They Will Walk Down that Garden Path, Too ...

Mr. BB & I both consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have grown up in large, close families.  And as a result, when deciding on our wedding party, we knew it had to be big.  As previously posted, the total number of our bridesmaids/groomsmen equals 18, in addition to our 3 flower girls and 2 ring bearers.  The more, the merrier, right?  Well, if that statement is true, our wedding day is sure to be merry.

While some brides would rather have a child-free ceremony/reception, I have always felt strongly about our special "little" people playing a large part in our day.  Often, the funniest, most memorable moments come from one of those really cute kid moves (you know the ones I am talking about).  So, when deciding on our flower girls/ring bearers ... it was always an obvious choice for us.  Our 3 flower girls are two of my FI's nieces, Abbey & Isabel, and my cousin, Kayla.  Our adorable "little men" are Abbey's younger brother, Sam, and Kayla's, Aidan.

This weekend, my mom is hosting a flower girl afternoon ... a way to spend time with our little ladies and an opportunity for the girls to have a part in making their own baskets to carry down the aisle!  I love that we get to spend some extra time with them, for them to spend time with each other, & that they are going to feel more a part of this experience.

Here are my girls:

Joe's Nieces:
Isabel & Abbey

My cousin: Kayla
(With her younger brother, Aidan)

I plan to post pictures of their completed baskets (which I am sure will be fabulous!) on Monday ... and the baskets will make their official debut, of course, on June 25th of this year. 

My Honey's Do-List

Although I am (fairly) new to this whole "fiance" arrangement, and have yet to become a wife, I am completely aware and have frequently taken advantage of the honey-do list.  As many of you know (most likely, even more than me), a honey-do list is a list of chores or household repairs that one spouse may make for another, and in most cases, it is the female making the list.  And since I have been living with Mr. BB for the past three years, and have the ultimate Type A personality,  I have much experience in this subject.  There have been many of these lists in our past ... and something tells me there will be more in our future.

Over the past few months, as our June wedding gets closer, my honey-do lists have become almost completely wedding related.  As anyone who has planned a wedding before knows, the planning process tends to take over your life, and often feels like a full time job.  And, most often, it is the bride (who has dreamed of her wedding since she was a little girl) who takes on the majority of the tasks.  Our situation is no different ... and while I admit that I sometimes get frustrated when balancing guest lists, centerpieces, and invitations in between my own teaching career ... for the most part, I have to give Mr. BB credit for his role throughout this experience.  After his own long day at work, he too comes home to help me in any way that he can.  Even more importantly, he has been extremely patient in dealing with me in such a crazy, busy time.

So ... imagine my delight, when, on my way out the door at 6:30 this morning, I noticed this list (in his hand-writing) on his work desk:

Entitled (If You Can't Read It): 
Wedding Things To Do!



He had written his own (wedding) honey do-list!  Impressive, right?  Thank you to Mr. BB, my future husband, for understanding the importance of a list ... but more significantly, for being my emotional rock during the planning of our big day.  Just one of the many reasons that I can't wait to marry you!

I'm Going to the Chapel ...

And I'm Going to get Married!  Ok ... so it won't be in a chapel (something my grandmother may still have issues with).  Specifically, it will be in a scenic spot in front of her sister's house.  But nevertheless, I am getting married!  And yesterday, that all became much, much more real.

With my MOH/sister & MOM/mom in tow - yesterday afternoon, I headed to my final dress fitting!  In other words, I officially have a wedding dress ... one that fits and is ready to be worn!  I mean, if the wedding were this weekend, my dress would be good to go.  I don't know about much else ... but I would have something to wear!  My sister even learned how to do the bustle and secure me safely into the dress (a surreal moment, for sure).

Even though many of my fellow bride-to-be bloggers have been known to post pictures of their wedding dress before their big day, something about that makes me really nervous.  Other than the obvious chance that Mr. BB may accidentally see it, I want it to be a surprise to everyone else too!  In honor of the final dress fitting, however, there are a few facts that I can share about my dress:

1.  It is white.
2.  It was purchased at Pure English, which, as mentioned before, is one of my new favorite stores.
3.  Speaking of purchasing ... the dress is the most expensive garment that I have ever worn, and most likely, will ever wear. 
4.  My mom, sister, & I all agreed that it was "the dress", a crowning moment that is not always the easiest to achieve. (Have you seen Say Yes to the Dress?).
5.  I really, really love it ... but more importantly, know that Mr. BB will.

So even though the dress is ready for the big day, we are obviously not ... but will be on June 25th.  Until then, it will have to wait.

A Bride In A Barn

I know ...  the words bride and barn are not the most likely to end up in the same sentence.  Aside from the obvious alliteration of the B's, brides & barns just simply don't have much in common.  Few little girls fantasize of their dream weddings surrounded by barrels of hay, tractors, & wheat grass.  So while I admit that it is not your ordinary spot for a bride-to-be, for the last few months, I have been determined to have my bridal portrats in a barn.

