Top Layer of Our Wedding Cake

Before our wedding, Bryan and I had heard the tales of many other couples sharing a bite of their wedding cake on the evening of their first wedding anniversary. The tradition seemed like a fun idea to us, so we made plans to preserve the top layer of our cake for our anniversary.

Many couples had told us that the cake was not so tasty a year after the event, but the tradition was worth it. Our cake tasted so delicious on the day of the wedding that we figured even if it tasted a fraction as good as the original it still probably couldn't be a bad thing. After we finished working on our anniversary, we returned home to sample some of our wedding cake. Perhaps we were a bit excited (hmm, or maybe it was the excitement of reclaiming that precious space in the freezer that had been occupied for a year?)

Sadly during the thawing process the icing slid off of the cake. We were not discouraged, we carried on and took a fork to the cake.

If the icing had not slid off, you would have been able to read that the top layer said, "Dare to Love Completely."

For the record, 1-year-old icing is tasty. ;-)

The cake looks a bit destroyed, because we quickly realized that the top half of the cake and the outside of the bottom layer was not so tasty - but the inside of the bottom layer was still quite delicious.

Oh, the things we do for the sake of tradition. Here's to many more anniversaries my love.

Anniversary Celebrations

Bryan and I selected our marriage date of July 4 for a few reasons - some of which may seem silly to y'all. Our first date was on November 4, 2007. While we were dating, Bryan always tried to do something special on the 4th of the month, in fact, he proposed on November 4, 2008. When we thought about a date for our wedding, Bryan thought it might be a good idea (and easier for him) if we married on the 4th of a month. We also thought it might be best to marry in the summer because it would be easier for my family to travel from the midwest in the summer.

So, the calendar search began. It didn't take long for me to discover that the only 4th in the summer of 2009 that fell on a weekend was July 4. I asked Bryan if he thought that it would be crazy to marry on the 4th of July. We thought about it and both agreed that there would be no better date to celebrate our marriage.

At the time, we also had an honest conversation about how we would be spending our anniversaries for many years to come. Bryan is a sound man, and wanted to make a go of the audio company. We agreed that we could do this - but knew it also meant that our anniversaries for many years would be spent with Bryan doing some sort of outdoor event. In fact, we joked that if he did not have a gig on the 4th of July that there would be bigger problems in the marriage - July 4, is the one day every sound man should be able to find a gig.


And so, we spent our first anniversary as husband and wife - doing what we do - providing a sound system for a 4th of July party in the Colonies. I worked as Bryan's stage hand for the day. :) Honestly, I loved this gig - it was an easy, low stress kind of gig. Precisely the type of gig needed on our anniversary.

We enjoyed the music of local band AFK, and eventually (after a several hour delay) enjoyed the Amarillo Fireworks display.

Not a bad way to celebrate - Bryan jokes that the whole country celebrates with us.

Here's to many more celebrations!

Need your help!

Help!

I need to post our wedding announcement in our respective newspapers, and I can't pick an image. In case you didn't know, I'm a bit indecisive.

So, help!

Here's the link to our wedding images.
http://www.pictage.com/712199

Which one would you choose for publication of our wedding announcement. There will be at least two postings - one in Iowa and one in Amarillo. Leave your vote for the picture to include with our announcement in the comment section.

Thanks!

Pictures are on the way

Our wedding pictures attracted the involvement of random tourists.

And now, our wedding pictures will soon be eligible for online viewing very soon. If you would like to create an account to see these pictures follow this link:
http://www.pictage.com/712199

Pictures to Share?

We were so excited to share the days leading up to our wedding, and day of the wedding, with so many friends and family. We were thrilled to be able to spend quality time with our family and friends, to have the opportunity to talk, and not feel rushed.

If you were able to capture any photos from the wedding weekend that you would be willing to share with us, we would love to add these to our book. Please consider emailing us the files. Email Sue.

Many thanks!

Eskimo Hut Bride

After our photoshoot on 6th Street (a very warm photoshoot!), the girls in the van decided that we should seek an icy cold beverage. Ahhh, yummy Eskimo Hut!

Our Fabulous Photographer!

Bryan and I were lucky enough to work with a fabulous photographer, Amanda Anderson, for our wedding. If you are in West Texas and want some fun and capture amazing moments - Amanda is your gal. Amanda owns Red Frame Photography based out of Lubbock, Texas. (We connected with Amanda through our friend Kelly and are so glad that we did. Thanks, Kel!) Honestly, I can't wait for the next opportunity to work with Amanda...hmm, what could that be?

