Butterflies {Dallas guest list, Stanley Korshak wedding dress}

I was warned by my married friends that the guest list is the most difficult task of wedding planning.  Well, if I would have known just how exasperating every aspect of acquiring a guest list was, I'd have hired someone to do it for us.  The process is tedious.  First, you have to choose a way to contact your guest, via phone call, text, email, Facebook, twitter, etc.  Then you have to wait for their response (and when you're as patient as I am, it's frustrating when they don't get back to you asap).  Once you get their address, you must find an efficient way to store, and an even more efficient way to share the addresses (with your printing company or calligrapher).  Working on a spreadsheet limited my creativity and left me feeling rather bored.  And to make matters worse, I spent over an hour perfecting my address file to be sent to Papyrus only for them to tell me the format isn't compatible with their printing machine.  So I spent over two hours reformatting it.  Maybe I should have just written out the addresses myself!  I am rather disappointed in Papyrus's lack of instruction.  Make sure you find out the proper format from your printing company before you spend hours on numbers/excel!    Anyway, in my annoyance, I realized how obsolete the whole process is.  With all of the technological advances of today, you would think there would be a new technological system, maybe an app for the postal service or just a more advanced way to find someone's address.  Maybe I'll work on developing a more modern system to help out my fellow brides.  Because wedding planning should be fun, right?  

Acquiring addresses and efficiently storing them literally took months and a lot of coffee...

Look what I got in the mail this week:

I smell paradise.

I am ecstatic!  Virgin Islands here we come!
Along with all of my island research, I've been busy on YouTube trying to find the perfect first dance song for Matt and me.  Thus far, I've been very unsuccessful.  I really have no clue which song is most special and most symbolic to us.  The song should be sweet and romantic but also fun and playful, reflecting the facets of our relationship!  Got any suggestions?  Because Matt is no help.

I received an email Tuesday morning from my bridal consultant:  "It's here!  It's beautiful!"  My dress has finally arrived from Europe!  Knowing that my dress is here and our wedding day is drawing nearer gives me butterflies!  I immediately called mom to inform her of the arrival of my dress.  She was as giddy as me!  We discussed when we should schedule the first fitting and if I was ready!  Since it's so close to Christmas and as swamped as I've been, it looks like I'll have to wait until the first week in January for my first dress fitting.  Until then, I'll be breaking in my wedding shoes!

Save-the-babysitter {Dallas wedding guest list, blushing bride, honeymoon}

Thus far, the guest list has been the most stressful task I've faced throughout my wedding planning.  After Matt and I included everyone, and I mean everyone, our headcount was pretty ridiculous.  So, let's be honest, we have been making some serious cuts; but don't worry, we still managed to include all of our family (4 sets) and our most special friends.  Matt and I also decided on an adult only wedding day.  *(If you receive a save-the-date, please also save-the-babysitter.)*  ;)  Among just comprising our guest list, getting everyone's address has been another stressful task [for Matt].  Poor Matt has been working so hard on retrieving guests' addresses (his deadline was last Thursday...)  I'm hoping to have them all this week so I can get them addressed before the holiday rush!

On a less stressful note, I found and fell completely in love with my wedding day shoes!  I would love to post a picture, but I won't; though I've been showing everyone the picture I have saved on my phone.  Earlier this week I went on the website just to gawk at the shoes; and then I noticed that they were sold out of my size!  I had a small panic attack.  In my hysterical state, I emailed customer service, [thankfully] received a response within five minutes and was connected to the Miami boutique, the only boutique that had my size!  Looks like I will be getting my Christmas present early this year!  Thank you my sweet Matt!  You never cease to amaze me, whether it's how hard you work on getting our guests' addresses ;) or how hard you work to make sure that I can have the prettiest wedding day shoes.  I love you, forever!

