KHOU Wedding Bellestag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//4412008-08-27T23:54:51Zkhou.comMovable Type 4.1Do you know this crockpot?tag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3857822008-08-27T23:48:21Z2008-08-27T23:54:51ZIt happens to everyone. A gift brought to your wedding reception doesn't have a card. There are no clues as to who bought it for you. Asking your guests, "Hey -- did you get me this?" is too awkward. So...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
So to whoever brought the Rival Versaware Crockpot to the reception in a nice bag ... thank you!
But thank-you cards are expected, and I've been very good about sending them out. So I feel pretty bad that someone isn't going to get a card. Maybe they'll realize it, contact me in a month and make sure I actually got the crockpot. (I did! And thank you, whoever you are!)
Have you ever received an anonymous gift? What did you do about it? What should I do about it? ]]>
Married and moved!tag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3838972008-08-24T15:35:20Z2008-08-24T16:00:26ZHello world! Our wedding was completely amazing. A yearish of hard work totally paid off, and I think everyone was really happy with the ceremony and reception. Now Matt and I are in Denver (stealing someone's Internet because ours isn't...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
But the wedding ....... so much fun!]]>
3) Eat, eat, eat: Our new wedding coordinator set up plates of food in a board room for us to nosh on before making our grand entrance. This turned out to be the only food we had all night, except one bite of macaroni (tragedy!) and the cake we fed each other.
4) Delegate tasks to the people you hired: Initially, we were going to have our parents bring home our gifts. Then we realized that was a daunting task and that loading your car isn't a fun way to end the night. Our hotel staff brought the gifts up to our room during the reception, which is good for two reasons: a) no work for moms b) less chances of getting stolen while sitting out there.
5) Nix the champange toast: We probably saved $1,000 doing this. Our DJ was told to tell everyone to toast with what they had, so there wasn't a cattle rush to the bar.
6) Say hello to everyone: Guests appreciate it, you take a picture with them, and they feel like they sat through that Catholic wedding Mass for a good reason.
7) Have fun!: Matt and I had a wonderful time and realized how fortunate we are to have such wonderful friends and family. We thank everyone who came or helped us make this thing work out. Much love!
More on everything later ... I think our stolen Internet is about to peace out. <3
-AMO (O!!!)
]]>
My wedding: Been there, done thattag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3812312008-08-18T15:47:13Z2008-08-20T13:31:20ZAfter months and months of planning, my big day has come and gone. There were no major freak-outs. There were no epic catastrophes. There wasn't even a cloud in the sky. Here comes the ... me! It. Was. Perfect. I...Taylor
Here comes the ... me!
It. Was. Perfect.
I thought I might come out of it feeling different, but no.
I'm just the same old me with a different name and another ring on my finger.
And I couldn't be happier about it.
So as an old married lady who's been there and done that, I offer my Top Five Things You've Always Wanted to Know About Your Wedding but Were Afraid to Ask:
]]>
1) Pony up that cash, lady. In the world of weddings, you get what you pay for. So if you're on a budget, it's important to focus on the things that will serve you best in the end. The most important of these, I think, is the photographer. (The least important? FAVORS!!!) We flew my fab photog, Winn Fuqua, to San Diego from Dallas to capture my big day on film. Good photographers cost some crazy cash, but they're worth it. After the whole shebang has ... uhh ... shebanged, all you'll have left are those pictures. Consider it an investment in your memory bank. Hahaha. Puns are awesome.
2) Wedding coordinators are your friend. It's another area where brides are often tempted to skimp, but if you're doing a destination wedding like I did, they are a lifesaver. That is why Jessica Gillon of Events By Design is my superhero. When you're trying to plan a wedding in an unfamiliar place, it's crucial to have someone with local ties. And the last thing a bride needs to do on her big day is freak out about, oh, say, a group of people putting up a hideous beach tent ten feet from the site of your ceremony. When bad stuff like that happens, your wedding coordinator will swoop in like Wonder Woman and take care of bidness for you. Plus, the pros will have ideas that you'll never think of, and if they're good at their jobs, they can even help you cut costs without skimping on style.
