Last week, Mr. Wonderful and I had our first dance lesson together. We looooved it!! We were initially up in the air about whether or not to move forward with our idea of dance lessons {because we wanted to look natural when dancing to our first song together} but when we gave it a go on our own, we both felt that we weren't doing our first song justice. It needed some spice. So we turned to a pro to help us out.

photo credit: Jennifer Skog

We both couldn't believe how much we learned at our first lesson. I only stepped on Mr. Wonderful's toes ONCE {and it was towards the end}. We can't wait for next week when we learn some more sultry {yet PG 13} moves! And eventually, hit our dance floor lookin' gooood.

Last Thursday, our wedding invitations arrived. They were delivered to my mom's house. When she called me to tell me about the "special delivery", I wanted to leave work right then to see them in all their loveliness.

When I opened the box, there they were - boxed up with a pretty satin bow waiting to be undone.

When I lifted the lid to the box, a huge smile came across my face. They were beauuutiful.

Although I was tired at the end of a long day, I proofed the first of the three boxes and then mom and I "sealed and stamped" the first batch of the outgoing invitations that hit the mail the very next afternoon {nearly 8 weeks before our wedding - right on schedule}!

On Friday night, I proofed the rest of the invitations and then mom and I did round two of "sealing and stamping". On Saturday morning, it was off to the post office to mail out the rest of the beauties.

So without further ado, here's a little sneak peak of our invitations...

And because I couldn't leave you with just one sneak peek, I'll throw in another...

It's hard to see the true beauty of our invitations in these pictures. My designer did a fabulous job bringing my vision to fruition!

My wedding dress was supposed to arrive at the bridal salon around Christmas. However, it was held up in Customs. Totally understandable considering it was being shipped from China - and with Chinese New Year, everything gets backed up/put off {you pick}. But don't you think that the country should have postponed their festivities until after my dress was cleared for release? I'm important like that.

I got a call from the salon yesterday informing me that my dress was released from customs but {yes, there's a but} it accidentally got shipped to New York {Atlanta is not New York, but whatever. It's in transit and it's all good}. There are far worse things going on in our world then focusing on the minor delay of one white dress.

In any event...

In just a little over two months, it will be waiting for me....

My bouquet will formally be introduced to my dress and the two will spend a lot of time together that day...

I will stand before our family, and friends, and pledge my vows to Mr. Wonderful...

Then, we will likely do this exact. same. thing....

And then head off to begin our pictures...

And of course, do some sultry ones...

My dress will then be bustled before heading into the reception...

Where we will be introduced as husband and wife...

There will be lots of kissing, and lots of dancing...

And lots of unspoken words of admiration and love...

And after the night has come to an end...{well, you know}...

photo credit: Tanja Lippert Photography

This past weekend was spent making progress with my DIY projects. But I can't take the sole credit for the images that you are about to see. I have a talented fiance who is quite computer savvy and is knowledgable with various programs such as Illustrator and Photoshop {I'm not}. What I am good at is finding decorative images {which we bought for a small fee}, and matching them to the perfect font styles. So in a team effort, we made the following:

Our Table Number Cards:

Tags for the Out-of-Town Gift Boxes:

A notecard to write a personalized welcome message to each out-of-town guest:

I love tapping into my creative side and I love the thought of knowing that many of the personalized elements throughout our wedding day will be ones that I personally made.

Well friends, there's lots of paper to buy...because there's lots of DIY projects to print {aside from the ones above}. I'm glad I got started on all this a bit early.

In the upcoming weeks, I plan to post more DIY projects on my personal blog

The ongoing quest for wedding shoes has been the thorn in my side {read here, here, here, and here}. Since obliging with Mr. Wondeful's request to not wear heels that would have me his same height or taller, I dreaded my endeavor to find "half decent" wedding shoes. I dreaded it so much that I was "dragging my heels" and not really putting a ton of effort into the shopping process. I found myself {many times} nearly settling on some duds {for lack of a better word} to not have to give any more attention to an area of my wedding that I became very disinterested in.

BUT I just couldn't come to terms with slipping into shoes that didn't match my dress beautifully - or have me anxious to wear them. And let's not forget the shoe shots. Would I really even want our photographer to capture images of my shoes that I would rather people not notice?

On my wedding day, I decided that I wanted pretty shoes waiting for me...

...and I wanted to slip into them with glee.

photos by: Jessica Claire

Which is why I purchased these...




When I called Mr. Wonderful from the mall yesterday to tell him that I just bought a pair of 4 inch heels {for our wedding day}, he went silent. Then he laughed {as if I was kidding}. Then he said, "Are you serious?"

And then I delved into part 2 of the conversation:

I informed him that I decided that I would be majorly jipping myself if I didn't adorn my feet with some knock out shoes on our wedding day, but that I would only wear them for my individual pictures, pictures with my girls, and my family, etc. but of course am still keeping my word and wearing ballerina slippers for our ceremony and reception {which I will be happy to slip into after being strapped into those high numbers for a few hours}.

He was cool with it.

Marriage Lesson #1: Compromise.

