Lately I've been daydreaming about my rehearsal and post-reception dresses. For the rehearsal dinner I'm envisioning something with olive green and dark brown to incorporate my wedding colors, or possibly a longer white or golden dress that is elegant and flowing. For my after-party dress I want something short and fun and sassy, but also white. I'd love if I could find something with tulle at the bottom! I came across a store in the mall called Windsor that carries some beautiful occasion dresses and inexpensive shoes. I'm also a big fan of White House Black Market and Victoria's Secret so I'll be keeping an eye on new styles as the time approaches for me to make a decision.

Some Rehearsal Dresses that I like, all from WindsorStore.com:

Shoes that I am sure I could incorporate somehow, from WindsorStore.com:

Post-Reception Party Dress that I love, from WindsorStore.com:

It didn't take long after getting engaged that I started thinking about dress styles. My wedding is the one time I feel like I can splurge on clothing and actually justify it. Not only will the photos last forever, but it's the one day I want to feel the most confident, and nothing makes you more confident than looking and feeling fabulous. Still, I had an inclination to keep my dress reasonably inexpensive... nothing like "Say Yes to the Dress" brides. (Even if I had the money for a $30K dress, that's still not something I'd be spending the money on... I would MUCH prefer a fancy vacation over a pricey designer dress, personally!) I knew right away I wanted to look into Maggie Sottero's Destinations line since one of my girlfriends had recently worn an inexpensive but stunning dress from the collection. And upon furthering my investigation into gown research, I also found myself favoring other designers such as Sophia Tolli, Mori Lee, and Watters and Watters.

Ultimately, the gown I ended up falling for wasn't one I'd picked out in a magazine, nor did I notice it on the designer's website though I must have browsed over it a dozen times. I didn't even pick the dress out myself in the boutique when I tried it on. I'd driven an hour away from home to visit a store in Orlando specifically to try on the "Vivian" style by Sophia Tolli after falling in love with it online months earlier. But on that particular day, fate had something different "in store" for me...

I had gone dress shopping several times already, but nothing up to that point had called out to me as being "the one". On this particular shopping occasion I'd asked only one friend to come along with me since I knew it be easier to get in and out. (I'd gone shopping before with a crew of about 15 people - I am absolutely not kidding - and let me just say that it was an experience to learn from.) Besides, I was convinced I'd try on the Vivian, love it instantly, and sign on the dotted line without hesitation. So armed with my bridal bag full of necessities including a strapless bra and a pair of bridal-looking heels I'd snagged at a resale shop, we finally arrived at the boutique and I anxiously awaited to see my dream gown.

After describing my ideally "perfect" dress to the sales associate, she was able to introduce me to several styles that I hadn't yet considered. Still, she wouldn't tell me the designers who made the dresses she was giving me to try on. At this particular store, their policy does not allow the associates to disclose which designer made which dress until after the purchase. I suppose they don't want you to choose a gown and then go price it elsewhere, so they take the tags out of EVERY SINGLE dress in their store. So unless you come into the store with the knowledge of who designed what dress, then you are forced to go through each dress, one by one, and just hope to find a few that have potential.

I went into the room to try on the Vivian with the shoes I'd brought. They weren't an exact color or style match to the dress, but I just wanted to get a feel for wearing the dress with heels. After getting buttoned into the dress, my first reaction was that I thought the dress looked pretty different in person than it did in the photo online. The satin fabric wasn't what I'd envisioned it to look like in person, and there was some sort of beaded-belt detail that was a lot more prominent than it appeared in the online picture. Still, it was gorgeous. But even though I could definitely picture myself wearing it down the aisle, I wasn't convinced it was definitely the One. So I agreed to try on some of the other gowns the salesgirl picked out.

Here's the Sophia Tolli "Vivian" I went to try on:

(Photo Credits: SophiaTolli.com)

If I've learned one thing about trying on gowns, it is to make certain that your salesperson knows your budget! I tried on a gown that I thought was very pretty... before I looked at the price tag and saw that it was nearly double what I was expecting to pay on the dress. If I'd fallen in love with that dress before seeing that I couldn't afford it, I would have been devastated! Fortunately, the rest of the dresses all tipped the maximum of my budget, but they were afforable. Still, none were drop dead gorgeous in my opinion. That is, until I tried on the one that matched my shoes perfectly. It was almost as if it were a sign. The shoes I'd found for SEVEN DOLLARS in a resale shop matched the dress that I fell in love with! Who would have thought? It was definitely meant to be, and I knew I was sold. I knew I would walk down the aisle to my future husband in this very dress. It was stunningly romantic and sexy and beautiful. But I wanted to know who designed it!!

