Altar Bound

Fin

2008-12-01T22:43:00.001+11:00

Okay, more than a year after the blissful day, finally there is a post. But it's here.
That's all!

xoxo

While we were out

2006-02-12T18:40:00.000+11:00

Well, it certainly has been a while since either of us last posted, but not much has been happening. Currently, everyone is gearing up for Janet's sister's wedding, so we have been sitting quiet... just watching everything unfold and developing ideas for our own wedding based on what we have noticed.

An example is the head table at the reception. Janet, being a bridesmaid, will be on the head table at her sister's wedding, so I will be away from my beloved during this occasion. Should we try to accommodate the other-halves of the wedding party on our table, put parents on the table or scrap it all together.

Who said this wedding thing was simple?

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

2005-12-10T19:46:00.000+11:00

...we had an engagement party. On 5th November, to be exact.

We enticed our loved ones with these, which I painstakingly created many moons ago. I was besotted with the pewter charms, and was glad to be able to incorporate them in a design which I could share with those most special to us.

The festivities took place at McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park, beginning at 8pm, around dusk, which enabled our friends and families to explore the outdoor exhibits before coming in. We'd also negotiated to have the indoor exhibits opened for the first half hour, so that guests could really enjoy all that the facilities had to offer.

There isn't a single photo of us as a couple to show you, though I wore a black broderie anglaise a-line skirt, tomato red fitted top, with an overlapping bodice reminiscent of kimono style, jade bracelet and earrings, all purchased to match my favourite kanzashi. Stu looked scrumptious in slate grey dress pants, white shirt with charcoal and salmon pinstripe, and beautiful new dress shoes. Every single guest was the epitome of their own glamour, and this one made a special effort - this neon chrome lady.

The main gathering, a cocktail party-esque affair, took place in the cafe, a deliciously minimalist space, all white marble and floor-to-ceiling glass. We subjected our guests to an eclectic mix of soul, jazz and rock, only really background music, but reflective of our style.

Beverages were abundant, as were canapes, and the service was attentive. We adored the decadent dessert - massive chocolate and walnut brownies, made from the finest callebaut chocolate, and adorned with our initials.

We had just over forty attendees, and though there were some notable absences, mostly due to geography, those who came were most generous in their praise, congratulations and gifts.

After the short, sweet speeches, my parents also presented us with a quilted wall hanging featuring origami kimono and breathtaking fabrics imported from Japan, it has already become a treasured posession, and will take pride of place in our home, when the real estate approve the hanging apparatus.

I must say that we really weren't expecting gifts... it was never our understanding that they were part of the deal, but we are so grateful for them, and the memories they will undoubtedly revive in years to come.
I made these cards to show our appreciation, they're quite simple, but I think the freshwater pearls impart an elegance befitting our gratitude.

The Jewels

2005-10-29T20:46:00.000+10:00

Today, I received the jewellery set which I will be wearing at our wedding. The set consists of a hair comb, two pairs of earrings (I'm indecisive), and a necklace. All feature draping silver chain and clear Czech crystals, and the necklace is accented with a stunning pewter centrepiece, lending a romantic vintage flair. I will soon update with photos, so you too can sigh at their beauty.

I have worn the same pendant for over six years, which my beloved gave me for my seventeenth birthday. So stunning is this bridal set, I am happy to have a pocket sewn into the bodice of my dress, so that I can keep the pendant close, and indulge in wearing something truly perfect for the day.

The intricacy and balanced design are a credit to their creator, and I thank her profusely for providing me with pieces which will inspire the rest of my outfit. Of course, I will beg her to make something unique for the bridesmaids as well, lucky girls!

Planning a Party – Part 2

2005-10-23T21:53:00.000+10:00

It's been a while since I've posted, but previously I talked about how we had begun planning our engagement party. We had found a perfect venue – a local art gallery with a café/function area. We met with the head chef and discussed our requirements. One of the reasons the gallery had first appealed to us was being able to share pieces of art with friends and family. Unfortunately, the gallery itself was usually closed off during after hours functions, but we managed to negotiate a 30 minute viewing at the beginning of the night. With this, the venue was confirmed and we could start inviting guests.

