"Hitch"

Okay, so we just finished watching "Hitch." Fun movie. FOB is now in the next room practicing the "Q-tip" for the reception. MOB

Bridal Mart-Round 2

Many people say Disney World is the "happiest place on Earth." I agree.

BUT in a close second is Burlington Bridal Mart.
I can proudly boast that I have twice ventured through those glass doors into the wonders that are bridal heaven. I have been warned about the dangers of disclosing too many details of what I have seen today, but I feel it is my duty to inform you as best I can about the adventures of a whirlwind trip to a small NC town we like to call Burlington. Therefore, here is my story.

MOB and I had been to BBM on a previous occasion, but I could sense the excitement building as the BTB peered around the corner of the Big&Tall Casual Male store to see the Bridal Mart sign. Upon entering we were greeted by a chipper young sales associate who gave us the layout of the store. Destination gowns, sheaths, A-Line, rack after rack after rack. Several garments (descriptions have been witheld to protect the innocent...meaning myself...from the BTB and the MOB) were chosen and immediately tried on. As an offical MOH duty, I helped the BTB prepare in the dressing room for her arrival in front of the wall of mirrors. One had to be careful when changing, brides were whizzing around everywhere. Petticoats were flying left and right; the entire area was a blur of white. I was almost taken out by a young woman in a lace A-line gown, anxious to view her selection. One had to be careful not to step on the long trains of fabric trailing behind these bridal beauties, for causing a BTB to face plant on the Bridal Mart carpet is a serious Bridal Mart foul.

Unfortunately that is as far as I can go; I have been sworn to secrecy. (although, I can say that our own BTB was the most beautiful BTB there!)

Although, I can describe briefly our encounters with the bridal party section of the store. Apparently the way it works is that "samples" are available in random sizes. Therefore, I tried on garments far too tiny and far too large. I was a real-life bridal Goldilocks, if you will. The most memorable dress was a lovely magenta number with enough extra material in the bustline to store several bottles of fine liquor. It was a true "rum runner" dress if I may refer to previous posts.
There was also the small problem of my own depth perception as I walked into a mirror rather than the dressing room curtain. Trust me, a space full of so many mirrors can be quite tricky. Luckily, even though it may be hard to believe, I have had my fair share of awkward moments and was able to play it off quite nicely. I was simply trying to examine the way my pores looked in strapless pink.
After many hours of shopping, it was finally time to leave. We finished our bridal adventure with veggie burgers from Burger King and Ice Dreams from Chick-fil-a. (we don't like to limit ourselves to only one fast food establishment.)

Is there a Bridal Mart-Round 3 in the future? Time can only tell.

One year...

We have one year of excitement ahead of us, team, and I'm looking forward to it. Actually, it's hard to believe that the wedding is a year off, because I think about it so much--looking forward to the event, as well as the rest of our life together.

Date savers

A couple is seated behind me at the coffeeshop, jamming save the date
magnets into envelopes. I look forward to Melissa's return on the morrow,
and I hope her journey (the first of three) has been a fruitful one.

Happy -1 Anniversary, Pete!!

Do I get a present?

Wedding Progress

The following firsts have occurred:

-First wedding gown shopping expedition
-First cake tasting

I definitely think I need to install a pedestal and wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling mirrors in my apartment for when I get dressed every morning.

Also, I think large spoonfuls of buttercream frosting are a much better morning pick-me-up than a cup of coffee.

Three hours, 45 minutes...

...until the idea moratorium expires. Start your engines--just 367 days remaining! Also, I expect some live reports from research trips that are sure to occur this weekend. While I know that some of the items being considered have to remain secret (wedding dresses, celebratory tiara selection, etc.), there is still room for humorous posting, a-la Lindsay's Bridal Mart 1 entry. But bear in mind,
Blogger Mobile will enable you to post on location!

Almost missed the 951 yesterday...

...because I was trying to set up some kind of comment feed. I'm just not sure what to do about that, but there are some folks who get an e-mail when new comments are added, and none of those people have asked to get back off that list. So, if anyone else wants e-mail notification of new comments, just send me the address you want added to the list.

On another note, sounds like the first official ILsTB meeting is on for the July 4th weekend!

