The Meaning of Our Wedding

For so long, I’ve struggled with this post. Most likely because I had struggled to define what a “wedding” truly was.

Our wedding was August 5th.

The ceremony was Matt and mine.

We chose the readings; even though Matt is not religious, he let me include some bible passages and he chose some poems. My family was included in the ceremony, even though they could all not be part of the wedding party.

Matt read “These I Can Promise” and I cried when I read back “Love” by Roy Croft.

(I didn’t make it past the first line without starting to cry.)

We exchanged rings, kissed, and held hands.

But that was only the first 15 minutes of the “wedding”- the part that was for us.

The rest of the wedding was for a memory…

The dresses… (The girls wore vintage slip dresses, handmade by Amanda Rose.)

The fans…

The flowers…

The venue…

The little pieces I made, even the photographer missed- the remembrance candles, the table numbers, the guest book… Everything our wedding was about was for family (and friends, you are our family, too).

Our wedding wasn’t just about the vows, the dresses, the rings, the flowers… It was about the people who came to it, who love us, who are our Family. We put so much of ourselves into designing the perfect evening for our guests *because* we were not only celebrating our union, but those people who came to share it with us. At least, this is how I felt through the whole process.

And that’s what made it a little heartbreaking when people who were expected to be there didn’t show up. And I don’t just mean friends and family from out of town- Matt’s own grandparents and my uncle didn’t come. They didn’t just not show up- their RSVP was a decline. It’s easy to say it’s their loss- the other guests would say they missed great food and a beautiful party- but it is our loss, too. However, I have become more thankful for the people who chose to be part of our lives and appreciate us ever more so.

There were so many ups and downs, excitement and disappointments, happiness and tears that were unexpected. But in the end, it was a labor of love, in many different ways, and what memories were made to look back on!

Beads, Beautiful Beads!

Sarah hosted a bead swap recently and I was lucky to participate!

When I received my package, I was giddy with excitement!  It’s been so long since I’ve participated in a swap!

Inside were 3 precious gifts from my talented partner, Rhea!

The first piece was a delicate embellished piece of china Rhea altered into a wall hanging.  I think I’ve found the perfect spot in my studio for it!

In this box, I found a stunning piece of jewelry with pink and blue rhinestones wrapped inside a vintage handkerchief!  Just gorgeous!

I saved the largest box for last… because it was my favorite, and I almost died when I took it out of the box!!  Such beautiful cream and blue!

In it, was another vintage handkerchief holding hand picked beads…

Such beautiful beads!!  Glass, mother of pearl, swarovski, czech glass, chandelier crystals…  All in an array of pinks, light blue, and a creamy white!

I must say, I was nervous making a package for Rhea!  I wanted to find the perfect beads and focal point for her!

Our colors were very similar, though, and I re-learned what was aqua and what was light blue!  Lol

So I chose these pink, aqua, white and cream beads for her…

And placed them inside a rose trinket box I embellished with pink swarovski crystals…

And then I stamped a kraft box with French text and graced it with pink and aqua handmade roses, vintage lace, and bling to send off the beads and some surprises!  (You can check out her blog to find out what those were and also see her amazing cakes and other goodies while you’re there!  http://www.sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com/)

Rhea spoiled me silly!!  I totally adored her altered boxes and hand-picked beads- Thank you SO MUCH, Rhea!  And thank you, Sarah, for pairing the two of us- it was so much fun picking out beads!  I can’t wait for the next swap!

Cassandra VanCuren presents Marie's Danse des Fleurs!!

Hello Friends!!! It's been oh so long since I've posted!! I have been keeping my head above water between my two jobs and the holidays and an incredibly busy summer, but I wanted to let you know about a special event I will be attending in February of 2011! It's Cassandra Van Curen's Marie's Danse des Fleurs!!

Image courtesy of Cassandra VanCuren http://myartfuladventures.blotspot.com

This incredible event will be hosted by the sweet and lovely Cassandra VanCuren herself, along with teachers; Kimberly Ryan, Bryanna Lenan, Heidi Wallingford, and Jennifer Hayslip!

