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.

More Things To Do

As we get closer to the big day, I realize there may be a few more things I need to do or need to take credit for doing... Here's my new check list .


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 -- March 30th!
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
Send Photographer Pics For Guest Book
Register for Gifts
Plan Rehearsal Dinner <-- Dave's Mom taking care of
Write Thank You Notes for Shower -Done For 2 Showers
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

I'm Officially A Mailbox Stalker!

The wedding invitations are out in the mail and hopefully on people's fridges! I'm so in love with them and apparently other people are in love with them too!!

After all the trouble I had making up my mind, finding something I liked and was happy with..I'm loving my decision. We've gotten a lot of compliments on the addressing as well that Dave's mom did. We've even been asked if she would do it as a side job for some I know getting married later this year.

Now that they've been mailed out, I've become even more obsessed with checking the mail than before. We only have one key to our mailbox and I just keep it in my car. I'm now to the point when I get to the main street we live off of, I'm grabbing the key, and going straight to the mailbox when I get home.  We've already gotten 3 or 4 RSVP's back...but today...8 of them...and they were all yes's! I'm so excited!
Some people haven't written little notes saying "We wouldn't miss it." I've had a bunch of people write on my wall letting me know they got the invite in the mail and are looking for something to wear! I love it!! It really just makes me smile!

We even got our wedding gift today! My good friend and mentor from my first news job, Ashley, won't be able to attend because of May being a ratings month in TV (I really didn't even think about it when we sent the date...opps!)  I got home after excitement of 8 RSVP's and walk in the door and there's a box from Target inside. I opened it, and inside a beautiful wrapped gift in Target's logo print on white paper (who knew they had some awesome gift wrap) and inside.. a set of 4 beer glasses!! We love them!! Dave is so excited.. it's one of the things he wanted since he loves beer! Thanks Yarchin! Love ya lots!

 As for the Checklist....it's almost all done!! We got so much done the past week.... Dave's ring has been ordered and is already in!  6 guys have been measured for their tuxes...just waiting on one more. It's all the small things.. music list, picture list, download music I've already selected.  I got to order sand for the sand ceremony. I found pink sand but can't find orange similar to it. It's not really sand.. it's more like thick tiny rocks... I guess that's a good way to explain it. =)  

We should get our guestbook from our photographer this week. She told me she would mail it today. She loves the way it turned out and now I can't wait to see it!!


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 <---6 Guys Measured...1 More to go...

        Make Appointment for Alterations

        Have beads fixed on dress <- Pick up next week!!!!

·              Bridesmaid Order Dresses 

·              Must take picture list < -- started working on

        Send Envelopes to Susanne to be addressed

·              Go to post office to weigh invitation

·              Schedule hair trial <-- had to reschedule, made appointment for Bridal portraits

·              Figure out who’s doing my makeup

·              Apply For Marriage License

       Send photographer disc of pics for guest book  <-- Photographer has ordered!

       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 ordered!

·              Solemates – heel covers

Until next time....  1 month, 4 weeks and 1 day to Mrs.!

85 days to go... And Thinking Of Those Who'll Be Missing Out

Man how time is flying now... It seems like the year just started...but no..Tuesday is the first day March already!

Things are getting done and finished... including paying off all of our vendors. Thanks in part to our tax returns, that is now done!  That's a big accomplishment! Now it's just to finish up all the small things.
We got our favors delivered last week! They turned out so awesome! I can't wait for everyone to see them!

I feel like things are getting done, but I can't remember any more what I've done.. lol
The best thing done.. wedding invitation envelopes are done!! There's a handfull left for Dave's mom to do but she's in town this weekend and brought them with her! They look awesome!!

We had a little issue with the bridal party this week. Dave's groomsmen Anthony is in the Marine Corps and is stationed in Yuma, AZ. He got orders this week for deployment soon after the wedding, so with him living out of state, he needed to step down to take care of things for his deployment to Afghanistan.  So Dave decided to ask my step-dad Joe to be a groomsmen, and he happily accepted so things are good now.  Thanks Anthony for your service and you will be missed! But country comes first.

