The Bride & Groom

I’ve been thinking about my wedding since I was a little girl. Shocker, I know.

If you asked my 14-year-old self what her dream wedding would be, it would include a large catering hall, a big fluffy dress and flowers from all over the world. Now that I’m 27 and engaged, the only thing that hasn’t changed is my desire to have a beach-side ceremony.

A native of Long Island, now living in North Carolina (another shocker, I know), I am an office manager for Four Seasons Sunrooms of N.C., a sunroom distributor, by day and a freelance writer for Patch.com and the Raleigh Public Record at night. You can also find me blogging as Orchid Bud on BridalBuds.com.

I love the beach and visiting small towns. I am growing fond of wine and open spaces. I’m pretty easy going and low maintenance, so when I have a “girly” moment my friends tend to laugh. If I had a lot of disposable income, I would open a shelter for stray cats and buy a house in the Tuscan country-side.

I always secretly wished I could snag myself a musician. My wishes came true now that I’m marrying Chuck, a classically trained pianist who also dabbles in the guitar. Musicians really are as hot as everyone thinks they are.

Chuck’s the brains of this relationship as he has a BA in philosophy and BS in physics, which he hopes to put to good use as a high school teacher. Right now, he’s a tutor at Huntington Learning Center and a tutor for student athletes in the North Carolina State University academic center.

He enjoys reading about conspiracy theories and building cars with this XBox game he likes.

He loves hockey and says he’s given up on the Islanders, but I’m convinced if they started playing well he’d jump back on the bandwagon. I used to like clean-shaven guys but he’s sexy with a bit of scruff.

He is my best friend and I am so incredibly lucky to have found him.

Email me at LIBudgetBride@gmail.com or follow me on twitter @LIBudgetBride