hurleygrl135's biography
I couldn't have asked for better photogs Liz and Wes were amazing and it was definitely worth the wait!
My FI and I met a few years ago through a friend of mine who's husband was stationed in Iraq with him. The first time I met him he was so shy and quiet that I wasn't sure of what to think there was definitely something there but getting him to talk required a crowbar. Unfortunately, about a month after we met he was once again deployed to Iraq. Due to unfortunate events in my personal life we lost touch for much of his deployment but right after he got back he contacted me through myspace, I gave him my number and that night he called me and we talked for 10 hours straight. I knew then that he was the one I was meant to be with.
The first year of our relationship was long distance since I lived in Florida and he was stationed in North Carolina. That was one of the hardest things I have had to do but we worked hard and he drove 6 hours every other weekend to see me. We just recently moved to New Hampshire and live in a great place with our two dogs and two cats. Right now, he is serving the rest of his time recruiting for the Army while I spend my days working as a veterinary nurse and finishing my degree.
I've been so blessed throughout this planning process. I've happened upon great deals that have allowed me to achieve my dream wedding without breaking my budget. I was worried about finding the perfect dress for as little money as possible since my mom wanted to gift it to me but is currently unemployed. I didn't want her to worry about how she's going to pay bills and buy a dress so I set a limit at under $1000.00 and prayed I'd find the perfect dress. As I said I've been very blessed and the blessing have continued to multiply. I was scheduled to fly down to Florida to go wedding dress shopping and do other things for my wedding on Novemeber 8th. Well, the Tuesday before FI got an e-mail stating that the owner of a bridal shop in Massachussetts was giving away 100 free gowns to the FI's of men in the military who have been or are currently deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq as well as brides in the military themselves. I was supposed to work the day of the event but at the urging of my bm's, mom, and FI I was able to secure the time off to go. Everything just fell into pplace. I was first in line and first through the doors and the first dress I tried on was the one. I believe it was more than coincedence that two days before I was supposed to fly home to buy a dress this all happened and feel so blessed to have had this opportunity. I don't know the designer but here she is!
My dress before weight loss and fittings
and now 10lbs and 3 fittings later...
Sorry about the picture quality they were taken on my phone
My Shoes! Something blue #1
#2
The promise ring he gave me on our first Valentine's day.
My aunt offered to make my wedding jewelry and since she's so talented I took her up on the offer. I'm so ecited to see it a finished and paire with my dress! She's using fresh water pearls and swarovski crystals.
Necklace
Reversible bracelet
Earrings
Ok, so now that we've gotten some of the formalities out of the way let me introduce everyone to my wonderful, loving "kids"
Saydee Lucky "three-legged wonder dog"
Stella
Nixon
Chris finally popped the question.
It all started when we made plans to take the ferry from Boston to Provincetown, MA in the Cape. Unfortunately due to a personal tragedy back home our plans to go out there were put on hold so I could fly home. I was so upset with all that had transpired he told me we could go to Portland, Maine instead since it was closer to home and I'd been begging him to take me. The night before Chris decided to go up to Topsham about 20 minutes from Portland with some of his buddies and stay at a hotel since he had to be up there by 6:30 the next morning. That whole afternoon before he left he kept telling me to charge the camera, that immediately made me suspicious since we're horrible about taking pictures. So, the day we'd planned on rolled around and after waking up early and taking extra time to get ready I started out for the hour and a half drive to Portland.
Well, as luck would have it about 10 minutes down the road I remembered I had a doctor's appointment. So I turned around a went to my appointment. On try #2 I got about 20 minutes down the road when I realized I was out of gas. Not sure of where I was I got off at the closest exit and spent 20 minutes getting lost before I found a gas station. Once I was back on the road Chris called wondering where I was and when I told him he told me to meet him halfway since he didn't want to wait around outside for me. I got about 30 miles from my destination when out of the blue I realized I had left the straightener on and it was on the floor. Once again, I called Chris(this time in tears) and told him I had to go home I left the straightener on. He told me it was ok we would go another time. I turned around and went home really upset because I was sure that was going to be the day he was going to ask and I had just screwed it all up. Go figure, I got home and I had in fact turned the straightener off. I was so upset by the time Chris got home I barely even wanted to talk. I just knew I had blown it that day. I fell asleep on the couch to sleep my disappointment off.
An hour later I woke up still disapointed but feeling a little bit better than I had. Chris saw that I was awake and came over to lay on the couch with me, as were laying there he slipped his arm underneath my head and placed the ring just barely in my line of sight. Confused, I took whatever was in his hand and realized it was the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen.
I looked at chris and hugged him and all I could say was "really? really?" He said yes and asked me "will you?" I asked him back "will I what?" and he asked "will you marry me?" Of course I said yes. After all was said and done Chris told me he was planning on proposing in Portland I told him he still could have and he said "no I didn't want to wait". Then later on that same weekend I found out my cousin got engaged as well so double the fun for me with two weddings this season!
