Operation, Go! .... Any Second Now!

It's been really hard to keep the "cap" on the wedding excitement now that Nathan and I now have jobs. I'm getting more and more anxious about getting the "show on the road." I've been feeling that my old life has been getting smaller and the need for expansion is starting to really peck at me. I actually have to pray that the Lord just keep that cap on my emotions/excitement just for a few more months. Hopefully, me starting work will help that subside for a while. More than likely it will, but I'm also afraid that bringing in more money that I have ever imagined I would will create the drive to push as fast as I can to get to the wedding. Really, I am laughing at myself because for a person who has been "steady" as long as I can remember, I am certainly not feeling so steady now! Frightening, in a good way I guess. Right now, the only wedding things I can focus on is a project for my bridesmaids. I've already requested Cassandra for my first "official" cry for help in regards to one portion of this project. I am very excited, but even with this, I can't move too much because of lack of funds. However, I must say, it was really a great feeling to read how excited she sounded to be asked to help out with something. It made me really happy!

All is well and I am doing my very best to stay strong and steady. I have faith in myself, but I think the anxiousness will remain until I start teaching. August 8th get here faster!!!

Praise God :)

A Mom Moment

Yesterday my mom and I were talking like we usually do. I happened to look up in the mirror and noticed that my hair was really curling at the ends. I was sort of playing with it while talking with my mom and she chuckled suddenly.

"It's going to look so beautiful at your wedding."

I really wished I could have captured her picture at that point. She looked really happy...

God is Good

Cute Ideas

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/i-spy-conversation-starter?&backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/conversation-starters#slide_6

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/goodthings/maid-service-fashion-cards?czone=inspiration%2FDIY%2Ftemplates-and-clip-art

God is Amazing!

The wedding plans have been on hold for a while because both Nathan and I have been busy with school and trying to find a job. Well, I am happy to report that Nathan got a job yesterday and I was 90% hired on Wednesday!

Nathan will be working with the luthier at Mr. E's. It is really perfect for him as it is part time and it will take him through the summer. I don't think I've ever seen a man more happy to be working again. He got the job because his long-time best friend Ryan put in a good word for him. The only reason why Ryan would be up there is because of Cassandra. She works at Mr. E's as I gave her the job that the music store offered me.

As for me, I have been 90% hired by my "home district." I say 90% because all that is left is for me to get paperwork and meet with principals. I will be working at two middle schools; one of which I graduated from a long time ago. It is the exact age group I love: grades 6 - 8. Not only will I be making enough money to pay off loans, I'll be making enough money and then a little extra for teaching at two schools. This leaves me with money to start spending on the wedding! I might actually be able to afford a dress. With Nathan and I both starting jobs and saving up, it looks like we'll be able to get married in 2012 like we planed! I'm very excited.

I have achieved all the goals that I set up 7 years ago:

1. B.A. in Music - check
2. Teaching certification - check
3. Substitute in the Spring after graduation - check
4. Get hired full time in fall after substitute teaching - check

Pretty amazing! So what is my next long-term goal?

.......................................................................THE WEDDING!

1 Year Engagement!

It was reminded of me that Nathan and I have been engaged for a year today. I thought about that last month, but since I have been stressing over teaching in a rough school, I almost forgot!

Nathan and I only have 14 months until our "scheduled" wedding date. The date is still not set and I don't think it will be until this coming August. I also haven't updated the blog in a while because we basically have everything planned out, we just have to start putting money into it. It's actually pretty nice to know what we want for our simply elegant wedding. It relieves a lot of worrying.

Anyway, sorry I haven't updated in so long! As soon as we start putting money down and getting this organized, I'll update again. I hope everyone is doing well!!!

Happy 1 Year Engagement!

Brenda-Mom Day

I have had such a great day. I spent it with Brenda-Mom. We went out to a surplus store to look at their copious amounts of bridal items. I was amazed that I did not hyperventilate when I went down the isles. Go me! It was a very interesting place. We really did cut up though at certain items.

