Light posting....

Since I've been sick all week, with what I can only assume is a cold sent from hell to make me as miserable as possible

Oxfam Bridal

What if you could save up to 95% off a designer dress and help out those in need? At Oxfam Bridal the price you pay for a wedding dress goes towards helping families in Africa help themselves through the implementation of gardens, school materials, water wells, farm stock and more. 

Oxfam also offers a wedding registry option for those interested. Instead of asking people to donate money towards your favorite charity, why not ask them to buy a dairy cow or help provide drinking water for an entire village? 

Check it out!

oxfam bridal and oxfam unwrapped

The Wedding: Us Girls

A couple of shots before we headed into the church...

The Wedding: The Boys

My incredibly handsome man all dressed up and just waiting to take my breath away....

The day of I gave S. Monster a note, along with a gift—two to be exact.

The first was a “replacement” necklace. 3 years ago, right before I left for Australia, I gave him a necklace. It was a simple chain with my ring on it—a ring that I had picked up somewhere when I was 12 or 13 and worn ever since. The ring wasn’t elaborate, nor was it expensive, yet over the years it came to represent much more to me than a band of sterling sliver. I gave it to S. Monster on loan so that until we were together again, regardless of any distance that may be between us, he’d always have a piece of me near his heart. At the time I had no way of knowing that the months apart would turn into years, but I always knew that one day we’d be reunited again.

The necklace was unfortunately lost a few months prior to us being reunited, so on our wedding day I gave him a new one. It was a simple chain with a plain silver disk. On one side it has our wedding date engraved in roman numerals, on the other side it has this:

Amor Vincit Omnia

“Love Conquers All”

The second gift was a pair of custom made vintage map cufflinks from AnneHolman. One cufflink contained a vintage map of Nashville, TN to represent where we first started dating, and the other contained a vintage map of Dublin, Ireland to show where we will be starting our new life together.

On to S. Monster and his groomsmen in action....

They're all pretty damn sexy, if I do say so myself

The Wedding: Getting Dressed

Putting on the dress...

The details.....

This last shot is composed of what was wrapped around my bouquet....a piece of my great grandmothers lace, my grandmothers handkerchief  and my father's rosary.

The Wedding: Getting Ready

I woke up bright and early the day of the wedding and decided to write all the notes I'd been putting off. Notes to my bridesmaids, grandparents, parents and husband to be. Of course by the time I was done I was a hot mess of emotions, but I'm glad I waited until the morning of to write them. It allowed me some quiet time of reflection and a chance to simply bask in the overwhelming gratitude I felt for those who had done so much for me over the years. My friends who are always there for me; my sisters who will always fight for me; my grandparents who have always provided such love and support and finally my parents who I am the most grateful of all. Without them I wouldn't be the person I am today, I would never have fought so hard for S. Monster if I didn't have my parents amazing example to look up to everyday of my life.

Lastly as I sat in my childhood bedroom writing a note to my husband to be, I was truly blown away by everything we had overcome. It was finally happening....today was the day that I had dreamed about and fought so long and hard for. Today I would be marrying my best friend, my mentor, my partner in crime, the love of my life. Today I  would be marrying the man whom continents, oceans, hundreds of thousands of miles and even time couldn't tear me apart from. Today we would finally reach the peak to the uphill battle we started so long ago. 

To this day I still can't believe we made it, now that I'm on the other side the full weight of what we accomplished seems truly impossible. 3 years we spent apart....3 years. In today's society, not living together before marriage---let alone not even living in the same country---is deemed preposterous. Luckily neither S. Monster nor myself have ever been ones to agree much with society. 

We dated for a year in college in Nashville, TN before S. Monster graduated and got a job in California. We made that work for about 6 months--flying back and forth between CA and TN every month-before I got accepted into a semester abroad program in Perth Australia. By that point we knew we had found something special so we stuck it out. 6 months without seeing the one you love is hard, but we made it work. 

The month I was to get back from Australia we found out that S. Monster's company in California was moving to Dublin, Ireland and they had made him a 2 year contract offer. He left the country 3 weeks after I got back into it. Still, we made it work. We lived for the 3-4 days we'd see each other every 2 to 3 months. If we were extremely lucky we'd get 5-7 days together. 

