Laundry List

As 2009 is upon us, so is my wedding. I have a laundry list of things I need to take care of before the big day.

1. Buy Wedding Bands
2. Pick a Florist
3. Confirm Rehearsal Dinner Location
4. Plan and Book Honeymoon
5. Register
6. Arrange Musicians for Ceremony
7. and much much more.

Any suggestions as to where we should honeymoon??

Bridesmaid Dress

It's official, the dresses are bought and paid for. I found my bridesmaid dresses at J Crew. I had two styles picked out and let the girls decide on which one they liked best. The color I chose is bright rhubarb. I am excited to have them picked out and purchased. J Crew is the way too go.

The Battle House Hotel

Photo C/O marriot.com

The beautiful Battle House Hotel just might be the site of our rehearsal dinner. If not, it is a great hotel for our guest to stay in. This is what the website has to say about the hotel.

"Originally built in 1852, this downtown Mobile hotel served as a gathering place for high society and a stopover for celebrated American luminaries and statesmen. Located in the city's revitalized downtown, this hotel is situated near the riverfront and Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center. Guest rooms evoke the opulence of gracious Southern living, and provide the reassurance of modern conveniences and technology."

Vases

Who wants to help me scour thrift shops, antique shops, yard sales, etc for really pretty vases and /or containers to use as vases?

Cakes and Cupcakes

I have hired a baker to make my wedding cupcakes and Ben's grooms cake! It is going to be so yummy. Check them out here.

To Do List

1. Book Caterer
2. Find Florist
3. Find Bakery
4. Order Invitations
5. Figure our where to go for Honeymoon ( I think Greece)
6. Book Rehearsal Dinner locale
7. Hire Wedding Planner
8. Find Bridesmaids dresses (this is hard)
10. Confirm Band

And I am sure the list goes on and on and on..................

Wedding Dress

picture c/o my sis Lindsey Lingenfelter.

The dress has been purchased. Delivery date February 25, 2009.

More Cupcakes

photo c/o "Our Labor of Love"

This is absolutely the look I am going for when I think of cupcakes instead of a wedding cake.

Greece?

To Greece

Or not to Greece? That is the question.

Engagement Party

This past weekend was our engagement party. We had an amazing time with our friends and family. Thanks to all of the hosts for giving us the party.

Sadly this is the only picture of Ben and I together all evening. We were both too busy being social butterflies. The girl in the picture is his cousin Julie. Ben and Julie grew up together and are more like brother and sister.

My mother, sister Carolyn and myself.
Ben and his sister Lauren!
My parents. My dad is home from Iraq. I am so happy that he was there to celebrate with us.

Thanks for everything. I love you both SOOOOO MUCH.

Matt

And to continue with my wedding party faces. I present Matt P.

Matt is a new groom. He married a wonderful girl Amy in August. You see, Matt and Amy started dating 2 years after Ben and I and married before us. I must admit I did tell Ben that I better be engaged before Matt and Amy. They discussed and I was engaged 2 weeks prior to Matt.
Matt is one of Ben's funniest friends, a published author, bad with directions, and not just Ben's friend but mine too.
Thanks Matt for being in our wedding!

Pink Carnation

Back on my flower kick again. I like how rich this looks without spending tons of money. Look for pink carnations on my tables!

Good Eats

Images c/o the amazing Our Labor of Love

Expect the likes of grits, shrimp, tomato's, green beans, crab cakes, lemonade, mojitos.. Yum

Lauren

Least I forget my future sister-in-law. Lauren is Ben's younger and only sibling.
Miss Lauren is a junior at the "other" school majoring in fashion retail. She is a former dancer, sorority girl, fashionista, devoted girlfriend and a beautiful sister. I am excited to have another sister in my life.

Matthews

It's Ben # 2 as I like to refer to him. Ben is not only one of Ben's best friends, but mine too. Why wouldn't I be his best friend I do all of his shopping. Ben is an engineer, a smart one at that, a dog lover, a smart ass, a loyal friend, dependable and SINGLE. I always joked with Ben and told him that he would have to stand up at the alter in a tux shirt and skirt so he could represent both a bridesmaid and groomsman. Thanks Ben for being a great friend!

J.D.

