The Great Wedding Caper

I don't know why we haven't incorporated the Muppets as one of our eleventy billion wedding themes. Here is a great song from The Muppet Movie about cooperation and friendship.

Movin' right along in search of good times and good news,
With good friends, you can't lose,
This could become a habit.
Opportunity knocked once, let's reach out and grab it,
Together we'll nab it.
We'll hitch-hike, bus, or yellow cab it.

Movin' right along, foot-loose and fancy free.
Gettin' there is half the fun; come share it with me.
Movin' right along (doog-a-doon, doog-a-doon)
We'll learn to share the load.
We don't need a map to keep this show on the road.

Movin' right along we found a life on the highway,
And your way is my way, so trust my navigation.
California here we come, that pie-in-the-sky land.
Palm trees and warm sand, though sadly we just left Rhode Island.

Movin' right along, hey, L.A., where've you gone?
Send someone to fetch us, we're in Saskatchewan.
Movin' right along (doog-a-doon, doog-a-doon)
You take it, you know best.
Hey, I've never seen the sun come up in the West.

Movin' right along, we're truly birds of a feather,
We're in this together, and you know where you're goin'.
Movie stars with flashy cars and life with the top down.
We're stormin' the big town.
Yeah! Storm is right, should it be snowin'?

Movin' right along, do I see signs of men?
Yeah, "welcome" on the same post that says "come back again."
Movin' right along, foot-loose and fancy free.
You're ready for the big time, is it ready for me?

Movin' right along
Movin' right along

-- Sarah

Remember, Remember the 30th of November

November 30 was our one-year engagement and/or common-law anniversary! We celebrated by going to one of our favorite restaurants, Uchi, and getting a quick drink at the new restaurant down the street from us, Cover 3. All in all, it was a fun, fancy, wintry night.



One year ago, Justin came home and said, "You want to go look at rings?" I said, "Okay." And that was pretty much it; we were engaged. As Homestar Runner says, "Nothing fancy, nothing fancy." We then called everyone and went out for drinks and dessert with Justin's family at Fonda San Miguel, where these pictures were taken.



Meanwhile, you guys, the wedding is less than 4 months away!

-- Sarah

140 DAY PROGRESS POST

***SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED ABOUT ANY PART OF THE WEDDING, DO NOT CLICK THE LINK BELOW!***

I put up a new min-progress post at http://community.livejournal.com/weddingplans/15807242.html.

-- Sarah

What the Chuck

Justin's custom Chucks came in the mail this week. They're pretty fantastic; he's resisting a lot of temptation by not wearing them now.



His shoes were a part of Product Red, which means a portion of the sales went to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in 136 countries.



-- Sarah

195 Day Progress Post

SPOILER ALERT! DO NOT CLICK THE LINK BELOW IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF OUR WEDDING!

For the latest wedding details and plans, check out the 195 day progress post I did at http://community.livejournal.com/weddingplans/15384442.html.

It took me all damn day!

- Sarah

Is This an Angel's Wish for Man?

Somehow, Sarah doesn't think that this is the perfect song to dance to for our first song....



-JUSTIN

Fun with Internet

So, Ok. Yesterday I was "Surfing the Web" when I came across a fun little site where you can make your own Medals, Street Signs, Billboards, and Prescriptions! Also you can design your own Wedding Chapel sign. (Did you know that sign is not spelled sighn? Well, I do now.) Anyhoo, here is one I did in a "Flash". (See what I did there? Also, try and spot the Marky Mark reference!)



-- Justin

Those Were the Days...

Just added a new photo album to our website with pictures of Justin and I as kids. You can view the album at www.waythatyouwalk.com and even more photos as flickr.com/mamomo. As you can tell, I had an interesting wardrobe, Justin loved hamming it up, and we were both freakishly blond.





-- Sarah

Huzzah!

IT'S OUR TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

It's been 2 years today since we went on our first official date at Longhorn Caverns. We attended an Alamo Drafthouse event that showed the excellent horror movie The Descent in a big cave. Afterward, we got to crawl all around through the other caves. For me, that trip and our cave adventure really stands out as one of the best times of my life.

This picture is from a few weeks ago. Alas, there are no photos from our first date.


