3145 J-Law's Engaged!

[evile]

Apr. 22, 2005

 

 

Had a long phone conversation w/J-Law last night. It was great! She
told me all about the previous weekend:

J-Law and [J-Law's beau] had planned a wine tasting trip to Napa
this past weekend, were staying at a B&B, etc. Their
first stop was the Nickel & Nickel (their favorite
winery) tasting room, which was remarkably empty. [he'd reserved the
place for them in advance!]

The lady who runs the place poured them each a glass of
Dolce, they visited a bit, and then she went off. So,
there's J-Law and [J-Law's beau], all alone in this big beautiful
winery, and [J-Law's beau] tells her how lucky he feels to have
met her, how beautiful she is, how much he loves her,
and that in addition to all of that, she's his best
friend, too. And then he pulled out the ring and
popped The Question.

J-Law had expected that she'd just jump up and shout
"YES!" when it actually happened, but in reality she
just kind of squeaked out a little "yes"

They spent the day tasting at various wineries, and
then they went back to the B&B, which sounded
lovely--big jacuzzi tub, fireplace, the works. Each
room in the B&B has a guest book, and she read that a
previous guest had gotten engaged in that room. so
sweet!!!

So there's no official date yet, they're talking late
summer/early fall 2006, and I'm the Maid of Honor!

whee!

Comments

3148Re: J-Law's Engaged!

[evile]

Apr. 22, 2005


Seven Tips for Choosing a Maid of Honor
by Blake Kritzberg

It's so easy for hurt feelings to play a starring role when you
choose a Maid of Honor. Avoid the pitfalls and ensure a day of warmth
with these seven simple tips.
Choosing your Maid of Honor is more complicated than it looks.
Nowhere else in your wedding planning is it easier for vexing
problems to turn up! Why? Because the Maid of Honor's duties are
often vaguely defined, and worse, poorly communicated. In fact, every
bride has her own unique idea of what a Maid of Honor should be.
Which is fine – the trick is in communicating those ideas!

So what does a Maid of Honor do? On one end of the spectrum, she's a
ceremonial figure who steps off the plane and walks down the aisle
before the other bridesmaids.

On the other, she's a master of precognition who soothes your nerves
before you know you're frazzled, helps you send out your
invites, "manages" the bridesmaids, spreads the word on your
registry, and offers up her thoughts on everything from the venue to
the dress.

Most often, the Maid of Honor is somewhere between in the middle. She
leads the bachelorette party and/or bridal shower, and tries to "be
there" for the bride during the planning process, and the ceremony
itself.

All this flexibility leaves a lot of room for misunderstandings. And
they happen a lot. The world is full of brides who feel hurt and let
down by close friends as the big day draws near. Do you want to be
one of them? Of course not!

So here are some tips on choosing – and communicating with – your
Maid of Honor for minimum stress, and maximum happiness.

1) Define what you really want.
Are you a do-it-yourself bride, or do you want your Maid of Honor to
be your right hand all the way through?

If you're high-maintenance, accept and acknowledge it. Pick someone
who can truly be there for you, and let them know exactly what you
want. If you don't know anyone with that much time or energy to give,
think about finding help elsewhere. Is your fiancé an active
participant? Can your mother do more? Maids of Honor are not supposed
to be wedding co-planners … unless they really, really want to be!

2) Tell her what you really want.
More than one bride has shed tears because a Maid of Honor couldn't
read her mind. For example: many brides wish their Maids of Honor
could give a little speech at the reception, but never get around to
asking them. If it's important to you, talk about it!

3) It doesn't have to be family.
Never feel you "have to" make a sister or other family your Maid of
Honor. If your best friend's a loyal trooper who goes with you on all
the errands, choose her. She deserves it.

4) Pick someone local if you need a lot of help.
No one can do much from 3000 miles away, no matter how badly they
want to.

5) Be realistic; look at past performance.
Weddings are exciting. People are human. When everything's new and
you've just announced your plans, lots of people will offer to help.
But not everyone will manage to follow through.

Who came through for you before the wedding? Who actually managed to
rearrange their schedules to be with you, even when inconvenient?
These are the people to rely on. No matter how exciting your plans,
they won't make an overcommitted person more available to you. Avoid
the trap of asking such a person because you think your wedding will
be "important enough" for them to "change their ways," and you'll
avoid all the stress and hardship of a disappointing Maid of Honor.

6) Be realistic; look at her life ahead.
No matter what a treasure your Maid of Honor is, she has limits, too.
Is she expecting a new baby? Is she working through a divorce? If
these things slow her down, which they probably will, can you pick up
the slack without feeling disappointed?

