Planning my Best Friend's Wedding

As I mentioned before, my BFF in the whole wide world is getting married. I've appointed myself Maid of Honor (I'm so bossy) and have taken the task underhand. I don't know anything about weddings and that's OK. This is a small one. LB and CK's closest friends and relatives, coming together in celebration. I get all misty eyed just thinking about it.

• On Friday we are heading out to my families country house to see if that would be a good location. It's free and it's in the mountains. Lots of space for dogs and people.

• I will be making the wedding cake *eeek! Not sure why kind to make.. I have to start practicing now.

• I will be taking Laura out to get fitted for her very special Wedding Jeans.

• I also plan to arrange for my lovely and very talented friend Sam Livermore to do photography.

This is so exciting! It's like my baby sister is getting married but really, it's my best friend. Best of both worlds!

*love

**

I don't think about weddings that much. When my good friend Rheann got married last year, that was the first time I really started thinking about it. In my mind, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. A perfect party for everyone to celebrate love. That's about it. One should not go into debt over it, one should not focus more attention on the wedding then on who you are marrying.

I want to get married, or have a union or something. I want to share my life with someone like minded. Someone who loves and lives the same as I do. I don't care if it's a destination wedding or a small thing at the country house or my parents backyard. I'd like the dress but I don't need it. I do want a good photographer. I want dancing, live music, an open bar and good food. I want just my family and closest friends there. I want the man of my dreams to be there, standing tall, without a hesitation in his heart. Proud to have me in his life just as I am proud to have him in mine. I want to see love and kindness in his eyes. I want only tears of job.

That's my dream wedding.

Golf

Did 18 holes with Rheann on Sunday. It was just us, one other woman & six other boys. It was kind of crazy but lots of fun. Just as our Tee-time arrived a giant dust storm blew into town. 100KM/h winds, ominous sky- we were a little concerned so I had a drink & a half if a grilled cheese. We decided to go.

It was a good game with lots of laughs. Nice way to wrap up a long weekend!

Wedding Bells

I get it now.

My lovely girlfriend, Rheann got married on Saturday and my goodness... what a fabulous day that was. Actually the whole weekend was fantastic.

Friday:

Took the day off, the other girls in the wedding party (plus bride) met at my place so we could walk over to Urban Venus to get our nails and toes done. Best toes and hands experience of my LIFE (no joke there, just the truth) Rheann got blue toes as her "something blue" (so cute!). 

Made our way over to the Church where we had the rehearsal (I bawled through the whole darn thing, so sweet). Talk about a stunning place to exchange your vows! This was the first time I met Rheann's father and it was so touching to see the closeness between the two of them.

After the rehearsal we went over the her parents place where "the uncle" was cooking up some crazy meat and everyone was having a good time. Sat down and met some of Rheann and Kyle’s family and friends- amazing! Everyone was so warm and inviting. The kind of place that anyone would feel at ease.

I had to leave early though I didn't really want to, I still had not found the right pair of shoes. I had been looking for a few weeks and could not come up with anything that that would work. My dress was a classic cocktail length black satin dress, I needed black shoes and I didn't have anything that would work for a wedding. Everything I had was too "corporate" and too heavy. So I rushed back to the city and ran into the closest mall. There was only one store in the city I had not tried yet and I knew there was one in that mall. 5 steps into the mall I ran through the shoe department of a store I never even though to look in. The Bay- well damn if the perfect pair of shoes weren't sitting there on a table.

1) they were black, strappy and perfect to go with my bridesmaid dress

2) the shoe that was on the table was with its mate and IN MY SIZE

3) they were 50% off

4) I put them on and instantly my feet sighed with relief. They were comfortable!

So I bought them- painless and perfect!

Then I ran around and got some other really important things taken care of- I was ready for the weekend.

Saturday:

Saturday morning, I was up by 6am and putting things together. I didn't have to worry about washing my hair or putting on make-up because all of that was being done for me later on in the day. I threw on my sweats and ran out the door. Met the ladies at the hair salon and we got our hair done while eating cookies and laughing it up. Rheann looked amazing, they placed her vale on and she could have gotten married right there she was so beautiful. Even without a stitch of makeup and her in sweats.

