Things are a movin' and a shakin' now!

It's amazing how fast time is going by now. I mean, it's been going by quickly but for some reason, time has kicked it into high gear. We are almost close enough to say we are getting married next month! Nuts. I can't believe I am so close to this big day that I have thought about for so long and that I am so close to finally being Mrs. Stilts. It feels weird saying it too. I am sad about saying good bye to my maiden name but I plan on keeping it and dropping my middle name. Sorry, "Samantha" it's been nice having you a part of my name but as we've grown we have run out of room for ya!
So Monday night I had my first actual "fitting" appointment at the bridal salon (shout out again to Faccio- you guys are AWESOME!!) I met with the alterations woman and first of all, she rocks. Anyone that calls me gorgeous repeatedly, I am a huge fan of. My dress still fits me really well considering we just got through with the holidays. I can't believe I haven't gained weight! I mean, I'm pumped about it but I was a little nervous that it would be a little snug. My alterations woman, Faye, told me that it was the "nature of the beast" and that I would definitely lose more weight before the wedding. Mostly because of the high stress I will be in the closer we get. Nice. I mean, I'm on board with losing weight but the stress part, not so much. I am feeling pretty good at this point except I know I will feel better once the invitation are out. We still have some time before we send them out but I know once they go out, there's no going back (HA HA) and we can actually start working on the seating charts and all that jazz.
Last night Mr. Stilts, my Mom and I had our tasting. It went really well. Our florist made a mock up of what our tables will look like and we were really impressed. I feel like I am being way too happy with everything! I know that sounds crazy but people keep talking about how I can make changes and blah blah blah but so far I have really liked everything and I honestly don't know what I would change. So I guess that's good but since people keep telling me I can change things, I feel like I should change something. Anyway, the tasting went really well. We thought the food was delicious and looked gorgeous and I feel like they are going to capture my "vision" for the cake perfectly. Mr. Stilts is going for a grooms cake shaped like the "Power T" from the University of Tennessee Vols. Shocking. My cake is going to be four tiers with white buttercream cake with a strawberry creme filing (it was AWESOME AND DELICIOUS) with a white chocolate buttercream icing decorated with fresh flowers and a blue ribbon on every layer. I can't wait to see what it looks like completed mostly because I haven't seen the cake I want, I just took parts of multiple cakes that I liked and made it my own. Mr. Stilts' is going to be white cake with a "UT ORANGE" icing. Nice.
So, I have my make up trial and some of the bridesmaids are getting fitted for their dresses this weekend so it will be a busy weekend but a fun one. I am excited about all the fun things coming up and I am getting nervous that I am going to get stressed out. I know that sounds funny but I am REALLY trying to just sit back and enjoy this whole process because I know I will only get it once.
I am going to try and post more and more often the closer we get (I know, that sounds possible) because I really want to be able to look back later on and reminisce about this period of my life as the future Mrs. Stilts.

66 DAYS AND COUNTING!!

I can't believe that it's getting so close! Now I am seeing what it's really like to be a bride-to-be! I feel like every weekend is spent going somewhere or doing something that it wedding related. It's a lot but I am loving every second! This is the only time in my life I will get to do this stuff so I am trying to relish every moment because I know soon, it will all be over. I can't believe how fast 2009 went by. Mr. Stilts and I have been engaged for over a year and it still feels like he only proposed last week. As far as progress goes, we went to Men's Warehouse the other day and picked out the tuxes. I was so excited that we were able to find almost exact matches to both the matron of honor's dress and the bridesmaids dresses. Mr. Stilts' Dad AKA the best man will be in a black tux with a royal blue vest and tie and the rest of the groomsmen will have an ocean blue vest and tie. I can't believe we were able to find such close matches! As far as my Dad and Step Father, they will have ivory vests and ties and Mr. Stilts himself will be in all black. Once we finished at the tux shop we went to the jeweler and Mr. Stilts picked out his wedding band. It's simple and beautiful. I plan on going to purchase it probably next month. I am going to need enough time to have something engraved on it.
In the upcoming weekends I have quite a bit of things coming up. First, I have my first dress fitting on Monday and then Tuesday is our tasting at the reception location. I am really excited because at this tasting our florist is going to do a mock up of what our tables are going to look like. I am SO excited about seeing what they are going to look like on our wedding day! Plus, it will be an opportunity for us to make any changes. I am also going to be going with some of my bridesmaids for their fittings next weekend and the weekend after that. Then Sunday, the 25th I have my make up trial for the wedding. Seriously- SO MUCH STUFF! It's all fun stuff though!!
Oh and Mr. Stilts and I met with our minister who is going to marry us and have started our counseling. It was nice to be able to go over how we want the ceremony to go and we are so confident that it's going to be so wonderful. We both really love that the person who is going to marry us is someone who knows us well and loves us.
There are so many exciting things going on right now and I know it's just going to get more hectic and more fun! I might be coming back in a few days or weeks totally going against everything I have said about it being fun but right now I am going to live it up and enjoy it while I can! I know I am going to look back on this and wish time had gone by slower and I know I am really looking forward to starting this new chapter in our lives. Being a friend, a companion, a wife and eventually a mother. Life is good.

