The Background Stays and Thoughts

1. 14 days until the wedding............ *cries from stress*

2. The night of the wedding is going to be a full moon!!! Yay for pretty pictures!

3. My mom has always told me that a full moon means rain. Boo for uncertainty. 

4. 15 days until we leave for Vegas!!! Woot!

5. 15 days until we leave for Vegas and I'm broke.

6. The chairs are almost completely finished. All that is missing is the letters we made to be arm braces.

7. Bonnie has fleas and I'm trying desperately to get rid of them before she goes to the kennel. I don't want to be one of those moms who sends their child to the kennel with bugs and then passes them on.

8. On second thought, I probably shouldn't send my child to a kennel.

9. Kayla come over last weekend for a girl's weekend and we spent way too much money.... but I got cute make up out of it and a dress to wear on the plane to Vegas.

10. The back ground stays. Or so your polls say.

11. I made cute earrings for the beach.

12. Kayla and I got 2 more pomanders finished for the wedding.

13. I'm almost to the point of feeling relaxed about everything for the wedding.

That is all..... for now.

Packing and Planning

We looked crazy last night because we mapped out the 20' x 30' tent in our parking lot with screw drivers. Seriously. Our neighbors saw me twirling around the parking lot saying things like "The gazebo is here", "The dance floor is here", "I want lights going here" and "This is a really big tent". I'll probably be sending my Christmas cards from a mental institute.

It all started when Bryan and I were figuring out how to work the music at the wedding. See, we aren't using a D.J. and we will be using my computer with iTunes as our music source. The problem we were running into was how to use a microphone. Also, Adam has been very kind and offered to bring down his speakers from his gym but we wanted to also bring the surround sound from the house just in case something happens which meant we needed to learn how to use everything while we were still here. So this is what we needed, we are plugging my computer into the aux. line of my surround sound so the music plays through the speakers. But we also needed to use a microphone which the surround sound doesn't have a plug for so we needed a way to plug a microphone into my computer and have it come out the external speakers.

*tap tap* Are you there? Stay with me.

I got to looking around the interwebz and found a program for Macs called LineIn. I was a little skeptical because the program is made by a company called Rogue Amoeba..... um.... that just sounds virus-y. I then found reviews on Cnet so I figured it had to be legit. I downloaded the software, told Bryan of my findings and he brought home a spare USB microphone from the office. We plugged it in, got the music going and voila! We had sound coming out the speakers.

After we did this, Bryan ran over to the printer and got a sheet of paper out to do a rough sketch up of the reception area because we needed to figure out where everything was going to go. That is when I said "I need to get a feel for how big the tent will be so I can figure out how to organize everything and where to put the tables". That is when we ended up outside with screw drivers and tape measurers. Now that I'm typing this, I am thinking that we should do it again and use sidewalk chalk so we can draw out the tables and stuff......... then again, that would get me further up at the mental facility, wouldn't it? Scratch that.

So here I am, sitting in a partially packed apartment watching reruns of 16 and Pregnant. Yes, I love that show. I'm supposed to be finishing up with the packing but I'm having a hard time staying focused because I found a website with live webcams from the Sandpiper at the beach. I've actually found this website to be very helpful. It gives you ideas on where to go, what to do, places to eat and even gives a calendar of what all is going on in the area. There are a few kids movies that will be playing while we are down there that some people may be interested in. Go check it out when you get a chance. I'm sure you'll find something to do.

The guest chairs are almost completely finished. All that is left is the little braces under the arm rests but we came up with a new idea for those so they're the last part. Oh, yeah, I said guest chairs because we aren't going to have a guest book. Instead Bryan built two adirondack chairs and the guests will be signing those with paint pens. They look amazing and he did a wonderful job.

This weekend is a girls weekend at the apartment because Bryan will be gone for his bachelor party. Kayla and Jessica will be joining me to help out with the programs and pomanders. I'll be showing pictures of those later on so you can see how they look.

24 days.... can you believe it?

The One Month ABCs

Adirondack chairs have been started and will be completed this weekend.

Bridesmaids gifts have been started and will be completed soon.

Cornhole boards will be at the wedding so fun will be had by all.

Dad has his outfit picked out but is still requesting "Don't Stop Crying" by WetWilly as the father-daughter dance..... not sure about that.

Everyone will have a good time. No exceptions.

Fans will be provided at the wedding ceremony so that may help with the hotness of the evening.

Groomsmen gifts have been bought and we're super excited about them. "Them" being the groomsmen and the gifts.

Hurricane season is underway and the wedding is on the beach. I think you can put those pieces together.

I went for a trial run with wedding hair styles yesterday. I'm super excited about what Christy will do!!!

Joe's ceremony readings are beautiful and I'm pretty sure I'll cry the entire time... which will make him cry.... and mom.... and Bry. This is going to be a mess.

Kayla and Amanda's dresses are finished and look wonderful! Kayla's is in the mail and I can't wait to see her in it!

Las Vegas is going to be hot.... period.

