Sealed With a Kiss: The VIDEO!

Howdy, Hive! I've missed you! I am diligently working away on my recaps but thought I'd take a break to share something fun with you: OUR HIGHLIGHT VIDEO!

The Sealman and I definitely have a few dorky moments, but apart from that...we LOVE our video. Many thanks to Chris from Chriz Photography for doing such an amazing job!!!

Marie and Shaun Bently Reserve Wedding Highlight from ChriZ Photography on Vimeo.

Hope you enjoy and I'll be back again soon ;)

The Seals are Married!

My husband (!!!) and I are on our Disneyland mini-moon - currently giving our feet a rest - so I thought I'd pop in and say hello! We're spending a few days here at the Grand Californian Hotel before heading down to San Diego for a couple of nights, but I'll fill you in all the mini-moonin' details later ;)

Basically our wedding was absolutely perfect and I cannot wait to get our pro photos back so I can tell you all about it. Everything lived up to (and exceeded) my expectations and it was absolutely the best day of my entire life. I wish I could get married to Mr. Seal every weekend because, hive, we throw one hell of a party. Everyone had a blast.

Anyway, here's a little sneak peek to tide you over:

I'll check back in with you again soon, Mickey is calling our names.

xo,

MRS. Seal

Sealed With a Kiss: The Prelude

Here I sit, the morning of my wedding, amazed that these last two years have flown by so quickly. My lovely bridesmaids are getting their hair and make-up done and I FINALLY feel like it's real...I am getting married to my incredible love...Today. In a whirlwind of planning, crafting and blogging, I've come upon the day that will make me a wife...at last. The past few weeks have been especially busy, but I have sincerely enjoyed every minute of my engagement and am so ready to be married.

To my fellow blogging bees: Thank you for your shoulders to lean upon, your cheers to keep me keepin' on, and your unparalleled ingenuity that never ceases to inspire me. I am so thankful and proud to stand amongst you all and to call you my friends. Truly and honestly.

To the hive: This is going to sound trite, but I promise every word is true–I cannot express what an extreme pleasure it has been sharing this experience with each and every one of you. Over the last 8 months, your comments and stories have made me smile, cry and laugh in the best ways possible. Even now, I daily thank the heavens for bestowing such an amazing opportunity upon me. You all really are the best, and after this big shindig is over, I can't wait to share some recaps :)

To the man of the hour, Mr. Seal: You truly are my better half. Wherein I lack patience, clarity and unfailing compassion, you have an abundance. You are, undoubtedly, the sweetest man I've ever known and I am so lucky to call you mine. Through terrible times and, conversely, suffocating bouts of laughter, you have been there with your warmth, comfort and poise. Today we (finally) become husband and wife and I couldn't be any more ready—I landed me a good one.

As our good friend Katniss Everdeen so aptly said: "What I need to survive is not [...] fire, kindled with rage and hatred. I have plenty of fire myself. What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again." And only you can give me that, Mr. S.

For always.

See you on the flipside, hive!

-Miss Seal

Just Breathe: Some Welcome Advice From a Wise Cousin

Howdy, Hive! Just your friendly, neighborhood Miss Seal here checking in :) The Mr. and I leave for our hotel in San Francisco tomorrow and the excitement is really building. Family and friends have started arriving from their OOT destinations and the calls are flooding in. I still can't believe I am getting married...the day after tomorrow.

So remember that calm before the "inevitable storm" I spoke of? Well, as it turns out...the storm has yet to hit. I'm still waiting for the crazy to slap me across the face, but I'm hoping it's just not gonna happen. I mean, I did get those two teeth extracted, but with the exception of a bit of soreness and eating more slowly, the swelling is gone and I feel good.

The lovely Miss Ferris Wheel (my date/city/birthday bee twin) even sent me this adorable bouquet on the day of my oral surgery. It definitely put a swollen smile on my face ;)

Anyhow, I'm writing today not so much to update you on my life, but to let you know that you can and will get through wedding planning. You will be thrown obstacles along the way, but some things (particularly your attitude and reactions to such hurdles) can be controlled within reason!

