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Friday, August 26, 2011

Wedding guestlist: Place cards

I'm not sure how I came up with this idea, but it sounds really cool in theory.

At first I wanted the guest seating cards to be made out of cookies... but after really thinking about it, cookies may not be the best idea. What if guests eat their cookie before they're seated and forget which table they're sitting at?? This could definitely happen, and I don't want to deal with it... or the expensive cookies that may melt on the way to the venue.

I may not be the most creative person, but I have to pat myself on the back for my new idea. The theme is wedding in the park, right? How do I bring in the park in the least expensive way? I'm not really a huge fan of flowers, and don't want huge flower arrangements on the seating card table.

So, check out my idea: What if I placed on top of the table trays of grass, and on top of the grass, each guest name will neatly placed.
The grass would be shorter than this... but imagine a table full of these small trays that interlock and cute cards on top. It's cheap, it can be thrown away at the end of the night, and best of all, I can grow the grass myself within 2 weeks!!

I'm going to try it out, and grow a few small trays of grass.
I had this delivered at work, and I'm going to plant the seeds this weekend. When I'm done with this experiment, the dogs can eat the grass. WIN-WIN!

Marriage: Support

The other night I was explaining to my mom that Luna and I don't fight. She commented back "not yet." I laughed and said, "no, really. We don't fight. We agree to disagree and drop it." She thought for a minute and said, "well, that'll all change once you have kids."

I really don't think so. Luna has been with me through some really tough times.

When we first met, I resigned from AmeriCorps, and spent 30 days without a job. I've never been without a job, and needless to say, I was a little bit depressed and Luna kept me company

Shortly after, I  started working for a then unknown school named UIC College Prep. It was a ton of work, I wasn't experienced in this field, and there were times when I took work home... and also took my frustrations out on Luna. He laughed at my angry outbursts and hugged me.

Then there was the morning my cousin was murdered right at the corner of my house. This was probably one of the darkest and worse days of mine and my entire families lives. My cousin never got to meet Luna, but he would have loved him right from the moment he saw how well he treated me. Especially during that time.

We moved in together a year after we'd met, and now we had to pool our paychecks together to make ends meet. He paid the groceries and bills, I paid the rent. We split the cooking and cleaning, and it was the best first year living together.

My car has broken down, I have borrowed his truck and he's pedaled his bike to work, and never has he shown any resentment towards me.

Fast forward a few years, and recently I just had the suckiest couple weeks. We found out that after leaving work, a co-worker of mine had a brain aneurysm while he'd been driving home. He was somehow able to drive himself to the hospital and he's been in an induced coma for the past 2 weeks. I was upset and prayed for his recovery and strength for his family, and panicked at how this was going to impact my social studies department. Like any other day, I called Luna on my drive home and he said things would work out.

The next day, our school Principal told us that he had been offered a position by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and that he planned on taking it immediately. ANOTHER day of complete tears. This guy had given me a chance, and hired me after I had resigned from AmeriCorps. He'd mentored me, and helped me see that I didn't want to do office work; he helped me to realize that teaching was my calling. Through COMPLETE tears, Luna told me that the feelings I had were understandable because I'd looked up to the Principal for so many years. I feel asleep that night early, crying, with Luna hugging me.

The next day, we find out that a student from our Senior class had been in a car accident and had suffered a severe brain injury. At this point, I couldn't take any more news. A co-worker was fighting for his life, my mentor had broken up with my school and left us, and a student had nearly died and was also fighting for his life.

Luna has been my rock. Through all of this, and even when I've been mad at him for leaving his plates on the dinning room table, or throwing his clothes where ever he decides to take them off, I always take a minute to think of what life might be without him, and if my anger is really worth it.

We disagree with each other every now and then. But, what makes us different from many couples, is our ability to listen to each other's view, acknowledge that person's good points and then explain our own thinking. We agree to disagree and don't knock each other for thinking a certain way. We don't yell at each other... and the one time I got really upset, I took a drive and came back to discuss my feelings about things.

So, when we have kids, I'm sure we'll have disagreements on how to raise those boogers... but, for better or worse, until death do us part... we'll work it out :)


Marriage: It happened

News Flash! 
Luna and I got married on August 5th, 2011.
We did this for a couple of reasons:

1. Our BIG wedding will still be on Saturday, August 4th, 2012.  We met on August 5th 2007, and I wanted our marriage anniversary also to be on the 5th... so it just so happened, that we went downtown and stood in front of a judge who looked like he was this guy from the Harry Potter movies:

It was good practice for the "real" wedding in 2012!