Mom seems to be getting excited about the wedding too. She has ordered some really cool Styrofoam cups that have our names on them.

New beginnings are always exciting.

One month until the big day. I'm ready but not ready.

Pictures are now posted to our shutterfly account. I think you can make an account with our album and add pictures that you have taken at the wedding.

Quiet time will be needed shortly before the wedding to make sure Kayla makes it down the aisle without screaming.

Reminder to self: don't lock your knees and remember to breathe.

Song requests on the RSVPs are getting interesting. Spice Girls has been requested.

Temperature for Panama City Beach, Florida at 9 am on June 15, 2011, 85 but it feels like 96. I'm sorry to all of our guests.

Under no circumstances will it rain on the wedding day.... I don't care what Mother Nature says.

Vows still need to be written. That is kind of important.

We are very thankful to everyone who is coming to the wedding and to those who have helped put everything together.

Xylophones will not be at the wedding. What else was I supposed to put for X?

Yodeling will not occur but Daniel will be providing us with his musical talent.

Zebras also won't be making an appearance at our wedding.

Homemade Invitations

So it has been a while since I've sent the invites and I promised I would show how we made them. Like I've said before, I wanted to be a DIY bride and boy did I chew off too much with this project. But, our invitations came out beautifully and I couldn't be happier with them.

Every part of the invitation was created in Photoshop. Have I told you that Photoshop is my new favorite software? I felt like it was much easier to use than Word for a project like this.

First, I began by creating a design that had the wording and look that I was going for. I found an

image of a stamp online and put it in the image so that I had an idea of where my real stamp would go. I also added a red stripe for where the ribbon would be placed.

After Bryan and I had decided we like this look, it was time to take away the stamp and stripe and print them out. I printed them two to a page and made them slightly smaller than a 5"x 7" postcard.

Next I worked on the RSVP cards. *Fun Fact* Did you know that RSVP stands for répondez s'il vous plaît? Which means "please respond" in french. *Fun Fact* I took 3 french classes in high school. Ok, done with that. When we started planning the wedding, I fell in love with www.weddingbee.com. Mainly because it has a DIY section and is where I'm getting most of the ideas for the wedding. I got the idea of the song request there and thought it was super cute to have people suggest different songs they would like to hear at a wedding. Here is a picture of the RSVP card

Pretty!!! I'm getting excited all over again but Bryan will make that face. Do I need to show the picture again? I think not.

I was so happy with the way these turned out but it is only a small slip of paper so what could really go wrong with it?

After we were finished with these, I began to rack my brain wondering how the invitations were going to come together. I had thrown out the idea of even attempting an envelope that had pockets in it. I didn't want to dabble in that mess so I consulted my fellow DIYers on weddingbee. Of course they had great ideas that they used for their own invitations. This is where I came up with the box tie. I thought it would be perfect to hold all of the pieces together and not allow them to wiggle too much. I messed around with how it would look in the end and something didn't look right. That's when I decided to add a little square piece of paper to the front to help hold the ribbon together as it wrapped around everything.

The original idea was W + B and the website below that. I quickly printed those out because I wanted to put together a sample before we went to my parents house that weekend.

This is what it looked like

I was so happy with these and thought they looked beautiful so I sent a picture to Bryan who was in Washington, D.C. at the time on business. Why do I ask him stuff? He said it looked like "a bad advertisement". ....... Well, that hurt. But then I came up with a new idea which was a quote from a Corey Smith song that we both really love.

I took the sample home to my mom and she loved them too. My grandmother was coming into town that weekend so it would be the perfect time to put them all together.

The stamp is probably my number one favorite part of the invitations. I also found this idea on weddingbee. The stamp is embossed on the invitation and ends up adding a glossy look as well as a raised texture.

Here is that process.

Bryan was in charge of stamping so he had to make a template first.

Then he would put the stamp on the invitation. The trick to embossing is that you have to use pigmented ink instead of dye ink. The dye dries too fast and you wouldn't be able to use the powder. I forgot the powder step in the pictures but you pour a colored powder ( or clear if you're using colored ink) over the top of the ink.

VERY CAREFULLY brush the excess powder off of the paper and this is what you're left with.

Then you're ready to emboss those puppies. This is no trick of the camera. You can actually see where the powder goes from dry to melted when you move the heat gun across the paper. Even looking at them now makes me happy.

We did the same on the RSVP cards except the stamp was turned in a different direction. We also rounded the corners of all the paper with a nifty little rounding tool from Hobby Lobby. It worked out so easily and made a pretty corner on the paper.

Here is one last look at the finished product.

Many thanks to my mom, grandmother and Bryan.

Memorial Day

I do realize this is a wedding blog and we're supposed to be blogging about the wedding....... have you ever known us to follow the rules? I like to use this space to tell people just what happens in our house and give you the behind the scenes look into what is our lives. You can't just show up on July 15th at 5 pm and listen to our vows without knowing who we really are. I hope all of you have been enjoying this "Mr. Roger's" -esque time we have had together. And for those of you out there in cyberspace (because our blog shows up on Google searches) I hope you have enjoyed reading about the ups, downs and sometimes crazy things we have posted here. I also hope that you have learned a few tips and tricks to how we are putting together our wedding.