3) Take it easy. You've got to remember the reason you're there: To marry the guy or gal of your dreams!!! If you don't enjoy this day, you're wasting a lot of time and money. So when, perchance, a group of people put a hideous beach tent up ten feet from the site of your ceremony with screaming children and kites and music (this could be even more awkward for, say, a church wedding in Des Moines), you can't let it get to you. Delegate the disasters to someone else (read: your wedding coordinator or a bridesmaid) and let yourself be free to be the bride. It will be over before you know it, and you'll be sad if you don't make the most of your moment.
4) In the event that a group of people put a hideous beach tent ten feet from the site of your ceremony with screaming children, kites, music, tiki torches, circus animals, noisemakers, guys on stilts, and a helicopter landing pad, don't despair. They will move or die by your hand ... err ... the hand of your wedding coordinator, who may or may not wear a cape and be as beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than Hermes and stronger than Hercules.
5) Get your hairs did, girl. Seriously. As budget-friendly as it might be to do it yourself, professional hair and makeup makes a BIG difference in your pictures. We threw a spa day for my maids and moms at our resort, and it was worth every penny. My makeup artist and hairstylist made me have the sexy. For me, getting a mini-makeover made the whole day seem a little more special. I didn't want to walk down the aisle looking like I normally do: A freckled chick who may or may not have brushed her hair that day and has mascara smudged on her face. I suggest you do the same.
And since I feel my unfazed wedding demeanor was a performance that deserves recognition by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I've compiled a list of people to thank for my big day.
I am forever indebted to the following folks: Jessica, Gopala, Winn, Laura, Debbie and everyone else at Essence, the Hilton San Diego Resort staff, Pastor Jon, Don, Joe, Jon the DJ, Shirley, Mom, Bette, Tommy, Jesse, Hannah, Billy, Sarah, Kim, Amie, Donnie, Adam, Jeff, Tyson, Matt, Sloan, the rest of my family and friends who made the trip, my husband (!) and most of all, my dad. Love y'all, and thanks for getting the &*#!%?! tent out of the way!
]]>
So long (for now)tag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3802722008-08-15T04:11:33Z2008-08-15T04:16:51ZFor awhile. Just two very stressful days away from the big day. Part of me can't believe it's here; the other part of me is ready for it to be over. Neither is true, and there is lots to do,...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
For awhile. Just two very stressful days away from the big day. Part of me can't believe it's here; the other part of me is ready for it to be over. Neither is true, and there is lots to do, so I'll see you all on the other side. But I'll have a new name!
Brides: Need another worry?tag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3786302008-08-11T21:46:19Z2008-08-11T21:53:41ZSometimes I read things on the Internet and try to pretend they're untrue simply because they're online. This is one of those things. Hopefully your groom's exes aren't totally nuts like the women in that story, but the article does...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
This is one of those things.
Hopefully your groom's exes aren't totally nuts like the women in that story, but the article does start good discussion on whether it's OK to put all of your wedding details for everyone to see. This is the age of self-importance where one thinks everyone wants to know everything they're doing ("Adrienne is making a pizza!" "Adrienne is catnapping."), but maybe there are some things that should be left unsaid.
Too late for this girl, though! Five more days, friends. Just five more days. Thanks for all the little e-mails and messages of encouragement; I feel like I'm running a marathon! But I'm off to kickboxing -- yes, kickboxing, so watch out.
]]>
Going to the chapel and she's ...tag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3773652008-08-07T23:34:33Z2008-08-07T23:39:43ZGONNA GET MA-A-A-ARIED! Ladies (and maybe two gentlemen I know reading this), our Taylor has flown off to sunny San Diego to get married this Sunday. *alk;fglk;jadfhiyoaeriheahkler* Can you believe it's already here? I can hardly get over the fact...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
GONNA GET MA-A-A-ARIED!
Ladies (and maybe two gentlemen I know reading this), our Taylor has flown off to sunny San Diego to get married this Sunday.
*alk;fglk;jadfhiyoaeriheahkler*
Can you believe it's already here? I can hardly get over the fact that it seems like just yesterday we were talking about how we wished the big days would already come, and now they're knocking down our doors. Eek!
