Song Request!!

For any and all of you that have a song(s) request to be played during the reception...here is your chance to speak up!! Fill out the form below and I will make sure to add it to our list in the spring!! Thanks!!

Powered by Freak Music - the home of live wedding bands and entertainers for hire.

Feeling The Love

On August 10th I was able to have ALL of my bridesmaids including my mom, together for the 1st time ever!! I love how everyone gets along and keeps a smile on their faces. This is so uplifting to me and a reminder as to why they are each so special to me. We all met at David's Bridal that afternoon for our girl's day.  Jessica brought mimosas for everyone but we learned there was no alcohol allowed...bummer. I picked the color "regency" to use. I let the girls decide on their dresses, to be long or short was up to them. A shorter dress would mean the shoes had to match, a longer dress meant that they did not have to be exactly a match but similar. I am trying to be accommodating and doing so, I want everyone to feel comfortable because when you feel good, you look good! Anyone wearing shoes they aren't comfortable in will be miserable the whole day and we don't want that. After some laughs and several dresses later (and discovering that Bernadine has a donk like me, we get it from our mama) a dress was agreed upon. As we left David's Bridal, we decided to act like we are from Kentucky and pop the back to Jami's Navi and pour some mimosas up in Red Solo cups in the parking lot. Good times for sure. Next stop was Chili's where we all had lunch and got to mingle a little more. I really enjoyed myself and seeing all of the people that meant so much to me enjoying themselves too. 

A few days later and I realized "regency" wasn't really the color I had in mind, that color was not "purple" enough, it was too bright. So now I need to make a trip to Geno's for swatches to get a better idea of the color I really want. We will stay with the same look of dresses though since we all agreed upon that. Candace insists on me having my make-up and lashes done so her gift to me will be airbrush make-up by Artistry HD out of Louisville. YAY! That's exciting! I trust all of the girls to do their own make up but we all deserve to be pampered sometimes, so I've left that option up to them. Hair will all be similarly done by Fleet Street Hair Shoppe, except for those girls that have their own stylist that they prefer to use. 

I have been to about 20 weddings over the past few years and one small problem I have noticed at a few of them has been the waiting time between the ceremony and reception...the culprit is the BRIDAL PARTY PICTURES. I understand this because as everyone knows I am very much a picture person myself and always have been. But I decided I don't want to make people wait all that time in between. Besides the fact that riding the horse and carriage will take long enough of a wait as the horse only moves at very slow pace. And with further thinking Quinn and I are very humble and reserved for the most part. As much as we are open about our feelings and love for one another, we are also not used to having so much focus on us and being the center of attention. Therefore, we have decided to do "First Look" pictures. We would like to have our very own private moment of seeing one another for the 1st time, without an audience. This will allow us to have our emotions and nerves a little more under control. We're both criers.  One reason we both hesitated was due to missing out on that "moment" of the doors opening to the music and us seeing one another for the 1st time. We all dream of that "moment". The pros outweigh the con. This way we have ALL the pictures taken prior to the wedding and can leave the ceremony, get into the horse carriage, and be on our way to the reception to eat, drink, and celebrate with our loved ones. We still get that "moment"..it just wont be the traditional 1st moment and that is fine. I think we will both smile more than we will cry by doing it this way. The people I have talked to that have done it, were SOOOOOO glad they did. That was confirmation enough for me. I don't care if its not traditional or what people think or have to say. Its not their day. Period.

A few Save The Dates have been sent out to family members that live in Nebraska and California since they need a little more time with making travel arrangements and whatnot. The rest will be mailed out at the beginning of November so they will not get mixed up with the rush of the holidays that are quickly approaching. 

Before I finish, I must mention one more thing that has happened since I last blogged. Samantha's mother, Ms. Lee,  has volunteered to coordinate the wedding for us!!!  She did an amazing job on Samantha's baby shower and has experience with coordinating weddings, so I have NO doubt she will do a fabulous job for us and I know I can count on her to be my backbone with making this all happen for us. She will make sure everything and everyone begins on time, things are set up as they are supposed to be, and the entire day runs smoothly. I met with her last night to go over a few things and I already feel relieved! 

As you all can see, so much has happened this month. Which is all just in time for my last semester that began yesterday!! I graduate in December and the next milestone will be our wedding day...291 days to go!

Flowers and Changes!

