tgdtobe's biography
My gorgeous wedding gown (bought and paid for by a very dear family friend). Needs very few alterations--just the halter needs adjusted a bit. If I wear about 1 inch heels it will fall perfectly. So exciting!
Here's the link if you want to see the front (they don't have a pic of the front in my color on the website. boo).
http://www.edenbridals.com/584-p-206.html
EDIT: Apparently I've "grown" since I bought my dress. Now I need to lose about 1-2 inches in the next 6 months. Yikes.
Steve and I met on eharmony. Yes, you heard me right. We're one of "those couples" :). I gave him a chance, but really didn't think much of it. I was in FL, he in VA, and he wasn't really what I was looking for. But, we chatted online and then on the phone. We swapped pictures (more pictures). We chatted more. I kept him at arms length. I was not sold on this deal. But he was not put off. He was very patient. We use this analogy for our relationship early on: Whenever a man knocked at my heart door, I would answer with a shotgun at the ready. Steve didn't knock. He came and sat on a bench in the front yard and serenaded me until I poked my head out the door. :) Steve was (and is) the most selfless man I'd ever met. He gently befriended me without requiring anything in return. Of course, that made me really want something more! This went on from May until September.
September 4, 2008, Steve and I met for the first time in person AT MY PARENTS' HOUSE!!!!! (They live in GA). He wanted me to feel safe and comfortable--even at the expense of his own comfort level. By the end of the weekend, I was ready to give up on the whole thing. I felt like it had gone badly. He was totally different in person than on the phone. But, something my sister in law said to me made me decide to give him another opportunity. Back to the chatting we went. Thank God for Verizon "in-calling" or our phone bills would have been the size of Godzilla.
In October, we decided to meet up again and give it another shot. I had a conference for work in Orlando, and I invited him to join me there for the weekend (in his own room, of course). :-)~ We went to Disney and enjoyed ourselves. I was loosening up. Also, with him on more neutral territory, his "phone personality" became his "in person personality," too. I had found the "real Steve," and I was pretty sure I liked it! :) That weekend, he asked me to be his girlfriend, officially. I said yes.
In November, we decided that I would travel to VA for Thanksgiving with his family. That was nerve racking, but Steve was wonderful. He rented me my own hotel room and rental car so that I would not feel awkward or stranded around his family. I had a marvelous time. And, seeing Steve on his own turf--relaxed and real, I was completely sold. He was the man I wanted to marry. We went ring shopping the day after Thanksgiving.
The day before I was to leave VA I got a 1am phone call that my grandmother, who had lived in OH, had just died unexpectedly. Steve became my rock. He held me and let me cry. He then bought my plane ticket to go to her funeral. (Keep in mind that Steve is just a blue collar worker. He basically spent a whole paycheck on me that weekend to put me up and send me to OH. He just wanted that badly to take care of me.) When I told my dad about the plane ticket at Grandma's viewing, my dad said, "Well, I guess you'd better marry that man." I smiled. "I plan on it, Daddy."
In December, Steve came back to my parents house the day after Christmas and we spent the weekend together. He asked my dad for my hand that weekend. I am 32 years old and a professional who owns her own home and is out on her own, so I guess he didn't relaly have to ask my dad. But, I honestly appreciated him for it. It showed his respect for me and for my family. (I am a total daddy's girl :). He also has shown his deep respect for me in honoring my wish not to have intimate relations until after our vows. I appreciate it sooooo much!
We were engaged on February 12, 2009. I can hardly wait for the rest of our lives together. Steve has proven consistently that he will be a kind, gentle, loving companion until "death do us part." He is wonderful. So, I guess I owe kudos to eharmony--it worked for us!!!!
Finally, FI & I have settled on a venue. It is beautiful and in our budget. :) Check it out: http://www.winterbourneonstjohns.com/
Edit:
My review of them on this site.
OH MY WORD! What an amazing weekend. Steve and I did something a little weird in that we decided to "run away" TO family to get married. My parents live in GA and my dad is a pastor, so we called dad and asked if he would marry us on Saturday, my grandmother's birthday.
My family (unbeknownst to me) started putting together a "mini ceremony" that was absolutely phenomenal. On 2 days notice, they made a wedding cake, pulled out their own wedding dresses so I could wear one of them, made me a bouquet of fresh red roses, did a lingerie shower for me the night before, and arranged music for dad and I to dance to and for Steve and I to dance to in our mini reception. It was so amazing. My family rocks!!!! Then my dad contacted the church pianist and she came and played the processional and recessional, my niece and nephew did the flower girl and ring bearer thing (we used my niece's easter basket to tote the rose petals!), my sister in law and my brother stood up with us, and we did the whole thing in the sanctuary at the church my dad pastors. We had such a good time. Best of all, I am now the wife of the man of my dreams!
