Apologies...

...for my lack of posting, lately.

Between the upcoming holidays, regular bills, and the demand for wedding deposits, our wallet has been stretched pretty thin, which always leads me to feel uninspired.

However, I think a brief recap may help to remind me of all the "good" that has been accomplished lately.

• Still in talks with the caterers. There are 2 definite possibilities for the cocktail reception, and 1 definite possibility for a sit-down affair.
• Met with a florist on Monday. Got a great quote for everything I wanted, proving that small budgets don't necessarily mean giving up what you want.
• Will be meeting with a "linen specialist" soon. She's quoting us 60% less than the caterer. Talk about a markup!
• Both the comb and my earrings arrived. I pulled my trusty dress out of storage (hiding under my bed!), and held them up. They both match perfect and I'm super excited that I bought them.
• On a whim, bought paper to line the envelopes for the invites. It's a small touch that will probably mean a great deal of work, but I don't mind doing it! :) Plus, I got all the paper I need for $2.75. Total spent on invitations so far = $35.00. All I need now is the paper for the programs and I'm done...
• We've almost finished our Christmas shopping, with the exception of one grab-bag for Tom and our parents. I just bought Tom an AWESOME gift, and I'm bursting to tell him. :( I can't wait to post some pictures of his gift after Christmas!!! :)

I'm Going to Burn This Into My Brain. And I'll Need Your Help.

Dearest Bride-to-Be:

The 12-18 months of wedding planning will pass in a matter of hours or days. When it’s all said and done, the photos will be the primary artifact remaining. My wish for you—when you look back at those photos—is for you to think:

• Look at how relaxed I was. Fully present in the moment. Basking in it. Soaking it in. I was not saturated in stress.
• My shoes and dress were comfortable enough for dancing. My beauty radiated out of me; it was not applied to me.
• I got to spend quality time with my friends and family. I was myself, not a show. In fact, I was my fullest expression of self.
• I do not remember whether the invitations were letterpress or whether the flowers at the ceremony were the same ones at the reception.
• The wedding favors or the fanciness of the food did not make memories. The sincerity did. The connection did. The time together did.
• It did not matter whether every last detail conformed to the signature colors. Instead of saying, “What a beautiful bouquet,” the guests said, “What a beautiful love.”

This is my wish to you, dear brides, as you pore over wedding magazines and read daily blogs. Some of it matters. Most of it does not. Casting your net in the wrong direction will most surely mean you miss the things you most dearly want to catch.

May your wedding be just one sincere, authentic, happiest day in a long line of many.

(courtesy of Peonies and Polariods, stolen from Marathoning, Marrying, and Milestones).