The Rehearsal Dinner

We were lucky enough to have Harvey's parents offer their house to host our rehearsal dinner. After a quick run-through at Legacy, we headed across town to Harvey's parents house for some grub from our favorite place, Buca Di Beppo. Hope you enjoy the pictures...

The Fab Five

We go wayyy back

Harv and his Dad. Good looks run in the family.

If I wasn't the one with the ring, I'd be convinced he was trading me in for the "newer model"

Me and the Sam-a-loo. I wish I had a picture of his shirt. It said "I'm in charge of the rings."

Finally a boy in the family.

All of the cousins that traveled from Pennsylvania.

'Nuff said.

Me and my girls.

Harvey's family.

A very un-bridal Bridal Shower.

On August 14, 2010, I was joined by all of my lovelys for a very unbridal Bridal shower. Kayla, with lots of help from Momma, Jenene, Keri, and many others, threw one heck of a tea party at my wonderful Aunt Teresa's house. Per my request, I wanted a Mad Hatter themed Party, and boy o' boy did Kay deliver. From invites to decorations, everything was a "custom creation." I loved the way it turned out...

Part of the food table.

Drink Me beverages.

A cake gone mad and mini cupcakes.

Liz and I

The outside lantern decorations

Look at those pretty girls...

My Mom and Godmother, Aunt Teresa

Some bridal games fit for a Queen. Pictured here, Bridal Blurt.

No bridal shower is complete without some lingerie. These beauties were part of my "Undies through the Years" poem.

Some of my lovelys getting a front row seat for presents!

And look who showed up just in time to wear the fancy bow hat...

Thanks to everyone that made my bridal shower a success and also to all those who were able to attend. I had such an amazing time and I feel so blessed to be surrounded by some many amazing people. If I wasn't posting this four months after it actually happened, I would tell you all that I am looking forward to the wedding and to see you then. Eh, we can all pretend.

Drum Roll, Please...

Yes yes, I know. I should have posted this about a year ago.

In my defense, the bridal party has been picked and all the nice, wonderful things I have to say have been typed and saved on the computer for about 6 months. Don't ask why they haven't been uploaded.

But lo and behold, THE bridal party...

Kayla- Maid of Honor

I’ve known Kayla, well, all her life. I probably wasn’t all that happy when she arrived, but I know now that life wouldn’t have been the same without her. We haven’t always seen eye to eye, and I’m fairly certain that my hair is thinner because of all she has pulled out, but when it came time to pick my right hand girl, no doubt in my mind was it Kayla. And good thing, because every time I haven’t wanted to make a phone call to a venue or book a dress appointment, Kayla has been right there to help me. Not only is she going to make me look fantastic, I know that with her help and guidance, my wedding will go off without a hitch. Kayla is such a special person, someone I can always count on to come through for me, she will always help with whatever she can, and she puts up with all my baloney. And she is the one person that can and will keep me from turning into ever-loving Bridezilla. She has done so much to help make this wedding, the wedding I have dreamed about. I just don’t know how I will top it when it comes time for hers… Shawn? Love you sis!

Liz- Bridesmaid

Call me a peeping tom, but I first met Liz when she lived behind my Baba & Pap’s house and Kayla and I would watch her and her sister play in the backyard through the holes in the wooden fence. I somehow talked her into playing soccer on my team in 3^rd grade, and except for high school soccer (don’t worry Liz, it wasn’t a foul), we have never played a game apart. Liz is honestly the only person that I can count on to go along with my crazy ideas, without even thinking twice. I know this for a fact, just don’t ask any questions; you wouldn’t like the answers. Whether it was late-night-tea-dates on the kitchen countertops or secret spy missions I still deny to this day, my college experience wouldn’t have been the same without her. Liz and I have honestly been through everything together and she is my best friend, as cheesy as that sounds. Just don’t mess with either one of us, we will shut your power off.

