Here is a link to our slideshow from our photographer she did an amazing job and I think I have watched it at least 50 times.

http://www.charlottegeary.com/slideshows/LeslieBrian/showit.swf

And finally pictures!!!!  I only got about half way through but it is a start.

GETTING READY!!!

THE BOYS

GOING TO OUR FIRST LOOK

TO BE CONTINUED.... coming up the first look

Here are some of our engagement photos, they were shot at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, we are very happy with them, our photographer, Charlotte is so talented. I highly recomend her www.charlottegeary.com.

Brian and I met for the very first time in the Summer of 2003.  One of my girlfriends decided that she thought we would be right for each other and thus began six months of her inviting us to the same place in hopes that we would take notice of one another.  The first encounter was at a salsa club and did not go particularly well.  I LOVE to dance and Brian just isn't a great dancer so his impression of me was that I was distracted and mine of him was that he was too quiet and reserved to "handle a girl like me".    We met again in a couple of months and this time actually began to talk to each other and realized we had some things in common.  I had high hopes that I would be invited to his 30th birthday party which was in a couple of weeks but alas the fates had other ideas.   His birthday came and went and no word.   We both dated other people briefly up until about November and then our dear friend began the chance meetings again only this time she couldn't get the timing to work out and we never ended up in the same place at the same time but now at the very least my interest was growing a little based on the things she told me about him.   On New Year's Eve, December 31, 2003 she and her boyfriend threw a huge party and invited both of us.  That night when I saw him I think I realized for the first time how handsome he really was and I made up my mind I wanted this guy.  He was smart and good looking and hey I was going to give it my best shot.   I started a conversation with him and did my best top of the line flirting throughout the night.  As midnight approached I strategically positioned myself close to where he was and to my delight all of it worked.  As we watched the ball fall on TV and the celebration of the new year started he kissed me.  It was one of the OH WOW melt my knees kisses and we have been together ever since.  We celebrated our 5th dating anniversary or as we sometimes refer to it hook-up anniversary this new year.    The last 5 years with him have been some of the most rewarding in personal growth for me and I think for him.   Certainly I am happier than I have ever been and we have grown together and become better individuals through our relationship. 

Brian proposed on September 5, 2008 in front of the fountains at Bellagio at the end of Rondine al Nido by Pavarotti.  It was very romantic and I was so surprised.  Never thought I would be a crier but I burst into tears as soon as I saw the ring.   The sweetest thing was that he cried a little too.  One of my best friends and her husband were there to share in the moment and took some photos right after.  I am using Rondine Al Nido as the song I walk down the aisle to.  The picture below was taken right after we were officially engaged.

I finally got some decent pictures of my engagement ring here are a few.  It is a princess cut diamond set in white gold.

I have always wanted sapphires in my wedding band since even before I met Brian since I was born in September and that is my birthstone, as fortune would have it, Brian is also a September baby and we also got engaged in September so even more fitting for the sapphires, I chose this band as my wedding band.

The date is set for July 25, 2009 at the Denver Art Museum.  The space is clean and modern just what we were looking for.   The ceremony and the reception will be in the same space so there will be a cocktail hour upstairs and we will be able to open one of the museum's wings for our guests to visit during the cocktail hour.   This is the perfect setting right next to several of the City of Denver's landmarks  including the City and County Building, Civic Center Park and the State Capital.  Downtown close to lots of hotels, restaurants and night life.  So Excited!!!

We have chosen Green and Brown as our wedding colors.  Kind of a Lime Green and Chocolate Brown.   Also when my fiance was living in China and teaching English, he came across the double happiness symbol and learned that is commonly associated with weddings and other celebrations so we have decided to incorporate it throughout the wedding.

Centerpieces - We are going for the large baby's breath spray and submerged florals. That were inspired by these pictures

After trying on about 40 different dresses all with bigger pick up skirts and almost buying another dress I decided to start all over again and try on a mermaid style.   I almost did not try this dress on because I thought it might be too frilly but fell in love with it the minute I put it on even though this model looks like she has never eaten in her life looks good on a curvy girl. It is Pronovias style Danza and I bought a Mantilla lace cathedral length veil (also thought I didn't want one of these) that just makes the dress so pretty!  Just goes to show you never know what looks good on you until you try it on.

And here it is the actual dress before alterations with the veil!  I LOVE IT!  So excited

The First Fitting

The Final Fitting

Our Save the Dates have gone out.  YEAH!!!   Here they are.  This is my first DIY project. I designed them in Microsoft Publisher and had them printed at FedEx Office.   We made our own envelope liner also using Microsoft Publisher and printed the lining out on a color printer at my Fiance's office and had FedEx Office cut them and then glued them into the envelopes.  You can't really see it here but it is a tiled version of our monogram with the double happiness symbol in the background with Brian & Leslie, July 25, 2009 overlaying.   I am very pleased with the way they turned out and so relieved they are done.

