Our WILD Weekend ...

And it certainly was a wild one.  In fact, wild is probably an understatement.  With my MOH/little sister in charge, and 7 of my beautiful bridesmaids (plus one), in tow ... we headed for Charlotte to celebrate my "last fling before the ring."  The weekend was full of memories & the perfect way to celebrate with my favorite ladies.  It was such a lovely celebration ... that we decided we should have a girls weekend at least once a year for, well, forever.  Why not, right?!

Mr. BB's bags next to mine ... his weekend was jam-packed with 4-wheeling, tents, and beer. 
A little different from mine, to say the least.

Cars were decorated ... imagine the looks we got on the way.  And the way home.

Perfect movie for the weekend.  And, by the way, it was absolutely hilarious.

At dinner in our "animal-print" themed outfits.

After dinner, ready to celebrate!

Reunited!  And a little bit struggling ...

Thank you is not enough for my ladies who truly created the perfect weekend.  It was a much needed stress-reliever, and made me that much more excited for the big day.  And while I thouroughly enjoyed every minute of it, I couldn't have been happier to see my soon-to-be husband's face when I pulled in the driveway.  We are that much closer to what we have been working so hard for ... and I think we are now both more ready than ever.

Rain, Rain, Go Away ...

But seriously, don't come back on June 25th.  Please - I know it's good luck - but I really do think that was made up to make those brides feel better about their rainy "once in a lifetime" day.  So while we keep putting it off (if you don't think about it, it's not a reality, right?!) ... both my mom & I are well aware that we need to have a rain plan in place for our June "backyard" wedding.  And if you live in Hampton Roads like me, weather is on the brain due to the rather large storm that caused flying trash cans, school closings, and (worst of all) power outages this week. 

(For the record - I really, really had a difficult time dealing with the lack of a microwave the other night - I seriously thought about asking my FI to put my Smart Ones on the grill.)

But in better news ... this weekend, I, along with 7 of my wild bridesmaids, will get to leave the crazy weather behind for my bachelorette weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.  And yes, there is a theme, and it is Ashley's Wild Bachelorette Weekend ... complete with a leopard print invitation, animal print "goodie" bags for the girls, & animal print attire for all.  Here is a reminder of the shoes that will adorn my own toes:

And as I stated before, how can you not have a good time in those?!

Stay tuned for pictures from what is sure to be a memorable weekend ... in the meantime, we will be getting wild in Charlotte.

ONE MONTH ...

Yes, it's true.  There is exactly one month until the day that I will officially become Mr. BB's wife.  And I am really ready.  Of course, we have some (and then some) loose-ends to tie up ... and therefore need every minute of the 30 days ahead ... but when it comes to being mentally prepared, I am 100% there.  So, now that I am about to be a wife, (which, by the way, I still don't believe I am old enough to be called!), what am I most excited for? ...

1.  My new last name.  Ever since my fiance and I first started dating (I mean "going out") in high school, I have really loved his last name.  As embarrassing as it is, I still remember coloring it in the sides of my notebook paper in study block.  And now that I am older and it actually is a reality ... I am even more anxious to have a last name that has two syllables (harder for my students to shout out throughout each day) & is closer to the beginning of the alphabet.  Not that, dad, I am not a fan of the last name that has taken through the first 27 years of my life.

2.  The extra amout of time we are about to have.  Eighteen months of planning is a long time, to say the least.  And while we have certainly enjoyed it, and the many highlights & memorable moments we have had along the way  ... I don't think anyone would argue that the additional time we are about to have back will be a much-needed relief.  And when I say anyone, I am referring to the many members of our family & friends who have dedicated so much of their busy lives to our special day.  We look forward to spending some time relaxing with you all.

3.  Just Being MARRIED.  Even though I don't technically know it yet, I am assuming that there is something very comforting about being married.  And I really am so excited.  Mr. BB & I have obviously been together, and even living together (Sorry, Momma) ... for a really long time now, but I know that the day when I will actually be able to call him my husband will be extra special.  And something that will last a lifetime.  That is something I am beyond ready for ... and I never needed 18 months to be there.

Practice Makes Perfect?

