111 Days to Go!

Great... thanks, Blogger, for getting a new look and confusing me completely!  I wish I could blame that for the reason why I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks, but sadly, its because it has been a CRAZY past few weeks. I've been feeling so overwhelmed with school and wedding planning, it is becoming exhausting to even laugh at times (I realize that sounded dramatic, but it is entirely true!). 

Part of my problem is that I don't ask for help.  It isn't because I want to exclude people or actually be this overwhelmed, but it is due mostly to the independent/stubborn nature that my parents have so lovingly instilled in me.  And, boy am I glad they did!  Without this blessing, people would be able to walk all over me and compromise my wants and needs.  Unfortunately, I don't know HOW to ask for help, especially with planning a wedding.  As of right now, I haven't encountered too much that Matt and I can't handle/figure out between us two, but I'm sure as we continue to countdown to August 10th, that will change!

With that being unnecessarily said, I think I can finally outline some wedding details for those of you who are interested:

DATE:

Friday - August 10th, 2012

COLORS:

Purple, black, silver/gray

VENUE:

Wynding Brook Golf Course 

We were originally going to have it at Centre Furnace Mansion in State College, but after having to deal with a miserable Saturday bride (who was so unwilling to compromise on little details - she actually wanted to do her rehearsal DURING our reception!!!), we decided to just scrap that idea and go with Wynding Brook.  It is astronomically cheaper and a much nicer venue, in my opinion.  I think one of the best things about Wynding Brook is the fact that the reception would now be indoors in a modern banquet hall.  Doing it this way removes people from the August heat and saves us THAT much more money from avoiding a tent rental, etc.  The only downfall: it is about an hour away from State College in Milton, PA.  I feel quite guilty about having our friends and families, who are already traveling so far, travel a bit further, but I promise it will be worth it!!!

CATERING:

Wynding Brook provides catering at a separate, but reasonable, fee.  We've decided to avoid the hassle and stuffiness of a formal dinner and chose to serve lots of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres and snacks.  The neat thing about Wynding Brook's catering is their willingness and ability to customize hors d'oeuvres for us if we would be interested in having something at the reception that wasn't on their pre-established menu.  Hello, chicken quesadillas!  Just kidding... but not really...

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Tara Betz - Antiquity Photography

DJ:

 DJ Big Andy - Nite Lite Sound, Inc.

DRESS:

Wouldn't you like to know... ;)

All I will say is that it is the complete opposite style I had originally wanted to try on/thought I'd end up with.  However, once I spotted it hanging on the rack and tried it on, I fell IN. LOVE.  It was at the very first store (the only store, actually!) we went to - Lewisburg Bridal - and I think I'm still struggling to comprehend how quickly wedding dress shopping went.  Then again, I'm still spinning from how quickly Matt and I fell in love - dating in January, engaged by Easter?  Yep, having a fast dress appointment is just par for the course... and I wouldn't have it any other way! :)

INVITATIONS:

Just wait and see...

REGISTRY:

Target

^ Matt was entirely TOO thrilled with that registry gun!

I think the quote from him was something along the lines of, "Its like shopping without spending any money!"  Good thing he's cute... ;)

BOUQUET:

I'm actually hoping to make most of it myself in the form of a brooch bouquet (if you haven't heard of that, click HERE).  I may need to accent it with some fresh flowers underneath to fill in the gaps between the brooches, but I've begun the process of buying and collecting the pretty, glittery, expensive little things.

Obviously, we still have a good chunk of progress to make, but solidifying the dress, venue, and invitations this weekend was awesome!  Of course, we will have more information on our wedding website as it becomes available, but Matt and I have a few pieces of the website to complete yet before we're ready for everyone to see.

"Hoppy" (late!) Easter

I absolutely love Easter! Not only is a great time to enjoy warmer weather, have fun with family, and eat a lot of candy, but it is most important to understand the actual meaning of this holiday: our Savior, Jesus Christ - He is Risen! I am so blessed with the ability to comprehend and appreciate our Savior's atoning sacrifice. It is something I just want to share with everyone!!! I have such a strong testimony of the atonement and its power, and I recommend that everyone visit LDS.org to learn more about Easter and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Matt and I began our first Easter together by attending the family ward's church service. Since we had plans to spend the day with my family, we decided to go to the earlier service rather than our branch. Unfortunately, my day didn't start off on the right foot - I overslept by 45 minutes and, on the way to get Matt, my entire bag dumped over in the car. I was stressin'! To top it all off, it was a bit of "shock therapy" going to a family ward after only ever going to Penn State's university branch. I don't particularly enjoy listening to upset children and I've been spoiled since joining the church with complete silence during Sunday morning church service... needless to say, my blood pressure was through the roof after church! Despite my high cortisol levels and serious consideration to schedule a hysterectomy ASAP, I enjoyed the service and was looking forward to spending the rest of the day with my family and Matt!



We arrived to celebrate with my Mom's side of the family around noon and enjoyed playing a few rounds of croquet in lovely weather! One of my absolute favorite things is being able to walk around barefoot. I hate having to wear shoes (despite loving high heels!), so it was very refreshing to walk around in the soft grass barefoot! Next, we visited my Dad's side of the family and had a cute, impromptu Easter basket hunt outside. Unfortunately, the weather was much colder now, so I had to wear shoes :( boooo...

BUT... to add to the happiness of the Easter season, I now have yet another reason to celebrate...

I'M ENGAGED!

Matt caught me completely off-guard by proposing at the Montour Preserve (one of my favorite places at home!) after spending the day with family. We left the Hemrick family's Easter dinner and headed to the Preserve upon Matt's request in the evening. I had thought it weird that he would want to go at night when we definitely had time to stop in-between families, but went with it! And, boy, did it pay off!

So now the fun officially begins! August 10th, 2012 is the date we chose, and there will be many more details falling into place soon. I am the luckiest girl! :)

Apologies...

I have to start off by apologizing for being so darn boring!

I run into this problem often: I start a blog with the best intentions of writing down every little thing, but then realize I'm not exciting whatsoever! And I sincerely doubt anyone who reads this would want to know that I laid around my apartment all morning, cleaned, did laundry, studied a bit, and ate way too many peanut butter Snickers (which are my favorite!).

I haven't forgotten about this thing, I promise!