Here is the inspiration for my hair.

I am going kind of all around for the Spanish theme here.  I love this comb but it is expensive ($200) just too much for one item so I had an Etsy seller make something kind of similar. I bought my actual comb from Lulusplendor, a picture is in my bio below under Wedding Day Style - Comb and Earrings.

And I think I want my hair to look like this, my hairstylist says we need to add some more hair to my hair to get it too be big enough, we will see how the trial goes, its scheduled for June 27th...

 The Hair Trial

My stylist is ordering me some more hair so the hair will come further down my neck and it will be wider and a little higher but he is a genius with updo's I know it will look fabulous.

So I have been obsessing about my shoes but finally decided on something pretty, simple and in blue.  I chose the  Chinese Laundry Baldwin shoe they arrived today and I think they are keepers.  Super comfortable because of the all fabric upper and surprisingly the heel is really high but because of the platform in front that is really minimized.  LOVE THEM!!

and with the dress. Perfect!

and I have added a little bling to the bottom

I bought my beautiful comb and earrings on Etsy from seller Lulusplendor.  They are gorgeous!  I am so excited about having a custom piece the comb was made just for me.  When I get them in person I will post some more pictures.

Here are the pictures from my first makeup trial.  Makeup artist is Katelyn Simkins.  I really liked what she did and loved the false eyelashes.  HOW FUN! I am doing another trial since the eyelashes were a little off the girls on PW always the best at trouble shooting thought that they made my eyes point down kind of in a sad way so I talked to Katelyn and she says the lashes need to be trimmed on the edges.    

Ok, second trial we went a little different direction and I like it more. Also and I got my eyebrows thinned a little and I love them, they are staying this way.  Here are some pictures, me with the new eyebrows and going for a slightly more modern look.  She trimmed the edges off of the lashes before applying them and I think overall my eyes look much more open.

The girls are wearing Jim Hjelm or Lazaro dresses I let each choose their own in chiffon, the maid of honor is wearing a floor length and the rest of the girls will have a tea length dress.  Surprisingly with eight girls only two chose the same dress.   Here are their choices all will be in Mocha.

They will be wearing one of two kinds of shoes either these Dezario shoes or for two of the girls this shoe was not available in the right size since they run a little small they will have these from Target. 

 I bought each girl a bag off of etsy and will be filling it with day of essentials along with their shoes and flip flops as gifts.

We haven't chosen our cake yet but we have chosen two of the three or four flavors.  So far they are:

Succulent Cake

Yellow sponge, vanilla syrup, one layer of praline butter cream cake, one layer of meringues, and one layer of praline butter cream, yellow sponge, butter cream frosting, and toasted almonds on the sides.

Samba Cake

Chocolate sponge, grand mariner syrup, ganache butter cream filling and frosting, poured with ganache frosting, and chocolate decorettes on the sides.

Here are some pictures of cakes we do like, not sure if we will have a topper or not.

and here is the current front runner horrible picture but if they can do it I love this cake but with brown details and using chocolate cosmos instead of anemones.

 My venue won't allow open flames so my mom bought this beautiful set of hurricane type holders.  So gorgeous!  The candles and the stands are from Hobby Lobby.

Here is the ceremony that we wll be having.

The flame has traditionally been thought of as a symbol of the spirit. Brian and Leslie, you have learned much in your individual lives. Your mothers are both here to bless your marriage, and it is fitting that they have lit the two individual candles you see here. For it is they who brought you life, and taught you your first lessons about love. Your family members, and friends, many of whom are here with you today, have all been a part of your individual lives, and have shared with you your hopes, your dreams, your triumphs, your sufferings. But at some point the two of you met one another, and something started growing between you that was not just Leslie  and not just Brian. 

There's a special way you are together that's just not like the way you've ever been with anyone else. You have a way of sharing with each other, of laughing and joking together, that's unlike with anybody else. That special love you felt for one another continued to grow, bringing you to this moment, when you are committing your love to one another, and building a life together. Just as the flame you are about to light is not created solely by either candle, so too is your love not the sole possession or creation of either of you. As a symbol of the spirit of love that has grown between you, I would like to ask you to light the Unity Candle at this time.

I designed our invites on Microsoft publisher and they are finally done. I am so proud of these it felt so good to drop them off at the post office to be hand cancelled.  Such a labor of love but so worth it.