Honestly, this is something I've had to learn...and I really think a lot of this serenity I'm experiencing is owed in part to my cousin Jen. She sent me an amazing e-mail last week and it was everything a bride needs to hear.

Let me share her wisdom with you (hopefully it proves as helpful to some of you as it was to me!):

You are getting down to the the finals days. All the planning, preparation, dreaming, and expectations are about to come to fruition. That is sooo exciting and nerve racking at the same time - nerves, anxiety, pit in the stomach, sleepless nights, all the signs of a bride to be (as I'm sure you've experienced). During that final week, take each day one at a time - make your lists, delegate, and stay calm. The night before, after the rehearsal and after the dinner when you are going over all your to-do lists and making new ones, lay your head down on your pillow, close your eyes and let it all go. What will be, will be. It's as if you are on the edge of a cliff ready to free dive. Take that jump and let everything run off you like water.

There is a choice you have on the morning you wake up. You can be "that bride" - the one who is demanding, take charge, stressed, anxious, and worried that everything is or isn't perfect. OR you can be "the happy bride" - live in the moment. Look at each face as you walk down the aisle, take it all in. Look into the pews at the church as you stand before all your family and friends who love you and take it all in. There WILL be something that goes wrong - let it go. And the things that go wrong will be the things that make your day memorable. 

My flowers weren't as I ordered. As I was waiting to get into my dress they arrived and were NOTHING like I chose. "Oh well." Our wedding planner sent our girls down the aisle before the guys were in front (they were going to meet them at the end of the aisle and walk them onto the stage). "Oh well." My centerpieces at the table weren't like I planned. "Oh well." They were irises. IRISES! I chose hydrangeas. That was a big "oh well." Lol. And the morning of, as my parents were setting up at the reception, we found out our DJ didn't have a tape player, which was what we needed for our father-daughter dance (doing a salsa we had rehearsed for months). Another BIG "oh well." 

You get my point. And to be honest, I don't even remember what our centerpieces were supposed to be, or the exact flower arrangment I had hoped for. All I remember was looking into Justin's eyes, dancing in the midst of bubbles, and being the happiest and luckiest girl in the world.

The moment before the church doors open up - that final moment after all your girls have walked down, and it's just you and your daddy - all you have to do....is just breathe. That's all that's left to do, just breathe. The rest of your day is out of your hands - enjoy it, soak it in. You are the princess that day. A princess and her prince, on the first day of the rest of their lives 


Anyway, just thought I'd pass this along. I'll be back to check-in on Friday for my last post as MISS Seal ;)

What Happens In Vegas...

...gets shared with the Hive!

Last weekend, I had the privilege of spending four nights in Sin City with 17 of my favorite ladies! Our flight from SFO was at 7am, so our journey began very early. Like...so early that I only slept 30 minutes before heading to BART.

Thank goodness for Go Girls.

On BART with a patronizingly happy MOH Meghan

Image courtesy of BM Sarah

 BM Sarah and MOH Meghan onboard our early flight

Yours truly making a ridiculous face.

Upon arriving in Vegas (at 830 am, mind you) we headed to our off-strip suite and met up with BM Karina. Since our room was not yet available, we slipped into our suits and headed out to the pool. Perhaps kicking off the day with Long Island Iced Teas wasn't the brightest idea, but we were in Vegas, afterall.

Our ginormous Long Islands

After floating down the resort's lazy river and consuming another adult beverage, BM Sarah decided it was time to harass the front desk again. While I napped in the lobby, she managed to finagle her way into our room. Hurrah! 

The combination of a lack of sleep, early drinking and greasy pizza ended up being a recipe for a night in, but we definitely made up for it on nights 2 and 3.

By Friday, my mom and aunts, the rest of my bridesmaids and more family friends had all arrived. I had a strict "no stripper" rule (seriously, I just can't hang with all that gyration), so while my mom and aunts went to Chippendales, the BMs and I headed out to the clubs.

As it turns out, wearing bachelorette gear will get you tons of free drinks and access to clubs. We were even invited to join a VIP booth with a group of Australian guys celebrating a bachelor party, but thanks to their lack of conversational skills, that only lasted a handful of awkward minutes before we scooted out of there.

 BM Karina, Me and friend Louise

(Above photos via MOH Brandi)

It was more fun just dancing with the ladies anyhow.