Luna and I were the last couple to be wed. We sat in the waiting area, and I was NERVOUS. I kept telling myself "please don't faint in there" because I was so light headed. We were finally called, and this little guy in a black robe, shorter than me comes out, and escorts us to his office. Luna and I held hands awkwardly, and the judge started. I had to try really hard to keep the giggles in. And at that time, with all the medicine I was injecting myself daily, I think I might have been declared bi-polar... happy one second.... and the next second, the judge says something, and I'm fighting back tears!!!

Finally it was over, and we walked out... I was still light headed. I'm pretty sure it was because I was hungry, now that I think about it. I wanted a picture of us on our "wedding" day, and out of no where, this little Spanish lady comes and asks if we wanted her to take a picture of us. I'm not sure what it is, but I always think of these type of people as Angels from Heaven.
How did she even know?? God must have been smiling and sent her to us :)

2. Like I said, I'm injecting a crazy amount of medicine into my abdomen as of late because Luna and I are trying to have babies. I'm a very superstitious person... and I started to think that our whole pregnancy issues stem from not being married. I always thought that I'd be married when I got pregnant and... maybe God really believed in the saying "first comes love, THEN COMES marriage, THEN COMES the BABY. Anywho... it made me feel so much better being able to tell the doctor that my HUSBAND would attend the next appointment, instead of "fiance." A friend of mine, who recently had twins, and has the same illness I do, said that my reasoning didn't sound silly at all. In fact, she said that I should do whatever I thought necessary to get myself  in the best possible shape... including fixing how I feel about Luna and my relationship "title."

So, yes. It happened.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Wedding Entertainment: Wedding Songs

Listening to the radio has more purpose nowadays. Every song I hear, I'm thinking if I want to add it to our dance list. Here's one song that'll for sure be played... or rather sang, by my little cousin Aurea:

Gonna be AWEsome!!!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Menu: Hors D'oeuvres

Follow up on last post: I made copies of the contract :)

I'm looking at the contract which includes the choice of hors d'oeuvres I can choose from. The plan is to hold all guest in the lobby until a set time. Since, I know his and my families tend to be late to events, the wedding invitation will actually detail an earlier arrival time, with the expectation that everyone will actually get there at the time I've designated with the venue.
(Smart thinking, huh?! Thanks. It comes from years of frustration)

While guests wait in the lobby, they will be treated to 6 different passed hot/cold hor d'oeuvres.
Here's what I can choose from:

Cold
Smoked salmon canapes (Yuck)
Roasted vegetables with balsamic vinaigrette (ehhh)
Cheese, berries and crackers (boring)
Garlic crostini with wood smoked artichoke dip (Mmmm... garlic breath)
Fresh tomato and mozzarella caprese (love... but I'm thinking this might be a salad option)
Roasted asparagus and prosciutto roulades (tricky... not too many people enjoy asparagus)
Roma tomato bruschetta with toast points (YUMMM)
Fresh vegetable crudite with dipping sauce (what the heck is a crudite?)
Cold cajun chicken strips w/ louisiana dip (might be too spicy for some of my spice-intolerant family members)
Roasted zucchini stuffed w/ boursin cheese (Vegetables and cheese? YES!)
Antipasto (not a fan of olives or stinky cheese breath...)
Fresh fruit skewers w/ yogurt dip (Fruit before dinner? Weird)
Herb crostini w/ spinach artichoke mousse (anything moussed must be good)
Roasted garlic hummus w/toast points (I think my mom would be the only one really enjoying that... and Fonda)

Hot
Spicy chicken wings (messy)
Chicken drummettes (same thing)
Mini quiche lorraine (ehhhh)
Mini italian sausage (okayyyy)
Hawaiian chicken brochettes w/ pineapple glaze (That'll probably stay on the platter all night)
Stuffed mushroom caps (I'm not liking the stuffing choices--sausage, crabmeat or spinach)
Grilled chicken diavolo strips (People will already be eatting some type of chicken at dinner, so... let's not over do it)
Vegetable spring rolls w/ hot curry mayo or sweet & sour (adventurous)
Grilled lemon chicken strips (no chicken!)
Stuffed jalapeno cheese puffs (Does spicy and alcohol mix?)
Mini cocktail meatballs--Italian, swedish or BBQ (Yum)
Homemade foccacia bread (served with.... what? Just bread? haha)
Aracini--italian rice balls (just how did these balls form? Hmmmm)
Mini vegetable quesadillas (Like)
Beef empanadas (Usual...)
Chicken or beef satay w/ peanut sauce (beef? Why not.)
Mini crab cakes w/ remoulade (tasty!)

