If you are looking for a non-related wedding blog to read, my FSIL just started a blog that cracks me up. She is such a witty person.
Here is the link to her blog. Check it out - they are just daily noticings, amusements and observations.
Mockingbored.blogspot.com
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Ceremony Readings
I am back! We have been super focused on buying a house, but we are getting reinvigorated in wedding planning.
Saturday we meet with our officiant, and I began thinking about readings and the tone I want our wedding to have. Here are some of my favorites so far:
From Union by Robert Fulghum:
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.
Our union is like this:
You feel cold so I reach for a blanket to cover
our shivering feet.
A hunger comes into your body
so I run to my garden and start digging potatoes.
You asked for a few words of comfort and guidance and
I quickly kneel by your side offering you
a whole book as a
gift.
You ache with loneliness one night so much
you weep, and I say
here is a rope, tie it around me,
Hafiz will be your
companion
for life.
From _Love Poems from God_, Daniel Ladinsky (ed), c2002
To My Valentine, Ogden Nash
More than a catbird hates a cat,
Or a criminal hates a clue,
Or the Axis hates the United States,
That's how much I love you.
I love you more than a duck can swim,
And more than a grapefruit squirts,
I love you more than a gin rummy is a bore,
And more than a toothache hurts.
As a shipwrecked sailor hates the sea,
Or a juggler hates a shove,
As a hostess detests unexpected guests,
That's how much you I love.
I love you more than a wasp can sting,
And more than the subway jerks,
I love you as much as a beggar needs a crutch,
And more than a hangnail irks.
I swear to you by the stars above,
And below, if such there be,
As the High Court loathes perjurious oathes,
That's how you're loved by me.
Kind of LOVE the third one. There are so many more out there that I am reading and enjoying but wanted to share with you the highlights of my evening's readings. I have a feeling my high schoolers are going to be sick of the love poems I throw at them this semester. hahaha.
Saturday we meet with our officiant, and I began thinking about readings and the tone I want our wedding to have. Here are some of my favorites so far:
From Union by Robert Fulghum:
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.
Our union is like this:
You feel cold so I reach for a blanket to cover
our shivering feet.
A hunger comes into your body
so I run to my garden and start digging potatoes.
You asked for a few words of comfort and guidance and
I quickly kneel by your side offering you
a whole book as a
gift.
You ache with loneliness one night so much
you weep, and I say
here is a rope, tie it around me,
Hafiz will be your
companion
for life.
From _Love Poems from God_, Daniel Ladinsky (ed), c2002
To My Valentine, Ogden Nash
More than a catbird hates a cat,
Or a criminal hates a clue,
Or the Axis hates the United States,
That's how much I love you.
I love you more than a duck can swim,
And more than a grapefruit squirts,
I love you more than a gin rummy is a bore,
And more than a toothache hurts.
As a shipwrecked sailor hates the sea,
Or a juggler hates a shove,
As a hostess detests unexpected guests,
That's how much you I love.
I love you more than a wasp can sting,
And more than the subway jerks,
I love you as much as a beggar needs a crutch,
And more than a hangnail irks.
I swear to you by the stars above,
And below, if such there be,
As the High Court loathes perjurious oathes,
That's how you're loved by me.
Kind of LOVE the third one. There are so many more out there that I am reading and enjoying but wanted to share with you the highlights of my evening's readings. I have a feeling my high schoolers are going to be sick of the love poems I throw at them this semester. hahaha.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Dress me up!
Now that wedding dress shopping is over I am completely relieved. Phew. Well, on to more dress shopping! No, I can't afford to buy dresses right now, but I can virtually window shop for dresses that would be appropriate for the bachelorette, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and honeymoon right?
Without taking into consideration my budget, let me share with you some dresses I am pining for!
I have been really impressed with modcloth lately:
Source
Source out of stock =(
Source
Without taking into consideration my budget, let me share with you some dresses I am pining for!
I have been really impressed with modcloth lately:
Source
Source out of stock =(Anthropologie Anyone?
SourceI love the idea of the bride-to-be wearing white at the bridal shower or to the honeymoon. I think it is so classy!
Source
SourceThere are so many more I love from Urbanoutfitters and Macys but they won't let me save pictures =(. Where do you internet window shop? Do you yearn for summer dresses in the winter? It is always a problem I have!
Everything is coming into place!
1. I sent in deposits for our officiant and DJ. It is official!
2. My uncle set me up with a photographer that works in his company and gifted her cost to us. So sweet, and bonus, I love the photographer's work!
3. I bought my dress. BOUGHT the dress! I have no pictures to share with you (I am a horrible blogger!) You will have to wait until March when it comes in. I love it though.
Save the Dates are hopefully going out soooooon!
I have exciting posts coming up!
2. My uncle set me up with a photographer that works in his company and gifted her cost to us. So sweet, and bonus, I love the photographer's work!
3. I bought my dress. BOUGHT the dress! I have no pictures to share with you (I am a horrible blogger!) You will have to wait until March when it comes in. I love it though.
Save the Dates are hopefully going out soooooon!
