Couples getting married on June 4, 2023

Hi there, Lisa

I’m sure your date twins are on the way.

How is your planning coming along?

Our plans are coming along. We are having a small "convalidation" ceremony on June 4, 2023. We had a small but lovely church wedding and wedding dinner with just immediate family in June, 1985. I am Roman but because I'd been married and divorced, I could not at that time have a Catholic wedding. My first marriage has since recently been annulled by the Church and we are now planning a Catholic wedding ceremony at my church where I am very active in the choir. We have filed all the paperwork with my pastor. I already have an outfit: lace knee length sheath dress in a creamy ivory, matching bow with a tiny veil, and shoes. My "groom" has a brand new black suit and new shirt. I may buy him a new tie. We have selected our attendants: our 36 year old son will be Best Man. My best friend who is our church music director is my Matron of Honor who, with her husband, is hosting our wedding dinner at our favorite local elegant Italian restaurant. We two couples, plus our son and his 2 young children, and the priest, will be the guests. The wedding cake is being made by a longtime close friend who has a baking business. I already have favors made up - painted gold and ivory crosses with our names and the date. The ceremony will be a brief traditional wedding ceremony near the end of the 10AM Mass, and the choir will be singing as well. My Matron of Honor is also the organist and will sing for the Mass. Then, leave her bench to stand beside me for the ceremony, then return to the organ. Fortunately, the organ is just off the altar. We will be using our original gold wedding rings. We have a florist picked out - he's also a parish member and a friend. We'll order peach and ivory roses, etc for my bouquet, boutonieres, the church and for my granddaughter who is 8. I'll let my MOH choose her own outfit and what flowers she'd like to wear. The honeymoon is planned - a week at a quiet lakefront B&B in NH near where we used to have wonderful vacations til we got our house and son. I have even bought my peignoir and my MOH gave me a sweet little surprise shower, just the two of us, when she gave me such wonderful gifts as a countdown clock, wedding candles, a matrimonial cross which can be used on the cake, her grandmother's hand made lace handkerchief for my "something old & borrowed" and even slippers and socks to match my peignoir. Everything is nearly in place already, which is why I love small weddings! I hope everyone's planning is going well!

Our wedding, a very small Catholic "convalidation" ceremony, is 17 days, 14 hours and 30 minutes away! I am pleased to say that as of the moment, all our plans and details have fallen nicely into place. The big hurdle was making sure that our son son - our Best Man - and his 2 young children would be here in time from South Carolina. (His ex, their mom, was giving him a hard time, long story, but so far, so good). Some "stubborn" details, like getting my shoes in a shade of ivory that matched but also comfy, getting containers for the favors (I just decided to have more to the favors than just small personalized crosses - like personalized magnets, Hershey Kisses, and traditional Jordan almonds) - they're ivory gift boxes shaped like gift bags, with gold bows and gold Thank You on the front. I also got personalized stickers including ones that go on the bottom of the Kisses. There will be 8 of us at the dinner so they'll be easy to assemble. My MOH's husband will take the favors to the restaurant the night before, and pick me up an hour before the Mass and take me to the church which is around the corner from our home. She also found a beautiful spot not far from the restaurant where the fountains and weeping willow trees make a gorgeous spot for our photos, which her hubby will take, alternating with my son so we have photos of us all. My hubby is finally taking his suit and shirt to the cleaner/tailor. The shirt is brand new -needs to be pressed, and the suit may need slight alterations. Friday, we'll go buy hubby his new shoes. (His work schedule has been killer and he hasn't had time before). All that's left, really, is to make sure the kids, ages 12 and 9, have decent shoes (I provided outfits for them). Working on that now. And getting the guest room all set for when they come early on June 3. And getting an estimate for the flowers. I reached today out to the florist and the cake-baker who are both friends. Next week, my MOH, who is my dearest and best friend, is taking me out for our final "bachelorette" event (she's having almost more fun than I am with this wedding planning! She's been an enormous help, and she's also the music/choir director/organist at church; she will play for the Mass and also sing a solo I requested.) Since February, she's taken me out to lunches and dinners, with concerts and other events. I will then give her the MOH gifts I have for her. I can't believe this day is finally so close - long story short, it's 38 years in the making. I hope all you June Brides are having fun getting ready and will have not only a beautiful wedding, but a beautiful life!