365 Days Until the Wedding and No Ring?

A Princess on Her Day

2009-12-14T15:00:00.000-08:00

So many brides say that they want to be a princess on their big day, and I don't think that there is anything wrong with this. It is an important day and we want to feel important. But after reading 500 Pieces of Prudent Advice for My Baby Daughte r it left me wondering if we want to feel like a princess or like an amazing and special version of ourselves? Do we want to kiss a frog, or wait to be saved? Do we want to escape from an evil stepmother, or do we just want to marry the man we love?

#212 of the 500 pieces of advice states, "Some of the greatest writers of children’s fables were male: The Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, even Walt Disney. You are not a tiny princess awaiting rescue by a valiant man, a symbol of frailty and naïveté, or the punch line in a morality tale. The women in those stories were crafted by a different sex at a different time for a different audience; these days you slay the dragon yourself."

So while brides might want to feel as special as a princess on their wedding day, on a normal day I think it is good for all of us to remember that we can slay the dragon ourselves.

Mmmm Bacon

2009-11-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

I was watching Top Chef (on DVR) last night and they were in Las Vegas cooking up delicious breakfast food. It made me want to go to Vegas or eat a gourmet, hearty breakfast, or better yet both. The yummy looking food and beautiful presentation made me think further about a breakfast for the out-of-town guests and wedding party the morning after the wedding.

Oh, wouldn't it be lovely, to wake up to a bloody mary bar with little towers of fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon ... I better stop, I am making myself very hungry. I have heard of venues throwing these in for free in this economy to get people to book or to spring for the open bar. My aunt also offered to throw a breakfast for us at my house and it is tempting, because she is an amazing cook. However, I would feel bad having her do all that just for my bacon craving. I don't want a gift opening so I am not sure what people would do to entertain themselves. I guess talk, reminisce about the previous night and laugh. I suppose it could be like a more relaxing version of the rehearsal dinner. This idea will require more thought.

The Cake in the Face Problem

2009-11-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

(Mathieu Photography)

So you know how they say men usually do the exact opposite of what you tell them? Or is that children they say that about? I guess sometimes there isn’t much difference.

Brett definitely falls into this category. I am not the type to tell him he “can’t” do something, but if I was he would probably laugh and run right along and do what I had said not to. This is where the cake in the face problem comes in. I DO NOT want cake in my face on my wedding day. I know everyone laughs and thinks it is cute when the bride and groom shove cake up each others' noses (they usually miss the mouth) but then I have cake on my face, which is no fun. I know it might sound vain but I just don’t want to muck up my makeup with frosting. And knowing Brett, who always spills a portion of dinner on himself it will get on him or worse on my dress!

However, I don’t want to tell him not to put cake in my face because the bigger deal I make of it the funnier he will think it is when he does it. But it is important to me (as stupid as this sounds I really don’t want cake shoved in my face one bit…not at all…zilch) and therefore I feel I should tell him. I guess at least I have a few months to mull this one over.

P.S. I will look as upset as the girl in the picture above if I do get dessert smeared on my face during the cake cutting. However, I think she is joking and I would not be.

My Love Affair with Sun Spots

2009-11-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

Pictures with sun spots get me every time. I love pictures that are flooded with light and have orbs of sunlight that dance in front of the bride and groom. I hope to get some just like these on my wedding day.

(Stout Photography)

As Rachel Zoe would say … I die.

(Mathieu Photography via Rock 'n Roll Bride)

I love this picture not only for the sun spot but because it is amazing!

(Jonas Peterson Photography)

Faces need not be included when Jonas Peterson gets a hold of sun spots.

A Wedding Graduates Important Advice

2009-11-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

I never just re-post things that I find on other blogs. However, the advice below from Liz who was a Wedding Graduate on A Practical Wedding blog had the most amazing advice. The Wedding Graduate brides usually have some great advice but what Liz said really resonated with me. Here are a few of the things Liz brought up.

A. It’s not about you. We always hear this with regard to including the groom in the planning. Don’t limit yourself here. Make the day about your relationship, your families, your friends, anyone who has been there along the whole process that ended in your marriage (and will keep on being there through the ish that’s gonna come after).

B. Damn the man. NOT choosing something because everyone else does, is just as bad as choosing something because everyone else does. It’s the same thing. (This includes nixing something because your photos will look “dated.” Um. Go back to your parents’ wedding photos. My favorites are the dated ones.)

C. It’s NOT “just one day.” The whole wedding planning process can be a butt load of fun, too. The key to this is to just suck it up and use your friends if they offer. It may make you feel super guilty handing over those envelopes to stuff and the hankies to fold, but damn, is it nice to have a second to breathe. Working with friends and family was the best part of our wedding. I may be exaggerating (having a husband is pretty awesome, too). But making all of the little details together brought about some of the best, most memorable moments of the wedding process. I couldn’t afford a veil, so my mom and I learned how to make one and shopped for the fabric together. We catered the reception ourselves, so I had hours of prep and set-up the day before with both families and tons of caring, awesome volunteers. Sure, we were exhausted by the end of the night. But I never knew you could laugh so much while setting up folding chairs and coffee pots. Not to mention, it makes everyone feel so involved in the day… almost take ownership of it, really. And all of those little details are made meaningful when you don’t just see cupcakes, but you see cupcakes-that-Amanda-iced and memories of flour-covered-kitchens. (sorry about the novel, Meg… I could go on and on here)

D. Have a deadline. Planning everything ourselves meant that we were building, creating, and setting up til Saturday evening. But I gave myself a cut off. After 9pm, no more wedding planning. Seriously. All that night, all the next day, no “planning” allowed. Whatever was left on the to-do list was dropped (some of it was “important”!), and I soaked my little feet and packed my suitcase for honeymoon.

See the full post here. Photography by Love Me Do Photography.

I love this advice, from the engagement to the gift opening and everything in between I want my wedding to be about our amazing families and wonderful friends not just about me, or him because the guests that are at the wedding are the reason we are who we are today. I love the planning process with these important people involved and I need to remember to lean on them when I need it and to be ok with asking for help and giving up control when I need to. I also think that setting a deadline and being organized will be extremely important. Getting things done early so that I am not stressed around the wedding day will be a very important priority. I also think I get too caught up in my wedding being different and unique and I think Liz makes a good point that just because something has been done before doesn’t mean it is no longer a good idea. Hopefully I can keep this advice in mind as the months until the wedding get shorter and shorter.

