I don't think i've really introduced myself and FI on my bios so here it goes :) 

I'm Michelle (Elle) my fiance's name is Logan. We have been together since April 19th 2009, actually longer i would say very end of Februrary but "facebook official" lol was April. 

I'm 23

Logan is 24

I'm a student will be graduating in May 2012 Yaay with a bachelors of science in Public Relations and minor in mass communication. 

Logan is also a student but right now he is taking time off and paying off all of his loans he will be getting his degree in electrical engineering. 

Our wedding date Is April 19th, 2013 which is our 4 year anniversary of dating. 

Ever since FI found out about pictures of my dress being posted on here he's been snooping so all my bio's are private as long as your active with bios, posts, and photos. I accept all friend requests!

On September 27th I got my email asking if i wanted to join the hostess community! I was so happy smiling ear to ear for hours! Fi was laughing at me.

I am so honored to become a member of such a wonderful group of ladies! I hope to be as inspirational and helpful as all of the ones that have been to me! If any of you ladies have any questions or concerns please feel free to message me.

This is Riley she was born 2-16-10. I came home to my parents house after springbreak in March 2010 to find 3 puppies and a momma dog in our backyard, I was so confused I called my mom and she told me she rescued them from one of her employees house who had them living in a garage 

I knew I had to have one and I called and asked Logan if he was up for having a Black Lab and he agreed. 

At the end of June I come home from a weekend with FI to find out that Rileys sister had passed away and they didn't know why. I noticed Riley was starting to act sick so I took her to the vet immediately the vet ran tests and told me that Riley had parvo and we were really lucky to catch it as fast as we did. So all she had was a bunch of pills and and a fluid injected into her back She looked like a little camel. 

She's a very lucky happy healthy dog now. 

Our wedding photographer was having a contest on facebook where if you shared a photo each day for a week you got you name entered into a raffle each time to win a free portrait session with digital rights to 25 photos. Logan and I were both entering everyday and so was my MOH, a good friend from work, and my mom. Well my mom won! She gifted the session to us to use to our already scheduled Engagement Session. That saved us $250 that we were going to spend on a smaller package and we ended up winning a $400 package I originally wanted but couldn't afford.

If there are any Missouri Brides looking at this if you haven't booked your photographer yet I highly suggest D Coleman Photography.

10-12 Months Before

• Introduce both families and officially announce your engagement.
• Find out who pays for what and start a budget.
• Create a guest list.
• Compare calendars and select a tentative date.
• Choose your wedding party.
• Create a wedding website to share your engagement.
• Start looking photos of wedding dresses for inspiration.
• Begin thinking about where you want to honeymoon.
• Visit and book your reception site, and arrange for parking.
• Visit and book your ceremony location, including rehearsal time.
• Create a save-the-date guest list.            

6- 9 Months Before

• Alert out-of-town guests of wedding date.
• Find a bridal salon and begin trying on wedding dresses and veils. Bring stockings, heels, a strapless bra, and a hair clip to each appointment.
• Get ideas for honeymoon locations and research pricing.
• Start looking at floral designs and interview florists for style and cost.
• Search for menu ideas and start meeting with caterers.
• Research wedding photography and interview wedding photographers/videographers.
• Get ideas for music and interview bands/DJs.
• Finalize flower and décor ideas, and select a florist. Include specifics of each floral arrangement in your contract.
• Sign a caterer.
• Order your gown and wedding veil.
• Shop for and select the perfect bridesmaid dress.
• Finalize contracts with your wedding photographer and videographer.
• Browse and purchase wedding dress accessories, including shoes, lingerie, purse, and gloves.
• Choose your officiant and discuss ceremony ideas.
• Start thinking about all of your gift registry options.