I would be lying if I said it wasn't the single hardest thing I've ever done, but it was also the most gratifying thing I've done as well.

A wise man, my father, likes to say that "Anything worth having is worth working for." After this experience I couldn't agree more. S. Monster is the most amazing individual I have ever met and I would have moved Heaven and earth if that's what it took for us to be together. 

On my wedding day and even now as I write this I am filled with such fierce joy over my love for this man!

And now that I am all gushed out (for the moment anyways), let me get back to I initially started to tell you about in this post. The Wedding day: Getting ready....

My mom and I had arranged for a makeup/ hair artist to come to the house and do either or service for anyone who wanted it. Amanda was wonderful, and I'm glad we decided to have someone come to us. For my hair I actually went to someone who my mom's known for years. I enjoy down time and this allowed me an hour and a half away from the craziness that was my house. (Some of S. Monster's relatives, who I had never met, somehow made their way back to my house with my father and uncle to "hang out" while we were getting our makeup done....needless to say I didn't mind leaving all that much)

After hair, we ran back home, gathered up our things and rushed over the church where we met our photographer Karla. 

Once in the church, time seemed to stop....the girls were doing last minute touch ups, my mom was finishing getting ready and I was just goofing off. It was such a relaxed atmosphere. I had so much fun with these girls I completely lost track of time.

Last minute touch-ups and hair fixes 

(Image taken by the Lovely J)

(Image and "I said Yes!" tank top courtesy of J)

Before I realized it, it was time (read: WAY past time actually. we were running late because no one was paying attention to the time) to get dressed. I mean I look pretty damn good in my fisherman pants and tank top but since I did buy a dress, you know I figured I should wear it...

Wedding Week Part 3

 After we finished up the run through at the church it was time to head over to the rehearsal dinner. The entire thing was planned by my future mother-in-law and close dear friends of the family, who graciously provided their house for the event to be held at. Aside from where the dinner was being held I had no idea what to expect.

Walking into the house I was simply blown away,  it was more than I could have ever hoped or asked for. Everything was, in a word, breathtaking. The decorations and details were stunning, the food amazing and the live entertainment unbelievable!  They had hired a one man jam band and he was unbelievably AMAZING. Honestly I've heard 6 piece bands not even half as good as this guy was.

The amazing one man band who played at least 5 different instruments (that I counted) and sang

The evening was filled with such laughter and joy.  S. Monster and I were so deeply touched and honored that such great lengths were gone to to make this night magical for us.

That evening was the first time all of our families met for the first time, yet the way everyone blended so seamlessly with one another you never would have known it! Once the dancing started, the 2 hour planned dinner, ended up lasting more than 5 hours! It was past midnight before things ended. 

The beginning of the dance party...

Everything about that night was beautiful, but my favorite moment of all came during the speeches. They were all so heartfelt and full of emotion....I was truly touched to be in the presence of so many people who have loved and supported S. Monster and I through everything we've been through. 

My tearful sisters and I after their speeches

However, it was one speech and one man in particular that, as usual, stole my breath away. After everyone else had gone, S. Monster surprised me with his speech. He recited a poem from memory that he had had penned for this special occasion. He is truly an amazing man and I am now, and will forever be, thankful that he is in my life. 

Life Lessons at the Wedding

or

So That's What They Were Trying to Tell Me:

My friends, we must appreciate

And parents, please allow

We never really get it

That is, of course, 'till now

We think that we know everything

That we're wonderful and wise

Then, every day we're on our own...

Another big surprise

It's not until it happens

It's not until we're here

That we feel the things you taught us

And the lessons all come clear

Dad, I get the message

Now, I think I'll finally learn it

How everything is better

When you really, dearly, earn it

Mother, you are wisdom

And now I know it's true

How much is gained by doing things

you do not want to do

(Spoken: I'll be playing a short piano recital after dinner)

Aunt J, you are my compass

Leading me where I've been striving

Teaching me to be creative

And, of course, defensive driving

(To Furi Kuri's Parents:)

For her whole life you guarded her

And wished her on her way

For love, success and happiness

Each night, I know, you pray.

