Year of Parties

We have been thinking, dreaming, wondering what our wedding day would be like for over 1 1/2 years now. In this last year the heat has been on with some very good friends getting married. Their weddings have been truly exceptional. So particular to the couple, really different, & really fun. While we knew we could put on a event that represented us and was equally exceptional, it is crazy to finally take on the task. It means so much to us- we are getting married!

Last month's engagement party was so wonderful! Greg, granny, & Andy really went all decorationing the yard and neighbors have been talking ever since. The p's supplied some extra alchohol. And we were so thankful to everyone who supplied a gift (completely unnecessarily & super sweet). We had an amzing night and could not believe how swiftly the night passed and how hard it was to talk to everyone. So sorry if we missed anyone! We had a great time and hope you did too. Ella- that game was ridiculous. And Uncle Gene- nice legs!

Along with the excitement is the stress. I've known Ian was no great planner, but luckily we have Greg (Ian's dad) & cheryl (ebe's mum) to help keep us creative and functional (plus the supporting, never-ending love of kelly & david). Invites are almost out (almost!) and final payments are going down. We feel lucky we are able to have the support that we do and plan such a surprising and awesome event. (hint hint- Surprises!)

Dress has been purchased. No idea what bridesmaids are wearing. Need basics like Ian's suit, ebe's shoes, and wedding paty gifts. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

All the stress, all the planning- it is super exciting as this is the one event most people go through that is a real extension of yourself- and yourself as part of a couple. Even more complicated! We hope to respect everyone's hopes & ideals for this event and to offer each & every guest a good time. And honestly, everyone having a good time is the thing I am least worried about. Check it out folks! Guaranteed good time October 17th! So glad you are coming. We really cannot wait to see you.

Awesome Engagement Party

So, this last weekend Ebe and I headed to the heated city of Yakima for an awesome Engagement Party. When we got there my dad and Andy had the whole place looking amazing. The backyard looked like something that could pass for the garden of Eden, minus all the gnomes and battery powered candles!

It turned out to be quite the show. It was really nice to see everyone that came out, even though it seems we had so little time to chat. I think it was a nice run through before the wedding. Now we have an idea of how to do the party mingle and try and spend time with all the guests!!!

We really did have a truly great night, even though I had to touch some nasty man feet.... Voldemort toe and all! We really appreciate everyone making it out, and of course we can't thank my dad enough for the awesome engagement party... a perfect prelude to the Awesome Wedding!!!

Happening so fast!

I can't believe how fast everything is happening! Every day I am working on silly details, well, they would be silly to anyone else.

Centering the RSVP card.
What 4 side dishes to choose?
What glass rental company to go with?
Should Fritz be in the wedding? (Just joking Greg- that demon dog isn't getting anywhere near the wedding day!)

And on Saturday is the engagement party? A surprise to us as well, we are now really looking forward to seeing people before the wedding and enjoying everyone's company. And really, who doesn't like a year of celebrations?

The Proposal

For those of you who hadn't heard about the proposal, here is part of the original post telling the story of our engagement including the video we made to inform our parents.

Blast from the past...
"To facilitate all our London dreams we had purchased a one-day London Pass which allowed for free access into many attractions, but only for one day. Thus, a starategy was needed: hit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre right at open, take the Tube over to the Winston Churchill Museum War Rooms, make brass rubbings beneath a church, ride over to the Tower of London and explore the grounds, then finish off with a view of the city at Tower Bridge- Break!

...We reluctantly left the Tower of London to check out the bridge towering overhead- the Tower Bridge. Often mistaken for the kinda plain London Bridge- this is classic London. Painted blue and gray with huge towers of civilian walkways on either side the bridge is quite unique. We were briefly security wanded and had our bags x-rayed (common place in London) and then were whirled upwards 140 feet to gaze over London from glass enclosed walkways. The view was amazing, as day quieted to night and the city was set ablaze in light. The bridge has got some history with tons of crazy facts like an airplane flying between the two towers in a daredevil maneuver and that it was not distroyed during WWII because the Nazis used it as a geographical marker.

The craziest thing was something I knew nothing about until we came to the end of the second walkway and Ian drew me away from the rest of the people to try to take a picture of Big Ben. As I peered out the windows, up on the metal steps, Ian started out, "Ebe, I love you." I gave him a look and started to step down, "I love you too." "No, I really love you." My mind and actions slowed to try to comprehend what was happening and I realized I couldn't look directly at him and struggled to untangle my thoughts. As I tried to look him in the eyes he got down on one knee and held something shiny. I started blubbering the most inane sentences like "Are you joking!?" "Oh my God!" and "Wow, I really love you." I said yes and he slid on the ring. It's official, overlooking the city of London Ian & I decided to change our title and have a party- what can I say? I love him.

After that it was all a giddy blur. We really did have fish & chips and Yorkshire Pudding on the Thames, checked out some awesome sports photography in an outdoor display, wandered Chinatown and Picaddily Circus, and went to the cinema in Soho. All of it was awesome."


Pics of us when we got back to the hostel. We wanted to remember exactly what we looked like the day we got engaged. What we really look like after that emotional whilwind of a day is tired!

Ah, it really was an amazing proposal. And instead of just telling our parents, we thought we would post a video to our flickr account and then send it our parents & see who noticed the new addition. (For the record- the dad's totally missed while both mum's caught on quick. Sharp eyes ladies!)


Surprise!

Oh boy...

so we have less than four months to the big day. How do I feel you may ask? Well, I must say that I'm super excited.

It will be great to finally make everything official, and I couldn't be happier than having Ebe as my wife.

As you may expect, there are still many things to get done. Many large decisions have been made, but all those tiny little things are what really is tricky.

My goal for the next coming week or so is to get an idea of what kind of suit I want to wear at the wedding. I say nay to the cumberbund. Maybe if I were still sporting my faux-mullet. No, I think a nice snazzy suit will do the trick. How cool would it be to have some nice colorful kicks with it as well?

I also need to get our "holy man" ordained. Shouldn't be too much more than a few clicks of the mouse and twenty bucks or so from the ol' bank account.

I also need to get everything finalized with our photographer for the wedding. We really lucked out, and Andy's brother-in-law Craig agreed to take pictures for us. We need to set up a little meeting-poo with him and discuss what we expect, and likewise from him.

So, that's about it for now... that and work. And having fun in the sun. Let's hope this weather keeps up until October 17th! See you at the ballroom!