On my morning off work last week (wait, who am I kidding - as a bride-to-be, you don't have a day off), I had my coffee in hand, Pinterest on my laptop and the Today Show airing in the background.  The blushing bride wedding dress segment came on and stole my attention.  Since I ordered my dress, I haven't looked at any other wedding dresses, but I wanted to see the new trends so I tuned in to the Today Show.  They claimed that this season's trend is all about the back.  As the dresses were all beautiful, none of them would have been as perfect for me as my dress.  When the segment was over, I pulled up my iPhoto on my laptop to look at my dress and it never looked more beautiful.  :)  (And, yes, I got all giddy all over again thinking about wearing that dress while walking down the isle towards Matt.)

I finally applied for my passport.  It was super easy and super fast.  The guy helping me was even super sweet.  He congratulated me after explaining to him why I needed a passport.  I got my picture taken, filled out the paper work, paid and was out of there in under 20 minutes.  I couldn't help but notice the camera he used to take my photo!  When was the last time you saw a camera like this?  He laughed when I asked to take a picture of it.

We've narrowed our honeymoon destination down to the Virgin Islands!  We are still trying to decide between a few specific islands and would appreciate any feedback you have!  Where did you and your spouse go?  Was it beautiful?  Private?  And most importantly, how was the food?  ;)  Matt and I have never been to the Virgin Islands but we think it will be the perfect escape for us.  I cannot wait!  All my honeymoon research is having me itching to get away now!

So this week, I have a surprise for Matt that he won't receive until the night before the wedding.  (I've given him strict orders not to read this post.)  I am so excited to meet with Nadia (who you met several posts ago (June Bug Co.)) this week for my boudoir session.  Mom (my assistant) and I are meeting her in Arlington at a place called 3825 S. Bowen.  I've got some really great "outfits" for the shoot and maybe one will be appropriate enough to make an appearance on cloud9dallas!   

Random note for future brides-to-be and all wedding planners:  Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great times to make large purchases!    

December wedding to do list:

- Make sure save-the-date cards are addressed, stamped and ready to mail
- Finalize formal invitation wording
- Shop for and purchase wedding bands
- Choose rehearsal dinner site, select menu and give our hosts a list of those attending
- Purchase wedding day shoes
- If my dress arrives, which it should, schedule my first fitting(!)
- Finalize honeymoon destination

5 months until the wedding day!

Behind the Scenes {bridesmaids, DIY; Papyrus}

This month (which has flown by btw) I've dedicated most of my time and creativity to my bridesmaids.  The first of my tasks was to make sure all dresses were ordered by the middle of November.  Check!  I also looked at several local stores for the perfect hangers for their dresses.  When my search left me unsuccessful, I turned to Etsy.  I was able to find the exact ones I wanted through a company called Whisky and Wedding Bells.  We are all familiar with the personalized hangers (you know, the ones with names spelled out in wire).  Those are great, but because I wanted something a little more original, I decided against them.  I decided to go a more DIY route!  Here's a sneak peek at some of my supplies:

This pretty pink flower (above) will go on the hanger that my wedding dress will hang on.  I bought the flower and the crystal pin separately from Benno's Buttons.  After struggling with the glue, I finally managed to glue the crystal pin in the center of the flower.  I've also been working on a few other things for my girls of which I won't go into detail in case they are reading this post!  I will tell you that I was browsing on Etsy and came across "something useful for a bride in need".  And after mom's suggestion, I am looking for pink tops for my girls to wear the day of the wedding while we get ready.  She described how cute they would be -for pictures- while we get ready together - mom is very detail oriented like me.  There are a few other things going on for the girls behind the scenes and I cannot wait until they arrive from New York!

I made post cards, like I did from our Dallas engagement party, with the big group picture from the "I do" BBQ and mailed them to the family.  I absolutely love this picture!  What a great moment in time where we were all together under one roof!  I also made our hosts (dad and Shawna) a picture book with all the special pictures from the party.  

Thanks again for a great party!