Janet had a specific design in mind for the engagement invitations, and so went about creating a sample. It is a DL sized piece of black card in landscape with silver and black patterned paper sitting 5mm from the edge of the card. The text is printed on transparent paper with a black ribbon set ¼ of the way from the top of the card. A pewter buckle adorns the ribbon towards the left with the text aligned to the right.

It took a number of nights for all of the invitations to be created. I typeset and printed them, while Janet did all of the hard work cutting up and assembling them. Janet also wrote up the envelopes; her handwriting is much more elegant than mine. :)

We've now received the attendance responses. We only have the music left to choose – I’ll keep you posted how that goes.

Of course you can be my bridesmaid!

2005-10-11T10:25:00.000+10:00

A while ago, I decided upon the girls I would love to have by my side on the day of my marriage to my high school sweetheart.
My sister, because, well, she's my sister. Stuart's sister, because it felt good to include her. And my friend for the longest time, Jicks, because I couldn't imagine not having her play a part in the day. All happily accepted the challenge, thank goodness!

As with all aspects of weddingness, there is a shroud of mystery surrounding the role bridesmaids play in the proceedings.

The money part is possibly where most issues lie. Some brides pay for everything involved in having their friends look the part, some for nothing. I feel it would be appropriate for us to decline gifts, in lieu of the girls buying their dress and shoes. We can take care of hair, makeup, jewellery, etc.

Of course, the girls deserve to have a say in what they wear. I'm playing with the idea of each of the girls wearing the style of their choice, but all in the same colour. Matching hemlines to unify the look would be nice. As long as there aren't too many bows or ruffles, they'll be gorgeous.
I won't even begin to pretend that they will wear them again (I have been told so many times that I will be able to wear my bridesmaid dress again, which is just rubbish. It's pale pink, it's polyester, it's delustered satin. It's being resold.), but I hope it is something that they are proud to wear on the day.

I'm so lucky, all three have beautiful smiles, always look their very best, but are also individuals, so I won't have clones following me around all day. They will all have their own ideas about tanning and nail polish and hair colour, and I encourage them to pursue a look that suits them. If the wedding was today, and they all turned up looking as they are, they would be the three most stunning bridesmaids ever to grace a chapel.

Stu and I have a fair idea of the kinds of things we're interested in for the day. Colours and music and stationery... we'll sort it out. We won't be sending the girls (or boys) on errands, because they're busy people too. We have a long time to organise everything, and should be able to book it all without too much stress.
But if any of the girls had opinions on details, or information on suppliers, they are welcome to let us know. Not required, but appreciated. And should we decide to DIY bonbonniere or invites or whatever, an extra pair of hands might be useful!
Oh, and it might be fun to go to a few wedding expos, and flick through some magazines together, to see what things they like, and who can supply them to us.

I guess the one thing that most would know as being a bridesmaids' job would be organising the hen's party.
I hate strippers. I'm sure they have lovely personalities, I just don't want them gyrating in front of me. And whilst I love a dance, and a nicely flavoured drink, I can't imagine too many of my friends running around to clubs.
I would have the best time if the largest possible amount of my female friends and family could celebrate with us... so something tasteful, and probably daytime, would be best. Wine tastings, spa days, picnics - all bake my biscuit. But it would be fun to do those things with a tacky veil on my head!

Either way, I'm so glad to have these girls on my team.

Please, God, don't let this happen to me!

2005-10-04T15:22:00.000+10:00

A grand day out

2005-08-22T13:13:00.000+10:00

Learned purveyor of good sounds and witty blogmeister, DJ, raised a good point today - what nufty-head would plan their wedding on the day of the AFL Grand Final?

Well, Stu and I will become Mr. and Mrs. Nufty-Head on September 29th, 2007.
That's right, we dedicated Melbournians are saying our vows on the most holy of days on the football calendar.

This was a much considered decision, driven by one notion - good old-fashioned romance. Both Stu and myself had been privately considering the idea of marrying on the same date as our current 'anniversary'. So when we mentioned it to each other, we couldn't help but want to continue the tradition. We don't much subscribe to the commercialism of Valentine's Day, and have always put a lot more effort into celebrating our togetherness on a day more unique to us.
It was only later that we realised that this date might have some significance to more than just ourselves!

