Five Things: Issue 242
Two weeks in a row?
Big thought of the week
I promise one day I will stop talking about our wedding, but I worked really hard on planning it and spent a lot of money, so I am going to milk it for all it is worth, or at least for this week.
Before we were ever engaged married people advised me regarding wedding planning that it was, “just one day.” To which, I always wanted to say, “shut up.” To me, someone who did my time on Hinge, it always felt like, “that’s easy for you to say, you’ve had a wedding, I have not, let me have my day.” And then we started planning a wedding and it was stressful because it feels like everything matters, and there are a million and one ways to splurge and all of the advice for saving money seems like you have to know someone who knows someone.
And then it’s weird because being on this side of it, it really is just one day. And at every turn of planning it’s like, “wow, yeah, I guess I do need to pre-pay to have my veil professionally steamed,” and then you find out its just some girl with a con-air steamer and it takes 10 minutes.
So anyway, I’m not salty about it. I had the best day. I am salty about the veil steaming, but that’s on a short list. I’m just grateful to not be in it now. I’m on the turtles side of TikTok now not the, “we saved money at our wedding by freezing our own ice,” side.
I hope today is beautiful for you! Here is Chris and I before the Chris Stapleton concert! Chris Stapleton’s steel guitar player is my new celebrity crush, in an adorable way.
Number One: An Instagram ad swimsuit I like
The Andie Amalfi one piece in cherry red haunted my instagram ads for months, so I gave in around February and it’s become my go-to this summer. It’s more money than I want to spend on a swimsuit, but they’re always running sales, so sign up for the email. I got mine in a “tall size,” I’m 5’8” and don’t think I have an especially long torso, but when I first ordered it just felt a little on the short size. What I like about this suit: I can talk to people I know from church at the pool in it without feeling like I’m in a swimsuit that says “I work for God.”
I also like this top from Andie, this one from Abercrombie (last year’s favorite one piece), and this one from Wild Isle.
Number Two: Dryer lint as a fire starter
Chris and I went camping Friday night and I was so delighted to bring along my little back of dryer lint that I’ve been collecting for who knows how long. It’s a great fire starter. Place it under some dry sticks and get to cooking hot dogs.
Number Three: Jewelry Pen
I love my book club because it’s amazing women who have deep perspectives on life and literature, I also love the recommendations that come every month in the group text. My friend Sammie recently shared this jewelry cleaning pen, and it does not disappoint. Super easy to use, my rings look so so fresh.
Another post-wedding, that was sort not worth it, for me was paying $80 to have my ring rhodium dipped. My white gold engagement ring had changed in color in the nine months I had it, it didn’t perfectly match my wedding band, which is all normal. But I really think I could have worn the $35 Amazon version of my engagement ring, and it would have been fine in pictures, ya know?
Number Four: Cucumber on Wheat Thins
I was at someone’s home last week and they served Wheat Thins with cut up veggies as a little appetizer. And at one point, I was inspired to make a little Wheat Thin/cucumber sandwich, and holy smokes, it’s fabulous. I am just a truther for cucumbers right now. Growing up I thought they were just for playing spa day, and not tasty, but I’ve changed.
Number Five: Things we did at our wedding that am glad we did
We did a lot of things at our wedding that I liked, like kissing each other and having pretzel bites during cocktail hour. This list isn’t comprehensive, it’s more like what’s standing out to me here 55 days later, ya know?
We took all of our (posed, non-family) photos before ceremony - this was not the original plan, but we shifted the day before since there was rain in the forecast. Photographer/ Videographer/ car-driver were all able to shift schedules, which was a huge blessing. After family photos and the send off, Chris and I headed straight to the reception (shout out our getaway car and Jerry that drove us two blocks and dropped us off with my aunt and uncle that drove us the rest of the way; my uncle wore a top hat) venue and hung out in the bridal suite. We got to pause and catch up, and then when my bridesmaids arrived, they bustled my dress. Attending cocktail hour was both great and a little overrated. It’s like everyone wants to talk to you, no one wants to interrupt you. Kind of strange.
Our moms helped serve communion during the ceremony, and I think it was a really sweet and meaningful way to involve them and honor the faith they demonstrated for both of us. Word on the street is that my mom kept saying, “the blood of Christ, thanks for coming” which isn’t the official liturgical script, but it’s covered in grace. We sat on the stage looking out during communion and it was the highlight of my day. I loved getting to see everyone, it was just tender and holy. And if I could replay eight minutes of my life, it would be those eight minutes, holding hands with Chris taking in all the love in our lives.
Of all the weddings I’ve coordinated and been to, the “late night snack” is only ever 30% eaten. Not so with Pizza Shuttle. We ordered 17 pizzas and they were gone in 10 minutes. Part of it was that dessert hadn’t been served yet, so maybe people were hungry, but it was such a hit. We had amazing catering for dinner, shout out to Kansas City Catering, but I would have just served pizza had I known.
Only my dad gave a speech at the reception. He did a phenomenal job. We had like 14 speeches at the rehearsal dinner, and they were all so personal and meaningful. But I’m really glad we kept things movin and groovin at the wedding reception.