Very Pinteresting

April 3, 2012 6 Comments
crownbutton

Like many other women, I love Pinterest.  Don’t follow my boards yet? Well clicky-click and let’s do this thang!

 

I find what gets pinned and repinned very “pinteresting.”

Some pins get repinned many, many times, like “Outer Space themed bath” with 209 pins & “Cute outfit” with 2852 pins!

There are certain pins, like the “clean your shower with only baking soda” and “zombie wedding photos” which get repinned but only because people “steal” the content and repin it themselves.

 

And then there’s my personal popular repins.

Some say a Pinterest rule is: thou shalt not post your own content.

But I love our wedding photos and think it will bring inspiration to others.

So I pinned a few to My Real Wedding board and I am amazed at the repin notifications! So. many. repins!

Like my wedding updo pin, with 30 repins.

 

Or the picture of my bouquet with peacock feathers with 95 repins!

Source: studiojuno.com via Vicki on Pinterest

 

Our hotel welcome bags also got attention with a few (15) repins.

 

But the wedding programs (which we purchased at Michael’s Craft Store and my mom DIY’d it) takes the cake with 115 repins!

 

I say one can pin their own content so long as it’s useful and helpful to others. I think my repins prove my point!

 

What are some of your favorite pins??

Filed Under: awesomeness, crafty, dorklove, the big day

(Wedding Recap) Dance the Night Away

October 27, 2011 7 Comments

The remainder of the night passed in a blur of music, dancing, and fun.  In fact, I took a little break to cool off.  All that dancing in a dress made out of the “best” (translation heaviest) fabric in 80 bazillion layers, can really tire out a girl!
[Note to designers: make detachable wedding dresses that turn into short, cute, dancing dresses for the reception. One dress, two ways.]

The guests danced on….

and LOVED the photo booth, which we turned into our guest book!

The photo booth props turned into an opportunity to have more fun…

  and you KNOW where you can find me when the Electric Slide hits…

My last present to Mike -
my rendition of (Mike’s least favorite band) Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing.
 Because honestly, who doesn’t love Journey?!
(This took some creative scheeming and planning with the band)
((and we majorly butchered this song))
(((because all my friends sang along and embarrassed my new Hubby)))
It was awesome to the max.
…and during the after party I went to the ER due to heat exhaustion & low blood sugar.
(apparently you’re supposed to actually eat at your wedding? and for the record, I stopped drinking halfway through the reception)
((I wish I was kidding to the max))
The first time Mike referred to me as his wife, in public,
was at GW Hospital.
There’s a story for your grandkids!
THE END.
Filed Under: DJ or Band, eat your heart out, family, favors, party, recap, the big day, wedding dress

(Wedding Recap) The Dollar Dance!

October 20, 2011 3 Comments

Immediately after the Hora we moved into another fun family tradition: the dollar dance (older post on the Polish history of the dollar dance).  It was completely exhausting going from the 25 minute hora to a 15 minute polka, and simultaneously fun. 

See, you pay a dollar to dance with the bride.
And then we use that money for the honeymoon (or to start the couple’s life — same diff).

My mom and sister collected the money for me while the dancers lined up and waited their turns.

My brother-in-law actually knows how to polka and totally whisked me around the dance floor!
My cousin is also amazing.
(so is my whooshing dress in this pic!)
My girl friends, in on the fun!
My dad, rocking the accordion again, with my aunt & uncle.
Because he’s also amah-zing.
And of course my niece enjoyed the fun dancing too!

This great tradition really captured my Polish side & allowed me some individual time with friends and relatives.  (I especially loved when cousin Steve brought me a glass of water!)

Filed Under: recap, the big day, traditions, wedding

(Weddign Recap) The Ceremony!

September 14, 2011 8 Comments

Finally the time came to walk down the aisle, exchange vows & rings, and officially become husband & wife!

From my spot out of sight in the balcony, I got a good look at the crowd gathering:

 

The chuppah translates to mean “covering” or “protection” and symbolizes the new home of the married couple.  It represents our desire for our home to be under the protection of God.  The marriage ceremony in Jewish faith cannot take place without a covering and four poles.

I remember standing at the top of the stairs, sneaking a peak and waving at friends who noticed me.  I listened to Wachet Auf lead our bridal party to their positions.  I heard the laughter and “awws,” telling me my niece successfully made her flower girl debut.

I popped my head phones in and half listened to the chorus of Lady Gaga’s Just Dance, to get me amp’d. Truth be told: I needed no help; my nerves turned over themselves, tears welled up in my eyes.  I heard the first chords of Pachelbel’s Canon softly hit the air, just as I learned to play it on the piano around age 10.