When the salesgirl slipped out of the dressing room and disappeared into the office to take a phone call, my girlfriend and I frantically started searching for tags. After all, I wasn't going to buy a dress right then. I wanted to call around to price my dress and get the best deal possible. This might be my one and only wedding, but dealing with vendors is also business transaction. I am going to bargain to get the best price possible... but how could I do that without knowing who designed my dress?

And then... like a rainbow during a rainstorm... there it was. A tiny tag embedded far down in the seam of the dress, printed with a few simple digits. Jackpot. I knew immediately it had to be the style number, and they'd overlooked it when removing the other tags. I quickly jotted it down in my memory just as the saleslady returned to finalize my try-on session. The shoes had matched. The dress was perfect. "This is the one!" I declared with a smile. The salesgirl wrote my information in her files and I thanked her for all her help as we prepared for our journey home.

As soon as I walked (ok, ok, more like sprinted) into the house, I pulled up google on the internet and searched for the style number. My jaw hit the floor. I couldn't have been more ecstatic -- it was a Maggie Sottero gown. Of ALL the gowns I'd tried on up until that point (which was dozens upon dozens) the dress I finally ended up choosing was a Maggie... without me even knowing it. It's so important to study gown styles and know what you want before dress hunting. That way, you know a great designer dress when you see it. I can't wait to be a Maggie bride! But more importantly... I can't wait to stand at the end of the aisle, wearing my seven dollar shoes, while everyone sees the gorgeous dress that fate unexpectedly bestowed upon me that day.

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of my favorite date spots to enjoy with my fiance is Borders bookstore. It should come as no surprise that I inevitably always wander into the bridal section just incase there is something new in stock that peaks my interest. Joe will usually browse the section with me, and this past Saturday he came across one particular book that I hadn't yet seen before. So it was placed amongst the "might buy" pile to be further investigated while I enjoyed a hot beverage in the café. But on this occasion, the bridal book wasn't intended for me. It was for my dad.

My parents divorced when I was in middle school and I lived with my mom and stepdad for the majority of my life afterward. Still, my dad was always a very active father and we managed to remain pretty close through the years. But because I've lived in Florida for three years while he remains in Missouri, we don't get to see each other in person as much as we'd like to. I live independently with my fiance and have a very busy lifestyle, and therefore don't have much time to sit on the phone and chit chat about every little detail of my wedding planning. Honestly, I don't even do this with my MOH or my Mom. So while I try to keep my dad filled in as much as possible with what's going on in my world, there's plenty of wedding details that I haven't had the opportunity to share with him.

(Photo Credit: Google Images)

So as I sipped a delicious gingerbread latte, I began reading "The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Being the Father of the Bride" and I knew right away that I had to get it for him. I ended up reading the entire book right there in the café and couldn't wait to get home to personalize it with my own little messages.  Once I had a few minutes to browse the pages again at home, I used cute sticky notes to attach comments into the appropriate chapters, like which vendors I've already booked, the number of guests we're having, and who was paying for what. I am his oldest and first-to-be-wed daughter so I'm convinced he'll be eager to discover exactly what it expected of his role at the wedding. And I know he'll love getting caught up to speed about some of the wedding details and projects that I've been working on!

Given the tough economical climate, brides are choosing to exclude the option of Save-the-Dates from their budgets or are instead notifying guests via email or social networking sites with the important date to mark in the calendar. While there is nothing wrong with these two routes, neither were suited for my preferences. Joe and I knew we wanted to send out official wedding date notifications, and call me a traditionalist, but I still find cyber save-the-dates a bit too impersonal. So where is the middle ground? DIY of course!

The great thing about Save-the-Dates is that they can be totally casual and fun. They don't even have to reflect your chosen theme if you don't want them to! While invititation stationary is typically a bit more formal and professional and includes several inserts with information, Save-the-Dates can include a silly photograph of you and your fiance and be as simple as a single card or as creative as a fridge magnet. And while there are typically guidelines to follow with invitations, Save-the-Dates offer free reign where anything goes. 

Joe and I are experienced with graphic computer programs so we chose to express our style and personality by creating our own design, then having them printed as magnets with Vista Print. Aside from the cost of postage, we are getting 50 Save the Dates for less than $1 a piece, including shipping costs. Not only are we getting a total bargain by DIY'ing, I know that our guests will love them that much more knowing that we put our own creative time into making them unique.

Here's a sneak peek at our save the date magnets!

