If a Picture Paints a Thousand Words...

I have been waiting, longing and anticipating to write this post. The truth is...is that I love photography. I browsed photography Web sites for over two months looking for ideas, analyzing how much photographers go for these days and basically fawning over gorgeous photos.

One thing I quickly noticed is that it would be almost impossible to get a photographer for the wedding for under $1,000. And that was solely for wedding day coverage. I understand that most photographers are worth it. They put a ridiculous amount of creativity and effort into each photo, into editing and into making Bride & Co. happy.

Looking at our budget I knew that we wouldn't be able to afford the type of photographer I wanted. I always heard brides say, "prioritize what is most important to you. If it is food then spend a large portion of your budget on food. If it is flowers, spend a huge portion on flowers." Well, photography is the most important aspect of a wedding to me and with the prices I was seeing on the Web I knew that I would have to sacrifice the one thing that was truly important.

But it is amazing how God works. My friend Mary got married in May and throughout our conversations about wedding planning she mentioned how her awesomely-funny, amazingly-talented, magazine editor sister was wanting to get into wedding photography.

After a brief discussion with Joseph, we decided to go for it. We got an amazing deal of engagement photos, bridal portraits, rehearsal dinner photos and wedding day photos. I couldn't believe that our photographer was being so gracious.

While we were nervous at first, our first session with Beth and her husband Daniel proved to be a success. We were comfortable (though terribly hot).

Here is a little sneak peek of our engagement session:



Next up I will post a little bit more about our engagement photo shoot!

The Yo-Yos Bachelorette Extravaganza

So who are the Yo-Yos? The Yo-Yos are a group of women ranging in age from 25 to....well...women don't ever tell their real age. We all met working for Title Examining companies. Through adventures at the courthouse and cocktails after work, we became a tight-knit group of women who learned from each other and most of all lifted each other up during hard times.

That being said, I have to say. These women know how to have a good time.

Exhibit A:

Some of the Yo-Yos, plus Vanessa, minus Mom, Edna, Phyllis

We started the night at Senior Frogs at Broadway at the Beach. There were tiaras, a few drinks, some sticker bestowing (more on that later) and just plain fun. After a few bites to eat we headed over to Crocodile Rocks which is a Dueling Piano Bar. SO. MUCH. FUN. The piano players are so talented. Who can resist belting out "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey? Not me.

Mom and I at Senior Frogs...notice the Good Girl side of the wand is showing.

Now for the story about the stickers. Yo-Yo Angie decided to get a plethora of Bachelorette paraphernalia. Including stickers to give out to people with: the Best set of pecks, hottest buns, sexiest jaw line, worst pick-up line, worst dancer and nicest eyes.

Exhibit B:

Needless-to-say my nicest buns sticker went to an old man, best pecks went to a random dude that was with a bachelor party. The rest of my stickers? Nicest eyes went to my sister Katelyn and the rest went to her boyfriend Travis.

I had such an amazing time with this group of women. Their strength and youthfulness never ceases to amaze me.

In the shower...

...no! Not that shower. The bridal shower!

As I return from my little sabbatical from writing, I want to do a recap of my Myrtle Beach Bridal Shower. One Word: AMAZING!

I am so blessed to have so many good friends and family members, especially my mom, sister and sister-in-law, who planned the shower. There was food galore including my mom's famous cheese ball, pigs-in-a-blanket by Heather my SIL and my brother's famous salsa that Heather made per his careful phone instructions. There was also carrot cake. Nom, nom, nom.

The day went like this:

We (Vanessa, my Matron of Honor, and I) around 11. We scurried to get everything set up (i.e. yummy foodstuffs) and to finish making the favors (awesome ribbon cross bookmarks).

Guests started arriving around 1:50 and of course I was not dressed yet as I was being my usual Type-A self and trying to get everything set up along with my madre.

Once all the guests arrived we played an ice breaker game which consisted of splitting into four teams and  wrapping four guests in toilet paper and attempting to make them look like a bride. While I waited in Katelyn's room with her boyfriend, Travis, the guests got to work being designers ala Project Runway (without all the drama).

Yo-yo Angie, Aunt Roma, me, Mother of the Bride Beth and Sister/Maid of Honor Katelyn

I then got to choose a winner which was so hard. DRUM ROLL PLEASE

Aunt Roma! My grandmother made the bow on the right hand shoulder of the dress. It was so pretty!

Next we ate and drank punch (no, it wasn't spiked).

Then it was on to opening presents which was a game in itself. Katelyn contacted Joseph and asked him all sorts of questions about our relationship. "Where was our first kiss?", "What was the first meal Joseph cooked for you?", "What was the first movie you saw together?"

Each guest got a question and before I could open their gift I had to answer the question. If I got it right I got to open the gift. If I got it wrong, I had to pop a piece of bubble gum in my mouth. Let's just say I had a huge freaking wad of gum in my mouth.

My friends and family gave me so many amazing gifts. My favorites?

A hand crocheted garter and toss away garter that my mom made.
Several of my Grandmother's old cookbooks which she wrote "To Jessica, Love Grandma" in each one. How special???

There was also a bit of lingerie..."brown chicken brown cow" (say it really fast).

In addition, there were kitchen gadgets galore. A KAPOOSH...please click on the link...it was awesome and provided at least 30 minutes of entertainment. Men will be so excited about this gift. (At least Travis, Katelyn's boyfriend was). There was a set of bakeware, a place setting of our beautiful china, table setting, our comforter set and to many things to name.

Overall, it was an amazing shower! Thanks again to Mom, Kate, Heather, Travis (for his excellent favor making skills) and all of the girls who attended.

Here is a picture of one of my flower girls and I in her flower girl dress. Isn't she pretty?

All pictures courtesy of my mom, Beth.