Summer time is finally here!

So technically I think we have another week before it is actually here but its hot outside so I'm counting it. Well we have been busy busy busy. The wedding count down is getting shorter and that means more things to be checked off our list. This is when the wedding planning starts to get more real. All the vendor contracts are signed (well almost all), decorations seem to be piling up in the office, and the DRESS should be here in a few weeks!!!

But even though the planning process is full steam ahead we still need to have a normal life every now and then. This last go round Allen was gone 6 WEEKS. That made the month of May very long. So when he did finally come home what do we do? We went out of town. It was our first "camping" trip of the season. Now I say "camping" because we actually stayed in a very nice 5th wheel that has a shower. But there was a camp fire and we played outside. Here are a few of the high lights from the trip...

A little 4 wheeler action. Notice my awesome new giant backpack that Allen bought. Its almost bigger than me. Apparently Allen wants me to "survive" in the woods. 

Patriot had to dig the dirt just right so he could lay in it.

There was also some shooting and a lot of Morel mushroom hunting. (apparently this is a popular thing to do) We spent hours just walking through the woods looking for these ugly mushrooms. I found a bunch, Allen not so many since he can't see that close to the ground :) Well this was just the beginning to a fun packed summer. It will go by in a whirlwind and be over before we know it. We have a few more trips planned before summer is over so that will give us a break from all the wedding madness. Actually it hasn't been madness for me. I love wedding planning. I asked Allen the other day whatever am I going to do once this is all over? I will have to find a new hobby. Any suggestions? 

Where has the time gone?

Wow I didn't realize how long it had been since my last post. I have been busy busy busy. Busy with wedding stuff but at the same time I needed to step back and take a break from it all. As much as I have enjoyed every step of this wedding planning process it can (and did) get a little overwhelming. Not only do you have so many options, ideas, decorations to choose from but EVERYONE and their mother feel that they need to give you their input on how you should have YOUR  wedding. Do things this way. Don't do that. Your going to hate it if you do this. And the ever popular... Don't waste your money on that, no one will care anyways. Well I must say yes someone does care. That would be me and Allen. Remember? It's OUR wedding. We have carefully planned out every little detail of our wedding to match things that we like and we enjoy. If we choose to have appetizers, dinner, AND dessert its because we enjoy food. If we decide to have our wonderful dog Patriot in the wedding party, its because he is our child and thats what you do. You put your kids in the wedding. I wouldn't question it if your child was in your wedding.
Now I'm not meaning for this to sound like a b**** fest. I just needed to get it off my chest. I do appreciate the underlying intentions behind this "advice". Please just remember the way it is presented. And if we have an idea that just sounds out of this world crazy all I ask is for you to smile, nod and say "well I'm sure you will pull it off."

Ok now thats done time to catch up on what we have been up to the last month..Well theres been fishing, a birthday, a day at the lake, more fishing (for Allen), and a random 72 hour roadtrip to Santa Cruz. In between all of that we have come a long way with the wedding planning. Videographer-booked. Bridesmaids dresses-picked out and almost all ordered. Grooms wear- picked out. Bachelorette and Bridal showers are in the works but dates are picked (I think) Center pieces and decorations are currently being assembled, glued, and are taking up my office and kitchen. Still a lot to do but it is all coming together so nicely and peacefully. I keep waiting for that stressful moment every keeps saying will happen but so far nothing :)
Well better get back to gluing and painting. I'm getting crafty with wine corks. Happy wedding planning

My lovely Bridesmaids

 Well now that I have officially asked all of my lovely ladies I can write this post. So the groom, I feel, has it easy when it comes to his groomsman. A simple text message, phone call, punch to the shoulder, "Wanna be in the wedding?". Maybe they high five and its done. Measurements must be in 1 month before the wedding. Thats the extent of a groomsmans duties. But now a bridesmaid, thats a whole other story. There is a lot a of thought and planning that goes into a being a bridesmaid. Mostly they are there for moral support. The appointments, late night brainstorming sessions, cake tastings. Well normally a lot of these are done with the groom but since Allen cannot be here to help with those (which I secretly think he is thankful for) I am relying on my girls.
  Now since I put a lot of thought into who I would have by my side I did not want to just ask them in any boring way. My craftiness and ocd kicked in and I made these lovely gifts for the girls.

I bought plain wooden cigar boxes from the craft store and painted them in our wedding colors. Each one was decorated a little different than the other and I personalized with each of their names.

When they opened it up this is what it said. But I did not just give them an empty box...

On the inside I placed different little trinkets. I included a little poem asking them to be a maid. A ring pop that said "my turn to pop the question". Tissues for the "tears of joy". A notepad. I also put together a swatch of our wedding colors using scrap book paper.  There was also a note explaining our venue, theme, and what I ask from them as a bridesmaid. Mostly that I understand life, family, and money may get in the way sometimes but what is most important is that I have them next to me on our special day. I need them more for moral support than anything else.
  So thank you girls for being there for me and Allen as we take this next step. It really means a lot to me that you are willing able to help.
Happy Wedding Planning :)

The Dress Hunt is Finished!!!

 So a quick recap of the last post. My mom and I flew to sunny San Diego to look for a wedding dress, hang with one of my bridesmaids, and go to wedding show down there for ideas. Well the trip was a success! Other than there being no sun the entire time we were there, it may have been sunnier here in Idaho.
But for the most important part of the trip, drum roll please..... I FOUND MY DRESS! And it was way easier than expected. So easy in fact it was the first dress I tried on, at the first store. We had 3 appointments scheduled for that day and I didn't even go to the other two. That's how fantastic my dress is. It was a little hard to make that commitment so early, a little hyperventilating in fact. I looked to others to make the decision for me but ultimately it was all on me. The girl I was working with was amazing and knew all the right things to say to convince me it wouldn't get any better. I think the moment I knew it was the dress happened when I first walked out of the dressing room. They were really busy and there were probably 25 other brides/entourages trying on dresses. But when I walked out everyone got really quiet and stopped and stared. It was a little embarrassing at first but then I remembered, that's the look I'm going for.

