The past few years have brought a lot of trials, tears and smiles.
In the spring of 2006 my parents decided to take a trip to Hawaii and relax. My father, who is very active, was taking a surfing lesson. As he came back on shore, he mentioned to my mom he wasn't feeling well, and then collapsed. Thankfully there were lifeguards at the beach that administered CPR; my father had a severe heart attack and the only reason he is still with us today is because of the lifeguards (I send many thanks and happy thoughts to those that helped). He was MEDVAC'd to the Big Island for Intensive Care and surgery. I can not tell you the thoughts that go through your head when you get a call from a parent, and the news is grim - I do not wish this on anyone, and if you have experienced this, I am sorry and my heart goes out to you. My main thought was "I can't lose my father, there is still so much to do and share with him." He pulled through, and started to recover slowly. My family thought we were free and clear for a little while, but less than a year later, my father surprised us again.
In October of 2007 we were alerted to the fact that my father would have to under-go open heart surgery to replace a valve that had been slowly quitting on him. He had been in and out of the hospital that fall, and Mr. B was planning the engagement so that my father could enjoy the happy news from the comforts of home, and not in the hospital. The week after our engagement, my father went under for surgery. Thankfully, he pulled through again and has started to recover.
Again we thought we were doing well, and bad news would stay away, but in the Spring of 2008, Mr. B's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I am happy to say that she is a survivor. She is a brave, strong, and a wonderful woman; I am lucky to have her as my future Mother In Law.
After having scares, tears, and fears the past couple of years, it makes a person realize what is most important in this life, and to enjoy it to the fullest. Sometimes it is difficult to do, but Mr. B and I do try to enjoy our friends, family and each other everyday.
Even though the last few years were emotionally tough, we have had joys as well! Not only do we have 2 nephews on Mr. B's side, we were blessed with a niece from my brother this fall. The 3 kids bring so much love, joy, and laughter to our lives! We look forward to watching them grow, learn and become amazing people.
With all the trials we have endured we recognize that our wedding is not only the celebration of the two of us, but it is the celebration of life. We at first didn't want a large wedding, (as I previously wrote), but then we realized that the wedding is the perfect place to celebrate with people who touch our lives, share our joys, and our sorrows. The celebration is not only one of Mr. B and I getting married, but a celebration of life.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Spreading the Word
Martha, Martha, Martha - how wonderful are you?
After choosing the dress styles and colors for my wedding party, I wanted to send them something that had the swatches and pictures of the dress choices. In stepped Martha Stewart (via a poster on wedding bee).
Martha had information on creating Bridesmaid Fashion Cards (link here) and I loved them.
I followed the directions off of Martha for the most part, but added a few other items. The front of the card listed each bridesmaid's name, the dress information, what type of jewelery to wear, and when the dresses would have to be ordered. On the far right I also put the contact information of every bridesmaid, in case they need to get a hold of one another.
I did find the template a little difficult to use on my computer so I created one in word. Here is what mine ended up looking like:
I copied the photos off of Aria's website that showed the 4 choices of dress the girls could choose from, and placed a small envelope with the 2 swatches in it so they could see the colors.
On the back of the card I listed Aria's store information and how to call for a home try-on since they only have 3 showrooms in the US.
I typed up a fun intro card explaining what it was the card had, and thanked everyone again for being in our wedding. I also included a fun "what not to wear" in the shoes department. Each of the bridesmaids can choose the style of shoe they would like to wear, my only request is open toe and strapy - but not hooker shoes!
I then put them all in a fun envelope and sealed them with a sticker that said "You can so wear it again!"
They were fun to make, and I think they turned out pretty cute!
After choosing the dress styles and colors for my wedding party, I wanted to send them something that had the swatches and pictures of the dress choices. In stepped Martha Stewart (via a poster on wedding bee).
Martha had information on creating Bridesmaid Fashion Cards (link here) and I loved them.
I followed the directions off of Martha for the most part, but added a few other items. The front of the card listed each bridesmaid's name, the dress information, what type of jewelery to wear, and when the dresses would have to be ordered. On the far right I also put the contact information of every bridesmaid, in case they need to get a hold of one another.
