Wedding Day

Travis and I met with the photographer today and got to see the wedding pictures. There were so many pictures that there is no way that I could easily post them all (it takes a while to load pictures onto the blog). So, I picked my top 50 favorites and turned them into a video (which takes even longer to load, but I only have to wait for it - not attempt to load 50 seperate pics). Here it is:

I'm a wife...

I'm working on the Costa Rica blog (no really, I am, but I want to remember it all so I only have two days worth so far) and I can't really post about the wedding yet because we haven't met with the photographer (and all I really want to post are my favorite pictures).

So anyway, I feel like I shouldn't post anything until I get those blogs done, but something happened today that I want to remember. I'm sure Travis won't even really remember it, but I do. I was introduced as his wife. Like, really introduced as it. Several people on the honeymoon called me his wife, but I felt like it didn't really count because we didn't know them. Then, my friends have used the phrase, but they are doing it intentionally to get a reaction, so that doesn't really count either.

Here's the first time it did count for me:

I have been staying at my parents' house while they are out of town and I have missed Travis since I don't get to see him at night. So, I decided to meet him for lunch because I was on my way to Georgia State to turn in a HOPE application anyway. We decided to walk down the street from his work to Steverino's for lunch. While we were there, his bosses (John and Larry) ended up sitting down beside us with two men from another company for a lunch meeting. Since they were talking to us, John introduced Travis and me to them. First, he introduced Travis as someone from their company – and then he simply told them my name and said that I was his wife.

I don't know why this is a big deal to me because I have spent the past few days working on changing my name and it's starting to set in some (notice that it's now different on the blog). I guess it's that John called me his wife so casually. Not because that is the only way he ever knew us (like in Costa Rica when we met new people), not to see if I reacted (like my friends), but because that's what I was.... his wife.

Costa Rica Preview

Travis and I went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. The blog is going to take me a while to write, but here is one of the best parts of our trip...

Wedding Slide Show

My mom and I made a slide show for the wedding...

Personality Tests

Travis and I took personality tests before meeting with Jeff Groves, the officiant for our wedding.




Apparently, Hippocrates classified four basic temperaments, they are: sanguine, choleric, melancholy and phlegmatic. Everyone is a blend of the various temperaments, but here is what is said about Travis and I…

Travis is mainly phlegmatic. Here is his description:

The phlegmatic person is the peace-loving, conflict-avoiding observer. Other traits might include: easygoing, relaxed, calm, patient, sympathetic, kind, compassionate, competent, steady, agreeable, not easily upset, quiet, observant and inoffensive. Phlegmatic dislike change. They tend to keep their emotions to themselves and are good under pressure. They are easy to get along with, and because they take time to talk and listen, they usually have many friends.If you are phlegmatic, you need to know laid-back attitude is often a source of irritation to others. You’re got to learn to pull your fair share. Be observant about what to be done and don’t put off doing it. Solve problem when they arise. Learn to talk through difficult situations rather than retreat from them. Share negative feelings instead of bottling them up. Show motivation and enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Laugh, smile and express positive emotion on regular basis.


I am mainly melancholy. Here is my description:

Are you a deep thinker? Do you have a perfectionist bent? Are you deeply sensitive? Then you’re probably a melancholy. Here’s the textbook description of a melancholy; analytical, conscientious, idealistic, artistic, enjoy details and beautiful things. Melancholies are economical and self-sacrificing. Because they take things seriously, they are easily depressed, pessimistic, and suspicious of others and often moved to tears. They avoid attracting attention and are content to stay in the background. Melancholy people may be cautious when making friends, but they are devoted once they’re in relationship. They make good listeners and great helpers.My advice to the melancholies: Learn to enjoy every day. Try to be more spontaneous and do things that are pleasurable. Take the time to cultivate and enjoy more friendships.Because melancholies have a tendency towards negative thinking, they must work on thinking positively. They need to work on counting their blessings and expressing thanks, while resisting the temptation to gossip and spread bad news. And because melancholies are usually perfectionists, they must make a concerted effort to accept themselves and others unconditionally.


Here is the synopsis of how our personalities mesh…


The melancholy and the phlegmatic: While melancholies and phlegmatic both have more introverted personalities, there are some basic differences. First of all, their attitudes may conflict. The phlegmatic is usually more positive, and the melancholy tends to be pessimist. Another conflict might arise in regards to how things are done. The melancholy is extremely conscientious, paying attention to details and making sure things are done right. The phlegmatic couldn’t care less. Can you see the melancholy partner following around the phlegmatic, picking up after him and retouching projects that the phlegmatic considered done? I can almost hear the melancholy complain, “can’t you ever do anything right?” and if you listen carefully, you could hear the phlegmatic lament, “Why can’t you just accept me the way I am?”


We also discussed our "Love Languages" - which I found interesting because I hear about personality tests all the time, but I had never really heard of this. Basically, it classifies how you like to show love and receive it. The five types are: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.


