Monday, October 31, 2011

Life, Love & Puppy Prints


Hello! If you don't know who I am, I'm Carolyn from life, love & puppy prints - otherwise known as Kristin's Beebs!! 

I'm SO excited to be kicking off Kristin's wedding guest bloggers! Luckily, we were able to plan our weddings together, and after Saturday, we'll both be married! (You can check out all of my wedding planning adventures here.)

I figured that since I'm a new member of the married club, I could give Kristin some advice on how to get the most out of her wedding day. Jason and Kristin are PERFECT for each other, and I know that the wedding day is going to go perfectly (Kristin's planned for EVERY SINGLE thing possible... haha she's a planner) but weddings are crazy, and since I've been through it, I decided I should share my wisdom.

So... here's my advice... picture style!
(that's right! You're getting a sneak peek of my wedding photos!!!)

1. Pick a man that gives you butterflies, that knows you better than anyone, that you can't imagine living without. It makes all the craziness of life worth it. 


2. Make sure you have a wedding party that are your good friends, that are really good looking, and most of all make sure you have a wedding party that knows how to have fun!!!


3. You'll need a gorgeous day. Sunshiney and perfect. Perfect weather for your perfect day. 


4. You can't forget about the outfit. You need the most amazing, perfect outfit that was made for you. 

5. Don't worry about everything that's going to go wrong. Stuff is going to happen. But the most important thing about the day is also going to happen. You're going to get married. Remember that. Just enjoy that. 

6. HAVE FUN! Weddings are basically a giant party. Don't forget that part!

7. And the shoes!!! You're going to need some AMAZING shoes!!!

So... Beebs, if you follow that advice, you're guaranteed to have a great wedding day! I sure did!

Side note:
Kristin - Thank you so much for being a part of my day. I love you and don't know what I would have done without you there! I'm so excited to be there on your big day! You're getting married!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Friday, October 28, 2011

Good Bye Miss

The next time I blog I will be a MARRIED lady! I am so excited! After 14 months of preparation the big day is finally almost here! IT'S MY WEDDING WEEK!!!!!!!!!! I want to thank all of you fabulous ladies for your support, advice, and inspiration during my engagement! It's been so fun sharing and exchanging plans with all of you.
I can't believe after 26 years of dreaming about my wedding, 22 years of crushing on Jason, almost 4 years of dating and 14 months of being engaged that I finally get to say "I DO" and marry the love of my life. I feel so blessed and overcome with love. It's so much more than a wedding or even getting married, it's celebrating life and love with not only my honey but our families and dearest friends. This whole wedding thing really is quite incredible and I know I will be a big ball of emotions for the next 8 days...and to be honest probably for a few days after. Heck, I'm getting emotional just writing this (please tell me that's normal).

While the planning is DONE and the remaining "to-do's" are minimal...I have a lot to do next week, leading up to the big day and I know that I can't possibly give my beloved blog the love and attention it deserves! You all know I couldn't neglect my blog for two whole weeks (wedding prep + wedding + honeymoon= a long time away) so, I have asked some of my dear friends and fellow bloggers to share their weddings with you while I'm gone. I am so excited for these ladies to guest post and I know you will love them all!

On that note, thank you SO very much BB, Katie, CarolineMrs. BearSara Jayne, Steph,  Kristen, KaraBrynnRuthie and Shay for sharing your special days and guest blogging! I can't wait for everyone to read your awesome posts! 
You guys rock my socks off!

I hope you all have a wonderful couple of weeks, I will miss you all while I'm laying on the beaches of the Riviera Maya with my HUSBAND! OK, fine, I won't miss you while I'm on the beach...but I will miss you and I am excited to get back and share all the details with you all! OK, I'm not excited to come back. 
You all get the point.

Holy cow, I can't believe the time has finally come!
Peace out Cub Scouts!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Check, Check and Check

I am cruising through these last weeks of wedding planning with the greatest of ease! It's hard to concentrate on anything non-wedding related, so I've just been taking care of all things wedding, you all know how I love to get stuff crossed off my list! Things are going so well and getting done so quickly that I am just waiting for a bomb to drop.....

I have all of the presents for the wedding party, our parents and my honey wrapped and I even have the cards written!
Our guest room has officially been converted to Wedding Central.


I have my bridesmaid's breakfast all ordered and organized, as well as lunch for the wedding party. Thanks to Panera Bread and Subway!



I went to the salon where I am getting my nails done and picked out my manicure and pedicure colors:
for my hands
for my toes


My engagement ring has been dropped off and is being cleaned and re-dipped so it can look like this again:


The welcome bags are all put together and ready to be dropped off at the hotel! 
{whoopsies, I forgot to take a pic}


All of my Guest blog posts are done and scheduled! Thanks ladies!!!!! 