Yes, it is what you think it is.  That is my rather proud father walking me down the garden path that we will actually be walking down in approximately one month.  Crazy, right?!!  I must admit that the moment (even though it was far from the real thing ... due to the lack of a dress, veil, music, guests, esc. ) was still kind of incredible.  And really made this feel beyond real - something that seems to be happening a lot lately.  And furthermore, that's a good thing - since it is.

Over the weekend, we met with our parents & wedding officiant at our "backyard garden party" wedding site.  While there, we did an actual "run-through" of the wedding ceremony that had been months in the making, and I'm happy to report that it seemed to go as planned.  In fact, there were parts that made me a bit teary-eyed ... although I admit that isn't very hard to do.  See below for the actual steps in which we will say "I DO" ...



.... Really soon.  Hard to believe, but very exciting. :)

I Love Being a Girl ...

Other than the fact that we are officially at 33 days until THE DAY ... excitement is in the air after a weekend of fun-filled events.  And one of the highlights was certainly my tea-party themed bridal shower held at my grandma's house. 

I am so grateful to both my grandmother & cousin for hosting a fabulous shower, and also to the lovely ladies who came to celebrate while sipping tea & wearing some rather festive hats.  It was the perfect way to "de-stress" during our busy time & to spend my last days as a single girl.  But perhaps my favorite part of the bridal shower was the opportunity for all of the special people in my life to finally meet (after hearing so much about each other for a significant period of time).  I truly feel like this is why a wedding is so important ... it provides an avenue for all of the parts of your (busy) life to come together as one.  People from both of your extended families, work friends, parents friends, childhood friends ... can all meet. 

One of the many reasons that I love being a girl ... Mr. BB definitely didn't get the chance to sip tea with family & friends.  All he gets is that bachelor party in the woods this weekend.  I'll pass on that one.


A Bridal Tea Is Where We Will Be ...

It is hard to believe that another week has actually gone by, and that another "Wedding Friday" is upon us.  Perhaps even more astonishing?  That I just counted ... and after tomorrow, there are only 3 Fridays left before the Friday that will be our cowboy-themed rehearsal dinner, otherwise known as the day before I am officially a married woman!

So as the days quickly go by, the celebrations keep coming, and this weekend will be no exception.  Truly, I consider myself one lucky girl to have some fabulous people to celebrate with.  I realize that it is these members of my family & closest friends who will be those continuing to surround us in our new life as husband & wife, one that I am really getting anxious (and excited, and delighted!) to begin!  

 My bridal shower will be a tea party... complete with fun hats, "girly" dresses, tea cups, saucers, and (of course), lots of tea.  Possibly my favorite part?  It will be held at my grandmother's house, the same house that she has lived in since I was a little girl.  Seriously, my memories at this house date back to when the cement was poured around the pool & my dad helped me trace my name into the ground.  And I am fairly sure that Joe & I have been there to visit (and eat lots of my grandfather's good cooking!) at least 100 times. 

So I could not think of a better place.

Thank you to my grandmother & cousin for hosting such a special day, it means so much to me, and I am so grateful.

(Even though I am convinced that same grandmother will never read this ... she has yet to figure out my blog ... ). 

Our "Friend - Ors"

The past 18 months have been jam-packed with meetings, appointments, and visits to places that we certainly did not have a need to stop into before.  We have been introduced to a new world that we previously did not even know existed ... one that keeps many, many people employed, has its own "lingo," and that is simply massive.  My mom & I often talk about how the bridal business is one of very few that doesn't seem to be affected by a bad economy.  After all, even when finances are tight, most women aren't willing to give up on that wedding that they have been dreaming of since they were little.  (However, I must admit that the wedding that will be my own in June is hardly one I could have ever imagined as a little girl ... )

But to my point ... which is that throughout this entirely new experience, we have met many special people who have truly been incredible to work with.  My mom & I are beyond grateful for their hard work & dedication to our vision, and have truly made memories that we won't forget.  Our vendors are people who started out as strangers and have ended up as friends.  (Cheesy, I know ... but we really do feel like we were fortunate with the people who have surrounded us while working on the special day. )

The day of the wedding will obviously be a crazy one, so we plan to make sure that our new "friend-ors" are entirely prepared.  It is sure to be a long one, and obviously, we know that anything can happen.  So I have spent the past couple of weeks working on "vendor bags" that will be given to each of the many people who will be helping us on our wedding day in June.  What will we include in our bags?!  Some of it just happens to be pictured below ...

