The best day of my life so far. It went perfectly. It was so nice to see it all come together and see everyone we love and have an amazing time.
The fun started when my grandparents arrived. We created 20 "welcome buckets" for hotel guests. They were so fun to create. I glittered wine and champagne bottles and then we also got popcorn and Tylenol and covered the water bottle labels in patterned duct tape.
My god mother hosted a beautiful bridal luncheon at Sonoma Wine Bar in Town Center. It was great to have so many women in my life come together. Everyone told stories and of course we are all a bunch of girls so we started crying. The food and wine were AMAZING!
We did a fun nail party with all the girls. It was more fun bonding and girl time. It also allowed everyone to have time to get their nails all pretty for the wedding.
Our rehearsal dinner was great. Everyone had such a fun time. We tried to intermingle people so everyone could meet someone new if possible. We gave all of our parents gifts to thank them for everything. We gave our dads unique cuff links that were of their hobbies. We gave our mothers earrings with their birthstones. We also gave our wedding party their gifts. We gave all the guys signs for their homes. Some were personalized like "Jay's guitar lounge" and some were funny like " A man's gotta believe in something & I believe I'll have another drink". The girls all got bags embroidered with their initial. Inside the bag was a personalized matching makeup bag and a coffee tumbler and Starbucks gift card, tissues for the next day, & hand sanitizer, Tylenol, & band-aids. We toasted with my great great grandparents 50th wedding anniversary cup. It was very funny because one after another about 10 people stood up giving sweet or hysterical toasts.
The day of our wedding was great. I remember everyone saying to cherish every moment of the day and days leading to the wedding and that is what I tried to do. I tried to stay in the moment and really absorb everything. We had a blast getting ready and then to see him at the end of the aisle was the best. We both made it through the vows with only a few teary eyes. I didn't want to be that bride sobbing through her vows haha. The night was a blast. TONS & TONS of dancing and people in the photo booth and eating and drinking. So much fun and the room was filled with love and happiness. We had the best time and feel very blessed.
The honeymoon was so much fun. I managed to forget all my dresses at home and bikinis aren't dinner attire so we "had to" shop hehe. I really did laugh at the fact that I had prepacked everything, but left them hanging in the closet in their bag. I also managed to have a bruise on my chest from my necklace bouncing from dancing. On the cruise we went snorkeling and discovered Atlantis. It was nice to go out of the port here. Cutting out flying was a major benefit.
Today we organized all of our wonderful gifts. All the china is staying safe at my moms until we move as well as extra fun things we don't have room for here. We are hoping to buy a home this winter and then can utilize everything. We used gift cards and money to get a few things we hadn't gotten like the keurig. So much fun to be able to tell people exactly what we used their stuff for. We are stunned by how generous everyone was. We are so excited to build our home together.
I am making my first crock pot stew tomorrow since we both caught a cold upon returning home. I wonder if that was a sign to stay on vacation. I have to do all the name change stuff tomorrow. Guys are lucky when it comes to that. DMV lines here I come woohoo!
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Planning, Prepared, Packing
The 3 "Ps" are a must when preparing for a big event. Plan, Prepare, and Pack.
Since there will be multiple cars and multiple outfits we have to have everything prepicked and prepacked. The plan is only to have to move make-up and toiletries from one place to another. I have a bag to take for getting ready for the wedding the day of (as well as a mini bag holding my outfit for leaving the reception). I have a bag for the next day with my outfit to the cruise ship.
We are already packing for the honeymoon and I have everything that needs to go to my mom's house for before the rehearsal in another bag. I have seen other brides use this multiple bags and everything goes smoothly. I have also seen some "wing it" and things are forgotten and a mess.
A lot of people will have a emergency kit with them for bridal 911s, but the bride should have one too. I took an old coach case and filled it with the following "just in case" items:
Anti-bacterial ointment
Alcohol wipe
2 sizes of band-aids
Tylenol
Midol
Benadryl
eye drops
spare contacts
chapstick
bobby pins
safety pins
spare pair of earrings
However, no matter how much we try "we plan and God laughs". You have to be ready to roll with the punches.
Since there will be multiple cars and multiple outfits we have to have everything prepicked and prepacked. The plan is only to have to move make-up and toiletries from one place to another. I have a bag to take for getting ready for the wedding the day of (as well as a mini bag holding my outfit for leaving the reception). I have a bag for the next day with my outfit to the cruise ship.
We are already packing for the honeymoon and I have everything that needs to go to my mom's house for before the rehearsal in another bag. I have seen other brides use this multiple bags and everything goes smoothly. I have also seen some "wing it" and things are forgotten and a mess.
