Our Wedding: Getting Ready!

Finally...more recaps! Sorry this has taken so long! Now that I am officially on maternity leave (EEK!) I should post more regularly (of course, depending on when the little one decides to get here). I am sorry for really disappearing. If any one is still following me, thank you and I am humbled by your faith in me. I want to be a better blogger again, I had so much fun planning the wedding, and after already a year of marriage, I am saddened by my dropping the ball with postings. I will be trying my darnedest to keep going! Especially during my wait for baby! Anyway...RECAP!

My eyes popped open on the morning of our wedding to overcast skies...but I couldn't care less! I was up, it was early, and we were getting married! We ate breakfast, I showered and we hopped in the car to the hair salon. I was meeting my bridesladies there and everything up until I pulled into the parking lot of the salon felt completely surreal. I found myself jokingly saying "yay!" when people asked how I felt. I was truthfully, completely overwhelmed and just hoping that we kept on time, and that P wouldn't see me on my way into the Towers!

                            

Now, there are no pictures of me during the "transformation;" no before make-up pictures or before hair styles. I wanted to make the best use of my time with the photographer, and I thought prep pics could be covered at the Towers when we were adding our finishing touches (like MY DRESS!). So, that's why there aren't any before pictures! (Plus - no make up and me = yuck!).

I had my bridesmaids (including my MOH) get their hairs did first. And gave the waiting bridesmaids their gifties! I never did a post on what they were, but they were pretty sa-weet! The gift bags included:

1. Flippie-Floppies - So they could get all comfy on the dance floor!
2. Lip Gloss
3. Tissue packets - for "Happy Tears"
4. A water bottle - 'cause...y'know...
5. Heart-shaped white sunglasses
6. An individualized, personalized charm necklace with their initials and matching earrings (I was so thrilled, they all wore their jewelry that day)
7. A hair flower that matched their dresses complete with a peacock feather (another DIY project, I should have posted! GAH!)
8. A card that I wrote thanking them for being there for me 

I was pleased to see that they were thrilled with the gifts! After all, they had given so, so much to me.

Then, it was my turn to sit in the salon chair. My hairstylist decided to adjust what we came up with from my hair trial and I must say, I LOVED it! My mom did my make up, and I think she did it perfectly: enhancing my features, but I never felt like I had too much make up on or, like I didn't look like myself. We headed home to meet up with the rest of the bridesmaids and pick up my dress to get going over to the Towers!

After! (Sorry there's no before picture!)

All ready for the dress! It was waiting for me, all hung up and pretty on my closet door and I was anxious to get it on. But that would have to wait until we got to the Towers!

Here's my dress! I hadn't posted any pictures before in fear of Patrick accidentally seeing it.
Here she is in all her lacy, beautiful glory!

I gathered up my accessories and my shoes, after they were beautifully captured by the photographer, we grabbed the favors and headed to the car! It was finally beginning to feel real!

My shoes, garters, our rings, my hair flower and peacock fan! 

Giving Dad a See-You-At-The-Aisle Kiss!

So we hopped in the cars and headed over. To that place I had seen in my dreams for almost two years. To our place, Patrick's and mine. I had been texting my guy throughout the day --- just last minute questions/answers and timing things. But when we pulled up and parked about a block away from the Towers, my nerves awakened and I was petrified he'd accidentally see me! I quickly texted him "We're on our way!!!" to which he replied "We're all ready. :-)" and my heart soared. I was at the same time calmed and thrilled by that response. That's my man. And in a little over an hour, I'd be marrying him. We gathered our things, me cradling my dress, and briskly headed toward the Towers. 

We had to kind of awkwardly sneak up to the Bridal room, and once there, I felt like I could allow the giddy feelings to take me over. I pulled on my undergarments and got ready to step into my dress. What a beautiful moment; to finally slip into the most precious piece of clothing I'd ever wear. I felt beautiful in it, and I knew Patrick would love it.

It takes a village to get all those buttons perfectly aligned!

Surrounded by love!

When that was done, my little sister, MOH, helped me into my glorious blue shoes!

