Stationary Stationary

Everyone tells me invitations cost so much money and to be weary. I wanted to play it smart and make my own...

It all started out on dark and stormy night.. Well more like a beautiful afternoon but I found myself in Office Depot and bought 2 packs of print your own postcards. Well I took advantage and after two hours of fighting with the printer to finally print the first save the date. I also purchased post card stamps (much cheaper than regular stamps by the way!) and maybe spent a whole $40 on the save the dates! It was such a wonderful feeling to be saving hundreds of dollars! And the story always gets better...

For a few months I am searching different websites for a place to by recycled paper in bulk in a kraft paper color. If you haven't tried.. Good luck! Anyway I had already designed the invitations (hand drawn by Momma Shearon), scanned the image, and created the wording to be just perfect. With every intention of printing my own and putting ribbons and everything I ordered paper and envelopes. Of course as everything ordered online turns out to be (with the exception of the table clothes), the colors didn't match and the project became more difficult. Mom became frustrated and asked me why I didn't just order some invitations. I tried to explain how expensive (easily $800) invitations could be and that I had not budgeted that much. But she was determined. That weekend her and daddy went out to do some searching for invites.

That determination paid off. We found a cute store in Suwanee called La Ti Da that has easily 40 or 50 invitation and stationary binders. Scott and I spent a good couple of hours looking through them. We fell in love with one - really simple ivory with a gold/champagne ribbon and beautiful font. The down fall was the invitation alone without the envelope was over $1000! Ridiculous!! I could have made it myself! I asked the store lady to help find a cheaper version and we found a comparable one for half the price that we liked more AND all inclusive with envelopes and RSVP card. Much better! It was just over budget but we were able to cut back on a couple of other things as well. It was pretty fun though to customize it to even the font of each word, color font, color of the ribbon, and wording. One more hectic thing off the list! Only thing left is to address the envelopes... Let's see who's got nice handwriting....

And for those of you waiting to see it.. Check in the mail in the next few weeks!

The Countdown

Less than five months away and I think it's starting to hit me how soon it yes, yet I still yearn, I want it to be the day, like I would be waking up knowing today is my day. I can't wait for it to be official and we can start the next chapter in our lives.
Yet I am still holding back enjoying this time getting to plan out that day. I'm enjoying going on dates and talking about what our life will be like as we're older, what our kids will look like, and what our families will be like. I enjoy getting to dream.
Scary thought about how fast we're growing up.. and all those times parents and other adults told us not to grow up too fast. But you can't help it, you can't help enjoying each day and living life.

I will admit I am nervous. I've never been one to stand in front of so many people and be truly comfortable. All I think about it how many eyes will be staring at me. Though I know and I have been reaffirmed that the only thing I will think about as I walk down the aisle is him. I look forward to it.

We're starting to take care of all the little details including the centerpieces, other decorations, favors, bridal party gifts, etc. The only major thing not finalized is the food and that is only due to the crazy game we are playing with adding more and more guests to the list. Its crazy to think how many people we want to share our day with, how many meant that much to us. It is too much but I will trade a bit of my pay check in to have them there on my day.

Linens and Things - Part 2

So as far as the last linens and things post, I recall ranting about the situation of what I was to do. Let's recap...

The average price to rent linens in Atlanta for the size I need is $15 per table - let alone the fact that most places don't offer blue linens. On the other hand if I purchase the linens, they would be as low as $11.25. Problem is what am I supposed to do with 40 plus linens after the wedding. Some suggest to rent them out, others to straight forward sell them to someone else.

Well.. turns out I went with the latter.. I went ahead and purchased the linens in hopes one day I will sell them back somewhere... Lets see what happens!

But for now, one more thing to cross off my list!! :)

Dress for Success

Oct 1 turned out to be a spectacular date with the majority of my bridal party. It began Friday night. I had prepared a little gift for each of the bridesmaids, something they could hold on to - turns out they scrapbook!

KSU celebrated its annual homecoming finale with a celebration known as Owl Prowl. The events comprised of a parade from campus organizations, a fall festival, and a concert. This years performance was by The Maine - who turned out to be a pretty fantastic band! Regardless, Kim and Lauren drove up after class on Friday to celebrate and have a good time. We enjoyed an afternoon of festivities, giggling, talking, and all the little things girls do. I also presented them with their gifts receiving gracious smiles in return :)

Saturday morning we woke at 10am to meet Megan and head out to our first destination - Bel Fiore Bridal in Marietta. The shop was a smaller size but had a lot to offer. We arrived for our 11 o'clock appointment 5 minutes late and had to wait for my mom and Alison to arrive, but the attendants were also really friendly and accommodating. We were taken to the back section with the bridesmaid dresses and asked specifically for Bill Levkoff.

