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First and foremost I want to announce that my brother, Josh, just got engaged to his girlfriend (NOW FIANCEE) Christine on Saturday night. The Melin's are so excited to welcome her into our family. So when I say, "Let the wedding frenzy begin," I don't only mean ours, but their will be coming fast also. WOOT WOOT!!
Now onto what's new with us in the wedding realm. As I mentioned in a few posts and as Ronnie has mentioned, we have really ramped up the wedding planning by visiting venues and trying on dresses. The main reason for the fire under our butts is because my mom is home from Shanghai and we only have 2 weeks with her to power through the big stuff. Before she heads back on January 2, we want to have a dress bought, a venue picked, a flower vendor and MAYYYYBE invitations decided on, designed and ordered. We are well on our way to making it through that list after this last week.
On Wednesday my mom and I went to one venue, on Thursday we went to another venue and to a bridal boutique, and on Saturday, Ronnie's mom, Chris, and younger brother, Andrew, came up to Phoenix to join me, my mom, and Ronnie in some dress shopping and venue hopping. As of now, we almost have our mind made up on the venue (see the venue at www.sassi.biz) and a dress (YES...THE DRESS!!!!!!). I am a little nervous to make the final call on the dress, but I think I found the one. We all looked at dresses together (RONNIE TOO) and got everyone's opinion of what looks best (me not letting on to what I reallllly liked so Ronnie wouldn't know). After that, my mom and I went to another store and ended up finding something that I think everyone will reallllllly love, but that no one would ever have guessed or picked out...that way Ronnie will be SURPRISED!!!! I am super excited!!
So anywhooo...that is where we are with things. I wish I had something more entertaining or educational to share with you, but unfortunately for you, I only have wedding on the brain. I have attached a few photos for your viewing pleasure, but I'm not going to post any pictures of me in dresses (as I originally thought I would) for fear of Ronnie figuring out what the dress will look like.
I did have one favor to ask of all of you. I WANT SUGGESTIONS. Did you or someone you know have a cool, unique thing at your wedding? Did you find really good deals on something? Did you discover and tips or tricks? Are you a wedding planner and want to just tell me what to do? LET ME KNOW!!! Seriously...I'd love input!!
Ceremony site looking from where we'd be standing to where the guests would be sitting
Looking at where we'd be standing (see the stone at the end?)
Wedding dress shopping!!!!!!! MY FAVORITE PART!!!!!
Logging you in...
Courtney Neal · 797 weeks ago
Courtney (Olivia's Mommy)
P.S. The comment section is not letting me sign in, so I'm leaving my comment anonymously...sort of
RunSickboyRun 96p · 797 weeks ago
Lindsay · 797 weeks ago
2) Instead of favors, we did used the money for donations to World Vision and printed up cards about it. Each table "donated" to something different to make each table unique.
3) I wish I could go dress shopping again. While I liked my dress, I went with what I thought everyone else liked and not what I really wanted. Looking back, I wish I could pick it again.
4) Pack yourselves some food for your wedding night. We didn't get to each much at the reception and by the time we made it to our hotel it was late, places were closed and we were hungry!
5) Just relax and enjoy it!
RunSickboyRun 96p · 797 weeks ago
Sara Clark · 797 weeks ago
We gave the DJ's a list of "DO NOT PLAY" songs. I am VERY passionate about music and just could not imagine hearing "We are family" or "Celebration" at my wedding (sorry to offend anyone!)
We wrote our own vows, which was hard... but oh so special. All in all, our wedding was the best party I have ever been to... and many people have told us the same about our wedding... though I could have done without the keg stands... :O)
RunSickboyRun 96p · 797 weeks ago
April Taylor · 797 weeks ago
I do wish we had gotten disposable cameras for the reception tables, though, because the one thing I regret about my wedding was that there are not enough pictures!
RunSickboyRun 96p · 797 weeks ago
kelly · 797 weeks ago
congrats!!!
Trish · 797 weeks ago
2. Reserve a calligrapher, if you wish to have one, way before you order your invitations if you wish to "hire" one. This hint is very important, as I am a calligrapher, and most people wait till they GET their invites/envelopes and then the calligraphers are BOOKED and cannot do it in a week or two on demand. If you need me to help out with that, let me know. Do not get envelopes that have LINING in them, such as colored paper or linen. That will make it impossible to address using a "guide" which most calligraphers use.. and it will make it a lot more expensive and hard to find someone willing to do that.
3. Incorporate some of your family members to do readings or play music during the ceremony instead of hiring people.. it makes it even more special for THEM to be part of the festivities and you can count on family (usually).
4. Definitely bring FOOD with you to wherever you'll be AFTER the reception. I don't know any couple who actually sits to EAT at their reception. I have been maid of honor a few times and I always encourage my "brides" to EAT, but they never do... it goes sooo fast and there are so many people you want to talk to and then, there's the dancing.... You'll be starving that night, trust me.
AND... make sure you eat enough BEFORE the wedding so you don't crash or pass out from lack of food and anxiety.
5. Remember... it IS YOUR day, Mandi, but it is ALSO Ronnie's day. Many brides want all the focus on them saying that it is "THEIR DAY", but make sure you incorporate Ronnie's wants and desires, too. Lots of brides "blow off" their fiance's wishes and going into any relationship/marriage you should always listen to your partner and allow their point of view as well as your own.... It's easy to get caught up in that... On the flip side, though... don't do something YOU are not comfortable with...you want to have no regrets after it's all said and done. HOPEFULLY, you only do it ONCE!
Good Luck.. I'm here if you need me for anything... questions, calligraphy etc.
RunSickboyRun 96p · 797 weeks ago
Trish · 797 weeks ago
Michelle M · 797 weeks ago
Tara · 797 weeks ago
I've been in 9 weddings and I've been to dozens of my friends weddings over the last 10 years. I'll try and think of other unique things the bride and groom have done.
Mandie · 797 weeks ago
Carrie Alexander · 797 weeks ago
Leslie · 797 weeks ago
Jennifer · 797 weeks ago
Kari Mather · 797 weeks ago
P.S. You will be a beautiful bride in whatever dress you wear!!!!
Jenna · 789 weeks ago
2) I saw other people talked about this, so I thought I'd throw in my experience.....I didn't walk down the aisle to the traditional bridal march, either. I happen to really like this 70's prog-rock group called Jethro Tull (10 bonus points for you if you know who they are!), and I picked one of their instrumentals to walk down the aisle to.....it was "Bouree". (It was originally written by....Bach, I think. But they did a cool little jazzy version with a flute, their trademark.) Adding to the coolness factor, my Uncle Don, who passed away in 1999, was a HUGE Jethro Tull fan.....like, he painted pictures of their album covers, even.
Jenna · 789 weeks ago
4) We had our guests sign a blank photo mat that surrounded one of our engagement pics....way cooler than a book cause we can hang it on the wall!
Hope this helps!!
Jenna