September 5th, In History

I am happy to say that: Over the past 10 years, on average, the temperature was 61.57 on September 5th!

Not too hot or too cold, but just right.

That Dress

It finally has happened!!

With no further avail, I have found my wedding dress! Finally!

Michele and I found her hanging in a little shop in a cute little downtown area of Tonawanda, NY last Sunday afternoon. I just had to have her.

Many thanks to Michele for helping me out on the day with the big decision. It couldn't have been done without you!!!

Love The One Who Wears Your Ring

'On your wedding day, God loaned you his work of art: an intricately crafted, precisely formed masterpiece. He entrusted you with a one-of-a-kind creation. Value her. Honor him.

...Make your wife the object of your highest devotion. Make your husband the recipient of your deepest passion. Love the one who wears your ring.'

-Max Lucado, Facing Your Giants

The Reception

The Ball's Falls Centre for Conservation. This is where we will be holding the reception.

The Centre is a brand new building, construction was finished just in early March, and will be open to the public in May.

Below is some of the literature provided on the Ball's Falls Conservation Website. It describes the Centre; its purposes and functions. We will not be holding the reception in a gallery, rather in the 'Multi-Purpose Room' that has a large patio out the back.

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"The Ball’s Falls Centre for Conservation will provide a necessary community resource that will highlight the Niagara Peninsula’s cultural history, historical settlement, industrial development and their related impact on the watershed. Increased interactive programming and a broadened scope of events will bring economic benefits to the region of Niagara as a result of increased tourism.

It will house galleries and exhibits, provide information and connect you to the Ball’s Falls experience. Its architecture alone makes the Centre stand out, and indeed the building itself is part of the overall experience.

The Ball's Falls Centre for Conservation is being designed to follow the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green build rating system and is striving to achieve a Gold certification. LEED is an assessment tool to evaluate and promote sustainable design and practices that limit the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants.

The Galleries will feature both permanent displays and traveling exhibits that use interactive technology, video display terminals, and even a live web cam broadcast. Here you will find an exhibit that simulates a flight above the Twenty Valley, a display that gives a real time view of the sights and sounds of nature, and an experience that replicates walking the watershed."
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To visit the Centre for Conservation, here is the address and map.

Engagement Party a Success!

We are very thankful to report a strong success in our engagement party!

Everyone thought it a smart idea for the family members and wedding party to get acquainted and just hang out, so we held a little party for this to happen. Last Sunday from 3 - 6 was a huge success, and we have many people to thank.

First off, Hayley for hosting the party, and her parents for lending us the use of their house in Oakville. This provided us with neutral ground to meet on and a beautiful atmosphere. Hayley, props to your gluten-free cooking and amazing hostess skills. You are an A+ bridesmaid and friend to Andrew and I. Your parents are so gracious and giving, thanks Debbie and Scott!

My parents for buying and bringing lots of the food (shared with Hayley). Mom and Dad this couldn't have been done with out you.

My sister Milja for making and bringing the beautiful cake (which was very tasty too) and for putting together the game that definitely broke the ice! It all means a lot to us.

And of course everyone else for coming and playing the game and for all your beautiful gifts. It means a lot to us for you to give so much to Andrew and I and help us along in planning the day. We are so thankful to have you in our lives, and especially at this time.

Thanks again.

September Fifth, Two-Thousand and Eight

Ladies and Gents,

Please remember to book off Friday September 5th 2008 in your calendars! Andrew and I will be having our wedding that evening. We will be having a later-ish ceremony, I'll be walking down the aisle around 5ish we think, dinner say for 6:30 - of course that is subject to change.

So plans are coming along, I've been dress shopping - and consequently hate everything I've found! I know I'm indecisive, but at least I definitely know what I don't want in a dress.

We also have booked our photographer (Stec Photography), caterer (Rosalie's in St. Catharines) and venue (Ball's Falls Centre for Conservation). I'll post about these as well.

Andrew and I took a drive through Jordan (the small town just before St. Catharines on the QEW where Ball's Falls is located) to look for cute little churches. We've found 2 that are workable, and are also investigating some in St. Catharines. If you have any suggestions, of course you are welcome to post them!

