Shedding for the Wedding: My Fiancee Fifteen

Bear with me, Hive, I need to get real for a minute. This has been me for the past 10 months with regard to my 'few' extra pounds:

{Nothing 'more' to see here} / Image via LOLcats

I'm sure you've heard of the 'freshman fifteen' . . .

{College is awesome!} / Image via Flixter

. . . but how about the dreaded Fiancee Fifteen? No, you say? Well, neither has Google. Welcome to my world. I've traveled the Kubler-Ross grief stages and finally have accepted the truth. 

Image via Diary of a Smart Chick

DUDES! I am 15 effing lbs. over my normal weight range. W-T-effing-F?


Before you say that 15 is not a big deal, let me share some new Teacup fun facts: 

• My fat clothes are snug -- which means my normal clothes don't fit and my skinny clothes are in storage. Boo :/
• Spanx is my new favorite accessory. Every day.
• Fifteen pounds is 11.2% of my current weight. Yikes!

A quick Weddingbee search reassured me that I'm not alone in pondering pre-wedding weight loss: Mrs. Octopus, Mrs. Crab Cake and Mrs. Deviled Egg share their woes and motivation. Miss Seal and Miss Bacon confess chocolate and other yummy foods. Ms. Sloth and Pengy show off their progress and Miss Teaspoon and Miss Ladyfingers inspire with their workouts.


Here's the thing: I have two months before W-Day and I don't want my confidence waver for even one moment regretting 'if only' I had done something about this extra weight. Something's gotta give, and I don't want it to be my wedding dress zipper. . .

{Not me - but please let it go up!} / Image via Lose Weight Before Wedding

There's just enough time for me to make a difference and change the outcome. Now I've just gotta figure out which plan to follow to get me there. IRL I'm very disciplined and determined. 

{Yay, me! circa 1999} / personal photo

Right now, though, I have no extra energy to design my own diet and exercise plan. Work stress and wedding planning have sapped any reserve to kick my own butt into gear. Maybe I can also give a nod to some new meds I started back in January. But enough of the excuses.

What I need is accountability. I'm good at following orders and direction, especially when it's something I HAVE TO do, rather than want to do.

Share your plans with me, what works for you to ward off the 'fiancee fifteen'? All suggestions welcome, I need 'em!

Marriage Prep Weekend: "A Wedding is a Day...

...A Marriage is a Lifetime."

I've spent a bit of time focused on small-ish details that sent me reeling back into wedding planning. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have devoted several posts about battling to flower victory if it weren't important to me.

Image via Openview Partners

However, I feel a detour is now appropriate because Mr. Hot Tea and I have arrived at the weekend of our Engaged Encounter. As Catholics, we must complete a weekend seminar to fulfill a requirement in order to be married in our local parish. Specifically, we seek:

Image via Escie's World

This little piece of paper is our passport to matrimony! But more than that, the weekend is a timeout from real life to connect and reflect on our relationship. Don't take my word for it, it's in writing on their website, so it must be true...

"Wondering why to attend for an Entire Weekend? The weekend experience offers each couple the insights, the tools and the confidence to enrich their relationship and strengthen their love for one another. They learn that good marriages don't just happen."

Engaged Encounter San Jose

Sounds good to us! We devoted a lot of time prior to our engagement in couples' counseling to develop great communication skills and I'm interested to discover what new things we might learn in a retreat format. 

The title and header of this post is the Engaged Encounter motto. I wholeheartedly agree and look forward to another [very short] break from wedding planning - how convenient for me! 

Think good thoughts for Mr. Hot Tea this weekend. Especially since we can't be each other's roommates, we're sure to bring a pair of these. Just in case.

Image via Hear It

What steps have you taken to keep the marriage at the forefront of wedding planning? Was it a requirement or self-recommended? And how satisfying did you find the process of reflection and connection?

DIY Deets - 'I Do' Shoe Stickers

Here we go, how to give your soles a little DIY personality!

Step 1: Decide what you want the shoes to say.

{Straightforward "I DO" separated between each shoe}

Image via We Heart It

{Initials and date}

Image via From Hello to Hitched

{Name & date - so fun!}

Image via Etsy.com / Design by Morbid Materials

Step 2: Think about how you want the words to be read, e.g. kneeling or sitting. The photos you want to capture can help you decide so that the stickers are placed right side up.

{This bride is wearing flats!}

Image via Delightfully Engaged / Photo credit: Viera Photographics

Image via Your Happily Ever After shop

Because we are having a full Catholic wedding mass, I suspect my dress will cover my shoes and so I chose to affix my stickers for a sitting photo op:

{No cute shoe stickers to be seen here}

Image and photo credit via LA Photo Pro

Step 3: Head out to local craft store to gather necessary supplies. Isn't this the reason we DIY? Shopping trip! Don't forget to clip your coupons or download them on your smartphone. 

 * personal photo *

There are lots of fun options including rhinestones in a rainbow of colors! Since my shoes are already covered in blush pink sequins, pearly white was a better choice for mine.

Step 4: If you choose to bling out the lettering, here's where you pluck and stick. Repeat process until all your letters are covered in prettiness.

Step 5: Cut out your letters and decide their optimal placement. Don't forget your decision in Step 2 about how you want the words to read! I used clear photo mounting squares to mock up the look. Here's my first try:

{Placed a little too high}

 * personal photo *

Step 6: Once you get it just right, stick those suckers on for reals, yo!

Step 7: Sit back and admire your handiwork. Aren't they so pretty? Aren't I so great?!

      Supplies:

• Sticko dimensional stickers. $3.60 + tax (after 40% discount from $5.99)

• Recollections adhesive faux pearls. $4.20 + tax (after 40% discount from $6.99)

      Cost:

• $8 in materials

• 2 hours of time (less if you pre-buy alphas that are already blinged out)

Now, you may wonder why go to all the trouble for something most guests won't see. I'll leave you with two final inspiration photos to maybe sway you my way.

{So romantic!}

Image via Wedding Venture / Photo credit: Red Box Pictures

{Read this, buddy!}

Image via Marks Photo

There you have it! Do you think the photo op is worth the extra effort, and did you/will you add this personal touch to your footwear?