Here’s what I was up to yesterday…

An engagement photo shoot with my dear friends Derek & Simone!  More pics soon.  I promise!

For the probably 5 readers I get (maybe I have some people out there I don’t know about!) Jerod and I finally have some engagement pictures!  We waited a little too long to take them, and now we have pretty much ONE DAY to pick out which ones we want for an enlargement (11×14), these little hand out photocards for our wedding photos, and a magnet we’re going to make with our address.  So, because we’re pretty indecisive, I thought I’d post the link here.  :-)

http://www.pictage.com/485017

You have to sign our guestbook in order to view.  And there’s a folder called My Favorites that has our top choices so far.  Let us know what you like!  Anything can be changed to color/B& W…..seriously, comment away!

And eventually I’ll post about our trip to Boston, Phillie and NYC.  :-)

Congrats to my good friend Patrick and my friend Lois (she’s my florist and DOC for our wedding) that just got engaged this week!  Their story of how they arrived at where they are now is pretty extraordinary and really a testament to God’s grace and redemption, and patience and obedience on both of their parts.  I’m so excited for them!  I think they’re getting married around here in the fall, so hopefully I can make a trip back for that special occasion.  This means that over half of our staff team is engaged – Patrick, Lois, Matt and me. Crazy.

Yesterday we got our engagement pictures taken – it was a lot of fun.  Very different being on the other side of the camera as a photographer myself.  Things were a bit more “posed” than I expected, but it was still fun.  We went up to Mt Tom and took some photos by this massive rock formation, on the swings, slide and teter toter (I felt like a little kid again) and by this cool old stone house.  Then we went over to the Log Cabin, the sister facility to where our reception will be, and had a few pictures there by the flowers that we hope we can use for our newspaper announcement.  Danielle was super fun and nice, and really easy to work with.  We can’t wait to see the pictures when they come in!  I’ll make sure to post a link when we hear back.

Today is wedding to do list day – time to mark those things off!!  Hopefully I can get lots done!

Oh, and DF is amazing and somehow scored us tickets for Red Sox game tuesday night against red hot Tampa Bay, and then next weekend we’re driving down to Phillie to visit friends, and on the way back we’re going to a Yankees game! I know I know, totally a wrong thing to do since I’m part of Red Sox nation, but they’re tearing down Yankee stadium, and so we wanted to see it in person before it’s gone.  Should be fun!!

I know some people think pre-printed RSVPs are want for taste and etiquette, that we should all follow Emily Posts rules and write our own RSVP on personal stationary and instinctively know what to say.  And even though that might be fun, I am VERY glad for pre-fab RSVPs.  I think I’d be too worried about not hearing back from people using something else, so it’s such a relief to hear back from people and know who’s coming.  It’s also sometimes sad – I don’t take it personally that people can’t come to our wedding, but it is a bummer when close friends can’t make it because of schedules or whatever else is going on in life.  We wish these important people could be there to celebrate with us!!

Now we just have to figure out stuff for our reception in MN – how to invite people and do RSVPs for that, because we want to make it super simple.  I think we’re going to do a mailed postcard and RSVP with the internet.  It’s a casual thing anyways, so it fits the bill.  Hopefully it will work!

I have the greatest roommates and friends!  This Saturday they through me surprise bridal shower, and trust me, it was a complete surprise!  I was in total shock when I walked into the house all normal, and out of no where, everyone yells surprise and Cindy says, “welcome to your bridal shower” – I was floored.  Seriously, I didn’t know what to say or do!  A lot of the girls from Mount Holyoke were there, as well as roommates and friends.  It was great!  The theme of the shower was related to the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, so the invitations even had a Greek flag on them, just like the movie.  There was even a bundt cake with flowers in the middle!  (If you have no clue what this has to do with anything, see the movie, it’s hilarious!)  We did a relay race outside, all with different stations related to the movie – bridesmaid dresses, bad teased hair, making a gyro, dancing, baptism – it was hilarious!  Eventually, I need to post (appropriate) pictures, because it was a blast.

 I’m so grateful for all the fun (and gifts!) shared with such amazing friends – you guys rock!  I feel bad for doubting or wondering if my roomies would put something together, especially since one of them is moving to Germany this week.  I was hoping to celebrate before she left, but then it didn’t seem like it was going to happen.  I was a little bummed, but didn’t want to be demanding or anything.  Turns out I didn’t have a thing to worry about!  They even had Jerod in on the whole thing, he knew months ago!  Hence the complete surprise and shock when I walked in to find all my friends waiting to celebrate.  Thanks Meredith, Cindy, Kristen, and especially Sarah for all your hard work and thoughtfulness

So, because I want to post and I have no brilliant ideas, I’m going to post a picture of my engagement ring – yay!   It’s super sparkly and pretty.  Me likey!

is pretty obvious.  When you are planning a wedding in less than 5 months, it can start to consume you.  I’m not there yet, and I’m trying not to get sucked into the “wedding industrial complex” as my fiance calls it.  Things are starting to fall into place, and while there are still things that stress me out, I’m also feeling more relaxed about the whole thing.  After all, a wedding is about two people coming together, not about flowers or colors or food, though those add to the celebration.  It’s about what God is doing to unite two people.  I’ll be so happy to be married to this wonderful man on July 18th, I look forward to it with great joy! 

That being said, I can’t resist sharing a few details. I picked out bridesmaid dress colors and a company. We’re getting them through Aria, based in LA with a showroom in Boston. I first saw them at my friend Lilian’s wedding a couple of years ago and I just think the dresses are simply and classy, which is what I wanted. Each of my bridesmaids got to choose their own style, and they are all in this same color called aubergine, which is a deep chocolaty purple. It’s going to look stunning!

We’ve also been working on a wedding website (coming soon!) and figuring out our guest list. Of all the things to be stressful, I think this might be it. I’m sure brides of the past can affirm that it is no fun going through your friends and making decisions about the list – or “who makes the cut”. It’s a terrible way to think about things, and I wish I didn’t have to. It’s not fun. Ultimately, a lot o fit is connected to the price tag, i.e. how much per person. It adds up fast. I’m not complaining, in fact, I’m excited that I get to host many friends and family for this important day. I’m excited for them to see New England, to meet friends, and hopefully enjoy a day or two away. I know not everyone will be there, but they’ll be there in spirit!

We’ve also decided on our honeymoon, though I think we’re keeping that a bit more secret….I’m definitely excited for it though! Im sure there’s more to share, but that’s all for now.

Over break, while I was in Nebraska, Jerod and I got engaged!  Yup, that’s right.  I’m getting married.  To the most wonderful and amazing man that God could ever bless me with.  I am so incredibly thankful!!  I’m plunging head first into crazy wedding planning, and it’s already nutso.  It’s amazing how the industry and hoopla just sorta sucks you in.  You become this bridal machine, it’s really weird.  I’m trying not to get too in over my head though.  We’re going to help our budget out by doing some stuff ourselves, like invitations and flowers and music.  Well, sort of music.  We’re going to do contra dancing!!  It should be awesome  Anywho, just thought I’d share the news!