Save the Dates- Revisited

So- due to a thousand reasons I am not screenprinting 100 Save the Date cards.  I know – everyone is saying- DUH LINDSEY- who has time to screen print 100 Save the Date cards.  Yeah yeah–  That’s what Ben said also.

What we are doing is post cards!!  YAY POST CARDS!  Simple, easy, a little tacky, but fast!  The problem is that we need a good picture for the post card.  So- I’m sharing a couple options with you, but I need input!! 

There’s this picture, which is cute, but a little creepy looking:

This picture is cute, but maybe a bit overused?

And then we could do something that’s not us- like this

Or this

 

So- that’s where I am.  I am VERY excited about the post cards!  We are going to get them printed at Moo.com- which I LOVE!  If you have a flickr account it can immediately access your pictures.  I get Moo cards printed all the time, and they are awesome for passing out to people.  Everyone is always impressed by the quality and the size! 

 

Thanks for the comments!

Sorry it has been so long- but please do me this favor

Heather is one of the chairs of the Massachusettes chapter of the National Marfan Foundation, of which I am a member.  Her son Henry is having an operation on Thursday and they sent this request out.  As someone who has been through multiple operations, I know first-hand the importance of feeling like you have people behind you and thinking of you.  If you have time, please do what she asks.  Thank you so much!  This is a portion of the email that Heather sent out.

On THURSDAY, November 8th, Henry will have open heart surgery (valve
sparing, root replacement) at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.  
We have met with a woman who developed a program and wrote a book called
Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster.  Through this, we learned that we
can ask for your help in the following way: we’re asking you to, on the morning
of his surgery, take some time to think about Henry and to visualize wrapping him
in a “Blanket of Love” from 7:30-8:00AM (EST) on THURSDAY, Nov. 8th. Henry has chosen
for his blanket to be light blue in color. That time, 7:30-8:00AM (EST), is the half-hour before the surgery. Bill and
I  will be with Henry in the holding area, waiting to take him into the
operating room. We’ve heard that this is a very powerful time for the
patient and that, with your involvement and help, Henry will feel more
relaxed, loved and supported by all of the people who mean so much to
our family… all of you.Obviously, we know that many of you will be busy going to work or getting
kids off to school at that time, but if you could please send Henry your
love for even a few minutes, it would be great.If you know of prayer groups, could you ask them to wrap Henry in a
“light blue Blanket of Love and Prayers” from 7:30-8:ooAM on THURSDAY, Nov 8TH?

ok, here are two more limericks to make up for not writing them in the last entries

we searched high and low for a sight
some were truly a fright
we found a place
it was an ace
but then the coordinator completely blew it!

so we searched up in Mass
greener was the grass
We began anew
found a place with a clue
And they have a really nice honeymoon suite!

Sturbridge, MA wedding and how we got there

I was rereading the blog today (the things one does when one is home sick from work- I have already looked through tons of old pictures) and I realized that there is really no information about our actual wedding.  There are some great stories from the search for the perfect wedding site, but that’s for another post.  The wedding will be on June 7, 2008 at the Publick House in Sturbridge, MA.  It is about a mile from Old Sturbridge Village, and is a really adorable old inn.  Benjamin Franklin might have stayed there!

We almost got married at the Smithville Inn in Smithville, NJ.  We had visited there, and had absolutely loved it.  After visiting the first time, we brought my parents and sister and Lindsey’s parents and Lindsey’s grandmother there for dinner so they could see it.  They loved it too!  So we were all set and, about a week later, I called the wedding planner to get a contract.  I was told she was on vacation and would call me back the following week, which was fine.  Except she never called back! I tried 3 or 4 more times of the course of the next 3 or 4 weeks without hearing anything.  Finally she did call back, and was so rude to me on the phone that I just told her to forget it.  When we had had dinner there, she had personally greeted our families, took them on a tour and arranged for two sample platters of their appetizers to be brought to our table.  To then be so unresponsive and rude took me completely by surprise!  So we dropped them and began to look again and, to our delight, found the Publick House!

We were never really intending to visit the Publick House.  Once Smithville fell through, we planned another day of searching, this time in the CT. area (since we had really exhausted the New Jersey and Hudson Valley area)  The problem with Lindsey and me is that we are super picky about what we want, and so usually end up visiting a lot of places before we make a decision.  (Add my indecision into the mix and it becomes a lethal combination)  But, I digress.  So we planned a CT. day for a certain Sunday.  The Friday before that Sunday I was playing around online and came across two new places.  The Publick House and some other place.  Without telling Lindsey, I added them to the end of our day.   The plan was to drive up to Boston that day (to watch the Patriots game) and visit wedding sites along the way.  Adding these two fit in perfectly with that, and brought the total sites we would see that day to about 10.  We saw some great sites that day.  One in particular was really wonderful (Big Barn, Little Barn) but none was just perfect.