I slid my garters on and played with my two beautiful flower girls, who were getting excited: their big moment was coming too! After I was ready, the girls finished primping themselves and we waited.

I got a 'special telegram' visit from my soon-to-be mother-in-law! She brought my gorgeous something borrowed (a rhinestone bracelet) and my wedding gift from Patrick! I had sent my wedding present to him via bridesmaid :) and I was ready to see what was inside mine!

He wrote me such a sweet note on a vintage postcard from Capri, Italy (WHERE OUR AMAZING HONEYMOON WAS!) and gave me a beautiful white banded watch. On the face of the watch is a rotating 'hand' that eventually lines up letters to read "Love Knows Not What Time Is." Crying. Obviously. Its so beautiful! I love it so much! He also gave me a mini cupcake phone accessory and a Bane action figure, and a book called "Greene On Capri" written by someone named Greene who obviously had an amazing experience, like we were about to have, in Capri. (GOSH, does the man love me or what? Wee!)

I still had some time to wait before we'd be ushered upstairs to begin the ceremony. It was really nice to have a few moments to really collect myself and realize where I was and what was going on around me. Our day had finally arrived! After a year and a half of planning, crafting, stressing, making, arranging and debating. The day was here. We were about to be wed!

Next up, The Ceremony!

Best,

Micah

Feeling Blessed

Hey friends. Spring is finally here! We are leaving our windows open, our allergies are taking their tolls, and we found four disgusting spiders in our apartment yesterday. But we are happy, and for the most part, very healthy. Our baby is growing and we're so excited. But, recently, major things in our world took a tragic turn.

Most of you may have seen the horrific events that occurred at the Boston Marathon this past week. As a resident of Massachusetts, someone who works in the heart of the city, whose dreams have come to life here and someone who has a great deal of passion for the city it has been a very tough week.

Patrick and I were extraordinarily lucky. I had the day off from work, so was able to be safe at home and not enter Boston that Monday. Patrick works in the city, but he was at a safe enough distance that he was able to confirm his safety to me quickly. He also happened to drive into the city that day (because he was running late that morning) and came home soon as he could. Our friends and family were safe and checked in very quickly. But many were not. My heart grieves for them. My heart grieves for this city. For an event that is meant to be joyous, and a celebration of life and freedom.

But on the other hand, I have seen such heroic deeds done; marathon runners who continued to run past the finish line two extra miles to the hospital to donate blood. Spectators who instead of running away from the explosions, ran to the victims to help. The FBI and the law enforcement of Boston, the state, and more recently, Watertown, who searched tirelessly in the days after the events to find the two suspects. And who, yesterday, bravely did find them and put a stop to them.

On Monday and yesterday, when the whole city was on lock down, Patrick and I stayed in our home. We felt all day the same feeling that swept Massachusetts, the feeling of anxiety and of being unsafe. Now that those responsible for the terrible acts of violence have been stopped, and it is a new day, I am truly counting my blessings.

I'm grateful to have love, safety, shelter and friends to share it with. A healthy pregnancy so far, exciting projects to work on and a beautiful new home to build (we moved!). There are countless things, little things that I fail to think about each day that have been returning to the forefront of my mind in light of these attacks. I'm heartbroken for what has been done to Boston and to its people, relieved that justice will be served, and hopeful that I can remember to be grateful for every day that we have.

With love and thankfulness,

Micah

Honeymoon Recap!: Our Trip to Paradise

Hello all! I am still alive, still married and still blogging! I know --- I have been absent for weeks, but as you would expect, things are already ridiculously busy! As soon as we got back, we had to begin work, and I am (thankfully, and most happily) booked through February with shows! Anyways, to the point. Before I get to recap our wedding (which was the best day of my life so far), I wanted to talk about the most beautiful amazing place on earth, our honeymoon destination: The Isle of Capri off the coast of Naples in Italy!

So, after our wedding day, we decided we wanted to leave straight off to our honeymoon the next morning. So we booked our flights and after leaving our Bed & Breakfast in a cloud of love, and a car bedecked by our friends with "Just Married" decorations as a surprise, we headed up to the airport and onto our first adventure as a married couple!

