Today

One year ago.

One year ago I woke up on a couch in our hotel lobby.  I didn't get much sleep the night before (surprise surprise), and shared the room (and bed) with two delightful amazing friends.  So, I went to the lobby to just get a change of scenery.  It was suppose to be the most important day of my life.

When I noticed it was a decent hour, you know, after a hotel person made sure that I wasn't a drunk homeless girl, I texted my soon-to-be-husband. I then snuck in his room for a quick hug and kiss before I went to get ready for the day.

What do I remember most about that day?  So much!  I hope that in eighty years I can still remember Ali and Sharelle getting ready with me at the hair salon. Ali running to get me a cappuccino and Sharelle painting my toe nails.  My mom's ear-to-ear smile, while my dad got choked up.

I remember my dad coming to tell me how nervous my fiance was... with a smile on his face.  He kept peeking through a crack in a slightly open door to check out the processional before the ceremony.  I remember a college friend leading my bridal party in prayer.

I remember arriving to the entrance of the chapel in the Church where we would marry.  My husband was turned around, reminded me of what Prince William did when he got married to Kate Middleton.  Then, the Bridal March (or whatever I chose), began on the organ.  He turned around.  I  cherish the pictures our photographer got of his cheese of a smile as he watched me walk down the aisle.  I did the whole blusher veil thing, so I was looking at him with some fancy tulle in front of my face.

My dad gave me away and our Matrimonial Mass began.

I remember our first prayer as husband in wife.  It was right after we received Holy Communion.  We held hands and we prayed.

I remember our embarrassing first kiss and so incredibly grateful our photographer capturer our kiss!  It was so quick because I was so petrified to kiss him in front of everyone.  I hate PDA!  But, there is a set of five or so images that capture this embarrassing moment.... And then that one perfect photo of us kissing and my maid of honor, Sharelle, smiling from ear-to-ear as she watched on.

The pictures afterward?  Embarrassing and time went to quickly.  I hate that we didn't get some amazing formal shots of us together.  But, we went to the reception.  And we had fun.

We left the reception feeling so incredibly blessed by the amount of love and support surrounding us on our "big" day.  We were pretty over the moon, you know? Back at the hotel, family and friends joined us for an after party.  Some amazing memories with great people.  We drank, laughed, ordered pizza, and smoked cigars. 

Whenever I drive past that hotel, I feel happy.  For that hotel hosted us the weekend we became man and wife.

Today.

My heart is filled with my love for you.

My best friend, my biggest supporter.

The smartest and most generous man that I know.

You lead our family so well and

I am forever blessed to have you in my life.

Thank you for all that you do for us.

Happy anniversary!

Cheers to another eighty plus.

Wedding recaps:

A Glimpse // The Ceremony // Formals

Details // The Reception // The Dress

For wedding planning tips and ideas

read the following labels: 

Our Wedding // Wedding Planning //Wedding Wednesday

WW: Our DIY Save the Dates

Here's the original post.

WW: Our DIY Save the Dates

Here's the original post.

WW: By The Numbers

WW: By The Numbers

WW: Our Centerpieces

We played quite the dance trying to figure out the centerpieces.  D had plenty of opinions.  He loved the traditional centerpieces with flowers, water, and candles:

(source)

(source)

I, however, just wasn't envisioning these centerpieces.  They are gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but I just didn't want them.  I mean, I liked mason jars as containers way before it was popular.  I liked our theme: homemade, garden, vintage.

After several back-and-forth prototypes, we agreed on having three components: (1) wooden crates with flowers (some fake and some real), a frame, and candles.  

Cost per table = $23.7

Breakdown:

$1 x 8 = Antique looking 4x6 frames purchased at the dollar store.

~$3 per crate = at Michaels

~$8 / 8 tables = brown spray paint at Michaels.

~$5 / 8 = for a set of 12 planters purchased in the wedding section at Michaels (but you can make these really easily, and I'll kind of show you in another post).

$12 / 8= at Walmart for the styrofoam things to hold flowers.

~$12 worth of flowers (both real and fake) per table.

$0.69 x 3 per table= at Walmart for the votives to hold the candles.

~$2.5 worth of candles per table (3 per table).

We named each of the tables after major landmarks in our places of birth (Georgia, USA for me and Zimbabwe, Africa for Duncan).  We had eight tables for guests so it worked out beautifully that we both were to name four names each.

Zimbabwe: Mana Pools, Nyanga National Park, Victoria Falls (a wonder of the world), Lake Kariba.

