Bittersweet

I can't say enough how excited I am to get married. Michael is better to me than I ever imagined anyone would or could be. It's mind-blowing to me that this is the person I get to spend the rest of my life with, and I can't wait to marry him and build a home and a life together. Our wedding will be the first and most special day of our new life, and I'm so thrilled to share it with all of our family and friends. Well, almost...

Ty and Lisa, who are South African, are our closest friends, and we asked them right away to be our best man and maid of honor. But, as luck (or rather, un-luck) would have it, they were forced to leave the country back in March due to some issues with their visa. I never dreamed when they left that they wouldn't be able to come back in time for our wedding. But legally, they can't yet.

This is a very bittersweet time for Michael and I. While we are super excited to have the simple & meaningful wedding that we've dreamed of, it's heart breaking to not get to share it with the two people who have been there for us from the beginning. It's hard and it hurts.

Ty and Lisa- we love you, we miss you, and we look forward to seeing you again. It won't be the same without you.

dreamy bedrooms...

puppies!

Lately Michael and I have been talking about getting a dog, down the road, after we've been married for a little while. My brother calls it our "Junior Baby", which I think is perfect. I plan on staying at home and a little companion would be lovely while Michael is away at work. We don't want a big dog- they're way too much trouble- I hate the shedding, the smell, and the barking. So we're definitely looking at a little dog. Pugs, French Bull Dogs, and Miniature Bull Terriers, to be exact. Aren't they SO cute?!!

wedding bands & engagement photos

We got our engagement photos done back in January, but I just had to post a few of them again here. Thanks to Rosemary Ragusa, our photographer- she did a BEAUTIFUL job! She's also doing the photos for our wedding, which I am really looking forward to...

Starbucks Lust

This is my fat kid post. I am obsessed with Starbucks right now, and all of the reasons are a little embarrassing. I've been cutting down on sugar lately, but for a nice treat, there's Starbucks. And you don't have to just limit your sweet-tooth to coffee...there's pastries and ice cream too! See, what'd I say? Fat kid.

My only non-chubby reason for loving Starbucks right now is their 40th anniversary mug, which I find absolutely adorable. I want one!

there's always more...

First let me say that I try really hard not to write about my wedding every single day. If you know me at all, you know that I've been excited about planning this day since I was about 12 years old. Some girls are wedding girls, and some girls are not. I happen to be one, and I'm a proud one at that. With our wedding only four months from tomorrow, things are really starting to come together...here's a little peek at some more of what's been inspiring our big day...

While our cake is only going to be two tiers, it can be expected to look a little like this:

 

I love these old-fashioned candy sticks for favors. Perfect for adding to the decor, keeping with the theme, and carrying home as a sweet treat!

 

 BALLOONS! That's all I'm saying.

These gorgeous circus-themed invitations inspired our own, which we'll be sending out next month...

 More adorable bunting, because I can't convey how cute it's gonna be...

And finally, a tiny glimpse at what influenced me to design my own dress instead of buying one off the rack:

baby, baby

I LOVE this nursery! Just because I don't want to have babies for a few more years doesn't mean a girl can't dream.