Boys Boots.....

I am thinking these (personal favorite)......we shall see what the Mr. says 

BR 301 Chocolate Burnished Calf: Mens 

I like these for the guys in their chocolate suits

or do you think the more rustic look like this...

2680 tan distressed vintage goat: Mens 

My brother Josh will be marrying us and he needs black so....

BR303 Black Burnished Calf: Mens

I also found one more possibly for the girls 

British Tan Cowhide 

Boots....we are all going to be wearing Boots

I am going to wear heels and boots :) heels at wedding and for some photos and change into boots. I am thinking for the wedding party girls I like this 

or this

 

I like the first ones best I think. What do you think?

I want it to look something like this

Isn't is cute?!?!?! Now for the men....I have to look but dark brown for groomsmen and black for my brother who will be marrying us. 

Another offer on a house today cross our fingers and give it all to God I worry too much. 

xoxo

House Hunting

Sucks!!!!! I swear when they know we want to make an offer 10 other people do even though it has been on the market for almost 2 months. I am growing frustrated and burnt out.

I need to sew

So remember that awesome ring bear pillow? Well I am making one. I got all the supplies and I need to cut it out and get going. I am also going to be making this make-up brush case. 

 

You can find tutorial here 

I got all the burlap for the outside and fabric for the inside and I plan to add some ruffles on the outside. I love ruffles! 

So....this past weekend I went to the Bridal store to try on my dress again with the jewelry I had gotten. Well....the necklace didn't work :| so..........I bought a fresh water pearl bracelet cuff

the one at the bottom It looks stunning with the dress 

 AND then I went on a search for a necklace like this

 

something chunky......

Guess what......found a chunky fresh water pearl necklace at TJ Maxx $69.99 we will see if it matches right.....those pearls can all be a little color off so I need to go try it on again. 

I am off to do some cutting and sewing hopefully it turns out just like the one I want or maybe a little better because it has my personal love built in it :) 

We shall see. I will let you all know soon 

 

Booked....

The Twist Studio Spa for hair and make-up and possibly a photobooth. Look how cute this photobooth is! 

Don't you love it? They have different color curtains but no purple or brown. Maybe by November they will or I will go with mustard yellow I think 

I am thinking about making a part of the patio at the ranch into a lounge. People can go out there to get aways from the dancing and have a drink and take pictures! 

I am debating on if I like the four photos in a square. I wish it was a strip like at the fair. 

We will see.....on a lighter note, well not really but it just isn't wedding related. 

I had the most amazing day at work Labor/Delivery yesterday. I had a 23 year old woman give birth using the Bradley Method. You can read more about it here 

They had kept the gender a mystery the past 9 months and were elated to find out they had a little baby boy. I can not tell you how blessed I felt to be in the room helping hold a leg. She and her Mr. were amazing and their little boy SO cute! I will say, she might have changed my mind about an epidural one day. She was THE WOMAN and her Mr. was a fabulous coach, I have never seen anything more amazing. 

I am done for now...hopefully my Mr. will find out where he is going for baseball so I can buy a ticket for opening day. 

Yes, I know that is less than 2 weeks away and tickets are getting more expensive by the minute but hey, we like to live life on the edge. 

Have I mentioned I got an ipad? OMGarsh I love it! 

Last note: I am working on our slideshow and I cried watching it....haha Better have some darn good waterproof mascara for that wedding! 

Bad News and Good Finds

So....today I got an email from Twist Studio Spa I told you about....well the loft is booked :( So, now I am debating on either having someone come do our hair/make-up or still going there. My mom is looking into renting a bigger house if we can find one we will have the hair/make-up team come to the house. We shall see.....BUMMER!

Amazing finds on etsy! I am in love and want these. I think it would be cool for the bridal showers if people brought a recipe card with their favorite recipe written on it. The Mr. and I both love to cook. I like baking and appetizers he likes grilling and main dishes. We are a perfect team! 

Love this recipe box 

And the list keeps going for etsy! 

This for my dress 

and ring bear pillow? Do we need one of those? I am not sure??

hmmmmm but I am loving this one 

too cute right?!?!

Well that is it for now I am going to go look at a house :) cross our fingers and toes and pray the Lord find a house for us to make our home! 

xoxo JA 

Trip to the Coast

My mom and I set out on a journey over to the coast to get some wedding planning done. On our agenda: flowers, rentals, cake, and going to the Ranch. 

