And I'm back!

So its been awhile since I've updated this! (Not even sure if anyone reads it, but its good to vent).

A lot of things happened since the last post.

I GOT MY DRESS!! Finally made a decision and it has been ordered! =) Very excited and really at peace with the decision. I thought I would regret it after I ordered it, but I'm not! Just more excited!

We got the bridesmaid dresses figured out! Just waiting on one more girl to order it... my sister of course.  (thats a whole nother story!)

We got the save the dates out! That was a hassle in itself! Apparently my "knot" guest list didn't save (or something) all the addresses. I printed them all out and some people were missing. And I didn't realize it until all of them were out, so I had to try and remember who got one already... Def starting now on the wedding invite list to make sure its perfect, I don't want anyone left out!

We ordered invitations!! That was harder than I thought! I wanted to them to be perfect! And I think they are exactly what we wanted! =) We should be getting the proof any day now!  I'm really looking forward to seeing how they turned out, and it will probably seem so real seeing our names on them =) very exciting!

My girls (the good ones) are already working on my shower, which means more to me than they will ever know. Its so nice feeling special and important and they are doing just that! =)

Still have a lot of work to do! FLOWERS! Are next! Still very indecisive about that... I can't really picture what I want! I've looked at millions of bouquets but still can't seem to find what I want. I even went to hobby lobby and tried to put my own bouquet together... still couldn't find it. So hopefully we will get to go flower shopping soon!

After Christmas I'm going to start working on the favors and centerpieces! Very excited about them!

A lot of little details will be coming up soon! Just hope I have given myself enough time to do all this.

I think that's about all the wedding stuff!

The house... GREAT! We love it! We have finally gotten some things on the wall. Jason's basement is done. I think everything is organized! We got our Christmas tree up! The bar is decorated!  We are hosting the day after Christmas over here! And I'm very excited about that!

We just celebrated our two year anniversary (even though we've been together for longer)! And it was perfect! This boy gets sweeter and more perfecter every day! =)

So all in all things are going really well in the Jones household! =)

Moved in!

Well September 21st came and went. We closed on the house, no problems whatsoever. When we showed up for closing we already had a full car load to take to the new house. We went right there and already started moving in. It was definitely a great feeling turning that key for the first time =)
We went and got our address changed and new driver's licenses. Went and bought paint and other stuff to get started. Our great friend Joe, came over and the basement project began. The boys started on the "Cubs" basement. I got started on cleaning! Erin even came over and helped us paint a wall =) Love that lady!

We started packing more, and taking more loads of at a time. While the boys were working one day, I went back to the apartment and got all our sleepover clothes and the air mattress, and me and Jason spent our first "night" in the new house. It was GREAT! The following Wednesday (we waited until we had a day off work), our wonderful friend Andrew came over and helped us pack the truck, and unpack the truck. We got all moved in just a couple hours, with just me, Jason and Andrew.

My dad came over later that day and helped. We're so lucky to have such great people in our lives that will go out of their way to help us.

So now that we were moved in, it was time to organize and unpack. That was the hard part. I've never had to take nothing and turn it into what I want. I've never been really good at seeing the "big picture" But we have made it work. Jason has given me free reign on just about everything but the basement. We still have a lot to do but I feel like we are getting settled rather well. We just need to decorate now. Everything has found its way into its place. We got our new sectional, the tv and Internet has been set up, and even the Sunday paper has been delivered.

We threw our first PARTY! last Friday. My very best friend Colleen's birthday is coming up (October 20) and me and Jason will be in Florida for it. And her son's birthday was October 3. So I convinced her to let us throw Brody a small birthday party here for her. She had no idea that I had all her friends here for a party for her =)  It went so well! We had probably 15 people over or so, and we didn't have a fire hazard and no one had to wait in line for the bath room!
It was really nice, I just wanted her to feel special for all she has done for me. She has been outrageously involved in all the wedding planning! I couldn't ask for more out of her. She is always asking about the wedding, and wanting to go to absolutely everything wedding involved, she is so excited and so supportive of everything. She actually cares and that is really nice.
So I just hope she felt important and special because she is such a great person!

So the house is coming along great. The boys are in the process of a building a bar. Can't wait to see what this turns out to be. But we are looking forward to entertaining and having a great time here, and making new memories. =)

Wedding:

The wedding has been kind of at a stand still since the house. We did manage to get the cake! Which was an awesome experience.We are meeting with our awesome picture people on Wednesday to finally get our save the dates! We need to get those out ASAP!

Dresses... yep still no dresses. I think I finally know the one I want. I really want my MOH to come see it. Just sucks she is so far away.

You know, since the very beginning I always said I didn't want any drama in my wedding. But of course thats not possible.
I had one bridesmaid tell me she didn't care about me, and that my wedding wasn't a priority, and that she didn't care if she wasn't in my wedding. So needless to say.. this has not been drama free.

Just wish people would care, and be excited, and actually be supportive. Its been really hard for me that people aren't supportive or excited or even ask about it. Kinda sad.


We've been attending church regularly. The pastor that is going to marry us, is the one that runs this church. We love it. We feel so welcomed and at home. And its so nice for us to be going to church again.  The pastor and his wife invited us over to their home two weeks ago. And it was great they had a full dinner for us and we got to know each other and it was great. I'm so glad that he is marrying us!


So for the most part things have been going great. We just need to get going on the wedding stuff! Now that we are 200 days away!!!!!! But I think most of the big things are done! JUST NEED A DRESS!!! We are very happy!  <3

Update!

