This Bud's For You!

"This Bud's For You!" was the motto for Delia's gorgeous bridal shower!  She's marrying Bud for those of you who don't know her personally, hence the slogan!  The details were amazing, the food was on point, Delia looked ravishing and her many faces during present time were priceless!  

Details & Food...what can is say, they were perfect for Delia!  Everything from a Mexican wedding banner to incorporate her time spent volunteering in Mexico to a magnetic board of pictures with friends and family to personalized banners saying "This Bud's For Her" and "Delia Rocks My Socks" to scrumptious deserts and tasty sangria I hear were perfect!

So many friends and family showed up to shower Delia with their love and support!  I think it's unanimous that we all LOVE Delia and Bud together and have been waiting for this day they announced they were engaged!!!  They are pretty much the sweetest, funniest, most genuine couple I know and I love them dearly!! 

Delia was adorable during present time!  Being the center of attention is not her thing, so I made sure to document all of precious facial expressions!  You are so very welcome Diz! xoxo!

We like to prank Delia as much as possible!  She has the best face! :)

Mother of the Bride gifts are always my favorite because their is a sentimental value attached to them!  Leslie is giving her baby girl to Bud and the traditional white nighty is a symbol of that!  I remember and treasure the one I received from my mother almost 6 years ago.

And of course we had to make her a hat from all the present bows so that she can carry it down the aisle for her rehearsal!  These are my favorite pictures!!  

We LOVE you Delia!!!!!  Thanks to these amazing ladies, Delia had a wonderful shower!  With being out of state I wasn't the most helpful, but I am certainly happy to have been able to help document her day!  

To top the shower off, Bud made an appearance with some gorgeous flowers and a sweet card for his bride to be!!!  He's a keeper! All the ladies were impressed!

Can't wait for your big day in November!!!! 

Much love.

There's a First for Everything

Hi.

For the first time ever, I was asked to be a guest blogger on It's All Of The Little Things by Petchie.  Luckily for me, I was to be featured as an experienced bride. Who doesn't love talking wedding?!?!  There are pictures and answers to several questions about my wedding, the planning, the day of, all the fun stuff on! 

Hop on over to my guest post and leave your comments!  I am open to answering almost any question you may have regarding my wedding.  You can comment here as well (as I will be more apt to seeing them since this is my blog).

much love.

Hands of the Bride and Groom

We heard and participated in "The Hands of the Bride and Groom" while we were on our Engaged Encounter Retreat and we were so touched by it that we decided to have it recited at our wedding.

Hands of the Bride and Groom

BRIDE

Sarah, please face Ryan, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.

These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.

These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

GROOM

Ryan, please hold Sarah’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.

These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized

20 Wedding Day Facts

I got this idea from a friend and thought it was a perfect way to document the little memories!  Thanks MJ!

Unique Wedding Day Facts:


1. I slept with my little sister, Bonnie, the night before my wedding.

2. My Dad saw my dress for the first time when I was completely dressed the morning of my wedding! (I got dressed on my parent’s side of the house in my parent’s bedroom)

3. I walked into Johann Pachelbell “Major in Canon D” because I got married in the Catholic Church and they do not look highly upon “Here Comes the Bride”

4. Ryan and his groomsmen (aside from Tom) all wore black suits as opposed to tuxes

5. I made my bouquet the morning of my wedding because I hated the one that the florist delivered. I was super calm and all my bridesmaids were in shock.

6. Something Old:

My Granny’s Rosary – My father’s mother was an extremely devout Catholic and prayed the rosary daily. She passed away January 2, 2009, so by carrying a rosary of hers, I felt her presence and believe that she, along with my grandpop and grampa, had the best seats in the house!

Diamond Earrings that Ryan gave to me for our first Christmas (2008) – It meant the world to him that I chose his earrings to wear of all my options. Knowing that it meant so much to him made it that much better for me. I love him!

7. Something New:

My Wedding Dress – It was one on the first 4 that I tried on (can’t remember if it was number 3 or 4) with my mother and Laura H at Country Bride & Gent in Northwales, PA.

