Alicia B. - Where to Begin?!

So the engagement has happened, that's the first step of planning a wedding right?! LOL The next day when I woke so many questions were running through my mind. Who was going to stand up with us? Where were we going to get married? Indoor or outdoor wedding? What colors do we want? Real or fake flowers? Open bar during the reception? Who will be our photographer? How are we going to pay for this? And sooooo many more; I could literally go on and on. I felt very overwhelmed. Lucky for me it was Saturday and we had plans to see Mike's family for New Years lunch and then my parents as well so they could see the ring. All our family was ooo'ing and ahhh'ing over my ring, I already felt like the bride to be!! The first week of being engaged, I don't think I got too much done at work, to be honest. My Mom and I were constantly looking at ideas for the wedding and different venues for the ceremony and reception. We were looking at outdoor venues in Kentucky, near Land Between The Lakes, and all the way to Franklin, TN. But the closer we got to Nashville, the higher the prices were, which was not a good thing, but it was still fun looking at them anyway!

We decided we were going to go to the Clarksville Brides Wedding & Event Showcase on January 9, 2011. We didn't want to be late and miss anything so my Mom and I got there about 20 minutes before the event started and we were the FIRST ones there! LOL I got my first "The Bride" pin that I wore so proudly throughout the whole event. My Mom and I got to taste yummy cakes by Ya Ya's Cake Shoppe and Covered with Icing (just to name a couple). We saw gowns from Something Blue and Brides Boutique. We met photographers Bethany Ann Photography, Laura Kay and my Mom got to meet Joannie of Joan of Art Photography (I had known Joannie from work), and look at their portfolios and see their work. We also met Karey Daughtery with Party Station Rentals, my Mom actually knew Karey because she decorates and sets up all the Gateway Hospital staff parties and my Mom spoke very highly of her. We were able to look at different caterers, linens, invitations, jewelers. Taste testing everything was the BEST part by far! To make this part short, it most definitely got the juices flowing. I left the Bridal Show with my colors being turquoise, champagne, and brown as an accent color. I also left there with many vendors running through my head. I literally got home and dumped out a huge bag full on our kitchen table, and Mike just walked away. LOL I sorted them in piles to make it easier to find different vendors, otherwise it was completely overwhelming for me. I did email Jen from You're Invited Invitations about a quote for some Save the Dates, she responded very quickly, and with an amazing quote! We don't have our engagement pictures just yet so we have not picked out anything for sure. The next weekend, we went to the Bridal Expo in Nashville, TN. This was VERY fun as my Mom and I got many more ideas; and taste tested more cakes!!! When we left Nashville, our colors were for sure turquoise, black and white!!! Within the next couple of weeks Mike and I decided with the help of my parents, that it would be best for us to have a wedding IN Clarksville. Most of my family is coming from out of town, as close as Southern Illinois, and as far away as Chicago and Las Vegas.

Within the same time frame, I received an email from Bethany Ann Photography about a promotion she was running through the beginning of February for those who attended the Clarksville Bridal Expo at APSU. Mike and I had talked to several different photographers and when looking at her prices we were amazed at what we could get compared to other local photographers! So I emailed Bethany back and immediately set up a meeting. Mike and I met with her at Lasaters, she was on time, professional but laid back, and had plenty of her work to show us so we could get a good idea of her work. Even though I had already found her on Facebook and looked at most of her work. When we got to talking it was like we had been friends forever! Our personalities just clicked, and she was the one! Mike and I left with a copy of her contract to look it over and with the exact price of what we would pay and exactly what we would get...that same night we went home and talked about it some more. And we hired her! :D She has been amazing. She is doing our engagement pictures May 7! And we are thrilled!!! So to date, we have our colors: turquoise, black, and white, "themes": damask and "bling"(crystals), and our photographer: Bethany Ann Photography. And it's been less than a month of being engaged! YAY! I can just feel the progress and am very happy with myself!

Before the Bridal Shows, and talking with my Mom, our wedding was just a huge expense. After meeting with vendors and seeing what all there is out there and comparing prices, I now know that our wedding is going to be a dream come true! :) My parents and Mike's parents have both agreed to help with some of the wedding expenses and for that we are so very thankful!!!! Mike and I are paying for the majority of the reception - and we are doing our part in saving and it is so worth it!

Alicia B