So let's begin by saying that Bryan and I would like to thank each and every one of our servicemen who have fought, is fighting or will fight for our country. There aren't enough ways I can think of to show my appreciation for everything you have done. I would especially like to thank my sister and maid of honor, Michelle, for the time that she spent in the United States Army. I was very young when she joined so I really just remember making countless trips to the airport to pick her up and to take her back. It is the people like her, the moms, sisters, daughters, nieces, aunts, granddaughters, that make me proud of where I come from. They selflessly put their lives on the line so that we can have simple luxuries in our lives and to make our own decisions. Thank you, Michelle Tingler, for serving your time for our country.

Got that? Ok, time for wedding stuffs.

The weekend started off with date night on Friday. We spent most of the evening down in Alpharetta at the Shane Co purchasing Bryan's wedding band...... YAY!!!!!! I have to say the ring is amazing and really does fit his personality. I would put up a picture but I kind of want it to be a surprise for the wedding day. I guess that's kind of annoying, huh?

Ok, you twisted my arm..... I'll post one....... JUST ONE!

Well, those are actually all the rings but I think you get which one is his.

Later that night, we went and watched The Hangover Part 2. Please do yourself a favor and carve out some time to see this movie. I think I laughed harder in this one than I did in the first. *Spoiler Alert* Chow makes more of an appearance than in the first one which really makes the movie.

Saturday we were up early..... sort of..... ok we got up at 11 and went kayaking down the hooch. Number one best thing about living in Cumming, there is an outfitter only 5 miles down the road that will drop you off and come back to pick you up. That was super fun but now I have horrible sunburns and tan lines that I have to get rid of in 45 days.

Sunday was nice. Bryan went on a dirt bike ride that morning and I studied for NCLEX. Have I reminded you that NCLEX is this Thursday? Pray for me.... I'm pretty sure my mom already has me on the prayer list at church.

Monday was fantastic! We went to the mall to take advantage of the sales and ended up walking away with Bryan's outfit for the wedding! But wait, did I tell you that he also bought all of the groomsmen their shirts last week? HE DID!!! And then my mom drug my dad to the store and got his outfit!!! Everyone is going to be dressed at the wedding!!!!! :D I'm getting a little over excited. Here is the face that Bryan makes when I get overly excited:

This is also the face he makes when he has lost his phone, wallet, keys, favorite pair of dirty shorts, belt, etc..

He's going to hate me for posting that picture.

Well, that's all I have for now. I hate to leave you with a weird picture of Bryan so here's Bonnie instead. Enjoy!

Just Another Manic Monday

What a fitting title... don't you think?

We've been home (Jefferson) for the last 3 weekends and I'm exhausted. Why you ask? I'll tell you:

1.) I've had to pack up my entire car 6 times. (3 to get there and 3 to return)

2.) Bonnie's internal clock has been off for 21 days and it's beginning to bug me.

3.) I've woken up 3 times in the middle of the night wondering where the heck I am and then figure out which side of the room the bathroom door is on.

4.) I have gained a total of 1,758 pounds off of my mom's cooking. No bueno.

5.) I've dealt with way too much of my extended family's drama. That in itself is like running a 5k every hour on the hour.

6.) I had to watch Bryan drive home on the bike last night and have a guy almost hit him. My heart has just begun to beat again.

7.) We have neglected our apartment for 3 weeks (due to studying and work) and things are beginning to grow in places they aren't supposed to. Please call before you "drop in".

But the positive to the last 3 weekends:

1.) I've been able to see my family more than I have in the past 2 years.

2.) Bonnie has channeled her inner otter and went for 3 swims. She's happy.

3.) We've had 2 wedding showers and received many fabulous gifts.

The last 3 weekends were a lot of fun. The shower this past weekend was amazing and we had a blast. We played a few games that were interesting to say the least. One of the games we played was the plunger game. One person has a plunger between their legs and the other has a roll of toilet paper. You have to get the toilet paper on the plunger stick before your competition does without using your hands.

Another was where Bryan and I had to search through a duffle bag and get dress while blind folded. This was to imitate the lights going out on our honeymoon....... because the lights always go out in Vegas.

I have a few pictures on my camera....at home.... that I will be posting soon. I've set up a flickr account so I'll be putting them there. There will also be a link on the homepage of the blog so that you can access them to take a look.

We received a lot of really nice gifts at that shower too. One of my favorites was the recipe box. Everyone who got an invitation to the shower also got a recipe card that they had to fill out and bring to the shower. The hosts also gave me a really nice box to put them in so they are kept safe. SUPER excited about that.

On Sunday, we went to church and was surprised to find 3 gifts in the pew where we sit. We received our first pieces of crystal. Not sure what to do with those. They're gorgeous but too pretty to use for anything and I'm afraid of breaking them.

The planning is slowing down for now. We have almost finished the invitations and actually started handing them out at the showers this past weekend. Not much to report there.

