A lucky Friday the 13th ~ Jennifer & James ~ 03/13/09

[Jenna5366]

Ok, so I have decided to start a journal over here finally. A little about us…

Me: Jennifer, 24 years old, will be 25 in October. Never been married.

FH: James, 26 years old, will be 27 in February next year. Never been married, has one child from a previous relationship.

Child: Mason, 6, will be 7 in December. He lives with us full time, and visits the egg donor every other weekend for ONE night, because she can’t possibly stand any more time with him! But that’s a whole other journal. ;)

Us: James and I have been together for a little over 6 years. Yes, we were together around the time his son was born. Long story I might tell one day. ;) I moved in with James and Mason on February 13th (James’ bday), 2004. We’ve all had our ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade any of it for all the money in the world.

Proposal: Not a terribly exciting story, but I still get butterflies every time I think of it. He had been planning it for a while, and finally just went out and blew a paycheck. It was a Saturday morning, he woke me up to let me know that he had to run to the junkyard to get some parts for his car, and for mine. He asked me what my plans were, and I told him that Mason and I were going to the mall to get a present for a family birthday party we were going to later that day. Anyways, I get up, get ready and Mason and I go to the mall. While we’re there, James calls me like a MILLION times, getting on my nerves. Calling for stupid reasons: “how long are you going to be gone?” “I’m done at the junkyard now, on my way home” “Oh, now I have to stop at my Grandma’s to help her and my mom with something.” Yeah, I should have figured something was up, but instead, my temper was getting short. LOL. I turned my cell phone on to silent. :D Anyways, Mason and I get home, he goes to play in his room, and I sit down on the couch with my laptop (as per usual). James comes home (with a lack of grease/dirt on him, and no parts in his hands… **** hindsight!) and starts pacing. Calls Mason into our room and closes the door. Ok, now I’m starting to get suspicious. Mason comes out of our room, and goes back into his own room. James comes out, paces some more. From the couch to the kitchen, to the living room, to the computer… Anyways, so he finally stands in front of me and says “Will you just ditch the computer for a second and give me a hug?” So of course, I’m feeling a little annoyed. LOL. I put down the computer, stand up, give him a pathetic hug, and he grips on to me, and won’t let go. He says “I love you tons.” I said “I love you too”. He says “No, you have no idea”. Ok, at this point my heart starts fluttering, and I’m thinking Oh God, what did he do? He pulls me away from him and he has a ring box in his hand. I look away from the box (why?) and hug him again, and close my eyes. LOL. He has to PRY me off of him to get me to look at it. I forget what he said; I don’t know if he actually said anything. His hands were shaking, and he put the ring on my finger. I clung to him again, and cried. He said “So is that yes?” I nodded my head and held on to him some more.

I then get the story of why he brought Mason into our bedroom. He asked Mason to take the ring out to me and say “will you marry us?” while James snuck a picture from the kitchen, but Mason (ever my shy boy) wouldn’t do it. I called my mom, he called his. He was never at the junk yward that morning, he was buying my ring. And yes, he did stop at his Grandma’s house, but not to help them, to show them the ring. He also stopped for coffee with my best friend and her mom, to show them. He was killing time, supposed to be at the junkyard. LOL. He sure did surprise me.

[Jenna5366]

And the Details:
We chose Friday, March 13th, 2009 as our wedding date before we were officially engaged. We were talking about it one day, chatting about when we should get married. I said my only request is that it NOT be in the summer, and he agreed. He asked “What about a Friday the 13th?” I immediately agreed, and we started looking at the calendar for a Friday the 13th that wasn’t too close, too far away, or right in the middle of summer. March 13, 2009 it was. :D

Friday the 13th is unlucky for a lot of people, but not us. James seems to have the luck of the Irish on a Friday the 13th: He was born on a Friday the 13th, his nephew was born on a Friday the 13th, he won a huge amount of $$$ at the casino (long time ago) on a Friday the 13th, He was awarded custody of his son on a Friday the 13th, we moved in together on a Friday the 13th, and the list goes on and on. Some people look at us like we’re nuts, but I think it’s cool, very “us”.

