He was 19 and she was 17. She thought he was cute and told him so. He invited her out for a night out with friends. And they've been together since.

We had been together for 6 years when Michael proposed to me in August 2008. We've been through a lot with eachother and are both so excited to tie the knot!

          2002                                                     2009                                                 2010

Now that the wedding has come and gone I've found a new hobby - blogging! Like I was with the wedding, I can get a bit..well..slightly obsessed about various things that catch my attention.

So if you're curious - go check out my blog aptly titled "Slightly Obsessed"!

We had always known that we were "the one" for eachother, and although I didn't know the exact details of when and where we would get engaged, I knew that we would eventually get married! Mike proposed to me in the most surprising and meaningful way - at the first viewing of our brand spanking new home together! We were scheduled to have a walk-through of our brand new apartment/condo, and I was so excited to take a million pictures of our new place. As soon as the walk-through was over, I was still pre-occupied with taking pictures of our new closet when Mike pulled me aside and got down on one knee to pop the question.

During this time, I kept thinking "but I didn't get a good picture of our shelves yet!" As soon as I grasped what was happening, I just said "YES!" I feel awful for saying this, but I can't remember everything Mike said prior to asking "Will you marry me?" The reason was because I had a billion things running through my mind like - when did he get the ring?! Why didn't I wear something cuter?! I can't believe he set all this up!?

After he popped the question, we went to one of our favourite restaurants (The Cannery - Vancouver, BC) and celebrated our engagement.

Here's a picture of my engagement ring (which literally took my breath away when I saw it)

After getting engaged, we both decided we wanted to wait a few years before *officially* tying the knot. When we got engaged in August 2008, we were both going through a lot of transistions - I had just finished school and was starting a new career and Mike was in the process of furthering his education. On top of our new career and educational endeavours we were moving in together for the first time in a home we had purchased. Rather than having a wedding as soon as possible, we opted on a longer engagement for the least amount of stress possible (least stress on my part anyways :p).

That said - our wedding date is officially JULY 17, 2010!

So far, I have purchased my dream wedding shoes (yes, shoes are far more important to me than any dress..on any day..for ANY occasion), booked a breath taking venue (Grouse Mountain - North Vancouver, British Columbia), and found a great photograper (not booked - but fleshing out the details).

And although our wedding is more than a year away I am starting to plan my little heart out now so that I can incorporate as many DIY projects as I possibly (and reasonably) can!

UPDATE - After receiving many PM's about these shoes I thought I'd add a blurb about them. They are a limited edition style from Town Shoes in Canada and are from the Barbie collection. Unfortunately they are no longer available but they have come out with a new line.

So, I know that I want fuschia as the main color for my wedding - but I'm debating between the other secondary colors.

Here are a few inspirational pictures I have found from various sources (please let me know if any of these photos belong to you and I will gladly list you as the source).

The theme colors for the wedding will be: Fuschia, Turquoise, and Green Apple with hints of white! 

Here are a few potential "looks" for the big day - now only to get my hair to cooperate and to find someone who can duplicate this at a reasonable price!

First pic is of the lovely Starg8zer - I love her make up and hair. And I love the hair style in the second picture.

Since our wedding ceremony is taking place outdoors in the middle of summer I wanted to make sure that my favor would be useful (even if it's thrown away right after the ceremony/reception). And at $0.10 each for these fans I really don't mind (gotta love Craigslist!!)! So, a new DIY project begins. Here are a few pictures of the fans.

 ~ * UPDATE * ~

After a few trials this is what I've ended up with! I used tissue paper and glue for sort of a "paper mache" look and attached labels. The labels have been stamped with "LOVE."

In addition to having our fans as favors we will also be doing a cookie bar! My MOH's and I will work at baking lots and lots of mini cookies before the big day and freezing them.

Here's my inspiration:

I originally thought I wanted just two bridesmaids at our wedding - but after giving it some more thought I felt that it would mean more to me if my bff and my sister were "upgraded" to be my Maid and Matron of Honor. So - since I already asked them to be my bridesmaids I thought I'd come up with a cute way to ask them to be my MOH's.

Here are the cards I created for them. All the materials were purchased at the dollar store!

And here are the gifts that I purchased for them (picture frames and potpourri).

