My mom came up for an extended weekend and we stomped down to the adorable bridal shops of Seattle.

1. I was very excited for my momma’s visit.

2. I didn’t really know what I wanted – but it had to be pink.

3. My diet of veggies and healthy snacks AKA skinny pop paid off! 😀

Our first shop, The Dress Theory, was beautiful.  We fell in love with one dress, but the price was high and we weren’t that in love with it.  I was determined to be a bride with affordability on the forefront, so we continued onward.  I think it was actually at our second appointment and bridal shop, I Do Bridal, that we found it.  Of course I had to try it on five times, back and forth, and back and forth again.

Can I just say it was….. surreal trying on wedding dresses!  I had done my research, looked at dresses online, on Pinterest, in all of my five hundred bridal magazines but could not find one that I absolutely loved; and would absolutely love on me.  I am so happy my mom was there.  She knows what I like (I’ll be the first to admit she still supplies my wardrobe, I really have no interest outside of basics) and what I don’t like, and she was all about the wedding dress shopping.  I didn’t have a big posse with me because everyone was spread out across states, and more importantly, I knew I would have a hard time and I didn’t want to be stressed out.  No offense to all my girls, I LOVE YOU!  I know my MOH really wanted to be there.  We kept her updated with pics 😉  Fashion and wedding dresses are just not in my collection of talents.  So my mom helped me, and I think we did a pretty good job.  Thank you momma!

We did miss my gram, she would have so enjoyed the day full of lace, chiffon, blushes, pearls, sparkles…  We remembered her and knew that she was there with us.  I think she’s happy with the dress, too.  Classy, elegant, blush pink.  She would have definitely approved!

I’ll be the one in the pink with a veil.  I am over-the-moon excited to wear my wedding dress.

Eek!

This pink soon-to-be-bride is quite finished with her list of vendors.  On to menu tastings, wedding dress shopping, how I want my napkins folded, floral arranged, and to choose the perfect wedding band for my soon-to-be-hubs.

Let the fun details begin!  Searching, researching and deciding on all the vendors i.e. venue, catering, dj was a little intense and (maybe) overwhelming.  Nonetheless I got it done because I am too stubborn to let anyone else do it and I wanted everything and all people booked for the big day!  Check and check 🙂

Amongst all this cray cray wedding planning I may have forgotten about the importance of my love and relationship for my sweetheart.  During our recent vacation I was head over heels and so relaxed, immensely drenched in his love.  Got back home, back to work, and I realized I needed to work on more communication, more truths, more virtues and values that make us a great pair and God honoring couple we are.  Should be.  Will be.  Are.

So as all the fun wedding planning ensues with the tiniest detail I promise to be involved, calm, to dedicate important moments to him and be true to my heart all the time.  And if I practice this day to day living, my heart will align perfectly with his.  And his with mine.

Let the PINK begin!

Working nights and not seeing the LOML is hard.  With only two nights off in-between stretches of two to three nights on with prior engagements, his work, domestic responsibilities (of course I am slacking), playing and caring for our fur babies and all the other adult like activities…………………………………………….  I miss him!  And then when we only have a short while together, there is pressure to get as much as possible done together, which can be stressful.  Especially if you’re planning your wedding.

Earlier tonight we did a “storyboard” of our wedding.  I sat and enjoyed listening to my man paint a beautiful picture of the day we tie the knot.  I giggled as he wrote a list of things on the whiteboard, squinting my eyes to read his left and right handed chicken scratch.  My man never fails to make me laugh.

And now we are on the same page, I think.  I was frantic to book the venue, catering, DJ, etc.  It feels better to know we are on the same page – and I have to get used to the idea of doing life with another individual.  I have a natural streak of independence, which he has never threatened or spoken ill of, but he admires and knows I’m not a damsel in distress.  It’s exciting and different and I am so happy to begin a life with him for forever.

Tonight there were several moments were I caught myself looking and staring at him with my heart so full of love and warmth – and then remembering that shiny thing on my finger and melted just a little bit more.

XOXO

This weekend I went to the Wedding Show.  I was lucky to have my almost-sister-in-law accompany me both days (what a trooper!) and one of my best gal pals the second.  So happy to have had them there with me.

Also happy to repeatedly answer the question, “Who’s the bride?” 🙂

The first day was completely overwhelming.  Lots of bride swag.  Venue booked.

The second day was calmer, I had more time and opportunity to taste more cakes, foods, sign up for more things, enter more contestants.  More bride swag.  It was neat talking to people and hearing their stories and listening to their passion about weddings and what they could, and would, contribute to that special day to make it even better than you imagined.

It was such a great resource for all brides, all the vendors were wonderful.  And to be all in one place!  Worth going twice.

And in a couple weeks going to another wedding show with my sis and cousin!  Can’t wait! 🙂

Pretty sashes – seeing these pretties made me excited for all the really bride stuff!