7) Consider more than one Maid of Honor if you just can't decide.
But keep in mind, this can cause problems too. Can your Maids of
Honor divide responsibilities, communicate well and avoid feelings of
jealousy?

Now that you've chosen, honor your Maid of Honor with a little sign
of how special she is to you. Take her out to a day spa, or go
together to have your hair done before the ceremony. Pick out a dress
for her that's a different color from the other bridesmaids, or order
her a bouquet with some special touches. She deserves it!

Follow these tips, and you'll be the bride who spends that all-
important day surrounded by loving, warm friends at their ease. Could
anything be better?

About the Author
Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for wedding
favor ideas, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, and
Bridezilla's weekly adventures at: http://www.favorideas.com
======================================================

Wedding Responsibilities For the Maid of Honour
Prior To Wedding
• Assist bride in selecting wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses.
• Purchase own wedding attire.
• Help bride address invitations.
• Plan and host bridal parties for bride.
• Record wedding gifts received at bridal shower.
• Collect bows and ribbon at shower to design mock bouquets for
rehearsal.
• Help bride decorate wedding favors.
• Help bride with reception hall decorating.
• Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.


Day of Ceremony
• Arrive at dressing site two hours before ceremony to assist the
bride in dressing.
• Help in organizing the bridesmaids and their wedding attire.
• Arrive dressed at ceremony site one hour before the wedding for
photographs.
• Arrange the bride's veil and train throughout the ceremony.
• Hold groom's ring and the bride's bouquet during the ceremony.
• Sign the wedding certificate as a legal witness.
• Stand to the left of the groom in the receiving line.
=========================================================

The Maid of Honor
by Chrystal Shaw

Being chosen

You have been chosen to be the Maid of honor and, while feigning
great joy to the bride who just announced your appointment, you are
quickly trying to imagine what the honor involves. Is this something
I can do? What is she going to make me wear? (Which, by the way, is
not appropriate to ask at this point.) What if I can't - for whatever
reason?

Declining the Honor

If, for whatever reason, you feel you cannot fulfil the role of the
Maid of honor it is best to be upfront with the bride as soon as
possible. A quick, honest explanation is the best approach and, while
it might hurt feelings in the short term, it will give the bride the
maximum amount of time to consider a replacement. In consideration of
the next candidate it would be best to keep the fact that you had
been asked and declined as quiet as possible.

Tradition

Where did the custom of bridesmaids come from? Back in the day of
superstitions it was believed that surrounding the bride with many
similarly dressed women would confuse evil spirits.

What next?

If you are very happy to be chosen as the Maid of honor and have
accepted, you must be wondering what happens next. What does a Maid
of honor do besides get to buy a new dress and go to the wedding?
Your main responsibility is to help the bride with all wedding
planning details and to be there for her emotionally. In more
detail...

Before the wedding

Help the bride with all wedding related details from wedding dress
shopping to invitation writing. Sources of wedding services in [your
city].
Pay for your own wedding clothing. Sources of wedding attire in [your
city].
Coordinate the bridesmaids
- make sure they get their wedding day clothes
- carry extra emergency items for the bride and maids - see
[emergency kit ingredients]

Attend all pre-wedding events.
Write notes on gifts that were given at any pre-wedding events.
Plan a wedding shower either alone or with other family members or
bridesmaids.
Plan a bachelorette or hen party with the help of the bridesmaids.
See stag/stagette party ideas for your city [city here].

On the wedding day

Make sure the bride has a healthy breakfast and a moment to relax
before the big day.
Take care of any details and minimise stress.
Provide some general emotional support when everything seems to be
going wrong.


At the ceremony

Keep the groom's ring until the appropriate point in the ceremony.
Hold the bridal bouquet during the exchanging of vows.
Assist the bride with her gown, veil and train before and during the
wedding.
Sign the marriage license along with the Best Man.

At the reception

Help the bride arrange her train for better mobility (if required).
Dance with the best man and other groomsmen.
Remind the bride when the bouquet toss is about to happen and bring
her the bouquet.


After the reception

Help arrange, with help from the Best Man, for delivery of the
wedding gifts from the reception.
Attend any gift opening events and write notes on gifts.


Emergency kit ingredients

extra panty hose
hair spray
hair pins
safety pins
chalk - to cover last minute wedding dress marks
cookies or small snacks for nervous stomachs that haven't been able
to eat
antacid for stomach upset
deodorant
face cream for makeup smudges
extra makeup - mascara, eyeliner, lipstick
handkerchief to wrap around bouquet handle for elegant bridal tear
wiping
small mirror
tissues
contact solution and case (if required)
needle and thread
tape - for dropped hems
aspirin for last minute headaches

3151Re: J-Law's Engaged!

