shaikitten

Richard & Heather

May 23, 2009

To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world.

~ Our Story ~

Browsing through a friend's myspace on 4/23/07, I came across Rich on a mutual friends page. Looking in his picture section, I recognized a picture of his brother, my best friend (of 15 years) Jaime's late step-father (more like her real father, in her life since she was 6). Putting the connection together, I sent Rich a condolence message, as I missed his wake 1 1/2 years earlier.

His reply back was a basic "thank you, nice to meet you". I also recognized another picture of Rich standing behind a karaoke system. When I inquired about it, he said he works for the company...one that another of my friends worked for at the time.

That night I was going to Karaoke at a bar downtown, and Rich asked if I minded if he came to hang out. It was not a date or anything. I sent a text to Jaime saying I was going to be hanging out with Uncle Richie and her first reply was "It would be funny if i ended up calling you Auntie Heather! Just Kidding!"

When he arrived at the Old Timer's bar that evening, we seemed to hit it off. Half way through the night, I asked Rich if he'd mind a kind of corny question. When he replied "Sure", I asked if he'd mind if I kissed him. His reply was, "I've been trying to get the nerve up to do that for a while now!"

He sang "Angel Eyes" by Jeff Healy Band for me, and at the end of the night it was obivous we were smitten with each other. After 4 days of playing email tag and phone conversations, we began to officially date on 4/27/07.

~ A Special Dedication ~

Rich's brother Mike was an amazing man, loved and missed by many. He was even able to unite his daughters best friend and youngest brother, a year and a half after his passing. He, along with Rich's father and my father's parents, will be honored at our ceremony with a small photo table and poem.

1954 ~ 2005

~ The Proposal ~

We started living together in December 2008. A months later, I came home from a long night at class. Going upstairs to check my email, Rich deterred me from the computer room to the bedroom. I thought he wanted me to see that the room was all picked up and the bed made,...what I didnt expect was the ring box that sat in front of the pillows, with a home-made sign that said "Will You Marry Me" with a boarder of red roses.

After collecting myself a moment, Rich cuddled up behind me and whispered "Will you marry me?". Wanting it all, I looked back at him and said "On your knee!!!" He got on both knees, took the ring in his hand and asked me again. Needless to say, after a few tears, I said YES!

The Leo Diamond ~ Purchased at Kay Jewelers in Peabody, MA

~ Our Engagement Announcement ~

~ Save The Date ~

Being mailed in June of 2008

~ The Bride & Groom ~

Some of our shared passions are for Karaoke, Motorcycle riding, and Camping.

~ Our Wedding Party ~

~ The Girls ~

MOH ~ Jaime (with her husband Jim @my 30th bday) Bridesmaid ~ Traci (my sister)

Bridesmaid ~ Cindy Tarantino (with fiance Rob)

~ The Guys ~

Best Man ~ Dana (Rich's brother with his son) Usher ~ John (Rich's Brother-in-law with wife Mal)

Usher ~ Scott (Rich's Brother-in-law, with wife Barbi and son Scott Jr.)

~ Our Wedding and Reception ~

(insert pictures of the hall once taken)

Our ceremony and reception will be taking place at the Italian Community Center (ICC) in Beverly MA. It is a beautiful hall that can hold 200 people, with all hard-wood floors, medium sized crystal chandeliers.

~ The Clothes ~

The Bride

I bought my dress on March 9, 2008. Its a very simple but elegant gown, bead work along the halter top neck-line, and the rest is plain satin.

The MOH & Bridesmaids

(Jaime looks thrilled!)

This is the style of dress for the bridal party. These are NOT the colors of the wedding. They will be cornflower blue with a capri blue waiste sash.

Here is a picture from Davids Bridal that shows bridesmaids dresses and the blue for the party. The girls all decided on the dress on the right.

Hair Ideas

I'm not one of those brides with bone-straight hair expecting to have gorgeous curls on my wedding day. I don't think its realistic. I just hope that my hair will be cooperative enough to pull one of these off.

~ Flower ideas for reception ~

Trying to keep the bouquets and boutineers simple, I am thinking of roses and hydranga. The pictures below are ideas I've seen that I like. I'd probably do blue hydranga, yellow and white roses.

(L) stephanotis & white stock (r) Hydranga and roses

(L) Groom's bout if above left chosen (r) bout idea Callalilly (or rose)

Photos for flowers taken from AMrsInMay of TheKnot.com community

~ Cake Ideas ~

Again wanting to stay on the more simple side, I like the looks of these cakes....obviously with different colors. Maybe have the bottom two layers stacked, and the top layer on the columns. We received a fabulous price at Jims Bakery. I worked for Jim when I was little (started folding donut boxes after school when I was 12!)

~ Our Caterer ~

We are booking with Mizioch-Witham Caterers in Peabody. Their services are done 'family style' and we chose to have a Roast Beef with au jus & Roast Turkey. We'll have a selection of 3 appetisers as well as a cheese & cracker display and a vegetable display. They include all linens, china, flat ware, water glasses, toasting glasses, dessert china, coffee cups etc. They will serve the toast and the wedding cake for no additional fee. If your in the north shore area, I highly recommend them. We should be receiving our contract the beginning of the week (4/7/08) www.mizioch-withamcaterers.com

~ Photographer / Videographer ~

We have decided to use William Condon for our photographer. He was the photographer for my Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary party in August 08. He's very reasonably priced, and will be giving us the CD(s) of the all the photographs without trademark. (Website shuttereyes.info Email shutter_eyes@yahoo.com) We are confirmed with Will on 2/13/08!!!

We have decided to use Rebecca Thomas of A Memorable Event, and she is based out of Portsmouth NH. She is a wedding coordiantor who does ameture videography. She sent me a sample dvd of a wedding she did. She's very inexpensive, but I really like the sample we received. Our contract is signed and deposit paid! (Web site - http://www.freewebs.com/beckiet82/index.htm) Temporary until her husband finishes her professional one)

~ Music ~

We have decided to book with Ann Lamphere for our ceremony & reception music. Rich hosted Karaoke for her for 12 years. Our first dance will be to George Strait's "I Cross My Heart". Rich sang this to me on our 1 year anniversary at Karaoke, and it just made me cry.

~ Our Officiant ~

Our wedding will be performed by Sarah Weston. Sarah and Heather work together at Family Continuity, and Sarah is a Deacon with the United Methodist faith.

~ Centerpieces for reception ~

I wanted to keep these simple. I ordered the main part of my centerpieces the end of January from save-on-crafts.com. I received them on 2/8/08.

This will be the main part of the centerpiece. I'll fill it with water and gems matching the bouquet; blue, clear and light yellow/champagne (depending on what we go with).

The top part of my centerpiece. I'll fill with lamp oil (clear unless I can find a pretty blue) and have these lit at the tables. I'm going to probably get silk rose petals in Blue and Yellow/Champagne and sprinkle them around the base.

Here is the the centerpiece. Rather plain when it's empty. Now I'll just store them in the attic until time comes to play around with them.

~~ MORE TO BE ADDED ~~

I will be updating this with details of the wedding plans as they come up. :) I'll put up pics of the hall, favors, place cards, invitations, etc...