I have exciting posts coming up!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Happy Balance
When thinking about aisle decor, I knew I wanted something simple and elegant. There are so many ways to decorate for the ceremony.
Balloon arches are out. Even the more tasteful balloon arch on the left is too ostentatious for my taste.
Mason jars need to be included somewhere in our decor. I love them and they are so rustic and amazing. Well the ones above are nice and simple but not sure how I could make those work in an outdoor early evening wedding. I think mason jar candle holders may be out unless anyone can think of how we could use it. Boo.
Flower cones - nice and simple. They only need a couple flowers so it also is not too expensive. I don't like the shell on the one above - doesn't fit with my theme.
Hm. Giant love sign behind us as we get married. . . bold, way too awkward for our ceremony. Sorry Martha Stewart I am all set on that one.
This is more my taste - I feel that it would be way to expensive for our budget but so freaking cute!
Have I mentioned FI is building our arbor that we are getting married under? Oh I have. Well let me show you a few beautiful arbors that I hope ours looks like!
(Minus the tulle of course hahaha!)
What aisle decor inspiration photos are you loving? Ever seen anything too over the top?
Balloon arches are out. Even the more tasteful balloon arch on the left is too ostentatious for my taste.
Mason jars need to be included somewhere in our decor. I love them and they are so rustic and amazing. Well the ones above are nice and simple but not sure how I could make those work in an outdoor early evening wedding. I think mason jar candle holders may be out unless anyone can think of how we could use it. Boo.
Flower cones - nice and simple. They only need a couple flowers so it also is not too expensive. I don't like the shell on the one above - doesn't fit with my theme.
Hm. Giant love sign behind us as we get married. . . bold, way too awkward for our ceremony. Sorry Martha Stewart I am all set on that one.
This is more my taste - I feel that it would be way to expensive for our budget but so freaking cute!
Tulle is out. I have never been a fan of tulle not even in my wedding dress. I don't know what it is but I am interested in this for our decor. I also dislike large heavy pieces of fabric too. It just isn't right for my ceremony.
Have I mentioned FI is building our arbor that we are getting married under? Oh I have. Well let me show you a few beautiful arbors that I hope ours looks like!
(Minus the tulle of course hahaha!)
What aisle decor inspiration photos are you loving? Ever seen anything too over the top?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Extending the Party
We have lots of ways we are extending the celebration of our wedding. We love our family and we are so excited about the wedding we cannot bear to see it end after only 6 hours.
One of the ways we are ensuring to get more time with our family and friends is by reserving a room block at a hotel near the reception. We had several requirements for the hotel:
1.) Space for guests to hang out after the reception. FI's family for sure will want some time to unwind and chat after the reception. They can talk for HOURS.
2.) Space for a morning after brunch (at a reasonable price.) We would love to see the guests the morning after the wedding and have some time to eat, chat and laugh before we head off to the honeymoon.
3.) Suites available. We have families coming and it is more economical to offer them an opportunity to sleep four or six people in a room.
4.) A fantastic sales person. Speaks for itself. People will be paying a lot of money to stay over, and I will need to be in contact with this person a lot in the next year . . . I want to like her or him!
5.) Perks! Do they offer a shuttle, a free room, a free breakfast, a free one-year anniversary night etc, for reserving a large block of rooms?
5.) Pool, bar or other entertainment near or in the hotel for guests staying a lo
ng period of time. This wasn't a necessity but definitely a bonus.We found the best place - Embassy Suites only 20 minutes from the reception. There are other hotels right next door which is great if people want to choose a different option. They are throwing in a free van to transport 10 people (probably the groomsmen) to and from the reception/ceremony. BONUS: Free breakfasts for all guests - buffet with cooked to order eggs and waffles. Yum! We can rent a room for $300 and have time with all the guests in the morning.
They also hand out OOT bags for free, send you cards with information about the
room block to send out with invitations, and provide you with a personalized webpage for people to make reservations on with the discounted prices. If 25 rooms are reserved, ours is free!How did you choose a hotel? When staying overnight at a wedding what is important to you as a consumer?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Honeymoon is where the heart is . . .
We went down to AAA this morning to meet with a travel agent and price out some honeymoon options. This next year is going to be a savings account killer, but we still want a honeymoon and we want to go somewhere nice. Honeymoon is still a priority in our budget because it is an important bonding time and decompressing time for us. Plus, with the LDR we are enduring now, we deserve a luxurious honeymoon.
Here are the top contenders
Riviera Maya - Now Jade
This is a gorgeous all-inclusive resort. Many of their preferred rooms have an outdoor jacuzzi on the balcony. yes.please.please.please. All food and alcohol is included as I mentioned as well as movies on the beach, snorkeling, kayaking, biking, ocean trampoline (sounds am
azing!). It is not an adults only resort which is a downside for us. There are swim up bars which was a requirement on my honeymoon check list so CHECK! Plus, FI and I love to do a little historical sight-seeing and what would be cooler than pyramids and Mayan ruins? We could also spend a day on the island of Cozumel snorkeling, shopping and lounging by the beach. Total package including airfare: $2800 for 8 nights
(Image source)
Hawaii - Island Hopping
The travel agent went a little crazy on us and checked out 11 nights, three islands, five star hotels, car rentals etc. The total of th
e package was $5300 including airfare out of Boston. We cannot afford that option. It sounds amazing and FI would die if we could go check out the Volcanic National Park (I forget the name sorry). She said she could easily get that down to between 3 and 4,000 by changing some hotels and taking off some of the days of car rental etc.
