A Wedding to Remember

Let me set the scene for you:

Colors of rose and faded gold, ivories and creams.  Lights bouncing from every high ceiling, filling the theatre and its gallery with a warm glow.  A long train with lace and beading details.  An anxious groom, whose lines melt into a smile once he sees her.  Homemade vows set with compassion and earnest.  A kiss-the best, of course.

This is the scene set for the wedding of Kelly and Drew!  They were married on Friday at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga to much joy and splendor of friends and family.  See the pictures for the Phantom/Black Swan affair below.

See this wonderful marquee? Once they had selected their location, a theatrical theme was set in motion, making their wedding day/night both dramatic (in the good sense) and magical.

A glimpse into the intricacies and marvel that the Tivoli holds in its architecture *le sigh*

An auditorium waiting to hold the guests.

The stage is set! The cast will soon take their place!

The program-made up inside and out like a theatrical piece.

The ensemble awaits their leading lady!

The reciting of the vows between Romeo and his Juliet.

The start of the hand-fasting ceremony.

A quick shot of the bride-in her glorious dress.

The grand reception.

Her cake.

His cake.

The fun table game "Wed Libs"-left for both amusement to the couple and also for the guests!

A shot of the wedding party-dressed in classic blacks and whites.

The Newlyweds climbing into a horse-driven carriage around Chattanooga.

While Kelly and Drew took a quick ride around the city to enjoy the new splendid moments of being "Mr. and Mrs.", the guests went inside to get drinks, play "Wed Libs" and enjoy some food!  When the couple arrived, they danced beautifully to Tchaikovsky and wooed the crowd.  We laughed, ate, drank and chatted. I had to leave a bit early but I bid the couple goodbye and much luck on their travels and in their new lives together.  Yay! They're married! 

Man I love a good wedding =]

Me with the couple! From Left: Drew, Kelly and Me

I had SUCH a wonderful time and was so glad to share in this experience with them!

CONGRATULATIONS KELLY AND DREW!

Danielle & Ben's Wedding

So on Saturday, the 28th, I journeyed to Suck Creek for my friend Danielle and Ben's wedding! They have been engaged for over a year so we had a lot in common when it came to long engagements, spring venues, and wedding planning.  It was a  GORGEOUS ceremony with a lot a wonderful details tying Ben and Danielle even closer, now as husband and wife.  Their ceremony was very similar to ours with the hand ceremony speech.  It took me back and made me remember my wedding day (not too long ago!) and I couldn't help but smile and be so happy for the journey their taking together! I'm so happy for the two of them!

I took a bunch of pictures but below are some of my favorites.

The setting for the intimate ceremony-the theme colors were red and blue with silver undertones.

My BEST FRIEND Destiny-in her full Navy dress blues.  She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to make it to the wedding since she is in Naval school but she was! Doesn't she look sharp?

A blurry pic but the pronouncement of Mr. and Mrs. Kailing!

The cake-this is one of the coolest twists on the already original cupcake cake idea. They had the top tier for them to cut into and then had about 15 different mini-cupcakes of a ton of cool flavors! There was chocolate mint, strawberry, key lime pie, red velvet, s'more, tirimasu, and lots more!

Me and my sailor

The bride/wife after the ceremony-she had this fantastic 1950s vibe going with her entire look and it worked SO WELL for her!

Me, Danielle (the bride), and Destiny (post ceremony/clothing change).

The happy couple cutting the cake.

Best friends.

LOOK AT THIS DRESS! I was pretty obsessed with this look the entire time, haha!

The Guardian of Cleveland team! From L: Tracy, Mary, Danielle, Kristy, and Destiny.

The couple's first dance-this was so sweet!

<3

Not only was it an absolutely gorgeous wedding but it was a ton of fun and lots of laughs!

ENJOY MARRIED LIFE BEN AND DANIELLE KAILING! IT'S SUCH A NEAT ADVENTURE FULL OF LAUGHTER, INTRIGUE, AND FUN!

XOXO

Mr and Mrs Raley

Click here to view this photo book larger

You've got to check out our wedding day album!  Shutterfly.com helped me make it and it's incredible!  Perfect, fun, and personal-just like our special day <3

Leave me comments letting me know what you think!  We are ordering it within the next 2 weeks and I want to share it with all of you!

Lots of Love,

JeR

Getting excited about...

1) I've started our wedding book using Shutterfly.com and it's coming along SO well!  The last one I was working on crashed with the old laptop so I'm starting fresh on the new PC.  I hope to have it printed out and on our table by the new year!