-- Sarah

It's So Easy Being Green!

Recently on her blog, Eco Chic Weddings, Emily Anderson said of environmental consciousness, "this is not about a theme...it's about a way of being."

Over the past year or so, we have been trying to adjust our life to be more earth-positive. We're really excited about moving out of our apartment and into a house soon because of the sustainable options it will give us, and we really do want to make 'eco chic' a way of life. While going green is, in a way, a theme for our wedding, it's not a trend. For us, it's a way for one of the biggest events in our life to have as little environmental impact as possible.

In order for us to keep track of what we're doing to have an environmentally responsible wedding, here's a list of our green wedding goals and accomplishments, in no particular order. Update: Our wedding is now featured on the Green Bride Guide's Real Green Weddings! You can read all about it here.

1. Our caterers, Pink Avocado, and our bakers, Coco Paloma Desserts and Justin's aunt Ana Watson, are dedicated to using organic and/or locally-sourced ingredients in the buffet food and our cakes.
2. We'll be serving organic and biodynamic wines and organic or locally-brewed beers. Our best man, Dan Redman of Mosaic Wine Group, will be helping us on the wine front.
3. The plates, cutlery, napkins, linens, and glasses will all be reusable. Most of the disposable cups, cutlery, and cake plates are biodegradable and made from corn. Our cocktail napkins will be made from recycled and/or biodegradable paper.
4. My engagement ring uses vintage diamonds once owned by my paternal grandmother. My wedding band belonged to Justin's maternal grandmother.
5. All paper products used for programs, invites, etc. are recycled (and recyclable). Some of our paper goods will be printed by a green printer using soy-based inks and environmentally-responsible processing. Our programs will have covers made from seeded paper that can be planted to create a little garden.
6. We'll be purchasing carbon offsets for our guests and our own electricity and automotive usage to create a carbon neutral event.
7. Our limo runs on biodeisel!
8. We're going to use as many in-season and/or locally-sourced flowers, fruit, and plants as possible for centerpieces, bouquets, etc. All of the decorations for our wedding will be reused or recycled.
9. The sun will provide most of our lighting, but all of the candles will be made entirely or partially from soy wax and placed in reused glass containers.
10. Some or all of our outfits are reused (found on ebay), and we'll definitely wear them and our accessories again. Many of our accessories are handmade, rather than factory made, and some are made with environmentally-conscious materials. Our dry cleaners are eco-friendly and PERC-free!
11. We're doing as much online as we can to cut down on paper-usage.
12. All of our photography, by Arol J. Horkavy, is digital, which means no harsh chemicals and no wasted paper.
13. Through the I Do Foundation, 5% of any online purchase from our Target registry will be donated to Earth Share of Texas. Learn more at www.idofoundation.org/waythatyouwalk. We'll be recycling all wrapping and packaging used on our registry gifts.
14. We've also set up an easy way to donate directly to Earth Share of Texas via the From Us section of our wedsite.
15. Our ketubah vendor is working to become a certified green business. Ready more about their goals here.
16. Our pre-wedding parties and events will use the same green party supplies mentioned in #3, and some of our food will be locally-sourced and/or organic. We plan to recycle as much waste as possible. All invites will be electronic rather than paper.
17. Our portable toilet makes use of environmentally-friendly technology rather than chemicals. Read more about it here.
18. The majority of our vendors are local businesses, which often results in a lower carbon-impact than that created by large or chain businesses.
19. Our wedding night will be spent in the Driskill Hotel, which has specific list of green goals.

We'll be updating this list as planning continues, so check back for more info. To learn more about sustainable weddings, please visit the above-mentioned Eco Chic Weddings, The Green Bride Guide, and Earth Friendly Weddings.

-- Sarah

Ch-ch-changes

I got this about a week ago but have forgotten to post it. It's my new driver's license with my new name! And a new picture in which I'm looking a little maniacal. Justin was making me laugh.



-- Sarah

Steak and Salad

In case anyone is wondering where all of our URLs (waythatyouwalk) are coming from, they originated with a song sung by the character Brak on the now defunct show Cartoon Planet. Justin and I think this song is hilarious, and in a bizarre way, it reflects our relationship.

