Wedding X 2

Ed and I are looking forward to attending two weddings in the next two weeks. This weekend, we're flying with Ed's parents to Fredericksburg, VA, for his cousin Rebecca's marriage to Richard. I haven't met them yet, but Rebecca and I have communicated via cards and our wedding blogs. Ed hasn't seen Rebecca in a while and is happy about being able to reconnect with her. I'm excited about the opportunity to meet more of Ed's family and to be a part of Rebecca and Richard's special day.


June 1st, Ed and I will board another plane and head to New York City where two of my friends, Aaron and Becky, are going to tie the knot in Central Park.

I first met Aaron and Becky when I lived in Rochester, MN, and worked as a Librarian at the Mayo Clinic. Aaron was an MD/PHD student at the time and also one of my student employees at the LRC (Learning Resource Center--the Library for medical students at Mayo). Becky was also a med. student. They quickly became my friends outside of our Mayo life and we spent many, many evenings going to movies, dining, or watching Buffy episodes together. I'll never forget how helpful they were when it came time for me to pack up and move to Illinois. On moving day, they showed up and helped me (along with a lot of my other friends) load all of my boxes and furniture into the moving truck. I'm so proud of them and their many accomplishments! Both have graduated and are now residents in their chosen specialty areas, putting their talents to use helping people. I can't wait to introduce Ed to them and have them meet him! They are bright, funny, talented, true friends that make a difference in people's lives. Since I was around when they first started dating, I'm really honored to have been invited to witness their nuptials. Yup, it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll be shedding a few happy tears for them! *fond smile*

Princess for a Day

It's been a very busy week for me because not only did the C.O.D. Spring Semester end, I also attended a graduation dinner and awards ceremony for the COD Radiography program, where I helped my friend and colleague present some awards [Editor's note: Just call me "Vana"], AND journeyed to Governors State University to deliver two health-related presentations as a part of their Changing the Face of Medicine traveling Library exhibition celebration. WHEW! When I arrived home late Saturday afternoon, I was feeling a bit ragged around the edges as the "let down" phase hit me.

My spirits were INSTANTLY boosted, however, when I opened my mailbox and saw that my bridal tiara and jewelry set had arrived! HUZZAH! I only ordered it on Wednesday--talk about fast delivery. Since my dress is rather unconventional, I decided not to wear a veil and, instead, wear a gold tiara with matching jewelry. After all, 'tis my special day, so why not be a totally pretty princess? *thoughtful look* Although, upon further contemplation and for the sake of being completely honest, I'm not sure about the pretty part nor do I really have a claim to royalty....hmmm....*shrug* OK, let's just say that I now get to be a really hip chic in an awesome tiara on my wedding day! *grin and a giggle*

Here is the tiara:

And here is the jewelry set with a close up of the necklace:

The flower motif is very similar to the flower pattern in a cream brocade fabric that I want used in my dress as well as the decorative pattern on our hexagonal wedding cake.

What say you M'Lords and M'Ladies? Doth they please thine eyes?

If we build it, they will come!

It was nice to get the "save the date" postcards addressed and in the mail last week and even better to get feedback as they "landed" in "snail-mailboxes" across the country. We're enjoying all the comments, so keep them coming!

Many of you asked about formal invitations and YES you will be getting one about 10 weeks before the wedding. The invitations will include an insert containing directions and hotel information as well as details regarding wedding photos. We sent out the "save the dates" to allow time to schedule flights/travel and secure hotel accommodations well in advance for those plan-ahead types or people in need of extra "heads up" time due to busy schedules. Plus, you now have the address to this blog and can follow our planning efforts should the option strike your fancy.

Ed's ring

When it came time to pick out Ed's wedding band, I decided to take him to the same jewelry store where he purchased my rings. It was important for him to come along since this will be the first piece of jewelry he's ever worn on a regular basis, and I wanted him to have something he liked that was comfortable. Ed picked out a simple gold band about 6mm thick. We've had the ring for about a month and this week I took it back to have it engraved. The jeweler put our full initials and managed to fit in our promise to one another which will also be included in our vows. The inscription reads "E.R.S. & D.J.K. FOREVER & a DAY" When we were dating, Ed used to tell me that he would love me forever and I would negotiate for an extra day because forever with him just didn't seem long enough. It was an ongoing negotiation because Ed wouldn't give in and give me the extra day. The first time he offered to love me "forever and a day" was when he was on his knee proposing. Awwwww! Hence, this statement will be used in place of "until death do us part" when we say our vows.

The Bride and Groom's Special Wedding Attire

There has been a lot of curiosity over my choice of wedding attire. I've decided not to wear a white, cream, ivory or pastel gown because, quite frankly, they look lovely on many ladies but not on me. I've always gravitated to rich, jewel colors and lush fabrics. Therefore, my wedding dress will be more akin to those worn by women in the renaissance or medieval periods. I've decided to wear royal blue velvet accented with gold trim and a delicate cream, flower-patterned brocade. My wonderful friend and work colleague, Mary, will be making my dress. The two of us are co-designing it and have already picked out patterns that we will modify to create what we have dubbed my "pretty, pretty, princess" wedding gown. I know that my dress will truly be "one of a kind" because we have yet to run across a pattern or picture that is exactly what I envision. Right now, we are going to be working with pieces from 4 different patterns (and modifying some of those pieces). Mary is also making me a hooded cape to wear while traveling between the Church and Reception site.

"Why blue?"

