We're back! I realized that I pretty much stopped blogging the week before the wedding (which was a bit crazy) the days of the wedding, the days after the wedding and the entire time I was in Europe. It was a nice long break of wedding and traveling and I'm ready to get back into the the swing of things. I've missed writing here, I've had a lot of ideas for future posts while I was away too.
So the wedding! I really could not have asked for a better day. I've known Josh for almost eight years and I'd be lying if I hadn't pictured this day at least a few times. It's strange to say, but I always knew somehow we would end up here and I'm really glad we did.
Everyone was right, the day flew by and I find myself wondering back through the memories of the day and feeling giddy all over again. When planning a wedding you never know what the atmosphere will be like and how it will all come together aesthetically, but it was even better than planned.
I wanted it to be pretty, whimsical, laid-back, memorable and a lot of fun. I could not have asked for better company to spend my day with, a lot of old friends and new ones (Krissie and Fat Bridesmaid!) traveled just for our wedding. Everything went together in a way that doesn't always happen at weddings with new groups of people mingling. I am very lucky.
Here are some photos I pulled off of facebook, I don't have official ones yet, but will post them as soon as they come in, in about three weeks. I loved our photographer, she is someone I met in college and always admired and knew I wanted to keep contact with her somehow in the future. It was nice to have someone I connect with to photograph our memories.
Here is my dress! I decided on these earrings two nights before the wedding. I debated necklaces and then decided that with the jacket and earrings, they were enough. I'm really pleased with that decision and truly felt beautiful on my wedding day. There is a lace slip the peaks through the bottom of the dress, not totally visible here, it was one of my favorite parts.
Here we are in the getaway car! Josh's mom set up "All you need is love" by the beatles for playing while we posed for pictures. It was a lot of fun.
Here are some photos of Europe, there are a tonnn of these.
We took about 582 photos between the two of us, so yeah 
I'll try to update those as I get them editted. We spent three days in London and another three in Dublin, with a couple of travel days in between. Europe has a lot of differences that we did not expect, money being one of them. On average it seemed like everything was double the expense for us because of the weak dollar. A buger a fries? about $32 for both of us. A pint of guiness? $9. Fish and chips meal in a pub? $17 (for the cheapest we could find) whew!
Another difference? Free health care. I saw a lot of National Health Service buildings and felt jealous that we do not have the same here. So many people in Europe can work from home and freelance without the worry of health care. That is a luxury.
The culture and history was rich and all I wanted to do was stand around and absorb it all. The buildings and structures are architecturally beautiful and made to last over time. These buildings have been cared for and preserved, linking us to our past. This is something we don't really have over here. A building from the 1700 or 1800's is really old to us, but they go wayyy back in Europe. The buildings here just are not made beautifully and we don't seem to be asking today "will this hold up over time, will this structure link the future to the past?" everything is disposable here.
That really is what I loved the most about Europe the feeling of a real connection to the lives the existed before us. That there was another time and way of thinking. Buildings weren't just put up to cut costs, but to be beautiful and to last.
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So we're both happy to be home now, there really is no place like home sometimes. Your own bed and cats to follow you around. I'm ready to get back on track with weight loss and work on my summer goals!
I've got blogher coming up in July, a trip I debated even going on. The expense of Europe was unexpected and I feel indulgent going on another trip so soon. I already bought my attendance ticket and knew that I would regret not going. This really is a convention that for me, validates in some way what I've been doing for over two years. It shows that I'm not the only one who is dedicated to blogging on some level and is a way to connect with other women who do the same. A good lot of them I really admire and look forward to meeting .
I pushed myself to buy my plane ticket last night which dropped about $200 dollars since I started pricing tickets in February. I need to push myself harder to monetarily validate the trip. I've been slacking a lot on work-stuff with the wedding planning and feel a need to get on top of work again.
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Weight.
For my wedding day I weighed 268, which is a bit more than I had planned, hoping I would be around the 240's, but it was a loss that I feel good about. I didn't feel on my wedding day "I wish I was smaller" and after looking at the photos, I see a beautiful and happy woman. I don't regret anything.
However, I want to continue. Something about our trip overseas has made me evaluate my health and appearance in a way that I never have before. I want to be a responsible adult, someone who takes care of their health and happiness. Being this weight is difficult, and truly made me feel like an outsider among women who do take care of themselves. That is who I want to be, that is the person I want to be in my marriage and in my life.
Hi I’m new to your blog but I just love it! I love your attitude and outlook and I am totally inspired. Many congratulations on your nuptials! You are right you did look happy and beautiful on your wedding day, that was a great dress!! Sounds like you had a great honeymoon as well. I’m glad things have calmed down and you can post more. Thanks for the inspiration for my own weight loss journey.
CONGRATULATIONS! What a wonderful, beautiful day. It’s so cool that you got to go to London. I’ve been living in the UK for almost 2 years now so I am finally getting used to the high prices! It really is crazy.
I’m so glad you are back to blogging and can’t wait to read more
Congratulations!!! You looked so gorgeous. I love your dress!!!
So glad to hear that the day was great and that you had so much fun.
Congratulations!! It sounds like you had a wonderful wedding day. Everything you mentioned about Europe makes me want to visit there
Glad to see you back blogging…missed your insightful posts. I always feel like I’ve learned something after reading one…
I discovered your blog while you are away and am so glad to see you back! Congratulations on your wedding, your look stunning in your dress, it is so pretty and feminine. I’m glad you enjoyed your honeymoon as well!
Congratulations on your marriage! I wish you both the best in the years to come. I weighed over 300 pounds on my wedding day and you know what, I was still beautiful! Good for you for not letting that cloud your special day…
Honeymoon in Europe! That is so exciting!
