Many Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who came to our wedding! It was a great time, and we really appreciated celebrating with everyone. Thank you notes are on the way! We were so lucky to have such great family and friends to spend the day with, and the weather was happily very cooperative.

On a side note: the bicycle bells on the table were not party favors--only the massage creams were. We only have three bells left. I hate to ask it, but if you took a bell, and you are still reading this blog (and you live in the area), we would really appreciate it if you would please get them back to us. We were going to use them for the post-wedding reception this coming Sunday (October 11th). 3 are not enough for what the plan was.

Thanks much! Other posts about the reception to follow soon!

Notes for Intrepid Guests!

1) DRESS IN LAYERS. We do not know what the weather is going to do, so be prepared.
2) HAVE A HOTEL ROOM. We make no promises at this point & a fishing contest is going on this coming weekend.
3) BRING A CHAIR FOR THE PICNIC--unless you are ok with picnic tables.
4) BRING A BLANKET FOR THE PICNIC, if you are worried about said tables schmuutzing up your nice clothes.
5) FIGURE ON THE PICNIC ENDING ABOUT 4 PM. We all will appreciate a little downtime.
6) SIT WHERE YOU WANT AT THE RECEPTION. Only the wedding party will have a designated table--it will be the BIG one at the Alley.
7) BE PREPARED FOR FUN! Remember, this is a pretty informal affair, despite my dress, and we want everyone to just sit back, relax, & enjoy a great celebration!

Feel free to call RJ or myself with questions before the weekend. We are going up to Ashland on Thursday to sort of settle in & get our proverbial ducks in a row. We are looking forward to seeing you all!!!

I HAVE A DRESS!

Need I say more?! Right size, color, & style. Yahoo! Now I just need to get a hold of the slightly flaky dressmaker...

The Final Countdown

Should I start singing a Def Leppard song now? That's what it feels like. Only 2 weeks left. The dress FINALLY got to Ashland, and they turned around & shipped it right to me. I should have it very shortly after the holiday weekend. Now I just have to let the gal who does the alterations know & get an appointment set for that. But, we have brats & curds all lined up; we just need buns, chips, & some drinks!

The balloons are ordered & will be ready for pick up on Friday the 18th. The cakes are all set up. I should call the flower shop & make sure I can get those on the 18th. The biggest thing left is the lady who is doing our guest scroll. I still have concerns about her; but maybe that is just a little stress leaking out.

On a happier note, RJ & I got a waiver from the state of Wisconsin; this means no 5-day waiting period, so we do not have to drive to Superior before the wedding to apply for the license. We can just drive up on the 17th with our passports & driver's licenses, wait 20-30 minutes, & have a license for Saturday. Hooray! The $25 extra to do this is worth it, since it would cost us about twice that (or more) in gas to drive up to Superior & back--and that's not counting the over 4 hour round trip drive.

RJ's mom is coming in tonight, and will be around until the 13th; then off to her Michigan relatives until wedding time, at which point she will drive through the U.P. to get to northern Wisconsin with them. By then, only 6 days to wedding bells. Eek. I just want to have one heck of a fun party!

3 Weeks Left...Seriously??

Can I panic yet? Oh, I am all OK with getting married--no worries about a runaway bride. However, we still have to get the license from Douglas County. My dress is either on a plane in-country, or in China getting ready to board for western ports; I won't know until later this week, if I am lucky. The lady who is supposedly doing alterations hasn't emptied her stupid voicemail, so I can't get a hold of her to let her know what is going on with said dress. I have yet to do the programs. I am short a bit of ribbon for favors. I need to wrap a few gifts & pick some other stuff up. Did I mention the school term started this week, so I am now teaching full time again?

And let's not forget that RJ's mom will be coming here at the end of next week before she heads to Michigan. Then his dad & step mom will be here the day before we head up to Ashland. In the meantime, I need to start calling places regarding picnic food, and should probably find a place to put the brats & curds for the night before the wedding. Oh yeah...and balloons. Let's not forget the balloons.

If I were the way I used to be, I'd probably be a little strung out right now. However, for some weird reason, I am not in a panic...yet...Talk to me in about 10 days, and I will let you know where I am at. I think my head is just still in bike racing mode, and that I will be freaking out come September 14th. Help???