Thank you for your daughter

Trust me with her care

I promise you that I can be

The answer to that prayer.

(To Furi Kuri:)

I thought that I knew beauty

Could tell a pebble from a pearl

I thought I knew so many things

And then I met this girl

She opened new horizons

'cause that's what soulmates do

Bringing me to wonders

Like sunbathing and crew.

Someone said, "I love you," means,

"I want you...better."

She took up that challenge

Sure was smart of me to let her.

I've done my best in poetry

To carve out careful phrases

To show you my affection

And to sing all of your praises

And so, my Future Family

--This is how the poem ends--

I'm so grateful for your daughter

I'm so blest that we are friends

Tarzana Joe

Wedding Week part 2

S. Monster arrived into town late Tuesday night. The following day was spent running last minute errands before we headed back to the airport to pick up the first wave of friends and family arriving into town. We spent about 2 hours driving around the Orlando airport but we managed to pick up—my little sister, V the Colorado BM, J the new New Yorker BM, and our lovable mountaineer hippie friend who initially was going to sleep in the airport before we intervened. 

After kicking the boys out of the house Thursday for S.Monster’s all day bachelor party extravaganza, we girls got to work. Earlier in the week my father decided we should throw a ‘welcome’ dinner party for S. Monster's family and everyone else arriving into town at our house on Thursday (and who can blame him? I mean who doesn’t like planning a last minute event right before the wedding? I know I do!)  Of course a month or so back, my mom and I had already planned a soiree at the local nail salon for any of the women in town for Thursday night as well….

Things were a tiny bit hectic, but in the end everything turned out great, thanks to the help of friends and family. There was about 10 of us lovely ladies at the nail salon and we enjoyed pedis and medis along with wine, fruit and chocolate.  

Wine and pedicures...whats not to love?

Being fed by one of my maid of honors. Oh yea, life is good !

All of us girls then headed back over to my house for the welcome dinner. All of my family, along with S. Monster’s, who was already in town was there. It was a relaxed and intimate setting, and turned out to be a great way for everyone to meet one another. After the evening finally wound down around 11, my girlfriends dragged me out for one last night on the town. 

The girls and I decided to crash at the reception site since my mom and I had rented out all the rooms there from Thursday to Saturday. Bright and early Friday morning found us more tired than hungover, but with a full day ahead of us we didn't have the luxury of time to sleep. We got up and headed back to my house where we all showered and got ready for the bridesmaid luncheon my grandmother was hosting that morning. 

One of the tables filled with so many lovely ladies

. 

This doll was given to my grandmother when she got married, 55 years ago

More yummy desserts! (Noticing a trend?)

The luncheon went off without a hitch and afterwards it was time to finish up a few last minute things before getting ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner!

Wedding Week Part 1

The week and half prior to the wedding was both insanely busy and absolutely amazing. Everything kicked off with a fabulously fun bridal shower the weekend before.

Since I’ve never understood the concept of sitting around in a circle unwrapping things from one’s registry that are too boring to be given as wedding gift (examples include such things as a cheese grater or broom), and I am by no means domesticated, my amazing mother and big sis threw me a kick ass shower instead. Given that after the wedding I was moving to Dublin, and travel has played such an intricate part of S. Monster's and I's relationship, we had an aptly dubbed 'travel themed event.' Everyone who came was asked to bring a favorite travel accessory or gift from a beloved travel destination. 

Notice how everyone is wearing a fun yellow piece of paper around their necks? They are a "Boarding Pass to Love. Destination Unknown" which were used as name tags. 

The house was decorated with various modes of transportation and airline approved goodies were handed out as favors. 

Little convertible power wheels was used outside at the entrance way. Complete with bride and groom plastic flamingos, 'Just Married' sign, and miniature coke cans tied to the back

Gift bag favors filled with maps,  3 oz liquid bottles, gum, luggage tags, Delta Airline peanuts and cookies

There was good friends, fun games and plenty of wine, cheese and chocolate for all. It meant so much to me to have so many amazing women who I've grown up with be there for me. 

Things got a little out of control during the games...

I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful way to jump start all of the wedding festivities!