After flip flopping on my vase options I finally made the committment and bought "the ones"! They're actually candle holders but I thought they'd make fabulous vases.

I can't wait to see an actual mock-up of my centerpieces with whichever florist I choose!

I initially wanted to DIY my pocket fold invitations (hey, doing graphic design work all day long at work I thought I'd be able to do it)...but after reviewing the cost of DIY'ing the invitations I decided against it. I just didn't want to put so much effort into something that people would simply throw away. So, I MADE FI go to Michael's with me while we were in the States and I wound up buying two boxes of these beauties :D.

These invites are from Gartner Studios and they were on SALE! They are on a textured 80lb white card stock with silver flourishes. The envelopes are a gorgeous metallic silver. I also purchased a wax stamp kit (also by Gartner Studios) from craigslist. I really can't wait to get started on these babies! (http://www.gartnerstudios.com/node/2319 link to print on invitation).

UPDATE

After procrastinating for a month I finally did a mock-up of our invitations!

I was originally going to completely DIY them...but...saw these at Michael's and couldn't pass them up! I added a splash of color with the fuschia/hot pink ribbon to personalize it.

Complete invitation

Actual invitation (with directions).

RSVP card & exterior label

(credit to al062606 b/c I "borrowed" her RSVP wording).

So, to honor my background I'll be wearing a qi pao/cheongsam. So, since I have a great love for shoes - that was the FIRST thing I purchased for the outfit.

I'm going to order my outfit from efushop (http://www.efushop.com) since other ladies on PW had such a great experience with them.

Here's the one I plan on ordering.

So - in keeping with our wedding colors I'd like for my Maid and Matron of Honor to wear hot pink/fuschia. Aside from wanting them to wear the same color, I wanted both my Maid and Matron to wear something different b/c they're two different people. Here are the two dresses I have picked out for them so far - I hope they like them just as much as I do!

Both of these dresses are from www.dresscodeformal.com and were introduced to me by the lovely Soon2bMrsW.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ UPDATE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My girls wound up picking different dresses. I finally ordered them tonight!

I hope they turn out ok!

This is the color the dress will be in (hot pink chiffon).

UPDATE PART II

Feb. 28, 2010

The dresses are HERE! I *finally* got them after 3 months of waiting! The quality is really good. The color is exactly as shown on the website - but..it still struck me as bright. Here they are!

What I imagine I would look like on my big day CARTOON STYLE!

I don't know what my dress will look like yet - so there are two versions of myself :D

I think I've changed my mind about 1,000,000,001 times but I've finally settled on floral arrangements similar to this:

Venue - Grouse Mountain

Engagement Session 1 Photographer - Ashley Lena Photography

Engagement Session 2 & Wedding Photographer - Generation Photography

Wedding Coordinators & Cake - Elements Modern Weddings

Wedding Gown - Milly Bridal

DJ - DJ Dancin' Dave

Hair & Make Up - Angela & Jeri

Florist - Proline Trading International

Videographer - Fairytale Productions

Maid & Matron of Honor Dresses - Dress Code Formal

After having our first floral consultation with a potential vendor we've decided to hold off on doing the pomander due to the labour cost - so depending on how things work out we may just stick with our initial vision of doing a big arrangement. We purchased 2 of the vases below (at only $12.88/each!) for our two ceremony centerpieces. Beside it is the inspiration photo for the large arrangements.

The above photo inspiration on the right is from PW bride slurpee.

I'm so excited! I just sent in my request for a custom gown by Milly Bridal! I did a combination of 2 dresses - the San Patrick Persia gown and La Sposa Feudal gown with a few embellishments added. Here are pictures of the two gowns!!

Top will look like the La Sposa gown on the left (only without lace). And the bottom will be based on the San Patrick Persia gown!

 Here are a few more pictures of the two gowns.

Here is the inspiration board I created using Adobe InDesign. Out of all the programs I used - this one was the easiest (mostly b/c I use it for work all day long). Wow - it's kind of small - I created it to be 8.5" wide and 11" tall. haha

One photo used on here that I can properly credit is tbabian in my 2nd inspiration board!

