Our MT Wedding

Baking Bride

2011-03-17T17:41:00.000-06:00

I have talked about our wedding cake before. I fully trusted Momma HS to bake our cake, but she started to doubt her abilities. She decided that we should just buy a cake, and offered to pay for one. She even went to say that she would go down, pick one out and everything, so that I didn't have to worry about it. I thank her for that very much, but that was not going to happen. So, I decided to bake our wedding cake!

We knew we didn't want anything big or extravagant, and I was up for any DIY projects, so what was one more? Most everyone we know tried to talk me out of it, Momma HS, MIL MS, friends, BMs, everyone. But once I set my mind to it, no one was going to stop me!

I went down to the store, bought a cake mix, looked around for pre-made fondant, and anything else I could think that I may need to make this cake. My first try at the cake was a major fail. I don't even have a picture of it because I ended up just eating it as I was trying to get it out of the pan! It just crumbled and broke and was a horrible mess. So I went back to the store, bought a different brand of cake mix, and tried again. This time, success!

Because I am a horrible blogger, I forgot to take pictures of the process! I figured I would just do a trial cake for the time being, but it turned out so good that I froze it and used it at our wedding!

I made 2 square cakes, one smaller then the other. I froze those, and once they were hard, I shaved and shaped them. The next step was to butter cream frost all around them. The base layer was covered in the fondant first (which actually rolled out really easy and smooth), then I added the top layer with a little frosting in between and put the fondant over the whole thing. This was the tricky part. Cutting the fondant around the top layer, making it fit it, and not cutting the bottom layer at all. But I did it! My lines weren't the straightest, but that was ok because I put a black ribbon around the bottom of the layers. And do you remember those flowers I used for the girls' hair? Well, I had some left, so I hot glued them to pins, and stuck them on the cake! And there it was, our wedding cake!


Us cutting it

The project that everyone thought would be so hard and that I shouldn't do, was actually super easy! I wouldn't say I was a cake genious or anything, but I think I did a pretty good job, and it served its purpose well.

Are there any projects you took on that people told you not to?

Gift For My Girls

2011-01-22T11:46:00.003-07:00

I only touched briefly on this subject when I bought my girls their pendants. I am very happy with how the gifts turned out, and wanted to share all that they got.

As you already know, I gave them their pendants to wrap around their bouquets and carry down the aisle. I also gave them nail polish in "Gunmetal", sandals from Old Navy (which I decorated with the date of our wedding and monogram), zip-up hoodies from Old Navy (I ironed on "Bridesmaid, Maid Of Honor, and Bride for me!), a lip gloss in a color they like, and put it all in a canvas bag from The Knot. I also wrote them all a letter telling them how much they mean to me and how thankful I was to have them as a part of our wedding.

Here is what everything looked like (minus the lip gloss)!

I had their name embroidered on the other side

Wrapped in a purple ribbon w/date and monogram on the bottom

This is just a pendant I had gotten myself :)

Morning of my wedding, getting ready in our sweatshirts

You might notice an extra BM on the end... I will tell you about that later :)

What did you get your BM for a gift?

A Walk Down Memory Lane

2011-01-14T20:43:00.000-07:00

Are love story got blogged! Susan, who has the blog So...How Did You Meet Anyway?, asked me to share our story on how we met! I am so excited to have our story posted! Hope you enjoy it too!!!!

Cocktail Hour

2010-12-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Because MS and I did not want to see each other before the wedding, we had to do our pictures after the ceremony. We didn't want our guests to have to stand around and watch us (that's a little uncomfortable), so we decided to host a cocktail hour. We served margarita's (my fave) out of a margarita machine (regular and huckleberry!), and decided to add another little touch of us by serving popcorn! MS and I LOVE popcorn! So we had our venue rent a popcorn machine, and I went hunting for containers. That was not an easy task.

Our budget did not allow for all the cute and fancy popcorn containers, and I had almost given up on the idea of an actual popcorn container and was just going to use bags or something random, when I took a little trip to Wal-Mart.

I found the PERFECT container, and they were super cheap! (Sorry I didn't take a picture of them plain!) I bought everyone that the store had and headed home to make them personalized. My MOH A came over to help me.

MOH A working hard!

We got purple and silver permanent markers and wrote on the containers ourselves. We thought about buying personalized stickers to put on them, but that was getting really spendy! So, it might not have been the most professional, but it was personalized, inexpensive, and I think pretty cute!

On one side we put an "S" in one color, and on the other side, in the other color, we put the date. This is how they turned out.

We had tried many different ways to put the "S", including doing our monogram, but because of the coating on the box, the markers started smearing. So doing just a plain "S" was the easiest.

Our popcorn machine was a hit!

Isn't it cute?!

My grandparents enjoying some popcorn!

What "you" touches did you add to your cocktail hour?

Pretty Little Flowers

2010-12-16T21:41:00.000-07:00

Since I had the hot glue gun out making my bathroom baskets (I glued the little flowers on the bows), I thought I would do some more gluing. I took the flowers that I used on the bows, and glued them onto the end of bobby pins for my hair and all of my girls' hair. Since I wasn't going to wear a veil, I figured a couple pins with flowers on them would look pretty. Same with my girls. I wanted their hair off to the side and a couple flowers tucked in. Anyways, enough rambling! Here are the pictures!:)


These are the flowers (in ivory, purple, and grey!)


And the bobby pins I used


The flower glued on! (The camera turned it pink for some reason)


The finished product in my hair (Don't mind my crazy face!)

I made a whole pack of little bobby pins, and about a half pack of the big bobby pins. We didn't end up using them all, but they were so easy to make, and looked so pretty. You couldn't see the bobby pin at either, so it just looked like little flowers in our hair.

Are you making your own hair pieces?

In Case You Forgot...

2010-12-15T20:57:00.001-07:00

ME! Well, I know it has been an extremely long time since I have blogged, but I haven't forgotten about you! So much has happened, including our big day, and I will fill you in on all of it, I promise.

I have so many projects that I did to show you, and lots of stories to tell, so I will start at the beginning :)

I made bathroom baskets for our venue, just in case our guests forgot something. I found some really cute and inexpensive baskets at our local fabric store, and wrapped a ribbon in our wedding color around them.

I filled the baskets with things I thought people might need and probably wouldn't have. For the men's basket, I put in:

Bandaids
Hair Gel
Combs
Mints & Mouthwash
Static Guard
Dental Floss
Deodorant (Spray)
Axe Body Spray
Tissues (You never know!)
Advil
Lotion
Q-Tips

For the ladies, I supplied:

Bandaids
Hair Brush & Comb
Rubber Bands & Bobby Pins
Hair Spray
Mouthwash & Gum
Static Guard
Dental Floss
Deodorant (Spray)
Body Spray
Tissues
Advil
Lotion
Clear Polish
Contact Solution
Nail Files
Q-Tips
Tampons

All the stuff for the baskets

Then I put them in their baskets! I tried to arrange the items so that everyone could see what was all in there. This is what they looked like all finished.

Men's Basket


Ladies' Basket (Little more full)

Most of the stuff came home with us, but there were things that got used! I am glad I did it too, it was a nice, easy, fun project, and I even ended up using some of the items!

Have you ever been to wedding with bathroom baskets? Are you going to make baskets for your guests? What do you think would be a good item for one?

Love Is In The Air... I Hope

2010-06-08T14:34:00.000-06:00

This past winter, while out shopping, I fell in love. Everything was perfect. The sweet smell, the good feeling. I hoped it would last forever. Sadly though, not everyone felt the same as me. Meet my love, Viva La Juicy:

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It is a perfect mixure of spice (but not too manly) and fruit (but not like candy), and I think it smells soft and just right. Momma HS and MS didn't think so, and both thought that it smelled like cigarette smoke. Not exactly what I was going for. But, I loved it, so I finished the bottle, and decided to find something new for the summer and our upcoming nuptuals.

I headed over to our "mall" (it has like 5 stores in it, maybe) during lunch, and after an hour of smelling every single perfume and every type of coffee bean, I still hadn't found one I loved. There is so much pressure behind finding the perfect perfume. It has to appeal to me, and MS, not smell like cigarette smoke, not cost my whole life's savings, and be the perfect combination of sweet and spice. And it has to live up to the expectations of our wedding day.

I was just about to leave and pop some asprin, when I saw the last remaining bottle that I hadn't yet smelled. After a small hesitation, I asked the *every growing annoyed* sales lady if I could smell it. Thank goodness I did! I LOVED it! So, meet my new (hopefully long lasting) love, Ed Hardy's Love & Luck (kind of an ironic name considering my search!):

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And, I got a free tote!

(sorry, took the pic on my phone in the car!)

I'm pretty sure MS is going to love this too. It isn't as spicey, which I think may have been giving off the smokey smell. And I am praying that this will be my new smell. The smell that carries me through the summer, down the aisle, and joins me in my new life.

Have you ever had a perfume that you thought was wonderful but others didn't agree? What smell are going to wear on your wedding day?

I Have Officially Gone Crazy

2010-06-02T10:24:00.001-06:00

Yes, I know, I have been missing for a while now, but I do have a good excuse. I have gone crazy. Lost my mind. Gone 100% mad. And none of it has to do with wedding planning (which, is still going great and stress-free!). Nope, instead it has to do with a simple Father's Day present for the most amazing man, MS.

I decided that for Father's Day, I would get MS a puppy. I called on a few different ones in the local paper, and found one that sounded promising. She had some black Lab puppies that would be ready right about Father's Day time. So I made one of my girlfriends drive to her house with me to see these puppies. And boy were they cute! Of course, what puppy isn't? But I decided to wait and look around because she was asking a lot for them. That is when she uttered the words that made my heart race. Silver Lab. I HAD to see this puppy. I had been looking for a silver Lab, and found one, but in Georgia. I was this -] [- close to paying to have him shipped up here too.

