Do Over

Last night I had my first wedding nightmare. And it was a doozie.

Taylor and I got married at the top of a cement stairwell.

In pitch black

By the wrong minister (it was a woman instead of Taylor's uncle.)

I wasn't certain that the photographer was even there. I did see a flash a few times, though.

I attempted to write my own vows, but couldn't read my handwriting so I made them up on the spot. (And they sucked.)

It was just awful. I know there is zero chance any of this will actually happen, but just seeing it in my dream made me mad!

Why can't brides dream about a fabulous honeymoon, instead?

I Knew the Way You Know About a Good Melon

After watching countless episodes (multiple times) of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress, you might say I'm a pro at "trying on" wedding dresses.

I know Kleinfeld's Fashion Director Randy's do's and don'ts for brides (stop looking after you've found "the one", don't try things on outside your price range, don't bring the entourage, etc.) and tried to follow them when shopping for my own wedding dress.

And, as you can see the purpose of this blog post: I found THE dress!

After only two stores and two days I said yes to my dress! Thankfully, the search didn't have to continue cause it seriously gets exhausting! Even for the person trying on the dresses. I stood for over three hours Saturday, had my body corseted into many dresses and wasn't able to breathe at times...what joy!

But my dress (THE dress) is just perfect. It's something I've pictured myself in, something very "me". It even matches my ring! : ) Bonus!

It was the first dress I tried on at the second store, and when I came out I just felt like a bride-something I was missing from the first few I tried on at the other store. The veil and other special touches just put it over the top and I KNEW Taylor would absolutely love it.

Also, to other/past brides: this whole white vs. ivory debate... I chose ivory. Does this make me less of a bride? It looked SO much better with my skin tone. At this point I guess I don't need advice (the dress is already on order), but I'm just curious!

To future brides,

Get a dress that you can see YOU in! You don't want your guests to see the dress first and not the beautiful person in the dress! I had this debate with a frillier, more feminine dress. I loved it, but it was almost too trendy compared to what I pictured myself in. I knew I had found my dress when both my mom and I both started tearing up. It was a special moment for the both of us! You'll have yours and you will just know, kind of like when you know your fiance is the one! (Cheesy, but true.)

*Title brought to you by When Harry Met Sally

Bling Story

So, since being engaged I've had many opportunities to show off the ring.

Graduation, Christmas, work friends, friends I didn't see over break who came back to school, people I just met....

While I think my ring is beautiful, I do understand that it's not everyone's taste.

One of the best compliments I received was that "It was the best ring I've seen go through a candle lighting in a long time." (This is mostly thanks for my fiance, because I did not pick it out)

However, the responses I don't like from people (usually ones I don't know) are as follows:

How UNIQUE

How INTERESTING

How PRETTY (Her voice rose which means she was lying. She also looked like she was lying so I'm allowed to say that)

These phrases usually fall from an older crowd (the marquise and yellow gold generation), so I understand.

What you probably don't know if exactly how perfect this ring is for me.

Why yes, it's a beautiful ring, but it has a special meaning.

The center stone is sort of a family heirloom. This is a weird story, but I have a weird family, so bare with me...

The stone has been worn by two women in my family: first, my mom in the form of an engagement ring from my father. Then, by my grandma when she was married to her second husband.

Now, it is in my possession and moving on another generation! My grandma always wanted me to have it since it was from my dad, and it has such a special meaning to me every time I look at it!

Taylor gets credit for the rest of this ring, and he did such a great job! : )

Paying it Forward

So after reading and commenting on Cara's blog, I found myself involved in a bit of a predicament.

Yes, I'll admit I wanted to receive some handmade items.

(Who doesn't love free, hand crafted with love things?)

But I was sucked in. I'll admit it.

"I promise to send something handmade
to the first 3 people who leave a comment here.
To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,
offering the same thing to 3 other people.
The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it
must be sent to your 3 people *sometime* in 2011."

Who can say no to that, right?

So bloggers, 3 of you can comment and receive some form of craft from me.

It may not be the best thing ever, but I'll assure you I will try my darndest!

Comment away, friends!