But even if you don't have experience with graphic design and don't know anyone who does, you can still create inexpensive and personal Save-the-Dates that your guests will truly appreciate. Buy some blank 5 x 7 cards with matching envelopes from any craft store, upload a card template through Microsoft Word, and print them off on your own computer! Another possibility is using Vista Print, which offers plenty of templates where you can fill in your own information and have them printed directly through the company. If you want them to be a little more unique than a general online template, check out Craigslist.com or local colleges where freelance graphic designers might create your vision at an incredibly affordable price. 

So don't write Save-the-Dates off from your budget just yet! They truly can be an inexpensive, fun way to get your guests excited about your big day... and besides, who doesn't love getting personalized snail mail?

Yay! A very special thank you to A Cape Cod Bride for passing onto me the Fabulous Sugar Doll Blogger award! As the rules of the award go, you must provide 10 facts about yourself (and in this case I'll make it about my fiance too, so it's wedding-ish) and then pass the award onto other deserving bloggers. So here goes!

1. My fiance (Joe) and I grew up in the same city, but it took us both moving to another state to meet one another. We are both from St. Louis but didn't actually meet until mid-2006 until just after we coincidentally both moved to Florida.

2. How's this for fate? Joe had never been to Tampa before moving, and I had only visited once when I was younger. He wanted to try living in a different city for a while and chose Tampa based on it's repuatation for gorgeous weather. I had just gotten into Grad school at the University of South Florida and wanted to temporarily relocate to continue my studies while exploring a new city.

3. We ended up getting a job at the same company. Joe started working at MediaLab in Spring 2006, and I got a job there just a few months later. We hung out with coworkers on weekends and first became friends.

4. Our first date was at a Borders bookstore. One Friday Joe asked me what the work-crew was doing that night, and I told him I was going to skip the usual outing and instead go hang at the bookstore by myself. He said that sounded like fun so I invited him along... and to my surprise, he agreed!

5. Joe is 12 years older than I am. It's never been an issue... he doesn't look a day older than me.

6. One of our favorite things to do together is to hit the gym. We live together, so it's easy to carpool to work and then to the right gym after. We also do our best to do run cardio together in the mornings before work.

7. We love having breakfast at Bob Evans to celebrate special occasions. And we're very guilty of indulging in the Banana Pecan Caramel Pancakes... (Oops.)

8. Our favorite TV shows are The Office, Lost, and Hell's Kitchen.

9. Other than the bookstore, one of my favorite date nights is when we go to the Pottery Studio to paint bisque. To my surprise, Joe is hooked on it too! It's a great opportunity for us to challenge our creativity while spending time together.

10. I love watching Joe play on his ice hockey team. We're such big fans of the St. Louis Blues that we bought first-row tickets behind the bench when they came to play in Tampa last year.

And although some of my fellow bloggers may already be recipients of the award, I'd like to pass kudos onto my favorite Blogger Brides... BiCoastal Bride, March-Eleven2010, A Chocolate Lover's Confessions, Born to Be Mrs. Beever, Heathern-Will, Bride_Kari, SassyBrideTN, Emmy In LA, Miss to Mrs., and Stacie Francombe. YOU LADIES ROCK!!

I'm still debating whether or not to invest in some wedding insurance. I hate not being prepared for the worst at all times, and with all the costs that go into a wedding, it worries me to not have any sort of backup in case of problems that arise. In total, weddings typically cost even more than a brand new car! I wouldn't dare going without insurance that protects the investment of my car, nor would I go without renter's insurance to protect my belongings, so I feel like my wedding should have the same kind of coverage. Yes, it is an added expense... but it could very well to prove to be an unexpected lifesaver. Here are a few of the horrible scenarios haunting my vivid imagination:

SCENARIO 1: My venue gets flooded or catches fire the night before the wedding. Sure, the venue will likely take responsibility and allow my wedding to take place at a later date. But what do I tell my florist? They can't possibly undo all the work and time spent creating the beautiful bouquets. Would they just say "poor you" and tell me to not worry about paying for them? I wouldn't bet on it! And what about my photographer who requires an advanced cancellation in order to get any refund? Considering the photographer is going to be out of work on a day when he could have otherwise worked at someone else's wedding, I won't hold my breath on getting that deposit back. "It's not my fault!" I might say. But all that my vendors are going to hear is the clink of an empty piggy bank.

