It's Officially Official! We're Married!

Well, it's done! We're married! Saturday was a perfect day. The weather was AWESOME! It wasn't hot, and it wasn't cold. The sun shined all day, and there wasn't a cloud in sight. Everything else went perfectly according to plan and we wouldn't change a thing.

Well, maybe one thing. We're happy newlyweds, but we're both sick as dogs. I don't know what happened. I don't know how we both got sick. I can understand getting sick for myself - I was way stressed, not getting enough sleep, and I had oodles of things on my mind. And I'm sure Steve had lots of things going on too - but even he will admit that he wasn't as stressed out as I was. Regardless - we're both icky sicky. I ended up calling into work today (and even after i got up, dressed, and ready to go) because I felt so bad. Unfortunately, my doctor (Betty Chung-Grasty, MD - if you live in the DFW area and need a doc - she rocks) couldn't get me in today, but she can see me first thing tommorrow morning at 8:30am. I think Steve might piggy back and come with me. Whatever I have - he has too. So, lets get this thing knocked out once and for all!

Okay, back to the wedding. Seriously, everything was perfect. It was SO awesome having Jill, Sheri, Linette, Kimberlee, Bekki and Mom here to get all of the food and everything ready. I really utilized them to the absolute maximum. It was VERY cool having Joyce and Nicole here too. I really really enjoyed getting to know Nicole and spending time with her at Billy Bob's with Steve. She is a HOOT! It was great to have my brothers (Rob and Scott) here, and Tom was uber helpful with getting things situated Saturday morning. I really enjoyed having Russ here, and I KNOW Steve did too. Russ helped Steve fix the fence (I think it was the fence anyway... I really have no clue what they did out there).

Jeff was awesome and video recorded the wedding, and Joann was the ideal assistant to our photographer, Melissa. She also handled cutting the wedding cake for us. Heather B. and her husband Jack were fantastic at passing out the wedding programs and at taking background photos of everything at the wedding and through out the day. Pat H. really helped my mom and the other ladies in the kitched during the open house - and I don't know what we would have done without her.

I know there were lots of others who helped out - I'm terribly sorry if I forgot to mention you by name. My mind is still reeling from it all. We had a fantastic day - and it wouldn't have been the same without everyone who was there.

I'm going to try and post photos as I can.

Love,
Heather (& Steve)

Almost there....

So, here I am... at the countdown to my wedding. Literally it's only hours away. I am beyond excited to be marrying Steve. He is such a fantastic guy - and he's so cute too! I really am incredibly blessed to be marrying such a stud. I love him - and I know he loves me! Wahoo!

Wow.... I can't believe that tommorrow is our wedding day. It's going to be fantastic - and I'm not going to let anything bother me. Even the things that don't go according to plan. Does every bride say that - but in retrospect realizes that wasn't how they acted? Well, my PLAN is to not let anything get to me. We'll see how it goes!

Our family members have started to arrive. Jill, Kimberlee, and Russ arrived EARLY (like 1am early) on Thursday morning. Sheri & Bekki (with baby Ainsley) arrived Thursday afternoon and Linette arrived that afternoon. My parents are en-route and Nicole, Joyce, & Robert all arrive this afternoon. We are going to have a FULL house. But, it's going to be fantastic.

Family is THE most important thing to me. For those of you who don't know, I'm adopted. It's been the biggest blessing in my life. Sheri, my birthmother, found me 4 years ago and we've been working to cultivate and develop a relationship between the two of us. Her mother, Linette, is a doll and they were both able to come be with us for the wedding. I'm thrilled to be adding the Ales family to my big honkin huge family ring. Seriously - I LOVE to be around family. Tom (Steve's brother) usually comes over at least each Sunday afternoon and we have a big dinner (normally it includes Toms roomates or friends) and I LOVE it.

Note to self (and future brides for generations to come...)

Today's magic word is.... drum roll please... ELOPE. Yes, you read it correctly - ELOPE! Save yourself the time, stress, and money. Save your sanity, your hair, your nails, and mental capabilities by ELOPING. I know that people may get upset because they won't "see" you get married - but really - it's only one day - and seriously everyone will get over it. You'll be fine. You can always hire a photographer to take photos of your elopement - and you'll love it.

Okay, onto better things! Everything is pretty much done - or as done as it is going to get. Yep, I've decided if it isn't done now - it just doesn't need to be done. End of story. There are a few miscellaneous items that will get finished, but they are super simple and minor. So, if they don't get done - I don't care.