GUEST: PLEASE TAKE NOTE!!

Folks: This is a VERY important post. I have had a call from the River Rock Inn, asking me if I could "unblock" the rooms. Since only 2 people from the wedding party have made reservations there, I told them OK. Also, the rooms at the Best Western are going to open up here SOON.

Why is this so important? Because if you have not made reservations, you NEED to do so soon. I know there is still a month to go; however, I have been informed that, not only is the Fat Tire Festival going on down by Cable (and don't kid yourself: people stay 40 miles away in Ashland for that), there is also a Bass fishing contest going on in the area the weekend of our wedding.

This means HOTELS WILL FILL UP FAST IN THE NEXT 4 WEEKS!! Yes, there are a number of hotels in the area. However, if you want to be able to pick and choose--and not potentially spend a fortune, sleep in a "dive," or have to stay in the Duluth area--it would be best to get a room ASAP... as in, maybe before-this-coming-weekend soon.

We have 57 confirmed adults, including all the wedding party, with 3 smaller children. This is a total of 60 people. There are a few I am still waiting on, so it could be up to 70 people. I am going to guess maybe 65. It is a mix of my family, RJ's family, our mutual friends, and our "biking family". Heck! We might be able to introduce you all to one another! (no silly name games, though...)

Things are coming together nicely. It sounds like I should (knock on wood) have my dress in early September. Yea! The party favors for guests are pretty much done, the Deepwater knows how many to plan for, the party music is all lined up, and various small things are all set. Hooray! Let the count-down begin. Tick-tock, Tick-tock...

Rings are In, but Waiting on Others

We have rings!!! (Pics above...) It is amazing that Canadian Customs let them through so fast, considering how long we had to wait for my engagement ring. However, maybe they consider wood less of a "threat" than metal? They are gorgeous--almost unreal, in how smooth they are. Mine is not as wide as I would have hoped, but then again, I don't know as I would have wanted a really "chunky" ring; my engagement ring is big enough, and is staying on the left hand. The wedding ring will be on my right, European style, since the wood should not be clacking against the metal. I think I will feel more balanced this way...

But, the dress is still not in (no big surprise, as it has only been three weeks); also, I am trying to get the person who is doing our guest scroll to contact me. It is like I have to constantly be the initiator with this lady. Maybe it is just me, but my understanding is that is not the way to run a business!

The flower shop knows precisely how many corsages are needed, and I need to check in with the party supply place about balloons. My friend Charlee is all set up to decorate, and we have a general idea of how to layout the reception place. Please be aware that this is NOT going to be a traditional "head table" type of set up. The room fits about 80, but it is not your typical rectangular room. There is a patio outside--upstairs--and the rest of the upstairs is like an L-balcony.

We have heard from most people, but we really need you to let us know your plans, if you haven't yet. Our reception place will need to know about how many people to cook for, and we need to know how many people to plan for, for the picnic.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate! It has been quite cool in the northern Wisconsin area, so plan accordingly. We are hoping we get the odd 80-degree day, but we are also not holding our breath. We would be happy with sunny and dry.

It is hard to believe we are only 5-1/2 weeks away from this event. We are really starting to get excited for an awesome celebration!!

Ooops, or Andrea Gets a Dress, Take 2

Ok, so I thought something was off with my dress when my aunt brought it home from the great northwoods. The day I got it, I thought, "this seems a little darker/more 'gold' than I thought." So, I figured I would compare it to the color swatch I had at home.

Well, Grandpa died the next day. Literally. Needless to say, it sort of popped out of my mind for a couple of weeks.

Having made an appointment with the tailor to talk about fitting the dress correctly, I found the swatch. Umm....can we say, I was right?

So now, I am taking the dress back up to Ashland this weekend. The gal talked to the manufacturer, and a "super rush" is going to be put on the new/correct color. She wants to see the correct color swatch I have, and be absolutely certain we get it right. She thought it was off, too, and when she asked her assistant about it, the woman said "well, she said she didn't want white..." Did the dye lots change? Was the swatch in the wrong place or labeled wrong at the store? Did a number get entered wrong? We don't know, but Embellishments in Ashland is being very responsible about taking care of this for me.