After some of us had (unfortunately) ditched our heels in favor of walking barefoot on the streets of Las Vegas, we managed to make our way into a cab and back to our hotel. The place we were staying had an on-site Denny's and booooy do I owe Mr. Denny for my hangover-free Saturday!

More lounging and tanning (OK, and drinking) ensued the following day.

MOH Brandi and I enjoying drinks by the pool

 Not sure what was going on here, but I was clearly enjoying myself.

And that night we headed out with our entire group to dinner at Le Village Buffet at the Paris Hotel.

On the shuttle to Paris with Mama Seal and BM Megan

Waiting in line for the buffet with BM Sarah and creeper MOH Brandi

After dinner, we decided to do a bit of gambling. Papa Seal had graciously given me a roulette allowance for the trip so I hit the tables - but sadly, Lady Luck was not on my side and all of said allowance was lost. :(

That was of no matter though, my ladies and I decided to head out for another round of club-hopping. Thankfully, BM Sarah (ever the negotiator and leader), setup our schedule and assured our entrance and off we went.

Having way too much fun in a bathroom mirror

Image via BM Megan

 At Serenity

BM Karina and Me

On Sunday, most of my friends, my FSILs and my family members headed back home. MOH Meghan, Mama Seal, a couple aunties and cousins, FMIL Seal and I stuck around for another day and took it easy.

Honorary Auntie Pam and Mama Seal on our way back from the Mandalay Bay

I wish I had taken more photos because sooo many of my favorite people made the trip out and my pictures don't accurately depict that! But the weekend really showed me what amazing loved ones I have. We all had such a blast and I am so thankful for each and every one of them!

What did you do for your bachelorette party?

Pulling Teeth...Literally.

Disclaimer: This post talks a lot about teeth. In particular, bad teeth. If for some reason you are sensitive to such a topic or just plain don't want to hear about it, kindly feel free to skip this one ;)

Today marks 22 days until our wedding. I'll soon (as in a few hours) be leaving to Las Vegas for my bachelorette party and I know when I return I'll only need blink twice and November 11th will be here. With that said, I can't quite be excited yet. Having been engaged for just a couple months shy of two years, I was certain that I'd be overcome with joy (and perhaps nerves) once the under-30-days mark hit.

But, as I said, I can't be excited quite yet.

You see, about four months ago I chipped a molar while eating a chocolate chip. Yeah. A chocolate chip (I told you I was a chocolateholic). Anyway, seeing as how I currently have no dental insurance, I thought I'd be okay with just thorough brushes twice a day, some mouth rinses and (since I'm being honest, occasional) flossing. Well, all was fine until about three weeks ago when I notice a bump below the gum line of my broken tooth. My heart sank because I knew what this was - an abscess. Considering abscesses are signs of infection, I knew I needed to seek prompt dental care.

Cue the full-blown anxiety attack.

 Not me, but a dude having an anxiety attack nonetheless.

Image via Cure Anxiety Attacks

Dental care for me meant, well, going to the dentist. And I am terrified of the dentist. Despite practicing good oral hygiene, I've always had "bad" teeth. When I was 6 I had to have two abscesses removed and two baby molars pulled and it hurt. Going to the dentist does not signal "a good time" to my brain.

It also meant coming up with more money as I'd surely have to pay out of pocket for any necessary dental work. I did some research and was actually able to purchase some affordable insurance. The only hitch was that it wouldn't be effective until November 1st. I realized my situation was pressing and required more urgent care so I made an appointment with a local dentist running an affordable deal on dental exams. While waiting for said appointment, I saw my regular medical doctor and was prescribed some medicine to tide me over.

And a week ago I went in for my first dental appointment in...years. I really think I was more embarrassed than terrified, but I went anyway. As I feared, the news was less than optimal. I actually had two abscessed teeth AND a gum infection. Yes, hive and I can't even believe I'm sharing all of this with you. Anyhow, considering my coverage doesn't kick in until the first of next month, they decided it would be in my best interest, financially, to start my work then. So, 10 days before my wedding I will be treated for my gum infection, and 9 days before my wedding I will have oral surgery to extract TWO molars.

