Wedding Wednesday {firsts and lasts}

Happy leap year! Being a February baby I am always very aware of these few and far between years when we add an extra day to the calendar! Yesterday was bittersweet as I celebrated my last birthday as a Watson(although my parents often argue that we will always be Watsons!). Wow, my friends and family know how to make a girl feel special- phone calls, texts, cakes, hugs and kisses all day long! John spoiled me with a mani/ pedi from my favorite nail spa in town, a massage and a delicious dinner for the two of us at Saludas! He must have sensed that I am in a great need of some rest and relaxation!!

We celebrated my birthday tonight at my parents house complete with Pasta Fresca and (green) mint chocolate chip icecream cake- my favorite!! Tomorrow, my friends and I are celebrating at another favorite- Rosso! I have always loved birthdays and believe everyone deserves a nice long week or at least few days of celebrations! Thanks to to my wonderful family and friends for making it do special!!

On a random but important wedding note, I never thought choosing a first/last daddy daughter dance could be so difficult! I think about this often- I've always been extremely close to my dad and this dance means the world to me! For those of you that know me, know I'm a crier. I've had a couple in mind that Ive had to nix from the get-go bc I fear I will be that bride ugly crying through the whole dance. Not to mention he will be wearing a dinner jacket and I'd hate to ruin his outfit at the start of the reception. I think I've found the perfect song- meaningful but upbeat and fun but I thought I'd share a song one of my good friends sent me a few months ago. The words are so fitting but I have (ugly)cried often listening to it- there'd be no hope for me! I suggest having a tissue, or two or 3 on hand!:)

Wedding Wednesday …

a day late. 

We are trucking along in the planning department and living at home has put me at a huge advantage.  My poor mom is oh so patient. 

Today we had our 2nd (of 3) meeting with Monsignor Harris.  Have I mentioned this wedding is getting real? Tomorrow marks 9 weeks. Single digits- how?? There is something about sitting in a room with the priest that is going to marry you in 9 weeks talking about logistics of the big day that puts thing into perspective… real fast.  I could not be more excited. 

In other news, John survived his bachelor party this past weekend and made it home in one piece.  From what I’ve heard, the boys had a blast and even behaved.  We were also on a need to know basis and I do not need to know any different!

We are heading to Aiken Saturday for Breigh and Grahams nuptials!!  Breigh is a good friend from college and I could not be happier for us to be able to celebrate such a big day in their lives!!

Speaking of happy… this picture makes me just that.  We got a few teasers from our photographer {we are both using the wonderful Zil photography} from Boo’s wedding. 

Do you blame the goofiness in the middle?  He does have TWO daughters to give away 3 months apart!! 

Love is sweet

With Valentine’s right around the corner and a little over 2 months until the wedding, my sisters hosted a kitchen shower in my honor!  Everything was perfect and above and beyond anything I could have imagined!

lemon water and pink lemonade paired with milk jars and strawsStrawberry champagne cocktailsheart cupcakes, strawberry fudge, heart petit fors, Kahlua truffle and heart sugar cookiesMeredith, Scottie, Ali and Mrs. RayfieldMy sweet Grandma, me and Aunt FrankieBoo and SarahEmory would tell you this was an “all girls party- no boys allowed” but we made an exception for this cute face!they had a fun game of gift bingo for everyone to play while I opened giftsTo avoid overloading this post with 800 pictures of opening presents, I’ll just share this one… the countdown is (still) on!I can’t begin to say how blessed I feel.  We have so many special people in our lives and are so lucky to have them share in this exciting time with us!

Amy, Boo and Jo- thank you SO very much for hosting such a fun and sweet shower today!  I am so lucky to have you as my sisters and can’t wait to have you stand next to me in just a few months!  I love you!

