Signed, Sealed, & Delivered

While hitting the three month mark until the wedding, my mom and I were busy assembling the beautiful invitations designed by our dear friend and wedding planner, Taylor, so much was happening. (And we saved so much money having her create the design concept and print them at Kinkos!) It was a relief to be able to cross this off my long list of to-dos.

It has been one of those times in a year when everything seems to happen all at once. I needed to get invitations out, our beloved family cat of 19 years passed away (deeply missing her), I'm in the process of selling my car, there is a zillion things I have to do before moving and the wedding...oh, and, our microwave decides to die! 

So on Monday, with no sub job and record breaking early-May heat, my parents and I decide to take a trip to Bridal Veil, Oregon to mail our specially-made, necessarily-hand-canceled parcel invitations. At first we missed the little pioneer-isk wood shack of a post office (Kenny even commented in seeing pictures later, "...but, that's not really the post office...that's for posterity-sake?" No, that's really the post office!), while driving down the road and I yelled, "That's it!" in time for Dad to turn the car around.

After counting over 80 invitations and choosing our special hand-canceled Bridal Veil stamp, Mom and Dad and I drove another 50 minutes up the Gorge to The Dalles for lunch at one of my favorite pit stops (delicious comfort food and fresh seafood, as well as historical significance). The old Baldwin Saloon.

The saloon is nearly unchanged from the turn of the (20th) century (minus the modern conveniences), except for its top floor now being its main floor (the original saloon is in the basement and is now the kitchen). The Dalles was raised a whole story after the 1894 flood.

As always (when we drive home from The Dalles) we took the scenic route on the Historic Columbia River Highway, which takes us through Corbet and up to Rowena Crest (one of the best views in the Gorge). Every time we drive down this old highway, I can't help but think of the people living here before us and those who viewed the Gorge so much differently than us (prior to dams and modern infrastructure). There is one old home (in Mosier) that I have coveted for years. The last time I drove down the old highway (which has now been a couple of years), the home was for sale and falling to shambles. So it was such a surprise to see the home being refurbished to its original glory. And not only that, but the new owners have also started harvesting grapes (along side the old cherry grove the home stands by) and will be opening their tasting room memorial weekend! (I found the old home online, so if you're interested in reading more and seeing an old photograph of the place, go here.)

Maybe one day Kenny and I will have our dream home (like this one!) along with our Christmas tree farm...

From the old home, we continued to climb up the old highway, up to Rowena Crest where we were delighted to find the wildflowers in bloom against an azure sky and a 2D view (as I always felt large crevasses, like the Grand Canyon, are hard for my mind's eye to fully grasp) of the Gorge.

To close a much needed get-out-of-town-for-the-day trip, we all got Dairy Queen soft serve and headed home to enjoy a cool evening at home (it was 90 in the Gorge!). Now life can resume again...

I can't wait to start receiving RSVPs! As I told Kenny, each little step closer makes it seem more and more official and I get more and more excited for the big day! I can't wait to marry him!
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98 Days & Counting!

I can hardly believe it is May already and we are now in the double digits of our countdown! 98 days until I marry my best friend and teammate. It can't come soon enough!

All of April swept by without even having a moment to sit and update my blog. Things are moving swiftly now, with subbing picking up for me and Kenny working full time and participating in a management program, house hunting, and wedding planning. There has been little time to pause and appreciate the moments of respite, but I believe there will be more time for that soon.

We are right on schedule with our planning. Within the last couple of weeks or so, we have booked our caterer and our day-of coordinator. This week my mother and I took a day to continue hunting for the right MOB dress for her and play with table linens at Barclay Event Rentals. Of course I have to give you all a little sneak peak, because I am just so excited to see it all come together!

Well, two of my favorite spring holidays is coming up tomorrow: Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby (Kenny and I already talked about having a derby party next year when we have our own place—complete with fancy attire, hats, horse gambling, and mint juleps). Any excuse to have a margarita, eat Mexican food, and watch 'majestic' horses run for 60 seconds (is it even that long?).

Salud!

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Attn: Budget Brides—Contests & More

Several contests have come up this week, as well as a great set of wedding groupons that I thought I should share with my fellow budget conscious brides! Let's start with the fun part—contests! I will start by saying, I never win anything! But since starting out on the wedding planning journey, I have won one spa treatment from a bridal show I attended. So I know it is at least possible. If anything, I think we should start with a fun one!

Ann Taylor: Wedding Gowns Pinterest Board

A Pinterest board contest! You heard me correctly, no need to get those Q-tips to clean out your pretty little ears. Ann Taylor and Style Me Pretty are partnering up for this one. All you need to do is create a new inspiration board with a titled theme of your wedding, add at least 8 Ann Taylor products, and pin away. I've already started mine.

Although there have not been any recent giveaways, there is almost always wedding giveaway on Wedding Chicks. They usually update people on Facebook. So be sure to like them!

Secondly, The Knot, is giving away a $1,000 Macy's giftcard, just for registering at Macy's! How awesome is that?! So whether you are already registered with Macy's or not, you should go ahead and sign up for the contest. Oh, I forgot to add, that they are also throwing in a 5 night stay at any of their Now Resorts & Spa.

