Smores

Just holding onto this idea just in case!

2/22/2011 and I still like this idea. not sure how it can tie in to my theme though. maybe a gift for a different time. (rehearsal dinner? do you even give gifts then??). here's a cute poem
S'more laughs,

S'more hugs,
S'more kisses,
S'more falling in love,
S'more time spent together,
S'more memories we've made,
But most of all we are happiest to say,
We have S'more family & friends to love today

Favors

Favors:
Mini horseshoe key chain in a box. The various love related definitions from the dictionary cut in a circular pattern and pasted to each box. Our horseshoe logo with (r&r Lucky in Love) maybe printed on a sticker and placed on the top of the box. These can also be given in mini baggies too.

Stationary

this is a cute idea for thank you cards to guests. Can still send them in envelopes too.



These buttons are cute - $85 for a hundred of them. Hmmm I wonder how much a button maker is.. I might know someone with one.

Otherwise these cute love related words can be cut out of a dictionary and incorporated into our seating place cards!

Ideas

Book Ring holder idea;
http://ruffledblog.com/2010/05/diy-vintage-book-ring-holder/

/www.blissweddingsmarket.com

DIY Flower Idea

Awesome Engagement Photos

Water Balloon Shoot

Vintage Love Shoot

Picnic Engagement

Another Picnic Engagement

Bake a Cake

Chalk Board

Two Guys

Two Chicks

Lucky In Love

This is our theme idea. Using the horseshoe symbol for good luck.

Horseshoe Favors

http://cgi.ebay.com/Horseshoe-Sucker-Candy-Chocolate-Favors-Mold-Molds-/230474458080?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a95923e0

http://www.favorwarehouse.com/

89 cents a piece

thank you card idea

Used as thankyou cards with a note on the back.

I thought this was cute!

link

Www.Michaels.com/wedding

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I was happy to exchange some ideas with my fiance last night :-)

She is thinking of a wedding reception on a yact that will give us a mini cruise..

Here's a cake that I love.

$$$

I've been really concerned about the money and budget portion of our wedding planning. Even with a budget for a $15,000 wedding, it looks like we just can't afford the type of wedding we might want to plan. I'm slightly annoyed that Rolanda wants to wait until Friday to discuss wedding plans because I feel like she is just finding ways to brush me off.

Maybe it not the wedding that's stressing me out. It might be my other responsibilities. I want to put this wedding planning front and center but have some other things in the way.

_________________

My friend Joi just emailed me at the perfect time!
She is on my wedding planning committee :-) This girl is a lifesaver!!!!

She presented the following resources and suggestions (I love suggestions):
DJ: Her cousin is Biz Markie's DJ
Officiant: Reverend Alicia she recommends as perfect for us
Colors and Flower: Calla Lillies and fall colors
Cake: Cake Boss in Hoboken, NJ
Brides Maids Dresses: She knows an up and coming designer named Malcolm who has cheap prices..

pure excitement!

And to top it off.. Rolanda is open to having a wedding in New Jersey :-)

Me and You

This morning I had to sit down, slow down and figure out why I am making plans for such a big dramatic wedding? Has it always subconsciously been a dream of mine? Am I putting on a show for anyone?

I think I should put some consideration into Rolanda's suggestion - we elope and bring two witnesses (or none). Come back and host a small celebration (or not).

I want our wedding to be special and intimate... that is all.

http://www.mccchurch.org/

twobrides.com

rainbowweddingnetwork.com


Cakes:

www.brownbettydesserts.com/

http://www.carlosbakery.com/

Dresses:

http://www.nicolemiller.com/
http://www.privatelabelbyg.com/


Invitations/Stationary:

http://www.outvite.com/

Favors:

http://www.mymms.com/

Wedding Websites:
www.ewedding.com
www.momentville.com
www.wedsite.com
www.mywedding.com

so my fiance and I decided we would compile some ideas individually and present them to each other this Friday!! From there we will decide what we want together, create our budget, timeline and planning.

I am soo excited. I already am envisioning an evening wedding with a fantastic scenery. My out of town family can stay at our apartment or in a hotel. We should have something to welcome out of town guests. I will suggest a $15,000 budget for our wedding.
I do not want a ridiculously expensive dress.
I do not want to spend on costly and forgettable flowers. I would rather us spend on decor and lighting especially since I want this to be an evening wedding.

Evening Affair

I love this!!! I think I'd rather focus more on design and lighting than floral arrangements. I am also falling in love with the idea of having my wedding at night.

