More tea tin inspiration

Found here: http://greenweddingshoes.blogspot.com/

I went walking...

This morning I visited the Embassy in Brussels (not much fun, Nico was very disappointed he expected at least a smile) to start the paper work for our marriage. On the way home in Antwerp I decided to walk through chinatown. I found these gorgeous tea tins.

I am drinking some of the rose tea right now and it is delicious!

The tins reminded me of something I saw on martha and for €1.25 each they'll make great vases/reception table decorations. I hope Nico likes this idea, I haven't asked him yet.    

There are lots more tea tins in different colours to buy later if he likes the idea. I think it is really cute and I get to drink all the yummy tea with my teapot from Ferny's wedding.

The Dress I Love Today

It is currently on ebay for US$68. Only problem is that again it's too small in the bust by 2 inches, I'm wondering if that can be altered...check out the auction here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300350133068&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_8992wt_1167

The Pressure Is On!

It seems most people who plan to marry next summer (like us) have already booked and organised the whole thing! I don't know if I should panic or try to convince Nico that we should wait. Rustig, rustig, wacht enbeetje! But once he gets an idea in his head he wants it NOW!
On tuesday I go to Brussels to the Aussie embassy to start organising paperwork and on wednesday Nico's mum Jeanine is taking me to check out castle options! I said that if I'm marrying in Europe I want to do it in a castle! The other option is the Royal Yacht Club on Linkeroever.

http://www.royalclubhouse.be/index.html

Dress Ideas.

I want a dress with a tulle skirt and a strapless sweetheart neckline. Ballerina length, 1950's style worn with sexy heels (Nico calls them "click click click shoes")

I like this 'Milan' dress from Dolly Couture. http://www.dollycouture.net/ but I'd want the skirt to be longer.

The dress above is a vintage gown from etsy. Shame my bust is too big because it is only US$225!

My Favorite Wedding Blogs.

http://www.oncewed.com/ This was the blog that started my secret wedding blog obsession (which started even before I was engaged)  The photography is always awesome and they have cute DIY projects. It was started as a site to sell second hand wedding dresses. Lots of quirky little details in the weddings on this blog. It is all very cute!
http://www.stylemepretty.com/ This one has a bunch of blogs in one, brides-to-be can post inspirational photos and throw around ideas.
http://www.thebridescafe.com/ This one was started by a florist and so there are lots of pretty floral details.

And of course there is Martha weddingshttp://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/lena-and-joshua? This is my all time favorite Martha Real Wedding!

The Word is Out!

We did a big phone around to let the important people (parents, grandparents and sisters) know our news! Nobody was very suprised but all were excited. My Granny was cute when she said "Oh that's wonderful news, but not really a suprise. You've been in love with him for a long time, even since last christmas." I guess 9 months is a long time when you are 87.
The rest of the world got the pleasure of finding out via facebook, a bit of an embarrassing way to announce an engagement.  Then the question starts being asked "When?".
I'd love to be able to answer that but the way these BBB's (Bloody Belgian Bureaucrats) are we really don't know. We have to find a whole pile of documents, many of which have to come from Australia which we need to get legalised and translated into dutch. I have to go to the Embassy in Brussels for some more paper work. Once we have all the correct papers stamped and translated we take these to the district huis and they send us off to an interview where we have to convince some BBB's that we really love each other. The BBB's get to say yes or no to our marriage. Once they have said yes we then have to apply for a marriage license which is only valid for 6 months. If all goes to plan we should be getting married in the summer or autumn next year. Sometime after my sister Fern pops her new baby which is due in early March.

The Ring.

Last week I went to London to visit my sister, cuddle my nephew and see the first scans of their new baby. I had a lovely time drinking decent coffee, playing tea parties and catching up with friends. I knew that when I went home Nico would have a ring waiting! I spent the 3 hour eurostar trip knitting and thinking of diamonds.

He made me his specialty pre-cooked Del Haize dinner and gave me this beautifully wrapped box

Ok so my future husband can't cook but he does have a good eye for design and managed to find a ring that encompassed the two different styles we liked. My ring is beautiful! A classic contemporary unique piece by Flemish designer Nico Taeymans in yellow gold with a square yellow diamond.

The Proposal.

During a particularly romantic moment on our romantic Greek holiday Nico spontaneously asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes. We were staying in the most amazing little art hotel in Thira on Santorini. Perfect!