Ranch got scratched due to rain 

Flowers booked with Jenny McNiece. Our meeting with her was absolutely perfect she totally got the image I was going for. 

Floral Cuffs for the Grandma's 

Sunflower Wands with burlap for Stella and Liv 

My vintage bouquet 

No boutonnières for the men (I don't like them :|) 

Pomander balls in Sunflowers and kermit mums to hang from the chairs of the aisle

Bouquet of sunflowers for bridesmaids with burlap wrapping 

like the ones on the side here but WAY better burlap wrapping 

NEXT we were on to the cake tasting....

Laurie and I quite enjoyed ourselves. Mom on the other hand is going "thru" celiac disease testing so she could not taste. WE made up for her. 

I decided on carrot cake for Justin and I's small cake and we will have cupcake tower 

like the top tier here with honeysuckle vine wrapped around the base 

kind of like this....but not haha 

cupcake flavors: white with raspberry frosting, carrot, and devil's food 

let me tell you the cake and cupcakes are going to be AMAZING! 

I am so excited and more excited to eat them :) 

Yes, we all know I am a dessert whore and all but YUM YUM! 

Rentals: ugh first let me start by saying my caterer is fabulous she met me there to make sure we have it all. She recommended we went to Taylor Rentals in Paso Robles. 

I had met another rental place at the Bridal Show Got You Cover'd and I don't know why but I liked them. I had a good feeling 

But, by the recommendation I went to the Taylor Rental appointment we had set up after I took a peak at the inventory at Got You Cover'd haha

So, we get to Taylor and we go over everything now remind you just by naked eye Got You Cover'd had nicer rentals. However, I was open. Almost two hours later we had our quote in hand and I was going over it questioning items that were a lot and being told, "well ya you are requesting special order colors." Ummm.....since when was champagne a special order color?? and why didn't you tell me before I wasted 2 hours here???

FRUSTRATING! 

they were not budging on price/negotiation.....SO I pulled out my quote from Got You Cover'd and low and behold they wanted to match their pricing plus 10% more off. 

hmmm...don't know about you all but I HATE that 10 seconds ago you said, "no way we are practically giving it to you at cost."

So, I decided to leave with the revised quote and matched pricing and think it over for a few days. 

I got in contact with Got You Cover'd asked them to match the 10% off  Taylor Rentals was giving me. Email and phone calls back and forth they could not match the 10%. They are a family owned business and just couldn't do it in these economic times. 

Decision time: I decided to go with Got You Cover'd yes, it was a tad but more expensive BUT they have better reviews, the lady didn't piss me off with "special order" crap, they tried to work with me , and I like the family owner aspect of their business. 

We are having champagne table cloths with purple napkins for guests. Sweetheart table for J and I purple linen with handmade napkins by yours truly (will post pictures later). Cocktail tables in purple with burlap ribbon to wrap around base. Mason Jars as water glasses and all the typical other stuff. 

AKA: utensils, wine glass, champagne glass, plates etc.  

We also spur of the moment went to the salon where I am planning to get ready 

Twist Studio Salon and Spa 

Walking in......totally in awe how beautiful the salon is. My mom, Laurie and I were all in shock we were not expecting this. 

They also have a loft and a bistro connected to salon. We are planning on renting the apartment loft for the night before the wedding for myself and any bridesmaid who wants to join. I am thinking glass of wine and a relaxing night before I become Mrs. Wilson! 

Ps....downtown Paso is beyond cute! We ate at a fabulous little cafe for lunch and went antique shopping the rest of the day. I found the perfect little wood wagon for the girls if they can't walk, Little G can pull them in it down the aisle. 

I wanted everything in every antique store....BUT we need a house first then I can decorate. I do not need to load up on decor before I have the house I remind myself of that daily.

just like the one on the right but more antique looking 

Now.....should I or shouldn't I have a photobooth? hmmmmm

Dresses and Suits

We decided on brown suits for the boys with purple paisley ties and ivory paisley tie for Justin. Justin and I went and did this before he left and man am I glad we did. Jack at Black Tie has always been amazing to my family over the years and again he outdid himself. Thank you to him for setting us up! 

Bridesmaid dresses.....You want to know a way to get everyone in to buy their dress quick?

 Let them pick their own style but no duplicates :) That was my deal and I am so thankful I did it this way. Everyone was so excited to go in and get their dress. Jil wanted to even camp out haha. Needless to say everyone has gone and everyone has picked a fabulous dress. Now I hope to find shoes for everyone we are thinking cowboy boots like this 

Girls will be wearing Alfred Sung in majestic 

The above link was what they had to choose from

Can't Wait It is all coming together! 

