odds and ends

The RSVPs are beginning to roll in, so I feel its time to get folks thinking about what to pack. The entire wedding will be outdoors, provided the weather is cooperative. June in Dawson is generally quite warm during the day, averaging around 20C during the day, down to 10C or lower at night. A light sweater or cardigan will come in handy, as will short sleeves. Ladies, I would recommend wearing flats as the affair will largely take place on a lawn. Although I am sure my dad would probably appreciate you aerating the grass, you will want to be able to move freely. Anyone planning to stay overnight or party until the wee hours might consider bringing a change of clothes to maximize comfort and stamina.

In case you didn't know, or in case I haven't mentioned it, the sun will not be setting. Dawsonites will be used to this effect and prepared to party long into the 22nd, guests from afar will probably want to try and get a good solid sleep the night before.

There will be no cost for booze or food, so don't be concerned about stocking up on cash before heading out of Dawson for the day.

If you are planning on joining my dad for the epic canoe trip or any camping of your own you will need some good shoes, probably a hat and sunglasses, sandals and a sleeping bag. As far as the canoe trip goes, we are happy to round up tents, canoes, life jackets, dishes, utensils, bug repellent, sunscreen etc.

I would also like to get some info regarding people's dietary needs. Allergies? Vegetarian? Let me know. The sooner we know the more we can do to ensure you get enough to eat.

Five month mark

We are five months away! The RSVP's are slowly trickling in, and I can say with confidence to those of you still on the fence, the roster is shaping up real nice.

I am new to this kind of formality and I truly hate asking people to do things I know I would forget myself, but nonetheless I can only think of my dear mother slaving over a hot menu and urge people to get their RSVPs to me by April 21st for her sake.

My mind is filling up with strange foreign concepts like centerpieces and chair covers these days, what the hell is a wedding favour? Ahh, got it. The theme is shaping up to be a garden explosion, with tonnes of flowers and general greenery. The mood for the afternoon will be set by our dear friends Aaron and Jonathon, whose heartfelt folksy tunes will be a lovely accompaniment to a laid back day of fun and laughter and of course, looooove.

The menu is coming together (for those of you who know my family, you will know food is our favorite thing to talk about) as is the bar (for those of you that know me, you will know this is all I care about). Kyle who?

Has anyone ever watched Say Yes to the Dress? I highly recommend it. I also recommend Four Weddings. I have pretty much replaced my Food Network addiction with a wedding show addiction. Don't worry though, if anything these shows serve to strengthen my resolve against becoming bridezilla. 

Speaking of dresses, I found one. It's amazing and gorgeous and I love it.

lol

On their way to getting married, a young couple is involved in a fatal car accident. They find themselves sitting outside the Pearly Gates, waiting for St. Peter to process them into Heaven. While waiting, they begin to wonder: Could they possibly get married in Heaven? When St. Peter shows up, they ask him. St. Peter says, 'I don't know. This is the first time anyone has asked that. Let me go and find out,' and he leaves.

The couple sit and wait, and wait. Two months pass and the couple is still waiting. As they wait, they discuss that if they were allowed to get married in Heaven, what was the eternal aspect of it all. 'What if it doesn't work?' they wondered. 'Are we stuck together forever?'

After yet another month, St. Peter finally returns, looking somewhat bedraggled. 'Yes,' he informs the couple, 'you can get married in Heaven.'

'Great!' says the couple, 'But we were just wondering, what if things don't work out? Can we also get a divorce in Heaven?'

St. Peter, red-faced with anger, slams his clipboard onto the ground.

'What's wrong?' ask the frightened couple.

'OH, COME ON!' St. Peter shouts, 'It took me three months to find a priest up here! Do you have any idea how long it'll take me to find a lawyer?'

Dress shopping!

Heading out for my first official scouting mission tomorrow morning. I have done a bit of peeking around since we've been here in Halifax, but nothing too serious. Tomorrow I gather the troops and begin the real assault. The battalion includes my sisters (Katie and Aili), Kyle's sisters (Charlotte and Courtenay), Kyle's mom (Jennifer), our good friend and the wedding hairdresser (Robyn) and David's girlfriend (Heather). I am looking forward to a montage-worthy day of dresses, jokes and general girlishness.

Dress-wise I am still pretty wide open. My dress will likely be strapless and probably not white, it will be simple enough to wear at an outdoor wedding and it will have to be built like a suspension bridge to keep all my business in line.

