Bumps and stumps

WOW wedding planning is just not fun for me.  I wonder if it is also because I am working so heavily on my Cousin's quick turnaround wedding that has been a total of 3 months or less due to happen 10.10.10.  Which I also don't understand why people get hung up on a date.  I like having a random date that you make special with your own personal holiday.  It's almost like a HUGE Unbirthday.

If Alice in Wonderland hadn't been beaten up so much these past couple years I would of liked that as my theme for the wedding.  As it is we are going for a "Under the Sea Theme".  Not some cheesy prom type, something classy and crafty.  I figured using a theme would help me to eliminate and to focus on what kind of decorations and invitations I want to use.  Also it is something I personally never tire of.  I could study Sea Creatures and their shapes and colors forever.

The main creatures in mind are Sea Horses, Jelly fish, Anemones and of course Octopi!  How strange most people must think I am but if you really know me then this is only natural to pull for my inspiration.

I've also decided not to focus on just one color of green but to let it organically be several shades of green.  Also to not neccessarily make my Bridesmaids all wear the same dress but let them chose something in the similar style so that they can all feel comfortable in their own right and have a dress that they will wear again as well. 

Lastly for this post I found my Shoes for the reception!

Tradition meets Alternative

I've been pondering and playing with ideas for my own wedding dress now....

My friend Larissa of Wilde Hunt Corsetry has got my back on a killer Piece that she is going to create for me.  It is going to be an underbust leather corset with her signature applique work.  I can't wait to get started on this.  The problem is that I need to find a dress that will suit my height and preferably not strapless.  I might change my mind and make an overbust but this is still so early on.  What I really need to do is go and try on a slew of dresses. 

Most likely I am going to either end up making or at least designing my own dress.  I know I want some HUGE organza something on one shoulder trailing down.  Also this is most likely not the dress I will be wearing the entire day.  I am thinking of doing a more casual costume change for the reception into a modernized Korean hanbok.

Cake Topper!

I am simply in love with this Cake Topper.  This is the only one that I want from Builder's Studio

ENGAGED!

Yep we finally made it to that point where there is a ring on my little finger.  It had been waiting for me so long that I forgot what the ring even looked like that I had picked out.  It is more sparkly and beautiful then I thought was possible.  The way the Stone is set really catches every single faucet of light available.

So the Story as I tell if is this....

Thursday night August 5th:  We are discussing the line up for the next morning at the Parks and Rec office to be put in the lottery for the North Bank Pavillion.  Andy decided he didn't want to go because it was too early in the month and he wanted to discuss it with his parents first.  I said wouldn't that be awkard to want to discuss wedding planning without us being Engaged?  He said "looks like someone is going to need their ring" then picked up a cat and ignored my faces at him.

Friday during work August 6th: Andy Txted me asking if I wanted to go on a Bike ride that night after work since the weather is so nice.  I said yeah that's fine.

After work Friday:  I came home and immediately tried to crash on the bed.  Our new cat Franklin decided he would have none of that and destroyed my nap with his snuggles, face kneading and licking.  Andy came home from work and was immediately greeted by our friend John from out of town doing a drop by visit.  He let me sleep till 7:00 pm

After a VERY groggy wake up we headed out for our bike ride on the usual Bike Path which goes right past the North Bank Pavillion (where we want our reception).  We headed past that and up to the new single Arch Suspension Bridge. At Main Street

At the Bridge there was this small overlook across the low level Dam.  We stopped and Andy told me about it and how cool it looked and I sat down next to him when I noticed him fidgeting with this pocket and he said to me "The real reason I wanted to bring you out here is to give you a ring" and he took it out of his pocket and we had a small heartattack as he opened it and it was not there.  It had fallen out and gotten stuck into the lid.  After quickly finding it he put it on my finger and we oooh'd and awww'd in the sparkle of the sun starting to set.

Then we Rode home and I txt'd my family first and then called my Best Friend to share the happy news!

This was us all sweaty and right after the ride.

Running the Gauntlet

There is only one place that Andy wants to have the Reception and that is North Bank Park Pavillion.

Very gorgeous little location but also highly coveted. To get the spot we have go an entire year to the day that we want to see if we can get the venue. Not just that though. If you are not the only person there then you also must take a number and be put into a lottery.

I called into the Columbus Parks and Recreation department to confirm this and it’s totally true. I know people usually choose their venue almost a year in advance but man is that commitment. I will have to get up every Friday for the month of August 2010 (this summer) wait for the office to open and PRAY that we can get our spot as they pull numbers. Luckily the Lady on the other end of the telephone said a lot of people do not try to get anything as late as August so it might not be that big of a deal. I mean honestly we could do into early September if we had to. It must be a Saturday Wedding in my opinion with all the prospective relatives coming in from out of town.

The idea of long banquet tables would be unique and allow for more seating.  Also with that long outdoor yard perhaps a game of Croquet can be set up while friends and family wait for the dinner festivities to begin.  I LOVE the fountain also.  I can just imagine my neice and Nephew playing in it with some of the other childer probably much to the chagrin of their parents.'

Still there is much to think about and always the slight chance we won't get it.  Rule #1 for wedding planning be prepared to make changes and have a back up!

Favors

Hyemi and I were chatting and since we both have Gold in Common for our colors we can probably be cheap and split the costs on certain favors since our dates would only be 4 months apart.

We also came up with an idea for Sandalwood fans being spray painted with Gold for a dusting effect and attach colored ribbons or charms.  I got some in China town when I was in NYC earlier and have been using it throughout the summer during any outdoor event.  Some people think I am weird but hey I'm the only one not sweating the heat as badly.

Sandalwood Fan

Hyemi's Wedding

My best friend's date is set.  I feel I need to revive this and get it going. 
Also August is only weeks away and that means that Andy and I need to start to think of our own plans.
So much that I put on the back burner just because I don't feel that we are officially engaged as there is no sparkly adorning my finger.

Anyways I need to start to make notes to myself again.
I started my Delicious bookmarks for "wedding" where I am sourcing and collecting more ideas from all over and mostly DIY items.

Currently I need to focus on my Task as Maid of Honor and figure out the bachelorette party as well as figuring out what else I can do to help and make Hyemi's life easier.

I need to contact all the Bridesmaids and figure out the dress that we will all be wearing.  So far I know it will be above the knee and a shade of baby/robins egg blue.  better to have a blue dress then a Gold dress and much easier to find.

Hyemi's Colors are Gold, White and Baby Blue.  It is less then a year now away since it will be memorial day weekend on a Sunday.