LET'S DO IT AGAIN - OUR RENEWAL OF VOWS

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." - Frederick Keonig

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:  I don't believe in re-inventing the wheel.   If there is a proven and tried method out there that I live or can live with - I will give it a try first.   Some of the ideas in my bio and wedding website are not my original ideas.   I love to give credit where it is due and to the rightful owner.    Like most PW brides, I have been planning this wedding for many months now and I have gotten ideas from many sources (some of which I have lost track of where I got the idea).    If you see your idea or photograph in this bio or my wedding website, please let me know ASAP, so that I can give you the rightful credit you deserve.  

My wonderful husband and I have been married since December 4, 1995 and we have 2 beautiful kids.   In honor of our 15th wedding anniversary, my husband and I are planning to renew our vows next year on Saturday, November 27, 2010.   Our actual wedding anniversary is December 4th, but we picked Thanksgiving week-end because of its symbolism (celebration and gratitude for all of our blessings).

Without much ado, here is a preview of our plans so far . . .

To put things in context, I need to tell you a little about me. I am a Cameroonian-American.      My beloved father (who is deceased) was from Cameroon, West Africa and my mother is from New Orleans, Louisiana.  I grew up in both Cameroon, West Africa and New Orleans, Louisiana.    Like my mother, I absolutely think that Cameroonian men are the best.  So much that I followed in my mother's footsteps and married a wonderful man from Cameroon as well.  Yep, my husband is Cameroonian.  So now you know the reason for us having a New Orleans-Cameroonian event.  

 If this is your first New Orleans or Cameroonian wedding, then here is the scoop on what to expect:    Weddings in New Orleans, differ quite a bit from the rest of the pack.  The same applies to Cameroonian weddings.  Like most Cameroonian receptions, a  New Orleans reception is treated more like a cocktail party, with lots of mingling, dancing, and eating.   There is typically no assigned seating, and food and drinks are served during the duration. People are free to mingle, dance, eat, and drink from start to finish.    Like Cameroonians, New Orleanians don't like to stifle the flow of the party!"  That explains the famous New Orleans quote:  Laissez les bon temps rouler!  

OUR VISION & PLANS - SIMPLE ELEGANCE

WEDDING EVENTS

We will renew our vows at the church where we are members - Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, Texas.   Immediately following the ceremony, we would have a cocktail and reception at the Cotton Mill of McKinney.   Our reception venue (The Cotton Mill of McKinney) is an expansive 8500 + square foot event hall in a defunct cotton mill.   As you know, cotton mills became the key to industrializing the post-reconstruction South in the 1880s.   The Cotton Mill of McKinney which opened in 1910 and closed its doors in 1969, now operates event and office space for lease.   

Outlined below are our preliminary plan of activities:

THE REHEARSAL

Friday, November 26, 2010

Time:  TBD

Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC)

3901 North Star Road, Richardson, Texas 75082

972-238-8103 (Phone)

CCPC Wedding Coordinator & Liaison:  Jean Lenhardt

THE REHEARSAL DINNER

Friday, November 26, 2010

Time:  TBD

Location:  TBD

THE CEREMONY/RENEWAL OF VOWS

 Saturday, November 27, 2010

Time:  TBD

Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC)

3901 North Star Road, Richardson, Texas 75082

972-238-8103 (Phone)

CCPC Wedding Coordinator & Liaison:  Jean Lenhardt

Take a look - a sneak preview of the interior of our church:

THE RECEPTION

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Time:  TBD

Location:  The Cotton Mill of McKinney

610 Elm Street, McKinney, Texas 75069

972-984-1341 (Phone)

COLOR SCHEME & DECOR - Our color scheme is different shades of blue, teal, white and silver.

RECEPTION THEME:  New Orleans & All that Jazz

CEREMONY DETAILS

Church decorations:

• Sea-shell covered pomanders with blue ribbon and blue hydrangea pomanders will be hung on the end of the aisle pews (which I bought from another bride on the WeddingBee Board). 

• 2 Tall floral decorations at the each end of the chancel (All flowers will be white and blue to match our wedding colors.  Since we will getting married at the beginning of the advent season, the church will already be decorated for Advent).

(Source - Todd Pellowe Photography)

• The church's 2 brass-finished candelabras with dripless candles will also be used.
• We will have a memorial table with memorial floral vase (inscribed with the following words - "In Loving Memory, these flowers bloom as a symbol of life and love remembered") at the entrance/foyer of the church to honor both of our deceased fathers and other ancestors.  I have aready bought the memorial vase and a LED color change stand which will be placed under to vase to illuminate the flowers.  We also plan to have pictures of us, our kids, our mothers and our dads taken before they passed on that memorial table.   In addition, the memorial table will have a letter/poem that I plan to write to my dad and father-in-law.   