Cheese, Chocolate and Wedding Talk

2009-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

My fondue get-together with my bridesmaids was a blast! Even though the fondue didn't go as planned (we needed some kind of alcohol you get at a hardware store to light the stupid thing) the rest of the food was great.

We started by looking at dresses and they each got a feel for what I am thinking (wear what you want as long as it looks good), and I got to see what they like (pockets and prints). It was a fun playful way for everyone to meet and a great way to break the ice.

After that, we all came to my house and finished making the snacks together. I was the ring leader so I gave everyone jobs and together we finished what would have taken me hours in just a few minutes.

It was a wonderful day and everyone meshed so well! I have an amazing group of friends standing up for me and we all had a great time together. I have a feeling there is a lot more to come!

I forgot to get a picture of us (major bummer), but I did snap a few pics of the desert table before everyone came over. What do you think? Not too bad for my first try.

If you are wondering what happened to the pink treat on the far left tray all I can say is so am I. They were even but I think a little Brett monster might have gotten to one.

Sigh

2009-11-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Lover! These will absolutely be on my tootsies on wedding day if: A. I don't get the ruffly dress (I am down to two options...yay) or B. I feel that I can pull them off with the ruffly dress. They are $140 which is way more then I ever spend on shoes (love shoes, but find I love having as many as possible more then having a few expensive ones), but I figure a girl only gets married once. Plus they are less then the fuchsia number I posted about here.

Martinez Valero Corrine Wedding Shoe from My Glass Slipper

A Sweet Treat

2009-11-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

I am having all of my bridesmaids over on Saturday to meet each other. We will be trying on dresses, eating some good food and with this group probably laughing a lot. I am going to put together an Amy Atlas inspired dessert table for the day. There will only be seven people so it will be a mini-dessert table, but I wanted to try my first one on an un-intimidating crowd. I will be putting together a red and white one for the rehearsal dinner, a nut bar for the cocktail hour and another for a baby shower coming up, so hopefully I am decent at the endeavor. Being a perfectionist, I am hoping that it doesn’t look too amateur. It will be pink and white to give me some ideas for the red and white rehearsal dinner piece. Wish me luck!

(Pictures from Amy Atlas)

I'm Lovin It

2009-11-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

For the big day.

For a gift.

For a fun.

(From Virginia Geiger Jewels on Etsy)

What's Your Style?

2009-10-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

The first florist I met with told me that she asks clients what their homes look like if she is having a problem figuring out exactly what style someone likes. On a side note, she didn't have to ask me; she guessed. Right after that, I met with a florist in his home and loved his style from the neutral tones and mix of modern and natural to the comfy pillows and streamlined accessories. I wondered even more...Does our home style translate into our wedding style? If so, maybe I need to see all of my vendors homes (that was a joke:)).

So, when I saw the Ethan Allen style quiz on Young House Love I couldn't resist. And they hit the nail right on the head! I am Metro with a touch of Loft ... they seem like opposites, but somehow they work so well together, kind of like most good things.

The verdict is in—your style is Metro. Metro is a great modern space. Chic, comfortable, clean. Do the math. Strong horizontals plus graphic clarity plus a fearless blending of metal, woods, leathers, and wovens; minus the superfluous and the clichéd; equals urban architecture domesticated, a vision for living.

This online portfolio shows your style. Brought to life in rooms. A subtle mix of furniture, accessories, and attitude. Different “looks.” Because every home should be unique. Come see.

Energetic. Fashion-driven. Practical. Materials borrowed from industry, architecture, and nature. Clean shapes. Punches of color. Spontaneous and fresh. Kids and pets? Bring them on.

It turns out that I think weddings and home decorating are at least closely related (at least second cousins) because my wedding style and my home decorating style are one and the same. I am constantly torn between my modern style and my love for everything natural, simple, and fun. More about this latter.

The F Word

2009-10-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else dislike the word Fiancé as much as I do? Maybe it comes from those obnoxious people who get engaged and drop it in every sentence that comes out of their mouths (sorry if you are one of those people). Or maybe it is because Brett likes to say it in a Pepe Le Peu accent and only uses it in funny situations in which he laughs hysterically afterwards (he hates the word, too). I just feel like I am being pretentious or obnoxious and I want to giggle every time I say it. On the other hand I catch people looking at the ring on my finger whenever I use the word boyfriend which is an equally awkward term at this age.

I wonder how I am going to say "husband" (yikes/weird) when that time comes. Brett has been my boyfriend for 8 years and it is a hard transition. Any other ladies out there find it hard to utter the F word?

(Pictures by Axioo via Green Wedding Shoes)

Maybe a fun engagement session like this one would get me into the spirit?

Let Them Eat Cake...Cheesecake

2009-10-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Alright, so you can all scream and tell me I am crazy and beg me not to do it over and over. But I am crazy, and I am going to do it, and it will be fun and amazing and yummy, all at the same time! I am making my wedding cake! That is right, I am making all 200 mini-cheesecakes that will be accompanied by a topping bar at the reception. This little trick will save me around a grand and will taste better too! My aunt has a killer cheesecake recipe and I am going to try to wrangle her and my mom into helping me the Thursday before the wedding. We have two mini-cheesecake pans between the two of us so if I get 2 more that means we will only need to make five batches. That’s not so bad, right? I have a feeling some friends might be getting mini-cheesecake pans for Christmas next year.
(Picture from Martha Stewart Weddings)

Brett and I don’t like cake, but both love creamy cheesecake. I want to make plain, chocolate, and a few with fruit hearts. The topping bar will have:
Blueberries
Cherries
Strawberries
Peaches
Raspberries
Toffee
Chocolate
Caramel
Nuts

Oh yeah, that’s rightI. t is going to be drool worthy, just like the rest of the dessert table. However, these little gems are going to be the star! Wait for a post coming soon about the rest of the dessert buffet…it is going to blow your mind! Leave it to the girl who comes from a LONG line of sweet toothes to obsess over the dessert bar.

Here Comes My Girl

2009-10-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

(photography by Liz Linder via A Practical Wedding)

So, as I said in this previous post I am a bit of a flower child at heart. I love laid back Sundays, cotton sweatshirts, and organic produce. Brett and I also love a good Tom Petty concert. So naturally, Tom Petty is going to be our first dance. Either "Here Comes My Girl," which if we have “A Song” it is this one, or "Wildflower," which is Brett’s song for me (he calls me his wildflower).

