Drowning in Wedding Blogs!

I need your help!

I follow a LOT of wedding blogs... I don't even want to count... the list on the side bar of this page isn't even all of them... I haven't updated the list in awhile.

Problem is, I can't find anything again later (if I didn't book mark it).

I'm looking for a blog post about a survey that one of the bride-to-bes gave her bridesmaids. It had questions about jewelry, food allergies, soda preferences, etc. At the time I didn't think I'd need that post again, but now I want another look! lol

Do any of you lurking brides remember reading it somewhere else?? Or maybe you wrote it?

Help!

This is a Test...

I'm about to make the 10 minute walk to the train in the rain, followed by a 15 minute walk to work after I get OFF the train... This is a test.

See, as most brides are, I'm sure, I'm a little bit more.. um... pleasantly plump than I would like to be on my wedding day. I have it figured out that I can get through the holiday season and not really have to push myself until February... giving me six months to tone it up and drop a few pounds. BUT, since I am so close to the public transit, I figured walking 4 days a week for almost an hour round trip would be a great little thing to do.

And I knew this was going to happen. Oregon has a LOT of rain for about 9 months out of the year... and I should have been prepared... but looking out the window right now, a I want to do is get in my nice, covered, warm car and drive the 6 miles to work! lol

This is a test...

Now What?

I'm feeling kind of at a stand still wedding-planning-wise right now. We still have a little over 10 months to go... and I think it's this (what seems like) long period of time that is jilting me. We already have our reception site booked, our photographer kinda booked (I'll reveal this as soon as the paperwork is signed!), we have a beach picked out for the ceremony (just need to figure out the permit stuff), we have our wedding party picked out, we have our videographer (my brother) booked, we have our minister (my other brother) booked, and we have the ceremony music (my OTHER brother) booked. We even have a lead on a florist (who I sent any e-mail to yesterday), and are down to two possible options for catering (DIY-Family or the hotel where we are having the reception).

So, my question is, now what? I'm feeling the urge to shop (been scanning etsy and the dollar tree online for the last couple of days!), but I can't shop for dresses until Dec. when all of my bridesmaids are in the same state at the same time... and, even with shopping I feel like it's too soon! I don't want a PWC sitting around my house for MONTHS. I also want to do our invitations... but again... too soon! I don't want to get them all done and then have them just sit there! And then, God forbid, what if something happens and a change needs to be made? Then I have to do them all over again!

*sigh*

Bulk Shopping

Guess what I discovered yesterday? You can shop at the Dollar Tree ONLINE if you need items in bulk! I didn't even know that they had a website! I found some vases and candles that I really like... I may have to do a little shopping ;)

Slumber Parties Aren't Just for Pre-Teen Girls!

There are 3 boys asleep in my house right now.... what cracks me up a little bit is that the cat has the big bed to himself and my fiance is sleeping on the couch with a tiny little back support pillow! lol

I got the opportunity to observe a very strange phenomenon last night... the slumber party of a 28-year-old computer nerd! lol

My fiance loves computers.... everything from building them to playing a multitude of games on them to working from home on one. Computers seem to be his passions, so I try not to tease him about it... too much. ;) Last night a friend of his came over at about 11:00 PM with HIS computer (I'm talking a desktop... NOT a lap top! Hauled over the tower, monitor... the whole bit), set it up on my desk (my little 15' monitor dwarfs compared to the large screens of these two!), and the two of them played some interactive, team game ALL NIGHT LONG sitting side by side... but on different computers. lol I went to bed about 12:30... woke up about 8:30... and they were still at it! This is a game that they could have played "together" at two different houses, but they chose to get together in the same room to spend the "time" together.

This is much like the slumber parties of my childhood. We could very well have slept in our own beds with a telephone to our ear and had the same conversations (and not have been so cranky in the morning), but, instead, a gaggle of 12 year olds chose to cuddle up in sleeping bags on the hard floor and stay up until 2 in the morning giggling and trying not to wake up the parents. This is EXACTLY what the boys did last night. lol

And now, at 10 AM, they have just gone to bed. Friend on the futon in the guest room, finance on the couch in the living room and cat in a ball in the bedroom. =)

New Giveaway!

Bride on a Budget is hosting a new give away for 250 custom greeting cards from UPrinting! Check it out!!

Marie's Wedding

So, as I mentioned yesterday, my old college friend/roommate got married this weekend and I was fortunate enough to be able to go and celebrate with them...and take notes! =)

They got married in Southern Oregon. The weather was nice and warm (though a bit windy), and their location (his parent's house) was perfect. It was up on a hill with a fantastic view.


As you can see, instead of bouquets, Marie chose to have her lovely bridesmaids carry parasols. I found this VERY classy and elegant!

Marie, in proper Marie-fashion, walked down the aisle to none other than Queen (though specific song I can't remember... but, as fer FAVORITE band, it was BOUND to pop up somewhere!)


There was concern for awhile that, due to medical conditions, Marie's father wasn't going to be able to attend the wedding. However, as luck would have it, he was released from the hospital that morning! So, even though he was not up to the task of walking her down the aisle, he was still there to give her away. In his place, Marie's four brother walked with her.


Thanks to the magic of camera zoom, I was able to get a few close pictures of the hand holding during the ceremony. But, what I found to be one of the most romantic parts of the whole ceremony (with the exception of the kiss... it was one hell of a kiss!) was the fact that Ben continued to stroke Marie's hand with his thumb throughout the ceremony.


Instead of hand fastening, unity candles, or sand, Ben and Marie chose to put together a time capsule to commemorate their special day. The capsule included photos, love letters, etc. from their years together, and was locked after the final piece was placed inside... their vows to each other.


As previously mentioned... after the vows, the "I Do"s and the rings... came THE kiss. It was perfect. You could just feel their love for each other.


Here are my last two favor moments from the ceremony portion of the evening...

Ben's hand there to support Marie as she climbed the stairs...

AND

This private moment that the two of them share... even away from the photographer. I'm curious what their first words are to each other as husband and wife...

The reception was held directly after the ceremony. Appetizers, drinks, and finally a buffet style turkey dinner followed by a *delicious* chocolate cake! Here are a few of my favorite moments from the reception.

Horrible picture... but blow it up and look at the expression on her face!

They guys got into a bigger fight over the boutonniere than the ladies with the bouquet!


Congratulations Ben and Marie!!!