What happened to all my photos?

Hmmm, I put at least a dozen more photos on here last week and they have been swallowed!! Grrr.

You can look at my facebook ones here:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=7655&l=d6e2d&id=1049383023

(You don't need to be signed up to facebook to view)

Or we have just gotten access to all the Inspire photography ones....
go to http://inspirephotography.co.nz/
click online ordering, then Glenn & Tamar and the password is Rosewood
They are fantastic!

Glenn has a really bad flu at the moment so he got out of painting duties over the weekend, but me I am still picking paint out of my hair! House is looking great, but it is top coats next weekend so we had better pick some colours!

Take care all!!

Tamar

Well - WE DID IT!!

Hi All,

Firstly, my very sincere apologies for not keeping up with the blog at the end of last week, but I am sure that I will be forgiven giving the circumstances! I am pretty sure that no one really wants to read about what happened the couple of days before now, and you are all just looking on here for photos!

I don't have many at the moment, but as I get more I will add them! Infact, the ones that I do have , I pinched from Linda via facebook ( thanks linda! hope you don't mind!).

I started the day by getting my nails done down in Johnsonville. I had to wait till the very last minute because otherwise I probably would have chipped them knowing my luck. Julie and I then went to my Dad's place to get ready at 10:30am. Lee, one of Hil Cook's assistants arrive a couple of minutes before us and was setting up. Julie was first in the chair to get hair and make up done. I then pottered around finishing lists and things before it was my turn. Lucy also got dropped off about 11am. Hil herself arrived to give me her full attention about 11am as well. Boy she did a fantastic job. I looked and felt wonderful. Lucy and Julie were pretty stunning too I might add. You can definitely see how they are the best in the field!

As you probably know, it poured with rain on friday and we ended up having to have the ceremony inside so that no one (especially us) didn't freeze. It is supposed to be very good luck to have rain on your wedding day, so we will go with that. We would have loved to have gotten married next to the pond\waterfall, but it just wasn't supposed to be. From what I remember, I think that there was only two other things that went wrong on the day and the first was that the bride and bridesmaids all forgot their flowers! Oh well, until we told people, they hadn't actually noticed anyway. The boys had their button holes, and the tables were dressed so that was enough. It also meant that I didn't have to throw ( and therefore giveaway ) my beautiful bouquet!

The other was that the rings fell out of the ties on the ring cushion. Luckily they were found again ( thanks Mike) before the ceremony, so I didn't get a fright when another ring was placed on my finger. The rings also weren't ready until midday on friday either, which was a bit nerve wracking, but we would have worn temporary ones if it came down to it.

I wasn't too late, but apparently Glenn looked pretty nervous while waiting for me. I didn't bawl my eyes out while walking down the aisle - I did have to fight back the tears, but I was fine after a couple of deep breaths. That is because we did end up going with the aisle song of "Beautiful" by Portishead. It is a song that we especially associate with Mitchell, hence the almost tears.

Our flower girls looked really beautiful and did a wonderful job. Our page boy did eventually give the rings to the best man, which was great and he looked so cute in his little suit. Amelia, the youngest flower girl certainly stole the show more than once during the evening but looked so cute that she can be forgiven.

All of our photos are under umbrellas, but the contrast of the gold lace on my dress and the red of the bridesmaids apparently looks fantastic against the the lush backdrop of all the greens of the bush. Glenn and his groomsmen all scrub up wonderfully too.

Oh yeah, by the way, Womens Weekly came along and took some photos too. We will be featured in a couple of weeks in a story about the competition and Mitchell so look out for that. And no, before you ask, we weren't paid for the story. Although they have been generous enough to make a donation to the neonatal trust for the privilege. So thank you Womens Weekly! I think that we will be in it in a couple of weeks time. So look out for it.

Dinner was a buffet with Champagne ham, chicken and Lamb. Dessert was made up of mini eclairs with a fancy name I can't remember, mini lemon tarts (yum-o) and mini strawberry cheesecakes ( delish! ). We of course had our wedding cake (chocolate mud) and a truffle tree too ( grooms cake). Mmm truffles.