Mr. & Mrs. Anderson Young

One another note, I went to a wedding last weekend. My friend and sorority sister, Prissy, got married.  Her wedding also gave me a chance to see our wonderful photographers, Judy Kay & Wayne last weekend. Prissy looked amazing and had a great wedding. Everything was beautiful. Brooke and I had such a good time. (Both of our guys backed out on us last minute so we went as each other's date.. Hey That's what a sisters for!)

Brooke & I 

Chaunte', Josh & Stee

That same weekend I went home to Columbia was a great weekend to go home.  My friend Josh is a member of the South Carolina National Guard and on Sunday, February 19th.. he deployed to Fort Hood, Texas for a month before heading to Afghanistan for a year tour. Dave and I had spent the weekend before with Josh and his fiance', Stee. 

On Shem Creek

They came to Charleston to celebrate Stee's birthday and Valentine's Day and they stayed with us and we got to have lunch together out on Shem Creek.  Dave and I were glad we had some time to see Josh off at the airport before heading home to Charleston. It was a very emotional moment... as we spent the time with Josh and his family before he left.
We hate he won't get to join us for our wedding but we know he'll be there in spirit.  Josh-- Thank you for what your doing. We can't wait to meet up when you're home for R&R, but more importantly, we look forward to your safe return and ride on the Thriller next summer!

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

·              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

   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 

·              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

Impacts of the First Lady

112 days to go....holy cow! How time is flying. But I do have to say we are getting a lot of things done. (see check list below)

Over the past two weeks, I've gotten a lot of things ordered including stuff for the sand ceremony, the sparklers for our departure and  our awesome wedding cake topper. We ordered the cutout from a guy known as Crafty Eddy (Craftyeddy@gmail.com). He's out of Cumming, Georgia and can make just about anything out of wood. I first contacted him, he sent me a link back telling me what he could do as well as a link to his picture gallery so we could see some of his stuff.  Dave & I really liked the three-in-one so we asked if he had the font we had been using for just about everything and he did, so he sent back a computer mock up. I paid for it and a day later I get this picture showing me our awesome topper. Two business days later, the cake topper was here and now the fun begins of painting it and decorating it with rhinestones!  I highly recommend Crafty Eddy for future uses!

Also this week, I had Dave start making our card photo box for the wedding.  I'll post pictures on that once it's done but so far I love the way it's turning it out.

During my days off this week, I went to Columbia to get some stuff done.  (This is where the title of my blog comes in)  The day before I'm supposed to leave to come up and I get multiple phone calls and emails from my cater at the reception hall (Ft Jackson Officers Club) telling me I needed to call her and reschedule my Thursday meeting.  Well the day she was calling/emailing was a busy day at work so I wasn't able to get back to her til that night.  She told me she was having to reschedule my appointment to either Wednesday or Friday, because they had an unexpected guest coming in and the Club would be closed on Thursday.  I didn't think much about it, but said that's fine.  I'll be there Wednesday.  So Wednesday, I gathered up the troops (my family -- no pun intended) and headed to the club. We arrived and there were MP (military police) everywhere, soldiers standing all around the building, and dozens of black SUVs in the parking lot. That's

The First Lady @ The O Club

when it hit me.  First Lady Michelle Obama was visiting the base on Thursday.  We walked in and there was secret service everywhere you looked.  Our appointment was delayed about 45 minutes because of the chaos, but I found out indeed Mrs. Obama would be having a press conference at the Club the next day so all of her staff & SS were there checking it out. Kinda cool..but boy did all the craziness make for a difficult appointment. The catering manager at the club is pretty crazy already... but to add on this on top, she was spastic! We kept getting interrupted by staff, secret service, and soldiers... but finally after an hour and a half...we got the menu taken care of for the reception as well as discussing set up inside the room.