We found the arrangement for bouquets. Isn't it pretty? *wink*

We also found the perfect wedding cake topper:


Too bad it was extremely tiny:

We also spent time looking at Nathan's photos from when he was a baby through high school. I needed photos of him for the slide show I won at the last bridal show I went to. Brenda has entrusted me with many copies of his baby pictures. I feel very honored that she has given the copies to me. I need to get a really nice photo album so that I can keep the larger ones safe. My mom has now seen the photos and she did have that giggle-fest like I predicted. She got a good kick out of seeing how Nathan has retained many of his facial expressions.

It was such a great day and I had so much fun with Brenda-Mom. I laughed a lot and talked so much that my throat is actually a bit sore. Hopefully we can have more days like this one in the future. I hope so!!

Too Good to be True?

Nathan and I went to visit another reception location. I have been excited about this place for over two weeks now. It is in a great location and is very accessible from the chapel that we're considering #1 for the ceremony. The other reason for the excitement was the seemingly incredible price. So, all this said, I made an appoint for today at 2pm.

Nathan and I finally got into the lobby and asked for the guy in charge. Apparently, Mondays are his days off and yet he scheduled us in for today. Since he was not there a Manager was sent for. 30 minutes later they came back and said they could not get a manager for us. So the receptionist showed us around. Not looking so good.

Despite this, the facility is super nice and for the price I'm still excited. However, with catering it would still be about the same price, but at least we would not be paying the same price PLUS catering. The space is good and simple. Large and really just right for our needs. There is even AV equipment that we can rent to use to manage our own music.

I am still skeptical about it all, but we'll have to do the math to really figure it out. Needless to say I will be sending the fellow an e-mail to see if we can get some consistency.

The Flashy Ring Returns

So, you all saw the video of The Fashion Show and Ring Failure...

Well, if you didn't see it on my facebook page, the Flashy Ring Returns....in the trash!

Centerpiece Inspiration Board

Simple main vase with a few rose

Four small music votives

Framed table numbers with music background

Individual name cards on mini music stands

It Needs More Garlic

For Nathan...

"Cassablanca" Bridal Show

Brenda, Cassandra, Me, Mom

Girl day was a success!

Brenda-Mom came over yesterday afternoon. We tried some ice cream flavors. It was an interesting experiment: Lemon, Vanilla Sugar, Cocoa and Apple (which was really just cinnamon).

1. Lemon was HORRIBLE
2. Vanilla Sugar is a definite go
3. Cocoa is a also a go
4. Apple was mediocre and so we decided "no"

We also tried pudding as the powder for Lemon II. It actually helped the consistency, but the flavor was a bit bland. We'll have to try pudding for other flavors next time. We also are trying different flavor names that revolve around our music theme:

Vanilla Vibrato
Vanilla Virtuoso
Vanilla Violin
Chocolate Cadenza
Chocolate Cantata
Chocolate Counterpoint

We also looked at crazy wedding gowns in the magazines Brenda-Mom brought with her. There were some crazy ones in there! I also want to say that she brought me two paintings she made herself! I love them. They are very calming to me because I love the beach and ocean. I would never like to live there, but I still love to write about them; pirates and all. Love these paintings! Thank you, Brenda-Mom!

After we tried flavors, Cassandra arrived for all of us to go to the Bridal Show. It was a very nice set up. I liked that it was small and not so HUGE as the show we went to during the summer. I got a lot of business cards and some interesting ideas. However, when I was there I did have to readjust my idea of the overall budget. It has been adjusting each time I get new information. It is weighing heavily on me, but I know it has to be taken one step at a time. All will be well!

We also got to watch a fashion show. It was interesting. I did not see too many things I liked, but it was still interesting nonetheless. Cassandra took some video, but the stage lights were causing a harsh glare. However, this particular video is funny. The ring that I had to wear to distinguish me as the bride was blindingly bright in it's twinkling. It also broke to where I couldn't turn it off:

After the fashion show they handed out door prizes. It was rather unorganized and so Cassandra and I went outside to the lobby to check out a few more vendors. While speaking with one, I thought I heard my name being called. It was so butchered that I just shrugged it off. Then a few seconds later, I see Brenda-Mom running out calling my name. I turn and then she informs me that I won something. I went running back with her to claim my prize. I won a free slide show burned to a DVD! Pretty cool since Nathan and I can have up to 150 photos on it. It can be played during our reception. Awesome!