Although both of our fathers are gone, we know that their love for us will live forever.  In recognition of this undying love, this ETERNAL LOVE white wooden sign will also be displayed on the table.

Ring Bearer Pillow:

I bought the following blue silk dupionni flower ring pillow from another bride on Bravo Brides:

Within the Ribbon Pew Cards:

One of my planned DIY projects - I plan on making these cards using my color scheme (fleur de lis motif, blue, white) to tuck into the wedding invitations of our close family and friends so that they get front row seating at our ceremony.

 RECEPTION DETAILS

Escort Table:
White Tablecloths, Sea glass of different colors (blue, teal, clear)                                                         

Kate Aspen Topiary Place Card Holders                                                                            &n bsp;                

White Placecards in Tiffany Blue envelopes (to be made by PW bride ATaylorMade Wedding)                                                    

The last picture above was gotten from PW bride Knarotski's bio.

Linens:
White Tablecloths on Round White tables, White Napkins
No Chair Covers, No Sashes

Table Settings:

Round White plates on round silver charger plates with silver flatware.   I also plan on placing our favors (tiffany blue boxes - contents TBD later) in each of the place setting.

This is how I would want the table napkins set on the guest tables at the reception with the napkins drapped over the edge of the table (see middle picture):

(Source - Stylemepretty.com)

Centerpieces:
On half of my tables, will be my tall centerpieces which will consist of White Ostrich Feathers with teal submersible lights on blue navy centerpieces!

On the other half of the tables, will be my short centerpieces which will consist of Morroccan lanterns (which I bought from PW bride lcullen) placed on peacock mats surrounded by lots of candles in blue & teal votives.

The king's table and bridal party tables will have blue vases to hold the bride and bridesmaid bouquets & votive candles around the vases.

Cake & Cake Table:
White Linens & Blue Rose Petals & Hydrangea.   This is also one of the ideas I may use for my cake design.

Groom's Cake (Shhhhhh! It's going to be a surprise for DH)

I stole the groom's cake idea from PW bride MrsAnderson.   Thanks to her, below is the inspiration cake for Emmanuel's grooms cake.  Instead of the Pittsburgh Steelers theme, its going to be the New York Giants because hubby is their biggest fan (Go Giants!!!!).   To top it off, the NY Giants colors (blue, gray and white) also go perfectly with our wedding colors.  Since Emmanuel LOVES Chocolate, the cake will be German Chocolate with peanut butter filling! 

Table Numbers:
All of the guest tables are going to be named after famous New Orleans sights, things & places.  My guest table signs have already been made and are safely hidden in a safe undisclosed location. Ha! Ha! Ha!   They are white with a blue border. 

Dessert & Candy Tables:   White Linens, all white candy & variety of white desserts and candies.

Projector or Plasma TVs for slideshow:

I have seen that it is pretty popular nowadays at weddings to have plasma TVs or movie projectors at the reception.   They are used to show the ceremony overview for the guests that weren't there; slideshow of the couple as well as show realtime pictures of the action at the reception.   My venue does not have plasma TVs built into their walls, nor do they rent out projectors, so I have to scout around to find out about costs and if I can fit it into our budget.

Music:

• I am thinking of including components for a second line procession used for modern day New Orleans weddings including (1) brass band, (2) guests waving handkerchiefs, (3) the bride and groom usually waving his/her umbrellas, (4) and last but not least, some dancing.   Let see what the budget dictates.   My mom's friend is definitely going to make 2nd line umbrellas (white with blue trim miniature ones) for the bridal party.   I am also thinking of using the second line as our entry into the reception.   My mom's friend is going to be making the 250 handkerchiefs for the guests to wave as we and the bridal party enter into the hall. 

Food:

To showcase our heritage, a mix of Cajun/Creole and Cameroonian food will be served buffet-style for dinner.

Drinks:

• The bar will also serve drinks associated with New Orleans - Hurricanes, daiquiris, etc.   I am thinking of having a blue signature drink with a cute name like Blushing Bride, Passion, etc.   I am leaning right now of making Pat O'Briens Hurricane Punch our signature drink to compliment our New Orleans style-dinner buffet!!!   Right now, the winning name for our signature hurricane drink is "Hurricane Katrina."   For a whirlwind occasion full of many different emotions, a whirlwind drink that throws a punch is appropriate.

