Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

Alex and I have decided that in addition to traditional vows, we will also be exchanging our own personal vows. 

This is not something I've always wanted to do or anything. I didn't grow up dreaming that I would one day be expressing my love for my one and only through some beautiful words at our wedding ceremony. I'm more of a, "let's get to the point" kind of girl. I do feel all those lovey-dovey, mushy-mushy feelings...believe me, I do! But I don't know how to express that in a non-gagging way. What else can I say except...I love you...and I always will...?

So I did what any modern, 21st century, young woman would do. I googled, "writing your own wedding vows." And let me tell you, there is a plethora of information out there! And I have read through most of it. Here's a site with a nice step-by-step guide to personalizing your vows. And another site with some great tips. And here are some samples in case you need a little push.

So after much research...I'm still at a loss. I guess writing the vows won't be so hard. After all, I love Alex like I've never loved before and I could tell you all the reasons why...and I could tell you how much I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him...living together, eating together, watching movies together, sleeping together, creating together, ministering together, just being together... 

The part that makes me most nervous is actually SAYING these vows in front of [maybe] a couple hundred people...and not messing up! Even if I read the vows (which I will, believe you me) I'm likely to stumble and stammer. Pubic speaking gives me the "willies." Whatever that is... I suppose I shouldn't have dropped that class when I was in college...

Revolution May*Hem - A Reminder

Check out this great event. For more info...click here.

I think this will be Alex's last show with Coia. So don't miss it!

I Love Miami - Part Two

I wanted to write about The Fair a few weeks ago...but I was waiting to upload some pictures that Alex and I took. There's just one little problem. I am unable to locate my memory card. You have no idea how much this saddens me! Especially since pictures are so important to me. But hey, what are you gonna do?

Anyway, every year I look forward to going to the Fair. It's basically one of the best parts about living in Miami. I love the rides. Especially the ones that go upside down and spin and make you want to vomit. I find them thrilling. Unfortunately, the tickets are a bit pricey. So Alex and I decided to pick just one ride to go on. :-) It was a good one. Not as great as the one I originally wanted to ride...but Alex was too scared. ;-) 

Even though the rides are so much fun, it's still not the BEST part about that Fair. The absolute best part is the FOOD. I gain ten pounds every time I go. Roasted corn, turkey legs, elephant ears, fried oreos, fresh squeezed lemonade, cheese fries...anything your little heart desires. And it's all delicious. 

This year we also caught a Chinese acrobat show. Pretty cool stuff. And we bought Irish claddagh rings. So we're officially "Irish married." Whatever that means. 

This is probably the last time we'll be able to go to the Fair for a very long time...and it was great to experience it all. I hope you were able to make it. If not, there's always next year. 

[To Read "I Love Miami - Part One" click here]

Carmen

A couple weeks ago I had another photo shoot with Carmen. 

I don't recall how exactly we met...I think she discovered my blog through someone else's blog...somehow she saw my photo work and contacted me to book a photo shoot.

Sweet! 

We met up at a park on Us-1 and Killian. It was a lot of fun getting to know this great girl and as we spoke it turns out that I knew her sister a couple years ago. Oh, how small the world is.

Check out the rest of the photos here.

The Miranda Family

Some weeks ago I shot my first family portrait. I've known Sam & Tiffany for a couple years now and their daughter will be walking as my flower girl at the wedding. She's a...spunky...child. ;-) Seriously, she's great, even though she is quite the handful. Their son, Austin, is more quiet...and the resemblance to his father is uncanny.

Although we did not get to complete the original vision we had in mind for the shoot (a carousel...it was closed), we still had fun and got some creative shots in. I had fun shooting this family...it was a challenge and I look forward to any more family photo shoots that come my way.

[Some of the photos have been uploaded to the myspace...the Glowing Light web site is on its way! Promise!]