As usual, changes occur! Due to timing and expenses on everyone's end, we have decided not to do a Disney Family Vacation with friends and family for our Honeymoon as we had planned. Instead, we will have our own personal Honeymoon which will be much needed by the time the wedding gets here! LOL. Requirement: BEACH!!

On another note, I met with the florist Pennington's Petals last night for dinner and we were able to come up with and finalize our ideas. I loved finally meeting with her and putting our thoughts together, which was a relief! I absolutely cannot wait to walk into our reception hand in hand as husband and wife with all of my visions, alive! And best of all, she is SO reasonable because she works out of her home, super sweet girl!!

I have another idea for our wedding day that I am waiting to discuss with the Groom himself that I think we will both love and find to be more personal. As the majority of our plans are finalized and deposits are paid, we can relax!! School starts again in a few weeks and I will be graduating college in December 2013!! Such a long road that has been. As I close another chapter in my life, I will be opening another.

So many changes these past couple of weeks in our personal lives has created a new beginning for us also. I am excited moving forward to watch the boys grow and learn in ways they never have before. Life is better than ever and I never take it for granted!

Moving Right Along!

WOW!!! What a couple of productive weeks I have had! I AM OFFICIALLY IN WEDDING MODE!! After attending Ashley's wedding, I was able to make some new contacts. I absolutely LOVED her wedding fans and so we will be using Jessica Bubb with Citrine Designs out of New York for our program fans also. To charge $1.19/per fan already assembled and designed is much cheaper than me buying them for $1.00/each and having to assemble and glue them myself. Plus, her cousin did an awesome job with her cake, so I believe we will be using Sarah with Hey Baby Cakes Bakery. Her pricing of $2.50/per slice is the same as the other bakers we've looked at so I like that I was able to see it with my own eyes and tasted it already. Since it's very similar to ours (which is a simple cake), I already know she will do great, no doubts. 

A few weeks ago I narrowed down some floral designs and ideas, but realized I am very crafty and I could probably do some of them myself. Needless to say after pricing yesterday, we are in need of clarification so we are going to be meeting with Jenni  at the end of this month to finalize everything in the most cost efficient way possible. When pricing and totaling the cost for DIY centerpieces...the cost is nearly $600! I am thinking the florist may be able to do the same thing and I not have to have any labor for the same cost. But we shall see what happens soon. 

Moving right along, I will have ALL seven of my beautiful bridesmaids together on August 10th to look for bridesmaids dresses!! I am so thrilled that everyone is available the weekend that my sister will be in from Nebraska. The other day I decided I would ask my mom to come with me to check out wedding dresses!! My only intentions were to LOOK...NOT BUY!!! We went to the place where Mindy got hers, it was out of business. Then I went to where a place used to be on Richmond Rd. It was gone. So off to David's Bridal we went!! I tried on the 1st one and fell in love. But to be sure I tried on 4-5 more. I liked the 2nd one alot too but knew the 1st one was IT. The lady helping us, Christelle, was so nice and made me feel at ease. The only problem was that this dress was sold out for Fall 2013 and it wasn't going to be made anymore....WAHHH! My mom was in love with it also. So...I bought it!!! ha! Then I text Quinn to say that I said yes to the dress. He replied with: How much? (haha) I replied with the cost, which he was okay because I spent less than he expected. It fits perfectly everywhere except the top area. That is the only area I will need to have altered. I honestly felt like a Princess every time I put the dress back on to be sure. I love everything about it. The feeling is so surreal. When Christelle put the veil on my head, I could only stare at myself as if this were an out of body experience. This is really happening. This is real. I am marrying the man that makes me feel like no one ever has before. I could never put into words how good it feels to know in my heart he was made for me. 

That was all on Saturday! But on Friday, not only did I get off work 2 hours early...but I found our invitations!!! All 250 of them for $125!!! I have been browsing the internet for weeks trying to find the best cost scenario or even the cheapest way is to DIY.  I came across Hobby Lobby's website and decided to go to their store on my lunch break. It must've been meant to be because their wedding section was 50% off and I loved the invitation pack! Woohoo!! After visiting that invitations lady, the thought of spending $600-700 on invitation sets, made my head spin! Granted, there are sites like Zazzle and VistaPrint that my friends have used to reduce the costs greatly to nearly $300-400ish, but I was determined to save even more. 

