To Marriage: A Lifetime of Joy May 13, 2009

Today is my anniversary. I would like to take this opportunity to remind all the brides out there that all the stress, the decision to be made, the endless details to be planned, are all worth it. When it’s all said and done, you will be married and then you will realize that it’s really not all said and done. You will have a lifetime ahead of you to learn and grow with your new spouse. It has been the most beautiful adventure for me, personally. So, here is a tribute to my other half, the man who makes my world go ’round.

My Wedding Pictures March 31, 2009

This is how my venue looked from outside the reception.

 

Photo by Linda Story

Photo by Linda Story

 

Photo by Linda Story

My Wedding Pictures March 11, 2009

Well, I do My Wedding Pictures pretty often, but this time, I almost teared up browsing through the memories of that day. This is why I love planning weddings. I would be hard pressed to find a better gift than to be involved in that special day with someone else.

Well, today, I wanted to mention the little ones in the wedding party. It’s a good idea to prepare the ring bearer and flower girls. Have them walk down the aisle several times so that there is no confusion and tell them exactly what they are to do. Then, let them do what they will. People will always adore the children, whether they do what they are supposed to or something completely different. In fact, when they do something silly, like tell each other what to do, play with the doves instead of standing during the ceremony, or don’t even get all the way down the aisle, it is sometimes even more precious. So, don’t sweat it. Just enjoy them!

Here is my cousin, Kira:

 

Photo by Linda Story

Her sister, McKenzie:

 

Photo by Linda Story

and their brother, Marcus:

 

Photo by Linda Story

In action:

 

Photo by Linda Story

 

Photo by Linda Story

And, of course, peeking at the doves:

 

Photo by Linda Story

My Honeymoon Pictures February 25, 2009

My parents’ wedding gift to us was the honeymoon–in Italy. As an artist, Italy has always been my dream destination. My honeymoon was a dream come true, not only because I got to go on a wonderful vacation with my new hubby, but because I got to see great works of art that I had been studying for the last several years. I even got to see the house where Michelangelo grew up, then the place where he worked and became famous, then the place where he was buried.

Here are some pictures from the trip.

First, we stayed outside of Milan in the lake country.

 

Favorite…

Then, we moved on to Florence. I couldn’t tell you which location I liked best.

Don’t forget your camera as you pack!

My Wedding December 31, 2008

 

I have just a couple pictures for you today. I hope you enjoy them. I love these because they give you a glimpse into how we feel about each other (even two and a half years later).

 

Photo by Linda Story

 

 

Photo by Linda Story

My Wedding Pictures December 17, 2008

Generally speaking, the rehearsal dinner is hosted by the groom’s parents. Whether this is the case or not, the hosts (the people supplying funds for the event) should make the major decisions about this meal. If you are uncertain about whom to invite, discuss it with the hosts. Traditionally, the wedding party and close families are invited, but it is also a good idea to invite out-of-town guests, as they may have nothing else to do in an unfamiliar place that night. If money is an issue, you may certainly set up optional activities or come up with a list of fun places and things to do for your out-of-town guests and put it in their welcome baskets. Then, invite only the wedding party and immediate family on both sides. The only way to save hurt feelings is to keep it consistent. Don’t invite just one friend who falls into neither category, because you will undoubtedly have other friends who will find out and feel slighted.

I highly recommend having your photographer capture the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. This is a sweet time of excitement and love that you will want to remember. Here are some shots from mine (all photos by Linda Story):

My sweet in-laws:

The first walk down the aisle with Daddy:

Our wedding party:

  

Sweet love as we anticipate the real thing:

Dinner:

My mom reading journal entries from when I was a baby:

My Wedding Pictures November 26, 2008

As I searched for my bridesmaid’s dresses two years ago, I was looking for two things. A dress that the girls would feel comfortable wearing again, and a dress that describes my personality. When I went to Twirl Boutique (twirlboutique.com) with my mom and two sisters, I found what I was looking for. Here are my lovely sisters, my maids of honor:

It’s a quaint little shop in Scottsdale where clients are given 100% of the employees’ attention. The store is closed to other customers when a client is being helped. Top notch service! And here is the dress I chose. Each girl wore a different color of the same dress. I liked it so much, I had to get one myself.

I highly recommend Twirl for their customer service and their quality products.

My Wedding Pictures November 13, 2008

As a little girl, I went to many weddings and was in a few. One of the visions I had for my wedding at that young age was a dove release at our kiss. I’m not sure what put that into my mind, but I thought it would be the perfect ending to my ceremony. So, I had a dove release.

 

Photo by Linda Story

 

The doves were beautiful and I think everyone enjoyed them. It was the perfect grand ending. 

I also remember helping my mom with the dishes as a child, because I was so fascinated with the bubbles. I always loved bubbles. In fact, I still find myself shooting them into the air with the dish soap bottle when I do dishes in my own house. There’s something so magical about bubbles. It’s almost as if they came from Disneyland. So, between my love for bubbles and my desire to make clean-up a little easier, my new husband and I left in a great cloud of bubbles.

 

Photo by Linda Story

 

Here or There? November 6, 2008

It didn’t take me long to decide on a venue for my wedding two years ago. I grew up in a farm town, which is now growing at a rapid rate. Fields are becoming neighborhoods and shopping centers. One of the most beautiful things in the world to me is a field of green crops set against the backdrop of Arizona mountains and a blue sky. Since my dad is a farmer turned developer, he owned some land that we turned into the perfect venue for a farm girl. In the above picture, you can see the grain tanks in the background, a symbol of pride in my family. The ceremony was to the left of the lake and for the reception, we rented a giant tent:

 

Photo by Linda Story

 

It was a beautiful setting for the evening ceremony and the reception late into the night.

 

photo by Linda Story

If you just can’t find the right venue, don’t be afraid to create your own. That is a good way to bring your personalities, too. If you like art or history, use a museum. Ask the owner of a mansion or castle if you could use their place (with compensation, of course). A friend of mine even had her wedding at the local zoo. Be creative and have fun. Your guests will appreciate it.

From my Big Day October 29, 2008

Since we’re talking about beauty this week, I thought I’d include a few beauty pictures from my own experience. Trying on wedding dresses was one of the best times I’ve had. Here are a few of the trials, which turned out to be errors.

  

 

There were a plethora of dresses tried on that day, but I will not post all of the horrid ones, to save my reputation. It’s amazing how good a dress can look on a hanger in contrast to how bad it can look on me.

Here is what I ended up with. It was the third dress I tried on at the third store. When I put it on, I knew it was the one. It fit well, I felt gorgeous in it and I got the “ooohs” and “ahhhhhs” that you want on your wedding day. Nevertheless, I tried on 12 more dresses. Then, I came back to the one. It was perfect.

 

Photo by Linda Story