So she brought me out the silver Lab. He was about 5 months old, so not a little puppy, but still a baby. And I had never, in my life, seen a dog so scared and under fed. Every bone in his body was sticking out. His legs could barely hold up his weight, and he coward at everything. I offered her $300 less than what she was asking for him, and took the little boy home to give to MS. Meet Mater:

Personal Pic (sorry its not very good!)

Mater came from a house with 41 adult dogs inside, puppies still left from his litter, the new litter of puppies that aren't ready to leave yet, and another litter on the way. He was covered in pee and poo, and you couldn't touch him without him shaking. He is terrified of being outside, doesn't know how to go up or down the stairs, walks funny, eats like he has never seen food before, and will sleep in his own potty.

So, I have this great idea. Mater needs a friend. And guess what? My DREAM dog, a Catahoula (which I have never seen up our way), is in the paper! I have drooled over this type of dog for years, and someone up here has a litter! It couldn't be more perfect! So, off I run and pick up Miss Sally for me (and Mater of course):

Personal Pic

Sally is 8 weeks old, chubby, fearless, and loves to play. She couldn't be more opposite of Mater. But, for some crazy reason, they love each other.

Personal Pic Again

We have had Mater and Sally for a little over a week now. Mater has gained quite a bit of weight, hardly ever cowards, can now use the stairs, and loves playing and running with Sally, who is still quite the same as when I picked her up! But they are puppies, and do what puppies do, including the "do" on our floor.

As you have guessed, I have truely gone crazy. We have a toddler boy, a cat, and now 2 puppies. I honestly don't think there has been a quite second in our house since Mater and Sally came home. But we love them, and wouldn't ever get rid of them (even though we have made jokes about it!). They are apart of our family.

I think MS is finally realizing my intense love for animals! And I know he is keeper becuase he still loves me despite my crazy ideas that somehow I convince him to agree with! :)

Have you gone crazy during wedding planning, that wasn't wedding related? Does your FI love you and your ridiculous ideas?!

M & H Sitting In A Tree...

2010-05-21T10:03:00.000-06:00

... K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage! Or something like that.

I was sitting at work the other day, and this guy comes in. He is probably in his mid 30's, has a toddler girl, and is an arrogant ass, in my opionion. I am just finishing up business with him, and he asks me a harmless question. What are your plans for this summer? There is nothing wrong this question, and is probably a question a lot of people are asking, and answering, as the weather is getting warmer and summer is nearing. So I answered without a second thought.

Me: Oh, just trying to get a yard put into our new house since it was just built. And planning our wedding.

Him: So, wait. You own a house together and then are getting married?

Me: (A little confused) Yeas...

Him: (Accusingly) Oh, let me guess. You have kids too.

Me: (Very pissed) Yes, actually we do (even though technically he is my kid). A 2 1/2-year-old. (I said this VERY matter-of-factly).

Him: (Makes a weird, snorting noise, rolls his eyes, and walks off)

Me: Go F- yourself! (No, I didn't really say that, but I wanted to!)

Times have changed. We no longer live in a era where everyone marries their high school sweetheart, right out of high school, has a son, then a daughter, and the wife stays home and keeps care of the kids, cooks, cleans, and has dinner on the table for when the husband walks through the front door at 5 o'clock sharp.

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While that might still be the case in some peoples lives today, it most certainly is NOT my situation. And I'm not ashamed of it at all.

I went away for my first year of college. When I came back, I started dating a boy. Things were OK, but then I got pregnant. He proposed (although neither of us wanted to get married) and I said yes. We were trying to make things "right". But, it wasn't what we wanted, and we couldn't pretend, so we broke it off, even before the baby was born. When our son was 6 days old, he told me to move out. Things were on and off and finally I had enough and moved on.

In steps MS. The most wonderful man you will ever meet. He took me for all I was and all I brought with me, which was my past and a 1 1/2-year-old. We fell in love, moved in together in a rental, started looking for a house to buy, then got engaged. We then found the perfect deal, and had our house built.

Personal pic of our house! (Before it was completely done)

And, as you know, we are planning our wedding for September 2010. Things may not have happened in the order that is ideal to most, but things did happen. Neither of us would change anything either. I love my son, I love MS. MS loves me, MS loves my son. Our life is perfect, and we are proud of our family and where we are.

The 2 loves of my life

Have things gone planned for you? Do people make comments about how you are going about your life?

I Like It, So I'm Putting A Ring On It

2010-05-03T12:36:00.000-06:00

Of course I'm putting a ring on MS's finger, but I actually went and bought it this weekend! We had to take mine in to get inspected, and some loose side stones fixed, so we decided to look at rings for MS. He had an idea of what he wanted, and I had an idea of what I wanted to get him, so we compromised and I bought him one like this

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Its Tungsten, so no worries of it getting scratched or dented or anything. The only thing that could happen to it is break, but the lady said that would take A LOT of pressure to break it. And, if for some odd reason that does happen, they will replace it for free! Plus, we got it for an amazing deal becuase I bought it at the same place he got mine.

I love the way a ring looks on his finger! He tried it on again when we got home, but then we locked it away until the big day. I really wish he could wear it now though! Once we are married, he will wear it as often as he can, but since he can't wear it at work, it will most likely just be on the weekends. I'm bummed about that, but at least he agreed to wear it whenever he isn't at work.

What kind of ring did you get your Mr? Will he be able to wear it to work, or just on the weekends like my man?

My Nightmares

2010-04-30T11:06:00.000-06:00

They have started. Well, to be honest, they started a couple months ago, then went away. But now they are back, in full swing, every night. Wedding nightmares are my worst nightmare.

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They weren't so bad when they first started. Just simple things would go wrong, like, the groomsmen didn't wear the right tuxes, the bridesmaids were running around crazy, no one was listening to me, people were walking up and down the aisle, random people were walking around us while we were trying to perform the ceremony (including TV show characters), things like that. But they have gotten worse.

2 nights ago I dreamt that MS decided he didn't want to get married anymore! And last night was just as bad, but not only did he not want to get married anymore, he wanted me to move out of the house! I don't know what I am going to do if these dreams continue. We have 4 1/2 months until the wedding, they can't possible be here to stay every night until then.

These nightmares aren't just affecting me either. Poor MS has to put up with me freaking out when we wake up and making him cuddle me. Please tell me these dreams will go away soon. Or get not so bad. I will take the groomsmen wearing crazy clothes and the bridesmaids running everywhere over these last couple dreams any night.

Did you have wedding nightmares? How long before the wedding did they start? Did they stay the whole time or come and go?

Gettin Active

2010-04-29T10:51:00.000-06:00

For my birthday, my BM D, and the man that will be marrying us, Flash, sent me a very thoughtful and much needed present, Wii Active!

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I have complained time and time again about my weight and working out. Since MS and I got a Wii for Christmas last year, BM D and Flash decided to help me out with the Active. And I love it! MS loves watching me too (probably not becuase I look good doing it, but more likely because I'm a little uncoordinated)!

I'm doing the 30 day challenge they have set up. You make "yourself" by entering your height, weight (eek!), age, and body type. You can also journal what you eat and any extra activities you do. It then makes a program for you to follow. I was a little leary of how well it would really work, but after only 2 days, my legs are feeling it! I am so excited to work out now, and actually look forward to it! It is fun and entertaining (for both me and MS), and I can tell it is helping.

So hopefully, in 30 days, I will really see some results. I am also trying to eat more balanced meals to help out. I will keep you posted on how I do. Wish me luck!

Have you found a workout that you absolutely love?

An Extra Touch

2010-04-16T10:43:00.000-06:00

My bridesmaid's gifts are all bought and almost done (still adding some finishing touches), but while browsing my new favorite site, Etsy, I found something that I just had to get.

This is were you have to stop reading girls! Espcially you BM D, since I know you read my blog all the time. (Thanks for that too by the way! :) )

STOP!!!!!!

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DON'T READ BEYOND THIS POINT OR YOU WILL RUIN THE SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, you should no longer be reading this.

So, I was looking around on Etsy, and found the perfect thing to add to my girls' gifts. Pendants! I loved Yum Yum Pendants' style, so I went to their website to look at more designs. I found some I really wanted to get, but decided I wanted to make them a little more personal for each girl. I contacted Yum Yum Pendants and Ela quickly (and I mean like within an hour) responded to me. I told her what I was kinda thinking and sent her some pics of ideas I had found. She sent me back ideas of what each pendant would look like. They were amazing! I ordered them and within a week they were here! They all came with a ball chain and in really cute blue velvety bags. So.... here they are!

(Sorry for the horrible lighting and bad pictures. I took them on my phone and it really doens't do them justice!)

Each one has a special meaning, which I am not going to go into, but my girls will know. I am going to have them wrap them around the stem of their flowers to carry down the aisle with them. I am so excited and happy about it! And I couldn't believe how wonderful Yum Yum Pendants was to work with. It was an amazing experience. Thank you Yum Yum Pendants!!!!

Have you found anything along the way that you just had to get for your bridal party?

Dec-No

2010-04-14T10:20:00.000-06:00

I was so happy and excited about using Deco Beads in our centerpieces. I even got a mason jar out, put those nifty little dots in there, poured some water and waited. Just like magic they puffed up! So, I thought I would test them out and see just how long a flower would last in there (after all, if I'm spending 100's of dollars on flowers, they better last for a couple days!). I put one flower in the middle of the beads

(Personal pic)

I loved it! I was so excited and happy and couldn't wait to get home and show MS. He thought they were really cool too, and even though he saw potential problems with Dad MS playing with them, we decided we could work past that. So we set the jar on the counter to proudly display.

