Archive for the ‘wedding’ Category

Amazing brooches from bridesmaid Megan!

Monday, May 17th, 2010

How beautiful are these?! These lovely brooches came from my dear friend and bridesmaid Megan K. She traveled to several antique stores to find the perfect pieces to suit her taste. So sweet. If you know me, you know I love sparkle…and boy do these puppies sparkle. :)

I’ve known Megan for what seems like forever. I don’t remember what year we met. I’m guessing it was 6th or 7th grade.

See…in 4th grade, I joined our elementary school’s beginner band – choosing to learn and play, of all instruments, the trombone. For several years, that darn thing was bigger than I was. AND it wasn’t exactly the most popular instrument among the female population, so I spent most of band practices hanging out with the guys.

Thankfully in 6th grade our school district decided it would be a good decision to allow us to start practicing with the junior high band. So several mornings out of the school week I would be dropped off at the junior high school for early bird band, then shipped back to the elementary school with the rest of the 6th graders after practice. Megan was a kind 7th grader to whom I took a liking quickly. Not to mention, she was one more female in the trombone section, which I really appreciated! (Many of my other female friends played easy-to-carry, more “girly” instruments like the flute or the clarinet. I was definitely an odd bird amongst my friends, so I was very grateful another girl was giving the trombone a whirl too!)

Megan and I were inseparable all throughout school – both of us playing our trombones until the end of our senior years of high school. She graduated a year before me, so I had to endure my final year without her. (Thankfully her younger sister was in band, so it was kinda like I still had her around. Just not in the trombone section. :) )

I remember on September 11, how we were at marching band practice at the football field and then went home for lunch to watch the news footage of the tragedy. I remember football games and how much we LOVED playing “Louie, Louie”. I remember late night talks about guys, life and God.

Megan, I have so many heartwarming, incredible memories that involve you. I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for your enduring love, hope and optimism in a world that can seem so dark  at times.  It’s a thrill to be on the journey of marriage with you. Philip and I look forward to spending many, many more times with you and Brandon. :) I love you, my fellow B.I.C. (It’s an inside joke that’s lasted between us for YEARS. And if we told you what it means, you probably wouldn’t think it was that funny. Ya just had to be there.)

Here we are. The B.I.C.’s! (And Megan, I LOOOVE how you’re actually holding an antique trombone in this picture! Perfect!)

Here we are on Megan and Brandon’s wedding day. :)
Such a beautiful bride.

Thanks for the amazing woman you are Megan! We can’t wait to celebrate our big day with you. I love you! XOXO

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Posted in flowers, wedding |

Here’s a wealth of vintage jewelry given to me by long-time friend Arla

Friday, May 14th, 2010

My long-time pal Arla W. gave me this jewelry for my brooch bouquet. Aren’t they great?! That bracelet is killer!

I’ve known Arla since I was a wee little one. Our mothers grew up together and we also grew up together.  We went to the same small town church in Southern Illinois and would confide in each other all kinds of things – particularly involving boys. :)

As we’ve gotten older over the years, we’ve created new lives in different places and don’t get to catch up nearly as often as we’d like, but we’ve always remained friends.

Arla, I’m grateful to call you a friend and I hope we get some catch up time soon! Our friendship has been long-lasting and I look forward to many more opportunities to share in each other’s life experiences.

Thank you for sharing these beautiful pieces of jewelry with me. They’re absolutely perfect.

More brooches coming soon! AND I’ve been to two weddings in the past two weeks. I’ll be sharing some photos from those too! Happy Friday everyone!

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Posted in flowers, wedding |

Philip’s sapphire Bohemian glass cufflinks are pretty darn cool

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Philip’s cufflinks came in last week. There’s a pretty neat story behind them.

According to the Kent Wang website where he purchased them, the buttons are made of glass and came from a shop in Bohemia that sold buttons to high couture designers in France. Apparently the shop was seized and shut down by the Germans  when the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939. The buttons had been in storage until Keng Wang acquired them.

How COOL?! I just love that this little piece of history will be a part of our wedding.

