An "Off-Beat" Reading

There's so much to love about 1st Corinthians. We'll use it, and you should too. Love is all those things. And it's great.

But then, you come across readings like this - that don't fall under any conventional heading, but, make you smile and remind you of your relationship and make you smile, big and bright.

And so I share, and hope you're smiling too :)

"Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog," by Taylor Mali

First of all, it's a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain't no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

Team Jamison

Our Team is Assembled!! :)

Fiancé and I have finally completed our Bridesmaid and Groomsmen proposals! It makes us feel just so completely complete to know that we will have them surrounding us on our "Big Day." We ended up with more people than he or I ever anticipated having, but, when it comes down to it, we wouldn't have it any other way. We've taken a lot of flack for how big our bridal party is, and will probably continue to, but who cares? We sure don't! We feel crazy loved and crazy excited! “Drafting” our team was definitely a wonderful experience, no arguments, no questions, and I learned a lot about how much Fiancé really cares about our friends and family.  (warm fuzzies all around!)

I wanted to share a few of the things we did for our Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. Their proposals were our first "D-I-Y" attempt and I really think, just from reactions and personal opinion(!) they went over well!

For all the guys, we decided to make "Team Jamison" Koozies and give them a fun little card. Our guys are a really fun bunch and we thought something like that would really suit each of them, and, if they manage to keep track of the koozie, serve for a good photo-op later on!

To make them, I found foam "Koozies" at Michael's in the Kid's Section. (Of all places... I guess they're for pop too? Who knew!) They are available at most every craft store, and are very reasonably priced!

Then, I purchased a pack of Avery White Internet Shipping Labels. These work perfectly if you are trying to make stickers or labels in different shapes because they can either be used as 1/2 sheets or whole sheets, depending on your preference. And they will load through any printer! Then I made up a little design with the help of Fiancé’s excellent color coordinating skills and we were in business!

 Koozie Labels!

 Card Front

 Card Inside

Card Back

The guys, I will admit, were a cinch. The girls were a bit trickier, but, just because everyone had something a little bit different. I asked my maid of honor with a small gift and created a special deck of “Essential MOH Cards” that she can draw and utilize when I may not be acting my best! (Cardstock and a binder ring do wonders!)

I asked my cousin Jess with a picture frame, and my good friend Anna with a tree (long story, but, I think it went over okay!). For my out of town girls, I made short power points to ask them. I wanted to make them videos with music and sound, but, my technology failed me and ultimately, my desire to get their answer beat out my patience to include a good song.  (A friend had asked me to make a “template” from my PowerPoint’s, so, I will share that once it’s created!)

For four of my girls, I created a wine label (using the same labels as used for the Koozie Decals) to attach to a bottle of wine.  It acted as the card, with, of course, a little poem asking them to be my bridesmaid. (Apparently, when it comes to wedding-y things, I am more Dr. Seuss than I thought…)

Ideally, I will have painted and gifted wine glasses to each girl before the big day. So far, the ones I have attempted haven’t turned out TOO bad, but, I definitely have some progress to make, for sure! More on that later though!

Next Adventure – Flower Girl Proposals!

We received happy blessings from the moms of our 3 flower girls and I am now working on creating personalized Flower Girl Barbies! (And in case that doesn’t go as planned, I have been stock piling little gifts anytime I see something cute!) Can’t wait until August to ask them at our Engagement Party BBQ in Syracuse!

D-I-Y Programming

My most recent favorite DIY project - The Ceremony Program. 

Probably the silliest little piece of paper you'll ever spend money on, but, in the same vein, something that your guests (at least the female ones) would truly miss. People love schedules, and they love details. Ceremony programs give you a chance to share the names and relations of those fabulous people you picked for your Bridal Party. And they provide structure to the afternoon, giving people a path to follow as you head to the "I Do's"

But, why be traditional about, when you can get creative?! Check these out! 

 

Celebratory Ceremony Programs

www.theknot.com/diy

Chair Marker Pocket Ceremony Programs

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/25-perfect-programs?#slide_2

Fan-Out Programs

http://www.cherishpaperie.com/diyfanprogram

Postal Mail Programs

http://www.soyoureengayged.com/2010/diy-airmail-wedding-programs/

Back to Basics

A little research goes a long way. A little life experience? Goes a whole lot further. We've been engaged for two months and have successfully battled several challenges, and I think between these and my coursework, and of course the perusing of a magazine or seven, I have determined the Top 5 Basic Rules of Planning.