The day I returned for my dress fitting, Jessie tried on a Bill Levkoff that was flattering and elegant. So the brand stuck...

We looked through and found chiffon fabric, full length dresses and had a selection of about 6 to try on between them and the sizes provided. I can tell you it was an experience listening from the other side of the curtain at all the difficulties in putting on the dresses. I couldn't help but laugh! We had a great time and found 3 dresses we liked including the original Jessie tried on. One in particular looked absolutely phenomenal on Kim. It was a strapless, sweetheart neckline black dress. Even mom thought it was jaw dropping on her.
We got the information from the dresses and thanked our attendant. There was one more place to go...

If anyone has ever seen Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta, they've heard of Bridals by Lori. Well it was our next stop! It was a surprise treat for the girls and a guilty pleasure for myself!

We were like little girls in a toy store.. we got out of the car and took pictures of everything and all the signs! Kim made a comment about how crazy the lady at the front desk thought we were and I wanted to prove her theory correct. As we walked in, I asked her if every girl came in taking pictures and she laughed stating how true it was.

I filled out the information card and we walked right back into the bridesmaids dress section. It was huge, and there were so many things to look at.. We found the Bill Levkoff section again and they had even more styles that the other shop! I had the girls try on more dresses including the ones we liked for mthe other shop to compare. Our attendant was great. She gave us a larger room for the girls to change and our own pedestal to show off the dresses. She even dragged a bench for me to sit on and judge the dresses! It was a truly fun experience. The store also provided for other size dresses so some could try a dress that may not have fit at the other store. We finally narrowed down to two dresses. One had a sash similar to my dress, while the other had a delicate bow giving a simple elegant feel - which is what we were looking for. Though the specific color we want was not in stock, we decided on the one with the bow! It seemed to match best with all the body types and they agreed it was indeed very comfortable.

I saw the dress Kim tried on at the other place again too.. and YES I made her try it on again! If she hadn't before she definitely fell in love with it this time - not even wanting to take it off!
The prices at Bridal's by Lori were also cheaper than the smaller shop which surprised me due to the fame of the shop.

We had decided on a dress and shoes - later found online $20 at Payless :)

The dresses we found were also sold at the shop where I bought my dress. With my purchase, their dresses were given a 10% discount which brings the cost down to a manageable price (that will not be posted!!). It turned out to be perfect timing too. If we had waited to long, they would not be in before the wedding!

Anyway, the day was completed with lunch at Shogun (Japanese Hibachi Grill), girl time for couple hours, Nick & Scott joining us for dinner at Big Pie, followed by an amazing KSU Hockey Game vs. Alabama (and that ended in a victory 4-1!).

Now that's what I call a successful, productive, and downright awesome day!

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Nearly three years ago, Scott and I spent 5 months apart during his army training. It was some of the most trying and scary moments of our relationship, but we were fortunate enough to make it through. The experience in turn brought us that much more closer.
I remember clearly one day in particular...

Scott was in Ft. Lee, Virginia, being trained as a unit supply specialist (92Yankee). I had been able to take a 3 day weekend from classes and drove up 8 hours to visit him. That Sunday I left about 11am after saying our goodbye's. I was sort of in a state of shock driving back. I had seen him once prior during the five month duration of training and it would be weeks before he would be coming home. It was a numbing feeling knowing I was driving away from him and everything would go back to normal. All the butterflies and emotions that came up that weekend were only a dream. I had left him and he seemed heartbroken. The look he had left of sadness.. Regardless I couldn't muster enough energy to call or text him. I thought I would break down. It happened. He texted me.

The text... Can we play I don't want to miss a thing by aerosmith as our first song?

It fit so perfect. Besides the first year, our entire relationship was based on long distance and precious time. We couldn't stand to be apart. He hadn't even proposed but we both knew at that point we would be together and that would be our song.

The song choice was not brought up again until just recently. We heard it on the radio several times, and though our circumstances of distance changed, we still felt something for the song.

