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Monday, July 11, 2011

Supporting Our Troops, And Their Brides!





I've always felt the summer is a time to be patriotic, especially with the 4th of July.  It's also a time that makes me think about our military who are deployed overseas. Dave and I have some friends currently deployed and some that are actually getting ready to deploy.

Josh & his fiance' , Stee
The deployment period can be really tough especially for loved ones who are spending months apart. I have several friends who are engaged and having to plan a wedding on their own while their future spouse is defending our country.  I know planning a wedding can be tough, but I can only imagine having to do it on your own.

Two bridal stores here in South Carolina are teaming up with a national program to give military brides a free dress for their wedding day. The program, Brides Across America make it possible for military brides, who would unlikely otherwise have the opportunity, to wear beautiful wedding gowns on their big day.

Today and tomorrow (July 11th & 12th), Amanda's Collection in Conway will honor military brides, saying "thank you" to our troops by giving away designer wedding gowns.  A store in the Charleston-area will be doing the same Bridal House Of Charleston will be giving away dresses on July 20th. 

But the program isn't just local, it's taking place at a lot of bridal salons across the country. And it's so easy to get a dress. In order to qualify, brides or their fiancé must be on active duty in the military, either currently deployed or deployed within the last five years to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya or Japan. Identification and deployment papers must be presented at the event to qualify.

And if you've already planned your wedding and have your dress hanging in your closet and don't know what to do with it, why not donate it to Brides Across America. Your beautiful dress will be passed on and donated to a military bride in need. If you're interested in donating, visit http://www.bridesacrossamerica.com/Donations.html .


Remember next time you see a Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airmen, be sure to thank them for their sacrifice.


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Reception Recap

So it's been 45 days since we said "I Do" so let's see what I remember about the reception.

After the ceremony, we took about an hours worth of pictures with the bridal party and family. Dave and I were able to knock out our pictures before hand when we did our first look. To really try and get the party started, the bridal party and our parents entered the reception to "Yeah" by Usher. It's always been one of my favorite songs, especially to dance to. 

Grand Entrance
Dave and I made our grand entrance to Chris Brown's "Forever."  We made our way to the dance floor, where we had our first dance to "Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band. It's our favorite band and the perfect song for us.
 First Dance
Following our first dance, Dave danced with his mom, Susanne, to "Do I Make You Proud" by American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. I danced with my grandfather to The Judds "Grandpa" as it's a perfect song for us. Dave then also danced with Kelly to Rascal Flatts "My Wish." 

After those dances, everything else was a whirlwind. I know I tried to get around the room to speak to everyone but, boy is it tough!  But I can tell you that neither Dave or I made it all the way around the room because we had a chocolate fountain and we never saw it! lol 

Shortly after the dances, the DJ, Geoff from Soundquest DJs, called me to the floor and started talking about USC and the Gamecocks and me being a Carolina grad, etc etc.  He told me there was a surprise in the building for me....after a little "2001" music...the best mascot in the entire country walked in....COCKY!! 
It was a surprise to me that he was actually coming. I know my mom put in the request earlier in the year but I told her I didn't want to know the outcome! Cocky was a hit at the wedding with a bunch of the guests and of course, the kids! He spent a lot of time taking pictures with the guests, dancing and having a great time!  If you are a Gamecock fan or grad, and are getting married, I highly recommend you invite Cocky!!

After some dancing and a quick bite to eat ( I'm talking 2 bites of a chicken tender) it was time for the toasts and cake cutting.  The speeches by both Christie and Suzanne were amazing and really touched my heart and meant a lot to me.  Ryan's Best Man speech was so Ryan so it was a pretty funny.  Dave and I cut our amazing cake with the Marine Corps NCO sword, which was pretty awesome!
I guess when it came to the cake cutting and eating, I really never thought about the whole cake smashing. I really didn't think I would do that and I know I didn't want cake smashed all over me and on my dress.
But.. I forgot who I was marrying. Geoff asked the guests if they thought it was going to be "Naughty Or Nice" and got a reaction out of the crowd, which many thought would be naughty. And they were right. Dave reached first to smash but I got him back. Nothing too outrageous but it was fun. 

Following the cake, Dave was asked by Geoff to bring 5 guys out onto the floor who were good friends and people he wanted to thank. He asked Jeremy, Jeff, Kentrell, Ryan, and Joe Yozzo. Little did they or even we know, they were chosen to be the Village People and perform the YMCA! It was hilarious!! Cocky even got involved and tried challenging the guys with some dance moves.

We had a few other funny moments at the reception including the Flower/Garter Toss.  Dave's friend Alicia caught the bouquet and Kentrell, one of the groomsmen, caught the garter. Geoff, the DJ, then brought Alicia and Kentrell out onto the dance floor and explained that Kentrell would need to put the garter on Alicia's leg and the higher he went, the longer our marriage would last....and he'd had to do it blindfolded.  Well while blindfolder, my stepdad Joe switch seats with Alicia so Kentrell started to put the garter on Joe's foot and it wasn't until he got close to his knee when he felt Joe's pants that he ripped off the blindfold and saw what was going on.
PRICELESS MOMENT!! It was moments like this that make me so glad I had a videographer cause it's all captured!

Some of the girls from my very first clogging team also got out on the dance floor and performed one of our favorite dances "I Like It, I Love It" by Tim McGraw.  It was a hit and a chance for the to show off my dancin' shoes..my lowtop pink Chuck Taylors!

The most priceless moment and thing people are still talking about from the wedding was the groomsmen stripping on the dance floor and my grandma, yes my grandma, out there dancing with them.  There are so many pictures from this and each one is so funny. I still don't know who's idea it was but all of the groomsmen, including my grandpa, took off their shirts, kept on their ties and hit the dance floor.



Dave and I had a great time and are so thankful for everyone who came to share with us in our special day! We couldn't have had a better day and are so glad to share with you in the most important day of our lives.

Here are some other of my favorite pictures. To see more pictures from the wedding, visit http://mrandmrsdaveturner.shutterfly.com/ .



Coming up next.. a recap of our awesome and amazing 7 Day Cruise!