We thought about the people that are to be invited, and with the exception of my Saints-devoted brother, we're sure that most of them would be delighted to spend that day with us. Well, my brother will still be happy to come along, but you know what it's like for a sports mad teenager!

We will hopefully come up with a way to quench the thirst of our friends and family for news of the game, but don't want it to dissolve into thirty men gazing at a widescreen TV while I cut the cake with my girlfriends. Really, we would give our guests more credit than that - but we are so spoilt with the media giving us news 'as it happens', we couldn't deprive them of some kind of update!

But how, without ruining the elegance of our much anticipated event?

We can work it out...

2005-08-16T15:41:00.000+10:00

I think most people would agree that running around the streets at night isn't the safest activity. Despite millions of combat classes and a feisty attitude towards attackers, it's easy to worry that someone might want to steal my jumper, or something...

Alas, thought I, I'll have to stop running. I have a stationary bike at home, for wet weather days, but it's just not as challenging as pounding the pavement.

But then my knight in shining armour came to the rescue, and offered to ride his bike as I run. How delightful!
So if you see a curvy brunette running at an easy pace, with some cute, tall guy following on a bike, he's probably just helping her to get in shape - please don't run him over in a bid to protect her!

Could you NOT leave me with a scar?

2005-08-11T14:16:00.000+10:00

Another feature I would like to fix still concerns my face… scars. During the summer holiday between the first and second years of uni, I was unlucky enough to get chicken pox. I actually had these already, when I was eight, so when my brother and sister got them, I didn’t keep away… in fact, I probably teased them, as would any sibling! So the powers that be decided that my retribution would be a double dose of the dreaded pox. It was AWFUL. Adult pox are particularly aggressive, and I was not spared. I was fainting and itching and feverish and scabby – add the prickly January heat, and I was in agony. Some of the scars on my face never healed perfectly, unfortunately, and the crevices that remain are an endless source of frustration, in particular, the small dent in the front of my nose, which simply can’t be disguised.

At the very top of my forehead, where a widow’s peak might reside, I also have another scar, in the shape of a cross (or aeroplane, as I used to say!). This was acquired when I fell out of the car window, as a three year old. Don’t worry, my parents took good care of me! I was just a mischievous girl, with agile fingers, and freed myself from the car seat, only to land head first on the asphalt. In later years, as I was sliding down the banister rail leading from our front door to the garden, it broke, and one of the nails found its way into my head, at the same point as the aeroplane scar. A couple of stitches sorted that out, and I was too young to know whether that contributed to the overall appearance of the scar, but I’m sure it didn’t help. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes I forget it’s there, but I would like if it wasn’t there at all, so it wouldn’t hurt to ask about that one as well.

So that's the last episode in the series of 'Janet's Imperfections'. Tune in next week for more of our romantic frivolity...

Planning a Party

2005-08-04T21:04:00.000+10:00

The first event that any soon-to-be-married couple must organise is, of course, an engagement party. We had been talking about a possible engagement party months before the actual engagement, not long after we moved into our current residence. This is mainly due to the fact that we now live somewhere that is suitable for hosting a cocktail-type party due to its open plan layout and courtyard.

Once we became engaged, the party hit the backburner as we looked at wedding venues and talked about all manner of "big day" things. But we soon began to realise that a party needed to be had, and that unfortunately, our place was not big enough to fit all those we wanted to share our celebration with.

Over the last couple of weeks the search has been on to find a venue to host our engagement party. We had already semi-committed ourselves to a wedding venue one hours drive from many of the invitees, so a venue closer was a preferable choice. We brainstormed a few ideas and Janet suggested a local art gallery which, after a recent renovation, was sporting a modern cafe and was perfectly suited to our tastes and passions - Janet being an art and design enthusiast.

To be continued... :)
- Stuart

Face value

2005-08-02T14:15:00.000+10:00

A few weeks ago I had a little rant about weight loss, in particular, my own goals.

