A Blessing

So things with the wedding have really slowed down but I knew we needed to get an officiant...and I knew who I wanted. Pastor Felkins is a WONDERFUL man and a GREAT Christian too. He was my childhood pastor and he's always been in my life. Though he's not at the church I grew up in, I have seen him almost every year of my life. For Christmas my family would go receive communion from him. Mahlon is a wonderful speaker too...so moving! Anyway...to get back to the point...as I walked out of the Gift Shop today I saw him and his wife Brenda by the elevators...I immediatly approached them (maybe rushed is the better word) and told them about my upcoming marriage. I also told Mahlon that I was in need of an officiant and I'd love him to do it. He graciously accepted! I'm really excited because this is just another peg that has fallen into place. I've been so busy that I've not had the time to talk to them. Plus Will and I have really tried to talk in person to everyone that we're asking to be in the wedding. It might draw out the process a little, but I think it's just a better way than calling them up and saying "hey wanna be in the wedding"

So thank goodness...we've got one more thing out of the way...

WE'RE ON THE FAST TRACK TO GET MARRIED!!!

The Ball Keeps Rolling!!

Well, when I said we were going to get the ball rolling I really meant it! I've got a lot of the MAJOR stuff out of the way! Okay, so by now, you know that the wedding date will be NOVEMBER 7, 2009 and we'll be getting married at 4:00pm. But, did you know the following details?

1) We will be getting married at American Village in Montevallo --that is not too far from Hoover...for all of you that don't know. American Village has a beautiful chapel (see picture below) and a great barn where the reception will be taking place. We're also looking at some nearby hotels to go ahead and get a block of rooms reserved. If you want to see more pictures of American Village you can visit their website at www.americanvillage.org

2) We have a WONDERFUL photographer booked. His name is Barry Altmark and his work is just fabulous...no cheese!!!! I've been to several of the weddings Barry has shot, and well...the outcome is always so pleasing. If you can see what kinda stuff he does at http://www.barryaltmark.com/

3) We've also booked our florist/caterer. At the recommendation of our close friends Kim and Justin Barber, I visited Carolyn Counts of Counts Wedding Catering Service. Her prices were really reasonable and her work looked wonderful. I talked with a couple of other catering services and realized that no one can beat the great prices and service of Carolyn...plus her name is so great! :) I was still on the fence a little, but heard from even more people how wonderful she was...well that really locked it down. At least 5 recommendations came my way for her so I booked her on the spot! I can't wait to see her work at the wedding...oh and the menu...well let's just say that it's really going to fit the season! I'd show you her work, but don't have any yet...if I can get some friends to forward pictures, I'll pass them on!

So...This goes to show that we're trying to get things done quick. I'm still looking for a baker, a dj/band, a dress, and a few other odds and in. I'm not in such a hurry though. Thanks to everyone that helped me find these wonderful vendors and if you have any thoughts on the other needs please let me know!

New Year, New Date

Okay boys and girls, so we've gotten a little more done for the wedding. Things were really slow around the holidays, but now we're moving again. We're getting married at American Village in Montevallo. The new date will be November 7, 2009. And we're looking at a 4:00 wedding.

I truely believe that this was the day Will and I were meant to be married. There is one big football game (UA vs LSU) but nothing big for Auburn and MSU is open that weekend. Also, another couple dropped that weekend (they were Alabama fans) so we were able to get it. The cost is minimal and the size is perfect. They also offer a lot more than some places might! I hope that everyone can enjoy this location as much as Will and I do. The chapel is a replica of the church in Williamsburg (one of the oldest churches in the USA) that Will and I visited in September.

I can't wait to see you all in less than 10 months!!

Weddings are a PAIN

This wedding thing really isn't what it's craked up to be. I'd love to just run off and elope, but that wouldn't be good because in the future I'd probably regret it. Argh. So I've been trying to find the perfect venue. We need to be able to have a nice wedding...preferably inside and then we BANG UP party afterwards. Will wants a band and alcohol...I want alcohol and good food....oh and dancing! It's got to be nice, but laid back. So I found the perfect place...but darn it's already booked! And I thought I'd been on top of things...well the search continues...if anyone knows how to find out who the people that booked are and bribe them out...well I'd be forever in your debt :) hehehe....

Thank you....

I just wanted to thank all of our friends and family who have been so supportive and enthusiastic about our engagement. We're going to use this site to blog all of the happenings with our wedding...just remember to check in now and again to stay up to date! Thank you all....we are so glad to share our lives with you.

Let the Journey Begin!

WE'RE ENGAGED!

Will proposed on Friday night (December 5th). He did it in a very romantic way and he was right....it was a night I'd NEVER forget.
The juicy details: Friday morning Will left a note on my coffee table that told me that we had dinner reservations at 8:30, I should put on a nice dress and get "all dolled up." All day at work I wondered if this would be the night, but didn't want to build it up. Because of the economy Will told me it would be February or March when we got engaged...he wanted to give me what I deserved (ring wise) but because of layoffs at US Steel he wanted to make sure he'd be okay financially before buying the ring. I went to the mall to look for a new dress after work...I'd been sick all week and knew this would make me feel pretty...but why is it that when you want a new dress you can never find one! So I got home and started to get ready...I just knew that Will must be doing this to make me feel better after a long week and we'd just celebrated our 2 year anniversary together....this was just going to be another dinner. Will came to pick me up at 7:00pm. He opened my car door, I climbed in and our date began. Once we got on the road I had no clue where we were going, but I didn't ask any questions. If he wanted to plan our date all by himself...then I would let him. We drove around and I still didn't know where we were going...we drove into Mnt. Brook and then I was LOST! I made the comment that I had no clue where we were going because I always get lost in Mnt. Brook. So we continuted through a residential section. Will is driving like he knows where he's going and so I'm not going to ask any questions. We go around a "round-about" and I'm still lost. Then we get to a street with "No Outlet" signs...for sure he's got to be lost too. We pull into a drive way...now I am asking myself...who's house are we going to...but to my right is a beautiful scene of Birmingham. I tell him that I've never been up here...or seen a view of the city like this...and I haven't which is amazing to me because I've lived in Birmingham my whole life (in fact grew up not 5 minutes from this spot). He pulls over and tells me that we have some time before dinner so if I want I can go to the edge and look out and see the city. There was a house behind us and I was hesitant because I just knew that this was private property...that's all I need is someone cussing us because we're walking around in their yard! He urges me to get out and I do...there's Christmas music playing outside of the house....I walk through a little gate into a small area of grass...and the view is just AMAZING! Will is behind me...he hands me a dozen red roses and says "these are for you". I take them and thank him...but don't really take my eyes off the scene...it's just great. I love Birmingham...and I love the city view....especially from up here! Will begins.... Carolyn, work brought me to this city....and this city brought me to you. I can't remember all that he said because I was really shocked...he dropped to his knee and asked me to marry him...I said "OF COURSE" and was trying hard to fight back tears. This was amazing...I am engaged...and in such a beautiful site!! This was great....who needed dinner when I was having a moment like this. We stood in the freezing cold for a while just holding each other...this was such a wonderful moment and time! We finally went back to the car and headed to dinner at Flemings. We called my parents, then his sister Draper, and then his parents....then came the mass text messages to all of our friends. So the first leg of our journey ends....and we begin the planning process. Oh and a BIG THANK YOU to all of our friends and family that have been with us up to this point...sharing in our memories...we can't wait to have so many more!