Hi to all my AS junkies!

I thought I would post an update with you all! I am now engaged and planning a Jan. wedding. So ever since my fiance got back to the states we have been busy.. adjusting, wedding plans, visiting family etc. I have to thank everyone for their advice on how to prepare for his arrival. Things are still a work in progress but we are very thankful for being able to communicate and having the patience to adapt and work on things.

I was looking for some ideas on how I can incorporate some military awareness to my wedding. I had thought of getting some post cards and having some of the guests sign them and we could send them out to Iraq.  I had thought about possibly having our guest donate non perishable items so we could send to Iraq, but I think the cost of shipping on that might be overwhelming.  Those are the only ideas we have so far.

So any ideas would be greatly appreciated!  If anyone has any experience on planning military weddings... please feel free to add your advice on that as well :-)

:-) Andrea

 Andrea,

Sent you an e-mail 

Hey Andrea,
Congratulations! We're planning our wedding too! We're having a small civil ceremony in January and then our "church" wedding will be in late June! I don't know what branch your fiance is in or how formal your wedding will be, but we are going to have the Arch of Sabers at our wedding and we're encouraging our guests to wear their dress uniforms.

 Congratulations on the upcoming event!

   I have no experience with military weddings, wish I could help that way. This is your day......you have a wonderful heart to want to do something for the troops, but please remember it's your day.

   To collect items can be a bit overwhelming. Maybe you could have a Jack&Jill Shower and have a collection then? To help with shipping costs you can have a special "toast"  (no, not whole wheat<S>)  People  pay a $2 fee for a glass of champagne or cider, and then salute the troops. All fees collected with go to the shipping/care packages.  Somewhere I have heard about something similar. You would have to work it out with the "lounge" or provide your own bottles....heck if I were closer I'd donate a few bottles for you.

  Hmm, lets see..you could have a Kissing Booth. Kiss the Bride for $2.00.  Dance with the bride $2.00   ?

 A Reverse Favor.....Instead of buying  Wedding favors for all have them bring a non perishable as a "favor".  They could set it at their table setting and you/a friend could collect it later on.  Place a jar somewhere for  donations towards shipping costs.

  (Its not too horrendous, btw.  Use flat rate, and pack those "suckers" tight<S>  . 

 You could have a Sponsor a Box..........get a few flat rate boxes, and ask  for people to "spoonsor them" by paying a $10 fee. have a little slip typed up to include in the package, saying In Honor of Our Marriage This Care Package was Given Wings by_____________

 Something like that

 You can tell em to shut up now<S>

remember to focus on your and your love....... this will be your day!

 HUGS Amy

Actually, Amy, I was going to say keep going.  I know you targeted your ideas towards the wedding question, but many of them could be used with Christmas coming up, at craft fairs and such.  Put jars up, the sponsor a box, Have people decorate their box with pens and stickers, ask them to buy stamps for an FRB ($10 to Iraq).  Wonderful ideas.  Also, anyone that is doing baby sitting, have your "kids" create cards for the troops, for whatever holiday is coming up.  Make yourself a tote with blank cards, stickers and felt tip pens or crayons in it.

 As for the wedding, how about a center piece at the reception table, that has cards, pens, flags, stickers, so that guests can create cards while they are sitting.  That puts no pressure on them, but you can invite them to support the troops by creating cards.