The problem is that I like the words better to "Here Comes My Girl," but it is a very fast, upbeat song for a first dance. "Wildflower" is a pretty song and is slower, but the words are not as romantic (I guess this doesn’t really matter as long as we like the song). Because "Here Comes My Girl" is so upbeat, I feel we would need the assistance of a dance instructor. I know dragging Brett to lessons would be about as easy as prying a steak out of a lions mouth though, and I am not too excited about the prospect of trying to dance in front of a complete stranger either.

For all those brides out there who have taken lessons or had a song that was a bit different, what did you do?

I Never Thought Asking For Presents Would Be NO Fun

2009-10-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

Who thought that shopping for gifts for yourself would be one of the hardest wedding tasks out there? I know when I first picked up that little scanning gun I felt like a kid in a candy shop, but twenty minutes later I was confused, indecisive, and overwhelmed. Brides who have been living with their groom before the wedding might find it even more difficult to register. Do we ask for the traditional pots, pans and towels? Or should the list be full of fun things we don’t yet have but don’t really need? Will people think we are frivolous? Will guests be disappointed not to find the staples on the registry if we think outside of the box? I think the best advice here is to ask for what you want traditional and non-traditional. Your guests truly want to get you something you will enjoy so register for those things that will put a smile on your face. Give your guests options. If you have some less traditional registry items add a few new towels in the mix or some sheets to make Aunt Nancy happy.

Here are some great alternatives to the traditional registry:

Register for your Honeymoon, guests can purchase something as large as the airline tickets down to a bottle of wine for a romantic dinner. You can even ask for scuba lessons, or better yet a spa treatment. I think that the best site out there is honeyfund.com. It is completely customizable and there are no fees for you or your guests.

The Unbride suggests Wedding futures, a web site where you can register for your financial future. Here you can register for stocks and bonds,. If that doesn’t scream modern bride I don’t know what does.

If you’re an art lover you will jump at this idea. Have your guests fill your walls with fabulous art work. While you might not be able to afford that perfect piece of art for every wall of your home you guests could help make those bare walls beautiful. Nascent Art offers an option for the bride and groom to register for art for the new nest.

Good luck and happy scanning to all those brides out there registering right now.

Let's Party

2009-10-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Cocktail weddings are getting more and more popular. A lot of brides like the feeling of the more casual food even if it is a formal setting. Plus, people can pick and choose what they do and do not want to eat and the options are endless. This is definitely a step up from the ordinary chicken and asparagus. The traditional wedding fare is definitely the perfect choice for some brides and grooms out there but if you are looking for something unique and a little outside of the box this might be the way to go.

Bite Catering does a great job at this type of food (too bad you have to be an LA bride to enjoy them). All of their menus include petite samples of favorite foods including, hamburgers, tacos and pizza. While these options might not sound fancy enough for a wedding caterers are now fancying them up. Guacamole is served in dollops atop crisp plantain ribbons. Sliders are served on pretzel rolls with blue cheese and avocado, and pizza includes smoked mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes and basil. These are all yummy, fancy options that will wow guests.

(Pictures from bitecatering.net)
I will talk more about how I am incorporating this into my wedding later but if you are a bride who doesn’t want guests to circle chicken or steak on your RSVP then this is definitely an option to look into.

I Wish I May I Wish I Might Have This Wish I Wish Tonight …..

2009-10-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I wish that would work. Loving these amazing Fuchsia shoes by Pura Lopez that I found on Endless.com, but I could never bring myself to spend on these what I will on all of the bouquets for myself and my maids. They would be perfect for the reception. Perfect to get the party started! Well, a girl can always dream…Ebay here I come!

And the Bride Wore….

2009-10-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

“You will just know”

“The right one will find you”

“It will give you butterflies”

Does this advice sound like something your mom told you when you were looking for Mr. Right? Well it’s the same advice you get while looking for a dress. Although the idea of the Perfect Dress finding me is somewhat comforting I am not sure that “the perfect dress” exists. There are millions of amazing dresses and when you try them on a lot of them look stunning. What you thought you wanted changes and the idea of picking just one seems impossible. So I teeter back and forth. Is there just one dress? I know there is just one groom for me, the perfect fit. People kept giving me all of the advice above when we were looking for houses as well and I was a bit skeptical then, too. But when the right house came along, I knew it was the one; there were other very nice houses but this house felt like mine from the time I stepped into it.

The more I worry about it and the more stress that I fell over finding the perfect dress the harder it has become. I keep thinking, "Will I know when it is 'the one?'” I don’t know what the one feels like so how will I know if it feels like the one? I know, I know your just do!

So my venture continues to find the perfect dress and although I think there might be many perfect dresses out there, or at least a lot of amazing choices, I hope that there really is one that is MY wedding dress. I hope the right dress finds me like my future husband and cozy little house did. I want a dress that feels like me, one that I don’t want to take off, one that I dream about.

The fun Oscar de la Renta dress makes me smile ... I hope my wedding dress is just as cool.

Do Blondes Have More Fun?

2009-10-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

I am toying with the idea of finding out if blondes really do have more fun. I have been a blonde for a long long long time and feel that it might be time for a change. Ok, so I had a short affair with brunette locks about two years ago, but I don’t think I really gave it a fair trial. I always go darker in winter, but not usually brown. However, with the wedding coming up I thought it might be good to give my tresses a break from the peroxide. I would love to have long, beautiful, healthy hair on my wedding day and I think this would help. I would go back to my roots (ok, that was a really bad pun…Bad!) for the wedding. I want to look like myself, which means dirty blonde it will be for the big day. I just can’t help but love shiny chocolate brown hair on other people...Maybe I will like it on myself.

What do you think? Should I cross over to the dark side? Or was I born to be a blonde? Take the poll on the right hand side of the screen. Don't worry, I can't tell who voted for what!

Wedded to Perfection

2009-10-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

Have any of you seen Wedded to Perfection? It is am amazing new show on TLC featuring the event planners of Fete. This show blows me away. The design of the events that they plan are meticulous. Their style is right up my alley!