My Shoes & my Veil – I purchased them in San Diego at Prevue. I sent photos to my mom and bridesmaids for approval before purchasing!

My Cape – My mom made me a beautiful, floor length cape with fur trimming and a matching stole for me to wear on my wedding day! It was perfect! (Bonnie also had a fur stole and a muff!)

8. Something Borrowed:

Ryan’s Grandma’s Handkerchief – every Nolan bride has carried it for over 60 years. It is handmade and absolutely beautiful! I was honored to carry it on my wedding day. I wrapped it around my flowers.

My Gramma’s Diamond Necklace – my mother’s father gave it to her mother when they were married. It was a simple and extremely elegant necklace that meant the world to my mom and gramma that I carry.

9. Something Blue:

My Bride Undies – I had white satin undies with “Bride” written in blue on them.

10. Ryan and I danced our first dance to “Soulmate” by Josh Turner.

11. My Dad and Ryan’s Mom surprised us with the songs they chose for us to have our Father-Daughter, Mother-Son Dances. My Dad chose “Turn Around” by Nanci Griffith and Ryan’s Mom chose “Blessed” by Elton John.

12. We sat at a sweetheart table with our bridal party at two round tables next to us.

13. Our DJ was my maid of Honors brother! He did an awesome job and worked really well with us!

14. I ordered the flowers for my centerpieces over the internet. They arrived at 10:30am the Thursday before the wedding and I cut 300 rose stems in my kitchen and put them into 5 gallon buckets in the basement.

15. The Friday before the wedding, Delia, Mom, Dad, Ryan, Jared, Bonnie, Peggy, Karin, Bruce, Johnnie and Don all went to the reception site and decorated – centerpieces on tables, favors on the table, card table, gift table, sweetheart table, etc.

16. Jamie, one of my bridesmaids, made Ryan a Boston Red Sox Groom’s Cake!

17. My organist’s appendix burst the Tuesday before my wedding (she was ok, but had to get emergency surgery), so I had to find a new organist. My cantor saved me and called upon her vocal coach to fill in.

18. Ryan and I drove away from the Church in his F-150 decorated with blue, white and red streamers, coca cola cans and a HOT PINK “Just Married” sign on the back!

19. We stayed our first night in the Hampton Inn Hotel and walked down to the lobby in the morning for a continental breakfast with all of our guests! It was perfect

20. We took the train from Lansdale to 30th Street Station to Penn Station and then hopped into a taxi and arrived at our honeymoon destination…Time Square!

My Wedding Day Morning (Pre Church)

My alarm went off at 7:30am and anybody who knows me knows that I like the snooze button, so I hit the snooze for another 15 minutes! I got up, showered (without washing my hair), and did all my make-up in 30 minutes. I threw on Ryan's snap-up dress shirt and my "Malecki" sweats. My thinking was that it would be the last time I could truly wear my last name on my booty! And I was comfortable! I went over to my parents for a few minutes, grabbed my veil and was out the door for my 9am hair appointment with India! I was so cool, calm and collected that I shocked myself! While getting my hair done, I was singing to music, answering text messages and laughing at my curled, teased, and majorly sprayed hair! In the end, I LOVED my hair! It was ten times better than the trial run!


I got in my brother's car, drove home and was welcomed by my family, Jamie and Maureen! My mom had a huge brunch ready to eat and Maureen started on Bonnie's hair (which came out beautifully)! Delia, Sarah and Amy arrived shortly thereafter with make-up, curling irons and wrinkled dresses in toe! Jamie, Amy and I set up my clothing steamer for the first time and dewrinkled Amy's dress, Carl's shirt and all the girls’ shawls. We were all so calm! The flowers arrived and they were gorgeous, all but mine. I took one look at it and started making my own from the extra white Anastasia roses I had left over from the centerpieces. I put my Granny's rosary in it and wrapped Ryan's grandmother's handkerchief around the stems. It looked 100 times better and made me happy because I made something that I carried down the aisle!

