Our Wedding: The Flowers

Full disclosure: I had two bouquets!

One bouquet for the first look, which was more fun and bright…

Michal Kriesch Photography

And a more traditional bouquet for the ceremony and evening.

Michal Kriesch Photography

Also, I did not do a bouquet toss. Instead I handed my bouquet to my best friend, so she knew how special she is to me (and how I can’t wait to be there for her when she gets married!!). Due to the small number of guests, we really couldn’t justify more than a maid of honour and best man – My sister was my maid of honour and Mr. J with 2 brothers, chose his best mate. Of course I appreciated my sister being there for all the important stuff, but I missed my bestie too – So I hoped it was a way for her to realise how I did want her to be a part of my day – and yep, there were tears!

My bouquet was really important to me, as it had my something blue – a wishbone that my mother carried down the aisle on her wedding day, over 40 years ago

Michal Kriesch Photography

My florist Rachel at Red Lily Floral Design was fantastic. Amazing. I knew nothing about flowers, brought in a couple of pictures for her to look at, and named one flower that I loved (ranunculas). And BOOM. Sorted.

She made me feel completely at ease and I just let her go with it. She took the limited inspiration I had, and knew exactly what style I was going for. This extended to the table decorations too. And scattered petals… It isn’t a wedding without petals, right?! Also, she arranged the fresh flowers on the cake – which was also, simply gorgeous. Thanks to Heidi’s Dream Cakes it looked perfect, and tasted AMAZING. Believe me – her banana cake is just to die for – and such an unexpected surprise for guests.

Michal Kriesch Photography

Note: No remuneration or discount was provided for this post.

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Our Wedding: The Big Countdown

Well it’s not really a ‘big’ countdown anymore.

The wedding is…

…30 days away.

Yep, after just over 2 years of being engaged, the time has nearly come.

I’m feeling super organised, but it’s worrying me – haha – What have I forgotten to do?!

My second dress fitting is scheduled for tomorrow. The boys almost have their suits sorted. And really, being dressed on the day is the most important thing, right?! Although I still need to purchase some ‘bridal’ underwear

We are also in the process of sorting out honeymoon details – which might just have me a tad more excited then the wedding itself

For the next 30 days I will:
Not get sick under any circumstances
Keep up a reasonable exercise routine (see above).
Eat well, eat clean and eat for fuel.

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Weddings: The First Look

Yes, we are doing it.  It has been amazing how many people I have mentioned it to, who have had no idea what I was talking about – perhaps it is less common in Australia – but my local florist?  Really?!

“First Look”  A special arranged (usually private) moment between a wedding photographer and the bride and groom before the ceremony.   Source

I had seen this new tradition around the wedding blogs, and for us, it is ideal.  Having our ceremony and reception at the same location meant that I really didn’t want to leave for a ‘location shoot’.  Rather, I just wanted to focus on having photos of us around the venue – when people realise where the venue is – they get it   So, if we still wanted photos at a different location, and with more daylight, then a first look was an easy choice.  And luckily Mr. J didn’t need too much convincing.

Other than some rather hurtful, negative comments – “oh we thought about doing that, but if anything is bad luck, that’s gotta be”… (yeah – no comment for that one!) -  Most people have been very positive, commenting on how much extra time we will get to spend with out guests.

Plus my very favourite reason, that we get to spend some time, just “us”.

Us, and the romance.

Source

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May Fitness Goals

Three days into May, and I am going strong     Pushups and core/abs on Tuesday – tick!  Zumba last night – tick!  I am sore today, which is great, and the scales are a little lower too, which is always nice 

So here is my exercise/fitness plan for May >>

Of course, in the initial weeks I do not expect to manage double workouts, or even daily workouts.  It is going to take time to build up the intensity again.  But the count down is really on: 134 days until the wedding, and just a couple more until our honeymoon(!)  And quite a few less than that until dress fittings…

So the very minimum exercise routine >>
Weekly zumba – 75 mins of cardio: paid for, so less excuses!
Cardio – c25k or slow moving
Strength – p90x weights & abs

But most important, nutrition.  I want to get back to paleo, and as much as possible, restrict dining out to once a week.  Of course, this won’t always be the case, but where possible, it is a must. I haven’t got back to wearing my BodyMedia, but come Monday – it will be charged and ready to go    I love that it is almost winter and it will be tucked away under my long sleeved tops.

