Marrying my perfect match

A beautiful Sunday afternoon in front of our family and friends, I got to marry my perfect match!  Our guests were treated to a little guitar playing before the ceremony and some water (it might have been slightly hot out - only like 90). 

And then my dad walked me across the grass and down the front walk to Ryan who was walking for me with Pastor Tom.  Pastor Tom made our ceremony so special and we are truly blessed that we have such a great pastor and spiritual leader.  His message was about the 4 C's - Christ, Caring, Communication, Conflict, and was perfect.  We then said our "I Will's", and exchanged rings and vows and poured our soil (from both our hometowns or maybe a substitute) into our unity tree pot.  And then we were pronounced husband and wife and it was time to kiss the bride.  We both did a great job holding it together despite wanting to cry.

I, Abbey, take you, Ryan, to be (husband/wife), my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

 Our arrival at the party - nice and cool in our party outfits

Ian giving a wonderful toast 

Dinner with Alicia and Bill

 Our first dance - Honeybee by Blake Shelton

 Dancing and more dancing

 An amazing firework show by Dad, Jason, Scott, Jared, Uncle Larry and Steve

Our lights looked awesome

And so many more great pictures on ryanandabbey.shutterfly.com and www.mistyminna.com.

 The evening was perfect.  The temperature cooled down and there was a nice breeze.  Lots of food (from Carlson Catering) and drinks, and games and dancing.  Everything went off without a hitch.  And I wouldn't have changed a thing.  And the best part, was getting to spend time with our families and friends and my husband.  We are truly blessed and we could not have done it without all of them so to them - THANK YOU!  We love you! 

Day of the Wedding

Finally!  It’s here!  We are getting married today.  Ryan and woke up and enjoyed breakfast and a relaxing morning (for about 30 minutes) before the mayhem began.  My family was there about 10:00 am and ready to work.  The chairs were moved to the front of the yard and set up for the ceremony. 

The lights were hung were with care. 

The kegs and more ice were picked up.  The desserts were plated.

The front porch was decorated and ready. I practiced and timed my walk to the front porch with dad.  And in the midst of it all, us girls (Julie, Mary, Karle and I) found time to quick go get our nails done.

And then it was time to get ready.  I started about 1:30 doing my makeup and hair and was then joined by my sisters and Alicia and we enjoyed some laughs before the photographer got there.  Ryan did a few things in the barn while I was doing that (since we got ready in the same bathroom – just not at the same time).  Misty Minna (our photographer) was wonderful!  Our DJ (Robert Navarre) arrived to set up for the ceremony and the reception.  And Pastor Tom arrived!  Everything was coming today.  And despite everything, it wasn’t too hot but was definitely warm! 

And it was time!

2 Days Until W-Day

I can't believe today is Friday already!  We are getting married in only 2 days! And of course on our first day off work, I was up at like 5:30 am and forced myself to sleep until 6:30ish and then gave up and started the day.  Got Joey fed,  breakfast made for Ryan, laundry finished, name tags for the food made, a trip to Sam's club for more water and the dessert, Ryan made a trip to the lake house for the rest of the chairs and pavers, then we met back up for a trip to Tractor Supply (which is slowing becoming one of my favorite stores because they have everything there), and then to Nature's Landscaping to buy our unity tree... all before 11:30 am! 

Prio to the then, we got a call from Bob and Rebecca and they got a flat tire in Jonesville.  Luckily Scott and Mary were around to go help them out and hooked them up with a pumped up tire to get to the local tire place.  And then they were back on their way to our house. 

But of course everything can't have gone that smoothly, we went to fire up  Norm (aka our lawnmower) decided to not want to mow.  It started up and would drive, but the level to engage the mower wasn't sticking for anything.  So after a paniced call to Dad and a call from Dad to the John Deere place we had no answer.  Backup plan - Mary and Scott bring the mower over to use.  But then Dad called back and the JD dealer said we use it but need to jerry rig something up to keep the lever foward.  Talk about red necking it (or at least that's what I felt like).  2 bungy cords later and we were back in business.  So I mowed the whole lot and Ryan string trimmed out by the barns too. 

We also picked up the tables and chairs and they are now in the barn ready to be decorated tomorrow.  Rebecca cleaned up the barn floors and Bob up together our new little firepit.  Everything is coming together.  Tomorrow should be a great day - busy and crazy I'm sure, but great!  And I can't wait!