Kristen- Bridesmaid

When it came to filling my last attendant spot, I had some tough decisions to make. I mean, I have lots of girls that care about me. But when I actually sat down to think about it, I knew it had to be my Cuz. No, we haven’t always been close. And we have probably fought about almost everything under the sun. She’s taller than me., but I’m older. She got the last piece of fried okra. She won’t let me hold the dead rolley-polley we found in the swimming pool and named Gordon. She refuses to be the daughter when we are playing house, she wants to be the dog. She thinks “the bird” is hers and wont share it with me. I think you get the idea… But as we got older, more mature, and I grew about 5 inches, I actually realize how important she is in my life. And I couldn’t be getting married without “The Cuz” making an appearance in my bridal party, because then it just wouldn’t be a party. Kristen is someone so special to me and someone I can truly call a friend, not just because she is family. But I would like to officially put in out there, that even though she won the fight over height, “the bird” IS MINE.

Matt- Best Man (Harvey’s words)

Growing up I was the only boy with 3 sisters and always longed to have a brother. Little did I know that I would get one my sophomore year of high school. By junior year Matt and I were inseparable. We were always together and always stirring up trouble. As we get older and life sends more obstacles our way it sometimes becomes tough for Matt and I to get together on a regular basis. However when we do finally get together it’s as if we didn’t skip a beat and we start right were we left off. Matt is more than my best friend he is my brother and I couldn’t imagine anyone else being my best man.

Shawn- Groomsman

I will admit when Kayla started bringing this new guy around I wasn’t very friendly and didn’t make life easy for Shawn. The Lee’s were my girls and I wasn’t about to share. To Shawn’s credit he never gave up and always stayed friendly and actually became one of my good friends. Shawn is a great guy with a big heart and would do anything for anyone. Working with Shawn has strengthened our relationship and furthered our friendship. Good luck man, cause you’re next.

Travis- Groomsman

Not only is Travis my boss he is also one of my best friends. I honestly can say that a lot of the reason of where I am today is due to Travis and the opportunity he has given me. Travis hasn’t just given me an opportunity, he also has been a great friend. Travis is the guy I know that I can call when I need help and I know he will be there. He has a heart of gold and I’m honored to have him in my wedding.

Steven- Lil’ Best Man

Ok, so this comes as no surprise to anyone. STEVEN IS GOING TO BE IN OUR WEDDING. Anyone that knows Harvey, knows that on most days his little shadow can be found toddling around not far behind. I knew my life was about to change forever about five ago when Harvey left me high and dry in Flagstaff at 6 in the morning because he had just gotten a phone call from Lauri that she had gone into labor. Ever since then, Steven has been the center of his world, so bad at times that I think I might possibly be second in line. For this reason, Steven was upgraded from ring bearer to lil’ best man and at Harvey’s request, will be sporting the same dapper duds as him. We both honestly love this little boy so much, you could almost think he was our own. Therefore, please excuse in advance any dinosaur roars or Power Ranger transformations during any part of the ceremony or reception.

Sammy- Ring Bearer

Our wedding party wouldn’t be complete without our very own curly headed, lil’ wrecking ball. This one might give us a run for our money, but he is second in command, behind his older brother, Steven, and the apple of his “soon-to-be Aunt’s” eye. And speaking of eyes, he’s got a set of blue ones that he knows how to use to his advantage. Even if your Uncle is more concerned with a certain someone else (ha hum… Steven…) just know that I love you and am glad you could be a part of our special day too. I love you Sam-a-loo!

Sadie- Flower Girl

If someone is going to upstage me at my own wedding, it’s going to be this little girl. Not like she needs any more excuses for any more attention, but she is going to be the cutest flower girl around. Now, this is going to go one of two ways. Oh, you mean all these people are watching me put all these flowers on the floor. Oh I’m so cute… or Complete DIVA meltdown in 3, 2, 1… Either way her Uncle Puppy and I can’t wait to see her in action. (We just wish she had a sister that could help her out. And I don’t think her father would let Brody wear a dress.) Smooches!