Well, wish us luck. Actually your wishes would be better spent on the poor staff at the stores we will be descending on, we got a lot of personality in this group.

Getting here.

Getting to Dawson can be a real challenge (as can getting away from it...)

Air North is the Yukon's airline and they are great little company. They offer flights out of Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver to Whitehorse. I would recommend getting to one of these cities and taking Air North from there. If you book them well in advance, you get a pretty good deal. From Whitehorse, you have a couple options:

1. Fly to Dawson with Air North. This is a quick, affordable, easy way to get here and is the least stressful option. We will arrange all airport pick-ups ourselves, you just have to get on that plane!

2. Drive. The drive from Whitehorse is five hours and is a really neat way to see a large portion of the Yukon. We are happy to pick people up in Whitehorse, or you could rent a car and take the drive on your own.

We are so grateful to anyone even considering making the long trek here, we want to make it clear that we will do everything and anything in our power to make it as easy as possible for you. To us this means airport pick-ups, hotel bookings, putting people up in various houses and cabins, loaning time and vehicles, basically anything at all.

Feel free to post questions on this blog and I will be happy to answer them.

Canoe come out and play?

Here's the thing, Dawson is far away. I know it, you know it, let's not pretend that getting here isn't a huge deal. Bearing these facts in mind, as well as the fact that some of our guests have never been to Canada's True North before, we are hatching a few plans to make the most of the time our "outside" guests have here.

First off the drawing board, a four day canoe trip down the Stewart River. My dad would like to organize a canoe trip for any interested guests, to take place either before or after the wedding. We need two types of people for this event:

1. Newbies- this is a great chance to see a beautiful section of the Yukon without having to do any organizing, planning, or spending. All of the equipment and expertise will be taken care of, you just need to get your butt into a life jacket and canoe and enjoy the ride.

2. Locals- we are going to need some people to help organize and guide this trip. Not that you need to be some river expert, we just need to ensure that each canoe has at least one person who has canoed a Yukon river before. We also might plan a trip for earlier in the season to scout out our camping spots.

We are still working out the details, and of course it depends on interest, but we are thinking maybe five canoes would be a workable number.

For anyone not aware, the Stewart River holds special significance for the Fraser family, as it was named after an ancestor of ours, James Stewart.

James Green Stewart, a classic example of the often-neglected second rank of the northern exploratory corps, made a noteworthy contribution to the opening of the far northwest. Although his part in northern exploration has been obscured by the more dynamic and public careers of his superior officers, most notably Robert Campbell, Stewart played a vital role in the Hudson’s Bay Company’s efforts to expand into the Yukon River valley.

- From Arctic Profiles by Richard Davis

We are hoping to have a few events over the time people are visiting, just to make sure that people get the most out of their Yukon experience. This might include a drive up the world famous Dempster Highway or a visit to the National Historic Site, Dredge #4, it all depends on what people want to see and do.

Get a ring on it.

Please be advised, the captain has turned off the "no turning back" sign, and we are now starting the final decent into marital bliss. That's right, Kyle and I have been engaged just over one year and we are getting down to business! The invitations have almost all been sent, just waiting on a few addresses. We are heading out east during the coldest darkest parts this winter and I hope to find a dress whilst in the fine cities of Halifax and Toronto.

Our plan is coming together, and our vision of a small ceremony followed by a massive party is beginning to come into focus. From where I am sitting, it looks like all is achievable and this wedding is going to go off like Mel Gibson on a visible minority. Of course, this confidence is one hundred percent the result of the enthusiasm and devotion of one Jayne Fraser and one Michael Fraser. Although Kyle and I are the betrothed, my parents have generously offered to host our wedding and if anyone knows how to throw a party, it's these cats.

Kyle and I will take our vows on the very spot where my mom and dad did 26 years ago this past August. Although present at this blessed event, I can hardly claim to recall much from my view as a one year old being handed around from one loving guest to the next. Family friends and photographic evidence assure me that it was a hell of a good time, and I believe them. Throughout the course of my life, this property has played host to birthday parties, solstice parties, epic football tournaments, backyard barbecues, pony rides and even one air show. My childhood yard holds a lifetime of good memories for me and my siblings, and I cannot think of a better place to be the backdrop for the beginning of my life with Kyle.