417 Bride: Destination Hawai'i

Check it out! I wrote an article about destination weddings in 417 Bride! Read about my experience and of course, some faux paus!

Sneak Peak at our professional pics...

Jim and I got married

Aloha!

Jim and I are now married, and we just finished eating dinner with our new family! We are currently on the East side of the island of Oahu. We rented a house in Kailua, and it's awesome! Earlier this week, we were in Waikiki. We got married in Honolulu on Tuesday at the oldest cathedral in the United States (in continuous use.)

Here are a couple of quick stories:

1. Our flight was overbooked in Denver. After having our flight changed on us a couple of times, we finally ended up going directly from Denver to HNL. And we got two free flight vouchers for the change.

2. We stole a car on Monday. On accident. The valet gave us the wrong car, and a few hours later the Hertz people called and said they thought we had a car of theirs. Then, the Honolulu Police called. We felt so sorry for the valet who made the mistake!

Anyway, it's pretty calm at the new house. We are all just hanging out and a couple of us have our laptops. So, while half of my new family is outside...a few of us are in the backroom with our computers.

The weather is incredible. Sunny most days. A little rain (like 5 minute showers) every now and then. Also, there's only partial air conditioning in the house because the tradewinds really cool things down.

Wish all of our friends and family could be here. We miss so many people! Otherwise, see you in October at the Springfield reception! Hopefully many of you got our invitations!

United Airlines Went From Ok to Bad to Sorta Bad

What the heck is going on with the airline industry?

Wait.

I mean, what the heck isn't going on with the airline industry?

I get it. The economy's crap. And the airlines can't seem to earn a profit. Let's move on.

I understand that some companies need to change your flight itinerary. But what's wrong with giving some folks a heads up? UA changed our flights to Hawaii. I found this out two days ago (thankfully, I called just to check in.) Apparently, UA added a stop AND delayed our arrival by two hours.

TWO HOURS? Uh, I don't think so.

After a lengthy conversation, we got it changed again. We still have the extra stop (SGF to Denver to San Francisco to Honolulu...) but at least we'll arrive at 2:50 p.m. instead of the 5 p.m. arrival time UA had given us.

Today, though, my travel agent called. She said UA canceled our flights.

Wh-wh-what?

We got it all figured out with UA, and they even ended up giving us $200 worth of vouchers, but GEEZ. I said to one of many operators, "Look, man, you do not want to mess with a bride three days before her wedding. Okay?"

If all goes well, then I'll be happy...

AAAAHHH!! Money, Weight, and the Wedding

1. We had nearly $200 in that piggy bank!
2. I gained two pounds this week (annoying) but overall, had a "successful weight loss".
3. We leave for Honolulu on Sunday (be at the airport at 4:30 a.m. if anyone wants to meet us!)
4. Getting married on Tuesday.
5. AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!

Lots of stuff to do before then-- get pills for the plane (yes, sleep), get some cash out of the safe deposit box (best way to save money in the Sherwood household), finish the handmade wedding reception invitiatinos (200 of those suckers), write up the itinerary for all of our guests, make laminated, wallet-sized phone lists for all of our guests, pick up wedding dress at Ella Weiss...

Antsy, antsy, antsy

I'm antsy today. I had a small crisis with my wedding dress... thankfully I don't have too much of a self-loathing problem, otherwise, I might spin into a downward spiral and stop eating completely. I blogged about it on ozarksbuffbrides, but frankly, I'm a little tired of wedding anything. I want to get it done. It's way too consuming, and as soon as we get there, it will be over! Ha!

And by the way, I have a huge zit under my nose. It's really painful, and it's starting to show a bit. What the hell?

12 Weeks and Counting

I am getting married 12 weeks today. Holy crap.

Destination I do!

When you're trying to find a place for your wedding...

you must think:

location, location, location.

Michelle and Jim

Well, I just got back from the most awesome wedding ever! The weather was beautiful, the food was fabulous, and most importantly, the bride and groom were lovesick...

oh yeah, and it was in the Dominican Republic!!

It was my first time to attend a destination wedding...before this, I had only dreamed of being cool enough to get invited to one! ha! Why?

1) you actually get to hang out with the bride and groom
2) you actually get to meet EVERYONE at the wedding
3) you get a little vacation out of it, too

We stayed at the Iberostar Costa Dorada,

where we swam, laid around, ate, and swam, laid around, ate some more.

Nothing like a blue Hawaii to cool down

Check out "07" in the back! Only a European man could pull this off...

Thanks to Mike and Lauren for letting me be apart of their whirlwind wedding weekend!

Michael and Lauren