Update (15:12): I changed "proto-in-law" meeting to "ILsTB" after some questions arose about proper usage of the prefix. I stand corrected.

Don't worry about the birthday, MOB....

Things didn't get too crazy. (RIGHT, EVERYONE?!?!)

Message from DOG

As the MOG and the BLOG seem to be incompatible, I am assuming the role of the official DOG ( sorry about that, Gracie) and I am sending this message for the MOG. She is very disappointed that someone else has noticed that I am the DOG. She was certain that she would be the first to realize it. But unfortunately the MOH announced it sooner. I would like to say to my LB (Aka GTB) and my LSTB (Aka BTB) that I am very happy to hear of their wedding plans. I hope that I will be included in the wedding party as I would love to be able to wear my signature outfit in public for the first time. Hopefully, Gracie and I will be able to appear together in this festive event.

FOB and FOG...

Happy father's day, gentlemen. Melissa and I are at the coffee shop. She's actually outside talking to the FOB as I type (they don't allow cell phone usage inside). Anyway, hope y'alls weather is as pleasant as ours.
Update: LindsMoH's role has been endangered by sending the same e-card as Melissa.

Red Bull

Gravity is reversed. Enough said. Melissa is celebrating her birthday
in G-town.

interesting

Did anyone else notice that Dog of Groom is actually just DOG. go figure.

I think we need a picture of the DOG and the DOB together with their Davidson collars. Although, Gracie's social skills are seriously lacking so I'm not sure how well that would work.

Dog update...

FOG accepted my invite, but I don't see his name under contributors. He sent this updated picture of the dog, whose proper name is Maggie's Tuxedo. Readers will note Tux's Davidsoniana as well as his Christmas-time neck wear.
Update (two minutes later): There's Dad.

Welcome to MOG...

Mom has signed on as a contributor. She's reviewing previous posts to get down the lingo, and see what she can add.

...and the dog.

This is the only dog pic (of GTB's fam's dog) I could come up with on such short notice. Lord knows there are more out there.

A number of contributors are displayed, along with their little dog too...

(And, yes, the picture is a couple years old. It was just such a joyous occasion--sports and all.)

More parents to come: FOG and MOG?

I'll see if I can get my own parents to come on board. I'm not sure what
they think of the NupLog (they've checked it out a couple times, I think),
but I'm sure they'll grow to love it as their own once they're able to post.
Right, parents?

Update (10:39 pm):With a scoffing laugh, MOG reports that she's only visited once. I explained the invitation process, and indicated that the NupLog has some redeeming merit in party-wide communication.

Ouch--we're running out of space

While uploading a few files, I noticed that the NupLog is almost out of server space. I'm thinking about moving to a different provider, but in the meantime I may have to take the .mp3 off for a little while, so if you
haven't downloaded it yet, grab it now. Once we have some more space, I'll put it back up.

Rehearsal dinner...

I'll speak with my parents about the info I got from the MOB via el BTB. I'm at St. Elmo's, and these two guys playing the guitar and upright bass are playing a couple of Cash songs, and they are fantastic. Anyway.

washingtonpost.com: Wedding Week

But also this: Live discussion at noon!

Busted

Hmm.... Perhaps someone was buying influence with a birdhouse. Teacher Gifts Run the Gamut

No Free Speech

At the request of the individual (who shall remain anonymous) who called for the right to anonymous comments, the right to comment anonymously has been squashed.

I should add that even though you have to have a Blogger.com username and password to leave a comment, you don't have to be a NupLog contributor. I invite any who care to comment to set up a username (it's quick and easy) and have your voice (nonymously) be heard.

P.S. I will say, though, that as the only person technically insulted by an anonymous poster (everyone is suspect, BTW), I didn't take your callous comment to heart. In fact, I am stronger for it. I will press on. But, back to work.

"No, I didn't say anything about breasts..."

For the benefit and amusement of the collaborators here on the Nuplog, I attempted to upload the 2 video clips that I took on 5/20/2005 while Pete and I were in route to Staunton for the rendezvous with the unknowing Melissa. Unfortunately, however, I was thwarted by my camera's insistence on creating gigantic movie files. So, I reckon I'll burn them onto a CD and perhaps The Groom can compress them.