Speeches. Yes speeches. I think that I lost a few fake eyelashes with some little tears. It was a good thing that I only had a few on in the first place! My Dad, Glenn and Andrew (bestman) all gave fantastic speeches. But Andrew ( one of our longest and dearest friends ), stole the show by not being afraid to show a bit of emotion. I just wanted to jump up and give him a hug, but I think that would have made him worse! Glenn relaxed a whole heap more once is speech was done as he is not a big fan of the public speaking. He did great though!

Each of the guests went away with a little gift box. Each box had 3 things in it. Some hersheys kisses to remember to love and enjoy the sweet things in life. A magnetic picture frame to help cherish those that are special to you. And a little rubber duck to remind you to play. Mitchell had a rubber duck, it was his first little friend, the first thing he recognised and smiled at. It was safe to say that the rubber ducks were the sought after item of every table. At the end of the night, there were other things left behind, but no rubber ducks.

So as you can imagine, the whole day was fantastic. We are so happy and so blessed that we have been given this fantastic gift. That was the whole reason we chose to have our wedding cake in the shape of a stack of presents, to represent what this wedding was to us. We would like to extend our warmest and sincerest thanks to everyone who made this day possible. As many of you will know, we would not have been able to do this without the help of all these wonderful people. We would have eventually gotten married ( Glenn was betting on 2025) but with a new mortgage etc, it probably would have been a bbq in the back yard! Again thank you to all the sponsors, as well as every single person who voted for us during the competition. And also a huge thank you to Mitchell. Even though he has passed away he is still touching so many lives and making wonderful things happen.

I will keep posting photos, but as of friday we have a new adventure that involves a house and lots of paint. Just doesn't quite sound as exciting does it?

Talk to you soon,


Tamar Brinfield
(yes, I just had to sneak that in there, hehehe)

Busy Beaver (1st\2nd September)

Hi All,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREW!! (our bestman)

Yesterday, we accomplished a couple of things, but primarily we arranged the cake! We had spent hours looking at photos on the web trying to find that perfect cake. We took a while to decide if we would have a traditional layer type cake or a cake with a top layer and then lots of little individual cup cakes underneath. The cupcake one looks pretty great, but I thk that it doesn't have the "wedding cake" feel with it. We eventually went for the multi layer option. Style was next to be decided. We wanted something out of the ordinary, but not so hard that windmill couldn't make it on time. So we chose something that represents our wedding. Oh, and while I don't want to give away too many details, I can tell you that the cake will be chocolate. Sorry to all the fruit lovers, but chocolate reigns supreme in our house.

We had been talking for a while about the songs that we would use for the ceremony and the reception. It is really hard to choose. We knew that we had to choose at least the reception songs for the DJ last night, (so he has a little bit of warning). But even that was a mission! We thought that we had the first dance sorted, (with something unusual), but found that it was actually really hard to dance to. That spelled the end of that song. So we had to go back to the drawing board to pick another song. We did eventually pick one, so at least something was accomplished.

We also had to provide a list of the proposed seating plans so that name cards etc can be made. I thought that was going to be an easy task, but I was wrong, again. One factor that made it harder is because we haven't heard back from some people (invites have only just arrived), so we have had to put them down, but they could very well turn around and say that they can't make it. I guess we will have to be a little bit fluid in our plans, well actually, our guests will. I am sure that we will be rearranging people right down to the last minute! if it wasn't for name cards, I probably would have had people choose their own seats when they got there...=0)

Tuesday, and we have sent off the songs and the place settings to Erin our planner. But my really exciting news was that I got to try on my dress. Yes, thats right, my actual dress!!
I was so excited! I had quite the audience while I was trying it on. Sophie was there ( Happy birthday Sophie!), two of the other girls from the work room (including zoe, who had spent 12 hours working on it the day before!) and there was also Ada, who was working in the shop ( she is the one creating our matching jewellery!). They were all very keen to see it on me, so stayed around while I tried it on. It fits wonderfully and it is so beautiful. There isn't too much that still needs to be done to finish it. There is also the addition of an extra detail in the bodice today too, which really just completes the dress. I'm sorry that I can't describe it in full, but you-know-who does read this to make sure I'm not "exaggerating the truth" about him. (love you sweetie!)