To continue with Ben's Groomsmen, today I present John David (J.D.)

J.D. and Ben have just recently become great friends. You see, J.D. went to that "private school" and Ben went to that "public school". They knew each other in high school and hung out on occasions, but it was not until J.D. moved back to Huntsville after finishing Dental School that they became very close friends, and yes J.D. is a Doctor. Ben and J.D. have alot in common. For example both are very passionate about their football teams, love playing golf, both have a laid back personality, and both love their wife and fiance unconditionally.

I am excited to have J.D. and his wonderful wife in our lives.

Jeff

This week I am going to highlight Ben's Groomsmen. I am going to start off with Jeff Maynor

Jeff is one of Ben's best friends that he lived with after college. Jeff and Ben are golf buddies, fantasy football buddies, fantasy golf buddies, basically anything fantasy buddies. He's Ben's buddy buddy..

Boutonniere

Absolutely love the color in this boutonniere. It just pops!

Maid of Honour

Katherine is my maid of honour and my younger sister. Katherine is an awesome artist, fish catcher, girlfriend, cleaner, dog lover, and sister. Like all of my bridesmaids, I am very excited to have Katherine share my wedding day with me. I even more excited to see how she is going to plan parties for me :) Love you sis.

J.Lindsey Lingenfelter

This is my oldest and as she would say wisest sister. Lindsey is a awesome mom of 2 of my most favorite people in the whole world. She is an amazing photographer who I was lucky enough to have her take my engagement pictures (too be posted soon!). I am very thankful to have her in my wedding, but more thankful for her being in my life as my big sister.

Khaki Suits and Pink Ties

picture c/o Tec Petaja Wedding Photography

I picture khaki suits and pink maybe orange or green ties for the groomsmen.

Carolyn Riley Wilson

Carolyn is my older sister that can run laps around me. She is a mother of four beautiful children and a pretty darn good one at that. Carolyn has always been like a second mother to me. Growing up she would always dress me, take me out with she and her friends, let me take her hard earned bagging money, and never got mad at me.

I am so honored to have my most competitive sister be with me on my wedding day!

Alicia "Smish"

Alicia and I met our first week of college. We both lived on the same floor in Toolen Hall. That first week of us meeting Alicia had already given me a nickname "Francis". It has been close to 7 years since she has first given me that name and believe it or not it has stuck.
Alicia is my matron of honour, my best friend, the person I call when I am sad, happy, confused, the first person to know about my engagement, a true friend.
I am so excited to have her in my life and my wedding! I just wish we lived closer :(
Love you!

Candice Atnip

Candice is one of my oldest and best friends. We met in High School and have remained friends since. She is my vegetarian, hiker, yogi, non spider killer, coffee and tea drinker, slow driver, Indin food lover, peace loving friend. I can't wait to have her stand up with me on the big day! Love you!

Stacy Angle Boue

I begin my bridesmaid profiles with Stacy. She and I went to Spring Hill College together.

She just recently got married this spring to George at the beach. I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids. I am very lucky to have Stacy in my life as one of my best friends!

Centerpiece

Ok, I can't promise that I will stop posting flower pictures because there are just way too many arrangements that I am in love with. This is a great one for the table centerpieces.

P.S. tomorrow I am going to start focusing on my bridesmaids. a little bio on each!

Pink Cocktails

This one is for you Smish. Cocktails for the adults. Plus it is my color scheme.

How refreshing.

Songs...

A few songs that I like:


Somewhere Over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Sweet Pea - Amos Lee
Oh Happy Day
She's Everything - Brad Paisley
Ave Maria

I am open to suggestions. Especially songs to use during Mass.

Fresh Lemonade

How refreshing does this look for a May wedding? I'm thinking cocktail hour...

Birds

If I decide to have a wedding cake I might just put one of these cute little birds on top.

Flower Girl Dresses

photo c/o of strasburg children

Carolyn found the flower girl dresses the other day. Absolutely adorable. I cannot wait to see Leighton and Riley walk down the aisle in those dresses!

Photographer

Image c/o Robinson Studio & Design

Well, I booked my photographer today. Check them out http://www.rstudioanddesign.com/ . I am really excited about hiring the Robinson's. Come to find out Jaclyn Robinson is my age and from Huntsville. One thing booked, 5 more things to go.

