Nick and Jasmine
Just another WordPress.com weblogArchive for October, 2008
“Trash The Dress”
I came across Deborah’s photography a few weeks ago when I stumbled across these pictures on Facebook:
(These are pics of Matt and Heidee and their son, Noah – a few friends of mine!)
I really like her eye and artistic style, and so I sent an email asking about engagement photos and prices. She wrote me back and said she had a special going on – $150 for a 2-3hr session with 100-150 photos and full printing rights. That sounded super reasonable and so I wrote back and asked her to book us in! (You can check out her portfolio on her website – http://www.figgiephotography.com)
She also made mention of the “Trash The Dress” portfolio she’s been trying to build and asked if I’d be interested in doing a shoot free of charge. I came across this dress trashing concept in a magazine a while back, and for all of you who aren’t familiar with it, it’s basically a photoshoot of you in your bridal gown…well, trashing the dress! Running down the beach through the waves in it! Jumping in mud puddles! Running through a field! Fingerpainting! Whatever you want!
If I tell my mom about this I know she’ll have a bird, but I figure what better way to celebrate a gorgeous dress than capture on photo having fun and getting dirty in it? So of course I signed up!
Now I get to think of creative ways to trash my bridal gown…better that than having it all zipped up in the closet after the wedding!
Slowing down.
With the current state of chaos that is my life, the wedding planning has somewhat slowed. I have been formally advised to refrain from doing any sort of wedding planning at work (and rightfully so), but working full-time makes it difficult to get things done as quickly as I’d like. Things are changing quickly around these parts, and I feel that much more of my time will be devoted to work. Our various fundraising events are quickly approaching, and instead of designing my menus and wedding programs, I find myself spending more and more time bringing to life newspaper and other print ads for work. I had a moderate-sized freak-out yesterday night, as I have always been one to separate and define work and home. However, I now find that line blurred.
Despite the busy-ness, I have successfully designed and put together my invitations. I emailed off my wording to Adriana today and should have a proof in my hands sometime soon. Yesterday I received the timeshare confirmation certificate in the mail, and so a trip to the travel agent is in order to get flights planned. I am also meeting with Rene at Paesano’s Bakery in Tecumseh to discuss cake designs and figure out some price points.
Truth be told, I am a bit overwhelmed. My maid of honor lives in Hollywood, and what I’d give to have her close to me!!!
I have had my mini-breakdown already. It will likely be one of many.
Eight months to go.
Wedding date
I didn’t want to announce our wedding date, as it was only tentative, but considering that we put our deposit down at our reception site yesterday, I suppose it’s safe to tell everyone…
We will be getting married Friday, July 3rd, 2009. Unless plans change, the ceremony will take place at Riverside Baptist Church, with the reception following at La Zingara Trattoria on Erie Street.
We have pretty much finalized the dinner menu and have had a few tastings – everything is so delicious! The restaurant itself is beautiful as it is, and so we opted not to use a decorator and instead keep the focus on the food and wine.
Invitations will likely be sent out in April/May, and earlier for my out-of-towners.
Easy as 1, 2, 3.
1. Received an email while I was in Texas that the wedding gown I ordered is now ready for pickup. How’s that for service, huh? They had told me it’d be ready by December but I guess I’ll be over there sometime this week. Now if I could just figure out a way to get it over the border without paying duty…
2. While I had originally set out to make my own wedding invitations, I quickly realized how frustrating and time consuming it was. I met up with Adriana at Allegra Printing after finding out that this old high school friend had started doing invitations. A quote and proof should be ready sometime this week. I am excited to see what she will come up with.
3. Finalizing the reception menu and hashing out a tentative budget for the dinner will also be happening this month, too. I’m anxious to see what sort of dinners Pena has planned for us!
