My day started out at the hair salon, where Crystal made me beautiful.  I had been putting off getting my hair done for a month so I could go in on the day of my shower.  Those of you who know me, know how hard that is for me.  I felt as if I belonged in a trailer park and had to change my name to something like  Candi, with an “i” of course.  She introduced me to her amazing curling iron that I just simply cannot live without.  After she worked her magic, I headed off to MAC because, well, a girl just needs to pamper herself, just a bit.

Oh yeah, check out the kick ass flower I found on Etsy by Mignonne Handmade.  I actually built my entire outfit around that.  Because that’s what you do, you find an accessory and then find the rest of the outfit. (BTW – didn’t I tell you the curling iron was amazing?!)

So back to the power tools.  Duffi took her job ad Matron of Honor very seriously and did her research for the shower.  She went to Anthropologie for inspiration and made many trips to the dreaded Shinoda’s.  She had her husband build the crate as the center piece for the table.  I love it so much I am going to have to sneak into her house one night and steal it!

How awesome would my herb garden look nestled in that? Or as a centerpiece on my kitchen table…oh the possibilities!

My mom put her painting skills to work and painted teacups with our wedding date and names on them.  And my other wonderful bridesmaid Heather had her mom make her toffee.  This stuff is like crack.  People who don’t like toffee like this stuff.  It is so amazing!

Did I mention that Heather also designed our invitations for the shower as well?  I have a multi-talented bunch of gals, don’t I?

The weird thing was it made this whole wedding thing “real”.  I have only had couple of other moments like that. The first was when I walked into the very first bridal salon, the other two times were in mass and I realized that I would be “up there” saying vows in a few short months.  This was a little nerve wracking going into it.  I had a blast once I was able to relax a little. Duffi’s white wine sangria helped with that quite a bit.  I wish I was able to talk to everyone more but it really was a whirlwind of a day.  I was so glad to see all of my girls there and have them all celebrate with me.

And as for the gifts? AJ and I made out like bandits!  We have all of our stemware -I think our friends know us pretty well – as well as quite a few kitchen essentials.

Of course, no Dalbey family gathering is complete without my cousins. Jana and Carolyn are twins and as different as can be.  Jana works in a law firm and can be totally inappropriate at times (which is why we love her- she calls a spade a spade). Where as Carolyn is a designer for Roxy and a bit more reserved.  They are both so much fun.  Well, Of course, thanks to them, this happened…

That’s right folks.  I thought I had made it through the entire shower without being embarrassed.  I was wrong.  The very last gift was from the twins, and well, I won’t go into detail as to what they put into the basket, but as you can see, I turned a rather lovely shade of red.

Thank you to my friends and family who were able to make it. Thank you those who couldn’t but still sent cards and love. Thank you to my aunties! They made my shower beautiful (and yummy too!) And most importantly, thank you to my bridesmaids.  The shower was more amazing than I ever thought it would be.  You are all so wonderful and I am so lucky to have you all in my life!

I will leave you with some fun pictures of the shower.  All pictures are from either Jill Troutman Photography, Alison MacInnes and my mom.

They had a beautiful light breakfast of fresh fruit and scones waiting for us, so we jumped in while waiting for the other couples to arrive.  Well, it was just our luck that the other 3 couples who signed up for this (free) event didn’t show up.  AJ and I had the entire store to ourselves!  Can’t you just imagine my evil little laugh as I rush off towards the pots and pans?

I even let AJ get in on the fun.

It was a great day, that’s for sure.  I love all of the little things they do to take care of the registrants.  Just yesterday, we got a letter from Diane, our registry consultant, reminding us to fill out a couple of forms so that we could take advantage of a few giveaways All Clad and Wustholf were offering just for registering for them .

On our second registering outing we brought another couple with us.  Kristen and Duke generously gave up a Sunday morning to join us at Crate and Barrel for one of their “Wedding Parties”. 

Okay, you see right there? In our hands?  That’s why AJ and Duke were so excited for this registry event.  Those are mimosas.  They were feeding us and giving us booze.  Yup, it was Spring Break in Crate and Barrel.

See the boys huddled near the pitcher? 

Our first scan of the day!

We had a great time all day, Duke and Kristen were great helping us to figure out what we needed and what was just fluff and filler.  Unbeknownst to us, they were also there for another reason.  The dreaded “registry argument” that every couple inevitably have.  Let me walk you through these next few photos.

AJ: “I like these plates”

Dana: “But I like these plates”

Dana: “Why don’t we pick something completely different so that way we both win?”

AJ: “But I like these plates”

So went the Great Plate Debate of ’09.  You will notice in checking our registry that our plates are not from Crate and Barrel at all. So came our first lesson in marital compromise. 

The rest of the day went off without a hitch.  AJ found an “old man chair” which he claimed as his own.

The guy who never wanted to grow up has now decided to be an old man. I know, I don’t understand it either.

Thanks for joining us!