Again, swim up bars are prevalent as well as tiki hut restaurants. We would love to see a luau and some of the island culture. Both of us would feel privileged to go to Hawaii and maybe bring back some of the island attitude and culture.
(Image Source)
Riviera Maya (hotel option two) Valentin Imperial Maya
This resort in Mexico is also all-inclusive as well as adult-only. We love that about this option. The rooms all overlook lagoon (which I read was really neat), pool or ocean. The rooms have jacuzzis in them with an upgrade or a jacuzzi tub without an upgrade. The food is amazing from what I read from tripadvisor. It is a great spot for couples. They also include a romantic dinner for two. They are offering a deal with $200 resort credit which would be great because we would love to do a couples spa treatment. They don't advertise any "extras" like entertainment as the Now Jade does. Of course this would be a more relaxing trip . . . decisions decisions. Total package cost $3400 for 8 nights
(source)
Finally the last option is a cruise. We have been talking about a cruise for awhile - we both have cruised and loved it. There are great options but we would probably best afford The Royal Caribbean which is a great line. We printed out an option to go via The Oasis - the largest cruise ship which has a zip line on ship. Need I say more? Ok fine - hot tubs, aqua park, LARGE casino, outdoor theater. You need to google this thing!
Again, we would not have to worry too much about money for food but booze would be expensive of course. The boat has lots of entertainment and we could visit a variety of exotic places. Who would not love to do that? We could visit Aruba, Jamaica, Cozumel, St. Thomas, etc. The Oasis Cruise ship is a bit more expensive and if we wanted to upgrade to a balcony room we were looking at $1800 per person not including airfare. Yikes.
So what do you think? Where should we go on our honeymoon? Did I leave a good option out? Where are you thinking for your honeymoon? I want to hop on a plane and go right.this.minute.
Here are the top contenders
Riviera Maya - Now Jade
This is a gorgeous all-inclusive resort. Many of their preferred rooms have an outdoor jacuzzi on the balcony. yes.please.please.please. All food and alcohol is included as I mentioned as well as movies on the beach, snorkeling, kayaking, biking, ocean trampoline (sounds am
azing!). It is not an adults only resort which is a downside for us. There are swim up bars which was a requirement on my honeymoon check list so CHECK! Plus, FI and I love to do a little historical sight-seeing and what would be cooler than pyramids and Mayan ruins? We could also spend a day on the island of Cozumel snorkeling, shopping and lounging by the beach. Total package including airfare: $2800 for 8 nights(Image source)
Hawaii - Island Hopping
The travel agent went a little crazy on us and checked out 11 nights, three islands, five star hotels, car rentals etc. The total of th
e package was $5300 including airfare out of Boston. We cannot afford that option. It sounds amazing and FI would die if we could go check out the Volcanic National Park (I forget the name sorry). She said she could easily get that down to between 3 and 4,000 by changing some hotels and taking off some of the days of car rental etc.Again, swim up bars are prevalent as well as tiki hut restaurants. We would love to see a luau and some of the island culture. Both of us would feel privileged to go to Hawaii and maybe bring back some of the island attitude and culture.
(Image Source)
Riviera Maya (hotel option two) Valentin Imperial Maya
This resort in Mexico is also all-inclusive as well as adult-only. We love that about this option. The rooms all overlook lagoon (which I read was really neat), pool or ocean. The rooms have jacuzzis in them with an upgrade or a jacuzzi tub without an upgrade. The food is amazing from what I read from tripadvisor. It is a great spot for couples. They also include a romantic dinner for two. They are offering a deal with $200 resort credit which would be great because we would love to do a couples spa treatment. They don't advertise any "extras" like entertainment as the Now Jade does. Of course this would be a more relaxing trip . . . decisions decisions. Total package cost $3400 for 8 nights
(source)Finally the last option is a cruise. We have been talking about a cruise for awhile - we both have cruised and loved it. There are great options but we would probably best afford The Royal Caribbean which is a great line. We printed out an option to go via The Oasis - the largest cruise ship which has a zip line on ship. Need I say more? Ok fine - hot tubs, aqua park, LARGE casino, outdoor theater. You need to google this thing!
Again, we would not have to worry too much about money for food but booze would be expensive of course. The boat has lots of entertainment and we could visit a variety of exotic places. Who would not love to do that? We could visit Aruba, Jamaica, Cozumel, St. Thomas, etc. The Oasis Cruise ship is a bit more expensive and if we wanted to upgrade to a balcony room we were looking at $1800 per person not including airfare. Yikes.
So what do you think? Where should we go on our honeymoon? Did I leave a good option out? Where are you thinking for your honeymoon? I want to hop on a plane and go right.this.minute.
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