That's all I have for today but stay tuned for the next edition. The posts may become more frequent as we move closer to the wedding.

Have a good week and here's to a Manic Monday!

What a Weekend!

The grandparents came into town this past weekend. You know how that is. First they get there and tell you how much you've grown, they complain about the trip to see you, take your room so that you have to move elsewhere and then when you think you can't handle the insanity any longer, they retreat back to their homes in another state..... WRONG! You obviously haven't met my grandparents if you think this is the norm in my house.

My grandparents living Panama City Beach, Florida. Huh, doesn't that sound like a familiar place? I think I have something going on down there in about 2 months. I'll check my calendar and get back with you.

Anyway, they live at the beach and we don't get to see them very often but when we do, it is like we haven't seen in them in FOOOORRRRREEEEVVVVEEEERRRRR. Can you say "gossip galore"? They are amazing people and we love it when they come to visit.

They came into town for a baby shower that was thrown for my cousin and ended up getting to come to my first bridal shower. Speaking of which, the shower was great! I had a blast and I think Bryan did too. We got a few things that were on our registry and a few gift cards too. Have I told you I love gift cards? Not sure why. I think it might be because it's like a credit card that I don't have to pay the balance on at the end of the month. Don't worry, Bryan got a Bass Pro Shop gift card just like he wanted. You think they sell Fiesta kitchenware there?

Seeing how we had an extra set of hands in the house this weekend, we put together the invitations. That was a chore. I thought it would be easy but I soon found that it was going to take a little longer than planned but they look amazing when they're all finished. I'm a few short so I'll have to get those put together on my days off. I don't want to show a picture of what they look like because that will ruin the surprise when you get them but here are a few hints

Exciting! Hopefully you can't tell too much from those. I'm going to post the entire process about 2 weeks after they are sent out. That way everyone who is getting one should have it and we shouldn't have to worry about spoiler alerts.

We also nailed down what the groomsmen will be wearing in the wedding. As I've told you before, they will be wearing linen pants and here are the shirts:

Pretty awesome. Bryan also wants them to wear aviator sunglasses which looks really good. Bryan tried on the whole outfit at Macy's one day and I'm very happy with it. Just as long as they are comfortable and not miserably hot, which they may be seeing how the shirts are black, then I'm happy too.

The weekend was going great and was going to end great until Bryan and I made a to-do list of things that need to be done in the next 2 months. After making a list of about 20 items, he then said it was time to go to bed and before I turned the light off, he was snoring and dreaming of Jennifer Anniston and Tina Fey. I don't think I slept last night at all. Luckily I know I have friends and family that will help us get some of the things done.... I think. They may have all just de-friended me on Facebook and now I'm all alone in the world.

That's all I have for now. I'll give you another update next week.

-Busy and Friendless

Invitation Time

The time is upon us.... for invitations to be sent out. Exciting stuff right?! Well, I think so. This past weekend I made a trek to the Mother Ship (Hobby Lobby) to look for ideas. As with everything else, I'm also making my wedding invitations too. Fancy that.

The invitations will be following the same red, black and white theme we have already started. They'll give you the basic info of the big day and have a pretty little embossed design going down one side. We're also including the RSVP card and are contemplating adding in a little map of the area.

One of the pomanders is finished and hanging in my mom's dining room. Turned out incredibly cute and easy to make. After I got started, the process seemed to move pretty quickly and you can assemble one in one episode of Brothers and Sisters. The pictures are still on my mom's camera so you'll have to hang tight until this weekend so that I can download them. I'll post all of the how to information when I get the chance.

Speaking of this weekend, our first wedding shower is on Saturday! YAY for stuff! I probably shouldn't get too excited seeing how we have to move out of our apartment for the two weeks while we're gone for the wedding and honeymoon so they can renovate. But, I'm excited at the possibility of finally getting a food processor or a deep fryer. Isn't it kind of sad that I'm 23 years old and my life has come to KitchenAid Stand Mixers and food processors? Hang on while I evaluate my life's decisions....

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Ok back. I looked at Pioneer Woman's salsa recipe and remembered why I need the food processor in the first place. If you'd like to check it out too, click here. And remember, it is always better when you grow the cilantro yourself.

Ok. Time to get back to business. The shower is Saturday and our church family is throwing it for us. Isn't it wonderful to have a church family in your life? I love them all individually and really appreciate all of the support they have provided to Bryan and me.

I do believe that is all I have for right now. Everyone is doing great with the polls. If you have a suggestion for a question, post it in the comments section. Don't post the answer; just the question.

Have a great day!!!

Whew... Glad That's Over

It has been a while since I've been on the website to update everyone on the happenings for the wedding. Here is what has been going on.

1. I took 2 extremely hard weeks of testing to finish up my college career. Let me say, I'm uber excited that's over. No more care plans, test anxiety and APA style papers for a while.

2. On Thursday April 28, I was pinned by my dad for nursing school. The ceremony is lead and put together by nursing students.... the same nursing students that were taking the 2 grueling weeks of tests. I don't think I have to explain how that went over. Glad that's over.