We are happy to announce these new advancements!!! Any advice or input or questions are always welcome. We love hearing from you all.

With Love,
Andrew and Megan

The Colour Scheme

Good news is here. We have somewhat selected the colour scheme for the wedding. Keep your head open though because slight changes could be made at any time. We have sort of decided where these colours will be placed on the day, but there have not been any final decisions. Some will be very outwardly displayed, and some more subtly seen. Hope you like!!! Please tell us what you think.

To see the colours, go to the Benjamin Moore website. Click on 'Colours' on the top menu bar. Close to the bottom on the right side of the page please go to 'Paint Now'. This opens the Personal Colour Viewer. Choose a sample room and that will let you choose the colours listed below. On the right side under Options, click on 'number' instead of 'name'.

Here are the colours to look for:
1. jalepeno pepper ~ 2147 - 30
2. jack o'lantern ~ 2156 - 30
3. stuart gold ~ HC - 10
4. chocolate candy brown ~ 2107 - 10
5. camelot ~ CC-4

Engagement Pics!!!!

Andrew and I got our engagement pictures done a few weeks ago. Our friend Chris Schryer did them. We went to the Beach on Lake Ontario, Castro's (a bar Chris works at), and Union Station. Out of some 200 pictures taken, here are a few of the good ones.

Did You Know?

While reading my Wedding Etiquette book, I came across these two interesting facts.

1. The wedding ring symbolizes everlasting love. It's thought that the ancient Egyptians started the practice of wearing one on the third finger of the left hand - they believed that the vein in that finger ran straight to the heart.

2. The Honeymoon gets its name from the tradition of newleyweds drinking honeyed mead (a symbol of life and fertility) until the waning of the moon.

Speaking of Honeymoons, we are currently pondering over where exactly to go. We are thinking of making it a beach/jungle trip, with the beach the more essential part.

If you have any suggestions, recommendations or advice on where (or where not) to go that involves the beach and hot weather and is not too typical of honeymooners these days, please let us know! It would be great to have a few personal recommendations. Just post to the site or email us. We would also love to hear your honeymoon stories!!

Signed,
The Bride

The Bride

Name: Megan Emily Saari

Birthday: October 3, 1983

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Engaged (I'm going to be the Bride!)

City currently living in: Toronto

Occupation/ Area of Study in School:
Muskoka Woods - Registrar of Summer Programs/ Wilfrid Laurier University - Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, concentration in Finance, with a minor in Psychology

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Australia, Fiji, Belize, China, and Kenya

Favourite Bands:
U2, Imogen Heap, Snow Patrol, The Bloc Party, The Cranberries, and Mat Kearney

First time you met your Fiancee:
I was in the boathouse at Muskoka Woods, Andrew was getting ready to lead worship that morning, and I thought to myself, "wow, he's hot!" I asked someone how old he was, and then learned he was 19, but it didn't matter. Everything else is history

Favourite moment with the groom:
My favourite moment with Andrew was, when after a leadership meeting, at Muskoka Woods, we were exiting the music hall. It was raining really hard, and I wanted a lift back to my cabin. I thought about a golf cart, but then saw Andrew's back. At this point I thought to myself, should I? or shouldn't I? And then I did. Yes, I jumped on his back. He was not ready for this leap of faith, so because of this we both went tumbling down to the ground, which resulted in me getting a black eye

Your favourite thing about cheese (different eh?):

When you've got cheese, you've got choice

The Groom

Name: Andrew Brendan Snider

Birthday: August 13, 1986

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Engaged (I'm going to be the Groom!)

City currently living in: Toronto

Occupation/ Area of Study in School:
Muskoka Woods - Coordinator of Summer Programming/Tyndale - BRE-Youth Ministry (Graduating this Year)

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Italy, Australia, Iceland (Because it's Green), and Greenland (Because it's Ice)

Favourite Band:
Mute Math and Mat Kearney

First time you met your Fiancee:
I met Megan on June 4, 2006 and fell in love at first sight. "She had me at hello, "literally!

