Wedding Planning: For my co-brides to be! Do not read if you want to be surprised at our wedding.

So I'm obsessed, obsessed, obsessed with wedding planning! It's time to start organizing my crazy findings and ideas so I can pull them all into one picture. Timothy says that part of leadership is sharing the vision. He wants me to work on helping him see my vision so that he can follow me through my wedding craze! Here is a start at compiling my random ideas!

Starting with our project for this week! Save the date cards. I like the idea of being silly. This is a great example from offbeat bride. >Save-the-date cards.

A Way to save money on flowers would be to use non-flower centerpieces.You could evenwrite on the stonesto designate table arrangements or as party favors with date and initial.







So Timothy and I are not great dancers and are not entirely thrilled about dancing at the wedding. How about hoopingit instead?


I had thought about doing my own flowers, but as I mentioned before am going to leave it to the professionals so that I can enjoy my time relaxing with family. For those who are brave and want to do their own flowers here is a link to advice http://offbeatbride.com/2007/01/floral-induced-psychosis#more-128

Groom's Story

One can’t plan for love, despite what the reality shows and movies may show. The concocted fantasies of striking writers can’t pen the joy that I have felt since Dana and I started dating. I often explain our relationship as our first date. Which is the only way I feel I can describe us. Each day I discover something new about her, I laugh so hard my eyes hurt and I tell her things I don’t tell other people. She impresses me with her humor, insight and dedication. She is thoughtful, has integrity and above all is absolutely, ridiculously silly, and I adore her for this most. I am in awe of her studiousness and accomplishments in school. She sets a high bar for herself; then raises it (most times unconsciously) when she meets her goal.Dana’s capacity to love is miraculous and a gift I cherish daily. My heart spills over with absolute joy when I think about her, am touched by her or when she does a silly dance in our living-room or store (as she is apt to do). Her spirit is giving and she loves deeply. I am beyond honored to have someone this wonderful in my life and am blessed to have this person love me back.

The Brides Story

I first met Timothy through "myspace" by referral from a close friend who worked with him. She told me he was a big goof just like me...that he had my dorky sense of humor. His blog "Orange County" oozed his soft, sentimental soul and I knew he was more than just goofy; but deep, reflective and sensible. Our first date was magic, which never really ended. We went to Taste of The Himalayas on Lombard Street. The owner of Taste of the Himalayas is so kind-hearted. He truly wants everyone to feel warm and welcome in his establishment and prepares his food with love and pride. At a few points during our meal, he picked up a drum and began to sing a beautiful song.
After eating dinner and a walk in the marina we drove up to Coit Tower to snuggel under the moon and view the city at night.

Two months later, while camping on Mt. Shasta...
I fell in love with Timothy. Being without distractions and at one with nature...I knew that this man was my match. Essentially what I love about Timothy is his ability to make up a captivating story on the spur of the moment, his sentimentalism, sense of humor, love for Christmas,music and film, his sense of self , creativeness and how articulate he is.

On Columbus Day, Timothy popped the question while we were sitting on a bench on top of Golden Heights at Sunset. He had asked my father permission to marry me and along with my father's blessin came my great grandmother's ring!
After I composed my weepy self (I'm surprised I cried as I'm an SIW), we drove to Taste of the Himalayas and had dinner. The owner was there and we mentioned to him that we were just engaged and had had our first date at his restraunt. He gave us each slobbery kisses on our cheeks and announced our news to the whole restraunt. Then he pulled out his drum and sang to us! Such a sweet man!If I wasn't with Timothy I might have to hunt this man down and date him!LOL. But this is a blog about my AMAZING Hubby-to-be...so let me get back on track...
I know that Timothy is going to enrich my life like I could never imagine! I'm so blessed to have met him. May there be many many more years to know and love him more!

Our Engagement Party December 15, 2007

I've decided to enter the land of blogging with the purpose of sharing my wedding planning adventures. What better way to start off blogging than with our ENGAGEMENT PARTY! We have been engaged for almost two months. On December 15 we had our engagement party at our house. For a tiny San Francisco apartment, we were surprised that 55 people were able to into our home to celebrate our engagement.

So many highlights to reflect on! We were so blessed to have family who traveled from both Southern and Northern California for our celebration. "What is an Engagement Party?" Asked Grandpa Lee after flying all the way up from Highland, Ca. The goal of our event was to celebrate of course (as we are both Leo's and Leo's like to party), but also to have an opportunity for our families to meet socialize. My parents had met his dad and step-mom last Christmas but hadn't met the rest of his family. It was great to have our family and friends meet and socialize. Hopefully the wedding will be more enjoyable to them as a social foundation is now set.

Our friend Rebbecca who catered our party and made the night truly magical. I've always admired her but now I'm enamored with her! As my Hubby-to-be put it "Rebbecca you so totally rock! We can't thank you enough for the magic you brought to our party. The food was delicious and the presentation was beyond my expectation and vision. Your creative use of items we had in the kitchen opened my eyes. Most impressive however was your constant forward motion paired with your smile. Your entire contribution was enticing, alluring and delightful.
Here is a link to Rebecca's website "darlingmiette".



We had presents for all of the kids and made our bedroom into a play room for them. Unfortunately I got one present that was listed item #3 on all of my soon to be nieces and nephew's Christmas list and a battle raged between them all night as to who would get the tamagotchi 4.5.
Our house was decorated magically for Christmas. My best friend was able to come out the day before and help me with flower arrangements and cleaning. We went to the Flower Mart to get an idea of what we would be in for when doing the flora arrangements for my wedding. I have never seen so many flower shops. Since we were pressed for time we only made it to one shop. In reflection, I think I understand why florists are used for weddings. I have changed my mind and now do not want to do my own flowers for the wedding. I would much rather spend time with family and friend and focus on the event than stress with flowers!

My hubby-to-be and I felt buzzed all night and with out eating or drinking a thing we were filled with the love and support from so many friends and family.

Regrets? I wouldn't have stressed about the kids having a good time. They had a game-boy, Christmas movies, special kid treats and each other! The presents were nice but added two hours onto my day (would have done it earlier) and started sibling rivalry. I also regret the hotel I choose to put my parents, Timothy's and Grandpa Lee in. Carl's Hotel was close to my house and inexpensive. I had been told by friends that it was clean and a good place to stay. Timothy's mother saw it and wouldn't stay the night. She switched to Hotel Whitcomb on 8th and Market which was much much better and the same price. Poor Grandpa Lee was already checked in for the night. The next morning he was all rough around the edges from a long night. The muni was right outside his window and came every 15 minutes until 2am and started again at 6am. He described the room to resemble a prison cell. But he was such a good sport! He hadn't been to San Francisco in "a few years" which to him meant 30! He had never been over the Golden Gate Bridge and I'm so glad Timothy had a chance to take him over it and give him a driving tour of San Francisco. I wish we had him up here for longer! I guess my regrets can be lessons for our wedding. No last minute purchases based on pleasing others, check the hotel rooms prior to booking, and spend more time with family!

We are off to a great start and now look forward to 10 months of wedding planning!
We have a photographer, ceremony site, reception site and a caterer! Fun fun fun! I hope that the next 10 months do not fly by too fast! I want to enjoy every moment of being engaged!
And to end this blog I need to draw focus on the most important part of this whole event, my fiancé! I love you so much with a heart I didn't know I had. I am so blessed to have met you at a time in my life when we were both open and ready for this journey. I look forward to planning our wedding but most importantly I look forward to a marriage with you! I love you so much!