We all piled ito the car and went back to her parents place to get make up done and have some lunch. Rheann's close friend Michelle did our make-up and did a wonderful job. Apply false lashes with skills I'm sure only a few women in the world possess. All while keeping a 3 year old happy and content- Rheann's brother has a daughter who is the sweetest thing ever. She was all about doing girly things and was right in there with any make up brush she would find helping out Michelle.

By 2pm we were ready to go and started getting Rheann into her dress. The bodice had a heavily laced back on it which her mother and maid of honor tied her into. Dress on, shoes on and into the cars we go. on the way there I said to the other girls "why are we so nervous? We aren't the ones getting married!" Michelle responded" Because we are taking it away from Rheann". Truth to that!

The wedding happened- Rheann walked down the aisle towards Kyle a wave of overjoyed tears flushed through the guests. As she walked towards him you could tell that to them they were the only ones in that church. Tears, laughter, vows and kisses- it was done. Married. Then it started to rain- pour. We made it to the limo 95% dry, it was symbolism for new beginnings. Cracking open a bottle of champagne it was time to celebrate.

Pictures were taken, laughter shared and eventually we all made it to the reception were the night was danced away. It was time to take my shoes off by that point because they were just starting to bother me. Excellent purchase those little shoes were. Amazing night.

I've never really thought about marriage until this last year. Even then I kind of figured that it was an old fashion tradition that wasn't necessary. I still feel that way, it's not necessary but it's nice. It's nice to share moment like these with people who are close. One of these days I hope to have my own version of a wedding, I'm not really sure what that would entail but it will make sense to me when the moment comes.

I get it now.

OH! Remember how earlier I was concerned about crying at the wedding- well I didn't. Well, I did but it wasn't what I thought it was going to be. Yes, my eyes were glistening and I had to use a tissue a few times but over all I was all smiles. Though, I do have to admit that when I got home that night I had a big happy cry in my bed. and when ever I talk about it I get all choked up but it was good!

photo borrowed from Google Images

How Not To Cry At A Wedding

My good friend Rheann is getting married soon. June 19th soon. And I've come to terms with the fact I am totally going to cry. What the heck is it with weddings anyway? I see her in her dress, I cry. Addressing invites, I cry. Writing this post, I cry. My eyes well up and my lower lip pops out and I just can't talk because if I do... I'll cry.

So, of course, I Googled. Here are some strategies:

"I can't remember where, but I've read that abstract thought is a good antidote to tears. I wish I could find the reference so as to explain the phenomenon. Try memorizing and reciting an abstract poem in your mind, or using your imagination to construct an abstract visual scene to focus on."

"Make a fist and press your fingernails into your palm. Or bite your lip hard (not so hard you make it bleed though, that won't help matters. Causing yourself a little pain to focus on can sometimes stop the tears."

"Look up and rapidly blink."

"Step away from anyone who you're with so that you're alone. Squeeze your nose, take a DEEP breath through your mouth. Stare into your eyes in a mirror and assure yourself that you're going to keep it together."

"If possible, sip some water (or liquid of your choice). I don't know why, but it's very difficult to cry and drink at the same time."

"I know of other people who have successfully used anger to fight back tears, but there are obvious side-risks with that one. Yet other people of my acquaintance tell me that they can make their minds go blank and use an almost meditation-like technique to simply empty their minds of thoughts until the emotional tide recedes. Try closing your eyes and taking deep, steady breaths while trying to clear your mind in this way."

Most of these sound a little- err... scary? Can you imagine me standing at the front with the rest of the bridal party trying to recite an abstract poem in my head? How about trying to channel some anger? Anger and Wedding do not mix- at least I don't think so. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe anger would but just the spice this wedding needs. Maybe I need to be the Brides Maid who carries a flask in my flower bouquet pretending to smell my flowers so I can take a swig.

