Okay so not writing for FOUR months just doesn't work. There has been A LOT going on since I last posted.
First, Joshua and I have taken all of our engagement pictures. We split them up between Dayton and Cincinnati. Part of them were taken around a friend's farm. We had a GOREGOUS day to take them in April. Our awesome photographer got some great shots of us around the fields, barns, hay bales and property. It was a lot of fun and we had a great time taking the pictures. Our second set of pictures were taken at the beginning of June. We wanted to get some pictures around Great American Ball Park and by the Ohio River. The day was just as nice down in Cincinnati for our pictures. We wore our Reds jerseys and our Converse shoes. The Reds were out of town so the stadium was empty and great for getting pictures around the outside of the stadium. We got the pictures back a few weeks after our second session and they are AMAZING! I can't help but smile every time I see them. Thanks Lydia for such great pictures :-)
Second, Joshua and I have picked our save the dates, wedding invites and programs. Now when I say Joshua and I picked them, I really mean that I found them, liked them and showed them to Joshua. He then said to me they looked nice, they were fine and that was all that was said. So, they've been ordered, addressed and were officially mailed out today. When I got them in the mail I just stared at them because it made it more real that yes indeed there is a wedding coming soon.
Third, THE dress has officially come in and been picked up. Earlier in the week I received the phone call that my dress had come in finally! I ordered it back in December and was excited that it was FINALLY in. I picked it up that day because I was having foot surgery the next day. It felt SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD to put it on and walk around in it. It's as beautiful as I remember and still my favorite dress I've ever seen. Now to hide it for 8ish months until the wedding so Joshua doesn't go peeking :-)
Other than that, Joshua and I have been taking care of little things here and there. While things for the wedding are 90% planned, Joshua and I have more things ahead of us to take care of that are for our life planning. While out and looking at places to live, we discovered that it will probably be in our best interest to pursue a home as opposed to an apartment. While this seems to be like a rather large undertaking for us, we believe that in the long run it will be better for us. We can grow into a home and have a long-term investment. As we get into the late summer and early fall, Joshua and I are going to begin talks with a real estate agent and will begin looking at houses. We have a specific part of town we're looking that will be the best for both of us with our jobs.
When we first were engaged and the wedding date was set, it seemed like it was so far away, and in many ways it still is. However, while we have the wedding planned, it's what happens after the wedding that is taking more planning. Discovering what God has in mind for us as a couple takes time, which is what we're taking the time to do now. I'm still job hunting for a teaching job and Joshua is beginning school in August. We have a lot on our plate in the midst of getting married. Joshua and I are in this for the long haul and only want God's will for our lives together.
Just 231 days until the big day!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Planning, Engagement Party and Registering
It's been almost 2 MONTHS since I last posted an update! I feel like a slacker because there has been quite a bit going on for the wedding.
First, we have some more planning done for the wedding. We secured a cake back in February. It was super fun to sit down the cake lady and taste cakes and design the cake. It's going to be super cool and there's something special there for Joshua too. He helped pick it out and I know that those who are OSU will be excited with it, but that's all I'm going to say!
We also have bridesmaid dressed picked out. Now, while it seems REALLY early to have dresses picked, there is a method to my madness. Two of my bridesmaids are possibly going to be trying to start families in the next year. By having dresses picked out, they have enough time to get a dress that would be the correct size for them whether they are with or without child for the wedding :-) I'm excited that the dresses are nice dresses that all the girls liked and found comfortable. We are going to pursue a jacket to go over the dress for the ceremony as it is sleeveless and, well, with the way March seems to be, it's a crap shoot for the weather. But, I'm glad we were able to take care of it quickly and painlessly and were able to all agree upon a dress.
Earlier this month, our parents threw Joshua and I an Engagement Party. We've been engaged for 4 months so it seems a bit late I know, but there was a method to the madness. Over the next year we'll be getting together to do things and so the wedding party needed to meet. It was great time with our friends and parents. Nikki, my matron of honor, planned some games, which was really neat because it allowed us all to get to know each other and talk. We had such a good time, Mom said something about maybe doing it again this summer at our house with the pool and a cook out. I'm all in so hopefully we'll get to get together and have some more fun and get to know one another more.