3. On Friday April 29, Bryan and I sprung out of bed.... wait, sprung is an over statement... we rolled out of bed, onto the floor, allowed Bonnie to lick us awake, poured a cup of extra strong coffee and turned on the Today show to watch the royal wedding. How amazing did Kate Middleton look?! I told my bridesmaid and a friend that I want the Today show at my wedding too. We're currently in talks with Matt Lauer. The wedding was an hour long and then I watched them kiss on the balcony when I got to work. Glad that's over.

4. Also on Friday, one of my bridesmaids came to visit for the weekend. Now that class is over, I'm finally able to focus my time and attention on the wedding. Which means, Kayla and I sat down on the floor watching Brothers and Sisters while making pomanders for the ceremony. With the wedding being on the beach, I don't want the flower girls throwing rose petals that will just be blown around. So, we're making them pomanders so they carry their flowers. I have pictures of the progress but I don't have them with me. I'll post those later on.

5. On Saturday, I graduated from North Georgia College and State University with a nursing degree. There, I said it. That makes it real... right? When I walked into the gym, my family and friends were on the back row taking pictures. And what did I see hanging from Bryan's neck? My graduation gift, a Nikon D40. Um.... YAY!

I think that's about all I have for now. It was a busy weekend and a stressful 2 years and I'm glad it's over.

Hair Did

Last Friday Mom and I went to the dress boutique for the first dress fitting. EXCITEMENT!!! It went wonderfully. I was worried Mom would cry when I tried the dress on but much to my surprise she didn't. Instead, she cried in the antique store shortly before we went for the fitting. That's ok. It was a good try. Either way, the dress fit really well and I'm excited to take the bridesmaids back so they can learn how to bustle the train. YAY!

As most of you know, Justin Moore is taking the pictures for the wedding. He is bringing his fiance Christy with him and guess what?! SHE DOES HAIR!!!! My week was complete when I remembered this while laying in bed trying to go to sleep. You ever do that? Bryan lays down and is on a secluded island with Jennifer Anniston, Catherine Heigle, Tina Fey or whomever the flavor of the week is. I lay down and my mind begins to race. And when it rains, oh boy, I worry about my sunroof being open to the point I have to get up, fight my way through Bonnie's toy obstacle course until I get to the window just to find that I had nothing to worry about. Well, I laid down that night and was worried about who would do my hair. Then it hit me, um.... Christy can do my hair. I immediately talked to Justin the next day, he talked to her and she agreed. Woot. And there was peace in all the land.

I also want to give a little thanks to my family. My mom, niece and nephew all went to the beach this week for spring break 2k11 (woot). They've been there for 3 days and my mom has already taken care of a lot. She finished the payment on the reception spot, flowers and is working on the cake. Talk about a woman on a mission.

That's about all I have for now. Next week is pinning so I'll be able to start working on a few of the decorations and the invitations. Yeah, there's the stress again. I better stop now.

See you soon!

Dresses, Suits and Hotels

I told you last week that the dress came in and now this week I want you to know that I'm going for my first fitting this Friday at 3 with my mom. I couldn't be more excited about all of this because it means the wedding is getting a little closer.... 96 days to be exact.

I also met my mom, Kayla and Tammy at the Mall of Georgia on Saturday to have lunch and catch up. They were there to shop for bridesm

aid's dresses and much to my surprise, they picked out a dress and all loved it. I had originally told them that they didn't have to match as long as the dresses were white with a black print. They sent pictures to my sister in Oklahoma and she loved it too. I'm so happy they were able to all agree on the same dress.

Next, we went shopping last weekend and picked out what the groom and groomsmen will wear. I would love to post the pictures of what we are looking at but at the same time, we haven't fully decided and the groomsmen haven't or

dered their suits yet so I don't want to jinx anything.

I also wanted to slide in a picture of the dress that the flower girls will be wearing. The dresses don't come in the sizes we need so a friend of my sister is making them. They're going to be white with red and black ribbon on the straps and bottom. One girl will wear the red and the other will wear the black. They can duke out which wears which later.

We've also booked our room at the hotel for the wedding night. We will be staying at the Beachcomber the night of the wedding and Bryan will be staying there the night before. I'm really looking forward to being so close to everyone that night. That technically means the reception doesn't really have to end. YAY! Our flight leaves the next day at 5 pm so we've got plenty of time to relax on the beach before we're in fabulous Las Vegas. I want everyone to remember we are flying back to Atlanta and someone is driving our car back to Jefferson. So, please do not decorate our car because someone will be driving it and they will more than likely be alone. I'd hate for the Jeep to say "Just Married" and True Love" and it be someone that is driving by themselves. No bueno.

I do believe that is all I have for right now. School is getting a little closer to the end so my posting might slow down. I have 7 tests between now and the 27th so please forgive me.

See you then!

Thoughts

1. My wedding dress came in a few days ago... just thought I'd let you know.

2. As of today, April 6, 2011, we have only 100

days until we are attached... the old ball and chain... the little woman and man..... yeah.