A lot of people will have a emergency kit with them for bridal 911s, but the bride should have one too. I took an old coach case and filled it with the following "just in case" items:
Anti-bacterial ointment
Alcohol wipe
2 sizes of band-aids
Tylenol
Midol
Benadryl
eye drops
spare contacts
chapstick
bobby pins
safety pins
spare pair of earrings
However, no matter how much we try "we plan and God laughs". You have to be ready to roll with the punches.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Glitter Glitter Everywhere
Game plan is to have EVERYTHING done this weekend so that we can enjoy this week ahead. It has been nice to have some help. As much as I love crafting, it can become tedious.
At one week until the big day I am getting so excited. More family arrives this week. It is an added bonus to life events that you get to see lots of family and friends that you may not always get to see.
I do suggest cleaning your whole house and do all you laundry (including sheets, towels,etc.) a week before your wedding. In the midst of running in and out and having things to do a cluttered house can only add anxiety. Having it all set keeps for a calmer environment and lessens the probability of forgetting something.
Most of our wedding things are at my mother's house. I do not know what we would do if she hadn't opened her house like this. Currently it is filled with gifts, welcome baskets we made, favors, wedding party gifts, table markers, etc. Its nice to have a home base for it all. Plus she has more space to get things done.
We are going to church in the morning. Our last Sunday as "singles". Last Sunday our pastor congratulated a couple celebrating 60 years and announced our upcoming nuptials. It was great to get so many well wishes.
I have had people ask what I am going to do next after the wedding. Well in regards to this blog I am going to keep discussing becoming Mrs. Granger. We still have a lot of "firsts" to experience together. Also, we will be house hunting for a home of our own soon and that opens a whole new adventure. No matter what is next I cannot wait to spend it with my husband.
At one week until the big day I am getting so excited. More family arrives this week. It is an added bonus to life events that you get to see lots of family and friends that you may not always get to see.
I do suggest cleaning your whole house and do all you laundry (including sheets, towels,etc.) a week before your wedding. In the midst of running in and out and having things to do a cluttered house can only add anxiety. Having it all set keeps for a calmer environment and lessens the probability of forgetting something.
Most of our wedding things are at my mother's house. I do not know what we would do if she hadn't opened her house like this. Currently it is filled with gifts, welcome baskets we made, favors, wedding party gifts, table markers, etc. Its nice to have a home base for it all. Plus she has more space to get things done.
We are going to church in the morning. Our last Sunday as "singles". Last Sunday our pastor congratulated a couple celebrating 60 years and announced our upcoming nuptials. It was great to get so many well wishes.
I have had people ask what I am going to do next after the wedding. Well in regards to this blog I am going to keep discussing becoming Mrs. Granger. We still have a lot of "firsts" to experience together. Also, we will be house hunting for a home of our own soon and that opens a whole new adventure. No matter what is next I cannot wait to spend it with my husband.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
10 days left
My grandparents arrived on Monday and the wedding fun kicked off. I love having them here and hate that they live so far away. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary tonight and it is so inspiring. To see a couple so in love so very many years later. Eddie and I both have grandparents that have been married for over 50 years. We are hoping to have some of their great marriage luck rub off on us. To help us with that luck we are incorporating a tradition from each couple into our wedding. We will be cutting out cake with my grandparents' wedding knife. It has their initials engraved and will soon have ours added. We are using Ed's grandparents' wedding cup to toast from. The story says that if you drink without spilling your marriage will be full of love.
We have been so blessed and touched by everyone's generosity. We have received such lovely gifts that we cannot wait to use in our home as husband and wife. It is great to know that every time we use a certain item we will think of the person(s) who gave it to us. My grandfather told me there is some silly rule about not giving knives as gifts. He and I agreed that is just plain silly and everyone needs knives. Wouldn't ya know he gave us our set tonight. Made me giggle. We have been receiving pieces of our china left and right. I can't wait to think of each of my aunts every time we use it and about family friends. Ed's stepmom and dad sent up several large boxes with a bunch of our china in them. We owe them a meal or two! I cannot wait to serve our family meals for decades to come. Every time my mother pulls out her china she shares a story about whomever gave that piece to her. We will be able to do the same and it is exciting.
We had our last meeting prior to the wedding with our pastor. She is an amazing woman who is very inspiring and very confident in us. Premarriage counseling was a wonderful experience. Whether it be with a pastor, counselor, or any other unbiased third party it is worth it for every couple to share in that experience. She was floored because most people come across a topic or two they hadn't thought of, but Eddie and I talk about everything and have a game plan. She couldn't believe how well we communicate and how in sync we are especially being such different personalities. Its nice to know she believes so strongly in us and our love for one another.
