Best Day Ever: Part 1

Best Day Ever

December 31st, 2014

The day we became husband and wife.

Where do I even begin?! Ever since I was a little girl I always wanted to get married. But I never had a specific idea in my head of what I wanted my wedding to look like. I do know that I didn't ever see myself having a huge, over the top wedding. Even though growing up I was the ultimate girly girl and now I enjoy the finer things in life. But that's not how I wanted my wedding to be. I wanted to be surrounded by close family and friends, so Caleb and I decided that we would have a small wedding. We cut our guest list down to strictly family and our closest friends. And I don't regret it at all. I remember every single person who was there. Yes, the day seemed like a blur, but I remember almost every moment of the day. Which I'll say over and over again of just how amazing it was. Everyone who gets married always says their wedding was the best (which they should!) but our wedding was the best and I wouldn't have changed a thing. 

We had an amazing photographer that captured all of the details of the day. People always say they regret not hiring a photographer, and I'm so glad that she was available at the last minute. And captured our day. Check out Lauren Elizabeth Photography, she has some pictures of the wedding up on her site too.  We have so many wedding pictures that I could post them all, but I won't. I'll post a handful (or two!) 

Throughout the whole wedding planning process, I kept most of the details a secret. I didn't want people to know what we had planned, but more importantly I didn't want people coming to our wedding looking for a certain theme. I'm so over "themed" weddings. Which I'll do a whole other post on that topic..so sit tight! 

In the meantime, here's a glimpse into one of the best days of my life...

My handsome husband!

His cufflinks & pocket squares with my wedding band

His wedding band with my bracelet

I loved my dress so much

Caleb and I decided to write our own vows. Best decision ever.

So I got keepsake books to keep them in

Instead of bouquets, my bridesmaids carried lanterns

Some of my girls getting ready

My amazing group of girls, they all have always been there for me and I couldn't have imagined my day without them. 

Our little Hemmi wanted to be a part of the pictures. 

I had to do a first look with my dad. I'm such a daddy's girl and wanted this moment captured. 

The moment he saw me *insert happy tears*

First kiss as HUSBAND and WIFE!!! 

Read Part 2 Here!

My wedding dress: Mori Lee Dress Style 2620, from J&B Bridals
Men's Suits: J&B Bridals

Photograper: Lauren Elizabeth Photography

Wedding Programs: Crafty Pie Press

Maggie Sottero Summer in Love Photo Contest

Okay, normally I'm not one of those people who is all for entering sweepstakes and getting people to vote for certain things of mine. I just usually have the worst luck with stuff like that and I don't even bother.

(Picture from Maggie Sottero website) 

But, I follow a wedding dress designer Maggie Sottero on Facebook and they're having a sweepstakes, that is pretty sweet. It's called Summer in Love Photo Contest. When you enter you get a chance to win a wedding dress and $2,000! Pretty crazy. I do have a wedding dress, but the extra money would be such a big help. So I entered, but you have to get people to vote for your picture...if you could so kindly just take a minute of your time to vote for Caleb and I! :) Here's the link https://www.facebook.com/Maggie.Sottero?sk=app_451684954848385&brandloc=DISABLE&app_data=view-vote%2Cfor-4235957 

It would be amazing if I won. But I know it's all about chance, and there is many people that have entered and have a lot of votes. Chances are slim, but I just want to try! 

Also, if you are engaged. You can enter as well! Everyone deserves a chance and I believe that whoever wins than they really needed it :) No hard feelings! 

10 Tips on finding The One: Wedding Gown

Oh, wedding dresses. They come in so many different styles, fabric, and even colors. 

How in the world can you possibly choose THE ONE?!? 

If you just got engaged and started browsing online at all the different types of dresses, you probably feel a bit overwhelmed and also excited. You might have tons of dresses saved because you like them all, you may know exactly what you want, or maybe you can't find any that you like and feel like you will never find one. Take a deep breath. It's all going to be okay. 

Finding YOUR dress is a very exciting and emotional experience. But it can be a bit overwhelming. Especially if you just dive right into things without having a plan. Yes, dress shopping requires a small plan just so you can have the best experience. Since everyone is different. Every bride is different and will experience dress shopping differently. For me, dress shopping started the day after I got engaged...two years ago. I thought I liked a certain style of dresses but turns out two years later I found a dress different than what I thought I liked. But it is perfect. I'm so glad I didn't buy a dress until now. I won't share anything about my dress on here just because only a select few know what it looks like. And I'm not giving that away. For me my dress is very important so you all will have to wait til after we are married to see it :) 

I decided to talk about the wedding dress because it is very important but it can also be overwhelmed. I can say from experience that I did get overwhelmed and I even had a plan. The day I went I wanted my mom and Caleb's mom there, his older and younger sister, and my sister.  From the start my consultant was so amazing. She called me up a few days before my appointment to talk about the kinds of dresses I had in mind, and to email her dresses that I wanted to try. But I could only email her five or six. I was like what?! I probably had about 15-20 saved! So I narrowed it down. And the day of my appointment she already had all of the dresses pulled and ready. With each dress I tried on she told me to rate it either number 1, 2, or 3. I have never had anyone put them in a ranking but honestly, that was the best idea. I probably tried on about 10 or so dresses. My appointment went on for about 2 or 3 hours...I don't really remember. But before I knew it I had narrowed it down to three dresses. Then down to two. Then one. I chose a dress, but a couple weeks later I started to second guess myself and I had to make sure I was making the right decision. I went back with just my mom and decided. I won't say if I went with the original one, or the other. But I just had to be sure I was making the right choice. I love my dress and I can't wait to reveal it! 

So from my experience I have some tips on finding The One. When it comes to the wedding dress of course! 

1. Find your style: Figure out what looks best on you and what fits your personality. Don't always follow what's in style right now. Because styles are always changing. Find what reflects you and it'll never go out of style. 
2. Your shopping buddies: Bring who you want. Just be sure to keep the number down. More people means more opinions and it can be overwhelming for you and even your consultant. 
3. Budget: Make sure you know what you want to spend. And don't try on anything that is more than you can comfortably afford. 
4. Trust your instincts: If someone wants you to try something on but you don't like it. Speak up. It's YOUR day and YOUR dress. You have the final say. This also applies to when everyone says they love a dress but you just can't say you do. Don't be afraid to say no and move on to another. You know it's your dress when you say can you love it. 
5. Keep it simple: With every dress you try on. Rate it. If it doesn't fit in the top three. Then it's a no. Once you tried on about 10 dresses. Stop and re try on your top three and go from there. It keeps things from getting to confusing. 
6. Choices: If you are set on a style of dress, at least try a different style on so you know that it's what you like best.
7. You don't have to say yes, right away: Deciding on your gown can be hard. If you need to sleep on it. Then sleep on it. Don't let anyone pressure you into deciding that same day. 
8. Wear Makeup: And do your hair nice. You want to feel good about yourself when trying on dresses. 
9. Undergarments: Wear white or nude boy shorts or bikini styles. And a strapless nude or white bra. You may be seen in them so don't let your goods show to much. That means NO THONGS! 
10. Pictures: Take pictures of every single dress from different angles. This will help you get a feel for what you'll look like on camera. *Some bridal stores might not allow cameras so ask first. 

There is so many tips out there and I encourage you to research them and have an idea what you want. 

Just remember, when you find your dress you won't want to take it off and it'll make your heart flutter. 

Have fun searching for your wedding gown! 

Cheers! 

My bridal store: J&B Bridals

Images from: Maggie Soterro and J&B

Also, the images above are to show different styles. My dress isn't one of those above posted.