This date with the oral surgeon and his pliers, my friends, is preventing me from feeling excitement about our upcoming wedding. The kind dentist assured me that the swelling will have gone down in time for my big day and proclaimed it was better to take care of the abscesses ASAP rather than running the risk of a dental emergency on the day of our wedding. Her logic is sound so I suppose there's not really away around it and that makes me sad and nervous.

I wanted to spend the week before my wedding stressing about OOT bags and assembling programs not laying in bed eating soup and wallowing in my guilt (because afterall it is my own fault) and self-pity. I also can't help but fear that the swelling will not actually have gone away and that I'll forever have wedding photos of me with swollen cheeks!

In summation, things can and likely will go wrong both before and on your wedding day. I don't really think it's possible to make lemonade out of lemons in this situation, but I am doing my best to have a sense of humor about everything. It's surely typical of my luck to experience this sort of misfortune prior to such an important day, but I will take it with stride...and a couple less teeth.

Keep smiling, kids! And go to the dentist every six months :D

Did you experience any sort of hiccups before your wedding? How'd you handle it?

Miss Seal Gets Beautified!: My Hair and Make-Up Trial

After a roller-coaster ride of making a hair and make-up artist decision, I've finally found the woman who will be making me up on the day of the wedding. Despite some previously unfortunate circumstances on the glamour-front, and having not budgeted any money for my day-of hair and make-up, I was left in quite the predicament. Thankfully, I have the most amazing family in the world and my parents graciously offered to pay for my dream vendor! A winning situation? I think, YES!

Anyway, enough jibber-jabber, let's get on to the good stuffs.

Last week, I met with the lovely Susie Chhuor for a hair and make-up trial and boy was I blown away! From the moment I sat down, I knew I was in good hands and knew that the unexpected investment would be totally worth my parents' money :)

What I typically look like without make-up:

Mr. Seal and I after completing Bay-to-Breakers in SF this past May.

Now, you may be wondering why I didn't show you what I looked like "before make-up" on the actual day of the trial, and I will gladly explain. The only picture taken of me without makeup that day was by Susie...and it was right after I got my eyebrows waxed. When I showed the picture she sent me to the Sealman, he (no joke) laughed for a full minute. Anyway, I'll let you see the picture below, but I just couldn't bear the thought of that photo being on the FRONT page of the blog for all to see and laugh at...because I totally look terrifying.

Back to the trial! After explaining/showing Susie my make-up inspiration (think very defined eyes and natural lips!), she got to work. I was excited to hear that Susie uses airbrush foundation as I've never had this done before. The result was a surprisingly "light" feel and complete coverage of my newly developed stress pimples! The expert then finished up my eyes and lips and we moved on to my hair.

As perhaps you recall, in addition to my cathedral-length veil, I plan wearing a beautiful headband I purchased off of Etsy. I therefore wanted a tiny bit of a "bump" on my head to allow the band to lay secure. My other requests were for lots of curls in the back of my head pinned up into a loose/messy kind of bun and for my bangs to be swept to the side off my face.

She sure pulled it all off effortlessly! Ready for the results?

Omg. Please disregard the double bags under my right eye and my crazy hair! I was running around trying to get my eyebrows waxed before the trial! (Mr. Seal....STOP LAUGHING!)

(All above photos/artistry courtesy of Susie Cee)

A sneak peek of the look with the veil and earrings ;)

 A little greasy a couple of hours in, but I'm naturally oily--I'll just have to keep a compact on hand!

A close-up of my hair after a couple of hours. (That loose curl is my fault--I was picking at a bobby-pin!)

 And me at the very end of my evening. Despite a bit of shine, the look was still completely intact.

PS - It seriously started to STORM the minute I decided to head home after the trial (like...full on buckets of water and gusts of wind) and regardless of the bad weather, my hair stayed in place and my make-up stayed fresh. With California's completely unpredictable weather, I am confident that my hair and make-up will withstand whatever weather my wedding day has to offer!

Now, with the the hair and make-up off of my mind, I'm feeling loads better about this whole wedding thing again.

What do ya think? Did you have a hair and make-up trial? How'd it go?!

Licensed to Wed!