Well, the next physical attribute worth assessing would be my complexion.
Growing up, I had a smooth, fair face, as yet unmarked by adolescent years. And then, along came the terrible teens, and a mass of pimples, just to give me something new to be angsty about. Luckily now, I have them under control, but they left plenty of open pores in their wake, which will not succumb to any toner, mask or exfoliation treatment I try. However, I’ve heard that dermabrasion may be the answer to my prayers, and the girls at work are full of praise for extraction facials.
Combined, these powerful treatments may just give me back the dewy, smooth complexion of my primary school years. Though, I’m yet to investigate how much one can expect to pay for such attention… gulp!

Despite the fact that we are still very young bunnies, I've also noticed that I have some tiny little wrinkles under my eyes. I've been slathering them with Revlon under-eye cream, but I'm yet to see them disappear. I don't know if it's stress or diet related, maybe tiredness - surely a 22 year old shouldn't be battling wrinkles yet! I've had dark circles under my eyes for as long as I can remember, and I know that regular sleep and perhaps more iron in my diet would probably fix those - maybe I need to escape to a health camp! Oh, but then I would miss Stu!

Ring a ding ding

2005-07-18T14:13:00.000+10:00

I collected my proper engagement ring the other day, and it is as lovely as I'd remembered. It is a half carat princess solitaire, set diagonally in 18k white gold and its dimensions are simply perfect. The stone is large enough that I can watch the light bounce around its pavillion facets, yet not so large that it becomes burdensome. It is a half bezel setting, so the corners are protected. The stone sits fairly high above the band, to allow for light to enter at all sides, but there are two graceful arcs linking the stone to the band, unifying and softening the otherwise very geometric design.

Something that reinforced why we went to an enagement ring specialist, instead of a regular jeweller, was the fantastic service. I gushed a bit about it in my proposal recap, but they were wonderful again on Friday... the girl who helped us initially, Hannah, was there again, and rushed to the door to greet me, paid me some lovely compliments, and was just generally warm and friendly. They also sent me on my merry way with a cute bag of gifts - chocolates, CD, candle, vouchers for photography, and more sparkling wine... I think it's the little things that make the difference.

We wanted to have the ring independently valued, as the Australian Diamond Company issues its own certificates, so we wanted a little extra peace of mind. At first the idea of having my diamond appraised seemed a bit impersonal, but we decided on this ring based on its purported characteristics, and wanted to make sure that was what we got. As much as you can research diamond qualities and ask for exactly what you want, you cannot be sure you actually received them without microscopes and expert eyes, and thus I journeyed off around the corner to the Australian Gem Testing Lab, where I had an appointment booked. Once again I had the pleasure of spending time with some genuinely warm and knowledgable people, and Toby, their resident Labrador. I'm normally more of a cat person, but this golden boy was just adorable, and so well trained! Stephan, head expert at AGTL, kept me entertained with wit and wisdom while I waited. He also gave me a lovely surprise in the end - as I am a slight pessimist, I worried inwardly that we would have purchased a stone not worth its reported value - it turns out that it is actually valued at more than the ADC ever intended to charge! So I can rest easy in the knowledge that if ever anything awful should happen to my precious gem, it will be replaced, without compromise.

This must make us seem completely financially motivated, but it couldn't be further from the truth, in this instance, at least. My mantra recently has become 'quality over quantity', and sometimes the completely indulgent 'form over function'... most of the decisions that Stu and I have made together are based on how something makes us feel, rather than how much it costs. Certainly one has to set boundaries, but you will be forever replacing things later if you settle for second best immediately. And it doesn't hurt to feel spoilt every once in a while!

A weighty issue

2005-07-14T14:12:00.000+10:00

The main personal feature that I would like to address would be general curviness. Now, I think every single bride the world over has considered her weight to be a challenge in the lead up to her wedding, no matter how perfect her shape may be. But I’m one of those strange creatures you hear about who, no matter how strict her diet, or how much she exercises, will always be voluptuous. In some ways, that’s a blessing, as feminine curves are always beguiling, but you can sometimes have too much of a good thing. Stuart is so supportive, and only wants for my happiness. I know that he would marry me as I am at this moment, and that helps immensely, but I need to take care of myself, and boost my confidence.

