niknchuck's biography
My fi planned a trip to NY after conveniently and strategically letting the park season at Bush Gardens pass us by... Instead he planned a weekend trip to NY. I was excited nevertheless but still a little upset. Bush Gardens would've been a lot cheaper and I'd never gone before. We'd planned some site seeing the next day and catching a broadway play after dinner. All along I was thinking, something is strange because he let me make all of the decisions of where we would go and what we would do the entire day!
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img style="border: 1px solid;" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:s2k9MkUcj29FKM:http://www.inetours.com/New_York/Images/Thtr-Dst/New_42St_9258.jpg" alt="My Tacori Story 11 15 2008 photo 4" width="135" height="91" />
That night we were preparing to go have dinner and he decided he was going to "run an errand" for a friend. I'm thinking, are you serious?! We're spending quality time together and you're thinking about your friend! He left out and called me from the lobby about :15 later. I met him downstairs and there he stood with 24 red long stem roses and a sweaty forehead. I was really shocked and smiling from ear to ear. I decided to take my flowers to dinner with us...afterall it was NY so it wasn't unusual to walk around with 2 dozen roses. Dinner was really nice; the food was good and he actually ordered wine.
(closes pic I could find...mine weren't in a vase)
Hmmmm, what is going on...he seemed a little uneasy but ok, let's move on... Dinner was over and we were heading back to the hotel before the play started, well he had another idea. He convinced me to walk to Bryant Park, in stilettos, to take in the sights. As we were sitting there watching the ice skaters, he scoots his chair closer to mine and began to talk. He seemed really nervous and I'm thinking ok what is going on...well long story short, at the end of his speech, he got down on one knee and pulled out this big, blue Tacori box and opened it while asking if I would be his wife. I was in shock!... I barely got out a yes but managed to say something close to "hell yeah". I thought I was on candid camera or something... How did he manage to hide this box in his coat pocket, buy jewelry cleaner while we were out earlier in the day and clean my ring while we were together the entire day?...This is a day I will never forget, I can't wait to marry my best friend!!!!!
Chuck wants a summer wedding...Chuck's getting a summer wedding-6/26/2010. I'm hoping we have a mild season next year like we are now.
Pre-Planning Our Wedding:
It took us a while to get in the groove of planning our wedding. Especially with the economy and cost of everything. We chose to find a reception site first, then book the church. A few people thought that was backwards but we did what worked best for our planning style. As of today, we have a reception site and church reserved. Now here comes the fun part... ideas, ideas, ideas
CEREMONY/RECEPTION Times: 4:30pm ceremony and 6pm reception
(Pre-planning) COLORS:first 3 colors, chocolate/champange/ivory are the base with the 5 others being accent colors through out-seen in the flowers, ribbon, accessories, attire, decor, etc. I'm not sure of the periwinkle though (color#7) we may delete that one and go with the others...what do you think?
Our (My) Ideas:
He's on the fence with having a plated dinner or heavy hors d'oeuvres. We initially decided on having a cocktail reception because we want everyone to have fun and mingle a little. I've gone to several formal seated receptions and they weren't very sociable.
We have a preliminary guest list of about 140 people, including the wedding party. I'm sure the list will be cut because the venue's capacity is 120 seated; however, there's a huge patio the length of the building. So technically there's enough room for the 140 guests. I met with our wedding planner and we were able to come up with so many ideas to decorate the space, giving it that WOW factor that I gotta have.
DECOR (Still the inspiratons):
Few pics of the reception site BEFORE... The ballroom has a patio the length of the building and is accessible from the 3 doors. Luckily the center just ordered umbrellas, so we can actually use the space and not have people baking in the June sun:)
Has the countdown started already? Agh..I still can't get myself going...
Church...check! Reception site...check! Caterer...check! DJ...check! Photographer...still looking. They are soooo freakin expensive. Guest list still in review, add some, substract some.
We did look at wedding bands so that's a REALLY good thing...progress. However these sre only options as we may decide on something else
What's next?...