Less calories in, more calories out = fat loss and toning.

 

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To have our cake and eat it too

Long ago, I decided (I mean we decided), that a cake wasn’t necessary for our small, intimate wedding.

Our venue offers either a 2-course dinnner option, or a 3-course option. Now, if you go for the 2-course option, you have to pay cakeage. Whereas the 3-course option, cakeage is included. And of course(!) including cakeage brings the total cost of the 2-course dinner to the same cost of 3-course option.

Do you get what I am saying here? We may as well go for the 3-course. But then… entree, main and dessert – and then cake? Seems too much, really. And with our max of 30 guests (which now, by the way, is looking more like 25), we thought the $300 or so extra cost for a cake, wasn’t really worthwhile.

So, that was it. It was decided. No cake. One thing less to plan (and pay for).

And then …

You guessed it … the parents got involved. BOTH sides. First, at Mr. J’s brother’s wedding, his mother was devastated about us deciding not to have a cake. Mistakenly I labeled it a ‘budget issue’, which only resulted in her offering to pay for it. Second, my own mother raised it. It began something like this: “I’ve been thinking … you might regret it later … it’s a tradition you might look back and wish you had …” And of course, it ended with, “I can get you the cake”.

And so, we (I), did a completed 360. In the space of 3 days, I had contacted vendors, had the meetings, and chosen the flavour/design.

Now, don’t get me wrong, our cake isn’t going to look like this, as lovely as it is:

Photo: Heidi’s Dream Cakes

What would we do with 100 spare slices of cake ??

But yes, we decided on a cake. Simple, but romantic. 8-inch, yet with servings still left over. Unlike fruit cake, which will freeze for up to a year, our cake is freezeable for up to three months – so perhaps Mr. J and I will have to enjoy a welcome home slice after our honeymoon.

So there you have it. Thank you to Heidi at Heidi’s Dream Cakes, for being so accommodating.

*No remuneration was received for this post.

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I went away for a while…

Wow… where did the last two months go?

Yep, you might have guessed it – my absence means that I not only dropped out of the blogging world, but the ‘fitness/health/generally looking after myself’ world too.  Yes, life gets in the way; but that’s not how I want it to be.  I want it to be part of my life, a part that I don’t have think about, a part that comes naturally to me.  Perhaps this will never be the case, but I can hope, and try my very best to make it routine.

So what’s news?
- I went to Tasmania for a week for a wedding: It was great to go to a wedding so close to my own – got some ideas about what I do (and don’t) want at our wedding.  I also had great intentions in terms of exercise and took my joggers, but it was a complete fail.  I went for one walk. One!
- I started work.  Part time at this stage, which means I should have no excuses about exercise.  Even so, it has been pretty tiring.  I am a bit out of my comfort zone, which is great, but also challenging.  So I clearly need to work out what will work best for me: a.m./p.m.?
- I have been ‘sucking it up’ and starting the wedding planning process:  I will share soon, bit by bit    Our wedding is in Sydney which means I have been doing the trip up and back a fair bit (also interfering with my routine).
- Over the last two months, I have gained about a kilo, and my body fat has increased about 1%

And what’s ahead?
- The countdown is on. 4.5 months: eeeep!  To the wedding that is 
- It’s time to get back to routine – goals, plan, do, etc etc!
- Weight lifting, barefoot running, here I am
- Bodymedia, you will be my friend; Sugar you are not my friend.

May goals to come soon!  And a wedding update

 

 

 

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Getting my planning on, wedding style

Pinterest, oh how I love thee.

Only 8-ish months, or 247 days until we get marrrrrrriiiiiiiieeeeeeed!

And so, I need to get some serious planning done, asap!

Venue -tick!  Ceremony and Reception location in Sydney
Photographer -almost a tick!  I am road tripping to Sydney next week to meet him.
Music -almost tick too!  Haha, it has been a busy week.  Vocals, guitar and a double bass! Think John Mayer, Angus Stone, etc.
Wedding party/family accommodation -tick!