1. Break two rules of basic human decency -- Never forget to brag, and always stick your nose in other people's business. The more you talk, Facebook post, and neb-nose, the more likely you are to get great referrals from recent brides, or even better, Mother of the Brides. Friends, co-workers, family and other wedding professionals are amazing resources to find both the good and the bad of local vendors. Between these gold mines and the wonderful world wide web, you'll have all your angles covered, and great idea of who can do what and how well in your area! 

2. Figure out your stats. In order to make what you're looking for and what you can afford mesh, you must know both a tentative guest count and a guesstimate of your budget. You will quickly find out that $150 people at $60 a head does not a cheap wedding make! Then comes the tough part... what's more important? Filet Mignon or Aunt Mildred? (Good chance you and Mom won't agree on this one!)

3. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Cutting costs isn't always limited to holding your wedding on a Friday or serving cocktail fare instead of sit down dinners. A change in the type of starch or vegetable your offer could make all the difference! Sit down with your fiance' and work out the things from each vendor that are important to you, and then discuss with them what you could do to cut costs. Some people's prices are set, which you must be respectful of, but, more often than not, there will be some wiggle room!

4. Treat vendor meetings, no matter how many you have, like they are work meetings. Come prepared, act professionally, and respect their work and more importantly, their prices. Remember, weddings are a billion dollar industry. You may not have the $5,000 to pony up for a DJ, but, someone else might. (This is the item I've had the most trouble with.... not letting my jaw drop to the floor when DJ's tell me their prices!) Be courteous and follow up after a meeting to express interest, or polite disinterest, and always have the courtesy to call and cancel an appointment if you won't be able to make it. A vendor's time is as important as your time, and you certainly wouldn't appreciate them standing you up if you took time off of work to meet them!

5. Ask Questions. Too many of them.Write as many as you can down beforehand, and then write down all the answers. When you get home, go over the answers and re-write or type key points. This will help you differentiate between vendors later if you are meeting with more than one, and if you choose that particular vendor, you will have a reference sheet for them to help through the rest of the planning process! There may be stupid questions, but, there's a good chance you aren't the first to ask them, so have at it!

Wedded to Perfection

I couldn't help myself but write, just because of how in love with Weddings I am feeling right now. 

I was a lucky enough girl to get to experience a wedding held at the same venue (different room) that we will be using next October. My mom's assistant (who is just great!) allowed my mom to bring me as a date to her wedding this evening, and I am so thankful. I had the BEST time, just fun from beginning to end, and the best part? You could tell that she and her husband had the most fun of everyone. They danced, they sang, they giggled and they looked madly in love, genuinely elated to be starting their marriage at this wedding that was so "them." And in all honesty, I know the bride more through the wonderful things my mom says about her than actual interaction, so if I could tell how "Them" it was, then it really was just perfect. I am so happy when I see (or better, get to attend) a wedding like this, with how many people just follow the cookie cutter outline of a "wedding" these days. An open bar does not a good time make (in fact, I only had one glass of wine tonight because I was busy enjoying myself!), and it certainly isn't the only thing you want people to like about your wedding. I can't imagine the new Mr. & Mrs. could have had a better time, just by watching them, and I wish them all the love and happiness in the world, and thank them profusely for giving me a peek at our venue, a priceless opportunity! 

5 Things I Realized Tonight - 



1) Nothing is going to get people out on the dance floor like the Hokey Pokey or the Chicken Dance. No matter how "cheesy" they may be. 


2) In my opinion, there is no wedding without kids. Little kids make even the grumpiest guest smile. They are the life of the party, and we are both so excited to have a room full of them next year. 


3) If you had fun planning, and worked together to plan, it will show. If you have fun celebrating, and celebrate together (with your family and friends), it will show. Both of these things, will, inevitably, make for amazing memories, both photographed and internal.

4)You can never have too many cookies.


5) The staircase presentation, while free at The Fez, is worth $5000, if not more. And the food is going to be a hit. We made the exact right choice.

Again, a big giant congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs., and a thank you to weddings for always leaving me with a warm fuzzy feeling, and reminding me how lovely being in love is. :)

 (J & P's Card Box-----They're both librarians, so perfect!)