Our save-the-date cards arrived last week!  I picked them up from Papyrus and couldn't wait to get home to inspect them.  The cards were perfect, but I was so disappointed when I realized the envelopes weren't the ones I ordered (I ordered very specific ones, of course).  I immediately called Papyrus to inform them of the error and they made a couple phone calls in attempt to fix the problem.  Papyrus said they would have the correct envelopes for me in a few business days; and then offered to reimburse us the cost of the original envelopes I ordered or offered to print the addresses for us for no charge.  Their offers to fix their mistake made me feel so much better, reassuring me that I made a good decision by hiring them.  It's great that sometimes someone else's mistake can be in your favor ;)

White Garments {hosts' gift, registries, marriage counseling}

We all know how much I love themes and the challenge to tie everything together, so since the "I do" BBQ was a family celebration, I was in search of a gift associated with the love of family.  This plaque I found at Francesca's couldn't have been more perfect!  How special will it be when my dad and step-mom look at this plaque and are reminded of a fun night of celebrating and the blessing the "little world a family creates by love".

Tying in the country theme of the party with my pig drawing.

As I mentioned, mom came down this week to sub in for Matt while I started the registry.  It's a good thing he had a sub because mom and I spent three hours (!) scanning bar codes; and we only stopped because we were starving!  We took a quick lunch break and headed to our next stop - Benno's Buttons.  I was in search of something special for my bridesmaids and expected to drive all over town looking for what I was envisioning; but we hit the jackpot when we walked into this little boutique!  Mom and I were able to find the perfect matches for the girls' dresses (matches you'll have to wait and see the day of the wedding)!  

Excited about the silverware from Pottery Barn.

Love these glasses from Crate & Barrel.

Ribbons at Benno's Buttons

More ribbons at Benno's Buttons

Matt and I met with our officiant, Roy, and his wife, Casey, for our second marriage counseling session.  We opened up our Bibles and followed along as Roy read from Genesis 2:7-25, explaining how, pre-fall, everything was perfect:  God created a perfect garden for man to tend to and created woman from man to be his helper; and since woman was taken out of man, man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, becoming one flesh.  Complementarianism, the view that man and woman have different but complementary roles and responsibilities between a marriage, gives man the responsibility to lead and woman the role to collaborate with and respect her husband.  It brings me such joy knowing that God created me as a helper fit for Matt.  Roy said for us to be honest with each other about our weaknesses and that we are to praise one another publicly and correct each other privately.  Great advise that I will strive to do everyday!  Roy ended our session with Ecclesiastes 9:2-9, describing how we all share a common destiny.  But before your time under the sun is up, "Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.  Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.  Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you... "  Ecclesiastes 9:7-9.  

November wedding to do list:

- Order save-the-dates
- Select formal invitations
- Start collecting guests' addresses
- Research places for honeymoon
- Get passport
- Discuss menu details
- Make sure all bridesmaids' dresses are ordered
- Research rehearsal dinner sites

6 months until the big day!

Made With Love {country engagement party, country engagement party decor ideas, registries}

We, and I believe I speak for our entire family, had a blast at the "I do" BBQ on Saturday evening!  My dad and step-mom hosted the big blended family engagement party for Matt and me at a huge barn in the the country.  It was so neat to be out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by pretty decorations and the people that I love most.  Since google maps couldn't get you to the barn (!), dad and Shawna (my step-mom) made the cutest signs to make it easier for our family to find the party.  

After following the signs, we finally pulled up to a huge trailer of hay with a huge greeting:

We drove up to the barn and were welcomed with smiles and big hugs from our family [that had already found the place].  I couldn't wait to get inside the barn to see all the decorations.  Shawna explained, "It's a little country for Matt and a little pretty for you," which was the perfect way to describe it all!  Matt and I walked around looking at all the "country pretty" details and you could tell that everything was made with love.  Take a look yourself:

It was absolutely amazing having our families under one [barn] roof getting to know each other better, or in some cases, meeting for the first time!  Among all the food, decorations and country music, there was so much love in that barn; and Matt and I are so blessed to have such a caring, big blended family.  I can't wait to start on my DIY projects using all the pictures mom and Kim, Shawna's sister, took.  Thank you so much, dad and Shawna, for putting so much time, love and creativity into the party!  And thank you to everyone who had a part, big or small, in putting it all together.  We appreciate every single little detail and are forever grateful that our big blended families blended even more that evening.