After much research and many quotes for photo booths, we picked one! What I have discovered is this: if the vendor doesn't have their pricing listed, it's for a reason. More than likely it is because it is more than others that do have their pricing posted. They don't want to scare you from them, so you are made to inquire. BUT I am ballin on a budget, so to ease my mind....I asked for several quotes and printed several just so I would know. Most have several packages to choose from but here a few prices with nearly the same package options, ranging in 3-4 hour time frames:

4 hours
Big Cheese Booth -    $800 + no fee to Lexington & NO printed pics (Louisville, KY)

Say Cheese Photo Booth - $750 + $25 travel fee to Lexington (Florence, KY)

Bluegrass Photo Booth -  $695 + no fee to Lexington (Nicholasville, KY)

Showtime Photo Booth -  $650 Louisville only (Louisville, KY)

Clear Choice Photo Booth- $749 with props & scrapbook (Lexington, KY)

3 hours

Bluegrass Photo Booth -  $595 + no fee to Lexington (includes props & scrapbook!!) (Nicholasville, KY)
Showtime Photo Booth -  $600 Louisville only (including props) (Louisville, KY)

Clear Choice Photo Booth- $649  (NO props & scrapbook) (Lexington, KY)

So we have chosen to go with Bluegrass Photo Booth because we literally get much more for our money and we are supporting local business! They give the extras without overcharging and they work out of their home, so no need for as much overhead cost. As most people know and I have mentioned, I love love love pictures!! Britney's wedding last year had a photo booth and we loved it. It gives your guests a memory to have/take, something to fill in time, and most of all...it's fun and creative!! (update: I met with Ed today 7/9/2013 and he was super nice and easy going, I can't wait to work with him, I highly recommend him!!)

It seems as if much of the major "to-do's" are gone and out of the way. All of our deposits are made thus far. And now we just have to work our butts off to get the balances paid before June 14, 2014! 

Another update: I contacted a college acquaintance and he has agreed to DJ our wedding for $100/hour!! He has all of his own equipment: speakers, cordless mic, lights, turntables) and I know he is legit and dependable. Thankful for his quick response time @DjJohnQ. 

My goal in blogging is to hopefully help someone else in need of advice or questions or concerns. I am doing my planning mostly alone and it is not always easy. Research can take alot of time. I am not the 1st bride nor will I be the last and reading previous brides' blogs has helped me tremendously when it comes to making decisions. 

Until next time,
Misty

P.S. We are anxiously awaiting our engagement pictures to come back any day now!!  Save-The-Dates will go out to family and friends in October/November. Those that live further away will get theirs sooner as they need more time to make arrangements. 

Picture time!

After we attended our 1st wedding of 2013, I was able to begin brainstorming. I was looking through Pinterest when all of a sudden I saw a cake that I loved. I then found out the type of flowers they were and did some research on bouquets and I fell in love even more. I began getting visions and have been super busy ever since contacting vendors for pricing. I believe we are going to use Pennington's Petals for our floral arrangements. She has been super sweet and has had very quick turn around/response time. She is reasonable and had a few ideas she threw in there that helped me to envision our centerpieces, which is awesome!! 

Sunday will be our engagement pictures with Willie Wilson Photography at Gainesway Farm, thanks to someone Mindy knows! I randomly mentioned how neat I think it would be to have them done on a horse farm and walah! Mindy knows someone that births horses there and he got the approval. I am SO SUPER EXCITED I can't hardly stand it!!!!!!!! We are looking forward to working with Willie and getting our pictures back so we can share them with our loved ones. 

S/N: I was inspired for the Save The Dates by Pinterest. There were pics of couples with wine bottles and labels with their wedding dates on them, but I wanted purple bottles. So, I was going to get some empty ones and then try to stain them myself BUT Hobby Lobby to the rescue! They had several colors and the purple I was looking for, PLUS 50% off therefore only $4 each!!!! I got some 3" numbers in the home section and simply stuck them onto the bottles. And there you have it. We will use those in the pictures on Sunday! YAY!!! 

Time to Plan!!!

