The Big Day Update

Spring break is over! Did you have fun, what did you do?

I can tell you my spring break was the farthest thing from beach and swimsuit weather, it was more like a high of 14. 

Although I was home and it was bitter cold that didn't stop us from braving the cold. 

As soon as my plane landed on Saturday I hit the ground running. With wedding appointments almost every day there was not time for a "break."

Saturday:

Flew into Chicago and ate White Castles. (Region food, gotta love it) 

Rushed to our 3:30pm appointment to seek out decorations for the wedding and ceremony.

Ate pizza with family then tried on my Mom's wedding dress for fun.

Had a sleepover with my nine year old cousin ad watched the classic movie Clue. 

Sunday:

Went to church and heard my favorite speaker (my Dad)

David's Bridal appointment for junior bridesmaid and flower-girl dresses.

Monday:

Florist day

First appointment was amazing! 

Second appointment not so amazing.

Third appointment a nightmare.

After taking a lunch break went back and booked the first florist for the wedding! 

Tuesday:

Fat Tuesday! 

Visited grandmother and enjoyed packzi in honor of Fat Tuesday.

Finished up registering with my Mom.

Coffee with friends.

Wednesday:

Cake day

First appointment yummy.

Second appointment average.

Lunch break delicious.

Third appointment FABULOUS! Booked cake for reception.

Trip to the hospital with Mom and Dad for plating for radiation starting on Thursday.

Thursday:

Radiation appointment at the hospital for Mom.

Flower girl dress shopping with a successful ending! 

Friday:

Radiation appointment at the hospital for Mom.

Meeting with wedding coordinator to wrap up the week. 

Back to registering because it didn't update on line.

Saturday:

Finish packing and fly back to school.

As you can see my spring break was crazy, and I wouldn't have changed one thing about it. Now it's back to the grind of things!

Days Till The Wedding: 115

-Stephanie

The Last First Day

This week I experienced my last first day of college before I graduate with my associates degree!

It's such an amazing feeling to know that on April 29th I'm going to receive my associates degree in leadership and arts! (Insert sequel here)

I have never known two years of my life to fly by so quickly!

It seems like just last week when I packed up all my stuff to move to school within five days. God certainly had a plan when he sent me off to college, I've learned so many lessons and made some incredible friendships. 

Cara and I the first week of college last year.

Cara and I on our last first day of college before we graduate in April.

There's this incredible feeling that bubbles up inside of me thinking of all the new doors and possibilities ahead of me.

Graduation, wedding plans, moving, there's so much running through my mind and I can't simply sort it all out, but it's all simply exciting!  

The Count Down
109 Days till graduation
183 Days till I marry my best friend

-Stephanie

Now It's My Turn To Pop The Question...

Besides having the groom and your family with you on your wedding day a bride also needs her girls!

After searching Pinterest for ideas on how to ask my bridesmaids and maid of honor to be in the wedding I finally found one I couldn't pass up!

"Now it's my turn to pop the question... will you be my bridesmaid?"

First I started with a trip to Michaels (can I get an amen!) So here I am face to face with the first craft of many for the future wedding. Onward I walked with my 40% off coupon ready to begin.

 

In the end the above picture is what I decided on to purchase.

•  -Small ivory note cards and envelopes.
• -Brown fold up box.
• -Double sided tape.
• -Burlap Gypsy cards.
• -One Paper pad (My Mind Eye).
• - Blue paper
• -Ring pop

I began by cutting my sheets of scrap-booking paper to fit the lid of my ring box. You can use any paper you want I picked this pack because it matches the theme of our wedding. After I measured and cut the paper I wrote on the burlap pieces with a Sharpie pen.

I doubled taped the burlap to the paper then the paper to the lid of the box. After I had all my pieces together I wrote a personal note for each of my girls, and placed it in the box along with the blue stuffing and ring pop.

 

For my Maid of Honor's box I just changed the wording written on the burlap.

Right before I gave the girls their boxes I opened their ring pop and placed it in the box and tied it off with some lace ribbon.

To add to the memories I also wrote on the bottom of each box as well.

One of my lovely bridesmaids goes to a different college than me so I had to mail her box to her. She was still excited though!

I am so excited to have these girls join Chris and I during our big day! I wouldn't have it any other way! 

-Stephanie

Wishes Do Come True

"Star light star bright, first star I see tonight..."

Can I just say that I love Disney. It has a special place in my heart, and since August 30th 2013, it has an even more special place in my heart.

*drum roll* I am now a bride to be! (insert squeal)  

Chris and I met my parents in Disney World to help my Mom with an event she coordinates, we spent nine days in the most magical place on Earth and let me tell you it was magical!

The firsts day in Magic Kingdom was spent showing Chris all the magical attractions and shows and later that evening Chris had it arranged to take me to Cinderella's castle for dinner. Which was simply delicious!  After dinner we met up with my parents, aunt, and little cousin to watch the Wishes Fireworks show in front of the castle.

(Note: It's hot and humid.)

While waiting for the fireworks to begin I  will admit I was becoming agitated with the heat and the extremely tall person who decided to stand right in front of me. Remember I am only 5ft! But once the show started I was zoned in to the presentation.

The following is the conversation Chris and I had during the firework show...

Chris: "Hey Stephanie I have to ask you a question."

Me: "What?"

Chris: *gets down on one knee* "Will you marry me?"

Me: "Are you serious!?"

Yes he was serious!! It was perfect every aspect of the moment! My Mom snapped photo after photo, my Dad's eyes were watery, my aunt and little cousin were bursting with smiles, it is by far my new favorite memory. I am so blessed to be able to plan my future with Chris and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in this next chapter of our lives.

In short my blogs are now going to have a lot more to share with the planning process, and all the new and exciting things that are on the brink of happening! 

 "...a world of wishes,
A world where dreams come true.
So make a wish, see it through.
Dare to do what dreamers do..."

I am simply bursting with joy to share all the excitement with y'all! 

-Stephanie  

**Pictures will be posted later due to copy right issues. (aka we don't want them stolen so we have to get them set up properly)