Thank you for a GREAT party!

    

__________________

I wanted to show Matt a few items I had seen at Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn for our registry.  So after lunch on Sunday afternoon, I showed him the plates and casual silverware I liked from Crate & Barrel.  He quickly agreed to the set.  [That was easy!]  We walked around as I pointed out some things we need/I want.  I could tell he was getting...bored...so I suggested we go next door to Pottery Barn.  I was shocked to find that that was definitely not where he wanted to go next.  But I really wanted to show him the fancier silverware from Potter Barn, and was only able to talk him into going in with me because of a parking spot right in front of the door.  I promised to only spend ten minutes browsing the store so I went directly to the silverware; and again, he quickly approved.  I was true to my word and after HE was done looking at a possible Christmas gift for someone, we were out of there in no time!  ;)  While we were in the car, I reminded Matt that he had said he wanted to help with the registries.  His response:  "Seemed more fun to think about it than when you actually get in there."  So with that, mom is coming down this week to help me with our registries.  (Lol.)  I've already started our registry at Restoration Hardware and mom and I will need to get it started at Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and possibly a department store.

Distinction {bridesmaid dress, Dallas hotels}

Saturday morning I met three of my girls at Stardust Celebrations for their first dress fitting.  Devan was our bridesmaid consultant and she was super nice and very helpful - definitely what you want from your consultant.  My girls took turns getting their measurements taken and placing their dress orders.  The appointment was a breeze, well for some of us [that didn't have to nurse a hungry baby ;)].  After our appointment we met for lunch to celebrate my birthday and to just celebrate the day!

Original dress I chose for the girls.

After their dress fittings, I had this uneasy feeling, cause unknown.  Monday afternoon I figured it out - I wasn't quite satisfied with the dresses I chose for my girls, not because I didn't like them, but because I just desired something distinct for my girls.  After a long phone conversation with my mom, I decided to call Stardust Celebrations to cancel the dress orders.  I am 100% happy with the decision I made and it brings me joy envisioning my girls in their new dresses, a joy I was missing with the original dress.  Although the ladies in the wedding and bridesmaid departments at Stardust Celebrations were wonderful to work with, I know that this resolution will be so much better for my sweet girls.  They were all understanding with my unforeseen change of heart and were completely on board with the new route to find their perfect dress.  I am so blessed with such amazing girls!

Madison, me, Lindsay & Kayla.
Not pictured:  Baby Cooper.

Hehe, too cute...

The "I Do" BBQ is Saturday!  Matt and I, along with our families, are so excited to spend an evening with family, BBQ and country music.  Shawna, my step-mom, texted me last week explaining that I shouldn't get too dressed up since the party will be super casual.  Matt was thrilled to learn the attire.  I'm going to try to dress it down, but I mean, I am the bride to be... ;)  Matt and I want to thank you, dad and Shawna, ahead of time for taking the time to plan and put this BBQ together to celebrate us!  We are forever grateful and love you so much!

Like I said I would, I've called to compare several hotels in search of the perfect place for my girls and I to get ready the day of the wedding and for Matt and I on the honeymoon night.  Among my list was the Westin Galleria, Legacy Marriott and Hotel ZaZa.  After each conversation with reservation specialists, I couldn't help but still think about The Crescent and how beautiful and perfect it was when mom and I visited a couple weeks prior.  So Tuesday afternoon I called The Crescent to touch base and see if prices have decreased at all.  I spoke with their reservations manager, Mara, who was absolutely wonderful not only because she was so friendly, but because she offered me a really good deal that I couldn't pass up!  Without any hesitation I booked our wedding day (and night) suite!