3. Also as of today, there are only 22 days until I graduate from nursing school and can finally put all of my time and attention into the weddin'.

4. It's also only 22 days away from having to battle my way into the real world. Then Bryan is going to start asking for my half of the rent..... I'll let you know how that goes.

5. I was told a few weeks ago that it was crazy that I didn't cook with a crock pot seeing how I love to cook so much. Well, if you would like to change this, get me a cookbook for a crock pot and maybe I will start cooking with one.

6. I was looking through old pictures a few days ago

and found this

This was taken just moments after Bryan proposed. Yep, he really wore that shirt. He had wanted to propose the night before but things just weren't "right". And by right I mean dolphins jumping in the water, fireworks going off on the other side of the island and sitting on the beach at sunset just didn't really do it for him. He's so dreamy.

7. Looking at old pictures make me happy. We've come so far and now we're only 100 days away from the wedding!!! Just thought I'd remind you in case you've forgotten since item #2.

That's all I have right now. I'll update you on the dress situation when we go for a fitting.

Welcome.... again

We sent the save the dates out a few days ago and to my surprise, and Bryan's, they are beginning to reach their destinations. We thought it was going to take a little longer for them to get out. I'm posting this as a welcome to those of you who are seeing the site for the first time. Take a look around and see what all we have posted. We have information on places to stay and from what I hear, we should have a really awesome map posted soon.

I have a few things I'll be posting later on. We've decided what we want the groomsmen to wear but we're waiting until after one of them gets married in a few weeks before we bombard them. The flower girls have their dresses picked out and a friend of my sister is hand making those because they aren't made in the sizes we need. Should be fun! 

I'm finishing up with nursing school right now and then I'll be working on the invitations. You shouldn't get those any later than May. I've already chose what I want them to look like and I'm super excited about making them.

This past weekend, my mom, aunt and I took a swing at glass fusing. WOW! I loved it! I've dabbled in knitting, crocheting, china painting, ceramics and candle making but glass fusing is by far the best thing I've ever tried. So, I'm hoping that I can master a drape mold before the wedding so I can make the candle holders for the tables. Sort of like this:

Speaking of crafts, I'm working on a DIY section to the website so I can show everyone what is being hand made for the wedding. I've always wanted to do things on my own and I just don't see the point in paying someone twice the price of something I can make at home. And, I come from the Mize family, it's just not in our blood.

I think that's all the updates I have for right now. When school calms down, I'll be posting more information.  :D

Ode To Justin and Other News

I feel like with the business of wedding planning, sometimes people can be overlooked and these people need to be brought into the fore front for their wonderful work. This week, I would like to feature that person in our blog. We'll be doing these little things through out the planning so stay posted for the next MVP of the Burns-Evans wedding. This week, we are featuring our photographer, Justin Moore. Oh how wonderful he is.
When we began planning the wedding, I knew I wanted Justin as our photographer. I was so attracted to the way he took an ordinary picture and made you feel like you were a part of the setting. Like you knew the story that was being told between the subjects. He has a way of manipulating light so that you really pay attention to the colors and the small details in the picture. Just, amazing. Then he took our engagement pictures and I fell in love again!
Here's a sample:

LOVE THEM! Tuesday, I called Justin to make sure I could use his picture to make my save the dates. I had already designed them in Photoshop on my computer but I didn't want to break any laws.... ask about the Walley World story later. He said everything was fine and also asked to take a peak. I got a text back a few minutes later asking if he could fix them a little and of course I told him it was ok.
This is what he came up with:

Seriously, I can't stop looking at them. I would keep them a secret until you actually get them in the mail but no one should need a save the date at this point because it's a destination wedding so you should already have your hotels booked...... right?
That's my Ode to Justin. He is such an amazing person and a wonderful photographer! I can't wait to see what he comes up with for the wedding.

In other news, Bryan has finished the hotel list for everyone. You will find it under the accommodations area of the blog. Notice the first set of hotels have a weekly price and if you scroll down, you will find the prices per night. Please please PLEASE start booking a place to stay. I can't stress this enough. July at the beach is going to be pretty rough and we knew that when we picked the date so that's why we began telling people earlier than usual. Skip over and check out what he has posted. I've been told there is a map coming soon but we'll just have to wait and see.

Other than that, things have been moving along very nice. I'll be adding another section during my spring break so that I can show you all of the things I'm making for the wedding. Can't wait to get started!!!

