Growing up

Remember.. those wishful thoughts of "when I grow up.."?? Mine had a lot to do with eating ice-cream at every meal and having 10 dogs to play with. Turns out, growing up has nothing to do those whimsical daydreams. It's more about surviving the world, and.. I'm even further from that thrice daily ice-cream diet and frolicking with puppies.

But, I got to say.. There's a part of growing up that trumps it all. And its falling absolutely incredibly in love. Then knowing you have a "together" to embark in that lifelong journey.

When's the wedding?

Do most people have a wedding date within the first month of being engaged? I've been asked when the wedding is, where the wedding is, what my dream wedding is.. Honestly, I have no answer

The past couple days, I've been asking friends and snooping around Herecomestheguide.com. I even signed up for a couple other wedding websites. It's madness out there!

All the available resources makes it even more tough to decide.  I think a venue 's popularity pretty much guarantees that they have booked all their Saturday evenings in 2012.  I'll just end up getting married on the day at a site that simply has an availability.  Sigh..

Be-FIT-ing Bride

I've cushioned up during my binge-on-ice-cream-cuz-it's-summer, and actually can not fit into my bridesmaid dress. Quite worrisome, since I'm the maid-of-honor at a 11/11/11 wedding. That's right around the corner! So, I've been doing some regular cardio, to see if I can squeeze into my pre-summer size.

Funny thing, people now are complimenting my early start on my bridal excise regimen. I am hearing encouragement to keep my exercise consistent, and to start a diet.  I've never dieted in my life, and I'm unsure if one day of my life is reason enough to do such. Fitting into the bridesmaid dress has now become a prequel to my own journey in being a presentable in the very unflattering white dress. Exactly how am I supposed to look, to be that blushing bride? How thin? Do I really have to live off oatmeal and salads? Help?!

Home Sweet Where?

It's been a weekend routine, to check out homes for sale.  I'd say it's been going on for the past couple months.  In the beginning, just trying to figure out what little pocket of Los Angeles is really us.  Now, it's been open houses & showing.

We've managed to create a budget, narrow down the neighborhood, and understand eachother's wishlist.

Let the fun begin

Apothecary

My "wedding style" just happens to be my job, haha!

define: apothecary
a person who studies the art and science of mixing medicines;
also known as a pharmacist.

Perfectly me,
I love mix matched that comes together. Old aged wood, clean lines. Flouncey dressed bed, stiff cornered pillows. Throw on a fancy Hermes bracelet while wearing flannels and tattered jeans. Shoes my grandma would have worn in her 20s, purse my mom received in her 30s, same hairstyle I had in my teens. That's me, mix my art and science.

Paired Up

Totally dragging the topic of the bridal party out..
But does the bridal party have to be evened out?
Two of each, male and female.. like Noah's ark?

Since I have five best girlfriends, does my fiance have to choose the same number?

When he thinks of who he really wants to be standing next to him while he's getting married, he lists three.  Does he then have to (forcefully) choose two more?  Or, does it go back to me??  Do I narrow down my bridesmaids to match his?

How does this work?
Sorry, google.  This time I'm not even trying

First Place

Okay, now that i've chosen my bridesmaids (it was honestly a NO brainer)

the big question is..

Who will be my Maid of honor?

First google search result, a Blake Kritzberg says not to choose my maid of honor until reading the article's 7 tips..
1. Define what i really want
.. sorry, not going to happen anytime soon
2. Tell her what you really want
.. Since i don't have answer to tip 1..
3. It doesn't have to be family
.. o wow, thanks for the tip. i have no sister or cousin in the states
4. Pick someone local
.. 4 are local, 1 is not.  However, sometimes i see my long distance friend most often
5. Look at past performance
.. uhm, they all came through for me.  that's a true friend
6. Look at her life ahead
.. i'm no slave driver. i don't think i'll be demanding anything near the extent that it'll take away of personal time
7. Consider more than one Maid of Honor if you just can't decide
.. i think i'll have to go with 5 maid of honors. HAha

Thanks for NO help whatsoever, google!!
At this point of my life, I've created and maintained many female friendships that it is honestly impossible to say someone won first place and gets the gold medal. This is going to be a toughie, and may just be something I may become an un-traditionalist.

Maids and men

does anyone have a formula is choosing the maids for the occasion? The men?

actually, who said we gotta have them? 
I mean, ultimately.. it's that extra pizazz of the bridal party, makes the occasion that much more festive, and of course photos well.  For the wedding planning, it's nice to have the guaranteed help of the bridesmaids.  but does that friendship need the title?

No worries, I'm going with American tradition and having bridesmaids.  I'm not much of a wedding type of girl, so they'll be of great help

Details of the bling

How much do you share?
Any of the 4C's.. Cut, color, clarity, and the ominous carat

so much is now public information.. google, facebook, and even zillow will release the inner sneaky in you.  but does everything have to be?

you may compliment a friend's dress, but never ask the size.  you like her jewelry, and ask where she got it.  But you do followup with how much she paid for it?  i find it quite interesting that people just itching to know the carat weight (which doesn't necessarily define the size, i think the diameter is a better indicator) and of course, the price.

i'll be lying.. with i don't know.  but i absolutely love it!

Diamonds seal the deal

Engaged?
Let me see the bling!
Where's the ring?

Seems almost like the proposal is negligible if it wasn't for an engagement diamond.  Honestly, it's quite unnecessary.  Isn't his commitment to me for the rest of his life sufficient?  Him pouring his heart, only desiring a future with me?  Is it not real enough that he wants to marry me?  Does there have to be a material item to prove it all?

But maybe, i only feel that way since i received a gorgeous token of his love

Proposal Story

Every engaged couple has got to have one of these.
Flowers, fancy meals, candlelight, and scavenger hunts.  What else?   Hot air balloons, baseball stadiums, poems, and hidden photographers.

But what if it's as simple as he asked me?
We were having a great time, in a great city, and then he just asked.  No bent knee, no gushing tear.  Just him and me, in a happy moment

He proposed

& so it begins..
The happily ever after