We realized that I prefer Acts of Service and Travis prefers Physical Touch. Good to know...

Wedding Progress

Travis and I were in the paper! His mom put an engagement announcement in the paper (in Idaho) and sent us a copy when it printed.

It was really nice to be able to see it and it got me thinking of ways to share what's going on down here. I know that she hasn't been able to see many of the details for the wedding (or hear about them since Travis has no clue on some of it, like the flowers), so I've decided to post some pictures and information about the wedding...

The location is Neverland Farms in Cleveland, GA. I have some pictures of other weddings held there...

The property is a farm with horses, so there will be horses in the pastures and I will arrive at the ceremony (and Travis and I will be taken away from the ceremony) in a carriage.

Here are some other pictures of the location..

This is the cabin where I will get ready for the ceremony and where Travis and I will stay that night.

The guests will wait in the "barn" (where bluegrass music will be played) until the ceremony begins.

My favorite part of the barn is the loft. This is where Travis and his friends can hang out until things get started and they can overlook everyone in the barn or sit in a private area (if Travis is hyperventilating).

The ceremony is outdoors under an arbor right by one of the pastures. Hopefully the horses will roam close enough for photos during our ceremony.

The reception will take place in a covered pavilion that looks like a barn, but it's open. I put a picture of it during the day and at night...

Here is a picture of the buffet table and cake table.

The menu that we picked out from the caterer is:

Starter:
Fresh Chipotle Salsa & Spiked Sour Cream

Salad:
Fancy Spinach Salad

(Baby Spinach, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Slivered Almonds, Bacon & Parmesan, Country French Dressing)

Entrees:

Neverland’s Hickory Smoked Pork Loin

(with Secret Brown Sugar Rub and Moonshine Vidalia Peach Sauce)

“Smoked on the Bone” Chicken
(Ellijay Apple Cider Brined and Finished with Garlic Shallot Vinaigrette)

Sides:

Pecan Crusted Squash Casserole
(Squash, Zucchini, Bell Pepper & Vidalia Baked in Cheesy Cream under a Pecan Herbed Crumb Crust)

Roasted Garlic & Cream Smashers
(Yukon Gold and Baby Reds Smashed in their Skins and loaded with Neufchatel, Herb Butter, and Sour Cream)

Then, from the bakery for the cake: I picked the hexagon shape of the first cake and the design of the second cake (minus the bottom layer - our cake will only have four layers). The brown/green layers will be chocolate cake and the ivory/ivy layers will be white butter cake.

I also picked a Willow Tree topper. Travis will even be wearing an outfit that looks like that! It seemed much better than the traditional ones with the groom in a tuxedo.

Then, when we leave the reception, there will be a sparkler farewell.

On to other details...

The flowers: I finally decided to use calla lilies. I will be carrying white lilies and everyone else will have yellow.

Some of the other flowers and plants that will be used are: star of bethlehem, lily grass, hypericum berries, and variegated pit.

For the favors, I ordered matches online and I made decorative candles. I got the candles at Wal-Mart and tied ribbon around them with a heart charm at the knot. This took me a while, but it was like the invitations... it seemed more personal and it saved money.



My mom and Heather (the maid of honor) have picked out what they are wearing.

I got my dress (but can't show it because Travis reads this) and my accessories - antique looking jewelry and flip flops as my shoes.

Travis and I both got our rings for the ceremony. Mine is a band that matches the engagement ring and his band looks a little like a tire tread and is made out of titanium (I put it on my thumb to take a picture, but it's still a little hard to see).

I finally picked out a guest book. I couldn't stand the idea of white "pillow top" guest book, so I bought a journal from a book store. It has lined pages and opens flat, so it should work well. It also looks like a normal book when you turn it sideways, which means that we may actually keep it on a bookshelf somewhere.

Ok, well, that's it for now. I still have to pick out music and a few other things... and we meet with the officiant tomorrow. We had to take personality tests for this, so I will post the results (although I already looked up our results on-line, which makes sense based on my personality).

Rock Town

I know that I haven't posted anything in a long time... I've been really busy with school, preparing for the wedding, and planning the honeymoon. So far, I've gotten a lot done with the planning, but it has left me really stressed for time and I haven't planned many other activities (I even cancelled my Spring Break beach trip so that I could get wedding and honeymoon plans done). However, Travis and I did go rock climbing with the AOC in April the weekend after his birthday (which was convenient timing for me because I was able to get him climbing shoes as his present). Here we are the first day of climbing:

Unfortunately, I had a sinus infection and was sick during the trip. I did climb some, but I spent most of my time hanging out on the ground with Bailey and taking pictures. This is my favorite picture from the trip - Travis' first climb outdoors!

Here are some other pictures from the trip... look at how big the group was!

Well, hopefully things will settle down soon and I'll have more time to blog... but don't expect to see too many posts until late June after the wedding and honeymoon.