The sad part: Steve's family lives in VA and was unable to come on such short notice. So, we are still going ahead with our dream wedding in November and will include his family then.
The ceremony starts at 11:30am, so this will just be a light brunch/lunch for our guests.
Butler Passed after ceremony- Winterbourne's Blue Cheese Biscuits (during pics)
Then, Heavy hors d'eourves
- Sliced Turkey Breast OR Sliced Ham with warm rolls and condiments
- Sweet & Tangy Meatballs
- Cheese Spread & Crackers with grape garnish
- Pasta salad OR Potato salad OR Penne with Marinara
- Vegetables & Dip OR Garden salad
- Deviled Eggs
- Mexican layered dip OR a heart shaped pesto torte
- apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies
Coffee, Iced Tea, Lemonade & water
We have decided to have a small memorial table at the reception to remember those loved ones that have passed on. We have seven grandparents and two uncles that will be honored by displaying their picture. Our venue has a pretty side table on one side of the room that we'll use:
Our florist will put votive candles around the pictures and scatter some greenery around them. We're also using more vintage photos for the grandparents which will add a nice touch. Below are a few of the photos we'll use. The person's name and relation to us will be written on the cards in front of each frame:
Here is a photo of what our table looked like at our reception:
1. Wine: a variation of red and purple
Red: A passionate, romantic choice, red is impulsive and outgoing. Depicted as zealous and ambitious, red symbolizes love and rage. Whether it denotes joy, celebration, happiness or prosperity, red elicits a dramatic response from both sides of the emotional spectrum. Red lovers tend to be restless and optimistic and go along with people with uncomplicated natures. A powerful selection, red is sure to represent a fiery hostess with 'look at me' flair.
Purple: Often associated with both royalty and luxury, purple is a passionate color. Choosing purple symbolizes dignity, tolerance and value. Violet lovers tend to be unconventional and observant, with a multifaceted personality. Tolerant and witty, purple devotees are likely to achieve authoritative positions. From light lavender and lilac buffs, who tend to be charming, witty and cultured, to deep eggplant lovers, who are creative and talented, purple can be provocative or sweet.
2. Ivory: a variation of white
White: Symbolic of purity and innocence, white has strong connotations of youth and perfection. White aficionados seek excellence and enlightenment, as simplicity and recognition are constant ventures. White is a glorious hue (or lack thereof) that denotes a clean palette or fresh start for those who seek serenity and peace.
3. Champagne: a variation of brown
Brown: A natural, neutral color of the earth, brown represents wholesomeness and dependability. Symbolizing comfort and contentment, brown represents honesty. Just right for your wedding day, brown is substantial, steady and responsible. From rich chocolate and dark coffee to cream and soft beige, this earthy shade can be intense or pale, dramatic or modest.
Adapted from PW article: http://www.projectwedding.com/wiki/show/what-your-wedding-colors-say-about-you
Final dress fitting
OOT bags
steaming dress in Jax
packing suitcases
DIY favor bags
DIY column decorations
hair and MU trial
nail down final RSVP's
Get ahold of coordinator about
$
aisle length
Find someone to set up docorations before ceremony
download music
finish my diy bouquet
loving memories pics for mantle
vase for "in Memory" bouquet
buy video camera
Make emergency kit
Make hotel reservations
Show tom pics that I'd like to have taken
order of ceremony and music
candles and hurricanes
material
aisle runner
table runners
FG basket
ties and pocket squares
tiara, veil, gloves, pashminas
steamer
shoes
bouquet
reserved cards for tables and "cards" card for birdcage
directional sign and glue
In memory vase
FG basket and petals
Emergency kit
Guest book
MOH bouquet
RB outfit
FG outfit
computer with songs
sound equipment
music for solos
Chain of events on November 7, 2009:
11:30am Ceremony-
11:50am GROUP SHOT ON LAWN
11:55am Pictures
12:30pm Bride bustled
12:40pm Introduction Bride and groom
12:42pm Father daughter dance/Mother
son dance/bride & groom first dance (all combined into one song)
1:00pm Cake
1:05pm blessing
1:06pm Open Dinner Buffet
2:00pm Open Dance
2:30pm Toast (20 mins or so: open floor for people to say kind words about bride
and groom as they see fit)
3:00pm Open dance
4:00pm Departure