Within the next 30 minutes, Delia shuffled me back to my parent's room to get dressed. She had me all tied up within 15 minutes, I put my veil in, got my shoes on and then started crying. My mom actually started it and then I started and then Amy lifted up her beautiful bridesmaid dress to reveal her black, granny panty girdle! Golly do I love her!

The photographer, Neil, arrived shortly thereafter and the photo shoot began! The living room was completely rearranged thanks to the wonderful help of Sarah's tall Carl! That was all pretty much a blur until we went outside and took beautiful snow photos in the driveway overlooking the creek and woods! Then it was into my little scion tC and off to the Church to get hitched! My dad drove, I was in the passenger seat and Bonnie and my mom were in the backseat. Carl drove the minivan with Delia, Sarah, Jamie, Amy and Maureen and Tom drove the Nissan with Kelly, Mike and Emily.
Once we got to the Church, I ran into the school gym to go to the bathroom and a little girl said, "Mommy, look a princess!" My heart melted! I went to the bathroom and then walked across the parking lot and hid out in the crying room so Ryan couldn't see me!  I was all smiles and walked down the aisle by my wonderful and loving father!

My Wedding Creations!

The Flower Girl Basket!  White Satin (scrap from JoAnn, Purple Ribbon that matches the bridesmaids dresses and the bow on the flower girls dress and a silver flower (JoAnn $2) that matches the maids trim.  My 9 year old sister is the flower girl, so it is a larger basket and not too frilly.  She wanted to match the bridesmaids as much as possible!

The Ring Bearer Pillow!  Better known as the Ring Bare Pillow!!  He's a cutie!  Ryan's 7 year old son is the ring bearer and helped me design this!  He gave me permission to put purple on it because his daddy said "Real men can wear pink and purple!"  I have not put the ribbon for the rings yet because I am still debating on how to attach them exactly.

Wedding invitation from Affordable Wedding Invitations!  It was so easy to order exactly what I needed without any extra fluff!

I wish I had more photos to put up, but since I am 3,000 miles from the wedding location, I have order most of the items to my parents house and them flown home to arrange them.  After the wedding I will put pictures of up the centerpieces, cake I designed, favors, programs, etc.!  Oh and photos of my dress, veil, etc. will come later; it's a surprise!!

Also, some really helpful websites were:

http://www.weddingwire.com/

for my wedding website

http://www.theflowerexchange.com/

for bulk white roses, orchids and greens

http://www.quickcandles.com/

for votiv candle holders and candles (extremely affordable!)

http://www.affordableweddinginvitations.com/

(also extremely affordable and came out beautifully!)

Target

for my centerpiece vases

Michaels 40% OFF COUPONS

for wedding accessories/save the dates/etc.

Bye Bye GT Mustang...Hello Ford F150!! & some Wedding planning updates!

The weekend finally arrived!  This past week was a long one because Ryan and I were looking for a 4x4 pickup truck in San Diego.  On the East Coast, 4x4 trucks are the norm, but NOT in San Diego.  We searched several dealers, used car sites, etc. and after having a horrible inspection report on one we loved, we were a little discouraged, but thankfully on Friday we found our new baby!  Ryan and I (well really Ryan) traded his Convertible, Mustang GT in for a Ford F-150 (the first of three steps to a minivan according to his buddies)!  It is a great truck and will get a lot of love!

Wedding Progress...The flowers are ordered!  I am a bargain shopper and I have not strayed from my roots while planning my wedding!  I double, triple check prices, search for online coupons, verify everything that is included with the price, etc.  While this may take up hours, days, possibly weeks of my life, I enjoy it and I am proud of my purchases and not breaking the bank!  Ordering the flowers from 3,000 miles away was a challenge for me.  My father has always beautifully landscaped my home property, so I was picky about the kinds and the exact colors of the flowers that my girls would carry.  I want them to stand out and look fabulous!  Hopefully all the emails, phone calls and recommendations have paid off!  I will find out on February 20th!  No matter what, I will be the happiest bride because I am marrying the man of my dreams and my best friend!!
My next task is to create the perfect playlist for the reception!