This week has been theme week at work. It has been nice to have something entertaining during a week that is seemingly taking its sweet time to pass. Friday I will be up at 5am baking my buffalo chicken roll ups. I got the recipe online and then changes it a bit. Boil and shred chicken breasts and mix with a cup of blue cheese dressing, a cup of franks hot sauce, a cup of your favorite shredded cheese, and 8 oz cream cheese and mix together. Then take egg roll wraps and wrap them up spray with canola oil and bake until golden. they are addicting! I am so excited for next week to arrive. I want to enjoy every activity and cherish every moment. This week I have been getting emails and texts with fun messages filled with love a good thoughts for our upcoming nuptials. Its so special to know others are excited for us and want us to succeed.
Mom and I went into a store the other day and the cashier was making small talk and we mentioned we were wedding shopping. The girl rolled her eyes and said to me "oh so I bet you are a total wreck and freaking out on everyone aren't you?" First of all that is no way to make a sale. I simply smiled and said "not so much". I actually am quite fine. I love to plan and have time lines and lists and truly a wedding shouldn't be stressful. It does take time and money management, but it is fun. Picking out colors, vendors, gifts, wedding guests, etc is all an exciting event that is leading to a life changing moment. I know many say that marriage doesn't change anything. I feel bad for those who believe that. It does change things. It makes you someone's wife or husband. You vow in front of everyone to love, honor, and cherish. No matter what anyone says marriage is a different experience and shouldn't be treated the same as your live-in other half. This is your spouse for eternity. You will build a home with them and a life with them. I am so excited to do that with Eddie.
We have been so blessed and touched by everyone's generosity. We have received such lovely gifts that we cannot wait to use in our home as husband and wife. It is great to know that every time we use a certain item we will think of the person(s) who gave it to us. My grandfather told me there is some silly rule about not giving knives as gifts. He and I agreed that is just plain silly and everyone needs knives. Wouldn't ya know he gave us our set tonight. Made me giggle. We have been receiving pieces of our china left and right. I can't wait to think of each of my aunts every time we use it and about family friends. Ed's stepmom and dad sent up several large boxes with a bunch of our china in them. We owe them a meal or two! I cannot wait to serve our family meals for decades to come. Every time my mother pulls out her china she shares a story about whomever gave that piece to her. We will be able to do the same and it is exciting.
We had our last meeting prior to the wedding with our pastor. She is an amazing woman who is very inspiring and very confident in us. Premarriage counseling was a wonderful experience. Whether it be with a pastor, counselor, or any other unbiased third party it is worth it for every couple to share in that experience. She was floored because most people come across a topic or two they hadn't thought of, but Eddie and I talk about everything and have a game plan. She couldn't believe how well we communicate and how in sync we are especially being such different personalities. Its nice to know she believes so strongly in us and our love for one another.
This week has been theme week at work. It has been nice to have something entertaining during a week that is seemingly taking its sweet time to pass. Friday I will be up at 5am baking my buffalo chicken roll ups. I got the recipe online and then changes it a bit. Boil and shred chicken breasts and mix with a cup of blue cheese dressing, a cup of franks hot sauce, a cup of your favorite shredded cheese, and 8 oz cream cheese and mix together. Then take egg roll wraps and wrap them up spray with canola oil and bake until golden. they are addicting! I am so excited for next week to arrive. I want to enjoy every activity and cherish every moment. This week I have been getting emails and texts with fun messages filled with love a good thoughts for our upcoming nuptials. Its so special to know others are excited for us and want us to succeed.
Mom and I went into a store the other day and the cashier was making small talk and we mentioned we were wedding shopping. The girl rolled her eyes and said to me "oh so I bet you are a total wreck and freaking out on everyone aren't you?" First of all that is no way to make a sale. I simply smiled and said "not so much". I actually am quite fine. I love to plan and have time lines and lists and truly a wedding shouldn't be stressful. It does take time and money management, but it is fun. Picking out colors, vendors, gifts, wedding guests, etc is all an exciting event that is leading to a life changing moment. I know many say that marriage doesn't change anything. I feel bad for those who believe that. It does change things. It makes you someone's wife or husband. You vow in front of everyone to love, honor, and cherish. No matter what anyone says marriage is a different experience and shouldn't be treated the same as your live-in other half. This is your spouse for eternity. You will build a home with them and a life with them. I am so excited to do that with Eddie.
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