11.10.09 Well now I feel like I have set myself back. I can't make up my mind about the colors. It really should not be this hard or frustrating! Do I really need a theme?
I had to take a breather but I feel more confident than ever now..can't say that the frustration is completely gone but I am truly making progress!!! Ok, so we have settled on some colors (crossing my fingers that we stick to them)...Platinum and Ivory with accents of, ticktockticktockticktockticktock... we'll decide that later.
****Platinum and Eggplant with accents of purples, pinks, ivory
Matron and Maid of Honor will be wearing this in Platinum:
The Bridesmaids will wear either one of these in Platinum:
I am so not the traditional bride:
UPDATE...I'm still not the traditional bride, my gown is pink! But it won't be custom made:( But I was in love with this.
Jim Hjelm couture gown from 2006:
Crossing my fingers for a pair of these....please, please, please:
Update: Still crossing my fingers for a pair of these but just not today
Makeup (anything natural but with emph asis on the lashes and brows) and hair inspirations:
Still researching paper in order to do DIY invitations, programs, etc...
Ok so I ordered paper samples from www.paperandmore.com and www.cardsandpockets. Hopefully they will be in soon so I can do my 1st market. I'm actually exited.
Ok, so I had ALOT of ideas but then reality hit me head on. Only some of my initial ideas in earlier pages actually will make it to the final destination! Since Fi was laid off we had to make ALOT of changes. I think I'm getting warm and tingly now! yeh me!!!
with a pinch of 
kinda
MOH and MOH gowns didn't change except both are going to be platinum w/concord bands...can't wait to get actual pictures:)
BMs still had a choice of 2 to choose from...both in all platinum.
The swatches aren't really doing the shoes justice but they are a perfect match...really!!!
SHOES SHOES SHOES, makes me happy happy happy!!! All but 2 girls are wearing these sexy numbers:)
I can't post my gown picture but I CAN post my shoes!!!!!
I really wanted the louboutin's, prada's, gucci's, but at the end of the day...I got a huge deal on my gown and none of the shoes would have gone with it:(
I think I may be on my way to being a budget savvy bride. We saved tons of $$ so far...can't wait to tally up!
First custom monogram, thanks to ALEX, has been completed! Now working on doing other basic ones...
OUR WEDDING POEM
WHY MARRIAGE?
~ By: Mari
Nichols-Haining ~
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,
With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...
Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,
Who won't hold them
against me,
Who loves me when I'm unlikable,
Who sees the small child in me, and
Who looks for the divine potential of me...
Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With
someone I feel blessed to hold...
Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship...
Because marriage is a discipline
To be added to a list of achievements...
Because marriages do not fail,
people fail
When they enter into marriage
Expecting another to make them whole...
Because, knowing this,
I promise myself to take full responsibility
For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness
I create me,
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage
Together we create our marriage...
Because with this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.
We came up with the color scheme, chose the paper sizes, bought ribbon, downloaded free trial of Publisher and went to work! (the camera didn't pick up the actual colors but they were a perfect match)
All paper was cardstock...we had the invitation with the ribbon as an accessory, the RSVP cards were mailed according to the number in the party (from 1 person to family of 6), and the directions card. We tucked the direction card and RSVP card under the ribbon; giving the illusion of a gift. I didn't get a pic of the steel gray envelopes we used.
My aisle runner...I figured out what I did wrong after it was all done but I'm still so proud of myself! Never-mind the blue painter's tape;-)
This is what it looks like now, my guest book...at least until I put it in a frame.
My cardbox...that I forgot to take to the reception site :-( I was sooo proud of this... blood, sweat and blisters and no one got to see it.
my first fitting...
I'm not able to post my bridal proofs...stupid reserved rights>:-(
But if you want a look see...it may be worth it. Platinum Photography by Lorenzo is awesome. I had sooo much fun!!!!! Tell me whatcha think:-)
www.pictage.com--> event name: Hughes bridal session
I do have some non-pro pix though:)
