Why yes, yes we are getting married. No, it isn't legal in California yet. Yes, we're trying to make it up to Vancouver to make it official next year. No, there's nothing you can do to help... unless you can sew? No? Okay..

I think I'm losing it! I have two papers due this weekend plus work all week.. and we only have 13 days left! If I could only clone myself and enjoy this wedding planning process..

In other news, I can't wait to see you all!! We are expecting wayyyy more people than we planned for, but everything will be okay. I think.

Got to cut this one short. Just wanted to check in!! <3

 

--jdh

Hello all!

This is Amanda writing her first blog!!

I finally have a free moment where I am actually on my computer and connected to the internet! I cant believe we only have nineteen days left! Time is seriously going by so fast and while I am extrememly excited that our day is almost here, I am also very anxious because there is still so much to do! .. of course Im sure we will feel that way nineteen days from now. I cant wait for our Bachelorette Party this friday (pirates, food, and dancing), but if you havent gotten your ticket yet, stop reading and go buy it now. Stop.. Do it now. In these next few weeks we will probably keep hounding everyone that hasnt sent their RSVP card back yet (really guys?), somehow manage to make time to go and get our bouquets put together, finish our center pieces (ugh! I completely forgot until now), and hope and pray that Kurt doesnt grow anymore.

We are in the process of securing our DJ and will definitely have one in the next week or so. I just cant seem to figure out where you would rent Djing equipment.. I actually havent had a need for it until now. Go figure. ;)

Along with trying to get everything all planned and organized we are kicking into Holiday season at work.. already. ITS NOT EVEN HALLOWEEN YET! I still dont have my days off approved, but obviously I will not miss the wedding. I guess its that time of the year where I have to prepare myself to hear Jingle Bell Rock every single day and know every single version within a week.. and like I said before.. all before Halloween.

I will try to update more often and hopefully with more entertaining news than just rambling about whatever it is I just rambled about. See you all soon!!

-Amanda

That's right, folks. We have forty days left.

What's that? ... Am I stressed out? What gave it away: the eye twitching, the bald patches in my hair, my nails bitten down to the wick or bags under the eyes? Honestly, planning hasn't been that bad, and I have a grip on the rest. I ... think.

 

Great news today; we actually have a DJ! My in-laws are amazing!!!

We spent a great deal of time making the centerpieces and filling favor boxes last week. I'm excited for everyone to discover the little details we've added to make our reception a unique one.

The picture you see at the top of this blog is going on the back of some cute light hoodies in time for our fall visits to Disneyland. I can't wait to make them.

Those RSVPs are slowly trickling in. I forgot how exciting it is to get mail in the box that ISN'T bill-related!! Checking the box is one of the first things we do when we get home - please keep us happy by sending YOUR RSVP today... even if you aren't going!

Our rings came in the other day and they are BEAUTIFUL and fit PERFECTLY. Thanks again to my parents!!

Our "bachelorette" party is on October 26. EVERYONE is invited to join us. We have dinner (and a show) reserved at Pirate Dinner Adventure in Buena Park followed by a night of dancing in West Hollywood. Email/text/Facebook us for the details if you're not already invited on Facebook.

I think that's about it to report. I'm exhausted!

 <3 jdh

To some of you, this might be the first time on our site. Welcome to the mess that is my planning madness!

I experienced the worst emotional setback yesterday when I received a call regarding my Poppa's death. I am, to say the very least, devastated. Last year, before the engagement, before the planning began and when Amanda and I finally moved into our apartment together, Poppa asked me if I was gay. It was difficult to speak (as some of you know), but before I could get a word out, he said, "You know, because it's okay if you are. It's your life, and I still love you."I never once thought that I would hear that from Poppa, but I still denied it. It was easier to keep the truth from him than to get into details. I don't regret it, either, and Amanda understands why I kept to myself that day.

One of the last days that he spent in the hospital before he came home to his last week, he mentioned that he saw how Amanda had become such a big part of our lives, and that it was obvious how much she cared for Kurt. I believe that if I had told him about this ceremony at that moment, he probably would have approved. Amanda, he said earlier this year, had changed his entire outlook on homosexuality; when he looked at her, he didn't see her as a lesbian, but as a caring, intelligent human being. This moment moved mountains, as we all can find ourselves quick to judge someone based on one aspect, especially on one we may not fully agree with. My tough, opinionated Poppa became an open-minded, enlightened man with that one sentence.

I know that even though he won't physically be there at the wedding, he will be in my heart. From here, I can only strive to keep my promises and make him proud.