BRIDAL ATTIRE

Here are some random ideas for attire and accessories.   I am sure that I will keep adding and taking away, but this is what I am thinking at the moment.    In true form, I am going to think about it some more, ponder, analyze, etc.

The Dress

Because I am voluptous and curvy (these hips don't lie), I want a mermaid and/or trumpet style dress in ivory.   I am proud of me curves, so why not accentuate them with a classy dress.   Here are some of my dresses on my wish list:

The Bouquet

I think this flower with feathers bouquet is GORGEOUS.   I am thinking of having my bouquet done using this style but with lots of white flowers and hints of blue hydrangea (since this is what my bridesmaids will be carrying) plus some peacock feathers.

The Wrap

Because I am getting married in November, it may be cold in Dallas.  So I bought the following faux fur wrap (in ivory) to wear while outside taking pictures and mingling with guests on the outside patio during the reception:

The Shoes

I am on the hunt for the following ivory Manolo Blahniks - Catalina D'Orsays shoes in a size 10 (Yes, I have big feet like Cinderella's stepsisters):

 Please PM me with any sightings of this lovely item.

Bridal Party Attire

Since I am planning for a very formal event, I would like my MOH and bridesmaids to wear a blue full-length dress.   Here is one of bridal dress inspiration picture:

 Possible bridesmaid choices include Coren Moore Avery in dark navy blue.  Strapless dress with bubble hem skirt (knee length) - [Photo source - Weddingbee bride kwlchoong]

In order to be able to distinguish their bouquets, I am thinking about putting intial charms on each of the bridesmaid bouquets.

Flower girl dress ideas

I will be having 3 flower girls.   No matter what kind of dress I pick for the bridal party, I would like the flower girl dress sash to match the bridesmaids colors.  On the other hand, I'm debating if I want my flowergirl in a blue colored dress or in a white dress. I did see a cute turquoise colored flowergirl dress on pinkprincess.com (pictured below), but I'm not sure if it would be the the exact shade of blue that I need.  I might just stick with the white dress and use a bow or sash for it. We will see.

Groom's men attire

My husband does not like tuxedoes, so he and the groom's men will not be wearing one.  I have free range on alot of things for this wedding, but the groom party attire is one area where I have been told to back off.   It's hard but I am working on letting go and letting my husband take care of the things he has volunteered to do.  I have gently suggested to my husband that he and his groom's men wear a 3-piece suit like the guy in the picture below:

Despite DH's edict to back off, I ran across a good deal on Nicole Miller blue tie & cuff links sets which I promptly bought for all of our groomsmen to wear for the wedding.   Luckily, DH loved the sets I bought (especially the look and the price).   Wanna see?  Here you go:

What do you guys think about these hydrangea boutonnieres?   I think they go nicely with my color scheme.

I have a problem obeying instructions,   I know what DH decreed but here are my current opinions on the groom and groom's men attire.   I think they should wear a blue or black color vest to match the toe with white or ivory shirts.   Emmanuel should wear an ivory vest and tie to match my dress.  The Ushers will wear the same vest/tie combo as the groomsmen and my Uncle Larney (who may be escorting me down the aisle) will wear a black vest and tie.  The ring bearers may wear little black suits with bowties. 

WEDDING EVENTS

BRIDAL SHOWER IDEA - Sex and the City Themed Shower

The most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you that you love, well, that's just fabulous. - Carrie, Sex and the City

Yes, I am a Sex and the City gal.  I am more like Carrie, but wish I could unleash my inner Samantha sometimes.  Bachelorette I am not.  Been there, done that - 15 years ago when my Mr. Big made me his wife.  So instead of a Bachelorette party, I am thinking about having a SATC for me and my girls complete with blue cosmos.    Here are the inspiration for the invitations.

ETCETERA, ETCETERA, ETCETERA . . .

OOT BAGS

In our welcome letters in the OOT bags, we plan on putting a section called "NOLA Traditions" which talks about the second line, grooms cake, cake pulls, etc.  

Here are the inspiration for our OOT bag tags (instead of saying "Welcome to New York," ours will say "Welcome to Dallas.").  

I got this idea from another bride on the Knot.

HONEYMOON

We are also seriously considering one of those honeymoon registry websites.  We have been together for such a long, already have a house with lots of stuff that we accumulated over the years as a couple.....With Honeymoon registries, guests can purchase different things for your honeymoon such as spa treatments, excursions, private dinners on the beach, etc... If we did it, I thought it would be cute to either send pictures of us enjoying the "gifts" given or send postcards from our HM, saying how we love the "gift"...