Welp, kids...the Sealman and I officially applied for our marriage license and, I've gotta say, it was exciting.

We began the day by finishing up the very last of our church paperwork and - despite an onslaught of relentless rain - decided to take care of our license too.

At our local parish waiting for our letter of permission to get married in San Francisco.

(Don't mind my hair - we had just taken refuge from the torrential downpour outside. Mr. Seal was mocking me, but the joke is on him because I've just shared his goof-face with the world wide webzzz.)

Thankfully the town in which Mr. Seal and I live also happens to serve as the county seat, so we didn't have to travel too far in the storm to take care of our soon-to-be-married business.

I was well aware that I'd need to have made my name change decision by the time we applied for marriage and, thanks to some wondrous advice from all of you, was prepared to make my choice. (In case you all are wondering, I agreed with the majority and decided to drop my middle name, replace it with my current last name and take Mr. Seal's last name as my new one.) Despite having made said decision, I did have some mixed emotions upon seeing my new name written on its first official document - part of me was giddy, and another small piece of me was reluctant to bid adieu to my current last name (even if it is just shifting to the middle). I think it was more that I felt filling in a box on an application wasn't ceremonious enough - ha, but I suppose that's what the wedding is for, eh?

Anyway, the very sweet clerk had an infectious smiled and seemed to really enjoy helping us which greatly contributed to the experience! We both left with huge grins on our face.

Mr. Seal diligently reading "Your Future Together," the  booklet given to us along with our marriage license.

Wow. We're getting married! It's official ;)

Have you gotten your license yet? Are you changing your name? Was it weird!?

THE Band.

Woohoo, hive! I've got some great news ;) After over a year of searching - I've found a wedding band to pair with my engagement ring.

In case you all forgot what my e-ring looks like, here's a refresher!

 

This puppy is a three-stone diamond ring with 10 additional diamonds on the sides. It's gorgeous and I love it but it didn't come as a bridal set - in other words, we had to track down a matching band on our own. Originally, I wasn't too concerned about it and had fun trying on different styles. And then, after leaving the fifth jewelry store empty-handed, I became discouraged. I eventually ended up buying a band I wasn't crazy about but when I returned home and confirmed I was less-than-enthused with my choice, I decided to return it. So, as I normally do when let down, I put it all to the back of my head and forgot about finding a ring.

Until finally, about two weeks ago, I realized I really needed to find and purchase my wedding band because this wedding is rapidly approaching whether I ignore it or not. 

I thankfully had some help. FSIL Tracy and her mom come over every week for health chats and general catching up - I noticed her channel set wedding band and asked if I could take it for a test drive with my e-ring. She gladly obliged and I, then and there, decided I needed to find a ring just like it. 

And after some online research, the Sealman and I invested in this beauty.

(Don't mind my jacked up nails, I missed a trip to the salon)

Theeeen, perhaps for our fifth first anniversary...I'll get another ring for the top. (Except mine will be white gold.)

The top ring is borrowed from FSIL Tracy's mama for this photo-op. I approve of the symmetry.

What do you guys think? How difficult (or easy) was it for you to find your band?

The Unexpected Calm Before the Inevitable Storm.

Well, we're in the final countdown (you have permission to hum the song if you'd like). On top of life being completely crazy right now - I am totally suffering from "I don't wanna do nothin' wedding-related" syndrome. Don't think it exists!? GOOGLE IT, PEOPLE.

Apparently it happens all the time. Basically this means that, despite actually needing to hunker down and get stuff done, I just plain don't want to. That's not to say I'm not enjoying the (unfortunately light) trickle of RSVPs, I think it just means that I am absolutely ready to be married and done with doin' stuff. I honestly never thought I'd be affected! Not me. I loved being engaged. I looked forward to writing vendor e-mails and sending in deposits and payments (sick, I know).

Fast forward to now - we're a little over a month out. Though mostly everything is in place and capable of being paid off, I just can't bring myself to do all of the things I'd previously looked forward to doing. Wedding programs? Meh. Do I really need those? Out-of-town bags? Yeah, I guess I could buy the stuff for those now, but those can wait, right? My hair and make-up trial? Sure. I should probably do one of those.

