It's been almost 2 months since our wedding, and things really have not gone our way since then. We consider ourselves very lucky to have had a beautiful wedding day, (almost) exactly as we had hoped!
I sincerely want to thank everyone who came to be a part of our special day, everyone who helped to make it possible, and of course thank everyone for the very generous and thoughtful gifts. You have all been, in more ways than one, a huge blessing to us as we start our new life together.
This is in no way meant to replace a formal thank you note, but I just wanted everyone to know that we are very grateful. We ordered thank you notes through our photographer, and are still waiting to receive them - so I am sorry we haven't gotten around to sending them yet!
In case anyone was wondering what I meant by "things have not gone our way"...we've had a very interesting past 2 months! Everything from flight troubles for Franchesco's family to a completely failed honeymoon trip (we were not able to go on our cruise as expected, so we had to pay for an entirely new, last minute vacation in Florida) - we've seen it all!
Here's to hoping that married life brings some good luck our way in the next few months :)
Our Wedding Date
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
We could win $200!
Please go to www.facebook.com/minted and find our engagment photos - like and/or comment on the photos, we could win $200!
Thanks :)
Thanks :)
We Did It!
Well, it's been a week and a half since the wedding - we did it! We tied the knot!
I have to say, the week leading up to the wedding I was feeling very stressed and nervous that the wedding would not turn out the way I had planned. I was sick for a day or two early in the week, so some of my last-minute tasks ended up getting postponed and being even more last-minute. Franchesco's family came into town on Wednesday 2/1, so I wanted to spend some time with them, but I also felt like I was running around for a couple days like a chicken with its head cut off...shopping trips, printing ceremony programs, putting together the candy buffet...
The evening of the rehearsal made me epecially nervous because the whole thing just felt very chaotic and unorganized, and I was worried that nobody was going to know what was happening on the wedding day and it would be all my fault for not having organized the details well enough or early enough. The lack of organization was worsened by the language barrier, as we needed to translate every step of the way for our visitors from Brazil. The night before the wedding, I was barely able to sleep because there were still last-minute "to-do's" bouncing around in my head all night.
Luckily, all the stress and minor problems are beginning to fade from memory, and are being replaced with all of the wonderful memories from the week and the wedding day itself. Somehow everything came together for the wedding day, and although not everything turned out picture perfect, I couldn't be happier with the way our special day went and that I am now Mrs. Franchesco Borges :) And surprisingly, I'm a little bit relieved that the planning process is over!
I want to give a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who was there to celebrate with us. I truly hope that everyone had a wonderful time at the wedding! I especially want to thank Franchesco's friends and family who came all the way from Brazil to be with us. I have some truly great memories that I hope will never fade!
Speaking of memories, I'd like to finish this blog post recounting some of my favorite memories from the week. The actual wedding went by so quickly (5 hours really is not long enough), but many of my best memories are from some of the other smaller moments of the week:
I'll be working on an online photo album of pictures, and I'll definitely keep everyone updated once I get the photos and video back in a couple weeks. In the meantime, check out the pictures from the photo area at the reception!
I have to say, the week leading up to the wedding I was feeling very stressed and nervous that the wedding would not turn out the way I had planned. I was sick for a day or two early in the week, so some of my last-minute tasks ended up getting postponed and being even more last-minute. Franchesco's family came into town on Wednesday 2/1, so I wanted to spend some time with them, but I also felt like I was running around for a couple days like a chicken with its head cut off...shopping trips, printing ceremony programs, putting together the candy buffet...
The evening of the rehearsal made me epecially nervous because the whole thing just felt very chaotic and unorganized, and I was worried that nobody was going to know what was happening on the wedding day and it would be all my fault for not having organized the details well enough or early enough. The lack of organization was worsened by the language barrier, as we needed to translate every step of the way for our visitors from Brazil. The night before the wedding, I was barely able to sleep because there were still last-minute "to-do's" bouncing around in my head all night.
Luckily, all the stress and minor problems are beginning to fade from memory, and are being replaced with all of the wonderful memories from the week and the wedding day itself. Somehow everything came together for the wedding day, and although not everything turned out picture perfect, I couldn't be happier with the way our special day went and that I am now Mrs. Franchesco Borges :) And surprisingly, I'm a little bit relieved that the planning process is over!
I want to give a big "THANK YOU" to everyone who was there to celebrate with us. I truly hope that everyone had a wonderful time at the wedding! I especially want to thank Franchesco's friends and family who came all the way from Brazil to be with us. I have some truly great memories that I hope will never fade!
Speaking of memories, I'd like to finish this blog post recounting some of my favorite memories from the week. The actual wedding went by so quickly (5 hours really is not long enough), but many of my best memories are from some of the other smaller moments of the week:
- Playing music and singing along in our living room with Emilio and Enildo. What a great time and a great way for both sides of the family to get to know eachother!
- Dona Nilza and her constant picture taking. Thanks to her we'll be able to look back and remember all the little things and not just the big events.