The guys tux's were reserved before deposits went down on the Bridesmaid dresses. Should I be ashamed of myself? Naaah. Some people were telling me that I needed to place the order for the girls dresses months ago. But I didn't. I'm gutsy like that. I was looking for a particular color, and a particular style, and I wasn't going to just pick "a" dress just for the sake of keeping on track with my monthly wedding checklist. Who would have known that I could be such a rebel? I knew that time was passing but I never fretted; I continued to puruse the racks with ease and I'm so glad I did because I truly love the dresses that the girls will be wearing {they will arrive in mid February - plenty of time for alerations to be made if needed}.

So without further ado...
 

WHAT FUN STREET SHOTS!! {obviously this picture stood out to me because the color of the dresses are very similar to what my girls will be wearing}.

photo credit: Jessica Strickland

For our spring wedding, the girls will each carry a lush bouquet similar to the flowers seen here. The blooms will consist of ivory anemones {with black and yellow centers}, ranunculus, ivory snowy jewel roses, blush vendela roses, accents of hydrangea, and lambs ear. It will be finished off with a champagne satin ribbon wrap adorned with platinum-studded french knots.

Not sure as to what jewelery they will wear but I came across these earrings and thought something like this would compliment the dress beautifully.

source: Rings and Blings

And how about a clutch like this one? The perfect shade of champagne, with a rose undertone.

Seen on Flickr

My sister rocks heels. High heels. High, high heels {extra length was added to her dress because of her love for 4" - 5" beauties}. I'm certain she would love these fashion forward numbers. The color couldn't be more perfect. The price tag though...now that could be improved.

Source: Rickard Shah

Getting married {and having our reception} in a gorgeous place like this, how could we not be transported in something fancy-schmancy...
Hello Vintage Bentley.

photo credit: Ross Oscar Knight

We booked the beauty yesterday, and paid for it in full {to get even more of a discount}. Progress is my middle name this week.

Pretty soon I will be in the back seat of the car, eagerly awaiting the start of our ceremony, and looking for the cue from my Wedding Coordinator informing me that Mr. Wonderful is no where near the entrance and can't see me as I step out.

photo credit: Jennifer Bowen

I'm certain that our photographer will capture some endearing, spontaneous lip-locking shots like this one...

photo credit: Jennifer Bowen

And then we will depart as a smitten Mr. & Mrs.

photo credit: Jennifer Bowen

A note to our photographer: PLEASE capture an image like the one below. I will thank you profusely. Even if we have to stage the pose, I'm all for it. The driver will park the car in front of a row of dogwood trees, we will place a few umbrellas in the hands of some gents, and then make sure the door to the car is open, like so. And then...1...2...3. We have this gorgeous image as one of our fav's.

photo credit: Laura Novak

We tended to the guys attire this weekend and secured tux's at a fab place here in Atlanta {I just love progress}. Mr. Wonderful tried on various "looks" and I had a *huge* grin on the entire time.

In just a little over 4 months, Mr. Wonderful will be placing his tie on, like so...and our cinemotographer will be present as he preps to stand at the altar.

His groomsmen will be there to help him get ready, and our photographer's assistant will capture images of the memories that will be made...

Then they will all gather together, exchange heartful words - along with words that will bring about lots of laughter...

And then they will get ready to take their place...

all photos by Fred Egan

The tux rentals include cufflinks, but when I saw these cufflinks monogrammed with the Groomsmen initials, it sparked an idea.

photo credit: Alea Moore

We plan to give the guys a few other gifts that we've thought of. Any great ideas that you recommend?

On my wedding day, I'm not sure what the condition of my nerves will be in. I've thought about it. But I don't think one can really prepare for the surge of emotions that will be felt...or the order they will come in...or what the response will be to them. Will I be joyous and giddy one minute, and a sobbing mess the next? Likely. Which reminds me...I need to add water proof mascara to my growing list of "things to remember".

While most women get dressed for their big day with a room full of friends and family present, I would like just the opposite. I want peace and quiet...and just my mom at my side. I want us to have a moment that is all our own before the day begins, and to me there is no better memory to be shared between the two of us than exchanging laughter, tears, sentiments, and prayers...together. And alone. In the moments leading up to me becoming a wife.

photo credit: Betsy Cole

I want my mom to be the one to zip me up in my dress, fasten my jewelry, make sure my veil is laying just right, place my pretty shoes on my feet, hand me my bouquet...I want all of those moments to be hers. And I want us to savor them all...together.
 

photo credit: Lemon Lime Studios

 
I know I will always cherish this decision...and I know it will mean the world to her.

Image found here

My mom and I share a special bond that was formed after my father passed away. Her unconditional love for me, and her support in everything that I set out to do, has made all the difference in my life and has shaped me into the person who I am. I am so grateful for all that she has instilled into me; her guidance, protection, and sincerity has left me feeling nothing short of blessed. She is the strongest woman that I know and has been an incredible parent - and friend.

As I've been planning our wedding, and sifting through vendors, I admit that I have uttered the words, "planning a wedding in California would be so much easier". The vendor pool is significantly larger as talent oozes from LA, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties.

Deanne Trutanich Ragusa, of Bella Fiore, is one of those talents. A San Pedro based floral design company, her mission is to provide funky, fresh, and fabulous floral designs that are created with wit, theme, character, and beauty. And indeed, they are. If I was still living in California, I would have undoubtedly called upon her to do the floral for our wedding.

photos courtesy of Bella Fiore

Visit Bella Fiore online to view more of Deanne's creative creations!