-1 Year Anniversary!

What better way to spend your wedding date the year prior to the wedding than simulating the experience with your fiancee and two families? The 6 Duffy/Moores and the 4 Frols came together for a fabulous three-day weekend in Walla Walla.

Steve, Garrett and John on our morning Starbucks run

Deirdre at the Farmer's Market

Adam giving us a fantastic tour at Corliss

The group at Corliss

Garrett, John and Pat with The Boss at Rulo

Clare and Garrett at Rulo

Deirdre and Adam at Rulo

Debbie packed a smart lunch for the group of wine tasters. Here we are enjoying the food, wine and vista at Waters Winery.

After lunch we headed to Pepperbridge. Look at the greens!

Sunday morning, the ladies went for a powerwalk with Mrs. Schaeffer. The best part about walks in Walla Walla? You get to stop at wineries along the way!

We stopped by Pepperbridge to see Tom and sweet, sweet Mack

Sunday night the crew hunkered down at The Project to enjoy Steve's amazing ribs and Debbie's patriotism

Even Deirdre was feeling the 4th of July spirit

 

After dinner, we decided to head back out to the vineyard to see the sunset

And then the dancing began...

This shot of the Frol's counter shows the partial damage of the weekend.

Before the fun began on Saturday morning, Garrett, Debbie and I spent Friday knocking things off our wedding to-do list, including securing room blocks, surveying linens, shopping for the mens' clothing, designing the reception layout and running through the ceremony at the church. Garrett and Debbie were such troopers, and we were all very proud of our productive day!

TIP: If you are reserving a block of rooms at a hotel, ask the coordinator to periodically send you a list of the people who have made reservations under your name. This will allow you to monitor your guests' arrangements (if you need to call and remind your friends to book their rooms) or detect people who may have mistakenly (or sneakily) made their reservations under your name.

Bliss's Wedding

A longtime family friend got married on Saturday, July 31 at her parents' gorgeous home in Edgewood. I have never seen a more beautiful setting at a home wedding. Gail and Al worked tirelessly to perfect their yard for the big day, and it really paid off! I learned that the physical environment of the reception setting can in of itself be the theme....country chic. The early 1900's barn, the vibrant hydrangea bushes and the long gravel driveway leading guests into the site all contributed to the sweet, old-world sophistication of this wedding. Bravo, Carlson family! 

The table of cakes

The couple's new last name, King, was used as a concept detail throughout the event

Garrett trying out the old-fashioned beer cart

The First Dinner: Frol and Duffy Families!

Within three weeks of being engaged, the Frol/Duffy families arranged for the first celebretory dinner! Clare and John offered to host the party at their lovely home, and we made it a joint celebration with Debbie's birthday and St. Patrick's Day. Garrett retold the engagement story, the dads gave toasts, but the only thing missing from the evening was the best man, Adam!

The parents with the engaged couple

Clare, Garrett, Steve and Karen

The moms (it was difficult to drag them apart)

Steve and Deirdre

The Duffys surprised the Birthday Girl with a Pioneer Bakery cake!

Candle Passing

Sweet Jana offered to throw my first engagement celebration. All the Kappa gals of PC '03 were invited to share wine, appetizers and stories about our engagement. Jana even threw me for a loop by asking Garrett questions about me and having each girl read an answer after a candle passing ceremony! Since Garrett and I weren't engaged during college, Jana reintroduced the ceremony as a mid-twenties tradition, and it was a ceremony worth waiting for!

PC '03
Steffie, Lucia, Kristin, Ambular, Katie, Andrea, Megan, Me, Barrie, Kim, Haley, Laura, Jana

Gift from Janell

Within 7 days of being engaged, Janell Varga came up to Seattle to see my ring and bring me an engagement gift. She ordered me Husky garters, one for wearing/keeping and one for tossing! They came from Garters by Kristi, an online store that makes super cute garters: http://www.gartersbykristi.com/

Welcome to my blog!

Hello! Thank you for your interest in hearing my take on being engaged and planning a wedding.

Where do I begin? If you are on this page you most likely know Garrett and I and the details of our story, so I will jump right in with my attempt to entertain you with the tale of two people together getting engaged and planning a wedding year. I say 'wedding year' because for Garrett and I, there are so many events and trips and celebrations already surrounding our wedding that we get so much more than just one big day! We are both so lucky to have such dear friends and family who want to honor us and our future. I think 2010 and 2011 will no doubt be two of the most special years of our lives, and I hope you enjoy watching them unfold as much as we enjoy living them!