So...Do you want to see it?

Or is it?

Actually its none of these. You didn't really think I was going to show everyone my wedding dress? That is the one secret, sacred thing that I get to keep to myself. Other than that you will have to wait til the wedding to see it. On that note as well, if you were one of the wonderfully special people who were able to get a sneak              peek at the dress, please do not share it with anyone. Even if they are family or a stranger at the grocery store. It was meant for you and you only.
I will say this is the man who made my dress

I think they said this was taken back in the 70's but I don't care. He makes amazing dresses.

 Now that the biggest stress of the wedding is over what will be next? Everything is falling into place so easily I am afraid I will wake up and it will all be a dream. Until next post. Happy wedding planning

San Diego!!!! Here we come

Yes thats right. I will be in my most favorite place, San Diego, tomorrow! My dad and one of my bridesmaids lives down there so my mom and I got this crazy awesome idea to go down to look for a wedding dress. Now before you say "Don't they make wedding dresses in Idaho?" Well yes they do. And I have tried them on. Many of them. I have been to 5, yes 5, different salons up here. I have an idea of what I am looking for and they just don't carry it. Or if they do carry it, they don't have it in the store to try on.... So solution fixed. We are headed south. Warm weather, endless salons, and great customer service. That is one thing I have found to be lacking. It is very simple. A smile, hello, and we will be right with you is all I ask for. We actually walked out of a salon because the lady wouldn't acknowledge us and then when she finally did her only response was "are you with the other girl?" When we said no she just said "oh" No may I help you, are you looking for a dress? UGH!
  So this weekend I have appointments at 3 different salons on Saturday. There is a wedding show on Sunday at the amazing Omni Hotel, and we have VIP tickets too. Free champagne :) I am also hoping to get pictures of ideas for our theme. California vineyard meets Spanish Mission. This will help to explain the visions in my head to everyone else :)

Monday will be IKEA for decoration ideas. I like to cram as much into 5 days as possible. I have a vision of the dress I want and I will keep the search on until I find it. Wish me lots of luck and sun :)

Ahhh... The Vendor Hunt is On!

   So for those of you who don't know Allen works out of state. He is usually gone 3 weeks at a time and gets to come home anywhere from 2 days to 5 days at a time. We never know when it will be or for how long until he gets that phone call. That being said when he is home we cram as much stuff in those few days as we can. Family visits, date nights, just spending time at home... and wedding stuff. Even though the wedding is 8 months away there is so much that needs to be done those first few months. Many of the vendors I have been eyeing are booking up fast and may not be available for our big day. So today is visit as many vendors as we can day. I have our Photographer booked and finally get to meet with her. ( that will be another post) Now its time to visit DJ's and caterers. In the next three days we have 5 appointments. I hope I don't burn him out too much. I know I'm up for the challenge.
   I must say finding the perfect DJ and caterer is the most stressful and fun thing so far. I love music and especially love food. I feel it sets the tone for your wedding. I will not be one of those brides who does not eat at their wedding. I am paying for the awesomely delicious food, I WILL ENJOY IT. There are so many options out there: pulled pork, tri tip, salmon. Seated dinner vs buffet. Appetizers vs big desserts. The best part so far is the taste testing. I want to be wowed! Show me why I should choose you. Let me taste your food. So far I am noticing a lack in consistancy  :( I have found there is either professional or personable but not both. Either their product is amazing but they can't spit out two words. Or their personality makes you want to be their next best friend but they don't have the business sense. One DJ I talked with actually wanted to give away prizes at the wedding like a game show. Not only did I think that was strange but the prizes were like a bad Circus Circus, Reno trip. Teddy bears, glass roses, t-shirts with his company spray painted on them!! Yikes. I ran.
   I am not giving up my search though. Our perfect match is out there just waiting to be discovered.

Giving in to the World of Blogging

 Ok, so this is officially my first blog post ever. I must admit its a little intimidating. Computers are not necessarily my strong point but I figured I would give it a shot. My reasons for wanting a blog are to document the trials and adventures through planning a wedding, with a fiancee who lives in another state, to moving into married bliss.
 First our little back story. Allen and I met in high school, where we went to our senior prom together. We stayed friends as I moved off to Arizona for college. After some time we thought we could give the long distance relationship a shot. Wrong! We were too young and decided to go our separate ways but stayed in touch through emails or texts. Fast forward 7 years. I moved back to Idaho to be close to family and finish dental hygiene school. Soon after moving back I get a "happy birthday" text from him. The timing was right, neither one of us dating anyone, so we decided to give it a shot. 3 1/2 years later on Christmas Eve he proposes in front of the Christmas tree. So now the fun begins. WEDDING PLANNING!

  Everyone says planning your wedding is the most stressful event ever, but I am not that girl. I love this. The planning, organizing, decorating, shopping. Its SO MUCH FUN. Some may say "well you've been planning your wedding for the last 3 years, so that's why its not stressful". Well no I haven't. Yes Allen and I have talked about getting married for a while but that does not mean I have done any planning. I may have seen things I like but I made sure no planning was done until I officially had a ring. So far we have a venue, photographer, and tux rentals. Next step the DRESS. I have given it a grand effort to find "the" dress here in Idaho, but to no luck have decided to broaden my search. We now are going to San Diego in a few weeks to search with one of my besties at the endless bridal salons they have to offer. Lets cross our fingers that we come home with a little more than some sun on our face. Wish me luck !