Co-Hosting a Lingerie Shower

Two weeks ago I helped host a bridal shower with a lingerie theme for a friend of mine in my home.  I wanted to share a few pictures I am particularly fond of.  We had a great time playing shower games and drinking chocolate martinis and champagne cocktails.

 I can't take credit for this delicious spread.  Best Friend created most of these dishes including the little tiered wedding cakes out of fudge and red velvet cake balls.

 Best Friend modeling a champagne cocktail in her vintage crystal coupes.

 Gifts for the bride.

 Best Friend and I before playing shower games.  We made bridal taboo our b*tch.

 The bride and her sister giving out the answers to a lingerie shower game.

 Opening gifts....

 some were more scandelous than others.

The whole group modeling our shower favors.

Another Wedding Errand Weekend

So this weekend was absolutely packed with errand after errand.  R surprised me with tickets to see Wicked at the DPAC and we saw an opportunity to meet with a few wedding vendors since we were in the area.

First off - I enjoyed Wicked so much!  I can't believe I hadn't seen it before!  The cast was fantastic and I was really surprised at how great our seats were.

The rest of our Saturday was devoted to our wedding.  We stopped by the hotel that we have blocked for our guests so we could check out the rooms.  I wasn't sure why they asked us to do it but I'm glad to know my family and friends will be staying in such phenomenal suites.  I also researched some salons hoping to book one for the morning  of the wedding but I haven't settled on it yet.  We also met with a florist who is definitely a top contender but I have to meet with one other before I make my decision.  Saturday we had lunch at my top location, Lucky 32 in Cary NC, for my bridal luncheon and decided to book them - the food was delicious and they have a great variety of dishes.  R had the pulled pork on challah and I had a hot ham and havarti sandwich.

This afternoon we had a meeting with a caterer and decided to book him immediately.  He was friendly and professional and the tasting was delicious.  I also was able to meet with the staff that would be working my reception. I'm thrilled with Austin at Cook Shack Catering and I can't wait for everyone to have the meal that I tasted today!

And the last wedding update, my future mother in law has chosen the location for our rehearsal dinner.  I'm excited, I've been to an event at Fearrington before and the location was beautiful and the food was to die for. 

I don't think I have anymore updates right now.  I have to choose a florist and a hair salon and I'll be finished with all the vendor decisions.  We are taking our engagement photos next month and I've been scrambling to get my outfits together - all I have left to do is accessorize them and help R choose his outfits.  I'll post OOTD style when I have everything selected.

Southern Bridal Expo

So this was one of the most eventful weekends so far in my wedding adventures.  On Saturday I met with my MOH and went shopping for my bridesmaids dress.  I think I found it:

 After Six 6609

 The color is Pantone Honeysuckle

And for the guys we are thinking of doing bowties in the paisley print shown from Jos A Bank.

We went out for Sushi and had too many drinks afterwards.  My best friend and her husband are natural entertainers and I enjoyed my evening.  The next morning I met with a potential photographer and absolutely LOVED her.  Stephanie B. Kingston, owner of Kingston Photography is going to be my wedding photographer!!!!  We decided at the meeting that I should do Bridal Portraits in the fall since I didn't get to be a fall bride.  Sunday was also the Southern Bridal Expo in Raleigh and my MOH and fiancee attended with me.  I had the BEST time!  I met so many vendors. 

R and I at the "Classy Transportation" booth.

 Best Friend and I having too much fun with the props for the Shutterbooth.  Doesn't her afro look so natural!

Our next trip to the Triangle is in a few weeks and we have a few more vendor meetings set up so I'll be sure to report back as we move forward with planning.  A good friend of mine gave me a planning book from Barnes and Noble, the Gartner Wedding Planner and I highly suggest it.

 And my shoes came in !!!!  I haven't tried these on with my dress yet but I purchased the Lulu Townsend Valissa sling-back in fuschia and ivory.  I'm not sure which ones I'll want to wear.  But they look adorable and the heel is low enough for dancing.

Hmmm...I wonder how everyone else feels about the new blogger layout.   I don't hate it but I'm certainly not as familiar with it.