I go back in on thursday morning with one of my bridesmaids Lucy, so that we can both have the final fittings of our dresses and then we should be able to take them home later that day. Julies dress is finished! Hooray! I guess that I am pretty lucky in the fact that once I get my dress, I only have to wait one day till I can show it off to everyone!

Tonight though has been all about the ceremony. We have been pretty slack about choosing all the different parts to complete our service so it really couldn't wait any longer. Glenn just wants to say "I Do" all the way through the service. That way he is less likely to muck something up. I haven't let him get away with that one though, I'm afraid. He will have to say something other than "I Do"to make me happy, but maybe not too much more....

Talk to you soon,


Tamar

Oh what a night! ( weekend of 30/31 August)

Hi All,

Well Lucy my head bridesmaid arrived back into wellington on Saturday and I went and picked her and her daughter up at the airport. We then wen't straight to Voon, so that she could get fitted for her dress. Julie the second bridesmaid met us there, so she could have her second fitting too. Her dress looks great! and she got to try it with the shoes we picked out on friday (which also look fab). She has one more fitting on tuesday and then she is all done.

Infact, all three of us are going in at various times on tuesday for fittings. We were hoping that I was going to get to try my dress on Saturday as well, but there wasn't enough of it done. But I am promised that it will be all ready by Friday, and I am sure that it will be. I am looking forward to trying it on.

I had a quiet afternoon and then on saturday night went out for my hen's night. It was all very last minute to organise, and only came about because I was told that if I didn't organise it, I was then putting myself in jeopardy of being kidnapped at anytime. I don't really like the sound of someone turning up one evening ( and probably a weeknight!) to make me go out drinking. I do like some control. As it turned out the threateners couldn't come anyway. But oh well, we had a blast!

There ended up only being 7 of us ( because of the late notice), but it turned out to be a good number. We started at "The Lanes" on taranaki street, with a couple of cocktails and a game of bowling. It was great fun. Here, I was presented with a devil horns and veil, an orgasmatron head massager and a penis straw - which was to be used with all drinks. We then proceeded to Electric Avenue for a dance and sing along. Oh, and the obligatory ENORMOUS cocktail that was delicious. I met a couple of people here who knew who I was from the radio competition! A bit scary but nice at the same time.

Alcohol consumption by me at this point was 3 cocktails, one glass of bubbles and a large portion of the big sharing cocktail.

After electric Avenue we wandered down to Kitty O'sheas. The downstairs bar was full so we went upstairs to find somewhere to sit. We had only been sitting there for a couple of minutes and we were approached by a guy who was asking about our night and what we were drinking. We thought he was the barman! The girls proceeded to tell him that they were trying to get me drunk but it was proving harder than first thought. He and his friend then decided to accept this as a challenge and returned to the table with 7 shots of tequilla (we had lost 2 girls by then).

Now I haven't really drunk tequilla before, infact I don't drink much at all so I knew that this was going to be interesting. A couple of the girls declined the shot ( as they were driving ) and some how, I ended up with 3 shots in front of me. Everyone then convinced me to drink the 3 shots in quick succession. Which I did, and I am very proud that I didn't pass out or throw up. Infact, I only got tipsy!

Pen and paper was then produced and dares written down for me to complete. They started out alright. One of the dares was to collect 3 different brands of condoms from people. I asked loads of people, and not many people would admit to having condoms in their wallets. And those that did, only had durex. I think that maybe we should buy stock in durex if thats all that people buy!