Cyperus Papyrus {Dallas wedding invitations, Dallas wedding portraits}

As you probably know, or at least you should know, Tuesday was my birthday!  And what better way than to celebrate with some wedding planning.  Mom came down to spend my birthday with me and to help me pick out save-the-date cards and browse wedding invitations.  For the past couple of weeks, I've been looking online at a million save-the-date card ideas.  You'd think I'd find a design that I liked among the millions I previewed, but that's just not the case.  My goal/theme is to be different, unique and eclectic.  However, being different and finding something unique is challenging, so that's why I decided to just design our own save-the-date cards!

Our first stop to look at save-the-date cards was at Paper and Chocolate.  Mom and I walked in and were greeted by the sales associate.  She asked what I was looking for and I told her a couple of my eclectic ideas and she responds, "Well, I don't know if that will work."  Really...?  So I tell her, "Um, I can make it work."  I was immediately turned off (good customer service is so important, especially with a bride to be!), but looked through one of their sample books anyway.  Blah!  The cards were very out dated and uninspiring.  So we left.

Our second stop was at Swoozies, one of my favorite stores!  Mom and I headed to the back to find their sample books.  A sales associate joined us and answered all our questions and said that since I will be sending our save-the-date cards in January, this was the perfect time to begin the process.  She also introduced me to their creative designer and together they explained how I could change anything and everything on a card.  Hallelujah!  So mom and I looked through several sample books, taking notes from the save-the-date cards I liked.  Then we switched gears and looked through the formal invitation sample books - again, great ideas, but with every invitation there was something I would change....until I found the one!  (I lied, there are still some changes I'd make to it.)  This invitation was so cool and so different!  We priced it for 175 invitations and because of the total cost, we decided to continue our search.  I took pictures of the invitation just for reference and mom and I were off to go to our next stop.

Our final stop was at Papyrus.  I was still on a high from Swoozies and my imagination was in overdrive, which was overwhelming me a bit.  The associate at Papyrus set several sample books in front of mom and me and we started thumbing through the save-the-date card ideas.  I found a shape that I loved and was the perfect "precursor" to the formal invitation I loved at Swoozies.  So I pulled it and discussed options/my ideas with the associate and by the end of our discussion, I had changed the whole card up.  And I loved it!  Mom looked over at me and asked if I wanted to look through their invitation books.  I hesitated, but agreed to scan them.  The first page I opened to was the sample of the same formal invitation I fell in love with at Swoozies!  Meant to be?  I was thrilled to see it again and showed the associate the card and described the changes I would like to make to it if possible.  She responded to my requests:  "Yes, yes and yes."  She then explained that if I purchase my save-the-date cards this month, I would receive 20% off the order.  And then later when I order our formal invitations, I'll receive another 20% off that order (glad we continued our search)!  I said, "Yes, yes and yes!"

  

Pages and pages of fonts to choose from!

Thanks, mom, for the birthday lunch & for helping me design our save-the-date cards!

To top off a very fun and successful day, I received an email from Allison, my photographer, that our engagement pictures were posted on her blog!  What a fabulous birthday gift!  Mom and I quickly wrapped up our day and headed to the apartment in a flash so we could view the pictures we'd been so anxiously and [not very] patiently waiting for!  The photos were AMAZING!  I am so thrilled to have Allison as my photographer and to have these amazing photos for years and years to come!

If you could help us out by going to Allison's blog HERE and commenting under our photos as the more comments we get, the higher print credit we will receive!

Please enjoy this slideshow Allison made:  

Loren & Matt's Engagement Portraits 

Thank you, Allison, for AMAZING pictures and memories!  And thank you, Courtney, for doing my AMAZING makeup!

Photo Shoot Me {Dallas makeup artist, Dallas engagement}

Matt and I had our first meeting with our officiant, Roy, and his wife, Casey, on Sunday afternoon.  This was sort of a "meet and greet" session before we get into the nitty gritty part of marriage counseling.  We told them a little about ourselves and then went into detail on how we first met, which was almost seven years ago(!).  It was fun sitting in the "hot seat" with my fiancé telling the story of how we met and what we loved about each other.