The day after our Engagement Party, Joshua and I went on an adventure to register! Again, I know it's early, but since we only have certain days together, it made sense. Not only that, but as we go along, we can add and subtract items from the registry as we see what we need. There's like 5 or 6 months before we start to have showers, but this gives us time to get our things together. If you can't tell I'm a planner. It just works to plan ahead for us because of distance and time. Registering together was fun, once Joshua got into it. It was nice to walk through a store together and pick things out together that we both want. It just makes me more and more excited about our new life together.
I'm so thankful that Joshua and I are planning this new life together. And thank you for following our journey :-)
Just 355 days until we say I do!
First, we have some more planning done for the wedding. We secured a cake back in February. It was super fun to sit down the cake lady and taste cakes and design the cake. It's going to be super cool and there's something special there for Joshua too. He helped pick it out and I know that those who are OSU will be excited with it, but that's all I'm going to say!
We also have bridesmaid dressed picked out. Now, while it seems REALLY early to have dresses picked, there is a method to my madness. Two of my bridesmaids are possibly going to be trying to start families in the next year. By having dresses picked out, they have enough time to get a dress that would be the correct size for them whether they are with or without child for the wedding :-) I'm excited that the dresses are nice dresses that all the girls liked and found comfortable. We are going to pursue a jacket to go over the dress for the ceremony as it is sleeveless and, well, with the way March seems to be, it's a crap shoot for the weather. But, I'm glad we were able to take care of it quickly and painlessly and were able to all agree upon a dress.
Earlier this month, our parents threw Joshua and I an Engagement Party. We've been engaged for 4 months so it seems a bit late I know, but there was a method to the madness. Over the next year we'll be getting together to do things and so the wedding party needed to meet. It was great time with our friends and parents. Nikki, my matron of honor, planned some games, which was really neat because it allowed us all to get to know each other and talk. We had such a good time, Mom said something about maybe doing it again this summer at our house with the pool and a cook out. I'm all in so hopefully we'll get to get together and have some more fun and get to know one another more.
The day after our Engagement Party, Joshua and I went on an adventure to register! Again, I know it's early, but since we only have certain days together, it made sense. Not only that, but as we go along, we can add and subtract items from the registry as we see what we need. There's like 5 or 6 months before we start to have showers, but this gives us time to get our things together. If you can't tell I'm a planner. It just works to plan ahead for us because of distance and time. Registering together was fun, once Joshua got into it. It was nice to walk through a store together and pick things out together that we both want. It just makes me more and more excited about our new life together.
I'm so thankful that Joshua and I are planning this new life together. And thank you for following our journey :-)
Just 355 days until we say I do!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Planning like crazy!
The way Joshua and I have been planning our wedding, you'd think the wedding was next month!
Joshua and I have been working very hard to plan our wedding for two reasons:
1. The sooner we have everything booked, the less we have to worry about.
2. When you book around the time of the bridal shows, 90% of the places you're looking to book, they offer GREAT specials so you save money.
It has been a very good experience for Joshua and I. We have been going to appointments together, talking with vendors and trying to find the perfect people who can bring out all the elements of our special day that we want. It sounds kind of weird thinking that a DJ or a photographer could bring out your personality in what they have to offer, but it is something I've learned very quickly.
Joshua and I have been led to some amazing people that, I'm sure, after our big day, we'll be willing to pass on their names to people we know in the future.
So far Joshua and I have secured:
We have just a few more vendors to secure and then we'll be good....for now. We have a cake tasting set up for February and I have some names of florists that I would like to check out. Oh and I have an appointment with my maid of honor to check out some bridesmaid dresses Tuesday. Joshua and I also already set up an account with Men's Wearhouse for the men and their tuxedos. Oh and did I mention, we've also been busy beavers checking out wedding bands already?
It may sound crazy that we have so many things picked out and established but I feel like the more we can plan ahead, the less time we'll spend running around like crazy trying to find people and we'll end up with our 6th and 7th choices and spend 3 times as much. While this girl may come across a little high maintenance and divaish (which I am both of those things to a point) I'm the kind of girl that asks "What can I get for my money?" I want the most bang for my buck and Joshua i the exact same way.