We left little RI, for Philly, and then on to my first flight abroad landing in Munich, Germany. We spent a few hours in our layover loafing about the airport, exchanging our dollars for euros and giggling about how we actually could call each other 'husband' and 'wife.' As most flights are, ours was delayed. So, Patrick read and I fell asleep on his shoulder. But FINALLY we boarded our plane to Naples and took off. Arriving in Naples, we saw the beautiful countryside and heard the melodic tones of the Italian language and immediately felt like we were home. Admittedly, it would have been nice if one of us were fluent in Italian --- we got stuck in Naples due to confusion in taking the hydro-foil (a super fast ferry boat) to the island and ended up catching the very last boat. We were exhausted, but overjoyed.

  

We reached our villa by taxi cab at the top of Capri in the little town of Anacapri, and honestly, passed out. But we woke up the next morning to this:

This is the view we woke up to every morning. I know... 

Ooh! Suggestion: If you plan on taking your honeymoon abroad, or on a more than 5 hour flight where there will be a time difference, we strongly suggest not sleeping on the plane? Or if you must, just kind of cat-napping. Why? For this reason; we actually braved the nine hour flight from Philly to Munich without sleeping and then from Munich to Naples not resting until we got to Capri. That way, it seemed like just a very, very long day, and our bodies went to sleep on Italian time instead of American time. We slept in the first day, but were ready for adventure when we woke up, and felt less jet-lagged then had we slept on the plane and had to re-adjust our bodily clocks. 

We set about exploring, relaxing and enjoying each other for a golden eight days.

Here's the patio right outside our villa; that's where we had breakfast, read
and planned our activities for the day!

A view of the ocean that surrounded us. You can almost discern the curvature of the Earth! It's crazy!


Lovely blue Mediterranean waters



Steps from our Villa down to the pool!

OMG you guys, the POOL.

My new hubby at our beautiful gate!

To avoid this becoming a novel of a post, I want to just share with you some of our favorite moments of the trip!

The FOOD was amazing. No matter where we went.
This is a picture of our favorite: pizza a la caprese! (Fresh Mozzarella, Garden Ripe Tomatoes,
Basil, Marinara Sauce).

   

Watching the sunset over the shoulder of Mt. Vesuvius, while sipping
local-bottled wine on our roof-deck.

My husband is so handsome! ... and check the new European threads!

We took a trip up to the highest peak in Capri, Monte Solaro (You get there by chair lift!).

  

  

Fancy date in Capri Town.

Gorgeous views! (hi, honey!)

We rented a boat and sailed around the entire island, taking in all the sights and even going for a swim in the Mediterranean!

  

Our villa was the perfect spot for relaxation together. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

 

One of my favorite adventures we had was seeing the ancient artifacts and beautiful gardens of the Villa San Michele.

  

  

This was an Etruscan (right, OLDER than the Roman Empire) Sphynx.
We were told it's good luck to pat the rump!

Next, unto il Faro (the lighthouse of Capri) Beach for some toe-dipping and yummy lunch (including one of many Caprese salads we enjoyed there).
 

Then we walked up the Via Krupp!

Yummy dinner for two!

Our preferred method of travel? Scooter!

 



For us, the recipe for a perfect honeymoon was equal parts relaxation and adventure! 

  

 For our last day of the honeymoon --- we stayed in Naples and journeyed to Sorrento to visit the ruins of Pompeii (the ancient city destroyed but preserved by a volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius).

  

And as we explored the ancient city, the clouds opened up, and we were drenched! It was amazing! Seeing shelter throughout the ancient city.

Soaked, but joyful!

  

We found an ampitheater...of course...(we're so ridiculous!).

We had the most incredible time in Italy. By the end, responding with "Grazie" or "Perfecto!" seemed natural. We both took a piece of Italy (especially Capri) back with us in our hearts. It has become a special place for us that we plan on returning to as soon as we are able. (There may or not be a goal of retiring there...). With the spectacular sights, astounding history to explore, wonderful and kind people, and beyond delicious food, how could you not fall in love with Italia?

Ciao!

Micah

P.S. Oh! Sorry, this post ended up a novel. I really couldn't pick a few favorite moments!