A Few Changes

I was born in January and my zodiac symbol is the water bearer, Aquarius, and I have read that most of us like change. That couldn't be any more true for myself. I LOVE CHANGE and right now I'm really wanting some change in my life. My hair stylists won't let me chop my hair off, Bryan would like me to wait a little while before painting the walls, and we don't have enough room to get a new dog. So, that leaves me with the blog. I have decided to make some changes to how the blog looks. I want it to look a little more sophisticated, you know, like something an almost married couple would put up. I hope you enjoy it.
Also, I guess I should probably tell you the answer to last weeks poll. Bryan's full name is James Bryant Burns although Jacob Bryant does have a nice ring. This week's poll will be open until Monday of next week.
Nothing has changed with the wedding. Although, we will be sending out save the dates by the end of the month. Everything is a little busy right now because of nursing school and work for Bryan so things are a little slow. We will be sending out a letter to get every one's addresses later. I'm also going to try and track down what exactly Bryan is doing with the hotels. He is making a map so that everyone can see where everything is. I hope it helps out when it comes time to book hotels..... which you should probably start booking soon. July at the beach is pretty busy.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the website's face lift!
Happy polling and have a great day.
Whitney

New Feature

Hey everyone. I wanted to draw your attention to the poll that we have added to the website. This should get interesting. The questions on the poll are meant to be questions about Bryan and myself. We wanted to see just how much everyone knows about us. We may also add in some decorating ideas and let you choose which we should go with for the big day. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, this is just a test run right now... a beta, if you will. Have a great day!
Whitney

Coming Right Along

Just wanted to post and let everyone know that we have completed all the deposits on the vendors. We've also fully booked our honeymoon for LasVegas, Nevada. Things are moving right along which is great because school is really beginning to pick up and I'm starting to apply to hospitals for jobs. Yikes! Adulthood, here we come! I'll post more about the honeymoon later and keep you more informed on the further decisions we make for the wedding!
Whitney

Addition to the registry (Scroll down for more important information)

Hey everyone! The wedding planning is coming along very well. We're stuck right now between booking the cake lady and the caterer but I'm sure it will come very soon. I'm talking with both right now and nailing down the details. When we have them booked, the wedding will be complete. Do you realize we've basically planned our entire wedding in a month? And, even better, we found all of the vendors we wanted to use in a week? That's pretty amazing to me.
Any who, after all of that is finished, we'll be on to the part I was waiting for. The details. See, I've always wanted to be a DIY bride and I'm finding some amazing ideas on the internet from various forums and from friends. For example, we won't have a guest book so instead, Bryan and I will be building Adirondack chairs and our guests will be signing those instead. That way, we can put them in our new home and admire them. These are the things that make my skirt fly up. Speaking of which, that is why I'm writing today.
Last week, Bryan left me to go to D.C. for the ESRI Federal Users Conference. While he was there, he got to play with this

 This, my friend, is a Nikon D3100. Needless to say, I was instantly jealous. Bryan, being the wonderful person he is, brought this magical piece of technology home for yours truly to play with. O........M..........G. It was love at first shutter. I knew I needed to take advantage of this amazing camera so I started easy. You know, pictures of the dog.

But of course I didn't stop there. I needed more pictures but I needed them in a different light. Something brighter and something to focus on very closely. So I used my ring. I figured I don't really have any good pictures of it and this would be the perfect object to take pictures of to get the detail I'd like to see.

And there was happiness in all the land. Of course I wasn't finished there. The next thing that popped into my head was my mom's dog, Charlie. She is a chocolate lab and is GORGEOUS!! She's also the most photogenic dog I've ever laid eyes upon. She would be a perfect test subject.

What a diva. She didn't want to look directly a the camera. Either way, I have fallen in love and I wanted to tell everyone about it. I am adding this camera to my registry. Yes, it's a little pricey but I'm ready to have a big girl camera that will take amazing pictures of all the places Bryan and I want to go. I'm not going to open up another account with another store just for this so I'm just telling you. If you want me to love you forever, you'll buy me this camera. Or maybe not. I'm not a hater. 

I also wanted to inform everyone of the simplicity of this wedding. A few of my family members have been getting calls about the wedding and how detailed everything is going to be... THIS IS A BEACH WEDDING. I'm sorry to say it but there will be no unity candle or sand, you won't have anyone serving you dinner, we will not be eating on fine china, you will not be drinking out of wine glasses, no one will be wearing a suit or tux (it's July in Florida people, not winter in Michigan), you will be eating hors d'oeuvres for dinner, there will be cake, there will be cornhole games, horseshoes, and ladder golf. The reason we are having this wedding at the beach is to have the wedding we truly want. And what we want is basically a beach party. I had my dress fitted without shoes on and I don't intend on ever wearing them. This is a time for us to celebrate our love for each other with our closest family and friends. We want everyone to feel comfortable and relaxed instead of looking at their watches to see when they can go back to the hotel and take off their panty hose. I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion and  questions you may have had. Keep a watch for the save-the-dates!

Whitney

Last Night's Revelation

Hey everyone!

I know this site is supposed to be for wedding updates and planning information but I wanted to give you an insight as to why I'm so excited to get married. It all started last night.......