Now that vacation and the semester is over, it's time to PLAN this WEDDING!!! A couple of new ideas have come about this past week. One was my bright idea and the other was Quinn's! Imagine that, ha! ;) I decided that after our vacation to Cancun, it seems we kinda had what seems like a honeymoon would feel like. Mexico was beautiful BUT after marriage, a new house, and trying to add to our family, I don't see us being able to go to a place I've always wanted to go at anytime in our near future.....DISNEY WORLD!!!! The 4 boys will be of good age and will enjoy the trip as much as us adults will. Including our families in our trip will still allow us to have some alone time while being able to let those we love the most, to have a once in a lifetime opportunity! Slowly but surely we will get everyone in on our plan, on both sides of our families, the more the merrier!!  After talking with a few friends, I will need to contact a Disney World agent and meet with my AAA travel agent for pricing very soon!! I can;t wait to see Mickey & Minnie Mouse!! And the faces on the boys....will be PRICELESS!!

Now, for Quinn's bright idea...since our ceremony and reception are only 1.8 miles apart, I didn't want to rent a limo or have any special mode of transportation. But one night last week Quinn asked how would I feel about a horse and carriage ride into the reception!? Well, honey I think that's a brilliant idea!!! Plus, couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it myself! Ha! I have emailed Lexington Livery for pricing. They are the ones who do the horse carriage tours in downtown Lexington, so I am looking forward to hearing back from them soon.Update: This man only replied once and said he didn't feel comfortable taking his horses on the less than 2 mile trip down Paris Pike...so I emailed Laura with Destiny Horse and Carriage and she was more than happy to do it for us. She quickly answered my questions and concerns. She was HIRED! lol.

Next up: Our engagement session with Willie Wilson is in a few weeks and then I can work on ordering our Save the Dates & Invitations possibly from Zazzle or another source. With 4 weddings on our agenda this year, I look forward to getting ideas and sharing idea with friends that have their big day behind them.

P.S. I have never been so sure of who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I have never had someone love me truly unconditionally and endlessly. I have no worries or concerns. This is real. Only 393 days to go! WOOHOO!!

Super Special Saturday!!

Saturday morning Quinn and I met with Doug and Glenn from Doug Smith Designs. They were very helpful with their questions and idea process. I sort of know what I want but can't completely envision it. That is what I would like them to help me with, bring my vision to life. This is Tuesday morning and they've already sent me their quote! Can't wait to work with them!





After Doug and Glenn, we met with Melissa of Affordable Invitations Saturday morning. Both vendors met us at the Simply Love Studio office which made it convenient. She had us look through several invitation binders to get an idea of the style we would like to use, as well priced them all for us. She had MANY!!! Lol. Since we are far from needing those yet, I loved that she allowed us to take pics with the prices beside each of our favorites. Quinn and I were able to agree on a "look" that we both like so we have a few options to choose from, if I don't find a way or feel like doing them myself...or my future sister-in-law can do them ;)



Mindy met us there when we were looking through binders of invitations. She had planned for us to have a "sister day" of shopping and hanging out since we don't do much of that. As our meeting finished, Quinn went to work and Mindy and I went shopping. After a few stores she said she had to do something at 4 o'clock on Richmond Rd. but since we were early we made a pit stop at O'Charleys for an adult beverage. After we were finished, MINDY pulls us up to Posh Salon. I thought she was surprising me with a pedi but she had already gotten one so I was confused. We walk in and go to the back room where I see CANDACE!!!!!! She was setting out some cheese and veggies with some OJ and champagne for Mimosas!! How special!! I found out JESSICA was there too from Cincy and some more girls were on their way. As we all get around to getting our massages, I find out LOREN is getting one also. JAMI meets us there and SAMANTHA is going to meet us at the restaurant. Which by the way, I thought was going to be Chili's because Jami had previously invited me to dinner at 5:45 that evening and we settled on there. Ha! To my surprise again, Jessica mentions needing to follow someone to Abuelos....Huh?!? YAY! Haha. So we enjoyed a fabulous dinner and a couple of pitchers of sangria daiquiris. We talked and visited for hours. I loved my engagement cards and tank, but most of all I love you each for taking time out of your busy lives to make me feel special!! It was a much needed day and a break from my super busy life. The only person missing was by BIG SISSY Bernadine that lives in Nebraska. So blessed to have each of you in my life and thankful you will be sharing this process and big day with me!! 


Loving my life!!

