Wedding Binder Printables

So, I've been working on getting this whole wedding thing organized.

You should know by now that I am not the most organized person in the world.

I'm actually probably in the running for most unorganized.

But I am determined to not go crazy over planning this wedding...therefore, I must stay organized!

So, I headed over to Target & bought some organizational goodies.

I have been working on putting together a good wedding binder, including printables!

I got my first one finished this weekend...a thank you note checklist!  

I am already behind on my thank you notes from our housewarming party...so I knew I needed to start there.

Here's what I came up with:

It's already turned out to be really helpful, actually.  I feel more organized already.

Here's what's going on with my binder so far:

Pockets for this & that, folders to keep things organized & a calendar.

Keeping a month-by-month check list of what needs to be done.
So far, we've met with the priest, booked the church & rehearsal
dinner spot & visited the reception site with our event
coordinator, {my cousin, Grove...exciting ideas are a-brewin'}
Now we're working on finalizing our bridesmaids &
groomsmen list, {we both started with 12 possibles!}

As you can see, I still have some work to do, but it's still early and there really isn't that much to keep track of...yet.

But there will be.  Oh, there will be.

Until then, Brian and I are trying our hands at Cauliflower Pizza Crust tonight...I'll let you know how it goes!

And here's the link so that you can download the Thank You Note Checklist, if you'd like!

Thank You Note Checklist

Peace out, yo.

Engagement Thank You Notes

Happy Tuesday, folks.  I hope you're well.

Brian and I have started getting sweet little notes and some gifts since our engagement.

So, I started looking for some cute thank you notes or stationary to use during the next year.

But, I couldn't find any that I really liked, so I decided to make some on my own.

This is what I came up with:

I've definitely got the yellow & gray bug that's been going around.  I love it.

{in fact, it's also the color palette of our guest bathroom...}

But I love these.  Mostly because I love thinking about my new name.

And my new monogram, or our new monogram.  

Here's the back:

So, I love that I can just print these out as I need them, too.  Score.

That's all I've got for you today, we are throwing a housewarming party this weekend and I have set a serious budget for us.  More on that tomorrow.

Until then, thanks for everything...

from the future Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker.

Countdown to the Dress

I'm going to be really honest with you today.

If there is one thing that I've always thought about when I've sat daydreaming about my wedding over the years, it's the dress.  I realize that that probably isn't too unique.

But, the funny thing is is that whenever I've imagined myself walking down the aisle in that perfect wedding dress...I've had a bangin' body.

Fat & happy.  I've really begun to understand that phrase over the last few months.

I am at my heaviest right now.  There was a time after college when I was also about this size, {I had been on Weight Watchers to prepare for a wedding, and put some extra weight back on when I stopped...} but I stepped on the scale the other morning and saw a number that I have never seen before.

There are several things that I know have contributed to my current weight:

- happy.  I don't understand it, but I know it to be true.  I think it probably is just easier to forget about watching your figure when you're happy all the time and have a cute boy telling you that you're beautiful.

- vegan.  Again, I don't understand it, but I have steadily been gaining weight since I became vegan.  I've read several articles about the issue, have done my best to cut out soy and to stay away from too much bread and pasta, {a common problem for vegetarians is that it's easy to use breads, pastas, potatoes, etc. to replace the meat,} but still, I've kept gaining weight.  Also, I have had problems keeping my energy levels up at times which has made it hard for me to work out, {or to want to work out.}

- birth control.  I've read several articles about this issue, too.  Most doctors and specialists out there will tell you that there is no truth behind the notion that the pill causes women to gain weight.  But almost every woman that I've talked to has said the opposite...here's why I think that there is truth to it, I haven't just gained weight, but I've put on weight in places that I never have before: my stomach and arms, {I was always a hips & thighs girl.}

- lazy.  Duh.

Now, I feel kind of shallow even talking about this, but what bride-to-be doesn't want to look her best on her wedding day?  And feel her best?

I don't feel my best.  I'm not comfortable in my own skin.  And, if I'm really honest, I'm not happy with my body or with my choices about my body.

So, there's never a bad time to get your act together and get serious about your body and your health, right?  And there's no better motivation than a diamond ring staring at you all day long...and a mother who really wants to take you dress shopping.

Honestly, that's what really got to me.  My mom said that we should go ahead and start looking for my dress...and I didn't want to.  I know that I'm not going to like the way that I look in anything right now, which makes me sad, and I don't want to feel sad when I am trying on my wedding dress.