Perfection...I can't wait for Tailored Engagements to be as accomplished as Fete. I would love to flex my creative muscles like Jung and Josh Brooks.

(All pictures from the Fete website)

Deep Breaths

2009-09-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

I love every minute of wedding planning. Yes, there are the mental roadblocks and the endless hours searching online for the perfect item and the stress of making sure every detail is in place. But, I love every detail. I love the research. I love it all!

However, I do have to admit that with the rest of life in the mix it can get a little (ok, a lot) overwhelming. With work, family, friends and just life in general getting in the way it can be a bit daunting to plan the most amazing wedding ever on top of it all. This past week I had two major events for work, had just arrived home from an extremely fun (but long) road trip, had no internet for four days straight, an engagement party the following weekend, impending knot deadlines, and no posts ready for the blog. Also, my hometown church sent the wrong letter to our wedding location so I need to once again ask them to revise it. To top it all off I tried on more dresses and I am now more confused then before and the clock is ticking.

I finally hit a point this past weekend where all of the blogs piled up in my Google reader, the Knot To-do list staring at me with big red alarm clocks screaming, "You are LATE LATE LATE," and my pile of unread wedding magazines on the coffee table all got to be too much. It was no longer fun, it was no longer thrilling, and I was feeling very discouraged. The funny part is that I wasn’t even that upset about all the to-do's and tasks awaiting me. I was upset that I was, for the first time, feeling as though these tasks were work. I was upset with myself for having so much piled up and not really knowing where to start.

All this worry created a nasty knot in my shoulder which Brett had to massage and a heating pad was in order to melt away the tension. So many other brides before me have complained about wedding planning being a pain or a chore and I always said it would never be that way for me because I enjoyed it all too much.

Note to bridesmaids: remind me to book one of these the week of the wedding or this stress knot thing could get ugly!

Then as we were driving home last night it hit me, it's ok if the wedding planning is a little too much at times. It is ok to fall behind a little, and it is ok if I don’t love every little second of the process. Some things might not be fun. The red alarm clocks can wait. I will get to the 200 posts in my Google reader. I will post on this little blog and move on from the missed entries. I will find a florist, the DJ will get booked, and (cross my fingers) I will find the perfect dress. Sometimes I just need to take a deep breath and realize…it will all be ok.

So tonight I will be vegging in front of the TV, watching the new fall line-up, eating a big bowl of ice cream, and enjoying my 200 posts piled up in Google reader. I am not going to worry about getting through all of them, just enjoying the ones I do read. I will move through this one little task at a time.

(Wedding Paper Divas)

Wedding Slide Shows Redone

2009-09-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Calling all clever brides. I need a modern and unique twist on the overdone wedding slide show. Brett really wants a slide show with adorable baby pictures, mysterious childhood pictures, and awkward teenage pictures, plus some of the hundreds of pictures of us at dances, bonfires, vacations, and everywhere in between. While I know that this is a fun thing for everyone to see, I see it at every wedding and you know me, anything at every wedding is not something that will be at mine. So you clever, crafty and resourceful brides out there, I need your help.

Maybe it will even include this family favorite from our first Christmas card.
Yes, we are joking!!! And yes, Brett is wearing a woman's sweater. He does not have freakishly long arms.

So far I am thinking we might include:
1)Clips of interviews about us from people close to us or those in the wedding
2)A cartoon picture time line of “our story” like you see on invites strung thought the slide show for those who don’t know how we came to be
3)A run down of the wedding party and how we know each member (short rundown)

That’s all I've got and I am not sold on any of the ideas yet. Any ideas?

(Example of a relationship timeline)

Zoom Zoom

2009-09-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

(Tana Photography Via With this Ring)

I love the nostalgia an old car brings to wedding pictures and it just so happens that Brett’s dad still owns his convertible from when he was in high school! It is a cross between baby blue and sea foam green. It's perfect for getting us around for pictures and for capturing some cute memories. The kicker…Brett’s parents took wedding pictures with the car at their wedding! How fun. I can’t wait for my very own classic car wedding pics!

(Amelia Lyon Photography)

(Wedding Style Guide Blog)

Roar of the Lion

2009-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend the future hubby and I went on an old fashioned road trip and it was amazing! Brett has been a fan of Penn State since he was a tiny boy. No, his dad isn’t a fan. He actually didn’t know anyone who was a fan but he remembers liking the Nittany Lion and his roars after touchdowns.

We have been talking about going to a game for almost as long as we have been together. So finally this year I decided it was time to "just do it," as Nike says. So I bought tickets to one of the games (we cant afford $300 a pop for Ohio or Michigan tix so we settled for Temple). Even though the game wasn’t an intense rivalry or a nail-biter it was a blast!

We left Thursday after work and arrived in Cincinnati at two A.M. tired and ready to stretch our legs. I didn’t get up as bright and early as Brett would have liked (those darn black out drapes in hotels get me every time) but after some Dunkin’ Doughnuts coffee and a glazed, fried ball of dough I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!

The four hour drive to Penn State flew by compared to the long drive the night before and we arrived in College Park excited to try some Paterno Peach ice cream from the famous creamery. The wait was a bit long but well worth it! That night we stayed at a campsite about ten miles away and shared our resting place with about four hundred sequoia bugs. I don’t know if you have ever heard one of these little buggers but they are LOUD and sound like a little baby chainsaw. I woke up freezing and tired from the constant drone of the bugs but excited for the game. It took an hour of stop-and-go traffic even at seven A.M. but we finally got to the game and the tailgating and game were like none other!

Brett even got to see Joe Paterno and he was like a child seeing Santa Clause. “Have a good game Joe!” he yelled as Joe walked right by him. Brett tried to buy every Penn State hat, shirt, sign, magnet, and glass he could find but luckily I vetoed a few.

On the way back we saw a Pittsburgh Pirates game for ten bucks each. We sat in the second row and could almost touch the players (something we are not used to in Milwaukee). The game wasn’t great but the stadium was very cool. You could see the skyline from our seats and it gave us another cool location for our table numberr pictures (post to come). That night we stayed in Indianapolis, the home of my (yes my) Colts and Payton Manning and the Hyatt there is amazing!

Anyway, long story long it was a great weekend where I managed to relax, not have a plan, and laugh a lot with the future husband. I am sure there will be many more of these little road trips to come.

Ten Groomsmen ... TEN?!?!