It's kind of funny how relaxed I am about it all - Miss Seal here is not a naturally calm person while under pressure. I freak out about everything. I suppose there's still plenty of time for that. Though I'm obviously not welcoming a panic attack, I know this sense of tranquility will be short-lived - the ceremony won't get planned on its own and that gown of mine won't get altered if I don't take it to a seamstress.

Sigh. I guess I should go take care of some business.

How are you guys doin'?

A Gift for the Ever-Deserving Señor Seal

The Sealman and I have decided to exchange gifts on the morning of the wedding. Initially, I was against the idea - we were having a big, pretty wedding and get to spend the rest of our lives together, what more do we need? But then I saw a gift that I really, really wanted to get him and decided it was only fair to afford him the opportunity to do the same :)

Sweetheart Table vs Head Table

So remember how we have a ginormous wedding party, right? To refresh your memory, we've got: 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 2 ushers, 2 flower girls and a ring bearer. Phew! Anyhoo, when it came time to deciding whether we'd setup a head table for the entire wedding party or a cozy sweetheart table for just the Sealman and I, the size of our wedding party definitely factored into that decision.

After meeting with our catering coordinator and going over the dimensions of our reception space, we were presented with a few options.

1. A (very) long, single-sided head table.

 Like this, but longer.

Image via ArisingImages

Though I liked the idea of being surrounded by my wedding party, I didn't like the thought of splitting up couples. As it's physically impossible to fit a table long enough to include everyone and their date, quite a few of our party members would be separated from their significant other.

2. A long, double-sided head table (would enable us to keep couples together).

 Image via Flowers by Denise/Photo By Colleen Rosenthal Photography

This option eliminated the issue of dividing couples but introduced a new problem: members of our wedding party would be seated with their backs to the rest of the room. If we were having all long tables, this may not have posed as such an obstacle in my mind, however, as our guest tables will all be rounds, I wasn't keen on the idea. Firstly, I don't want it to look as though we are alienating ourselves from our guests. Secondly, I don't think our attendants would be thrilled about facing away from all the action.

3. The tiered approach.

Image via MJ Decorations

While this is surely a logical option - both aesthetically and financially it was not quite so desirable. For whatever reason, I'm not crazy about how this would look in our venue; add in the extra cost for renting risers and the thought of trying to climb in my wedding gown and you have a recipe for not gonna happen.

5. A table for two.

 Image by Luster Studios

Image via PolkaDotBride/Photo by Jessica Claire

I've really fallen in love with the idea of a sweetheart table. Though I have no delusions of privacy for Mr. Seal and I, I do rather like the idea of being presented as a duo. So the Sealman and I, after reviewing all of the above options, have decided that this is the route for us.

Our sweetheart table will be situated in the center of the room, facing the dance floor. As we'll be serving as a centerpiece of sorts for the room, I thought it would be reasonable to ask our florist to snazz it up a bit.

Image/Floral Arrangements via Enchanted Garden

So she's going to create a similar arrangement (but in our colors of course) to the one in the photo above. The centerpiece of our table will be my sure-to-be-lovely bouquet. 

I'm really looking forward to seeing how it turns out :)

Anyway, kids, what are you doing for your wedding? A head table? A sweetheart table?

Celebrating Friends' Engagements: Baskets!

 ...Alternatively titled: Miss Seal practically keels over with giddiness when someone she knows gets engaged.

Not that I didn't get excited over newly engaged couples before - I just think, now, being able to fully understand just how exciting getting engaged is, I all but have a heart attack every time someone close to me pledges to wed their beloved!

For example, when BM/FSIL Maria got proposed to by Big Brother Seal, I put together an engagement basket for her. I packed the basket with wedding movies, magazines, planning guides, her favorite wine and tons of other goodies. When BM Carina got engaged to her awesome man - being that she lives a few hours away from me - I sent off an engagement box stuffed to capacity with wedding planning necessities.

Very recently, MOH Meghan was proposed to by her boyfriend during a trip to New York for one of his cousins' weddings. After all but peeing myself, I calmed myself down and focused on the task before me: her engagement goodies. Once I procured all of the necessities (and gladly purged myself of 75% of my old magazines), I snuck into their home to ensure that the basket awaited them upon their return. Care to see some of my handiwork?