No, I do not want white, or even ivory--which looks white until it is put up against a stark white background. However, borderline gold is not quite what I was going for, despite that is would work for an autumn wedding. Oh well. I am crossing my fingers, and am also preparing to use the dress I have, if needed.

At least it gives me perspective about all those crazy Bridezillas...because, let's face it: the dress is the one thing that really should be "right." However, I also do not feel the need to pitch a fit and fall in it, dragging everyone down with me, disappointed though I am. *Sigh* Just when you think everything is going as scheduled...Here's hoping this is the only "crisis."

"What's for Dinner?!"

So, it has been a few weeks since the last post, and I thought it might be nice to let you all know what to expect on the menu for the upcoming celebration. I have some of this on the details page, but just in case you can't open that link...

First, the post-ceremony picnic: We will be supplying brats, buns, chips, beer, soda & wine, and cheese curds. Yes, cheese curds (this IS Wisconsin, after all...). If you want hard liquor, BYOB; it IS legal in the state of WI to have alcohol of all kinds in the State Parks (unlike MN). We are not doing dessert, because there will be a plethora of sweets to choose from come reception time.

Speaking of the reception, food includes: Beef in a red wine reduction, Chicken in a mushroom cream sauce, garlic-smashed potatoes, sweet potatoes in brown sugar, steamed veggies, and rolls. Oh, and cake, of course...lots and LOTS of cake (there's a little surprise with that one we'll leave you to wait and see). We will be toasting the wedding with Mead, not champagne, but we'll have a little white wine if Mead is not your thing. As for other alcoholic beverages, there will be a cash bar to quench your thirst.

As for other updates, I now have my dress, and am trying to get a hold of a local woman for alterations. If she proves impossible to reach (and she could be...long story), I will just take it back to the place where I bought it for a quick hemming. I am also getting a little miffed with the person who is to do our calligraphic scroll that is taking the place of a guestbook--3 days and no reply from the email I sent, reminding her of our agreement/my order. One would think a business owner would be a little more on top of things. Maybe she is on vacation.

Lastly, please remember to send your reply card; I know we said until August 1st. I also know of two people who have lost theirs already! Oops. Maybe I was a little preemptive...but I am just a planner like that. Less than 3 months to go! We're looking forward to a fun time!

Invitations On the Way!!

Well, we are putting invitations in the mail tomorrow. Please let us know if you do NOT receive one! Not to criticize our federal infrastructure, but I have not always had the best of luck with the U.S. Postal Service.

We have, as stated before, rooms blocked at the Best Western in Ashland. However, if you prefer something different, there are a number of hotels in town: Super 8, AmericInn, Hotel Chequamegon (a little pricey), The Crest Motel (inexpensive, but clean, if a little lower-tech), and a number of B&Bs to be had. Please try to "get a room" about a month to 6 weeks ahead of time, to be on the safe side; the hotel will only hold the rooms for so long.

Speaking of booking reservations and RSVPs, we would appreciate RSVPs as soon as possible; we have limited space at the reception hall, and if we have exact numbers, it will make decorating and buffet set-up much easier.

On other fronts, my dress is in, and it is fantastic! I actually feel kind of bad that I will only be able to (ostensibly) wear it once. I also have a lot of other small details taken care of, such as party favors, card box, cake server, and what the plans are for the "program." As with most things in this wedding, the "program" is nothing fancy, and I certainly hope no one feels obligated to keep it for the sake of posterity. Just recycle it, and we'll be happy.

Now that we are 3 months out, things are speeding up. If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to drop me a line. I especially would love to hear from you about music: we are doing playlists on the computer, so we have many options. Happy start of the summer!

Waiting, Waiting, Waiting...

Well, nothing much is too new. We did receive the shirts from Felipe Dover, however, I think they run a little small, so we are going to have to return at least one, and play around with the sizes for other people. This means waiting to see people and have them try on shirts, then send one back, and wait for a new one.

We can't really send out invitations until I am back from my vacation in New Mexico, so we have to wait to work on those.

I got part of what I need for the party favors our guests will get, but we can't do those until we have replies from people--so we'll need to wait until about July or August to make up those.

