Planning a wedding is my nightmare

Before I get too far into this post, I would like to preface it with a reminder that this is a place of love and respect and I mean no insult to anyone who disagrees with me or chooses differently than me – especially those of you who I may have stood up for at your very own weddings… all 12 were very lovely and beautiful and totally worth it to see you smile and beam in love all day. Yes, you read that right, 12.

That being said, much like having babies, planning a wedding is just not for me.

In fact, it is downright one of my biggest nightmares.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love Michael VERY much (like a ridiculous, makes you sick to your stomach amount) and DO very much want to be his wife, partner for life and permanent fixture for his babies to rely on. What I do not want is to plan a wedding; a day that costs a BAJILLION dollars and causes a shit ton of anxiety, stress and unnecessary ulcers. And before you get into it, I know, I know, it doesn’t have to be like that.

But it will.

Of all 12 I have officially been a part of, I can clearly remember a moment during or in the planning leading up to the day where I thought, “Holy shit, no way am I going to have a wedding if THIS is what I will have to deal with”.

The THIS being any or all of the following:

1. The financial strain: Regardless of how much money you’re free to spend, have saved or hope to make at your wedding, it is outright INSANE to spend the amount of a substantial down payment on a house on one day that in all honesty will not matter when you’re standing 25 years deep or become part of the statistical nonsense of those that end in divorce. It’s ONE day and for it to cost any more than I make in a month, is insane.
2. Unreasonable guests, parents, grandparents, etc. RSVP’ing people who were not addressed on the invitation: PEOPLE, the invite is addressed a certain way for a reason and adding people to your response card is incredibly tacky. If you don’t like that someone wasn’t invited – don’t go! I think it completely reasonable for the couple to be EXTREMELY picky about who shares in their special day and have every right to select who is or is not invited.
3. Unreasonable guests, parents, grandparents pushing to have certain people invited who you don’t even know or like for that matter: The rule of thumb should be (within reason of course bar the odd relative or oldest friend that lives far, far away so you have not yet met their partner of 3 years, etc.) you should not be meeting anyone for the first time during one of the most important days in your life. And if you can’t see them at the next handful of milestones in your life, I don’t care what blood line they’re attached to, you should not be forced to invite them because you might upset someone.
   
4. Unreasonable requests of the guests, parents, grandparents, etc. for food, venue, dress, ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR WEDDING:  Is it really so rude to remind people that it is not about them? It is about the couple celebrating their love in a way that is expressive of them. And if what the couple chooses offends you, you should probably check your knickers, remove the large knot causing you to be such an opinionated, uptight, rude being, and check your ego at the door – your opinion is NOT important for this day. You may think very highly of yourself and your importance, however let me be the one to tell you, unless the couple asks for you to weigh in because they also feel you are of equal importance – butt out.
5. The business of getting married: Explain to me when your wedding day (of what I have experienced in modern, western culture of course) became a business transaction? When did it become a day looked at as an opportunity to make money? I have heard on numerous occasions of couples spending well outside of their means to make a better cut through the gifting process – really?! I would think on your day of love in celebration of your life together and the commitment of FOREVER that the monetary gain from making certain choices should be the farthest thing from your mind.
6. The show, the spectacle, the bravado: To be honest, the majority of traditional wedding hoopla is a joke to me. It’s a circus during the preparations leading up to the big day, filled with unnecessary stress and emotional upheaval just to get to and through a day. It’s just a day! The pressure to preform and put on a perfect wedding is enough to send a soul like mine running for the hills, refusing to marry and staying engaged forever. In fact this has been the conversation as of late in our household – Mike is pretty sure he’ll never nail me down for a date at this point. Preparations aside, then there is the day of, where participants in the wedding rush around like crazy people, stuff themselves into uncomfortable outfits that pull, push and leave burn marks as we wear them through the day, layer on makeup and hairspray to attempt to not fall out of place as the long day drags out. What happened to the purity of the act of marriage? The simplistic beauty in the vows being said, the romantically intimate moments not dressed up with flowers and veils and sparkles and linens and lighting and candles and, and, and. Where did the fierce protection of the sanctity of the promise you’re making become less important than the way everyone looks, what they say and where they stand?
7. I loved our day, BUT statements: I need all of my fingers and toes to count the amount of times I have heard that a couple wished they did it smaller, simpler, didn’t focus so much on the details and things, and more on the promises they were making and the love they were sharing – and more importantly that they did it for them and not for their parents, grandparents, guests, etc. I can tell you that number is almost if not equal to the 12 I have been a part of, not counting of course the weddings I have attended and heard the same uttering of wishes. The day should be for you and only you. The fact that you have invited your loved ones to witness it should be the secondary thought to the wedding – not the focus of the day.
8. You’re getting MARRIED: Now this one is less from the wedding’s I’ve been a part of and more just a general observation, but the flippancy with which some people take on the vow of marriage is probably my number one reason for not wanting to plan a wedding – I am shit scared of becoming the rising statistic of the divorced population. I am one of those people that thinks a marriage vow – one that is used to join you in union for life – should be made for life. Don’t get me wrong, I do understand and am not speaking about the cases where abuse is present and it becomes a matter of life and death to get out. What does make me quiver at the state of our societal views of marriage is that when it’s no longer fun and exciting and new and fresh and you’ve had to get through your share of shit together, people seem to eventually give up. They walk away, they stop fighting for their relationship, they turn their backs and they stop accepting challenges as a team. They stop trying and working on themselves for their partner. If your partner doesn’t challenge you to be a better person and inspire you to take the steps to do so now, please, please, please consider what you are promising before you say your vows. Michael and I have been together long enough now that we participated in many of our friend’s weddings at the begging of our relationship that are now divorced and either engaged or already married a second time – for no other reason then they thought they could either change each other, or that nothing would change and things would be peachy. The whole ’till death do us part portion seems to be lost on those entering into marriage these days. It’s supposed to be for better or worse, not until your partner shows you their worst so you move onto better. It’s not just one day, it’s a lifetime of commitment, of work and of love. I place so much importance on taking this step with Michael that I am totally okay with taking our sweet, sweet time – and thankfully, so is he.
   
