Life After the Wedding Day

As a new wife I’m still learning all about marriage and have already made some of the stereotypical ‘new wife’ mistakes. (I messed up my first meatloaf and mixed whites with colors). Although I’m only at the beginning of the journey, here are a few tidbits I have learned about marriage and my husband over the past few months:

Cook triple the amount of food you would eat at mealtimes. (I started making 2 “girl” servings for dinner and Cash would be so polite about it. But 20 minutes after we finished eating, he would be searching for snacks).

Always keep a spray air freshener in the bathroom :)

Greet him with a smile when he comes home (my emotions usually set the tone for the rest of the evening)

With still a lot to learn and all the funny mess-ups that come with marriage, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

The Shower!

My family and the bridesmaids!

Al bottom left: My hat designer for the day

Laura bottom right: The gift secretary
Nicole (orange dress): The gameshow host

This past weekend I traveled back home to NY and celebrated the upcoming wedding with friends and family. The whole weekend was just a reminder of how generous people are. There were so many hands involved in the setup, cleanup, cooking, preparation, gift-giving... Everyone made sure I didn't lift a finger. - And let me tell you, if you already know me and how I like to relax, then you know I did not have a problem with this.

There was one very special surprise though that I was not expecting. Cash called me the morning of the shower to tell me he was having a bad day at work. (Thanks Cash. Just what I wanted to hear). As a side note, Cash has been away for the whole summer and had already told me he could not make it for the shower. Well as I'm hearing about his bad day, he says, "By the way, can you come let me in?" WHATTTTT?? I run down the stairs teary-eyed and open the door to see my cute fiance standing there with his bookbag, flowers and a map. None of my family had known about this. He had taken a train and walked to my house from the train station!

Looking back on the weekend, the highlights were reuniting with those I love, the outpouring of generosity and eating leftovers.

The guys in my life

(who were surrounded by all those ladies)

Left to right: Trevis - my brother in law, Cash - the fiance, Nick - my dad, Parker - the greatest little nephew

Thanks to all who contributed!

Wedding Countdown: 2 months

cake!

Ladies in Red

Ann Taylor Celebrations Collection

Classy...

Simple...

Chic...


(Oh I was so tempted to buy a bridesmaid dress for myself)

My Bridal Hitlist

4 months to go...


I can't believe how quickly this is all coming up. Even though I've accomplished so much, I still look at my to-do list and get overwhelmed!


For those that are missing out on the planning, below are my list of worries, joys and fun moments that have happened over the past month. Not a bride yet? Don't worry, you'll still enjoy these tidbits if you know me. Already been one? Then this will make you reminisce about your own special day. And if you're a guy, well then, I didn't know guys did the blog thing...


Funnest Vendor
Our Band




These guys are hilarious old men that just love playing jazz together. I think by the end of the night, everyone will be friends with these guys.



Best Deal
Our Caterer

Nancy George has been catering for 30 years at the estate where Cash and I are getting married. Because she's so knowledgeable, she's given us numerous ideas and tips on what works, what doesn't, wedding wines, great deals and I could just go on about her.


Biggest Relief
Finding My Dress


Finally! I got my dress! For the past month it's been the last thing on my mind before I go to bed and I've been having weird dreams about it knowing I have to buy it. I've been stressing out because it's the most important dress I will ever wear - and I'm a nut. (I wish I could put a picture up but we wouldn't want the groom to have a peak now would we).




What I'm Most Anxious About
Things Going Wrong on the Wedding Day

After all of my planning, I would hate to have bad weather or people not enjoy themselves. I heard the best advice from the janitor at my work. He said, "Lauren, on your wedding day things never go as planned, but they never go wrong". Ah yes, the words of wisdom of our elders.


Weirdest Moment
Your Dad Knowing You're Starting Birth Control
(Enough said)

Registry!

I think shopping for our registry has been one of Cash and my favorite parts. Once they give you the gun, it's all over from there.

In the kitchen section.. Do I really need a fat separator and a juice extractor?

Cash was a big fan of bedding!

Let me start off by saying the registering process is not for an indecisive person. There are just too many options! We picked Target and Bed, Bath Beyond. I think we spent four hours at each store. I thought we would be disagreeing on what we needed and that we'd over-scan, but it was quite the opposite. We actually went through everything and evaluated, "Ok do we REALLY need this?" I think it was so special because what we were choosing is what we will be using in the first years of our marriage.

If you plan on inviting me to your house anytime soon, don't be surprised if you catch me snooping around your kitchen looking at your utensils.

Hot off the press!

As I go through the wedding planning process, it's exciting to see things slowly come together. It's more exciting to see Cash get into the planning too. I like to tease him and say he should be the bride.

Before this weekend I never realized the effort, precision and detail that need to go into making your own wedding invitations - especially if you want high quality ones. It's funny how couples can place so much time and emphasis on literally pieces of paper. I think for Cash and I it was different. We enjoyed making them so much and really wanted to incorporate a personal expression to our wedding. Fortunately, we're able to do that because it's smaller in size.

Though we spent long hours working in our invitation workshop, it was more fun and rewarding than I thought it would be. When we calculated the hours we put into our project, each individual invitation received over one hour's worth of attention! In the process I met more old ladies from being in craft stores than I have my whole life. And let me tell ya, it makes those grandmas' day when you ask them questions. I mean who doesn't get excited when you're talking about the latest in glue gun technology?

We had a blast putting them together but Cash is the one who deserves most of the recognition. Thankfully, I have a fiance who has both the talent to create a picture in his mind of what he wants his creation to look like and the ability to carry it out beautifully.



Careful design and preparation...



Putting it into action in our 'design studio'



...Adding final touches

The Groom's Men

This is what you have all been waiting for... with their support, however true it may be, these brothers of mine will be there to stand by me on the big day:

Whitley - (right) Matt is probably my oldest friend, I mean he is young, but, we have been friends since middle school. He is one of the most honest and trustworthy people I have ever met and I respect him tremendously. Everyone loves Whitley because he so laid back and always has a great attitude. I think we will always be great friends and I am honored to have him as my best man.

Wilson - (left) If you haven't already met Matt, I'm sure you will before the reception is over. He has also been a long time friend, my off and on roommate, and my main source of entertainment over the years. As the singer of my band Trips Left (which lives on), he brought total confidence to the stage. And I'm not sure which he has more of, clothes or girlfriends. Matt can make anyone laugh and feel like a great friend.



Robert - Rob and I became friends in college and pretty much ran the place. A frequent philosopher and occasional fighter, he is just... really cool, I don't really know how else to say it. You can always find Rob studying the program at the tracks, and if you are ever going out for a night in Lex, you will have a blast for sure with Rob. Totally unpredictable and a bit unconventional, Rob's the man.

Kurt - Sometimes I would wonder if my brother and I could ever get along, but lately, we have been doing great. Once I gave Kurt a chance I found out why all my friends love him so much... because he is so funny and really cool about stuff. Kurt is the kind of guy that will just do what ever he feels like no matter what anyone else tells him. I wouldn't say that we are alike, but maybe more than I think.

Mitchell - Mitchell thinks he's about 20, so we get along great. My little brother is good at everything he does, like swimming, academics, hunting, music, work at home... it is really amazing. I think Mitch is the coolest 7th grader I know. I only wish that we got to hang out a little more.

Everyone should meet these guys because they outstanding people and I love them all.