We are waiting on bike bells from the shop I work for--you'll know what those are all about soon :) So, I guess there is a little waiting for you all, too.

I am still waiting for my dress to come in. And I have to wait until July to meet with the woman who is going to braid my hair; she is up in Ashland, and I don't think I will have time to make a separate trip up there, so we wait until the Mellen bike race this summer (unless we can sneak away during the middle of the week sometime before then).

Waiting is so....time consuming! Ah, well...at least we can fill our time with biking while we wait--Hooray for warm weather!

More Previews...

Things are moving along smoothly--we have ordered shirts for the men (see left). I can not believe we found these! I am going to have my dad wear another shirt from the same company: http://www.feilpedoverdesigns.com/ (pic from their site). They have a lot of cool biking shirts! I know most of the men will appreciate that the necks will not be button-up-with-tie-to-choke-them.

We also have plum purple paper parasols for the women (try saying that 5 times fast...). It will add a splash of color to their otherwise black ensemble. Speaking of clothes, I actually found shoes to match the "aubergine" purple accents of the dress; the color could match better only if the dressmakers had manufacutured the shoes! So, I will be like Dorothy in her "borrowed" shoes--only I won't be clicking my heels claiming there is no place like home, and I have plum-colored suede clogs instead of ruby slippers. That's right: clogs of suede leather. I promise: it will all make sense when you see them in conjunction with the dress.

I have the official engagement ring, but if you want to see it, you might have to wait and see it in person; my digital camera does not want to seem to want to zoom in on it with any good focus. That, and the "sparkle factor" is somehow lost in digital transit.

The other cool thing we got recently was from Bicycle Paper Designs--that's right: the invitations are in! Take a look (right)! It is not the best picture in the world, but it gives you an idea of what to expect. These were a lot of fun to pick, and the woman who does them (Cynthia Martinez) was so helpful--especially when Pay Pal was being a royal pain in the nether regions.

Next, we sent in the contract for dinner at the Alley (the reception place). They have awesome food, and the cakes are coming from 1) The Roseville Bakery (the official "we're going to cut the cake now" cake), and 2) Connie Vanderveer, Al's girlfriend, who is making 9" rounds of four differing flavors for the individual tables. So, you'll be sure to go home with belly full of goodness!

Lastly, we ordered....cow bells. Yes, you heard right: cow bells. If you are ignorant to the cycling world, cow bells are frequently rung at the end of a race or at busy/important corners. So, we found a place to order them in bulk. After the ceremony, you will be free to "ring us in." When we get them & they are all decorated, we will post a picture.

As we near the wedding date, feel free to email me ideas of pictures you might want to see RJ & I pose for, or that make "good" wedding pictures (no, not those kinds of pictures!!). The photographer would like a list of shots we might want, aside from the candid photos he will take. Honestly, I have no idea what to ask for, aside from pics of family & friends.

Keep those cards & letters coming....!

A Few Fun Things

I figured I would post a little update on some of the fun planning details and such that guests get to enjoy, but never see until the actual wedding day.

1) We have a cake topper! See the picture; it is blown glass and is made by a guy who lives in CA. The website is: http://www.lymans.com/akiss/main.htm You can see all sorts of fun things he does. Obviously, we went for the bicycle theme (shocker, I know...)

2) We have a venue for the post-wedding open house. As some of you may know, my mother "thought it would be nice" to have a little shin-dig down in the Cities for assorted people who are not invited to the wedding, given its small size. Those of who who are invited to our wedding are also invited to this open house, of course (just keep that party rolling...). Anyhoo, it is going to be at Baker Park Near-Wilderness Area. This is part of the Three Rivers Park District, and is located near Medina, MN; it is actually in Baker Park, proper, off of Co. Rd. 24. The date for this little deal is October 11th, 2009 from 2:30-6:30 PM. You'll get a little reminder about this when the invitations arrive.

3) I should have the actual engagement ring (and pictures!) before the week is out. I have been wearing a temporary/promise ring for the last almost year; no, we were not technically engaged--just sort of unofficially engaged. We knew we were eventually going to get married; when was just a matter of decision. In any case, the "real" ring is a mix of locally sourced rails and stones, and the main body of the ring is from an artisan in Canada (I know...we keep getting stuff from our near-north neighbors). The conglomerate, custom job will be done by tomorrow, so I can post pictures soon after.