9. The Bridezilla effect: I know now, after round 1 through to 12, that no bride is immune to the bridezilla effect at one point or another (or in some serious cases, all the way through) during their wedding planning/day. And I desperately do not want to become this version of myself if I also do not carry the immunity to it – which let’s be honest, I probably don’t. I have watched the sweetest souls become the worst versions of themselves under the pressure they put themselves under to have “the perfect day”. I get that some women…okay, okay most women, think differently than me and have been planning their wedding day since they were 5 years old and just couldn’t wait for their prince to come along and marry them so they could and NOTHING will ever stand in the way of them getting what they want. I get it. I really do, even if I don’t understand you. However, just because you are getting married and are stressed and have Aunt June breathing down your neck because you didn’t invite her daughter – your cousin, you’re reminded – that you haven’t seen in 8 years and doesn’t know you or your fiance to your wedding, does not mean lashing out on the people that are around you is acceptable or even excusable. What makes me even crazier are the people that use their wedding as an excuse for being giant assholes to their wedding party, friends, family, parents, etc. and expect them to understand like it’s okay because you’re getting married. It’s just so crazy to me to think that the event YOU are putting on for yourself that is causing YOU stress because of the choices YOU are making is a reasonable governance for your behaviour – it’s not and you’re just being a five-year old stuck in a grown woman’s body and I really don’t want to get down to that level.

I am sure I could conjure up a few more points, but I think you get the picture. I could also peg part of my lack of desire to the fact that I have planned 12 with my ladies and event plan in a professional capacity which can take some of the joy out of it – but I think it’s really just one of those things that I don’t have the natural desire for, like babies. And before you mark me as a commitment-phobe or a heartless wench, please understand that I am very much in love and excited to spend my days making Michael crazy – I just know that for me, the idea of planning and executing a wedding makes me want to go find Elvis in Vegas and runaway with my groom into the Nevada sunset.

~Toni

 

 

 

Married my Mr. Wright

We are back, and the main reason for our short, but needed, hiatus was that I was busy being a DIY bride who took all her resources (her maids) and used them to their extent! Seriously, I almost broke some of them…and yet they still love me!

Toni and Julia were both my MOH’s and they both, combined, were the most amazing MOH a girl could ask for. Toni took the week with me leading up to the wedding to help me with the running around, cleaning, last minuit detailing…eveyrthing! While Julia made the stationary and hand pies, which were half of our desserts at the reception.

I have written mushy and gooshy posts before about my lovely husband (gotta get used to that…husband), and how excited I am to be a Wright. I can’t wait to get all my legal documentation, to change the tag line on my emails and to officially and legally become a Wright. Because then I will never be wrong (I have been hearing that a lot lately…everyone’s a comedian! Yuk it up people, it’s getting old fast!)