Congratulations, Tizzle!
How to not look ridiculous on the parquettag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3758052008-08-05T01:43:32Z2008-08-05T02:41:15ZThanks to certain TV shows on other stations that highlight smooth moves on the dance floor, bear-hugging through Boyz II Men just won't cut it for our first dance. But I was so good at it! I could sway in...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
But now I, and Matt, need to float on our feet in the middle of a crowd of 200. Ah! It was already hard enough narrowing down what song to dance to (hint: the King sings it), but we completely procrastinated on signing up for dance lessons.
We thought we'd be paying for it, with our first lesson just 12 days before the big day, but our instructor is kinda awesome! My second left foot could soon be all right. ]]>
Beginners Only, because they've signed up for five lessons. (We're under pressure now!) So I gave Allen Darnel a call, not knowing what to expect.
He called me back and before I knew it, Matt and I were signed up for two dance lessons at a pretty great price. And tonight was our first lesson.
1) I forgot my wedding shoes. 2) We had a horribly long day (but got our marriage license just before everything closes for this tropical storm).
I thought we were doomed. BUT: We actually got our little routine down -- for the most part. I think. But I think we improved a lot, and now I'm sooooooo glad we signed up for lessons. There is no way we would have done a turn without throwing my back out.
We originally signed up for two, but I think there will be a third. We have plans for some kind of Texas two-step situation. The northerners Matt invited to the wedding are in for a real surprise.
YEEEEEEEEE HAW!!!]]>
Exhausted-face: Hi, that's metag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3740482008-07-31T01:53:44Z2008-07-31T02:16:59ZSo, looks like the ol' blog is starting to feel some neglect as our wedding dates rapidly approach. It's not like we don't have millions of hilarious/sad/inspiring things to say or that we're not thinking of you, loyal readers, but...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
cheezburger cats I had to look at today?! A LOT, a lot more than the amount of food I've had that even resembles a cheezburger in the past several months.
Candy: I miss you. Remember when we were friends? I could use you for a sugar jolt.
Anywhoodle, Matt and I are not going on a honeymoon (gotta get to Denver and start working), so I am trying to schedule some relaxation time. ..... HAHAHA! HA! Ha ... we're only 17 days away. (Taylor is 11, just in case you are all keeping up, and I know you are.)]]>
Candy on the list:
Good and Plenty: Apparently, people eat this. I don't know if I believe my bridesmaid or not though.
Jelly Bellies: But I hate the pink flavors!
M&Ms: Can't go wrong here ... unless they melt.
Gumballs: Don't blame me when you step in it Sunday morning. I didn't raise 'em.
Chocolate: It's sort of black, right?
That's all I've got. Can you think of anything else I can buy easily? My brain hurts.
]]>
File this one under crazytag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3719432008-07-25T01:43:27Z2008-07-25T02:20:17ZI must be really small-town (hay Tomball!), but I've never heard of giving extreme cosmetic surgery, such as Botox, to your bridesmaids. But according to The New York Times, injecting your best friends' faces with botulism is the newest way...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
extreme cosmetic surgery, such as Botox, to your bridesmaids.
But according to The New York Times, injecting your best friends' faces with botulism is the newest way to say, "I love you!" and "Thanks for being a part of my special day!" Really? People are willing to do this? I guess some women would be stoked to score some free enhancement, but apparently it's sometimes mandatory.]]>
"Becky Lee, 39, a Manhattan photographer, declined when a friend asked her -- and five other attendants -- to have their breasts enhanced."
Whoaaaaaaaa. "Listen, dear friend, I want you to stand next to me, and I need you by my side. But first I need you to undergo major surgery -- capish?"
What kind of a world are we living in? Don't get me wrong: I am not anti-plastic surgery, but forcing it upon your friends is weird. I think taking everyone out for a weekend of laser treatments and injections sounds more like a B horror movie: "TEXAS FACE MASSACRE!"
