"How does it feel to be married?"

This is our running joke amongst one another.

I can't even express how many times we have heard this annoying, unfunny question since March first! Every time we run into someone else, it is a given the wedding will be brought up and we brace ourselves because we know it is coming...
It does make us feel incredible when people tell us how much fun they had. How beautiful it was, and how they will never forget the experience.

Anyhow, I'd love to tell you the wedding went off without a hitch but I would be lying through my fucking teeth. Thankfully I had my husband and the playful, curious dolphins to help me keep my last shreds of sanity when I felt ready to lose it. I can't even think of all the things that went horribly wrong but I will do a quick run down of the evenings low lights;
The bride started her period EARLY the night before the wedding, which never happens. Then she went commando. In the craziness of wedding planning, she had forgotten to buy a pair of sexy undies to wear under her dress...my wonderful Oregon college bound cousin Brianne couldn't attend. We got sent home with a cake that serves 60 people because it didn't get served to our guests! We even bought grey disposable plates/forks and napkins but after the bride and the groom had the cake cutting... crickets and we completely forgot about it until it was time to haul all of our loot back to the hotel. The DJ was a disaster, but thankfully as people have pointed out to me, only I knew when he was fucking up grrrrrrrr.

The highlights;
Having our family of 7 in the same place at the same time for the first time in I don't know how many years. My 87 year old grandmother attending a week after a stroke in fabulous health, even dancing the twist like a teenager! I felt safe because my MIL was not there so there wasn't a possible chance of her ruining our day. Seeing the experience through Masons eyes, he had so much fun...seeing my oldest friend Patricia and her mom who was like an aunt to me growing up. The partying! Oh so much partying. The professional photographers and their amazing photos. And of course, finally tying the knot!

All in all, we had a fabulous time, everyone looked great and we made a killing on gifts!
Every time I could feel myself forgetting why I was there and focusing on mounds of shit about to hit the fan, I would just look at my husband and we would dance closely and laugh into each others faces.

Got on the ball again this afternoon

And ordered the personalized poker chips and the ivory snood for my hair since my mother and I decided my hair is to be half up/half down to compliment my birdcage veil.
The photographer already mailed us the pictures all printed out and the disc with all the images, that was another highlight.

It was my youngest nieces first birthday party today. We got her, her first "My Little Pony". It has a slice of birthday cake on it's ass cheek and it smells like cake.

We got some serious Christmas shopping done, found some amazing deals because several places are going out of business. The dumbass that rang us up didn't take the ink activated alarm off Arianas dress so we have to go back to tomorrow.

Not to mention, one of our hoses shit the bed on the Malibu! There was anti freeze leaking and shooting everywhere, I am so worried an animal is going to step in it and lick its paws or just drink it! Nothing we could do about it though :(
Going to get the replacement hose tomorrow and some more fluid so my dad can fix it, he's really good with cars.

Good riddance!

The invitations were printed Thursday evening and mailed out Friday afternoon. I drove myself nuts for about a month straight with them! The DIY kit only cost me 5 dollars 7 shipping on eBay. We already got three reply cards back.

Would you believe, the best man asked me if he could bring 3 people?! He said he asked Brad, and Brad said it was cool. I probably not so politely... asked him if he was crazy, told him I can maybe do 1, but 3? I warned him to never to go behind a bride and her wedding plans back to check with the groom because the groom probably doesn't even know what he is eating on his wedding night.
44 dollars a plate, plus 25 per person for alcohol not to mention the service fee on some freeloaders we don't even know? I don't think so.

Wednesday evening the DJ is supposed to be stopping by on his way to a gig, I am relieved to be checking "give DJ his deposit" checked off the list.

Half witted crotch goblins

would be my current mind set with 3 months 2 weeks to go... Let the "bridentity crisis" festivities ensue!
All these issues and mixed up feelings, and I have to choose. Had a slight melt down, lost my cool and bared my claws to one of the groomsmen, followed by myself emailing my sister in law Denise (the blonde of my two MOHs), to vent the current bane of my existence... in law issues.
When she emailed me back support, reassurance that we are going to rock the hell out of this sweet party and how much she too wishes we lived closer, I lost it and wept like an infant.
I've since gathered myself. I'm determined to enjoy planning this wedding in the moment, so I am doing much better now lol

I may sleep like shit the evening prior but I have this suspicion I will likely have the best sleep of my life the night of our wedding.