Not going to happen.

I realised that a long time ago. So, I'm just going to go with it. I bought some AMAZING mascara though that's going to stay with me the whole night. If you have never tried it- you MUST. It's called Kiss Me mascara and it is THE most AMAZING thing I have ever used on my eyes. Way better then waterproof and better then nothing. So at least, if I do have a mini downpour my make-up will stay put for the pictures.

Maybe I will clench up my little fists and dig my nails into my palm- grin and bare it (which looking up and blinking rapidly). Or maybe I'll get so caught up in Rheann's moment that I'll totally forget to cry and just be a fit of giggles. Or maybe I'll just let it all out after the wedding.

Are you a wedding crier?

Do you just let nature take it's course or do you actually have a little trick?

the wonderful photo is borrowed from the Wedding Photojournalist Association

One Man Band

On Saturday I went with my friend Rheann to the Riverstone Pub in NW Calgary to see this "one man bad" as a potential entertainer for her wedding. In my head I was expecting a man with cymbals between his legs, harmonica strapped to his neck, drums on his back, a horn on his foot and 3 guitars hooked up to his front. Entertaining, YES but would you really want your first dance as Man and Wife to be to a song performed by Dan-the-One-Man-Band? Rheann has good taste and so I knew there had to be a catch and there was- this guy what we saw.... he was good. He was just a man with a piano and 2 back up singers. Not really a one man band but truly a lot of fun and talented beyond belief. Most of the night he took requests from people in the pub, there wasn't a song he didn't know (though there were songs that he didn't really want to sing IE: Rick Ashley or whatever the heck that guys name was).

The best part of the night was an hour or so into his show when he was taking requests from the audience. A woman well into her 40's and well into her white wine spritzers yelled out "Rock!! I want to hear some rock!" The OMB (one man band) guy was like "Excellent- what kind of rock were you thinking? I love playing rock!" the woman then yelled back, fist pumping in the air "I want to hear some good, hard hitting rock like Areosmith!!! Oh YEA!!!" The OMB guy responded with "You want to hear some Areosmith? I think we can do that!!" the woman piped in with her enthusiasm not waning "Or the 1988 Olympic song!!! YEAHHHHHH!" we all just sort of stared at her for a moment. Think about Areosmith and then watch this video:

Random choices, yes? Made me laugh and made the OMB guy laugh too- I'm not sure what he ended up playing in the end, doesn't really matter. I'd have to admit but it was one of the best quotes of the night.

In the end, we were all really impressed with this guy. I'm not sure if Rheann is going to use him for her wedding because he is a bit more money then a DJ but he is defiantly a contender. Regardless of what she chooses it will be great, she has good taste and knows how to have fun.

Pretty Bridesmaids All In A Row

Tonight I am going out with Rheann to find bridesmaids dresses. She's getting married in June and all us maids need to get our act together. We need dresses! Rheann is a pretty laid back person so it is no surprise that she doesn't show any signs of being a Bridezilla. Our only direction for dresses are as follows:

-Black

-Satin

-Cocktail Length

-Suitable for a Catholic Church wedding

I'm shocked that I don't already have something in my closet! Just the other day I went rooting through to find a dress for a birthday and found this gorgeous floor length evening gown that I've never worn. I made a mental note and put it back in there, maybe a Christmas party this year or something.

We have one store in mind that we are going to hit, I have looked at the website and picked 2 dresses that I think might be nice. I printed them off and plan to go in there, show the sales person and get 'er done! Rheann will be so relieved, even if she's not a bridezilla in anyway I know that this will be one last "big thing" to worry about.

These are my selections:

#1 Choice

#2 choice

I want straps on my dress because as i have learnt from the past few Christmas parties, strapless and dancing do not mix. Both dresses come with straps, my second choice they are optional so I assume that means they can be taken off. Oooooh it's like a Transformer but in dress form!

So hopefully when we get to the store the whole thing will be as cut and dry as I think it will be! Booyah!