2011: The Year In Review

It's hard to believe tomorrow is the last day of 2011.  This year has had it's ups and downs, people have come in and go in my life , but overall, 2011 has been a great year.

I figured my last blog of the year could be a reflection of big events that have taken place throughout the year.

As always the year started with my birthday along with so many other friends celebrating their birth.
We had people over for game night and had a lot of fun.

26th Birthday

Shortly after that day, my "nephew"  was born. My friends Melissa gave birth to Reid.  He's the cutest kids I've ever seen and I'm not saying that just because he's my nephew, he really is!

Reid Lewis

In February, my friend Josh G. received orders for deployment. Dave and I were lucky enough to be in Columbia they day he flew out and were able to see him off along with my mom, our friends Krystle & Joe and Josh's fiancé, Stee. 

Me with Josh & Stee

My friend & sorority sister Prissy got married as well that same weekend. I got to reconnect with a lot of girls I hadn't talked in since graduation, so it was opportunity to see some many faces! Congrats again to them, they are so cute and such a sweet couple!

Andy & Prissy (Photo Courtesy: J.Kay Bryan)

March & April were full of events related to the wedding. The ladies at the church in Columbia that I grew up at hosted a bridal shower for me.  It was such a fun time. I was really glad that one of my bridesmaids, Amanda and my future in-laws were able to make it since it was during the middle of the week. 

Church Bridal Shower

Christie, Melissa & Tracy also host another bridal shower/bachelorette party for me at the clubhouse at our apartment complex.  We had an awesome time, with lots of laughs. 

Bridal Shower/ Bachelorette Party

Melissa, Christie & Tracy

May of course was the best month of the entire year.. it's the month I married buy best friend and became a Turner. We also went on our 7 day honeymoon cruise. 

You can see more pictures from the wedding here and some other pictures from the honeymoon here.  ( I know, I never finished blogging about the cruise... one day....) 

In June, we took things slow, trying to get back to normal life and get our place in order after being invaded with wedding gifts.  I did host my first ever lia sophia jewelry part with my friend Heike. Us girls had a great time trying on jewelry and of course, spending money!

Heike with lia sophia

We celebrated the 4th of July with some friends and family out in Mount Pleasant and caught the fireworks show on the Isle of Palms.  

August and September were pretty busy.  I got a chance to finally see Hootie & The Blowfish in concert for the first time. It was great to see Darius and the band get back together and play in their hometown. 

I also worked with a non-profit for a while and met a great person that I have now become good friends with.  Even though we no longer are apart of that organization, we are hoping that in 2012 we can create a new one to give back to our military. Susan is such an inspiration and I'm so glad to have met her!

With Susan on 9/11

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.  They were on a read trip to Texas over their anniversary, so they decided to have a vow renewal ceremony in October at our home church.  About 40 people showed up to show their love and support.

In November, Dave & I got the chance to go to the Florida vs. USC football in Columbia.  Our friend Josh got to come home early from deployment and got tickets.  We sat in the end zone -- great seats -- and it was the perfect game to go to! It was homecoming so I got a chance to see a bunch of friends who were in town for the game.

Josh & Dave

Thanksgiving we spent in Columbia with family.  My mom & stepdad came down from Kentucky and Dave's family came up from Augusta.  

The weekend after Thanksgiving, Dave had to leave for El Paso, Texas for a month of training for work, leaving me back in Charleston by myself.  Boy, that was the longest month of my life.

During December, my best friend married her best friend in a small ceremony! Suzanne & Matt got married on the 17th in Athens, Georgia.  They are the sweetest couple and are perfect for each other! I'm so happy they found one another. 

Suzanne & Matt

Dave happend to return the same day I was in Athens for Suzanne's wedding, meaning he got to come home a week early and we'd be able to spend more time with his mom for Christmas.  We spent 4 nights in Augusta. On Christmas day, my grandparents and uncle came down to exchange gifts and have dinner.  We had a great time. 

The Baxter-Brown-Dasher-Turner Family!

Our First Christmas

Those are just some of the highlights of the year. I'm really looking forward to what's in store for 2012! 

From our family to yours, Happy New Year!

Party's Over, Just 30 Days To Go!