2) I have been going to the gym for over a month (at least 4 days a week) and I am feeling soooo much better!  Watching what I eat a bit and just generally working on my self has really paid off-I'm lovin' it!  We'll see how far I've come by January 15th  =]

3) I make my first car payment today!  I know it seems more like a pain than a triumph but I'm really excited about it!  Man-I just remembered that I need to post pictures of Fiona (that's her name) on here...maybe soon.

4) I am seeing "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" on Friday with my family and I am STUPIDLY EXCITED.  Like it's a bit serious, lol.

5) Thanksgiving is in a week! YAHOO! I can't wait for mom's good home cookin'.

*What are you getting excited about?!*

Wedding Pictures-officially!

They're here! After 2 months of anxiously waiting we received our wedding pictures in the mail yesterday from Emily! YAY! They're wonderful =]

So, naturally, I am going to post a large handful of these pics here with simple explanations for your (and my) enjoyment.

Have fun!

LOCATION: Grandview Tudor Mansion on Lookout Mountain, GA

(This-taken through the iron archway-is the lovely place we got married-Grandview. The house in the distance is where we had food and got ready. This quiet and intimate garden is where we had our ceremony and started life as Mr. and Mrs. Raley)

(This is another view of the garden where the ceremony was held.  Our own green paradise.)

(This is the main room-where they set up the food and gift tables.  If it had rained on our wedding day, we would have had the ceremony in here-still GORGEOUS so no complaints if that were the case, right?!)

(Now this-this was the overlook we had-the ENTIRE Chattanooga and Georgia valley below. There was a balcony where we had the reception and it too overlooked this stunning view. This was the clincher in getting Derrick's approval of this wedding location-he LOVED it. Notice the happy bride and groom!)

FOOD: Wedding Cake by Norma Stansberry, Grooms Cake by Lauren Street, Heavy hor d'oeuvres by Grandview staff

(Do I really need details?! It was INCREDIBLE-another favorite thing Derrick loved-picking out the food! We had SO much extra that they packed us a picnic to take for our wedding night! And boy-we dug in later that evening.)

(*drools over keys* This was (naturally) my favorite platter that I kept revisiting! God I LOVE some real fresh fruit!)

(Our wedding cake surrounded by my bouquet and the bridesmaid bouquets. Our cake was handmade by Norma Stansberry (my mother's childhood friend and my BEST friend's mother). It was lemon flavored and tasted delicious-even the parts that went down my dress from Derrick smashing it! Small-but since we had a small wedding of 50 it was ideal.)

(And last but totally not least: r2d2 Grooms cake! It was handmade by Lauren Street (college friend to bride and groom) and looked and tasted amazing! Chocolate raspberry-what more does a girl need in life?! It was a total surprise for Derrick and he LOVED it! He thought it was so original, very well done, and tasted incredible.)

BRIDAL PARTY: Bride-Jennifer (MOH), Destiny (MOH), Kelly, Shelley, Tonya (attendant)/Groom-Mark (BM), Patrick, Wed, Brad

(Yay! We're all there-including my mom and dad! This was our goofy picture-with it being 90 degrees all day with NO breeze, I'm sure the heat started to finally get to all of us, lol!)

DETAILS: Shoes, rings, centerpieces, etc.

(Bride and Bridesmaids Bouquets)

(Since Converse High tops are Derrick's FAVORITE shoe, it seemed only perfect for he and his Groomsmen to wear them on our wedding day.)

(Our gorgeous bands of marriage.)

(Handmade programs in the wedding colors-purple and green.)

(Silver bells to ring when we left for our Honeymoon-tied with the wedding colors of purple and green. If you'll notice, behind them are 2 white candles-1 for my grandmother and 1 for Derricks-both who have passed away. They stayed lit from the time the ceremony started until we left that evening.)

(My amazing and HIGH purple heels-worn only about 1/2 of the time because they made my feet sweat and hurt!)

(Some of our centerpieces on the smaller tables-perfect for setting a small plate and drink down on. Isn't that view amazing?!)

*Whew!* Well, I hope you all have enjoyed a tiny glimpse into our wedding day-May 13, 2010. It was spectacular, to say the least.  I know you've seen like 20 of me and Der from that day, so I'll spare you those pictures  ; ]

Sending love to you always,

J

Another Wedding for the Raleys

So I've realized, by accident of course, that I've had the same dream just with different details about getting married TO DERRICK again.  Now at first I was a bit worried because I was like, "does this mean I didn't enjoy the first one?!" and proceeded to review pictures and my wedding book again to evoke memories and the like...then it hit me-I'm such a dolt.