Mike began his way to the chuppah with his mom and dad on either side.

When I successfully memorized Pachelbel’s Canon way back when, I knew it would guide me to my groom in the future.  And here I was.
The music filled the air as I saw our wedding planner motion for me to start down the stairs.  Surprisingly, instead of don’t fall don’t fall don’t fall I thought This is it.

 This is it.
My wedding!
Our wedding.

My dad waited for me at the bottom, with the biggest smile on his face.  He whispered to me how gorgeous I looked.  Blinking back tears, beyond my veil I saw so many familiar faces, all in one place, all smiling back at me.  So much love. Amazing.

As I approached Mike, I saw, with out any doubt, the happiest expression to ever grace his face.  I wanted to kiss him right then and there! (I also love his brother’s face in the background)

Then I began the Seven Circles around my groom.  The seven circles represent my bond to him, just as the Teffelin straps are wrapped around a man’s arm.  Also the number seven nods towards the complexity of the creation of the world, just as marriage reenacts the creative process.  Interestingly, some couples share the seven circles, taking turns rotating around each other.  We went traditional and I tried not to get too dizzy and fall down as I went around him seven times. For those of you wondering, the rabbi counted for me.

In Jewish faith there are actually two parts to the marriage ceremony: Kiddushin (Betrothal) and Nisuin (Nuptials). “Both parts are introduced with the benediction over wine, the traditional symbol of joy and abundance. The bride and groom each take a sip of the wine for each.” {taken from The Jewish Wedding Guide}

 

During the Kiddushin we exchanged rings, by placing them on each other’s right index finger.  Apparently, long ago one used their right index finger to make a mark or signature. 

I’m honestly so excited right here.

During the Nissuin the rabbi recited seven blessings over us, love, friendship, and completeness amongst them.  
We shared our own vows here.  And let me tell you, I thought we had this one covered, but…
Well, using a stock “fill in the blank” with sentence starters, we both had the same 8 statements to make.  I added a little bit to mine and so did Mike.  We had our bridesmaid and close friend, Kathryn, read them both to ensure we were on the same wavelength and literal length.  Kat encouraged me to add a little more, but it didn’t feel natural.  
After I read my half page and felt pretty proud of myself.  Then seeing Mike pull out two pages just about made me gasp out loud.  He wrote and read the most heartfelt words.  I give him a lot of strife for not being “mushy.”  Not anymore!
(And so much for trying to be on the same page – I guess you can’t put a limit on love!)

Our rabbi read our ketuba and hand it to me.  I “own” it now. It’s mine, all mine!
Finally, after the second cup of wine, hot veil was lifted off my face.  
The last thing left to do: break the glass!
The breaking of the glass can be a reminder of the fragility of life and also an affirmation that in times of happiness there should be a touch of seriousness.  It signifies that we are still mourning over the destruction of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.  It also serves as a reminder of the sanctity of marriage.  A broken glass cannot be mended. 
We shouted “Mazel Tov!” (good luck!)

and kissed!

We were married!
Husband & Wife.
beautiful.

{all photos taken by Studio Juno photography}
Filed Under: attendants, awesomeness, bridesmaids dresses, Carnegie Institute, chuppah, Judaism, kosher, officiant, recap, ring, the big day, traditions, veil

(Wedding Recap) Bridal Party Shots!

September 5, 2011 6 Comments

Let me start out by saying we had the best attendants.  Our groomsmen & bridesmaids (have you heard them called “bridesbabes” ?!) were fabulous.  Whats more, we couldn’t imagine better people to stand up next to us as we said our vows.
Thankfully, we have these awesome pictures to prove it:

But honestly, THESE are the pictures that really show how much we love them:

Oh, those boys…

The ladies:

Such hams! Love it!

I wouldn’t have it any other way!
(and yes, there is double meaning in the title of this post…hence the great photos)
{said great photos, by Studio Juno}
Filed Under: attendants, besties, bridesmaids dresses, flowers, love, Mike, recap, shoes, the big day, wedding, wedding dress

(Wedding Recap) Putting on the Dress

August 29, 2011 6 Comments

We headed downstairs to the lobby of our hotel, with my wedding dress in hand. I previously arranged (and by arranged, I mean double-triple-checked with the hotel manager) for their Escalade to take us the 3 blocks down the street to our venue. My bridesmaids already wore their dresses and heels. Who wants to hoof-it 3 blocks in the mid-summer’s heat, in fancy dresses? Not us. So you can imagine our surprise when the Escalade disappeared to run another errand, leaving me pointing at the scheduling book where it said “Bride plus 4, 2p.” Luckily they called us a cab. Do you know what 4 girls in bridesmaids dresses looks like in the back of a cab?