Simply Love Studio Meeting

Working full time and taking my classes online full time has proven to be harder than I imagined! Between the two, I stay so busy and tired that I do not have much time for wedding planning as much as I'd like to. In the evenings I sometimes browse Pinterest for ideas. Since I know that I do not have to have final decisions made but do need to have my vendors reserved, I met with Sarah at Simply Love Studio last night.

Sarah runs Simply Love Studio in Lexington, it is adjacent to Purdon's Rental and Sales (linens, chairs, pipe and drape, etc.). Meeting with her is COMPLIMENTARY a.k.a. FREE (no matter how many meetings you have with her)!!!! She has been a wedding planner for the past 5 years and is basically funded by the local wedding vendors. You tell her your budget, give her ideas of what you have in mind and/or your style preferences and she is able to recommend local vendors that are on her preferred list that she believes are a good fit for your perfect day. Since I have been to several bridal shows and affairs already, it was nice to be able to ask her specific questions about certain vendors I had in mind and not feel pressured or like I was being sold a dream. For example, I absolutely loved Tinker's cakes (one of her preferred vendors)! But at $4.50/slice I was looking at around $900-1125 for our cake (depending on the final guest list). Sarah was able to recommend another local preferred vendor Sweets By Cindy that is comparable for $2.50/slice. That cuts our cake cost almost in half, $500-625!! So I will be contacting Sarah's recommendation for a taste testing and consultation. 

Sarah gave me a to do list. First was to work on our guest list since this will be the determining factor in many costs. So needless to say, we will be working on getting that finalized ASAP. Second, she said to work on finding the photographer. Since a photographer is only able to do one wedding per day (unlike a cake vendor who can make lots for one day) and a larger wedding cost, we need to make sure we find one we like and get the deposit paid so they are reserved since June is the busiest month for weddings. A couple she recommended were Blair Studio and Wes Brown Photography beings how I am a very traditional kind of girl when it comes to pictures and settings. Third, she said to find a florist we want to work with and get them reserved as well. She recommended Doug Smith Designs, which was comforting because I know they do beautiful work with floral arrangements and also help with the design/setup at both the church and the reception. I assumed they were expensive and out of range but Sarah assured me they are very reasonably priced and easy to work with. I have contacted them this morning to get a meeting set up, since this will be one of the bigger wedding expenses also. They can help bring our vision to life and I believe this will be the most productive consultation of all. 

Sarah was very informational and helpful with recommending vendors that are in our budget and ones that fit my personality and preferences. Most all of these vendors will meet you at the Simply Love Studio office for your convenience, which I think is pretty awesome. There were many more points we touched on, but they aren't as important yet. Around April or so we will meet with Affordable Invitations to get a potential package together. I am so thankful for Sarah's direction and guidance, and am looking forward to slowly but surely getting this planning under way! 

In blogging, I hope I am able to help someone else whom is busy, needs help, is budgeting or looking for recommendations as this can be a very time consuming process. I have provided links within the blog to each of the vendors to allow easy access. This day should only come once in a lifetime and I want to be sure we have the day of our dreams!! Only 479 days until I marry my best friend and change my last name!

My Daddy

Going to school full time and working full time is keeping me SUPER busy right now!! Working on a few wedding details here and there in my spare free time. This Saturday is a bridal affair at Purdon's rental company, which my mom will be attending with me since Quinn will be working all day. As most people know I lost my father to cancer when I was 15 years old. Time has made his absence a little less painful but there is not a day that goes by that he does not cross my mind. I miss him as if he were just here yesterday. I sometimes even talk to him in my head or I laugh out loud when something reminds me of him. I can't really remember what his voice sounds like but his face is always so clear. I swear he still hangs around my mom's house and messes with her stuff. Some evenings the touch lamp is on in her room when she hasn't been home all day. Ha ha. He has already missed so much, it hurts deeply to know he will not be here on my wedding day as well. Yes, I know he is watching over me and that he is proud of me...BUT none of that replaces his bodily presence. I was so glad my grandmother (his mother) was able to meet Quinn last April in California,before her passing this past fall, as well as two of my aunts (my dad's sisters). I knew even then that Quinn was the one. They say when you've met THE ONE, you just know, and that's true. As most  also know, I found my half siblings almost 2 years ago, my dad's other two children, Lawrence and Teresa. They are amazing people with amazing families. We've gotten to meet a few times already. We always make a way, regardless of distance, to see one another. Once I knew in my heart I would be spending the rest of my life with Quinn, I told Teresa over the phone while in Las Vegas that I was going to ask our father's only son to walk me down the aisle when the day came. He is the closest thing to my father I can get. That day came on December 12th. On December 13th Lawrence sent me a congratulations message and in turn I replied, "On that note, I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle?" He accepted with great honor and that means more to me than he will ever know!! I get emotional at times when I think about my daddy not being here. Especially when I think about him walking me down the aisle or our father/daughter dance or him being a grandfather to my future child(ren). But I do admit, it brings me some comfort knowing that I have the next best people to help me with that day....my brother to give me away and my fiance to take me for the rest of our lives. I hope people that still have both of their parents understand and cherish the moments they have. Time and love is so precious, they are not something to be taken advantage of. I attended 4-5 weddings in 2012 and the hardest part was always listening to the song selection and watching the bride and her father dancing. With such an array of emotions going on, I pray I can make it through the rehearsal and ceremony without boohooing when our day comes. Live, Love, and Laugh!! 

