Flying the Coop

Hi all!

Your response to last week's blog was OVERWHELMING! Don't forget to share with your family and friends :) We appreciate the feedback too!!

WELL guess who just realised she's gonna be living wid a man :D Big woman tings in 2014. But after 28 years of living with various animals ( dogs, fish, budgies and a pet mosquito or two) plus my Mummy and Nana and Auntie and Grandad and Uncle Brian, all my neighbours and Lil Rick pun a Saturday night bellowing from Long Bay, what's a girl to do. My life is gonna be all Andy and Heidi for a while.

It's so much more than that though. We have to take care of each other ALONE. We both come from moderately sized families (Andy 5, Me 6). And our home is going to be down to two, 2. Two plates, two forks, two glasses. Nah I'm just kidding. But the truly inspiring thing is that we are already a little family. Andy and I see each other most mornings or evenings (remember I told you he literally lives 2 minutes away). And we talk a whole lot! Our focus funny enough isn't even the wedding. We talk about that sometimes, but generally we discuss Moden, TEAM (his family's sideline) and the two akitas I want cause I am NOT living out dey so where part we living and we aint got two big dogs! Living together is going to be a totally different experience, but creating our own little system and culture is going to be interesting, challenging and fun.

Wedding Update: 

No turning back FOLKS! Lord have mercy tickets booked, timeshares on hold, people coming in from all four corners. So this man betta has stay on my good side. Otherwise PROBLEMS! Lol. Our families are getting excited and for a lot of people this marriage was a long time coming. Why I don't know. God's timing is PERFECT. However, FINALLY, I am imagining myself on Wedding Day, everybody's healthy, happy and HOME! Andy and I are comfortable and not overextended cash wise and our home is OURS! Lord let it be!

Accepting Help:

Now, I am a very stubborn person. I am also quite independent. And own way. I do not GENERALLY like anybody telling me what to do or how to do it. Sorry that's me, I'm working on it. I also have great disdain for people demanding my time and when my JOB gets in the way, they moan about it, but that's another beef for another blog. Here's my point, If and when I need the help I will ask.

People calling my mother telling her they are coming into the island to help ME out. And they're going to take the week off to HELP me with the planning the week of. But does that make sense? Wha ting, if everything isn't FINALISED by March 2014 I would want cutting and quartering. So wha week of dem mean? Dem coming wid CHEQUES??? But looka. And WHY wouldn't MY MOTHER be able to help? Dem planning to tek she out? My mother is the coolest, calmest sanest person I know. Highly efficient and very organised. She is so chill sometimes it's scary! She is alll we need and our planner of course.

When I need a lifeline, I'll ask. TRUST! 

And how PRAY tell are they HELPING ME OUT? I am NOT driving around delivering payments week of, or looking for flowers or shoes or hair things or petticoats or girdles. If dem ain't got it, it ain't got! And I am VERY serious about that. It is the week Andy and I get our massage on, say Happy Birthday to ME :D and get my hair and nails fixed up, bossman  hol' a hair cut and a shave, mani and pedi with his boys (yes Andy with your boys, don't nobody want crusty toed dudes around them!!!). Not for confusion, chile PLEASE.

Undergarments:
Onto a very serious topic of discussion. What do most brides wear under their dresses. Now I've been in and done a few weddings. And I LOVE my Spanx, but what is to happen on this mystical magical Wedding Night now, when it's playtime? Wha de man ain't wanna see no pantaloons.

This one looks the most comfortable.

And Can I just say those long line Bras are VERY uncomfortable. And Heidi does NOT do thongs. Maybe boy shorts? Man, what did you all wear vs what is practical? cause dis heat is something serious and I am NOT about smelling up the place whether Andy is there or not :D

Veils and Birdcages:

I am SO very sorry, but Birdcages are PLAYED OUT! If I see one more, this MUA is going to have SEVERAL seats. I LOVE a long veil, and yes I'm short and I don't care! As long as it's sheer and gossamery ( new word) and flows beautifully, I WANT IT! I think veils really add to the whole bridal look. And them birdcages got too many big holes, which one am I supposed to look through? It's all very confusing.

A guide to veils.

Sheer is pretty.

Hair Adornments: 

I want one, do you all watch Jerseylicious Tracy and Corey? She had THE most beautiful one on! And it still looked good with her veil. It was blingy and sparkly and didn't take away from her hair or dress at allllll Perfect addition and something I think I want to wear fo sho!

Hair Adornments are sooooo now and soooo pretty and blinged out.

Giveaway: 

We are STILL working on it. It's gotta be good so, we'll let you know asap :D 

Thanks, and please share share share!! 

xoxo
Heidi.

First look, family photos and trash the dress!!

Hiiii!!

200 plus days left... remember when it was 400 plus. I know, we are BOTH getting nercited (nervous and excited), anxious and entering financial comas LOLOLOL.

