Let the recapping begin!

But where in the world to start?? I guess we will begin with the rehearsal if that's ok with you. :)
(Also, this is a picture heavy post...which I suppose is what recaps really are, right?)


We were very lucky to have a short rehearsal at the church. It wasn't completely drama free though. We had some car trouble after the rehearsal (in the rain, no less) but we got to Portillo's eventually to have a great time with everyone.


I knew from the beginning that I wanted our rehearsal dinner at Portillo's. Not only because Richard & I go there any chance we get but because it holds a special place in his family's hearts. I'm still so grateful that we were able to have our rehearsal dinner there with our nearest and dearest. We were also lucky to get some pretty good pictures of the party from my friend Hilary of Hope Photography as well.

speaking of Hilary, here she is with her husband and us. We both married engineers! :)

In this next picture, you will see a person who was a huge, gigantic help to us during the days leading up to and day of our wedding. I'm 150% sure that things would have gone wrong and I would have had a breakdown if not for Nicole from Niche White! :) (and of course, her husband who was awesome too!) She kept me in check when I needed to be reeled back in, she made sure that everything went smoothly...she did everything she could for us and I think she is an amazing person.

it's amazing what twitter can do. :)

bride & groom

best shot of me with my bffs ever.

the groom with his future in laws. I adore this picture because I can feel the love.

Richard made a really good speech. (for real, everyone said aw a lot and even his best man said "I need to use that!")

After Richard spoke about how grateful we were that everyone was there with us, we passed out some presents to our bridal party.

I always wrap my brother's gifts with VS bags

I got her books too but...I'm so glad we have this picture. :)

Of course, we took a moment to practice and take some family pictures as well.

bro of honor, bride & parents of the bride

groomsgirl, fog, bride, groom & mog

It was a really fun time, as you can tell by now I'm sure. After the party, Richard & I hung out in my hotel suite, in amazement that the day was almost here. We talked and at about 11:58pm, he left to go to our apartment. I'll be honest with you...I totally cried when he left.

He called when he got home and we talked for a while. We decided after one that we should try to get at least some sleep. We happened to sleep pretty well that night, luckily. I think that's a good sign, don't you?? :)

xoxo

Blog inspiration

I guess it's really no secret that I'm into photography so when I saw this post on Nicole's (aka @nichewhite) blog, I knew I wanted to do that myself. (Sorry, no ring on a ledge shots this time.)






Too much fun. Thanks for the idea, Nicole!! :)

xoxo

NaNoWriMo

I'm not going to write a lot because I just wrote a NOVEL but... I am a bonafied winner according to National Novel Writing Month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Omg...I just wrote a novel! Complete with a beginning, middle and end!

Thank you for all your support along the way. It meant so much to me and literally kept me going when all I wanted was to give up.

xoxo

At your request...

Nicole (@nichewhite) asked me to post a pic of the purse when I got it so...


The product of Thursday Purseday. If only every Thursday would bring me a new purse. :)

(PS, ignore the mess everywhere in the background. Thanks!)

xoxo

Hot Bride!

So on Saturday, while I was partying it up with my groom, Hollie (aka ThriftyinWhite) and HANSON, I got a dm from Helper of the Bride about being nominated for the Hot Bride award! Imagine how much more excited I was!! :) I appreciate it more than you know.

So here's the deal with this award comes 7 pieces of advice and nominations for bloggers who are absolutely deserving! So without further ado...my advice:

Number one:
Your wedding should be a statement of you and your fiance. No one else. Sure, you're family is going to want you to do things that you don't want to do and I say, if you really don't want to do them, don't. If you could go either way, do it for the ones you love.

Number two:
Don't settle. You don't need a unlimited budget to have the overall feeling that you want. Sure it helps, but you don't need it. You'd be amazed at the things you can find.

Number three:
Etsy is your friend. Make it your best friend. You can find *the* cutest things there that are not worthless crap. And you can spend a lot less money on things you need like invites, jewelry, favors...the list goes on and on.

Number four:
You look awesome the way you are. Crash dieting is just not worth it. Your guests are going to think you look beautiful, gorgeous, pretty and like an angel whether you know it or not.

Number five:
Things are gonna get crazy. People are going to say things and do things that are going to drive you nuts. Don't let it make you want to run to Vegas and give up what you want.

Number six:
This is going to sound hypocritical but...wedding blogs can help you and hinder you. They can offer some of the greatest ideas sometimes but you need to think for yourself too. Get creative yourself. Have fun with it and make it personal for you and your future spouse!

Number seven:
Your wedding is one day. Don't let it take over your life completely. Remember, this day is about marrying your best friend, partner in crime, lover, prince... One day to celebrate your love for each other with your friends and family. Make it the best you can dream of but don't lose sight of what you're really celebrating: love.



And the seven bloggers I'm nominating for this fun award are...

W. Thrifty @ Big Day for 10K
Hollie @ Thrifty in White
Lemon @ Lemon Bride
Crystal @ Budget Brides Chicago
Nicole @ Niche White
Joanie @ Word to the Brides
Sarah @ Wedding Sweets

Click on the award on the right side of the blog and share some advice ladies!

xoxo! :)

No bridezillas here!

You know, way back when twitter became all the rage, I thought it was the dumbest thing I had ever heard of. I can do the same thing by updating my status on facebook and not everyone in the world needs to know what I'm doing.

While some people just don't get what twitter is used for, I am very happy I got over my preconceived notions and got on it after becoming engaged. I am so thankful for those I have met through the social networking wonder. Not a single one is a bridezilla, rude or a down right mean girl. It's a supporting and loving environment and I adore it. I can always put things out there on the twitter universe and get the best answers back.

Then I receive this from Hollie, a.k.a ThriftyinWhite.




Whoa. Me? Hollie, are you sure? I'm just this girl blogging about her wedding...

Hollie, you inspire me. You are going to have such an amazing wedding that represents who you and your future husband are. That is what every girl should dream about. I'm so glad you are so close by and that we can share our love for dorky things like Hanson. :) You rock, lady.

So now I'm gonna pass this award along to Angela, or as you may know her, Swatchbookwed. Seriously, her posts make me love everything about wedding planning even more and I did not think that was possible. She is killer talented and very cool...which is hard to be in Arizona!

xoxo

PS-
To my other girls who are going to crash my wedding (but touch nothing! haha)... I'm up for Fiji, Forks, Disney World, Denver, NYC, Salt Lake City...wherever you guys want to go! I'll get there. :)