inspiration

as with most things in my life, the internet is my go-to guy for wedding planning. sites like weddingbee, once wed, & style me pretty provide me with hours of lovely wedding pictures, helpful advice, & ideas. sure, some of these ideas are no good (no, we can't have a photo-booth, even DIY or chivari chairs), but over the past few months i've really narrowed down what i want our wedding to be like. AND i put it into a picture collage (heretofor known as "inspiration boards" in wedding lingo). then, i looked at all the pictures we've got of wedding items already created and/or decided upon. i'm happy with how closely they're related.

planning inspiration
Row 1: (L) bottle centerpieces; (M) ceremony site; (top R) reception toasts; (bottom R) twig escort cards.
Row 2: (2 L) wooden direction signs; (R) original dream dress
Row 4: (far L) ring shot; (L) cake; (M) table number display; (R) wildflower bouquet
Row 5: (L) reception games; (top M) Love - aaw; (bottom M) guestbook

actual happenings
Row 1: (L) our invitations [have you got it yet?!]; (M) our venue at night; (top R) cake stand; bottom (R) ring bearer nest [instead of pillow -- i made that!]
Row 2: (L) my dress; (M) my ring; (R) flower boy basket
Row 3: (far L) my shoes!; (L) my hair trial [you'll be seeing more of this soon]; (M) lights at the venue; (R) my newly decided firmly upon ceremony spot
Row 4: (L) some flagstaff flowers [actually outside our apartment]; (top M) michael's tie; (bottom M) zinnias, the main flower of our wedding

stay tuned for more on my hair trial & new ceremony site!!

let's bathe!

first off, i'm pleased that other people have read that book - it makes it more legit. just the other night, michael & i were bickering and were like "words of affection! word of affection!" hahaha, it stopped our little twizzle immediately.

speaking of twizzles, i went into a good one when i got an email from future sil emily with pictures from my california shower and impromptu night out. as i haven't done too many picture posts on this particular blog (maybe that's why jen doesn't read it?) i feel this is the perfect opportunity to do so:

my "nice pose", wedding-color flowers, and yummy cake

me, louann, & gramma o; me, ana, & rosemary; me & bff amy; besty, me, & louann

i will not attempt to label all these pictures. rest assured, they are all my wonderful soon-to-be family members (ps. i really like picture #2, where future sil emily looks like she's going to eat future sil amy's face)

opening presents was a highlight, of course!

a most exciting gift opening... what will it be? ooh, candles! HEY! A SILKIE!! (a silkie is what michael called pieces of his mom's slip that he used to rub when he was little. it's his favorite tactile treat!)

what do you do after a shower if you're going out that night? rest, rehydrate, get goofy, and you're ready to go!

future sil betsy had a carrot pen that provided MUCH amusement throughout the night

reciepe for a good time: 1. have a group of fun people 2. make an inappropriately worded cootie catcher (thanks aunt celeste!) 3. have a hearty laugh

well, that's the gist of it. it was so much fun (thank you again to all the ladies who planned/came out for it) and i'm really excited for the shower my sister is throwing in a month or so (perhaps followed by another fun night out?)

ps. as i'm sure you're all left pondering one question. and, yes, i got tons of bootie. the shallow part of me squeals in excitement everytime she thinks about it!!

what's your loooveee language?

the shower in california was bitchin' and i'm so thankfully that the man's family saw fit to throw me one. i promise that as soon as i get some good pictures to put up here (it's hard to take pictures of yourself at your own party), i'll put up a full debreifing.

however, i did get several books at the shower (1. i LOVE books & 2. one was a children's book. double woot). michael's mom gave us a book called the five love languages. well, i purused it and skipped right to the quiz section. it was a toughie (although just for me, michael breezed through), but we got our primary languages. it boils down to me liking to be told nice things about myself (which is quite true, all the arguements i start stem from something he said) and michael liking every language pretty equally! it figures. mainly he likes to be touched affectionately, but also hanging out and having things done for him. done and done.

it's all really just an excuse to buy stuff*

we're under 90 days and past the trickling streams and gumdrop trees, winding into the dark, thick forest of planning. a new truce has been reached between the Man and i: he'll ask me about wedding stuff if he wants to know. If he doesn't ask, he doesn't want to know. I'll bring up only things that are truly joint decisions. Example: color of table clothes = not need to know (although he DID have an opinion!) Registry = must reach a collaboration

Speaking of registry, we've decided to make a Honeyfund. We aren't planning on going anywhere until next year, but we're quickly becoming broke-ass and should be house-bound (or at least not apartment-bound) by that time. so we're coming up with a cute way to ask for cold hard cash money. also, they're so much fun to make. I should have done this ages ago!

Doubly-speaking of registry, we got our first gift!! And many to follow as tomorrow I'm off on a California adventure with the Man's family! stay tuned for photographic evidence

*I say it's an excuse because i'm having a hard time not purchasing things in the name of wedding. as i post i'm sitting in my new (slightly expensive) dress that i bought through the guise of needing it for the bridal shower. not so bad until you consider the OTHER dress i bought 2 months ago under the same reasoning. le sigh.