Georgia: Stone Mountain, Radium Springs, Providence Canyon (Little Grand Canyon), Okefenokee Swamp.

I typed up little fact sheets on each of the eight places to put in the frames and then sat all the foreigners at Georgia landmarks and sat on the Georgians at Zimbabwe landmarks.  It worked out pretty well, actually!

When the reception was ending, my mom told people to take home the centerpieces.  Fortunately, not all of them were taken so I can repurpose them.  Also, I got back all the picture frames and the candles and votives to also repurpose.  

WW: Our Centerpieces

We played quite the dance trying to figure out the centerpieces.  D had plenty of opinions.  He loved the traditional centerpieces with flowers, water, and candles:

(source)

(source)

I, however, just wasn't envisioning these centerpieces.  They are gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but I just didn't want them.  I mean, I liked mason jars as containers way before it was popular.  I liked our theme: homemade, garden, vintage.

After several back-and-forth prototypes, we agreed on having three components: (1) wooden crates with flowers (some fake and some real), a frame, and candles.  

Cost per table = $23.7

Breakdown:

$1 x 8 = Antique looking 4x6 frames purchased at the dollar store.

~$3 per crate = at Michaels

~$8 / 8 tables = brown spray paint at Michaels.

~$5 / 8 = for a set of 12 planters purchased in the wedding section at Michaels (but you can make these really easily, and I'll kind of show you in another post).

$12 / 8= at Walmart for the styrofoam things to hold flowers.

~$12 worth of flowers (both real and fake) per table.

$0.69 x 3 per table= at Walmart for the votives to hold the candles.

~$2.5 worth of candles per table (3 per table).

We named each of the tables after major landmarks in our places of birth (Georgia, USA for me and Zimbabwe, Africa for Duncan).  We had eight tables for guests so it worked out beautifully that we both were to name four names each.

Zimbabwe: Mana Pools, Nyanga National Park, Victoria Falls (a wonder of the world), Lake Kariba.

Georgia: Stone Mountain, Radium Springs, Providence Canyon (Little Grand Canyon), Okefenokee Swamp.

I typed up little fact sheets on each of the eight places to put in the frames and then sat all the foreigners at Georgia landmarks and sat on the Georgians at Zimbabwe landmarks.  It worked out pretty well, actually!

When the reception was ending, my mom told people to take home the centerpieces.  Fortunately, not all of them were taken so I can repurpose them.  Also, I got back all the picture frames and the candles and votives to also repurpose.  

WW: Big Black Book

Bridal Bouquet: Best Little Flower Shop in Roswell

I knew what I wanted for the bridesmaids far in advance.  It was now about figuring out my bouquet.  I already knew what flowers I wanted: peonies.  My only concern was that they would be out of season. Some florists said they couldn't get peonies and I should have a back up.  BLFS in Roswell made some calls, and said "it's no problem!"  Yay!  I was going to have my beautiful white peonies!  I paid a little extra for a delivery charge so I wouldn't have to worry about it that day.  They delivered at the hair salon, and even included a nice vase!  I loved my bouquet so much!!!!

Bridesmaid Bouquets

Michael's had this one fake flower in stock that was unlike all the rest.  I have no idea what to call this flower or what the material is, because everyone commented on how real they looked and how real they felt.  I want to say they were waxy?  But you couldn't see the threads or anything!  It was unreal!  So, I picked up 16 of the flowers (in which I had to go to two stores), put burlap around them, and then cut off the stems.  They turned out so great!  I know my maid of honor wanted to keep them, so I am so happy they worked out so well!  I definitely saved a lot of money here, too!

Catering: A Dish in a Dash 

People kept commenting on (A) the chicken, (B) the cupcakes (especially the chocolate one, that I never got to try -- I liked the Red Velvet because it wasn't cream cheese icing!), and (C) just everything.  We had passed hor d'oeurves during the cocktail hour, a salad was ready at everyone's seats, and then a buffet with honey pecan crusted chicken, london broil with pearl onions, vegetables (which were good), new potatoes (I love my potatoes), and then for dessert we had our wedding cake plus four different cupcakes for everyone: a basic vanilla, Hershey's chocolate, red velvet, and carrot cake.  Mmm...