4. Honeymoon plans are also close to finalized. My Uncle Pan and Aunt Julie from California have so graciously given us use of their timeshare resort and we will be vacationing on the shores of Kauai for 7 days. Aloha, Hawaii! I am hoping that Nick and I can head to a travel agent sometime soon to get flights, rental cars and hotel transfers in order…
5. Still trying to figure out what to do for music…
6. Still waiting to book a meeting with our minister…
Despite the still-lingering uncertainties, we are in a good place right now. I really feel like Nick and I see each other now less than we ever did, but for once it isn’t bothersome. We survive on our once-a-day 10-15 minute phone conversation, maybe get together once a week for dinner and perhaps an episode of The Office! Our six-year anniversary will be coming up at the end of November and it’s crazy to think that we will be married on our 7th.
Dear Nick,
I have exhausted all attempts to refrain from speaking of you. In fact, I think the only posts where your name is mentioned are the first two or three. You desire privacy, and I respect that.
I appreciate your calm, cool, collected demeanor. Sorry for freaking out and crying the first week of our engagement. Someone broke the glass and pressed the panic button and I lost it for a sec, but I’m good now. Thanks for not asking for the ring back.
You’ve been so good and supportive in all the decisions we’ve had to make in regards to the planning thus far. That is excellent – I like a yes man. While I do not expect you to physically be present with me for every little detail and decision, I promise that I will run things by you in one way or another.
We are off to a fantastic start and so much more ahead of the game than I expected.
The only thing I ask is that you please inform your Uncle Rob that you are indeed “Dr. John”. Like, ASAP. It’d be great if you quash the “Jasmine is having an affair with a doctor” rumor before it runs rampant, thanks.
Love,
Fiancee
Wishlist
My Aunt Nilda, who will be standing in our wedding as a godparent/primary sponsor, approached me about a bridal shower.
To be honest, I hadn’t even thought about it simply because the prospect of planning a wedding was overwhelming enough!
She was insistent, however, claiming that having a bridal shower was a tradition, and that she was willing to host it if necessary. I explained that Nick and I had everything we needed to begin a comfortable life together, and it’s true – we do. Like I previously mentioned, I’ve been on a couple shopping excursions in the States, picking up random things from Ikea and Target, but for the most part we’ve got everything we need. Anything else would only be for convenience.
But just for fun I started browsing the Ikea and Target websites. The one thing I am really looking forward to is getting to go shopping with Nick for furniture and small appliances – things that’ll make our already comfortable home a little more home-y.
Here is a sample of my wishlist!
KitchenAid Mixer (for the mashed potatoes I’m going to need to learn how to make!)
Oster Beehive Chrome Blender (for our breakfast protein shakes)
KitchenAid Food Processor
George Foreman grill (which I plan to use as a panini grill too!)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Besides that, our “to be purchased” list also includes a dining room table, maybe a new mattress. I am trying to convince him to splurge on a Tempurpedic mattress, and I’m hoping that the Art Van Clearance Center will have some on sale if we ever get a chance to go.
Quick update.
I was at Twelve Oaks Mall today and picked up these. They totally go with my dress and I am so looking forward to slipping these on after being in heels!
Wedding planning has been touch and go. I’ve taken quite a liking to buying random things for the house, so Ikea and Target have been my favorite destinations as of late. So far Nick has gotten a couple stainless steel mixing bowls, Pyrex baking dishes, measuring cups, spatula, cheese grater, pepper mill, 20-piece cutlery set, rice cooker and Cutco knives. Holy spoiled, but I am happy I soon get to use them too!
Last Tuesday we went for our first tasting at our reception venue. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed that potential menus were not drawn up for us as they were promised – I felt like the owner completely forgot we were there for our tasting! The food was still fantastic and we now have decisions to make! I hope our next appointment goes a bit smoother.
I also had the opportunity to crunch some numbers with a friend of mine…and discovered we were probably over budget a bit. It will be hard to slash and burn a few guests off the list – we know the potential for offending people is there, but in the end when all is said and done, we and our families are the ones paying. While we’d love to invite absolutely everyone, it isn’t financially possible, and let’s face it – if someone is going to be offended and hold it against us forever for not being invited, then we were right in not inviting them!
Besides that, everything is great. I am going to get some quotes for invitations this upcoming week, and then take a break from it all this weekend. Mom and I are flying to Texas to spend some time with my cousins in Plano. I can’t wait to try real Texan barbeque.
