I'M IN LOVE by jasmine schoch

An Unforgettable Love Story

I came across this marriage tale as I was browsing my friend Susan Schneider's web page. Susan is the author of "Unforgettable: Vignettes of Love," a book filled with personal accounts of engagement and wedding stories from around the world. Besides being an accomplished writer, Susan also works with numerous wedding photographers, offering to eloquently type up the couple's love story so it can be placed in their celebration album along with the other event photos.

Enough about my brilliant friend Susan and on to the most wonderful love story I have heard since Cinderella. The tale is about Pam and Paul, as told by Pam. They were married in 2004 in Harrington, Delaware. She was 44; he was 38.

A fairytale is a fictitious, highly fanciful story. Our story of how we met is very true and very real even though it culminated in a fairy tale happening. My last name is “Galyean”, and I was married to a wonderful man named Dan Galyean before he died in 1996. I have a daughter and a son. In 1999, my son finally talked me into buying a computer and stepping into the 20th century. When I setup my email account, under the name of 'pgalyean', I was told the name was already being used. I thought to myself, “Now how many 'pgalyean's' can there be in the world?

I wrote to this person, asking who he was and if we could be related in some way. The person who wrote back was named Paul Galyean, and he lived in Arizona. We sent emails back and forth for a few months, finding out about each other and trying to figure out if he was somehow related to my late husband's family.

As it turns out, Paul's stepfather adopted him when he was 18, and Paul took his last name, “Galyean”. Paul told me he had three children and was separated. We not only had the same last name given to us by special men, but we each had a son with the same name, Michael. Too weird.

We sent emails to each other every now and then after I had to change my email address since Paul had 'taken' mine. We lost touch for about a year when I heard from him in a strange way.

When I setup my Yahoo account in February 2001, there was a name I didn’t recognize in my friend's list. When I instant messaged this person, I learned it was Paul again, using a nickname from school. I learned Paul had moved back to his hometown of Dallas, Texas and was now divorced. We started chatting and I learned that his stepdaughter had recently passed away. I was writing a term paper for my psychology class about the stages of grief, and I was able to offer my help to him and his youngest daughter. Having experienced grief myself, I was able to tell him and his daughter what emotions to expect. We formed a very close bond through this experience. We began to send each other emails every day, and we chatted almost every night on the computer and occasionally on the phone. Finally, after three months of talking every day, I decided to take the next step. I asked Paul if it would be okay for me to come to Texas to meet him. He said of course. I knew I was taking a lot of chances. Some might have thought this a stupid idea, but something told me that I needed to do this; that this guy was special.

We planned on marrying and had heard of a contest being run by the Delaware State Fair. It asked couples to submit a unique “fairytale story” to win a fairytale-style wedding. We entered the contest. The day of the winning announcement came and we dressed hoping that someone would be at our door between the allotted hours. No one showed, so we figured we lost, changed into grungy clothes and started doing household chores. While changing the toilet in the bathroom, we heard the doorbell ring. We opened the door and were shocked to see a TV crew standing there to surprise us with balloons and an envelope with the appropriate paperwork to give us a fairytale wedding! We were thrilled!

On our wedding day the groom and wedding party were escorted in horse-drawn carriages, and my father and I arrived in a horse-drawn pumpkin carriage – just like Cinderella! We were married on the fairgrounds, during one of the largest events in Delaware with everyone celebrating with us.

Source:

Schneider, Susan. "Unforgettable: Vignettes of Love." 29 May 2009. www.unforgettablevignettes.com For book information please contact Susan at unforgettablebook@yahoo.com.

It was a "Pure Joy"

Last night I had the privilege to join my fellow event colleagues at a grand celebration at Pure Joy Catering, honoring their two newest event managers , Toby and Patrick! I had the best time. They graciously served us mango margaritas (I had too many..), Wine and delicious passed hors d'oeuvres. We got to hang out in the kitchen as Chef Jerry served us right out of the oven, in their beautiful new building! Lynette La mere, (owner) has truly made her mark as a business women and her love for food and people generously shines through. Personally, I just love the heck out of her!!!! Pure Joy's buffet presentations are always so beautiful, and as a designer I always appreciate it. Please visit Pure Joy on the web at http://www.purejoycatering.com/ and set up an appointment, you will NOT be disappointed.

Sometimes I just don't understand

Courtney Here -

Nico wanted me to blog about something that I hate about the wedding industry. Seriously, don't get me started, there are many many things.


But let's start with something I really just don't understand.

This denim wedding dress from Sat'n Spurs. (http://www.satnspurs.com/) They have a whole line of western bridal wear & accessories, including lots of denim. Some of their stuff is really hideous, but they do have some cute stuff mixed in.

I actually think this dress is kinda interesting. I can see a funky bride totally rocking it (slightly tongue in cheek of course) with a cowboy hat and boots at a casual ranch wedding. Sometimes the big poofy beaded white princess dress just doesn't work. Beach weddings, ranch weddings, intimate ceremonies at the courthouse, etc. require a different look than a big formal event. Now to wear the denim dress in a cathedral or a ballroom - not such a good idea.

So, what don't I understand? The freakin' styling! Why oh why would you add white satin gloves, a parasol, a purse, AND a hat/veil to this dress? And it's not that the photo is dated (which it appears to be), it's just the horrible combination of formal and casual makes it look even MORE awkward.

Trying to style the dress into looking more formal completely ruins the look. It already is a denim dress with embroidery, a corset, and a poofy skirt - a parasol is really not needed.

Flower Power: Muppet Gerbera Daisies

Nico Here.. Okay I think this week is "cheap" flower week or something.... Well, it has been on my mind as many of my clients are watching their pocket books (like everyone else). I'm obsessed with these fun textural colorful gerbera daisies that are called "muppets". These inexpensive flora are perfect if you're looking for bold color and texture on a "dime". If you're wedding theme is more on the "romantic" or "classic" lines, these might be great for your rehearsal dinner or day after brunch if you're not looking to spend a lot. I think they are super cool. Check them out, Id love to hear your thoughts.

Fergalicious

Nico says, OK I know this is super Passe, but I've wanted to Blog about Fergie and Josh's wedding for awhile now. Check out this over the top one million dollar, covered in roses, draped in Dulce and Gabbana, 375 guest, blinged out, media hyped event!! I kind of hate the Bridesmaid dresses.. 1989 called and wants their BM dresses back!! The ceiling covered in twinkly lights is pretty hot, I do have to say. What do you think???

I heart the back of her dress, I think its fierce!!

Tattoo Ring????

Nico Here! Soooo, I was speaking with a florist friend of mine who is recently engaged who wanted a tattoo ring instead of a real one. (and when I say real, I mean real.) As florists we ALWAYS have our hands in buckets of water and she has a HUGE fear of loosing her ring. I had never heard of a tattoo ring before and to be honest this concept kind of scares me. The above picture is of the hands of underage mother Bristol Palin and Ex Hunk hockey player/deadbeat father levi Johnston. What do you think? I say, forget the ink, and COUGH up the DIAMONDS!!!!!

OLD NAVY Flip Flops

Ok, I have to be honest, I am not a HUGE fan of Old Navy, but I LOVE LOVE their flip flops. Oh and can I also say they are $3.80????? Yes, yes they are. Screw favors, get your guests a pair of comfy flip flops to "bop" around S.B in. Especially for those of you who are having a beach ceremony, put a bunch of colorful flip flops in a large galvanized bucket by your ceremony area and instantly add comfort to your wedding. I have no idea why these cheap flip flops are so comfy, but they also come in awesome colors and I think their FABO.