Save The Dates - Check!

We did it!

We go our Save the Dates designed and printed. Now I have a free day to address all of them and get them in the mail ASAP!

I love when things come together. Have a GREAT New Years Eve!

5 months to go!

Wow. 151 days left...no pressure.

Accomplished so far:
Church
Officiate
Reception Hall
Caterer
Florist a.k.a. Greg “the flower guru” who works out of a van
Dress
Cake Lady a.k.a. Shady Cake Lady who also works out her car
Started a registry
Photographer
Colors picked out
Engagement Party
Engagement Photos
Created Save the Date
Booked rehearsal dinner location
Booked rehearsal dinner cater
Picked bridesmaid dresses

Left to Do:
Send Save the Date cards
Decided rehearsal dinner menu
Decided reception menu
Find wedding cake topper
Place engagement announcements in the newspaper
Order rings (yeah)
Book honeymoon
Pick invitations

Bridesmaid Dress Update!

I found a bridesmaid dress – finally!

After several stores and spending hundreds of hours on-line, I was able to pick a dress that I actually liked and hopefully my bridesmaids will like. The colors will be taupe and maize...which warning is not as dark as it appears on-line but I think will accent our wedding colors nicely. Best of all, I kept it under the amount I was aiming for which is great news.

Now all we have to do is have all nine girls order them on time but at least this is a HUGE check off my to-do list.

Only 5 months and one day left!

Photo Credit: Bill Levkoff

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all had a great holiday!

Gotta love Kate!

I love shoes – especially fun shoes. For the big day, I’m thinking of wearing this little number from Kate Spade.


It’s fun, flirty and would definitely qualify as my something blue.






Photo Credit: KateSpade.com

Nightmares Already...

I had a bridesmaid nightmare last night. Basically the dress shop had ordered the wrong dress but for only half of the bridal party. We couldn’t refund the dresses and they were coral and blue…so hideous. They reminded me of a dress from 27 dresses.

So half of my bridal party was in the nightmare dress and the other was in a strapless black dress. Odd – I know.

Photo Credit: 27 Dresses

Invitations

Oh my word – Invitations.

I love stationary. It’s odd, I know, but I do. Maybe it’s the different designs or the fact that you’re sending something to someone’s mailbox that’s not a bill.

So I thought picking out invitations for our wedding would be fun and it is until I see the price. Ugh the prices. If I had the time/patience I would have DIY invites but I don’t have the time or the patience.

I will say I have seen several cool designs...to bad they cost a small fortune.

Within-the-Ribbon

Over the last few weeks I’m submersed myself into wedding invitations in order to get it off my ever growing to-do list. On a positive side, I love stationary. The different cards, designs – I just think its fun. So narrowing down the wedding invitation is going to be a hard task, especially since my fiancé loves the classic, white, traditional invite.

As I’ve visited various invitations stores and flipped through their gigantic books, the “within-the-ribbon” card kept popping up.

Since I had no clue what “Within-the-ribbon?” meant, I searched Crane's
.

Within-the-Ribbon Cards: Pews may be cordoned off with white ribbons or cords to indicate a special seating section. When this is done, small cards reading "Within-the-ribbon" are sent with the invitations to those guests who will be seated in that section. The guests then bring the cards to the ceremony, which enables the ushers to seat them in the appropriate section.

Who knew? Have you ever received a “within-the-ribbon” card?

Party Rentals

I went to one of my favorite party stores today - Berbank and Co. The owner is a hoot and full of energy.

We discussed a few options for tables, bar and ceremony. Right now I thinking candelabras for the tables with a small amount of flowers.

There's something about candlelight that makes me think of romance....

Less than six months!

OMG...can you believe it!

New Website!

So we decided to switch up our wedding website to http://www.mywedding.com/lennyandamanda/ since it gave us a lot more options to work with than Weebly.

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Bridesmaid Dress - Option 3

Jim Hjelm Occasions

Another dress to choice from! I think this is one of the hardest decisions of the wedding planning because A) you want your girls to look good and
B) you want them to feel comfortable in what you pick out.



Compared to option one and option two , which one is your fav so far?

Bridesmaid Dress - Option 2

Dress Bridesmaid Style 2731 in Ocean

Went shopping this weekend and found a few bridesmaid dresses

that may work for the wedding. Here is option one - thoughts?

Save the Date ideas...

Just started to play around with these...thoughts?

This is the front of the card with more inforamtion on the back.

Summer Lovin'

Where we met…

It’s funny to think that a beat up, ratty, old customer service booth would be the place that I would find my future husband but it my case…it was.

You think about all the times that you get dressed up to go out. Check to make sure the hair and make-up is all in check. You’re outfit is one of the best in the group…all things to attract the opposite mate.