Tissue Pomanders

I am making about 100 of these green tissue pomanders. I have no idea how I am going to get them to the venue but they will be on the chairs lining the aisle and then on every other chair to bring the green into the room.  Directions came from Martha Stewart.

Picture Frame Card Box

My daddy made this card box for us. I love it because you can take it apart after the wedding and use the frames in the house.  Directions and inspiration came from its.nicsknack I have to give her big props for this idea.  I love it.

Table Numbers - I bought these frames at Family Dollar for $1 each and then just printed out the numbers using Microsoft Publisher.

Reserved Seating Signs - Again Microsoft publisher, printed on card stock and glued to ribbon using Krazy glue, we will use double sided tape to stick to the chairs.

My DIY Programs, cardstock from paperandmore.com

My wonderful bridesmaids and, my mom and FMIL threw us an engagement party.   It was right around Halloween so it was a costume party.   My FI and I where Wall street (FI) and the Taxpayers (me) and we are getting married. get it?   This was right around the start of the huge financial crisis and right after the first bailout given by the Fed.   We wanted his brother to dress up as Uncle Sam with a shotgun but he wouldn't do it.  For some reason no one seemed to have remembered to take pictures but here are a few I have been able to scrounge from others who attended.

My parents dressed up as bikers I laughed so hard when I saw my dad I thought I would pee my pants. Some of my bridesmaids, Brooke (pink wig), Cara (blond), Heidi (purple), Erin (blue, FSIL) and Amy (FSIL best friend, not a bridesmaid) dressed up as a roller derby team.  You can't see it but they all have on roller skates and most of the managed to make it through the night without falling down.

My FI (in the bow tie) and one of the Groomsmen, Jim.

Not a great picture of either of us but me and one the Groomsmen, Ted.

One of the Ushers Matt (the pirate), Ted and FI,  in second pic Matt, FI and Greg, one of the Groomsmen

Kind of a bummer that these are all the pictures we have but a good time was had by all. 

My lovely Cousin Amber, her mother my Aunt Cheryl and my mom, sister and bridesmaids have picked a date for my shower, Saturday, June 13, 2009. They are planning an afternoon shower and will be serving lunch and drinks on my cousins patio.  They are also ordering my favorite cake it is called Spring Fling and made by a place called The Market, picture is below, it is zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting and a bunch of fruit on top and in the center, so yummy and very pretty.  I am super excited

My sister, the MOH is in law school right now and my mom is not too technically saavy so I helped them out by designing the invitations.  I have to say I LOVE how they came out I am in love with Microsoft Publisher. I am so proud of the silouette of the girl with the umbrella.  I traced an invitation I found online using microsoft publisher and this was the result.  

 I bought the dress I will be wearing at Forever 21 I love it very feminine and pretty,  with these earrings  

and these shoes.    

 The partners in my office also generously had a shower for us.  It was hosted by the senior partner in her historic loft in downtown known as the Tea Room.  It was very nice lovely finger foods lots of champagne and wine and a good time.  Our mothers attended along with my co-workers, FI and my bosses husband. Here are some pictures.

We are heading up to Breckenridge, CO for a weekend of girls fun, spa, drinks etc. two weeks before the wedding.  This is my favorite mountain town so I am super excited for a relaxing and fun girls weekend.  Breck is beautiful in the summer and a great escape from the city heat.

Here are some pictures from the weekend, it was awesome, I had a blast we stayed in a huge home that my Bridesmaid's rented from VRBO.com, went to the spa, had a wine tasting, went to an awesome dinner and then dancing at a club in Town such a blast.  At the peak of it all there were 16 of us there for dinner with about 13 girls that stayed at the house all weekend.  So FUN!

The rehearsal dinner venue is one of my favorite places in Denver.  It will be at Tamayo on the rooftop patio.  Tamayo is located on Larimer Street right in the heart of downtown Denver.  It is one of the prettiest streets in the city. They serve modern mexican food.  Yummy guacamole and margs.  Nothing better than rooftop patios in Denver in the summer, one of our favorite things to do. 

We have planned our honeymoon starting in Barcelona we will spend 5 nights there then rent a car and drive to the French Riviera with a stop in Carcassonne, France on the way, we will be gone for 13 days!  Here are some pics of the city's and the hotels we are staying in.  I can't wait!

            Images of Barcelona

Hotel 1898 Barcelona

Hotel Neri, in the Barcelona Gothic neighborhood

Carcassonne France

Hotel du Chateau, Carcassonne, France

Images of Nice, France

Hotel Palais de la Mediterranee, Nice France