Sometimes you find your true love when you aren't even looking for him!  Cory and I met that way, neither of us was looking for a relationship but something clicked so we went to dinner.  It took us 4 months to call each other BF/GF - we were having so much fun we didn't want to jinx it by making it an official relationship!  Its been just over 5 years now and I didn't know a relationship could be so easy - but its easy because we WORK at it everyday.  I NEVER want to take him for granted because I've had other relationships, and the second you take someone for granted, THAT is when everything falls apart. 

So the engagement is a funny story:

I was helping a friend of mine in PA try to come up with ideas for a small destination wedding.  I came across Disney's Intimate Weddings (for 18 people MAX) and she and I discussed it and ultimately discarded it (her FI's parents are older and not well enough to travel so she's doing a local wedding).  I had mentioned to Cory all the options we were looking at, Disney World, Mexico, Carribean, etc. in passing but I forgot to tell him that a destination wedding was off for her.  Cory ordered the planning DVD from Disney in an attempt to "help" but since I knew that my friend wasn't going anywhere I got the wrong idea and thought it was for US!  I asked Cory, "Are you sure you want to do it this way?"  And surprised he replied, "Sure, if that's how you want to do it!"  So according to Cory, I proposed to him - romantic huh?  LOL  So we started planning, but he insisted that it wasn't official until he got me a ring (I had my dress 3 months before I got the ring!).  He had it custom designed and I've never seen anything so beautiful - I'm trying to get pictures of it because both our moms are out-of-state but I can't seem to get it in focus!  I'll keep trying!

I'm having a blast collecting ideas and I'm looking forward to working w/ my planner who will be assigned to me sometime this month!  I'll post more when I get some pics!

I finally figured out how to change the settings on my camera to take pictures of the ring =)  The center stone is cushion cut, the sides are pears, there are rounds in the band on either side and chips on the front and backside of the band - its beautiful and I love it!

Ring from above

Side of the band

Back of the band

My dress was probably the 20th or 30th I tried on - I lost count after a while ;)

Allure 8517 - Love her!

With the underskirt - which I will definitely be wearing =)

No underskirt in this picture

I found FH attire for the wedding!  Sommerset Cutaway Morning Wear by Chaps Ralph Lauren

I have no idea where this cake is from, I found it browsing the PW photo gallery - please let me know if its yours so I can give you credit!

My shoes!  Mootsie's Tootsies Essential Sandal - got mine at DSW for $35!  http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/catalog/product.jsp?index=6&sort=&category=&prodId=150643&brand=300243

I took a mini-vacation w/ 2 of my BMs and went to the planning session at our DW.  I was pretty sure of what I wanted until two nights before when I saw an episode of Castle on ABC that turned all my ideas upside down!  Here are screen shots from that episode, "A Rose for Everafter" Season 2, Episode 12:

We are doing the eggplant pin-tuck linens and napkins and using the same flower colors and adding white peonies as well.  I can't wait to see it all put together!

When 2 of my BMs and I went to the planning session at our DW, we got to meet the chef who will be in charge of our event.  They set up cooking stations in a ball room and set a table and we had everything prepared right there!  Oh so yummy!

Appetizer - Penne ala Vodka - can you believe the size of this portion???

Vegan appetizer - Roasted Red Pepper and Asparagus Soup

Salad - Ceasar with a sundried tomato infusion - holy cow was this yummy!  They tucked the ends of the lettuce leaves through a hollowed out slice of tomato to make a bouquet!

Vegan Salad - Organic greens with Champagne vinaigrette (no picture)

Entree - Chicken Breast with Blackberry-demi sauce, Filet with citrus mustard sauce, yukon gold smashed potatoes and steamed veggies.  Okay, I am not a fan of mustard sauces, but this one was soooooo good that I can't wait to have it at the wedding!

Vegan Entree - Polenta stack with roasted vegetables (no picture)

Dessert - Wedding Cake:  Bottom layer, Yellow cake, tropical mango filling w/ fresh strawberries; middle layer, chocolate cake, buttercream filling w/ fresh raspberries, top layer to take home - almond cake, amaretto filling (see my inspiration pic).

Individual Vegan chocolate cake w/ vegan chocolate frosting (no picture)

Why all the vegan dishes?  My uncle, who is giving me away and helped to raise me is vegan - makes it harder to eat out together, but I love him and respect his beliefs =)

Here is my jewelry!  I'll get pics of my jewelry with my dress in a couple of weeks - gotta have help from my BMs =)

This is Eisenberg Ice that belonged to my FMIL.  Its costume jewelry from the 60s and I love that I get to wear something that she loved to go out in!

This is what I'm wearing with my gown:

 Keeping it simple so I don't overwhelm the embroidery on my dress

I have another set of Eisenberg Ice that I'm wearing later for our dessert party - I don't have a picture of that dress up yet - I'll have one in a couple of weeks though:

 I love this set - but it was just too much for my gown - it looks great with my other dress though! =D

I just love this!  This is the Seabreeze Point Gazebo at Disney's Boardwalk - its perfect for our small wedding!

  This is me and my MOH - another BM snapped the picture =)

I'll get this page finished soon (I hope)!