7 Special Envelopes!

 Yesterday I mailed out cards to 7 women that are very near and dear to my heart for all of their own special reasons.Whether it be a shoulder I can lean on unconditionally, unwavering support in one way or another, loving me, venting until I lose my voice, long time steady friends that are more like sisters, or being my sanity when I have been ready to lose my mind, even when there was no benefit for them. One of the easiest, yet hardest things to do is narrow that list down to one handful rather than two. I have been blessed with many great friends, more so than most. Mindy(M), Candace(C), Jami(W), Loren(L), Bernadine(B), Samantha(S), and Jessica(J) will be receiving mail asking them to Plan With Me, Stand With Me, Cry With Me, and Laugh With Me. For the most part of the last 10 years, each of these women have been a steady rock in my life and this is my thank you!! Most importantly, I would not be where I am or who I am without you. Time to celebrate ladies!! 

On another note, I bought an Ultimate Wedding Planner & Organizer last week at Barnes & Noble!! It is so useful and informative on every little detail imaginable, it has been a great guide thus far. It has helped get an idea of a budget and where we should be and can be. Next up, continue to get the guest list and numbers together and filling in pricing info. Now I know the small details can come a little later! I am still in disbelief that I get to spend the rest of my life with this incredible man! I love him more and more everyday. 

Bridal Bliss Classic

Yesterday we attended our 1st bridal show!!! We met up with Ashley, who is getting married this coming June. Walking in we didn't know what to expect! We signed in, as I had pre-registered last month. Immediately to the left there is a band playing live music before going up the escalator. We get up the escalator and there are vendors and people EVERYWHERE. I feel completely overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. The three of us decide to go to the left and make our way around the entire show. There is every kind of vendor you can think of, several types of foods brought in from featured caters, flowers/florists galore, DJ's, photographers, wedding dresses, suits, and  more! It was nice to get a feel of who you would like to work with and even get an idea of prices.

We met up with Amy while we were there, paid our deposit and signed the contract for our reception!! Feels good to have ideas and to get the ball rolling. The sooner plans and ideas are finalized, the sooner we can relax and know what we are saving towards. I feel like so far everything is piecing together here and there, such a blessing!!

My friend Megan is dating a professional DJ...and she has offered him to us, as her gift! How amazing is that!!?? Now...she just needs to hold onto this man (whom I cannot wait to meet!!).

We have the food taken care of as well, Deonna and her mother's food was delicious for Lee's rehearsal and reception, so we've decided we'd appreciate them catering our weddings events also. Who doesn't like good ol home cooked food?? We don't want anything fancy that will leave a bunch of leftovers. We paid for it...so eat it!! LOL.

My main concerns...florist and cake and photographer!!!

Keep you posted on our journey!! Happy Monday!!

Site Visit at the The Thoroughbred Center

We visited with Amy at The Thoroughbred Center this morning! She was super nice, happy, smiling and had an answer for every question we had. I love that she is so knowledgeable and willing to be suggestive.  I love knowing that there is someone I can ask a question to, and she will either have the answer or find it for me; anxious to help and be hands on where I need her to be. I can tell she is all about making my job and decisions easier. I cannot wait to get started with the planning. I don't know details but I have ideas. Now, just to make them happen! Woo hoo!! 

