Allie had her wedding gown fitting on Friday.....it fit like a glove and we actually left the store with the gown, veil and shoes. Made the final payment on the cake topper (really cute) and it should be here by the middle of April. OMG Still deciding on a make up artist and a return shuttle from the Grand Colonial back to the Hampton Inn. In the next two weeks Allie & Ryan will decide on their ceremony music and then it will be time for Fr Tom and I to put together the ceremony program. I have done so many of these with Fr Tom is seems almost unreal to be doing Allie & Ryan's. I think the only things left are the unity candle, cameras for the reception, favors(?), seating arrangements......oh yeah and my gown! Getting closer to the one......down between a purple one and a navy blue one. Navy seems to be dark but it goes with the whole theme, the purple is very "me" lol whatever me is these days! 40 days to go hey just like lent!

Managed to get more "Wedding Stuff" done only 51 more days to go.........have the transportation, flowers and cake top......still searching for a makeup artist! I keep saying to myself no worries it'll happen!

RSVP's are coming in, rooms are booked. Allie's shower is done, as it Pre Cana and FOCCUS....Moving onward to the next "thing"

Today we had Allie's bridal shower. It was a great shower......Allie got many lovely gifts and was blown away by the generosity shown to her and Ryan. They had a red theme color and used red rose petals on the tables with red votives and spray roses. It was so much fun. My sister Paulette let us use her home for the shower and I am so very thankful for everything everyone did to make the shower what it was! Kudos to Fran for the wonderful shower cake....my friends are so great! Thanks for the sanity you all provide for me! Tomorrow we are going to the florist than onto transportation, a makeup artist and my gown. Since the wedding is going to milatary it is going to be formal. Leaning toward a red or purple gown....we'll see! In the mix of all this we'll also take my mom shopping for her outfit, my dad will be in his dress Marine Blues too! As I watched her open their gifts I was so emotional.......my baby girl is getting married! Now it is on to watch the Academy Awards and soak in a hot tub of water....perhaps I'll have a bubbly beverage with my bath!

Tomorrow Allie & I are going to a Bridal Show at the Bridgewater Manor. We have a few things left to do and are hoping to get some ideas. All's that is left is the Flowers, Make Up Artist, Transportation and mailing the invites.
Things have all fallen into place. Only lost it twice this week. Not bad. Bill, Stefan & I are going to North Carolina Holy Week to regroup and relax.....can't wait!

WeddingChannel

WeddingChannel

Invites arrived!

OMG I can't believe the invites are here.......this is really going to happen! Things are happening so very fast....I just want to be able to enjoy the planning and savor the moments, but there is no time! When I see Allie's face light up when she is with Ryan it is all worth it. Allie and Ryan are so much in love....a feeling I would love to put in a bottle for them and give to them as a gift when things get rough! Perhaps I can work on that! Hopefully this blog will be something she can go back to and read at just those times. When they are reunited after being apart, time seems to stand still. The looks of tenderness, love, concern and passion are so wonderful to see. Ryan is stationed in Washington DC and they really only have at this point few weekends to spend together. Many, many things are done, but we still need to do more. Down to the last few details transportation, flowers, mailing, ceremony planning, reception details.....I'm good but not that good.....a wee bit stressful. It's a good thing I do this for a living and I love what I do. I'm so very thankful that Allie is not a bridezilla.....yet! Family issues have been coming up and being handled in the best way we know how! I spoke to Ryan's mom Amy and really need to get better in making her opinions and thoughts part of the planning. Thinking how I would feel if it were Stefan getting married.....hopefully they'll plan it in more than 6 months! Allie and I took some time yesterday to get our nails done and to spend some time destressing.......I don't know what I'll do with all my free time once May 2nd hits the calendar! Need to focus on getting a gown!

Well Allie had her first bridal gown fitting yesterday afternoon. She looks like a Princess! We took my mom (Allie's babci) with us. Allie picked out her shoes and veil. I'm not just saying it because she belongs to me ....for a short time more :-( but she is a beautiful bride! All these memories kept rushing back to me.....her christening gown, her kindergarten graduation gown, her first communion dress, her confirmation dress, girl scout award cereomonies, graduation dresses for high school and college ....not to mention those white graduation gowns. Where does the time go. Okay it goes quick. Not to mention that she only gave me less than 5 months to get this whole thing pulled together! At times it seems like we are living in a dream or treading water and going nowhere fast...other times Stefan (my 13 year old son) asks for clarification on some of the conversations he hears. I'm loving this time spent with Allie planning and helping to make her dreams come true!