O.M.G!  Our engagement photo shoot on Wednesday with Allison and her husband was an absolute blast!  Even Matt had fun!  I cannot wait to see her pictures, which should be posted on her blog within a week.  I had an early morning appointment at the Dry Bar with Quinc (he was so great!).  Then I headed up to Courtney's Salon, Chi Ro, to get my makeup done.  Mom joined me for my makeup appointment and took some action shots of Courtney applying my makeup (in another life, mom would be a photographer...).  Courtney used three different lip colors to make the best lip color ever, which is a combo she's only used on me.  She should seriously considering tubing the lip color and selling it - I already named the color for her:  Photo Shoot Me.

Courtney's color palette.

I walk into the apartment, all done up, to find a flustered Matt in a rush to get ready.  Even though I went over his outfits multiple times before, he still didn't know what shoes to wear with one outfit and didn't know what jeans he was suppose to wear for the other outfit...  Men.  When we [finally] pulled out of the apartment, we picked up Allison and her husband and headed downtown to begin the shoot!  I have been looking forward to our engagement pictures and couldn't wait to wear my new red dress!  Matt and I really had the best time being photographed together.  I loved how in every picture we were wrapped up in each other physically and emotionally.

Mom took a few photos with her iPhone.  Here's a sneaky peeky:

I cannot wait to see the photos Allison and her husband took!  She showed me a few on her camera screen and they were breathtaking!  She is so good!

Me and my favorite photographer!

Breaking news!

My cousin, Libby, that I asked to be a bridesmaid just found out that her senior prom is the same night as the wedding.  I completely understand her not wanting to miss her prom, but it's sad to say that she is no longer a bridesmaid.  BUT I am thrilled and beyond excited that I got to ask my cousin, Christa, to be my bridesmaid!  She had no idea I was calling to ask her to be my bridesmaid - I asked her a few things regarding wedding day hair, makeup, eyelashes, hair pieces, etc.; and then I explained the prom situation and asked her!  We are both so excited and I'm honored to have her not only do my makeup on my big day, but to have her be an even more special part of this time for Matt and me!

XP {Dallas hotels, Dallas makeup artist, Dallas wedding venue}

Last week, mom and I went to the The Ritz and The Crescent to view their suites.  If we could find a suite suitable for my girls and I to get ready the day of the wedding, we could also use it as a honeymoon suite the night of!  We ruled out The Ritz, not only because the prices were ridiculous, but also because the suites weren't even that pretty.  The decor was almost depressing.  I'm searching for a place that's pretty and romantic.  The Crescent was exactly that.  Mom and I were very impressed with their suites and the prices were much better than The Ritz.  Right now, The Crescent is the top location for the day of and night of festivities.  However, I will still be comparing three other places:  Hotel ZaZa, Legacy Marriott and Castle Hill Country Club.  I'm slightly freaking out that I don't already have this figured out and booked; and I just realized this is the first time during my planning I've felt stressed/overwhelmed/anxious/etc...

I had a trial run appointment with Courtney at Chi Ro Makeup last Friday afternoon.  I was so excited for another appointment of pampering and was ready to critique her work as I did with Anita's of Elan Makeup.  We started with the hair trial run.  Even though I made a few changes, I loved it!  Then Courtney started my makeup (this was the makeup trial run for the engagement pictures).  She did airbrush, which is a service I've never had but was super excited to try; and she did a smokey natural eye.  And again, with only a couple color changes, I loved it!  It was so easy for me to go with Chi Ro (XP)!  Courtney's work seems so much more professional and modern.  I'm excited for my next appointment with her, which will be next week when she does my makeup for our engagement pictures!  Speaking of, I cannot wait for that session!

Sunday afternoon Matt and I met his dad, step-mom, granddad and grandmother at our wedding venue.  We've been describing this place to them for months now and we were so thrilled to finally let them see it in person.  Matt and I wanted them to fall in love with it as we did.  And.....they loved it!  They approved!  Matt's dad said that it was "just perfect" and his grandmother had the biggest smile on her face as she noticed every detail.  Before we left, she congratulated me on a "very good job" and I couldn't be more happy that she approved.  What a special afternoon with Matt's family!    