I did find the template a little difficult to use on my computer so I created one in word. Here is what mine ended up looking like:
On the back of the card I listed Aria's store information and how to call for a home try-on since they only have 3 showrooms in the US.
I typed up a fun intro card explaining what it was the card had, and thanked everyone again for being in our wedding. I also included a fun "what not to wear" in the shoes department. Each of the bridesmaids can choose the style of shoe they would like to wear, my only request is open toe and strapy - but not hooker shoes!
I then put them all in a fun envelope and sealed them with a sticker that said "You can so wear it again!"
They were fun to make, and I think they turned out pretty cute!
Freak Out
I had a wedding day freak out. Our original plan was to get married at the venue outside in the wonderful courtyard. And then today it rained. Not just a light sprinkle of rain, but a massive down poor. And I freaked!
I started freaking out about our wedding day - even though it is a long ways away, I freaked! The back up plan at the venue is to have the ceremony in the tent. Umm, good back up plan, but I didn't like it. Little known fact about me is I was a Debutante in Denver in 1998. We were presented to society and I wore a wedding dress. Yes, a wedding dress. The presentation was outside at a lovely, beautiful club, and it never rained on the Ball Day.... except for my year. It poured and made everything move inside. I do not want that to happen on my wedding day! The next time I wear a wedding dress, I will be where I should be regardless of (and without) weather!
That made Mr. B and I start talking about alternatives. We love Newburyport in the North Shore of Boston. During the summer we love to go up, have dinner and visit the wonderful town. Right in the center of town is a beautiful church that has a steeple. I absolutely loved the steeple. I started to research it, and low and behold you do not need to be a member to be married in it. We could also bring an outside person to marry us! We went to see the church, and this is what we saw:
I loved it! It was built in 1801 as a meeting house, and still has little doors on the pews and some pews still have the bread shelf that people used when at church.
Coming from the West Coast we don't have too many old, unique buildings. I loved it! And best of all we can take photos down by the water before heading to the reception!
Did anyone else have a freak out that changed your original plan?
Color Choices and Bridesmaid Dresses Decided!
Choosing the bridesmaid dresses and colors led me to many color websites, and bridesmaid dress sites. One of my bridesmaids, Miss L, came to visit in the spring. I figured it was a perfect time to go to Aria in Boston and try on a few options.
If you are still looking for a place to order bridesmaid dresses from, I highly recommend Aria. It is a great experience and the stores are really cute! I had already seen styles on the website that I wanted Miss L to try on. I wanted to make sure all the girls could be comfortable, and relaxed as possible in the bridesmaid dress that was chosen. The four styles below I figured would flatter most body shapes, and the 9 bridesmaids could find one they were happy with! (the halter is shown here in a long dress, but all dresses would be knee length)
If you are still looking for a place to order bridesmaid dresses from, I highly recommend Aria. It is a great experience and the stores are really cute! I had already seen styles on the website that I wanted Miss L to try on. I wanted to make sure all the girls could be comfortable, and relaxed as possible in the bridesmaid dress that was chosen. The four styles below I figured would flatter most body shapes, and the 9 bridesmaids could find one they were happy with! (the halter is shown here in a long dress, but all dresses would be knee length)
Miss L tried them on, and did like them all. She thought that the halter was best on her, but liked all of the styles. We then started to play with colors. They have some fabulous colors at Aria. So many were vibrant and rich. Three of the colors I loved were a light blue, navy and a peacock green. I loved all 3 colors, but started to think of 9 girls in the same color. Some of the more vibrant ones I was concerned would be too bright.
I did really love the navy, and thought it would be a classic look and not really go out of style. I started to pair the navy with different sashes. The one that made me swoon for our wedding was a light pink sash.
Isn't the navy and pink great? I love the colors for spring and think it works perfect in our venue!
Matchy, Matcy! Or not....
