Wedding Week -- It's Finally Here!

Somebody pinch me! I just can't believe it... It's Wedding Week!

After 11 months of planning and preparing, we're only days away from this most exciting occasion! It has been quite a ride, but I imagine that was nothing compared to what this week will hold.

Family is arriving at this very moment, friends get in to town over the next few days, the house is in complete disarray, and it looks like Wedding threw up all over the place. {If you've ever been involved in planning a wedding, you're probably thinking that's par for the course.}

Through all of this, I'm trying my very best to remain stable and calm... I'm fairly certain that my friends and family who just read that couldn't help but release a chuckle. But really, I'm challenging myself to remain level-headed and focused on the overarching importance of this moment. I'm just praying constantly that we all take our moments to find peace in the beauty of what it means to celebrate marriage.

Though it is difficult to imagine now, this special event is so much more than breathtaking centerpieces, the perfect dress, or even the venue or the band. We are preparing to vow our lives to each other as we strive to be a symbol of God's love for the world, through our love for each other. It's a critical responsibility and we're proud to be taking it upon ourselves.

So this week amidst final dress fittings, stuffing out of town welcome bags, and mani/pedi appointments, I'll be reminding myself to stop and look around to just see the love that this whole event embodies and thank God for it. Please pray for us this week, and for those of you we'll be seeing this weekend -- we just can't wait to celebrate with you! Thank you for being an important part of this incredible experience!

With Love Always,

Jaclyn

A Weekend of Bridal Bliss and Bachelorette Bonding

What a weekend! I’m not even sure where to begin…and I apologize, in advance, for how long this post will be….

This past weekend turned out to be one of the best in recent history. My Bachelorette Party had been planned months before, and my bridesmaids and friends were working tirelessly to ensure a special weekend for me. Well, they definitely succeeded! Here’s a weekend recap for those who missed it:

Friday Evening:

Friday afternoon, my very generous boss excused me from work early so I would have time for a mani / pedi before going home to get ready for the festivities. After a lovely time at the nail salon, I hurried home to pack. Then three of my friends who had arrived in New York specifically for the party joined me and Tim as we headed out to my parents’ house in New Jersey. We had a lovely dinner with Tim’s parents and mine and then went home to hang out, catch up, and drink a few glasses of wine. Eventually, we all crammed into my room for a high school-style slumber party.

Saturday Morning:

The next morning, I was anxious to get the day rolling. I thought a few more friends would be coming over to hang by the pool and eat lunch before heading into the City for our Girls’ Night Out. I went for a very rewarding run and enjoyed a lovely breakfast with the girls. I was then ushered into the shower and told to throw on comfy clothes so we could run a few errands. My mother, a few days earlier, had mentioned that our florist was doing a wedding at the club by our house and was designing an arrangement similar to what he’d be doing for us and she thought it would be a good idea for me to go over and take a look.

Saturday Afternoon:

We arrived at the club at 11:45am (as we were told we’d need to be out of there by noon) expecting to see the florist, and upon entering the front doors I found myself surrounded by family and friends yelling “Surprise!”

Turns out, this was my Surprise Bridal Shower….so fun!

The room was outfitted in beautiful aquamarine table cloths with crystal centerpieces, and cream hydrangeas. At the front of the room were two massive tables displaying a sea of gifts with a chair placed regally at the center.

As I made my way through the crowd, I grew more and more excited by each new face I encountered. There were neighbors and cousins; college friends I hadn’t seen in years and grandparents. Finally, I turned to my left, and towering over the crowd, I saw my uncle from Australia – he was definitely the biggest surprise of all! Due to the obvious geographic obstacle, we rarely see him and he had flown in and surprised everyone! It was so special to have him and his girlfriend there.

Once the commotion had settled, I was handed a mimosa and told that they had a new dress waiting for me in the ladies’ room. Accompanied by my sister-in-law and my friends (many of whom also had to make costume changes, as they’d left the house in shorts and old t-shirts to throw me off), I made my way to the ladies’ lounge and was zipped into a beautiful ice blue satin party dress complete with jewelry, shoes, and make-up!

The party was fantastic – the food, the champagne, the cake, the presents, and all the shining faces that surrounded me. It was such a special experience.

Once we’d finished what was a tiresome effort of opening, displaying and cataloguing gifts, we made our way back home to relax before our big night.

