So many ideas; so many restrictions!

I'm in love with Weddings and Pinterest. Between those two - my mind is just overflowing with ideas. The reality of having nearly no money to create a fun wedding has hit me. I almost decided that PHOTOGRAPHY wasn't worth the investment. That crazy thought came and went very quickly.

I know at the end of the day; photos are what I will have to remember this beautiful time. Not the bubbles left on the table! ha.

Bridesmaid Shopping

So... Courtney offered the idea of going Dress Shopping. She intended it to be for Bridal Shopping - but theres no way my 7 month pregnant ass was going dress shopping. Lets be serious. I wont be attempting that feat until July. [MINIMUM!]

I asked Ivanna and Danielle to join us; in hopes to have the Ombre idea tested out. We picked a date...but the timing as a bit off with everyone. Each girl had something she needed to do.

A bit of drama sparked...and it ended up being just Courtney and Ivanna. Which was fine - It'd still give me an idea of what I may or may not be looking for.

Courtney and I took to the racks -- and I began pulling down colors that looked similar to what I had wanted. I tried to guesstimate their sizes and find various styles of dresses for them to try on. Soon enough; Ivanna had arrived and we hit the fitting room. They shared a room and began trying on dresses.

I saw the discouragement of them needing bigger sizes; but dresses are never true to size. Thats the annoying part of the process. The girls put the dresses on and the colors didn't seem right...nor did the styles we found. I told them to come out and maybe let me see them from afar. Not much better.

Something wasn't right. It was also hard trying to do this with only two girls; know its a 3 color ombre effect. Plus; they didnt have their sizes in the right purple shades. Which is obnoxious...you'd think this store would carry more sizes/colors/styles knowing more than ONE bridesmaid is going to be in a wedding. OH WELL.

I asked them to get dressed so we could regroup.

I then told them -- maybe Purple wasn't the right idea. Ivanna immediately nixed out RED [my fave color]. I told them...find me your two favorite color dresses and bring them to me. Ivanna came back with baby blue and pink...Courtney came back with Coral and Turquoise. They began kinda bickering about which colors could or would work better...and styles of dresses were complete opposite. In that moment...I felt like we'll DEFINITELY be getting various styles in dresses.

For me its easier and I think more appropriate for a Wedding. These girls are going to be spending over 100$ on a dress; that more than likely they will wear one time. I wont choose a crazy shade nor an unflattering style. if these are my best girls then they deserve more than that. Im also having a very large bridal party...with a variety of skin, eye and hair color - as well as boob, height, weight and shape differences.

I decided to start over, mentally. I picked out 3 dresses and sent them back into the fitting room. One style looked STUNNING -- but it was over 250$. Figures. The other style was a winner too; BOTH girls liked it and looked great. I was thrilled.

Courtney voiced she was overwhelmed. I felt pretty calm but it was late, my phone was dying and I was hungry. So -- we got the girls changed up and headed out.

Overall. It helped me to do this...would I say it was successful; not completely. However; it gave me a starting point. Not only on picking dresses/colors...but realizing; the drama, issues and all I have ahead of me...WISH ME LUCK.

Picking a Venue

This has been SO hard. I wanted a barn or open field...but between:

• Catering Options versus On Site Only
• Hour Restrictions
• Super HIGH site fees
• Dates Unavailable

Choosing a Maid Of Honor

This is a really big deal. Not only because I have a close set of girls but because each one could honestly be my Maid of Honor for their own reasons. However. I refuse to let guilt or anything similar guide me in my decision making.

A Maid[or Matron] of Honor should be:

1. Your ultimate friend/companion
2. Someone who has shared the Ups and Downs of yours and their life
3. Someone who can be serious AND fun
4. Someone who knows and loves your entire family
5. Someone who knows and loves your Fiance
6. Someone who knows, RESPECTS and honors your relationship with your Fiance
7. Someone who is either local/readily available or very helpful from long distance
8. Someone who can handle your mood swings and basket of emotions from now to the "I do".
9. Someone who gets along with others - and all of your other bridesmaids.
10. Someone who will handle the BIG duties and help distribute the small duties on the BIG DAY.
11. Someone who is assertive enough to get things handled.
12. Someone who is like [or is] a Sister to you.
13. Someone who will take note of your ideas/wishes -- and help them come to life [as close as possible]
14. Someone who is dependable and reliable without many other obligations.
15. Someone who is optimistic and cheerful [no one needs depressed or whiney support]


My sister - met each one of those expectations. I know a few of my Bridesmaids were a bit bummed - one even told me upfront. I felt bad. I was VERY close to not having a Maid of Honor...but that isn't me.

I knew I needed someone who doesn't tear down my Fiance [even on his worst days]. This is his big Day too -- and BOTH our wishes should be respected and honored.

Im thrilled to have her stand by my side on my wedding day.

xoxo

Church or Outdoor Venue?

I'm the type of person who could get married anywhere. I'll find the beauty in the scenery. However; I was unbelievably torn about where to get married. I've always imagined getting married in a Church. Jimmy is completely set on a Church as well.

However, I'm in love with the way Pinterest highlights outdoor weddings. I love rustic decor...the idea of being out in nature. Luckily; not only does the time of year effect this but our budget does too.

Church seemed to be the best fit; aside from not actually having one for us as a family. We both are Christian and I was preferring a Catholic church. I spent weeks messaging, calling and speaking with multiple churches. Everything from where Xavier and Jayce were baptized to where I taught Bible Study for kids... most were either outrageously priced or not the right feeling.

I decided to go with my friend Amber's advice of contacting New Covenant Church in Arnold. I had been there with some friends back in high school. It was a nice church - but modern. We were hoping for Traditional.

We emailed back and forth for a couple weeks; the price seemed right, his view on marriage matched mine - so I set up a meeting.

Xavier and I drove together; Jimmy was coming from work. We met the Pastor [Ed] and got along great. He didn't judge us for having Xavier while not being married. He even gave me advice on a photographer he knows. He took us around the Church.

He explained the only stipulation would be No Sex. I thought this would be a deal breaker for Jimmy. We have a very healthy sexual relationship. However, I took this as two blessings. One; to see if we could remove that for an extended period of time and use our energy/passion elsewhere. Two; there will be NO opportunity for me to get pregnant BEFORE we get married [which was a big fear].

Pastor Ed even offered to give us our classes free of charge; and Xavier was welcome to join us. It felt good to feel apart of God in his eyes; even though we had done things outside of The Book. As we said our goodbyes; I asked Jimmy how he felt. HE WAS ALL IN - didn't even want to see another Church.

We made our first official decision!