One of the first ones I came across was Jessica Claire‘s blog site.  I was introduced to her work by our good friends Kristen and Duke.  She is a friend of Kristen’s family and was their photographer for their wedding.  Her work is absolutely beautiful! She has an adorable studio in Ladera Ranch in a great little area that has homes that are zoned for commercial. I love her style and I have enjoyed follwing her own trip to the alter.  There are so many great little nuances that made her wedding so special and I love where it has taken me in my own journey. I particularly loved her invites.

Photography by Jessica Claire

Another great blog is The Wedding Chicks. It is run by two fabulous ladies in San Clemente, California and it has so  many resources.  I love that they follow brides throughout the process.  Everything you can imagine is covered throughout this site.  I love their personalized totes and tees!

That’s all for today!  Stay tuned for more coming soon!

Just last Sunday, AJ and I met up with our wonderful photographer Kristin at the Balboa Fun Zone for our engagement shoot.  We had a blast and Kristin worked her magic.  We were so lucky to find her on the day AJ proposed, while he was proposing!  Check out her blog and some of the pictures she has posted.  

Blue Sky’s Studios

Some cool facts about our shoot. 

   On our first date AJ convinced me to go on the ferris wheel at the fair, even though I am terified of heights, actually make that of falling from heights.  That is why we got photos on the ferris wheel.

The suitcase was one that actually belonged to my grandparents.  Yup, all those stickers are from their travels.

Most of the old cameras came from my collection.  In fact, the old 8mm was my Papa’s that he used to shoot home movies of my mom, my aunts and uncle.  I am not sure, but it may even be the one he took overseas with him while in the Marines.

Enjoy!  We will post more when we have more to share!

Once upon a time, in land far far away in a town known to some as San Juan Capistrano, a blond girl with her arm stuck in a sling met a boy throwing a party while his dad was away in Japan.  The fair-haired maiden, who had recently had reconstructive surgery on her shoulder, went to a party with her very good friend Francine.  There they talked and mingled and drank “sodas” all night long.  The boy and the girl talked very briefly that night, laughing at the note his dad left on the oven.  The note may have included:

              No parties, the neighbors are watching.  If you do throw a party, you won’t get your allowance.

             Jake, you are grounded.  You can only go to the desert to go riding. 

              Don’t drink my beers.  I counted them and spit in all of them.

The boy went back to San Francisco and finished up his first year away at college.  That would have been the end of it, but just a few months later the boy returned home and met up with Francine and the now red-haired girl for another party at another friends house.  They spent the night talking and laughing and knew they started something very special.  Of course it took the boy another month and a half to get up the courage to have his good friend ask the girl out for him.  They went to the fair and the rest is history.

Eight years later, AJ and I were getting ready to celebrate another anniversary together.  AJ has always been a big fan of “grand gestures” . One year it was a scavenger hunt around south Orange County put on by his alter ego “Big Tony”.  While another year he blindfolded me and took me to Glen Ivy Hot Springs and Spa.  Needless to say, I knew I was in for something special.  The morning began with my gift to AJ. As long as I can remember, AJ had been talking about how cool the Tiffany Atlas collection was.  When he woke up I pulled out the box and had Lola “give him” his present, the Atlas ring.

We then got on our way. We started off at the Ritz Carlton for breakfast overlooking the ocean. Both AJ and I  were delighted to see an italian version of eggs Benedict.  Prosciutto and pesto Hollandaise heaven!

AJ and his present

Our view for breakfast

Before we go on, you need to understand one fundamental difference between AJ and myself. He loves being surprised where I love surprises so I can figure them out. This drives him nuts. So as we started driving along for the rest of our fun-filled day, I had to guess everything. And I am pretty good at it too, it drove him crazy that I was guessing everything we were going to do. We were headed to the Sawdust Festival, a local showcase for artists in Laguna Beach. But before we headed in, we stopped off at Pure Light Candles, a “Make your own candle” store and made our “Love Candle”.

Our next stop was Tommy Bahama’s for lunch and pineapple mojitos followed by a quick stop in to Sprinkles for cupcakes. After that we stopped at the Newport Beach Vespa to try and grab me a t-shirt. What we forgot was that it was Monday and the dealerships are closed. This picture out front had to tide me over.

Then AJ got really weird. He kept saying that we were going to be late. But then was saying we needed to go home and feed the dog, but it was only 2:30pm. He passed our exit to get off the freeway. And the next one and the next one. He got off at Ortega highway and headed towards he church. We parked in the lot and he suggested that we stop by and say hi to the youth minister since we both volunteer with the youth community at the church. Jaymes wasn’t there so he suggested that we head over to the old mission. Neither of us had been there in a while even though we spend quite a bit of time right next door. We wandered the mission for a bit, taking pictures. AJ seemed to be sweating a bit more than was called for on that afternoon. I asked him more than once if he was okay. He just told me that it was a warm day and he was fine.
At some point I left him for a few minutes and he was talking to strangers. This, if you know AJ,is not unusual at all. He makes friends where ever he goes. I paid no attention this, although I guess I should have. I was a little more concerned with the mini panic attack he seemed to be having. We made our way over to the fountain in the center of the courtyard and AJ started talking to me. What he said, I am not entirely sure of. What I do remember is him crying and me asking him “what are you doing?” Yes, I waited eight years for him to propose and I respond with “what are you doing?” Of course I said yes and the rest is history.