So now for the details! I am so happy I have this platform to rave about all our vendors!

When Cody and I discussed our big day, we both agreed – relaxed and loving – a true representation of us as a couple! We are country bumpkins, and I have pinned so many pictures of barn weddings, bridesmaids in cowboy boots, bales of hay with burlap, lace and colour – so much colour! Based on that, our venue choice was simple – a barn.

We got our venue…now for the food!

For this I went to a seasoned expert: Cody! He wanted a pig roast, or something simple like that. Nothing frufru or with anything we couldn’t pronounce. Toni helped with this one as she connected me to Sean from Wild Boar who took our idea and created one of the best meals that we ever enjoyed (I got to enjoy leftovers, because if you have EVER tried to eat anything in a wedding dress…it’s kind of impossible). I have never had so many people ask me who our caters were, or rave about the amazing meal! The cornbread, the pork, the chicken – all so mouth-watering, and all so good! If you are reading this and are in the Waterloo area with a wedding or any event coming up, call Sean. Seriously, you will not be disappointed!

Next came the dress – I originally went to David’s Bridal in Cambridge, where I felt like my idea and my dream wedding dress was not possible, and I would have to take a dress they had and alter it, which in a lot of cases people have to do! I had a good chunk of my cheering section with me – my momma bear, two older sisters who are my maids of honour, and two brides maids Andreah and Ashley. When they saw how defeated I looked, they reminded me that I shouldn’t settle, and this was only the first store I went to. So on we went – it was a Sunday as this is the day that worked the best for me…because I was the bride…so we were limited to the stores that were open. Something about Sunday being for Jesus?

Anyways, Julia had previously posted on my Facebook timeline about a store in Guelph where a chunk of their proceeds go back to building the green belt called Something Green – I had never heard of it, unlike David’s, but they were open so we went!

It is a small store downtown Guelph. We walked in and Jess, one of the owners, greeted us with the biggest smile (fun fact: the other owner is her mom!). I told her my budget and my dream dress. As I was talking she was walking and pulling gowns, all the while telling me that I should not be settling for my dress. I tried on two dresses – the second one I tried on I was grinning from ear to ear even before the curtains were pulled open for my big debut. Jess decided to add a veil for the full effect because we both knew: this was the one. THE DRESS! Now every time one of my Facebook friends get engaged, or asks for a bridal boutique to go to, I shout from the keyboard Something Green!

My dress, from Something Green; Nicole on the left and Kim on the right, two of my bridesmaids, dressed by EmmaPaige

Now that I had my dress, it was time for my girls! I was in a wedding in September 2014 for one of my oldest friends Kim (in the picture above!) and her bridesmaid dresses were made by Paige of EmmaPaige Designs, whom Kim and I also went to high school with. Paige was a dream – she took exactly what we wanted in a dress, within an EXTREMELY reasonable budget and created different dresses for all the girls, which is exactly what she did for my ladies! Each one had a different style, and colour. Paige, again is someone who I tell EVERY bride to go to. She is flexible and so unbelievably talented! Instead of going to a bridal store and getting a cookie cutter dress which some girls may have to order in ridiculous sizes, why not get the luxury of a custom dress which is created for each girls body type!  She also created my getaway dress – an adorable ivory wrap dress with a big bow and ruffles around the collar which I danced the night away in!

Me with one of my amazing bridesmaids, Ashley – both of our dresses are EmmaPaige originals.

All my stationary my designed and created by my amazing sister Julia who is starting up her own business! From our place cards, invitations, thank you cards, and even our programs for the day – EVERYTHING was handmade by her! The mom of three psychos! She is also the one who made the hand pies (which are literally pies you fit in your hand) for our desserts! 150 of them to be exact in four different flavours!!

Our photographer extraordinaire is the one and only Heather Baker of Photography by Heather. (click that link if you want to see an amazing sampling of some our big day). She is amazing! She has worked with our family on so many occasions whether it was our family photos or pictures of my nieces and nephew! She usually doesn’t do weddings, but she said yes to mine! She was so relaxed, yet was able to handle the insanity of my family and Cody’s. Every picture she has shown me is absolutely perfect, and I can not believe I get these amazing memories of our day!!