So... if you've followed my pattern so far, none of the food that I'd like passed out really follows a theme. It's all over the place. I think I'm going to have to bring Luna into the picture and have him make the final decision... with my commentary though (haha)




Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Venue: Contract

Minor freak out... I thought I lost the venue contract. I thought I was going to have to call the place and have them scan and email me a copy. How irresponsible I would have looked! ::sigh of relief::

Other than that, I'm looking into getting my permit to have our ceremony at the Boat House. Let me preface with this: I have a college degree, and I'm getting my masters right now, but my education has done nothing to prepare me for the confusion associated with securing a public spot in Chicago.

No lie, there's a bunch of hoops that I'm going to have to jump through. I wonder if I could just leave this up to my mom to figure out.... hmmmmm... that's what parents are for after all :)


MAKING COPIES OF THE CONTRACT RIGHT NOW!!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Saying "I Do" in STYLE!

Being the girly girl that I am, I enjoy watching all the wedding TV shows like "Say Yes To The Dress," "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?" and my new favorite "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding."

I've always been somewhat intrigued with the idea of "gypsies" (which is actually a pretty derogatory term for these people) since a very young age. I remember my mom asking my little brother and I to sing a Cher song could "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves," and gladly, we'd harmonize and prance around the house singing to the amusement of my mom and whoever else was at the house.

(Not sure what I'm talking about? Check out the first minute or so of the video. I was always Cher lol)


So when I heard of this show called "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" I laughed because I'd enjoyed the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" year ago. The show, which is on TLC, is based on the premise that:
"My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding paints a visually arresting portrait of the secretive, extravagant, and surprising world of gypsies and travelers in Britain today. The show reveals a community that lives alongside but detached from mainstream society. It is a community of contrasts, living by centuries-old religious and cultural traditions, but at the same time embracing the flashier side of the celebrity and fashion-focused times in which we live. "

Here's a clip of the show. Take a look at their wedding dresses, transportation, and what they wear to the wedding reception:
I've actually felt pretty bad watching this show. Just because of their reputation and how flashy they are, venues actually discriminate against them, and refuse to host their weddings. Over the past couple of years, I've heard how France is deporting their "Gypsies" because they consider them illegal immigrants... sound familiar? France has even gone to far as to deport some of these people, even though they actually were born in France, and thus considered legal.

I'm not a fan of what the brides wear, and do... but that's a cultural difference. Who am I to say what they do is wrong? By no means do I think that the U.S. is more advanced than other countries... but I'm fortunate to not be in a situation where I'm being discriminated against on the most important day of my love life.

Just bringing a little awareness :)




Sunday, August 7, 2011

Wedding Dress: To Veil, or Not to Veil... that is the question.

So, I'm watching this segment on television about all the freaky little "fasinators" that the English wore to the royal wedding. It's becoming ever more popular for brides to wear these sea anemone looking hats instead of veils.

Got me thinking... why do women even wear veils? I'm not sure if I want to wear one... so I did some research.

History of the Veil 

The wedding veil dates back to the ancient empires of the Romans and the Greeks. Brides wore veils in pagan wedding ceremonies to protect the bride from evil spirits. The veils worn by brides at this time were brightly colored in red or yellow. Pagans believed that red and yellow were colors that could protect the bride. The veil also symbolized the tradition of protecting the bride from the eyes of the groom. It was considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

(Upon reading this I thought how I'd look in a red or yellow veil... and well... the yellow one would especially not be able to protect me in my neighborhood... maybe if it were baby blue I'd be okay hahaha. JUST KIDDING!)

Significance in Christian Weddings 

Christian weddings traditionally had the bride and groom wearing crowns of flowers and twigs. This symbolized the sacrifices that both the bride and groom would have to make throughout their marriage. The wedding veil was introduced into the Christian wedding in the early 19th century. Christians began to wear the veil to symbolize to the groom and wedding guests that the bride was pure.

(If the veil is supposed to symbolize "purity" then I'd better not even try it. Have you heard the words that spout out of this mouth when I'm angry? Happy? Sad? They're all pretty filthy!)

 Over all, I think I will not be wearing a veil. It's just some sort of cover that will be attached to my hair, which will then mess it all up with all it's little hair pins, which needs to be pulled over my face, and then off. Besides, it's going to be a HOT August day, and the last thing I was is a drape around my face and neck, that sops up my make-up.

So, to answer my original question: To veil, or not to veil.... it's going to be a NO GO on the veil.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Gift Registry: Ooo Goodies!