4 - 5 Months Before

• View wedding invitation styles and research proper wording.
• Look at photos to get ideas for wedding cake designs, and meet with bakers to taste samples.
• Discuss menu ideas with your catering manager.
• Shop for wedding rings.
• Look for the groom’s tux and decide what groomsmen will wear.
• Confirm your bridesmaids ordered their gowns and decide on accessories.
• Have your mother and future mother-in-law coordinate and select their dresses.
• Compare pricing, place your wedding invitation order, and book your calligrapher.
• Purchase your wedding rings and send for engraving if applicable.
• Get ideas for wedding favors.
• Confirm dates for bridal showers and bachelorette parties.
• Make sure you’ve started your registries before bridal shower invitations are sent.
• Choose your baker and finalize wedding cake.
• Reserve rental equipment such as chairs, tables, linens, tents, etc.
• Research and book your rehearsal dinner location.
• Get ideas for wedding hair and makeup.
• Give your guest list to shower hostesses and check that your registry has enough items. Update wedding website.                             

2 - 3 Months Before

• Book makeup artist and hairstylist.
• Order your wedding favors.
• Consider signing up for dance classes.
• Schedule your last tasting and finalize menu.
• Find gifts for each other, your attendants, your shower hostess, and your parents.
• Confirm tuxes have been ordered for groom/groomsmen.
• Prep for your honeymoon – do you have everything you need?
• Choose your getaway! Finalize wedding transportation.
• Take care of business: Look into joint bank accounts, insurance, and merging your money.
• Select your music for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and review with musicians, singers.
• Check that there are enough options left on your registry, and update your wedding website.
• Finalize rehearsal dinner plans and order rehearsal invitations, menus, table numbers, escort cards, and any other stationery accessories.
• Mail invitations twelve weeks before your wedding day.

1 - 2 Months Before

• Have your first bridal gown fitting. Remember to bring stockings, shoes, the appropriate bra, hair accessories, jewelry, a camera, and your mom or best friend.
• Finalize ceremony readings and songs, and review with performers.
• Meet with your officiant to finalize the ceremony, including attendant formations.
• Begin writing your vows if applicable.
• Begin writing thank-you notes for bridal showers and early wedding gifts, and update your registry at the same time.
• Research where to get your marriage license.
• Prepare a photo and video shot list, naming important family members and guests.
• Begin whitening your teeth for your wedding day.

3 - 4 Weeks Before

• Finalize your jewelry, which may include something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.
• Prepare a must-have shot list for your wedding photographer and videographer.
• Finalize your “must play” and “don’t play” music lists and review with musicians.
• Practice your first dance wearing your bridal shoes.
• Design and order your wedding program.
• Confirm honeymoon and travel arrangements, and give loved ones your itinerary in case of emergency.
• Call guests who haven’t RSVP’d.
• Pick up your wedding rings.
• Get your marriage license, typically no earlier than 30 days before the wedding.
• Research how to change your name.
• Mail your rehearsal-dinner invitations.
• Purchase small candles, candies, and mints for your guest powder room.
• Meet with your stylist to discuss and test the perfect makeup and hair for your bridal style.        

1 - 2 Weeks Before

• Have your final wedding gown fitting.
• Finalize your wedding-day schedule (including receiving-line order) and share with attendants, parents, and all vendors.
• Confirm all of your beauty appointments.
• Confirm pick-up times, schedules, and addresses with your wedding-day transportation.
• Pick up your wedding dress and make sure all of your accessories are together.
• Pick up the groom’s outfit, make sure it fits, and gather all of his accessories together.
• Finalize your vows for the ceremony.
• Get your hair colored and trimmed (don’t wait until two days before the ceremony).
• Confirm final headcount.
• Give final attendance numbers to vendors and confirm final date/time for deliverables and pick-ups after wedding.
• Pack for your wedding night and honeymoon.
• Create a “wedding box” to gather your ceremony accessories (marriage license, candles, ring pillow, basket, guest book) and assign someone to transport.
• Prepare a “reception box” for accessories such as guest books, cameras, toasting goblets, cake toppers, etc., and assign someone to transport.
• Prepare all of your wedding favors for transportation to reception venue and assign someone to move them.
• Finalize your seating arrangements (making sure you involve both sets of parents) and submit to caterer.
• Prepare place cards.
• Confirm dates/times/locations for all photo and video sessions the day of the wedding.
• Confirm dates/times/locations with all vendors.                                               

The Day Before

• Prepare a list of payment envelopes – including tips – earmarking who is responsible for distributing to vendors.
• Hand out assignment lists and checklists to ensure everyone knows their tasks, including person responsible for transporting gifts.
• Hand out ceremony box to appropriate person.
• Hand out reception box to appropriate person.
• Hand out favor box to appropriate person.
• Assign someone to mail your announcement cards.
• Gather together your wedding dress, accessories, and bridal emergency kit.
• Get a manicure, pedicure, and massage.
• Rehearse ceremony with officiant and wedding party.                                  

