09.03.09

I admit that I am "one of those" girls who has been planning my wedding my whole life.  My sisters and I have pored over wedding magazines together as long as I can remember.  And yes, I did have my "dream wedding" in mind when Marc and  I began progressing towards engagement.  Yet, as soon as it was official, those dreams didn't matter so much anymore...I simply wanted it to be a day where we could celebrate the blessing of beginning a family while remembering our family members that had come before us and made us who we are.  And thanks to many people, it all came together just how I hoped.

The guest book was probably the most controversial thing about the wedding but it was one of my favorites!  I used one of my favorite books, it showcases a 1959 Museum of Modern Art Exhibit called the Family of Man.  These photographs are from all over the world and they portray the life cycle of humanity.  But apparently some were confused as to where to sign (there was plenty of white space) and others were offended by photos of African tribes with topless women.  However, my brother-in-law Matt loved it ;)   

Old photographs of our ancestors' wedding photos.

And the best part  of it all was knowing without a doubt that I married the man I want to always be with and will always be with.  

The stunning photography is the work of Kate Benson, my dress was made by the amazing Melissa Blackburn, and the flowers were by Flower Affair - Jana Lynn Kofford and her sister Wendy.  Thank you, thank you, thank you all!  You were all so perfect to work with and went above and beyond!

8.13.09 Bridals (with marc)

And all the credit goes to Kate Benson...our amazing photographer!

Never once in the past fifteen years did I imagine my wedding dress with a big bow on the back...and, yet, I LOVE it!  I loved that it was supposed to be crooked (which confused several of the little old ladies who were working in the temple on my wedding day...they kept trying to straighten it for me).  Thank you to Melissa Blackburn for the inspiration behind the bow!

At this point it is raining...and not just a little.  I don't know what I was thinking standing in a muddy field in the rain in my wedding dress that still had to be worn at two receptions not to mention on the actual wedding day.  But I'm a lover of photography.  I did it all for the photos...and it was so worth it.

I just love the dynamics of this one with the two of us directly under the four windows which are off center...love it!

This may sound a little crazy...

...but at my dress fitting yesterday with Melissa Blackburn, the image of Winged Victory kept coming to my head.  No, my dress is nothing like the drapey fabric of the sculpture, but I guess I just felt a little ethereal in it.  I really am so excited for the finished product.  Melissa is absolutely amazing at what she does.  It is a wonderful feeling to completely trust the person who is largely responsible for how you are going to look on your wedding day.

who more than death their country loved...

A few things were on my mind during the holiday weekend.  The overarching theme was that of gratitude for those who have gone before me...those who have blazed the trail and trodden the paths leaving me with an abundance of opportunity.

I am honored to be a citizen of a country whose founders were not men seeking for power.

I am in awe of my ancestors who came west and turned a desert into a beautiful valley.

I am grateful for those in my family now, old and young, who constantly teach me how I should live by the way that they live.

And the prayer that remains in my heart is that I can resist the prevalent sense of entitlement that comes with having been given so much.

I loved this written by Colin Powell...

here i am...

I've suddenly had an impulse to start a blog.  We will see how long it lasts...or if any one reads it for that matter.