 12 days until my nuptials is a big thing to go with a small number. However, days can drag out and one day could seem like weeks in the eyes of a woman getting married. Knowing that it's next week all of a sudden made it feel within reach. It is making it so real for me.
Here is my to-do list of all the last minute details I need to figure out and do before the wedding:
I've been doing a daily countdown of the wedding, so you couldn't say I wasn't aware of how close the big day was getting. Today hit me harder than it has been when I realized, "Oh, sh*t! I am getting married NEXT WEEK!" Pardon my French, but that is word for word what went through my mind. Knowing that there are 12 days until my nuptials is a big thing to go with a small number. However, days can drag out and one day could seem like weeks in the eyes of a woman getting married. Knowing that it's next week all of a sudden made it feel within reach. It is making it so real for me.
Here is my to-do list of all the last minute details I need to figure out and do before the wedding:
- Go to the next town over to get our marriage license (today)
- Call our priest and make sure that everything at the church is set and make sure the rehearsal is scheduled (today, but he won't call back until tomorrow or later)
- Figure out how on earth I'm supposed to change my name and eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverything that comes with that (later, don't have the energy to research right now)
- Wait patiently for my packages to arrive with last minute things for the wedding ceremony (today and tomorrow)
- Tell Jonathan that I love him and that I am glad to be marrying him. (Today-next Saturday)
- Calm the heck down!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
What a Wonderful Man
As I mentioned in a previous post, because of money stress, we will be downgrading a lot for the wedding, including my ring. That's what we were gonna do, anyway. I should probably provide you with a little back story before I explain what he did the other day that was so darn special.
Our first Valentine's Day together, he gave me a ring. It was a promise ring, just to say that he'd stay with me as long as I'd have him. It wasn't like committing our lives together or anything, we weren't rushing, I swear! He didn't just give me one though; he had a matching one. The best part is that he made them himself. He's big into jewelry making and making me a ring was so sweet. Well, I had to stop wearing mine because it was getting tight and I was allergic to the metal, but he never takes his off if he can avoid it, two and a half years later!
Now, back to a few days ago. It was time to go to the jewelers and ask if we could switch to the more inexpensive ring that I liked and make a payment on that one. Well, he made a payment, but he told them we still wanted the one we had originally picked out. I told him we couldn't afford it and tried to convince him to just buy the less expensive ring. He wouldn't let me have the lesser ring and told me that he would wear his promise ring as a wedding ring so I "could have the ring I deserve."
Honestly, the ring wasn't really all that important to me. Yes, I did prefer one to another, but I wasn't about to complain because I was just happy to be marrying him at all! The gesture, on the other hand, was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I can't put into words how much it means to me that he would do something like that because he thinks I deserve the best. I'm the luckiest girl in the world and I won't be forgetting that any time soon.
With a bright smile on my face and a glow in my heart, I wish you a good night.
Our first Valentine's Day together, he gave me a ring. It was a promise ring, just to say that he'd stay with me as long as I'd have him. It wasn't like committing our lives together or anything, we weren't rushing, I swear! He didn't just give me one though; he had a matching one. The best part is that he made them himself. He's big into jewelry making and making me a ring was so sweet. Well, I had to stop wearing mine because it was getting tight and I was allergic to the metal, but he never takes his off if he can avoid it, two and a half years later!
Now, back to a few days ago. It was time to go to the jewelers and ask if we could switch to the more inexpensive ring that I liked and make a payment on that one. Well, he made a payment, but he told them we still wanted the one we had originally picked out. I told him we couldn't afford it and tried to convince him to just buy the less expensive ring. He wouldn't let me have the lesser ring and told me that he would wear his promise ring as a wedding ring so I "could have the ring I deserve."
Honestly, the ring wasn't really all that important to me. Yes, I did prefer one to another, but I wasn't about to complain because I was just happy to be marrying him at all! The gesture, on the other hand, was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I can't put into words how much it means to me that he would do something like that because he thinks I deserve the best. I'm the luckiest girl in the world and I won't be forgetting that any time soon.
With a bright smile on my face and a glow in my heart, I wish you a good night.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
A Letter to Fellow Future Brides
Dear Beautiful Bride,
Yes, I can say from my heart that you are beautiful without having ever met you or seen you. The man that asked you to marry him thinks that you are the most beautiful woman in the world, so if you are engaged, I can say with complete confidence that you are beautiful. Whether you feel beautiful or not, always remember that you are to the one whose opinion matters!
As your date approaches, I'm sure you are getting stressed out. You may be having the thoughts that many women do: "Am I marrying the right person?" or "Am I ready to settle down and get married?" Maybe you are completely sure that you are ready and with the right man but you are nervous for other reasons. "Do I have enough money to raise a family?" or "How will I pay for the wedding?" Those are pretty common questions women ask themselves days and weeks before the big event.
Honestly, nerves are part of the process. Doubting yourself, doubting your partner, and/or doubting your relationship are all totally normal. Don't throw it away on a whim because a thought popped through your head that scared you. If you don't stress about your wedding, I think something might be wrong with you. The fact of the matter is, getting married (and staying married) is not an easy task. You have to prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and monetarily.
If you don't have much money to throw a big bash, then don't. A lot of people might say it's worth it to pay for it on credit, but that's just not true. If you want to celebrate with people, invite them to the wedding and don't have a reception. It may not be ideal, but you don't want to spend the next 30 years of your marriage paying off those $80 plates of salmon for 200 guests because you couldn't cut down the list. After the wedding is over, you should be able to be done stressing about paying for the wedding, not paying for it for the rest of your life. If you DO have the money for that kind of party, then go for it.