Whoa...where has all the time gone? I'm getting married in 30 days! 30 days! Holy crap!! I'm so excited that it's almost here. Let me get through next weekend and I'll be even more excited with it being May...and the honeymoon just being around the corner.

Well last weekend was my final bridal shower/bachelorette party. What started out as a really rough week full of bad news turned so much better thanks to my awesome family and bridesmaids, Melissa & Tracy and my Maid of Honor, Christie.  We rented out the clubhouse here at the apartment for the afternoon and had a great time with lots of laughs.
Here are just a few pictures:

I got our martini glass set from Crystal

Melissa, Christie & Tracy

Opening More Gifts

We had a great time and I can't thank these ladies enough for putting together an awesome party with so many last minute changes.

Last week I also had my bridal portraits take with Mrs. Judy Kay in downtown Charleston. We stayed within a 5 block radius and took so many pictures is so many different areas. I got some teasers from her last night and I cannot wait to see more.  She is fabulous and for anyone looking for a photographer in the state of South Carolina, I highly recommend her and her husband!

Things to Book:
Ceremony Site
Reception Site
Wedding Photographer
DJ
Videographer
Officiant
Baker
Makeup Artist
Hairstylist
Pre-Wedding Night Hotel Room
Honeymoon
Honeymoon Transportation

Things To Do:
 Pay Off Vendors
Meet with Officer's Club For Catering
Download Ceremony Music
Meet with Officiant to Design Ceremony
Guys Get Measured
Have Beads On Dressed Fixed/First Fitting
Second Dress Fitting
Bridesmaid Order Dresses
Make "Must-Take Picture" Lists
Send Envelopes To Be Addressed
Have Invitation Weighed
Stuff & Stamp Invitations
Schedule Bridal Portraits
Make Hair & Makeup Appointments For Bridals
Apply For Marriage License
Water Bottle Labels
Pick Out Picture For Sand Ceremony

Have Bridal Portraits Done

Send Photographer Pics For Guest Book
Register for Gifts
Plan Rehearsal Dinner <-- Dave's Mom taking care of

Write Thank You Notes for Shower

Change of Name Paperwork
Give Final Headcount to Venue 
Confirm Final Payment Amounts with Vendors
Confirm Location/Date/Time with Photographer
Confirm Location/Date/Time with Videographer
Confirm Location/Date/Time/Playlist with DJ

Things to Send
Save the Dates
Invitations
Thank Yous for Shower
Thank Yous for Wedding

Things to Order/Buy:
My dress
Shoes 
My Jewelry
Garter  
Day Of Wear
Wedding Rings 
Rehearsal Dinner Dress
Invitation Postage
Wedding Day Gift for Dave
Clear Labels For Invites
Water Bottle Labels
Koozie Favors
Flute & Serving Set
Bridal Party Gifts
Sand/Sand Ceremony Frame
Sparklers/Ribbon/Lighters
Pen For Guest Book
Parasols

Things to Make
Cardbox 
Envelope Liners
Rhinestone cake Topper
Tears Of Joy Packets
"I Spy" Game
Info sheet with contact numbers
Wedding Day Timeline
Wedding Day emergency bag
Monogram
Programs


Week-of-Wedding To-Dos
Rehearse Ceremony
Pack Bags for Wedding/Honeymoon
Put final payments and cash tips in marked envelopes
Wrap bridal party gifts
Drop off Materials at reception site
Prepare toasts/thanks to guests
Give wedding day schedule, directions and contact list to parents, wedding party and vendors

The Road To The Aisle

Things are really starting to come together.. I know I just blogged the other day but I've gotten so much done since then.  I think it helps I've only worked 2 of the last 6 days.  (I had a normal weekend off then got back on my regular schedule, so I worked Monday & Tuesday this week, and was off again on Wednesday & Thursday.)  Anyways...

I wanted to share what I've gotten done.  One of the big checks... Dave finished our photo card box.  I wanted to post pictures and instructions on how I did it since so many knotties on The Knot boards have been asking, but I can't find the pictures I took of Dave working on it when here started...So instead here's a link to the blog I followed....The Road To The Aisle We did just about everything the same, but instead of using L Brackets, we used Hing Brackets. I hope this helps if you want to do the project. It's a lot of fun and is a way to get the fiance' involved.