November 3, 2009

I just received an update today on my dress. Here are the pictures they sent:

December 4th, 2009

Received another update on my dress with the ruching/gathering. Here are the pictures! I think I'm going to ask MB to make the top a bit longer b/c I'm worried it'll hit me in a funny spot.

December 9, 2009

So far Milly Bridal has made it VERY difficult to make corrections to the dress. After much debate the length will be kept the SAME as they keep throwing up roadblocks and excuses as to why the bodice shouldn't/can't be lengthened.

Although the shape I wanted was a MERMAID gown they insist that the length of the bodice is fine. Despite having them measure it THREE times and me requesting them to lengthen it MULTIPLE times they have just made this whole experience an unncessary bridal NIGHTMARE.

Here are the pictures that have been submitted to them to show the length it needs to be at. I hope this information helps any bride that is considering a dress with Milly Bridal. Please take my experience as an opportunity to see the "good" and the "bad" side of ordering with them.

 Here are the measurements the pictures of measurements they submitted to me.

December 24, 2009

What a WONDERFUL Christmas present! Milly Bridal came through and was able to complete it before the end of the year! The dress is done!

There are only a few minor tweaks to the dress that need to be done but I'm glad to finally have this process OVER and DONE with!

December 28, 2009

The dress is ALMOST there. They changed the straps and will be sewing it and shipping it soon!

So - as you may know I love shoes...a LOT. I purchased 3 pairs for the big day and here they are!

The first pair will be for pictures only (I can't wear them for the ceremony b/c they're too tarn tall and too darn unstable!). The second pair will be for the pictures, ceremony and everything else. The last pair are to be worn with my traditional Chinese qi pao/cheongsam.

UPDATE - May 25, 2010

OMFG - so..I bought yet ANOTHER pair of shoes:

Since my FI is part Japanese I thought I would do something to show respect to his heritage. So, here's where the DIY comes in - I'll be making a "senbazuru" which is 1,000 cranes hung on some sort of contraption. According to wikipedia: "A thousand paper cranes is also traditionally given as a wedding gift by the folder, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple. It can also be gifted to a new baby for long life and good luck. Hanging a Senbazuru in one's home is thought to be a powerfully lucky and benevolent charm." Here are the colors I'll be using and an inspiration photo:

Here are some links on how to assemble a senbazuru:

• http://www.monkey.org/~aidan/origami/crane/
• http://www.wikihow.com/Assemble-a-Senbazuru

I fell in LOVE with these inspiration pictures from Style Me Pretty. They are of Moroccan lamps and silver butterflies! I love love LOVE this look and would like to incorporate it into the decor on the deck at our venue.

Here is Part I of DH's wedding present! Since I added butterflies as part of our wedding decor he wanted something HONDA related. *smacks head* To appease him I got him these cuff links!

I purchased my MOH's jewelry and a Coach mini-wallet.

Gifts for my FSIL's and my SIL.

I'm slowly starting to incorporate butterflies into our wedding - and I thought this was such a sweet and simple necklace that will work with their dresses.

Gifts for MOB & MOG.

I bought her! It's a JS Boutique dress from Nordstrom and I can't wait to wear her :)

With THESE shoes and THESE earrings!

As previously noted - I'm technically a 5 dress bride.

Here are the two that didn't make the cut!

*SIGH* Oh how I still love this dress. Unfortunately the seller I purchased this from LOST the dress and *poof*...so much for dress #2!

In my haste to replace the long lost gown - I purchased this. It was a replica gown that I thought I could wear for the ceremony. Boy..oh...BOY do I regret this purchase! The workmanship was HORRIBLE (but honestly, I should have known it would be). So...what to do with this gown....WHO KNOWS! I'm not willing to sell it b/c I'd hate to pass it on to an unsuspecting bride..so..maybe it'll be used for a TTD!

Here is what I've purchased so far to make my inspiration come alive!

My moroccan lanterns for the balcony and other tables. Total purchased includes
6 of the large and 10 of the small.

I purchased these little butterfly cut outs from Etsy to use on my placecards.

We went for our menu tasting on Sunday, March 7, 2010 and had a fabulous time! The food was absolutely DELECTABLE and the service was spectacular. Here are some pictures!

