A Snowflake Bridal Shower

All I can say is it's been a busy few weeks with Christmas parties, Christmas, New Year's, the ECU bowl game and it all started with an amazing shower hosted by my sister, Suzanne and Annette. It took place at the Fishers home in Reston, Virginia where I grew up. It was on December 18th 2010 at 2pm. The theme was snowflakes and they managed to work it in on all kinds of neat details throughout the party. There were snowflake cookies, snowflakes on the tablecloths, snowflakes on the cupcake papers, snowflake ornaments on my packages and so on. Not to mention that it had actually snowed the night before. There were about 25 people (family, neighbors, college friends, etc.) that were able to make it out for the party. It definitely kick started the final weeks until my wedding off just right :)

There was wonderful food for all the guests that Suz, Annette, my mom and sister put together. It included mini crab cakes, chicken salad in filo cups, famous meatballs, fruit, a chocolate fountain, cupcakes, cookies, punch, wine and much more. Everyone got the chance to mingle for a bit before we ate. I'd have to say it made me a little nervous for the wedding. I barely had time to talk to each guest for more than a few minutes. I can only imagine what it will be like at the wedding. Everyone that came showered me with amazing gifts...it was better than Christmas :P I could not believe what I walked out of there with. I am so thankful for all that came and made that day so special for me. I am truly grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life!

Here are a few pictures from the party...

Yummy cupcakes...love the real snow background*

Chosen Family...Annette, Laura, Mom, Suzanne, Me, Devin

Not sure what that face was all about...Devin, Me, Suzanne, Gina and Jen

More photos to come once my sister sends them my way :)

THANK YOU DEVIN, SUZANNE, & ANNETTE! You all mean the world to me!!!!!!!

To Do's this week...GET THE INVITATIONS OUT! YAY :) I LOVE how they turned out and can't wait to share them in a post once all my guests have received them...stay tuned

TheKnot

TheKnot

2011 / 3 months/ 90 days

We've made it to 2011 and the 3 month countdown...it's going to be the best year of our lives with new beginnings in our journey together!

Invitations...CHECK!

We officially ordered our invitations! I have been working with a co-worker on the design and details for a few weeks now. We have finally come up with "The Invitation". I am so excited to have been so involved in the creation of this invitation. Bridget, my coworker who designed them did an amazing job. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a really creative invitation for any event at a great price. You can visit her website at Sealed with a Kiss. I can't wait for them to come in. I plan to get a couple of bottles of wine and invite a few friends over to help me stuff and mail them :) It feels good to knock one more thing off our long list of to do's that we have left.

On another wedding related note I got my bridal portraits back from Piner Photography. They turned out so well. Now it's down to the hard part of figuring out which one to purchase for my portrait to have displayed at the wedding and then in our home. Kevin and I have decided to go with a canvas rather than a traditional portrait. It is so hard to have those photos and not share them with anyone :)

I also received a coupon email from Groupon a few weeks ago that I couldn't resist. It was for 70% off at Canvas on Demand . In going with Kevin and I's canvas theme we decided we were going to have a canvas made of one of our engagement photos, one made for my bridal portrait and then one made of one of our wedding photos. Eventually when we have a bigger house with more wall space we plan to hang them together in a formal area. This was the perfect opportunity to order our engagement photo canvas. I was able to get a 16X20 thick cut canvas for $30!!! I can't wait for it to arrive. I plan on giving it to Kevin for Christmas even though it's probably more for me :)

The countdown continues...120 days/ 4 months until I say I DO!!!!!!!!

Reception Layout & Registering

We received the final layout for the set-up of our reception. I loved the idea of rectangular "family style" tables but wasn't sure if I wanted to completely venture away from the traditional circular tables. Salt Harbor had the solution...a combination and I absolutely love it. I've never been to a wedding with rectangular tables so I can't wait to see what the final thing looks like.

Last week Kevin and I finally ventured out to begin registering... Let's just say it's not all fun. You would think going to pick out new things for your house would be nothing but fun. Well, it's a little stressful. You have to pick lots and lots of things and make sure they all go together and aren't to trendy (go out of style) as well as make sure they're going to last a long time. After a few hours of running around shooting a gun at all kinds of things to decorate our house we were officially registered at Macy's and Crate and Barrel :) The best part is knowing in a few months our house will be full of great things that may actually coordinate :) My mom and sister may finally want to come back and have Christmas dinner at my house again knowing that I actually have the equipment necessary to make that happen.

135 days until I say I do!

Anapolis Engagement Session with Piner Photography

I realized I never posted our Annapolis Engagement Photos...

Below are the photos that our wedding photographers took while they were in the area attending a photography conference. They are from NC so they wanted to take some shots for us. We chose the downtown Annapolis area since it is where we live and we just love the water and boats. It was especially nice sine there weren't many tourists around at 9am :) The session re-assured us what wonderful photographers we chose for our wedding. They work so well together and both have an amazing eye.

Enjoy...

5 Months and an East Carolina dancing Ballerina!

Only 5 more months of signing my name Gurley!!!!!!!!!!

Below is a video of Ellie in her new East Carolina Ballerina costume my mom made her...I know I'm horrible. But it's super cute :)