The article is a little ridiculous in another way: As my dear friend MAM pointed out, it tries to blame the Facebook for the rise in pressure to look good at a wedding. What? Were photos invented yesterday? Are the people in that article going to plastic surgery spa weekends the ones uploading all of the pictures the same night an event has happened? Doubt it. Come on, NYT, you're way better than that.
Gotta run, taking my ladies out for some after-lunch rhinoplasty ........ jk. ]]>
You look like you need 150 personalized beer openerstag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3706962008-07-22T18:49:55Z2008-07-22T19:05:13ZIt's finally happened. My mother has completely lost her mind. It started innocently enough -- she'd call me every once and awhile, inquiring about any number of wedding-related projects. "Have we reserved the florist?" "Are you going to have a...Taylor
The 'D' stands for 'Dumb junk you don't need'
]]>
Ever since they talked, my mom has been on a mission to find the perfect little piece of you-know-what to foist upon our nearest and dearest on my big day.
In my mind, there is nothing more useless than a wedding favor.
Someday, many years from now, when the Earth is nothing more than a scorched ball floating aimlessly through the cosmos, and some other-worldly critter lands his spaceship on the planet, all he is going to see are some cockroaches and piles and piles of discarded wedding favors.
Why?
For one, this blogger finds the aforementioned visual extremely humorous.
For two, the only thing more useless -- yet more impossible to get rid of -- than the cockroach is the wedding favor.
The creepy uncle comes in a close third, for those of you keeping score.
The concept is completely lost on me. It's like "Here! Thanks for coming to my wedding! I've fed you, I've bought your drinks, and now I'm going to give you some useless thingy that you don't want but will feel too guilty to throw away for a few years! Enjoy!"
But my mom is obsessed. Every day she calls me with another idea, each five times worse than the last.
One day, it was candy. The next, it was miniature decks of playing cards. After that, it was -- I am not making this up -- beer opener keychains.
And then it was luggage tags.
Luggage tags! I mean, who in their right mind wants a luggage tag with my name and the date of my wedding on it?
Seriously?!
But my mom is impervious to my logic.
She honestly believes there are people out there chomping at the bit to own a "Taylor and Chris" plastic shot glass.
You know, to keep their "Joe Schmo" wine topper company in their junk drawer.
My love-hate relationship with hairtag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3696252008-07-18T22:51:27Z2008-07-18T23:45:12ZMy hair is kind of pretty. It is shiny despite getting blow-dried nearly every day and washed with a two-in-one bottle of stuff. (Not because I have dandruff, but because I am always in a hurry.) But it is wickedly...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
So I'm getting married in the dead heat of a Houston summer, and my hair needs all the help it can get. Did I mention that my hairstylist backed out at the last minute too??]]>
*Not really, but wouldn't that be kinda fun? I mean, I have to use them up before I become an Owen.]]>
Back to the futuretag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3642762008-07-16T13:04:42Z2008-07-16T15:47:03ZI don't have a DeLorean or anything, but tomorrow I fly back to Houston and hustle. I've gotta move out of my apartment, sort through what I'll want in Denver (should be easy -- I own no parkas or relatively...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
"It's the final countdown!" do-do-do-dooooooo!
]]>
here. Have you done it yet? OK. Those numbers are for real.
Matt and I have a lot of necessary expenses in the next month, and we've accepted them. But it stresses me out majorly to think about writing checks for hundreds of dollars so the chairs at the reception will match everything, so if someone could drop a pimped-out DeLorean to the Channel 11 studios, I'll pick it up and move us to Aug. 17, 2008 -- Matt and I will be married, and the money will be spent.
Sub-topic: I've had a lot of spare time on my hands, and so I've practiced my new signature (Adrienne M. Owen). It doesn't look good. Does anyone remember how to write a cursive "O" and have it not look ridiculous? Does it connect to the next letter? Are the Olsen twins around???]]>
This just in from the Dept. of OMG: 1 month to gotag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3388962008-07-10T16:31:44Z2008-07-10T16:44:25ZOne month to go until my wedding, people. One month. This hit me last night when I was trying to go to sleep. I've adopted a schedule not unlike that of a 90-year-old woman as of late, because I recently...Taylor
]]>
People are always asking me if I'm nervous about the wedding, or if I'm freaking out about the details, or how the planning is going. And I can almost always say it's fine.
