This is yuandmi's Blue Wedding!

I am happily married for 2 weeks now. My update about the wedding is late because I didn’t do photoshare cards, and I decided not to post anything until I get at least something to show. Well finally we set up a photoshare website, and received a couple of shots that I can share with you.

I have to say that I loved my wedding. There were glitches here and there, and a couple of disappointments, but pretty much everything went smoothly.

I bless the day when we decided to have a first look; it was so wonderful that we could share this moment privately (well, only our photographer and her assistant were present, with maid of honour and best man far away). I loved the look on my hubby’s face when he first saw me, and couldn’t be more happy myself to see his sparkly eyes (because of the sunshine probably ;). We held each other, and it became all real all of a sudden: we were getting married in 2 hrs. We got our bridals done in the park,

When I got to the venue after a quick stop at the house to freshen up, I loved the way my decorator/DOC set everything up with my husband’s help, because he spent the night at the hotel. He later told me that we organized everything pretty well, and it was easy for him to convey to DOC what exactly should be or shouldn’t be done. They run into a minor disagreement which was easily assisted with by our venue coordinator. I couldn’t be more pleased with our venue coordinator as well; she was amazing, very professional and accommodating.

I did get a bit choked up seeing the photo of my parents getting married displayed on one of the receiving tables, because I really wanted them to be able to see me and Mike getting married. I swallowed my tears, because I knew that they will be able to see the webcast of the ceremony.

I walked down the aisle by myself, and tried to take everything in. It was beautiful, I noticed my beautiful brass birdcages with flowers, that looked amazing, our ceremony backdrop and, the most important, my darling, impatiently waiting, soon-to-be-husband. I saw him, and all else seemed suddenly not important and kind of ethereal actually. We were there to unite our lives into one, and share it with the closest people in the world either present or via webcast. When I approached Mike, I saw that crease between his eyebrows that he gets when he tries to contain his emotions, but we smiled to each other and kind of nodded acknowledging the moment. It was it!

I wrote the ceremony myself, with the help of the internet resources obviously, but I put it so that it flowed. We were approached by the guests later on saying that they loved its personal touch. Everyone was vowed by Mike’s vows, not only me. I was explained later as well, that it’s kinda expected from a woman to be romantic and passionate in her vows and stuff, but when a man says the same words, it’s different. It’s sexist but sort of true :).

We decided not to go to another location for family photos, and had them done in like 20 minutes or so. We then joined our guests for the cocktails, we mingled, and I noticed that I kept on looking for Mike all the time. We tried to stay together, it was sometimes absolutely impossible, but we tried our best. We also checked our reception room, that the staff was still working on setting up (one third of the room was turned into our ceremony site). I gasped when I walked in; I loved how our vision came together with the triple flowing centerpieces, our lovebirds theme throughout. Our florist did excellent job bringing our ideas to life, from my bouquet to our centerpieces. We had only white vases and bowls throughout on our reception table, but they were put on brown and blue runners and looked gorgeous. We had a different backdrop for the reception, and it turned out great as well complimenting to the overall theme. Our cake was so cute, especially the cake topper – bride and groom lovebirds and our kitties, and the whole stand with the cheesecakes made me very hungry (I did not have lunch at all). Mike was explaining lots of stuff that was changed or made a bit different, but I couldn’t care about these small details. He worked so hard that morning, and I was so grateful that he’s wonderful and all mine :), I completely fell in love with him all over again.

We chose not to have a grand entrance, the music was supposed to do it for us. The song was kind of totally us, You and me (or yuandmi if you will :) by the Wannadies, and just walked in waving and smiling to our guests. The reception flowed as well as the ceremony. The speeches were hilarious, and touching at the same time. The meal was excellent, the chef at our venue did an amazing job. People raved about our beef after, some couples that ordered both beef and salmon regretted afterwards that they didn’t go just for beef. Me included! I ate half of Mike’s steak :)

The photobooth in the hall was a hit, and all DIY too. With exception of photographer’s assistant who was taking the pictures ;)) The dance floor was a bit empty in the beginning, but then it started filling up. We mingled, ate, danced, made funny pictures and enjoyed the night. It was everything and more than I have ever hoped for.

The day flew by, but I was kind of happy to finally go to our suite and just look at Mike, my husband, and have him all to myself. I snatched a couple of macaroons from our late night buffet, and we enjoyed them while remembering our wedding.

I don’t feel at all different I might say, we’ve been together for a long time. But I like saying to myself now and then, I’m married, I have a family of my own. It’s a wonderful feeling. I love my husband and see only bright future in front of us.

I've been very busy these past couple of weeks. It sometimes seems like a dream, but I don't want to wake up :)

I just couldn't help and write about my wonderful husband to be in 4 days. He is amazing, and I can't wait till the moment he becomes my one and only. I know already he is, but making it official to the world feels wonderful too.

Last Sunday I woke up to the smell of something nice, and went downstairs to find out my love cooking my breakfast, a special egg sandwich that we call Mikewich. It's his very secret recipe, but I suspect 90% of it is love... Lame, I know :)

Besides scrumptuously delicious breakfast, I found my love DIYed (yep, with ribbon and all) our seating chart. I can't imagine him checking the wedding websites for ideas, but he apparently did. I felt so proud and so touched, it hurt a bit inside. He did all that, checking and DIYing, and cutting and printing, and picking the ribbon and cardstock and font. And gluing mulberry flowers to the frame so it matches others. All that.