Ugh, there's that shallow feeling again.  But, I said I was going to be really honest.

So, shallow or not, the countdown to the dress is on.

I am going to be using a few different "tools" that I have picked up along the way:

1.  Dr. Oz's Just 10 Top 5 Rules

First, cut out diet soda.  This one is, shall we say, not easy for me.  But it's worth it & I'll do my best.

Second, the kitchen closes 3 hours before bed.  I like this one because it helps encourage me to forgo dessert, and also to get dinner made a little earlier in the evening.

Third, a minimum of 10 minutes of cardio every day.  Granted, these ideas are just to help you lose 10 lbs, I plan on getting more than 10 minutes of cardio a day, {and to lose more than 10 lbs} but it's a good way to think about getting started.  Dr. Oz recommends things like taking your grocery cart back to the furthest cart return in the parking lot, etc.  Just get moving.

Fourth, work on controlling your portions.  I struggle with this one daily.  I find it helpful to slow down and to think about everything that you eat in a day.  Keep a journal if it helps.  But think about whether or not you're really hungry, how badly you want to eat it, whether or not it will make you feel better and give you energy, etc.  I am a classic mindless eater, and I am working hard to change that.

And, finally, weigh yourself every single morning.  It reminds you of your goals and your progress and keeps your mind on the task at hand, {losing weight.}  I am somebody who would rather focus on how I feel and how I look and feel in my clothes than on my weight, but at this point I think I need to track my progress and see how it goes.  So far, it has been helpful to weigh myself every morning because I have lost a few pounds this week and I have been really encouraged to keep working hard when I see the number drop.

2.  Women's Health 6 Weeks to a Flat Belly Workout

I found this workout via Pinterest.  I really like it because you start at a beginners level and move up as you get stronger.  You'll see on the website that it is a series of ab workouts coupled with a cardio interval burst workout.  I did it 3 times this week and I really like it so far.

3.  Yoga

Long, lean muscles.  Balance.  Stress relief.  Check.

4.  The Wave

This one might make you laugh.  A few years ago I ordered this workout system from The Firm after watching their paid program one Saturday afternoon.  Not 4, but 3 easy monthly payments of $29.99 later and I was on my way.

This is just a series of cardio workouts with free weights.  The system comes with 2 DVD workouts with a 40 minute workout as well as an "express" 20 minute version and an abs workout DVD, too.  So, 5 workouts all together.  The gimmicky part is the "wave" that comes with it, a plastic bridge of sorts that you use as a cardio step but also can flip over and stand and rock on the wave side...engaging your core, allegedly.  

Now, I'm being cynical, but I actually got in really great shape using this system a few years ago.  Unfortunately, a week after I rescued my kitten, Calpurnia...she thought the rocking wave looked like fun and she ran underneath it while I was on it.

She made a miraculous recovery but I was too traumatized by the whole thing and I stopped working out on it.

I've slowly made my way back to my wave though.

So, anyway, that's my plan.  I've lost a few lbs this week but I have a long way to go.

Until then, any other brides-to-be out there?  Let's do this.

The Journey

So, I'm pretty sure that Brian has had the Rehearsal Dinner spot picked out since long before we met.

He & his mom went and checked it out a few weeks ago, wanting to make sure that our {alleged} wedding date was available.  I wanted nothing to do with it because we weren't engaged yet.

But Brian texted me at work on Friday and told me that another couple was looking at the same weekend so would I please go with him to see it Saturday night...

Here is an outline of Brian's lies over the last few days:

"I'm at the Town Center, I had to look for some shorts."  {I just bought your engagement ring.}

"Somebody else wants to use the room July 5th..."  {Nobody else wants to use the room July 5th.}

"I'm really nervous about talking to your parents about the proposal..."  {I did it this morning.}

"Let's go around 7:30, so you can see what the room will look like when we have the rehearsal dinner."  {I want to propose at sunset.}

"Maybe we could have dinner out there, too..."  {Don't wear yoga pants.}

So, I'm not going to lie, I had an inkling that something was going on here.  

I've suspected for some time that he had the ring, {the whole "shorts" thing tipped me off.}

But, I was sure that it wasn't going to happen until he finished his summer semester finals.

{Just the same, I've been doing my nails every other day all summer...just in case.}

So, we had a quiet day at home Saturday after staying out too late the night before.  Brian seemed calm and his lies about dreading the, "I'd like to marry your daughter" talk had thrown me off his trail.

We got dressed, {not in yoga pants,} and headed to the potential Rehearsal Dinner site.

