My Wedding Update

First I would like to say that I am not really forthcoming when it comes to relinquishing information in regards to my wedding. With that being said I will tell you as much as I can but will leave out specific details. I’m sorry but a bride has to be discrete when talking about her wedding

Now on to my wedding details :

I am moving along nicely with my wedding. I have my AWESOME florist (Milton Flower Shop – www.miltonflowershop.com 8-), cake vendor (Cakes by Darlene Woods), ceremony & reception location (Lake Mary’s Event Center), caterer (Puff n Stuff Catering), and my invitations (Invitations by Brandy). I now need a dj, wedding dress, wedding party clothes, and some other things.

Surprisingly so my wedding dress is the one thing that I would like to search for everyday but is the one thing I am able to do the least. Why?? Well I would like my mother and sisters to come with me but because they are so busy it is really hard to get them all in one place at one time. I have only gone wedding dress shopping once and even at that time it was rushed because the store was closing for the day. Although I do really want to go, I am not pushing it right now because I do have a full year left before my wedding.

Even though I haven’t done much wedding dress shopping as you can see I do have a lot done or practically done. For that I can thank a few people for: 1) I can thank my wedding planner Tamuel, she has been awesome, my mother for going to appointments with me, and my Marlon for listening and helping me decide things and putting his thoughts in when asked. I can honestly say that they have not been pushy or over involved in any way shape or form. Marlon and my mother have always said “whatever you want” or gave their input and then said to “think about it and then do what you wish”. I hear about these groomzilla’s and overbearing mothers and I thank God Marlon and my mother are not like that.

Overall I want my wedding to be perfect!! (I know what bride doesn’t want her wedding to be perfect . Ok really, I would like a wedding dress that makes me feel elegant, gorgeous, sexy, and stunning. I want the ceremony to be calming to any nerves that may be about, I want gorgeous flowers throughout the ceremony, my sisters and friends standing next to me, my loved ones in the audience, overall a very happy, beautiful ceremony. For my reception, I want lots of laughter, happiness, lots of dancing, awesome music, everyone happy with their meals, a great tasting cake (especially because I am not a big cake person so hopefully I get lead in the right direction), an AWESOME photographer that captures the most important moments and all the great moments. I need the pictures to be perfect! On the whole, I want it to be low stress and negative anything. I want it to be high energy, laughter, happiness, fun place to be. I would love it if everyone left our wedding feeling like they had a spectacular time. So basically that is what I would want for my wedding. That is all, not much… right??

Add a comment July 31, 2009

Communication

One of the most important aspects to my relationship with anyone but most importantly my fiancé is COMMUNICATION. Communication is extremely important and a facet that should be constantly worked on. An important point to remember when defining “good communication” in a solid relationship is that “winning” an argument is not the goal, but having both people feel listened to, accepted and understood. Although what was just said is easier said than done I have to try and remember that my fiancé is not against me but he is for me. I believe that I am sometimes so defensive that disagreements go on longer because I am trying to defend myself instead of listening to what my fiancé is saying to me. As you may be able to tell communication IS something Marlon and I are continuously working on and thank God we are improving every day.
I feel that sometimes lots of people spend their time defending themselves instead of listening, accepting, and understanding one another. While google-ing “strategies for communication” I found 10 strategies or guidelines that could be used for couples to improve their communication in their relationships. Below you will see what I found…

10 rules to help improve communication:

I. Listen to the emotions behind your partner’s words. Being right isn’t as important as being understood.

II. Focus on what your partner is saying rather than thinking up an answer or rebuttal.

III. Look at the person who is talking to you. Many people don’t feel listened to unless they are being looked at.

IV. Use the word “I” rather that the word “you.” People tend to hear “you” in a sentence as an accusation, such as “You are yelling at me.” Compare that with “I feel yelled at,” and the speaker takes ownership for the feeling and does not come across as attacking.

V. When you need to discuss a difficult issue, be sensitive to choosing an appropriate time for the conversation.

VI. State things simply and ask your partner if more detail is needed.

VII. The real meaning of every communication is how it is heard and perceived, not how it is intended.

VIII. Notice your partner’s reactions – the withdrawal/attack/glassy-eyed responses.

IX. Ask questions to learn and understand more about what your partner is saying. Be curious about what is important to your partner.

