Initial details

My apologies for the tardiness of this first post.


It is my intention to add pictures of Josh and me to our blog but, as is my first encounter with the difficulties of wedding planning, I cannot muster a call back from our engagement photographer to receive a disc of our images. This has not only delayed the Orlando-Lawton wedding blog but has also postponed the announcing of our engagement in our local newspapers. I have called several times to no avail. I am about to take a cue from my mother who with her oh so pleasant but firm demeanor never fails to get a scenario resolved in her favor.

The purpose of this blog is to provide any and all information of the Orlando-Lawton wedding to family, friends, or members of the general public that may get off on the pain and suffering of a woman planning a wedding in six months.

Our blog’s title represents Josh and me as it is a quote from one of “our movies” Sweet Home Alabama. When the male lead is asked why he wants to get married he responds with: “So I can kiss you anytime I want.” This is a quote that Josh and I have used over and over again in our relationship and it will be worked into our vows.

This blog is also a visual representation of the wedding as our color scheme is the very Army inspired Navy, Buttercup, and Olive drab. As Joshua is a Cav Scout, a modern-day take on the Cavalry (yes - the buffalo soldiers, horses, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon - Cavalry) we are shooting for a western theme. The wedding will not be formal. And, since there will be plenty of dancing, we are stating that guest attire may be very nice jeans/wrangles and western type shirts. However, I do not see the members of my family dressing so. Therefore, slacks and polos will be allowed. : )

The wedding date is of course at the Army’s discretion but we are shooting for the weekend of September 24th – 26th . We will know the exact date within two weeks. We hope to have the rehearsal dinner on the night of Friday the 24th at The Asylum restaurant in Jerome, Arizona. We would like the ceremony to take place on Mingus Mountain the afternoon of the 25th with the reception to follow at The Asylum/Grand Hotel and the family brunch will take place Sunday morning, again at The Asylum. Rooms will be blocked off at the Grand Hotel in Jerome as well as an as of yet undetermined cheaper option.

We intend to have five attendants each with Jessica Hall as my Matron of Honor and with Josh’s brother James as his best man. This number may fluctuate as the men standing up for Josh are all in the military and something may inevitably “come up” that would hinder their attendance. The groomsmen will all be dressed in their Army Greens except for Jay who will wear his Marine Corps dress uniform. The bridal party will be dressed in buttercup, tea-length dresses with brown cowboy boots (the boots will be the bridesmaids’ gifts from me).

There are of course many more details to come. I will be posting every couple of days with the latest information; although, the posts may be tainted with my rambling as this blog will also serve as my emotional catch-all/ venting place during the planning process.



If you have not already, please check out our engagement photos at www.benjemax.com.

Click on ‘view online proofs’

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