I've had so many dreams and thoughts about our wedding because I want to do it again. I had SO MUCH FUN on our wedding day (even though there was a bit of drama involved) that I want to get married to Derrick again, lol!  I've had dream after dream with different scenarios, different locations, different guests and food (though I will admit: I'm not sure if my dress is different)...and the 1 constant that stays true is that I am marrying him-Derrick Michael Raley-and I love that constant.

*Wipes sweat from brow* Silly Goose.  

Der and I have already decided to re-new our vows every 5 years and also go to Disney (Land or World) at least every 5 years (though they don't have to occur at the same time).  I think that's appropriate.  It'll keep things a bit more fresh as we get older and busier, it'll give us a countdown towards some AWESOMENESS every 5 years and it will be just plain fun. No, we probably won't have a huge blow out party except for the big years (10, 25, 50, etc.) but we'll still have fun and love with it...and that's the whole point of having a ceremony of any kind-right?

I stumbled upon his vows he wrote to me the other day and it made me so joyful and teary.  His were sweet, funny, honest, and simple-the epitome of Derrick.  I feel a little selfish in that I don't really want to post them on this blog-NOT because I don't love you all to pieces-but because they were my words; does that make sense?  They make my heart flutter, girly as that may seem.  He wrote from his heart, from his intelligence (it was a rhyming poem) and from his earnest-meaning he would have said those things to me in front of 1037502 people or just me, him, and a judge.  I take pride in that.  Actually I take pride in him as a person-let alone my husband and my friend.  He's so silly-just check him and the groomsmen out below.

I like him. And I love him.

Which to say you like someone is COMPLETELY different than saying you love them.  You can love your  mother but not like her.  Or you can like a friend and not love them.  I am fortunate enough to like and love my Der.  I genuinely enjoy his company and companionship.  I like to hang out as well as have fabulous and romantic dates and moments.  I think we're a good pair (I know some of you were probably like "well I hope so seeing you married him!" lol). He makes me laugh and smile every day-and thankfully he tries to. He goes out of his way, putting a lot of his masculinity, seriousness, and time on the line just to hear me giggle-and hey, this girl has NO complaints with that.

I hadn't intended for this blog to get all mushy but it's nice to sit in retrospect of coming up on 2 months of marriage and still getting butterflies 2 months (and 2 1/2 years later) with my husband and friend.  It's a good feeling to wake up to, you know?

So now I don't fret anymore over wedding dreams and tears through vows-I realize that I can't wait for year 5 so we can do it all over again and I can continue these butterflies and smiles.

Share the love today-it's Saturday.

<3

P.S.*I've scattered a few wedding pics in this blog, but obviously there are more scattered throughout the top of my full blog and my profile...what can I say?! I like the pics.

**WARNING: This shall be a blog about useless and many a random thing-know that now.

Random point #1: I can't help but feeling still a little a lot sad about that fact that a pair of our friends did not come to our wedding-only to find out 1 month later that they were ready and willing to go to another and that they used the excuse of "gas money woes" as the reason not to attend ours.  Not saying any names, but it still hurts my feelings to think about...and I'd just rather not.  But upon reading facebook status' of "So and So's wedding was so gorgeous! It's so nice to see friends getting married"-yes, that stings.  And I don't appreciate it.  Nor do I appreciate the fact that they both have chosen to let our friendship with them fall by the waist side.  I'm just pouting really.  I am an emotional bird so naturally almost everything effects me in some way, lol, but still-I think my reasoning has merit.

Random point #2:  I am loving our new life.  I am working on a painting for our bedroom and it seems to be coming out nicely!  I am letting the paint dry for probably another hour and then repainting and touching it up before mounting it above the bed to "Ooooh!" and "Aaaaah!" at.  When going to the store last night with my fav. pal Tonya, we looked at new housewares that I honestly CAN'T WAIT to utilized in the new Raley home.  Baskets and frames and lampshades-oh my!  Once everything is bought/finished and in its proper place (which will probably be a few months, to tell the truth) pictures will be posted so I can gloat a bit.  Not only that but my husband and I are faring quiet well and carrying on like normal but with the tag "Mr. and Mrs." firmly and gratefully attached.

Random point #3: I never think about how much I L.O.V.E. my friends and the friendship we carry (NOW: let me point out that I mean I don't usually consciously think about it-I don't need it since it's in my subconscious and always there) until a night like last night occurs and I wake up hung over, tired, and my stomach still aching from laughing.  I woke up at like 11:30-which is LATE for someone who usually wakes up around 7:30 even on the weekends! Last night was a good one-to say the very least.  Not even too much went on but sitting around a table drinking well made margaritas, eating ice cream and chips with dip, and laughing and talking was my idea of a great night with great people.  I have bouts of depression flair up every now and again, usually accompanied or swiftly followed by anxiety, and I think this past week was a flair up.  Luckily, getting my ass in gear (i.e. doing stuff-not being a lazy lump on a log) and hanging out with friends quickly pulled me out and made me feel normal again.  So to you, my friends (Tonya and Mark specific), my hat is off to you.