Happy New Year!! Now let's get to work

I know it has been a LONG time once again since I have posted but this time I really do have a good excuse. The HOLIDAYS. And a crazy one it has been, as usual. Now that they are over, it's time to really get moving when it comes to wedding activities. First, the bridesmaid dresses are in so we have to get my ladies fitted so we can check that off our list. My sister, while she was in town got fitted for hers and so we can check her off the list. They look fantastic and I can't wait to see all my girls in them. I am attaching the picture of my sister wearing hers (as the Matron of Honor) and then the the other dress that the rest of the bridesmaids will wear:

Imagine them without the straps. I think they turned out even more beautiful than I imagined. Mr. Stilts and I are also in the process of getting some of our vendors paid off so we won't have a ton of money to pay put all at once. We are also working on the music for our ceremony and reception. Plus, we have to work on sending out the invites. I am going to be working with my sister on these and if they are anything close to our save the dates- then they are going to equal AWESOME.

Also, we have to get a groomsmen to get measured for their tuxes. I can't wait to see Mr. Stilts in his tux! He is going to look so handsome! I keep thinking about all the things that we have to start doing now that 2010 has come. I can't believe it's going to be here in 76 days!! That is so nuts to me. I feel like we went from over a year to now in NO time. I have to start getting fitted for my dress, we have to work on the invitations, the seating charts, etc. Geez!! My head is spinning JUST a little bit. I am starting to get a little nervous and anxious but at the same time SO excited. I am ready for March 20 to be here but again we have so much left to do maybe not so much ready for the actual day.

I will be posting much more as we start this journey towards the end of the "wedding planning" part of my life and I am so ready for the next part in our lives..as Mr and MRS Stilts. :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

So today is Thanksgiving AKA "blow your wedding diet day". But I say a big fat OH WELL to that because it is the one day of the year which I "try" to not think one second about how many calories something has in it or how big my portion SHOULD be. I can go back to obsessing over all of that tomorrow. Today is my day off and I LOVED it. Usually Mr. Stilts and I have three Thanksgiving feasts to go to- My Mom's house, his parent's house and then my Dad's house. Usually by the end of the day, we are both stupid from our food comas and completely worn out. This year my Dad and my step-mom went to New York to visit one of my step sisters and her husband. So, while it was really sad to spend the first Thanksgiving ever in my 28 years of life without my Father, it was definitely less hectic and most importantly- LESS FOOD. All in all it was a good day, I enjoyed helping my Mom prepare Thanksgiving dinner and spending time with my family and with Mr. Stilts' family. We always have such a great time.
So as far as wedding planning goes, we have done a few things. First, I talked with the MAC make up guy who is going to be doing my make up as well as my Mom's and Sisters. We decided that sometime in January, once he gets his schedule, we are going to set up my make up trial to see just how gorgeous he can make me on our wedding day. I mean, I know it won't take much..... ;-)
As I mentioned in my last post, my super awesome and extremely talented best friend, Mrs. Ski and her "assistant" husband (HA HA) came down a couple of weeks ago and she took some more engagement pictures of Mr. Stilts and I. We went to a local park by our house and she got some FANTASTIC shots. It was really nice to be able to hang out and to get some incredible pictures taken. I think since it was so informal, Mr. Stilts and I were just relaxed the whole time and basically just had a lot of fun. Now I just can't wait to see them (both the pictures and Mr. & Mrs. Ski)

That is one thing about Mrs. Ski and I. We have been good friends for such a long time and have gone through a lot of things together. Things no one else could ever understand. I feel like friends like that should be cherished and I appreciate knowing that while she is now living semi far away (boo), she is always just a phone call away. Friends like her don't come around very often and coming from a girl (me) who was never good at making friends with other girls, I truly feel blessed to have her in my life. I love my Mimi!!!