SCENARIO 2: Just before my wedding I have a health emergency and heaven-forbid, the wedding has to be postponed until I am well again. I highly doubt the cake designer will just eat the cake - and the cost - themselves. Along with my lighting-design company, they are still going to expect payment for the contracts I signed. In that situation, I guess the bridal party is going to be eating cake for a few weeks at my expense... unless I have insurance that will cover the cost of a new cake when I am in better health and able to walk down the aisle.

SCENARIO 3: My cat thought my dress hanging in the closet was its scratching post, or perhaps the dress shop boards its doors and the owners skip town before I have a chance to pick up my gown. Without insurance to replace the expensive cost of replacing my dress, I probably wouldn't be able to afford another one.

(Photo Credit: gaylewheatley.com)

Some of you may think I'm going a little overboard, but you really just never know what could happen! At the same time, my budget is already extremely tight, and the extra money spent on an insurance policy COULD be used on a nice honeymoon massage or that extra dance floor lighting at the reception I'm vying for, pending none of my nightmares become a reality.  According to the quiz at protectmywedding.com, the risk factor for something going wrong with my wedding isn't really all that high. Still, I think an insurance policy would bring immense peace of mind. Have you considered insuring your wedding?

I've been intending to review the debut issue of Get Married magazine for a while and I figured there's no better time than right now, in light of publisher Stacie Francombe's recent video blog!

I must admit, I had never heard of Get Married's TV show or website before seeing the facebook ad a few months ago. Considering the huge industry dedicated to weddings in this day and age, there's no shortage of wedding-related marketing through web, print, TV, and promotional shows. But when I came across an offer to get the first issue at no cost, there was no hesitation in divvying up my contact information. A free wedding magazine? Sign me up!

I'd actually forgotten that I'd signed up for the magazine until it arrived in the mail just weeks ago. No doubt my fiance rolled his eyes thinking "great, just what she needs... another magazine" when pulling it out of the mailbox, but I was thrilled. I love trying new products, I love planning for my wedding, and I really love reading magazines, so the combination of those things was enough to make me forget my evening plans and instead curl up on the couch in preparation for the pages waiting to be read.

(Photo Credit: getmarried.com)

First Impression The magazine cover was cheerful and eye catching. I liked how the main image was of a table setting, reflective of the all-important wedding reception, and the image faded into the background. The title was in lower caps and totally modern and clean, and the cute little wedding cake used in leu of the "i" was so creative. 

I'm not the type of person to read through the table of contents, and I usually skim an entire magazine and mark the important pages that I definitely want to go back and read. But with this magazine, I found myself interested in too many of the pages to mark them all, so I decided to just go ahead and start from the beginning. 

My Favorites I absolutely love how the magazine is filled with ideas for the typical bride. And really, what other wedding magazine literally tells you where you can get everything that is shown on the pages? I can't even think of one. What's also great is that a lot of the items used in the magazine are available on the getmarried.com website, making it a total one-stop shop. I love condensing my shopping, so this is a huge plus.

I think the biggest characteristic that sets this magazine apart from others is it's ability to organize trends and ideas in a way that is simple and fun. I loved the different wedding themes that got their own spread, and each theme had really cute and unique ideas. The theme for my wedding is the lovebird, which is a pretty popular trend right now, but I still want my lovebird wedding to be unique from all the other ones out there. The ideas found one page 48 were really inspiring and fun, but the icing on the cake was that every item included information on where I could purchase. It doesn't get any easier than that!

(Photo Credit: getmarried.com)

Love it! I was so impressed with the new tag technology that allows you to take a photo of the tags that are embedded in different ads and articles, which brings you to the corresponding website. Although I don't have smart phone capabilities, this amazing technological bonus is enough to make me want to go out and buy one just so I can use the tags! The convenience of this unique feature is entirely brilliant.

(Photo Credit: getmarried.com)

I can't go without mentioning the Get Married stickers in the front of the magazine that can be used to mark the pages you want to quick-reference later. My only suggestion for this is to add more stickers -- there was just too many things I loved that I couldn't mark them all! 

Another unique approach the magazine takes is the white silhouettes used in place of actual models wearing the gowns throughout the magazine. I thought it gave a crisp, clean look and allowed me to concentrate on the look of the dress instead of the horrible hairstyle or gawdy makeup of an actual model. The silhouettes made it extremely easy to appreciate the beauty of the gown by itself, which is the whole purpose of a runway report in my opinion.

(Photo Credit: getmarried.com)

One of my favorite features in the debut issue was the Hues section that gave some fabulous ideas for wedding colors. The possibilities for wedding colors is so vast that it can sometimes be daunting if you're just starting the planning process. I believe this section will be very useful for brides who are still deciding between green or blue, pink or purple.