We have a lot of the planning done already, however there is still a LOT to do. I should say, we have the IDEAS planned, just not as much set in motion.

Venue: Ceremony and reception will be in the same place. We are having it in the community hall in the community he grew up in. Best of all, we’re getting it for free. ;)
(reserving a spot for venue pic)

Dress: I have it already. I bought it in January at a clearance sale at a bridal shop (AWESOME deal!). I’ll post a picture of it later on.

(reserving a spot for the dress pic.)

Photographer: Joelene Mills from Imagewave photography & Design (www.imagewave.ca (http://www.imagewave.ca)). I have known Joelene through another message board like this one, for a few years now, and from the first time I saw one of her wedding pictures, I’ve said “Joelene, you WILL be my wedding photographer”. I booked her before the engagement was official. :D Bad, I know. I didn’t want someone else to book her for my date. LOL. Photography is my biggest splurge, and the most important thing to me.

Those are the for sure things. There are more little things also in place, but I’ll talk about those later on. LOL. I’ve made this intro long enough for now. :D

[sweetvenus]

Yay, I'm so glad you started a journal! I can't wait to hear more and see pictures. :D Photography was the most important thing to me too; there were only like three photographers in town I would have entrusted my wedding to, lol.

[Jenna5366]

Yay, I'm so glad you started a journal! I can't wait to hear more and see pictures. :D Photography was the most important thing to me too; there were only like three photographers in town I would have entrusted my wedding to, lol.

Aw thanks for being my first visitor! :D Don't worry, lots of details and pitcures are coming! I'm just at work now. :bblol:

Yeah, in the event that Joelene was booked, I knew of two other photographers that I would have been okay with.

[MrsAlmostK]

Congrats!! My mom was born on Friday the 13th, and I happen to think it's a great day! Good luck to both of you - I can't wait to see all your pics and ideas!

[LoveHim08]

I see a photo of your dress in your avatar... is there any way you could post a bigger picture? It looks GORGEOUS!

Good luck with all of your plans. :)

[snu]

:flower: I'll follow your journal over here, too!





Erica

[Nekochanpurr]

Aww, great story. *^^* What a cute proposal!! Mason sounds adorable. *^^*

[Jenna5366]

Thanks for visiting everyone!!

I see a photo of your dress in your avatar... is there any way you could post a bigger picture? It looks GORGEOUS!

Good luck with all of your plans. :)

Here are two, for now. :)

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124061.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124059.jpg

I'll be back this weekend with more details/pictures!!

[Jenna5366]

Ok, so I have been such a slacker in here. I promise, I’ll be better now. :D

I will be on from time to time today. I’ll see what pictures I have to post, but for now, I’ll mainly post an update on what’s going on with all the planning. :)

[RosieAngel]

OMG OMG, I didn't realize you had one of these! Congratulations! That's such a sweet proposal, and it's awesome that you love his kidlet so much! I can tell that you're a great Step-Mommy.

That's amazing about your Friday the 13th experiences! I ALWAYS have bad things happen to me on Friday the 13th. You're so lucky!!

Your dress is so pretty! The cut is similar to mine, though your detailing is very different and nice! Isn't that pleated wrap-around front AWESOME? I swear, it's magical. It adds curves to the areas you want (boobs :heart:), and removes curves that you don't want (tummy-bulge)!

Good luck with the planning! I can't wait to see your wedding ideas!

[Jenna5366]

OMG OMG, I didn't realize you had one of these! Congratulations! That's such a sweet proposal, and it's awesome that you love his kidlet so much! I can tell that you're a great Step-Mommy.

That's amazing about your Friday the 13th experiences! I ALWAYS have bad things happen to me on Friday the 13th. You're so lucky!!

Your dress is so pretty! The cut is similar to mine, though your detailing is very different and nice! Isn't that pleated wrap-around front AWESOME? I swear, it's magical. It adds curves to the areas you want (boobs :heart:), and removes curves that you don't want (tummy-bulge)!