Macy's Watch & Win Sweepstakes

If you are a groupon/coupon hoarder like me, you have to take advantage of these great wedding deals. There is everything from tanning and desserts to jewelry and honeymoon groupons. Here are a couple of my favorites!

63% off Delphine wedding invitations

$45 for 16x20 Customizable Collage Canvas

If I don't win any of these contests, I hope someone deserving does. So until then...

Happy planning & 'may the odds be ever in your favor.'

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Friday Blogging, Featured, & Hunger Games!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Friday afternoons are often a time when we waste the rest of our work day surfing the web, procrastinating on Facebook, and watching the clock tick slowly by waiting for quitting time.

I have been meaning to post about two blogs that have featured our upcoming nuptials. First off is the lovely blog post written by my bridal party hair accessory creator Buttons n' Blossoms, featuring the lovely flower fascinators she made for my bridesmaids and our flower girl.

Flower girl blossom, et. al. delivered safe & sound!

Also, Oregon Bride Magazine featured our snowy engagement shoot with Jennifer O'Donnell Photography. Kalie Eyman did a beautiful job on this post!

Earlier this month I went antique shopping for a few things we are looking for to help decorate for the wedding. And found this beautiful dresser that I am going to use as a guest book table.

Picked it up at Stars Antique Mall in Portland

Earlier today when I was Pinning Away, I saw this on the Wedding Chicks blog. And I thought, I could definitely do something similar in the small top drawer (what do you call that? lingerie drawer? underwear drawer?) of my dresser.

Shabby Chic Beach Wedding by Katie Neal Photo

Not only is it Friday and I'm ready to start my weekend (and Spring Break), but it is also opening day of The Hunger Games! Last week I finished the first book. It took me forever to get up the motivation to pick up the book (actually decided not to buy it—that's hard with my book obsession—but since everyone and their mom owns it, I decided to borrow it) and see what the hype was all about. I can't lie that it did take me a moment to get into the book. I would read a chapter here and there before bed, and then easily go to sleep. But by chapter 18 I was hooked! I couldn't put it down! I stayed up way too late some nights and even took it to my sub job and read it during lunch and prep time—at least it was a good conversation starter with sixth graders! I am waiting to borrow the second book from someone, but until then I can satisfy my hunger for the movie!



Last night I even had a dream that it turned into a Broadway musical and the singing and dancing was violent, yet beautiful! Sometimes I wonder about my highly detailed film rolled dreams. I think I inherit that from my mother.

...Anyway...here are some great and absolutely dangerous things I found online.

Real or Not Real? Tumblr

Real or Not Real? Tumblr

Real or Not Real? Tumblr

And lastly, since we all know I spend a lot of time on wedding blogs these days, I think this one is necessary and so genius! So if Katniss and Peeta got married in a trendy shabby chic sorta way, I imagine it would look something like this:

A Hunger Games Styled Wedding by Meghan Christine Photography

A Hunger Games Styled Wedding by Meghan Christine Photography

The only thing missing is a sweetheart table in a cave, complete with lamb stew and maybe a berry tart (that is not poisonous mind you!).

Now, let the games begin!

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Instead of Green, I Prefer Pink: Part II, Bridal Shower

On the afternoon of St. Patrick's Day my matron of honor and bridesmaids threw a wonderful pink Bridal Shower for me. The afternoon was filled with games, stories, dessert, and presents (I was completely spoiled, so thank you to all my loved ones!). Side note: Kenny thinks we should renew our vows every year and throw another shower or party so we can get new things every year. He's a funny guy!

Thanks to several cameras at the shower, including my sister-in-law Haley Danielle Photography, my matron of honor Meagan, and my bridesmaid Heather, I was able to compile a great collection. Here are a few of my favorites!

 

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Instead of Green, I Prefer Pink: Part I, Bachelorette Party

Last weekend when many were drinking green beer, wearing emerald hues, and listening to bagpipes; my weekend was being filled with pink cocktails, blush colored frosted cupcakes, and showers of gifts. My best friend and matron of honor, Meagan of Everything Golden, landed in Portland—hailing from Boston, Massachusetts—to throw me a little Bachelorette Party with my bridesmaids, and a very pink Bridal Shower. I am eternally grateful for all her hard work and craftiness, which helped make the weekend a success!

Friday night before the shower, we traveled Downtown to Urban Fondue, which I was completely thrilled about! What is better than a book of every cocktail imaginable, melted cheese and bread, fondued meat, and dessert fondue?! NOTHING!

After our wonderful meal, we returned to the hotel for champagne (prosecco for me) and some lingerie gifts. We filled the rest of the evening with a dirty "Would You Ever? Did You Ever?" bachelorette edition game and America's Funniest Home Video's Wedding Edition. We were even lucky enough to get a private concert with Meagan's wonderfully talented husband. I so wish I had gotten a video of his rendition of Tenacious D's "F*** Her Gently!"

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