But ask me about changing my name and buying a house and starting a family and paying property taxes and actually being expected to cook something other than a Lean Cuisine without getting the HFD involved, and I immediately start looking for a time machine.
I am, by far, the worst cook in the history of the world, and I am forever having like $3 in my checking account.
I don't iron my clothes, I don't vacuum near as often as I should, and I only clean up my closet when my mom is coming over.
And I'm supposed to be a grown-up -- somebody's wife?! Somebody's mom, even?
Wow.
T-minus 30 days till I'm exposed!
So then I was talking to my MOH (who happens to be busy growing a tiny person in her gut right now) about it, and she was all, "welcome to my world!"
I laughed because I would light my apartment on fire and move into her clean, beautiful house in a second. Do you think she would notice? But then the more I thought about it, the more I realized she's right. (She usually is.)
That's the thing about life -- you're almost always on the verge of something big, scary and new, but there are no time machines; no adult life user manuals. So why stress?!
You just have to jump in the deep end and enjoy it.
But thanks to my wonderful fiance, my friends and my family, I know I don't need to worry -- I'll always have some killer floaties.
Two announcements, 1 that's surprisingtag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3376712008-07-07T15:59:58Z2008-07-07T17:10:22ZThis may not be breaking news to all readers, but I've left my position at KHOU.com. (single tear) Matt's clerkship is in Denver, so we are moving right after the wedding. But the wedding isn't until Aug. 16! Why so...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
But the wedding isn't until Aug. 16! Why so soon?
I would have been perfectly fine planning a wedding while working, but planning that and a move is a different, ugly beast. We don't have a place to live in Denver yet -- you do the math. (No seriously, it's really hard, and I was a journalism major and can't do long division!!)
The good news is that I'll be blogging here until after we arrive in Denver, so this is not goodbye!
Now the other announcement, which is surprising and terrifying: My wedding coordinator has left Hotel Derek.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
]]>
dun, dun, dunnnnnnnnn!
Nervous in New York,
Adrienne]]>
Party on, Wayne!tag:www.beloblog.com,2008:/KHOU_weddingbelles//441.3209402008-06-30T12:41:38Z2008-06-30T13:17:22ZParty on, Garth! Woo woo woooooo woooooooooooooooo! It's a completely appropriate introduction for an amazingly fun bachelorette party with my girls. (Except poor Becko, who was home sick.) The United States was well-represented this weekend in Austin, which I've decided...Adriennehttp://www.khou.com
Woo woo woooooo woooooooooooooooo!
It's a completely appropriate introduction for an amazingly fun bachelorette party with my girls. (Except poor Becko, who was home sick.) The United States was well-represented this weekend in Austin, which I've decided is the world's best place to have a bachelorette. The food is cheap and delicious, nearly everything is walkable and the drinks are free (or $2).
Seven girls + cheap drinks + hot tops + ridiculous '80s/'90s dance party = hilarious pictures.]]>
5) Hotel manager with an evil eye: Yes, we're staying seven to a room. What are you gonna do about it?
I don't know much about bachelor parties (and I probably don't want to know), but bachelorettes are all about your friends and having fun. It seems the older we get, the less opportunities we have to be in the same place. But nothing screams "BFF" like walking a mile in heels, sleeping three to a bed, and a hilariously awkward lingerie shower. :)
What are your favorite memories from a bachelorette party? Keep it PG-13, please. ]]>
So to whoever brought the Rival Versaware Crockpot to the reception in a nice bag ... thank you!
But thank-you cards are expected, and I've been very good about sending them out. So I feel pretty bad that someone isn't going to get a card. Maybe they'll realize it, contact me in a month and make sure I actually got the crockpot. (I did! And thank you, whoever you are!)
Have you ever received an anonymous gift? What did you do about it? What should I do about it? ]]>
But the wedding ....... so much fun!]]>
3) Eat, eat, eat: Our new wedding coordinator set up plates of food in a board room for us to nosh on before making our grand entrance. This turned out to be the only food we had all night, except one bite of macaroni (tragedy!) and the cake we fed each other.