That's the latest. Nothing major...Only 5 months and counting (but I do hate to think of summer being over!)

Mapping it Out

New links! If you look to the right, you will see a couple new html links. I created these using Google Maps. One map shows the Amnicon Falls State Park area (just East of Duluth-Superior--AKA The Twin Ports). The other shows the precise location of the Deep Water Grille in Ashland, Wisconsin, where the reception is. If you click on "List of Details for Wedding Go-ers" you will find written directions to both of these. Otherwise, you can just click on the maps, and you have the option to get directions from Google Maps itself.

I did not post a map to the Best Western or River Rock Inn in Ashland, WI. Both of those are on Lake Shore Drive (Highway 2), which is the main drag through town. If you want to check out the Ashland Best Western, click here: http://www.bestwesternlakesuperiorlodge.com/ This is the link for River Rock's website: http://www.riverrockinn.net/ Fair warning: the entire wedding party might be taking up the rooms at the River Rock Inn; it all depends on a few external factors. But, as I have posted on the Details list, there are many other hotels in the town: Super 8, AmericInn (on the east end of town), Hotel Chequamegon, and some cute B&Bs. Just browse for Ashland area lodging, and you will find lots of fun stuff!

Being Gifted

So, my aunt calls today, and asks where we are registered. Yes, we did register at a few places (see list + "other ideas"). She said she would tell a few people who are invited. This is interesting, because I just read that the places a couple register should not be put in the actual invitations. Now, granted, this was from the Twin Cities Bridal Guide (courtesy of my mother, who got it for free, because she knows I would never buy something like that for myself. I mean, come on--it is written by "The Wedding Guys." Um....yea...that says it all right there), and they are known for following "tradition" ad nauseum.

Ok...then where should the couple put such information? The shower invites. Yea...but not everyone invited to the wedding might be invited to a shower (which, by the way, if you know me, I really don't care whether we have a shower or not--and I do mean we, since 2 of us are getting married here...). So that creates a quandry. I can put it on the blog, but not everyone invited could be computer savvy. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb (oh, excuse me...The Wedding Guys) also suggest word of mouth. Great. Except for the fact that a great number of invitees do not live in the greater metro Minneapolis area.

So, my apologies if it offends your sense of decorum, but the fact is we will probably be sending a little note with the invitations that tells people where we are registered. Given we are both cycling addicts, you know you can't go wrong with a gift card to a local bike shop (Trailhead, Bicycle Chain, or County Cycles are preferred, since Erik's & Penn Cycles are basically local evil corporations with a strangle hold on the market); you know you can't go wrong with a gift card to Target (Boutique) (that's Tar-zhey Boo-teek to the hoity toity), since they carry everything under the sun; and, everyone knows no one can go wrong with the kindness of cash. In all honesty, we're just glad you're coming--that is a gift in itself.

The Devil is in the Details

Details, Schmetails. The nit-picky stuff is the worst. By details, I mean clothes. I hate clothes. I hate clothes shopping. I hate trying to find stuff that looks right on my body type and with my skin tone. Now, try doing that for 4 people, none of whom are even in the same size range.

I have my dress. RJ has his outfit. The "maids" are going to wear black dresses of their choosing (minus micro-mini skirts). However, the men need some sort of comfy, not-too-formal shirt. Try finding that for a 2X Long guy, a L to XL tall guy, an average sized male, and a broad-shouldered woman. Yea. And they all need to be about the same color & style. Right.

Oh well. At least I have some other details worked out. If you are checking this blog, take a look to the right, and you will see a link to Details for Wedding Go-ers. This will give you the run down of times, places, directions, etc. We will add more later as things come up. But for now, this should give you a general idea of the run down. I highly recommend making a weekend out of it; the area is a treasure-trove of fun and games!

Decisions, Decisions...

So, after 3 days in Wisconsin, we have finally settled on a ceremony site: Amnicon Falls State Park, just East of Superior, WI. It is very easy to get to, and gorgeous for this kind of event. We looked at a number of sites: Pattison State Park (harder for out-of-towners to find and a little far from the reception site), Moon Lake (not pretty enough); Memorial Park (not private enough); Little Sand Bay National Lakeshore (not protected enough if the weather is less than amenable); and Dalrymple Park (a logistic nightmare for parking)--to name a few. Amnicon was the winner, hands down, despite being 40 minutes from Ashland.