While I was busy with this challenge, the girls had convinced one of the guys that had joined our table to strip for us - if I was able to get a G-String for him. No one had one, so he agreed that he would strip if one of the girls would volunteer their underwear. Lo and behold, someone (who shall remain nameless) volunteered theirs. He was stuck then, and off he went to get changed.
he followed through and it was really the funniest thing and the eager beaver that he was, he was down to the underwear in about 45 seconds! hahaha.

Turns out that those boys (whose names I will also not print!) all went to the same college that 3 of us did, but they were a couple of years younger. It really is a small world. They must have spent an absolute fortune on us because we didn't pay for any drinks the whole time that we were at Kitty's. (Score for us!)

About 3:30am we decided to call it a night and headed back to the sober drvers cars, to find that the parking building had closed and it was going to cost $100 to get 2 cars out. At $20 pp, it was cheaper than a taxi, but we still felt ripped off! Being in the heart of wellington I would have thought that the place would be open all night!

Sunday was a quiet day and I am proud to say that I was not hung over, because I didn't get drunk enough despite everyones efforts. We did go shopping for flower girl dresses and wedding favours on Sunday afternoon. I don't know how it is that we only came home with Glenn's fishing sinkers though!

Talk to you soon,


Tamar

Shoes, glorious shoes! ( Friday 29th August )

Hi All,

Well today we bought shoes! Well, being truthful we didn't buy them, we just picked them. But that makes it even more fun! Andy from Banks shoes, had emailed us through the options for brides, bridesmaids and the mens shoes so that we could make our picks and Andy could make sure that they had our correct sizes on site.

I picked two to try, but really knew that I could only handle one of the pairs because the heel on the other was taller than I can cope with ( particularly on gravel walk ways!). But I wanted to try the second pair in case the picture was deceiving. It wasn't, while it was a beautiful shoe, I don't really want to be saying to myself the whole way down the aisle, "dont fall, please don't fall" and looking silly as I inch my way down the path!

I had sent the bridesmaids option to both Lucy and Julie to see which they would pick ( in my eyes there was only one choice). Thankfully, they both picked the same, and it was the same as my pick. The funny thing was that Julie had picked first and I had sent it then through to Lucy saying Julie has picked the first one. Some how in delivery, the attachments ended up being in a completely different order, and the first one on the Lucy's list was of course the "most unsuitable". Lucy thought that Julie must have hit her head or something, so sent me back the picture of the one she picked. I said, cool, at least you both agree then! Lucy then told me about them being in a different order, and thinking that Julie had lost the plot. Haha, at least it was all worked out!

So 4 of us ( Lucy and Shane weren't there, but had supplied shoe sizes) toddled along to banks shoes at lunchtime. I was of course fashionably late because I couldn't find a park. Andrew, then had great pleasure in saying that he made it on time, and he only had an hours notice ON HIS DAY OFF and had to get up, dressed and into town from wainui. Needless to say, I was able to pull the "well, I am the bride" line. I am quite liking this excuse, but haven't had to use it much - yet. I also think that I am entitled to at least one major Bridezilla moment, so I will let you know when I have this.....=0). Its kind of like a get out of jail free card, so I need to play it wisely.

So Julie and I tried our shoes on and were sorted pretty quickly. Both Glenn and Andrew on the other hand have (and had) problems getting shoes that fit their feet. So of course the first style they tried wouldn't fit either properly so Andy ( from banks) had to go on a mission to find another style that would work for both. And being the professional that he is, he succeeded. But I am pleased to announce that the boys in this challenge, did take longer to get sorted than the girls...... not that I am keeping score or anything!

s
Talk to you soon,


Tamar

Mission Accomplished - thursday 28th August

Hi All,

I went to visit the venue today. Its really lovely. I got there about 4:45pm and the sun had just gone behind the hill, so there should be plenty of sunshine for a 3pm wedding, but in saying that people might need to wear their sunglasses! So we just have to hope and pray that the day is sunny and the grounds are reasonably dry. That way we can get married in the garden by the water fall.