Later that day though, my flower was looking limp, and a little wilted. I put some more water in the bottom of the jar so the flower would have something to drink and went to bed. MS woke me up the next morning to help him clean up beads. The bottom bead absorbed the extra water and got bigger and they started to overflow the jar! So adding water doesn't work, FYI. That night, I came home to this:

(Personal pic too)

Yep, that is my poor little flower, dead after a day. Needless to say, I will not be using the Deco Beads in our centerpieces! I can't have all our wedding flowers dying before the reception!!! I think instead, we will just use some of those flat glass beads and fill the bottom with water.

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Have any of your great wedding ideas wilted away?!

Tie It Together

2010-04-12T11:09:00.001-06:00

My BM H/future sis-in-law had high school rodeo this weekend. She participates in poles and barrel racing, and is really good and fun to watch! So, we spent the entire weekend sitting at the arena watching her, and all the other high schoolers rodeo it up. For the 20 seconds she was out there, it was fun, but for the other hours of the other kids doing their thing, not so much.

But, it was senior day on Sunday, and, since she is a senior, she got to walk out into the middle of the arena with her parents and get introduced. Well, stupid me forgot our camera, so I didn't get any pictures. I did take some on my future mom-in law's camera though, but they didn't turn out. The lighting isn't good, and there is so much dust in the air that's all the camera picks up (so, not a good place to get married!).

As part of the walking out though, they had bouquets of flowers for the seniors to give their moms. Of course, I didn't take a picture of that either, but I did get a picture (on my phone) of how they were wrapped.

Pic by me!

Because of all the down time during the day, I started brainstorming wedding things, and thought these would be the perfect way to tie our bouquets. I love it! It is simple, seems easy to do, and keeps it country. Since our colors are purple though, I am going to buy a bunch of purple bandanas instead of red.

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I'm thinking for my bouquet and MS's boutonniere, we will use the purple as the base and tie with the gunny sack, just to switch things up a little!

How are you wrapping your flowers? Have you seen any neat and different ways to do it?

Top It Off

2010-04-08T09:32:00.001-06:00

Since we have decided what to do about a cake, we need to decide about a topper. While the whole bride/groom people thing is cute, I just don't think its us

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But, in our search of the perfect topper, we came across some pretty funny and cute ones. This one would be perfect for us, if we were going to go the people route (yep, beer cans behind a 4-wheeler!)

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But, like I said, we aren't going to go the people route. So we looked at other options.

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These are ok, but nothing really stood out to us. We did have fun looking though, especially at all the funny people! But, we will continue our look to find the perfect topper for our cake.

What did you choose for your topper?

Typical Kalispell

2010-03-31T09:40:00.004-06:00

I made the mistake last weekend that everyone who lives in Kalispell, MT knows not to do. I washed my car.

The weather has been unusually nice and warm, and since it was in the 50's, I guess I got caught up in the spring fever that everyone else seems to be enjoying. Well, just to be typical Kalispell, and shove my mistake in my face, we woke up this morning to this:

(Pic by me on my phone)

Yep, that is snow. About 2-3 inches of it too. It won't last, but I also don't think that is will be the last. We normally get at least one snow in April too.

Because of the typical Kalispell weather, our outside wedding months are limited. I wrote earlier about how we came to the decision to get married on the date we are, and one of those reasons is the weather. Let me give you a break down of typical Kalispell weather:

January, February, March: Snow, mushy when it rains

Wedding would have to be inside

April: Possible snow, lots of rain, pretty mushy out, starting to get a little sunny though

Wedding may possibly be outside, most likely wouldn't happen, so must have a backup plan

May, June: Sunny but cool. Teases you with thoughts of summer

Outside could be possible, would still be crazy to not have a backup plan though, just in case

July: Always rains on the 4th, after that it starts to get hot

Good time for outside wedding (as long as its not around the 4th!)

August: Smokey from all the forest fires, hot

Outside weddings will be hot, and your guests may not be able to breath from all the smoke

September: Warm

Good time for outside wedding. Not too hot, not too cold, smoke normally gone (I may be a little biased here!)

October: Rainy. Expect rain or snow on Halloween

May be able to pull of outside wedding earlier in the month, but would have to have backup plan and start in the afternoon (nights get COLD!)

November, December: Cold, rainy, snowy

Wedding needs to be inside

What is the typical weather like in your area? What months are best for an outside wedding?

Cake For Cutting

2010-03-30T09:25:00.001-06:00

MS and I don't like fondant. AT ALL. It has a weird texture and gross flavor. So why would we want to have a wedding cake covered in that crap and serve it to our innocent guests? We don't. So we aren't. In fact, our wedding cake isn't even going to be eaten! Nope, we are buying cakes from Costco (because they have the most amazing cakes) and serving those to our guests. But we will be having a wedding cake to cut and feed a bite to each other (no smashing in faces!).

My sister/BM C was going to make our cake for us (she is an amazing chef!), but becuase of the time frame of when she is flying in, all that has to be done, and when the wedding starts, she doesn't think she will have time. So momma HS (who is behind BM C's baking ability), has volunteered to make our cake! We have an idea of what we want our cake to look like and how large we would like it to be. Something like this:

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I love this cake. Its not too big, but still big enough. Its simple and elegant and perfect for cutting! I would like the black flowers to be purple instead though, and the white bands around the bases to be black. That would tie in our colors, and add a little more to the cake. Since momma HS doesn't decorate cakes, only makes them, I had to find someone to take on that task. And who better to ask than Flash (he trully is a man of many talents)?! He does sculptures and figurines out of fimo, so why couldn't he do it out of fondant?! He has agreed to try, and even found a cake decorating class to take. BM D also talks about all this here.

We are very excited about momma HS baking and Flash decorating. I know that with these 2 people, our cake will be amazing! (We are thinking possibly a Funfetti flavored cake to make it a little more fun!)

Who is making your cake? Is the cake you are cutting the same cake you are serving?

Oh Kate Moss, You Hit It On The Nose

2010-03-26T10:06:00.000-06:00

Everyone, at some point, has heard Kate Moss's inspirational quote: "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". While this statement caused quite an uproar and many people were upset about it, I think she hit it on the nose.

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I have been struggling with my weight. I posted about this earlier too, and things haven't changed much! I recently changed some meds around too, and the scale keeps going up and up. No matter what I do, how much I cut back, I have still been gaining.

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So, I have been trying to live by the moto that so many frown upon. I try to tell myself that those cookies, or chips, or cake, or doughnuts, or latte, really isn't worth it, and the 5 minutes of heaven will stick to me for a lot longer than that. I would rather be skinny (or try to get that way), than to enjoy some sweet indulgence.

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I am having a hard time, and I want to look and feel good. So I will keep struggling and trying, and hopefully soon (PLEASE, soon), I will look the way I want.

Are you stuggling with your weight? How do you feel about Kate Moss's quote?

Will You Marry Us?

2010-03-23T10:58:00.000-06:00

MS and I have thought of every possible option of people to perform our ceremony and marry us. Of course, the more obvious ones came to mind first, such as a pastor or justice of the peace.

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Another option that came to mind though, was a family member to do it. We really liked this idea the best, and thought of the perfect person to ask. Flash, my sister's/BM D's boyfriend!

Personal Pic

He is not a minister, but is going to get ordained on the internet to be able to marry us. I'm not quite sure all that he has to do, but there is still plenty of time to get it all figured out and done.

We are so excited that he is going to be such a huge part of our wedding. Thank you Flash, you are the best!!! :)

Is there anyone in your family playing a really important role in your wedding?

Pretty & Functional

2010-03-19T14:50:00.001-06:00

I finally decided on what to do for centerpieces. And after talking to a lady I work with, I have come up with a neat way to fancy them up, and a great way to keep our flowers moist. Let me introduce, Deco Beads!

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They are these weird little gel dot things that you put in the bottom of your vase (mason jar), add water, wait, and they swell up absorbing all the water! They come in beads and cubes, and a bunch of colors

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You can put candles or flowers or whatever you want in them, and they keep them moist, and in the possition you want.

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So, I think I am going to get some purple cubes and clear beads for our centerpieces. I want to put about 3 or 4 white carnations around the edges, and have the purple orchids in the middle. These are such a neat way to add a little something to our centerpieces that not many people have seen before. Not only are they pretty, they are functional too! Thanks for the help coworker! :)

Have you found anything really neat along the way of your wedding planning?

Home Sweet Home

2010-03-17T10:03:00.001-06:00

Once again, I have been MIA. SORRY!!!!! Yes, I did get my computer back from Geek Squad (thank you computer guys for fixing my life line), but out in the country, there is no internet service, yet (we are working on that!). :)

BUT, I had my wonderful BM D send me some of my pictures off Facebook to my work so I can load them here for you, just like I promised earlier.

So, here are a couple random pics (all taken by me) of our home sweet home:

The outside, before we had our door painted and steps put on

My kitchen! Where I attempt to pretend like I know how to cook

The extra bathroom/little man's "moose" bathroom

My boys trying to figure out how to hang the blinds in the spare room

Those are it, for now! I will get some more and move them down the line of people to be able to post them for you. We really are trying hard to get some internet out at our place, so hopefully soon!

Oh, AND...

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Changing My Mind

2010-03-11T09:49:00.001-07:00

I have had a really hard time making a decision and sticking to it in regards to our wedding. I have had many freakouts about our "theme", and run to BM D many times asking (or something like that) for help on inspiration. So, to stick to my ways, I have changed my mind again.