The ticker keeps on tickin'...

I started this blog with the intention of keeping people updated with all of the fun little details of planning our wedding. And I've done about as good of a job as Harvey has done in finishing my backyard... But we love him anyways. And so you will hold no ill feelings towards me for keeping you poorly-informed. Right ?

Anyways. Since that little ticker over there on the sidebar → surely wasn't adding days, I figured I better get down to some business.

First on the list, meet with our venue to discuss and finalize plans, pick a menu, and work on a table layout. So I enlist my trusty MOH Kayla to make the phone call and set up a meeting. She calls...

"Hi. My name is Kayla Lee... yada, yada, yada, in her professional Planet-Hollywood-I-do-this-for-a-living-voice... and I would like to set up an appointment to finalize plans for my sister's upcoming 10-10-10 wedding."

And this is the response she gets.

"Oh, we are so glad you called. Unfortunately the man you booked your event with is no longer with us and the only record we had of your sister's wedding was a last name on the calendar. No contract. No contact information. No record of an existance, except for 'Tadmor 10-10."

WHAT!?!? Seriously? Why do these kinds of things always happen to me?

Second order of business, bridesmaids' dresses. At the beginning of this whole thing when we were picking colors, Mr. Monochrome and I decided compromised on gray as the major color of the wedding. Not silver. Not platinum. Gray. Do you think I could find bridesmaid dresses in the right color? Of course not, remember who we are talking about here folks. So we enlisted a very reliable seamstress that is going to custom make the dresses in the correct color and to my girls' liking. You know, plunging v-neck, fingertip-rule need not apply. So Kayla goes to call her now that the fabric has been ordered and arrived.

"Oh, I'd hoped that I would be hearing from you soon. I've been in the hospital for the past 3 weeks. My colon ruptured. But I should be home soon. I'll call you when I'm out."

Now, don't take this the wrong way. I seriously worry about the woman's health. She is such a nice lady and it is terrible that her health has taken this turn. But really, why does everything always have to be so difficult.

However, she has since been released, we met, measured, and should have GRAY dresses before long. And my ladies will look so fantastic no one will ever know the headache we had to go through to look so good. All for the love of gray.

On a happier note, I am pleased to announce that the much anticipated arrival of my wedding dress has come. I had my first fitting on July 22nd to be exact and they got me all pinned up. It just might even be a surprise for all you squeezies... You'll just have to show up to find out.

Also, planning my bridal shower is in full effect, and by the sounds of things, is going to be quite a production. I am so excited, I could just go MAD. Invitations should be out within the next day or so. Keep an eye out... Hope to see you there!

And no blog is really ever complete without some kind of picture. So here is a little glimpse of what we do at Aunt Karla's house when Uncle Harvey is working...

A Pickle.

Oh, hello blog. How are you? No I haven't forgotten about you, I've just been so busy planning a wedding I've had no time to update... But I'm back now!

So a few weeks back I asked you fabulous people for some help with a first dance song. I got a few suggestions and tossed back and forth a few different ideas. And now we've gotten ourselves into quite a pickle. Good thing i like pickles. The one that we liked the best, from all the suggestions, was this one ↓ Etta James, At Last, performed by Beyonce. I heard it once and fell in love. I think it's wonderful, so romantic. And I can see myself swaying to this one, because as you all know I can't dance. Give it a listen... and sorry in advance for the commercial.




But I don't think Harv is quite sold on the idea. He likes it, alot more than the others. He just doesn't think it's "us". Add another pickle to my jar. So back to the drawing board we went... And we searched, and searched. And googled, and facebooked, and iTunes-ed until we were blue in the face, or ears. :) We have always liked Shania Twain's Still the One. However, Shania Twain makes me want to gouge out my eyeballs. I cannot stand the sound of that woman. But I love the lyrics. Oh the drama.