In the meantime, I leave you with the comment in the title line, which Pete yelled through the static to his fair maiden in attempt to clarify an earlier statement which was butchered by his stylish, yet increasingly crappy, Body Glove hands free device... Perhaps a new device will make its way onto the wedding register? Can the rest of us wait that long?

Now all I need is a backyard...

Look at my beautiful new hand-painted birdhouse.

Non-member comments now accepted...

That's right, folks. Now you don't have to have a Blogger account (username, etc.) to comment on a post. We'll try this for a bit and see if people find it useful--or if they use it to insult each other anonymously.

My married name should be Mrs. Hines...

and Pete should be named Duncan. Perhaps we needn't hire a baker for the wedding cake after all.

Does the GTB give any wedding toasts?

Because he might need a little practice. Here was the toast at my (delicious, thank you) birthday dinner:

"To your birth...and continued aging."

Thanks, Pete!

Special day, here to stay...

That's right! The day we've been waiting for since this time last year has finally arrived! Merry June 12!

Proclamation from BTB: Idea Moratorium

No one is allowed to have ANY good, wedding-related ideas until 3:30 PM on Wednesday, June 22, 2005. Do you hear me? No good ideas!!!* All nuploggers should know that the BTB is...how should we say it?...easily sidetracked, and being tempted to explore the Knot and other Web sites could prove academically fatal.

Furthermore, at any time the having of good ideas related to flowers, favors, cakes and centerpieces is strictly forbidden unless otherwise posted. If one wishes to create one's own secret list of possibilities for said wedding elements, one may do so, but the illusion that the BTB had the good ideas for decor must be maintained at all times.

That is all.

*Exceptions include ideas for caterers, bakers, and photographers. Such ideas will be welcomed as the BTB is overwhelmed by the prospect of selecting such vendors.

Who sent the cake?

Someone sent me a picture of a cake and the e-mail read:

I found this gown on theknot.com

-Melissa deCastrique

Am I e-mailing myself in my sleep? What the....?

One of my duties...

Someone should really tell this bride about the massive wedgie she has. Afterall, it is her special day. I think that is one of the duties of the MoH.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod20070172&parentId=cat3270731&

Something special...

The downloads page is up. What will you find there? The FOB's musical contribution, in MP3.

You can also get there via nuptials.wjpthomson.com.

Back off track: podcasts

A Podcast is a way of distributing audio. For instance, you can listen to a "radio" show on your iPod, downloaded before you head off to work.

hmm...let's get this blog back on track

back to weddings,



Top Ten Reasons To Come to the Wedding:

10. Law&Order isn't on
9. It's a nice thing to do after a long day of nature hiking (see www.possumtot.com for details)
8. If things get slow, Papa Gene will tell Irish jokes about O'Riley
7. The musical parking deck
6. It may be on the PodCast...whatever the heck that is
5. J-Lo will probably be getting married that month too...this wedding will be SO much better.
4. MOB's moves
3. The bride and her pretty dress
2. The maid of honor and her prettier dress
1. The first dance will be to "Brush your shoulders off" to be immediately followed by "Shake
Ya Tailfeathers"

This has nothing to do with the wedding...

but Lindsay expressed concern that on possumtot.com an essential question!!!!! had been posed....but NO ANSWER was provided. Lindsay, have no fear....the answers are coming in time.

I swear I'm the GTB...

...despite the various Webmaster-type dork entries I've made.

Next on my list--a "PodCast" of the latest custom processionals by the FOB.

Just kidding. But seriously: keep an eye out for a special treat to show up in the next couple of days, courtesy of the FOB.

Feeding and sweating

This evening at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, I set up an .xml feed for the NupLog. I won't weigh this down with the gritty details of what an .xml feed is, or what you do with one (because, frankly, I am not entirely clear myself--please refer queries regarding this matter to ScottyB, an avid "newsreader" user and Mark the BM, whose daily grind consists largely of .xml coding).

Basically, some people use programs called "newsreaders" or "aggregators" to gather information from a whole lot of Web sites (news sources and Weblogs, like the NupLog, for instance) at one time. Thus, they are quickly alerted to the SLIGHTEST CHANGE in the critical conversation that is the NupLog.