Still on my ‘asap’ to do list:
Celebrant
Videographer(?)
STD’s or Save The Dates for our overseas guests
THE DRESS, veil + shoes

On my ‘a little bit later, but not too late’ list
Florist
Invitations + wedding programs
Wedding day coordinator
Groom/men suits
Bridesmaid dress
Makeup/hair
Bonbonniere + Guestbook
Transport
Cake(?)

Yep, I may be a little scared!

Am I missing anything?

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Home

After spending Christmas with my family, we are finally home.  We had an amazing holiday, cruising around New Zealand and back to Australia.  Very relaxing, and very indulgent.  And of course Christmas was no end to the indulgence(!)

Feels as though I have been away for weeks, and in fact, it has almost been a month!  Although fantastic to be home, and to sleep in my own bed, the thought of the approaching New Year is a bit on the scary side.  It has been a month of limited exercise, and rich food, and of course a little festive weight gain.  Everyone loves a fresh start, but it can be daunting – the New Year lists, the expectations, the pressure to finally make those resolutions – Yes, this year will be MY year    Said time, and time again.

This coming year I do have some very serious goals and life events ahead.  Very importantly, 2012, the year of our wedding.  Goals of a dream job, wait… do I have to job hunt first?   Goals around health and fitness … health for life, body for ‘the dress’   And goals relating to happiness … sounds silly, but yeah

This year will be a busy one, but exciting.

I will tell all, soon    And I hope to re-cap some of our holiday (before reality sets in!).

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The Weekender

Started the weekend with Kenpo X…  I don’t love the karate-type moves, but I tell you, if you do it properly, it’s a great cardio workout without leaving the comfort of your loungeroom.  Or for me, the spare room (with laptop set up) 

After Kenpo, it was a bit of a mad dash to get ready for a wedding.  It was ceremony only, so I wasn’t that fussed about getting all dolled up for about 45 minutes, plus travel time.  It was a beautiful day for it, and so I wore a summer dress and flats.  Full face of makeup for about an hours travel time, plus an hour at the ceremony – probably not worth it   Plus, I blow dried my hair for the first time in over a month!  Ah it was heaven.

I picked up a girlfriend who was also just attending the ceremony, and so as not to waste our efforts, we went out for coffee afterwards.  Well coffee was the plan, but it was such a nice day we got a Boost and found a quiet spot in the sun to chill.

I came home to find Mr. J working hard, doing washing, preparing dinner,  he is so good to me.  After a hectic week (quick trip to Sydney) I was pretty exhausted so happy to have a relaxed Saturday night 

Sunday I was up early to help my sister find a dress.  I didn’t want it to drag on all day   so we smashed through Diana Ferrari and Jaqui before finding a great maxi for her in Myer.

I loved this though – so cute.  I made my sister try it, but it’s more suited to me than her.  Diana Ferrari spotty dress!After a successful, if slightly frantic shop, I met Mr. J for a milkshake.  It was such a nice day again, we languished in the sun, chatting.  Then it was time to head home and hit the spare room.  Over the last couple of months it has slowly grown and got messier and messier.  With my girlfriend staying next weekend – I wanted it sorted.  A couple of hours later, only our suitcases don’t have a home, but they stack neatly.

After that, I was tired…  It’s so typical, as soon as there’s time to relax etc, I get rundown and sickly.  No sickness so far, just tiiiiiredness!  So I chilled on the couch watching a movie while Mr. J made lemon sorbet.  Yum.

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The Wedding Venue Update

Not too much to report since my bridezilla moment (it is still early days yet).  But I realised that I hadn’t posted the outcome/my decision regarding the “early opening fee”.

I did my best to ‘negotiate’, but I am not too sure how you negotiate with wedding vendors?!  In my case it went something along the lines of:

- We would like to open the venue earlier for our ceremony (realising that it is fair enough to expect an extra cost).
>> Opening the venue 1.5hrs earlier = an extra $1000
- I would be happy to reduce the extra time by half an hour, and also to close the venue an hour earlier (usually access until 1am)
>> It is $1000 for every hour that we are open earlier or later than 5:30 and 1:00 am.  So really, you are getting $500 off.
- Oh, well thank you.  Please find the signed contracts attached.

So me 0, venue 1.

 

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