Count Down

Let me say I love that Reno has a countdown going on his computer until the big day. Maybe it's because he's a numbers guy, he's counting his last days of freedom, or maybe because he's as excited as I am.

We are making progress on planning. Granted we are doing this planning while trying to get a house ready to sell, while phasing me out of my job, and with him immersing himself in learning a new job in a new city. No pressure here. Not at all.

Just like life in general, and our relationship specifically, blessings are rolling our way. We selected one location for a wedding, the big guy upstairs had a better plan. My way is decidedly limited in vision, and that is okay.

We have the venue and we've ordered the alcoholic beverages. Yes, I think our priorities are in order. I have a seamstress and a pattern. And, we have friends stepping up to the plate to grace our day.

I am the most sporadic member of a bible study group. I rarely get the reading done for the group. Often I can't attend because I work some weekends. And yet, they embrace me just as I am. Even more wonderful I found out these same ladies have a tradition. A food ministry of sorts. They prepare and serve the prenuptial dinner for those in this wonderful little group of faith filled women. They offered to assist us in this lovely way.

All this gives me pause to be thankful and to enjoy the process. Counting down and counting blessings - all good things.

New Appreciation for Indecision

I work with brides on a daily basis. But, now I have a better appreciation for them. For someone "in the industry" I am exactly as clueless as many of those brides I encounter. I mean that in the nicest possible way, and in the most humorous way.

What colors are you using? When is the wedding? What would you like? What are you doing for centerpieces? Who is the photographer? What is the plan for music? At this point I can safely say I have a dress pattern, seamstress, a ring for both of us, and a groom-to-be I adore! The rest is still sorta, kinda, mostly up in the air.

Many others know what I want way more than I do. I find this rather frightening! They know what I should do, how I should do it, and why I want to do that way. Wow! That's pretty impressive.

A dear friend of mine told me I can't have silk flowers for my wedding. Oh, he may have a point. However, I have the best silk flowers out there in my department. It would be a shame not to use them! On the other hand, if it weren't for fresh flowers I wouldn't be in the silk flower business. Stay tuned for more on that detail.

The other question that came up regarding the venue we are about to nail down is if dogs could attend. I wonder if it would be tacky to set up an Exercise pen and bring the boys to the reception. I have looked at the fine print on the rental agreement. No where does it say you can't bring dogs - lol. If I put them in their pet therapy service vests will they be more welcome? Some stressed guest may just need a little puppy loving.

So I will be more understanding of the brides who have more questions than answers. Frankly, I can totally relate.

Venue Schmenu

Well, alrighty. We had a venue all planned. But then we discovered the University adjacent to the park we were getting married in was having their annual Shakespeare on the Green the same weekend as our nuptuals. Our guest list numbers about 65. Their guest list numbers several thousand. We're thinking we'll just let them have the park.

Of course, that sends us back to the drawing board. I will say, being a second time bride, I'm less inclined to fuss over every little detail. While we are 111 days away from the celebration, I figure it will all sort itself out. We do have a lovely backyard. At first I wasn't gung ho on ceremony there. Now it has distinct possibilities. Plus the dogs could attend that way.

I've also discovered I have many friends willing to help if only I ask. That is something I need to embrace. I don't know about you, but I get used to doing for myself. Sometimes I do those things with minimal effort, because hey, it's for me. How nice to discover I can lean on others during this process, and afterwards too.

So to that I say Venue Schmenu. All will be well and the celebration will be blessed. I have no doubt.

The Date & The Venue

Nobody said it would be easy.....but we have nailed down the date, the venue and the guest list. That pretty much sums it up doesn't it?

But even I have to question why I described it as "nailed down". Perhaps because it took a fair amount of deliberation, back up by decisive choices. That goes for the groom and for this bride. I once had someone describe me as an optimistic realist. I like that definition. I believe that means I'm positively delusional, in the nicest possible way.

So many of the choices the first time around don't even make the list to consider. While I am more spiritual that my first time around, I am less comfortable marrying in a church. That is a good thing because the Catholic Church wouldn't welcome me anyway.

We are opting to marry in an old grotto in a park. I like that idea. Life began in a garden, so will our marriage. Gardens grow and evolve, so will we. Gardens are unpredictable, so are relationships. Gardens grow by faith....so does marriage. Gardens have weeds, so does marriage....oh wait...marriage has lots of opportunities for growth...ya...that's the ticket.

Breathing New Life

It's time to breathe new life into this blog. Okay, it's time to breathe any life into this blog. Either way its a good thing.

We are finally in wedding mode. Phfewwww.....didn't think it would ever happen. Well, perhaps that's a little sarcasm talking. Knew it would happen, but waiting patiently was not, and has never been my forte.

So instead of selecting a date a year down the road or more, and strategically planning our event...we've picked one that is 118 days away. Shift to high gear and lets get this show on the road. Except it won't be a big show for a number of reasons.

Think small scale, think intimate, think tasteful and relaxed. Okay, I may be hallucinating on the part. But here is our truth, second wedding, more selective on what really matters. Plus, we just came off a year where the economy used us at it's whipping post! It did not, however, dampen our faith, love or enthusiasm.

Stay tuned for details, hang on for a wild ride and get ready to celebrate with us.

Weddings Weddings Weddings

Long time no wedding blog. However, the New Year puts weddings on the brain. Last weekend, on New Years Eve, my niece got married. You have to love ending the year with a celebration such as this, and beginning a new life journey together.

This weekend we celebrate with Reno's niece as she exchanges vows with her Prince Charming. Following that I work two bridal shows courtesy of my job. This time of year the brides come out in force to plan those weddings. Very similar to the chant "gentlemen - start your engines" the rally is "ladies - plan those nuptials".

That is just the way of it. The holidays are over, summer is a long way away, kids are already in school.....there must be something to shop for! Weddings!!

All kidding aside, okay, most kidding aside. Most of us believe in marriage. Frankly, we need every reason we can get to celebrate. We love to dress up - well the women do. We love the ceremony just like men love football. We love to plan, to prepare, to primp, to pose and to party. Who of us wouldn't like another day just to shine?

And, lest I forget, who wouldn't like a partner to share the journey through life with? Now there is a reason for celebration, a reason to say I do.

Is It An Age Thing?

I attended a bridal show today. Well, not as a bride-to-be, but as a vendor. Those events amaze me. So many starry eyed brides, Mom's with check books, some grooms in tow (poor fella's), plus a bevy of girlfriends along for the ride. May I just say, the brides are so young!! So, so young, or maybe I'm just getting so, so old.

I like to walk the event and look for the most unexpected vendor there. Naturally I visit the cake vendors along the way. Random taste testing keeps them on their toes.

The booth that gets the award today is one for a plastic surgeons office. Seriously?? I can just picture the bride racing home to her fiancee saying I found the tuxedo's, the flowers, the d.j. And, oh, by the way, I'm getting the boobs you've always wanted. They had a enhance one, get one free special on C cups. When I walk down the aisle my cups will runneth over.

Maybe it's an age thing, but that whole concept makes me sad. Could we get more superficial? Couldn't we just dream of a celebration of two becoming one? Not one becoming enhanced, made-up, dressed to the max with all the trappings, but none of the inside beauty?

Thank God men are so visual. Hopefully, after the big hair is washed out, the Spanx is peeled off, the game day make-up is removed, the fancy dress in hung in the closet, the flowers are tossed, the dog and pony show is over...hopefully, he will find a woman with a heart he loves and cherishes. Then he will see the real beauty of his new bride.