Another thing started and almost done, the wedding invitations!!! Dave's mom did a wonderful job with the calligraphy . She brought them last week and I couldn't wait to get the liners done...so right after they left on Sunday I got started!  She has 20 envelopes she still has to send to me for last minute additions and corrections.  Once I was done with the liners, I couldn't wait.... I went ahead and added in all the invites. 

Then yesterday Dave and I went and had the direction cards printed up. Since we're getting married on a military base, there's some extra steps our guest will have to take to get to the ceremony. That plus the address for the Officer's Club doesn't come up on Google Maps or in my GPS, so we wanted to make sure everyone knew where they were going. After that, we went and got the invitation weighed and purchased stamps for the invites and RSVP postcards... Don't get me started on those stamps.... Let's just say the post card stamp prices are going up during the month of April, right in the middle of my RSVP timeline. So the cards have two stamps..one with a polar bear..the other with a tiffany lamp. Not my dream stamps for my wedding invites. Anyways... I got home and couldn't wait (once again) so I started putting stamps on the RSVP cards and matching the cards with the correct envelopes. We numbered our RSVP cards to match up with our guest list in case someone forgets to put their name.  Now I will finish up the rest next week with one of my awesome bridesmaids, Melissa.  I can't wait to get the invites out in the mail and on top of that, start getting RSVPs back!!

Another project I started and I'm so excited about is our "I Spy" game/cards for the reception.  I just came across this the other day and think it would be fun and super cute. The wonderful Martha Stewart started the trend..
You have cards at all the tables and you just have random things from your reception for people to take pictures of, like "The Photographer Taking a Picture," "The MOH Helping the Bride," " The Newlyweds Talking With Guest," etc etc  I'm excited about it!



I'm so excited the big day is almost here. I can't wait to celebrate let alone go on my awesome honeymoon!




Taking Care of The List:

Need to Do:

  PAY OFF VENDORS
 Meet with Carol for catering 

·            Update flower list with Sandra

·             Download wedding ceremony music  <-- started

·             Meet with DJ – list of “to play” and “not to play” songs

·              Measurements for Guy Tuxs <--Papa & Dave have been measured, other guys have been sent info

        Make Appointment for Alterations

        Have beads fixed on dress <-- dress is dropped off

·              Bridesmaid Order Dresses < -- DONE!

·              Must take picture list < -- started working on

        Send Envelopes to Susanne to be addressed

·              Go to post office to weigh invitation

·              Schedule hair trial <-- going to see my stylist next week

·              Figure out who’s doing my makeup <-- My good friend Brittany has agreed to this, along with doing hair

·              Apply For Marriage License

       Send photographer disc of pics for guest book  <-- going out this weekend

       Water Bottle Labels

P     Put Together Invites

       Mail Out Invites

   Need to Make:

·              Card Box 

        Rhinestone Cake Topper

        Tears Of Joy Packets 

·              Programs

·              “Day Of” wear

·              Emergency Kit

En    Envelope Liners

        I Spy Game Cards

      

   Need to Buy/Order:

·            Clear Labels for Return Address

·              Postage for invitations

·              Pick out other gifts for Bridal Party

·              Sand/ Sand Ceremony Frame set

·              Dave’s wedding band

·              Garter

·              Sparklers, Ribbons & Container

·              Pen for guest book

·              Koozies 

·              Parasols 

·              Flutes & serving set <-- mom is taking care of

·              Solemates – heel covers

Getting Things Done!

Well today is a big milestone in our countdown to Mr. & Mrs. 100 days from now will be the big party and celebration, starting our new lives together! I'm so excited and can't wait.  It seems like only yesterday we were on the cruise ship and he proposed! Where has all the time gone??!!

We'll we've been getting things done... small things but hey they count. Things are starting to come in the mail, so once they arrive, I try to get the project knocked out of the way.  One of the first things done is our awesome custom water bottle labels.  We'll be having buckets out full of water for our guests since the wedding is outside and in Columbia, May can be warm sometimes. So we came up with two designs using our wedding colors and awesome e-pics... I did a case of water myself but then my mom and MOH wanted to help out as well so I shipped them each labels to take care of. So I can check that off my list.
I then needed a new projects (I know, I really don't need more to do) but I'd been chatting with some of the other May 2011 Brides on The Knot and a lot of them were doing "Tears of Joy" packets.. They are little envelopes with some tissue for anyone who thinks they may cry..and knowing my friends and family, there will be tears. I already had everything I needed here to make them, so why not.  I had lots of extra envelopes from the RSVP cards since we turned them into postcards, I had some extra ribbon and labels, and Dave has been sick and we bought two boxes of tissue so why not.  I made 60 of them. I didn't think everyone would need them. I've included a picture of my inspiration.












