2 kids from jersey

There seems to be a little confusion about “Fish Lake Friday”, so let me explain.

Fish Lake Friday isn’t a fish fry. In fact, there probably won’t be any fish served at all. Fish Lake is a place.

The day before their wedding, my Aunt Ann & Uncle Bobby had a casual get together at Aunt Ann’s family home on ‘Fish Lake’. It is one of my favorite wedding memories. Everyone who was invited to their wedding was invited to Fish Lake to get to know one another. The next day, at the wedding, most of the guests had already met and knew each other. All the awkward getting-to-know-you pleasantries had already been taken care of. The day of the wedding was so much fun!!

Fish Lake Friday is a casual gathering in the same spirit. We hope you’ll make a weekend out of it and join us. Come celebrate and get to know everyone!

Fish Lake Friday
6-9pm
Fellowship Hall, First Presbyterian Church
125 Garden Street
Mt. Holly, NJ 08060

Below is the description found in our invitations:

“Fish Lake Friday has its roots in one of Carrie’s favorite wedding memories. Her Uncle Bobby and Aunt Ann had a party preceding their wedding at Ann’s family home at ‘Fish Lake’. The fun and fellowship at ‘Fish Lake’ made their wedding a wonderful time. Remembering a summertime lake at a fellowship hall in winter, we hope you will come make warm memories on the eve of Carrie and Rob’s wedding.”

Yesterday was also our final meeting with our photographer. We went over the “Must Take” picture list – which is basically just a list of group shots we want. Family – just a warning – you will be needed for group shots during the cocktail hour. A separate post about this will follow. Sarah, our day-of photographer, seems really cool. Hopefully she’ll get all the detail shots b/c I didn’t specify anything in particular. I’m sure she’ll be great!

After the final meeting in Philly, we blasted back across the river and into Jersey. A quick dinner and off we went again. Mom & I had our first fitting’s with Jan of Ed’s Tailor Shop (the local shop downtown). We went to her house which was incredibly convenient b/c it was on the way to Exit 7 of the Turnpike. My dress ONLY needs a bustle! I wasn’t sure how it was going to work b/c the back of my dress is asymmetrical. She just picked the train up and tucked it under, kind of off to one side. It looks perfect! I was envisioning a bustle right in the middle of the back of my dress. But with the asymmetrical swoop, it just looked weird. Having the bustle off to the side looks awesome. My mom’s dress just needs to be taken in a little but also no hem required.

Since our dresses don’t need much, Jan agreed to make Rob’s vest. YAY! I took the fabric to the custom suit guy here in Newark and they said no. They, apparently, don’t like working with outside fabric, in case they make a mistake. Also they were going to charge $175 for the vest. That would have been fine, if they’d done it. I don’t know what Jan is charging us but I don’t really care. I don’t have to make it! The taffeta that my dress is made out of is going to be a giant PITA to work with and I want Rob to have something that looks really nice. I’m SO glad she is doing it. Luckily, Rob was waiting out in the car, so he just popped in and got measured. Super!

Monday was incredibly busy for a holiday. Christopher’s is catering Fish Lake Friday, so Rob & I went over to pick up their menu. I know the chicken parm is a definite b/c that’s Rob’s favorite. He used to get it all the time back in high school during lunch out. Despite the name, “fish” will probably not make an appearance on the menu. We also selected some options for our upcoming tasting with the caterer. It’s next Wednesday and we had to let them know what we were planning on tasting. Everything sounds so good.

Possible groomsmen ties have been ordered and should be here by the end of the week. Hopefully they’ll look as good in person with the tuxes as I think they will. If not, guess what all the men in my life are getting for Christmas?? We also placed an order with Nashville wraps for all the needed packaging. Who new we’d need so many boxes and bags?? The order was large enough to qualify for free shipping. YAY! Even though it was just ordered Monday, According to FedEx’s tracking #’s, it should be here tomorrow. Pretty good for free ground shipping! I’m still waiting for my paper order but hopefully that’ll be here soon as well.

The 6 days since the last post seem to have flown by in what felt like 48 hours. Thursday and Friday were Instant Decision Days here at Rutgers-Newark. Luckily, I didn’t have anyone cry. Saturday was my Scarlet Day here at work, so I was on campus for that. A family came at the very end, not realizing it started at 9:30am, so I walked them around campus for a little while after. I think they were appreciative. Afterwards, we headed down to SJ for another wedding filled weekend.

Sunday was monopolized by 12 giant red triangles. It sounded simple. 4 – 8′ equilateral triangles & 8 – 4′ equilateral triangles for the roof of the King & I set that Dad is working on. I haven’t done math like that in quite a while. Luckily the Pythagorean Theorem came to the rescue. Mom & I also went shoe shopping. I found wedding shoe pairs 3 & 4 but after getting them home, I think I’ll stick to pairs 1 & 2. Luckily, everything is returnable. Pair 1 is more wintery and looks best with my dress. I plan on wearing them for the ceremony and pictures. Pair 2 is more comfortable than pair 1 but strappy and much more summery. I’ll wear these for the reception (until I can’t stand heels any longer and succumb to the waiting pair of flip-flops).

How the heck did it get to be Nov. 7th already?! Honestly. Not fair. I was supposed to be much farther along on my To Do list than I currently am. Only 7 weeks left to go and they seem to be flying by.

Invites are out and responses are coming in. Hair and make-up trial is scheduled. Cake tasting is Saturday Final meeting with photog is Monday. Tasting and final walk-through are both the 21st. My Surprise Shower was this past Saturday. The next 7 weekends are 100% totally booked. And I think we may be getting a wedding coordinator for free (fingers crossed).

The Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24th & 25th) is Centerpiece Weekend. If you can come help twist wire, paint bases and assemble we’d LOVE you forever!! And this time we only have to make 37 of them – instead of the 176 invitations. Come 2008, you won’t have to see, twist or wrap copper wire ever again. Promise. The fun will take place at Chez L… both days.

Then it’s into December!

Yesterday, a surprise bridal shower was thrown in my honor! How exciting is that?!?!? It was so much fun and I can’t wait to see the pictures. My bow hat alone will be hysterical (thanks Melis!). A HUGE “Thank You” to ALL the aunts, bridesmaids and everyone else who helped make this wonderful afternoon happen. Your time, love, and effort is worth more than I can ever say. Thank you!

Thank you to both sets of parents! You guys are the best and we love you so much!

Thank you to everyone who came!! Walking in to a room full of our friends and family was a little overwhelming but awesome at the same time. It was wonderful seeing you! Everyone’s generosity blew both of us away.

I would love to see pictures! If you have any pictures, please take a moment and upload them to our photo sharing website OR just email them to us at robandcarrie@gmail.com. Our Shutterfly Collection can be found at http://robandcarrie.shutterfly.com. For detailed directions on how to use that site, please visit our Shutterfly Collection page at http://robandcarrie.net/shutterfly.

Cheers!!

Starting today, we are officially getting married NEXT month! AHhh!