The venue is not too hard to find, so hopefully won't cause too many issues. Seeing the venue helped me to visualise how things will work, and also makes it that much more real!! I have a couple of options for my entry, so We will have to decide on that at the rehearsal. It is all really exciting but so hard to believe that this is all going ahead next week. I still keep kind of expecting to get a phone call that says "we made a mistake, sorry, no wedding for you!"

We also got the invites today! There had been a bit of a delay, but everything is sorted now. They are so cool and I will be sealing them up and sending them tomorrow. Should be in peoples mail boxes on monday. Its a good thing that most people know already if they have been invited, otherwise they might get a fright at 4 days notice! hahaha, how fast we move.

I got a couple of other things ticked off my lists too, like getting a haircut and buying a corset. I really lucked in with that one, as Evocative in Johnsonville Mall is having a closing down sale, so was able to get fitted up and buy what I needed at 40% off! Yippee for small things, like sales!

I also picked up a box of cigars that Glenn had ordered for the occasion. I successfully managed to get lost in the process. I was pretty sure that I knew where the cigar place was, but when I got there I couldn't see it, so I assumed that I was in the wrong place, and went looking for it ( silly move). Anyway, I gave up after about 20mins and went back to work to look up the address. it turns out it was exactly where I thought it was, just not very well signed! A bit annoying to make 2 trips, but we got there in the end.

I have also decided after much discussion with friends, that I will be having a hens night. A very impromptu one on saturday night. And that way I can invite everyone not just those able\invited to come to the wedding. So we are going to start with a bit of a laugh at the lanes on taranaki street on saturday.

Glenn on the other hand has been in two minds about a stag do, but it looks like he is back to his original plans of a few drinks after his brothers arrive on thursday night. Yes, you read that right. The night before the wedding. So yes, hopefully quiet will the operative word!

Talk to you soon,

Tamar

A ring is round, it has no end.... ( Wednesday 27th August)

Hi All,

Well I had a very long lunch today. Glenn and I went and met Ian at the village goldsmith. Thats right, today was ring day! Woohoo! I am pleased to announce that we have sorted our rings, no plastic christmas cracker rings for us. We started with looking for one for me, but because my engagement ring is one of a kind, it really needs a ring to made to fit it properly. Oh damn, another one of a kind ring. Bother. The only real problem is that the lovely ring that Ian designed to fit in with it eats up all of the (and the rest) of the money allocated for the rings. It means that we have to pay the difference, and for Glenn's ring.

So in actual fact, my ring was easy because it is being designed and made for me. ( and yes they assure us it will be completed in time). Glenn on the other hand, had ideas about what he wanted, but couldn't find anything that would be able to be done in the time frame. We looked at a lot, talked about a lot, and at modifying some to be what he wanted. Nothing was really grabbing him though and saying, "Pick me!". Ian was great, really patient with us and going out of his way to get us something just right. He was flicking through a catalogue and I happened to say thats an interesting looking ring. Ian said he had a sample of a version of it, so got it out of the drawer and gave it to Glenn to look at. The actual ring was really nice, different and much better than the picture. I instantly liked it. Glenn liked it too. He wasn't convinced it was "the one" at first, but the more he looked at it and wore it, the more he liked it. So then he decided that it was meant to be. But the best bit was the price. $530, and Ian has even reduced that again, so we are really pleased. AND it will be cleaned up and resized by tomorrow!! I on the other hand, have to hand over my beloved engagement ring on monday so that they can use it to match up the new ring with. I am going to feel so naked without it! ( see photos above to see my engagement ring, its an oval diamond with a celtic knot on either side. The knots have 3 diamonds each in them)

I also had another fitting for my dress! It is still a mock up, but hopefully over the weekend there will be an actual dress to try on, I am so excited!

We are trying hard to pick wedding cakes and music at the moment. I would never have thought that it would be this hard. I am sure that as long as I don't walk down the aisle to the chicken dance I will be happy......=0)

Talk to you soon,


Tamar