X. Be attentive to your partner’s response. Notice if you are giving too much detail. For example, if you are a detail person but your partner is not responding, then you can either ask for feedback and involvement or limit the conversation. People can be turned off if they feel like they are being talked at or the conversation is going on for too long.

Of course there are many great rules to communication but I found these rules provide an awesome starting point or in another view an awesome point to continue working from. As you can imagine reading these guidelines are making me evaluate myself and I am taking note of where I can be a better communicator and how to be a better listener. I believe having a happy healthy relationship means we are communicating clearly.

Add a comment July 24, 2009

Summer Time!!!! 8-)

It is officially summer vacation for me!! School finished on Friday and it is now time to switch gears! Wow, I can’t believe its school break it feels like this came to soon, like I just started my first year teaching. It’s bitter sweet because I would love to still be teaching but I am so happy that I am done. My first year passed so quickly…
Because it is officially time to relax and take in some sun, if we ever get any, I plan to spend my summer break as follows: I will be playing with my niece and nephew Isabella and Alexander, while waiting for my new nephew Josue Alejandro to arrive in August. I will be participating in the Iron Brides show, then I will be taking care of wedding stuff in Florida in August, and next month my fiancée will be back in town 8-)!!! I am so excited. Oh, and I will also be doing some graduate courses, which I am pretty excited about, they seem like they are actually going to be fun!
My summer seems like it will have many great times to offer. I thank God that it is summer time!!!! Hope all my readers have a happy summer X

Add a comment June 29, 2009

SELF CARE

Taking care of yourself is very important especially during times when you get very overwhelmed by life’s events. Lately I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed and feel like things keep piling onto my plate. Even when I complete projects and check things off the list, the list seems to be getting longer and longer. When my life gets like this it is important to take care of myself but lately I don’t seem to be doing much of that.

When I think about what self care looks like I think about a person who is in total control of their surroundings i.e. all tasks that are on their lists, any new events that pop up, and everything that may affect them is under control. A person who takes care of themselves does anything that may make them smile and feel good i.e. beauty salon, spa sessions, exercise, or alone time. The overall goal of self care is to make sure that you feel 100% all of the time. This is something I need to get back to doing.

Add a comment June 11, 2009

If I Could Participate in Ballroom Dancing

I love watching programs like “So You Think You Can Dance”. Those types of programs make me want to get up and be a dancer!! Of course I know I can’t do that for the mere fact that those dancers have been dancing for a good part of their lives. But if I could join a dance class like ballroom dancing I would love to learn to Salsa, Lindy Hop, and Tango.

Salsa would definitely be my number one choice. I love to salsa!!! If I had to rate myself on a beginner, intermediate, advanced level I would say that I am on an intermediate level, but I would love to learn more and be on an advanced level and master all the amazing turns and steps of Salsa.

Lindy Hop is another choice because it looks SOOO fun. This dance has so many tosses, turns, and hops it seems as if anyone would have fun doing it!! Although, one would be extremely tired at the end or even find themselves hurt 8-/.

Finally, the Tango would be another choice because of how passionate it is. Whenever I see dancers dance the tango they have so much zeal and emotions, it seems like the dance would be a challenge but once understood a dance that would be amazing.

To be able to participate in dances such as these would be awesome!! To make the experience even better I would have my fiancé Marlon, be my partner. LOL, at first I know he would be kind of hesitant because I would want to do a dance such as the Lindy Hop but he definitely would participate because he knows we would have fun together. Hopefully we will be able to participate in a ballroom dancing class for these dances.