Matt's grandmother anxiously waiting to begin the tour.

October wedding to do list:

- Engagement pictures on Oct. 10
- Make sure bridesmaids get measured for their dress and place their order
- Discuss groomsmen attire
- Select house party attire
- Browse save-the-dates
- Meet with our officiant for our first premarital session, which is scheduled for Oct. 7
- Determine order of ceremony events
- Choose invitation wording and design
- Select where my girls and I will get ready the day of the wedding
- Family "I Do" BBQ on Oct. 27!

7 months to go!  Wow!

Something About a Truck

Monday I went to Howe to spend some time with my sweet Mammaw and Pappaw.  I walked into their barn (yes, they live in a big red barn!) and was welcomed by the message pictured above - it's the little things that make my heart smile and remind me how blessed I am to have such sweet, caring and loving grandparents.  I love them so much and cherish every visit, every hug and every laugh!  I was so happy to see them and excited to show them the slideshow I made from our engagement party pictures taken by Allison Davis.  As we were watching together, Pappaw commented on how cool the slideshow was and how it was better than an actual album.  He was so right!  It's amazing how advanced technology changes the way we will remember.  After the slideshow, mom, Mammaw, Pappaw and I sat with each other and talked about how "crazy special" our family was.

Here's the slideshow:

Look what I got in the mail this week!:

Love the stamp!

Matt and I are thrilled to have a family celebration!  And we are so thankful that dad and Shawna are putting so much time and thought into a party for us!  We are looking forward to this so much because we don't want the day of the wedding to be the first time some of our family members meet.  This "I do" BBQ will be the perfect time for everyone to meet, get to know each other and, of course, eat.  It's going to be so much fun!  When dad joined me for lunch this week, we talked all about the upcoming party; but he was sure not to go into any detail as they want us to be surprised!  Dad and I looked through his playlist so I could approve songs for the party - you can't go wrong with a little chicken fried, picture perfect memories, and a red sundress ;)  Name those songs!

Love you dad!

Dancing in September {wedding DIY, Dallas makeup artist}

My other project I did using the engagement party pictures was finally delivered this week!

"You should get married more often" - Rob

If you can't tell, I love pictures.  I just love how a photo captures sweet moments shared between two best friends, a husband and a wife, a mother and a daughter, a son and a father, a big sister and a little sister.  Pictures capture moments that mean so much and document memories that last a lifetime.  I am so excited to send our family and friends a postcard (that I designed!) that has a sweet moment captured by a photograph, a memory that will last forever.  Thank you for being there that day to celebrate and make special memories with us!

Matt and I had a busy wedding-planning-day last Friday.  Like I mentioned, I am looking for a hairstylist. So that afternoon, I met with Anita of Elan Makeup Studio.  She was great and is actually getting married in a couple weeks; so we had fun conversations about wedding planning.  Anita did a makeup trial run since I am planning on having my makeup done for our engagement pictures (scheduled for October).  She did a really good job and didn't stray from my very very particular requests.  Anita switched gears to my hair for the wedding day.  I liked it, but I definitely want to have another appointment with another artist to compare it to.  So my next trial run appointment is scheduled for Sep. 28 with Courtney at Chi Ro Makeup.  In the meantime, I could get used to all this pampering...

We had a special event to attend later that night (luckily my hair and makeup didn't just go to waste!)  I won't tell you where we went, but I will tell you that we had a blast and that our hearts were ringing in the key that our souls were singing.  ;)

Makeup by Anita

I had to take this week off of any major wedding planning due to my extreme allergies (you know it's bad when you have to cancel a wedding-to-do appointment).  If I can manage to not sneeze a zillion times next week, mom and I plan to check out the Ritz to see if it's a good place for my girls and I to get ready the day of the wedding.  We also plan to start looking at some cool spots to have our engagement pictures taken.  We have one site already agreed upon and Matt can't wait.  No seriously, he can't wait!  You'll see why soon enough, and you'll be so jealous ;)  We just need one more area that gives off a more urban and romantic vibe.  Got any great ideas?  Also, in your opinion, what type/print/color of clothing photographs the best?  I'll need some suggestions since next week the search begins for a couple of great outfits for our engagement shoot.