Venue✔Date✔Wedding Party✔Caterer✔Photographer✔Dress ✔Wedding Attire✔

Need: Flowers, Rentals, Photobooth?, and DJ 

Bridal Show

What are Best Friends/MOH for?!?!? To sign up as a VIB (very important bride) in order to get in early to the Central Coast Bride show...DUH......Chelsey you are amazing and thank you!

It was a shame we didn't win anything. (wait....I did after the fact by email a $500 gift card to a photographer but I had already booked A. Blake and I am glad I did) But, I found 2 very important vendors! The Cakery and Ashley Blake Photography 

First, I ate way too many cupcake "samples" from The Cakery and I am so excited to have Ashley Blake as our photographer. My friend Pam from work had her for her wedding and the pictures are amazing! Pam has been a huge help to me and this wedding planning. She has given me all her vendor and recommendations from over at the coast. Thank you Pam! 

We have also booked the caterer. We went with Hospitality Catering because their food was delicious and couldn't find much else. You wouldn't think Mexican food would be this hard but let me tell you people. 10 quotes later it is. 

Venue✔Date✔Caterer✔Photographer✔Wedding Party✔Dress✔ (Yes, I got my dress and I am SOOOO excited but I can't talk about it or I will blow the beans I am not a good secret keeper)

Off to the coast

My mom, dad and I went over to the coast today for tastings from caterers. We have decided on Mexican food. The first caterer we met was Bridget at Hospitality Catering. Let me tell you this woman is full of spunk and I liked her from the moment I met her at the Ranch the first day with Justin. We ate some food and boy are our guests in for a treat if we choose her! Soft taco/burrito bar, baked homemade chips, black beans, rice, all the fixings, mango salsa, and homemade churros and to top it all off Sangria. The food was by far amazing! However, I think Justin wants more traditional. This was more fancy.

Off to the next caterer. Phoenix Catering. Let me say yes, I loved the first one so this second one had a lot to live up to but sadly they did not step up to the plate. The salad comes out and it is only iceberg lettuce with WAY too much dressing. I just stared at my mom with big eyes. Next came the ground beef with no flavor and the chicken that was tough. My favorite part of the tasting was my mom's bff Laurie raving about the salsa to the cook and he says, "ya it is good you can get it at Smart and Final, it's the Rosa's brand." OMG WTH I immediately grabbed my mom's leg to signal get me out of here!! You really think on a tasting you would give 200% right?!?! You want to win my business? Ugh! Failure........

I'm Solo....

I am now flying solo on planning a wedding and hopefully buying and finding the perfect house. Let me tell you I am nervous about the house part in more ways than one. Now that Justin has left I feel pressure. What if I don't find the perfect house? What if I do and Justin hates it when he gets back in October? EEEEEKKKK...so scared! We shall see.

I have so many plans for the wedding on the other hand.......

possibly a bouquet? 

Colors I am thinking purple, brown, and greenery 

I love love love this! 

Love this cake but we want only one tier and a cupcake tower! 

Deciding on centerpieces 

HMMM.....so many ideas :) so fun! 

AND this is why I started a blog to capture the wedding planning moments and our new life together

Engagement Party

First off let me start by saying we have the most amazing family ever! We are BOTH so lucky!

Momo and Papa graciously asked if they could throw us an Engagement Party and my parents and myself were so relieved. Yes, the brides parents are "suppose" to throw the engagement party. However, one small problem it was January and our house won't fit 50+ people. Thank you Momo and Papa for offering your home! We love you. The party was more than we could have ever hoped and dreamed about. Aunt Linda, Johna, Momo, and Aunt Karen were working all day setting up and making everything perfect. This was also the big reveal for bridesmaids and groomsmen. We had kept it a secret up until this point I had found this great idea of cards to ask each person. Aunt Linda made it come alive and be possible. 

Here are some pictures to enjoy! 

