are tying the knot!!! 9/12/09
Josh and I met in 2002 when Josh's best friend introduced us at my work. We hit it off right from the beginning. I knew we would be together through thick and thin when Josh decided to stay in the relationship with me when I went away to school only a few short months after we met. We did the whole long distance thing for four years while I got my B.S. in Communication Disorders and he got his electrical license and worked full time. He continues to support me through graduate school and I continue to support him starting his own business. We love working out (we were both gymnasts) and cruising around on the bike in the summer time. I couldn't ask for a better best friend!
The Proposal:
Josh and his mom had told me that they were going to have a Halloween party with all their family and friends since Josh's sister was going to be home for the weekend. Long story short...everyone came...everyone dressed up and we played a game. I won a "prize" and inside the bag was a card from Josh telling me he was excited to continue on our journey. I reached further into the bag and I found THE RING!!! I couldn't have been happier with family and friends there to join in the celebration. I just never thought I would be in a tutu and a leotard and Josh would be dressed up as Batman when he proposed to me! I can't wait to marry my best friend!
Here is a much better pic of my blingity-bling :)
The VIP passes I used to ask my bridesmaids
Our rings :)
Just a few of my favorite E-pics from our engagement photographer Gabrielle of Gabrielle Photography. It was about 7 degrees that day....must say our photographer did a great job at hiding that!
The dress :) Monique Luo ivory spanish inspired dress. LOVE it.
Me in the dress and my sister helping me out. Don't mind the face!
Here are my final fitting pics. I had my fitting done so soon because I am doing a bridal shoot a year before my wedding. Chris O'Hare in Quincy did a FABULOUS job and she is very well priced.
I dyed my crinoline chartreuse and the results are AWESOME! I am so excited about this!
Here are some of the bmaids trying on dresses....what a day!
Inspiration: Special Thanks to knottie aliciaandbrian for this awesome collaboration of photos!
Here is the bridesmaid dress we decided on. When I saw it, I knew it was perfect!
Ann Taylor on sale WOOHOO!
Love the idea of the chartreuse parasol bought a few for the bridesmaids and one for myself! These are a few fav. bouquets I have found.
Love these Bout ideas for the guys
made these cuff links for all the groomsmen gifts...FI will get a special pair
super easy and cheap to make...see directions below!
So super easy, but you might want to do a trial one beforehand. Supplies: Bezel cups (usually used to hold jewels, found on e-bay, tons of sizes, I think I did the 15mm and it's a perfect size), Cuff link posts (found them on e-bay, come in all diff. sizes depending on the size of your bezel cups), Casting Resin (Michaels, can get a big tin full), catalyst (for hardening the resin, Michaels, small bottle) *you may be able to find resin with the catalyst already in it, Jewelry Glue (I think they suggest something called E6000 or something like that? I just used Jewelry and metal glue (works the same), regular elmers white glue, paper cups and a mixing stick.
Step 1: cut out your design, picture, etc the size of the bezel cup, with a few drops of regular white glue place the image in the bottom of the bezel cup and let dry for an hour or two.
Step 2: Lay out bezel cups on a peice of cardboard, mix your resin and catalyst in a paper cup according to the directions on the back of the resin. Dont mix it too much (about 60 sec) because bubbles will form in the resin. Carefully pour the resin into the bezel cups and DO NOT TOUCH for at LEAST 24 hours (I let mine sit for two or three days) because it was very tacky.
Step 3: once the resin has completely dried, you can glue the bezel cups to the cuff link posts with the jewelry glue. Jewelry glue is VERY sticky so try not to touch it. I used foam to stick the cuff link posts in to let them dry. TA DA! youre done! *Resin is HORRIBLE horrible stuff, it STINKS! and its very sticky. It is best to do the resin outside incase you spill and because of the fumes. It is very important not to touch, handle or move the bezel cups once the resin is inside and drying (speaking from experience!) GL and let me know if you have any questions!
-Gwen
I finally splurged and ordered my own custom birdcage veil from unveiledbridaldesigns.com. So it is finally here! I am very excited to wear it!
update: 1/09 I was featured on the unveiled bridal design website: http://www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com/unveiledbridaldesigns_gwen.html
Here are some pics of me wearing the veil...crappy computer camera but you get the idea!
