(Click on the image for a larger view.)
Friday, December 14, 2007
Today I Marry My...
Several people have remarked on Cyndi's description of our relationship. To reduce confusion, I've prepared this handy diagram. Feel free to print it out and carry it with you.
(Click on the image for a larger view.)
(Click on the image for a larger view.)
Counting Down
The whole wedding idea has been slowly claiming me for quite a while. It's been a gradual process, in fact hardly noticeable. But a couple days ago Cyndi's Mom let us know people in her ward had started to get their invitations. That made me stop and think.
Up until this week, the wedding preparation has been fairly self-contained. Other than immediate family and friends, we haven't really made any demands on anyone else. But now with invitations on the fly, we're kinda starting to impact a lot more people. I have to admit it's an unusual feeling for me, one I've only previously experienced in the work context. But it brings home the sense of a wedding being a social ritual and a really big thing.
Up until this week, the wedding preparation has been fairly self-contained. Other than immediate family and friends, we haven't really made any demands on anyone else. But now with invitations on the fly, we're kinda starting to impact a lot more people. I have to admit it's an unusual feeling for me, one I've only previously experienced in the work context. But it brings home the sense of a wedding being a social ritual and a really big thing.
Monday, December 10, 2007
The Dress
When I imposed a $300 budget on myself for the wedding dress, I didn't anticipate the journey on which I was about to embark. You see, there seems to be a cartel that increases prices exponentially if the word wedding is attached to any item. White dresses can be reasonably priced. And don't get me wrong, I know a lot more goes into a wedding dress, but the prices were astronomical in my not so humble opinion.
I went from store to store, trying to find a nice gown in my budget. I decided renting would be a great option, but the truth is, renting is now rare, and the only place that I found that would rent, still wanted more than my original budget... sigh! I even looked into borrowing a dress from one of my friends and tried several of them on. None of them fit. What I was trying to keep simple was becoming quite a big process.
After visiting multiple stores, both alone and with many friends in tow, I was just about to put down well over $500 for one of the few dresses I actually liked. But I had one more store to visit, Bridal Expressions. They had a rack of "old 2007" models that they needed to clear out to make room for a new shipment. I found THE dress and it only set me back $99. With alterations, etc., I will be well below my budget and will have the dress of my dreams!
I even found my white patent leather go go boots to go with the dress!
This experience has caused me to give serious thought to our reception. Women spend inordinate amounts of money on wedding gowns that they get to wear twice, once for bridal portraits and once for the wedding. I think every woman who comes to our reception should wear her wedding dress. When we spend this much money, we should be able to wear the darn things several times!
Lance on 12/14/07: Men, you don't need to wear your tuxes.
I went from store to store, trying to find a nice gown in my budget. I decided renting would be a great option, but the truth is, renting is now rare, and the only place that I found that would rent, still wanted more than my original budget... sigh! I even looked into borrowing a dress from one of my friends and tried several of them on. None of them fit. What I was trying to keep simple was becoming quite a big process.
After visiting multiple stores, both alone and with many friends in tow, I was just about to put down well over $500 for one of the few dresses I actually liked. But I had one more store to visit, Bridal Expressions. They had a rack of "old 2007" models that they needed to clear out to make room for a new shipment. I found THE dress and it only set me back $99. With alterations, etc., I will be well below my budget and will have the dress of my dreams!
I even found my white patent leather go go boots to go with the dress!
This experience has caused me to give serious thought to our reception. Women spend inordinate amounts of money on wedding gowns that they get to wear twice, once for bridal portraits and once for the wedding. I think every woman who comes to our reception should wear her wedding dress. When we spend this much money, we should be able to wear the darn things several times!
Lance on 12/14/07: Men, you don't need to wear your tuxes.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Wedding Gifts
So Cyndi and I were sitting around the living room wondering what to put on a registry. We quickly realized we already have just about everything we need to play house. More importantly, we've both been abundantly blessed. It just doesn't make sense to ask people to give us stuff.
In lieu of gifts we'd really like our friends and family to consider donating to a charity of their choice. We very much like the idea of providing for the less fortunate. We feel it's a great way to start a life of service together.
We know of two charities that we feel are particularly worthy. Heifer International uses donations to provide farm animals and training to needy families in developing countries. Their website has all the details, but the essential idea is that they provide cows, sheep, goats, chickens, etc., and then teach people how to tend the animals so that they continue to produce income (e.g. milk, eggs, wool, etc.). We like their idea of "teaching to fish" as opposed to "giving fish."
For that reason we also like the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Donations fund low-interest (3%) education loans for Church members throughout the world. The PEF emphasizes technical and/or vocational skills, with the idea that the recipient will apply those skills in their home community. Once again, it's a great program for building up families and local communities.
We suggest those two charities because we like them, but we want our guests to feel free to donate wherever it'll do the most good. We also don't want anyone to feel obligated to do anything for us. Our family and friends have done so much, we thank them for their love and generosity.
In lieu of gifts we'd really like our friends and family to consider donating to a charity of their choice. We very much like the idea of providing for the less fortunate. We feel it's a great way to start a life of service together.