Wedding Party

Meet them here

Officiant: Josh (brother) 

Maid of Honor: Chelsey

Matron of Honor: Natalie 

Bridesmaids: Erin, Jil, Kirsten, Shannon, and Whitney

Best Man: Jordan

Groomsmen: Garrett, Matt, Neil, Jeff, John, and Tanner 

Can't wait until November 5th 

Venue ✔Date ✔Wedding Party✔

Engagement Photos

Love sweet Love

My best friend Natalie has a very talented photographer sister Alex. Justin and I headed out on the coldest day of the year I might add to take pictures. Now....if ANYone knows Justin they know his hate love for pictures. He was wondering how many we were going to be taking etc. Little did he know Alex would fill her memory card full of US. Justin was such a trooper! He was cold and not to mention he was going duck hunting right after. Overall the pictures turned out great! I really wished it was fair season because I have always had this vision of engagement pictures at the fair like this. Maybe Justin will be home for the fair next year and we can do it I may have to bribe him but he loves........me what can I say. Here are a few for you to enjoy.

Yes, we are laughing trying to hold the "pose"

Venue and Catering

Santa Margarita Ranch is booked and we are getting married November 5th 2011. I could not be more excited! I have all these ideas in my head can't wait to get them all out and to marry the man of my dreams at the wedding I have dreamt about since I was a little girl. Now on to the wedding dress shopping!

Date✔ Venue ✔

And it begins......

The wedding planning began on our drive home. We started a guest list. What soon became a large list of loved ones I knew my dream of a small wedding was out the door.  I have always had the wish of a barn theme wedding. After scouring the Internet for a few days the past 2 years I knew we only have limited options. Justin and I chose two places to go look at Santa Margarita Ranch and Cayucos Creek Barn. We stopped at Santa Margarita Ranch first and I loved it! Every wedding inspiration photo I liked online was at this venue. Justin was no so convinced. We walked around got our tour and met with a caterer while we were there. Three menu options we had chosen: Mexican, BBQ, or Italian. We do not want the typical wedding meal; we want something we love to eat. Our next stop was Cayucos Creek Barn. We came to a slight bump in the road when we argued about the venue while speeding driving. We got pulled over and there were choice words used and tears then laughter and I’m sorry’s. I know that cop went back to the precinct laughing his butt off about the two young love birds fighting about their wedding haha……We cooled off and got to Cayucos and let me first say it was beautiful but the man was on crack we he listed on the web that it could hold 200 people they could never fit even a 100 people in the barn.

At the end of the day we are still in love and have no venue. Justin is on a search for a barn in the Central valley.

♥Engaged December 15, 2010 in SF♥

Justin called and said, “babe, pack your bags we are going to take a trip right after your final.” I was very apprehensive and excited! I asked him what to pack?!?! “Walking shoes and a nice dress for dinner.” Hmmmm….a dress?!?!? I needed to go shopping of course. I headed to the mall with two friends from work and we searched with no luck until we went to Express and found the perfect little black dress. Wednesday came and I finished my last final and headed over to his house. He was packed and ready and had lost his keys! We searched high and low and found them (in the toothpaste drawer! Nervous you think???). On the road we went. He had already programmed the GPS and turned the volume down so I had NO idea where we were going. I tried guessing but no luck (the man can keep a stinkin’ secret to his grave). We finally arrived at our first destination. We were in an industrial area it looked to me. We parked and were walking with our bags in hand when I finally saw the BART sign. San Francisco here we come!!! We rode the BART and got to SF safely (yes, Justin will probably want me to add this: I got us off on the wrong stop because I read the sign wrong haha oops!). Checked in to our hotel in Union Square and went to walk around. Shopped a little and bought nothing! Justin suggested I got my nails done because I had been complaining about the chipped polish ALL day.

Day to turned to night and I was getting ready for our dinner. Justin had gotten ready before me of course and said, “I am going to go get a cocktail how long until you’re ready?” Justin returns about fifteen minutes later and I was brushing my teeth about to put my dress on. “Babe, come here hurry look!” I walked in to the living area to the man of my dreams on one knee with a beautiful ring staring back at me! The tears came and yes I fell on the floor too haha….Justin told me promptly “babe you aren’t suppose to be on the floor too.” I quickly got up and said, “YES!” Yes I will be your wife! Not five minutes later we had a knock on the door and it was champagne from Jim and Johna Wilson. We toasted called everyone we could think of and celebrated! We went to dinner at Epic Roast House, dinner was amazing! After dinner we went to a Jazz Festival we were glowing all night. The next day was spent walking Fisherman’s Wharf and taking pictures. The weekend was magnificent and I could not even imagine it to be any better.

Ok.......Here goes nothing

Blogging? I have always liked the idea but never thought I would blog. After thinking over how much I would like to document our wedding the more interested I became. I will have to rewind a bit and go from there BUT I am going to try. So like I said here goes nothing :|