2009-09-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

I never thought that one of our wedding planning “issues” (I won’t call it an argument because we don’t fight over the wedding) would be selecting groomsmen.

(Photo by Gabriel Ryan Photography Via Green Wedding Shoes)

I have a few very close friends that I want to ask to be in my wedding. It is a very important day to me and I only want people involved that are going to be supportive, fun, and totally enamored with me all day. Alright, the last part isn’t essential but a bride to be can dream, right? I have always known that Brett would have more attendants then me. After all, I have never really been a girls girl and most of his friends are mine as well. So who cares if there are more men then women as long as everyone involved cares about each of us?

You are crazy! How is an uneven number going to work you ask? The Cathedral alter is in the middle of the church and I plan to have all of our attendants stand in a semi circle behind us with ladies and gents intermixed. Most people who hear this plan look at me like I have lost my mind. I guess people think it is crazy not to have an equal mix of men and women, but it really doesn’t bother me.
(Another great snap shot by Gloss Photography Studio s)

What does bother me is that Brett wants to have ten, count them ten, groomsmen! That is about double the number of bridesmaids that I am going to have. I was hoping he would pick around (ok, exactly) eight because it seems like a more manageable amount for pictures (the top picture I posted has 8 groomsmen and the bottom has 7 and they look big!), getting down the aisle, seating at the head table, the list goes on and on. I guess each of my maids could be pimp and have a guy on each arm to walk them down the aisle. Although, how would they carry the flowers? This would probably look a bit weird. Maybe I am being the crazy one now; maybe I should just suck it up and let him choose whoever he wants. I don’t know why I feel like 8 is better than 10 or why I even have a number in my head but that is just what I had pictured. But don’t fear, we will figure it out, and I will keep you posted on the groomsmen drama!

A Little Bling Bling

2009-09-11T13:00:00.000-07:00

I thought we could all use a little sparkly to carry us through this Friday afternoon. Thank goodness the weekend is almost here! Last night when I came across this company I hit Brett in the arm gasping “guess what?!” When he found out what all the excitement was about he was less then enthused but I was still on my diamond high.

With more and more brides trying to reel in the wedding budget many of us don’t have big bucks to spend on real jewelry for the walk down the aisle. Well this blogger has a great solution! You can look beautiful, even on a budget.

Photos from Evoke Photography blog

Adorn Inc. will assure that you are dripping in diamonds for your big day. You can act like a celebrity and rent your jewelry for the day. So, you might not want to go as far as Heidi Montag and cover yourself in the stuff but some fancy chandelier earrings might be nice.

Photos with Gloss

2009-09-10T16:19:00.000-07:00

This little bride believes that photography is one of the most important parts of the wedding day. I personally would DIY to the high heavens if it meant getting my perfect photographer for my big day. Your pictures will be how you remember the smiles, the tears, the mishaps, and the looks the two of you exchange. The photos are what you will pass down for generations. It is what your children will laugh at when they see mom and dad in oh-so dated attire (remember laughing at your dad's ruffly blue leisure suit and mom's puffy hair).

So without further ado I share with you one of my favorite photographers. Here are the amazing Milwaukee pictures from an equally amazing husband and wife team: Gloss Photography Studios.

Don’t these pictures give you the tingles?

A Milwaukee Wedding would not be complete without a picture with "The Calling"

Ahhh the lighting … sun spots get me every time.

All pictures courtesy Gloss Photography Studios.

Don’t worry you will be seeing more of Gloss to come.

Testing Testing

2009-09-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

I bought a fondue set last year giddy with excitement planning all of the fabulous parties I would have and all of the delicious recipes I would make. My mouth was watering at the prospect of melted cheese and chocolate. Now, it has been a year and not surprisingly I have never used the darn thing. I have been contemplating getting all of my bridesmaids together to meet, girl talk, and possibly start assembling invitations and was thinking that cheese, chocolate and wine (for those 21+ and not pregnant) would be fun. On second thought there might not be much wine because that only leaves three of us. I was even considering getting the moms in on it. I don’t want to be too demanding or take too much time from those in my wedding party but I would love for everyone to get to know each other just a bit.

So, what do you ladies think?

Are you asking yourself why this is a test? Well…my naughty attendants who don’t read this little blog will be busted!! Just kidding. It is because we will be testing my fondue set, fondue fixins' and maybe some wine.

The Milwaukee Bride

2009-09-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

There are so many amazing venues in Milwaukee that it makes picking just one really hard. Not only is there a lot to choose from but you can fulfill any decor wish list with the huge array of different types of venues. Milwaukee is home to halls that are chic, rustic, sporty, and traditional. The sky is the limit in this town and before this bride-to-be found her perfect venue she looked at A LOT of others. For all of you Brew City brides who have not yet set a date here is what I found.

Now I bring to you my favorite Milwaukee venues to party down at after the I Do’s have been said. Each are distinctively different and uniquely Milwaukee.

Urban Chic: Cuvee
This Champagne bar is tucked away in Milwaukee’s third ward and is packed full of charm. The walls are flanked with long windows that overlook the ward's quaint streets. Cream city brick fills every cranny, and gives the high ceilings and wood floors a rustic, industrial feel. This venue is so classy, so sophisticated and so different. And the best part? It’s still somewhat a hidden gem and since most people haven’t been here your wedding can be all new to your guests.

(Picture from Cuvee Website)

Classy Lake Views: Pier Wisconsin
If you are looking for a black tie affair with lake views all wrapped into a modern setting look no further then Pier Wisconsin. This is an amazing facility on the shore of Lake Michigan. It is also catered exclusively by the Bartolotta Restaurant Group which means the food is tasty too. The view alone makes this place a great find.

(Picture from Bartolotta website)

Sporty Sophistication: The Metavante Club
If you love the Brewers (no Cubs fans here) you will love the Metavante Club at the Brewers Stadium for your big day. This venue is not what you would expect from a baseball stadium; it is beautiful and the view is amazing. Everything in this space can be customized including a personalized message to your guests on the Jumbotron. You won’t find plastic silverware here. Glass, marble and stone create this space which is modern and sporty. You can even have the famous Klement’s Sausage Racers join you for your wedding pics!

