With This Ring, I Thee Nest

Image: Bride and Broom, H. Armstrong Roberts, 1988

Last week, I begrudgingly, but officially, relinquished my "Bride" title. I sent out the thank you cards - all 91 of them, including almost all of the vendors' cards. I can't find my camera cord to upload the photos of the cute envelope labels so I will post the whole package after the wedding recaps.

In the meantime, here are the Christmas cards that I ordered from Snapfish. They turned out great! We've received a lot of compliments on them.

Tipping Guide

Can someone direct me to a straightforward tipping guide? So far, The Knot's is the best one I've found.

Image: American Bridal

Stream of Consciousness

I didn't go to the gym tonight because it took forever to catch my bus home. And when I finally did catch a bus, it got caught in the tail-end of Cubs traffic. I have to tell you -- when you're raised a White Sox fan and aren't 23-years-old and out on the prowl for drunk frat boys, living near Wrigley Field loses it's mystique very, very quickly. And it's not like you can actually drive or easily catch a cab to high-tail it to another 'hood within two hours of a game. You're trapped.

OMG! How did I miss Stevie Wonder on the DNC? I am so bummed! I am a MAD FREAK when it comes to Stevie Wonder.

Photo: Personal Collection

Speaking of the DNC, how are these Everday Joes and Josephines speaking right now so calm? How impressive.

I ran errands on the way home tonight and knocked out some very significant shopping -- namely dresses for my bachelorette party and the rehearsal dinner! I also bought a dress for my final shower. I like it, but I would like to have the money more. Does anyone know if it's a faux pas to repeat shower outfits? I really, really love my green dress, but, hopefully, I will be too skinny for it next year. I'd hate to wear it once. Does Emily Post have any rules against repeating outfits when you're the guest of honor? The only people who would be seeing it twice are the moms, Aunt Ruth, and my bridesmaids -- and they won't care. What do you think? Is that Tack Master B? I hope that I don't sound superficial for asking this question. What do you think, blog-lovelies?

Monogram Etiquette

I am planning on hyphenating my name after we get married. I will be "Ms. Tina L. W******-C******. " Does anyone know if I can use a "C" monogram at the wedding if I'm only half of a C******? (That reads dirty, doesn't it?) I'd like to use the "C" monogram on napkins and the card box if possible. I think that it would be a small gesture that Andy would appreciate.

Google searches have mainly returned answers, re: correspondence. This site says that I should use TW-AC, but that will look dumb. And I don't think that it will help convince Andy to accept my decision.

What do you think? Does it matter? Please comment. Thanks.

Your Pal,

Tina the Half C-word

P.S. The "ta" pumpkin isn't complete. I got lazy.

P.S.S. My original instinct is so say "F It" and splash the "C" around, but I know some people that would probably comment on it that day or talk about me later on.

Wedding Bands

I was chatting online with a friend yesterday and mentioned that I would possibly hold off on getting a wedding band if we ran out of money before the wedding. I appreciate and respect the ring and it's symbolism, but there's only so much change to go around. Also, because my engagement ring is kind of ornate, I've only found one band that hasn't rubbed against the pave on the side. I can get something affordable to use for the sake of ceremony, but then I really couldn't wear it with my engagement ring, which Andy is very proud of.

Do you think that I am wrong to offer to forego a wedding band for the sake of the budget? This caused my friend some "amazement." I thought that I was being mature by offering to skip the band. If I can find one less area for Andy to worry about coughing up cash, I will. Quite honestly, I feel a little guilty having such a nice engagement ring. I know what Andy sacrified to get it, so I feel bad asking for another $1,000 ring. What do you think? Am I focusing too much on the party and not enough on the meaning? Quite frankly, her reaction took me by surprise. I never realized that my possible decision would be interpreted that way. Andy and I discussed it and he said that it didn't hurt his feelings at all. He thinks that I should get my band no matter what, but is fine if I decide to put it off for awhile for peace of mind.

Please comment.