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