Our ceremony and reception will be held April 10, 2010 at Club Continental in Orange Park, FL. I remember touring this venue when I was 14 with my sister when she was planning her wedding and thinking this is definitely my dream venue and I never thought in a million years we would be able to afford it.
My MOH is my best friend Jesse (right)
Bridesmaid #1 my cousin Anna(right)
Bridesmaid #2 my sister Laurel
My niece Kaylee will be my junior Bridesmaid/flowergirl
Best Man(if not deployed): Chris' crazy best friend Matt
Groomsman: Chris' brother Alex
Ringbearer: my little cousin Aidan
Usher: my brother Andrew
I don't know who's boards these are so if you see these and they're yours let me know I want give you credit.
Bridal Bouquet
Bridesmaids Bouquet
Inspiration boards
Sarahinwonderland's centerpiece has become my inspiration.
All my girls love makeup so I got them each a large Vera Bradley makeup bag the square one is mine. Plus a beach bag picked specifically for them, flip flops, a beach towel, and a nalgene bottle.
My FI is most likely wearing his dress blues he's last row second in from the left
no boutenierre for him but for the other guys
PROCESSIONAL AND PRESENTATION
Who offers their blessing of the union of this woman to this man?
Dad: Her mother and I do.
Officiant: Thank you may now be seated
We have gathered here for the marriage of _____and_____. May they continue to grow together and to strengthen their love throughout their lives.
ADDRESS
Marriage begins in the giving of words. You cannot join yourselves to one another without giving your word. This must be an unconditional giving, for in joining yourselves to one another, you join yourselves to the unknown. Marriage is one of the most important obligations that two people can commit to, in their lifetime. A successful marriage is dependent upon many factors, the first being a strong bond of friendship and respect. Your love for each other will grow with each passing day, yet it is your willingness to accept each other's strengths and weaknesses, with patience and understanding, that is the true foundation of a healthy marriage. When a man and a woman decide to join together in marriage, they should do so with a full realization of its responsibilities. It is a serious commitment. When they come together to make a public confession of their love and devotion, pronouncing vows and pledging their lives to each other, it is a threefold union. They are joined together legally, spiritually and physically. While marriage is a big commitment, it is also cause for a joyous celebration. You are about to take a new step forward into life. It is my hope that your joy in your relationship as husband and wife increases with each passing day.
Intent Of Marriage
Will you,(Groom), take this woman to be your wedded wife?
Groom I will
Officiant: Will you,(Bride),take this man to be your wedded husband?
I will
A marriage is not only the joining together of two individuals, it is also a joining together of two families. The care, support, and nurture which have been extended to [Groom] and [Bride] by their families is as important now as it has ever been. In fact, it needs to be extended now to include another person. Both families need to be committed to support both partners in this marriage.
__________ , you are not losing a son but rather you are gaining a daughter. Do you promise to love and encourage [Bride] as you would your own? If so, answer,"We will."
__________ , you are not losing a daughter but rather you are gaining a son. Do you promise to love and encourage [Groom] as you would your own? If so, answer,"We will."
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we call upon you in the midst of this celebration to be with this man and woman and walk with them during their days together as husband and wife. Grant that they both be filled with faith and trust. Give them grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May they always bear one another's weakness and grow from each other's strength. Help them to forgive one another's failings and grant them patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of one's self. Amen
Officiant: ___________ and _______________, your marriage will develop a true friendship between you, and that friendship must be strong to withstand the tests of time. Remember, love, like friendship, is a choice.When you are a true friend to someone, you choose to spend time with them; to share with them; to care for them when they are sick spiritually or physically; and to learn new things with them. You choose to change with them;to grow in truth with them; and to experience all that life has to offer, them. Through this process you will grow in the same direction, and that is the secret to having peace and happiness in your lives.Take responsibility for helping the other person feel safe, and give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your relationship deserves. Never allow anything to be more important than the one you have pledged to spend your life with. Remember that the secret to a long and healthy marriage is not in choosing the righ partner; it is in BEING the right partner. Seek love and never take it for granted. Love is believing, sharing, caring and dreaming together.It is honesty, friendship, companionship, and selflessness. Love is the desire and commitment to be intimate physically, psychologically, and emotionally. It is devotion, celebration, understanding, forgiveness and sacrifice. Love is strong, yet it can be fragile. Love is gentleness, kindness, and patience. It is trusting, protecting, inspiring, and supporting.
First Reading
The Art of Marriage
A good marriage must be created.
In the marriage, the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once each day,
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and objectives.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each person can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person.
It is being the right partner.
Vows:
(To Groom) Please repeat after me:
I love you.
You are my best friend
Today I give myself to you in marriage.