Mid July we attended a good friend's wedding. Their first song caught both of our attention, Then by Brad Paisley. It was perfect.
We loved it and it fit. The other song became our song that grew with us - one that will be played at the wedding because of its meaning to us. But Then spoke to us about how we felt. Scott and I agreed not to do individual vows because we would be too emotional. Regardless, Then seemed to state exactly what we want.

The new task. Learn to Dance.

Here's the link to youtube if you want to listen!

Here's the lyrics:

"Then"

I remember trying not to stare
The night that I first met you
You had me mezmorized
And three weeks later
In the front porch light
Taking 45 minutes to kiss goodnight
I hadn't told you yet
I thought I loved you then

Now you're my whole life
Now you're my whole world
I just can't believe
The way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than its ever been
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I remember taking you back
To right where I first met you
You were so suprised
There were people around
But I didn't care
I got down on one knee right there
And once again
I thought I loved you then

Now you're my whole life
Now you're my whole world
I just can't believe
The way I feel about you girl
Like a river meets the sea
Stronger than its ever been
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I can just see you
With a baby on the way
I can just see you
When your hair is turning grey
What I can't see
Is how I'm ever gonna love you more
But I've said that before

Now you're my whole life
Now you're my whole world
I just can't believe
The way I feel about you girl
We'll look back someday
At this moment that we're in
And I'll look at you and say
And I thought I loved you then

And I thought I loved you then

6 Months and Counting..

Labor Day Weekend is always a nice getaway weekend to look forward to. The ResLife department had just finished all training for the directors, the resident assistants, move in for all the new residents, and the week of heavy program for welcoming back students. August turns to be a hectic month but well worth time and effort put in it. Labor Day weekend serves as a general break for everyone to re-energize for the next series of things to come.

Well fortunately for me Labor Day weekend this year turned out to be Father-Daughter Night at the Atlanta Braves! Dad bought us tickets and we had a great time getting to just hang out like we used to when I was younger. I know he really enjoyed it :)
It hit me sometime in the 4th inning - and I couldn't even tell you what I was thinking about! - but it hit me that there were exactly 6 months until the wedding! I got really excited, turned to Dad, and told him there were only 6 months left. I think it sort of put him in a state of shock. He was like," no it's not that soon!"

I chuckled it off but I knew deep inside he was sad that his little girl was getting married and leaving his protection. But Daddy should always know he cannot get rid of Daddy's Little Girl - plus I am looking forward to our dance together with him also in uniform ...

A New Addition...

So I totally just realized and I will clarify the title.. I am not pregnant (or have any intention at least for the next year and a half!). But I am proud to say that we have added a couple to our Bridal Party!!

It's too funny but I always get anxious about the smallest things. We met a couple at pre-marital class that just turned out to be super awesome. They invited us to their wedding in July and we've been hanging out here and there really getting to know each other. It sort of dawned on me.. This could be a couple we could be really close friends with for a long time! In a way this is also really good for not only our relationship but theirs as well.. almost acting as a support system for our marriage.

Well, after meeting them after a few times, I talked to Scott about adding more numbers to our Bridal Party. He had actually thought to ask me the same. It only seemed natural to take the next step! We had invited them to hang out with us over labor day weekend. I had planned on having the majority of the bridesmaids (since we were all in town) go dress shopping. While we were doing so, the guys would get their tux measurements. Alison was hanging out with us at David's Bridal helping with the others finding a dress. I almost wanted to just tell her to join in but I had to figure out the perfect way of asking. Scott and I texted back and forth (he was at Men's Wearhouse) about what to do. We decided to tell them that night. Well... as things progress... there were like 6 of us at my place watching the movie Bridesmaids and just having a good time. Midnight came around and we drove them back to the mall (where they left there car). I think it was a case of all of us being delirious but we decided to ask next time.
But for some reason, when I woke the next day I was really excited and ready to ask them. We planned it out perfect, eat dinner with his parents, eat ice cream at Bruster's with them, then head back to Kennesaw. As always, we were running late, leaving the house at the time we were supposed to meet them...

As we left Scott asked me what we would say.. I completely forgot about the actual asking. I told him we would just flat out ask and pray they say yes! We finally arrived and of course I had the classic chocolate with sprinkles in a cup. Turns out Nick had never been to Bruster's, so it was a real treat for him!

Time came and I spoke up, "we had a question to ask you guys".
I feel like my tongue twisted and I spoke to fast but it came out and they both said yes!! Scott and I were sooo excited!
Alison is now my Matron of Honor/Bridesmaid and Nick a Groomsmen equivalent now having a total of 6 on each side!