Alex & Kristel Lopez

I've been reading quite a bit on the topic of men changing their last names when they get married. Believe it or not, it DOES happen. So I thought I'd ask Alex how he feels about the subject...if he'd be willing to change his last name to mine. He scoffed. Mostly because my last name is "too common," not because he's a sexist pig. ;-)

But then I received a great little letter in the mail yesterday. An invitation to Anne Marie's graduation party. And just GUESS who the envelope was addressed to!

I win. 

I guess, Alex and Kristel Lopez it is. 

P.S. Don't worry, he's not gonna change his last name...and if you're wondering, yes, I do plan on changing my last name to his once we get married. 

My French Bridal Shower

Last Sunday I finally got to celebrate my bridal shower! Along with many wonderful friends and family members. A lot of people showed up and it was great to have them all. 

The shower was held at Le Boudoir in Coral Gables (the intersection of Ponce and Miracle Mile). They were really great to work with. They took great care of us and fed us the most amazing food! Everything was delicious. The little sandwiches and salads and of course, the dessert! 

We played some games that were prepared by my sister and just had a good time talking and laughing together. My favorite game was the one that Alex showed up for. :-) Basically my sister had asked him questions about himself previously and then wrote his answers down on  separate pieces of papers. In the style of "The Newlywed Game." 

So in front of a live audience I had to answer the questions before he revealed his own answers. And I am PROUD to say that I did really well. I believe I only got one answer wrong out of 13. Not bad. I even corrected one of his answers (his first kiss). I'm curious to see how Alex would do if the tables were turned...hmmm... 

The guests took home a triple chocolate mousse prepared by the restaurant in some lovely containers as a favor. This is my favorite French dessert! And from what I've heard, everyone enjoyed it! 

So thank you to everyone who came to the shower! It was really great having everyone there. And thanks to my mom for all her hard work preparing for the party all the way from Texas! And to my sister for preparing all the games. And to my bridesmaids (Lia & Tati) for hosting games. And to my aunt for making sure people RSVP'ed. And to Merari for taking all the photos. 

And well, thank you...to everyone. :-)

[I have uploaded the majority of the photos here.]

May*hem

Just thought you should check this out...

Radio Revolution

I Love Miami - Part One

I always complain about this city.

I've lived here nearly all my life and frankly, I'm tired of it. I'm ready for a change! 

Also, there are just so many things to dislike about this city...the traffic, the rude people, the reggaeton...

However, it's undeniable that there are things that I love about Miami...and I'm going to miss these things when Alex and I are gone. 

So I decided to write a little blog series, between now and the day we leave, about all these lovely Miami things. :-)

The first is, Big 105.9. Simply the BEST radio station in Miami. There's really no other station I listen to. I love classic rock and this is what this radio station dishes out all day long. Beatles, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Steve Miller Band, Queen...I love it all! And I love when I'm taking a long drive down the highway and they keep playing all these amazing songs, one right after the other. It's music that makes you feel good. 

Big 105.9, oh how I will miss thee... 

wedding headaches...

UGH!

APPARENTLY some people have let me know that they did not receive an RSVP card with their wedding invitations.

Again...ugh! 

Sorry about that. We must've missed some of the envelopes. Hmm.

If it's not too many people I might send out additional invitations since we have quite a few left over. PLEASE let me know if you are one of the people without an RSVP card. Thanks!

wedding firsts

This week Alex and I received our first wedding gift(s). 

My Tia Lani and Tio Gonzalo from Spain were in town for my sister's wedding and they decided to go ahead and get us our wedding gift now. The neatest microwave ever and Alex's beloved knife set. Oh, he's happy about that one! What a thrill. Our wedding is really on its way. 

(A Wedding Gift Tip: If you go to our wedding website you can click on Gift Registry and view our registries. Just click the Crate & Barrel and Target logos. Some gifts are only available ONLINE, so perhaps it would be more convenient for you to order a gift on-line and have it shipped to my house...no wrapping necessary!)