All done with work

So I worked my last day of work as Abbey Ewald.  When I go back I will be Abbey Delaney.  How exciting.  My new work email will be delaney@hino.com. 

After I finished my half way, I headed to Ann Arbor to pick up our marriage certificate- check!  Did some grocery shopping (pop, chips, hot dogs)- check! Picked up my dress - check!  Got a facial (which was AWESOME - so glad I bought the 3 for 1 deal) - check! Cleaned the house - check!  Laundry going - check! 

And now waiting for Ryan to come home from golf so I can take him out - last time we probably go out before we're married.  :-)

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Last week, we started checking the forecast for the wedding... first look 80 and sunny!  Perfect!  A few days ago, we checked... 88, but still sunny!  Still okay.  Last night we check after dinner.. 93!!  Woah!  It is Memorial Day weekend and not the 4th of July, right?  Holy warm!  Guess I don't have to worry about getting a sweater to wear with my dress. 

Hopefully it won't be too bad.  But either way we are going to have a wonderful time.

Big time score!

Ryan and I have been trying to figure out how to set up and run the music for the wedding.  We went and looked at buying a system off craigslist.com but we felt like it was too much money.  So I found a DJ that rents some equipment out to use - speakers, mixer, mics, etc.  So I emailed him to see if it was available and all that.  He calls back and says he's not DJing that day and would be interested in a DJ.   I almost couldn't believe the price he gave us.  And he plays the guitar and is going to play for part of the ceremony and maybe during dinner too.  It's amazing the deals you can get if you wait to 6 days before the wedding.  I might need to find another pair of dancing shoes for all the dancing we are going to be doing!  Get ready!  It's 5 days away!

The garden is in!

It's official... RAD Farms has their first garden in.  A big thanks to mom and dad who came down today and brought their lawn mower and their rototiller.  They also brought us seeds, sweet corn, tomato plants and some onions.  So great!  I'm excited so see how everything turns out. 

Dad also brought a load of loose rocks to put around the drive where there were low spots to help improve it for the wedding.  Ryan did some string trimming and mowed Joey's kennel and got the grill hooked up in the garage and we used it for lunch.  Mary and I moved a bunch of the stuff from the wedding room out to the barn (you can almost see the carpet in there now).  Mom helped roll the rest of the programs so they are ready.  The kids played and ran through the sprinklers and kept us all entertained.  Ryan and I also finished hanging up the lights in the barn and plotted the strategy for the outside lights - and I think we have it!

Ryan and I also went and checked out a sound system to use for the wedding - left without buying it and hoping that we can get him to come down a little bit.  So we'll see where we end up. 

I think that's all... weather forecast for next Sunday.. sunny and 80!  Here's hoping!  I can't believe in one week I get to marry my perfect match!  Love him (especially since he's putting up with a slightly stressed out Abbey).

Colin turns 1!

So one year about today, Colin (Ryan's 2nd nephew was born).  It was also the first time, I met him and the whole Delaney family.  It was a very chaotic weekend as Ian and Jen were moving into their new house the weekend that Colin decided to join the world.  A very grand entrance!  But a great one for the cutest little boy ever.

So we took a quick trip to Fort Wayne Friday night and Saturday, and got to celebrate with the whole fam.  Great weather, great company and great times - despite the short trip.  We also made a quick stop on the way back to get the liquor for the wedding reception so another thing crossed off the list, and good thing, because it's one week away!  Yippee!!!

11 days to go

11 days until the big day!  I can't believe how fast time has flown by.  It's crazy.  And now I'm starting to think that I've forgotten to do something big.  What?  I'm not sure.  But let's hope that is just the wedding crazinesses. 

Finished the wedding programs and other fun things not be released yet.  Need to send all ceremony stuff to our pastor to finalize that with him.  Ryan called on the keg so that is good.  We are getting the alcohol this weekend in Indiana.  I ordered more tables and chairs and plates and all that stuff, and increased our food since our guest count is more than expected.  Trying to finalize Saturday's plans - I believe a golf outting is in order for the guys and ladies if they want.  Then maybe a few drinks and dinner afterwards.  

I feel like I'm rambling... but just trying to make sure I haven't forgotten something major.  If you can think of anything, let me know!