I absolutely loved the celebrity real-wedding section that featured Michelle Aguilar, winner of last season's Biggest Loser (one of my favorite shows ever). Get Married co-host DeAnna Pappas authored a blog recently about the intriguing splendor of celebrity weddings, and I think she is right! Even if we can't afford something as extravagant as a celebrity, we love seeing the intimate details of their personal day and getting ideas for our own fabulous weddings. I hope each issue features a different celebrity (big or small) and what they did for their own special day because I love reading about it. (Just kindly avoid featuring the Heidi Montags' and the Simpson-sister types, please and thank you.)

Last but least, I have to give a shout out for the Lucky Seven feature for the Blogger Brides section on the very last page of the mag. This is the page that brought me to this site and inspired me to start my very first online blog. Aside from the personal attachment I have to this article, I love the idea behind immersing real-life readers into the magazine. This makes readers feel appreciated, like our opinion matters, and really gives us something to relate to with the magazine. This feature is a keeper.

Suggestions I can't wait to see the next issue! I'm hoping it will be a little thicker with more story content. I'd like to see a fictional piece, maybe a couple of pages long, that is either heartwarming or comical or adventurous and definitely fun to read. I'd like to see more tips for newbies to the planning process, covering different topics like venue selection and vendor decision making. As a big fan of DIY, I'd also suggest a DIY project featured in each magazine with information on where to find all of the supplies that were used for the project.

As far as ensuring this new magazine fulfills a purposeful niche, I'd say Get Married goes above and beyond the typical bridal magazine by covering the latest industry trends while promoting easy shopping. Make sure you sign up for your own copy if you haven't yet!

I’ve never been interested in making a career out of cosmetology, but I really do enjoy makeup application. On a daily basis I use Bare Minerals to promote an even complexion, some quick mascara to bring out the eyes, a bit of pink on the cheeks, and occasionally some tinted lipgloss. But when I am getting all dolled up for an event or a date with my Fi, I go the extra mile. I throw in some eyeliner, a few shades of eye shadow, some bronzer topped off with a matte powder, and I might even shape my brows with a pencil. I suppose I must do an okay job because when getting ready to go out with my girlfriends, it’s not unusual for one of them to ask me to accentuate the makeup they’ve already applied or even start from scratch with a fresh canvas. And because I do enjoy doing makeup and have had the practice, I have a bit of confidence that I just might be able to pull off being my own makeup artist on my wedding day. I'm really not sure how much a makeup artists cost for hire, but I’m assuming that it isn’t exactly cheap. So I was thinking of adding my makeup to my list of DIY’s. However… I am still considering the possible consequences of this. For one, I am not a trained make up artist, and I’m sure a professional could accentuate my best features better than I know how. Secondly, I’m afraid I’ll be too nervous day-of to actually pull off doing a decent job. What if my hands are shaky because I’m nervous? Perfecting eye make up can be very tricky, especially if you feel hurried or anxious. I know the look I want to achive already – since my wedding is indoors, I can afford to go a little heavier on the eye makeup. I’m envisioning natural-color lipstick and just a bit of blush so that I can draw attention to my best feature, my eyes, with a smokier look. I found some examples online...

(Photo Credit: geniusbeauty.com)

(Photo Credit: imageandstylenews.com)

(Photo Credit: hotbeautyhealth.com)

As far as hair goes, I was also contemplating DIY versus paying a stylist. I'm going to have it down and wavy, a look I've achieved with my hair a few times already. I'm thinking maybe a small pin on the sides will keep it out of my face too, but I'll have to experiment around with this. Here's an example of what I'm imagining...

(Photo Credit: taringa.net)

I am still "iffy" on these two things though. I'm trying to limit my budget AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, and I think doing my own hair and makeup (with the assistance of my maids/mom) could save me in the ballpark of $200-$250. However, I have doubts that I'll be able to pull it off, and I definitely don't want to look anything less than stellar in own wedding photos! So I was wondering, what are you doing for your hair and makeup? Are you hiring a pro to do both, or are you doing either one yourself?

Whether or not you plan to DIY your makeup, I found some useful tips on ehow.com that would definitely benefit any bride:

Step 1 Flip through bridal magazines and search for pictures that capture your ideal bridal look. Keep these pictures on hand for guidance.

Step 2 Consider having your makeup done professionally. If you decide to do it yourself, have a free professional makeover before the wedding and ask for detailed instructions on how to achieve your desired look.

Step 3 Choose the most lightweight foundation possible while still getting the coverage you need because heavier foundations will look more obvious.