Mr. Stilts and I had our very first wedding shower last weekend. Some of our best friend's parents threw it for us at their house. We had a really fantastic turn out and got to hang out with some of great friends and family. Also, we were fortunate enough to get some awesome things that we had registered for. I am new to this whole thing with registering and it's kind of weird to think, "I really like that" and then BAM! Someone buys it for you. It's fun. :-)
Mr. Stilts and I are doing some redecorating and it's fun to see the vision for which we want in our house coming true. I have never been much of a decorating kind of person but I must say that I am totally getting into it now. I mean, like I am laying in bed thinking about which towels would match the shower curtain and the types of clothes hamper I want for our bedroom. Random yet totally cool. So we had a great shower and I thought it was fun for us to have a shower that was for the both of us since I know there are some other showers being planned for just me. I know that "bridal showers" are typically only for the brides but it's nice to be able to share that with Mr. Stilts. But I'm over it and ready for the rest to be all about ME. HA HA HA HA. I can't even write that without laughing.
So more blogging to come as we hit the 4 month mark around Christmas. Nuts. I also can't believe that it's almost been a year since Mr. Stilts proposed. I can't believe it's been a year and that in a little under 5 months from now, I will be his wife. I'm so excited about what the future holds.

Still slacking...

So, I told myself that I would make it a point to be better about posting more often. Wow-I have done such a crappy job at that! Things have been moving along quite nicely though as far as the wedding goes. We got out our Save the Dates and so now it's really OFFICIAL! My sister did a beautiful job on them and I am still so grateful that she is doing them for us. The design is gorgeous and I cant wait to see how the invites and everything turn out. Also we are having our first wedding shower on November 21. The parents of one of our groomsmen are throwing it for us. So, since we hadn't registered anywhere yet, we had to run out and get that process started. We registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond and have added a bunch of awesome things. I am really excited and grateful that they are throwing this for us. I am still getting used to being the center of attention. It's all kind of weird to have a party thrown for you but it's so nice! We ALSO, (and this one is a biggie) FINALLY figured out and booked our honeymoon! We are going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and staying at the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana resort. We are going the Monday after our wedding and staying for 7 whole nights. I am SO thrilled and can't wait to go. It's an all inclusive resort and we have an ocean front suite with a jacuzzi on the balcony! Here's a picture of our balcony-






How AWESOME is that?!?!?!?!? So excited! Plus, Mr. Stilts was the one who actually found the place and when we asked our travel agent, she told us how beautiful Punta Cana is so we were sold. We got a great deal and I honestly can't wait to go and just RELAX in the beautiful sun! I have been wanting to go back to the beach just because I used to go every year and I haven't been in about 5 years. I can't wait to smell the air down there. I LOVE the smell of the beach. Plus, it will be so nice to be able to get away for a whole week with Mr. Stilts just the two of us.


So, things have started moving right along as we hit the 5 month mark. I am a lot of nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time. There are so many emotions that I have running through me and I know it's just going to get worse the closer we get. I can't believe we have already almost at 5 months away! This year has just flown by. Way faster than I am comfortable with. :-) At least Mr. Stilts and I aren't procrastinators.


We had our engagement pictures done by our fabulous photographer on October 25. They turned out great and I will post some of those once I get them. I can post this one for now that I L-O-V-E! YAY EMILY!!! :-)




I can't wait to get them all back. There are some really awesome ones! Plus, my best friend, (as some of you know as Mrs. Ski) is going to be taking some pictures of us too this weekend. She is starting to branch out on her own as a photographer so she is doing some shots of us for her website and for our pleasure! :-) I am SO happy that not only do we get to hang out but I also get my picture taken by the one person that made me LOVE it! I used to hate myself in pictures but Mrs. Ski made me a believer that I too, can take a pretty picture. These are going to be very informal and A LOT of fun! We have already brainstormed on some awesome ideas. So, in closing, things are going right along at a good pace I feel. In 5 months from now, I might be pulling my hair out but when it comes down to it, I couldn't be happier.
What an exciting, awesome, nerve wrecking, anxiety-ridden time in my life. I wouldn't want it any other way. :-)

Such a slacker! (at blogging....)

So I know, I know....it has been a LONG time since I have blogged. At first, it was because nothing was really going on. But recently, A LOT has started to happen. First, MY DRESS CAME IN!!! WOO HOO!!!! :-) It's so pretty and I love it even more than I did when I first picked it out. I went to the bridal shop (shout out again to the wonderful ladies at Faccio- they ROCK) on Monday and tried it on. I loved it and I loved it even more because it was a little big on me. That made me feel good but I still can't go overboard with it. I want to still be able to fit into it come January when we start the alterations. Another awesome thing is

that last Sunday, all my bridesmaids met me at the bridal shop in Murfreesboro to get measured for their dresses. They were all able to come(with the exception of my matron of honor/sister but like I told her, I GUESS it was OK since she lives in another state and all) No, she's off the hook since we already had her measurements from the last time she was in town. The lady at the bridal shop is so super sweet and opened up her store on a Sunday when she is supposed to be closed just for us and she is doing all the alterations for my girls for FREE which I have never heard of. Just amazing and I am so happy with everything so far. I was so happy that all my girls could come and get to meet each other and I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.