I wrote earlier about the centerpieces I "decided" to do, of course after having already changed my mind before. Well, I have decided to do a different centerpiece. And I really do think that these are going to be the ones! We are going to use Ball jars for vases, with a black ribbon tied in a bow around the top, and flowers in them.

MS's mom cans salsa, so she has lots of these jars, and if we have to buy more, she will be able to use them (instead of us being stuck with 100 different vases!)

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We were going to use Calla Lilies as one of our flowers, but (imagine this) I changed my mind and we will go with purple Orchids

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And this is the look of the centerpieces we are going for (of course with the above mentioned flower and black bow!)

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We may fancy them up a little, but I love the simplicity of this. I am really happy with these for centerpieces and will not change my mind again (knock on wood).

Have you changed your mind a lot during your wedding planning?

Bringing It All Together (Part 2)

2010-03-10T15:22:00.001-07:00

After talking to my sister/BM D, I had her make an ispiration board for our wedding, using most of our different elements. This is one of the boards she came up with:

Top row from left:

Bridesmaid Dress by J Crew; Bouquet via The Knot; Bridal Gown by Jasmine

Middle row:

Entrance to BruMar Estate

Bottom row from left:

Containers from Candles and Such; Invitation by Michael's; Hay Bale Ceremony via The Knot

She is very talented! And much appreciated! Its nice to be able to see all of our pieces in one place. It helps pull our ideas together and see what we want to change and work with. I am overall really happy with the direction we are going right now, although there are a few things we will probably change.

I have been having major freakouts though, where BM D has to calm me down and tell me everything is going to be ok. My main concern has been that our wedding is becoming too formal. We want to have a fun, laid back, celebration. But like my sister says:

Your venue is fun. Your colors are fun. You guys are fun. Everything will be fun.

Thanks Dee. That is what I needed to hear!

Do you feel like your wedding is taking on a theme/feel that you aren't going for? What look are you going for?

Bringing It All Together (Part 1)

2010-03-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

I need help. BAD. Whenever I read about weddings, and see pictures, and inspiration boards, all of them seem to have a "theme". They all go together. I don't think our wedding does though. We have many random things thrown in, and nothing really seems to flow.

I am a typical "Montana" girl. I love to be outside and ride 4-wheelers and drink beer, shoot guns, camp, hunt, fish, hike, you name it, I do it, all the while, having our local country radio station playing.

(Personal photo of us drinking beer on the 4-wheeler)

I am also a girl though! I like to wear skirts and get dressed up and I all that jazz (sometimes). So, of course, I want a pretty, elegant wedding, with the long white dress and such. I would also like to make our wedding a little "country", like us. But the different parts of our wedding don't seem to be coming together or portraying us very well. And since I can't make inspiration boards, I will just post pics for you to see what I am talking about!

First, my dress:

(Personal pic *sorry for looking like crap!*)

Then, my MOH in her dress:

(Personal pic *isn't she beautiful!?*)

Our venue:

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Our cocktail hour favors!

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We are also using straw bales for our guests to sit on during our ceremony:

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I love all the things we have in our wedding, but I just don't think they have the feel we are going for, and I don't know what to do! Maybe if I could actually make an inspiration board and see it all together, it would look better, but since I can't, I have to try to imagine it all. And that's not working real well for me! I need help!!!!

Can anyone put an inspiration board together with all our wedding elements (and make it work!)? Are you having trouble invisioning your wedding?

Inspiration

2010-03-03T10:25:00.002-07:00

I have a confession. I have yet to put an inspiration board together for our wedding. There, I said it. I have a lot of ideas in my head, and have attempted one or two boards, but my attempts end up just that, attempts, with no outcome. I have these pictures in my head, but when I try to put them all together, I just can't do it!

So the other day, I was talking with BM D about wedding inspiration boards. I asked her what she always invisioned my wedding to be like. Well, she made an inspiration board for it! And she couldn't have put together a more perfect board for me. While it isn't the wedding we are having, it describes me to a tee.

Since BM D put a board together for what she saw for my wedding, I thought I would do the same for hers. The only thing, as I stated earlier, I can't put an inspiration board together! So, I have opted to just describe it and provide pictures! Here is how I invision my sister's wedding.

I picture a very small, intimate wedding in the evening starting at like 7 or so, and be lit up by tons of tealight candles and white Christmas lights. Loews Lake, Las Vegas, at Lake Las Vegas would be the perfect setting:

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She would wear a very flattering, simple dress, much like these:

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She would accesories with pearls:

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Even adding a nice little pearl detail to the invites:

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And the cupcakes:

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Sticking with pearl as one of her colors, she would add another light color, like champagne for the bridesmaids dresses:

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Her bouquet would also be light, with just a little hint of a dark burgandy:

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The bridesmaids would carry bouquets to match the burgandy:

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The aisle would be lined with burgandy petals and flowers, and they would also be used at the cocktail hour that would follow, in these centerpieces:

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That is how I invision my sisters wedding. My inspiration for her without the board!

Do you have trouble with inspiration boards? Do you invision other peoples weddings too?

MIA

2010-03-02T09:41:00.001-07:00

Sorry, I have been MIA for the past few days. BUT, I do have a good excuse! We closed on our house on Friday!!!! (And as soon as I get my computer back from Geek Squad I will upload REAL photos of it!)

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We had planned on moving all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but that didn't happen. We were both struck with the flu on Friday, so spent the day sleeping on the couch and hugging the toilet, not fun. Saturday morning though, we got up early and started the great move!

Our house is so gorgeous and the views are amazing and we couldn't be happier! Everything turned out so perfect, and we are almost done moving. Yes, we still have some little random things left in our rental, but have a month to get them out, so no hurry.

So sorry for being MIA, but I promise that the wedding planning is going to back in full swing in just a few days!

My Girls

2010-02-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

All I ever talk about is our wedding and the plans (duh, since this is a wedding blog!), and me and MS, so I thought I should tell you a little about who is behind the scenes: My Girls. They have been the best and so helpful during our planning. Without them, our wedding would not be what it is becoming. I'll introduce you first to my MOH.

Me & my MOH

MOH A: We met in high school when we both became wrestling managers. It was an instant friendship. Every minute was spent together, even when we weren't doing wrestling stuff. She currently lives in Wisconsin (sad face) where she is going to college. Even though she is helping from afar, she has been the best! She is always emailing me and comes up with some awesome ideas. I love her and miss her. Can't wait until she gets here this summer!!!

Me & BM D

BM D: My oldest sister and one of my best friends. She is also working as our wedding coordinator. Her ideas are amazing and she is helping us make our dream wedding possible on a small budget, and from Las Vegas! She puts up with my 5234908234523479875 emails a day, constantly changing my mind, and having no clue about simple things. Her obsession of weddings has really come in handy!

Me & BM C

BM C: The middle sister of the 3 of us girls, and an amazing best friend. She too is in Las Vegas, but has been so helpful. Her thoughts and ideas are amazing and has helped make some big decisions. She also puts up with my emails and changing mind, and does so with a smile. She has agreed to do our hair and makeup, since she is incredibly talented at it!

BM H: Sorry, I don't have a picture (yet) with her! She is MS's little sister and just like another sister and best friend to me. Because she is the only one that lives in the same town, she gets to help me with all my projects and appointments! She is always more than willing to help and give her opinion. I am so lucky to be getting such an awesome person for a new sister.

My girls are amazing! I really think that I have the best wedding party out there. They are the best friends anyone could ask for and have been wonderful through this proccess. Hopefully they will still be able to put up with me when I'm freaking out about last minute things closer to the date! Thank you girls, I love you!!!! <3

Who is in your wedding party? Have they been as awesome and helpful as my girls have been?

All Dressed Up

2010-02-23T11:07:00.003-07:00

I talked earlier about rehearsal dresses here. I honestly didn't think that I would wear a dress for this. I figured jeans or shorts and cute top. We are having a BBQ on the lawn at the in-laws house, so I didn't want to wear anything too dressy. But, after some browsing, I have decided that yes, I will wear a casual dress, and pair it with my cowboy boots. I hit up one of my favorite stores online, Victorias Secret, and narrowed it down to these 3 favorites.

Dress 1: Simple and cute. Love the color and pattern. Plus, it looks super comfy and relaxed!

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Dress 2: I have been drooling over this dress for at least a year now, but never knew what I would wear it for, and now I would have a reason!!! It is so gorgeous and I love EVERYTHING about it.

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Dress 3: Love how fun it is. The color is bright and cheery. I like that I would be able to wear a regular bra too, especially since the next day I will be all sucked up into my wedding dress!

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So which dress did I choose?

I'll be honest. I wanted dress #2 the most. But, I had to use my rational side and look at the pros and cons of all the dresses.

Dress #1 seems too much like a beach cover up. Maybe a little too casual for any type of event (unless it is to go to the lake).

While dress #2 is absolutely stunning, and I have wanted it for so long, but I would probably only wear if for the one night. I just can't justify spending that much money on a dress I won't wear again.

So, I decided to purchase dress #3. It is fun and cute and dressed up a little, but not too much. I could also wear it to work or just around town. Another plus of this dress, it is the cheapest of all 3! In fact, it was cheap enough that I caved in and bought myself ANOTHER pair of cowboy boots! So picture this dress paired with these:

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Do you think I made the right choice? Which dress would you have gone with?

Nice Buns

2010-02-22T11:15:00.001-07:00

I want my BMs to have nice buns for my wedding. So I turned to the internet looking for some inspiration pics, and these are what I came up with:

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I love the low, slightly off centered, simple bun. I also love adding a little something to the bun to dress it up. I am going to look around for something simple and pretty, maybe a flower, or just a lovely comb.