Something Borrowed: Part Two

Yesterday, I wrote about the famous wedding custom:  " Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Old, & Something New," & promised that I would share details on how we are incorporating this practice into our own day ... other than just the conventional way.  So here goes ...

Although I am sure my traditional, conservative grandmother would rather us have a "dry" wedding without any alcohol at all, that was never an option.  It is a celebration, and when guests come to a wedding, they expect to be able to enjoy a drink or two to commemorate with the newlyweds.  So obviously, a large portion of our budget had to go to alcohol merely because of its high expense.  However, we were able to save money by only offering beer & wine, which in my opinion, is more than enough to celebrate with.  That was until we had an idea for our cocktail hour, in which we will serve 4 different mixed drinks in the theme of (You guessed It!)  ...

"Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Something Old, & Something New"

Because I don't want to give everything away .... I will share on of our 4 "themed" signature drinks.  Our "Something New" will be a drink inspired by my good friend Karie's husband, Seth.  Seth is entirely well-versed in this area because of his job as a bartender, and therefore, was the perfect person to go to when we needed to know what our "Something New" should be.  We wanted a drink that was (obviously) new, pretty in the beverage dispenser (my mom's priority), & that tasted good.  And his solution did not disapoint.  The mix includes Orange Juice, Pinnacle Whipped Vodka, & Sprite, and yes, we have "tested" it to ensure that our guests will enjoy it.

Our "Something New" is certainly refreshing & tasty.  Our only complaint?  It was so good that our guests could be celebrating too much, too soon! :)  I guess not everyone would consider that a problem, though.  Cheers to our signature drinks, and a wedding that is now less than 2 months away!  

Something Borrowed ...

Something Blue, Something Old, Something New 

Even if you aren't in wedding world as I have been for the past year or so, you most likely know how the saying goes.  Even the few "good men"  in my Fashion Marketing class (relunctantly) admitted that they had heard it a time or two.   Obviously, as I expect most brides do, I will yield to the tradition on my own wedding day and will thus wear an item that meets each of the 4 standards mentioned. 

(Even though I would not consider myself highly superstitous, this is kind of like a no-brainer, right?!)

But apart from the well-known tradition, my mind has been on the term Something Borrowed more than ever lately, and some of you may even agree.  I admit that I am a sap for romantic comedies (which probably comes as no surprise), and my favorites all tend to have Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, or Rachel McAdams featured somewhere in the film.  So even if I wasn't in the previously mentioned wedding world, I would have still been beyond eager to see the movie Something Borrowed, which just so happens to be a movie starring Kate Hudson & one that has a plot surrounding weddings.

So, as our conclusion to "Wedding Friday"  ... the MOB & I picked up dinner and were able to enjoy some much-needed & well-deserved relaxation while watching the movie.  And it didn't disappoint.  Kate Hudson was hilarious, as usual, and the fashion was entertaining to look at, too (in my opinion, one of the highlights of any movie).  Our only complaint was the ending ... which I won't give away ...

PS - More to come on how we will incorporate Something Borrowed ..  into our wedding.  Other than just the traditional way.   Because we are.

PPS - If you have read the book, you already know how the ending goes.  And don't you agree - should it really have ended that way?!! 

Obviously, It's A Night to Remember ...

It is sometimes mind-boggling to think that all of this extensive planning goes into one night that, according to most former brides, goes by in the blink of an eye.  And if the last 18 months have been any indication, my own wedding will certainly be no exception.  So although I was unsure at first, I am now convinced that having a videographer at the wedding is not only important, but one aspect of our day that I couldn't do without.

I don't why I didn't initially realize the importance of having our special day recorded.  I always regarded the photography as an essential part of the wedding (perhaps even as my number one priority) ... but did not forsee Mr. BB & I valueing a video recording.  I think those bad, cheesy 80's videos were set in my brain (you know what ones I mean ... no offense anyone!), and therefore, completely wrote it off.  Then, I started following some of my favorite blogs and falling in love with video after video ... videos that were creative, artistic, and just plain sweet.