My bridesmaid Kim did all the decor, including the centrepieces using silk flowers. She made it so I…*we*…could set up the night before and leave it. But I wanted fresh beautiful, full, wild-flower bouquets for all my girls! Krista from Flowers…More Often met with me, looked at all my swatches, listened to all my crazy ideas and then took those ideas and ran with them! I trusted her wholeheartedly as she has an amazing talent! When the bouquets were dropped off the morning of the wedding at the hotel room, I cried. Okay, I bawled! They were perfect. Absolutely amazing. They were romantic, full of colour and EVERYONE said that they were beautiful!

Photo credit : Photography by Heather; Bouquet – ALL KRISTA at Flowers…More Often!

I literally look back on the day, and see all of our loved ones who came, all of our family and friends who worked so hard to help us out, all the late nights, the running around hunting for the perfect touches, everything, and it was so worth it. I would never do it again in a million years, but it was totally unequivocally worth every extra grey hair on my head.

~ Jacqui

We REALLY miss you

Oh beautiful readers, we miss you dearly!

Sorry we’ve been a little less than consistent lately – we’ve had a lot going on over here at the Sisterhood and we can’t wait to fill you in on all the excitement!

With only 17 days left in the countdown to Jacqui’s wedding, things are NUTTY to say the least.

We REALLY, REALLY do!

We promise to write when we can and hope to be back to our regular schedule after the wedding bells have rang, and Jacqui is hitched!

Love,

The Weather Vane Sisterhood

So you want to take indoor photos

Indoor photos are very simple, and pretty much similar to the outdoors in terms of rule, but when you are working an event and are taking more candid shots than posed, here are a few rules to guide you through an indoor event. I just photographed Jacqui’s bridal shower, so I am going to use a few of my favorites for examples.

Lighting
I can never stress this enough: make sure you have a decent light source. Flash is 100% acceptable if you like, but the problem there lies in washed out guests, and no one wanst to look like they haven’t seen the sun in over 100 years. Find a good source of light for posed shots, and work with what you have for the rest. I know this is going to go over some people’s head, especially since I am talking photography, and I tend to ramble using ‘photog jargon,’ but I am going to do my best here. If you use a flash, make sure you bounce it! That means either getting a diffuser for your flash, make your own, or learn to bounce your flash off the ceiling/walls so that the light caresses the faces of the people, and doesn’t end up blinding everyone in the process.

Excellent light use, if I do say so myself!

Smiles
There are so many people who do not smile for pictures, and can I just say as a photographer it kind of sucks when the only photos you get of people are either closed-lipped smiles (which can really look like a grimace of pain), or no expression at all. It is best not to focus on them, but capture what you can of them when they’re as close to smiling as they’re going to get.

Toni always gives good smile.

Posed
As always with posed shots, it can look boring, and people can also look crazy in them. Best thing to do is be comfortable taking the photos and they will be more comfortable getting the photos taken of them.

No cardboard cut outs here! The happy couple!

Candid
People can make amazing faces when you are watching them. Beautiful expressions and happy light-up-their-face smiles may only happen once in a while but catching them is always a blessing. Sometimes you can miss those moments and get the funny faces as well. Best thing to do for that person, who looks like they are trying to eject something from their nose using their mind, is to not have taken it at all. I call it the photographers code. Sort of a “Thou shall not post pictures of people if they look utterly ridiculous.”

At the end of the day, I caught this one of Jacqui. She is so beautiful!

Overall, for indoor photography just remember to focus on the light and that flashes can be tricky at times. Just smile, have fun, and watch for the moment.

~ Andreah

Breaking tradition…well, sorta

My family has always said that I ask too many questions, some of which may be comical or the answer may not be what I want to hear, but still I continue to ask them. How else will I learn? Or have pointless knowledge of everything under the sun!?

Have you ever asked where some traditions come from, like for instance why do you blow out candles on your birthday? Or why does every Portuguese household almost always have a rooster in it? Well, I sit here searching through endless pictures of bouquets, hair styles, veils, decor, budget-friendly-anything-at-all to get ideas for the upcoming nuptials, and I find myself asking, why? Why and where did so many of wedding traditions come from?

Why does the bride hold flowers? There are two thoughts on this tradition. The first, according to some, is that brides held flowers in order to cover up their odor (clearly this was B.D. (Before Deodorant)). Every bride wants to look their best on the day, so why not add a little pizzazz with lilac or rose scent? Nothing says “Marry me!” like a freshly flowered bride! The other thought states that brides would hold flowers or bouquets which were made with garlic or other extreme-scented herbs to ward off evil spirits and bad omens. Again, starting off on the right foot with this marriage – smelling good and bad-omen-free. For our nuptials, my decision to hold flowers was neither of these – it should be known that I will shower on the morning of the wedding and that there won’t be garlic or thyme in my bouquet. I will, however, be holding a bouquet on the day because they are beautiful and because that is what you are supposed to do. My sister did it, my mother did it, my grandmother did it and I am going to follow THAT tradition.