I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you,
and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and inbad,
when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I promise to cherish you, and to alwayshold you in highest regard.
These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
(To Bride) Please repeat after me:
I love you.
You are my best friend.
Today I give myself to you in marriage.
I promise to encourage and inspire you,to laugh with you,
and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and inbad,
when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
when our love is simple, and when it is an effort.
I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard.
These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
Exchange of Rings:
Officiant: May I have the rings please?
Rings are an ancient symbol, blessed and simple. Round like the sun, round like the eye, and round like arms that embrace. May these rings symbolize that your love, like the sun, illuminates and warms the others heart, like the eye, you must see clearly even amid the adversity of life, and like arms that embrace as grace upon the world. May they also remind you that love given comes back around again and again.
_____, (Groom/Bride) take this ring and place it on _____(Bride/Groom) finger and repeat after me. I,_____, (Groom/Bride) take you, to be my wife/husband, in equal love, as a partner and companion, to have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, in joy and in sorrow, from this day forward. (Bride), please face (Groom), and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
Hand Ceremony:
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love,
that are holding yours on your wedding day,
as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours,
as together you build your future,
as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your child for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are that hands that will love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief overwhelm you.
These are the hands, then when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, giving you the same
unspoken trust and support.
(Groom), please hold (Bride’s) hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day,
as she promises to love you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love,
soothing them through illness and hurt,
supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams.
Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
Bless these hands that you see before you this day.
May they always be held by one another.
Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment.
Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their love.
Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in grace, rich in caring, and devoted to reaching for perfection.
May (Groom) and (Bride) see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.
Hand in hand you enter marriage, hand in hand you step out in faith.. Also remember that you don't walk this path alone. Don't be afraid to reach out to others when together you face difficulty. Other hands are there: friends, family, and God.. To accept an outreached hand is not an admission of failure, but an act of faith.
Inasmuch as you have consented
together in this ceremony to live in wedlock and have sealed your vows in the presence of this company and by the giving of these rings, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss the
bride!
Chris and I are paying for the wedding almost completely out of pocket. The only thing we need not worry about are our flowers and my dress which my mom is so graciously gifting me. We've figured out that we can afford $8000.00
Venue- $5,000.00-includes ceremony and reception site, food, drinks including alcohol, all of our tables, chairs, linens, barware, china, and glasses
Photography-$850.00 includes 8 hours with assistant photog, all of our picutres fully edited in black & white and color onto a disk, printing rights, and online viewing.
Flowers- My mom's best friend is a florist and has offered to do our flowers at cost in exchange for time worked so no money out of our pockets and my mom is picking up all the hours.
BM Gifts-$51.00-3 large Vera Bradley makeup bags(so far that's all I have)
Dress- gift from a very generous bridal salon owner giving away 100 free dresses to the bride's of our servicemen who've been deployed
more to come....
6-12 Months
- Choose the kind of wedding you will have, date and time.
- Discuss the budget, and who will pay for what.
- Consider hiring a wedding coordinator. DIY bride here
- Make arrangements with the officiator.
- Reserve the wedding and reception locations. Club Continental Orange Park, FL 4/1/10 12:00
- Select your wedding dress, veil and accessories.
- Choose the bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers, and honored roles.
- Have a formal black/white photo sitting for announcements.DIY e-pics
- Send announcements of your engagement to your fiancé's and your local and hometown newspapers.
- Meet with the florist, photographer, caterer, videographer, and D.J. or entertainment to discuss budgets and options.
- Discuss the guest list with fiancé and families.
- Plan reception music.
- Contact a rental coordinator for equipment reservations.
- Discuss honeymoon and reservations. (Traditionally the groom makes all the honeymoon arrangements.)
- Arrange for time off work, if necessary.
4-6 Months
- Plan new living arrangements and home furnishings.
- Select and register wedding gifts and patterns.
- Select color scheme.
- Order dress and accessories.
- Order bridesmaids' dresses, shoes and accessories.
- Contact men's formal wear specialist for men's attire.
- Have parents select attire.
- Order invitations, announcements, programs, napkins, matchbooks, and personal stationery.
2 Months
- Choose and order wedding bands and engraving.
- Order wedding and groom's cakes.
- Check state/county marriage license requirements.
- Plan ceremony, reception, menus, master of ceremonies, music, and timetables.
- Plan rehearsal dinner, and bridesmaids' luncheon.
- Complete guest list
- address invitations.
- Make arrangements for lodging for out-of-town guests.
- Purchase gifts for attendants and groom.
- Plan reception seating, if necessary.
One Month
- Confirm all arrangements and contracts.
- Mail invitations so they will arrive three weeks before the wedding.
- Pick up wedding rings.
- Arrange for transportation to ceremony and from ceremony to reception.
- Attend final fittings.
- Have your hair and makeup done as you would like to have it on your wedding day. Schedule any tanning, manicures, etc.