So I am delighted that we have used part of our budget for a videographer, and even happier after meeting with her last weekend.  Like many of our other vendors, she is young & innovative - and I can't wait to have her help us to always remember such a monumental day in our life.  I am convinced this video will be invaluable to us - much like the one from our engagement (thanks for my FI's careful planning!).

His & Hers

It's true, in less than 2 months, I will have a rather sparkly new addition to my left hand.  Perhaps even better, Mr. BB will have his own symbol of commitment encircling his ring finger.  In other words, today, we ordered our wedding bands!  And just as I have felt on several other occasions over the past couple of months - this whole "married" thing feels a lot more real.  Deliriously real!

It was a no-brainer where to purchase our bands (therefore any stalling of this "check off the list" was due to a lack of funds rather than any uncertainty).  Any jewelry I have recieved from my FI (including my engagement ring) has been from Baker's, a jewelry store owned by a family friend.  But when we went over the weekend to make it offiicial... I seriously think my heart skipped a beat when I looked down to see Mr. BB's finger with a band wrapped around it.  Due to my love of fashion, before meeting my better half, many often assume that he shares my passion for clothes, accesories, and "purchasing" in general.  However, the statement "Opposites Attract" must have some truth, because that couldn't be farther from our reality.  While certainly handsome, my FI leaves the glitz & glamour to me.  Therefore, June 25th will mark the first day I see him adorned with an accessory .... and gosh, I can hardly wait.

Seriously MAD for Hats ...

OK ... so this post is not particularly a June garden wedding update ... but as our date gets closer & thus, our days get busier, I could use a short escape from my own wedding world.  Not that today's topic doesn't surround weddings, just not my own.

I realize that the royal wedding is now "old news" and that most likely, it is time for me to drop the subject.  In fact, I am fairly sure that when I brought out the article with the official reviews of Catherine's wedding dress in class today, I saw a few of my girls with their eyes rolled bank into their heads.  But regardless, I am indeed a sucker for these kinds of things, so I have to let it go just a little bit longer.  Especially since I haven't yet discussed the fabulous, fantastic, fashion-forward collection of hats adorned by the guests at Westminster Abbey on April 29th.

Other than the obvious highlights of the morning, such as Catherine's arrival, Prince William's face when he first saw his future wife, and (my personal favorite), Prince Harry's comment to his brother as the bride was walking down the aisle ... I was entirely entertained by the guest arrivals.  And I don't think I was the only one.  Now, my desire is that this trend will come to the United States - something about wearing a hat immediatly makes you feel more confident. 

Here are some of the most memorable hat moments from the royal wedding ...

So I admit it ... I liked these at first ... until almost every fashion commentator described how awful they were.  I now get it, and think I was taken by my euphoria of the moment before.

Love these - all three.  Can I wear one to the next wedding I attend?  Would it be appropriate?

Always love these two.  Perfection - both of them.  Even the one without the hat, obviously.

While I would like to play it off that we too were guests at the wedding, the fan & kitchen cabinets probably give it away ... But at least we got in the spirit.  Clearly.





Hmm ...

Since beginning this journey towards planning our dream wedding 18 months ago, obviously, some aspects have been easier than others.  Many of the "key decisions" that couples struggle with were simple ... for example, we knew that a church wedding wasn't for us, that we wanted the vibe of the event to be informal, and I always knew that my bridesmaids would be perfection in the color green.  And as I have mentioned before, picking out attire for my pre-wedding events (bridal showers, bachelorette party, bridal luncheon, esc.) was so trouble-free that now my biggest problem is eliminating a few of the outfits because I now have too many.

A major decision that we have yet to check off the list?  Our first dance song.  I know - for many, this is a no-brainer.  It's the song that has been "their song" for the duration of their time together as a couple.  It has significance, memories, and is the perfect way to begin their new life as husband & wife.  It isn't that Mr. BB & I don't have any songs that hold meaning for us as a couple - since we actually started "going out" when I was in the 10th grade - we have quite a few.  The issue lies in the fact that we have so many, from various phases of our relationship, that it is difficult to narrow it down to the perfect one that encompasses it all.  Not to mention the fact that neither one of us are particularly eager to have the spotlight on the dance floor in front of our 150 guests ...