The Barn is Ready!

With only 13 days until the wedding, the barn is ready!  Sunday morning, I headed off to church and Ryan tackled the outside area of the barn (the poison ivy area or at least where Ryan got it).  He dressed in long sleeves and went to work, pulling up vines, dugging out roots and when I got home from church it looked like this!

But this what he pulled out!

A huge improvement to what it was before (which of course I don't have a pictures of).  But then we put mulch down and planted a few left over hostas from Ryan's mom and tada!

Just wanted to share a before picture - this is what it looked like when we bought the house!



Crazy how much better it looks!

Successful Day off

Great day off... I got everything on my list accomplished and I think a few extras.

• Taught Triple Threat at 6:00 am
• Applied for our marriage license
• Cleaned the house (even dusted)
• Found the kitchen table
• Laundry, laundry and more laundry (including the rugs)
• Tied 120 sets of silverware together
• Printed the s'mores sticked and put them on the bags
• Finished the yarn letters (what a pain)
• Finished mowing the back back 40
• Moved a few things in the barn
• Typed up the wedding program and found all the our songs
• Got Ryan a growler from Original Gravity

Then Ryan came home and we celebrated with a beer and walk to the barn.  Now he's out there watering the new grass (which is looking great), while I'm in the house waiting for the pizza.  Last full weekend of wedding prep (because next weekend we'll be in Fort Wayne for Colin's first birthday - can he really be 1 already?!)

Ryan's Ring

Yesterday it was time to shop for Ryan's ring.  And good thing we didn't procrastinate much longer, becasue we are keeping our fingers crossed it will make it in time.  But we love it... it's tungsten, which is supposed to indestructible, and I think it fits Ryan perfectly.

We got it inscribed with RAD 5-27-2012.

Soccer, play date and barn work

If I have to say so myself, I had a great Saturday.  I spent the night at the Welden Hotel on Friday night and woke up to 2 of my favorite smiling faces.  We had breakfast and then off to soccer.  They played at the same time and right next to each other so I was able to watch both play, and they both did great. 

After soccer, I decided to kidnap the kids for the day so Mary could get a few things done.  So we packed up and headed to RAD Farms.  The kids painted signs for the wedding, rode the 4-wheeler, got to ride with Papa on the mule, watched a movie in the barn and rode their bikes.  When Mary came to get them, I think they were pretty pooped out and starting to break down.  But I did my job, get them nice and tired and sent them home.  Love those 2!

Dad also came down to spray the yard one more time before the wedding, which was much needed and you can already see a different (aka things dying).  I am truly blessed with an amazing dad. 

Ryan also made some major headway in the barn too.  He put up a rubber baseboard (which looks amazing), put up the trim around the door, added some support structure boards to the frame, and cleaned the window sills out.  I painted the doors in the barn and also the exterior trim around the doors and made some signs for the wedding.  The kids and I moved some plants around, and cleaned up some of the barn.

After a long days work, Ryan and I hunkered down on the couch with a Cinco de Mayo fiest and watched the Kentucky Derby that I had taped.  And I should have bet, because I picked the winning horse - I'll have another.  He was named that because his owner always said that when his wife asked if he wanted another cookie.  And you know me and cookies... I figured it was a sign.

A great Saturday!

It's here... it's here... it's finally here!

So my dress arrived on April 30th!  Finally!  And I went Wednesday to pick it up and take it to the semstress.. but to my surprise and everyone else's - no alterations needed!  Woo hoo!!!!  Can't believe it!  And I forgot how pretty it is and can't wait to wear it!

Food Tasting

More food tasting... YUMMY!  We went back to Carleson Catering and finalized our wedding menu. 

The final dinner menu

Carolina Pig Roast (carved on site)
Red Skin Potato Salad
Beans with Bacon
Coleslow
Macaroni and Cheese
Rolls
Lemonade

Only 5 weeks to go!

After the food tasting, we headed to Lowe's to get some supplies (that we didn't end up using anyway - mostly lawn care stuff). and then off to Dan's, our favorite local bar, for some pizza and bars.  Great ending to a week!

