Abilena Magic

The wedding has come and gone, but my friends have taken such beautiful pictures of the Plantation that I just had to share them all.

Our Wedding Day

Today was beautiful!  Nothing went exactly as planned, but it was amazing.  I think that the best parts of the wedding were the things that didn't go quite right.  It was such a beautiful day, even with the weather.  I could not be happier and I know Hubs feels the same.

Third Time's The Charm

Schoolhouse Rock taught us back in the day that "3 - that's the magic number" and after that so did other musicians like De La Soul, Blind Melon, and  Jack Johnson.  My favorite is the Jack Johnson version.

Rehearsal Fun

"And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!"

Wedding Crashers

Once again it's not what you think!  Wife keeps telling me that if bad things happen leading up to the wedding, the marriage itself will be wonderful.  I think it must be the fact that if a couple has already proven they can weather the storms before they get married, they will have a better chance at a successful marriage.

Wedding Stress & Resolutions

So, weddings are stressful for everyone involved.  I know it is stressful on the vendors to try to give the bride and groom a magical day.  I know that it can be stressful on family and friends to travel in support of the bride and groom on the big day.  Planning the event is stressful on the bride and groom.  All I know is that issues have arisen in the last few weeks leading up that have stressed me out to no end, but we manage to get through them and I have people who helped make things work.

Center Pieces

Yes, I know the correct way to spell it is to use all one word, but when you see the various pieces that went into making them, you'll understand.

Hobby Lobby Is Dangerous!

Dear Hobby Lobby,

Take alllllll my money!  Take it alllllllllllllll!

Memories & Social Media

In this digital age, the wedding album has become obsolete.  We have Facebook Albums with multiple contributors.  We have Wedding Blogs.  We have Instagram, We have Twitter.

Let the Crafting Begin

As we get into the final stretch, we still have bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and final touches to do.

This is Blooming Crazy!

Hubs is the man!  So is Other Husband.  They got it done today!  The blooms that we needed for the bouquets and boutonniere's have been made.

Hair & Makeup Trial

So, to all you brides out there, don't be surprised on your wedding day!  I've seen it happen.  You give the stylist a picture of the hairstyle and makeup you want, but they can't make your hair and makeup look like the photo.  Get the hair trial done in advance so that you know that you will like your hair.

Hot Pants

I know, what a weird title for a blog.  I guess it is a double entendre.  In the case of our outdoor June Wedding, it pertains to the fact that the groom and groomsman are going to boil if they wear any formalwear.  Also... my husband is sexy lol.

The Truth About Chocolate Cake

OK, so this is totally my fault.  I just can't help it.  When I have access to chocolate cake lately, my willpower seems to disappear.  The fact that since the proposal we have had my birthday, Munchkin's birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Husband's birthday, and the Bridal Shower means that I have had my fair share of cake in the last six months.

It's Time!

It is crunch time y'all!  The remaining bits and pieces are starting to arrive.  The final push to complete the decorations is about to begin.

Showered With Love

Other Wife is brilliant!  She really is.  She is loving and caring and just straight up genius.  She also has fantastic ideas for so many things.  Let me tell you about my Bridal Shower.

Fun with Photoshop

Back in February, we met with a designer on Etsy, who makes the beautiful wood toppers for wedding cakes.  They said that we could make our own design and get back to them.  Life happened in between now and then, and the design fell off the radar.

What Happened to the Mail?

Whatever happened to the “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” creed of the US Postal Service?

Supplies Have Been Ordered

The Knot website kindly sends you these "only X days left to go" emails, which of course set my stress level at maximum.  Now that I've got the RSVP details and a final headcount, I'm able to start moving forward on the next/last phase of planning.

And the Winner Is...

Bridesmaid dresses are in!  After months of discussion and searching, the ladies have found and ordered dresses, and you'll probably be very surprised by the choice.

Wedding Crafts

As we move closer to the big day (60 days to go!) a sense of panic is setting in.  Mostly around money.  Thus the reason that I plan to MAKE a lot of things for the wedding, like the table centerpieces, the bouquets, and the boutonnieres.

Thin Blue Invitiations

With the Thin Blue Line theme, we really wanted to find a creative way to do our invitations.  I spent hours on google trying to find something clever, while simultaneously trying to find the clipart needed for the cake topper design (still working on that).

Bouquets, Boutonnieres & Bullets

We already have an idea for incorporating bullet shells into the centerpieces.  However, impact shells are even more awesome because they look like flowers!

Toppers on Etsy

So, we are very into rustic.  I know our wedding is Thin Blue Line themed.  However, we are also very into the rustic, woodsy, outdoorsy theme.  So, when we were looking on Etsy this morning, we were pleased to discover a possible cake topper that we could have as a keepsake for years to come.

Chocolate and Cherries and Deliciousness

We met with the cake lady today.  It was supposed to be a cake tasting, but she must have forgotten about my being Gluten Free because she only brought regular cakes.  I guess it was good luck that Hubs was off work and was able to come.

Tissues... Lots of Tissues

So... writing vows.  What a punch in the feels.  Serious drop kick to the heart.  We wrote our vows the other day.  I bawled my eyes out typing them up to send to Crystal.  TYPING THEM.

How We Met

I was talking to Crystal yesterday about the ceremony and she asked me to tell her the story about how Hubs and I met.  I said that I figured he had already told her that story and she said "but, you'll each have your own version of it.  You each had different feelings and emotions that day."  and she's right because once I share this story, you'll understand our dynamic a little more.

Let Them Eat Cake!

This past Sunday was the Bridal Expo in New Bern.  Other Wife and I went and she acted as my taste tester since they didn't have any Gluten Free samples.  Luckily for us, we did find a baker who knows how to do Gluten Free.

Save the Date

In true fashion, my family is just too excited.  The minute we announced our engagement, I started receiving texts and FB messages asking when we were getting married.  So, we knew we needed to get on the Save the Dates ASAP.

I Can't Believe It

Miracles do happen.  Since January 1st of this year, I have witnessed the most amazing things in my life.  One of which is the kindness of others.  I've written about how a High School friend of Hubs is going to be our Officiant.  Well, now a High School friend of mine is going to be our Photographer!

50 Shades of Blue

Christian Grey's got nothing on us.  He can take his 50 shades of grey because we found a whole mess of blues to look at to find just the right color for the bridesmaid dresses.