Favourite moments with the Bride:

My favourite moments with the bride actually took place throughout the entire summer of 2006. You may be wondering what moments could possibly have lasted so long...let me tell you. Throughout the summer, Megan and I spent lots of time together, but never in view of anyone. That may sound bad, but it's true because throughout the summer Megan never wanted to be seen be with me. You could say that she was embarrassed of me, but that's not true. The real reason is too long to tell, but I'm sure if you had been walking remotely close to us, you would have seen me on one side of the road and her on the other. She just didn't want anyone to know about us. Jokes on you Megan because you are with me till death do us part...Are you ready?

Your favourite thing about cheese (different eh?):

The thing about cheese that I so desire is the fact that you can add it to anything and everything

Sister of the Groom/Junior Bridesmaid

Name: Leah Jane Snider

Birthday: February 18. 1996

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Single

City currently living in: Barrie

Occupation/ Area of Study in School:
Prince of Wales, Extended French

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
England, Mexico, Australia, Alaska, North Pole

Favourite Band:
Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana

How long have you know the bride/groom/where you met:
Meet Andrew on February 18, 1996 when he held me at the hospital where I was born.
Met Megan in June 2007 when she came home from Japan.

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Megan: Good luck with Andrew!

The Groomsmen - Part II

Name: Stephen John Thomas Wray

Birthday: 12/11/1985

Country born in: Canada or so I was told

Marital Status: Unmarried, but one day perhaps

City currently living in: Toronto, at the moment, Lindsay during the summer, and Kitchener some nights

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
Real estate office, gopher, sign boy, flyer boy and the occasionally bookkeeper, currently trying to study business at Tyndale

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
The north pole, its beautiful, white, cold, and nobody around for miles, except Santa of course

Favourite Band:
Well Petra when I was young, DC Talk growing up, and now Disciple, and pretty much anything you can head bang to

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
Well I can't remember all the details, but I met Andrew in my first year of university, which was about three years ago, can't remember the first time we actually met, but I remember him being loud and for some reason I wanted to be his roommate the second year, as for Megan, I would have said hello for the first time over a year from now, in front of a webcam, as she was in Japan and I was at Tyndale with Andrew, we later met in person the following school semester

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Some advice for Megan, do you know what your getting into? Andrew is crazy, I've lived with him, I know. Hey all jokes aside, you two remember to enjoy yourselves and try to have a little fun, its your day, so make it the way you want it and it will be awesome, well that last part mostly goes to Megan, Andrew sorry you don't get a whole lot of input in this

Ring Bearer

Name: Ryan Alexander Money

Birthday: January 27th, 2007

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: A single baby

City currently living in: Jerseyville (close to Ancaster)

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
ABC's, 123's

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
The toilet (for training)

Favourite Band:
Raffi

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
Megan, since the day she moved home from Japan./The Airport.

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
eat, drink, sleep. like me. take it easy.

Sister of the Bride - Part II

Name: Michele Katherine Money

Birthday: April 19th, 1972

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Married

City currently living in: Jerseyville (close to Ancaster)

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
Neuro/Trauma ICU Nurse/Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Hawaii

Favourite Band:
Barenaked Ladies + Matchbox 20

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
Bride: forever Groom: September '06 (Dinner on the farm)

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Do not leave on the honeymoon the next day...leave yourselves a bit of time.

Best Man (Brother of the Groom)

Name: Jason Snider

Birthday: December 23, 1984

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Married

City currently living in: Toronto

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
Church Ministry / Bachelors in Religious Education: General Ministry

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Fiji

Favourite Band:
Delirious?

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
Bride = Summer 2007
Groom = August 13, 1986 (Met the groom in the hospital)

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Don't think about it.

The Groomsmen - Part I

Name: David Daniel Kentie

Birthday: March 11, 1986

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Single

City currently living in: Toronto

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
Female Relations/Singer/Songwriter, but seriously B.A. in History/Philosophy

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
England (or anywhere in Europe)

Favourite Band:
Death Cab for Cutie, Sufjan Stevens, Coldplay, Imogen Heap, Stars, Snow Patrol, The New Pornographers, Cold War Kids, Postal Service, and U2

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
Known the Groom 3 Years, he was at urinal 1 I was at urinal 2

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Brown looks really good on me!