Saturday Night:

Around 5:30, we all piled into 4 cars and caravanned into Manhattan to the Empire Hotel – across from Lincoln Center. There, in our two bedroom suite, we drank cocktails and got ready to go out, just like we did when we were in college.

We played a game of “I don’t feel sexy without my….” and placed a tiara on my head. From there, we cabbed it downtown to the Lower East Side for dinner, drinks and dancing at The Stanton Social.

The place was bumpin’! We had reserved the back half of the lounge and took over. We indulged in tapas and girly cocktails and had a wonderful time. My mom, ODH’s mom, and my Australian Uncle’s girlfriend even joined us for part of the evening. What a blast!

Sometime after midnight, we returned to the Empire to partake in what has come to be a scandalous tradition in my family. Each girl brought a lingerie gift for me; I then performed a little fashion show, while my friends came up with clever names for each piece. This list of names will be given to ODH before the honeymoon and from simply seeing the titles he’ll choose which pieces I’ll pack for the honeymoon….fun!

Early Sunday Morning:

We rounded out the night by crawling into bed around 3am and waking with cravings for diner food the next day.

All-in-all, I can say that it was one of my most memorable nights out with the girls. It was so special to see my friends, many of whom had never met, all mixing and mingling and getting along. I feel so blessed to have these women in my life and I really couldn’t have imagined a more perfect evening to celebrate the end to my life as a single gal and the exciting step I’m taking into a new chapter of life.

Note: Photos by amanda joy photography

Be Careful What You Wish For

So as the days between now and the wedding quickly dwindle, so does the opportunity for me to slim down to my ideal bridal size.

Unfortunately, I often cannot concentrate on losing weight and toning up until panic mode sets in. I need a swift kick in the butt to get going -- and it came a few weeks ago at the wedding of a dear friend of mine.

Though I've always thought of her as having the perfect body, she looked so incredible in her wedding gown that I just had to ask her how she'd gotten her arms so perfectly toned. She simply replied, "Pilates". That's what did it.

Since then, the gym has become my second home. I take Pilates twice per week and I've been running like Jackie Joyner Kersee (well, almost). I'm pretty proud of myself and I'm really starting to see results, both on the scale and in the mirror {ODH has a tendency to remind me as well!}.

I'll admit, I'm still a sucker for an occasional serving of French Fries, but as the days roll on, the severity of the situation starts to outweigh my craving for junk food.

And, as with every great undertaking, this fitness project has several important check points that allow me to track my progress.

The first of these came in the form of my first dress fitting. As the day approached, I remember thinking to myself how disappointed I'd be if the dress simply fit perfectly without any need to really take it in. I thought, for sure, that would be a sign of failure in my efforts to shrink (for lack of a better word).

Well, ladies....Be careful what you wish for!

Upon arriving at the bridal salon, I shuffled down the hall into the dressing room eager to step into my dress. I hadn't seen it since February, and even then it was a sample. This dress was mine and I couldn't wait to be in it.

I stepped into the dress and experienced a flood of emotion from several angles.

First, I was thrilled at how incredibly gorgeous it was! I loved it even more than I did when I purchased it and I literally squealed with excitement.

Second, I was struck with how unbelievably large the garment was -- at least three sizes too big. {Oh no!}

The size issue was the result of their ordering the dress up a size (possibly two) for some reason, coupled with my losing a fairly significant amount of weight (or inches, to be precise).

While I tried to remain composed, the seamstress, the attendants, and the salon owner assured me that they would do everything in their power to ensure that it would fit perfectly on the wedding day.

The salon owner quickly called the designer to see if we could get a new dress in the right size in time for the wedding. No such luck.

The seamstress, the attendant, and the head of the alterations department then took my new measurements and plotted a course of action for the coming weeks to ensure dress perfection.

Between now and the end of September they will work to essentially take apart the dress and re-stitch it down to my size. I will then come back for another fitting (and I guarantee I'll be even smaller than I was at the first). Between the end of September and October 30th, they will continue to alter the dress down as I likely continue to lose weight, and I'll come back for two more fittings.

Hopefully, in the end, the dress will be perfect and I'll feel my very best....here's hopin'!

