Sealed With a Kiss: Let's Do This!

My dearest hive! I have missed you all so very much! In the chaos of snagging a husband and starting an amazing new job, I realized that, despite having nearly everything I've ever wanted, something was missing. Perhaps you can deduce what I am getting at here - you all are that something and I cannot wait to share our wedding day with you ;)

Back on that rainy day in November - in fact, the only day that week with a damp cloud in the sky - my very best friend and I did an amazing and wonderful thing: vowed to grow old together.

We vowed to love each other through good times and bad - to start a family with each other. We promised that, whatever the obstacle, we'd overcome it - together. That, despite my messy quirks and his compulsive cleanliness, we would always make it work...because we not only love each other to the moon and back, but because we respect and value one another and, at the core of it all, that's what matters most.

Nearly three months have passed since our wedding and I continue to relive pieces of it every day. The emotions: the excitement, the love and the purest joy I've ever felt.  The smells: coffee, hairspray, rain on dry pavement, cologne and champagne. I hope, in sharing these recaps with you, that I can not only show you how amazing this day was through our treasured photographs - but that I can make you feel it a bit too ;)

Thank you for taking this journey with me, my dears. The ride just hasn't been the same without you!

Photo Courtesy of The Marin Studio

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?