The Story

The story of us on the road to becoming one began January 25, 2008. My dad was home from Iraq and he and my mom had gone to New Orleans for their (drum roll please) 40th wedding anniversary. Well, after New Orleans they were heading over to Katherine's house for a few days. My older sister was also heading to my sisters house for Mardi Gras. So, Ben and I thought we would head south to hangout with my family for the weekend.

On the drive down Ben said that he thought he would be a great idea if we stopped by Spring Hill College and take a picture of a landmark that way we could have a picture from SHC and Auburn. I was all for going by the campus (have i told you how much I adore my Alma mater??). We stop at Stewartfield house and I got out to take some pictures. Well, it was dusk and my photos were not turning out too great. When I got back in the car I said to Ben "too bad it's dark, I could not get any pictures. I love this house. When I was in school here people would get married here and we would sneak over and watch the reception." He said "lets go look inside, I have never seen it before." So we walk up to the big front porch and I peer in and try the door. I turned around to Ben to tell him the door was locked. That is when he had the "CARD". He gave me the card and told me to read it. Well, this card looked very familiar to me. This was the card that Ben had given me two years prior on our first Valentines Day. So, I start reading what Hallmark had written until Ben said, "no read what I wrote." That is when I noticed that the first letter of every sentence was highlighted. It spelled out JAMIE WILL YOU MARRY ME.

The crazy part is that had written that two years ago, but I never deciphered the hidden message. Of course he got down on one knee and pulled out my gorgeous engagement ring and I said YES!!!

The best part is I got to spend the evening with my family sans Carolyn's clan celebrating my engagement. How perfect!

Photo c/o Lindsey Lingenfelter

The infamous Card.

Green Shoes

How cute is it to wear colored shoes under your wedding dress? I like the green flowers too.

Marriage Advice

I read a lot of wedding blogs. I read a lot of regular blogs too. Basically I am a bloghead. Anyways, on one of the blogs I was reading there was this small intimate wedding held outside. What attracted me to the wedding was the couples vows. They had their friends and family stand up alone or together and share what they have learned in their marriage. My favorite advice was given by this couples aunt. She said
"When you marry, you are very focused on each other, but as you raise children it’s easy to get tired and distracted. After our last child went to college, Johnny wrote that a good marriage is when the children have left and you look at each other and smile and say, “Now I remember why I married you so many years ago.”

I love the fact that they involved their friends and family in their wedding. What a great idea...
So, if you are married you better start thinking of advice :)

Pink Dress

Photo C/O of Martha Stewart

Alright Alicia, I did trick you with the green dresses. If I come across some then they will be an option. Until then I am going with pink dresses close to the color in the above picture. By the way, how adorable is the Carolina Herrera wedding dress.

Veggies and Flowers

Photos courtesy of Epicurious

Ok, one more flower post. I just adore this arrangement. I want to incorporate fruits and vegetables at my wedding.

This is me, this is my fiance Ben

I guess it would only be appropriate to introduce the soon to be wed couple. I jumped the gun a bit when I first introduced the flowers, dresses, etc. This is my wonderful fiance Ben. The love of my life, the keeper of my heart, the man who cooks and cleans for me. Wait did I just say that, I am kidding we share those duties..

Bridesmaid Dresses - Green

I am really digging these green dresses. I need to stop looking because every time I turn around I find something new I like. I was not even planning on incorporating this much green into my wedding..

Bridesmaid Bouquets

What a great idea to have your bridesmaid carry different bouquets. It definitely will allow me to incorporate different colors.

Wedding Flowers

These flowers definitely have the color scheme I want to use.

I am in love with these pink peonies.

St. Joseph Chapel

Photo courtesy of SHC website

Can I tell you how excited I am about getting married at St. Joseph Chapel? I am EXCITED. I love this church. It is absolutely beautiful inside and out. It just got finished with a multi million dollar renovation. In just 10 short months I will be walking down the aisle here.

Stewartfield House

So, I finally got around to creating a wedding blog. I just want a place where I can gather all of my thoughts. Any suggestions will be appreciated! So, to begin things I am posting a picture of where it all started, Spring Hill College's Stewartfield House.