Happy thoughts.... in one week, all of the stress will be gone! Actually in only 4 days the stress will be gone and I will be sleeping in peaceful slumber (well, as long as I fall asleep before Steve - rumor is that he snores!). I really am THRILLED to be getting married, and to the fantastically awesome man that Steve is. And, I think all brides go through this stage - so I'm completely normal, right?? :)

Love you all. I really can't wait to spend time with our families. It really will be fun!
~heather

It's Official! I'm exhausted!! :)

With only 5 full days remaining until our wedding day, it's no suprise that I am completely exhausted! Here are a few updates:

• Steve finished tiling and grouting the master bathroom. He's ahead of the Ales traditional home repair schedule (set by his father, Russ) by at least two years. I am beyond thrilled. It gives me peace to know that I can go potty in the master bath and not have to walk to the other side of the house to do my "business."
• The house is IMMACULATE! Thank you Christa, Pat, and Krista. They were a true Godsend! Saturday morning at 7am Christa and I started cleaning. We were soon joined by Pat and then by Krista (with her two darling kiddos). We scrubbed baseboards, scrubbed floors, washed windows, killed dozens of spiders, destroyed full cobweb communities, among many other tasks. The house looks great. I tried to put the fear of God into Steve about not messing it up. But, I don't think he can help himself. It comes naturally. This, is sure to be my biggest challenge in our marraige.
• The photo mat (which guests will sign in lieu of a guest book) has finally been finished, and I have it in my hot hands. It really did turn out well.
• The wedding program has been designed and now I only need to get it printed out. We've added a nice piece of vellum to the design. I'm not going to worry about cutting, folding, and assembling them until later this week. That will give the family arriving, something to do when they ask "what they can do to help."
• The Proclaimation also arrived. We're passing them out at the wedding. They're going to be rolled and tied with red ribbon. That's also something I'm not worrying about accomplishing until later this week. It's a brainless task that we can do while we're chatting Thursday.
• My pantry has been moved, and everything has been put away in the pantry over at Steve's. We won't be needing to do ANY grocery shopping for some time. It's amazing what you find when you clean things out! We are packed solid. I'll take a picture later. My mother should be beyond pleased.
• I picked up my dress and the crinoline. They're hanging in the spare room at home and are ready to be worn. I need to remember to set out my shoes, underclothing, and pearl jewelry to wear on our wedding day too.
• Moving my studio is in full effect. I can't believe how much stuff I have. It's incredible really. I'm having a "contest" on my personal blog (www.princessdallas.typepad.com) to see who can guess how many boxes it will take to get everything moved out. I had over 3o when I moved it all in - and I know my collection has grown since then. Significantly. This ought to be highly interesting!!
• The smoking area for our smoking guests has been created, but not finished. I wanted a place outside where our smoking family/guests could go to 'git-er-done' but not do it in our home.
• The front flower garden has been lined, covered, mulched, monkey grass planted. We purchased a few potted mums and I'll get them put into pots tommorrow (or Tuesday). It turned out really nice.

I think that is everything. I am completely exhausted. I got bit by a bug on Saturday, and my bite started to swell pretty big. So, I tool a benedryl to take care of it. I forgot that benedryl knocks me completely out. I managed to sleep right through church today. I am SO blaming it on the drugs. I really did intend to be there today!

~heather

Wanted: Constructive Criticism

Last night I worked on the wedding flowers. The only flowers we're going to bring to the wedding will be the bridal bouquet, boutennieres, and corsages. The 'lower rose garden' should be in full bloom - and we can't decorate anyway. So, why stress about it?

Here is where I stopped on the bridal bouquet. What do you think? Do I need more... Something? I haven't finished the stems off (with ribbon and more pearls), so it can easily be adjusted. Please share your thoughts with me! There really is a lot of "bling" in it with large ivory pearls, and oodles of Swarovski crystals. The only flowers are dark red hydrangeas and white stephanotis with more pearl centers.
The boutennierres are simple. Here's a photo of them too. This morning, Christa suggested I add some of the red to them. What do you think?

I am SO tired!

This weekend was fairly productive. I stayed up ALL night Friday night unpacking what I had at Steve's house and doing some cleaning. I think I finally crashed at 8:30am! The house looked FANTASTIC when I was finished, but as it goes - it didn't last long. But, at least everything is unpacked!! It was a huge accomplishment for me and I'm sure Steve is thrilled that my stuff is taking over the house! :)

Other than that, I didn't do a stitch of wedding anything. In fact, I forgot to go and pick up my dress from the bridal shoppe! The seamstress had to do a few more alterations and I'll get it sometime this week.

Everything else is going smoothly - or so I think. I'm sure it's only 10 days until the storm rush of wedding plans arrives. We only have 12 days left until the wedding - so everyone hold onto your hats, it could either be a smooth or bumpy ride!