The Wedding Day

• Your day has arrived! You may be nervous, but try to eat breakfast and drink plenty of fluids.
• Take a lavender bath – it’s very relaxing.
• Be sure to wear a button-down shirt for your hair and makeup appointments.                  

After the Wedding

• Get your wedding dress cleaned and preserved.
• Write and mail your thank-you notes.
• Complete your name-change kit.
• Check into your store’s bridal registry completion program.
• Meet with photographer and videographer to finalize albums/video.

Venue

Room Fees- $1800

Table and Chair Rentals- $200 (estimated)

Linens

• Cloths- $65 (estimated)
• Runners- $40 

Decorations

• Ceremony (balls, and hooks)- $70 (estimated but made already)
• Signs- $15 (estimated)
• Centerpieces- $200 (estimated)
• Signs- $15 (estimated)

Apparel and  Beauty

Brides Outfit

• Dress- $265
• Shoes- Gift from FMIL
• Garter- $10 (estimated but made already)
• Head Piece-Borrowed
• Alterations- $50 (estmaited)

Bridesmaid Outfit

• Dress-$55

Grooms Vest and Shoes- $50 (estimated)

Groomsman Vest and Shoes- $50 (estimated)

Wedding Rings- $200 (estimated)

Hair and Make-up $75

• Tip $10

Flowers $60

Photography

• Engagement Pics- Won
• Wedding Pics- $1500

Stationary/Printing

• Save the Dates $40
• Postage $8
• Invitations $50 
• Postage $20 (estimated)
• Guest Frame $20 (estimated)

Music $175

• Tip $20
  

Officiant $125

• Tip $15

Food

• Catering $250
• Cake $100
• Boxes, napkins, cups $60 (estimated)

Gifts

• Bridesmaid $30 (estimated but paid)
• Groomsman $20 (estimated)

Strike through means paid off

Underline means partially paid

Total $5683

From Brides Parents $5000

From Us $1500

I guess you could call almost my whole wedding DIY

List

Ceremony Sign

Pompadour Balls

Table Runners

Centerpieces

Invitations

Burlap Table Cloths

Garter

Bouquets

Boutineers

Corsages

Garter

This was trial one of my garter, I'm waiting on the blue lace ribbon I ordered now so I can do trial 2.

Pompadour Balls

This is one of the 8 pompadour balls I've made. I have burlap ribbon to replace with the white ribbon but its not going ton until closer to the day because i don't want it to fray.

Table Runners

With or With out the twine What do you think?

Centerpieces

I will be adding yellow craspedia to all the centerpieces as well.

I can't decide if i want to wrap the boxes in twine like in the second photo.

Ceremony Signs

We had a cake tasting at AmyCakes

We Choose:

Vanilla Cake

Raspberry Filling

Peanut Butter Frosting I decided on vanilla so it would now look like my inspiration.

source

I'm not obsessed with PW at all ;)

Source

She bought a pair of gray flats at famous footwear to go with the dress. I can't seem to find them online but they are super cute.

after months of searching I finally found the inspiration of the bouquet I want. I was starting to think it didn't exist but this is it!

Carnations with craspedia just the way i invisioned it in my head. MOH will also have a smaller version of this.

source

wrapped in burlap and twine (no buttons)

Source

These photos were all found through pinterest and google searches. I don't have the sources but please tell me if they are your's so I can make sure the rightful owner gets credited.

I won scariest:)

Nina Forbes

These were a gift from my MIL. These will be what I wear to the ceremony.

My reception shoes will be a pair of converse that FI gave me has a graduation present.