We know of two charities that we feel are particularly worthy. Heifer International uses donations to provide farm animals and training to needy families in developing countries. Their website has all the details, but the essential idea is that they provide cows, sheep, goats, chickens, etc., and then teach people how to tend the animals so that they continue to produce income (e.g. milk, eggs, wool, etc.). We like their idea of "teaching to fish" as opposed to "giving fish."
For that reason we also like the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Donations fund low-interest (3%) education loans for Church members throughout the world. The PEF emphasizes technical and/or vocational skills, with the idea that the recipient will apply those skills in their home community. Once again, it's a great program for building up families and local communities.
We suggest those two charities because we like them, but we want our guests to feel free to donate wherever it'll do the most good. We also don't want anyone to feel obligated to do anything for us. Our family and friends have done so much, we thank them for their love and generosity.
Latest news
- Cyndi has made the move.
- Planning proceeds, but we're now down to details.
- We'll have the first proof for the announcements on Wednesday. If that looks good, we should be sending them out next week.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Belaboring Photos
It's hard to choose the photo you want everyone to see. I just went through them again and, with some adustments, I found another possible choice. I like some things about it, but I'm not sure it's "the one." The other two photos are really good, even if one of them has an outhouse in the background. Maybe that's a reason to like it more!
Isn't he adorable? I love that man!
Isn't he adorable? I love that man!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Invitation Photo
We like these. We especially like the first one. But I did some adjusting on it and I'm not sure it's got enough resolution for the printer. If it does, that's the one we'll go with.
These were taken at Aspen Grove up Provo Canyon. Meredith Carlson was the photographer, we think she did a great job.
These were taken at Aspen Grove up Provo Canyon. Meredith Carlson was the photographer, we think she did a great job.
"Where are you going for the honeymoon?"
We've had this question asked several times. It's often the first question asked after we tell someone we're getting married. Which perplexes us. Given the rather personal nature of the honeymoon, we really weren't expecting to discuss it with anyone. Especially since we're not twenty-year-olds. Seriously, what's up with that?
So in case anyone else is wondering, we've discussed options but haven't made any plans. We've definitely ruled out Hawaii and California, and don't want the hassle of traveling abroad. We also considered a mountain retreat, but the tourist season approaches and neither of us is a big skier. (Actually, I would in fact be a big skier if I were to strap on a couple planks and point 'em downhill, but I wouldn't be particularly avid.)
Cyndi has suggested we set up a lottery. Pay $5 and guess where we're going. Whoever is closest gets half the money, and the rest goes for our airfare and hotel. I think it's a great idea, but gambling is both morally wrong and against the law. So we're just gonna hit up my parents for the dough.
So in case anyone else is wondering, we've discussed options but haven't made any plans. We've definitely ruled out Hawaii and California, and don't want the hassle of traveling abroad. We also considered a mountain retreat, but the tourist season approaches and neither of us is a big skier. (Actually, I would in fact be a big skier if I were to strap on a couple planks and point 'em downhill, but I wouldn't be particularly avid.)
Cyndi has suggested we set up a lottery. Pay $5 and guess where we're going. Whoever is closest gets half the money, and the rest goes for our airfare and hotel. I think it's a great idea, but gambling is both morally wrong and against the law. So we're just gonna hit up my parents for the dough.
The Ring
Cyndi's engagement ring features a single blue diamond. The stone is a cultured gem from Chatham. This type of gem is also called "synthetic" or "laboratory-made." I personally don't like to call it "synthetic," since that suggests the diamond is artificial. It is in fact a pure diamond, composed of carbon and a few stray boron atoms (which give it the wonderful blue color). Like diamonds created in the Earth's crust, it has a cubic crystalline structure, a refractive index of 2.42, hardness of 10, and density of 3.52. It truly is a real diamond.
Cyndi and I wanted a cultured stone for a few reasons. First, it's the only way to guarantee that the gem doesn't come from a conflict zone or from exploitative circumstances. Second, we don't like the idea of a single cartel monopolizing the diamond industry. Third, cultured stones are actually quite rare, much rarer than natural stones (over 150 million carats worth of diamonds are produced annually).
We bought the ring at Goldsmith Jewelers in downtown Provo. Rian Robison was extremely helpful. And, more importantly, he was the only jeweler I talked to that didn't look at me funny when I asked about cultured diamonds.
Cyndi and I wanted a cultured stone for a few reasons. First, it's the only way to guarantee that the gem doesn't come from a conflict zone or from exploitative circumstances. Second, we don't like the idea of a single cartel monopolizing the diamond industry. Third, cultured stones are actually quite rare, much rarer than natural stones (over 150 million carats worth of diamonds are produced annually).
We bought the ring at Goldsmith Jewelers in downtown Provo. Rian Robison was extremely helpful. And, more importantly, he was the only jeweler I talked to that didn't look at me funny when I asked about cultured diamonds.
January 11th!
That's the day. Marriage solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, reception that night at the Springville Museum of Art at 6:30 pm. As of right now, that's eight weeks away. We're rather excited.
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