(Picture from the Brewers website)

Classic Downtown: The Grain Exchange
The Grain Exchange is a classic venue smack dab in the middle of downtown. As guests enter they are greeted by chandeliers and a beautiful staircase. The space includes a balcony that overlooks the amazing dining area where guests will nosh on Bartolotta’s Catering. You won’t feel cramped in here because the ceiling seems to be miles away and is intricately painted in a Victorian fashion. The classic paint technique continues down the walls and outlines the large windows. Traditional brides: Eat your hearts out.

(Picture from Bartolotta web site)

Amazingness to Spare: Milwaukee Art Museum

Brides with a sky’s the limit wedding fantasy look no further, the Milwaukee Art Museum is your venue. This spectacular venue is not for the bride on a budget but every wedding I have seen here has been breathtaking. The architecture of the building alone is the only decoration needed. Amazing views make this space that much better. So if you are an artsy bride take a look.

(Picture from the Milwaukee Wedding Blog)

This city is full of great food, entertainment and fun things to do…who knew it was chalk full of amazing wedding sites, too?

Alright, So I Am a Little Crazy

2009-09-04T13:00:00.000-07:00

As you all know the linens have been something that is very important to me and also a difficult project. I think I have solved the problem, though. I could not decide which linens I wanted to go with because I could not picture it in my head. I am usually a pro at knowing how things will turn out and being able to visualize the result but I just couldn’t this time. So, I made a picture board and NO I am not great with all of the fancy computer programs yet but I will be. Someday I will be able to draw up fancy plans for clients on the computer.

But for now you can all get a chuckle because:
A. The picture below looks like a 2nd grader's art project.
B. I was crazy enough to even do this.
C. I was nutty enough to actually post it for all to see.

So on this beautiful Friday afternoon enjoy my reception hall and how it will look on the day that I tie the knot.

(How Goofy)

I am going to switch the centerpieces around so that the more detailed ones are on the simple tables.

Cake Stand

2009-09-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

Aren't these cake stand wrappers adorable?

I want one or two for my dessert table. What fun on a Wednesday afternoon!

(All pictures from Paper Orchid)

On another note this adorable cupcake wrapper would be perfect for a baby shower.

Hotel Catastrophe

2009-09-01T19:10:00.001-07:00

So maybe it's not a catastrophe but it felt like a mini one Saturday night at 11 P.M.

This weekend I excitedly logged onto Expedia knowing that my wedding date would finally be available to book hotels online. It was then that I found out that my wedding is (dun, dun, dun) on EAA weekend! For those of you who are not from Oshvegas, EAA is a week long flight show where people from literally all over the world invade the small town in Wisconsin. This normally would not be a big deal, other then the fact that it ruins my entire wedding!!

Ok…deep breaths. Brett would tell me to get a grip right now. It really isn’t that big of a deal but it does make booking a hotel, finding a flight, or renting a car difficult and expensive. I originally wanted to book a block of rooms at another (cheaper) hotel in Downtown Milwaukee to give guests the choice of staying at the reception venue or the more economical choice. But because Oshkosh is so small and has only about 2 hotels people spill over into Milwaukee and every downtown spot is booked! At least we reserved a block of rooms at our hotel at a discounted rate (which is still steep but better then the $280 they are charging regularly that weekend). Now I am worried that the price will upset out-of-town guests, especially those standing up in the wedding that will need to purchase a suit or dress, and pay for a hotel for one or two nights. So my little brain is working on solutions. I haven’t thought of much yet other then letting people sleep in tents in our back yard. Which would normally be weird in a semi-big city but during EAA people in Milwaukee rent out their back yards for people to camp in, so not as weird but still not a good solution. Ahhh what to do…

(Source: Rick Aguilar via Dettagli Weddings)
At least this picture makes me feel a little better. The air show is an hour and a half away by car but somehow the jets turn around here in Milwaukee throughout the weekend. Maybe I will catch a picture with one.

Shoe Love

2009-08-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with shoes and love heels, the taller the better! So naturally shoes for the big day are going to be very important and I have been looking high and low for a pair that will be perfect for the walk down the aisle. As my search continues I have not found many options that I am interested in for myself but, I have found quite a few pairs that would be super cute for my maids. If I go with the un-matching dresses (option #2) they will all get to choose shoes as well. If they have matching dresses I am not sure yet. Below are some of the shoes that tickled my fancy for the ladies standing beside me.

(shoes from Zappos.com)

I figured some shoe love might help on this Monday morning.

P.S. Don't worry ladies...you don't have to wear them all night

The Wedding Planning Gods Have Smiled

2009-08-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

You can stop worrying! One of my biggest wedding obstacles (second only to finding a photographer) had been finding table linens. I love the look of fun, different and colorful linens. They just add so much, and don't have to be pricey if you do it right. I have been looking and looking for modern table linens with a bold pattern and couldn't find them anywhere. Everything had sparkles or looked like grandma's curtains with a floral print. THEN I contacted my wedding planner and explained the table cloths that I had seen at one of her weddings and she knew exactly what I was talking about!! WHOOPEE!! So, she referred me to BBJ Linens who have an amazing selection. I am so excited that what I had in my mind actually exists; usually I have to get creative and make my own products. I have even been looking at fabric because I thought that might be easier, but no such luck there either. The tables are oval so they fit more people comfortably and I thought making my own might be the best bet but a lot of work. Now, I don't think I will need to do that. The wedding I fell in love with as you will remember from this post had a table cloth that was covered with a big, bold, modern pattern of black flowers with a hot pink table cloth draped on top. However the black and brown combo in the room would bother me so I wanted that pattern in brown to match. Guess what...they have that! But now I am wishing it was in purple or orange or something fun like that. I am afraid it might be too much brown. I am thinking about up lighting with very soft purple or orange lights. Here is what I designed....not sure what I think yet. I do feel a lot better now that I am finding things that I would consider but I am not sold.

(All linens from BBJlinens.com)

To explain my vision above: the colorful tablecloth and napkin would be used together and the table cloth would be on the bottom with one of the plain berry tablecloths draped on top. The big brown flowers are what I imagined in my mind seeing but I don't know if I like it as much as I thought I would. The brown would be used in the same way with the berry on top. Last, the white swirl design would be used withe one of the plain berry linens on the bottom, possibly with the colorful napkin on top. Hmmmmmmm ... like I said not sold but getting warmer. There is hope!