The color blue is historically associated with the Virgin Mary (I was raised a Catholic), and is also a strong symbol of purity (as is the color white). Blue traditionally symbolizes fidelity and eternal love (that is why sapphires are often popular gems found in engagement rings). In the past, brides wearing blue were outwardly demonstrating their belief that their husbands would always be true to them. I know that Ed will be true to me just as I will be true to him. We were meant for one another. The color blue also symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, sincerity, piety, and heaven. Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body because it is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. The tradition of brides wearing something blue is most often reflected by modern brides wearing a blue garter or carrying "something blue." So, you see, I'm really NOT being a total bridal rebel. I'm just quirky and determined to meet and marry my Beloved wearing a dress that outwardly reflects the trust and love that I bring to our union.

Mary will be making a vest for Ed to wear with his tuxedo [Sorry to disappoint those of you who wanted to see Ed in full Renaissance attire including tights! He'll be dapper in a tux not tights!!]. The front of Ed's vest will be velvet and the back brocade made from the same fabric that we use to construct my dress. Another unique feature about our wedding attire is that we will be sewing "tokens" or little mementos from Loved Ones (both living and those that have passed away) into the lining/seams of the dress and vest. That way, we'll really not be "alone" as we make our pledges before God and our gathered family and friends. We'll have our Dear Ones close to us, with us (literally) every step of the way. For example, Ed will have something from each of his Grandfathers in his vest and I'll have tokens from my closest girlfriends and my Father.

In keeping with this theme of family mementos, I'll be carrying a small gold-beaded handbag that belonged to my Mother's Mother. Grandma Machalk gave me this bag to carry to my Junior Prom. In the bag, I have a hankie that my Great-Grandmother Foster gave to my Grandma Machalk to carry on her wedding day. Grandma gave that hankie to my Aunt Beverly (my Mother's sister) who in turn gave it to me as an engagement present. I may wear a gold and diamond necklace that my Grandpa Kakuk gave my Grandma Kakuk on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. My Grandpa gave me the necklace when my Grandma passed away and I treasure it. If it doesn't work with my wedding dress, I'm planning on wearing it for the rehearsal and dinner afterward. I'll have my Daddy's wedding ring with me as I walk up the aisle.

There are a lot of other symbolic aspects to our ceremony, but you'll have to keep reading to learn about those!

Engagement Announcement for the Newspapers

Our engagement announcement and photo were run in two local newspapers providing coverage where Debra grew up and where her immediate family still reside. The announcements appeared in the Menominee County Journal and the EagleHerald.

Debra J. Kakuk and Edward R. Smith are pleased to announce their engagement. Debra, daughter of Mary and the late Francis Kakuk of Daggett, MI, graduated from Stephenson High School in 1990, Lake Superior State University (B.A.) in 1994, University of Minnesota-Duluth (M.A.) in 1996 and Wayne State University (M.L.I.S.) in 1998. She currently resides in Glendale Heights, IL, and is employed by the College of DuPage as an Associate Professor specializing in Health Sciences and English as a Second Language librarianship. Edward R. Smith, son of Dennis and Janet Smith of Chicago, IL, graduated from Wheaton North High School in 1989. He served 6 years in the United States Navy, four years onboard the nuclear-powered submarine, USS Pasadena. Edward resides in Hanover Park, IL, and is employed by Fanuc America as a Lead Motor Repair Technician. The couple plan a November 3, 2007, wedding.

Engagement Story- Another Telling

I knew I was ready to propose in December, and I wanted to do it in a traditional way. So I had to find a ring. I wanted it to be sort of a surprise, but that was hard. It meant I had to spend time away from Debra and that was the last thing I wanted. I couldn't find the right ring before Christmas. After Christmas, Debra pointed out a jewelry store near where she works and when I looked there they had the right ring. By that time I had looked at diamonds online enough that I knew what I wanted. The first stone they got I didn't like, but once I saw the second one I knew it was right.

Once I had the ring, I needed to set up the proposal. First I thought of restaurant at the top of the Hancock Building downtown that would be a beautiful, romantic place for a proposal. But it didn't seem to be the right place to propose to Debra. I decided on a place nearby that we had been to before. We both thought that the Melting Pot in Schaumburg was the most romantic dinner we had been to. No big crowds, just a nice cozy, comfortable place. So I called to make a reservation. They asked me if it was a special occasion and I told them I was going to propose.

I told Debra I would like to take her out for a nice dinner Saturday night. She was happy to hear we were going back to the Melting Pot. I didn't want to bring the ring in a jewelry box, that would be too obvious. So I got a little plastic heart it would fit in. She had told me before that different colors of roses have different meanings. So I looked up the meanings of the different kinds of roses and decided that red and white roses had the perfect symbolism for the day we agreed to get married. And promptly forgot why I picked those colors.

When Debra saw the flowers, she was incredibly happy. She even wanted to take pictures of the flowers. I was thinking, "if she gets this excited at the roses, what's going to happen when I show her the ring?" She didn't notice the plastic heart with the ring in my coat.

When we got to the restaurant, they put us in a nice corner booth that was raised a little and had curtains for a little privacy. The dinner was wonderful. After the main course I told the waiter that we would like a little time before dessert. Then I started to get nervous, my heart was beating fast. I stood up and got the ring out and Debra asked, "are you going to the bathroom?" Then I got on my knee and opened my heart. I asked, and gave her the ring. An eternity or two later she answered and made me the happiest man in the world.