Random point #4: I think the husband and I are going to watch "The Time Traveler's Wife" tonight-not a movie of his choosing but mine!  On our Netflix cue I have alternated movies he'd like, I'd like, and stuff we'd both like so every few days we get a new surprise in the mail of something we get to watch and *hopefully* enjoy with one another.  Thus far this experiment has proved well. We shall see tonight.  But this random point was to chit chat a bit about compromise and the thoughts of someone else. Thankfully, I was brought up to think for others so this wasn't too hard of a feat for me to face and conquer once married-though I'll admit I've got my little pouty 5 year old in me and thriving-but for Derrick I don't think he was ever used to it; even still he's doing well and makes me feel quite proud and happy to be his wife-even if that means he has to suck it up and muster through "The Time Traveler's Wife" tonight  =D

Random point #5: We will be working on our "Thank You" cards today and tomorrow-I'm excited! There's not too many to send out but I'm going to also print some photos out next week and send some of them along with the cards for good measure and spunk.  We really do appreciate everything we received in regards to our wedding stuff so at least they will be sincere.


Alright lotus blossoms, enjoy this weekend, rain or shine!


Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang.


JeR

The Married Life: Part I

Well ladies and gents: I am not only an official married lady but ALSO have been married for an entire week!  Yes, surreal and incredible.  The entire process was long and stressful and intense but it was all totally worth it.

It has thus far been (cliche, I know) the best day of my life. I am married to an intricate and complex individual who makes me think and laugh everyday-two things I need and am forever grateful for.

<--- Check out that smooch!!  Such a good one and seemed to have lasted for days  =]

Anyway, our wedding day was grand.
To start: the day was gorgeous and hot.  There were really no potholes (a few small mishaps but that's considered good luck) in the plans and it all went so smoothly.  I am a very proud bride, wife, and Mrs. 
Next: I got to spend a lot of time with some awesome ladies (see pic below) who made my day as stress free and fun as possible-not to mention they made sure I was breathtaking for my groom.

These girls literally made my life for the day-helped calm me down, laugh, cry and everything in between. From left we have-Me, Jennifer (sister and Matron of  Honor), Destiny (bff and Maid of Honor), Kelly (bff and bridesmaid) and Shelley (last bff and bridesmaid).  Tonya was not present for this pic but she was an INCREDIBLE help that day and was literally fantastic in everything she did.  I don't think she'll ever really know how much I appreciate her and Destiny for all of the help.  Of course, no wedding day, or really any day for that matter, would be complete without my mother, Janet.  She is the most powerful and amazing woman I've ever met and I strive to be like her every day.

That's her and my dad-a great pair though divorced.  It's nice that they get along so well and could make Derrick and mine's wedding day as special and fun as it was!  Granted, I wept like a little girl when I saw my dad because he's just a big ol' teddy bear and cried the entire time from when he saw me to the pronouncement, lol. It was pretty sweet really, as was our dance-The Beach Boys "God Only Knows".


 Afterwards, since it was so hot, I told the boys they could all change back into their casual clothes since it was topping 90 and humid and they had like 3 layers on.  It was such a nice, quiet, intimate, and relaxing evening.  


When we departed, we ran to the Inn across the street from our venue and settled in for out wedding night.  Chocolate covered strawberries and comfy pillows definitely helped make it a comfortable stay ;]


Our honeymoon was to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and let me tell you: the words amazing and flabbergasted and astounding don't EVEN do the place justice.  It was such a phenomenal time getting to be such a big kid with my husband. Perfect locale for us kids  =D  We got back yesterday from everything, picked up Tucker from getting fixed and boarded, and are now back home trying to find a new place to live and make our first home as Mr. and Mrs.-another new adventure that I'm sure will be a challenge yet exciting.  


Well cap'n I just wanted to update you on this crazy life I've been living for the past 7 days-INTENSE and amazing; wouldn't trade it for $1 mil.


I will be starting a goal blog thanks to Alli S. I've always had goals (long and short term) and the list is in my head but it'll be nice to put them in writing and follow my progress and kick my own ass if needed when I start slacking.


Once it's up you all will be posted! Give me a week or 2 since the move will be priority #1 right about now.


Love for always and ever,
JeR