We've been invited to three weddings so far this year, more than in all the years we've been a couple combined. Two are on the same date, June 22. The first (and the one we're attending) is our lovely niece Melissa's. The other is the music teacher at the school where I work, a young guy I get along well with and so he surprised me with a "save the date" card followed by an actual invitation. That was really nice of him because I don't have the impression he invited very many of our coworkers. Of course I had to decline since he picked the same day as Melissa, but he understood.
I had to talk Gregg into going to the wedding. He's really introverted and hates big social events to begin with, and then it's going to cost us a nice chunk of money to attend. The venue is a 6 hour drive away, in the mountains of North Carolina, and requires taking two days off work for him. Then there's the cost of the hotel room we booked, and since it's a university town and the height of wedding and graduation season the prices are double what they should be. I have to buy a new dress and shoes (not that I mind that!) and we'll have to get a suit of Gregg's dry cleaned. Thank goodness Martina and/or Marla will be looking after the dogs and Marco while we're gone and we won't have to pay for boarding, but everything else is costly! But, all that being said, it means a lot to Gregg's sister, and her daughter is our favorite niece. We couldn't bear to miss the wedding and let the family down.
I can't believe that the serious, bookish, introverted little girl I first met almost 20 years ago is going to be married! It makes me a little tearful when I think of it.
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| One of the bridal portrait photos...her mother sent me this earlier today. |
beautiful bride! have a good time!
ReplyDeleteShe has lovely eyes, I think.
DeleteHave fun! Drink lots of wine, just don't make a scene.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I'll drink plenty of wine but I will leave the drunken scenes to Gregg's brother's crazy wife.
DeleteYou'll have a great time.
ReplyDeleteHow fun it will be, all the family and friends. The bride is a refreshing sight.
ReplyDeleteIs it a custom in US to photograph the bride in her dress before the wedding? It isn't a thing that happens here....the dress is kept as a big secret between a few people until the big day! She looks very serious!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is a secret...see my reply to Librarian. Blog photos don't count because no one in "real" life reads my blog!
DeleteShe still looks serious, bookish and introverted, but there is a quiet happiness about her. It just puzzles me a little that there are already photographs of her in her bridal outfit. Here in Germany, the wedding gown and veil are only worn at the actual wedding, when photos (and often videos) are taken.
ReplyDeleteSometimes bridal portraits are taken ahead of the big day, but that's all. The majority of the photos will be taken at the wedding. And no one else has seen these photos, since it's customary not to see the dress until the wedding.
DeleteThe only reason I posted a photo of her in her dress here is that no one in "real" life reads this blog. I wouldn't spoil the surprise if anyone did!
DeleteWhaddya mean Jennifer? Blogworld IS real life. The other day-to-day existence is fictional.
DeleteI am with Gregg on this one. We were invited to my nephew's wedding on the island of Mauritius a few years ago. It would have cost thousands to attend, and they were divorced a few months later.
ReplyDeleteIt won't cost us that much to go thank God but we're people of modest means, so it's still costing us plenty! I do hope this marriage lasts forever.
DeleteHope it’s a great time. It’s a shame it’s so expensive to simply attend a wedding. My cousin’s son recently got married during a 5 day celebration in Colombia. He really wanted us to be there! Uh huh.
ReplyDeleteShe is a beautiful bride. Weddings and funerals are what bring families together and are so important. I am sure you will all have a great time.
ReplyDeleteWe met some people who were in Birmingham to attend the wedding of a friend- the last of their high school friends to get married. I asked them, in my blunt way- is this marriage a good one? Do you approve? Will it last? They all gave a resounding YES! I was glad of that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bride. And hey! It's not just a wedding- it's a vacation! Right?
Enjoy.
(I completely understand Gregg's feelings.)
Such a beautiful bride. Ethereal. Angelic. It's been years since I went to a wedding. In fact, I think the last wedding I attended was my son's (20 years ago!), which I planned. It was a lot of work. The marriage lasted 10 years. My daughter-in-law and I are Facebook friends. I'll never stop loving her. I hope you have a great time at the wedding.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
The bride looks lovely and I am sure you and Gregg will enjoy the wedding and family gathering. Wine helps! The expenses do add up but it will be money well spent.
ReplyDeleteTell Gregg take advantage of the weddings because when you get to my age it starts to be funerals.
ReplyDeleteI think that Gregg and I would get along just fine as I am also not a big fan of large gatherings and parties. They make me bristle...but of course I will make a big exception for our daughter's wedding in late August.
ReplyDelete