4) Delegate tasks to the people you hired: Initially, we were going to have our parents bring home our gifts. Then we realized that was a daunting task and that loading your car isn't a fun way to end the night. Our hotel staff brought the gifts up to our room during the reception, which is good for two reasons: a) no work for moms b) less chances of getting stolen while sitting out there.
5) Nix the champange toast: We probably saved $1,000 doing this. Our DJ was told to tell everyone to toast with what they had, so there wasn't a cattle rush to the bar.
6) Say hello to everyone: Guests appreciate it, you take a picture with them, and they feel like they sat through that Catholic wedding Mass for a good reason.
7) Have fun!: Matt and I had a wonderful time and realized how fortunate we are to have such wonderful friends and family. We thank everyone who came or helped us make this thing work out. Much love!
More on everything later ... I think our stolen Internet is about to peace out. <3
-AMO (O!!!)
]]>
1) Pony up that cash, lady. In the world of weddings, you get what you pay for. So if you're on a budget, it's important to focus on the things that will serve you best in the end. The most important of these, I think, is the photographer. (The least important? FAVORS!!!) We flew my fab photog, Winn Fuqua, to San Diego from Dallas to capture my big day on film. Good photographers cost some crazy cash, but they're worth it. After the whole shebang has ... uhh ... shebanged, all you'll have left are those pictures. Consider it an investment in your memory bank. Hahaha. Puns are awesome.
2) Wedding coordinators are your friend. It's another area where brides are often tempted to skimp, but if you're doing a destination wedding like I did, they are a lifesaver. That is why Jessica Gillon of Events By Design is my superhero. When you're trying to plan a wedding in an unfamiliar place, it's crucial to have someone with local ties. And the last thing a bride needs to do on her big day is freak out about, oh, say, a group of people putting up a hideous beach tent ten feet from the site of your ceremony. When bad stuff like that happens, your wedding coordinator will swoop in like Wonder Woman and take care of bidness for you. Plus, the pros will have ideas that you'll never think of, and if they're good at their jobs, they can even help you cut costs without skimping on style.
3) Take it easy. You've got to remember the reason you're there: To marry the guy or gal of your dreams!!! If you don't enjoy this day, you're wasting a lot of time and money. So when, perchance, a group of people put a hideous beach tent up ten feet from the site of your ceremony with screaming children and kites and music (this could be even more awkward for, say, a church wedding in Des Moines), you can't let it get to you. Delegate the disasters to someone else (read: your wedding coordinator or a bridesmaid) and let yourself be free to be the bride. It will be over before you know it, and you'll be sad if you don't make the most of your moment.
4) In the event that a group of people put a hideous beach tent ten feet from the site of your ceremony with screaming children, kites, music, tiki torches, circus animals, noisemakers, guys on stilts, and a helicopter landing pad, don't despair. They will move or die by your hand ... err ... the hand of your wedding coordinator, who may or may not wear a cape and be as beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than Hermes and stronger than Hercules.
5) Get your hairs did, girl. Seriously. As budget-friendly as it might be to do it yourself, professional hair and makeup makes a BIG difference in your pictures. We threw a spa day for my maids and moms at our resort, and it was worth every penny. My makeup artist and hairstylist made me have the sexy. For me, getting a mini-makeover made the whole day seem a little more special. I didn't want to walk down the aisle looking like I normally do: A freckled chick who may or may not have brushed her hair that day and has mascara smudged on her face. I suggest you do the same.
And since I feel my unfazed wedding demeanor was a performance that deserves recognition by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I've compiled a list of people to thank for my big day.
I am forever indebted to the following folks: Jessica, Gopala, Winn, Laura, Debbie and everyone else at Essence, the Hilton San Diego Resort staff, Pastor Jon, Don, Joe, Jon the DJ, Shirley, Mom, Bette, Tommy, Jesse, Hannah, Billy, Sarah, Kim, Amie, Donnie, Adam, Jeff, Tyson, Matt, Sloan, the rest of my family and friends who made the trip, my husband (!) and most of all, my dad. Love y'all, and thanks for getting the &*#!%?! tent out of the way!