Funny how that wasn’t the case in my situation at all, a blue t-shirt and khaki shorts apparently was the outfit of choice.

This is one of my favorite photos from our engagement session because that is exactly how Lenny would stand during the game and that is where I sat.

Wedding Giggle

Jessica's Sneak Peak

I love, love, LOVE her photos. Sposa Bella Photography did a fabulous job and Jessica looks like a queen.

I will say that one of my favorite is the shot of the flower girls. Theresa (the littlest one) was the cutest thing I have ever seen and was smitten with the ring bearer. They played one intense tag game during the night.

So precious!

Photo Credit: Sposa Bella Photography

Another big event in Wedding Land...

Our engagement photos are on-line! Whooo! After all the trouble a few weeks earlier - I thought we'd never get this off our to-do list.

Well at least a sneak peak was posted today. We started at the famous octagon church, called McBee Chapel in Conestee, SC and then moved to the old G-Braves stadium. .

After all the issues with the first few phone calls, we were blessed to find a kind worker who let us in to take a few key shots. I got the picture that I've always wanted from day one...a kiss on the pitcher's mound.

Then we were off to Lake Lure where Lenny and I had our second date. It's a beautiful place and where the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed. Overall it was perfection! So excited!


Photo Credit: Olivia Griffin Photography

She's married!

I know that I've been MIA for the last week or so but it was for a good reason.


My kid sister is now married!


The wedding was beautiful, the bridal party entertaining and the time with family was grand. More pictures to come soon!

Yeah for E-day and ring shopping!

On the 7th anniversary of e-day, Lenny and I decided to shop for rings after our lunch meeting today. We have a few favorites but didn't buy anything.

I did discover that I'll need to have the jeweler design my wedding band if I want it to match my engagement ring. Who knew? I guess everything in life can't be simple.

Even though we didn't completely cross the item "wedding bands" off of our to-do list, we're headed in the right direction I think.

Photo Credit: SmithWorks of Spartanburg

Jan. 9th

I will be at the movies. Can't wait!

Gotta love weather men.

Reception Idea.

I'm having an internal debate between a sweet Southern theme or a Great Gatsby theme for our reception.

After seeing this photo on our photographer's blog, I'm now leaning towards the Great Gatsby idea with all the crystal and diamond decorations.

Photo Credit: Olivia Griffin

Noah's Ark.

Needless to say, we had to reschedule. This morning during my 6:30 am walk, it was cold…dreary…but not raining. Well now it’s raining so hard here that I won’t be surprised if Noah himself shows up soon with the Ark in tow.

On a positive note – it is a good thing that the date was pushed back. At least there’s a chance of having photos with the leaves changed.

So now I’m back to other things on the to-do list. Finalize bridesmaid dress; figure out reception food, decided on save the dates.

Photo: The view from my office. Makes you want to stay inside doesn't it?

I'm stalking Weather.Com

Not going to lie – I am really frustrated with Mother Nature.

According to The Weather Channel, it’s going to rain tomorrow ALL day. I should not be shocked by this last minute change of plans. Lenny proposed during a tornado like storm; our engagement party was during another rain storm so why on earth should I ask for beautiful weather on Wednesday for our engagement photos?

I must be asking too much from the wedding powers above. I guess I should expect rain on every major occasion that deals with our wedding including the big day itself.

To say we can “reschedule” is very simple to say but very (very) hard to do during the month of October. Why? Because everyone else has the bright idea of going to the mountains when the leaves change and everyone is trying to beat the daylight savings time.

It’s events like this that is going to drive me bananas.

Dear Mother Nature

Please keep it sunny on Wednesday. I selfishly would like to have beautiful weather for our engagement photos. I know we need the rain but if you could wait until after sunset - that would be great.

Thanks - Amanda.

Simply Lovely

Photo found at Martha Stewart Weddings

How can you not love a dress that fits the typical wedding list?


Something old, something new

Something borrowed, something blue

And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

Drooling on my keyboard.

Photo from The Knot

How yummy do these things look?

To-Do List

Less than eight months to go people! Holy cow…

We’ve accomplished so far:
Church
Officiate
Reception Hall
Caterer
Florist a.k.a. Greg “the flower guru” who works out of a van
Dress
Cake Lady a.k.a. Shady Cake Lady who also works out her car
Started a registry
Photographer
Engagement photos scheduled
Colors picked out
Engagement Party

This month
Take engagement photos
Create Save the Date
Decided rehearsal dinner location
Finalize bridesmaid dress

The fish out of water

Here we go, back for another monthly installment from the groom's perspective.



Last Friday Amanda and I experienced the first of our parties - this being our engagement party hosted by our supper club friends the Rabb's, Gadus's, Bauer's and Ringo's. As I mentioned in my short "speech" to thank everyone for coming it's a little weird for a pair of event planners to come to an event that is thrown for them that they had no part in planning.