Click here to listen to it.

Lyrics

Yeeeeah...

I love you baby -
I love the way that you walk.
I love you baby -
I love the way that you talk.
I really like it when you call my name,
'Hey Brakky Wakky.'

Oooohh.
I like you sister.
I like your Aunt Louise.
I like your doggy.
Hey, I even like his fleas.
I really like it, when you tickle me...
Hehehehe stop it!

Somebody left a cake out in the rain.
Ohhhh Nooooooo.
I was gonna eat that cake, but now it's all wet
And I don't think I want any.

We could get married,
Just the two of us.
You could get a job driving a school bus.
I love you baby.
Will you marry me?

You don't have to decide right away.
Think it over.
Who's it gonna hurt?
Where ya going?

-- Sarah

I've Got a Dress!

I've looked at a lot of styles of dresses, but the one I've had my heart set on is this fouf-y empire-waisted number from J.Crew:



However, J.Crew doesn't carry this dress anymore, and even if they did it would be way out of our budget. We'd much rather spend money on other things than a dress I'm either never going to where again or will have turned into a cocktail dress.

But, I have ended up with a J.Crew dress. I won't tell you which one - you'll have to wait and see! Two awesome things about it are that (1) my mom won it off of ebay for a bargain price and (2) I'm going to be able to dress it up with some seriously funky accessories, inspired by some of the looks I've seen on Offbeat Bride.

-- Sarah

Zoom Zoom

Justin booked our getaway car this week. We'll be leaving the reception in a Mercedes E300D provided by Clean Air Limo.



From their website:

The Mercedes E300D is the only limousine of its kind in Texas. We won't have to compromise our conscience while riding in this vehicle because it combines luxury with ecological responsibility. The engine runs on biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have fully completed the Clean Air Act's health effects testing requirements. To learn more about biodiesel, please visit the National Biodiesel Board.

-- Sarah

Yum!

Yesterday, Justin and I went to a cake tasting at Coco Paloma with his aunt Ana and uncle Brian, who are paying for our wedding cake. Paloma Efron made us a miniature lemon rosemary cake with a rosemary-infused lemon curd layer and vanilla buttercream frosting. Citrus and herb is one of the many themes of our wedding, and we've been set on having a lemon rosemary cake for a long time now.



The cake was delicious, and Paloma Efron, our baker, made sure that many of the ingredients were organic and/or locally-sourced. The rosemary came from her own garden! We're going to forgo fondant because it's mostly sugar and chemicals, and just stick with a buttercream outer layer. Paloma was very nice and her bakery was adorable. We expect to hear back from her in a few months with potential designs for our cake.

Ana will be making Justin's groom cake, which will look something like this:



Ana's also going to make a special little cake for Justin's grandmother, who will be celebrating her 75th birthday the same day as our wedding.

-- Sarah

Dress Shopping

Today was my first attempt at dress shopping. I went with my mom and a friend to Unbridaled on South First. It was a very cute store, and the staff were incredibly nice and helpful. The in-store selection is small, but they can order any dress from the designers they carry. For someone like me who is not looking for a poufy princess dress, they have a great selection. Even if I don't get my dress from them, I still highly recommend Unbridaled.

This isn't the dress, by the way.


-- Sarah

Wedding Ceremony & Reception FAQ

This is an addendum to information on our wedding website and wedding invitations, once they are sent out. Keep in mind that our ceremony and reception will take place at the same location.

I've gotten the wedding invite, but I'm confused - how do I RSVP?
You can RSVP to our wedding one of two ways:
1. Call the number listed on the invite, which is for Justin's phone. Just let Justin (or his voicemail) know if you're coming and who is coming with you.
2. Visit www.waythatyouwalk.com and click on 'Wedding RSVP' in the left-hand sidebar. The RSVP function on our website lets you tell us how many people are coming, what their names are, and any other info you'd like to share.

We're having a buffet that includes a variety of foods, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, so there is no need to include food preferences in your RSVP. If you are bringing kids, we'd like to know their ages, so we can make sure they're accommodated.

Maps, parking info, and hotel locations are located in the Directions section of our website. Use the Contact Us function to send us a message if you need the password.