 (picture phone quality apology)
Now that’s a bridesmaid’s shot if I’ve ever seen one.
Unfortunately my sister is behind the headrest and got cut off.
The 5 minute ride passed with lots of laughter.

At any rate, we made it to the venue & upstairs to the bridal ready room: the Library.

Special thanks to Lila Frances for their lovely gift of my personalized wedding wire hanger! I simply love it & look forward to passing it down to someone else, someday.

 
 I really love the simplicity & meanwhile complexity of this shot.
It says “Here we go!” to me…

But then, right as I stepped over to my dress, almost ready to go, I thought, “Oh my, I should really use the restroom one. last. time…since we all know how complicated that can get…”
I looked down at myself:
veil, button down shirt, special underwear, garter, heels.
I looked like something out of a pin-up catalog.  Which elicited these reactions from my mom & sister:

 
 Clearly, my sister thinks I’m hilarious.
My mom shakes her head and says “Oh, Vicki.”
Typical. 
I love it.

 Here’s a censored version of what I looked like:
 
 Thank goodness for caterer’s napkins.
Although I will admit I did run down the back hallway of the venue with out said napkin….
But once I came back, it was time.

(suck it in, Vicki)

And in a matter of minutes, I really felt like a bride.
My wedding day finally arrived.
Butterflies tried fluttering in my tummy,
but I overcame that nervous energy with thoughts of seeing my
soon-to-be husband at our first look!

{amazing photography by Studio Juno, phone pic aside}
Filed Under: attendants, Carnegie Institute, recap, the big day, veil, wedding, wedding dress

(Wedding Recap) Getting the Girls Ready

August 23, 2011 7 Comments

My bridesmaids are wonderful women.  I promise these words come from an honest place deep down inside me.  Mostly they deserve such complements because they put up with me for a year-and-a-half of wedding planning and then my sharp orders on the day-of the event.  I tried my utmost best to not turn all bridezilla.  But let me tell you, if you’ve never gone through it before, there’s no preparing for the rush of emotions.  I swear any woman who gets away without even a hint of bridezilla must be hiding something.  or holding it in.

Of track.

My bridesmaids deserve a medal.

or a gift.
On the day of the wedding I gifted them each a different Coach clutch.
Thanks to the a shopping-angel’s coupon delivery, I purchased these babies for a *very* competitive price.
Always be on the lookout for a good deal, even 6 months before the wedding!
And so the readies began.
Curlers and button downs (no hair mess-ups!) and patience, oh my!
Meagan makes being athletic & beautiful look easy.

Tell me Kathryn’s beauty doesn’t astound you?
One day (soon) she’ll make a beautiful bride.
She’ll also kill me for typing/publishing this.
(But Kat, it’s not like Eric reads my blog!!!!)
 My sister rocks the mom-card, and the big-sister card, and the cool card.
She makes me feel better about one day “going there” as a parent (being all pretty and in control even though she might not really know what she’s doing… but you’d never know that.)
Diana wins for most favors-cashed-in.
You know that friend you can always turn to when you need something? trip to the ER? ride home from Target when you just bought a bicycle and it’s now snowing? advice and just a general ear?
Yeah, Di’s got my back.  I hope she knows I’ve got hers, too!
They were all there, and then some, for me on my wedding day!
Love. These. Ladies.
{All beautiful photographs by Studio Juno}
Filed Under: attendants, awesomeness, besties, recap, the big day

(Wedding Recap) Getting Me Ready

August 19, 2011 7 Comments

Many ladies shared with me that they didn’t sleep the night before their wedding.  I wasn’t going to let their horrible night’s sleep get me! I totally took a Valium and slept like a baby. (<–take this advice)  My bestie (& bridesmaid) Meagan and I shared a junior suite the night before the big day.  Thank God for her, because she totally kept me sane.

That morning, when I woke up, I saw something on TV about a huge triathlon going on in DC.  It didn’t phase me as a problem until our hair/makeup girls were 30 minutes late.  Cue a little anxiety.  However we changed plans about a week prior to have them arrive earlier.  So basically they were late to arrive early.  We were fine with time.