]]>
But now I, and Matt, need to float on our feet in the middle of a crowd of 200. Ah! It was already hard enough narrowing down what song to dance to (hint: the King sings it), but we completely procrastinated on signing up for dance lessons.
We thought we'd be paying for it, with our first lesson just 12 days before the big day, but our instructor is kinda awesome! My second left foot could soon be all right. ]]>
Beginners Only, because they've signed up for five lessons. (We're under pressure now!) So I gave Allen Darnel a call, not knowing what to expect.
He called me back and before I knew it, Matt and I were signed up for two dance lessons at a pretty great price. And tonight was our first lesson.
1) I forgot my wedding shoes. 2) We had a horribly long day (but got our marriage license just before everything closes for this tropical storm).
I thought we were doomed. BUT: We actually got our little routine down -- for the most part. I think. But I think we improved a lot, and now I'm sooooooo glad we signed up for lessons. There is no way we would have done a turn without throwing my back out.
We originally signed up for two, but I think there will be a third. We have plans for some kind of Texas two-step situation. The northerners Matt invited to the wedding are in for a real surprise.
YEEEEEEEEE HAW!!!]]>
Anywhoodle, Matt and I are not going on a honeymoon (gotta get to Denver and start working), so I am trying to schedule some relaxation time. ..... HAHAHA! HA! Ha ... we're only 17 days away. (Taylor is 11, just in case you are all keeping up, and I know you are.)]]>
Candy on the list:
Good and Plenty: Apparently, people eat this. I don't know if I believe my bridesmaid or not though.
Jelly Bellies: But I hate the pink flavors!
M&Ms: Can't go wrong here ... unless they melt.
Gumballs: Don't blame me when you step in it Sunday morning. I didn't raise 'em.
Chocolate: It's sort of black, right?
That's all I've got. Can you think of anything else I can buy easily? My brain hurts.
]]>
But according to The New York Times, injecting your best friends' faces with botulism is the newest way to say, "I love you!" and "Thanks for being a part of my special day!" Really? People are willing to do this? I guess some women would be stoked to score some free enhancement, but apparently it's sometimes mandatory.]]>
"Becky Lee, 39, a Manhattan photographer, declined when a friend asked her -- and five other attendants -- to have their breasts enhanced."
Whoaaaaaaaa. "Listen, dear friend, I want you to stand next to me, and I need you by my side. But first I need you to undergo major surgery -- capish?"
What kind of a world are we living in? Don't get me wrong: I am not anti-plastic surgery, but forcing it upon your friends is weird. I think taking everyone out for a weekend of laser treatments and injections sounds more like a B horror movie: "TEXAS FACE MASSACRE!"
The article is a little ridiculous in another way: As my dear friend MAM pointed out, it tries to blame the Facebook for the rise in pressure to look good at a wedding. What? Were photos invented yesterday? Are the people in that article going to plastic surgery spa weekends the ones uploading all of the pictures the same night an event has happened? Doubt it. Come on, NYT, you're way better than that.
Gotta run, taking my ladies out for some after-lunch rhinoplasty ........ jk. ]]>
So I'm getting married in the dead heat of a Houston summer, and my hair needs all the help it can get. Did I mention that my hairstylist backed out at the last minute too??]]>
*Not really, but wouldn't that be kinda fun? I mean, I have to use them up before I become an Owen.]]>
Seven girls + cheap drinks + hot tops + ridiculous '80s/'90s dance party = hilarious pictures.]]>
5) Hotel manager with an evil eye: Yes, we're staying seven to a room. What are you gonna do about it?
I don't know much about bachelor parties (and I probably don't want to know), but bachelorettes are all about your friends and having fun. It seems the older we get, the less opportunities we have to be in the same place. But nothing screams "BFF" like walking a mile in heels, sleeping three to a bed, and a hilariously awkward lingerie shower. :)
What are your favorite memories from a bachelorette party? Keep it PG-13, please. ]]>