The problem I foresee with the bun is that not all my girls' hair is long enough! BM H's hair will be perfect. My MOH has TONS of GORGEOUS naturally curly hair, that is pretty long, and crazy thick! Both BM D and BM C have short hair that won't fit in a bun. I am thinking for them the a cute, little, low pony will look fine.

How are you planning on having your BM wear their hair? And what kind of buns were you thinking?!

Say Cheese

2010-02-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

We are hiring a photographer for our wedding (of course), but one person can only get so many shots. She can only be in one place, taking a picture of one thing at a time. So what about all those funny moments that happen at different places and at the same time? Who catches those moments and takes those pictures? Our guests!!! Yep, we are putting disposable cameras on all the tables for our guests to use.

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That way, our guests can catch all those great moments that go missed by others. They can take as many pictures (well, I guess only 36 per camera), of whatever they want, whenever they want. Later we can look back at all the pictures and see all the stuff that was going on while we were eating, dancing, cutting cake, etc.

Are you putting disposable cameras out for your guests? Have you ever been to a wedding that has done this?

The Never Ending... List

2010-02-17T11:43:00.002-07:00

Last night, MS and I sat down and decided to finalize our guest list, for the last time. When we first started talking about who we were going to invite, I (being my OCD self) made a spreadsheet and put some formulas in to count up the total number of people. Well, my computer has decided it hates me (again) and I can't type in my spreadsheet anymore, so we had to pull out the trustworthy pen and paper.

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In our original "budget" and plan we wanted to top our guest list at about 110, hoping that some wouldn't come and we could keep the attendance to 100 at the most. Well, for those of you that have ever made a guest list, you know that your plans don't always happen! After talking to our parents, and combining all of our lists, we are hoping to cap the guests at 150! Quite a bit more than what we originally had hoped for. But what I don't understand is where all the people are coming from!

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Of course we have our family and relatives, and close friends that were the first on our guest list. But then we start thinking, Oh him, we have to invite him because he has known me since I was born and is good friends with my parents and soon after that its Well, she is my mom's friend's sister's daughter. I used to play in the sandbox with her. Our guest list just keeps growing and growing! We don't know when to stop and who not to invite. Does the little kid down the road you that you once ate worms with really have to come? Even though you grew up with them but haven't seen them in years, are you supposed to invite them?

We decided (like we did once already) that our guest list HAS to stop at 150, no matter what. If we think of someone else later, sorry, but you must not have been that important that we didn't think of you sooner. But at the rate we are going, our guest list will soon be well into the 200's, double our original desired amount!

Did you find that you were inviting people you didn't really know because you thought you had to? Were you able to keep you guests down to your first desired amount?

Take Your Pick

2010-02-16T12:30:00.001-07:00

I originally picked the dress that my BM's were going to wear. It was this one:

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J Crew, silk chiffon, Sophie dress, in graphite. My MOH actually already bought it and sent me a pic of her in it. Doesn't she look beautiful?!

But, after thinking about it though, and talking with one of my BMs who didn't like the dress, I decided to let my girls pick their own dress. I gave my MOH the option of sending hers back and I would pay, but she is going to keep it. :)

I'm not letting them have complete freedom in choosing a dress though. I gave them 4 options. All J Crew, all in the silk chiffon collection and in the graphite color. So here are the options:

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BM H loves the first option, so I think that might be the one she goes with. I am not sure about my other 2 BMs yet though. I love all the dresses, so I am happy with whatever they choose! I was thinking purple shoes (since that is one of our colors), but I have decided to let them wear any pair of black shoes they want. They all probably already have a pair, and you can ALWAYS wear black shoes again!

Which dress do you like the best? Are you giving your BMs a choice or are you picking the dress for them?

I Love to Hate

2010-02-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

Valentine's day. Yep. I love hating it. It sounds weird but I really do. I am one of those people that think that Valentine's day is an overrated holiday thought up by some girl to get her man to tell her that how much he loves her. Rough huh?! But think about it.

Why should there be ONE day a year that guys are supposed to buy chocolates and flowers and confess their love to a girl? There is so much pressure put on around Valentine's day. How can that be special? I would rather my man tell me how much he loves me and buy me flowers randomly throughout the year when it is a real surprise, not when he is "forced" to do it.

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And what about the people don't have someone? They just feel depressed! Everyone is getting flowers sent to them at work and talking about their plans for the big day, and those lonely people just have to sit and listen.

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Maybe one of the reasons I love hating Valentine's day is because I have been that lonely person. I have also been that person, who has someone, but that someone seemed to forget what the reason for the day was. I have a good man now though, but I'm past the hype of Valentine's day. So, instead of buying flowers and chocolate and confessing our never ending love (we will do that at our wedding), we will be throwing an Elmo birthday party for my now 2-year-old son! Yes, we will tell each other that we love each other, and we will kiss, and I will give him a card, but (other than the card) that is the same thing we do everyday. So nothing that special for a "special" day.

Do you love hating Valentine's day? Do you actually love it? What are your Valentine's plans?

Centerpieces

2010-02-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

These are going to be another DIY project that I attempt to tackle (of course with the help of my BMs and moms!). Originally, we were just going to get some vases, any shape and size, put about 3 white carnations in them, and tie a ribbon in our wedding colors around the vase. Then we thought about doing picuture frames on each table with some sort of flower thing behind them. But, my newest idea (OK, not really my idea, but one BM D showed me), and the one we are going to go with is this:

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How beautiful are these? I love the floating candles! Since the flowers we are using are white carnations and purple Calla Lilies, we are going to submerge the Calla Lilies. One per vase, with a floating candle on top. I think we will use the white stones in the base too. Lucky for us, our local Dollar Tree sells the stones and floating candles, so this project should be realatively cheap! Now we just need to find the vases...

What are doing for your centerpieces? Are you making them youself?

Our Budget... Or Something Like That

2010-02-10T11:39:00.004-07:00

My poor BM D/sister/wedding coordinater wants to hit me over the head with the Book of Rules on Wedding Budget (if one really does exist). Our wedding budget isn't the "normal" budget, I guess you could say. We are saving up our money, and planning for expenses, but we aren't including everything we have to buy in our budget. Get it?

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Our budget is including the following things:

Ceremony & Reception site
Food (including Popcorn Machine)
Drinks (including Margarita Machine)
Tables & Chairs
Linens

What our budget is not including:

Tux rental
Flowers
Cake
Photography
Anything extra for the BMs & GM

So, as you can see, our "budget" does not include many of the normal things that are included in a budget. We have a certain amount set aside for our budgeted items, plus the help of family for those things, and everything else that is needed for the wedding, we are just paying as we go.

What are you including in your budget? Are you having wedding things that aren't included in your budget like us?

Bring On The Food!

2010-02-07T02:25:00.001-07:00

MS and I went for our menu tasting today. One word: WOW. We thought we had an idea of what we were going to serve. Since we are hosting a "fork buffet", we wanted to try and get a little mix of everything. Originally we chose:

Bow tie pasta salad with basil pesto, fresh Roma tomatoes, cured olives and pancetta crumbles
Seared salmon cakes with lemon-caper aioli
Grilled seasonal vegetable platter with balsamic dressing
Seasonal fruit tray
Choosing 2 of 3: Marinated beef skewers, Cured Italian meats wrapped in puff pastry with olive tapenade, or beef carpaccio with white truffle oil an sea salt on crostini

We tried the 3 meats listed last today. Words can't even describe how amazing they all were. I had taken my camera hoping to get some good shots, but was so overwhelmed by the food in front of me that I didn't take a single picture! (sorry, you are just going to have to try to imagine what it all looked like!) I was really skeptical at first of the marinated beef skewers. They looked almost like they were cooked REALLY well, and that they might have more of a jerky texture. I couldn't have been more wrong! The chef marinated them in some amazing teriyaki stuff, and they were so tender and moist, they just fell apart in your mouth. They were MS's favorite. My favorite was the cured Italian meats in the pastry (anything with the word pastry is normally a winner for me). They were these little roll things with different meats and an amazing cream cheese spread. I think everyone got one, and I got 10 of those little buggers. Awesome. The beef carpaccio was also really good, but it wasn't our favorite. And the "crostini" is a hard cracker thing, kinda hurt my mouth actually.

So, after tasting those items and sitting and talking to the owners of our venue, we were able to finally finalize a menu. We went with something a little different than what we originally thought, but we are so excited for it:

Mixed green salad
(I can't remember the name) Pasta with prawns and some cheese/garlic sauce
Mediterranean platter (has meat, cheese, crackers, veggies, and hummus!)
Marinated beef skewers
Cured Italian meats wrapped in puff pastry with olive tapenade
Italian herbed chicken satay with lemon vinaigrette

I cannot wait until we get to eat at our wedding! Thank God my dress is a corset back so I can loosen it as I eat, because after our tasting today, I know I am going to have to!

What are you serving for food at your wedding? Did you decide on what you originally thought or something different?

Our Song

2010-02-04T11:35:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that many people struggle with what song to do their first dance to. Us? Not so much. We knew before we were even engaged what song we would use. Without a doubt in our minds, we chose Home to You by John Michael Montgomery:

I get up and battle the day

Things don't always go my way

It might rain but that's okay

I get to come home to you

Sometimes life may get me down

And I get tired of getting kicked around

I feel lost in this maddening crowd

But I get to come home to you

You are my best friend

And you are where my heart is

And I know at the day's end

I get to come home to you

Hanging out in our old sweatshirts

You let me complain about a hard day's work

I don't know what I did to deserve

To get to come home to you

You are my best friend

And you are where my heart is

And I know at the day's end

I get to come home to you

You are my best friend

And you are where my heart is

And I know at the day's end

I get to come home to you

Yes I get to come home to you

Oh I love coming home to you

The reason we chose this song? It fits us perfect. It is how we feel about each other. No matter what life throws our way, we will always have each other to come home too. I can honestly say that MS is my best friend, and I am his, and I love knowing that it doesn't matter what happens during the day, he will be at home waiting for me, ready to make me happy.