That was my day in summary. I will say though, that ring? I had to cut it open to turn it off. A good ending to a wonderful day!

A Prayer

I believe I got this prayer from the Dallas Bridal Show last summer. I kept it and was reading it this morning. I would like this to be read at our wedding ceremony, very much. I'm not so sure I would like the Old English words to be in there, but it is still really good. It's hard to read it and not cry. God is good. Praise God for sending me my fiance to be my future husband. I love him so very much:


"O God of Love, thou has established marriage for the welfare and happiness of mankind. Thine was the plan and only with Thee can we work it out with joy. Thou has said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helpmate for him." Now our joys are doubled since the happiness of one is the happiness of the other. Our burdens now are halved when we share them; we divide the load.

"Bless this husband. bless him as a provider of nourishment and clothing. Sustain him in all the pressures of his labors for bread. May his strength be her protection, his character be her pride, and may he so live that she will find in him the haven for which the heart of woman truly longs.

"Bless this loving wife. Give her tenderness that will make her great, a deep sense of understanding and a great faith in Thee. Give her inner beauty of soul that never fades, that eternal youth that is found in holding fast the things that never age.

"Teach them that marriage is not living merely for each other; it is two joining hands to serve Thee. Give them a spiritual purpose in life. May they seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and the other things shall be added unto them.

"May they not expect of each other the perfection that belongs alone to Thee. May they minimize each others weaknesses, be swift to praise and magnify each other's strengths, and see each other through a lover's kind, patient eyes.

"Now make such assignments to them in Thy will as will develop their characters as they walk together. Give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them humane, enough failure to keep their hands clenched tightly in Thine, and enough success to encourage them in their walk with Thee.

"May they never take each other's love for granted, but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims, "Out of all this world you have chosen me."

"When life is done, may they be found then as now, hand in hand, still thanking God for each other. May they serve Thee happily, faithfully, together, until at last one shall lay the other into the arms of God.

"This we ask through Jesus Christ, great lover of our souls. Amen."

Good Morning to Wedidng Thoughts

Both of my private violin students could not make it to their lessons today. Since I had the time, I decided to actually put an official time line together. The previously posted time line was just a draft. I have now put together an official one. Of course as time goes on, more of Nathan's items will be added as we don't quite know when things will be happening for him with the remainder of his schooling.

It was sort of nice to sit down and have direction again. With so many life changes happening for me, I've been a bit off balance. I always hate that feeling. I feel a bit calmer now that I have a teaching resume put together and I have some doors opening to me in my career.

Tomorrow, my mom, Brenda-Mom, Cassandra and I will be going to a bridal show at one of the reception sites Nathan and I visited. We have pretty much decided against this location, but since it is close to my house and the event was free, I signed us up to go anyway. It will be good just to see what the place looks like all set up AND to get some wedding ideas. I am also excited about watching a wedding gown model show. That should be interesting. We will also be taking time to try ice cream flavors! That should be a whole lot of fun. Don't worry, pictures will soon follow later this week.

This whole wedding thing is quite overwhelming to me and I just couldn't figure out exactly WHY I was getting anxiety when I explored wedding things at craft stores. I think I know why now. My heart so wants to get married, preferably as soon as possible, but then the brain and my knack for wisdom says that we're not financially stable yet. I have just graduated and Nathan is still in school. These weigh heavily on me, but they are vital to making a life together.

I have also discovered another reason. I don't like all of the attention! Feel free to laugh at me! You would think that because I am a studied musician and a teacher no less, that I would be over the whole stage fright thing. I think it also has to do with not accustomed to being doted on. My family never had a lot of money to spend on each other, so I grew up being satisfied with what I had. Now, all of a sudden say the word "wedding" and a lot of family hones in to offer things. I really don't know how to handle that, but I'm trying to learn.