Step 4 Wear waterproof eye makeup so that tears of joy or the heat of summer don't make for streaks or smears.

Step 5 Use various shades of shadow to add definition to your eyes, then add a hit of liner for drama. Resist the temptation to go for bold lines, bright colors or glitter, unless that's your usual look.

Step 6 Curl lashes for length and definition but skip the false eyelashes. You don't want to risk having them peel off or rotate throughout the day.

Step 7 Stick to a soft and delicate tone for lipstick, as bold or dark colors might be overpowering. Remember to match the hues in your blush to those in your lipstick. Step 8 Contour your face with blush or bronzer, even if it's not part of your daily routine. It will give your skin a healthy glow and subtly define your features.

Sure, it's your big day. So that means it should be all about you, right?

Well... almost.

Let's not forget about the people who brought you into this world, have been there supporting you since the beginning, and have helped you reach this wonderful day in your life. I'm talking about your family!

I'm an extremely family-oriented type of girl. I love our unique holiday traditions and the memorable times I get to spend with my cousins and aunts and grandparents. So naturally one of the most important aspects of my wedding day is going to be the presence of both mine and my fiance's entire family. Not only do I want the day to reflect our own commitment to one another, but I also think it's important to find a special way to honor our relatives and show the deep respect I have for the married couples who have set a good example. That's why I was so excited to come across this DIY project I found while searching online!

This is going to be reception decor to be hung on a wall near the ballroom entrance. I'm going to take a few long ribbons, likely the same ribbon we'll be using for our homemade guest favors and on the centerpiece vases. Then I'm going to attach several photos of our married relatives vertically along the ribbon. I'm hoping to get a wedding-day photo from our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who are married. I think it will be a fun way to incorporate our guests into the wedding while also celebrating the idea of marriage.

(Photo Credit: Shutter Love Studios)

What special things are you doing to incorporate your family into your wedding day?

The very first blog entry I wrote went into the detail of the actual night I got engaged. Upon reading this, my fiance decided he wanted to give his point of view of the proposal as well. It's great that he's so willing to share how everything happened from his point of view, and I think he wrote a really great story illustrating the night of our engagement from his perspective. Enjoy!

How It Happened By Joe Saito

Rachel and I had been together for a little over a year when we first started talking about getting married. I don’t remember how or when it first came up, but I was definitely open to the idea. After we were both smitten with the idea of committing to each other for a lifetime of togetherness, the next step was to pick out a ring. So one Saturday afternoon we went to one of the more upscale local malls to look at rings in person. We must have visited every jewelry store in that mall. Nothing. We left the mall and went to Jared’s across the street with high hopes that we would have better luck. While Rachel did find a band that she liked at Jared’s, it still wasn’t “the one”… and Rachel is all about “the one”. The hunt wasn’t a complete loss though since we at least found out her ring size.

When we got home, Rachel called her mom, Sharon, to tell her that we had been out ring shopping. Her mom then told her husband, Scott. As it turns out, Scott knows a guy who owns a fine jewelry store in West Palm Beach, where they lived. Thanksgiving was just a few weeks later and we made the trip to West Palm for the holiday weekend. While we were there Scott set up a meeting for us at Mr. Arto’s house so we could get a firsthand look at his newest ring styles. He showed us a lot of different bands, and there were so many to choose from. Rachel eventually managed to narrow it down to two or three, but there was one in particular that she really liked. She said it was “the one”. So with the band chosen, we next had to decide on a diamond to be placed in the setting. Rachel found that decision a bit easier, and she seemed really excited once the whole ring was chosen. Arto told us the total cost with the diamond set in the band and how much of a deposit he would need before he could set it.  For the rest of the evening, Rachel and I discussed if the ring she picked out was definitely the ring that she wanted. It was. She was sure of it. So the very next day, I called Arto to let him know that we were decided on the ring. Scott then drove me back over to the house so I could put down the deposit. On the way back, we were talking and Scott asked when I planned on popping the question. I already had a good idea of when I wanted to do it.

Rachel was aware that I put the deposit down on the ring. That wasn’t a secret. But what she didn’t know was when I would have the balance paid off. I told her that it was probably going to take me quite a few more months to come up with the rest of the money. Well aware of my finances, she figured that would probably be the case anyway. So as far as she knew, I wouldn’t have the ring paid for until March or April. This was what I refer to as “the smoke screen”. The plan was to make her believe that I wasn’t going to have the ring until early the next year. But little did she know, I would be able to pay the balance on the ring before Christmas.

