Living in a small town, I've always known my fiance. But we like to say that we "re-met" at the local bar. That's right...you CAN meet someone good in a bar. We both enjoy boating, so the next day we met up on the lake....we have been together ever since. He has two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. In fact, his daughter claims I'm going to be the best step-mother in the world (insert "awww" here). We dated for 2 1/2 years before we got engaged on Valentines Day '08. We will be married on June 6, 2009.

Two months after I got engaged, my mom and I went dress shopping. I thought I had found THE dress, but I think it was just excitement. I'm so glad Mom forced me to "sleep on it" even though she was in love with my original choice. It was a Mori Lee 2803.

I think i just fell in love with the fabric and the inverted pleats. Don't get me wrong it is a beautiful dress, but not at all what I was truly looking for.

THEN....my mom and MOH went dress shopping again. I was hoping to spend about $700, but the night before our trip, I found an Enzoani ad in one of my (many) bridal magazines. Something in my gut told me that I had to, at least, try this dress on. I did a little research online and realized I would be adjusting my budget. Boy, was I right! I have always liked things to be a little simple, but I also like subtle fanci-ness. Add that to the fact that I wanted something that had a waist, and I found my perfect dress!! Auburn by Blue by Enzoani:

I try on my actual dress for the first time next Saturday (1/24/09). My shoes are on their way....

Nine West "Nayleen" on sale for $42 (inc. tax & shipping)

Me Too "Jeanette" at zappos.com $88.95 (before coupon)

Caparros "Dolce" at dsw.com (picture them in brown) $54.95 (before coupon)

So, I ordered 3 options. I thought I was in the love with the Nine West's, but impossible to wear. I just received the Caparros today, but the shade of brown was just all wrong. # 2 IT IS!! I LOVE, love, love my "Jeanette"s! I can't even tell you how comfortable they seem.

Originally, I didn't want a veil. But the girl at the bridal shop put a cathedral lenth veil with subtle sprinklings of crystals around the edges on me. OMG!! I must have it! Although, I'm going to order online and save, like, 90%. The back of my dress is fairly plain, so I think the veil will add just the right touch.

I have also fallen in love with this hairstyle:

I've been going blonde for most of my adult life, but I've been toning it down for awhile now (I secretly prefer myself brunette anyway). My hairdresser LOVES this style for me, and she wants to "blonde me up" right before the wedding so that this will really "pop".

My mom is short like me, and very picky. She also wanted to keep her dress fairly inexpensive. Originally, we fell in love with this Adrianna Papell (in either the short or long version).

But, we kept looking. While trying to help my MOH find shoes, I came across this little number at Speigel.

Totally on sale for $139. with an additional 20% off (thank you retailmenot). She ordered it immediately!

I'm having 5 bridesmaids:

MOH: my best friend, Laurrie. I've stood up for her twice, its time for paybacks.

My sister, Sheena. Love her to pieces. She's technically my half-sister, but who's counting. She will have just had her 2nd daughter 2 months before the wedding. I was in her bridal party last June.

My best friend, Heather. She is also returning the bridesmaid favor. She gets the credit for coining my theme "Rustic Elegance" AND she found me the perfect photographer.

My high school (and beyond) friend, Casey. I missed her wedding at Lake Tahoe because I was in Laurrie's wedding in South Padre.

My newest best friend, Mindy. Wonderful woman!! She has done so much for me, and I will never be able to fully repay her.

These lovely ladies will be wearing a beautful Belsoie dress in brown. Can't wait until they get here in April!!

I'm going to reign in my inner bridezilla and let them pick their own shoes and own hairstyles, though I do want them to have their hair done. I'm thinking...

 or an updo that is equally casual and elegant.

They will also be wearing these necklaces from lia sophia. I'm gonna have to get one for myself, too!!

So, my colors are:

Chocolate brown, Light gold, Ivory

My theme is "Rustic Elegance"

We will have minimal church decorations. Maybe a monochrome huge arrangements of ivory flowers. We will also have two large clear glass vases with 5' tall branch clusters from IKEA and river rocks. We are totally stumped on pew decorations. Need to keep brainstorming on that...

Our reception will have long banquet tables with Linen-Like brown tablecloths. These will be the centerpieces:

 Excuse the poor quality cell phone picture. Oh, and ignore the items on either side of the votive holders. We will have a couple more branches and a couple more bleached peacock feathers in the vase to fill it out.

I actually found the votive holders at Pier 1, but they're really stemless glasses. The saleslady was p*ssed when I wanted her to ring up and wrap 60 of them.

We are only using the round ones. Get this....they were on clearance for $.68 each!!

Instead of birdseed, our guests will shower us with dried jasmine buds in these organza bags:

So, I was going to put away updating my bio for the night, but I just realized I've never posted my ring!! Here it is ladies:

I actually wear the point facing out. The guy at the jewelry store (Zales) told me it would look bigger that way...haha. I told FI that little trick would buy him some time until we can trade up the 2 carat version of the same ring (Totally kidding, though!)

When we went ring shopping the first (and only) time, I went with the intention of yellow gold, with one solitaire diamond. I just KNEW that was what I wanted; you couldn't have told me any different. Then I tried the above ring on, and fell in love!!

I haven't been on here in AGES!! I thought I'd share a few pix of our big day....

After the wedding...I still have dried jasmine in my hair.

Our wonderful dance-floor decal made as a gift by friends of ours.

Father-daughter dance...I love my daddy!

The garter toss was to "You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Joe Cocker. I surprised my new hubby by wearing a hat!

Me with my awesome "Wedding Captain". I recruited her to "deal with sh*t" on the big day...she did a wonderful job; unfortunately, she got a DUI on the way home.

I'll post more when I get my hands on them. I'm still (patiently) waiting on our pro-pics!!

These are just some of my professional pictures. I tried to limit it to my favorites, but I love so many!! My photographer was AWESOME: Lisa Bennett from The Picture Patch.