As some of you know, when AJ proposed there happened to be a photographer there taking another couple’s engagement photos.  She got off a few great shots of AJ crying like little girl – he was so cute! We actually ened up booking her as our wedding photographer, check out her work at Blue Skys Studios

The day was perfect and wonderful!

Wedding Vows a la’ Dr. Suess.

Minister: Will you answer me right now
These questions, as your wedding vow?

Groom: Yes, I will answer right now
Your questions as my wedding vow.

Minister: Will you take her as your wife?
Will you love her all your life?

Groom: Yes, I take her as my wife,
Yes, I’ll love her all my life.

Minister: Will you have, and also hold
Just as you have at this time told?

Groom: Yes, I will have, and I will hold,
Just as I have at this time told,
Yes, I will love her all my life
As I now take her as my wife.

Minister: Will you love through good and bad?
Whether you’re happy or sad?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love through good and bad,
Whether we’re happy or sad,
Yes, I will have and I will hold
Just as I have already told,
Yes, I will love her all my life,
Yes, I will take her as my wife!

Minister: Will you love her if you’re rich?
Or if you’re poor, and in a ditch?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her if we’re rich,
And I will love her in a ditch,
I’ll love her through good times and bad,
Whether we are happy or sad,
Yes, I will have, and I will hold
(I could have sworn this has been told!)
I promise to love all my life
This woman, as my lawful wife!

Minister: Will you love her when you’re fit,
And also when you’re feeling sick?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love her when we’re fit,
And when we’re hurt, and when we’re sick,
And I will love her when we’re rich
And I will love her in a ditch
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold
Ten years from now a thousandfold,
Yes, I will love for my whole life
This lovely woman as my wife!

Minister: Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death you part?

Groom: Yes, I’ll love with all my heart
From now until death do us part,
And I will love her when we’re rich,
And when we’re broke and in a ditch,
And when we’re fit, and when we’re sick,
(Oh, CAN’T we get this finished quick?)
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold,
And if I might now be so bold,
I’ll love her my entire life,
Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!

Minister: Then if you’ll take her as your wife,
And if you’ll love her all your life,
And if you’ll have, and if you’ll hold,
From now until the stars grow cold,
And if you’ll love through good and bad,
And whether you’re happy or sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you’re poor, and when in wealth,
And if you’ll love with all your heart,
From now until death do you part,
Yes, if you’ll love her through and through,
Please answer with these words:

Minister and Groom: I DO!

I really love party planning and showing people a good time so I was definitely in my element with this party. My mom was out of town for the past week, otherwise she would have helped out more than she did.  Thank you mom  for all of your help and “throwing” us an amazing party!

Now for all of the fun details! Where to start? Well, we went with a fun summery palette for the party.  Red and white with blue.  Very fun and appropriate for the last weekend of summer. To take advantage of the wonderful Southern California weather, we held the party at Central Park in Rancho Santa Margarita.  And was it beautiful!  The sun was shining and the sky was clear, perfect for an afternoon BBQ. We had amazing food from Wood Ranch BBQ. It is so close, that if the wind is blowing just right, you can smell the meat smoking at our house. The food tastes just as amazing as it smells and I love the pesto rolls with their famous BBQ sauce.

So back to the fun colors and decorations! The invitations were done by a wonderful graphic artist, Kelly Crane. I have been lucky enough to work with and call Kelly a friend for 3 years now. Her work is beautiful and the attention to detail is amazing! I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for any kind of artwork to be done.

I happened onto a blog for a photographer, Chenin Boutwell while researching wedding ideas and she had just thrown her friend a bridal shower in the  exact same colors as we had decided on!  Imagine my delight when she included the links to find her fun decorations.  I fell in love with these giant three foot balloons.

  We were hoping for red, but Dana Party Supply (yes, they really are called Dana Party Supply) were all out but they did have 3 left in a great shade of blue.  These worked out great and made it so much easier for everyone to find us in the park. Fresh daisies and tulips livened up the tables.  Even the candy matched our color scheme!

One of my favorite things from the party was the “engaged!” banner I made. It turned out so much better than I could have hoped. I was so sad when I realized that I was so focused on making sure our guests had a good time, that I completely forgot to take pictures of the decorations! If anyone out there got pictures, send them our way!

The most important part of the engagement party was for our families to meet.  Well, some of our families to meet, the ones in the state of California.  Yes, that is right people, we have dated for eight years and our parents never met until the engagement party.  Why you ask?  It never came up.  Not until we realized how long it had been, and by that point we made ourselves so nervous about it.  I think we stressed ourselves out over nothing.  The day went beautifully.  My little nephew even made his first appearance in public since he was born.  He of, course, was the hit of the party!

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped us make our day special!

Resources
Inspiration
Chenin Boutwell

Decorations
Dana Party Supply
Michaels
Paper Source

Graphic Design
Kelly Crane – kellycranedesigns@yahoo.com