The Bride’s Story…

Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth."
--1 John 3:18

How my life has changed since Joe and I got engaged?

Engagement, though exciting and joyous, is extremely stressful. Not only do I have to make thousands of decisions, each with a “once-in-a-life-time” significance, I also need to navigate complex family dynamics, write numerous thank-you notes, find time for my career and still manage to look my best. Well, this summarizes my life in the 15-month engagement.

1. Wedgewood vs. Denby – I lift up plates in restaurant to see which brand they are. My mind is never far from the registry. Did I select the right china pattern? Do I need a gravy bowl? What is the difference between a pasta serving bowl and a salad serving bowl? I am always looking for inspiration.

2. What is your job vs. When is the Big Day – I am constantly bombarded by wedding questions. What is the theme? What are the theme colors? What is the wedding gown like? What is my mother (a.k.a. mother of bride) wearing? What are the main flowers? It seems that no one is interested to know that other than being a bride-to-be, I am also an Assistant Buyer in the Fresh Meats Department for Costco Wholesale Canada (yes… that will earn me tons for brownie points if Claude and Chris ever read this hahaha!)

3. Professional vs Amateur – I have a team of professionals working to make sure I will look perfect on the big day. I joined Herbal Magic last August to lose weight (20lbs plus) and have been living on 1200 calories per day diet. I have been going for rejuvenating facials once a month. An “updo” hairstylist and makeup artist have scheduled me for a trial hair updo and makeup session prior to the big day. I feel almost like Bridal Barbie that everyone gets to fiddle with me, while I simply stand there and smile. Good thing is, if I don’t look halfway decent at the wedding, I take absolutely no responsibility. For once in my life… I can walk away without being held accountable for my actions, this must feel nice!

4. Plan A vs. Plan B – I can’t stop writing day-of-rundowns. I rewrite the wedding day rundown in my sleep. I have at least 10 different seating arrangements. I have the hotel catering manager on my speed dial now.

5. My fiancé, Joe, has morphed from lover to co-CEO. Our dinner dates have become meetings. All we talk about these days are wedding details, revised guest lists, revised dinner choice, revised rehearsal dinner details. I e-mail him at least 20 times a day with revised plan, further revised plan, and further to further-revised plan.

6. Planning a wedding is an extremely stressful task. I am slowly turning into a Mad-Bride-to-be. At this point, elopement seems a very appealing option. However, I am very fortunate that my parents have provided us with a lot of help, support and advice. My mom has taken up the task as the official florist for the wedding! She has also given me a lot of advice from finding the “perfect” wedding favors to the most “elegant” wedding gown. Joe has been very supportive all along. I am famously known for “changing my mind 1000 times a day” and Joe has been very patient with me. He laughs with me on my victory of getting the reception hall to charge less on the corkage fee. He also cries with me on my close-to-nervous-breakdown nights when I can’t decide on which shade of yellow to use as table linens. This man, whom I am going to marry in May, has shown my family and me his love with actions and in truth... What is not to love about this man?

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