NupFeed

While StE's decaf was good and wireless network was going strong, their air conditioner was not. Thus, I have suffered to bring you this famous feed thing.

Also fresh out of the box:
possumtot.com

Ugly bridesmaids (' dresses)

The ugly wedding dress site seems to be down, but I found this. I think these are bridesmaid's dresses (I confess, I didn't actually look at any of them, but rum-runner doesn't seem to be one of them).

Ugly Dress.com

Like this one?

Perhaps they'd recognize us here. If you think another one would be appropriate, I have some other candidates.

Mrs. Rowe's

Did you guys send the wedding web link to Mrs. Rowe's? Might also be fun to send them a framed photo as a thank you. MOB

Dukes of Hazzard

If we have rights problems to a Walker Texas Ranger theme wedding, I understand Dukes of Hazzard is also a fav of the groom.
--

Posts vs. Comments...

Melissa and I reckon that if you'd like to say something related to a post that is more than a day old, best to say it with a new post rather than a comment. That way, it's much more likely to be read.

Also, some have requested notification of new comments. I think I have that worked out, and those who asked for it will get e-mail notification of new comments (but not new posts). If anyone else would wish that horrible fate upon themselves, let me know.

And might I also recommend....

www.etiquettehell.com

Pretty Dress

This is a pretty dress. Really, I just saw it in the store yesterday and want a reason to buy it. It is greener in person.
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=5846&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=298&iMainCat=17

Ugly Wedding Dress Website

A website of reference for the MOB, MoH, and the BTB... (hope I got all the acronyms correct)

Ugly Wedding Dress: Because Some Brides Have Really Bad Taste

music

MPPC has sent the wedding packet and included a CD with 62 suggestions for ceremony music. Melissa, the one you liked that Bob Stigall always played is "Toccata from Symphony #5," by Widor. MOB will send pkt. and CD in tomorrow's post. xo

complaints

MOB is hearing complaints from family and fans that www.nuptials.wjpthomson.com does not connect. Suggestions?

Church Music

I went to pick up the "wedding packet" from the church for MOB and it came with a cd of various musical selections you can have. MOB and I's favorite is called "Air on the G-String"
errr, what?

Don't Miss.....

FOB has finally emerged from telethonland. Don't miss his posting comments to Mark the BM and ScottyB. NB the MOB concurs.

POWERFUL new POWERS...

In the interest of generating more conversation on NupLog, I'd be happy to grant the ability to post via e-mail to any interested contributors. The process takes a hint of effort on your part, but it makes it really easy to post. Things started out pretty strong here on the NupLog, and I'd like to keep up the pace--plus, I've learned a fair amount. For instance, I didn't know Ace of Base was spelled like that (although it is--all those middle school journal entries, ruined by inaccuracy...).

The Website...

nuptials.wjpthomson.com: The Website is up, with J-L's permission for the picture. If you link onward to Mrs. Rowe's Website, note that the closing time is actually 8:00.

Music Selections

For my inaugural post, I have decided to weigh in on an issue of a personal nature. I would like to suggest that Pachelbel's Canon in D should be avoided at all cost. As a violinist of minimal repute who has played various events including several christmas parties and fundraisers, I have developed an aversion to the syrupy sweetness that only Pachelbel can conjure. If Melissa and Pete are in need of a substitute, might I suggest a similarly emotive piece such as Ace of Base's "The Sign." Seriously, people.

Engagement Picture

From Jean-Louis:
"There is absolutely no problem for you or Melissa to use any picture you like to use for any purpose.I am really glad if you like them."

Yea!!!

Destination Burlington Bridal Mart - Round 1

You pull into the parking lot. Its across from the Big & Tall Outlet. You think, "Is this really the place I have heard so much about?" You open the door and walk in. Everywhere, white. A sea of dress racks...they go on forever and ever. A-line, Destination, Sheath, the choices are endless. There are brides bustling around and mirrors galore. Its like a strange dream. It is Burlington Bridal Mart. You have arrived.