Once upon a time, I worked for Weight Watchers. Without ranting about their rhetoric, I must say that it all makes perfect sense. If you are a certain size, you should eat a certain amount to either maintain or lose weight. It would be best if you avoided certain foods, but if not, you should probably eat less of other things to compensate. Drink a lot of water, exercise sufficiently, and consume the right nutrients to sustain you through your fabulous life.
They also address emotions in their meetings and documentation, as they acknowledge that often people try to soothe painful feelings with comfort foods, like a subconscious rewards system.
At the moment, I incorporate most of these theories into my life, but I could be more vigilant, and get great results.
So I’m going to maintain my intake at 22 points per day, which is small enough to elicit some results, but still allows enough to be realistic, in the event of engagement parties, and such. This amount of points also allows for me to reduce my intake as my body reduces, and requires less energy.

I’ve also taken up running in recent weeks. Just a couple of nights a week, run down to the church district, walk back up the hill, and then jog down our street, back to the love nest. Eventually, as I become fitter and stronger, I will run the entire distance, and then increase it, until I am a super human running machine! Once home, I do some push ups, sit ups, and such, to make sure that the rest of my muscles are engaged as well.
I must admit that I was quite surprised how well I’ve adapted to running, but once I’ve got my iPod going, it’s as simple as going through the motions, until my body cries for a rest. Without the music, I concentrate too much on the action, and it seems like a lot more work! Another thing that makes running hard is the wrong shoes. A few weeks ago I invested in a good pair of runners, and it has made all the difference. No more blisters or irritations, things that I once thought were a given when I wanted to exercise.
I used to go for a morning run, for a year or so, back in high school, and since then I’ve always tried to incorporate a lot of walking, combat classes, and such, so I guess my muscles haven’t completely frozen over. It feels great to get them working hard, and I’m proud of myself for making the effort.

Of course, it’s important to set attainable goals, so that you can congratulate yourself when they’ve been achieved.
I’m going to be a typical woman here, and be very vague about my weight, but I’ll elude to it enough that you will get the picture.
Last weekend I took my weight and measurements, and I was ‘z’ kilograms. By our engagement party (5th November, 2005), I would like to be ‘y’ kilograms, which is about 13.3kgs away. I feel that this is realistic, as it allows for approximately 0.8kgs to be lost each week. Some weeks I will lose more, some less, but this is within the healthy range of 0.5 and 1kgs per week.
I would love to say that ‘y’ would be my ideal weight, but there will still be work to be done after that, so I will have to set goals for ‘x’, and possibly even ‘w’. But we will worry about those bridges when we cross them!
In the meantime, please pray for me to have the strength and willpower to tackle this huge but ultimately rewarding task!

The regime

2005-07-13T14:11:00.000+10:00

I think most girls feel that when their time comes to walk up the aisle, they need to review their current level of beauty, and perhaps improve it.
Nothing crazy, but this is the one day that putting your hand up in front of your face and protesting 'please don't take photos of me!', just won't suffice. This stage of your life will be the most documented and remembered, so you feel like you have to look the part.

I have not been spared from the feeling that this might be the time for a little 'spring clean'. Stuart is most generous with compliments, and I am aware of the features that make me who I am, which I will not change for all the diamonds in Africa. I may sound immodest here, but I am grateful for clear blue eyes with long lashes, Cupid's bow pout, gracefully arched brows, straight teeth and long, thick, chestnut tresses.

That said, however, I am realistic, and can also name a few features that could do with a polish. In time, I'll write about the things I'd like to target, how I'll do it, and of course, the results!

The Hunt Begins...

2005-07-11T20:35:00.000+10:00

It may be still 2 years away, but we've already been looking for venues, bands, printers etc.. for our wedding. We have found a wonderful venue for the whole wedding. It is an hours drive away, but includes a beautiful chapel, a small charming garden and an elegant reception hall. We have spoken at length about our desires for the venue, and one that caters for the whole thing seems to be the best. This removes the worries of timing, travelling from one venue to the other, and people can watch the photos if they wish, or move inside for drinks.