I can just picture it now...coming down the isle I truly will be a "blushing bride." ... I hope Nathan will be at the end holding an icepack for me to put on my head; just in case! Just kidding! If he really does that, I might whack him on the head with my wedding bouquet...now there's an amusing image!

The Timeline: from Mind to Paper

Disclaimer: I know I have left out some items, but this gives a bit of an overview of the major things that need to be done. Things will be added, taken out and adjusted the more we get into planning the wedding.

May 2011 - July 2011

• Browse ceremony and reception areas
• Interview and secure an official teaching job

August 2011:

• Start my job
• Decide on ceremony and reception areas to set down payment for them

September 2011:

• Find an officiant
• Start finding a dress
• Browse for photographer
• Browse catering options

October 2011:

• Book an officiant
• Book a photographer (hopefully)
• Browse florists

November 2011:

• Book a photographer deadline
• Book a florist (hopefully)
• Browse musicians and book them (should be done in this month because we know pretty much who we would like and they're friends)
• Browse DJ's
• Book caterer deadline

December 2011:

• Book a florist deadline
• Book musicians (if we don't in November)
• Book DJ (hopefully)
• Start officially planning Texas Tour Honeymoon

January 2012:

• Book DJ deadline
• Start to book honeymoon hotels

February 2012: (not much here due to TMEA)

• Address invitations but don't send yet.

March 2012: (not much here due to UIL)

• Mail invitations (six months marker)

April 2012: (not much here due to UIL)

• Organize seating for reception
  

May 2012:

• Deadline for wedding gown
• Deadline for bridesmaids gowns
• Nathan Graduates! Yay!

June 2012:

• All things decorative for reception
  
• Buy Nathan's wedding ring (super excited about this one!)
• Nathan starts to move his things to my apartment getting ready for after we're married :D
  

July 2012:

• Bridal Shower
• Put together reception centerpieces/decorations (planing a get together of women to help put things together)
  
• Groom and groomsmen tuxes

August 2012:

• Get married!

Browsing Ideas

1. I saw this groom's cake and I just about fell out of my chair because I thought about Nathan:
   
   http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/for-fun-build-a-music-themed-wedding

Now if only I could find a wedding dress that is concert like only, you know...white...hah!

Music Themed Ideas!

My dear Maid of Honor sent this web page to me and I just about fell out of my chair with excitement. I decided to post it here because these ideas were just wonderful! I'm totally stealing some of these and I hope that they all help to make our wedding/reception really awesome!

http://capclassique.wordpress.com/2010/10/20/sheet-music-wedding-details/

Music Votives Trial and Error

Step 1:

Find complicated string music

Step 2:
Use parchment colored paper



Step 3:
Copy complicated music onto parchment colored paper.
Measure according to glass and cut into strips.



Step 4:
Wrap music around glass and tape/glue.


Step 5:
Light votive candle and turn off lights

Evaluations:

• Round glasses with tapered shape toward the bottom, make it really hard to wrap paper around the glass. It creates bumps and lumps. We might consider square glasses instead.
  
• Pimento jars work well, but the top is not pretty
  
• Paper doesn't always reach around the jar completely
  

Thinking About my Bridesmaids

I have been thinking about my bridesmaids this morning. I am getting rather excited with the things I want to prepare for them. It is customary to give bridesmaids gifts, but I intend to do something more personal. All will be meaningful, but I do have mischievous ideas, too! Of course, within proper joking grounds.

Really, I am honored that my girls will be accompanying me down the isle. I don't want to be one of those bridezillas who just HAS to have it her way. Yuck! I want all of my girls to feel comfortable and a part of my wedding. Yes, that even means when we go shopping for bridesmaids dresses, I want them to feel comfortable and not break their pocketbooks either. I envision them in simple and yet, elegant navy blue dresses and holding their four crimson roses. It is a lovely picture. I hope they think so, too.


I cannot wait until we all can go out and try on their dresses. It will be fun and good for us all to be a bit girly; even for me, too. Although I am sure that after a day of pure girl, the following day I'll have to watch an action movie.