I never wanted to be the bride to utter the words “you can so wear it again!” You know, like in 27 Dresses? (One of my favorite wedding movies!) But I did want the bridesmaids to like what they are wearing, feel comfortable in them, and enjoy them during the day. I also really wanted to stay under the $200 mark.
One day my bridesmaid Miss D and I went on the hunt. We found some really cute and really interesting dresses. Even one that had a tail. Really, we didn’t know what to do with it. It wasn’t a train, it was a tail. Proof:
After looking at some options, I came to realize I really like the each girl in a different style – same length and color – but different style. I have 9 girls and no two are the same size, shape or height! So how could I pick one style that will look great and make everyone happy?
Anyone else have lots of bridesmaids that are different shapes and sizes? How did you choose the BM dress?
One day my bridesmaid Miss D and I went on the hunt. We found some really cute and really interesting dresses. Even one that had a tail. Really, we didn’t know what to do with it. It wasn’t a train, it was a tail. Proof:
After looking at some options, I came to realize I really like the each girl in a different style – same length and color – but different style. I have 9 girls and no two are the same size, shape or height! So how could I pick one style that will look great and make everyone happy?
Anyone else have lots of bridesmaids that are different shapes and sizes? How did you choose the BM dress?
Asking my Leading Ladies to Stand With Me
I knew how I wanted to ask my wedding party from day one: a special card that was picked for them, and written with words only for them.
After deciding on my wonderful pose, I went to one of my favorite stores: Papyrus. Here I found beautiful cards, each one that was similar to the bridesmaid's personality, or had something to do with our relationship. I then sat down and wrote my heart out to each of the girls, asking them to be by my side, as they always have been, on the biggest day of my life.
How did you ask your girls?
After deciding on my wonderful pose, I went to one of my favorite stores: Papyrus. Here I found beautiful cards, each one that was similar to the bridesmaid's personality, or had something to do with our relationship. I then sat down and wrote my heart out to each of the girls, asking them to be by my side, as they always have been, on the biggest day of my life.
How did you ask your girls?
A dash, a stab, and a swimsuit
Filene’s Running of the Brides - a tradition that started in Boston. I had always wanted to go and see it, just to experience the craziness.
I decided that this was my chance. I recruited a few good friends, and my mom flew out from Colorado for it. It was a fun, tiring and successful day!
The running of the brides is typically held at Filene's basement but they were going through renovations so they moved it to the Hynes Convention Center. A lot of brides started to line up at 3 AM (we weren't that crazy) and it was snowing. We found out the inside doors to the convention center opened at 7 AM and the dress doors at 8 AM. That schedule made our meeting time easy.
We met at the Hynes at about 7:15 am - which was perfect - we didn't have to wait outside in the cold at all - and we weren't the LAST in line (but we were way back there). At one point an event person was telling everyone they are moving the line up a little, but the doors are not opening. I guess they didn't want everyone running and rushing the doors, causing mass chaos.
Then the line started to move, and it started to pick up pace - once we hit the open doors - you saw LOTS of empty racks - there were 3000 gowns to start with and they were off the racks in 60 seconds! My team was great - they hit the open floor and started to run, trying to find any dress. They had my mom and I stay in one place, holding everyone's coats. Then the serious business started. Dresses started to appear from nowhere. Many weren't my size or style, but we could use them for trading. Without knowing what we were getting into you learn really fast! There is trading, bargaining and bartering with anyone who might have your bride's size- I heard it was pretty civil, but there was some stealing going on!
I found this process actually really great. You put on a dress, the dress either fits or it doesn't - making the decision very easy. If it fits you have your team look at you, and give an honest opinion, you don't have time to be nice, there is no time. Honesty comes out, which I love. So we narrowed it down to 4 dresses to try again. I had a runner-up, and then two of my teammates saw a girl trying on a dress that they figured could be "it". They stalked her and waited to see if she wanted it... she took it off, gave it to them, and they forced me to try it on (I was pretty sure that I was good with the runner-up). But they made me and I am glad they did!
