Sunday, October 18, 2015

13 years in the making...

Normally, I do an anniversary post on the actual day Dave and I first met (October 17),  but yesterday, we were a little busy...
Yep.. 13 years later to the day, we've finally made it official (not that moving in and living together for several years isn't official... it just doesn't involve a pretty white dress).

About a month after I met Dave, I knew I wanted to keep him. Dave took a little more convincing. I wanted a full-blown fairytale wedding, with horse and carriage and the whole bit.. Dave was more of the "Let's not and say we did" sort.

But a relationship is the art of compromise, so in the end, we did a very wee fairy tale - just the two of us, my brother and his wife as witness (and doubling as photographers), a park by the lake,  a few vows, a kiss, a few photso, and dinner. (It  fit our current budget much better than a big wedding would...)
Dave is a little shy, so I had to promise not to flash photos of his face willy-nilly all over the internet. So I thought I'd share some of the crafty details of our day
I got the dress on ebay several years ago ( I told you this was a long time in the making) - a store sample for 75% off. Of course, I've put on some weight since I bought it, so it required a few modifications to make it fit. Last month, I spent an evening pulling out the original zipper. And that trip down Ottawa Street a few weeks ago.. that was to get supplies to to make a insert and lacing to give me a little more room in the dress.

My flowers were also made quite a while ago
 A definite advantage of silk over real... A few autumn picks from the dollar store, some wild roses on clearance at Michaels, some dollar store ribbon and voila - bouquet for under $10.

Naturally I made my own jewellry (with the exception of my pearl necklace, which was my great-grandmother's)
I've always loved the combination of pearls and garnets. And since no wedding ensemble is complete without a tiara
So I made one of those too. (It's a good thing having a large bead stash)
I think it all came together  quite nicely. Oh... and there was a beaded wedding shawl too...
 The Layla shawl,  in Continental Cat (Colour is "Garnet"... what else?)

I'm sorry I can't show you more pictures with Dave.... well maybe just one..
But it has to be our little secret!




21 comments:

Rachelle said...

You kept that quiet, congratulations! You looked beautiful (more so than usual) and the dress and accessories worked brilliantly. I love weddings on anniversaries of meeting; we did the same thing on 31st October back in '98. It's a great reason to shut the gate and avoid the world on Halloween too ;)

Monika said...

Congratulations to both of you!
You made it very pretty and special with all your crafty things you did.
I wish you two a long, happy life together!

Frieda said...

Congratulations to you both , I am so happy for you ! You look so beautiful and all the special touches from the earrings to the tiara and hand knit shawl are wonderfully you . Wishing you many happy years together , hugs !

Lorraine said...

Oh- you look so beautiful. Congratulations on making it "official"!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you, Dave and the kitties! It looks like you had a beautiful day too.

Araignee said...

Oh, good gracious!!!!!
What a big surprise! What a beautiful bride you made! What fun it must have been preparing all those gorgeous accessories for your special day! Wow....just wow!

Debi said...

Blessings and best wishes! You are stunning! Love your shawl! Congratulations xo

Faela Star said...

Congratulations! You look absolutely gorgeous!

RobinH said...

You look lovely! Congratulations to you both.

kathy b said...

I love your charming personal wedding. YOu photograph so beautifully.
Your husbands hair is so great. I Love long hair on men. Does he donate it?
thirteenth anniversary: Lace. and an antimacassar . From an old Chicago SUn TImes article on anniversaries.

Unknown said...

Everything is perfect!!! I'd take that bouquet over any professional one any day. Congrats!!!

gayle said...

Congratulations!!! And how perfect... 8)
Big hugs to you both!

wildtomato said...

Congratulations! May you have many more happy years together!

Samantha said...

YAY!!!!

Judy S. said...

Congratulations!!! And best wishes for a happy life together.

elns said...

Damnit, I didn't even get started on the reading and I was already doing my annoying "Mom" Aww!

Congratulations to you both! The photos are really beautiful, thank you for sharing them, especially knowing he's so shy. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together.

Unknown said...

You are lovely...beautiful dress, crafty bouquet, stunning shawl, sweet jewelry. So glad we got a fleeting glimpse of the shy groom. Congratulations & thanks for sharing!

Bridget said...

Hooray and congratulations! You looked amazing, and I love the garnet details. :-)

My husband and I are getting ready to celebrate our anniversary - I think October is a perfect time to get married.

Corinne said...

wow, congratulations. Looks like a lovely wedding. I really love the earrings and the shawl, beautiful red and white.

Lynn said...

Congratulations!!! You look beautiful! I love the one of you walking along that sea wall. So happy for you all!!

Lynn said...

Congratulations!!! You look beautiful! I love the one of you walking along that sea wall. So happy for you all!!