OFfBeaT BRiDe

TEFFETA-FREE ALTERNATIVES FOR INDEPENDENT BRIDES

So I went to Barnes and Noble today, amongst the sea of wedding "how to" instructional rubbish, I stumbled upon a treasure! Finally, someone who spoke a language to which I could relate...
I am so into this thing and relieved that I am not just cursed to leave pouting when I don't find anything that interests me along the lines of cookie cutter manuals filled with lists and etiquette (as if I don't have enough of my own lost little neurotic fucked up lists), then to later feel guilt that I am somehow not measuring up to what a wife is supposed to be.

I spent the day with my best friend and treated myself to a Cinnabon, got a cute new top... now, if I had only gotten The Zombie Guide Of Survival as well instead of debating over it for about a half and hour then walking away from it torn as if I were giving up my only child, it could have easily been at the top of a "top ten best days ever".

Swag!

So, I was thinking something like this (not sure in the end what the exact wording will end up being..) for my daddy :)

And here is a beautiful poem I would consider giving along with the hankie:

This handkerchief is for the Father of the Bride. Soon you'll have a young lady by your side. Walking down the aisle to give her away. To the man she will marry on her wedding day. It seems like just yesterday she came into your life. Now she will be another man's wife. You're the one she's looked up to for all of these years, the thought of her leaving will surely bring tears. She'll never forget you or even try to replace her love for you, you'll see in the look on her face. She'll always be "Daddy's little girl" in you eye. Give her your blessing, this is not a good-bye.


Brad and I were both raised Catholic. I think something like this would mean a great deal to my mom... It is called "The Mothers Rosary". I would have to dig around and find out the details of what she prefers but it would have our wedding date engraved on it and a birthstone for herself and each one of her children


I have had Brads moms gift for a while now! It is a beautiful book, filled with things at the top of the pages like "my favorite memory", "things you have taught me that I will never forget". Brad will fill it out, and it even has a book mark so she can hold the place of her favorite page.


Speaking of which, my priest gave me a few words of wisdom (regarding a certain pain in the ass) which deep down I knew, but needed to hear anyhow;

"As for the BIG issue...family. Becky, it is unfortunate, but sometimes weddings, funerals, baptisms, graduations, etc. are times when families can get testy, and feelings are raw. You are a very gracious person. If your future mother-in-law is going to remove herself from the celebration, that is her choice. Your fiance will have to speak with her. In the end, she is placing her relationship with him at risk. Keep the lines of communication open from your side...never shut her out. That will leave the final choice to your mother-in-law, as well as the ultimate responsibility to make amends. My prayers are with you!"

The wedding party gifts will be a breeze. A few personalized beer mugs/flasks for the men, and a few sisterly items for my girls. I think we will give those out the evening before to avoid mass confusion. I will hand my dad his before we are ready to walk down the isle, and my mother hers while we spend that special time together as I get ready.
Not sure when Brad will give his mom hers. And I am not even sure what to get for my father in law and his wife! They are going to be the hardest ones to find that perfect gift for.

And for my groom


He has wanted this book for a very long time. I don't even think he will be expecting it anymore, and it is just too clever to reject.

Pictures

The colors are deep charcoal greys, ivory, champagnes with shiny accents of chrome, glass etc. Shades of laveneder and/or plum on the bridesmaids... I am giving the the freedom to pick out their own dresses from whichever color they'd rather of the two. I want them in what makes them feel sexy, comfortable and happy, not the traditional matching freak show.

Keeping the bottom one and throwing the top one I think (also my "something blue")


Going to finish these with a table number holder (probably a bell) and champagne or ivory faux pearls strung around. Also debating on a vase that will hold a single orchid in chrome or glass.


One of our favors


Going to also order these in purple, black and white






We have matching place cards to these invitations


I will wear this silk gardenia after I take the veil off at the reception (the up close pics do it absolutely no justice)


My veil


Our "guest book". This will be framed and hung on our wall


I am going to print this out and stick it in a frame next to the guest book


The hair inspiration