99 Days (and Counting!)

As my mother put it this morning, while frantic on the telephone, “we are below the 100 mark?!? Oh no!”

Can you believe that? In just 99 days I will be a Mrs. – it’s just crazy!

As the day quickly approaches, I’m watching the people around me as they eye me suspiciously. I know they’re just waiting for me to snap into full-on, stressed out, Bridezilla mode – but hear this….it. ain’t. gonna. happen.


I’m serious. I’m one of the most high-strung people I know, but I’m also one of the most “on-it”. Couple that with my being armed with the best wedding planner one could possibly ask for – my mother, and the fact that I typically know exactly what I want, and we’re golden!

In the last few weeks, we’ve accomplished a ton!

- We’ve booked our honeymoon!!! Two weeks in Hawaii on Oahu, The Big Island, and Maui!
- We’ve finalized the cake design
- We’ve reserved all of our transportation for the day
- We got my wedding band sized (gorgeous)
- We bought ODH’s wedding band (so handsome)
- We settled on the centerpieces, bridesmaids’ bouquets, and my bouquet (all stunning)
- I had my hair and make-up trials (and loved them!)
- ODH picked out the tuxes
- We ordered invitations
- We’ve started writing and creating all the little pieces that will go in the program and out-of-town boxes
- I ordered several pairs of shoes to try with my dress
- And my first dress fitting is in 2 weeks!

In addition to all the detailed prep, ODH and I have become little gym rats! He’s started with his personal trainer again, I’m addicted to the treadmill and have somehow gotten into the habit of dragging my tush over early in the morning before work several times a week. In fact, today is Friday, and we’re planning on going tonight again! It feels great to be back on that track and hopefully (fingers crossed) it will pay off over the next 99 Days.

All in all, I’ve never been more excited about anything in my life (and that’s saying something if you know me – the girl who wears her emotions on her sleeve and speaks in perpetual hyperbole). I can’t begin to imagine what it will feel like even closer to the day, but what I do know is, while I can’t wait, I’m trying my hardest to really savor this time and soak up every moment because it’s an incredibly emotional and unique experience. Thanks for coming along for the ride – and I’ll try to keep you all updated on a more frequent basis!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary!

I cannot believe I started this adventure of blogging one year ago today...and what a year it has been!!!

A Delinquent Diary Entry: Life/Wedding Planning Update

Hi All!

Oh my goodness – I cannot believe how long it has been since I've sat down to devote some much needed attention to this blog. I vowed to remain committed to this project, and I promise to be on much better behavior going forward. [Note: It's amazing to me that it has been one year since I started writing this cyber-diary - wow!]

So...Hello!

I also cannot even begin to fathom the number of noteworthy things that have happened since last we spoke – big life changes and lots of fun wedding updates!

First off.... I got a new job! Yup, that's right, no more reverse commute out to Connecticut, no more traffic, no more painstaking searches for parking spots. Can I get an "Amen!"?

But before you think I've gone completely off the reservation and quit my job to become a full-time bridezilla, let me tell you a little about my new job...

I'm still doing marketing for financial services, but now I'm at a large investment bank in Manhattan. I. LOVE. IT.

I'm tapped back into my creative side and yet still putting to use my financial brain. It's pretty perfect and the commute is, of course, one of the most pleasant changes I've encountered {despite the fact that car traffic has since been replaced with smelly people traffic on the subway...I'm getting used to it though and ODH grows increasingly proud of me as he watches me navigate my way around the Big City via public transportation}.

Speaking of ODH... he's fabulous! I've taken to leaving my apartment almost 45 minutes earlier to ride the subway with him, since we have a similar commute now. It's been really wonderful! {Read: we are officially the couple on the subway who is super cute (and undoubtedly annoying), who sip their coffee together, read their books, and frequently stop to nuzzle or kiss, with zero regard for the disgruntled public surrounding them}.

So what else? OH, yes! Wedding Planning Update!

Plans are rolling along quite smoothly...

• Save the Dates went out this week! (and people are already telling me how lovely they are) My incredible friend, Amanda , took the gorgeous photo we decided to use and then my mom essentially handcrafted them - they really are beautiful!


• I've purchased my dress and set my first fitting appointment (yay!)


• I've chosen bridesmaids and flower girl dresses (sooo pretty! no, really, I mean it – the girls even love them!)