Good luck with the planning! I can't wait to see your wedding ideas!

Haha thanks! :D Yes, I love the dress for those exact reasons you posted!!

I will be posting some more pictures this afternoon, of a bunch of different things... be patient though, I have to do some work first. :irked:

[bichonlvr]

Your dress looks awesome on you!!!

Can't wait for more pics!

[EarlyBird]

im glad to see you started a journal. Im really glad to see how pretty your dress is too. i have always seen the avatar with the pic but never full pic. love it..!!

[Jenna5366]

Ok, I'm not at work, I'm waiting for dinner to finish cooking, so I have some time to update.

The venue - these aren't the greatest pictures, but I have gotten some great decorating tips from ladies on the board. :P

These were taken during a Jellybean dance (A dance for kids):

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_2033.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_2034.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_2036.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_2039.jpg

[Jenna5366]

An idea for how I want my hair:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_2266.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_2267.jpg

Obviously, I'd like it a little neater. Bigger curls, maybe a little higher up. Yes, that is how my hair is naturally. LOL

[Jenna5366]

If I decide to do in a complete updo, I'd like something like this:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/Wedding%20Stuff/hair1.jpg

[Jenna5366]

And all the dress pics:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124067.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124068.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124065.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124062.jpg

[Jenna5366]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124061.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124059.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/My%20Dress/2007_1124058.jpg

That's all the pictures for now!!

[sweetvenus]

Your dress looks so good on you!

[Jenna5366]

Your dress looks so good on you!

Thank you! I totally lucked out with this part. :) I got it off the rack, during a clearance sale, and it fits me PERFECTLY. No alternations needed. And for a really good deal!!

I emailed three officiants today. I'd like to meet with them, see who I mesh with. But it was funny, as I was emailing one of them, I was looking at her website, and a friend of mine said "OMG! She married by brother and his wife!" She said this lady was so emotional, and made it very personal. She even had a speech for the kids (they had three kids at the time they got married; one was hers from a previous relationship, and two were theirs), and a certificate for them to sign, and it all had the littlest one (3 and a half at the time) in tears. So that's a good sign!!

[Nekochanpurr]

Good like finding your officant!! They are a big help. *^^*

Oh, and that dress looks great on you!! So lucky for no alterations. :D

[Jenna5366]

Some cake toppers I like:

This bride:

http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/products/medium/7097.jpg (javascript:MyWindow=window.open('http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/photo/7097/1','7097','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,s tatus=no,menubar=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizeable=yes ,width=560,height=620'); void 0;)

With this groom (they are mix and match):

http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/products/medium/8512.jpg (javascript:MyWindow=window.open('http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/photo/8512/1','8512','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,s tatus=no,menubar=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizeable=yes ,width=560,height=620'); void 0;)

FH is a cell phone junkie, and I am always giving him that look. :)

Then there's this one:

http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/products/medium/8446.jpg (javascript:MyWindow=window.open('http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/photo/8446/1','8446','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,s tatus=no,menubar=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizeable=yes ,width=560,height=620'); void 0;)

[Jenna5366]

But FH likes this one:

http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/products/medium/6082.jpg (javascript:MyWindow=window.open('http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/photo/6082/1','6082','toolbar=no,location=no,directories=no,s tatus=no,menubar=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizeable=yes ,width=560,height=620'); void 0;)

I must admit, I am pleasantly surprised he likes this one. ;)

[Jenna5366]

Just came across these, too... they're cute as well. Also interchangeble.

http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/products/large/2036b.jpg (http://mydreamwedding.weddingstar.ca/photo/2036/0)

[RosieAngel]

I like the cell-phone groom, LOL! If you position the bride with the crossed arms right, she can be giving him the "Get off the phone already!" Look.

Also, yay for a Winnie the Pooh tattoo! I love Pooh-Bear!

[Jenna5366]

I like the cell-phone groom, LOL! If you position the bride with the crossed arms right, she can be giving him the "Get off the phone already!" Look.


