Changing Seasons...

The prospect of warmer weather and the change from winter to spring has excited me lately. It seems like the change has happened over night. All of the sudden the trees are in full bloom and the depressing icy winds are becoming less harsh. All this reminded my of how quickly I am passing into another season of life. Today I realized just how many things in my life have changed in such a short amount of time. It's hard to believe that only 5 months ago I was just a 20 year old college student, working two part time jobs, going home on the weekends, helping out with Jonathan's youth group on Wednesdays, and spending time with Jonathan and other friends in my spare time. How things have changed! Now I'm 21, working a new full time "big girl" job, rarely going home, two months away from being a married woman, and my fleeting spare time is filled with showers, wedding planning (all that it demands), and trying to spend time with my close friends as much as possible before my life is drastically different (in a good way of course!). Jonathan and I both are working/serving at Ridgecrest Baptist Church now. I am so excited about it! He is working with the Highschoolers and I am the ministry assistant for the youth and preschool ministers. I can't wait to see how God develops this new stage in our lives. It feels as drastic as the barren trees being overtaken by the spring flowers, but can't help but feel like my life is more beautiful than it has ever been these past few months. Not simply because I'm getting married or because I'm having fun planning the wedding. I see the beauty in how God is taking two very different people and knitting them together, two becoming one and becoming stronger together than apart. It's beautiful. I have loved every single moment and am thrilled by all that is changing. I don't really know what all that my "spring" will entail, but I can see, more clearly now than ever, that my life is being shaped for a purpose. All of this is just the start of the beginning, the first signs of spring, and who knows what will be in store for us. I am blown away by God's grace and mercy. I have received so much more than I deserve. I've been spared from so much I do deserve. I am new and constantly becoming more so. My this time of change testify to my Makers greatness and the grandeur of His ways. They are so much better than my own!

Great finds!

I am so excited about how things are coming along lately. We had our engagement shoot a couple weekends ago, and they turned out more wonderful that I could have imagined. Jonathan and I both love working with Sarah and Thomas of T2 photography. They're great! I've also been going to antique stores quite frequently and have found some really cute things. One of things I want to have at the reception is a photo booth, where the guests can take pictures with some neat vintage items. My idea is to send the picture with their thank you note after the wedding. I'm still looking for a chair or picture frame of some sort...

Since my last post I have also been working on the centerpieces! It's been so fun. I think I'm going for somethings along these lines with maybe a picture from our engagement session thrown in on some of them.

I'm also adding vintage pins/broaches to the pew bows to add character. The great thing about buying these is that I can still wear them after the wedding!

My collection of blue books thus far:

I haven't quite decided what I'm doing with this yet, but it was too gorgeous to pass up! Maybe it will turn into a chalkboard that goes on the food table. Hmm...

These cute bow ties and the hat are the start of the collection for the photo booth! How adorable!

I cannot wait for May 22 to arrive! I hope everything comes together like I have it all planned out in my mind! I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Books!

I am so excited about my latest wedding reception ideas that I had to post something right away! Since $ is of short supply, I think we are going to go with a dessert buffet instead of lots of snacky stuff. Jonathan had no objections to this idea and I think we can make it look really cute and sophisticated.

My other idea is to use old sheet music or poetry for some things like paper cones. We already have a sheet music guest book, so I want to incorporate it in other places too.Ok, so this is what I'm most excited about! I have been having trouble coming up with centerpieces that are budget friendly and adorable at the same time. Finally it has come to me! I love the idea of using books, since I love to read and have lots around. It shouldn't cost much at all and goes very well with my vintage theme.


The great thing about these is that very little flowers are needed!



This one is so adorable.

Wedding Accessories

I am so excited that all the wedding plans are coming together. Recently, I found my wedding shoes and jewelry, as well as four matching earrings for the bridesmaids. Not to mention it was all on sale! I'm suck a sucker for pretty things that sparkle! This is so fun and I cannot wait to see it all come together!

Here are the bridesmaids' earrings. I have yet to find them bracelets.

I adore these shoes!

The New Blog Begins...

So, I have decided to create a new blog, The Blair Affairs. I know I'm not actually a Blair yet, but I really love my soon-to-be-last-name and I just had to put it in the title. Anyway, I made this blog for several reasons. 1) In transitioning all my things to a my new computer, I lost/forgot the password to my old blog. I can't remember it for the life of me! 2) I wanted to document all the exciting details of wedding planning and the fun, daily tidbits from being engaged, and then newly married. 3) I have a lot of time on my hands since I am STILL looking for a job.

Well, there you have it. I will be posting some fun things soon!