No on a serious note, we decided not to overspend and stick to a budget, and so far so good, but we allll know in BARBADOS, where EVERYTHING is expensive, you have to be savvy. Otherwise, things can get ugly. So we have a plan and we are determined to stick to it. But things come up so we have back up plans and back up back up plans.We're gearing up for our Engagement Photos, Andy has a final quarter of the year challenge going on with a friend of his to get fit by December or end of I believe. (he's gonna kill me for mentioning this, no wedding lolol) Can't wait to see the results, Andy is EXTREMELY competitive and he usually wins, did I mention he was Captain of the Basketball team at St. Michael's yasssss huntys, get yo lives :D  ;) I have been progressing nicely on my weight loss journey. I weighed recently and I am at 164 so I have to reaaalllly work on my eating (was naughty, ate burgers, at $9.95 and the BEST Coke in Bim?? you betta eat em! LOL)

The supplement I'm taking is WORKING! It keeps me in check and I'm drinking loads of water. So I'm starting my juicing next week to kick start my 10 lb loss again, but I will eat during the day to fuel my body properly.

I found shoes!!! 6 pairs. Decision decisions, but I need two for the day, Some ballerinas or wedges for reception and some sky high or platform heels, I AM marrying a 6 footer after all :)

I'm on the hunt for a cinematic Wedding videographer. I've been seeing tons of great work from our American and Canadian friends, but are there any local companies or film students who do it here? Help a Bridesista out!

I am also in need of decorators! WE have a few in mind but we like to weigh our options. One of our colours I can tell you :) is Ivory. No my dress is not.It's lily white :) BOOM.

Onto the meat:

First look:

HATE IT. I don't subscribe to the superstition. I do dislike most of the Groom's reactions that I've seen. The men are hardly ever blown away by their brides. At least it's not apparent. HOWEVER, I have seen no less than 20-30 grooms almost bawling at the altar when they see their brides enter the church, hall or Ceremony Location. So we will NOT be doing first look bleccch. ( just my opinion to each his own).

Photo Credit: http://abeautifuldayphotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/wedding-photos-js-0261.jpg

The Compromise:

However, one thing that calms Andy and I down, especially during stressful times or if we argue or disagree about something is PRAYER. And something I have seen and know to be effective because our God is real ( can I get an amen, hallelujah, thank you JESUS), is the Couple's Prayer.

:) I love it!  Photo Credit: unknown

So the couple sits or stands on opposite sides of the doorway, hold hands and pray together before the ceremony. The beauty behind it is that you can't see each other, but touching and agreeing in prayer sets the tone for the rest of the ceremony and the day. Setting that small window of time aside to give God thanks for His blessings, ask him for His mercy and grace on your lives together, and expressing your commitment to Him and each other, thereby acknowledging His place. I imagine there must be a great sense of peace and happiness after that. It must get a little emotional too. So that's what we are going to do. Before all the fun and family, all the eating and making merry, we are going to give Almighty God thanks for bringing us to our Wedding Day and for (speaking prophetically) taking us through to a beautiful marriage.

Photo Credit: http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-06-14-prayingphoto.jpg
This was the photo that inspired my thinking about it.

Blindfolding Anderson would be HILARIOUS. But I'm sure he didn't see jack til the altar. Cute huh? lol Photo Credit: Unknown

This blog has a beautiful prayer for the couple 10 days before the wedding. Beautiful http://beyondblessedblog.com/2012/08/14/10/

Family photos:

Wade (www.vecpict.com) And Charles 'Chris' (Facebook: Firefly Photography OR Charles Butcher) have been trying to get some of our brides and grooms to take their family photos BEFORE the wedding.

I pitched the idea to Andy and my mum about taking the family and bridal party photos especially with our overseas guests on the day, and at our next function (date to be announced soon) ;) The rest of the photos. You know how Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonggggggggggg the photo sessions can run at weddings. Everybody and dem granmudda does want a picture. And ya dun know the 1980's cameras gine be coming out of the woodwork. Gotta crank the film too and then use the viewfinder, uh uh boah! We want to ENJOY so we are seriously considering NOT doing them before but definitely doing them after the Wedding while we still have our newlywed glow ;)

Safe to say this photo session probably took AGES???? : Photo Credit: Unknown

Trash the Dress:

I LOVE THIS. Although I did read of one bride who drowned, so safety is KEY! I'm def not trying this at the sea, nonsense. I mean ya can drown anywhere but uh uh boah, I'll take my chances with a pool of fairly still water thanks.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/canadian-bride-words-dragged-death-water-logged-wedding-gown-trash-dress-photo-shoot-heavy-article-1.1145343

( soo soooo sad ) the poor photographer, he tried and the groom :(  Deepest condolences, sincerely.

Anyway, I'm thinking a pool and Andy and I jump, big splash, nuff laughs, EPIC photo. Truly memorable and fun. If not, we can do dirt bikes or riding bicycles through the neighbourhood. Something fun and funny for our personal album. With the greatest caution and care!
I am willing to let Wade and Chris do whatever they want. I trust them totally! But I def have my own ideas. Andy has about 500 more than me (photographer problems).

Trash the dress with your husband :) 

With time going by so quickly I tend to forget that I'm getting married. But when I do I'm mostly stoked, slightly stifled that my room will not be mine and my beloved bathroom will change. We've started house repairs officially and Andy seems to be enjoying it. It's a great time for us. And we are grateful to have a house to renovate, building costs are ridiculous.

I'm still debating whether or not to do a giveaway for this blog. Your response has been fantastic, and I love to give things away. So stay tuned, it could be wedding related, photography, makeup. Who knows. Maybe October, but I don't know if you all are interested in that sort of thing hmmmmmmmmmmmmm... wink wink...


That's all for now, talk to you soon :D

xoxo
Heidi