I am dying to ask the people I want to be my bridesmaids, to actually be my bridesmaids!!! But I am trying to wait and figure out what type of wedding Rolanda and I would like to have. Just in case it doesn't call for any bridesmaids at all. ~

Its funny how one ring and question can change so much. I am soo sleepy! We dont fuss much these days. We are more calm with each other. We have alot of plans. I am so happy that we are getting married. I wonder what the married life will be like? Hopefully not much different from what we have already, because we both like this!

family

Okay so I have the most awesome family ever ! Hands down. I just introduced my fiancé to a host of family members at once and they loved her! My dad has also given me his full acceptance and I am elated :) this is what unconditional love feels like.

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I think the first thing that we need to do is take engagement photos :-) This way, we can have them on the post cards/invitations to our engagement party.

I will use this blog entry to mark down any photographer faves that I come across.
Starting with...

Nasilelephotography.com .. I love their work featured on their website.

Today..

Tips on how to cut wedding costs!
Even costco has wedding flower packages

Links I want to go back to when i have time:

back on track

I feel like we are back on track to where we should be.. celebrating our engagement!!

I have told two more family members..
Yesterday I told my younger sister.. she was ecstatic!!!!!!!!!! She wants to be the maid of honor lol. Her enthusiasm made my day.. I didn't expect such a big response from her because she is so nonchalant and can be a miserable teenager at times hahahahah. I love her for that. She said in the back of her mind she was waiting for it to happen because we just go together.

Today I told my godmother. She seemed shocked but was the first adult in my family to say congratulations :-) I was crying happy tears when talking to her on the phone. She's happy if I'm happy she says. .. and I'm happy to know that!

Last night I went on a date to the movies with my fiance. We flirted all night! I loved every minute of having her attention. I think its so funny how she simply cannot WHISPER.

In love!

Sunny Side Up

the bright side of things :::---)))

I was looking at some bridal magazines in borders today. it was refreshing! i feel us getting closer too.. this engagement is something else! and.. ILOVEMYRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sleeptime with my fiance.

Mixed Reviews

We have to make time to celebrate this engagement. Was it a mistake to start telling family and friends? Friends' responses have been positive. Some ecstatis, others dry but congratulatory.. Family responses have been disappointing.

I've only told my mother so far. she said "that's nice" and has mostly asked questions about the ring.. has made zero attempts so far to discuss planning. My dad, it wont be a surprise to him (thank goodness) because Rolanda asked him in advance. But I'm hesistant to tell any more family because the one person that I expected to be hype for the news, is nonchalant and perhaps ashamed. If I were engaged to a guy, my mom would've alerted the press by now. Instead, today she asks me "who did you tell?" as if its some shameful secret. At least my mom is speaking to me.

Rolanda's mother did not take the news well at all.. we saw her today in passing. She walked out of the room. Avoided us. Her sister is taking a similar stance, declaring that she believes marriage is between a man and woman only. She is speaking to Rolanda though, says their mom needs "time to think". rolanda does not want to invite them to the wedding :-(

DID WE JUST GET BOO'D ON OUR ENGAGEMENT LOL

This is so awkward or disappointing.
Happiest moments of our lives are splashed with negativity, I should not be crying. I'm sad and disappointed. Nervous because there's probably more disappointment from family to come. My baby is being strong, telling me that its her and I, and "fuck em". I can't imagine her being okay with this. --HURT--

So happy that we are engaged. Just didn't want it to feel like its us against the world. This should feel like more of a celebration. Can't help but feel like there are so many risks of bad things happening.
Trying to think happy thoughts...
Trying to generate good karma...
God please shine a light over us and keep it there. I feel so unprotected right now.

Our Engagement Story

We decided to spend fourth of July weekend in Los Angeles and check out Black Pride. On Sunday the fourth, we were at a friend's bbq. Rolanda brought me to the backyard/patio to talk to me and starts rambling on and on about how she looked into the reason why people get on one knee when they are proposing, since we were wondering about the significance of it earlier. Anxious to get back inside to socialize and oblivious to her nervous demeanor, I urged her to rap it up!! She kept talking, and then claimed she had an itch in her buttocks but really she is reaching in her back pocket to pull out the ring! She says bending on one knee is ceremonial, skips a few sentences in her nervousness, gets on one knee and says "Do you want to?".. In shock and now aware, I say yes!

Later on, while back at the hotel, Rolanda proposes again, this time with all of the words that she nervously left out the first time. This time with a full "will you marry me?" at the end. Both proposals were priceless :-)