We have a 9 year old Lab mix named Loki that I had when we got together 6 years ago - he is the sweetest and a total "mama's boy"  lol

Mora and Danika are our 2-year-old Black Russian Terriers - Cory wanted a dog for AKC competitions, had done a ton of research and this is the breed he wanted.  Mora has finished her AKC Rally titles and Danika earned her first title last month!  Here's a video of Mora's first off-leash trial - we got 3rd place!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02vZeIfCE2k

Danika, me, Loki and Mora

There is one county in FL that will allow you to apply for a marriage license by mail - we opted to do this rather than spend a morning going to the courthouse once we get to Orlando =)

Excuse the terrible picture - we had to set the camera on the stairs and set the timer!  LOL

My final fitting was great I already know the dress fits great - today the underskirt did not want to lay right - I think it was being stuffed in the bag in 90 degree heat all day.

The only things I had done were bra cups put in because I have virtually no chest, and a single loop added for my bustle.

See how the front looks short - stupid underskirt!  LOL

 the seamstress did two options so I could choose two different heights for the point of the bustle this is the higher one - I don't like the way the rest of the skirt on either side bunches so we are going to go with the lower one.

  Here's the lower option on the bustle, the rest of the dress lays better, right? =)  I got it all ruffled because I was moving around - I love my BM that went with me but she is not the best PW photographer ;)

Whew - Here it is - roughly 6 hours of getting ready music - its eclectic!  But my 11yr old niece is a jr bridesmaid so the music had to be kind of appropriate but it needed to not drive me crazy either ;)

What It Takes – Camp Rock

Wannabe – Chicken Little

Don't Go Breaking My Heart - Chicken Little

Rag Doll - Aerosmith

Dude (Looks Like A Lady) – Aerosmith

Crazy – Aerosmith

Happy Working Song – Enchanted

That's How You Know – Enchanted

True Love's Kiss – Enchanted

Almost There – The Princess and the Frog

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing – Ella Enchanted

Crank It Up – Ashley Tisdale

Switch – Ashley Tisdale

Blame It On the Beat – Ashley Tisdale

One Little Slip – Bare Naked Ladies

If I Had $1,000,000 – Bare Naked Ladies

Ch-Check It Out – The Beastie Boys

Naughty Girl – Beyonce

Greatest Day – Bowling for Soup

Almost – Bowling for Soup

1985 – Bowling for Soup

Ohio – Bowling for Soup

Celebrity – Brad Paisley

That's Love – Brad Paisley

Make A Mistake – Brad Paisley

She's In Love – Little Mermaid on Broadway

Everybody – Britney Spears

Circus – Britney Spears

If U Seek Amy – Britney Spears

Rock Me In – Britney Spears

I Don't Want You to Go – Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Ever Ever After – Carrie Underwood

Shake a Tail Feather – Cheetah Girls

Come On Over – Christina Aguilera

Keeps getting' Better – Christina Aguilera

Dirrty – Christina Aguilera

Fallin' for You – Colbie Caillat

Yo Ho! - Pirates of the Caribbean

Goodbye Earl – Dixie Chicks

Once Upon A Dream – Emily Osment

This Kiss – Faith Hill

Holding Out For a Hero – Frou Frou

Let's Get Crazy – Hannah Montana

Let's Do This – Hannah Montana

What's Not to Like – Hannah Montana

What is This Feeling? - Wicked

Defying Gravity – Wicked

Trying to find Atlantis – Jamie O'Neal

Girlfriends Jamie O'Neal

When I Think About Angels – Jamie O'Neal

Fairy Godmother Song – Jennifer Saunders

How Do You Sleep? - Jesse McCartney

Start The Party – Camp Rock

Nothin' To Lose – Josh Gracin

It's Not Just Make Believe – Ella Enchanted

I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry

Hot N Cold – Katy Perry

Tik Tok – Ke$ha

Once In A Lifetime – Keith Urban

If I Can't Have You – Kelly Clarkson

Whyyawannabringmedown – Kelly Clarkson

You Found Me – Kelly Clarkson

Respect – Kelly Clarkson

Cowboy – Kid Rock

Just Dance – Lady Gaga

Suddenly – LeAnn Rimes

What It Feels Like For A Girl – Madonna

4 Minutes – Madonna

Express Yourself – Madonna

Vogue – Madonna

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride – Lilo & Stitch

He Mele No Lilo – Lilo & Stitch

Harder to Breath – Maroon 5

Can't Be Tamed – Miley Cyrus

Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert

Fishin' In the Dark – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Hella Good – No Doubt

According to You – Orianthi

Stupid Girls – Pink

U + Ur Hand – Pink

Get The Party Started – Pink

God Is A DJ – Pink

It's the End of the World As We Know It – REM

Shut Up and Drive – Rihanna

I Want You – Savage Garden

I'm Gonna Getcha Good! - Shania Twain

Turn Me On – SheDaisy

Passenger Seat – SheDaisy

I Will...But – SheDaisy

Before Me And You – SheDaisy

Beyond My Wildest Dreams – Little Mermaid on Broadway

All For You – Sister Hazel

Higher Love – Steve Winwood

Something More – Sugarland

Down In Mississippi – Sugarland

For You I Will – Teddy Geiger

Emotional Girl – Terri Clark

My day was magical, and every time I look at my pros I get the feeling that its all happening for the first time again!