Let's Discuss

Fellow brides and past brides, lend me your ears

Well, I'm officially in wedding planning mode. It's constantly on my brain, I just can't help it! I been thinking about this day for so long, and now I can actually act on it - not just dream. Weird concept, because sometimes your dreams don't exactly align with reality, but I'm getting on the ball.

Things I have done:

1. Ceremony venue deposit - MRCC

2. A unofficial date - Aug. 6, 2011

3. A few bridesmaids

4. Tried on dresses

5. Been to a bridal show (and won $250 to a bakery to get my cake done!)

6. Checked into photographers and found a few I like that are within my small budget.

7. Surfed The Knot and WeddingBee entirely too often.

8. We have colors! - black, white, ice blue/aqua

9. A reception venue I haven't put a deposit down for

10. Some honeymoon research has been done

11. Changed my mind so many times not only my head is spinning, but so is my fiance's.

Things I need advice on:

1. Do I really need to do 'save the dates'?

2. How do I pick a photographer? (especially on such a small budget...)

3. How much do flowers cost?

4. What's something cool I can do at my wedding that isn't a photo booth or a candy bar?

5. How do I know when I've found "the" dress? What are good places to shop at that don't rip you off?

6. What costs came up that you didn't anticipate?

Fellow brides and past brides, lend me your ears. Any vendors and advice would be appreciated!

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Well, I graduated college, but...

Now moving onto more important things, like TAYLOR AND I ARE ENGAGED!

Yes, my friends, after years on having this blog and previously hinting (not to subtly) at how unsure I was feeling, and antsy about it all happening, Taylor finally popped the question!

December 14, 2010, Taylor and I headed out on our annual trip to look at Christmas lights and eat cheesecake at the Cheesecake factory. We started out in Edmond moving toward OKC when we stopped by his parents house to "pick something up." Upon walking in, Taylor divulged that while we had agreed to not exchange gifts this Christmas, he has indeed purchased me a gift.

Yep, I knew something was up.

After walking in I found a dimly lit living room, a beautiful Christmas tree and a fire in the fireplace. Taylor escorted me over to the tree where we sat on the floor and he handed me a wrapped box to open.

I then opened three more boxes with very special notes to us, and the last one instructed me to wait for a fifth gift Taylor was about to give me.

Taylor then asked me to stand up where he told me how much he loved me and that I was his best friend, then he said something utterly romantic: "I lied to you."

What?

"Saturday, I wasn't in Stillwater. I drove up to Wichita to have dinner with your parents."

Long pause. Mostly out of shock that he did that. (good shock)

Then Taylor took out a ring box from a stocking hanging on the mantle, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!

I was so excited and relieved at the same time! It had finally happened! The moment we've been waiting for, but (I) we thought would have to wait a few months. After putting the ring on my finger, I was smiling and crying with joy at the same time. Hugging and kissing my future husband and feeling like I was on top of the world.

Taylor's parents were at the top of the stairs waiting for the "all clear" signal, so we went and told them they could come down. Sherry started crying and I started crying all over again. I gave Monte and Sherry both big hugs and they began to divulge the inside information Taylor had told them to keep quiet.

We then called a few family members and then just let it soak in for the next few hours. Needless to say, we didn't get a whole lot of Christmas lights in that night.

It was a wonderful night. I will never forget it.

Now to start the wedding plans... where to begin? Maybe I should find a job first.

See Ya

Things I will not miss about college:

• Buying textbooks that cost an arm and a leg.
• Dealing with Financial Aid every year and filling out the FAFSA.
• Blackboard
• Caf food
• Reading about subjects I'm not interested in or not very good at doing.
• The people that "whoop" during the Alma Mater
• The CAAP test
• Having no free time/social life

Things I will miss about college:

• Countless teachers and staff who have been so helpful, encouraging and wise.
• Free things
• Free IT services
• My friends
• My Pi sisters
• Not having an excuse to sing and dance in a funny outfit on a stage.
• Having basically everything you need within a 1/2 mile vicinity.
• Hearing the same stories over and over again by Dr. Patterson.

College ending is such a mixed bag of emotions for me. I'm ready to move on, but I have so many good memories at OC. I have no doubt that I picked the right college and found a major that interests and challenges me. I've worked hard over these four and a half years, and I am proud of myself for a lot of reasons. Only one thing could make graduating better...if I had a job!