Knowing that I just spent a pretty large sum of money on the deposit for her ring, Rachel wasn’t expecting anything from me for Christmas. She was okay with the idea that the deposit on her ring was her Christmas present. So one day we were doing some shopping and she found a pair of shoes she really liked. I told her even though she didn’t want anything from me, I wanted to at least get her something, so I got them for her. Another time we were at the mall and she saw a shirt she liked. Again, I told her I wanted to get it for her for Christmas. And one day when we were shopping in Target, she found a belt she really liked. Again, I got it for her. But this was all just part of the smoke screen. I had to make her believe these smaller gifts were all she was getting for Christmas.

Rachel and I had been planning on driving up to our hometown of St. Louis, Missouri for a week during the Christmas holidays. We both have a lot of family and friends that live there and whenever we get the chance to go back home, we try to spend time with as many of them as we can. It’s hard though, especially around the holidays, to try and spend time with so many people in only a few days’ time, so we normally organize an event where everyone can meet in one place. This year we figured there was no better place to have a fun winter get- together than at a public ice skating rink. So we invited all of our closest family and friends - most importantly, Rachel’s dad Terry, and Scott. I’ll explain in a minute.

When we decided we were going to get married, I immediately started thinking of how I was going to propose to her. When we decided we were going to have the ice skating party at the rink… in St. Louis… during Christmas… with several of our family and friends in attendance… I knew right away that was when I wanted to do it. Now I just needed to figure out how I was going to pull the whole thing off. First I needed the ring, which was in West Palm. Luckily, Scott and Sharon were going to be in St. Louis for the holiday too. They were also going to attend our ice skating gathering at the rink. I had been in contact with Scott the entire time regarding the ring and since he knew I was going to be proposing that night, he agreed to get the ring from Arto, act as courier, and bring it to the rink with him that night. The next thing – and this was important – was making sure Rachel’s dad was going to be at the rink that night. Since he lives in St. Louis, I hadn’t yet had an opportunity to ask for his permission to marry his daughter, and I wasn’t going to propose to Rachel without it... which meant I was going to have to ask him that night. Talk about added pressure. If he wasn’t going to be there then my whole plan would be ruined. So in the days leading up to the party at the rink, I kept asking Rachel if her dad was going to be there. She insisted he would. I bugged her about it so many times that I’m surprised she didn’t start to get suspicious as to why I wanted her dad there so badly. So at that point, I knew the ring would be there. I knew her dad would be there. Those were the only variables that were out of my control. Since those two things were taken care of, the rest was up to me.

We picked the night of December 20^th for the party, our first night in St. Louis. We arrived at the rink around 8:00 pm, happy to see a lot of our family and friends already there, including her dad. Some people were already skating. Some were still lacing up. The rest were just spectators. We said our hellos to everyone and then went off to rent Rachel some skates. I play hockey so I brought my own. I laced up Rachel’s skates and sent her on her way.

Not long after, I saw Scott and Sharon arrive. Scott and I went straight for the men’s room so he could hand off the ring. Remember - at this point Scott is the only other person besides me who knows what is about to transpire. Her mom doesn’t even know. When we got to the bathroom, Scott gave me the box holding the ring. When I finally opened it, I was speechless. The last time I had seen this band, it was just a band. But now it looked completely different. The diamond had been set, and it was absolutely beautiful… and so sparkly. We had a short conversation in the bathroom but I can’t remember exactly what was said. I was in such awe to be holding this ring in my hand, knowing what I was about to do with it, that I kind of zoned out. I do remember him asking when I was going to do it. I didn’t know exactly when, but I wanted to wait a little while because I didn’t want anyone to miss anything in case they were running late. The box was too bulky to keep on me so I handed it back to Scott and I put the ring in my pocket. Ring? Check. On the way out of the bathroom, he asked if I was nervous. Not yet.

I exited the bathroom and made my way to the nearest bench to lace up my skates. I noticed that a few more people had arrived. Skates finally laced, I hit the ice. There was so much excitement in the air that night. I guess it was a combination of being home in St. Louis, being on the ice, at Christmas time, and being amongst family and friends whom I haven’t seen in a long time. But really, most of it probably had to do with the fact that I had this incredibly sparkly ring in my pocket that I was going to use to propose to the most wonderful person I know. I skated by myself for a while. I wanted time to think. I felt for the ring in my pocket. Still there. I zoomed past Rachel skating with some of her friends. They were having a good time. Everyone was having a good time. So far everything had worked out perfectly.