Some of the photos from our wedding have made their way to Amanda's blog and a few others are even on her website. Check it out!

And if you contact Amanda, let her know that Bryan and Sue recommended you. ;-)

We did!

It's been one heck of a crazy week, but it's true - we are married! There is much to talk about - but I wanted to share at least one picture from the weekend until I have time to share more stories.

This evening's craft project

This evening's craft project is my first venture into beading without a pattern. I think this set of wine glass charms turned out rather nicely if I do so say myself. I thought they might add a little something special to an event that is next week. What do you think? Have you ever made charms like these for your wine glasses? I think if I did it again I would use memory wire. This time I used a fine guage wire that I had at the house. Any other recommendations?

One step closer...

We have our marriage license! We are in the final countdown to the wedding. :)

Wedding Mints: Check!

Looks like my mom has been busy today. She and her friend Sherrianna spent a large portion of this afternoon making cream cheese mints for our upcoming wedding. These mints are somewhat of a wedding essential for our family, and mom graciously agreed to make these for our wedding.



The countdown is on! Two weeks from today - Bryan and I will be married!

EB is going to sing!

It's true, my dear friend Eric Barry has agreed to sing at our wedding. Some folks even call him the Pavarotti of the Panhandle. We are delighted that he will join us for the wedding and even more thrilled that he will sing!

Directions to My Aunt's House

Many of you have asked for directions to my aunts house for the shower this weekend. Well, I'm sending a text version of directions, but this might help as well.

I look forward to seeing you!


View Bridal Shower at My Aunt's House in a larger map

Groom's Cake

In case you were wondering, Bryan's Grooms Cake will not look like this Steel Magnolia's treasure:

His cake will look more like this, well not exactly like this - afterall, it will be made out of cake!


We gave the cake decorators a picture of a Soundcraft LX7ii 32 channel mixer to serve as an inspiration for Bryan's cake. Needless to say, Bryan is a little excited to see his finished cake!

Wedding Cake: Check!

This afternoon Bryan and I tackled the difficult job of selecting a cake. It's true, it was a tough job, but someone had to do it. ;-) We were able to design our two cakes. We are confident that our guests will enjoy the tasty treats we selected. Bryan is especially excited that one of the cakes will be adorned with buttons and knobs!

Engagement Announcement in Clinton, Iowa

Our Engagement Announcement recently appeared in the Clinton Herald.

Ink cartridges vs. Inkjet Printers

This weekend I am printing our wedding invitations. Janet designed an amazing suite for the invitation that I'll be printing at home.

Needless to say, I am becoming very familiar with paper and printers this weekend.

So, might I just say - the pricing structure for inkjet cartridges is a little out of whack. It would actually be cheaper for us to purchase a new inkjet printer instead of a replacement cartridge. However, since I have currently used 4 color cartridges I don't think this is the best idea - after all, that would mean I would have 4 printers lying around the house. We try to be environmentally friendly with our purchase practices. (In fact the invitations will be printed on recycled paper and sent in envelopes made from recycled paper). However, it seems the big box mentality wishes to punish us for the ecological choice by pricing the replacement cartridge for a printer to be more expensive that a replacement printer (which by the way comes with two of the aforementioned ink cartridges). Our materialistic society has created this unfortunate set of circumstances.

How do we change this phenonemon? Can we?

Engagement Announcement

It's in the paper! Click here.

Today was a productive day.

It's true, today was a productive day. Ok, I suppose we need a few productive days since we are reaching crunch time - 86 days and counting?

Today, we finalized the proof for our wedding invitations. (Thanks, Janet! You rock!) Now I have only to assemble the invites.

We met with our caterer and finalized a menu. (Check!) It should be a yummy meal, and there should be munchies throughout the evening.

We finalized the rental of tables and chairs for the reception site (Check!)

And we did it all without Bryan having a major heart attack.

I think we are on our way to planning a fabulous evening for all of our friends and family (and I do mean all!)

UPDATE: Doh! I'm a dork! The other big item of the day was that I picked up my dress after completing the final round of alterations! Woohoo!

Yes We Did! Part 3

Here it is, the long awaited video of Bryan's romantic and creative proposal at Cadillac Ranch. Get your box of Kleenex and enjoy!