As the wedding continues to be planned and come together, I'm continuously thanking God for the man that He has placed into my life. I never once take for granted that I have someone so special in my life. For so long I longed for someone like Joshua. I wanted that someone special to care for me and to take care of myself. I wanted to have someone to hold my hand and cuddle up with while watching a movie. It seemed that once I found my little dog Lucy, that spot had been fulfilled (to some extent) because she loves to cuddle and gives me some of the most honest and amazing unconditional love there is. But, she couldn't fill the void that I had in my life for someone. That someone, who I have met and fallen in love with, is Joshua. God knew when to bring him into my life and at the exact moment in time, our paths crossed and the rest is history.
Just 412 days and counting :-)
Joshua and I have been working very hard to plan our wedding for two reasons:
1. The sooner we have everything booked, the less we have to worry about.
2. When you book around the time of the bridal shows, 90% of the places you're looking to book, they offer GREAT specials so you save money.
It has been a very good experience for Joshua and I. We have been going to appointments together, talking with vendors and trying to find the perfect people who can bring out all the elements of our special day that we want. It sounds kind of weird thinking that a DJ or a photographer could bring out your personality in what they have to offer, but it is something I've learned very quickly.
Joshua and I have been led to some amazing people that, I'm sure, after our big day, we'll be willing to pass on their names to people we know in the future.
So far Joshua and I have secured:
- Reception Hall
- Photographer
- DJ (contract to be filled out this week)
We have just a few more vendors to secure and then we'll be good....for now. We have a cake tasting set up for February and I have some names of florists that I would like to check out. Oh and I have an appointment with my maid of honor to check out some bridesmaid dresses Tuesday. Joshua and I also already set up an account with Men's Wearhouse for the men and their tuxedos. Oh and did I mention, we've also been busy beavers checking out wedding bands already?
It may sound crazy that we have so many things picked out and established but I feel like the more we can plan ahead, the less time we'll spend running around like crazy trying to find people and we'll end up with our 6th and 7th choices and spend 3 times as much. While this girl may come across a little high maintenance and divaish (which I am both of those things to a point) I'm the kind of girl that asks "What can I get for my money?" I want the most bang for my buck and Joshua i the exact same way.
As the wedding continues to be planned and come together, I'm continuously thanking God for the man that He has placed into my life. I never once take for granted that I have someone so special in my life. For so long I longed for someone like Joshua. I wanted that someone special to care for me and to take care of myself. I wanted to have someone to hold my hand and cuddle up with while watching a movie. It seemed that once I found my little dog Lucy, that spot had been fulfilled (to some extent) because she loves to cuddle and gives me some of the most honest and amazing unconditional love there is. But, she couldn't fill the void that I had in my life for someone. That someone, who I have met and fallen in love with, is Joshua. God knew when to bring him into my life and at the exact moment in time, our paths crossed and the rest is history.
Just 412 days and counting :-)
Monday, January 14, 2013
Reception Halls and Bridal Show #1
Joshua and I are hard at work getting some of the bigger "things" for our wedding. Last weekend (1/5) Joshua and I went to three different reception halls. They were all within about 15 or so minutes of my church, where the wedding is going to be held.
Each place had their own positives and negatives, however, we were able to come to a decision after we spent over an hour at our last hall we visited. We were thrilled with the customer service, the facility and how everything would work perfectly for us at this hall. We are so excited that we've booked them for our reception! One less hassle for us to worry about trying to find when they're all booked up.
This past weekend my mom, maid of honor (Brianna) and I went to my first bridal show (Joshua wouldn't have anything to do with it.....which I can't blame him) There were so many great vendors there to check out. I went in wanting to find information for three things: DJ, cake and flowers. I found information for all of them and will be reviewing everything I found over the next few weeks. My goal for the wedding is to have every vendor picked out, booked and given a deposit by the summer. For me, this puts my mind at ease over trying to find someone who is available as time goes on and too we are able to take care of everything in a timely manner. If all the bigger things are taken care of by June, all that's left are smaller things that can be taken care of over the next nine months beyond that.