- Brazilian food - it was so great to enjoy homemade Brazilian food and see my family experience a little bit of Brazilian culture. Thanks again to Dona Nilza for all of her hard work in the kitchen!
- The "Man Cave." I will never forget walking into our basement and seeing my Dad and 5 other Brazilian guys huddled around a computer laughing and having a good time together despite their different languages and cultures. I am SO happy that Franchesco's family loved my family and vice versa. A big thank you also to my parents for hosting everyone in their house and making sure that everyone had a great time!
- Franchesco kissing my hand after putting my ring on during the ceremony. We may have fumbled through our vows and shared an awkward nervous kiss, but that moment when he kissed my hand really melted my heart...
- The end of the wedding night when the DJ had stopped playing but nobody was in a rush to leave. People were still standing on the dancefloor or sitting at their tables chatting and enjoying themselves. It made me so happy to know that everyone had a good time.
- The pictures that friends and family took at the wedding and have given to me on CDs. Seeing all the smiling faces in the photos made my day!
- Coming back home the morning/afternoon after the wedding, with beautiful flowers from the wedding displayed on the table, fresh coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls. Possibly a minor detail that many people wouldn't notice, but I could just feel the love that my parents put into preparing coffee and breakfast for everyone each morning.
- Lastly, I'll never forget my dad all dressed up for the wedding! But not only that, he was incredibly dependable and helpful throughout the whole week when I was stressed and overwhelmed. Even the morning of the wedding, anything I asked him to help with, he was on it. I couldn't have pulled it all off without his help! I love you Dad! Thank you so much for everything!
I'll be working on an online photo album of pictures, and I'll definitely keep everyone updated once I get the photos and video back in a couple weeks. In the meantime, check out the pictures from the photo area at the reception!
Now begins the countdown to our honeymoom...4 days!!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
One week to go!
I could hardly sleep last night I was so excited! It felt like the night before Christmas! I had to wake up around 3:30am to head to the airport, but there will be time for sleep later :)
It's amazing the amount of attention you get at the airport when you're walking around with a wedding gown. I should've spent a couple extra minutes to do my makeup this morning!
The great news: I just got bumped up to first class, with the whole row to myself! What a great start to the day :)
Washington DC here I come!
It's amazing the amount of attention you get at the airport when you're walking around with a wedding gown. I should've spent a couple extra minutes to do my makeup this morning!
The great news: I just got bumped up to first class, with the whole row to myself! What a great start to the day :)
Washington DC here I come!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Weather Forecast
I forgot to mention that I've been checking the extended weather forecast for the last few days now. Everyone keeps telling me I shouldn't bother, because we are still more than a week out and the weather forecast is going to change every day until then. Which it has...but I still feel the urge to keep checking!
When I first checked, it looked like some snow and ice the night before the wedding (ahhh!), then it changed to being mostly cloudy, to partly sunny, then to some rain the day before the wedding but clearing up the day of.
NOW it's looking like rain for 3 straight days :(
Rain is probably the worst possible outcome for the wedding day in my opinion (not including a freakish blizzard that prevents everyone from being able to come). I would love to have a little bit of snow to set the mood, or a sunny day, or even a partly cloudy day....but rain would be the absolute worst. It just feels so dreary when it rains, especially in the winter when it's a cold rain. I would much rather have snow anyday.
Pray for snow! :)
When I first checked, it looked like some snow and ice the night before the wedding (ahhh!), then it changed to being mostly cloudy, to partly sunny, then to some rain the day before the wedding but clearing up the day of.
NOW it's looking like rain for 3 straight days :(
Rain is probably the worst possible outcome for the wedding day in my opinion (not including a freakish blizzard that prevents everyone from being able to come). I would love to have a little bit of snow to set the mood, or a sunny day, or even a partly cloudy day....but rain would be the absolute worst. It just feels so dreary when it rains, especially in the winter when it's a cold rain. I would much rather have snow anyday.
Pray for snow! :)
Counting down...
I can hardly believe there are only 3 days until my bachelorette party in Washington, D.C and only 10 days until the wedding! As if getting ready for any trip isn't stressful enough (at least for me!) I'm getting ready to head back to PA for my wedding. Talk about pressure! I'm working on a running list of things I need to pack so I can be sure not to forget anything. I also need to do some laundry and pack all of my clothes in the next 2 days. My flight leaves very early on Saturday morning so I need to be ready to go in advance.
The wedding really doesn't seem as close as it actually is. There are SO many little things to do before then that it almost feels like the day will never come. But I'm okay with that...it can take its time getting here because I will need every minute to prepare!
I've submitted the guest count and seating arrangements to the hotel, and now I'm working on some things like ceremony programs, escort cards and wedding favors. The good news is all the big things are taken care of, but the bad news is you'd be amazed how many little details there are to keep up with. I feel like everything is on track, but I still can't help but feel a little nervous and anxious about it all.
