On Wedding Invitations

So, being the owner of a stationery store, I’ve long dreamed of the invitations that would invite friends and family to my kids’ weddings. So many options: engraved, letterpress, colorful, classic. But it just has to be letterpress. My ultimate favorite.

My son and his fiancée live in Oregon. They love all things outdoors: camping, snowboarding, hiking, biking. I’d personally selected a beautiful invitation from Oblation, an Oregon company, how perfect. Hand-made recycled cotton paper, ivory with a brown pine bough. I figured they’d be married in the fall, with brisk mountain air and the smell of pine. I’ve had this one in mind for a few months now, ever since my son hinted of an upcoming engagement.

So when they announced a May or June wedding I was a bit taken aback. May? June? Somehow that doesn’t fit what I’d envisioned! May and June are bright and colorful, not ivories and browns. Hmmm.... Back to the drawing board.

One night I woke in the middle of the night – yes, that’s it! The beautiful magenta ink from Julie Holcomb! Perfect match for peonies – my favorite flower! And peonies are perfectly timed for mid-June, what now appears to be the date. Finally it all came together in my head! But when the cobwebs cleared, it hit me - pink wording? What was I thinking? (or dreaming) A pink design, maybe, but not words – this is the wedding, afterall, not a shower, and my son would never tolerate that. Guess I’d better sleep on it some more…

On Being Mother of the Groom

Well, I’ve finally joined the ranks of women who’s son is getting married. That group who want to be friends with their daughter-in-law-to-be and simultaneously not be downgraded in importance to their son. That woman, who wants to be involved in planning the wedding, but really isn’t supposed to. The one who could easily take over, but strives to keep her mouth shut. Yep, that’s me.

Yes, I’m also the one who has joined the ranks of parents helping to pay for the wedding. I’ve never been a spendthrift – I think (hope) even my husband would agree to that statement. But I don’t mind spending a few dollars in the name of beauty and elegance, of making a special day even more so. But all of a sudden, I wake up wondering how many out of town guests will arrive and what will that add to the cost of the rehearsal dinner, let alone the wedding! Mind you, the wedding is not until next summer.

Suddenly I understand all the parents I’ve seen in my store, who scrutinized every purchase, questioned its necessity and took a deep breath as they handed over their credit card. “Hey, at least you’ll get some miles with that” I would joke with them. Eek! Not so funny anymore. And yes, we’re desperate for the miles – with 6 other kids, s/o’s and grandkids to fly out to the west coast, that credit card should soon be smokin’!