If you can't tell, I'm a planner. I plan out things so nothing gets missed. Just like with my students in my classroom, I create lesson plans and have an idea of where I am now and where I want to go. However, the best laid plans always have to have some flexibility to them, just as wedding plans do :-)
I'm so excited that things are coming together piece by piece for our wedding. It may seem like so far away, but as each day passes, I know that that's one day closer to our wedding day and, at least I can say this, I'm excited! From the time I was a little girl Disney promised me my handsome prince. I found several frogs over the course of life but finally found my handsome prince and Joshua and I get our happily ever after :-)
Each place had their own positives and negatives, however, we were able to come to a decision after we spent over an hour at our last hall we visited. We were thrilled with the customer service, the facility and how everything would work perfectly for us at this hall. We are so excited that we've booked them for our reception! One less hassle for us to worry about trying to find when they're all booked up.
This past weekend my mom, maid of honor (Brianna) and I went to my first bridal show (Joshua wouldn't have anything to do with it.....which I can't blame him) There were so many great vendors there to check out. I went in wanting to find information for three things: DJ, cake and flowers. I found information for all of them and will be reviewing everything I found over the next few weeks. My goal for the wedding is to have every vendor picked out, booked and given a deposit by the summer. For me, this puts my mind at ease over trying to find someone who is available as time goes on and too we are able to take care of everything in a timely manner. If all the bigger things are taken care of by June, all that's left are smaller things that can be taken care of over the next nine months beyond that.
If you can't tell, I'm a planner. I plan out things so nothing gets missed. Just like with my students in my classroom, I create lesson plans and have an idea of where I am now and where I want to go. However, the best laid plans always have to have some flexibility to them, just as wedding plans do :-)
I'm so excited that things are coming together piece by piece for our wedding. It may seem like so far away, but as each day passes, I know that that's one day closer to our wedding day and, at least I can say this, I'm excited! From the time I was a little girl Disney promised me my handsome prince. I found several frogs over the course of life but finally found my handsome prince and Joshua and I get our happily ever after :-)
Saturday, December 29, 2012
THE Dress
While I know I have over a year still ahead of me until the wedding, I decided to go ahead and go dress shopping. My mom and I went the Thursday before Christmas just to look. However, I ended up trying on about 12 dresses and ultimately ended up with a dress that I was 96% sure was my dress.
After showing the pictures I took of the dress to some friends and family and hearing their reactions, I knew that the dress I put on twice was THE dress for me.
Today, my mom, dad, Mamaw and I went over to Bridal and Formal again for my appointment with my amazing bridal consultant. I put on the dress again and it just felt SOOOO good! I had been toying around with the idea of trying another dress on that she had put me in previously but once I saw the dress again and put it on, I forgot all about that dress. She put a veil on my head and took me out to see my Daddy. After receiving Daddy's approval, I knew that there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to SAY YES TO THE DRESS! (P.S. This picture is from the Bridal and Formal facebook page where they posted this picture. I thought it was awesome and was more than happy to let them put me on their site!)
Now that the dress has been ordered, I have like 5 to 8 months to wait until I see the dress again. However, I'm glad that one of the bigger things on my wedding checklist is now checked off. Now to find the accessories to go with my dress, find a reception hall, and the list goes on and on. However, Joshua and I have 441 days to take care of the rest :-)
After showing the pictures I took of the dress to some friends and family and hearing their reactions, I knew that the dress I put on twice was THE dress for me.
Today, my mom, dad, Mamaw and I went over to Bridal and Formal again for my appointment with my amazing bridal consultant. I put on the dress again and it just felt SOOOO good! I had been toying around with the idea of trying another dress on that she had put me in previously but once I saw the dress again and put it on, I forgot all about that dress. She put a veil on my head and took me out to see my Daddy. After receiving Daddy's approval, I knew that there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to SAY YES TO THE DRESS! (P.S. This picture is from the Bridal and Formal facebook page where they posted this picture. I thought it was awesome and was more than happy to let them put me on their site!)