Also, when MS and I were first together, we went to the concert at our fair, and guess who was playing. John Michael Montgomery! (It was awesome and we had so much fun!!!)

(Pic of us at the concert *taken by me*)

So when it comes time for us to dance our first dance as husband and wife, it will be to this song. And we will know, that everyday, for the rest of our lives, we will get to come home to our best friend.

What is your first dance song? What made you choose that song?

First DIY Project = Success!

2010-02-01T19:29:00.002-07:00

When it came to save the dates, I knew right away that I wanted magnets. I had seen a couple people do this and loved the idea. Simple and cute, and then people can put them on their fridge so that they really do "save the date" and don't forget about it! They can also use them to hang up the invite with. Perfect! I started to look around on the internet. There were a lot of places that can make STD magnets for you, but I didn't really want to spend that much money since we are on a budget. I started to think about a way that I could do it myself, and searched different office supply stores for ideas. I found out that Office Max had business card sized magents that would work perfect. Since my mom is a graphic designer for a local newspaper, I asked her if she could come up with a business card sized design to use. This is what she made:

I loved it! It would work perfect for our save the dates. Off to our local Office Max I went and bought my supplies.

I found these envelopes while I was wandering around and figured they would be perfect. Great size and shape, and they are self sticking, so no licking!

I wanted to use a silver pen to write the addresses out, but after a quick call to my mailman dad (he said it was too light to be able to read), I went with purple.

I couldn't wait to get started with my first project, but BM H wanted to help, so I had to settle with just addressing envelopes the first night. This is were I ran into my first problem though. I don't have addresses. If I ever need to send someone a message, I turn to email or a text. I called my mom, asked her to look in her address book, and same thing. She doesn't have any addresses either! Great. So now I am sending out emails to everyone trying to get their addresses. I've recruited my sister, BM D, to help. She actually talks about this little problem of mine here.

Since I couldn't write out the sending addresses, I worked on getting all the return addresses written in. That took forever and caused some major cramping in the hand! When I was finished, I put all my stuff in a bag to take out to BM H's house the next day, and iced my hand.

The next morning I woke up early, got a coffee and headed out. Lucky for me BM H was just getting out of bed when I showed up! We got to work right away. I applied the business card to the magnet

And she used a rolling pin to press them down really well

Then trimmed any edges that weren't perfect (because, yes, I did get a little off!)

That was all it took! We were done!

It only took us about an hour to make all 100. It was really fun and I think a great first DIY project. Since it was such a success, I'm excited to get started on my next project. Hopefully it goes as well as this one did!

What was your first DIY project? Was it a success or fail?

*all pictures taken by me!

Cheers To Great Finds!

2010-01-29T22:09:00.000-07:00

MS and I aren't wine drinkers. Sure, I enjoy the occasional glass of Arbor Mist (it says wine on the bottle!), or I'll step it up a notch and go with a White Zin box (since it taste a little more on the fruity side). But other than that, we stick to our beer.

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When it came to thinking about what we would serve in the way of beverages at our reception, there was no question that we are going to have kegs of beer. We are also going to have a margarita machine for our cocktail hour, and a bar. Since a lot of my family loves wine, we are going to get some bottles of wine too. MS and I will not be drinking the wine, so we thought we could just toast with whatever it is we are drinking. But then, while shopping at one of my favorite stores, Target, I found these:

(pic by me!)

How cute are they?! And they were only $2.99 a piece! I had to buy them!!!! So, we have decided that we will buy a bottle of sweet champagne for us to use for the toasts so that we can use these super awesome glasses!

Did you toast with wine or champagne? Or did you just use whatever you were drinking?

To Look or Not To Look?

2010-01-28T09:47:00.002-07:00

While our "situation" is not what you would call "old fashioned" (ie. I have a son already, we live together, we are building our house before getting married, etc), we are still a little old fashioned concerning the wedding. One example, I am wearing a "white" dress (it looks white, until you put it right up next to something white, then it looks more creamy-ivory, but still its "white"!).

So when it came to when MS was going to see me for the first time on our wedding day in my dress, we both initially thought, not until I come walking down the aisle. I have read a lot about first looks though, and was starting to wonder if maybe we should too. One of the awesome girls over on Wedding Bee explained why they did a first look, and it makes a lot of sense.

1. I don't even remember my walk down the aisle. It went by so fast, and I'm glad that during the first look, I was able to stop, pause and really look at my husband's face when he saw me. Because I don't remember what he looked like during the aisle walk!

2. The first look is more intimate, and like I said above, you take your time. Our photog gave us five minutes after the first look to go off by ourselves without being photographed to chat and take-in the moment.

3. You get more pictures without sacrificing time. AND you can probably attend your cocktail hour because that's usually when couples go off to do their portraits. Being at cocktail hour was great. We had more time with our guests, and during our portraits before the ceremony, we didn't feel at all rushed.

4. It really takes the pressure off. Our DOC told me horror stories about brides who just made themselves so sick with nervousness before walking down the aisle because they wanted to look perfect. Some felt like they were going to pass out, and others started to cry. It's very emotional because it's also in front of everyone, but with a first look, there isn't as much pressure. Or, if there is, you get it done beforehand, and you can relax a little before the aisle walk.

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So, with all these great points I started to think that maybe a first look was a good idea. But, call me old fashioned ( ;) ), I think I'm going to stick to our decision of no first look. The reason why?

1. I'm the girl in the audience that when the bride starts to walk down the aisle, I look at the groom. I want to see MS's reaction to me when he sees me coming down the aisle for the first time.

2. I'm not a superstitous person, but I feel like it will "jinx" us if we see each other before then!

3. MS didn't want to see me until then. I'm sure I could convince him to do a first look if I tried hard enough, but I don't want to. This was a decision we made already, and something he really wants (he hasn't even seen my dress), so I'm going to stick to it.

4. And last, I'm really excited about the surprise factor of seeing me at that moment for the first time!

What did you do? What are your thoughts on a first look? No one is going to change my mind, but I'm curious! :)

Guest Book

2010-01-26T11:50:00.003-07:00

I am not sure what to do about the guest book. I have always thought that I would do the picture mat that people sign, then it could be displayed in our house and we could see it all the time.

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But I wasn't completely sold on this idea. I do like the look of it, but we would have way more than just the 12 signatures that are on this mat! And with that many signatures, it might start to look crowded and overwhelming. Thats when I saw this awsome idea:

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Have guests sign wine bottles! And the best part of it all? My uncle makes lights out of wine bottles, much like this:

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So, I could have my uncle make a couple of these gorgeous wine bottle lights, and set them out for our guests to sign. After the ceremony, we could place these bottles around our reception site (maybe on the head table or on the cake table?) and have them all lit up. We would be able to use them as lights in our house too, so then we would always be able to look back on them and see all the signatures.

I love the idea of having a "different" type of guest book. What are your thoughts? Did you do something different for your guest book? What?

Armed and Ready

2010-01-24T00:49:00.004-07:00

MS and I went on our first registry trip tonight. Registering really can be fun, if you are prepared for what your are getting yourself into. MS and I just decided to go tonight, without actually realizing what we were getting into. How complicated could it be? Go to the store, get a registry gun thing, pick some stuff out and be done. Well, it doesn't quite go that way!

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There are a few things you should know before you head off to register.

First, make sure you have eaten plenty so you don't get hungry, and have recently gone to the bathroom (as MS had to go 2 times while we were there (me only once!)).
Wear comfy shoes and bring bandaids
Have a plan. Maybe make a list of needs and wants, and yours and his.
Allot plenty of time (like hours). Despite how fast you think you can do it, you can't.
When you think you are all prepped and ready, head to your first store!

Let me explain to you how I came to put this list together. As I said, MS and I just decided to run up to Bed, Bath, And Beyond tonight to register real quick. And it did start out good.

We got there, got someone to come help us in the special "registry" office, filled out a paper on our info, and was given a couple books to look through while he entered it into the computer. The books he gave us were fine China, silverware (or whatever fancy word it was that they used), and wine glasses and such. So, we picked some. When MS and I are going to use fine China, I have no idea, especially with a 2-year-old running around. And wine glasses? We don't even like wine. Maybe someday these things will come in handy, but I have NO idea when.

So, he handed us the gun, showed us how to point and click, and sent us on our way. He did actually offer to help us and walk with us, but we declined. How hard could it be?

The first few things were reasonable. A spice rack, much needed since the only spice in our cupboard is Johnny's Seasoning Salt and some garlic. Next, a set of mixing spoons and bowls. Right by the spoons and bowls was an ice-cream scoop. Much needed right? Along with the potato peeler, meat tenderizer, meat thermometer, potato smoosher thing, and something else in a really pretty blue. Ok, these things probably are needed (even though we already have them, but we can always upgrade right?), but we started to get out of control.

We scanned everything from a shish kabob holder to a kitchen soap dispenser to coasters for our coffee table that we don't own. I even had a potty training chair in my hand (little guy needs something too right?!), but decided against it (I'm just gonna go buy it myself!). MS was really seriously staring hard at a liquor dispenser (holds like 5 bottles and pours the perfect shot with one flick of a switch), even made me walk by it a few times, but I made him move on (wouldn't want to give anyone the wrong impression). We continued through the store marking everything we past. Clocks, water fountains, turkey baster (I don't even know how to use one), sandwich containers, pillows, magnifying mirrors... I lost him somewhere between the curtains and garbage cans.