Many friends are willing to help craft and create, I appreciate it so much. We have a year and a half to decide what we want and how much it will cost us. So then we can know what to budget for. Nothing wrong with taking our time and having our day be perfect! Up next...the Bridal Bliss Classic coming up on Sunday!

NYE 2012

This love began a year ago today!!! 12 months have flown by...literally!!! I am on cloud 9. All of my pain and heartache has been long gone. It's been replaced with a love and joy that I have never felt or been shown before. I used to think it was all too good to be true or waiting for the ball to drop. But we aren't strangers. Thankful for God planting him in my life so long ago and that we found our way back to one another. 

This is my 2012 "About Me" on FB . I re-write it at the beginning of every year. 

"A Woman's Heart Should Be So Lost in God, That A Man Must Seek HIM In Order To Find Her"

Reflecting back to 2011 brings a peace over me. I went thru a trial I never saw coming. For that, I am grateful for the strength I didn't know I had. 2012 will bring lots of new happy memories with friends and loved ones. Traveling and being free to do as I wish is what I am looking forward to as this year unravels. Loving myself unconditionally is my biggest accomplishment, I am sincerely carefree, stress free, and happy. Here is to celebrating my 29th year on this beautiful Earth!

Now I have to think of one for 2013...I can't even begin to imagine what 2013 has in store...but I'd say celebrating my 30th birthday in Cancun is a great way!! 

NYE 2011

Choosing the Bridal Party

I have a handful of people that I have always known would be in "my wedding" one day. We all hope in the back of our minds this day would come and what if and who? Well, the day has finally come and it's time to make some important decisions. I am so thankful for the internet. I have researched bridesmaid etiquette out of respect and concern for friends and family, so that no one would or should have their feelings hurt. 

http://www.bridalguide.com/etiquette/family-friends-and-guests/choosing-your-bridesmaids

This link helped me greatly. There are are several important notes to take into consideration: 

1. Take into account their responsibilities
2. Evaluate your needs and expectations
3. Factor in the lifestyle and current situation of those you intend to ask

With those notes being taken...I was able to narrow my list down and will work on roles to give those that I don't believe can fully commit, other responsibilities. This should be a time that is fun and enjoyable to everyone, not just myself. I want my bridal party to be excited about my big day just as much as I am! 

Now...onto finding the lovely ladies some special invites!! 

Getting Started

Once everything had begun to set in, I was able to start wrapping my mind around where do I begin?? I already knew WHERE I wanted the ceremony to be. I used to attend TLC (True Life Church). It's very special to me and is a place I met some very important people to me, including God. I always knew who He was but I never really knew Him. That church gave me a faith and understanding I never knew existed.

My next thought is about the reception? I think it's important for the reception to be convenient to the ceremony for those attending both. I always thought I wanted it at The Red Mile...until I saw the pricing, exclusive catering and bar, and service charges being 30% on top of all the other charges/fees. So onto Google I went. I read reviews on theknot.com, weddingwire.com, and lexingtonweddings.com. They listed various couple's blogs regarding their experiences at different places, pricing of high or low, and satisfaction levels. I was interested in The Barrel House downtown on Manchester Street. They had a bar, DJ included in pricing, but they also required using their exclusive caterer. I was also afraid of parking being an issue. I wasn't happy enough with the pictures and venue to pay their fees for what we were getting or having to settle with using their caterer.

Next, I noticed the Thoroughbred Center holds receptions. Perfect! I thought. It is less than a mile or two from the church and their rental fee was very reasonable, plenty of parking, open catering policy, and simple enough to decorate ourselves. With everything that is included and not losing anything with deposits, it so far seems like the place we are VERY interested in. The only downside is us wanting to have a bar and the markup on alcohol is a little crazy. We like to have a good time and want everyone to enjoy our special day with us as well. So, if we have to pay a little more to have drinks in return on saving on everything else this venue has to offer, I think we can manage! Amy has already been very pleasant to email and communicate with for my many questions.

http://www.thoroughbred-center.com/events/events/holding-area/

Now, to schedule a site visit for January 3rd with Amy!! Woohoo!!

How He Asked

On the night of 12/12/12 Quinn came home from work early. We had planned on attending Talan's basketball game but were informed those plans had changed. So I continued to wrap presents until he came home and then began to cook dinner. I was upset because I am not a fan of change or him getting upset. We ate dinner, I cleaned up the dishes, and then finished wrapping the presents to go under the tree. I put away the wrapping paper, scissors, and tape. I sit on the couch and begin to drink my glass of wine and finish TV. Meanwhile, the entire night his phone had been blowing up, which was annoying as well. Quinn lays his hand on my leg and I smile at him. I am no longer frustrated and everything is all good.

