We're Getting Legalized

On my way to the Howard County Circuit Court to pick up our marriage license! Eep! I'm foreseeing beauracracy, long lines, and signing-next-to-the-X, but after it's over, we'll be good to go.

With every step recently, I've been getting this great butterflies in the stomach feeling of "it's actually happening--we're getting married!" I'm ready to enjoy what has been dubbed the "Weekend o' Jenn," and since my birthday is actually on Wednesday (but celebrated on Tuesday, Wednesday, AND Saturday), I'm extending it to the whole week.

Life is good with 46 days and counting.

Wedding Bells Are Ringing (and so is my head)

51 days and counting, ladies and gentlemen! I'm sort of anxious that I'm not more anxious, but I can only count my blessings. As long as Jake and I wind up married at the end of this whole thing, I'm good!

I started a new job two months ago, and I'm lovin' it. But between busy times at work (in addition to my regular duties, I start teaching a creative drama class tomorrow afternoon), wedding planning, doctor's appointments, and writing my thesis proposal, my days are full to overflowing. I thought I'd take a moment out to process it all and write a post about wedding planning.

I'd like to give a shout-out to the lovely and wonderful CoCo Myles. Dude. Custom-made dresses for under $150? In a custom color, chosen by yours truly, for no extra charge? And the company naming the color after me, making me world-famous? Hell, yes! The dresses are very well-made, and customer service was superb.

I am never going to feel this pampered again. A hair and makeup trial means that we played with my hair for an hour, which led to playing with makeup for an hour. I haven't done this since I almost gave Bobbie Bardzik chicken pox when we were four, and sharing my mom's cast-off blue eye shadow and coral lipstick. (I don't think I got chicken pox this time. I'm immune now, suckas! Plus, they keep their equipment pretty clean there, so no cross-contamination.)

Hair:

Makeup:

(That's my makeup artist, Ashley, behind me. She's adorable.)

What else...? Oh, if you're in the Baltimore area and need affordable accessories, go to Treasure House in Owings Mills. That's where I got my hair clip. For $32! Treasure House is not to be confused with Treasure Trove in DC, which is where we got our rings.

Everyone (and everything) has been great so far. More wedding news to come!

Wedding Jewelry

Since my dress is all be-Swarovski-ed at the top (my two criteria--no strapless and no sequins--have been long since thrown by the wayside), I won't be wearing a necklace with my dress. I've enlisted the girls to help me pick jewelry. I'm trying for a vintage-y look. The consensus seems to be falling toward these earrings (narrowed down from 6 choices!):

(All from emitations)

And the votes are completely split on what brooch to turn into a hair accessory. Any further advice would be much appreciated!)