- Purchase guest book and keepsake album.
- Contact your insurance agent about naming your fiancé as beneficiary on your life insurance, will, and auto policies, and buying homeowners' and floater insurances to protect wedding gifts.
- Open joint checking and savings accounts.
- Write thank you notes as gifts are received.
2 Weeks
- Get marriage license.
- Give caterer final guest count. Don't forget the wedding party, photographer and DJ!
- Arrange to have your gown pressed and delivered.
- Arrange to change your name on driver's license, social security card, credit cards, bank accounts, insurances, etc.
- Make arrangements for moving into your new home.
1 Week
- Pack for honeymoon.
- Give bridesmaids' luncheon/party and give attendant gifts.
- Confirm directions, housing, and timetables with attendants.
- Brief head usher of any special seating arrangements.
- Arrange for rental returns.
- Prepare wedding day fees.
1 Day Before
- Pack the "Going-to-church" bag, and an "emergency" bag.
- Attend rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
- Find a quiet moment to give your fiancé his wedding gift.
The Wedding Day
- Have a nice relaxed breakfast. You'll need it!
- Have hair and make-up done.
- Relax and let the planning take care of itself. Most of all, enjoy!
I love my invites, they were totally DIY. Fellow PW bride Erindira desgined them for me then I printed them cut and pasted every single one. Thankfully, I only needed to make 50. It was a total emotional rollercoaster but I thrilled with how they turned out.
and eat it too. So after a disastrous consult with a cake decorator at the Publix near our venue we decided to head over to the local Publix near my mom's house and talk to them. Let's just say they were awesome there were no questions as to whether or not they could do it and the girl was super helpful. Set up and delivery will cost us $40 but for the peace of mind i'm willing to part with the money. So without further ado...
the pipiing will be navy blue and we'll have 3 tiers instead of two but you get the idea. I'm so excited and our flavor will be yellow cake with strawberries in the center.
I am so blessed to have such amazing women in my life and they proved that to me once again for my bridal shower. My MOH and Aunt went above and beyond anything I could have ever expected. The food was delicious, company was wonderful, and as my sister said "I made out like a bandit."
After a disappointing makeup trial I decided to do it myself. It's still a work in progress but I already like it better than what the "artist" did. I'm going to darken the eye up a little a get a lighter lipcolor I had no clue the color would be as deep as it is.
I like it but I want something a little simpler than what she gave me. Maybe something more like this...
Since I live in NH and our wedding was in FL most of my DIY's had to be done the week before the wedding. Fortunately, there weren't too many I had planned but here are the ones I did do.
I also had a diy birdcage for my cards but didn't get a picture of it :( hopefully our photog did.
Our day was great there were few glitches but overall it was amazing and I'm happily married to the man of my dreams. The week leading up to the wedding was crazy, hectic, and stressful. As many of you know we had a financial crisis 5 days before the wedding that caused my account to overdraw by over $600 here's the link...http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/5-days-away-and-i-can-t-pay-for-my-wedding. Thanks to my father everything came together and he helped us out tremendously from paying for my linens to giving us extra money to paying for a stting up the main course for the rd while my mother graciously opened her home to 40 people. My sister in her usual fashion didn't have her bm dress until the night before the wedding when my mom had to go buy it for her ugh...I told my mom not to worry about it she just wouldn't be in it my mother got upset with me. Oh well, what are you gong to do my sister is 29 more than capable of taking care of herself.
The morning of the wedding was great after staying up until 2:30 and finishing last minute DIY's with my moh and one of my bm's we went to sleep and woke the next morning at 7:00 when my amazing friend Johnna came to start our hair. I thank God for her since we could not afford a hairdresser when my account got screwed up and honestly she did better than the two pros I went to did. The morning was very relaxed we enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast at the venue then headed back up to the room to begin getting ready...btw ladies I DO NOT reccommend eggs the morning of not so good on the stomach. Anyways...Johnna started on my hair first then once she finished moved onto my MOH's. By then DH was already there getting pics taken and my moh and I accidently stumbled upon them however I blocked my view of him so I wouldn't see him until the first look. At 10:00 the photog came to our room to take getting ready shots and that's when things got hectic. In her usual fashion my sister showed up and rocked the boat we went from relaxed to frazzled very quickly. My mother was supposed to meet us at the venue at 9:30 to get ready with us but becaus of my sister and her "needs" (more like demands) my poor mother showed up late only to have to leave again when AF came for my sister. By the time she got back from the store it was time for our first look so it was literally a hi and bye situation. As I was waiting to see my dh my cousin came to let me know that my mom was upset she hadn't gotten to see me or help me get dressed so I requsted a few minutes before the ceremony with my mom, photog, and I so we could get a few pro pics togther. She seemd to feel better about that but was still upset that once again my sister interfered with her plans.