Everyone knows that the bride and groom are not supposed to see each other before the ceremony, but why? I’ll let you in on a little secret…I tried to convince Cody to see each other the day of the wedding. That we could sleep in our bed together the night before and then go our separate ways the morning of our nuptials after having a yummy breakfast together. You would have thought I was suggesting to sell our firstborn. The origins of this now tradition came from superstitions when arranged marriages were more common than meet-cute ones. The families of the betrothed were worried that seeing one another before their binding of ties would cause them to make a break for it! For our day, our avoidance is based on surprise. I want to see Cody’s face when he sees me all dressed in white for our day. The groom’s look of love always makes the best pictures.

In all of the planning, I have not yet decided on the old saying of “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” Not many know why these requirements are in place, but this is a tradition I can get behind. Something old is for the connection and ties to remain with the families of the bride and groom once the couple are married. Something new is for the new union being created and something borrowed is from the bride’s family to show their love for her, and to show they are walking with her as she marries her prince.

We are coming near the four-month mark ’til the big day (122 days to be exact (according to all of the wedding apps, gadgets and gizmos I have)). There are so many things to do and events coming up that my head is swimming with questions, answers and dates I can’t keep straight. I have to-do lists coming out of my wazoo to try and stay organized and on top of everything, with everything swirling around me, I can’t help but think onto this time next year and what that will look like.

This is, after all, just the beginning.

Party on!

~ Jacqui

Crazy, amazing, insane

This past Friday was the start of something crazy beautiful – our wedding party got together to start planning the first event of Cody’s and my nuptials (ever notice how that word sounds kinda… sassy… nuptials), and let me tell you, getting all 14 of our wedding party plus more into our kitchen was INSANE! Amazing insane chaos! Loud, insane, crazy, beautiful CHAOS! I am so excited!!!!

CRAZY right!?!

Caught ya!

It was the first time our family and friends came together to meet one another. There was food, wine, laughter, wrestling (don’t ask), beer, and a bonfire.

Oh, and baby snuggles.

She is getting WAY t0o big WAY too fast!

The goal of the evening was to plan our Buck and Doe, which maybe some of you have never heard of – as I tell more and more people about it, I am finding that this is pretty much a Southern Ontario tradition. It is an event held by the wedding party for the bride and groom to raise money and celebrate their up and coming wedding.

It’s an Ayr tradition – our friends who were married before us had one, and the ones who will be married after I am sure will follow suit. Pretty much it’s a large party, where games, raffles, prizes, booze, food and dancing is to be had and we are having one and it’s going to be FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!! All thanks to our amazing ladies and gents.

See these faces – these faces are some of the reasons stuff will get done! Sassy eyes!

Cody and I were a little worried at first as this is really an odd bunch of characters – each one of my ladies has their own personality and mixed with Cody’s men, it could go either way. It’s not to say that I was surprised – people took charge and were helpful, they had opinions and ideas, and they were all SOOOO wonderful, beyond wonderful – amazing. Seriously how did we get so lucky?

Some super amazing His and Hers Christmas ornaments from my Kimmie and her HUSBAND Greg

Games were planned, tasks were given, everyone volunteered. Seriously, we feel like the luckiest people in the WORLD!!!!!!! ❤  From Cody and I, thank you to everyone who came out, we love each and every one of you!

And for the rest of you! Stay tuned – I am sure there will be more posts of the many wedding festivities to come!

~ Jacqui

My handsome man in his younger years – we are going to have the best looking kids! 🙂

Trying to stop the madness AND plan a wedding!

When a woman prepares for the the birth of their child, they call it nesting. Setting up the nursery, stocking up the closet with clothes, and generally preparing to welcome their bundle of joy.

As I sit here and write, I wonder if there is the equivalent term for a woman who is planning their wedding?

I only ask as I am slowly sinking into the tulle, colours, dresses, and lace. I am preparing for the big day and I am slowly going crazy. Cody and I want our guests not to have to worry – we both are not froufrou people – however when we discuss the wedding, we have two VERY different views.