In addition to some of the things I already listed, I also need to work on a list of songs for the deejay (for what we will play during specific moments of the reception and also a 'must play' and 'do not play' list) and a wedding day schedule so everyone knows exactly what is happening when. Everything from getting our nails and hair done in the morning, to having pictures taken, to when dinner is served and when we will do the bouquet and garter toss and everything in between. Once I have this schedule ready I'll need to share it with the whole bridal party, the deejay, the photographer, the videographer, etc.
Wish me luck as I finish up the last details for the wedding! I'll be taking it one day at a time, and for now I'm just working on what I need to get done before I head to Pennsylvania on Saturday morning. I'll worry about the rest after that :)
I CAN'T WAIT TO CELEBRATE WITH EVERYONE!!!
The wedding really doesn't seem as close as it actually is. There are SO many little things to do before then that it almost feels like the day will never come. But I'm okay with that...it can take its time getting here because I will need every minute to prepare!
I've submitted the guest count and seating arrangements to the hotel, and now I'm working on some things like ceremony programs, escort cards and wedding favors. The good news is all the big things are taken care of, but the bad news is you'd be amazed how many little details there are to keep up with. I feel like everything is on track, but I still can't help but feel a little nervous and anxious about it all.
In addition to some of the things I already listed, I also need to work on a list of songs for the deejay (for what we will play during specific moments of the reception and also a 'must play' and 'do not play' list) and a wedding day schedule so everyone knows exactly what is happening when. Everything from getting our nails and hair done in the morning, to having pictures taken, to when dinner is served and when we will do the bouquet and garter toss and everything in between. Once I have this schedule ready I'll need to share it with the whole bridal party, the deejay, the photographer, the videographer, etc.
Wish me luck as I finish up the last details for the wedding! I'll be taking it one day at a time, and for now I'm just working on what I need to get done before I head to Pennsylvania on Saturday morning. I'll worry about the rest after that :)
I CAN'T WAIT TO CELEBRATE WITH EVERYONE!!!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Less than 3 weeks to go...
As of last Saturday, there were only 3 weeks to go until our wedding. I clearly forgot to update our blog over the weekend...there have been plenty of other things to keep my mind occupied lately. All I know is that the thought of only 16 days left gives me a little bit of anxiety. It feels like there are still hundreds of things to do, and not enough time left to do it.
When I think about it rationally, however, I realize that I am probably overreacting and stressing out for no reason. For the most part everything is on track, and I'm sure that all of the details will come together beautifully on the wedding day. I just have to try to ignore the irrational thoughts that try to tell me otherwise :)
I guess it's only natural, after a year of planning and preparation, that any human being would be nervous. At least that's what I'm telling myself!
When I think about it rationally, however, I realize that I am probably overreacting and stressing out for no reason. For the most part everything is on track, and I'm sure that all of the details will come together beautifully on the wedding day. I just have to try to ignore the irrational thoughts that try to tell me otherwise :)
I guess it's only natural, after a year of planning and preparation, that any human being would be nervous. At least that's what I'm telling myself!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
4 weeks to go!
I can hardly believe we are only a month away from the big day :)
I accomplished a lot during my week back in PA for the holidays, and now I feel like I'm just putting the finishing touches on everything... there are a lot of finishing touches...
Here's everything I've gotten done recently:
On another note - thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with me at the bridal shower! I had a great time and it was fun to see some family and friends that I don't get to see very often. I also really appreciated all of the wonderful gifts - which will help Franchesco and me to finally start decking out our new apartment :)
Keep checking our wedding website for more information before February 4th!!!
I accomplished a lot during my week back in PA for the holidays, and now I feel like I'm just putting the finishing touches on everything... there are a lot of finishing touches...
Here's everything I've gotten done recently:
- Final meeting with The Cork Factory Hotel, including the menu tasting and cake consultation
- Meeting with the deejay
- Shopped for rehearsal dinner centerpieces and decorations
- Had a trial hair appointment
- Purchased a veil and other accessories for my dress
- Purchased a flower girl dress and shoes for Madison
- Started working on wedding favors
- Ordered a "groom's cake" for the rehearsal dinner
- Scoped out some locations for the rehearsal dinner
- Met with the pastor to plan out the ceremony
- And last, but not least, attended a lovely bridal shower hosted by mom and Alicia
On another note - thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with me at the bridal shower! I had a great time and it was fun to see some family and friends that I don't get to see very often. I also really appreciated all of the wonderful gifts - which will help Franchesco and me to finally start decking out our new apartment :)
Keep checking our wedding website for more information before February 4th!!!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Engagement Anniversary :)
Today is exactly one year since we got engaged :)
It's also the day I got my wedding band AND a new diamond engagement ring to match! And we didn't even plan it to be exactly one year after!
Needless to say, I made Franchesco get down on one knee and "pretend" to propose again with the new ring ;)
It's also the day I got my wedding band AND a new diamond engagement ring to match! And we didn't even plan it to be exactly one year after!
Needless to say, I made Franchesco get down on one knee and "pretend" to propose again with the new ring ;)
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