• We had our engagement party up in Boston with our families!


• We've started researching cake places (first tasting is on Saturday morning at 10am -- Cake for breakfast? Don't mind if I do!)


• Almost as soon as we started looking at cake, I started hauling my tush down to the gym... enough said...


• My mother has sent me about a trillion photos of flowers – so there's that


• We've begun our honeymoon research


• We've started designing centerpieces


• We've booked the band!!


• Our engagement photo session is May 8th


• And the registry continues to grow and grow

All-in-all, we're in great shape and I grow increasingly more excited with each passing day (if that's even possible).

In other news – the weather in New York City has officially started to feel like Spring (early Summer even) and I'm absolutely loving it!

So, like I said, I promise to be checking in more frequently and keeping you all up-to-date. In the meantime, Happy Hump Day!

Bad Bridal Blogger

I've been a bad blogger...I promise to find some time to sit down and update you all on how wedding planning is going etc.

In the meantime, it's my birthday weekend -- so I'm off to celebrate!

The Hunt: Shopping for the Perfect Wedding Dress - Part II

I know I said I wouldn't...but on Sunday, January 10th, I said "yes" to an awesome dress!

As expected, a full day of wedding dress shopping on Saturday proved to be rather overwhelming – and yet a ton of fun as well!

I tried on oodles of gowns, each one seemingly prettier than the last, and pranced around the shops. I found so many individual elements about these gorgeous garments that I loved, but not one that embodied them all.

Determined not to settle, I returned home on Saturday starving and exhausted but eager to continue the search.

My mother had made us a last minute appointment at Fontana Bridal Salon in Scarsdale, NY for Sunday. The shop has been around for decades (in fact my Aunt bought her wedding dress there) and they are timeless and classic in their assistance of brides-to-be.

We arrived at 1:00pm on Sunday to a bustling crowd. We browsed, sipped mimosas, and once again began pulling dresses to be tried on.

The third dress I put on was the most unique of all of them. Its color was distinctive and antique, the details were breathtaking, and the way it moved was dreamlike. Hesitantly, I stepped out of the dressing room and onto the main floor. It was certainly attention grabbing (the look I was going for) and truly representative of my personality, as well as our wedding’s.

It truly broke the mold, and to be honest, was not at all what I was expecting to end up with (despite my soon-to-be Mother-in-Law’s insistence that this is exactly what she pictured me in!), but then again, neither was ODH when we first met – and we all can see how well that’s turned out! Sometimes the ones that shatter your preconceived notions are simply the absolute best.

So, the dress is paid for in full and will be custom cut to fit me perfectly (then it will be altered and taken in because I insist on slimming down and shaping up between now and November). Now it’s a waiting game. {A waiting game filled with table settings and floral arrangements, bridesmaids’ dresses and tuxes, limo reservations and menu selections, of course}.

But wow – I have a wedding gown! What a trip!

The Hunt: Shopping for the Perfect Wedding Dress - Part I

Tomorrow, it begins – the quest to find the perfect dress.

While I’ve learned that not ALL little girls have dreamed of this day since they could barely utter the word “wedding” (let alone understand its meaning)…that doesn’t mean that I should be ashamed of the fact that I absolutely have. {Those who know me well are smiling, rolling their eyes, and undoubtedly shaking their heads in agreement}.

While the last few weeks have been largely characterized by booking a church, a reception site, a photographer, and a band, tomorrow is my first look at what will likely be the most memorable dress I ever put on. In many ways it is the first step in establishing the tone, the style, and the décor of the event…the pressure. is. on.

I’ll be spending the day with my mom and my sister (the Maid of Honor (“MOH”)). I have an early hair appointment and then I’ll be sampling gowns from three bridal shops (phew!)

It goes without saying that I’m excited; but, along with the excitement comes a little bit of nervousness, though I can’t quite place why. That said, I’ve heard that once the ball gets rolling and you start trying on a few dresses it quickly becomes incredibly fun (eek!). In truth, I cannot wait.

Though I’m nearly certain I won’t come away having found “the one” – it will be a great introduction to what’s out there.

I’ll be sure to report back (though not in any terrible amount of detail seeing as ODH is a regular reader of this very blog and clearly cannot be privy to any information regarding final dress decisions).

Wish me luck!

And have a great weekend everybody!