Registries!

Also–we have just started to register at several different stores. So far we have Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Crate & Barrel. None of the registries are complete, but go ahead and look! You can find the links to the registries on the right side of the blog.

A Wedding March

Instead of having a fancy car take us from Gas Works to the UW Club, Robbie and I are going to do a wedding march. Here’s where we’ll be:

View Larger Map

Robbie and I are going to be taking a pedicab–a bicycle that will pull us along the Burke Gilman path.

We hope you’ll join us for our wedding march! It’s a 1.7 mile walk–only about 30 minutes!

Dress–teaser!

My wedding dress was one of the first purchases that we had for the wedding. I bought it in August, and since then, it has been hiding away in Nadine’s closet. I wasn’t sure what type of dress to wear–should I wear something in black (one of my favorite colors to wear?) a beautiful red or gold or plum dress?

I thought long and hard about it-especially about white dresses and the ideas of purity and chastity that are associated with them. I found a dress I love, though. It’s a beautiful pinkish-cream color. I bought the dress used off of preownedweddingdresses.com. That website allows women to buy beautiful–and often designer–dresses while supporting other women instead of the wedding industrial complex. So, here is your preview.

I wanted to upload another picture, but I just feel that it will give too much away. You are getting to see one of my favorite parts, though–the satin bodice and the jeweled ribbon! And, if you really would like to see more, you can google Romona Keveza, style number L808.

Save the Date picture

If any of you are curious, here is the original picture that we used for our Save the Dates!

Save the Date!

Wedding Flowers!

Here are the two bouquets that I have fallen in love with. I don’t know how I’m going to decide. Maybe you can help.

White and Black Anemones

Cabbage roses

New Semester

Tomorrow starts my last semester of law school! It’s been two and a half years, and the time has flown by. And, I know this year will be a little crazier. Here’s a little breakdown of how it will look:

March 13, 2010: Jen’s Wedding Shower in Valparaiso, Indiana

May 5, 2010: Jen and Robbie’s 4 Year Anniversary

May 15, 2010: Law School Graduation

July 27 and 28, 2010: Illinois Bar Exam, Chicago

August 7, 2010: Wedding!

August 15, 2010: (or thereabouts) Leave for 4 Month trip to India and Southeast Asia

December 2010: Move back to the Midwest

It makes me sad that I won’t be in this rainy and green city this time next year, but Seattle will always hold a very special place in my heart. It’s where I became the woman I am, I met Robbie, and we started our life together. I know that we will be able to do all of these exciting and daunting things with the support of all of you.

My Goddaughter

Several years ago–seven, I believe, my aunt adopted a little girl from Russia. Tatiana came over to the U.S. with no understanding of English, but she was surrounded by love and family. A year or two after that, my aunt asked me to be Tatiana’s godmother; I was honored. A year or two later, my beloved grandfather passed away. At every special occasion, whether it was Easter, Halloween, a birthday, Valentine’s Day, my Papa sent me a sweet card. I knew that Tatiana wouldn’t have him in her life, so I hoped to fill a little bit of that gap for her.

Being a part in Tatiana’s life has been challenging with the distance between us; she lives in Indianapolis and I in Seattle. She brings such joy to my life when I do get to see her.

Starting with the Middle Ages, flower girls were assigned a special job; to walk down the wedding aisle ahead of the bride and groom and spread grain (not flowers) in order to pave the way for a new beginnings, fertility and happiness in the marriage. The idea of grain really resonates within me–not only does it symbolize new beginnings and fertility, it also holds the ideas of sustenance and bounty.

A little fish

For all of those reasons, I asked her to be my flower girl. I love that Tatiana will be able to help me and Robbie pave the way in our lives.

Bridesmaid Dresses

Our wedding colors are going to be a purple/plum color, black, and white. In that theme, I found these beautiful bridesmaid dresses. I made sure that Chris, Nadine, and Jo would all wear their dresses again–usefulness was paramount. Well, a little style, too. So, without any further ado, here you go:

Nadine and Josie will wear this dress

This dress will be worn by Christy

Introducing the Bridesmaids

I didn’t know how I felt about bridesmaids–well, mainly the fact of forcing close friends to wear ugly dresses and be required to do a whole lot of work to help prepare for a wedding. I did know, however, that I wanted these lovely women to stand by my side while I marry my partner. Their love and support has carried me through my life, and their (physical) presence next to me  while I say my vows could not mean more.

Christy is my younger sister who is living in Lafayette, Indiana, with her husband. She’s planning on being an elementary school teacher and has the patience that is required of that job. She’s always been the funny one in our family, and I’m the one who laughs at all of her jokes.  She’s loving, caring, and compassionate, and means the world to me.

Jen & Chris at Cal Anderson Park, Seattle

Nadine is my best friend from law school who hails from Leavenworth, Washington. We met during our first year in the evening program, and it was either her beautiful mane hair or earrings that made me ask if she could give me a ride home. After six months of car rides, weaving along the streets of Queen Anne, nothing could come between us and our friendship. And nothing ever will.

Nadine laughing amidst a field of tulips

My best friend from college, Josie, will also be standing next to me. Josie is currently in Durham, North Carolina after completing her Masters in Women Studies at University of Texas, Austin. Josie and I met before school even started during our freshman year at Washington University in St. Louis. We haven’t lived near each other since December 2005, but that hasn’t changed much. She still sings to me, and I have a feeling she will whenever I ask.

Josie and her adorable puppy, Caesar

I love you girls.