New Beginnings + Engagement Pics!

Happy 2014!! It is hard to believe it is already January and another year is here.  I have so many things to look forward to this year.  It is exciting, stressful, overwhelming and a little surreal sometimes to think I am planning my wedding but I am loving the ride.  We took a break from doing any serious planning but now that the new year is here we are ready to get back into full gear!  More on that soon...!  

I have been wanting to do a blog post months ago but due to my moving to a new apartment and holiday stuff I had to push it back. Our engagement photos have officially been in for awhile but we are just recently starting to share them. We had such a nice time taking the photos and we got to meet and work with the photographer doing our wedding photos.  It was a great time and we were lucky to get a picture perfect day.  The weather, the sky, the breeze was just perfect.  I can only hope we get an equally beautiful wedding day. 

What we wore

For engagement photos our photography company suggested that we dress in complimenting outfits as if from the same catalogue without being too matchy matchy. In order to do that we bought clothes from the same store so that the colors and style would mesh well. Pete and I love the store Express and since they carry both men and women's clothes we picked outfits from this store for the photos.

Here is a photo of our outfits! We chose classic fall colors like gray, black and camel.

Michelle: Black Dress (H&M-old but Express literally had the exact same dress this season) , Cardigan (Express-old), Belt (Express), Bandolino boots (Macy's)

Pete: Black sweater (Express), Gray pants (Express), Black loafers (Journeys)

Our Favorite Shots

I expected to wait a few weeks before we got our proofs back but I was surprised that we got them back only 1 week later!! They came out beautiful and we are very happy with them!! Below I have posted a few of our favorite shots!! I'm planning to order a few prints to hang up around our apartment and we will also choose an image from the shoot to use on our save the date announcement.
  

One of the first shots of the day!

My favorite shot of us walking. 

Just you and me <3

Modeling like pros!

Love <3

The Cloisters

Perfect end to a  beautiful day <3

<3

XO,
Michelle G

P.S. Only 255 days til the big day!

Now what?

I find myself asking this question all the time.."now what?"  I'm pretty sure this was the first thought in my head right after I said "Yes" to Pete and called some immediate family members to share the good news.  In my immediate circle of friends I'm the first one getting married.  I'm also the first grandchild getting married.  My childhood best friend got married last year and I flew in two days before to stand next to her as a bridesmaid.  To be honest, I have never planned nor been around someone who was planning a wedding.  So after those initial first moments of awe and excitement were over I realized that I was in over my head and totally overwhelmed.  I always thought I would know exactly what I wanted and that I would have the entire wedding planned out by the next day.  However, it's not the case!  There is so much to consider that I could never just plan something in a day! I think it's so easy to get caught up in EVERYTHING at once and get really lost and burnt out.  So I'm taking things one at a time.  There are a lot of wedding planner guides available in bookstores and online but even with those guides I am feeling my way through this process and going at my own pace.    We are about 3 months into planning and have set our wedding date and location.  That's it.  That's all I know so far.  People ask me all the time if I've done this part or decided on that and all I can tell them is "I don't know yet," because it's the truth.  I haven't gotten to that part yet because I don't want to jump around to different things.  So now that date and location are set...now what?


What I'm using to plan my wedding

Ok so first I should probably start out with what I'm using to get my planning in gear.

First thing I did when I started planning was buy a folder.  I needed something that I could use to hold onto important receipts, papers, contracts, etc. and take around with me when I go to visit venues and vendors.  I also signed up for a few wedding websites like The Knot and Wedding Wire to help me stay up to date with current trends, ideas, inspiration and venue choices.  Just beware of the reviews for the venues.  After reading through a bunch of them I realized that almost every review is written by a bride/groom who had their wedding at that specific location.  So of course the reviews will be biased because let's face it, they chose the place so of course they are going to love it!  Another website that I'm using is Etsy, which is an awesome website to buy handmade/original and really creative stuff through independent vendors.  I like going on this site to browse through various different bridal decorations, invites, favors, etc.  You don't have to order from the site to find inspiration and get ideas!  I'm also using Pinterest to get wonderful inspiration for the wedding through pictures.

The Next Steps...