Halfway through the session everyone had to leave the ice so it could be cleaned by the Zamboni. Break time. I found Rachel and we mingled with the guests since it was an excellent opportunity. Once the Zamboni was taken off the ice and the gates we re-opened, I hit the ice again by myself. I felt for the ring in my pocket. Still there. Every few laps, Scott stopped me long enough to ask “when?”. “In a little bit,” I would say. I wasn’t stalling. I was just waiting for the right time. Besides, I still needed to talk to Terry. Speaking of which, I saw Rachel skating with him across the rink. I continued to skate, waiting for my opportunity. I felt for the ring in my pocket. Still there. Scott stopped me again, this time to ask if I’d talked to Rachel’s dad yet. I told him I hadn’t had the chance because Rachel had been with him most of the time, but just as the words left my mouth, I saw him skating by himself, hanging onto the boards for dear life. There was my chance. So I skated over to him and asked if we could talk. I told him how much I loved Rachel and that I wanted to ask her to marry me… that night… in front of everyone. He gave me his blessing. Dad’s approval? Check. Ball’s in my court.

I took a couple more laps by myself. I felt for the ring in my pocket. Still there. Scott stopped me to tell me that some people were taking off their skates and were getting ready to leave. Looked like I had to do it sooner than expected. I asked him to stall them somehow. It was time. I found Rachel skating with some friends. I slowed down next to her, took her by the hand, and asked if she would skate with me. Since we hadn’t spent much time together that night she got pretty excited when I asked. We made our way around the rink a couple times. I was giving Scott enough time to stall the early exiters and I saw that he was corralling them behind the glass in one of the corners of the rink. Some of the other people who were still on the ice, some of Rachel’s relatives, were standing in that same corner as well. When Rachel and I skated past the gates to the rink, she started to pull away and said she wanted to go look for her dad. I pulled her back and said, “Hold on, let’s just skate over here for a minute.”

I led her over to the corner where all of our guests were standing behind the glass. My heart started pounding. Adrenaline kicked in. Now I was nervous. Rachel looked really confused. She saw all these people standing in the corner and they were looking at us with cameras cocked and loaded. She looked at me and probably saw the nervous look on my face, and then it hit her. She figured it out. She whispered, “Are you really doing this? In front of all these people?” She couldn’t believe that I had the fortitude to do something like this, in front of so many people. I’m a pretty low-key guy. Flashy, ostentatious behavior is not my thing. I really had to step out of my comfort zone to do this, but I knew if I was going to create a memorable experience, I was going to have to do just that. We made our way into the corner and stopped a few feet away from the glass. I took her by the hands and said, “Baby, I have a confession to make. I haven’t been completely truthful with you about something.” I reached into my pocket and took out the ring. Either out of embarrassment or disbelief (or both), Rachel covered her face with her hands. I said, “I already know what you’re going to say, so this is just a formality.” I took her glove off her left hand and knelt down on one knee. 

“Baby, will you marry me?” She shook her head and said a single “Yes!”. I stood up, gave her a big hug and a kiss, and put that beautiful, sparkly ring on her finger. I thought I heard cheering and applause, but the whole next few minutes was such a blur. Once we skated over to that corner and the nerves kicked in, it was like time slowed down or something. Or the world around us ceased to exist and it was just the two of us. 

Everyone who was on the ice gathered around us to offer congratulations. Rachel proudly showed of her new piece of jewelry and we posed for our first pictures as an engaged couple. Then we took a couple of laps around the rink by ourselves. Rachel talked about how surprised she was. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. She couldn’t believe that I had just proposed to her in front of so many people. I told her about how I planned the whole thing; how I was able to get the ring sooner than expected, how Scott brought it with him from West Palm, how I’d had it in my pocket the whole night, and how I’d talked to her dad earlier in the night. She had absolutely no idea. Mission accomplished. After our victory laps we exited the ice to many more congratulations, including a few from complete strangers. 

Looking back on it, I wish I had said something other than “this is a formality”. I mean, that’s not exactly romantic, is it?  But in the heat of the moment, with all the nerves, that’s what came out. In the end, it was still a special and memorable moment that neither one of us will ever forget. 

The next day, Rachel’s mom printed off some pictures from the night at the rink and compiled them into a photo album for us. While flipping through the pictures I noticed one in particular that was taken of the scoreboard in the rink. During a public skating session, the scoreboard displays the current time. Rachel’s sister had the brilliant idea to take a picture of the scoreboard clock the very moment I proposed. The time read 9:17 pm. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was pure coincidence that the exact time I proposed is also my birthday: 9/17.  Now that, I didn’t plan.