Fort Wayne, Indy and a shower at a wine bar

Another action packed weekend!  We loaded up Friday about 3:00 pm and took off for a night in Fort Wayne to see Ian and Jen and the kiddies.  On the way had a quick stop in Quincy to check out an antique place - but didn't find anything we liked.  Well I take that back, we did find these sweet old gas pumps, but they were definitely out of our budge.  We made it to Casa Delaney about 6:00 pm and hung outside for a bit and played with Colin and Evan - two cuties, enjoyed some brats and Moscato with Jen and then off to bed. 

The next day, back in the far... destination Greenwood!  We arrived about noon and hung out with Mom and Dad Delaney for a bit.  Rebecca had set up a little mock China display, showing off our new China that she had gotten us (so bummed I didn't get a picture of it).  So simple, classy and beautiful... just my taste!  Thanks so much!  And can't wait to use it for a big party.  Then we had lunch and get ready for our shower party at the wine bar - Vino Villa in Greenwood.  Ryan's parents' friends were so gracious and through us a party to celebrate our upcoming wedding... lots of wine and appetizers and desserts!  Great time!!

Then Sunday... an amazing breakfast - french toast and Rebecca's famous breakfast casserole.  And some more shower/wedding gifts from Ryan's mom and dad.  Some beautiful crystal frames, wine toppers, clock, stemware and more.  Also some beautiful stainless steel silverware that I loved and some beautiful silver from his grandmother.  I left there feeling so blessed and loved!  So thank you Bob and Rebecca for making me feel like a part of the family.  You're the best!

We also loaded up with the truck with some (probably more like lots of) wedding decorations - flowers and baskets.  Let's just say that the bed of the truck was full!  But a couple more things checked off the wedding to-do list.

RSVPs

It's so exciting getting RSVPs back.  Even though we did an online RSVP, I still get an email everytime someone responds!  We are up to 27 yes's and 4 no's.  On Sunday, we will officially be 6 weeks out (and still no dress, but that's another topic)! 

Concrete, why not?!

So Ryan and I have been toying with the idea of putting cement in our barns, well mainly the big one.  However after getting a couple quotes, we decided it just wasn't in the budget.  BUT the other barn was.  So we are finishing the one bay in the "shop" barn with concrete.... and it starts tomorrow.  And then this will be where the wedding reception happens.  Can't wait! 

Pictures will be coming soon.

Wood box craft

So I spent Saturday prepping things for the wedding - invitations finished, another 14 wine bottles wrapped in yarn and a new project.  Ryan's mom had given me these bunches of roses that she used for Ian and Jen's weding and one of Ryan's cousin... and at the time I just didn't think they'd work... but low and behold - we RADified them.  When I shopping at JoAnn's, I found these cool wooden boxes which I loved... after putting the flowers in them... presto.  It had simple, classy, country wedding written all over it.

As easy as it would have been to just go back to JoAnn's and buy them... Ryan figured we could make them for cheaper and we could make them customized to the exact shape we wanted.  So to Lowe's we went and only $45 later, we left with the materials to make 14 wooden crates.   Ryan then cut each piece to size - the bottoms and sides were 8 inches by 1.5 inches, the top part of the sides were 8 inches by 1 inch, the ends were 5 inches by 3 inches.

Then Ryan let me man the staple gun and he held each piece in place for me.  And thankfully, no trips to the emergency were had!

And tada, 14 custom wooden boxes!

Check 'em out!  Love them.  Now I am just going to so some stenciling on them with either Est. 2012 or Ryan and Abbey or something else cool. 

Meeting the caterers

So yesterday, Ryan and I went to taste some of the food from the caterers for the wedding.  They are great.  Actually from Belleville and have quite the set up.  We met the owner and he's great.  You could just feel his passion for food - which I have as well.  And the food was wonderful too, especially the cookies and brownies!  However, it was so wonderful that we are now starting to rethink the menu and maybe want to add some more cool things.  I'm trying to think back to some of the most memorable food weddings and what we all ate.  Most poeple have very "normal" items - beef, chicken, potatoes, etc.  But since Ryan and I aren't exactly normal or at least that's what we like to think... that maybe we want to shake things up a little.  Like maybe having a pig roast or popcorn machines or ice cream stand.  Fun stuff.  If nothing else, we love food a lot and want it to be awesome. 

After marrying Ryan, I think the most important things to me at the wedding are... outstanding food and lots of dancing :-)

So back to the drawing board.  What would you add to the menu??