Brian was really quiet on the way there and was sending a suspiciously high volume of text messages at every stop light...

When we walked in, I was surprised that the woman showing us the room was right there waiting for us and that she seemed very excited.  She also seemed kind of weird.  Jumpy.

I was also surprised that there was actually a wedding reception going on in the main ballroom.  And very surprised that she would have agreed to show us the room at the same time...

So, after peeking in on these strangers' wedding reception, {great band, BTDubs,} she showed us to the room we are interested in.  

She rambled on about table sizes, linens & centerpieces while Brian made random comments like, "the room can hold 120 people..."

"Why don't I show you the balcony..." she said.  

{writing this is actually making me nervous...}

After commenting on how beautiful the view is and how nice it will be for the rehearsal dinner, she abruptly went back inside and closed the doors behind her.

I turned around to face Brian & started to say, "she is so weird..." but the look on his face stopped me.

I knew then exactly what was happening and a sob quickly escaped me.  

What happened in the next minute or so is a complete blur to me.  

I remember telling him to wait so that I could put my clutch and iPhone that I was carrying down.  

I remember the doors opening back up and my sister, Burton, snapping pictures with a huge smile on her face while the woman popped a bottle of champagne.

I don't remember what he said.  But I remember that I said yes.

Later, I told Brian what I thought I remembered him saying.

"Nope." he said.

{I since have been reminded of his words, but that's for us.}

I remember that my hands were shaking when he put the ring on my finger.

And I remember being happier than I have ever been before.

I think that it will be so special to have the Rehearsal Dinner where we got engaged.

{I'm seeing some of these pictures framed out on that patio...}

When I think about everything that Brian went through to get us to that spot and to that moment...my heart feels like it might burst out of my chest.  

It also feels that way every time I look down at this baby...

Swoon.

{Whenever somebody gets engaged, I will go to any length of stalking their pictures to find a picture of the ring.  So I figured I'd just make it easy for you guys.  And show off a little bit.}

My friend, Cynthia, called me the night we got engaged and said, "I think that it was less than a year ago that you were sitting on my porch, drinking & complaining about how you were going to be single forever..."

I have been thinking about that time in my life a lot lately.

I was single for 5 years.  I lived by myself for 3.  

I spent the vast majority of my time with 2 babies and a dog.  

There were definitely a lot of really lonely, scary times.  A lot of being forced out onto the dance floor with one or two other single girls to have a bouquet thrown at you...

But, like any good journey, I wouldn't trade a single step of it.  

Because it led me here.  It led me to Brian.  

I'd be lying if I said that I always had faith that things would work out as well as they have.  

The whole idea of having a man that you love get down on one knee and ask you to spend the rest of your life with him was just too magical.  Out of reach.  

I think that it's probably hard for anyone to believe that such a wonderful thing is actually going to happen to them.  Especially after 5 years...

But I wish that I could go back & talk to that Brooks now.  

I would tell her to have have more faith.  I would tell her that she had every right to believe that the man she was waiting for was waiting for her too.   

And if you're single, that's what I'd say to you, too.  

Be faithful.  Have hope.  Love a lot.  Enjoy the journey.  

And until then, I promise not to throw any bouquets at you.

When you know, you know.

So, Brian and I have been discussing wedding plans for sometime now.

We started talking about wanting to get married after about a month.

{I knew that I wanted to marry him after about a week.}

And I am very blessed to be related to the owner of and mastermind behind Fishers Flowers and Events.

My cousin, Grove, & her husband, Adam, own & operate Fishers Flowers, designing and executing amazing weddings over on the Gulf Coast.

{I'm also very blessed to have Grove as one of my closest friends.}

The point of the story is that, when Brian & I started talking about getting married, we knew that we wanted it to be sometime next summer, and we knew that we wanted Grove to design it.

And Grove, ever the business-woman, went ahead and sent us the dates that would work best for her.

So Brian and I have actually had a wedding date picked out in our heads for a while now...

The words, "when you know, you know" have been said often over the last few months.

We know {and have been told} that it seems rushed & we know that we may have done things a little out of order.

But it's what feels natural to us.  It's our normal.

And it's probably because we've known all along that our relationship was leading up to this moment.

July 21st, 2012

Brian got down on one knee Saturday night.

I said yes.  And I cried.

Ugly-cried.

Right now I'm going to go watch Franklin & Bash with my new fiancé...

but I will give you all of the details tomorrow.

{proposal details & wedding blogging details!}

Until then, I hope that when you know, you know.