And finally yesterday I tackled my favorite project -- My cake topper. I finally got my rhinestones. I order them off etsy.com and had no idea the rhinestones were coming from Hong Kong so I was waiting for about 3 weeks for delivery. I'm not gonna post my final picture..but I show you one I took soon after I started. I'm so excited for it!

It's all coming along and I can't wait.  We also had some more people book the cruise... right now, there are about 25 people or so going.  That includes my parents, grandparents, Dave's Mom & Kelly, Ryan & Allison (Dave's cousin and girlfriend), Groomsmen Anthony, Kentrell & Jeff along with each of their ladies, The Knudsen family and a few others! I'm so excited!


Some other news -- I have two bridal showers coming in.  The ladies at the church I grew up in is having one for me in mid-March and my MOH & two other bridesmaids that live in the Charleston-area want to throw me a shower. Date has not been set.. And then Suzanne and I talked this week and decided on a date for my BACHELORETTE PARTY! I can't wait!

Need to Do:

·            Meet with Carol for catering 

·            Update flower list with Sandra

·             Download wedding ceremony music  <-- started

·             Meet with DJ – list of “to play” and “not to play” songs

·              Measurements for Guy Tuxs <--Still waiting for info to be sent, Dave called the guy yesterday

        Make Appointment for Alterations

        Have beads fixed on dress <-- dress is dropped off

·              Bridesmaid Order Dresses <-- 5 have ordered and 4 have received

·              Must take picture list

        Send Envelopes to Susanne to be addressed

·              Go to post office to weigh invitation

·              Schedule hair trial

·              Figure out who’s doing my makeup <-- My good friend Brittany has agreed to this, along with doing hair

·              Apply For Marriage License

       Send photographer disc of pics for guest book 

       Water Bottle Labels

   Need to Make:

·              Card Box <-- just need to buy lazy susan and put together

        Rhinestone Cake Topper

        Tears Of Joy Packets 

·              Programs

·              “Day Of” wear  <--ended up just buying

·              Emergency Kit

      Envelope Liners  <--cut out, now need to put in addressed envelopes

      

   Need to Buy/Order:

·            Clear Labels for Return Address

·              Postage for invitations

·              Pick out other gifts for Bridal Party

·              Sand/ Sand Ceremony Frame set

·              Dave’s wedding band

·              Garter

·              Sparklers, Ribbons & Container

·              Pen for guest book

·              Koozies <--ordered, should be arriving soon

·              Parasols 

·              Flutes & serving set <-- mom is taking care of

·              Solemates – heel covers

My Bridesmaid: Melissa Gibbons

Melissa Gibbons is such an amazing friend to me.

We just met last year out of Folly Beach with a group of friends. She happens to work with Dave and was dating a guy Dave hang out with. It wasn't until sometime later we really started hanging out and something between her and I just clicked and we talked all the time.

Over the past year, we've done so much together... like hang out at softball games together, go to the Zac Brown Band Concert, as well as celebrate lots of occasion together.. including bridal showers and birthdays.

Cooper Rive Bridge Run

One thing we've done together is participate in the 2010 Cooper River Bridge 10K. I've always wanted to do it... but never thought I would. Melissa emailed me one day and told me she wanted to sign up and thought we should too. It didn't take much convincing as Dave and I had just done a 5K together in January. Boy was that a long run and an early morning. We didn't do too bad.. we finished the race in under two hours and had a great time along the way.

She's a person I enjoy talking with because we completely understand each other. Even though she sees Dave more than me, it's okay. =) She's more my friends anyway! Just Kidding!

I'm so glad the two of us have met and have become such good friends. I know I can always count on her to give me her honest opinion on something as I will for her.

I look forward to what's to come with our friendship over the years.