Now that the dress has been ordered, I have like 5 to 8 months to wait until I see the dress again. However, I'm glad that one of the bigger things on my wedding checklist is now checked off. Now to find the accessories to go with my dress, find a reception hall, and the list goes on and on. However, Joshua and I have 441 days to take care of the rest :-)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The wedding stigma
If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times already since I got engaged last month "Well this is YOUR day! It's all about the bride."
Well, actually, that's not how I see it.
Let's take a step back and look at this thing called the Susong/Cope wedding.
There are two people in the relationship: Joshua Cope and myself.
Joshua and I are devout Christians and so someone else who is very active in our relationship is God.
Our marriage is the union of two people becoming one. We're to be the half that each has been searching for, the part that completes one another. Therefore, this wedding is the putting together of two halves into a whole.
If anyone has ever been around me long they'll know that, contrary to the little 5 year old girl who used to put on "THE HEATHER SHOW" for family and friends, I actually do not like to have a fuss made about me. This wedding is going to be really hard for me because the focus is going to be all on me as it is "my day".
However, as we continue to plan this wedding, I don't want it to be all about me but rather about Joshua and I and the new chapter that we're about to start together as husband and wife :-)
Well, actually, that's not how I see it.
Let's take a step back and look at this thing called the Susong/Cope wedding.
There are two people in the relationship: Joshua Cope and myself.
Joshua and I are devout Christians and so someone else who is very active in our relationship is God.
Our marriage is the union of two people becoming one. We're to be the half that each has been searching for, the part that completes one another. Therefore, this wedding is the putting together of two halves into a whole.
If anyone has ever been around me long they'll know that, contrary to the little 5 year old girl who used to put on "THE HEATHER SHOW" for family and friends, I actually do not like to have a fuss made about me. This wedding is going to be really hard for me because the focus is going to be all on me as it is "my day".
However, as we continue to plan this wedding, I don't want it to be all about me but rather about Joshua and I and the new chapter that we're about to start together as husband and wife :-)
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Step Four: The Guest List
Now that the whole "OMG I'm engaged!" feeling has kind of worn off, it's time to get down to business. Joshua and I may have 473 days until our wedding, which seems like a long time, but there is so much to do. For me, the amount of planning needed for our big day isn't such a big deal, rather it's the fact that I can see it's going to take longer to do some things due to the distance between Joshua and I plus our busy full-time work schedules and his impending school schedule for the spring. But, this is the reason we've planned everything for so far away so we could have the ability to take our time with some things.
Being the planner that I am, I created a to-do list for the months of November/December:
Step one: Pick date √
Step two: Choose bridal party √
Step three: Choose wedding location √
Step four: Create guest list
Step four has been a topic of great discussion. Joshua and I come from different sized families/churches which poses the question: Who do we invite? Joshua and I have had several discussions about what the size our lists should be. But the biggest discussion has been about getting Joshua to make his list. However, I'm proud to say that Joshua did sit down the other day and created his list. The ironic part: my list is larger than his. Here I had been all concerned about the numbers and that we'd have this HUGE guest list but we're at a good number that includes so many special people who we couldn't imagine not spending our special day with. Now that we've got the guest list created, the next task is at hand: find a place for a reception.
And that adventure is for another blog :-)
God Bless!
Being the planner that I am, I created a to-do list for the months of November/December:
Step one: Pick date √
Step two: Choose bridal party √
Step three: Choose wedding location √
Step four: Create guest list
Step four has been a topic of great discussion. Joshua and I come from different sized families/churches which poses the question: Who do we invite? Joshua and I have had several discussions about what the size our lists should be. But the biggest discussion has been about getting Joshua to make his list. However, I'm proud to say that Joshua did sit down the other day and created his list. The ironic part: my list is larger than his. Here I had been all concerned about the numbers and that we'd have this HUGE guest list but we're at a good number that includes so many special people who we couldn't imagine not spending our special day with. Now that we've got the guest list created, the next task is at hand: find a place for a reception.
And that adventure is for another blog :-)
God Bless!
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