If you are looking for easy ways to cut costs, I can tell you so many.
Just remember Bride, your wedding is NOT about just you, no matter what other people may say. It is about you AND your new spouse. It is about your marriage and your love. Don't make it a day to show off and get dressed up, make it a day that people will remember witnessing a commitment of love! You'd rather people remember your wedding by how happy you were, not how good the music or food was. No matter how big or small your wedding is, you will be walking out of that church/park/beach/hotel as a woman with a new husband. Your love will be just as strong, even if you have to make sacrifices to get to where you are.
Yes, I can say from my heart that you are beautiful without having ever met you or seen you. The man that asked you to marry him thinks that you are the most beautiful woman in the world, so if you are engaged, I can say with complete confidence that you are beautiful. Whether you feel beautiful or not, always remember that you are to the one whose opinion matters!
As your date approaches, I'm sure you are getting stressed out. You may be having the thoughts that many women do: "Am I marrying the right person?" or "Am I ready to settle down and get married?" Maybe you are completely sure that you are ready and with the right man but you are nervous for other reasons. "Do I have enough money to raise a family?" or "How will I pay for the wedding?" Those are pretty common questions women ask themselves days and weeks before the big event.
Honestly, nerves are part of the process. Doubting yourself, doubting your partner, and/or doubting your relationship are all totally normal. Don't throw it away on a whim because a thought popped through your head that scared you. If you don't stress about your wedding, I think something might be wrong with you. The fact of the matter is, getting married (and staying married) is not an easy task. You have to prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and monetarily.
If you don't have much money to throw a big bash, then don't. A lot of people might say it's worth it to pay for it on credit, but that's just not true. If you want to celebrate with people, invite them to the wedding and don't have a reception. It may not be ideal, but you don't want to spend the next 30 years of your marriage paying off those $80 plates of salmon for 200 guests because you couldn't cut down the list. After the wedding is over, you should be able to be done stressing about paying for the wedding, not paying for it for the rest of your life. If you DO have the money for that kind of party, then go for it.
If you are looking for easy ways to cut costs, I can tell you so many.
- Flowers. If you find a pretty enough venue, you honestly don't need much more than the flowers for the wedding party. Flowers alone can cost as much as tens of thousands; that's BEFORE counting the flowers at the reception!
- Depending on the formality, get the bridesmaids non-floor length dresses, as they cost a good deal less.
- If the groom wears a nice suit instead of a tux, don't fret. A suit looks good if it fits him properly and is not powder blue. Tuxes can be a few hundred to rent and a few thousand to buy.
- You can buy a dress off the rack at a bridal store and try for one that will need minimal alterations. If you can't find one you love, don't settle, but don't expect too much either.
- Have a buffet style meal instead of those outrageous 6 course (or more) sit down meals with expensive catering.
- Don't have a huge rehearsal dinner. Honestly, if you are having a reception after the wedding, do all of your guests need TWO huge meals at your expense?
- Have a small wedding with only close family and friends and have the big one you always dreamed of in 10 years when you can afford it and renew your vows then. It's a great way to remind your spouse of how much you still love them.
Just remember Bride, your wedding is NOT about just you, no matter what other people may say. It is about you AND your new spouse. It is about your marriage and your love. Don't make it a day to show off and get dressed up, make it a day that people will remember witnessing a commitment of love! You'd rather people remember your wedding by how happy you were, not how good the music or food was. No matter how big or small your wedding is, you will be walking out of that church/park/beach/hotel as a woman with a new husband. Your love will be just as strong, even if you have to make sacrifices to get to where you are.
The Bigger Picture
It's hard when you have two weddings: the one you plan in your head and the one that actually happens. As you might expect, the one in your head will probably not happen when you get married young, like me. We thought we had it all figured out, but no; we were stuck in a daze dreaming of what we wanted, not what we could actually have.
Jonathan and I have come to terms with the fact that we're not going to be able to get everything we'd like. We're not even going to be getting half of what we'd like. We're struggling to find a place to live at a price we can afford, so here is a list of changes we decided to make to make surviving possible:
At the end of the day, it's not dancing or partying or having nicer jewelry that matters to me. I will be married to the love of my life, and that's what I care about. I will have over 50 years to tell him how much I love and appreciate him. I will be able to spend my entire life telling him that the fact that he even wanted me to have my dream wedding means so much to me. I can't imagine anyone being as good to me as he is and I know with all of my heart that I am making the right decision.
To all of you women out there who have already met the love of your life: don't take them for granted. Make sure they never forget you love them, because losing sight of that is such a horrible thing. Make sure they know that you never want to be with anyone else.
Jonathan and I have come to terms with the fact that we're not going to be able to get everything we'd like. We're not even going to be getting half of what we'd like. We're struggling to find a place to live at a price we can afford, so here is a list of changes we decided to make to make surviving possible:
- Cancel the more expensive apartment we wanted
- Cancel the more expensive ring and go with one $200 cheaper
- Cancel the photographer
- Cancel the professional cake
- Cancel any "real food" (just desserts)
- Cancel cake made by a family friend for considerably less
- Cancel reception
At the end of the day, it's not dancing or partying or having nicer jewelry that matters to me. I will be married to the love of my life, and that's what I care about. I will have over 50 years to tell him how much I love and appreciate him. I will be able to spend my entire life telling him that the fact that he even wanted me to have my dream wedding means so much to me. I can't imagine anyone being as good to me as he is and I know with all of my heart that I am making the right decision.
To all of you women out there who have already met the love of your life: don't take them for granted. Make sure they never forget you love them, because losing sight of that is such a horrible thing. Make sure they know that you never want to be with anyone else.
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