And today, another first! Our first RSVP card from our first official wedding guest. ::drum roll:: Anne Marie Fields! I can't wait for all those little cards to start coming in. It's so exciting. It's starting to feel real. 

(By the way, thanks TONS to Anne Marie, Merari, Alex, my mom, my dad, Lani, and Gonzalo for all the help with the invitations! I couldn't have done it without you guys.)

I went to the dress store today to FINALLY pick up my beautiful wedding gown...however, it's still a bit too long and so they have to alter it some more. I can pick it up NEXT Friday. Meh. 

I'll keep you updated on all the wedding news. :-)

You KNOW you're interested... ;-)

Good People Day 2008

Alright...so I saw this on someone's blog and I thought, "hey, why not?" Any excuse to blog. 

Apparently April 3rd is Good People Day 2008. Google it and you'll see.

Soo...here it goes...some good people in my life...

Alexander: My Love. My Best Friend. What can I say? He's amazing. So patient. So loving. There really is no one else like him. I'm a lucky girl. 

Anne Marie: The most giving person you'll ever meet. Sweet and kind and thoughtful. Now SHE'S good people.

Lauren: Great girl. Tells it like it is but still cares. I don't know what it is exactly, but I really like this girl. :-)

Lia: The best thing about this girl is she will defend you till the death. You'll never question her loyalty.

Tati: Again, one of the most loyal friends you could ask for. Sweet and always ready to give you loving Christian advice. 

Danibel: My sister. Though we once hated each other...I think we're okay now. I've learned a lot from her and I really do admire her. 

Abuelita Carmen: She has a servant's heart. There's no one in the world like her. I love her infinitely. She always takes care of me...really, she spoils me. 

Mom: Amazing! I've learned so much from her about being a modern woman who takes care of business. ;-)

Dad: Amazing! I see so much of myself in him. He sees the world through the eyes of a poet...I appreciate that.

Merari: Sarcasm and wit and photographic talent all rolled up into one neat little package. You're awesome. 

Pastor Dave: He's got some wisdom and insight...but not in that pushy overbearing way. 

Adriana: Behind every great man, there's a GREAT woman. Working with her at the school has been a blessing. 

Kat: She's just a joy...as grandma-ish as that sounds. She's really one of the most interesting people I've ever met. She's genuine and sincere and humble. 

Steph: So talented. So kind. So giving. Even when she's mad, she's nice. 

Okay...so this is where I'll stop...believe me, there are plenty more GOOD people in my life but I just can't blog about it forever. 

Love you all. 

Mrs. Lopez-Hiraldo

I've been meaning to write about my sister's wedding last Saturday...but I've been going non-stop and haven't had the chance to sit down and reflect on it. 

The whole weekend was a blast. My sister looked beautiful, despite battling a cold, and everything turned out great. I wish I had pictures to share...but again, things have been so busy that I haven't even had a chance to upload the ones I have onto my hard drive. But no worries. The amazing Maloman Photographers should post up the photos they took on the blog VERY soon. I was told they would be up today, so hopefully they come through! If not, I'm sure they will be up some time this week. Keep checking back there. 

For those who are wondering, I think my maid of honor speech didn't turn out half bad. I did the best I could. Alex made fun of me because he says I said, "Aaand..." a lot. What can I say? Public speaking is not on my list of skills. 

One of the most entertaining parts of the night were the tango dancers. Since Manny is from Argentina they had a couple perform some tango dances. Very sexy. When they asked for volunteers Alex went up to dance with the lady. Let me tell you, he didn't look bad out there! He actually looked like he knew what he was doing. It was all due to the fancy footwork of the lady. Maybe Alex and I should do a tango for the first dance at our wedding... Or maybe not. 

All I can say now is...I can't believe my sister is married! I'm really proud of her and I know that she is incredibly happy. Especially because right now she's honeymooning in Argentina. :-)