So so excited and not trying to hide it

We are back in Massachusetts for our last few days of living in sin. Two more days of work (during which my sweet co-workers are throwing a little party in honor of my "upcoming nuptials"-- this nice gesture despite the fact that I was unable to invite anyone from work to the wedding). Bright and early Wednesday we are headed back to Albany for final wedding preparations and plenty of celebrations. (Wheee!)

I went to church with my parents this morning and had butterflies in my stomach for the entire hour. After mass, we chatted with the organist who is playing our wedding, and who has the music thing totally under control. The gardens look lovely. Our wedding banns was listed in the church bulletin (modern banns are so boring compared to ye olde time banns. No three weeks of proclamations for us, just a listing in italics).

Today we met with our photographers to go over our wedding day time line and various other details. The meeting left us feeling so certain of our choice-- Paul and Brenda "get it"-- they aren't going to try to turn our wedding into a magazine spread, they're going to capture the day as it unfolds, and they're going to capture it beautifully. Also? The meeting ended with hugs. We left even more excited about our wedding and about our decision to hire them.

After we left that meeting, we went to our florist's house to drop off some items for the bouquets. She greeted us with hugs, I chatted with her adorable 3-year-old Oliver ("Where is your house?") and met her new baby Elijah. She ooo-ed and ah-ed over the items I brought her. Again, I left feeling elated that Jolene is in charge of our flowers.

Last night, my parents, Pat's mom, my aunt and uncle, Patrick, and I prepped the centerpieces and did some work on the favors (we would have done more had we not forgotten 2 essential pieces in Massachusetts... oops). These things are so much easier and so much more fun with the help of family and friends. Last Thursday, instead of our usual trivia night, Julia and Seth came over to help with wedding projects and provide us with lots of laughs (also, election-themed beer). All weekend we've been hearing via phone, email, and in person how excited our guests are about our wedding (did I mention that we are, too?). We are so lucky to have so many good people in our lives.

This weekend could have been really stressful and crazy, but instead it was reassuring and fun. Patrick and I were both giddy with excitement, our family and friends were so willing to help, and our vendors are just so nice!

And you know what? We're getting married on SATURDAY!

(Excuse me, I need to go squeal and kiss my fiance and twirl him around the room and give him a big squeeze because I just can't wait to be married to him! I warned you that I just can't hide it.)