The discussion of music and entertainment was brought up. I asked Cody if he knew any DJ’s. I love the feeling a good DJ gives a wedding or event – they feed off your energy, play requests and just help with the atmosphere. When I asked him, Cody’s response was not a shock (he is pretty easygoing) – make a good playlist full of songs we love, plug an iPod into a dock, and the party will be  rocking all night long

I calmly folded my hands, swallowed the laugh I wanted to burst out in, and muffled the “ARE YOU KIDDING?” I explained my point of view, and asked Cody if he could take on the finding of an affordable DJ.  I get where he is coming from, but when he said that I heard a list of things to be done.

• Need to get an iPod dock loud enough to play for every one to hear
• Need to make playlist, a good playlist, full of songs that everyone will like
• Need to remember the iPod dock and iPod on the day of the wedding aside from all the other things I will have to remember
• What if someone wants to request a song? You stop the music, and then there is that awkward quiet?

My first response was a little dramatic, and not needed at all – to the love of my life and simplest Cody, it’s less expensive and easier than finding a DJ.  To me it is one more thing to do.

I have noticed a pattern – this is my response to a lot of planning details. When something does not go my way, I simply want to scream and throw a tantrum. I fear that the Bridezilla is coming out in me and I am trying OH SO HARD to muffle her! Tell her to calm down! CALM DOWN!

Aside from the crazy, as you could tell I have started the planning and the excitement in my stomach is building! Every chance I get I talk about our wedding and it sends my heart aflutter! (I had it checked, it’s just a feeling, my heart is fine MOM!)

We have some of the big things taken care of, including our BEAUTIFUL venue! A friend’s family home has a beautiful barn on the property. We are so lucky that they offered it to us to hold our nuptials, and we are forever thankful to Cindy and Dave!

Our beautiful venue ❤

Our wedding planning, if anything, has shown me so far how loved Cody and I are! My oldest sister and one of the most amazing women I know, Julia, is designing and creating our invitations! I love her I love her I love her! Below is a a little glimpse of what she has started to plan for us. SHE IS CREATIVE!

A little sneak peak!

I am also channeling my creative side and finding unique ways of bringing some country chic into our wedding – if you didn’t get the theme we were going for!

Some decor options!

I promise to post more photos and keep you updated on my crazy! I know I am not alone in the crazy – but someone has to let their freak flag fly!

~ Jacqui

Countdown is ON!

This coming Friday is June 6th. Why am I telling you this? Well, other than it being a Friday of the summer months (think of the activities you can do – unless you are like me and work), it will mark the one year countdown to I DO!

When Cody proposed, the most asked question would be, “When is the big day?” At the time it hit me in the stomach as we hadn’t talked about it, we had just gotten engaged! Were we doing it wrong? Am I a horrible bride already? Should I have a date? Do they think that because I don’t have a date I am not excited to get married? Because I am! Would it be a year? Two years? Three years? What would the wedding look like? Can we save enough money? Can we afford to get married? Will our family be able to attend? What food will we serve? What if we can’t find a venue? What about our wedding party and their budgets, as I have three bridesmaids who are also getting married, one with a baby on the way and one who is a single-income family. How will I make this event fun for everyone? So. Many. Questions. With no answers… I had no answers. I didn’t know. I hate not knowing.

Then there came the warnings and disclaimers from those seasoned vets – Do it for you! Don’t make cuts for any one! It’s your day – they would say. The day will be a blur. It doesn’t matter what other people want! Was this supposed to make me feel better? Yes, it is our day, Cody’s and mine, but whatever we plan will be what we want – and we want our family and friends to look back and remember that the day was filled with love… and that they had a really good time.

This past Saturday, my Saturday morning running group (which for this Saturday was myself, my two sisters (Toni and Julia) and our guest blogger Kim) and I climbed a local trail, Webster Falls. On our way back, we were all complaining of hunger, so we stopped by Starbucks. It was pretty early and other than the employees who seemed less than impressed that four women who were high on endorphins were giggling away in their lounge area, it was empty.

As we observed those coming and going, one group stood out among them – a group of young girls. As they ordered and dressed their lattes, they proceeded to line up their white cups with the adorning of green and took pictures, more than likely for Instagram, more memories of their day. Rather than the bistro writing their names they had requested their titles for the day: Bride, Maid Of Honor, Bridesmaid.

It all became real, suddenly my mind raced to the date. Soon it would be June. Crunch time. I am so excited! This year is going to fly by, just like the last year did.

~ Jacqui