I met with all of my vendors last week to finalize the day-of schedule and coordinate all those last details.

Thank you notes have gone out to all of those who sent wedding presents ahead of time.

The reception and ceremony materials have been separated, boxed and are ready to be dropped off early next week! 

I've even started laying out clothes to be packed for the honeymoon!!!

9 days people. 9 frickin' days! SINGLE DIGITS!
 
Time to enjoy our last weekend as an engaged couple and prepare for the WEDDING WEEK filled with pampering, family, friends and a ton of fun!!! 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

My Last Wedding Wednesday

Well, OK, not my last...you know I'll have post-Wedding Wednesdays, but this is officially my last pre-Wedding Wednesday! How crazy is that? I have absolutely LOVED sharing my planning process with all of you and have loved hearing your feedback and ideas! I decided for my last WW post to take a little trip down memory lane and look back at past Wedding Wednesdays and the planning process in general!

First, we got engaged!

GUESS WHAT.....?!?!?!
Posted September 7, 2010


We set a date!

We Have a Date!!!
posted on October 10, 2010


I shared my (life saving) Checklist courtesy of WeddingWire.com

Wedding To Do
posted October 14, 2010


We booked our DJ, Nightlife Entertainment.

Go DJ, Cuz That's My DJ
posted October 28, 2010


My dad and step-mom hosted an Engagement Party for us

Engagement Party
posted November 8, 2010


I asked my dearest friends to be bridesmaids!

Asking My Girls
posted November 19, 2010


We hired our videographer, eMotion Media!

Wedding Wednesday: Videographer!
posted on December 8, 2010


I went shopping for and bought my wedding dress!

I Found My Dress!
posted on December 21, 2010


We booked our hotel

Wedding Wednesday: Hotel
posted December 29, 2010


We booked our florist, Arts & Flowers Design Studio

Wedding Wednesday: FLOWERS!
posted on January 5, 2011


We booked our AMAZING photographer, Sara Jayne!

Wedding Wednesday: PHOTOGRAPHER!!!
posted on January 19, 2011


I found my DREAM wedding shoes!!!

OMG, THEY'RE HERE!
posted January 21, 2011


We booked our honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico!!!

Wedding Wednesday: HONEYMOON!
posted on February 2, 2011


I found an amazing place for me and my girls to get ready and to do our hair and make-up, Smart & Chic Beauty Lounge!

Smart & Chic Beauty Lounge
posted on February 22, 2011


We picked out Tuxedos!

Wedding Wednesday: Tuxedos
posted on February 22, 2011


I picked out bridesmaid dresses with my girls!

A Super Awesome Girly Day
posted on March 7, 2011


We booked our vendor for linen rentals, We've Got It Covered.

Wedding Wednesday: Linens!
posted on March 9, 2011


We had a Wedding Party Party {which was the best idea ever, by the way!}

Wedding Party Party
posted on March 22, 2011


We hired our ceremony musician, Bruce.

Wedding Wednesday: Ceremony Music
posted April 6, 2011


We booked our day-of transportation, Total Luxury Transportation.

Wedding Wednesday: Transportation
posted on April 13, 2011


We sent our Save the Dates!

Save the Date!
posted on May 6, 2011


I shared some of our Engagement Pictures!

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Photos!!!
posted May 11, 2011


Me and my bridesmaids went to see the movie Bridesmaids

Wedding Wednesday: I Heart Bridesmaids!
posted on May 18, 2011


I shared some details like our unity candle, my garter, our guest book and more!

Wedding Wednesday: Odds & Ends
posted May 25, 2011


We found a place for our Groom's Dinner

Wedding Wednesday: Groom's Dinner
posted June 29, 2011

We chose a song for our first dance
posted July 27, 2011


I had my first bridal shower!
Posted August 23, 2011


My girls whisked me away for an amazing Bachelorette Lake Weekend!
Posted August 30, 2011


We picked out wedding bands, got our marriage license and sent out our invitations!
Posted August 31, 2011


I shared our Wedding Invitations
Wedding Wednesday: Our Invitations!
Posted September 14, 2011


I shared pics from my second Bridal Shower
and my Bachelorette Party!
Posted September 21, 2011


We hit the one month countdown!
Wedding Wednesday: ONE MONTH!
posted October 5, 2011

I completed our seating chart {the least fun part of planning}
That Sucked
posted October 6, 2011


I made a card box
Card Box!
Posted October 12, 2011


My Bridesmaids hosted an incredible Bridal Shower
Meant to Bee
posted October 17, 2011


And, yesterday, I shared all of my DIY projects.
DIY Projects
posted October 25, 2011

Wow! After all of that and now we're only 10 days away from our wedding! It's crazy how time flies! It's been an amazing 14 months and I can't believe it's almost over!
It's kind of bittersweet....but I'm ready, bring on the "I Do's."