Oh Philip. *sigh* You’re so stylish. And I’m so lucky. :)

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Posted in attire, wedding, wedding party |

30 day countdown, plus pearls, rosettes, glitz and glam for my brooch bouquet!

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

It’s official, friends. 30 DAYS UNTIL I BECOME A MRS. WHOA! Where did all this time go?! Thankfully ALLL of my pieces for the brooch bouquet are in the mail and have been shipped to Mrs. Amanda Heer of Fantasy Floral Designs. I’ll admit, I’m kind of nervous…shipping all of these special pieces across the country! I sure hope they all make it to Amanda safe and sound.

Now I’m playing catch up on documenting all of the pieces I’ve received. :) Thanks to all my wonderful friends and family, I sent more than 80 pieces to Amanda! Holy smokes! (I was in such a rush to pack them and get them in the mail I never got a final count.) So here are a few more! More to come!

I am an only child. Philip is 1 of 4 children. Thankfully his family is AMAZING. I may not have any direct siblings, but I tell you…the Dials have already made me feel like I’m kin. He has twin sisters and they’ve both supplied a bagful of beautiful pieces for my bouquet. The lovelies in the above photo are from his sister Peggy. I just love all the pearl accents. And the little rosettes are so dainty and adorable. Thank you SO much Peggy!

The silver, sparkly rose in the above photo was given to me by my co-worker’s wife. Her name is Shannon. If you’ve ever met her, you know Shannon is a jewel and she just exudes class. Although we’ve known each other for a short time, I feel like we’ve been friends for much longer. Shannon, thank you for this beautiful pin. It’s so elegant and graceful. Just like you. I look forward to more times together in the future.

I’m calling the next piece the “heart of the ocean”. Doesn’t it look JUST like the necklace Rose wore in Titanic?! ALSO stunning and classy. This piece was given to me by my friend Natosha aka Little Spoon. She’s also a Nashville blogging bride. :) (Her blog is Big Spoon, Little Spoon. Check it out!) I had the pleasure of meeting Natosha during the Unabridged Bride workshop. I had been following along with her blog way before the workshop, so when I found out SHE was Little Spoon, I felt like I was meeting a celebrity! Seriously. I deeply admire her blogging talents, creativity and especially the fact that her fiance, aka Big Spoon, pops in and writes for the blog occasionally. :) Natosha, thank you for being a part of this experience and for being a friend. I’m so glad our paths have crossed and I’m VERY excited about the journey ahead for both of us.

Happy Wednesday everyone. And keep your fingers crossed that my sanity is maintained for the next 30 days. Thank you all for your inspiring ideas and support.

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Posted in flowers, wedding |

Beautiful brooches from bridesmaid Melissa!

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

brooch-bouquet-bridesmaid-melissa

Just look at these gorgeous pieces from my beautiful bridesmaid Melissa. :) Wow. Every single one of these is classy,  stunning and unique in it’s own way. (Look at the bee! On the right! LOVE it!)

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Melissa D. for the past 4 years. (Is that right?! Time flies.) Melissa and I met during my first year as a media liaison for CMA music fest here in Nashville. I don’t remember what our first conversation was about or specifically how our friendship started. All I know is she seemed like a darn cool lady, there was an instant connection between us and I was hooked.

Here we are a few years ago all sticky and sweaty (and probably smelly!) during the Dierks Bentley concert downtown on Demonbreun. (I have no clue why I always do that weird sideways head angle during photos…*mental note* Don’t do that on June 12.)

Melissa, you’ve been my go-to-gal through so many life events. You’re always available any time I need to talk, vent, celebrate, etc. You’ve mentored me personally and professionally numerous times. I admire your work ethic and your gigantic, kind heart. Thank you for blessing my life in so many ways. I’m extremely grateful for your friendship and stoked you’ll be standing up with me on our big day.

Thank you for gifting me with these incredible brooches. They. are. PERFECT. Andilovethem…and you! :)

More to come tomorrow…31 days, 10 hours until June 12. The countdown IS ON. YIKES!

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