We met about 5 years ago while we were both working at Sports Authority and became friends.  That friendship led to a romance and we have been inseparable ever since!  We definitely bring out the best in each other and love to have a good time with friends and family.  And I can’t leave out a huge part of our lives……our dachshund Charley is our baby and I’m still trying to figure out a way to incorporate him into the wedding.

Engagement Story

We got up early one morning and FI suggested we go for a walk in the park.  We happened to live right next to the park where we had our first date and kiss.  We were walking on the trail when all of a sudden he stopped and faced me.  He said, "This is where we had our first date, and where I asked you for our first kiss.....and now I have a bigger question for you."  Then he got down on one knee right there on the trail and asked me to marry him!  It was so sweet and I was completely surprised.  Of course I said YES and here I am on PW!

Finally, here are a few pictures of my engagment ring! 

We ordered our wedding bands and I cannot wait for them to come in!  I ended up getting a gorgeous 1/2 carat double band and his is brushed white gold.  Here are the stock photos:

UPDATE: They had some sizing issues with the ring I picked out so I ended up getting a 1 carat eternity band instead.  It's beautiful and I love it!

I surprised FI by getting some of our pictures in the St. Louis Cardinals stadium.  He was so excited!  Our photographer was Beth Berry and she did a fantastic job!  Here are my favorites!

www.bethberryphotography.com

Chocolate, Ivory/white, shades of green

My inspiration was originally from the one and only Martha Stewart.

The dress is the Maggie Sottero Sterling.  I'm going for a Grecian feel:

HAIR:

MAKEUP:

I want to keep it pretty simple with a slight cat eye like LC's:

Wedding sandals from Aldo:

Deco Earrings and Bracelet from Stella & Dot:

Possible hair comb:

I really want a wrist loop for my bustle:    

UPDATE: The wrist loop is not all it's cracked up to be...lol.  It was heavier than I thought it would be and kind of awkward because I'm so short.  I kept it just in case bu also had them put in snap bustle.

FI's look:

His tan linen suit is by Calvin Klein and we got it on clearance at Men's Wearhouse. He will wear a white button down shirt with it-no tie.

The guys:

Their Calvin Klein linen pants were on sale at Men's Wearhouse and they're going to wear white button down shirts with brown belts.

The Girls

Finally decided on the girls.  I'm letting them pick out their own dresses from J.Crew in chocolate brown.  Here are some of the options.

UPDATE: All of my girls ended up picking the same dress!  It's the Erica dress, below.  And they will carry mini white calla lilly bouqets.

All of our instrumental music is from the Vitamin String Quartet.  They have beautiful instrumental versions of a lot of newer songs...even Lady Gaga...lol.  I bought all the songs on Itunes.

Prelude:Yellow-Coldplay Instrumental

            Stolen-Dashboard Confessional Instrumental

            Hallelujah-Jeff Buckley Instrumental

            The Scientist-Coldplay Instrumental

Wedding Party Processional: Falling Slowly-Glen Hansar Instrumental

Bridal Processional: Fix You-Coldplay Instrumental

Recessional: Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole-Somewhere Over The Rainbow

MENU

Salad bar
Crab salad
Tuna salad
Tomato and smoke salmon
Avocado and shrimp salad
Tropical fruit salad
Green salad

Hot Dish
Rice with beans and fried plantain
Chicken breast filed with vegetable served with mango sauce
Sea bass filet with coconut sauce
Mix vegetables with garlic butter
Stuff potatoes with bacon and cheese

Show cooking
Baby back ribs with rum BBQ sauce
Beef kebabs with mushroom and bell peppers

Dessert
Pineapple turnover
Warm apple pie
Chocolate cake

DINNER MUSIC

1. Lucky Man- The Verve
2. Hold My Hand-Hootie and the Blowfish
3. Beautiful Day-U2
4. Crash Into Me-Dave Matthews Band
5. Hook-Blues Traveler
6. Brighter Than Sunshine-Aqualung
7. I'll Be-Edwin Mccain
8. Sweetest Thing-U2
9. Clocks-Coldplay
10. Island in the Sun-Weezer
11. Show Me What I'm Looking For-Carolina Liar
12. Love and Memories-O.A.R.
13. Yellow-Coldplay
14. Love You Madly-Cake
15. Ants Marching-Dave Matthews Band
16. Accidentally In Love-Counting Crows

We originally wanted to have our wedding in Jamaica but after a lot of research we decided that Mexico is a better option.  Jamaica was just going to be too expensive for us and our guests.  I feel like it took ages to find the perfect resort but we did it.  Just booked Dreams Riviera Cancun for October 8th.  It opened in 2009 and is just beautiful, not to mention affordable.  I'm picturing a beach ceremony with a dinner/dancing reception on the pool deck and then continuing the party at the resorts club. 

***If anyone else is doing a DW I highly recommend facebook for wedding info.*** Almost every major resort has a facebook page with wedding discussions and pictures of past weddings.  Here are a few pics of the resort.

Here are some of the *GORGEOUS* weddings that have inspired me.  Hopefully they will inspire some of you too!

PW GIRLS

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/ShellS

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/wildfirej29

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/jessiepilot

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/Tovaqt

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/cayann32

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/jkiss

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/bamaybe

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/Mrs.ABC.to.be

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/starbux

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/Boricua_Bride

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/AnnaBanana

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/kohler44

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/AshleyMego2010

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/Sparkle060509

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/MommyLynda

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/Melly1588

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/labrumwedding

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/LauraSweet

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/GatorBride

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/Adlergray

http://www.projectwedding.com/biography/list/CheekyMar

Others

http://claryphotoblog.com/darkroom/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=Betsy

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2009/04/15/real-weddings-elena-aj/

http://lisahesselphotography.com/blog/?p=714

http://lisahesselphotography.com/blog/?p=738

http://www.younghouselove.com/wedding-album/

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2010/06/17/jamaica-destination-wedding/

http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/10/06/palm-springs-wedding-from-carter-cook-and-the-floral-lab/