 

More wedding details to come later this week. <3

-- jdh

I have been telling you all that September 17 is THE day. not THE BIG day, but THE day that everyone can expect their invitation to be on its way.

HOWEVER.. oh, that's a big however.. this didn't happen today. and might not happen tomorrow, either. in fact, Wednesday seems to be looking better in terms of sticking all those pesky stamps on everything. if you live in the area, go to school with me or work with Amanda, your chances are much better in receiving this invitation sooner, as it might be cheaper to hand-deliver. didn't someone say good things come to those who wait?

Can I make a request? it's a really simple one, really. I just want a DJ. perhaps one who accepts food and a good time as payment. it's not a big deal to rely on the iPod, I guess, but I really want a smooth transition between songs, not silence. a few hours. perhaps just three. wishful thinking!

my mind is going a billion miles an hour. I really should be working on homework and my time management session for this week's classes - which might actually be an example of irony. I put the "pro" in (say it with me, Spongebob style) PROCRASTINAAAAAATION.

 

-- jdh

.. and now you all can hear that song in your head. you're welcome!

 

this update will (hopefully) be brief.

we have eight weeks and two days left until the big day. no pressure here... no pressure at all.

Dress has been in and is getting sized now. I'll get it back on the 12th of October and will add all the fixings to it. Kurt looks so handsome in his "fancy clothes," and Amanda has finally bought all the items she needs.

Invitations are being packed tomorrow (at our crafty building party tomorrow morning!) and sent off Monday. Our table centerpieces are constantly being rearranged. We'll be taking a Sunday to drive up to Ojai and set up a table to see how it will look.

Wrote our vows. Took a really long time to write and repeat without crying. I doubt I'll be able to keep it together, though.

Speaking of vows, our officiant has changed. We will now be wed by the lovely Grace, who is a "minister" through Universal Life Church.

My parents have so generously purchased our rings. I'm so thankful that both Amanda and I have such wonderful, supportive and helpful parents. This whole thing would have never been able to begin without them all.

Since my last post..

We have a photographer!! A big thank you to Aliza and Eddie!!

The menu is pretty set. Easy sides. Some desserts.

Okay, question... How does one even up a tan in two months? I've had the same tan lines for two years now and am wearing a strapless dress. I've asked around already and my best bet is to go to the beach and lay out with a strapless top without sunscreen on my white lines.. I don't have time for that.. eek.

Time to get back to Political Science... yay. :/

Will check in periodically!! <3

--jdh

the title says it all.

I (Jenn) am exhausted with summer term and I still have two and a half weeks left. I'm pulling through, only because I want to get back to planning.

Some exciting details:

- I found color to add to my dress and the flower girl's dress (Miss K will look darling in her dress. I can't wait to visit Crystal and see the kids!)

- speaking of my dress, my first fitting is next Tuesday (17th). I'm excited because, while there won't be a whole lot of down-sizing to do to my dress, it will still fit better.. and well, it's exciting!

- we have wording on our invites secure. we're printing at home somehow. it's a long and difficult process, but it's going.

- the list of music is finally coming together. we have three different playlists.. one for seating, one for eating, and one for dancing! I wish we had a DJ that would work for the price of staying in Ojai for a night plus meals, of course.. that would be a dream! I guess we'll just have to work from the iPod..

These are a few things we still require to actually secure:

- photographer. sure, we'll have little cameras at each table, but every wedding deserves a decent photographer.

- extra food. we don't want our dear Peggy to have to cook too much; she is already providing the space and the rooms for most of our party to stay in, and creating a masterpiece of a cake/tower. I think I'm mostly concerned about other food for people to eat... my lovely (soon to be) mother in law has offered to have our reception catered, but we need more side dishes. maybe I'll get to thinking about actually cooking! haha.

 

anyways. that's it for now. we will update soon. :)

-- jdh

yay! summer is here! this means I'll have four long weeks to plan before summer term begins.

 

currently, we're not working on anything specific. we'll be making our way up to Ojai this weekend to really make things solid with the location. I'd like to at least get an idea of where we'll be walking, eating, dancing, etc. very exciting.

 

-- jdh

I'm trying to get this site up and running so I can start chronicling our days leading up to the wedding. I can't believe we didn't start on this sooner - I feel like we're so behind!

In other news, I've got a whole notebook dedicated to check lists. These lists are for everything: floral arrangements, seating charts(?), table settings, the dreaded parking situation, and the last three years' five-day weather conditions for November in Ojai.

...I'm just that organized.

-jdh