I painted our monogram on our aisle runner
I did boudoir pics with Rachel Hadiashar of MERGEweddings, it was an AWESOME experience and totally worth it. Check out her website www.mergeweddings.com she does some really great work and makes you feel AMAZING!
I also did a bridal session with Rachel and the pictures speak for themselves. We shot for hours and had a blast. Rachel is truly amazing!
LOVE my peacock feather garter!!!
And finally...Kirkbrae CC. Love the place and the new rennovations!
Entrance to Kirkbrae Country Club
Ceremony outside overlooking the golf course at Kirkbrae CC
Reception Hall at Kirkbrae CC
Love the beautiful bridal gardens at Kirkbrae CC
HONEYMOON!!! Royal Palm Beach Resort in Sint Maarten!!!
Irish Blessings:
May you have:
A world of wishes at your command.
God and his angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
and Irish blessings in your heart!
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
Italian Blessings:
FUR BABIES!!!
Josh and I took home a beautiful Pharaoh Hound puppy 6/08. We fell in love with her fast!
We also (at my moms house) took home two new kitties after losing our loving cat Moses earlier this year. The kitties are the only two survivors of a premature litter. They are a little "slow" but we love them just the same.
Ricky is on the left and Eddie is on the right. Eddie is always smiling :)
Vendor List:
Ceremony and Reception: Kirkbrae Country Club
DJ: Jim Martin of Pulse Entertainment
Extremely nice guy and highly recommended to me. It seems as if he makes the entertainment part of your wedding effortless on your part and really helps you to pull it all together.
Engagement Photographer: Gabrielle Photography
Please give credit to my photographer if you use any of her pics. She did a really great job and made us feel very comfortable (even in 7 degree weather)! FI hates having his picture taken but I believe she really helped us capture our true selves. She also does beautiful hand-painted portraits.
Wedding Photographer: Keith Berry, Berry Photos. www.berryphotos.com
When we met with Keith after hearing great things about his work, we knew we wanted to book with him. His personality is great and his work is beautiful. I can't wait!
Cake: Ursula's pastries. http://ursulaspastries.com Cake
tasting was fantastic....I cannot wait to taste the real cake. I am gluten free bride so having a gluten free cutting cake was really important to me. Gluten free cakes are hard to master but Wendy does a fabulous job!
Flowers: Frey Florist. www.freyflorist.com
I knew I loved her from the minute we sat down and started talking. She has so many great ideas and was AWESOME at keeping within my budget. I wish my date wasn't so far away so I could see some of the awesome creations. I really didn't think I was going to be able to have all the things I wanted while still within my budget!
JP: Frank Camera www.frankcamera.com
We have heard nothing but great things about him!
Dress: David's Bridal, North Attleboro.
Wasn't too happy with them...the one woman I first met with told me she could order the dress if I decided I wanted it and I knew I loved it, but wanted to shop around before I decided. So I decided I wanted it, went back and had another woman wait on me. Tried it on ONE more time just to make sure and decided I wanted it. I got dressed she said she would meet me at the register. I meet her up there, I pay...then she hands me the dress I just tried on. I told her that I was told it could be ordered...she said no Davids is an off the rack store and that this is the last dress. I told her I wanted a discount since it was the sample and it was a little dirty on the bottom. Then she finally offered me a dress bag to carry it out in and gave me a whopping $50.00 off the dress. I was a little unhappy that no one offered to clean it for me and by the time I thought of this...it was months later. My dress is still hanging in my room awaiting alterations but I really wasn't happy with the way things there handled here.
Garter: Something Else by Peterene on Etsy.com
she allowed me to create my own garter and did a fabulous job. Her prices are great as well as her turn around. Check her out!
Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor. www.anntaylor.com
On sale...couldn't be happier :)
Veil: Unveiled Bridal Designs. www.unveiledbridaldesigns.com.
LOVE this woman. She creates some of the most amazing veils. It was my big splurge since they are somewhat expensive but it was totally worth it. Also, you feel like you helped create the veil because you get to pick out all the details!
Alterations: Chris O'Hare, Quincy, MA. She is so well priced and does a fabulous job. She works out of her home and has a billion dresses in one room but she is so great to work with. I highly recommend her!
Makeup: Kristin Greene, Johnston, RI http://hometown.aol.com/changefaces/
She came highly recommended on the RI boards. I will post pics as soon as I have a consult with her.