A Backyard Affair

I'm not sure with whom or why the idea first originated, but for about as long as I can remember, my parents and I had nurtured the idea of a wedding set in our backyard. Along the way, I had sort of dismissed it in my mind in favor of a more traditional church wedding, but as I've gotten older and attended wedding upon wedding, my preference has now swung back to a casual backyard wedding. Michael and I both want our wedding to be more or less a fun party for our friends and family. We're not particularly fancy or romantic people, and having an evening summer cookout in the backyard just seems to fit.

So, the decision has been made...It'll be a grand ole backyard wedding on a summer's night.

With that decision made, my parents promptly purchased the gazebo that was always prominently featured in the hypothetical weddings that my parents and I had discussed years ago. I've actually come to believe that my marriage is actually just one big excuse for my mom to finally get a gazebo. Either way, my parents now own a gazebo that will serve as the altar.

The reception will be anchored by a small red shed/barn that my parents have in the corner of the backyard.

So one of the hardest and most challenging decisions has been made. Easy enough.

Now, I get to plan all of the little details--the first of which is the lighting source. Because the largest part of the reception will be after dark, we're going to largely rely on candlelight and cafe and twinkle lights. Here are the photos that have most inspired me on that front:

Clockwise (from top left): Green Wedding Shoes, Snippet + Ink, Green Wedding Shoes, Snippet + Ink, Grey Likes Weddings

Bling, Bling

By now, with Facebook and text messaging and whatnot, it's fairly common knowledge that I am betrothed...finally. I knew that the proposal was coming. In fact, I had thought it had been coming for months now. Michael and I aren't exactly an uber-romantic couple. It's just not our style, but lately, I had been noticing just how unromantic we are and how very little information about our day-to-day activities that we keep from one another. Under these circumstances, I thought I would see the proposal coming from a mile away, and honestly, I didn't really have much of a problem with that. I just wanted it to happen.

This last Saturday, I woke just before 9:00 am after hearing Michael moving about in the other room, which I thought nothing of--he has erratic sleep patterns. I got up, took my mouth guard out (sexy!), brushed my teeth, washed my face, and combed my hair. I wouldn't normally be this thorough in my grooming upon awaking on Saturday, but I'm really glad I did! Upon my entrance into the living room, I find Michael wagging a spatula in my face, spouting something about staying out of the kitchen. Fine! Fine! Still, I was none the wiser. It wouldn't be the first time he'd cooked me breakfast. What's the big deal?

I plopped down on the couch and turned on the TV to find whatever home improvement show might be on (this is my Saturday morning routine). Minutes later, Michael presents me with a tray of breakfast featuring an omelet (fancy), bacon, juice, coffee, a bloody mary (he knows the key to my heart), and a single white rose. I thought, "How sweet!" But still I didn't know what was actually happening.

So right there, me sitting on the couch, wearing pajamas and and hideous green fuzzy house socks, TLC's Property Ladder blaring in the background, Michael is suddenly on one knee, ring box in hand, looking up at me. The following is more or less what was said:

Mandy: IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?
Michael: Oh, it's really happening.
Mandy: Oh my god. [tears welling]
Michael: I love you so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
[silence from shear shock and awe]
Mandy: No!
[laughter]
Mandy: Yes! Yes! YES!
[hugging]
Mandy: Why are you shaking so much? Is it because you don't want to do this?
Michael: No, it's just a really big deal.
[squealing and AAAHHHHHHHHHHHing]

That's pretty much how it went down. Technically he never asked me to marry him, but I ended up with a ring so I figure that's good enough.

This now means that I can officially begin planning the wedding...not that I haven't already unofficially planned most of it. I blame it on all of the beautiful wedding blogs. I think that this whole wedding thing will rejuvenate this [widely-followed] blog. I've already got a growing list of inspiration and wedding crafts to begin/complete, so please stay tuned.