Love you, my bridesmaids: Cassandra, Jess and J-fur!

Centerpieces and Wedding Favor Experiment

The last two days I have really been taking the time to think about wedding details. To be honest, I feel rather surprised at the ideas I have come up with since I have been taking my time. I think I have come up with a good idea for centerpieces for the reception. Brenda-Mom and my parents all think it is a good idea. I just have to get the okay from the maid of honor and the groom:

1. Main vase is rounded with a dozen red roses in it. We'll use Brenda-Mom's "water-beads" as I talked about last year (see earlier post).
2. Surrounding rounded vase will be four small glass votives. These will be decorated with sheet music, tapped/glued on around it.

As for the ice cream wedding favor, I didn't let the cold temperatures stop me from testing it today. I think it actually works. The only thing is, we're going to need pretty big mason jars. Mom ended up giving me an ex-kimchi jar to try it in. I have also come up with a better label idea. I would like to buy manila sales tags. Take off the string and use blue ribbon instead. Then stamp a treble cleff/alto clef onto the front with the words "Thank You." Finally put the how-to instructions on the back. Voila! I love these ideas. I hope everyone else does, too!

Must Have Wedding Favor

Cassandra came over last week to finally do the wedding talk. Really, I had a lot of fun even though I was completely girl-ed out by the time we finished. Anyway, she introduced me to the website called stumbleupon.com. It is sort of like Pandora for websites. She showed me her preferences and some websites for Do-it-yourself wedding ideas. Well, we stumbled upon this idea and all I have to say is that, I really, really, really, really want to do this for wedding favors:

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/06/14/diy-ice-cream-in-a-jar-by-city-cradle-design/

I think this would be perfect for our end of summer wedding. I will say that, I'll be trying it soon to make sure it works AND if it tastes good. If you see it at our wedding then you know it's a winner.

First Four Venues

Venue #1: Nathan and I both think this venue is our number one choice for a ceremony. The church lets out their entire facility to become a non-denominational wedding/reception area. Their prices are about right for us, but the only bad thing I have to say is that their reception areas are rather small. Also the food room and the eating room are separated. It is a bit inconvenient for the flow of a party. However, we are at least considering getting married there. It is nice that we can rent either the chapel or the reception areas or even all of it for good prices. The pastor's wife is amazing. I would still like to meet her husband the pastor and his associate to see who would be conducting our ceremony, but other than that it is still a good option

Venue #2 was really expensive and had many restrictions as to catering. They only allow their caterers and boy were they expensive. If we were to go with them as our reception area it would cost our entire wedding budget. Not to mention the reception room designated for our guest list was a bit larger than we wanted.

Venue #3 was just stupid....the prices were too high for the quality of their place. They had a chapel that was not really nice. They also required that the guests go through a courtyard to even get into the chapel. I will say that their reception area was pretty good. It was about the right size, but the head-table could not be seen from every angle. You also could not just rent the reception area. It was either rent just the chapel or both chapel and reception. I will also add that if you wanted to bring in your caterer you had to pay an extra $1500 fee for that. This one s a definite, flat out; NO

Venue #4 When you arrive at this place, it's in a sketchy area. The outside of the building looks really bad. We almost didn't go in, but then once we did it was really nice. The reception area size was perfect for us. The dance floor was about the right size, too. There was good flow to the room and easy access to a buffet table and a good view of the head table. An added plus was that we could move the tables anywhere we wanted. The chapel was a bit shabby, but overall not so bad. However, I will say that I think it's a bit small for our size wedding. When you walk into it, it's really narrow. The other bad thing about this place is that we would have to use their catering. I really don't option, but it seems that most places are doing that. The price of this place was pretty good.

Ideal:

Ceremony

1. Marriage in a church is a must have
   
2. Church must have carpet and must be level for good walking
   
3. Must be large enough to hold guests and string quartet
4. Must be easy to commute to
   

Reception

1. Cannot be huge
   
2. Dance floor medium and not the focal point of the room
   
3. Clear view of head table
4. Good pricing
   
5. No bar
   
6. Freedom of caterer choice