Arthur and BF are married!

Arthur and BF are married. For one week now, actually. They are on their way back from their honeymoon in the Bahamas, as we speak!

That means BF (boyfriend) needs a new name. Now he will be SIL (Son-in-law).

Last Friday me and Hubster loaded up the SUV and Courage's car with boxes of wedding stuff, luggage, suits and dresses, snacks, and four girls and headed to South Georgia. We stopped about half way and ate at Subway and DQ. We arrived at the White House Bed and Breakfast in Montezuma at around 2:30 in the afternoon. We were greeted by Ms. Yoder, the Mennonite lady who is co-owner of the B&B there. She was wonderfully sweet. She immediately took us upstairs to to our rooms, which were decorated so pretty and homey, and soon she baked us a plate full of home-made chocolate chip pecan cookies.

After bringing up all our stuff, then exploring the house and grounds, we loaded up and headed out to Ideal Baptist Church, where the kids were getting married, for the rehearsal dinner, and rehearsal.

SIL's family treated us to roast turkey, green beans, potato salad, and several other good dishes. We got to meet the groomsmen and SIL's grandparents. Rehearsal went fine and soon we were back at the B&B to get some rest. We thought we would be bored with no t.v. or radios. But the girls had fun goofing off in their rooms, and me and the Hubster were so tired, we went to bed early.

The next morning the girls got up at 5:30am and starting getting ready. First, they had to shower and dry their hair. Mrs. Yoder brought up a most wonderful breakfast at 6:45am. She made thick slices of country ham, home baked bread, scrambled eggs, the best grits I'd ever tasted, a bowl of fruit, and home made cream cheese croissant pastries. And add REAL butter and homemade strawberry jam. It was so delicious.

After eating, the girls headed out to His and Hers Hair Salon where Ms. P and her crew coiffed and beautified the girls. In the meantime, Hubster and I were showering, dressing, and then loading up every one's stuff. We arrived at the church about 10:30am and started helping set things up for the wedding.

The girls all arrived at about 11:00am or so, and they all begin to get dressed. We had a little scare with the wedding gown, as we could not find the special snap the seamstress added to the halter strap, but Aunt Pam came to the rescue and fixed it all up! Now the bride was ready, and she and the groom began the long, arduous ordeal of all the photograph taking.

After two hours of photographs, arranging flowers, helping girls with this and that, and making sure everyone knew where they were supposed to be, it was time to begin the wedding. The guests had arrived and were treated to a slide show of the wedding couple featuring pictures from the time they were little babies up until their engagement and wedding showers. Also, the harpist played while they were being seated.

Finally, the grandmother was seated, then the groom's mom, and then me. Arthur's little brother did a wonderful job serving as usher. Hubster and I didn't trip and fall while lighting the candle, that was an accomplishment! I cried when I saw Arthur, on Hubster's arm, coming down the aisle. It's a moment you can't believe is happening, when it does happen. Even though, 27.4 years ago, when she was born, I knew this day would come. SIL was waiting at the alter for her, and he looked as handsome as she was beautiful.

SIL sang to Arthur as part of the ceremony; there was barely a dry eye in the house! He sang Alan Jackson's, 'I'll be here', and he did a wonderful job!

At last, they said their vows, and became husband and wife. The rest is a blur, as everyone filed out and walked back to the fellowship hall for the reception of ham croissants, a really neat veggie 'tree', finger sandwiches and all kinds of goodies. SIL's family did a good job 'hosting' the wedding. They really wanted SIL to be married in the church he grew up in, and since that is 3 hours away from where we live, unfortunately, they got the brunt of the work.

After the cake was cut, the bouquet thrown and bubbles blown, the bride and groom changed clothes and climbed into the car (that the groomsmen decorated quite well) and headed off in into the sunset to celebrate their new beginning.

And Courage caught the bouquet! (oh, me).

Wedding Countdown

The Wedding Countdown has truly begun now. This Saturday Arthur has her first bridal shower, for BF's side of the family and friends, then the next Saturday is her shower for our side of the family and friends, and then the following Saturday is her and BF's 'Couples' shower, and then the next week is the shower from her friends at work.

I have finally found the dress I am wearing at the wedding. It needs some slight alterations, which may or may not happen. Arthur has to try on her gown again next week to see what alterations are needed. I need to call the bridal shop and inquire into the delivery of the brides maids dresses. Hubster wants a new suit so we've got to find time to go suit shopping. Courage and Krumm have got to get their shoes.

Arthur still has to make another trip to the bridal shop to pick out a veil and shoes.

Arthur and BF got their engagement session photos e-album today. Now they have to decide which picture to publish in the news papers and have framed for the wedding.