And then one Tuesday night the stars aligned. You see, I have loved American Idol since my girl Carrie was on. Guilty pleasure. And this past season I made Harv watch with me. At first, it was a struggle, to which he agreed out of love. Towards the end, not so much. Not that he would admit it, but he would call from work to see who got kicked off ;) Anyways, from the beginning we have liked Lee DeWyze. On this particular Tuesday night, they mentioned it was Shania Twain week. Shoot me in the leg. And then Harv goes, "Wouldn't it be cool if Lee did that one song."
Well, shiver me timbers... wanna take a guess as to who sang Still the One? No friggin' way right?

It was great. I love the way he sang it, and I love the lyrics. Lightyears better than that Shania woman. And this post won't be fair if you didn't listen to it too... And actually listen to the lyrics.





Needless to say, now we are more confused than when we started. Do we go with beautiful, romantic love song? Or more edgy, non-traditional "us"?

Help... Please? As in, leave a comment. Give an opinion. I'm actually ASKING FOR INPUT. Quickly, before my pickle jar turns into one of these...

I swear.

Fairly early on in the wedding planning stage, we booked a DJ. He came very well recommended, and he works with my dad, and we are super excited to have him do our wedding. Once we booked him, he sent us a list of favorite songs for everything from bridal party entrance to the last song. I never even knew you had to pick music for some of these things! Harv and I had kinda been throwing around different ideas for our first dance song, and while I would love to do something unique, I would rather spare myself the embarrassment. We went to a wedding last year where they started dancing to a slow song, the CD skipped, the groom freaked out, a mix tape started, and they rocked out. All completely planned, unbeknownst to the guests. It was hilarious and so much fun. However, it is no surprise to anyone that knows me, I CAN NOT DANCE TO SAVE MY LIFE. So the ol' sway back and forth to a slow song it is...

Anyways, the song has proven to be quite a bit more difficult than originally anticipated. Everything else has been easy.

What kind of flowers do you want?
White ones. And pink ones.

What kind of food would you like to serve?
The kind that tastes good.

You guys get the idea... But this first dance song for some reason has set out to drive me nuts. It seems all of the first dance songs are either really old, or country, or are like 7 minutes long. Don't get me wrong, I like country songs, I just wanted to try and find something not so twangy. And remember the whole not being able to dance thing? Why on Earth would I want to sway for 7 minutes? Let alone, make you sit and watch me. We need something short and sweet. I was thinking more Gavin DeGraw-ish. Harv says I'm cheesy. Direct quote. And everything I do find that I like, and Harv agrees with, is about a guy singing to his girl... I wanted something a little more well rounded. Does that even make sense? Starting to see our dilemmas?

Harv came home with an epiphany yesterday.

Kar, I found the perfect song. And I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner. I LOVE THEM. This was like my favorite group when I was younger. And it's not country! As he is frantically scrolling through his iTunes and I'm getting nervous...

And as he hits play, from the computer across the room I hear,

I swear. By the moon and the stars in the sky. And I swear. Like the shadow that's by your side.

And he calls me cheesy...


Long story short, we need your help, suggestions, and divine intervention. Unless you would be able to live with yourself knowing that Harv picked that song and you did nothing to save me. Gotta love him.

Say yes to the dress.

They should change the name of that show to "Say No to 472 dresses until you finally find one you like."

I swear I was never going to find a dress. Mentally was envisioning myself walking down the aisle in a brown paper bag, like seriously never going to find a dress.
Please excuse the blinding white skin. It's April, gimme a break.

They were all too plain...

Too princess-y...

Going to a Quinceañera...

Or feeling a slight resemblance to a ugly step sister.

And traveling with an entourage like this...

Could make anyone feel like this.

Thank goodness for this lil' guy.


But I would like everyone to rest assured, because I know you have all been losing sleep worrying about my dilemmas. There is hope in the world. A dress has been found. Paid for. And ordered. With any luck, it will arrive before October. And it's perfect. Everything I've hoped for...

But I will give you a hint.




It's white. :)