I met with our wedding planner last week as well and sort of caught her up on everything. I as sort of overwhelmed with everything that was thrown at me and I guess I didn't realize exactly how much was left to do. I mean, I know we still have a lot but I didn't know we had to start doing a lot of it NOW. Like I need to get my make up trial run soon so I can be sure to lock in my date with the make up artist. So I am planning on getting that on the books very soon. Even though, our wedding planner suggested that I get the hair and the make up trial run done on the same day but that's going to be pretty impossible considering the make up guy is in Green Hills and may hair stylist is in Mt. Juliet. I could do it on a Saturday but I would have to pay a lot extra for the make up guy to get a private room and I am not sure I can swing that. I need to ask the planner about that again. Also, I was finally able to send off the list of addresses to my sister for the save the dates. I am so excited about getting them out and letting everyone know that it's officially official- Wes and I are getting married. I am so excited about some of the fun stuff that is to come.
Speaking of fun stuff, we have our engagement pictures coming up next weekend and I am really looking forward to that. I don't know how excited Mr. Stilts is about it but I am really pumped. I have never really had any professional pictures taken of me before. I am also looking forward to Mr. Stilts having to act like he likes me in PUBLIC. HA HA
I will post some as soon as we get them back. For now though, I would like to post a picture of the reception dresses for my bridesmaids. I was thinking about alternating between the two for each one. Love them!! Again, bridesmaids- YOU'RE WELCOME! ;-)

So beautiful.........Tear.....

Now it's time to get serious

I first want to say that I am so in love with our photographer for the wedding. Her name is Emily and she just rocks. She hasn't even taken any pictures of Wes and I yet but I am so excited to see what they will look like once we do. I spoke with her this week and we have set a date for our engagement pictures. Sunday, October 25 is the D-Day. We haven't really decided on the location(s) yet but that will come later. We have some time to bounce ideas off of each other and decide. I really like the idea of random places that you wouldn't think would be cool that end up making an amazing photograph. Some other FABULOUS news is that my BFF, whom many of you know as Mrs. Ski is going to be doing Wes and I a wonderful, incredible favor by taking some "pre-engagment pictures" pictures. Mrs. Ski is a fantastic photographer and she has been gracious enough to offer to do this for us. I am very unsure of how we are going to look in our engagement photos. I mean, Mr. Stilts and I have taken many a picture together but engagement pictures are totally different. Mr. Stilts must pretend like he actually likes me (tee hee) and I am just nervous about how they are going to turn out. So Mrs. Ski is going to do some sort of practice for Mr. Stilts and I. She ROCKS.
Plus, she's my BFF and any excuse to hang out with her, I will take in a second!
As far as everything else goes, I'm feeling a little bit of pressure. The bridesmaid dress situation is still not under control and I am nervous about finding a place to get them. My Mom and I are planning on going to check out some of the places really soon. Hopefully I can walk away from that feeling more comfortable. My Mom did find a really great deal for her dress though. The bridal shop where we were going to buy everything from is selling Mom's dress to her WITH all the alterations for a great price. It just works out that the sample they have is in the right color. Granted it's like a size 14 and my Mom is a size 2 but the alteration's woman at this bridal shop is AMAZING so I know she will make it work. It's just working on the bridesmaids and the tuxes. I think the tuxes will be MUCH easier but it's just the uncertainty of it all. Hopefully my Mom and I can go check out some of these places in the next week or so.
Speaking of TIME, we are down to the last couple of weeks before we are going to be sending out the save the dates. My sister is working on them and I am hoping that we will be good to go by the Labor Day. She already sent me an amazing rough draft that Mr. Stilts had some minor changes he wanted to make. Other than that, I think we are right on track. We are asking for lists and addresses from the fams so we can get this ball rolling. First of all, I can't believe that it's almost Labor Day and we are almost to the 7 month mark. We are needing to start the process of registering and getting that together. I am really excited about that. All in all I am feeling pretty good about everything and I am looking forward to starting this next chapter. I am still trying to remember what everyone has told me about really enjoying this process because you never get to have this experience again.