Picture it, Cumming, January 16, 2011 (name that show and character), I was sitting in bed reading my book. Bryan, my love, was fast asleep on my right, dreaming about being stranded on an island with Jennifer Anniston. He was probably in the process of impressing her with his knowledge of GeoPDFs and spatting off all the file extensions he knows. Bonnie, my... well... I'll think of her purpose later, was sleeping soundly on the floor on my left. She was probably dreaming about catching that pesky squirrel at my parent's house that's always tormenting her. Or maybe she was dreaming about a world where there is no stranger danger, vacuums, and water dishes that "glup glup glup" when she drinks from them. Any who, I was reading a book that I'm hoping to have finished soon so that I can really begin reading for class. The book is House Rules and I suggest EVERYONE read it. I was in the middle of finally finding out if Jacob was going to be able to stand trial when I heard it. It is the most dreaded sound that can be heard throughout the Burns/Evans household. This sound, when heard, will make Bryan and me look at each other in fear and run for another room in the apartment. Let me remind you the apartment is only 1,100 sq.ft. so there isn't much room to run. This sound is referred to as the Bonnie Atomic Bomb, BAB for short, and it is her farts. I'm not sure what we feed this crazy animal that makes her have such horrible gas. I'm thinking of entering her in a competition... Classy Gassy maybe? 

When she was a puppy we took her for first vet visit. You know, the one where the vet sticks her finger up your dog's butt, draws her blood, and does a full body assessment. Then she charges you $500 just to tell you that your year old puppy doesn't have heart worms or worms and all you originally wanted was a rabies shot? Yeah, that one. I mentioned she was gassy and the vet assured me it was "stress gas"...... SERIOUSLY?!! I'm the queen of being stressed and I never have that problem.

Any who, when I heard that tiny air bubble escape through Bonnie's furry butt cheeks, I immediately looked over the side of the bed to give her the death stare and what do I see? Bonnie covering her own nose with her paw. No kidding. She knows how bad it is but yet she still does it!

I giggled a little and began to think of the crazy things that happen in our house. Believe it or not, it's the little things like this that make me love Bonnie and it's the little things like when Bryan comes to me and asks "Hun, have you seen my (insert personal article here)?" that makes me love him too. I may not live a glamorous life, but I love it and I can't wait to make this permanent. 

I know this isn't a story that would make anyone want to run out and get themselves a GIS analyst and coon hound but to each their own, right? It works for me.

- Sophia Petrillo

P/S: We booked the rental company and the honeymoon flights!

Snow Day

I think Whitney and I had our first true test of marriage this past week. We received 7 inches of snow Sunday night, followed by half an inch of sleet, freezing rain and 5 continuous days of temperatures that never reached above 28°. I'm happy to say that the wedding is still on and we both have roughly the same amount of hair now as we did Sunday morning!

Engagement Pictures

This past Saturday (Jan. 8) we drove to Athens and met with Justin Moore to take some engagement pictures. We couldn't have picked a colder or more windy day to try and take our first formal pictures together. Bryan and I were both nervous while we were getting ready because these pictures are going to be the ones that hang around for a while. We were worried our clothes would look bad together and our smiles would be cheesy. We get over our nervousness and head to Athens. When we get there, we are slapped with a big gust of wind and then I remember that my hair doesn't like the wind. The wind, water, heat, dry weather, hair gel, hair elastics with metal clasps, flat irons, layers..... well, you get the picture. I instantly began to worry and stress over how I would look because let's face it, you can dip Bryan in a vat of molasses and then roll him in feathers and he'd still look good. We walk to the Arch and meet up with Justin. He cracks a joke and my worries quickly flutter right out of my head and vanish. I was so happy Bryan and Justin clicked so well because that made for more relaxed and fun pictures. Our pictures are from areas around north campus, the Tate center and a few from the train tracks behind the stadium. All in all, we had a blast and couldn't have asked for a better photographer. We will definitely be using him for the wedding. I've posted 10 of the pictures that he has given us so far. He took around 170 pictures and we will be getting those later. I may post a few more when we get the rest so stay tuned. Have a great snow day!
Whitney

Wedding Planning

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a great holiday. Bryan and I spent much of ours running around trying to visit all of the families but we were able to carve out a week after Christmas to plan the wedding. With me being in nursing school, there isn't much time throughout the semester to get things figured out.
First, we booked the reception site. There is no need for a ceremony site because, as you already know, we are planning to have our toes in the sand while we say our vows. We chose the Beachcomber's Gulf Green because the area is big enough to fit our guests, it's outside, and it has a great view of the sunset. We also think this will help keep everyone entertained seeing how it sits on the beach. This area is going to be PERFECT for our reception. This isn't a great pictures but the gates stay locked so we couldn't get in.

Next we booked the flowers which was a pretty easy task. The only flowers to be used in the wedding will be white calla lilies for the bride and bride's maids. The men won't have boutonnieres because of the shirts they will be wearing. I'll post more about that when we have made our decisions. But just to give you a preview, this is kind of what the bouquet will look like:

 

The callas in this picture are about the right size to what mine will look like. We are also using the lily grass but I think mine will be looped around the callas instead of pointing outward. I'm super excited to see what Kelly comes up with. She seemed like a super nice person but what made it better was her husband is also going through nursing school so she knows exactly what Bryan is going through.

We've looked at the cake and the rental company for tents but I don't want to post that until we definitely have them booked. Don't want to jinx anything. Stay tuned for more!

Whitney