Flowergirl

Name: Serena Margaret May Gillespie

Birthday: Feb 13, 2007

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: single (for a long time)

City currently living in: Waterloo

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
talking and walking

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Anywhere my granna goes

Favourite Band: Raffi

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
we met in June 2007

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Play with me a lot!

Sister of the Bride - Part I

Name: Milja Robyn Gillespie

Birthday: March 13, 1975

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Married

City currently living in: Waterloo

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
Marketing Manager, BMath Degree from University of Waterloo

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Scotland

Favourite Band:
Stabilo

How long you've known the bride/groom where you met:
Since October 3rd, 1983 (24 years)

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
To be nice to your sisters :)

The Bridesmaids - Part II

Name: Hayley Joy Millard

Birthday: June 26th 1986

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Single

City currently living in: Guelph

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
University of Guelph – Commerce, specializing in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Today it’s Bora Bora

Favourite Band:
Bloc Party, Coldplay, Craig Cardiff, Deathcab for Cutie, Feist, The Fray, Imogen Heap, Metric, New Pornographers, Snow Patrol, Stars, Straylight Run, Sufjan Stevens

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
I met them both at Muskoka Woods, but I’ve actually known Andrew longer than I’ve known Megan…that’s funny. I met Andrew in the summer of 2003 when he was just a young fellow with long hair and a neon orange cap. I then met Megan in the summer of 2006, when we not only shared an office, but many common life interests of which we discussed on a regular basis and decided we were friends.

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Don’t get too caught up in the trickiness of the planning, and take time to enjoy all these moments!

The Bridesmaids - Part I

Name: Rosilee Nicole Sherwood

Birthday: April 8th, 1983

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Married (yay!)

City currently living in: Kitchener

Occupation/Area of Study in School:
supply teacher/masters in philosophy

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
yikes. I'm trying to teach myself not to want to travel, since flying is so bad...but let's be serious, GREECE!!!

Favourite Band:
The Killers ("the stars are shining like rebel diamonds, cut out of the sun")

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
Really, Meg and I met at Camp Crossroads, where she took a picture of me and my cousin on twin day or something. But we officially met when she phoned about living with my cousin and I in first year university. We met at Montabello park by the gazebo. Then we lived together for a while and became amazingly good friends!

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Just be yourself. I would say have fun, and you definitely should, and I would say don't stress out, and that's also good advice. But the key thing is to just be who you are, feel what you're feeling and really experience the whole thing. Yes, that's it - take a minute, every once in a while, and stop and consciously notice everything. Then it'll be stuck in your memory for later.

Maid of Honour

Name: Natalie Marie Marchionda

Birthday: Nov. 2 1983

Country born in: Canada

Marital Status: Single

City currently living in: weekdays in Burlington, weekends in St. Catharines

Occupation:
French Teacher @ Guardian Angels in Milton

Where you want to travel to most (your dream destination):
Would love to go back to Ilha Grande, Brazil

Favourite Band:
U2, Barenaked Ladies

How long you've known the bride/groom/where you met:
I've known Megan for just over 10 years. We met on the first day of high school. We sat next to each other in Religion and she pointed to our day planner with the list of all the teachers in the school and said, 'You see the name Mr. Saari, the math teacher? Well, that's my dad.' And we've been best friends since :)

One piece of advice through the wedding planning for the bride and groom:
Just always keep in mind the big picture :)

Wedding Party Bios

Hello all,

So, it's about time for us to figure out who's who in the wedding party. Stay tuned for the Wedding Party Bios!!

And so it begins...

December 28th 2007 marks the start of something new for Andrew Snider and Megan Saari.

I was in my pyjamas. But he didn't care. He couldn't wait.

I kind of thought it was coming, but then again I was sure that he wouldn't do the ultra-cliche New Years proposal. And so there it was, quick, to the point, and all I ever wanted.

And so here we are now, engaged, and ready to tell the world about our up-and-coming public commitment to each other.

Please follow along with us at your leisure and keep in touch.