Save the date...Magnets?

It seems like the most popular trend in getting the word out about your wedding date is magnets. I have to admit, they are adorable--and a good way to keep the wedding date clear in most people's minds. Since we are having our wedding around the holidays, we want to make sure everyone is aware of the date. For quite some time, I've had the look of my "save the date cards" plastered in my head--it's one I saw a long time ago that I love. It is similar to the photo booth pictures you get taken at the beach--very cute. This past weekend I found them in the same format, but as a magnet! Cute! I can't decide which one I like better....

The Flu Blues

Sorry I didn't keep up on the wedding front last week--we were all in the midst of flu season! Thankfully that has passed and now I can move onto more wedding planning instead of spending most of my time with the porcelain bowl.

Today I called to set up an appointment with Overhills Mansion in Catonsville, MD. Our friends Brian and Brea had there reception there last year and it was beautiful! I wil be meeting with them on Friday, April 4th to discuss some of the options they offer. In the meantime, I am looking anywhere and everywhere for a reception site that holds approximately 200 people. I had no idea what a challenge this would be!

I'm also starting the dress hunt! I've been browsing some sites online to get an idea of what I like for the bridesmaids and so far I have found a few at Ann Taylor that I love.

I am thinking I would like to have each of the bridesmaids in a different style dress, depending on what is flattering on them, but have them all in the same color. The bridesmaids and I will be venturing out on April 5th to try on some dresses to see how they look!

Engagement Pictures/Engagement Party

Engagement Pictures

We asked Jason to take some engagement pictures of Justin and I.  A few months ago, they made an awesome purchase in getting a top-of-the-line digital camera, that seems to take the most amazing pictures....And it does! After church on sunday with it being just a little windy outside, we took a few minutes to pose for the camera. It's hard to capture the excitement we felt on the day of our engagement but with these pictures you can see how much in love we are. This was a fun day, I mean,  how often do you have an excuse to set aside an afternoon completely dedicated to capturing fabulous pictures of each other!  We have another photo shoot planned this weekend at rocks state park if the weather permits.  Down below are just a few of the many pics that were taken. 

The Party

My parents threw Justin and I an engagement party on Saturday, March 15th. We are so grateful that our families have had the opportunities to spend time getting to know one another before the big day. It seems like in today's society, the parents first meeting is on the wedding day! We are both truly blessed with wonderful families who love us and support us and care enough about us to make the effort to get to know each other. Our families are so important to both of us and we treasure the time that we spend with each person.

Location, Location, Location

This past weekend we started the search for our first apartment!! However temporary this may be, we want wherever we stay to feel like home. Finding the right apartment seems like a very daunting task at first but it is very exciting considering this will be our first home together. There are so many factors to take into consideration-location, cost and reputation. We weren't completely wowed by the 1970's kitchen cabinets or the "spacious" living room/dining room, but just knowing that it will be our space to share somehow makes you look past all of the eyebrow raising, "I wonder why they did that" thoughts. Truth be told, I'm sort of spoiled in the decor area of my life, thanks to my fashion conscious mother, who seemed to climb right out of a Southern Living magazine. I'm sure we will find a place that fits us perfectly and our personalities will find a way to shine through. The search is still on!

We have furniture!!!

Furniture

Fortunately we have been blessed with people in our lives that are very giving! Since Justin and I both live at home we feel like we are literally starting from scratch. That may be why the registering process seemed so overwhelming! We have several people who have offered to give us furniture--last night we went to Candace's to check out a few of the options. We are soo grateful to everyone that has offered to help us out!!!

I can't imagine trying to buy all new furniture when we are just starting out--I think that would be so stressful on our small but slowly growing bank account! It's amazing what God will provide when you just trust Him.

Oooh! A productive weekend!!

Just when it was beginning to feel like we weren't getting ANYTHING accomplished--we planned a simple day out and about at the local stores registering. News Flash to Emily--Registering is not simple! Here are some of the comments you would have heard if you passed us in an aisle. "Do we get the toaster with 2 slots or 4 slots?" "But do you really need that many spatulas?!" "What do you do with a baster?" "What's the difference between a food processor and a blender?" "Ten place settings or twelve?" "Do these towels have to match?" "Brushed nickel, stainless steel or black?" "Why are these red wine glasses look like they are the size of my head?" "I have to go to the bathroom again."
I never thought I'd utter the words, "I'm all shopped out." But indeed, we walked out of the stores; tired, sore, delirious and all shopped out. It feels great to know that we have knocked one thing off of our list that seems like it is a million pages long!! Knowing that all of these items we are registering for are going to help to build our life together, makes this time even more exciting!!!
With all of that being said, we think we finished most of our registering!! Yay!!! We are registered at Target, Crate and Barrel and Bed, Bath and Beyond. We still have a few more things to add, but for the most part we are proud of ourselves for knocking that out of the way. One more step closer to being married!

Bridesmaid 101: My A-team

Throughout my life there have been several people playing intricate roles in shaping my life and personality. Choosing my bridesmaids was not a tough choice because these are the people that are my support system. I knew as soon as I got engaged, there was no doubt in my mind about who I would ask!



The Line-up

Rachel Hall
Maid of honor and my sister

I would like to think that it was love at first sister sighting, but i'm not sure if Rachel remembers it that way. I was born about 2 weeks before Rach turned 2, but i'm not sure a sister is what she wanted for her birthday present. Regardless, she's been stuck with me since 1982 and we have been inseperable ever since. Rachel has been there for me through thick and thin and she has held my hand through many tough and exciting situations. Justin and I spend alot of time at Rachel and her husband Ryan's apartment in Havre de Grace, watching movies or playing cards-they have become our closest friends and two of our biggest supporters. It's hard to explain the bond between sisters, those of you who have a sister know exactly what i'm talking about!! Rachel will be standing next to me as I take the next step into marriage and I'm very proud to call her my maid of honor.
"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."


