Our Last Planning Weekend!

As I've mentioned before, Justin and I are getting married next month in Williamsburg, Virginia! Located about 3 1/2 hours from where we live in Durham, North Carolina, it has been both fun and challenging to plan a "destination" wedding. This weekend we traveled there for our final confirmation meetings with the site coordinator/ caterer and florist. My Mom was able to come in for a pre-wedding visit and joined us for the trip. Since she lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, it has been difficult for her to be as involved as we'd both like her to be in the preparations and planning, so it was such a treat to have her here!



I will go ahead and formally announce (though I have been saying it for months) that planning our wedding has definitely instilled in me a newfound appreciation for what goes into such an event. What I've realized, though, is that what has been most challenging (other than staying in budget) has not been things like the dress, venue, or menu. What has been toughest has been attempting to figure out how to keep it personal and reflective of not just our tastes or style, but of our values and the kind of marriage we want to have. I'm not someone who has been planning each detail of her dream wedding since she was six years old, but over the years I've definitely developed an idea of what I wanted. Melding this with Justin's ideas, with our current realities (budget, time, etc) and re-evaluating whether that idea I've held onto for eight years is even something I actually still want has been interesting. Who knew that planning my wedding would lead to new levels of self-discovery and growth?!




It's also been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. While Justin and I do our best to remember each day how privileged we are to be so loved and supported by our friends and family, like most people, we occasionally forget to be as grateful as we should be. The process of choosing the guest list was amazing...the list of people in our support community just grew and grew! How did we come to be surrounded by so many exceptional people? ! And as the RSVPs started coming in, we were so moved by how many people were willing to travel over a holiday weekend to be there on our behalf. "Humbling" is an understatement!

So as we enter this final month before the wedding and finals (who plans their wedding for the weekend before her finals start?!), bear with my sporadic postings! I will do my best to write as often as possible!

Oh! The Colors!!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Justin and I spent the weekend in New Hampshire for Brian and Seema's wedding. We could not have asked for more beautiful weather or a more fantastic time of year! 

We flew into Manchester late Thursday night and spent the night with Justin's parents in his hometown of Hollis. We took a little time on Friday morning to enjoy the leaves and the vibrant fall produce. Hollis is famous for its apple orchards, so we stopped by Brookdale Farm's farmstand to pick up some local apples and homemade baked goods for the road. I couldn't stop taking pictures!!

Apple season begins in Hollis...

We arrived in Moultonborough around 4:30pm Friday afternoon with just enough time to re-unite with my friend and bridesmaid, Kim (Brian is her brother) before heading over to the Mehendi party. It had been seven years since Kim and I had last seen one another! She and her husband, Scott, along with their their fourteen month old daughter, Avery, live in Alaska, so it was quite a treat to see them!

How absolutely perfect is Avery!?!






On our way to the Mehendi party, this was our view...

The Mehendi party was incredible! This was my first Indian wedding and I am officially smitten with the traditions that accompany such an event! The color! The sparkle! Already my henna is fading and I'm just so sorry to see it go!

Vandana, Seema's sister, getting her henna...


Kim and my henna...


Neha starting Seema's elaborate bridal Henna...

Saturday was the rehearsal followed by the rehearsal dinner, which was open to everyone. It was our first opportunity to actually go up to Castle in The Clouds...what a view!! From the lawn on which the ceremony was to take place, you had a clear view of all of Lake Winnipesaukee and the surrounding mountains. It was truly breathtaking. 

The trout pond at Castle in the Clouds...


Kim & I


Rehearsing


View from the lawn...


Justin & I stopped for ice cream...this is quintessential New England!


Brian knew that something embarrassing was coming up...he loves being the center of attention, can't you tell?

Sunday was the wedding. And may I just say what a wedding it was! If you have never attended an Indian wedding, you are missing out! To describe it as beautiful or colorful doesn't begin to do it justice...it was brilliant in every way! From Seema's traditional red sari to her elaborate henna to the amazing garlands to the shimmering jewelry worn by all of the Indian women in attendance...brilliant. 

Seema's entrance...




The ceremony...


Married!!!


They busted out some moves on their first dance!




Check out how Seema shimmers!


Avery and Grandpa...


Kim & Scott at sunset...how gorgeous is Kim's sari?!


Neha dancing Indian-style...it was AWESOME!!


Clearly things got wilder as the night progressed...


Seema, sparkling like I've never seen!

Thank you, Brian and Seema, for sharing your day with us and allowing us to be a part of it!  

Off to New Hampshire!

Our friends, Brian and Seema, are getting married this weekend at A Castle in the Clouds in New Hampshire...we are so excited to get up to the NH mountains during leaf season!

As many of you know, Justin & I are getting married this November. Brian is brother to my bridesmaid and longtime friend, Kim! Brian and I got to know one another during preparations for Kim's wedding in June of 1999 and have remained friends through the years! I couldn't have been more excited when we met Seema for the first time...she's really fanstasic! Brilliant, funny, outgoing, and outdoorsy...she encompasses all of the things one would hope for in the partner of a friend.

Brian and Seema have been hiking the Appalachian Trail since February and completed the 2,000+ mile hike just a couple of weeks ago. The Trail is where they met for the first time when Brian was hiking in 2004, as well as where Justin and I met during our hikes in 2003! Looking for love? Try hiking!!

Keep an eye out for photos...I plan to put that spanky camera to good use!