I don't think it is polite to invite someone to your wedding, but not the reception. Some people may pessimistically think of the reception as a free feed, but why would you want someone like that at any part of the wedding? Trust me, I know how much it costs to feed 60 guests, but if I was invited to the ceremony but not the reception, I would be insulted. Food is food - I don't wait for weddings to eat, but to be left out of the reception is like being told that I'm not quite important. Just don't bother!

What is the point of my rant? I'm just adding another reason for why one venue suits us, because Janet and I want the same people to share the ceremony and reception. I may be bright eyed, but people who are important to Janet and I should be there and no one else.

- Stu

So, how did it happen?

2005-06-28T14:10:00.000+10:00

Well, first Stu organised for me to have the day off from work on Friday, 17th June. Then he took a little time off from work one day to ask my dad. (Aww!)

So Friday comes along, and I find out from my beloved that I'm not going to work, but that I have to dress to impress. (First reaction - confusion, followed by a sneaking suspicion!).

We drove off to Melbourne, to our first stop, the NGV (the international exhibits). We took in the Egyptian relics, improbable 80s fashion, and antique European glassware. Quite luckily, there was also a temporary exhibit featuring Japanese woodblock art, which often told stories about the 'flower and willow world' (geisha society). I was tickled pink, as I am an avid fan of geisha (who, by the way, are NOT immoral ladies of the night, but are actually artists and dining companions. Their name says it all - gei = arts, sha = person. It was the American GIs who perpetuated the misunderstanding, as less favourable women enticed the soldiers by calling themselves geisha - how awful!). Anyways...

Next stop - the most divine dining I have ever experienced, at Grossi Florentino. I cannot gush enough about this beautiful restaurant! Thanks to my friends for their gift of The Age's Good Food Guide a while ago - Stu used it to find the most appropriate venue - with as many commendations as possible! We lunched in the upstairs 'mural room', at a generously sized table for two by the window. Every implement was polished to perfection, chandeliers weighed down the ceiling, and there was a waiter for every possible task. We were plied with too many different types of breads, butters and olives, before being treated to a complimentary entree.

After the remains of this course were swiftly removed, Stuart began talking about how good we are together...and my heart could have leapt out of my chest! Down on one knee beside the table, he produced a ring, and a proposal!

Of course I said yes!

While I swooned through the rest of our decadent meal, plus a complimentary dessert (they must have also been in a celebrating mood!), Stuart explained that this was only a temporary ring, and that the rest of the day would be dedicated to finding a permanent one. And it didn't take too long to find! After a few quick scans of what was available and where, we decided to pay a visit to the Australian Diamond Company (surely they know what they're doing!). The sales girl was so patient and helpful, and was eager to show me lots of styles. However, I knew the one as soon as I laid eyes on it, and now it is being custom made for me. I have to wait four weeks for the privilege, but it will be worth it for one that is perfect. They seemed quite surprised that we had become engaged that day, and helped us celebrate by giving us some of those cute piccolos of sparkling wine.

So at the moment I am becoming quite attached to my temporary ring, and will probably not want to take it off, I'm so sentimental!

Because we were such efficient diamond shoppers, we had a little extra time, so Stu took me to his work to show me off, and share the good news. Then off to our respective parents' houses, all of whom already knew of course, but the looks on our siblings' faces were priceless - they were probably more surprised than I was!
I had a hard time sleeping that night from excitement, but life has been dreamy since!

I Did It!

2005-06-22T15:00:00.000+10:00

I have done it. I proposed to my girlfriend of almost 6 years and she said yes! So Janet and Stuart are now engaged, and heading towards the altar.

Actually, we are more strolling towards the altar as the wedding date we've chosen is in 2 years time. This is gives us plenty of time to make our own plans and not rush in order to avoid missing out on venues etc. It also gives us plenty of time to document it all in this fantastic blog!

Janet and I are both 22 and live in Victoria, Australia. We attended the same high school but got to know each other a bit more in Year 11 (Form 5 for old-school readers). We got together, started dating and now live together in a lovely unit/house with a very mischievous cat.

I'd love to share more information, but I'm going to save some for the months down the track. Besides, Janet and I will both be posting wedding developments, so I need to save some news for my gorgeous fiancée!

-Stu