This amazing 2 day event will be held at the posh Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa, Fl, so get ready for some fun in the sun!! Definitely a wonderful reprieve for those of us who live in the north where there's 6 months of winter every year!! I can't wait for the escape!

The event will kick off with two make and take projects by Kimberly Ryan and Bryanna Lenan, including a gorgeous hand mirror and a scrumptious faux cake!

Saturday evening, indulge yourself at the Grand Ball!! Clothed in the finest Marie fashions, taste the most decadent sweets, make new BFFs and admire the beauty Cassandra has created! And you'll be able to purchase some astounding works of art to fill your home with memories of your enchanted evening during Marie's Market Soiree, from 7:30-10:00pm.

Sunday will be filled with projects exploring your creativity with making a Marie style hot air balloon, Marie's altered cigar box, and a Marie inspired statement necklace! After all of the fun, Cassandra has arranged for a lavish dinner of the finest French cuisine!

If you're not ready to depart come Monday, you can head on down to the Webster Flea Market with us for a day of "flea"-ing delights!

For photos, more details and registration, please visit http://mariesdansedesfleurs.blogspot.com/2010/03/maries-danse-des-fleurs-art-event-and.html. But HURRY!!! Time is running out! I can't wait to see you in February!!

I’m Getting Married!!!!!!!

Hello!!  It’s been sooooo long!!!  I’ve missed so much- including my one year blogaversary!!!  Ahhh!!  I will have a giveaway for that soon- hopefully sometime this month, so stay tuned!!

It’s been crazy here and now you know why---  I’m finally getting married!!

Matt and I have been together since 04/05/06.  We met at work when I was terribly adverse to having a relationship, much less dating someone I worked with.  But it must have been the eyes….

We were engaged one morning, in bed, in January 2009.  Matt wore the ring on his pinky all night- lol :)

And now we have been blessed by my parents and are able to have an actual wedding!  My dad passed in 2001, but him and my mother set aside a wedding fund for me and my sister.  My mom turned 60- today actually- and had waited until she could access the fund to let me know.  So it really has been very recent since we found out we could have a wedding!

The reason we have to have a wedding next spring is because I am losing my job at the Research Institute on Addictions because my boss’ grant runs out.  So I will be without a job after next June or July.  And then we will probably have to move so I can have a *real* job- he he.  We didn’t want to have to come back to have the wedding if we had already moved…. soo…. time to rush!!

I’ve already picked out my dress!!

I hope I can lose all this weight so I can look like this in it!  lol!

  This is the back of it- I just fell in LOVE with the train!!!

I also picked out the bridesmaid dresses:

These look kind of white, but they are blue with a gold lace overlay!

And the tux:

Tomorrow I am going to put the deposit down on our ceremony and reception venue:  The Avanti Mansion

This is the mansion, however, they are building an entirely new facility that opens in August of this year.  Inside will be a library and a ballroom.  We are planning on having the reception in the ballroom, which will be gorgeous with antique style furniture and faux marble floors and also a huuuuge staircase entering into the ballroom!  Plus, the bridal suite will be upstairs with a balcony overlooking the ballroom which I think is sooo cool! 

Unfortunately, we will not be able to go into the real mansion the day of the wedding (because another party will rent out the tent that has been in use for receptions all these years) or the gardens over there because it belongs with the reception tent, but I don’t think that will be too big a deal.  There will be a tiered ceremony site along a little creek on our side and we will also have a patio outside of the ballroom that our guests can use to dance under the stars!

And, we are going to have such a cool dinner service!!  They do a live grill there- so everything is made to order and you can eat as much as you want!  Plus, dinner is served to all guests in 10 minutes, so no waiting around for everyone to get their food and be able to eat!

I’m sooo excited! :)  Finding a reception venue has been very stressful, so I’m kind of glad that part is over.  On to funner stuff!!

Don’t you want to come?!?!  Lol :)  I am definitely inviting some of my blog friends- ones I’ve met in real life and ones I haven’t met yet- and I would just be in heaven if everyone could come!  So look out for your Save The Dates!  :)  Tomorrow I will be back with a Set-In-Stone-Date!  Have a wonderful week and thank you for sharing in my happiness!