Then we visited the first of my surprise sites.  I wish I could remember the name of it- maybe Lindsey will- if for no other reason then to tell anyone planning a wedding to avoid it.  The website showed a beautiful grassy area for the ceremony surrounded by a river with views of the countryside.  The only way this place had a river was if it had really rained the night before.  The view though was a great one.  I’ve never seen a parking lot from so many different angles!  So you can’t blame Lindsey if she was not all that excited to see my second “surprise place”

But, as you may have already guessed, the second place was the Publick House.  After I stopped at the wrong building, we finally found the correct place.  The wedding coordinators were not in (which I had known) so we were given a tour by the receptionist. (Lindsey, what was her name?)  She showed us all the areas and we loved it.  During the tour we, obviously, stopped in the ballroom.  As luck would have it, when we got there they were setting up for a wedding.  I’ll never forget seeing all the staff people greeting our tour guide like she was their best friend.  It was clear that the people really liked being there, and really appreciated each other- a truly positive environment.   The other thing that sold us was what we saw as we watched them set up.  One of the waitresses was putting ribbon on the tables.  She had finished with all the tables and still had some left on the spool.  She went up to someone, whom I assume was the ballroom captain, and gave him the ribbon.  He gave it right back to her and suggested she tie it on some of the chairs or find something else to do with it.  “We have the roll, we might as well use it.”  A small thing, but really spoke to us.

After the tour, we filled out an information sheet and requested to have one of the wedding planners call us.  And call us she did.  At 9 AM the next morning.  Talk about a difference from Smithville.  So that is why we are doing our wedding in Sturbridge.

involved groom

So I posted a couple of things on a blog on boston.com (see Ben, I’m being good about that!).  Anyway, after one of my posts someone posted “Cool a future Groom posting.  That is fun”

It’s amazing to me that someone would say that, but I totally see why- and I really appreciate it!!

Controversy

Really interesting article in the Boston Globe today about how more and more grooms are asking their future bride’s parents for permission. Following the article are ten pages of comments arguing both sides of the issue. I guess I’m a little surprised at all the controversy around it.

http://www.boston.com/yourlife/weddings/articles/2007/10/09/asking_for_her_hand___after_asking_permission/

The night before I proposed, I called Lindsey’s parents and am thrilled I did. Her mom answered and I told her that I wanted to let her know that I was planning to propose to Lindsey. She said that she was really happy and suggested I talk to her Dad. He and I had a very nice conversation and it made me so happy to know that I had their blessings. This is their only child and I wanted them to be a part of this moment.

I truly disagree with those people who say that guys doing that shows a lack of respect for their bride or shows that the woman is not mature enough to married. It is a personal choice and does not say anything about anyone if it happens or not. Things would be different if a lack of a blessing would change anything- you have to confident enough to move on and do what is right for you as a a couple. But, apart from that, I really don’t see why this is so controversial.

Honeymoon

So we got back last night from NJ and the engagement party that Lindsey’s parents threw for us.  It was a lot of fun and I loved the chance to meet and and get to know other members of Lindsey’s family.  There were about 25 people there and a good time, I think, was had by all.  And, of course, we got presents!  Some really good ones and some really interesting ones.   One note- when giving presents please put a card or something in there so the receiver has some clue who it is from.  We still have one gift from the party my parents’ threw a few weeks ago that is from a mystery giver.  (set of really beautiful glasses- any ideas?)  Anyway, it was a lot of fun and now we take a break from parties until the wedding shower and all that.  I don’t think Lindsey has decided how what kind of shower we will do- stay tuned!

Ok, so today (since neither of us are working) we are planing to some research on our honeymoon.  We are going to Hawaii- that much we know.  We are planning to spend 3 days on the Big Island and then the rest of the time on Kauai.  I found this great website that basically searches all the flight sites (including expedia and orbitz) and finds the best rates.  www.sidestep.com I think it will be a really really fun trip!  After the flights we have to do the lodging and all that, but one step at a time.

This post was shorter then normal

Our wedding will be kinda formal

Hawaii we’ll go

that we know

I promise there will be something abnormal

Who knew a wedding meant so many parties!