I've created my "wish-list" and I'm ready to get a scanner gun in my hands!!!
Top 10 tips for registering for gifts:




What are you waiting for? Registering for wedding gifts should be one of the first tasks you tackle when you get engaged. Friends and relatives will be looking to buy wedding gifts as soon as he pops the question. Really! Take the guesswork out of gift buying by making sure they know what you want. You don’t need to complete your list just yet, but at least have a selection for guests to browse.

Hitting the stores together is essential. After all, the gifts are for both of you. To decide what you need, take inventory of the things you already have and see where the gaps are. Talk about the style of home you'd both like, and split up the final say (you could alternate items) to make it fair. (Maybe he gets to make final decisions on electronics, while you get to choose the kitchen stuff since you’re the chef.)

Don’t feel like you just need to register for china and flatware. Many stores have wedding registries now, so feel free to include whatever it is that will make your new house a home, be it electronics, appliances, or even camping equipment.

Try to avoid filling your list with things you’re never going to use. If you two aren’t the formal party types, then you probably won’t need a crystal punch bowl, as compelling as it may seem when you walk by with that registry scanner. Also, be extra-sure before you register for anything that's monogrammed. Once your name is on it, you probably won’t be able to return it.

It's always a good idea to inquire about a store's exchange/return policies. The great thing is many wedding registry retailers have amazing customer service to accommodate to-be-weds' needs (for example, you might suddenly realize that you don't really have room for 24 chargers and want to return, say, eight of them). That said, being aware of the store's return and exchange timelines will help you better plan and manage your registry.

As much as you may be hankering for that gorgeous $350-a-place-setting silver, be sure to register for items in a wide range of price points: under $50, under $75, under $100, under $200, and beyond, so all of your guests can choose gifts they can afford. You don't want your college friend feeling overwhelmed by the fact that he can't find a single gift; and on the opposite side, you don't want your parents' closest friends to have to buy you a multitude of smaller items to give you a generous gift.

At least one (and preferably all) of your registries should be available online. Guests should also be able to place their orders in person, over the phone, or by fax. If you’ve registered at a boutique retailer that doesn’t offer online services, you should be okay, as long as that’s not the only place you’ve registered. We live in a hectic world and you want to let guests be able to order you a gift -- even if it's 2 a.m.!

When a guest buys a gift for you, your registry should automatically update, allowing other guests to see what’s been purchased (and allowing you to see what’s on its way!). Make sure to revisit your registry often (trust us, you’ll be visiting several times a day once the wedding day nears), and update it with additional selections as products are purchased so that guests always have a variety of things to choose from. Aim to have at least twice as many items on your list as guests at your wedding.

Sure, some couples love receiving cash, but asking for it is not exactly Future Mr. and Mrs. Manners-approved. A more etiquette-friendly option? Try gift cards. Many stores allow you to register for them and you can use them to buy the things you want and need...later. If you are anxious for cash gifts, ask one or two close friends and immediate family members to politely spread the word.

Be gracious -- let your guests know their gifts have arrived -- promptly. Thank-you notes for gifts received before the wedding should be sent within two weeks of their arrival. Notes for gifts received on or after the wedding day should be sent within a month of your return from the honeymoon. In all notes, be sure to mention the gift by name.

Read more: 10 Tips on Registering for Wedding Gifts: Sponsored by Macy's - Online Wedding Registry - Bridal Registry Tips - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/online-wedding-registry/bridal-registry-tips/articles/10-tips-on-registering-for-wedding-gifts.aspx#ixzz1UAPBmizs

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Invitations: Samples

I ordered a bunch of sample invitations today. The idea is to incorporate green/flowers/wood elements where ever possible. Here's a sample I was playing with online:


Whatcha think? 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wedding Guestlist: Let's up the ante

So here's the update:
We are going to allow 150 people to attend the reception portion of our wedding (which is nearly paid for in full! Yay ME!). I'm thinking of this guest list like a charter school lottery lol.

Let me explain: You accept a higher number of people (or in this case, invite), anticipating that a certain percentage will decline.

From experience, this can go one of two way... your calculations will pan out, and the exact number of people you really wanted will show up (150) OR everyone you accepted (a.k.a invited-- 160 people) will show up and you're actually going to have to pay more $$$ for them to be able to attend.

The current guest list is up to 146 people... with my mom asking me if I remembered to put SO and SO on the list, and I then saying "Oh YEAHHHHH.... I forgot about them."

 Great thing is... I have 367 days until the big day, and I'm pretty much all planned out, and ready to execute when the right date comes around...

Well, I have everything except Luna's family and friends' addresses... ARGGGGGGG
(There's a funny story behind this... but it's too soon to tell it, and not hurt feelings hahaha)