1. Vendors: My goal for this summer is to find and book some of my vendors.  I'm planning to find a wedding officiant, DJ, and photographer/videographer.  I have a few others on my list but these are the ones I would rather book sooner than later.   
2. Workout/Diet plan: Because let's face it, we all want to look fabulous on our wedding day!  I was doing so well but fell off the wagon last summer.  I'm back on now and have been working out about 3-4 times a week for about 40-60 minutes doing moderate/high intensity workouts at home.    I'm doing both cardio and strength training with hand weights.  I'm debating on whether or not to officially join Weight Watchers but I'll probably just do it on my own.  I will post a different day about the exact workouts/diets I'm doing.  Also, Pete just joined a new boxing gym nearby.  I'm so glad that we are both making an effort to get in shape for our wedding! <3 
3. Keep pinning: Since I'm still in the early stages of planning I am still open to ideas and gathering inspiration.  I'm still very open to the many possibilities and this is such an important day that I want to make sure I plan every last detail.  I've been using the Pinterest app on my iPhone to pin images that give me wedding inspiration or an idea that I want to use.  

I think that about sums up where I am so far with everything.  Which isn't too far but I have more than enough time so there's no need to rush. I hope my next post will have more fun details! Stay tuned!

-Michelle G     

Engagement + Our Story

Beyond excited and blessed to be able to share such a wonderful announcement.  A few weeks ago I got engaged to my best friend, Peter.  We are so happy and excited to begin this new chapter in our lives together.  We have been through so much over the years and through all the ups and downs we have continued to make our relationship a priority.  I love him so much and I am ready to see what our future has in store.  

OUR STORY

I met Peter one evening in a restaurant about 7 years ago.  It was June and I was a few weeks into my summer break from college.  I had been working all day taking care of kids.  I was tired, messy and ready to spend my evening at home taking a nap.  My 2 friends invited me to get dinner at one of our favorite casual spots.  Since it was a casual hangout spot I didn't think to change my clothes (or put on more makeup).  I just went looking like a total mess.  

We got to the restaurant and sat down.  As soon as our waiter came to take our order I regretted not changing or fixing myself up.  As soon as I saw him I felt an instant attraction to him and I felt that I liked him right away.  I looked at his name tag, it read 'Peter.'  He immediately smiled and was very outgoing.  He said hello to my girl-friend, Keisha.  They happened to know each other from school.  They small talked for a bit (while I tried not to stare at him) and then he took our order.  From the get go I could tell he was really easy going, friendly and easy to talk to.  I secretly cursed myself for not having changed my clothes, combed my hair and freshened up.  Since when did this restaurant hire cute waiters?!  When he started flirting with Keisha, I figured I didn't have a shot.  So I just admired him while he served our food and refilled my drink.  I never thought anything would ever come from this encounter.  And nothing really did, but it was the first time our paths crossed and the first time we ever met.  

Pete in his waiter uniform.  This is basically exactly what he looked like the day we met.  

It might have been a few days or maybe a week later that I returned to the same restaurant with Keisha and another friend.  It just so happened that Peter was working there again that day and we happened to get seated in his section again.  This time I had come looking a bit more presentable.  Of course he started flirting with Keisha but then he also talked a bit with me as well.  He was so nice and friendly and I really liked him.  Keisha wasn't interested but I sure was.  At the end of our meal he left us a card with a link to his MySpace (this was back in the old days of social networking).  I'm not sure if he left it for Keisha or if he left it for me but I took it and friended him on MySpace.  I didn't think anything would come of this but I figured if anything maybe I could make a buddy to give me free ice cream lol. He messaged me right away that he recognized me from the restaurant and from there we started talking online, then on the phone until he asked me on our first date.  As they always say...the rest is history!

Me & My Love

He is my best friend.  I can tell him anything and share everything with him.  He loves me and accepts me.  I can be myself with him.  I feel safe and secure with him.  He makes me laugh, he helps me with anything I need.  If I have a problem, he is there trying to fix it with me.  He loves me and he loves my family.  He loves my dog too :)  He is a wonderful person and I am so blessed that I met him.

How Pete popped the question!

I have always said that I would never want a public engagement meaning I would never want other people to be present during such an intimate and special moment in your life.  This is just my own preference.  So places like a restaurant, sporting event or holiday parties are not my thing. Pete picked the best spot near our house to ask me to marry him.  When the weather is nice, Pete and I love to go to our favorite little park to have picnics and just relax and enjoy nature.  He took me for a walk to our favorite park and as we stood by our spot he had a guitar player come and start playing Bruno Mars "Marry You" in the background while he asked me.  It was low key, private and sweet.  The best part was that it was in our park at our favorite spot which made it very sentimental and thoughtful.  Of all the places near my house, this spot was the most appropriate I think.  And he did an amazing job picking out the ring!!

My gorgeous engagement ring!  I love the personalized birthstone added underneath! Aquamarine <3

I am just in the early planning stages of our wedding.  I am overwhelmed but also very excited to plan this important day with Pete.  I think I will be blogging alot more in the next few months as I make preparations for everything.  I hope to be able to share my journey.

xoxo,
Michelle G