Here's some other things crossed off our list:

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 <-- Info is being sent to them, Papa is measured

        Make Appointment for Alterations

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

·              Bridesmaid Order Dresses <-- 4 have ordered and 3 have received

·              Must take picture list

·              Go to post office to weigh invitation

·              Schedule hair trial

·              Figure out who’s doing my makeup

·              Apply For Marriage License

   Need to Make:

·              Card Box <-- started buying pieces

·              Programs

·              “Day Of” wear

·              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 <--looking at a few ideas

·              Sparklers, Ribbons & Container

·              Pen for guest book

·              Koozies <--ordered will arrive next week

·              Parasols found them at Hobby Lobby!

·              Beverage Napkins

·              Flutes & serving set

·              Solemates – heel covers

      We're getting there...and I can't wait!

My To-Do List

Well Happy 2011! It's my wedding year!  I can't believe it's finally here. I feel like it was only yesterday I was calling vendors and having to repeat myself, "No, not next year. 2011." Now it's here and now I realize what I still have to get done.

I figured I could start posting my "To Do" list and marking off things when they are accomplished.  Note: This is not a complete list of everything I must do or have for the wedding, but a list of what I must complete from here on out.

 Need to Do:

·            Meet with Carol for catering

·            Update flower list with Sandra

·             Download wedding ceremony music

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

·              Measurements for Guy Tuxs

        Make Appointment for Alterations

        Have beads fixed on dress

·              Bridesmaid Order Dresses

·              Pictures for memory table

·              Must take picture list

·              Go to post office to weigh invitation

·              Schedule hair trial

·              Figure out who’s doing my makeup

·              Apply For Marriage License

   Need to Make:

·              Card Box

·              Programs

·              “Day Of” wear

·              Sand Ceremony Frame

·              Emergency Kit

      

   Need to Buy/Order:

·              Clear Labels for Return Address

·              Frames For Flip Flop & Map Sign

·              US Travel Map

·              Stick Pins

·              Postage for invitations

·              Pick out other gifts for Bridal Party

·              Sand/ Glasses (sand ceremony)

·              Dave’s wedding band

·              Garter

·              Business card holders for sharing cards

·              Sparklers, Ribbons & Container

·              Pen for guest book

·              Koozies

·              Parasols

·              Beverage Napkins

·              Flutes & serving set

·              Solemates – heel covers

      

          Not  too bad I guess. It could be worse.  I've made the appointment for alterations for next week. My   mom is coming down for my birthday and we'll go to David's, then we'll go by the place I want to order the koozies from, and then try and find a place to order the sparklers locally.   One bridesmaid has ordered and received her dress. Both my matron and maid of honor both went and were fitted this week.  So that one is almost crossed off.   

           And we had a little run in this week with the guy's tuxes.  The original place we were going to rent them from is now going out of business but we have since found another place and they've been such a big help.  They even sent Dave a thank you note today for choosing them and they look forward to working with us.  From my understanding, they just took over the rentals from the store going out of biz, so I believe we are their first rental order.

           We'll make it! One day at a time... Until Next time!

Cake Tasting

One of the things I think Dave was looking forward to the most...and I have to admit I was to..was cake tasting. We've been looking online and asking for recommendations on Facebook from friends for wedding cake bakeries in the Columbia-area and options were pretty slim. It seems there are only three or four popular places that people use.

We used one of the more popular ones for our engagement party cake... I loved the way it turned out. It was exactly what I asked for....the only problem.. the cake was VERY dry and the icing had no taste. There was some fondant on there... like the endzones, yard markers and the stars but I just wasn't pleased with it...especially for the price we paid. So after that experience, I knew I wouldn't go back there. Plus the day I picked up the cake, the baker/owner wasn't very pleasant.

So I continued to search... I heard a lot about one place in West Columbia that's pretty well known....but I wasn't pleased with the things I saw on the website... so I Googled....googled...and googled..... and out of no where, I found... Parties To Go. Carol Sturkie is the sole baker/employee who's been in business for 30 years. I spoke with her by phone last week and was pleased to talk to her and what she had to say. So we made an appointment for this past Saturday to have a consultation.