Love Love Love

2009-08-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

I saw gray suits for the groom and groomsmen in a picture a few months ago and I can't get enough! It changed my whole ceremony color scheme...I love this look. It is classic, yet modern, clean, crisp and different.
(images from evoke photography)

Bridesmaid Dresses: Poll

2009-08-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend I worked on a little something, something for my bridesmaids but many of them read this blog so I will have to keep that hush hush for now. I love secrets! The little project reminded me that I will, at some point, need to decide what I want them to wear. I want their dresses to be three things:
1. Something they each look good in
2. Something they could actually and I mean actually wear again (not a hot pink number I
just think they could wear again)
3. Something they are comfortable in, not a full length ball gown they need to lug around all
night and worry about getting dirty on the dance floor (and they will be on the dance floor
even if I need to drag them kicking and screaming!)
4. The wedding is also in Milwaukee in
July so I want them to be cool.

I feel like this is a pretty tall order. What I have going for me though is that I feel like I won't be that picky about the dress. Who knows if this will change when I am actually picturing them walking down the aisle but as of now I am pretty open. I know that I want gray dresses. I originally wanted black for a black and white ceremony but like I have said before I feel like that is a very popular trend right now and everyone is doing it. Also, I saw gray tux’s in a wedding and love, love, loved them. So, gray it is. I think this is still a color they could wear again at a lot of occasions (I hope).

So, here are the options. Drum roll please …..

Option #1: Same designer, same fabric, same color, same length, different styles.
This option would probably include a trip to David’s Bridal where each bridesmaid would pick out the style dress that they want and I (or we) would choose the color and fabric. They would most likely all be satin and knee length and each “girl” would pick the style they want. Strapless, one shoulder, halter, spaghetti strap, etc.

(davidsbridal.com)

Option #2: Gray dress, same length, similar fabrics, go crazy!!!
Alright, so maybe you can tell I am leaning towards this but I feel like the families might think that I have lost my mind! I think it is so cute to have each maid in their own unique style. This might be hard to find dresses that I think look good together because I still want it to look nice in pictures but I think it would be so fun.

(photo by SugarLove Weddings via Polka Dot Bride)

What is your vote? Option #1 or #2?
Take the Poll on the right hand side of your screen.

Meet My Man

2009-08-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hahaha that title makes me laugh!

So Brett keeps popping up in this little blog of mine, which I guess is to be expected since he is the groom-to-be and all, and I realized that I never formally introduced him.

Brett Mathew (which I never call him, even if he is in big trouble) is originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin born, raised and schooled by the Hometown University. He probably would like me to point out that his name is with two t’s since spelling it with one t is so not cool and that his last name starts with an F so he is basically the same person as Brett Farve. He sometimes introduces himself to new people this way. He is a huge Packer fan and an even bigger Farve fan if you couldn’t tell already. He joins the other 1% of Wisconsin that actually wants Farve to play for the Vikings! I know, I know, how could I still be marrying him?! He also follows the brewers and loves bobble head game day giveaways almost as much as I do. I don’t know what it is about those little guys, I just can’t get enough of them.

Brett is fanatical about the yard which is perfect for me since I hate weeding and I don’t know how to even turn on (err start) the mower. He also loves to hunt, in fact we have a deer head hanging on our basement wall. I cried when he told me he got a deer big enough to mount. It took his dad over 50 years to get a mountable deer so I wasn’t expecting it so soon, by now you can tell that I am not a hunter, I don’t know the jargon and I have a feeling mountable is not the right term. But I got over it and it doesn’t look too bad. Although, I think he might be more stylish with a pink boa, a party hat and some fake eyelashes.

I can’t talk about Brett without talking about Payton. Payton, is our chocolate lab that I gave him as a gift on our second anniversary. She would be his best man (even though she is a girl) if the church would allow it. That dog loves him more then anything in the world!

Finally, Brett has amazing friends. There are the guys that he grew up with that all have hearts of gold. The goofballs from college that are always up for a good time, and play a mean game of poker. And the new friends from work that give him a hard time but would do anything for him. I guess that explains him in a nutshell … a long nutshell.

Help!!

2009-08-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I have been having a mini mental breakdown. I can't figure out how to pull my vision together for the reception. I know exactly what I want to do for the ceremony but I can't find what I want for the party. I wanted to have black pin tuck tablecloths and jewel tone flower centerpieces. And then ... I fell in love with a reception space (picture below) that has brown suede walls. I know that I could still pull this off but the black and brown combo would drive me nuts!!

(picture from intercontinental.com)

So I don't know exactly what I want but here is what I do know:

I need colors that go with brown but I don't think I want brown as a main color. Although, this Polk-a-dot brown theme caught my eye today. I just feel like the brown and sage/brown and blue/brown and fuchsia thing is not my style.

(Photos by Julie Dreelin of Beach Productions)

I would like to stick with the jewel tone look probably including a bright pink, deep orange, natural green, raspberry color and possibly a Merlot or blue color.

Herein lies part of the problem. I can't find a picture of what I want. Some pallets are too bright, some too dark and so on. And, I can't pick just a few colors. I am working on an inspiration board to add here.

I want a table cloth or runner with a contemporary print (love the look of a big, bold print).

(picture from theknot.com)

I would like half of the tables to have a full short centerpiece of different flowers with all of the colors incorporated. The picture below has some of the colors I am interested in and I like the glass vase but I don't want all the twigs and extra "stuff." I would also want something that is fuller with more colors and packed more tightly.

(theknot.com)

I want the other half of the centerpieces to be branches with moss at the base and either flowers, candles, crystals or all of the above hanging from the branches.

(theknot.com)

I love the look of clean, contemporary tables.

The problem is that I don't know how to pull all of this together and I really can't find fabric or tablecloths that I like to help me make a cohesive vision ...

Hopefully the wedding Gods will smile down on me and help me figure this one out.

Oh Happy Day!

2009-08-13T14:45:00.000-07:00

I just found out that my favorite boxed wine company now makes my favorite type of wine, Riesling! That is cause for celebration. Their Merlot is wonderful. Yum!

(blackboxwine.com)
We have to move to the third tier to have Riesling at the wedding so Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay will probably have to suffice. But I can drink this every other day!! OK, now I sound like a wino which I am not but it has been a long week so wine is on the mind.