[evile]

Apr. 22, 2005


http://sjwa.blogspot.com

Thursday, April 21, 2005
Tasting Trip 3.0 (with some engaging news!)
Wines:

Nickel & Nickel
2000 Dolce, $80 half bottle

Opus One
2001 Opus One, $160

Zahtila Vineyards
2002 Oat Hill Zinfandel
2002 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2002 Beckstoffer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos Pegase
2000 Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon, $75
2003 Circle Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, $17.50
2003 Chardonnay Mitsuko's Vineyard, $21

J-Law's Notes:

We set off bright and early for our trip to Napa. We planned to visit
only a few wineries, have a nice dinner, and stay overnight. The
lodgings and first winery were a secret very well kept by [J-Law's beau];
dinner was at Pere Jeanty, and the rest we would play by ear.

Nickel and Nickel

We arrived just before 10:00. Reception buzzed us in through the
gate, and we went to the Gleason Barn, a huge, gorgeous barn, which
the proprietors had restored. Big, high windows and glass doors let
in the morning light. We were greeted by Helene, the hospitality
director, who had set out glasses and the 2000 Dolce.

The 10:00 tour had been re-routed, so we had the barn to ourselves
for about half an hour. [J-Law's beau] had arranged all of this in advance so
he could propose, which he did! I had been expecting to yell
out "YES!!!" but I was so overcome that I could barely manage a
squeaky and tearful "yes!"

We drank to our new lives together with the absolutely wonderful
Dolce. The wine boasted succulent tropical fruit flavors, unctuous
honey and crème brulee, with exotic sweet spices (maybe nutmeg?). As
with all botrytized wines, one of the attractions is the glorious
texture. Dolce does not disappoint: the wine coats the palate while
the flavors explode in the mouth. It is pleasantly sweet in a way
that doesn't downplay the complexity of the wine. Compared to Dolce,
French Sauternes seem very reserved.


Opus One

They were pouring the 2001 Opus One, which is a blend of 87% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit
Verdot. The wine was a dark ruby color, so deep that sunlight did not
pass through it. It had a big, fruity-floral bouquet. Though very
drinkable now, we thought a few years of bottle age would bring out
more complexity and soften the tannins. It was well balanced between
succulent cherry fruit, and firm, integrated tannins. The most
delightful aspects of the wine were its silky texture and long,
refined finish.


[J-Law's beau]'s Notes: deep, dark berry aroma; color is dense purple, inky.
Silky texture. Berry flavors with a hints of vanilla and pepper and a
touch of tannins. Nice length on the finish. A finely crafted wine –
I would have to try this after 7-10 years of bottle age before
deciding if it is worth the price.

Zahtila Vineyards

We tasted three wines from 2002: Oat Hill Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon, and Beckstoffer Cabernet Sauvignon. All were
good, clearly well-made and balanced between ripe fruit and
supporting tannins. The Zinfandel boasted spice and wood notes, as
well as deep, plummy fruit. The Napa Cab was more floral than fruity,
with hints of violets on the nose. The Beckstoffer Cab was bolder and
fruitier, with flavors of cherries and currant over toasty oak and
firm tannins.

Clos Pegase

Even with the wonderful experiences at Nickel & Nickel and Opus One,
Clos Pegase was still a highlight. We did the tour, as this is the
only way to see the proprietors' awe-inspiring art collection,
featuring classical statuary among other pieces.

This was a chance for [J-Law's beau] to revisit the Mitsuko's Vineyard
Chardonnay, which he liked a bit less than in years past. I, on the
other hand, was pretty happy with the big buttery character of it. It
is definitely not complex, but on a warm afternoon, sitting outside
with my fiancé of only a few hours, it was just right.

I got my socks knocked off for the second time that day when I tasted
their Sauvignon Blanc. It was, and this is a bold statement, the best
Sauvignon Blanc I have ever tasted. The literally endless finish
boasted soft peach flavors that seemed to echo on the palate for
minutes. This SB was perfectly made – no hints of grassiness or cat,
uhm, pee at all. Nothing but lovely tropical fruit spiked with
floral/herbal notes (think lavender).

Another winner was the 2000 Hommage, a complex, perfectly-tailored
Bordeaux-style blend. Underneath the velvety black fruit, the tannins
were supple and smooth, though I could see laying this one down for a
couple of years, too.

The only disappointment at Clos Pegase was the Mitsuko's Vineyard
Pinot Noir, which was watery and lacked flavor.

We purchased bottles of the Zahtila Napa Cab, Clos Pegase's 2000
Hommage and the Sauvignon Blanc – stay tuned for more in depth
reviews.

posted by [J-Law's beau] and J-Law @ 11:46 AM