I also have pretty much decided on a dress. Yes, I will actually be wearing a dress (for those of you who know me well, I can see your mouth gaping open in shock). Get over it. I have actually worn one before, you know...

Food has been decided, hotel room-blocks reserved, balloon decorations chosen, and many other things determined. We will be sending details via snail mail. In the meantime, be on the lookout for the Save the Date cards. I think you will get a handle on how cycling oriented this will be, once you see them...

Bridezilla I am NOT

So, I have noticed this trend among people who work with women who are getting married: they are freakishly placating. I can not even begin to tell you how many times I have heard "We can work with you to get what you want; this is your day, after all."

OK...wait a minute...isn't there at least one other person involved in this wedding?? I think his name is RJ. And he is the groom. So...is this not his day, too? It seems that these people are referring to "your" in the singular, not "your" in the plural. This leaves me to wonder what kind of woman these poor people are used to dealing with. I can take a guess:

The woman who is working 18 months in advance towards the wedding. She is looking for the perfect dress, with a long train and long veil ; her hair will be coiffed within an inch of its life, and she will spend two hours on her makeup to make her look as though she spent but two minutes on it, because it is so "natural." She will be walking down the aisle, 250 pair of eyes on her perfection, and there will be a perfect bower of flowers, filling the air with the perfume of a brothel. The reception hall will be decorated within an inch of its life, and a cake the size of a small car will take center stage. The soft music of a Baroque trio will fill the air during dinner, to be replaced by the upbeat rhythms of a professional DJ for the dance. She will throw her bouquet (but not the bouquet, because she wants to keep that to remember for all time, so there will be a back up for all the single ladies); the groom will toss the garter (but not the garter, because she wants to keep it to remember for all time, so this is just the spare). A professional photographer will have been posing people like voodoo dolls all day, and the videographer will be interviewing like Barbara Walters.

And then, when it is all over, and people have gone home drunk, saying how beautiful it was (but that is all they will say, because people will ask what was so lovely about it, and the answer will be a pause, followed by: "Well, it was just really pretty and the food was great."; and that will be all there is to say, because there really was nothing truly memorable about it to distinguish it from the other, similar weddings that have taken place all over town), the only thing that will be left to remember it all will be a bunch of wilting flowers, some cake in the freezer, a limp garter, and a $20,000 + debt to be paid off. See where I am going people...?

I mean, if that is what a person really wants, go for it. At the same time, that doesn't mean that, while planning, she has to put the people with whom she is working through half of Dante's levels of hell. So don't you all worry, both those of you who are helping me out, and honored guests. If you know me at all, you know this is so not the route this wedding will be going. This wedding...our wedding...not "my" wedding...is going to be about fun, celebration, and a good time for all. Promise.

RJ (top) and I (bottom), with each others' alter-ego (J/K)

A (not too terribly) long time ago...

...in a galaxy (not so very) far away, Andrea and RJ met through 6 degrees of separation (well, three, actually). Almost 5 years later, they started talking about this whole marriage thing. It turns out sooner just seems to work better than later. Everything is falling serendipitously into place: rings, ceremony site, reception venue, Wisport racing schedule. So, with no futher ado, and not a whole hell of a lot of formality, our intrepid lovebirds have decided to tie the proverbial knot.

Welcome to RJ & Andrea's Cycling Wedding blog. Here you wil find all the information you need: date, times, directions, etc. Of course, this will not take the place of the good old fashioned paper trail or snail mail. However, we figured we could try to step into the 21st century of wedding planning. Here's hoping we don't trip over it...

First order of business: The Rings (there can be only one...uh...ok...two). We are getting them from a very awesome couple who live far out in remote BC, Canada (9 hours north-ish of Vancouver). RJ can't have metal (Mr. Electrician), so though I will have a metal engagement ring, our bands are going to be wood. Check out this link! Beautiful work, and they are fabulous people to work with! http://www.touchwoodrings.com/