Strips & Dots

2009-08-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

Since we are having a photo booth at our wedding (I know this is overdone but I have never seen it at weddings I have been to) I wanted a photo strip save the date. I also know that this is overdone but as Brett pointed out most of our friends don’t stalk wedding blogs and many of them have never seen something like this. Anyway, I have wanted a save the date like this for months now. I love the dog holding up the date. But then yesterday I ran across this Polk-a-dot save the date and I was in love.

(Picture from livingweddings.com) (picture from oncewed)

So, I think I will combine the two. I am thinking about purchasing clear envelopes and filling them with white, black, and red dots of different sizes and putting our photo strip save the date in that. The best of both worlds I think. I know that inquiring minds will want to know: are your colors black, white and red? No! Because we don’t have colors, but that is for a different day and a different post. Now I just need to bribe Brett into taking sappy pics with me and get our dogs to sit long enough to snap a photo of them with the date sign.

Feather or Flower

2009-08-11T16:48:00.000-07:00

I don’t like my job at the moment so I opened my Google reader for some guaranteed happiness on a long day. I found this and it made me smile. I have always wanted peonies at my wedding and cried a little on the inside when I found out that they would be out of season for my July wedding. I was happy to see that the sweet peas are a cute little substitute with the same texture I am looking for.

(Pictures by Open Air Photography for Janie Medley Flora Design)

It was also a reminder that I can't leave my unhappy job because I can't afford the wedding without the little paycheck I get every other week.

Then I thought, is there a place in my budget for some cutting back so I can quit my job and work at Starbucks? OK, so my job wasn't really that bad, but after about the 5th mishap of the day I was seriously considering it. The only thing that I thought of and was willing to part with were some of the ceremony flowers. We are getting married in a beautiful church and they are not really necessary. The boutonnieres were my other idea. I was at a wedding this weekend and the groomsmen had beautiful roses as boutonnieres but after about 10 hugs they were brown and wilted and didn’t look so hot. Brett’s bud had fallen off all together and he had replaced it with a dandelion. What do you think of feather boutonnieres(see below)? The quote I got from the florist was at least $20 a piece for fresh flower boutonnieres. I could make feather ones for about 5 bucks. Total savings = $180 not huge but still a nice chunk of change.

(Pic #1 Ardesign on Etsy) ( pic # 2 bonbon oiseau via cannelle et vanille)

P.S. This peony bouquet made of feathers also by Ardesign on Etsy looks a lot like the real thing, but I don’t think I could stomach a feather bouquet, as beautiful as it is.

The "Pre-Planned" Wedding

2009-08-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

As I was saying in my first post: most brides don’t book a wedding date before the actual proposal.

This is why I am different than most brides. You are probably wondering why I had a wedding date when I wasn’t even engaged. Well, the future hubby moves at his own pace…which it turns out was a little too slow for me. We started looking at rings last May and neither of us was in a rush to be engaged. This May (yes a whole year after picking out the ring) we went back to visit my sparkly princess cut and to my surprise Brett decided to take the plunge right then and there. We were making progress; we had a ring but no proposal.

Even though it might not seem like it Brett and I are pretty traditional in our thinking. He wanted to do things right, ask my dad, surprise me, get down on one knee, the whole nine yards. I wanted a proposal story that didn’t include me crying in the jewelry store. So I waited patiently, not telling anyone that we had the ring and that I was just waiting to get it. It was killing me!

After about a month of waiting I couldn’t just sit around anymore. I figured he would pop the question at some point so what was the harm in a little pre-planning, right? I started looking at venues, photographers, dresses and cakes. After a little light reading of bridal magazines I realized that if I wanted to get married in 2010 we better get this show on the road. But I would never dream of pushing for a proposal or telling him he had to propose now. Instead I would just plan the wedding and wait for the proposal. I know…a lot less controlling, right?

In the pre-planning I found a gorgeous church (pictured above) and an urban venue that I HAD to have and both were booking very quickly with no ring in sight! This is when I took matters into my own hands and asked my future fiancé if I could start planning before he actually asked. Most guys would look at me like I had four heads but he just laughed and said that as long as he didn’t have to go along to see 40 different venues that was fine. I was then off booking my locations, perusing through catalogs of favors, searching the knot, and reading blogs. I was in full blown bridal obsession mode.

Then July 24th (our wedding date) rolled around and I was snapped out of my peony, A-line, colored shoe haze and realized that the wedding was just a year away and no one even knew I was planning it!

The next day I got the ring. This story will follow later! Now I am no longer counting down the days in silence and can’t wait to share all of the fun that goes into wedding planning! Hence the title of this little blog.

Anniversary Tacos

2009-08-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our 8 year anniversary and while we don’t do much to celebrate anymore (we worked out and ate tacos) it was still a little sad knowing that this is the last year we will celebrate our anniversary on August 3rd. It took me seven years to learn that it was August and not September and now it is changing on me. He finally got so sick of reminding me which month it was that he refused to tell me and then I finally decided I better remember it. Anyway, I thought that our anniversary was a good time to share a little more about us as a couple.

Brett and I met when I was just 17 and going into my senior year. He was just about to begin college at UW Oshkosh and being a college boy made him pretty cool in my eyes. We dated throughout college and moved in together as we both got “grown up” jobs. After a year of being in the real world we bought a cute little cape cod together and I have been stealing his weekends to fix it up ever since.

We are a great compliment to each other; he is laid back when I am nervous wreck. He is funny when I need to remember to laugh. I am organized and he can’t even find his shoes. We motivate each other and are each other's rock when the other is wavering.

Brett and I love many of the same things: laughing with friends, the Brewers, traveling, beer and our dogs. That pretty much sums us up.

The picture is of Brett being a Lumber Jack for one of my weekend projects. You can't see my house but you get the idea.

Finally After 8 Years!

2009-08-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

Well I am finally engaged! Today is our eight year anniversary and I finally have a shinny little rock on my hand!!!

I have planned many weddings and have been planning mine (including a guest list and Excel spreadsheet with desired vendors) for years now. I know that many brides before me have done this, some call it pre-planning. However, most don’t go as far as booking the venue, church, and photographer before they even get the ring! I did and I will tell you all about it.

Now that I am officially engaged and don’t seem quite as crazy I am creating this blog to put the thousands and thousands of ideas I have swimming in my head somewhere and so that the future husband does not have to listen to wedding talk until his head explodes.