Next stop, towels. Keep me away from this section. Especially when we are going to be having 2 bathrooms in our new home, so I get to decorate another one. I think total I registered for about 20 bath towels, and that was just for the 1 bathroom. I didn't even get started on the other one.

About half an hour later, I surface from the towel section. MS was snoring in the massaging chair (you bet that made the list), and the store was closing (great hint when ALL the workers are standing at the front checkout staring at you). Even though I could have continued, I woke MS and we made our way to the front.

"Get everything you were looking for?" No. I would like to continue, so go ahead and lock me in here. "Yes, we did, thank you. We can update anytime right?" "Of course!" (looks at watch). We took the hint and left.

My stomach was growling, both of our feet were sore (although MS's back was feeling pretty good), and I had a blister on my finger from pulling the trigger. We had to stop on the way home and get some asprin, which MS didn't hesitate to take. Our shoes didn't even get off before we collapsed on the couch. Sheer exhuastion. But, the nice man did give us a little booklet of items that are good for your registry. So after a breather, I started flipping through that handy book.

What did I find? TONS of stuff that we just have to go back and register for. "Later" MS told me sternly and rolled over. (Don't worry, I dog-eared the pages so I can make sure we get them next time!)

How did your first registry go? Where you prepared for it? How many times did you have to go?

Work, Work, All Week Long...

2010-01-22T12:50:00.004-07:00

... Punchin' that clock from dusk til dawn... I don't know if you know that song by Alan Jackson or not, but it seems to be my theme song these days. At least the work, work, all week long part, except I continue into the weekend. Seems to be never ending.

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I get up in the morning, race around the house, get my son ready, and head out the door. I zoom to daycare (all the while I hear "whoa mom, whoa!" and "weeeee!" coming from the backseat), and then fly off to work, were I am all day long. When my work day is done, I head off to start my school day, after which I run home to make some dinner, wrestle the little one into the tub, read him some stories, rock for about 10 minutes, then lay him in bed. Once he falls asleep you would think that I would get some relaxation time, but it never seems to work like that. I have to clean up the trail of toys throughout the house and get some study time in. Of course MS needs some attention too, so I pencil him in right before bed, or while we are laying in bed... ;)

Going to school while trying to raise a 2-year-old and work full time is enough to make anyone exhausted. And exhausted I am, but I can't quit there. I have a wedding to plan!!! The only problem I seem to be having is that I have all these great ideas and DIY projects I want to *attempt*, but I'm not sure when I will get the time!

Since we are almost done building our first house (!!!!), I'm hoping that I will be able to sneak away from the madness in the evenings for an hour (maybe pawn bathtime off on MS?), and lock myself in my new craft room and tackle some of these projects. I would tell you what those projects are, but what's the fun of that?! Maybe this way you will come back to see what they are (and if I ever get them done)!

Do you feel like you work, work, all week (and weekend) long? How do you find time to do the things you want? Are you getting you wedding projects all completed?

The Meaning of Life & Marriage

2010-01-20T22:29:00.001-07:00

I'm feeling pretty "deep" tonight, so I thought I would let you in on the secrets. Maybe I haven't quite figured out the meaning of life and marriage (I am working on it!), I do know what my thoughts and feelings are on the subjects. Lets start with life.

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I am sure you all remember that great board game. The one where you are the car and drive around going through the phases of life. You first get a college education, start a job, get married, buy a house, and have some kids (getting to add a couple blue and pink pegs to your car). Well, my goals in real life weren't that far off at all. They were:

Go to college and graduate
Start a career
Get married to the man of my dreams (this one could be mixed into the first 2 someplace)
Buy a house
Have a few kids

See? Nothing that couldn't really happen, like go to the moon (although it would be fun), or anything like that. These are simple goals that I think a lot of people have. I was hoping for them to go somewhat in that order too. Well, I started on the right track.

After high school, I went to college (check), but I'm still not quite done with school. I have about 1 1/2 years left (so half check?). The other 4 goals kind of got a little mixed up. I will be starting a career, but it won't happen until after the other 3 goals are actually met. I am going to marry the man of my dreams in September (BIG check for that one!!!!), and we are in the process of buying (actually building) our first house (that has to deserve a check too). So, we will buy a house, THEN get married. Not a big deal to me that they are out of order. The kid thing, well, that got moved around a little too!

It actually came before buying a house, getting married, starting a carreer, AND graduating. Oops. Yes, my son is the result of an "accident". He has to be the best accident to ever happen though. And while it didn't work out with his father (thank God ;) ), I have met the most amazing man that has stepped up and accepted both me and my son, and he loves us both unconditionally.

So, there are my life goals. Happening in one order or another, but none the less, I am slowly checking them off. Now, the meaning of marriage.

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Many people don't support MS and I in our marriage. It isn't a secret, and we aren't upset about it. They think we are too young (23 and 25), it happened too fast (within a year), and that we just aren't ready. What they don't know about us is this. MS and I have had many a long talk about what marriage means to us. It seems to us that in today's world, a lot of people get married with the thought that if it doesn't work, there is always divorce. We don't see it that way. If we weren't 100%, absolutely sure, about spending THE REST of our lives together, we wouldn't be getting married. We are making a commitment that we will honor and hold up until the day we die. Yes, it happened fast, but there is that feeling, deep down in the pit of our stomachs and in the very back of our minds, that just knows that we are meant to be. We can't explain it (I just hope someday you feel it too), but it is there.

So, in short, to me the meaning of life is to set some goals and achieve them. Its ok if they don't happen in the order you set, but make them happen. As for marriage? Reguardless of if people support you or not, when you know that you have found the one you can't live without, that makes your heart beat a little bit stronger, and you can see yourself growing old with, don't let them get away. Saying yes to my handsome man down on one knee in front of me was the best (and easiest) decision I have ever made.

What is the meaning of life and marriage to you? Have you set life goals? Are you achieving them how you thought you would?

No Pain, No Gain... or Loss

2010-01-19T17:07:00.001-07:00

Like most brides-to-be, I want to look sexy and skinny and hot in my wedding dress. So, I decided to take up working out. Off to the store I went to buy the videos (with motivating titles that make it sound like fun), dug out my old sports bras and gym shorts, and headed to the living room. I was all set to get the hot body I had pictured in my head.

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After I had my son, I knew that I had to lose my baby weight. I was a single mom, hoping to some day get back into dating, and new it would up my chances of finding a man if I still didn't look pregnant. Well, baby weight drops fast! I didn't even do anything! Granted I was super stressed with having to move back into my parents' house, feeling alone and like I would always be that way, and getting up 3 times a night, so my appetite took a hike for awhile. The pounds dropped and I got back to pre-baby weight. I should be happy with that right? Well, I'm not! I want to lose about 10 more pounds now before our big day. So I set my mind to do it. Popped the video into the DVD player and got ready to jump around a bit, throw a few punches and kicks in the air, and look awesome afterwards.

About 15 minutes into my 40 minute workout, I was dying. My legs felt like led, my heart about to burst out of my chest, lungs on fire, arms dead weight hanging by my sides, and I even got that watery mouth that you get before you throw up. So, I started thinking. Why is it that once we get that ring on our finger, we feel like we have to suddenly change the way we look?

Didn't your man love you and propose to you? He didn't propose hoping that by doing so you would suddenly start eating better, working out, and turn into some hot super model. Granted it would make me feel a lot better to slim down, wedding or no wedding, but shouldn't I be happy that I found someone who loves me, and all of me (even if there is a little extra)?

Maybe I am just trying to make myself feel better while I sit here watching the rest of the workout video. I just get so discourage so quickly. Does anybody else feel or get this way? What do you do to workout and keep working out? (And not throw up while doing so?)

Mini Version Doesn't Equal Mini Price

2010-01-18T17:33:00.005-07:00

Take it in, shorten it up, pinch it together. Words I heard a lot at my first fitting today! It was so exciting and fun, and can't wait until the next one, about 3 weeks!!! After I did that, I was feeling extra wedding-ish, so I thought I would stop by the local tux shop. Mind as well get an idea of the men's tuxes right?

It wasn't quite as exciting as I thought it would be (certainly not as exciting as my dress appointment), but it wasn't too bad. I think I got a pretty good idea of what the men should wear, and was really excited about getting a mini version for my son (who will be a groomsman, not ring bearer!). I mean, how cute is this?

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Well, it seems that they don't make mini versions to match. Really? Yeah, really. I was mad! They have little mini versions of a tux, the difference though is that the mini tux they offer (you can either rent or buy it for the same price), doesn't come with a vest, or tie, or in the colors we are going for. Therefore, we would have one "groomsmen" standing up there looking different (ok, I know he will be looking different as it is since he is about 1/2 the height but 1,000,000 times cuter than the others up there). That just doesn't work for me. Maybe its my little bit of OCD, or the fact that I want my son to fit in also, but I want ALL the men to be wearing the same outfits. So, my other option? Go with a ring bearer tux.

Ok, I can handle that (if it matches perfectly), as long as no one knows its a ring bearer tux. I don't know why, but I want nothing to do with ring bearers or flower girls or the like. My son is my little man, and he gets the honorary role of groomsman, not ring bearer. But this is my only other option to satisfy my OCD side. So we look at the offered tux's. She makes a few calls to verify that we can have done what I want (the exact same tux, just mini version), then she tells me the total cost.