This weekend, my vision became a reality - and I have my co-worker/department chair/friend, Beth, to thank.  When my mother and I were first inspired by some of our favorite wedding blogs and were in need of a barn to fulfill the idea, I knew just who to ask.  Beth, my back bay girl, has lived in this sweet, peaceful area of Virginia Beach her whole life.  And while I can't imagine not being within 10 minutes of a Wendy's or certainly 20 minutes of a mall ... both my FI & I share a love of the area and have even talked about the idea to live there one day.  (Don't worry, mom, as I said ... we just talked about it.)  And Back Bay definitely has barns.

After making the drive to visit Beth & her barns, my mom, sister, & I were beyond pleased and super excited for the oppprtunity to have my portraits there.  And again, I know, it may not sound either bridal or beautiful, but I am convinced that my photographer has just the eye to pull off the idea - which, by the way, fits our wedding theme to perfection. 

Thanks Beth, for sharing your serene, special childhood home! 

It's Heavenly, Handmade, & All for Her ...

Update to "Wedding Blogging Vocabulary" (That I recently Learned) ...

MOH = Maid Of Honor

My MOH is my abolutely adorable, yet sometimes feisty, little sister.  She is 7 years my junior, currently a sophomore in college, and (as Mr. BB, many of my friends, family & students would tell you) ... I am a little bit obsessed with her.  I miss her terribly and cry each time she leaves to go back to school.  I guess it's because I (and my FI) have literally watched her grow up over the years.  But even though I get sad - I am truly happy & proud of her success at JMU.  If only it was a little closer ... 

So since she is my only sister (and MOH) ... I want to make sure that she feels extra special on my wedding day, and therefore, have been racking my wedding brain to make it happen. In a wedding tradition that certainly dates back before my wedding planning days, the maid of honor will wear a different color, carry another bouquet, or wear an extra piece of jewelry.  However, we are definitely not traditional ...

After many hours of searching online - my sister will have a handmade, hand-dyed (to our green!) vintage inspired headband to wear on my wedding day.  At this point, I would usually include a picture of my recent purchase, but I don't want her to see it yet!  So take my word for it - it's perfect.  And will look perfect on her. 

You will just have to wait & see ...

It's Pure Goodness, Really ...

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog giving credit to the many stores that had contributed to the decor that will surround my June wedding.  I had intended to follow-up with a part two edition today ... but then upon second thought, realized that this store deserved a post all on its own.

It's funny how a store you never knew existed (before last February) can suddenly become one of your favorite places to be.  And Pure English Bridal Couture certainly has done that for me.  The store has definitely played a large part in the wedding ... by dressing my 9 bridesmaids, 3 flower girls, and providing my entire look, including my dress & accesories.  (And these accesories are so divine that they may just become family heirlooms ... ). 

Helen, Vivian, & Sara have been incredibly helpful throughout this whole process (and it has been a process) ... they have become friends to us.  Seriously, if we could, we would invite all 3 of them to the wedding!   They have been patient (due to our many visits, including one with my dad & brother, straight from the construction site) & able to understand our vision.  And Helen's English accent may just be the coolest ever.

Both my mom & I will be sad to not have a reason to visit after the wedding - but have every intention of still stopping in to say hello.  And maybe bring some of our apple butter when we do ...

Thank you Helen, Vivian & Sara!

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words ...

I admit it.  I am "that girl" who always has her camera and is always taking pictures.  More specifically, my FI is always taking pictures for me.  I love a good photo & appreciate how powerful pictures really are ... I mean, they seriously can take you back to that moment in time.  Sometimes when I have a free moment, I will even just scan through the pictures in my (rather large) memory card, reliving some of my most exciting times over the last few years.  And other than creating memories, taking pictures is just fun.  I think facebook is partly to blame?  (You know you can relate ... that all-important profile pic!).

As a result of my love of pictures, I definitely plan to incorporate them into my wedding day.  As previously posted, I have already obtained a fabulous photographer and could not think of anyone better to help document our special day.  However, There are other plans we have for pictures ... and one of them involves our guests ...

We are asking for wedding pictures from those happily married couples that will be attending our June wedding.  The photo you choose is completely up to you.  We know how important these pictures are to you, and they are important to us too ... we want you to feel some of that magic from your own day!  We have already gotten our first photo:

My Future Sister & Brother-In-Law
Looking Adorable on their Wedding Day!

If you have a minute ... email me at akwright@vbschools.com with an attachment of your wedding photo!  If you only have a hard copy, let me know and you can send through the mail!  Thanks in advance for each of you being an essential part to our day!