So our search continues - a search that began 18 months ago.  We have a few options, but nothing stands out as of yet.  One thing is for sure, a final decision will be made by June 25th of this year.  Either that or I may have to sing the song myself (and clearly, no one would benefit from that).

It's The MOB's Day ...

Specifically, on Sunday.  Even though she deserves more than just one day.  My mom (who, by the way, is a mother of 4, even though you would never guess it) has always been beyond supportive of all of us.  I still remember the time when she called the Dean of Radford University (who gets to talk to the dean?!!) when I was having roommate issues as a freshman in my dorm ...  by the end of that day, I was moved into another room, even though I had previously been told that was "against university policy."  In fact, I must confess that the majority of the obstacles I have had to overcome throughout my 27 years, big or small, she has had a part in the solution. 

Obviously, this year has been no exception.  In this wedding, the MOB has certainly been integral in the planning process.  Actually, she is the planning process.  While I wish I could take credit for our invitations, "creative" catering ideas, or decor at the wedding ... all of it has to go to her.  I should have known it would be this way - she did come up with the theme for every fashion show I have produced thus far. 

Thank you to my mom ... this is your weekend ... even though we both know it will begin with Wedding Friday tomorrow.  And even after the wedding, I know we will stay have our Fridays, we will just have to come up with another word to precede it.  I love you.

My Mom & I ... on one of our many Wedding Meetings!

Making Memories ...

As those closest to me already know, my engagement to Mr. BB was long-awaited.  (And I don't know that I could say I was always particularly patient throughout the process ... )  We had been dating for quite a while, had been living together, and had attended many weddings of friends/family our age.  And I will be the first to admit - there is no doubt he was feeling the pressure.  But when he finally got on stage at my high school fashion show to ask me to marry him ... he certainly made up for any time lost & I couldn't ask for a better time or place to begin our life together.

While going through the engagement process with some of my closest friends prior to my own proposal, I realized why planning a wedding really does lay the foundation for your life as married couple.  At times, it certainly may seem like all of the meetings, payments, & overall hours (upon hours) spent planning is all going towards one day ... but ultimately, all of the hard work is for your marriage whether than that one wedding date.

Our relationship has obviously grown throughout the past 18 months ... simply by being able to work together to create our special day.  But it is the opportunity for our "support system" - family, co-workers, and friends from different stages of our life - to get to know each other that I really appreciate most.  And it was my bridal shower this past weekend, that made me realize how fortunate I really am.  I have such an amazing group of people in my life and am so appreciative that throughout this process, they have gotten the chance to know each other and have really become a strong support system to us ... not only for our wedding day, but life ahead.

Thank you, all of you, for being part of this memorable experience, and more importantly, for being a part of my life to stay.  That is truly a comforting feeling.

Classic Catherine ...

It was obviously an eventful weekend in the news world ... as I am sure (unless you have been living under a rock!), you already know.  And for me, the weekend was quite busy, special, & memorable all in its own.  So much so, that it was extended to Monday as I just returned to work today.  On a side note, I could really get used to this 4-day week deal - the fact that tomorrow is already Wednesday makes me deliriously happy.

So obviously, there is lots to blog about, but it would be wrong (and completely unexpected of me) to not pay tribute to the newlyweds, who I'm told, are now officially referred to as the Dutch & Duchess of Cambridge.  Yes, I admit it, I am among those who woke up at 4 AM to watch the live coverage on each major news channel.  And I loved every minute of it ... so much so that I have now watched it 3 times. 

The verdict is ... she looked stunning, classic, and timeless.  And as I told my students today (whether they liked it or not, as I am convinced they think I am officially "mad" for talking about these people we don't know each & every day), the look of her dress will create fashion trends for years to come.  And I know that William liked her dress as well - one of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when he told her how beautiful she looked when she got down the aisle. (Mr. BB already took note!).

Now that the royal wedding is over - what is there to look forward to?  My own June wedding of course, although I don't know if it will make the news coverage quite like theirs did.  Something tells me no ...