Finally, I’m glad to hear that you have found your resolve to continue on this path again. It’s worth it! And you can do this…
What a beautiful wedding - you look so happy and radiant!
I’ve lived in London for two years and the price of things here still gets to me sometimes - I learned to stop converting into my mother currency (aussie dollars) long ago! The history of some parts of the city still blows me away too, seeing pubs that have been round since 1430 is so cool!
I really like your last paragraph in this post - I think that taking responsibility for ourselves and realising that we are the caretakers of our own health and happiness is essential for anyone who wants to reach a goal in life. When you have that kind of attitude, you won’t fail! Certainly when I began my weight loss journey four years ago, that was definitely something that grounded me - that the buck stopped with me and that I had the strength and power to change things I wasn’t 100% happy about in my life.
You have a great attitude Lorrie, and I have no doubt that you will get to where you want to be.
You are a beautiful woman whether you made your pre-wedding day weight goal or not. What a gorgeous bride I see in those pictures.
Congrats to the happy couple!
Congratulations - you look gorgeous! I started losing weight about 6 months after our wedding, and looking back? I’m happy with that! I looked beautiful and felt beautiful with the man I love by my side, and that’s what mattered to me.
Hi, I just recently found your blog. I’m really encouraged by your sensibility! What you said about your weight in this post and how you felt on your wedding day is very healthy. We have to be happy with where we are at just to get where we are going.
I recently started a new regime, not of weight loss, although that is obviously a big part, but being healthy and fit and taking care of my body as well as my mind.
You looked very happy on your trip, and your wedding day. Congratulations!
Congratulations! Your wedding looked beautiful. YOU looked beautiful. I hope you guys have a happy life together.
Congratulations! You look beautiful. ^_^
Hi there! I just started reading your blog last week and have really enjoyed it. Congratulations on your marriage. You look absolutely beautiful in your wedding dress. Look forward to reading more.
Welcome back!!
How I’ve missed your posts, dear! I’m glad you had a fabulous wedding and a wonderful honeymoon! BTW, your dress is darling!!
You looked Beautiful. Glad your day was magical! Europe is AWESOME! I just went to Spain a few months ago, and was so inspired by the European way of life…Look forward to keeping track of you on your journey!
Congrats!! Absolutely Beautiful Bride!! The dress is so beautiful and romantic! You’re a Beauty! Yes, the cost of food in London is outrageous! We had chinese take out alot which was affordable! Europe is such a stylish country. I went to Rome and Venice and totally came home inspired by their emphasis on art and beauty. But.. the USA is our home, we live in the best place on earth! Happy Days Ahead! Congrats and best wishes to you both!
Aww, Lorie, how wonderful! This made me cry a bit. I’m so so so happy for you.
You looked so pretty!
I just started reading, so glad you are back!
Congrats!! You looked gorgeous!! Makes me miss my wedding day…and I totally know how you feel about not being the specific weight…but being ok in the moment.
Looking forward to summer posts!
Congrats again Beautiful Bride! Glad you enjoyed the UK! And lucky you, we’ve actually been having lovely summer weather. Being American, I already REALLY, REALLY, appreciate the NHS and I love working for the NHS, but you brought it home to me again. I just had a major moment of gratitude reading your comments… best wishes for this leg of the journey! x T
I see a beautiful and happy woman, too! Congrats!
Congrats Lorrie! So excited for you!
Congratulations! You looked beautiful! You and your new husband look so cute together
Wow, what a beautiful Bride! You were stunning and your dress was perfect. Everyone had a great time sharing your and Josh’s special day and it will be long remembered by all your guests. The day was perfect not a cloud in the sky, especially since it rained so hard for days before the wedding! You and Josh are amazing and we can all learn from your love and devotion to each other. What a wonderful couple you are! The world is truly blessed. Keep on working on your goals, one step at a time enjoy the journey to a healthier you. All of the pictures I have seen circulating from the wedding day are wonderful. All of the people at the wedding were sooo much fun.
Congratulations!!!! You look stunning in your photos
My dad lives in Nottingham, Englnad and he called me one day from a pub that is older than our country. That really puts it in perspective!!!
Glad to have ya back. Have a good one
Aaaaah!!! Congratulations lady! You look down right gorgeous! wowzers. And your trip to Europe looks magical. I am so happy for you:0)
I am so happy that your day turned out better than you expected. Isn’t it just truly magical. Handsome fella you got there too. You made a beautiful bride, and lots of happiness to the both of you.
Loved your dress!
Beautiful post, beautiful pics. Welcome back home!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Oh my goodness….BEAUTIFUL. You looked absolutely Beautiful!! I LOVE LOVE Love your dress!! You and the hubs look SO cute together!!
Hi Lorrie
Congratulations!!!!!! on ur wedding
I started reading ur blog about a month ago when i stumbled upon ur blog in the weight loss category cos i need to lose about 50 pounds myself, ur blog has been very inspiring
Love the dress, you look very chic. The jacket is a sweet touch, the cut of it is very flattering.
You looked wonderful for your wedding. Congrats!
Congrats on your wedding and trip!! I love your dress!
Hi Lorrie,
It’s nice to ‘meet’ you. I have a weight loss blog but am in the need of some motivation so was looking around for blogs that might fit the bill and here you are! So excited to get to know you better.
I enjoyed looking at your pictures. Love the black and white of you and Josh.
Sounds like you have a really supportive hubby. I do as well.
Going to add your blog to my reader!
I LOVED your dress.
What a beautiful bride! I’m so happy you had such a fantastic day!
I love your last paragraph. I want to be a woman who takes care of herself, too.
Congrats on your special day. I would love to go to europe!! Your blog is truly inspiring. Keep up the good work.