Add a comment June 8, 2009

A How To Guide: Being Your Own Wedding Planner

A How To Guide:
Being Your Own Wedding Planner

These days professional wedding planners can be a bit on the pricey side and can lead some brides to think they can’t afford to pay for a professional planner. Well if you’re in that frame of mind have no fear!! You can always plan your own wedding!! There are various books, planners, and even bridal shows you can go to that can help you get organized for your big day. Ladies, one of the most important things to remember for your wedding is getting things for FREE!! You will always truly appreciate hearing the word “free” in regards to your wedding. Let me tell you, planning your wedding is expensive! Anywho, back to the topic Wedding Planners: when looking for a person you will have to pay for their services, but when looking to do it yourself FREE!! At least most of the time…

Using websites like www.Brides.com or www.TheKnot.com are great resources to help you plan your wedding step by step. Both websites have wedding planning tools such as: “checklist”, which is a To Do list for month by month planning, week by week planning, and finally day by day planning as you approach your wedding day. The tools also include a “budgeter”, a “guest list”, and a “notebook”. The notebook is where you would upload various pictures that you may want to incorporate in your wedding. Finally, on the Brides.com website you will find even more options including: “tools”, which is a place where you can find resources to help you set your tables, find flowers, build cakes, etc. You can also find “seating chart” resources and links to build “your wedding website”. By reading this and checking out the websites you may be thinking, WOW this is just too much and feel overwhelmed, to be quite honest yes it is at first, but when you take a breath and just play around on the websites you will find yourself more at ease.

If for some reason you find the websites to be too much you can always use wedding planner software. There are various wedding software programs including titles such as: IDo, Smart Wedding, My Style Wedding, and Microsoft Office Online Wedding Template Collections. Again, these are planners that walk you through planning your wedding. You can find these programs and more on the following websites: http://wedding-planning-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ or http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/FX102580041033.aspx?ofcresset=1 The first website will list at least 10 wedding planner programs and how they compare to each other and of course the second website is only dealing with Microsoft Office.

Other resources you can tap into are bridal shows that are held in your areas. At these shows you will undoubtedly find wedding planner books that will walk you through planning your wedding. Most of them are really cute and are as big as a regular sized book, so they easily fit into our bags, YAY!! I have one from Brides magazine and it is really cute!!

At the end ladies we all want our perfect wedding day with as little stress as possible. So if that means getting on one of the websites or buying one of the wedding planner programs I suggested than you do it. For those wondering what I am doing, WELLLLL, I have a wonderful professional wedding planner by the name of Tamuel Cowart. Her company is called Remembering When (www.rwevents.com) and she is based out of Orlando, Florida. I know you must be thinking how can you give such awesome advice and end up with an actual wedding planner?? Well to be honest ladies, I had to, I felt very overwhelmed with the planning of my wedding and thought it would be best FOR ME to have someone there holding my hand. Tamuel is great and I am happy I made that choice. Again, FOR ME that was the best choice, but I am sure that you can do just fine with the resources that I have laid out before you. HAPPY PLANNING!!!!

P.S. Below you will find a link to Amazon which will show you a list of books that are wedding planners. Don’t know much about these ones but I am sure you can figure it out. I mean what you want me to do everything for you??!! LOL

http://browse.barnesandnoble.com/browse/nav.aspvisgrp=non

fiction&N=224075&Ne=222105+224040+224075

8 comments May 26, 2009

A Little Intro…ME!! :-)

Hello all, my name is Julia!! Welcome to my page! Yesterday I started off by saying I had no idea about blogging and really what the point was, but I know as time goes on I will get into it.

You must be thinking if you don’t know what blogging is and you don’t see the point in it then why are you here?? Well to answer your question I am here because I have to be. As you can tell by my user name I am an Iron Bride and as an Iron Bride I have to keep a blog. I am not to sure what we will be blogging about besides being on the show but I guess you will have to stay tuned to find out 8-)!!!

For those wondering about the show Iron Brides, well it is essentially about making the bride a better person. I don’t know much yet and as you can well imagine I am unable to say exactly what we will be doing but I hope for things like gym sessions, obviously so I can look my best on my wedding day and activities that overall help me on my own personal development. Again, it is all about helping us be a better person for ourselves, future husbands and families.

Ok folks that is all for now!! I look forward to developing a relationship with you and anything you would like to say or ask please don’t hesitate!! Stay tuned for more…

Happy Reading x

4 comments May 19, 2009

Hello world!

To be very honest I don’t really understand this website may be because I have never blogged before or even seen a blogging website but I hope I get the hang of this fast!!!

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

4 comments May 15, 2009