Good!

The basket surrounded by (admittedly faux) white rose petals

I totally cried to myself while picking out an engagement card for her - I am such a sap! 

[Sidenote: Meg and I have known each other since middle school and were roommates in college. When we used to leave notes for one another we always referred to the other/signed the card as "Dudie". Mr. Seal has come to be known as "Man Dudie" and her fiance is lovingly called "Jimmy Dudie". Anyway, just thought I'd explain the weird names on the card!]

Meg dutifully uploaded photos from her phone after the proposal and I totally creeper stylee had one printed and framed.

I even stuck a piece of their favorite cake in the fridge.

She seemed to have really enjoyed her surprise and I surely enjoyed setting it up. Meghan admitted to me that one of her first thoughts after soaking in the proposal was, I wonder when I'm going to get my basket from Miss Seal - I am absolutely okay with being known for that ;)

Anyhow, as I am reaching the final stages in planning (only about two months to go!), it was fun to see one of my favorite people begin hers!

Are you newly engaged? Did any of your friends give you an engagement survival kit? Do you do anything like this for your pals?

Our Invites, Revealed.

I can hardly fathom how quickly time has flown since I showed you a sneak peak of our invites back in May. Sometimes, I find myself nervous to go to sleep because I just know I am going to wake up the morning after the wedding ;)

Anyhow, the invites should have reached most of our guests' homes by now (I've got a few RSVPs to prove it!) which means I can finally share our invites with you!

A little bit of backstory first...

As perhaps you may recall, we ordered our Save-The-Dates through The Aerialist Press—this sufficiently quenched my thirst for beautiful letterpress and thus decided to go a different route for our invites. The Sealman and I had met a wonderful woman named Mimi at a bridal fair way back yesteryear and she stuck with me for a few reasons. Firstly because her custom invite designs were gorgeous, and secondly because her given name is a nickname I've had since before I can remember.

I let time pass, briefly reconsidered letterpress and then mentioned to Mr. Seal that I was considering contacting the "invite designer with my nickname" The very next day, he and I attended a dinner for engaged couples getting married - or in our case, holding their reception - at our venue. The environment was unique; engaged couples were seated with preferred vendors and encouraged to get to know each other over some cocktails and delicious eats. And it was here, just a day after I talked about giving her a call, that we reunited with Mimi! Fate? I think so.

After sitting down for a very productive consultation with Mimi, Mama Seal (who graciously offered to pay for our invites) agreed with us that she was the one. We then embarked upon a several month process of designs, revisions, ideas, additions and, eventually, approvals. Mimi was such a pleasure to work with and I am so grateful to have met her. She's one classy lady and really fantastic at what she does.

To accent Mimi's designs, I contacted Nellie of NJW Calligraphy (who also worked on my STDs) to address my invites. Did she hit the ball out of the park? Oh, you better believe it! She's a masterful calligrapher and I can't recommend her any more highly. In fact, I'm brainstorming other ways to incorporate calligraphy just because I am such a big fan of her work and like her so much!

Ok, ok. Enough jabbering. All pictures (and brief descriptions) from here on out ;)

Invite designs by Creative Designs by Mimi

Calligraphy by NJW Calligraphy 

Not sure why I photographed my black pocketfold invites on a black box...but hopefully you get the point ;) Our wax seals worked out perfectly!

The main portion of the invite was guarded by a piece of vellum printed with our monogram.

Man, that really was a poor decision to photograph the invites on a black surface. Anyway! If you can't tell...this is the pocketfold suite once opened.

I couldn't resist adding a little touch of Swarovski bling to each invite!

The map/directions card

The accommodations card.

The RSVP card/envelope

We've received nothing but rave reviews from our guests which pleases me greatly. Some people hold the opinion that the invitations are of little importance as they quickly get thrown away anyhow and, while I think that some of our guests would likely agree, I couldn't shake the feeling that the invite sets the tone for the festivities. Thankfully, I think the suite perfectly captures the classic San Francisco vibe I was hoping to convey.

Did you work with someone else to create custom invites or tackle the task yourself? Are you happy with your invitations?