Aimee Friedrich
Bridesmaid and sister

Early on in life Aimee instilled in me the value of finding a good sale. I remember being so excited that she wanted to take me to the mall and go shopping with ME, anytime I had a little bit of money, she was the one who helped me spend it! She always took time out of her schedule to spend with her little sister (by 8 years) and that has impacted our friendship to this day. She has paved the way for me and shown me patience that only an older sister has. She has given me 2 nephews and one niece and that has opened my eyes even more to what an amazing person and mother she is. One day, I hope to live up to the standard that Aimee has set, it will be tough!!!


Sarah Short
Bridesmaid and sister-in-law

It feels funny to say that Sarah is my "sister-in-law" because it seems like she has been in our family forever! I remember clearly the day that Jason brought her home to meet us--I knew right away I liked this girl. The first thing I noticed about her was her style...this girl has cute clothes! Next to that, I saw Jason's smile. Early on, we knew Jason was going to marry Sarah-even though they dated forever! She gives the best advice and I know it comes from her heart. She has been through alot and to see her constantly laughing and having a great time is inspirational to me and truly convicting. She has never felt like an in-law to me, from the day I met Sarah, she became family.


Candace Gischel
Bridesmaid and sister-in-law to be

If it wasn't enough to be blessed with marrying Justin, to top it all off I get to marry into an amazing family. From the beginning of our relationship, Candace has been one of our biggest supporters. She's never had a negative thing to say to me (unless she's keeping it all inside! better not!!!), but that has meant alot to me. She has always welcomed me into there family and made me feel at home. Our friendship has grown over the course of the last year and we are continuing to grow closer each day. She was a big catalyst in our engagement and that day wouldn't have been as special if she had not helped out! Candace has such a huge heart and I can't wait to meet the lucky guy that gets to put a ring on her finger!


Katie Wright
Bridesmaid and friend

We met at Pioneer Clubs in elementary school and re-found each other in college. Katie and I have always been able to pick up right were we left off--I know our friendship will last through our adult years. We've spent many nights out on the town, laughed alot, chased alot of boys and learned alot of lessons, together. Throughout the different phases of our lives, we've grown closer together, whether spending a night out or spending many, many nights cuddled up on the couch watching Matthew McConaughey movies, we always have a good time. I can always count on her to tell me the truth, even when it hurts, and to be a crying shoulder when things go bad. She's seen me through the ups and downs of life and has always stuck by my side. I treasure her frienship and I'm blessed to have her as my friend!


Kristianna Cooper
Bridesmaid and friend

I'll never forget the first day I met Kristianna Cooper. We both worked at Staples as cashiers and I remember she just seemed sad. After talking with her for a little while, she told me her and her boyfriend had just broken up. I said, oh man, me and my boyfriend just broke up too!! It seems like our friendship has always been that way...we seemed to go through alot of the same circumstances together, which made for alot of interesting conversations. =) We've spent alot of late nights laughing and crying together--which has brought us closer than some friends ever become. She is as close to me as family. I've always appreciated Kristianna's openess and honesty--she's always pushed me to become a better person and to keep my expectations high. She is one of the most amazing people I know and I am so thankful that she was placed in my life. There are some people in this world that you just automatically click with, kristianna is one of those people in my life. I always say if she was a man, I would have married her years ago. My life would be so different without Kristianna in it!


Christie Keplinger
Bridesmaid and friend

Christie is the type of friend that you feel like you have been friends with your whole life. We met at church about a year ago and my first impression of her was that she was one of the sweetest people I've ever met. In many of our conversations we find out how similar we are in our personalities and choices. I know it wasn't an accident that she was brought into my life--she has already made such a huge impact on me and I consider her to be my twin. =) She has a way of telling you how it is, without feeling judged. Having so much in common with someone makes it easy to be friends-God knew what he was doing when he sent her into my life. Everyone needs a Christie in there lives and I'm honored to call her my bridesmaid and friend.



So as you can see, I have some pretty amazing people in my life! I can't wait to have these girls up there with me when I take the plunge!!

The BLING!

For those of you who haven't seen it in person yet!! It's the most gorgeous ring! Justin did such an amazing job choosing this ring for me. There is no other ring in the world that would be more perfect for me!

My new best friend

When Rach got married, one of the first things we did was run to Barnes and Noble and scour the wedding books to find a Planner to keep everything organized. Not only do they give you great ideas, but they are a great way to keep organized. Anyone that has ever seen my room knows....i was not blessed with organizational skills. For years my parents have used various methods to try to get me in line, i.e. screaming and yelling, pleading, threatening and nicely asking.

So when Justin and I got engaged, Rach returned the favor. After flipping through about 20 different books, we concluded that this would be my new side kick during this chaotic and exciting time.

The Deal

Hi everyone! I decided to start a wedding blog, to keep everyone in the loop with all of the details! We have been discussing ideas back and forth but have not come up with any permanent decisions as of yet.

We set a tentative date of January 3,2009!!!

Yesterday my mom, dad and I went to look at Goucher Haebler Memorial chapel, and it was gorgeous!

I have a few questions to ask, but I fell in love with this site right away for the ceremony. I'm waiting on a few return phone calls from a few more churches, then hopefully we can narrow down the ceremony site after seeing those sites.
We have a meeting with Valley Mansion this Wednesday night, to discuss the reception costs and ideas.

Last Thursday, we had our first premarital counseling meeting with Don Dove. It went really well and our next one will be in about 6 weeks. We have 5 meetings before our wedding to hash out everything!! =)

We also started a website on the knot!

That's all for now!!