Mom, Dave and I ventured out to her bakery shop, which also happens to be out in West Columbia.. and completely fell in love with Carol. Her bakery smelt amazing as soon as we walked in. And her cake...omg! It was amazing! Her wedding cake is a cream cheese pound cake...delicious!!! I showed her what I had in mind.... I wanted this cake exactly as it is...except I wanted orange and pink..rather

than the yellow of course. I told her off the bat I didn't want it completely covered in fondant so the plan is for the cakes to be covered in butter cream icing with the dots only being done in fondant. The layers in between the cake will be done in pink.. with the majority of the circles b ein g done in orange tones and the smaller dots will be pink! And her pricing... it can't be beat!
I really can't wait to see what Carol does for us come May.

In the mean time... Dave kept talking about wanting a cake for this weekend's football tailgate. It's the weekend (other than the wedding) we have been looking forward to. Carolina and Tennessee will take to the gridiron Saturday. So after we ordered/discussed the wedding cake, Dave and Carol talked about a cake for the tailgate.. I'm not sure what the plan is or what's going to be on the cake so I guess we will wait and see.

One other thing we completed this past weekend was the ceremony planning. Mary Louise, a friend of mine and girlfriend of my college professor, will be marrying us. Dave and I had dinner with her and Dick Saturday night to kind of catch up and plan the ceremony. So that is pretty much done... Lots of things getting checked off the TO DO list... with a lot still left to do.

One other thing I hope to complete this week is to pick out the font for the invitations. The print company who is doing out invitations is in West Ashley and we are living in Summerville now... so it's like a 25 to 30 minute drive over there.

Until next time...

Flowers Here, Flowers There!

     One of the things I really thought would be pretty easy would be flowers as I knew even before I was engaged who my florist would be.  Sandra Chastain is a very close friend of my mom's. Her daughter, Bella, was in my mom's class a few years ago and the two of them built such a strong bond, that mom started
babysitting Bella on weekends for Sandra and her husband, David.  Sandra owns Chastain's Floral on Universal Drive in Columbia and has been doing floral arrangements for years. In 1996, she was named "Designer of the Year" for the state, so we are working with someone who's pretty amazing.

     Dave and I met with Sandra on a Friday afternoon.  The first questions were pretty simple.  Date, Venue, Time, Number of Attendants and wedding colors.  After that, I had no idea what to think. I brought in samples of what I liked and Sandra, being amazing, had her own ideas of what would work with where we are getting married as well as what would look best with bridesmaid dresses and the men's suits. We picked out a certain style for the bridesmaid bouquets.  I've posted a picture to the left of something similar.  Instead of pink roses, since they would blend with the girls' dresses, they will be orange roses. The guys will be wearing simple boutonnieres made up of an orange rose with some sort of pink accent.   
    She then asked what I wanted for my bouquet... Ummmm.... defiantly didn't think about that. So my mission right now is to take some time to consider that and get back to her at a later date. Then we had to discuss who else in the wedding party would be needing flowers.  Then I thought we were done. Oh no... not anywhere close. I totally forgot that we needed to discuss flowers for the ceremony as well as the reception.  Needless to say, I don't want to do anything over the top with either.  We are getting married outside and it will be absolutely beautiful on its own. But why pay so much for flowers when seriously the ceremony will only be 20 minutes long.    We then discussed the reception.. After three hours of talking about flowers, we were just about done until we realized her husband actually did catering so we then started discussing things with him for our rehearsal dinner.  Four hours after walking in, we were completely done and full of ideas and a list of things we needed to discuss and take care of.  All in all, it was a good day with a pretty price tag. =)

If you are looking for flowers for any occasion thought, I highly recommend her.  Here's her new website that she just launched.  http://www.chastainsfloral.com/