Hors d'oeuvres

Smoked Salmon Roses with Dark Rye Bread and Dill Cream & Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Basil Foam

Wild Salmon and Leek Fondue Wellington & Crab Cakes with Salsa Verde

Mini Beef and Bocconcini Burgers & Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps

Salads

Belgian Endive and Watercress Salad
Toasted Pecans, Blue Cheese and Port Orange Vinaigrette

Romaine Hearts and Cracked Capers
Walnut Dressing, Roasted Apple and Shaved Asiago

Entrées

Seared Filet of Wild BC Sockeye Salmon
Pommes Dauphinoise, Seasonal Vegetables and Orange Chive Butter Sauce

Butternut Squash and Green Peppercorn Ravioli
Parsnip Purée, Sage Brown Butter, Rapini and Parmesan

Mascarpone Stuffed Free Run Chicken Breast
Seasonal Vegetables, Button Onions, Rosemary and Chestnut Honey Jus

Grilled Rib Eye Steak
Pont-Neuf Potato, Chanterelles and Seasonal Vegetables

And here are some pictures of us and the view! Amazingly..it was snowing at the top..and we couldn't see ANYTHING from our seats :( But after 15 minutes the weather cleared and we had an amazing view of the city.

BEFORE                                                               AFTER

The Food PART II

We weren't satisfied with the hor d'oeuvres tasting we had the first time - so we scheduled a second tasting.

Here are the pictures:

Scallop Tartar with Shiso and Radish Sprouts & Asparagus with Proscuitto and Asiago

Vegetable and Pickled Daikon Spring Rolls with Sesame Dressing & Garlic and Roasted Pepper Crostini

Spicy Chicken Empanaditas with Green Chili & Caramelized Onion and Thyme Quiche

Beef Skewers with Cilantro Peanut Pesto & Vegetable Samosas with Tamarind Chutney

     Pomegranate Marinated Grilled Lamb loin with Tabouleh

I finally got my traditional dress from Efu Shop and I'm very happy with it. I was a bit generous with my measurements..so now I'm going to have to take the dress in a few inches around the waist as it's pretty loose!!!

Excuse the lack of make-up - I tend not to wear much during the work week!

Inspiration - courtsey of Style Me Pretty

Realization - photographed by me!

I picked them and bought them! Both are from eBay (MOB is Adrianna Papell).

FLOWER GIRL DRESSES (I will add the butterfly wings on the back).

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE DRESS (By Adrianna Papell)

Dress is from Ross (gotta love Ross!) and shoes are from Nina.

"They're makin bacon."

My FMIL is doing our cookie table/bar and these are the cookies she's made for us to try so far:

This DIY project was a complete PITA! I wouldn't recommend doing it - but here she is!

Once the glue dries it won't look as tacky or whatever. But man oh man am I glad it's DONE!

They're HERE! I used Adobe Illustrator and fonts from dafont.com to create these pieces.

Finally done! Here are my programs for the ceremony :)

Credit to Meadowcroft14 for the content & layout idea and front cover inspired by an image from PW photo galleries (I can't find the original source).

                  Ceremony set up.                                             Our Marriage Commissioner.             

                 DH walking down the aisle.                            DH and his Best Man and Groomsman waiting.

                                      My two adorable nieces walking down the aisle :)

        My Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor.                         My parents walking me to my DH.

               DH & I finally together!                                             Our first kiss as man and wife!

DH & I cracking up b/c our marriage commissioner didn't want to butcher our last name again! haha

                      Making it official!                                                WOOHOO! We're married!

Another kiss to make it official!               First dance as husband and wife.

And most RANDOM picture I've seen yet - a deer on the other side of our venue!

More non-pro pictures! This time of my DIY in action!

      Cookie Bar!

                    Cookie Take Out Box                               You can see the place card in the background.

                      My centerpiece with my DIY menu and the back of my table number. 

My wedding cake all sliced up.

We had three flavours - top tier was FUSCHIA velvet cake, second tier was a strawberry and vanilla cake, and bottom tier was a chocolate and hazelnut cake. 

Heading to the "chapel".

Here are all the detail pictures from our big day! I spent many hours, blood, sweat and a few tears over these projects!

After being married for roughly 3 months we decided to do a "rock-the-dress" session with a wonderful up and coming photographer (robin michelle-lee photography). Robyn did such an amazing job with our pictures despite the horrendous weather we had.