SO...MOB and I were on our way back from Durham when we passed the Burlington exit and thought, why not? In all honesty, I did not want to stop, but MOBster insisted. It is slightly overwhelming and will probably take several hours to go through the gowns. BUT, when the BTB tries them on she gets to walk out in front of a wall of mirrors and everyone ooohs and aaahhs. It seems everyone looks good in a wedding gown. The woman who works there fluffs the back of your dress and your MOH takes pictures.
The bridesmaid selection was very nice and we found a few contenders to show the BTB. There was an especially pretty pink dress and a green one with a ribbon (we've already discussed this one in a magazine.) The MOB selection was not so great. Our MOB needs something far more chic. Also, the bathrooms were kind of gross.

Round 2 should be interesting and exciting.

Well?

I'm standing by for a detailed account of the Bridal Mart reconnaissance mission.

Live from Del Ray...

The school of porpoises has moved on, and we're ready to go. The more detail-oriented of you will notice a slight difference in the address, after I fixed an unfortunate oversight--unfortunate considering my profession. Carry on, friends.

Hold up, NupLoggers...

If everyone will hang on for a few minutes, I'm going to move a couple directories around--if the women behind me will stop laughing like a school of porpoises...

J-L's Photo of BTB>B

Did you get the address? Will you write to him or am I supposed to do that.
MOB/FMIL (future mother-in-law)

Whew! Glad my name isn't BM

Thanks to the DeCastrique/Thomson family for inviting me to participate. Do I still have to buy you a gift?

It has taken me about a week, but I have gotten over the fact that the nuptuals will not take place at Dollywood. It is a lifelong dream of mine to go there. I can still imagine a wedding photo of the bride and groom in their wedding best riding the roller coaster that has two HUGE mountains with a big dip in between. Oh well, some other time.

From the looks of things, Linda is doing an awesome job as Lead Wedding Coordinator. Mark and Pete are doing nice jobs of having absolutely no opinions about anything at all.

I look forward to tracking the progess of the plans.

CoopDogg.

Don't we have Mrs. Rowe's cookbook?

Maybe if we were going to use cookies for something we could use one of her recipes.
(I'll go ahead and obviate Dad's joke that would go something like this: "If we have Mrs. Rowe's cookbook, we should give it back to her." You know you were thinking about it.)

I don't know how to create web sites...

But apparently building a wedding web site involves banging one's fists together repeatedly, muttering angrily, and eventually calling out, "Victory is mine!"

Find this paper

I saw this paper in the Knot magazine used for table numbers, and I think it could be used for the striped bases for place cards a la Martha Stewart. But the magazine says it comes from redribbonstudio.com, and when I went there, it appears to just be a photographer's site.

the entertainment

I got to be the first one to witness the amazing African drum. FOB practiced Here Comes the Bride already and MOB has been practicing her dance moves. No really, she has.

J-L's Photo

MOB, can you ask Jean-Louis if it's ok to use his photo of us on the web
site and in the newspaper announcements? Merci.

Now we can all relax

The African drum arrived from e-bay this afternoon. It is AWESOME. Really. It's terrific. MOB

This is a Cool Test

I am testing to see if some fancy, newfangled way of posting to the blog truly works. I am in no way being coached in this endeavor by a gadget-crazy techno-geek.

Chantilly, VA USA

Deke (and DekeS), you will notice that--despite the certain jokes that may arise--I decided to use your suggestion as "Mark the BM" as my screen name. While it makes me feel a bit presumptuous and simultaneously slightly dirty, I'll go with it...

At any rate, since we are discussing potential venues for the upcoming festivities, I would like to throw my parent's basement in Chantilly into the mix. It is after all, a place that holds special meaning--not because it's where I spent most Friday and Saturday evenings in high school (watching Walker Texas Ranger)--but because, to my knowledge, it is where this great union sort of began when "feelings of mutual interest" were discussed in the wee hours during the July 4th holiday of 2000.

In order to recreate the scene, Beef could lie on the floor and snore loudly and Chuck could sleep on the couch in a corpse-like pose throughout the ceremony. Any takers?

Get Me to the Church on Time

MPPC has penciled us in for June 17&24 pending confirmation of a reception venue. Will call us first before releasing those dates to other BTBs.