Yeah, that's what I was thinking of trying. Everyone I've shown it to says how much these two suit me and James. :P

Thanks for the tattoo love. I want to get it touched up before the wedding, since the colors are faded. :(

[Danielle9608]

Wow your dress is beautiful :)

[Jenna5366]

Well, one more thing we crossed off the list tonight! We have chosen and booked our marriage commissioner (officiant, to you ladies in the states)!! She is AMAZING. We met with her tonight, and she just... moved me. I was in tears at one point, when she was talking about children during the ceremony. She is exactly who I imagined whenever I picture our wedding day. I'm going back tomorrow to give her the deposit. This makes me SO happy.

[snu]

Yay! I'm glad you found someone that completely fits what you want for your ceremony! How exciting!

[NOTKT]

Glad to read your journal, looks like everything is starting to come along. :)

[Ninedays9]

That is a very pretty dress! I love the top of it and the lace-up back... and the fact that it doesn't have a train. I also really like all of the cake toppers you've found, kinda makes me wanna go search for those online, now.

[Jenna5366]

Yay!! I just ordered my invites and RSVPs! :D And it only cost me $45.25, including shipping. :D

[Danielle9608]

Yay!! I just ordered my invites and RSVPs! :D And it only cost me $45.25, including shipping. :D

Wow what a great deal! Congrats

[NOTKT]

Wow! Saving money feels great sometimes! Have any pics?

[Jenna5366]

My invitations were shipped yesterday!!! OMG I'm so happy!! I should have them by the end of this week!!!

[Jenna5366]

Invites arrived Friday, and they are beautiful! Much nicer than the preview picture looked. :) I have to get some envelopes for the RSVP cards, but I can grab those any time. Maybe I'll go to the dollar store at lunch and grab some. I have to make sure they're a good size for mailing though; I think Canada Post has a a minimum dimension you can mail. I'll check out their website and see.

And we have the guest list down to a manageable 175. :D We're working on getting addresses; we have about 30 left to get, and then we can print labels!!

[Jenna5366]

So I have a few ideas running around in my head, and wanted to get it written down. I have an idea for favors. A maple candy and a piece of fudge, packaged all fancy (I don’t know how yet). And for centerpieces, since I’m having banquet tables, and not round ones, I don’t want anything too big. So I was thinking of getting martini glasses, and either putting water and a floating candle in it, OR getting those water crystal thingys and using those and a candle. What do you think? I would put like one martini glass per 2 feet of table. Then, the table is decorated but not like overdone.

[sweetvenus]

Your ideas sound great! If you do the martini glass thing, I would also stick a few small votives inbetween the glasses so there will be different heights and give it dimension, like:

V v v V v v V

Also, share some pics of your invites! :D

[Jenna5366]

Your ideas sound great! If you do the martini glass thing, I would also stick a few small votives inbetween the glasses so there will be different heights and give it dimension, like:

V v v V v v V

Also, share some pics of your invites! :D

Yes, I do plan on having something between the glasses, like votives. I saw some really cute votive holders the other day. I wanted to pick some up, but I have no idea how many I'll need yet. Should I estimate and then add some? Always better to have too many than not enough. Maybe I should wait, and just hope I can find them again, or something just as nice...

Oh, and yes, I keep forgetting to post pictures of my invites!! Will do so tonight. :)

[Jenna5366]

So, I got my tiara that I bought from someone online, and I got it yesterday. The tiara is nicer than it is in the picture. I'll take some pics of it tonight and post them.

I just bought the napkins for the reception. I bought 160 regular size, half white and half royal blue, and 160 cocktail size, half white royal blue. I hope that's enough; if not, I can go back and get some more.

[NOTKT]

How many people are you planning on having for the wedding again? I didn't get napkins, the venue said they were not needed for ours, but I wanted some. You have any pics?

[Jenna5366]

How many people are you planning on having for the wedding again? I didn't get napkins, the venue said they were not needed for ours, but I wanted some. You have any pics?