Heaven knows Amanda has had more than enough practice in planning showers, parties, festivals, color guard routines and I've planned my fair share of sporting events (not real big on showers - surprised?). So to be at an event for you, that you had no hand it was, well kinda cool. First off, having been to several similar events, you are always happy for the happy couple. But to BE the happy couple and see all these people come to wish you well is very, very special. And we understand that not everyone makes this event, or will make the showers, or will make the wedding (8 months from today) and that's perfectly fine. Simply knowing everyone is in your corner means a lot.



So cheers to "The Supper Club" for starting our wedding season off on a great note.



Now, I must inform you of the other big news of my week and let's face it sports was going to come up eventually. ESPN College Gameday is at Vanderbilt on Saturday. Yep, I've lived to see one more thing in sports I never thought I would. Now if I could only go to a bowl game this year with the Dores... That'd be cool (hint). Vandy hasn't been bowling since '82 by the way. I didn't start pulling for Vandy until '90. Maybe this is year. For those wondering the things I never thought I'd see: Falcons in the Super Bowl ('98), Vandy beating Tennessee in football ('05), Wofford baseball winning the '07 SoCon Tourney, Getting an all expenses paid trip to Montana for a football game...that Wofford won, . Those are just a few.



See you in a month!

Engagement Party!

Just a few photos from the weekend. Enjoy!

Lenny and I on the back porch of the Estate trying to stay out the rain.

A quick pose with bridesmaids Twyla and Catherine.

Our Supper Club and host of this great event! From left to right: Jennifer, Jason, Sarah Beth, Jerry, Elizabeth, March, Will and Laura. Thank you all!

Tomorrow!

So excited.

Yeah! Engagement Party!

We are so blessed to have wonderful friends! Our delightful dinner club wanted to throw us our engagement party and tonight’s the big night. I have a dress (well…several…) and I can’t wait to see everyone in just a few short hours!

Getting organized.

Today I discovered this great little website, Russell+Hazel, that is full of fabulous templates to help every bride get organized.

Hopefully, this will help me focus on the next eight months. Enjoy!

Flowers!

I had the BEST meeting with Greg the “Flower Guru” today at lunch! Before, I was a little stressed about this part of the wedding since I’m not "in the know" on all the different flowers there are in the world. My theory is that we all have special gifts and knowing the difference between a Killarney rose and a Vandella rose is simply not mine.


I’m sure when I have some more free time, I’ll learn but this is why I hire great vendors to help me along the way.


So another check off the to-do list!

Just for laughs.

Flower Girl Dress - Part II

So the wedding bug has bitten me again...I'm back to planning friends.

Photo Credits: Strasburg Children


A little different from my original Flower Girl dress idea, but I think it's a great example of a Southern classic dress. What do you think?

Hopeless Romantic.

I adore "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks and it has become one of my top reads this year.

If you're a hopeless romantic, you need to read this book. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Wow.

So today is e-day but it's a special e-day. Today marks my six month anniversary as an engaged girl. Time has flown by! 8 months until the big day!

Big Check!

We picked out everyday China out today! It's the Emma Collection at Pottery Barn and I can't wait to use in June. So thrilled!

The Church...

A few shapshots of where the bid day will take place. Enjoy!

266 days...

Until I see this guy at the end of the aisle. :o)

Fresh Look - Take 2

In efforts of getting “Florist” off my to-do list, my focus over the last few weeks have been flowers. I found this today on the knot and it follows that fresh look I was going for a few months ago. Thoughts?

Perfection!

Perfect casual reception inspiration. We've talked about using mason jars and serving sweet tea and spiked lemonade as our signature drinks.

If you know me...then you'll also note that I adore the napkins in this photo.

Again - totally perfect.

Ceremony Music Idea

Just an idea of a song to walk down the aisle to on the big day. Thoughts?

On the search...

I found out this month that the church does not allow flowers as pew markers for weddings. Why? The pews are apparently some of the oldest in the state.

Of course they are...how silly of me to want flowers.

Now, in attempts to exit the bitter bus, I'm on to plan “B” and now I'm searching for little metal lanterns. My goal is to create this look below:

(Don't you just love the dad's face?)

Simple and pretty – just the way I like it. Now all I need to do is fine them…24 of them.

Picture Credits: Wedding Style,Wedding Bee

Inspiration....

This vision in my head of our wedding is one of those AMC movies...classic and beautiful. Tonight, I thought during all my Olympics watching that I would multi-task and create an inspiration board that will help me keep my vision on track.

My mother's veil reminds me a lot of the women pictured...not boring, not old...but tasteful and romantic.