Flowers: Sams Club & Michael's

I love flowers, hence why we went with a garden theme.  They are just wonderful decorations for any occasion.  But, I did not want to spend a lot of money on flowers.  So, I got maybe $50 worth of fake flowers and greenery from Michaels, picked up a few sticks on a walk with Shelby one day, and then spent about $150 at Sam's Club getting sunflowers, gerbera daisies, and carnations in our wedding flowers.  It was awesome.

Photography: Jeffrey Franks Photography

People loved Jeff and his crew (Dana and Noelle).  He was so personable, and they just really seemed like they were having fun with us.  Whenever they took a picture at the reception, he made sure to set up the shot well, and when he showed us, it was just beautiful.  Duncan and I met him last year, and we loved Jeff and his wife.  He did our engagement pictures, and we've never been disappointed.  Jeff really tries to make sure we are happy.  Now, I just can't wait to see the pictures!

Videography: Lifescape Images

I found Monique and her husband through our Parish, and they were just so wonderful from the start.  I have no doubts about our wedding video and they were just so great to work with!  They have so many different package options, too! 

Wedding Planner: Unique Favors & Events

Zephanie was with us for way longer than the day-of coordinating I was looking for.  She helped us organize the timeline, made sure all the vendors were good, helped set up the decorations, and was really just a positive spirit.  It was so great knowing she was there to handle things!

WW: Big Black Book

Bridal Bouquet: Best Little Flower Shop in Roswell

I knew what I wanted for the bridesmaids far in advance.  It was now about figuring out my bouquet.  I already knew what flowers I wanted: peonies.  My only concern was that they would be out of season. Some florists said they couldn't get peonies and I should have a back up.  BLFS in Roswell made some calls, and said "it's no problem!"  Yay!  I was going to have my beautiful white peonies!  I paid a little extra for a delivery charge so I wouldn't have to worry about it that day.  They delivered at the hair salon, and even included a nice vase!  I loved my bouquet so much!!!!

Bridesmaid Bouquets

Michael's had this one fake flower in stock that was unlike all the rest.  I have no idea what to call this flower or what the material is, because everyone commented on how real they looked and how real they felt.  I want to say they were waxy?  But you couldn't see the threads or anything!  It was unreal!  So, I picked up 16 of the flowers (in which I had to go to two stores), put burlap around them, and then cut off the stems.  They turned out so great!  I know my maid of honor wanted to keep them, so I am so happy they worked out so well!  I definitely saved a lot of money here, too!

Catering: A Dish in a Dash 

People kept commenting on (A) the chicken, (B) the cupcakes (especially the chocolate one, that I never got to try -- I liked the Red Velvet because it wasn't cream cheese icing!), and (C) just everything.  We had passed hor d'oeurves during the cocktail hour, a salad was ready at everyone's seats, and then a buffet with honey pecan crusted chicken, london broil with pearl onions, vegetables (which were good), new potatoes (I love my potatoes), and then for dessert we had our wedding cake plus four different cupcakes for everyone: a basic vanilla, Hershey's chocolate, red velvet, and carrot cake.  Mmm...

Flowers: Sams Club & Michael's

I love flowers, hence why we went with a garden theme.  They are just wonderful decorations for any occasion.  But, I did not want to spend a lot of money on flowers.  So, I got maybe $50 worth of fake flowers and greenery from Michaels, picked up a few sticks on a walk with Shelby one day, and then spent about $150 at Sam's Club getting sunflowers, gerbera daisies, and carnations in our wedding flowers.  It was awesome.

Photography: Jeffrey Franks Photography

People loved Jeff and his crew (Dana and Noelle).  He was so personable, and they just really seemed like they were having fun with us.  Whenever they took a picture at the reception, he made sure to set up the shot well, and when he showed us, it was just beautiful.  Duncan and I met him last year, and we loved Jeff and his wife.  He did our engagement pictures, and we've never been disappointed.  Jeff really tries to make sure we are happy.  Now, I just can't wait to see the pictures!

Videography: Lifescape Images

I found Monique and her husband through our Parish, and they were just so wonderful from the start.  I have no doubts about our wedding video and they were just so great to work with!  They have so many different package options, too! 

Wedding Planner: Unique Favors & Events

Zephanie was with us for way longer than the day-of coordinating I was looking for.  She helped us organize the timeline, made sure all the vendors were good, helped set up the decorations, and was really just a positive spirit.  It was so great knowing she was there to handle things!

WW: Recap of The Dress

WW: Recap of The Dress

WW: Recap of the Reception

WW: Recap of the Reception

WW: Recap of the Details

WW: Recap of the Details