When, Where, and a Dress

So in my last post I mentioned we have a venue for our wedding... well we also now have an official date!  Originally I was hoping to be a fall 2012 bride but it really was too much too soon.  Within two weeks we were already overwhelmed and felt like we were "behind" on everything.  I wasn't happy that we had to change it but now I think it is the best decision we have made and we've started enjoying the planning process.  We are still getting married at Shady Wagon Farm in New Hill, North Carolina on...
(drum roll please)

March 23, 2013!  One year from the day he proposed to me.  I'm still sad that the proposal was so shocking that I can't remember everything he said but I think setting our date on March 23rd is a sweet way to acknowledge our engagement.

Oh, and I found my dress.  The third dress I tried on at my first bridal shop.  I'll admit that I already knew what I was looking for.  I love dresses and I know what necklines and shapes look best on me.  Mom and I didn't quite agree, her favorite dress was similar to my junior prom dress in shape and although it was beautiful on me, it just wasn't my style.  She also purchased my headpiece and I found shoes online that I love!  R reads my blog so I can't post any pictures of my wedding day outfit but I can tell you that it's perfect for me!

The Southern Bridal Expo is scheduled for this weekend.  R and I are meeting up with my best friend (and MOH) to check out the vendors and maybe get a few ideas.  We are also going to visit a few bridal shops to look at bridesmaid dresses.  I'm looking for something pink, maybe in a flowy chiffon fabric.  My MOH went last weekend and tried on several dresses so I could get an idea of whats available and one of them was adorable.  I can definitely imagine it alongside my dress.

I don't have anymore wedding updates.  I purchased more Ole Henrikson serum and night cream for my birthday - I love this stuff!  I will also be experimenting with hair masques in the next few months and I'll be sure to post some reviews.  I need a trim so I was going to talk with my stylist about a good hair regimen so it'll be healthy and shiny next Spring. I've been in such a rut using the same products and I can't wait to purchase a few new ones to test out!

Birthday Weekend(s)

Since R put this ring on my finger life has gone from 0 to 60 mph!  We are spending so much quality time with friends and family (and we both celebrated birthdays last week!)  My birthday weekend was weekend before last - we went bowling with friends on Friday, shopped wedding venues on Saturday along with a YUMMY dinner at the melting pot, and had a big family engagement /  birthday party with my family on Sunday. 

This past weekend we celebrated with R's family.  Friday evening we had a delicious steak meal cooked at home and Saturday spent time with friends on the golf course.  On Easter we enjoyed a great meal with R's family.   

On an exciting note we have a wedding venue!  I'm sending in the deposit this week and we are so thrilled to become man and wife here:

Brief Engagement update

So we've been engaged nearly a week and I'm getting overwhelmed with all the questions.  We have started the wedding planning fun.  We have asked our wedding party and have two appointments set up this weekend to look at venues.  We will be attending a bridal expo in April and will hopefully meet a lot of area vendors.  R had no idea of the costs of the different elements of a wedding so I've been doing some research for us to be able to plan our budget efficiently.  I can't wait to share our progress on our blog.

I wanted to share a couple of photos from a trip we took a couple weekends ago to Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks.  We were there for a friend's weddings and enjoyed 4 days relaxing on the island. 

 Our ferry!

 The banks as the ferry pulled in the the bay.

Ocracoke Lighthouse in the distance.

Bathroom at Howards...I thought the Adirondack chair in the corner was a fun touch...that and they have a great selection of beers and I'd worked my way through the list at the point where bathroom pictures seemed like a good idea. 

I have so many more pictures including a great one of R and I standing at the lighthouse.  Those photos are on his camera but I will post them as soon as I learn how to get my precious pictures off his fancy camera.

Exciting News

I'm engaged! 


R proposed on March 23rd (sorry y'all but family needed to find out first!)  We were having a glass of wine on our back porch before starting preparation for a casual barbequed dinner and suddenly he was down on one knee holding a ring in front of me!  I couldn't have been more surprised.  After a trip to a friend's house and many many phone calls we skipped the cooking all together and celebrated our engagement over sushi.  I was in shock so I can't remember all the sweet things he said but I'll never forget the way he looked at me when he asked me to marry him.  He chose a round solitaire for my ring...it looks beautiful and I love the sparkle!   The only picture I have of the ring is on my phone and isn't the best quality but I wanted to share it with my blog friends!