Inviting approx. 160... not expecting nearly that many though. :)

No pics... they're just regular, paper napkins. :)

Edited: I get it now; you want pictures of the tiara. Oops, I forgot. I'll try to remember to take some tonight, if I can pry myself away from The Sims 2. :D

[Jenna5366]

My sister, Lee, didn't like the way the hall looked in the pictures, and thought it looked "ghetto". She had a decorating idea for the walls, and we went to go look at it in person to see if it would work. She says the hall looks way better in person than in pictures... which is what I've been telling her! But she says it doesn't look "ghetto", like it looks in the pictures. She still is thinking of going ahead with her decorating idea though... I quite like it, but it'll be a bit pricey, as it will require a LOT of tulle. I'll leave that up to her to decide.

So, address labels are being printed today, and stamps are bought. I'm still missing about ten addresses, but I'm not waiting for those people anymore, and holding up the whole thing cause of them. I'll mail those ones out as I get their addresses. I'm going to bring everything over to Lee's tonight and we'll put them all together, get them ready to go out. And I'll either bring them to work on Monday so that they go straight to the distribution center, or bring them to a post office this weekend.

Off to write my "left to be done" list and look it over!!

[NOTKT]

Sweet! It's always fun to send out the invites! No turning back now!

[Jenna5366]

My tiara:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_0329.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_0330.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_0331.jpg

[tha_mrs]

My tiara:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_0329.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_0330.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_0331.jpg
that is beautiful!

[EarlyBird]

looove the tiara.. have you figured out for sure what your doing with your hair.. also, you have 5 months left, are you just now sending the save the dates or the actual invites??

[katrina7875]

I like your tiara - very elegant.

[caligal85]

Aw the tiara is pretty and feminine.

[Jenna5366]

Hey everyone! Haven’t been around my own journal for a while. Been busy, and have only had time for browsing the new posts, really.

As for the invite question, yes, I sent them out with 5+ months to spare. 80% of our guest list is out of town and need time to save/plan, and I’ve never believed in STDs. More money, more waste, bad for the environment and my pocketbook.

Thanks for the tiara compliments. Still not 100% sure if I’m going to be wearing it though. I guess it depends on how I decide to do my hair. I should start thinking about that. I’ve picked up a second job to help pay for the wedding bills. So that’s keeping me busy too.

I’m not sure what I’ve posted about in here... so please bear with me if I’m repeating myself. :)

-Bridesmaid dresses are picked out (and they all picked the same dress!!!) and will be ordered by the end of this month.
-We had our engagement pictures done on Saturday, and they turned out AMAZING! I’ll post some of them in here, but they are posted elsewhere on the site too.
-We ordered our wedding bands last weekend. I can’t WAIT for them to come in, I love them soooo much!
-DJ is booked (I think; MIL was dealing with this)

I think that’s about all that’s new. If I think of something else, I’ll let ya know. :)

[Jenna5366]

We got our rings today! FH went to pick them up. Pics are just uploading now. :)

[Jenna5366]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_1200.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_1201.jpg

Couldn't get a good pic of the two together...

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_1202.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_1203.jpg

Aren't they nice? I LOVE them!

Wanna hear the not so good part though??

....

[Jenna5366]

I don't think I like how it looks with my e-ring. :(

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_1204.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/Jenna5366/IMG_1208.jpg

What do you think?

[Jenna5366]

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've been here. I just kinda took a hiatus, but I'm back!

The wedding planning is coming along nicely. We're at just under 2 months, and there's not much left to do. :)

[Mrs.Goff]

I've just read your journal. I love your dress. You're right fits like a glove. Congratulations.

[Jenna5366]

I've just read your journal. I love your dress. You're right fits like a glove. Congratulations.

Thanks Threesia!! Wow, you're getting really close too, huh?

Do you have a journal here?

[Mrs.Goff]

Yep, it getting really close. :)

Your wedding day is my fathers B-day!

Yes, I've started my journal here's the link : http://forums.onewed.com/showthread.php?t=23506