Faux-to Booth

Some of our friends took advantage of the simple FAUX-to booth we had at the wedding. The photos are posted here, and I decided to make a little collage of some favorites!


I was amused to noticed in family photos from the day after the wedding that my relatives decided to wear some of our props in the backyard. Hehehe. So, not to worry, the faux-to booth lives on!

The honeymoon is over

No special meaning intended. We're just back from the honeymoon. :)

I don't think either of us quite know what to think about our return home. In many ways it is "back to normal," but of course something very important has changed. We're only just beginning to grapple with the many things that will change in the coming days and weeks: officially changing my name in a daunting number of locations, opening joint bank accounts, co-ownership of our (eek!) condo and cars, new car insurance, etc. And of course living together as husband and wife, without having to plan a wedding!

Overall we're both really happy with how the wedding went, and we cannot wait until we get to see more pictures and really process that whole day. Dave keeps talking about living it vicariously through our friends and family, since neither of us really enjoyed any of the food or drinks, and we missed many of the details we had arranged so carefully. I guess that's just part of being the bride and groom!

But, for now let's focus on that honeymoon! Here's a breakdown of where we were/what we did:
Monday - drove to Stephanie Inn (Cannon Beach), wonderful dinner in dining room, beach
Tuesday - Tillamook Cheese Factory, Nehalem Winery, farmer's market, beach
Wednesday - drove to Shakespeare Festival (Ashland)
Thursday - saw Hamlet and Pride and Prejudice
Friday - drove to Crater Lake, hike, great dinner with books by the fire in Crater Lake Lodge
Saturday - drove to Portland, wonderful stay at The Nines
Sunday - drove home

It was all fantastic, and the good weather from the wedding stuck with us the whole way through. I think we both agreed that Cannon Beach was our favorite - very relaxing, beautiful. But we loved the plays, and were glad we got to see Crater Lake.

Those on Facebook have already seen some pictures, but for everyone else...

Cannon Beach - Monday evening through Wednesday morning

Crater Lake - Friday and Saturday morning

It seems we didn't take pictures in Ashland or Portland, I guess we were busy seeing plays and going out to dinner! I do however have one shot of David the Gnome that proves he was in Ashland...


Thanks to everyone who helped make our honeymoon a wonderful experience!

A little sample...

Today we did "Take 2" photos and tomorrow morning we leave for Oregon, but we're starting to see some of the photos and videos taken by family and friends...and, we couldn't resist sharing a little snippet with you.

Dave decided that this was his favorite segment pre-editing, so here's a look at my dad and I walking down the aisle (Thanks, Dad!):

We can't wait to share more photos and videos with you.  Thank to everyone who helped make our special day something we will truly never forget.

1 day, and notes for guests

My counter says one day.  Stomach says one day.  We're (I'm?) nervous, but excited. :)

Things to be aware of:

Weather
Every weather report I've checked is calling for partly sunny and around 70 degrees.  It was very comfortable at the farm last night, but I would bring a sweater for later.  Showers are predicted for sometime Sunday night (post-wedding), so it might start clouding up later on.

Traffic
- The 520 bridge is closed all weekend, so you will need to use I-90 if crossing Lake Washington
- There is a soccer tournament in Snohomish this weekend, so those coming from I-5 should be aware of this.  It is creating some traffic getting through Downtown Snohomish.
- There is a triathlon in Monroe on Saturday morning that runs along the road from 522 to the farm (for those coming on I-405).  The race starts at 7:30, and should clear out by midday.  Those coming early should be aware.

We had a wonderful rehearsal last night at the farm, and everyone looked great!  We're looking forward to a good time with family and friends.

520 closure

Hi all,

A heads up that 520 will be closed from 11pm Friday to 5am Monday (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2010/08/17_SR520WeekendClosure.htm).  Please keep this in mind when planning your travel!

We can't wait to see everyone...it's getting close!

Jackie & Dave

"We're almost there!"

Dave and I have decided this expression is the theme of our wedding preparation.  A few times we recall uttering those three words:
- As we were assembling a zillion (okay, 40) garlands
- Stamping, embossing, and drying cookie bags (I guess this one wasn't soooo bad, in retrospect)
- During construction of all those napkin rings
- While printing, cutting, scoring, folding, stuffing, and labeling our invitations
- When Dave was feeling like he'd never get to wear his wedding band
- When I was feeling like my wedding dress alterations would never end (she worked in baby steps)
- When Dave and I think fondly of the evening of August 23rd (when we will arrive at the Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach and sit down to a wonderful dinner, then return to a GORGEOUS room)
- Earlier this week when we got to meet Kaylee and Ethan (the adorable Blana twins) and realized that our friends are parents now
- Yesterday when we spent our pre-wedding Saturday rolling out and punching 231 cookies

I feel sure there are more occasions, but you get the idea.

The general consensus among our families is that we are (read: I am) insane for having so many projects, but that in the end it will all look really nice and be a lot of fun.  Sometimes we've felt that way (insane).  But on the way home last night I was thinking about friends' weddings, and how much I enjoyed those personal details.  In fact, I got to thinking that the wedding "style" right now is very DIY (do-it-yourself).  What I really loved about this is how easily we could integrate meaningful and eco-friendly elements.  So, I can't wait for 6 days, and approximately 9 hours from now, when the ceremony begins and I get to sit back and take the ride.  For all the stress, I really think we're going to be happy with how everything turns out.

And if nothing else, I know how happy we are to have our family and friends here with us.  Dave's family is starting to arrive, and we got to see how completely adorable our flower girl/jr. bridesmaid Jessie and ring bearer John will be in their attire.  Early this week more family will start rolling in...

So thank you for helping us through this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime moment in our lives.  This morning I woke up for the first time in a long time with a sense of calm, and just feeling excited that we're almost there! :)

2 weeks

There are 2 weeks to the big day, which is both exciting and headache-inducing for me.  So, I thought I would share with you the world's worst-quality, but amusing, video of Dave with his new can opener.  I saw this in action at my mom's house and said, "Dave would love that!" (given his love of all kitchen gadgets).  My grandma decided that Dave needed one as his shower gift.  It reminds us of the robots in WALL-E, and how could that not make you smile?

Wish us luck as the countdown continues to click down...

Makeup trial

On Monday Kaarin come over for my makeup trial.  It was a lot of fun to catch up with her, and the makeup looked great!  She made my eyes stand out, but kept things natural.

The lighting wasn't ideal, but we took a few photos.  You can also check out my cute headband that will make a return appearance for our Take 2 photos.

I'm so glad to have someone as kind and talented as Kaarin to help me look beautiful on the big day!