It ended up being the one I got! My mom started to cry, my future in-laws started to cry, I was crying - everyone was crying.... So it was IT - then everyone cheers! And the other groups around you cheer! It was a really cool experience. And (I am going to share as I love this!), when we were checking out the buyer for this event was there and looked at the dress - the tag said it was $1500 and up - so we asked what she thought the price would have been. The buyer quoted us "at least $2500"... and we got it for $250 - we lost a ZERO!!!!! The price isn't the only great thing, the dress is discontinued, no longer even on websites, so I am the only one I know that has this dress - I am unique!
My team leaving; it was a success!
All in all it was a great experience! I recommend it to anyone~ and I would love to be a helper next time - let me steal some dresses. :0)
Oh, the girl who originally had my dress ended up with one of my top 4 dresses - so it all works.
My wonderful team; they were so competitive!
The shirts I made for my team; if you have seen the Friends episode then you know what this means!
Here is a link to Boston.com's photos (below) and I have attached a few as well. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this day wonderful - it is an experience I will never forget! I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Boston.com link:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/weddings/gallery/running_of_brides_2008/
I decided that this was my chance. I recruited a few good friends, and my mom flew out from Colorado for it. It was a fun, tiring and successful day!
The running of the brides is typically held at Filene's basement but they were going through renovations so they moved it to the Hynes Convention Center. A lot of brides started to line up at 3 AM (we weren't that crazy) and it was snowing. We found out the inside doors to the convention center opened at 7 AM and the dress doors at 8 AM. That schedule made our meeting time easy.
We met at the Hynes at about 7:15 am - which was perfect - we didn't have to wait outside in the cold at all - and we weren't the LAST in line (but we were way back there). At one point an event person was telling everyone they are moving the line up a little, but the doors are not opening. I guess they didn't want everyone running and rushing the doors, causing mass chaos.
Then the line started to move, and it started to pick up pace - once we hit the open doors - you saw LOTS of empty racks - there were 3000 gowns to start with and they were off the racks in 60 seconds! My team was great - they hit the open floor and started to run, trying to find any dress. They had my mom and I stay in one place, holding everyone's coats. Then the serious business started. Dresses started to appear from nowhere. Many weren't my size or style, but we could use them for trading. Without knowing what we were getting into you learn really fast! There is trading, bargaining and bartering with anyone who might have your bride's size- I heard it was pretty civil, but there was some stealing going on!
I found this process actually really great. You put on a dress, the dress either fits or it doesn't - making the decision very easy. If it fits you have your team look at you, and give an honest opinion, you don't have time to be nice, there is no time. Honesty comes out, which I love. So we narrowed it down to 4 dresses to try again. I had a runner-up, and then two of my teammates saw a girl trying on a dress that they figured could be "it". They stalked her and waited to see if she wanted it... she took it off, gave it to them, and they forced me to try it on (I was pretty sure that I was good with the runner-up). But they made me and I am glad they did!
It ended up being the one I got! My mom started to cry, my future in-laws started to cry, I was crying - everyone was crying.... So it was IT - then everyone cheers! And the other groups around you cheer! It was a really cool experience. And (I am going to share as I love this!), when we were checking out the buyer for this event was there and looked at the dress - the tag said it was $1500 and up - so we asked what she thought the price would have been. The buyer quoted us "at least $2500"... and we got it for $250 - we lost a ZERO!!!!! The price isn't the only great thing, the dress is discontinued, no longer even on websites, so I am the only one I know that has this dress - I am unique!
My team leaving; it was a success!
All in all it was a great experience! I recommend it to anyone~ and I would love to be a helper next time - let me steal some dresses. :0)
Oh, the girl who originally had my dress ended up with one of my top 4 dresses - so it all works.
My wonderful team; they were so competitive!
The shirts I made for my team; if you have seen the Friends episode then you know what this means!
Here is a link to Boston.com's photos (below) and I have attached a few as well. Thank you again to everyone who helped make this day wonderful - it is an experience I will never forget! I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Boston.com link:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/weddings/gallery/running_of_brides_2008/
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