Arthur, myself, BF and BF's parents have really worked hard to make this a nice wedding...on a shoestring budget. For reasons I won't mention, we have really had to tighten the belt and spread things thin as possible and make do and cut corners. If you ever need to plan a wedding on a very skinny budget, ask us for some tips! Most everyone we have talked to have stated that their wedding, or their son, daughter or grandchild's wedding started at $25,000.00. I can tell you this, if we had 1/2 that amount to spend, we would have been happy. We have had to really scrimp, but I truly believe this is going to be a beautiful wedding. Mostly, because everyone involved has really poured their hearts into making this a special day for Arthur and BF. Here are some ways we have saved:

*Bought the wedding gown "off the rack". Literally. She chose a dress off the rack at Formally Yours in Lilburn and the lady said if we took THAT dress and didn't order it to be made, we would receive a nice discount. The dress Arthur chose fit her, but had a stain on the back where a rack had rolled over the train. But that was remedied with special cleaners and work from the expert seamstress employed by the bridal shop. How many brides do you know who are that EASY GOING??????????? Most brides turn into BRIDEZILLA and insist on a made to order gown. This has been my biggest bragging point for Arthur. Some dresses she tried on were upward of $5,000.00 but Arthur's was only about 1/5 of that with the discounts we received. She chose the most beautiful dress in the store without looking at price tags, and we were blessed that it was in our budget and fit! Of course now that she has lost close to 40lbs it may have to be altered!
*Arthur's sister made the Wedding Invitations in her spare time and they turned out beautiful!
*We have purchased a lot of the items such as the toast glasses, cake knife and server, wedding favors at discount stores.
*Arthur and BF agreed on a very reasonable package from the photographer and stated if they desired a package upgrade they would pay the difference themselves.
*The couple have been shopping for a good deal on a cruise for their honeymoon and have saved and scrimped to pay for it themselves.
*They agreed on a small number of bridesmaids and groomsmen in order to save $$$.
*Arthur took BF's mother's advise to use a bakery and florist that BF's mother is acquainted with and used for her daughter's wedding, therefore getting very good prices for both!
*The couple agreed to pass on an expensive reception, instead opting to have it in the church fellowship hall. BF's denomination does not allow for dancing or alcohol, so why did we need a big dance floor or bar??? Also, BF's church family are taking care of the food at the reception. What a blessing!
*BF's mother is personally catering the wedding rehearsal, again being held at the church.
*They are being married in BF's church and his grandfather will officiate. More savings!

These are only a few ways we have kept the wedding budget very low. Some things you can't scrimp on though. The night before the wedding our family has rented a bed and breakfast all for ourselves. $$$$. The morning of the wedding the bride and bridesmaids are getting the royal treatment from a salon owner and her assistants. $$$$. We still have to purchase the jewelry for the bride and bridesmaids. $$$$ ????.

To sum it up, the three things I think typically cost the most, the gown, the photographer and the reception, have all been secured on our little budget, and will be sufficient, and will make Arthur and BF happy.

That's all that matters.

No BRIDEZILLAS here!

Today was a fun day! Arthur, myself and SisterSister (Arthur's other sister by her dad), spent the morning with Arthur trying on wedding gowns and SisterSister trying on brides maids dresses. It was so much fun! And there were NO BRIDEZILLA tendencies from Arthur! She was actually quiet calm and relaxed throughout the entire morning!

I think a lot of that was due to the fact that SisterSister was so helpful and thoughtful! As soon as she got the idea of what type of dress Arthur wanted (not too plain, not too fru-fru, some beading, not too much lace, no strapless gowns) she began pulling dresses off the racks for Arthur to try on. They both went into a dressing room and SisterSister helped Arthur pull on dresses. I waited on the other side of the door, holding my breath.

The first dress she put on was gorgeous! The second dress she put on was...gorgeous. And well, the last dress she tried on was, well, gorgeous! Arthur's weight loss was very evident in these form fitting gowns. She looked beautiful in them. The last dress she tried on looked absolutely stunning on her, and that was her final choice. It is hard to believe she found a dress she loves on her first trip to try on dresses. We placed our order with the lovely Ms. Madeline at Formally Yours in Lilburn. She and her assistant were absolutely wonderful. They were so sweet and helpful.

Next, SisterSister tried on several dresses from the brides maids collection. SisterSister is sooooo tiny! One sample dress was a size twelve and the shop girl had to clip the dress in several places to make it fit her size 0 body! She made the dress look wonderful! That was the one Arthur chose to be part of her wedding 'bouquet' as Ms. Madeline described it.

Now, we just have to get the other three bridesmaids fitted and all the dresses can be ordered.

Next, we all three had lunch at Johnny's Pizza on Sugarloaf Parkway, where you can get pizza by the slice. It was fun to have lunch and all three of us just sit and talk and get caught up on every one's news and lives. It was fun to be a part of all this!

Here is Arthur and SisterSister after shopping...see the smiles!

Happy News!

I am very pleased to announce...Arthur and her BF got engaged yesterday!!!!!!!!!! They spent the day in beautiful Dahlonega, Georgia...horseback riding, dinner at an Italian restaurant, and walking around the little town, looking in different shops. Finally, they sat outside under the stars and BF told Arthur to look up at the starry sky, to pick a star and make a wish on it. Then he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! She burst out in tears of joy, and said YES of course!

Her ring is beautiful! I don't know all the fine details, but I understand that the jeweler whom BF purchased the ring from had acquired the diamond in the ring in an estate sale. The diamond itself is over a 100 years old, but the jeweler put it in a new ring that he designed. He said the cut of the diamond is rare these days...and it is in the center of the ring and then there are smaller diamonds all around it. I hope you can see it in the pictures shown...I will try to get a closer view soon, and the name of the cut, etc.

Arthur is on cloud nine, and me and her dad and step dad, her two sisters and brother and other family members are all so happy for her. We've already started very tentative wedding plans and details...and looking at a February wedding date!

More details to come soon!