My Co-Workers Rock!

Today, when I came into the office, I had an ADORABLE gift bag sitting on my desk! How FUN!! It was our first wedding gift (not to be confused with our first engagement gift from Joanne! It was THE yummiest box of chocolates! Seriously addicting, but INCREDIBLY tasty)! Sweet Theresa gave us 2 of the most important movies we (well, honestly, I added them to the registry. I know you're shocked that Steve wasn't dying to own these flicks!) registered for - 'Dirty Dancing' (the SPECIAL edition - and girls, let me know when you want to come over for a girls night in!!), and 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' (you know it ends well... and it's awesome!!). After I was done dancing in my cube over the happiness of them, Gale brought me another bag!! HAPPY DAY! She and her darling husband (whom she gushes about on a regular basis) gave us the AWESOME blender that we've been DYING for from Target. It's THE coolest smoothie blender! You can make your smoothie right in the cup (it comes with it) instead of in a regular blender, and putting it into a cup (and thus having to wash the blender part.... FYI - we don't enjoy washing dishes!!). SOOOO thrilled! My coworkers ROCK! I'll take photos of them later and post for your viewing pleasure!! Thanks girls!!!

So much done.... so much left to do!

Wow... we're down to 17 days remaining until the wedding! YIKES!!! It's creeping up faster than I thought! Here's a photo of me playing with my hairdo and my veil. I still haven't settled on how I'm going to wear my hair. Oh well, I'm sure it will be fine on "the day!"

We have SO many things that are finished, but there are still so many things left to do! Today, I was able to use one of my floating holidays at work - and since Steve was off too, we went and got some of the most important things squared away. For instance, we got our marraige license (note to Denton County residents, don't try to use the Justice of the Peace in Roanoke on the 1st or 3rd Wednesday of the month. They don't do marraige licenses on those days, and the office is full of ticked off people waiting for their court hearing...). We also went and talked to Steve's State Farm office to get everything lined up for my car once we're married. Fun, Fun, Fun!

Everything seems to be going smoothly other than that. My Aunt Kathleen, who lives in Farmington, NM (where my parents live) may come to the wedding with my parents. It would be lovely to have her here with us also!

Steve and I went and checked out the hotel (MicroTel) I had booked for our family and guests to stay in. We're thinking about changing the location, but we haven't set our minds on it yet. So, currently, if we've made hotel reservations for you - you're still at the Microtel.

A few fun pictures

A few of you have emailed me asking for photos of the "wedding items". Ask, and you shall recieve! Here is a photo of our cake topper. I really love that we can use our topper with our home decor, rather than a figurine. It's about 5" tall and 4" wide. It has a silver lustre finish to it - and will perfectly compliment our wedding cake! And... yes, the "A" is for Ales. (C'mon Joanie - what did you really think it was for?? Love you!)

Here is a photograph of my tiara (taken when I got it in the mail. I wondered if my hair would work with this style of tiara - I think it does! The tiara has pearls in the center sections, with rhinestones along the top and bottom. It is basically a "bun holder" and is not adjustable. My hair (of course) will be much tidier than in the photo, but it gives you an idea of what it will look like. Can you tell where my real hair and the hair piece begins?? It's amazing that my hair matches so well. Color me happy!

AACK! All will BE well.... Eventually

Oh the fun of planning weddings. Sometimes it's a blast, sometimes it's a royal pain in the keester!

So, Saturday Steve and I stop by to check the mail. What do we find? A small stack of our wedding invitations had been returned to us. My first thought was... "What the HECK??" We soon realized (thanks to the obvious label from our handy USPS) that we needed an additional $0.12 stamp on the envelope for "hand canceling". I had taken a mock up of our invite (with the silver slide), with stuffers and everything, to my local Post Office to weigh everything and make sure that all we needed was the standard $0.37 stamp. The sweet PO clerk verified that we would be fine with a regular (although cute) postage stamp. Ladies and Gentleman, she was wrong!

The problem with the invitations (and I didn't think about it prior to mailing them) is that with the invitation facing the address (or front of the envelope), the pressure of being sorted through the postage machine could possibly jam the envelope in the machine because of the silver ribbon slide. Which, apparently happened because more than a few people have commented that their invitation arrived in one piece and looking fabulous - but that the envelope was either trashed or the slide was through the envelope.

So, if you haven't gotten your invitation yet, please don't think we slighted you. We really do want you at our wedding, and your invitation will be remailed today (with a $0.12 stamp on it). Interestingly enough though, the invites that got returned to us were mailed to California, Arizona, and Utah. The rest of the invitations appear to have gone through fine - or perhaps we haven't gotten them back yet.

Until the next disaster,
~heather