In Training

Booked a place

Finally. Booked a place for our wedding.  After a month of looking at close to 20 different places from two states away, (not to mention the boy is a country away) we've finally done it!  Huge sigh of relief. 

The lady I booked with was super nice, she said, "I had to plan my wedding from California to New York, but you've got a completely different thing going on here!"  Aw.  I just laughed and said it was a challenge, but worth it. 

So, to update the wedding checklist:
Date - check
Place - check
Dress - check

Things left to do:
Yeah. Right.

Other wedding post: I am such a guy...

I Am

such a guy when it comes to wedding planning. 

I don't care about flowers.  I've read that the Irish will put lavender in their bouquets, it means devotion and loyalty which is perfect for me, so maybe I'll do that.

It doesn't matter to me if the flowers match the bridesmaid dresses and if the bridesmaid dresses match each other or what am I going to do about seat covers.  Don't. Care.  And there will be no seat covers - as my father said "it looks like they're going to take an extended vacation."

I want to get married outside somewhere where the scenery is so beautiful I don't need to decorate. 

One of my bridesmaids backed out, so now Royal and I are uneven.  I'm not going to race around trying to "fill the gap." 

I like that I don't mind so much about some of it.
I like that it's not life or death. I like that Royal and I are not big drinkers so I am not paying for a bartender or alcohol.  I like that I don't like cake all that much so we're not having a traditional cake. I like that Royal wants a bar-b-q for the reception. And I like that the bridesmaids won't match. 

Best quote thus far (in which he read my mind):  I'm on the phone with Royal telling him how much the latest ceremony site costs, which is $200.00 for the garden.
He says,
"$200.00 to stand in a garden?! Are they mad?!" 
I love him.

Wedding Dress!

Went to look at wedding dresses today.  Bought one.  Only tried on two before that!  I've always heard such horror stories from women about trying on dress after dress after dress, and I HATE shopping and I HATE trying on clothes so I was NOT looking forward to this whole dress drama.**  Well, God blessed me because it is beautiful and perfect and beautiful!  Fits me like a glove and only has to have the hem altered a bit!  Found the shoes there as well, so I've already been through the first fitting and everything... with 8 months to go, plenty of time!  My wonderful Mother is making my veil, so I'm all set.  Seeing the dress and envisioning the day I'll wear it is a trip, it's finally starting to sink in!

** I think this may actually be THE reason Royal is marrying me... that or the fact that I can shoot better than most of the people he knows.  Heck, just the fact that I can touch a handgun whenever I want.  Okay, the list goes on, I'll spare y'all.  This time. 

As for the photograph that has nothing to do with weddings: it was taken at a time when I was extremely happy visiting Royal in England last summer.  We had just finished a hunting trip with Royal, his father, and their puppy J. His Dad had offered to show me around and this is where we ended up!  It was breathtaking and I didn't have a care in the world! 

I'm no longer Royal's girlfriend

I'm engaged! 

Mr. Royal asked me to marry him this past Friday morning, at about 1:45am.  I was cuddled up under his chin on the sofa watching a ferocious thunder and lightning storm, and he leaned down and whispered "will you marry me?" and I nodded, then looked up and said "of course!" 

The ring is gorgeous!  He picked it out all on his own about six weeks ago.  It was a tad too big, so we took it to a jeweler in town and had it resized, and the jeweler wouldn't let Royal pay for it!  He's a friend of the family and was very sweet about congratulating us. 

It looks like the wedding will be around next Easter, during Royal's Easter leave.  We have a lot of immigration/Citizenship plans to work out.  I'll be moving to wherever Royal is after the wedding, and then when he leaves the Marines, we'll move back here immediately.  I should see him twice before the wedding, which will be helpful  ;o)

So I hope y'all like hearing about wedding plans.... just kiddin', I've got some time, you shouldn't be hearing about that stuff for at least 5 more months! ~ haha