I am one lucky lady, and can't dream of a better end to planning our wedding...

I just discovered Vitamin String Quartet. I literally mean, just now, listening to their 3rd or 4th cover.

If you haven't yet, but struggling with choosing ceremony music like I was (yes, not anymore, yay), because you don't want the traditional, but don't really want to "rock the house", Vitamin String Quartet is the way to go.

Just listen to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcIX0KTvh8E&playnext=1&list=PL4167AD8BC28A14F4
or this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGhWRMGHHe8&feature=related

Or search their other songs on youtube: Vitamin String Quartet and the name of your fave band. I tried, and in like 70% they did the cover for my fave song.

For almost two months now I've been living with a knot in my stomach.
Everytime I think of my wedding (which happens a lot, obviously), I think about my parents being or not being able to come. They live in Russia, and their visit is dependant on them getting their entry visas to Canada. My FH and I wrote invitation letter, submitted all the docs regarding our upcoming wedding. It's been 2 weeks since my parents applied, and now, when decision time approaches, I think about it more than ever.
Last weekend we cleared and cleaned spare room in our house, it has an adjacent bathroom, my parents will love that. We are getting new bedroom furniture for them next month, and I want to make it comfortable when they come.
I know that positive thinking helps, and now more than ever I need it. They must be here! They will be here!

UPDATE: May 24, 2011
I found out yesterday that my parents' visa application was refused. They can't come for my wedding. I was devastated, my mom cried, I cried, my FH was utterly shocked at the news as well. My mom kept on saying how awful it is for her to miss a wedding of her eldest child, the first one in our immediate family.
We are now looking into webcasting our wedding ceremony and parts of the reception for my parents, and exploring the possibility for them to say a speech even if it's only via internet.
My friend who also applied got her visa, but I personally wasn't as excited. The entire day was marred. My FH and I would have done anything for at least one of the parents to be here.

After a hard day's work, I went to have my first dress fitting.
I imagined the worse, that it would be a wrong dress and/or size and/or colour. I had a dream the night before that they ordered my wedding dress with denim top.
The appointment went fine, just minimum alterations required, only the neck line and length that what the alterations lady said I think. I am not wearing a bra on the pics, but I don't think I need one.
Overall, I loved it. I need to tone my arms a bit when looking at the pics, though in real life it looked much better. I also keep on pulling it up, but I was said that it's normal, all brides do it in the beginning. *mental note: need to stop that*
What do you, ladies, think?

I love the shoes posts on WBC for one simple reason that I love shoes :). Duh, who doesn't?
I love shoes, but I think I love comfort more. And let's be honest, the two rarely come together, unfortunately. The most comfortable shoes I've ever owned were wedge shoes.
So here comes the pros and cons list.
Should I go all out and get something like this, and be possibly dead after 1 hour?

From Miscellaneous

Or should I go comfy, and comfy means happy and happy means wonderful wedding day experience?

From Miscellaneous

I found my inbetween, girls. Wedge shoes! Beautiful, yes. Comfortable, yes (*I've been wearing them for 4 hrs now around the house, and nothing hurts, feel beautiful, feel happy, where's my crown?). Fashionable, yes.

Decided! Got it today in the bridal store, overpaid obviously, but I got a chance to choose the most comfortable pair they had. I think I'll sleep with them on tonight. Thought this day would never come...

If I were to start over, I would definitely pick another shade of blue than I had picked, which is in-between light teal-light pool-baby blue.

I am crazily carrying my invite with me everywhere I go now, in order to try and match it to my decor at least a lil bit. Believe you me, I am not looking for the exact shade, it's freaking impossible, but I want to keep the colour scheme intact to a certain extend.

In other words, my advise to myself of several months ago, would be, "Pick sky blue. Pick Tiffany. Don't pick light teal-light pool-baby blue".

I still love the blue though. To me, blue is sky which means freedom and endless possibilities, as well as soothing and nourishing water. I am in awe with the blue actually.

And, having expressed my feelings in words (totally understand why people blog now), I would not change my wedding colours a single bit. They are perfect as they are!

I'm totally in love with my invites. All I need to do now is sit back and relax, and smile just looking at them.

We went with the initial design that I loved, but hated the paper, so we purchased the design services only, and my FH used his work printing company.

The invites will be held with the ribbon with cute lil crystal. I know that etiquette dictates that the enclosure cards should be in front of the invite, I however can't stand the look of it.

Another thing is the colours of ribbon and crystal. I made two samples - blue ribbon and browncrystal, and brown ribbon with blue crystal.

I personally love both, my FH loves brown ribbon. Let me know what you think?

Dear Canadian brides,
Dollarama has chalkboards for $2. Decent size, frame could be painted, board itself shaped (with the help of our FHs ;).

It was quite an experience. It was cold, and my nose gradually became red :)
I didn't like myself on many of the pics, I am like that with all my photos. These are a few that I liked.
The bridge on photos 4 and 5 is the exact spot where my FH proposed.