My bridesmaids arrived at our honeymoon suite with the makings for great mimosas.  They even had the little aluminum bottles (like mini coke cans) of champagne we had when first trying on wedding dresses!

champagne-death-grip

While I put my final post up as a single lady & my girls finalized their hair plans, I chatted with my mom, niece, brother-in-law, dad, and anyone else who took my mind off the fact my marriage was around the corner.

my niece, my salad, and me

This is me freaking out.
At one point I had to put on headphones and removed myself from the reality surrounding me.  
(I was listening to KT Tunstall, for those of you curious)

Mah hairs
By the way, don’t eat a salad before your wedding.  I nibbled on it like a bunny, then scarfed down half of my niece’s cheeseburger.  
Finally, the finished me!
THIS is one of my favorite pictures!
Veil me!
Grabbed “my things” and ready to go!
(note what’s important to me here…)

{all photos courtesy of the wonderful Studio Juno }
Filed Under: hair, recap, the big day, veil, wedding

Live Tweets from My Wedding

July 11, 2011 7 Comments

A little back-story:
When the time came to move beyond FSU & Tallahassee, I somehow convinced a friend of mine to make the change to Orlando with me.  We moved in together as roomies, lived pretty separate lifestyles (I did my elem ed. teaching internship and first year of teaching at this time), and made the bestest of friends. So many great memories & inside jokes created – but not to get totally nostalgic, we had tons of fun.  Facebook kept us in touch when Mike and I moved to DC.  Thankfully my family lives in Orlando, making Vicki/Ali reunions somewhat annual.

However Blogger and Twitter are the real heroes here.
I began blogging to record/share the wedding planning process and looked to Ali for advice.  See, she’s pretty much a social media queen.  for reals.

And through blogs and tweets, Ali and I reunited as besties IRL (in real life) and internet life.

An unexpected, yet entirely welcomed detail that enhanced my big day in a very personal, yet totally world-wide (web) way, were the live tweets from LuckiestGirlEvr (Ali).
I mean, after sharing the planning journey with so many through this blog, it only seemed right that someone share the actual day, too!  Being somewhat occupied (read: anxiety driven, adrenalin ridden, & otherwise excited) on my wedding day, Ali stepped up and live tweeted our big day!

The first tweet came the day before the wedding, after reading something about it on FB:

I honestly cannot describe my excitement.  I “know” so many people on facebook and twitter now, and have a small community on the interwebs. Now they can share in the events as well!

The first tweets detailed our rehearsal dinner & after party, telling of the fun we all had:
(sidenote: read all tweets in order from bottom to top for correct timing)

 (click to enlarge)

Everyone shared in the festivities, even my neighbor joined in and coined the hashtag (those trending words following the # sign): #VicisCrownd.

Ali’s wedding day tweets began in the morning, “well, I’m ready to watch my fav Jews get married! #vicscrownd!” and continued with an update around 4p that “Ok! At this time, @CrowndVic will have been in her Pris. of Boston gown since about 215!”   This excellent play-by-play sped up as the big moment grew closer and Ali arrived at our wedding venue, adding twitpics so others “saw” the beautiful place & even the wedding programs!

(click to enlarge)
While Ali waited for the ceremony fun to begin, the men signed the ketuba and she watched as everyone scurry around:
(click to enlarge)
My favorite tweets come next, as the ceremony starts.  It was great insight as to how things went when I couldn’t see it!
(click to enlarge)
Other tweeps (twitter friends) joined in and replied to some of the tweets with their questions for Ali.
And yes you get to read ALL the tweets, because I want this saved forever.  Ali did a wonderful job of documenting it all, not just passing tweets!
(click to enlarge)
The awesome tweets wrapped up the ceremony & continued with pictures of the bouquets, our first dance, and even table names!
(click to enlarge)
 
Even though camera phones might not truly capture the moments in perfect quality, Ali shot away and got great pictures:
I loved that she tweeted when my Matron of Honor (sister) and Best Man (now bro-in-law!) both mentioned my blog in their speeches. I also love that she had time to reply to others who followed along as she live tweeted!  Last bit of love: Ali caught the bouquet and Vince (her fiance) caught the garter!! Perfection!

(click to enlarge)
 
To wrap things up, these last 3 tweets say it all:
 

I feel lucky to have Ali as my friend and tweep, both IRL and on the interwebs.   This additional aspect of my wedding added another layer of detail that only a social media fiend understands, respects, and appreciates wholeheartedly!!! 
{above image credit: Studio Juno}

Would you ever have someone live-tweet an event for you?

Filed Under: awesomeness, besties, dorklove, the big day

Today is My Wedding Day.

June 19, 2011 12 Comments

Today.
Today is my wedding day.