Just to update you, there have been some changes to the Save the Dates.  But they will be great!! Lindsey is mad at me because I don’t have a very strong opinion on them- I shudder to think how she would react if she was engaged to a totally disengaged and disinterested guy- as many are!  I think she might kill him.  As it is, I’m afraid to close both eyes at night.  Luckily I have Q to protect me.  Random side note- If you are ever sleeping with our cat (and I can’t imagine why you would be) do not pet her in the middle of the night, no matter how cute she is being.  She will take one pat as a sign that you are awake and ready to play.  Trying to go back to sleep, as I found out the other night at 3 AM is futile.  But I digress.

 

So, this weekend we are going down to Lindsey’s parents for our third engagement party.  Third one!  My sister, bless her heart, will be the only person to have attended all three.  That’s dedication or a person sorely in need of a life.  Who knows.  This whole engagement party thing is so bizarre.  And that we get presents for it, is even more bizarre.  I love the attention, don’t get me wrong.  It just seems odd that you get presents for being engaged,  Then you get presents because you are almost married (wedding shower) and then you get presents because you are actually married.  Crazy!  If you are ever stuck about what to get us, a bottle of wine is the perfect gift.  We love wine.  I should write about wine.  That would be fun.  (I have a blog that Lindsey set up for me that I haven’t posted anything on yet.  Maybe it will be about politics and wine- a perfect combination!

 

The other two engagement parties were really fun.  The first was at our apartment and was for people who are in our wedding party.  The second was at my parents house and, as I mentioned, the third will be at Lindsey’s parents place in South Jersey.  The coolest thing was, after the one that my parents threw, one of Lindsey’s relatives told my Dad that he was going to have more fun at the wedding now that he knew people on my side.  I highly recommend that people who are getting married find a way, if possible, of getting the extended families to at least meet before the wedding.  I really think it will make for a better wedding weekend.   The one this weekend should be fun too! I will get to meet people in her family who I have never met before, which is great! 

I have decided, since there was such a good response to my last limerick, that I will end every entry with one.  So here goes:

This post was post number three

It’s lucky for me, it is free

Read it you will

It’s not such a pill

A comment I should soon see

Save the dates

So I have to say that we are already about two months behind in our wedding calendar on our save the dates!  We had a design, chucked it, and now have moved on to smaller and more manageable ideas!

Here’s the first one:  The ides was for it to be like a little booklet. 

We were going to have this quilt project where we asked people to send in fabric to create into a quilt to be used as our huppa.  It could be a sort of visual representation of our friends and family, but as it happens- we didn’t get it off the ground, and it takes quite a while to make a quilt while you aren’t waiting for 175 people to send you swatches of fabric!  SO-  We scrapped that and realized that this design no longer worked.  NOW we’re planning on this design:

This image on the right is a picture of the inside.  A lighthouse (we were engaged in front of a light house), hotel information on one flap and an Abigail Adams quote on the other.  The image on the right is the front.  Pictures of Ben and I in colonial style, and a printed 06-07-08 across the top.  Jessie is still going to make us an awesome quilt, but she is using fabric purchased from a store and it will become our guest book!  I’m so excited!  You can read about it in her blog!  I’m very excited.  Now all I have to do is sit down figure out the design, actually print it out, get it printed 200 times, and mail them!

Piece of cake.

well here we are

If only the creepy guy on the path could see me now.  I’ll never forget that look- I was sitting there, minding my own business, completely engrossed in one of the many wedding magazines I love reading (could one, just one, have something other then a bride on the cover?  Please!)  I look up and he is staring at me.  Not like a 2 AM creppy drunk guy leering stare that all us pretty people get.  Oh no.  It was a “I’m wearing a suit and it is 8:30 in the morning and I haven’t had my coffee and I’m really pissed at my boss and who the hell do you think you are reading that wedding magazine you must be gay and I don’t like gay people” stare.  While it was the most dramatic example, it was not the only instance where I got a look or a comment for being excited about something wedding-related.  This blog is my chance to fight back and embaress those people whose names I don’t know or don’t remember. 

 Yes, the involved groom exists and I am taking control.  I will be sharing all my thoughts on the wedding (well, whatever my fiancee lets me share) and talking about some experiences that have baffled, amazed, amused or offended me along this blissful path to matrimonial (fill in word here)

 I have heard it said by a man- some might call him a “best man”- that the best way to start a blog is with a limerick.  Since he thinks himself quite wise and witty, I thought I’d give it a try.  The only question is who will make fun of it first: the best man or the fiancee?  hmm.

There once was a fellow named Ben

His fiancée was really a ten

A groom he will be

Fills him with such glee

Since she lets him watch ESPN