Updates + Happy 30th Mom & Dad!

So, this weekend a few more things were completed. I got my suitpants hemmed and some shiny black shoes with a matching belt. We also scouted out downtown a bit more for afterparty venues. The program and ceremony are nearly complete now, but we still have to work out a few more songs for the ceremony. And Mimi and I took some private lessons today ... lessons for what, you ask? Just wait and see...

Neither of us can believe it's only 12 days away now. We're both so busy with the planning, plus Mimi is busy with work and I'm busy with research and writing my conference presentation. It's going to be such an amazing relief on our wedding day to see you all there and all of our planning turning into reality!

This coming week, I'll be spending 4 days with my family (Mom, Dad, Nikki, Tony) in NYC as a little pre-wedding getaway as well as celebration of my parent's 30th anniversary. It's going to be hard to be away from Mimi for even that short of time ... we've really been spending all of our time lately on this. But, I will have my laptop with me, to manage the last minute details and practice my presentation. And when I return ... only one week will remain!

The Final Stand!

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties were both last weekend. Mimi and the ladies went to the Kalahari Resort and Indoor Waterpark in Sandusky, while I and the vikings raided the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly.

After the group bonding and feats of strength, the ladies went on for dinner and drinks at Margaritaville, while the boys and I took on the clubs of downtown Pontiac.

Thank you to all of the wonderful friends who came along and the planners who made it happen!

Time is FLYING!

Holy smokes, only 24 days left! Sorry that it's been 11 days since a new posting, but it's just been go-go-go lately. Mimi's had two more dress fittings. We've been picking out all the ceremony music. And managing RSVP's --- that's been the main time-taker. Still a few more out there, but nearly everyone is now accounted for. Sounds like the hotel is filling up, too ... 10 rooms had been booked as of Sunday, and I know a few more have been since. Well, as hectic as it's been, this coming weekend will be a nice break. Mimi and I both have our bachelor and bachelorette parties. She'll be traveling down to Ohio and I'll be traveling north to Holly and Pontiac, so we'll be far enough apart that nearly anything might happen. Providing our stories pass the censor filter, we'll share some of the details later next week.

Love y'all! -B-

Pretty Dress and Tasty Cake

Mom and I drove out to Shaw's today for another dress fitting... it's really all coming together so nicely! The dress is pretty much my size finally (down from a 20!), although I asked for a bit more to be taken in so it's not so wide at the bottom. Mom looks beautiful in her dress and I think she may convert it to an outfit to wear out on the town once the wedding is over. One more fitting to go and we should be all set with my gown.

Mom and I then met Brian at the bakery (Sweet Occasions) where we finalized the cake. After looking through several books during a previous visit, Brian had drawn a picture on a napkin of what we wanted so it was kind of funny when he pulled the crumpled note out of his pocket and we presented it! The cake flavors will be chocolate with raspberry filling, white with Bavarian, and carrot cake (we listened to you, Liz and Mom Trease!).

-M-

(p.s. from Brian: basically, between the good-looking cake and the good-looking bride, you're gonna have a hard time focusing your attention. So, of the two, just remember the only one I'm sharing is the cake.)

Eight Years Already

In the middle of all this wedding planning, Mimi and I actually celebrated our EIGHT YEAR Anniversary last Friday. Eight years! I hope that gives us a little more credit when people want to think of us as those naive, fresh newlyweds. :)

So, what was going on way back at the beginning? Here's a few of the earliest photos I have, from the those first frolicking months together.

Updates ala Mimi

Just wanted to share some additional progress we made the same weekend we got our marriage license... we also met with Shelly at Keeler Florist to talk wedding flowers. I worked for Shelly at Nothtowne Flowers for a few years back in my high school - early college years. Actually, Brian bought me roses from the shop for our first official date! Anyway, because I have complete faith in her and know that she'll do a great job, I wasn't real worried about making sure I got the flowers taken care of sooner. It was so fun to be on the other side of the consultation table and to have someone who played such an important role in my life help me select flowers!

Also that weekend, we pretty much finalized our honeymoon plans. For those who may have forgotten, we'll be going to a Mechanical Engineering conference in Philly (!) and then heading to the Poconos Mountains. Our flight is booked (we'll be leaving Sunday night) as is our hotel room at The Stroudsmoor which looks beautiful. All that's left is the car rental.

Everyone keeps asking me if I'm getting more and more nervous the closer the day comes. Honestly, no. The closer we get, the calmer I feel. Everything just feels right. Also, for some reason, now that the shower has passed things just seem less stressful.

Upcoming events: I have a dress fitting on Saturday and Brian and I will also be meeting with the bakery to finalize things later that day.

Oh! and the bridesmaid dresses are in! So, all the gals are scheduling their fittings as well.

More to come...

M