(no subject)

[charliesmum]

Dave the Fiance and I went to this winery dinner yesterday - it was a Living Social coupon sort of thing. The winery was Amalthea Winery, a tiny farm in Atco NJ, (Part of the Garden State that is actually still Garden-like). The evening consisted of barrel tasting wine; which was wine not quite ready yet, then a 3 course dinner with a tasting of all their wines through the course of the evening. The owner regaled us with stories throughout, and he was extremely entertaining. Central Casting couldn't have done a better job.

Apparently New Jersey is rather on the brink of becoming the next 'wine region', if the local wineries play their cards right.

Back in the 70's, he told us, there was this event that became known as The Judgement of Paris, where Napa went up against France in a blind taste test, with French judges, and Napa won. So this guy, the owner of this winery, a few years ago, set up an event where they pitted New Jersey against Napa and France, and blew them out of the water. So...interesting.

We shared a table with a nice couple who were orignally from Mineapolis; he was with the Air Force. The shared a funny story - they were to get married on December 22nd, and there was a terrible snow storm; worse though, was a few months prior to that, the First Gulf War was started, and he was called to the Front. They said they planned for December because that was a time where everyone would be available, then he and his brother (in the Army) had to go to war. Not something they planned for at all. He did make it, though.

Also he looked like Billy Bob Thorton.

So it was a lovely evening. The winery people had said that the Living Social thing was way bigger than they expected - 800 people signed up!

That was probably the last 'date' we're going to have time for until our wedding. It is fast approaching. Invitations were sent, and replies are slowly coming in. People have the option to respond via the internet, but so far only 1 couple has. My aunt and uncle, who are in their 60's, so there you go. I'm very impatient, and have to stop myself from bugging people to hurry up and respond already. It hasn't even been a week!

So that's me. How are you?

Comments

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see the photos from your wedding! (What's the exact date?)

We're both going to become Married Women in the same month!

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

I'm sure adreneline and happiness will keep you awake! You might collapse later, I'm sure, but I think you wlil make it through the day. Actually later might be okay, because you can nap beforehand. If you did it earlier in the day you might find yourself fading during the reception. And I know you will be a beautiful bride!

Mine is 27 May. The ceremony is at 1. Geek question - I'm trying to do it all 'English' and I'm having some difficulty with the procession - it would be flower girls, me, then maid of honour, yes? I have 5 flower girls and a 'flower girl wrangler'. :)

Oh, the song I'm processing to is the same one they played for the Queen during William and Kate's wedding, because I am that much of a dork. :)

[geishawhite.livejournal.com]

English responder here -- if it were a singular flower-girl, she'd go first. but multiple would be classed as bridesmaids, and thus follow the bride. :D

[charliesmum.livejournal.com]

Oh! Thank you! I have 5 flower girls and a 'flower girl wrangler', so...yeah!

(I have 4 nieces between the ages of 7 and 4, and Dave has a 6 year old neice, so it seemed to make sense to have them. And my maid of honour's daughter who is 16 is the 'wrangler', i.e. someone who will make sure the young ones don't go the wrong way!)

Anything else I should know? It's silly I know, but Dave and I are such Anglophiles, I really wanted to make the wedding as 'English' as possible. Except we're not having fruitcake. I don't think our American guests would appreciate it very much! LOL!

[geishawhite.livejournal.com]

xD Said flower-girl wrangler would be classed as a bridesmaid, over here. :P Because yeah, normally flower-girls are singular or a duo, and then they walk in front of the bride -- scattering petals or whatever for her to walk across. Bridesmaids/maid of honour tends to the bride's clothes -- that being the 'maid' part -- and usually, when said bride has a train/veil, the maids ensure it's not going to get walked on, that it's arranged nicely, etc. I don't know where the tradition comes from, but.

I don't think there's anything else especially 'English' as such -- having never been to an American wedding, I don't know what ought stand out! Not a lot of the original traditions cling on wherever you are, unfortunately. Some people used to choose their wedding flowers by what the flowers actually 'meant' for example.

[geishawhite.livejournal.com]

Oh, and dress-codes. There's 'morning-suit attire' which differentiates itself from the more casual suit -- morning-suits being a more traditional, waistcoat-and-particular-kind-of-tie suit. Morning-suit attire also defines the dress-code for the ladies; hats are worn in association with a particular kind of dress but originated because one wore hats to church and weddings happened in a church -- cover your head when you went to church, etc.

[drakonlily.livejournal.com]

:) I'm almost all moved into my new place. I'm so glad things are going well!