I'm Ready for My Close Up

Tuesday night's trip to meet photographer John Heymann was a misadventure with a happy ending.

Jon agreed with me that John's photos are beautiful, and John is going to be wonderfully cooperative with our tiny budget, so it's going to work out swimmingly.

Getting to John's office was another matter.

Since Jon was working from home on Tuesday, I left him in charge of the "how are we getting to Somerville" question. Many convoluted conversations later, we decided that I would take the Red Line to Porter Square and walk a few blocks. John would drive there, and we would all live happily ever after.

The Red Line was so crowded that I couldn't get a hand on anything for balance, so I practiced subway surfing - feet planted firmly in the aisle, and concentrated zen-like on staying up right and not knocking over a whole subway car-load full of passengers. I did very well. Yoga pays off!

I emerged at Porter Square and walked quite happily up Upland Street until I reached Raymond Street. When I got to the house/office, though, it was dark, there wasn't a sign, or anything - in fact the only thing visible was a sticker of a crossed out handgun. Well, good, I thought ... he's anti-fire arms. Still, I thought this was odd.

So I called Mom (what would I do without Mom?) and asked her to Google John Heymann and make sure I was in the right place (what would I do without Google?).

Turns out I was supposed to be at Raymond Avenue, which is Somerville (where I thought I was) and not at Raymond Street in North Cambridge (which is where I really was).

In the meantime, Jon was stuck in traffic, and then he took a wrong turn and was thus lost.

Great.

So I had to call John-the-Photographer and explain our misadventure. He very nicely insisted that we come anyway instead of rescheduling. Jon found his way, and then both Jo(h)n's picked me up from the Davis Square T Stop.

Whew.

After that everything went smoothly. We haven't signed the contract yet, but as far as we're concerned we've got one more John involved in the wedding.

The Wedding Machine Rolls On

This evening Jon and I are meeting with our photographer. At least I hope it will all work out and he'll be our photographer. It would be one more thing done - one less thing to worry about.

The photographer is John Heymann, the son of my Grandma Zanotelli's best friend. Grandma used to take me to Mrs. Heymann's house when I was little. I remember playing with toys on the living room floor while they chatted. I may have played with John's toys. How funny is that?

Anyway, I came across his website looking for his phone number, because Grandma wanted to call him when she was in Boston visiting. I was so impressed by the photos on his site - they're absolutely beautiful.

(Keep in mind Jon hadn't actually proposed at this point.)

I didn't think there was anyway we could afford him - and we may found out that to be true tonight - but he told my mom that he would be "honored to photograph the wedding of Ruth Zanotelli's granddaughter;" so I hope it all works out!

The Ring!

The official ring is now here. It's pretty and sparkly, but it will take time to get used to it. I'm scared to death I'm going to break it somehow.

The Date

It's official: Jon and I will be married on Saturday, September 27, 2008.

Mark your calendars!

White Dresses ... Even Bows ... But No Poofy Sleeves

Yes, on Sunday Kelly (not Molly) and I went to David's Bridal in Natick (Land O' Commerce) to try on dresses. I wasn't overly impressed by the customer service, but I didn't expect to be. Other than that, it was tons of fun.

This dress was too heavy (but pretty)

Too sparkly

Too complicated (lace up back and big gaudy bow?)

I like this dress! Of course, I like the Alfred Angelo dress better (it has pretty embroidery). But I want my trim in green - peridot, to be exact.
This dress was a surprise. It wasn't even my idea to try it on. It was Kelly. Way to go! I'm not convinced it's "the one." But it's definitely in the running.

Prettier, Sparklier Things

Friday Jon and I took the "family jewels" to DiPrisco's to find out about cleaning, resizing, fixing, etc the two rings.

I wasn't sure what to expect - in fact, I was a little afraid that the Diamond Guy would be a bit snooty about our less-than-stellar rings.

But, in fact, Diamond Guy was great (I should have known. My contact at DiPrisco's whom I order award plaques from for work is the nicest woman in the world. Of course she would set me up with uber-nice Diamond Guy).

Learning about our rings and diamonds was really fun. He could tell right away that the diamond from Jon's grandfather was not from the USA. When I told him it was most likely from Ireland, he said, "Ah, that explains it." Turns out that while the shape was very European, the cut was a bit unusual. But I guess in Ireland, that's how they cut diamonds back in the early 1900s.

And I thought that the Zanotelli ring was just a "cheap" silver ring from the 1920s. Turns out it is white gold, custom made, and maybe even older.

I get to pick up the "new" rings on Friday. :-) Most exciting.

Pretty Sparkly Things

No I do not have an engagement ring yet. But I have my "practice" ring of which I've become very fond.

In fact, if I didn't have families throwing heirloom rings at me, I wouldn't ask for anything more

My practice ring (thank you So Good Jewelry)

From Rings

My Aunt Nancy has very generously passed on the Zanotelli Family ring to me. My hope is to use it as the wedding band. It's the ring my Great Grandpa Zanotelli gave to my Great Grandma.

From Rings

This weekend I will finally get to see the ring from Jon's family (which will probably become The Official Engagement Ring.

Stay tuned ...

(my goodness I have chubby, wrinkly fingers .... )