I know how much the men's tux are going to cost. Not a big deal. I know how much a mini tux costs (quite a bit less than a grown man's), perfect. I know now how much she is going to charge me to rent (not buy) a "ring bearer" tux. THE SAME AMOUNT AS THE GROOMSMEN TUX'S! How is that possible? He is HALF the size!!!! They are using half the fabric, half the time for half the tux. Shouldn't it be half the price? Or at least a little bit less?! No. I have to pay FULL price for a mini tux.

Anybody else find they had to pay outrageous amounts for mini things?

Must Read

2010-01-15T10:46:00.002-07:00

My incredible sister/bridesmaid/wedding planner (!) has started a blog called Agreeably Engaged. She is a great writer and has wonderful ideas (she also talks about us!). It is definitely something that everyone needs to read! Good job sis!

Picture Perfect

2010-01-13T14:55:00.001-07:00

Sunday we took our engagement pictures. The morning started off partly cloudy (but the sun was peeking through!) and a little foggy. Kind of a cool look actually. Then, as the day went on it started to snow. It was the perfect kind of snow. Big, thick flakes. I prayed that it would continue and we would be able to get some awesome winter snowing pictures. Of course, because its me, no such luck. The snow stopped right before we met our photographer. The clouds settled in, blocking the view of the surrounding mountains and completely hiding the sun.

Despite the lack of sun, or snowflakes, I think our pictures turned out perfect! I couldn't be happier with them and it was so much fun taking them. So, here are a few for your viewing pleasure!

Choosing A Date

2010-01-12T14:39:00.002-07:00

Since not many people know why we chose September 18th to get married, I have decided to let you in on the secret: its cheap! :)

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When looking for a venue, price was a big deciding factor. We had seen BruMar Estates and fell in love. Unfortunately the price was high during our regulary desired time to get married, the summer. So, we looked at the other dates that were less expensive (half the price to be exact). October. Ok, that will work. We wanted a more summer, outside, nice weather wedding, so to get closest to that we choose the first weekend in October. Off to BruMar we went with a date set in mind.

We walked around, talked a bit, told them we wanted to get married there, and threw out our date. Taken. The following weekend? Same story. I started to panick! We wouldn't be able to get married there, at that price, until November. Our dreams of an outside wedding slowly fell away.

Maybe it was the look on my face, or the tone of my voice when I said that it was OK, but I'm pretty sure the owners knew I was sad. Lucky for us, they are amazingly nice and helpful people! So, they asked if we would want the last weekend in September that they had available. Well, we had to be honest and tell them the reason we wanted October over the summer months, we couldn't afford it. Then they offered: How about the last weekend in September at the October price? YES! I didn't even care what the date was, just as long as we got it at the desired rate. But, the date is important to know, so we looked and it was September 18.

Perfect. Perfect because it is the middle of September, so we can still do our outside wedding. Perfect because we are getting it at the less price. Perfect because my wonderful parents will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary the day after we say "I do".

I don't think we could have picked a better date on our own. I am so happy how everything worked out and that our special day is so closely shared with my parents. There is one thing I am worried about though.

Every year (except on major anniversaries such as 20, 25, etc), my father goes bow hunting over September 19th. He was never a bow hunter when he got married, but a few years later he picked it up. MS has already started talking about learning to bow hunt. So my fear? That my mother and I will be anniversary widows every year together! Hey, at least we could celebrate with each other right?!

Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids Dress, Mothers Dress... Rehearsal Dress?

2010-01-08T11:25:00.003-07:00

Obviously I knew about my wedding dress. I also knew about bridesmaids dresses, and mothers dresses, but a rehearsal dress? I have seen some posts lately about the dresses that girls are going to wear to their rehearsal too. Such as

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I truly have never thought about a dress I would wear to my rehearsal. While it would be really fun to wear a dress like this:

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I think it would be out of place. Is the rehearsal supposed to be somewhat dressy? We were going to go with a little bit of a more casual comfortable feel, thinking BBQ at the in-laws! So is it ok if we just wear jeans and shirt? Or should we dress it up a little bit more?

Winter Wonderland

2010-01-05T14:45:00.001-07:00

MS and I love the winter, and more, the snow. We have known for some time now that we wanted to take our engagement pictures in the snow.

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We have been hoping to be able to them this weekend, January 10, 2010. The only problem? We have yet to get a really good snow fall that has stuck. Lucky for us, we got a lot of snow last night! (My pictures don't do it justice, but I thought the court house looked pretty!)

And, according to the weather station (lets hope they are actually right for once!), it shouldn't get too warm causing the snow to melt. If all works out, we will being having our engagement pictures done, and in the snow, just like we wanted! We just need to figure out exactly where we want to go to take them now!

Check Please!

2009-12-30T09:50:00.002-07:00

No, I'm not talking about the kind at a restaurant, I'm talking about the kind I'm not using on our wedding to do list.

It seems that everyone I talk to has things planned and in order and are set to go. Us? Not so much! Before we got engaged I seemed to be able to get more stuff done and checked off, but now, nothing. We do have some important things done, such as our venue picked and deposit down, my wedding dress is here (just need to do alterations now), colors are picked, and of course a date set. But that is about all.

We need to decide on a photographer, get our engagement pics taken, our save-the-dates made and mailed, our guest list narrowed down and looked over, and on and on and on! Maybe with the new year there will be a new burst of energy to get stuff checked off!

Our Wedding Webpage

2009-12-23T13:40:00.002-07:00

Yes, I will continue blogging here about the planning process of our wedding, (and of course the big day!), but we have also set up a wedding webpage on The Knot if you would like to check it out! It will give you some more background on MS and I, and also some extra information about places to stay, event dates, etc. pertaining to our wedding. We hope you enjoy both!

We're ENGAGED!!!!

2009-12-20T09:34:00.003-07:00

Yes, we have been talking about getting married and knew that we would, so we have already started planning our wedding, but I wasn't expecting the ring when I got it.

Last night we were laying on the couch and MS got up to look for something. I continued to lay there, not willing to get up and help because I was in much pain from my urinary track/bladder/kidney infections. When he came back into the living room, he knelt down in front of me and told me he loves me more than anything. I told him that (of course) I love him more than anything too. Then he said "Haley Rose, will you marry me?" and he opened a ring box! So naturally, I said "Are you f-ing kidding?" TWICE! (Don't worry, I quickly followed with YES!!!) He just caught me so off guard, I wasn't expecting it at all! But it was perfect, the best way he could have done it.

And my ring *gasp* is so gorgeous! He did so wonderful. It is exactly what I wanted! So, I am happy to announce that we are now officially engaged!!!

An Exciting Week!

2009-12-16T13:47:00.002-07:00

This has been quite the exciting week already for us! First of all, on Monday, we went and met with our realtor, looked at a model home for us to have built, and talked to the builder. After sitting and talking to our realtor for a while, we did some paper work and put in an offer!

My parents were watching baby HS while we were doing the stuff with the house, so we headed over to their house when we were done. We walked in the door, and sitting on the chair was a box, a big box, addressed to me. My dad had seen it at the post office and brought it home for me, and inside, was my dress!!! It came!!! My mom and I went into her bedroom and pulled it out. I "quickly" put it on, then had to wait for the longest 10 minutes of my life for my mom to get the back laced up! It actually fit pretty well too. I was nervous because it is a couple sizes bigger than what I am normally, but from what I hear, seamstresses can do wonders! So it will need some alterations to fit absolutely perfect, but its already close. The folds down the skirt are so beautiful and elegant, and there is beading all down along those folds, as well as across the top. I'm not normally a big fan of lots of beading, but this still looks so simple and elegant to me. I absolutely love it.

My dress alone would have made my week, month, even year, but to add a little icing to the cake, the next day, the builder accepted our offer! We will meet with him right after Christmas so he can show us our property lines (1.25 acres!!!), and we will decide where we want our house to sit and how. Then the building begins! We will be able to close on it March 24, 2010 and start moving in. It is so exciting to know that we will get to own our very own first home!

To buy or not to buy...

2009-12-05T09:35:00.007-07:00

With the help of my oldest sister/BM/wedding coordinator, I have been watching for preowned wedding dresses on the internet. I have an idea of what I would like (OK, I know the exact dress I want, but just can't afford it!), and I found one similar for a really good deal. But should I buy it? I haven't tried on any dresses yet, and our wedding is still 9 months away. The nice thing about this dress, is the seller states that I can send it back within 2 days of receiving it. So, if I don't like the dress on me, I can return it. I just don't know what to do!

Jasmine Haute F909

How soon did you buy your wedding dress? How many dresses did you try on first? Did you order yours off the internet or buy it in a store? Should I buy and return if I don't like it? Should I shop around first?

What did you say?!

2009-11-30T14:40:00.004-07:00

Last night MS and I were driving home from hunting and in the midst of our conversation about wedding bands for him, he said something that took me by surprise. I stopped talking, looked at him and asked, What did you say?! Nothing. He smiled, shook his head, Nothing. I kept at him, and finally he repeated what he had said the first time, Your ring should be done being sized. MY RING?! He has a ring for me!!! The only thing that could have made me happier at that moment was if he had actually given me a ring! So now, I need to rest easy that he does have a ring and just wait impatiently until he finally asks me.

One step closer

2009-11-27T14:11:00.007-07:00

MS finally told his parents that we are planning on getting married last week. About time, considering that we have a date (September 18, 2010) and a place (BruMar Estate) already picked out! They are really happy, and his mom even went to look at rings with him! Now, he needs to tell his sister!

We got the deposit sent off this week for our ceremony and reception site. We are so excited to have that done. Its a huge weight lifted and now we can start the process of picking out decorations for the site!

BruMar Estates