How I Asked the Bridesmaids

There are so many ADORABLE options out there for asking your girls to be your bridesmaids.

I know before even getting engaged I would make mental notes of all the sweet ways to invite friends to be part of the big day.

Jon & I have had a 6 month engagement.
To him: This is ridiculously long.
To me: I'm hoping it's just enough time to get things done :)

My closest bridesmaid lives about an hour away, and the 6 of them are in 4 different states.
I knew I wanted them to have a little something to keep to remember the event, but obviously, it was much easier for me to mail something small.
So I decided just to custom make little cards and put them in the mail.
I know this wasn't much, but I enjoyed sending them something rather than just texting or calling.
Here they are :)

For y'all who are engaged or married, how did you ask your ladies?

Happy Wednesday!

Love,
Claire

Our Save the Dates :)

So, by making our wedding checklist yesterday, I realized I hadn't shared some of my favorite things with you.  I don't think I even posted our save-the-dates, so here they are!

In an effort to save money, I just made them myself and printed them off. They were a blast to design.  The whole map theme is very suited to us because I work as a GIS Coordinator making maps for soldiers training on a military base.  (This is how I met Jon by the way. :) I guess I should share that story at some point. haha)

Happy Tuesday!

Claire

75 Days!: Our Wedding Checklist

75 More Days, Y'all!

Here's the checklist:

Pick date

Choose venue

Choose reception site

Hire wedding planner

Pick wedding dress

Ask officiant

Engagement party

Ask bridal party

Hire caterer

Pick colors

Choose bridesmaid dresses & tuxes

Complete guest list

Create wedding website (working on it)

Hire DJ

Hire florist (doing some myself)

Choose & mail save the dates

Hire photographer

Register

Hire videographer

Engagement photos

Book honeymoon (not going until winter)

Book hair & makeup stylist

Book ceremony musicians

Hire cake baker

Block off hotel rooms

Order invitations

Order wedding bands

Dress fittings

Choose ceremony music

Bridal showers

Bachelorette party

Book rehearsal dinner

Mail invitations

Stock the bar

Book hotel room

Get wedding bands engraved

Work on ceremony/reception decor items

Lighting

Purchase bridal accessories

Buy bridal party gifts

Decide on guestbook

Rehearsal dinner invitations

Ceremony programs

Song list

Day of schedule

Goodness gracious, I hope it flies by! :)

Happy Monday!

Claire

Engagements!

Here they are y'all! :)

 

God is so good.

Fourth of July Weekend!

I hope y'all had a safe and wonderful 4th!  Mine was excellent.  I only had Thursday off from work, but went ahead and took Friday too. :)  I went with my parents to visit my little brother Chris, and his fiance Holly.  They just bought their first house, and it is precious!  I wish I had taken pictures to post!  Jon came up Friday and stayed with us as well. I really enjoy when Jon & I get time with Chris and Holly.  It's exciting to be in the same season of preparing for marriage.  Jon is actually marrying Chris & Holly September 7th, which is ridiculously exciting.

Saturday, Jon & I attended the wedding of Brooke & Clint, two of our dear, sweet friends at my church.  It is amazing to have seen God at work in their relationship.  I look forward to seeing Him use their marriage for His glory in many ways.

The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous, and Miss Brooke was stunning!  I love weddings that bring everyone together to worship the Lord and display the greatest love story the world will ever know, that between us and Jesus Christ.  Ahh...just makes my heart melt.

We had a blast at the reception! Jon & I LOVE to dance! :)




You know it wouldn't be a weekend together for a long-distance engaged couple if we didn't tend to some wedding business, so we checked out our top choice location for the rehearsal dinner and also toured our hotel. :)

Yay! It can't come soon enough!
79 days!


 Love y'all!
Claire

The Art of Marriage

Recently, Jon & I attended an Art of Marriage seminar at my church.

I had never heard of the Art of Marriage until Village decided to host the event one weekend.  We jumped on the opportunity.  (Jon & I have this whole "wanting to know everything we can" attitude while still understanding that there are some things God will throw our way that we simply won't be prepared for...kinda scary, but super exciting!)

Y'all should check it out! :)

Sessions are offered all the time everywhere across the country.

The really cool thing about it is that it's applicable to any couple regardless of whether or not they've been married 1 year or 50... and also for couples preparing, like us. :)

Ours was one Friday evening and most of a day Saturday, but I hear some places offer it more like a 6 week Bible study covering one session a week, which I think would be pretty cool.

Here are the topics covered:

Have any of you attended the Art of Marriage?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

Claire

Engagement Photo Preview!

A couple of weeks ago, Jon and I had engagement photos on the lovely Brown's Island in downtown Richmond, VA.

We had SO much fun, and boy, were we BLESSED.  Our shoot was scheduled for 6 pm and it rained heavily pretty much the entire day.

On our way, Jon and I stopped to have lunch/coffee and do some reading at a local cafe.  While we were there, we PRAYED as we watched the rain POUR. 

 It isn't surprising that any girl would be freaking out at the thought of her planned, outdoor engagement photo session being completely rained on.  What was surprising was the feeling of peace my heart had as we prayed about the rain. As much as I desired a beautiful, sunny day, I desired God's plan for the weather all the more.

He listened.

Miraculously, the weather cleared up just around 6 o'clock, and held off for the entire shoot; well, almost the entire shoot.

It started to sprinkle just as we were finishing...just in time for God to give us this sweet gift...

As we danced in the rain, we couldn't help but laugh as we felt so loved on by our sweet Father who communicated so clearly to us that He had not only heard our prayer, but that He was indeed right there to share in our happiness.

Stephanie Yonce, our photographer, was FREAKING out.  This girl LOVES rainbows.  She is absolutely precious, and a bundle of fun!  Can't wait to see the rest of our engagements, and share with her as she captures our wedding day.

Oh, how He loves us. :)

Claire