Wedding Wednesday

I am fully aware that I have abandoned my blog lately but specifically my Wedding Wednesday posts.  My intent from the beginning was to document each week of our engagement and where we were in the process.  I am here to admit, I got in way to far over my head.  Mainly because I never could really think of anything to talk about that I felt was that important to sit down and write.  Now that we are 10 1/2 weeks (WHAT?!?!) out, I am going to make a conscious effort to post every week.  However, just as most have been, this post and probably most to come will be totally random and all over the place.

I am pleased, ecstatic, over the moon, whatever other happy and relieved words you can think of  to say that I am DONE with the list.  D.O.N.E.!  I have literally been working on it for 10 months now and it feels as though a huge weight has been lifted.  Our invitations also came in today so it is a matter of a few weeks before we will be sending them out!

Last week my mom and I met with my florist, Fern Studio, and wow- I did not think I would ever be this excited about flowers.  If you are in the market for a florist I totally recommend her! 

Guess who leaves for his Bachelor Party tomorrow?!?!?  That’s right, it is already that time for John to celebrate his last weekend single with the guys in New Orleans.  There are also 2 other guys having their bachelor parties in N.O. this weekend too that John knows.  I am planning to keep myself busy this weekend and just pray that he comes back all in one piece!! 

I’d being lying if I said the past few weeks/ months haven't been some of the most stressful ever.  I have never really used this blog to vent about negative things (maybe sometimes!)so I wont do it now.  I am just so happy that I can see an end in sight and can not to finally be married to John.  I have a new found obsession with Essie nail polish- weird, I know.  Tonight I was in Target and I couldn’t help but splurge on a few new bottles because the names caught my eye.Bachelorette Bash, ChinChilly, e-nuf is e-nuf

That’s it for tonight!

Stock the Bar Party

This past weekend we had a wonderful stock the bar party thrown for us by my best friends and bridesmaids.  My childhood/ high school best friend was sweet enough to host at her house and the girls did such a great job with all the food and decorations!We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family who have made this time in our lives so special.  This weekend was no exception- the party and company was wonderful, John got iced and our bar is fully stocked.  Thank you girls- we love you!

Wishing time would stop right in its tracks…..

…(I think that's from some cheesy country song?).  Warning: random post ahead. 

I am confident that I make the cliché phrase “time is flying”or “where is the time going” much too often but it seems that every day is passing far too fast. Seriously, how is it already almost FEBRUARY??  I have mixed feelings about this.  On one hand I am super excited because this means one month closer to the BIG DAY! On the other, it proves how fast time flies and how we should appreciate each and every moment here. 

Three weeks ago, Boo and Alex tied the knot!!  It was such a fun and special weekend and I was so honored to be a part of all the celebrations that surrounded the two of them!  Lots and Lots of pictures were taken and I was planning to share but, the newlywed herself has joined the world of blogging so check her blog out for more wedding weekend recaps!! 

Three weeks ago I also moved back in under my parents roof.  Yes it has been an adjustment but I have to admit that I am loving it!  I anticipated the move but knew that once I moved in it was not only temporarily but also meant the 15 week countdown began.  We are 3 down with 12 to go.  I think they will have a hard time getting rid of me. And the “complimentary” meals, “complimentary” wine after a long day at work, early bed times, etc. don’t help.  With the move back home, it also means my mom and I have a chance to talk wedding day in and day out.  We have started checking a number of  to-do’s that we’d been putting off until closer to the wedding.

Today our announcement ran in The State and this weekend my best friends/bridesmaids are throwing us a Stock the Bar party.  With each passing day, I continue getting more and more excited!  And just because John asks/ makes fun of me for knowing every.single. day., We have 82 days or 2 months, 3 weeks and 1 days to go! 

It’s ALL about Breigh!

Breigh and Graham will tie the knot in a couple of weeks, so we headed to Isle of Palms for one last weekend to celebrate all things BREIGH! 

Friday night her sisters planned a lingerie shower so we enjoyed lots of food and drinks at the house.  On Saturday we had a yummy brunch at Triangle and relaxed at the house in preparation for our Mexican Fiesta before a night out on the town!We had such a fun weekend celebrating and can’t wait to continue the celebrations in just three weeks!