We leave tomorrow for New York, and my to-do list today is frighteningly long.  I haven’t been one of those brides who does anything having to do with a list, aside from a seating chart and a Wedding Channel gift registry (both were small challenges.  The Suitor chose the everyday china; I picked the fancy stuff).  I’ve never had formal china and always loved the idea of using it daily.  A sandwich on fine china.  Tomato soup in a delightful bowl with a heavy rounded spoon.  When it comes to flatwhere, I’m all about the heavy weight of it, and actually, the shape of the spoon.  As for lists, I don’t follow along with the rules about hair care, facials, or breaking in my new shoes.  I nearly decided to spend today by the pool, my hair twisted about in a mess of conditioning masque.  But it’s cloudy here, so I’ll make my way to a salon for a trim.  If I get around to it; I’m just not a planner.  I do hope my wedding dress fits in a week.  I’m nearly five months pregnant, and since nothing else fits… well, let’s just say I’m bringing along an alternative dress.  I imagine the Ines Di Santo gown will work out fine, but I also imagine, as the night moves on, it will become heavy and restricting.  I’ll want to change into more forgiving clothes.  Hence, I’m bringing along an empire-waist dress. 

Planning a wedding from Texas, to be performed in New York, does have its challenges.  I didn’t, for example, do a hair run-through, nor have I met any of the above, ever before: my hair stylist, photographer, evening entertainment.  And I’m not even the slightest bit worried.  I met with our florist briefly, and I still have no idea what kind of flowers will be in my bridal bouquet.  My sister is a make-up artist, so that was easy (though she is now beginning massage therapy school in Montana).  We know our rabbi, and we feel really blessed not to have a stranger up there marrying us. I chose our photographer and my hair stylist upon suggestions from my close friends.  We purchased our beautiful wedding bands from a friend in the diamond district (always, always helps to know someone on 47th Street–pictured here is an aerial view of my prong-set eternity band).  And mostly, although it’s an event celebrating us, it’s really a friend wedding.

In deciding upon our guest list, it was hard to decide whom to include.  Yes, we see them often at celebrations, but are we really friends?  I decided only to invite those with whom I speak over the phone on a regular basis.  Though there were exceptions… old friends mostly, where even though we don’t speak regularly, we are very much invested in and rooting for one another in life.  We tried to keep it intimate.  We’ll be having 95 guests. Our wedding colors are red and aqua blue.  My “something blue” will be the ribbon tied around my bouquet.  The new is the dress, the ring, the veil.  The old is my engagement ring, which once belonged to my paternal grandmother.  I’m still working on the borrowed. 

The rabbi asked if he should mention anyone, specifically, who will not be able to be there with us, either because they’re no longer living, or for some other reason.  I did think of my grandparents, but mostly, I thought of Linus.  That sweet sweet bean belongs under the chuppah with us!  Sadly, he’s far too unruly for such an event… you know, where there are actually people around.  Which brings me full-circle.  Take Linus to "doggy camp."  Sad.  Sadder still? I actually have no clothes to pack.  Maternity shopping will be had with a vengeance in New York.