He then asks me can I wrap this box for him. I gave him a blankstare and asked, "What? Why would you let me put all of that stuff away if you wanted me to still wrap something else?" He kept insisting so I finally gave in and he brought me the stuff so I could wrap it. I told him he was acting weird. I got onto the floor to begin wrapping it and he gave me the silver box. He stopped me and said "Let me show you what I got for my mom." He opened the box and said, " I want us to be a family, will you marry me?" My first response was, "Did you ask my mom?" After the calls and me keep asking if he was serious and sure, of course I said YES! He has been more than I could have ever asked for in a man. He put it on my left hand and I noticed my nails were chipped something horrible. So, we had to make a late night run to Wal-Mart so I could fix them before sharing with the world my engagement ring!!!

The phone had been going off because he was in cahoots with both his sister and mine. As he obviously has been for the past month or so. I told several of my friends that I knew he was the one back in March. This year we have been to Las Vegas, Florida, and attended numerous weddings together. We spend as much time together as we can and lots of phone time. We never tire of one another. We trust, we love, we're honest, we laugh, we love, and always put the other first. Never once have I second guessed my feelings for him or his two boys. We don't argue and are so much alike, it's scary. I never knew love could truly and genuinely feel this good and perfect. Neither of us are perfect but we are perfect for each other, we accept each other's flaws and all. He is nothing short of being simply amazing!!

How We Came To Be

Quinn and I met back in 2004. Candace, his sister, is a college friend of mine and we met in Bettie Johnson while he has visiting her. Over the next 2 years we would see each other from time to time and hook up. He would drive up to visit me and take me to dinner and I would bake him yummy treats. I had never dated anyone that went out of their way for me in such a way before. By 2007, we had gone our separate ways and settled down with other people. Never any ill thoughts or hard feelings. 

Between 2007 and 2011 we would see each other here and there. We respected each other's lifestyles enough to only speak, but never anything more for several reasons. I didn't want either of us to get our feelings hurt and I wasn't sure how his sister would feel about us seeing each other again. We both went through break ups and make ups and it seems in the year 2011, we both had decided at different points that we wanted better for ourselves. I had gone through so many downs, I spent all of 2011 healing from heartache and pain and finding myself and building my relationship with God. I vowed not to let the previous relationship hinder my next one. I promised myself to not settle for less than anything I deserved and to never feel the way I let someone make me feel before. I only wanted to cry happy tears. I learned that honesty, truth, and faithfulness were keys to success...but that had to go both ways.

NYE 2011 I went to a NYE party at St. Rita's Church. I had learned earlier that day from Candace that Quinn would be there but not with his girlfriend. I knew that evening would be a bit awkward since I was bringing my boyfriend. The two hours leading up to the party was one of the worst nights of my life. My heart was broken again and I knew things would never be the same. We went to the party anyways because he knew Quinn would be there. I should have gone alone. Within a month of that party, I was single and ready to put my past 4 years behind me. 

NYE 2012 I decided that since 2011 turned out to be such a successful year for me that I would go to the St. Rita's NYE party again, and this time alone. I meet Candace and her husband at her house to find Quinn there, alone. Well wasn't this kind of awkward beings how last year I felt like an idiot there with a bum and a fake smile on my face. We all go on in, get our table together and are ready to get the party started!! Quinn finally comes up to me and says I have been texting you. I told him I had a new number and gave it to him. All these years, he had my old one memorized!!!! We ended up dancing the night away and having a good time. 

About a week after the party, he asked me to lunch. He lives in Mt. Sterling and me in Lexington. He works in Morehead and me in Nicholasville. There are quite some distances here. He didn't care and wanted to come take me to lunch anyways. Although I know now that he almost cancelled out of insecurity, he actually ended up coming to take me to lunch on several occasions. I gave Candace a heads up that he and I were just friends but had been going to lunch. To this day never have met anyone that would go out of their way to do the smallest thing, to make me happy or make me feel special or put first. The next thing I know we have been inseparable since January (11 months ago) and things keep getting better and better!!!