By the way, what do all the images on the invite represent?
Glad you asked! You can learn more here.

Where can we park?
UPDATE: Parking is now available in the streets surrounding the wedding location. Carpooling is greatly encouraged. Please note that there will no longer be parking in or shuttle services to and from the nearby Bull Creek District Park. A map for the wedding site is located in the Directions section of our wedding website. The wedding site is also denoted with a star on the map included in the wedding invitations. Feel free to contact us via the wedding website with any questions.

What about lodging?
The wedding will take place during the day and the reception will end at 9:00 pm, so anyone who lives close to Austin may want to forgo staying the night. If you do stay in town, though, there are many affordable and high-end hotels throughout Austin, and you can find a listing of them here. You can also find a list of hotels closest to the wedding venue on the Directions page of our wedding website (if you need the password, just message us via the wedding site). We will not be blocking or reserving hotel rooms, but we may be able to make accommodations for some of the wedding party.

What is the dress requirement?
Our wedding is going to be informal and outdoors, so we request that you leave the tuxedos, business suits, gowns, and high heels at home. There will be dancing, yard games, lounge areas, and mingling, so dress comfortably. We do ask that you don't wear anything too casual but, rather, the type of clothes you might wear to church or 'business casual.' If you got a favorite pair of Chuck Taylors, though, please wear them! Keep in mind that the wedding will be in March, when the weather is not quite hot and not quite cold, so you may want to dress in layers. The bride wants you to know that she doesn't mind at all if anyone else wears white, and if you feel the need to match our wedding, our colors are yellow and gray.

Where are you registered?
Justin and Sarah are registered at Crate and Barrel and Target.

Can we bring our kids?
Kids of all ages are welcome, but we ask that anyone with very small children or babies keep in mind that they may not be comfortable being at a wedding ceremony and reception for several hours and we will not have any babysitting or designated "baby areas" available. Note, though, that we will have a kid-friendly menu for the under-12 crowd in attendance.

Can we bring our dogs?
We love dogs, but to keep things under control they won't be allowed at the wedding. Our two Jack Russell terriers will make a brief appearance at the very start of the ceremony, then be whisked away for the evening. No dogs will be present for the duration of the ceremony and reception, but our hosts' dogs may be around the morning of the wedding, as everything is put into place.

We're going to take lots of pictures. How do we share them with everyone?
For long-term galleries, we suggest you use either kodakgallery.com or flickr.com. Both sites allow for public or invite-only viewing and both provide the opportunity to order prints, postcards, photo albums, and more. We have a wedding flickr site and will provide guests with a password and login at the wedding so that everyone has access.

Since your wedding will be outdoors, can I smoke at it?
No. The ceremony and reception areas are no smoking only. However, we will have a designated area for those of you who need regular smoke breaks. Some of our guests are very sensitive to cigarette smoke and smell, so please be mindful of that.

You're having a Jewish wedding ceremony? What's up with that?
Well, Justin is technically Jewish and Sarah's converting. Judaism and the Jewish culture mean a lot to us, and we are very excited about incorporating it into our lives. We will explain all elements of the ceremony in our wedding program, but you can also learn about Jewish wedding traditions here.

What's the deal with all of your wedding themes? What are they?
When we first started planning, we had one theme: citrus and herb. This theme was inspired by our desire to have a lemon rosemary cake and by our Martha Stewart color scheme of marigold and pewter. Since then our color scheme has evolved to include any shade of yellow and gray, and our themes have increased in number. At our wedding you will see elements of the following: Star Trek; Converse sneakers; our pets; a variety of movies; Judaism; nature and gardening, particularly Texas flora; Italy; cover music; plus the original citrus and herb and who knows what all else! Additionally, we have an over-riding theme of environmental consciousness. You can learn more about that here. We hope to bring it all together in one cohesive feeling of fun and festivity. Mostly, we want our wedding to reflect us in its uniqueness.

Where are you going on your honeymoon?
We'll be heading to Italy the day after our wedding! We'll be there for 10 days as we visit Rome, Florence, various Tuscan towns, and the northwestern coast.

If you have any other questions, please contact us via our wedding website at www.waythatyouwalk.com. Thank you!