This weekend we will be in Austin celebrating Jenna and Josh!  Happy wedding weekend friends!  xoxo

  

Cake[less] Tasting {Dallas bakery, wedding DIY}

Last week, mom came down to join Matt and I for our first cake tasting appointment with Frosted Art.  (Mom tasted the cake since I couldn't.  I just tried the icing - "cake[less] tasting" - it was pretty much torture.)  I immediately fell in love with the place just because the building was painted pink!  We met with Melissa, who was super sweet, and spent some time looking through pictures of their cake creations.  Then we started brainstorming and designing my cake.  I'm really excited about my cake because mom and I designed it (we should be in the cake designing business as well as the wedding planning business...)!  My cake is going to be gorgeous, but I have some "homework" to do for it to be complete.  (Frosted Art even offered to make me a separate, smaller, flour-less cake for our wedding day!  Yay, cake for me!)  After designing the bride's cake, we switched gears to the groom's cake.  And you won't believe it, but I let Matt design his own cake!  (I tried, really hard, to keep my input to a minimum...)  I'm so proud of him for designing his cake [and for showing up for the appointment]!  It reflects who he is and what he loves.

Of course, Matt liked the cake that looked like a gun.

Matt isn't paying attention to Melissa, at all...

As soon as we finished designing our cakes, we finally got to taste all the different flavors.  This caught Matt's attention:

So excited!

Loving all that icing...

Thanks for tasting the cake for me, Mom!

[I was planning on scheduling another cake tasting with Dallas Affaires Cake Co.  Let's see if you would hire a wedding vendor if they ran their business like this:  I first called Dallas Affaires on Aug. 28 and left a voicemail.  I expected to hear back from them the next day, but never did so I sent an email explaining that I called and left a voicemail and that I am looking for a bakery for my wedding day.  I received an email back on Sep. 5 asking me to call the next day to schedule and appointment.  As requested, I called the next day and had to leave a message for Margaret.  I didn't get a call back that day, the next day or the next or the next or the next...  So I emailed them, again, letting them know that I left a message and haven't heard back from anyone.  I finally received an email from Margaret on Sep. 12 letting me know that she is out of town but to call the next day and ask for Cassandra so she can get me scheduled.  Again, as requested, I called the following day and asked for Cassandra.  Unfortunately, she was on another call and the receptionist took a message and said she would call me as soon as she got off the phone.......................  I still haven't received that call.  Seriously, this is some of the worst customer service I've experienced.   I am, without hesitation, dismissing their services and will, without hesitation, hire Frosted Art to be my wedding day bakery.  I guess Dallas Affaires Cake Co. doesn't want any more business.]   

So, anyway, back to the fun part...  After our appointment with Frosted Art, Matt headed back to work and mom and I continued our wedding-to-do list for the day.  As aforementioned, I am looking for a place for my girls and I to get ready the day of the wedding, so mom and I went to our next appointment at the W Hotel to view their suites and small event spaces.  Mom and I left that appointment very disappointed.  On to the next...  The Ritz!

Here's some great news!:  We went to Stanley Korshak after our appointment at the W Hotel to put down the deposit for my dress and to see if Haley's veil would match...  It's a match!

I've been anxiously, not patiently, waiting for my project to arrive.  It finally came!  I made a book from the pictures Allison Davis took from our engagement party and am giving each of our hosts a copy as a gift.  I am so excited for them to have a book full of beautiful pictures displaying their love and hard work!  Here's a few pictures of the book :) 

Now I'm just [impatiently] waiting on one more project I did using our pictures from our engagement party.  Some of you will be lucky enough to experience it first hand ;)