Hey everyone - we need collective brainpower. Heather and I were discussing this under a thread called Donor Insemination (breathe Paul...) and I thought it would get more visibility, hence more ideas for her in this spot. So, gets those hamsters in your brain running on that wheel and think of what she can do! Thanks


"...ok Heather, howzabout an even better and more personal twist to it. Buy one sentimental thing for each child to carry with them on your wedding day. Then, every year on your anniversary take a group photo with each of you holding that item (I am including you and Paul as children too by the way ) It will be a wonderful 'marker' each year, you could even get a photo album for just this photo over the years.

How much do you want to bet one of (or all of)your 4 daughters will want to use that as their 'something old' on their wedding day? After all it came to symbolize what marriage should be...


Thank you Laurie! I love that idea!
Now I am thinking of what I could get for them..
Suggestions welcome

Funny, I was really thinking of a "thing" when I wrote it this afternoon. But it 'just' hit me that jewelry would be amazing. For the girls - matching tennis bracelets, but with different stones, ruby, sapphire, emerald, diamond... for the boys - pocket watches. Not everyday items. They wont wear out. They wont go out of style. The expense is brutal though...."

Thank you Laurie. I have actually been meanig to do this since you suggested it the other day.
I am also looking for suggestions on how to plan a very classy but small wedding. Its kinda funny that when it comes to planning a Big wedding I am the person to come to I have been in alot of weddings and helped to plan quite a few of them as well as my first wedding to my late husband. I am great at going "all out " in plannig. We want something small but memoriable. And for some reason I'm nnot sure where to start.The wedding will be here in Pennsylvania. The date has been moved up to October 4 (yes of this year)


Usually I would have my mother to help me with something like this but she is not taking my leaving very well at all. She is giving me alot of guilt about leaving as well as her feelings that I am "betraying " my late husbands memory. We do have a few friends and my sister supporting us but out of my friends I am the one who usually knows about this kind of thing. So any one who has any suggestions would be very much appreciated..

I also wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you for all of the support you have given Paul and I it has been a tough few weeks dealing with my disaproving family and communnity having a whole forum of people who support us and don't pass judement has helped me to keep things in perspective. I know that not everyone will pass judgment on me and that the people whohave been are mostly being selfish.
So thank you all. Please any suggestions on planning a small wedding would be really helpful.

I'm sorry to hear that you're getting a guilt trip; honestly, ever time I see that picture of you and Paul I smile, I think it's wonderful that you two have found each other. Don't ever feel guilty about being happy and in love...

Have you picked out the location yet? Do you remember way way back in the day when Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt got married? They were married in a tiny little church in the country, it was beautiful (not that I was there, but the pictures in the magazines were great)

Okay...so I just tried to find pictures online to show you, and maybe I was thinking of another couple, apparently they spent $1 million on their wedding...

But I do think those little tiny churches in the woods are great places for weddings. I'm more of an outdoorsy person though, so maybe you're thinking a little more fancy?

Heather, I'm going to have to PM you, because there are just way too many similarities with our stories (I'm speaking about my relationship with John, and the difficulty my family is having with it). We need to talk, girl.

I don't have any sentimental suggestions at this time, but I just wanted to provide a voice of encouragement in your ear when it sounds like you're receiving a lot of negativity.

Thanks againn for the support
No nothing too fancy but I am DEFINATLEY not the outdoorsey type. The Ceremony will mpst likley be at the church where the kids and I are active members. I think most of my questions are aboput planning a small reception.

Tiffany I have a feeling we could have alot to talk about. Please feel free to Im me maybe we could be of some support to one another.

...guess it's just as well you're planning to move, Norma...

Discussing wedding plans in a donor insenimation thread......
Just when you think this place is has topped weird...bingo...
If I wasn't sick there would be a joke here....

About the only suggestion I have is to buy a bunch of the disposable camaras...one for each person who will be there...and let them shoot away. Some of the best pictures from that day will be on these cameras. Make sure you get the ones with a flash. If you're intersted let me know as I know a place I get these for a couple bucks a piece..

I love that idea H.B.!
I'll be in touch for details as it gets a little closer and I have an idea how many people will be attending.
Hey we'll need a photographer do you hav any plans for August 30? LOL

(yes we changed the date again)

October 4th is a great date.

That's my Birthday!!!
Enjoy.

The family part is rough but remember they were not part of your on line courtship. The only know of the one visit and poof your getting married and moving across the country with the children. That could be alot to take

Norma Jean...
I am sorry to hear that you are not being supported in the way you'd like...espc. from your mother. Is it b/c you are so close? Was she close to your late husband? It can be a difficult adjustment for people on the "outside" to make because they haven't been a part of your relationship as they might have been if it occured in the "traditional way". It is foreign to some people that you can grow so close to someone even though you are not physically present in eachothers every day lives. But there is so much more to a relationship and I am a believer in what is meant to be...You & Paul were just "meant to be"...something/someone "higher power" or whatever you choose to call it brought you both on here at a time when you needed eachother & you developed something special through that friendship...something that could not have otherwise have happened based on your locations. Stay true to your belief in eachother & your families will see that you are commited to this because you were just two people who were meant to find eachother & fall in love!! Best wishes & I love hearing all the Wedding stuff...it gives the rest of us hope that it exists for us too!!!

I dont even know what to say about the family thing other than I think Harmony makes an excellent point. Give them time.

My ex's sister told me on my own front porch on my wedding night that they had held three family meetings to tell my ex not to marry me. To thier credit, your families are letting you know how they are feeling upfront and giving you an opportunity to wax poetic about how happy you are....

The two things that I did that were both cost effective and totally sentimental were:
Placecards - I did not buy these, I bought big thick index cards. Then I pasted a photo of each person on the front. Folded it in half like a tent and put the table number inside. Many folks still have thiers - ha ha, they lasted longer than the marriage!
Favors - I made a mixed CD with "our songs" and songs the favorites of those we most loved. I still have a few if you'd like an example, they were nice with the words printed inside with lots of dedications to folks.
Faith crying, will tell bouquet thing later

quote:

Originally posted by normajean-sugar:

(yes we changed the date again)

...keeps getting closer to the present...having trouble waiting?

Looks like they are having trouble waiting. Just wait it'll be moved up to June next.

Thanks for the support and words of encouragement. I am trying to be understanding and patient with my family. I can see how this may look a little crazy from the outside. But their personal attacks make is really hard to be sympathetic. I am hoping time will help them to get used to the idea. We will see.

Laurie I also like your Cd idea alot I think I will ask Paul if he knows how to do that.

quote:

Originally posted by binarian:

quote:

Originally posted by normajean-sugar:

(yes we changed the date again)

...keeps getting closer to the present...having trouble waiting?

quote:

Originally posted by Gabriel's Mom:
Looks like they are having trouble waiting. Just wait it'll be moved up to June next.

I'm trying really hard to wait till August..Don't tempt me! or Paul he'd probably have us married next week if I agreed.