As a little girl I dreamed about this day.  I idealized, I pretended, I dressed up.  I fantasized about what sort of man might complete me, stand next to me, say “I do.”

Today I wear a white (ok, ivory) beautiful gown, the most expensive gown ever purchased for myself.  Makeup artists and hair stylists will dote on me.  My friends & family will all come to see and celebrate me, us.

Beneath all the anxiety of details falling in place, fear of the weather holding out, and desire for everything to be just right, there is one major focal point that brings me peace: Mike.

He makes water bottle labels and rain clouds disappear.  Knowing that starting today I get to have him to hold in sickness and health, richer or poorer, better or worse, makes my heart swell with joy.  I don’t call it luck.  I call it meant to be.  It just makes sense.

And that makes today more than a dream come true.
Today is my reality.
And it looks pretty good to me.

Filed Under: awesomeness, BlogBook, love, Mike, shut the front door, the big day, wedding, winner

To the Mikvah!

June 15, 2011 7 Comments

No, the mikvah isn’t a fancy batmobile for brides, but rather a small pool.  Normally one goes to the mikvah when they seek cleansing, be it after your “time of the month,” childbirth, or to prepare for some holidays or something like your wedding!  It can be used by either gender, but before you enter you must be scrupulously clean.

In Jewish tradition and observance, today Mike and I will go, separately, to the mikvah to immerse and prepare ourselves for our upcoming wedding.  We will shower & brush our teeth before we leave the house. I will remove the nail polish from my toes.  There will be no jewelry worn, or even bandages covering any part of us.  The reason for this can be interpreted as needing the water to touch every single part of your body.  If you have on lotion or any barrier, the water cannot completely envelope you.

This ritual bathing serves the purpose of cleansing and preparing us for our union. 
“In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status — more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to effect metamorphosis.” -Chabad.org

It’s not holy water, in fact it’s not even blessed.  There is, however, a certain ratio of rain water to other water, to signify a connection to the earth.  But it’s a special place where you go to transform yourself.  With each submersion there is a prayer to recite (and it’s laminated, so if the paper gets wet no one worries). The first prayer for the mikvah translates into: Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us concerning immersion.  The second prayer is often a silent one which comes from  your heart.  The third prayer is one my favorites because it serves as a catch all and used often: Blessed are You, our God, Creator of time and space,who has supported us, protected us, and brought us to this moment.

And then, poof! You’re all spiritually clean and sparkly.  And Mike and I cannot “touch” each other until the wedding night!  
Which actually won’t be a problem since he’s going on his bachelor party immediately after, coming back on Friday.  Don’t ask me how I feel about that.


But back to the Mikvah: it’s a very unique, little known tradition.  It’s personal yet follows with you for days after.  The submersion in the mivkah centers, clears your mind, and renews. 

 Oh and visiting the mikvah is not required, but rather Mike and I chose to do it. 

4 days until the wedding!!!
Filed Under: BlogBook, Judaism, Mike, the big day, traditions

One Week Update

June 12, 2011 5 Comments

Oh holy hell.
One WEEK!
Seven DAYS!
Excitement, anxiety, nervous energy, anticipation…it’s all there.  

Yesterday we had our final meeting with the caterer and wedding planner.  It simultaneously calmed me & gave me a minor panic attack, while we plotted out every detail & my to-do list grew ten-fold.

Friday night bridesmaid and all-around-awesome lifesaver/friend/confidant Kathryn came over and helped label water bottles.  Post to come.  and Sidenote: I am way too detail oriented.

I recently made our cake topper.  Another post to come. (again, detail obsessed)

Mike applied for, and picked up, our wedding license all without me even showing up to the courthouse once.  Hooray for proof of identification and a signature to “prove” I exist.

Still to do:
-get Mike a mani/pedi today! (hehe)
-finish writing my vows
-practice our first dance
-buy 5 more frames for the table numbers
-print out table numbers
-print out escort cards
-put said escort cards in alphabetical order
-print menu for each place setting
-pick up ketuba (which may or may not be ready by Thursday…)
-pick up borrowed earrings from jeweler
-pick up steamed dress & veil
-drop off the fifteen-bagillion things at the venue on Friday
-get my car washed
-get nails done with bridesmaids
-get one last spray tan
-pack for the honeymoon
-hope it doesn’t rain on June 19th
-try to remember everything else I’m forgetting…

The part I’m most excited about? (Aside from marrying my love) — Seeing all my friends and family together in one place, to celebrate us.  How cool is that?  It’s going to be a blast!!

Filed Under: BlogBook, the big day, update, wedding

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