So this has been a very emotional/stressful/overwhelming time right now. Not bad by any means, just a lot going on, and I just feel so far behind on everything!

HOUSE:
Me and Jason have been so blessed with the "housegoingons" Usually nothing really works out for us, or at least nothing really goes easy for us. But this has been a great experience. Everything seems to be coming into place. Not that we're done, but we got approved, found the house, got insurance, got it appraised and inspected, and everything has been just easy! So thats awesome!
We are set to move in September 21st! And we really can't wait. We have begun packing... and although its kinda sad to leave this place... we've had so many memories here. This is where the first A and E sleepover occured, where me and Jason have become so very close, and learned how to live and function together as one, where we've celebrated Christmas with our family... great great times... I already miss them! But its going to be BIGGER and better at the new house! Just wish our family was closer to enjoy the oh so good times we've enjoyed at the apartment!

WEDDING!:
The wedding has been kind of at a stand still right now because of all the house stuff! We did manage to look at bridesmaid dresses, we found two that we really like. Just wish I could get all the girls together so we can decide! We are doing cake testing on Tuesday! I'm kinda excited for that.. but no nearly as excited as Jason!

Jason's sister threw us an Engagement Party! And it was great! Our friends and family showed up to help us celebrate our engagement. It really meant a lot to us... especially that Ryan, Megan and Erin showed up, I really don't think I'll ever be able to tell them how much it really meant!
We had a lot of work people, and friends come and it really made us feel special and honored that we have so many wonderful people in our lives that truly care so much about us! I need to post some pictures but I have lost my camera at this point! But I will do that soon!

WORK:
Work has been beyond busy, seems like everyone is quitting or leaving, therefore making us work more. Which isn't a bad thing, just can get overwhelming and burnt out quick. Not to mention, its impossible to get a day off!

JASON:
Jason is more than perfect, he has been working his butt off to make me happy, and support me through all of what has been going on! We are happier than ever, and I really can't wait to marry him! =)

Offer Accepted!

So... where did we leave off? Its been too long!

We put an offer in on the house we liked to much, they countered and we accepted!! Big news! Great news! =) So we close on September 21st! So who's helping us move?!?!

Jason has big plans for the house! He wants to immediately put in a sliding glass door in the kitchen, and paint... not that it needs it, but just to make it our own!
So here it is!

This is where we will be residing after September 21! We will definitely be entertaining! =) So now that the house shopping is over! We need to re-start planning the wedding.
I feel like we've done so much! But its really like we haven't even started! Before we move, I'd like to get some big things out of the way. Like cake, and plan the menu for the reception!

The dress hunt still continues! I think I have it narrowed down to two... but its so difficult! My dad didn't like the dress as much I needed him to, which made my doubt linger. So.. I'm stuck! The one at Stephenson's which I thought (and think) was the one, fits me perfectly! Like I wouldn't need any alterations whatsoever. And the other one I love at Peg Ann's is gorgeous and I think Jason would love it. But it doesn't fit perfect. So I'm wondering if maybe it would fit perfectly than I would feel differently in it. So hopefully next week we can get the dress thing figured out, and actually pick the colors for the girls and the boys!

Stressful week! But much accomplished!

The one!

This week went well. We stayed busy, of course but things are falling into place.

Monday- We looked at five houses in Nappanee, found a lot that would work, but nothing that we fell in love with!

Tuesday- Aunt Karen and Cristen left =( very sad day!

Wednesday we went and looked at two houses, and they both were awful. It’s kinda depressing when they look so promising online! I got all the girls together (except Mary Jane) for bridesmaid dress shopping. They tried on several dresses, but there was one they all looked great in! The only problem, it doesn't come in the color I want! They have black and I'm okay with black dresses, except I want SOME color! If we could put a green or orange sash on it I would say YES in a heartbeat. But you can't. And I don't want just black dresses.

Thursday- our realtor is pretty awesome and was able to get us in to see four more houses.... now we're talking! The houses were much better today. And we think we actually found a house we could see ourselves in. Jason instantly fell in love with the house. And my dad went with us the entire day, and he fell in love with the house, and was already giving out our "new" address. I loved it as well; just I guess the idea of it kinda scares me. I feel so grown up. I'm not scared one bit of getting married, yet I'm terrified of buying a house! So Jason finally had to break down and tell his parents about the upcoming news. He feared a lecture, but was greeted with unexpected support. It meant a lot to him, and me. It’s really difficult having so much respect for these people, and disappointing them. But his dad was AWESOME about it, and it really made Jason THAT much more excited. So, Monday we are taking Jason's dad back with us, to see the house and hopefully we can put an offer in! Very exciting!

We were supposed to take our engagement pictures Thursday night, but we had such bad storms all day, that didn't happen. So we re-scheduled for this upcoming Thursday! Which is okay, because it gives me more time to find what to wear! Although I did get a dress from JCPenney (love that place). The tag said $35, the clearance rack said $30, and the cash register said $18! Love when that happens! So now I just need an outfit for our "fishing picture." I'm not sure what to do for this. I'd like to be cute, but honestly when fishing... how can you be cute? You are sweaty, smelly, covered in worm particles.... not ideal for engagement pictures.... hmmmmmmm ideas?!?!

Friday! Finally I got to try on MORE DRESSES!! And I loved it! I was accompanied by my mom, my bestest friend Colleen, and Jason's mom! And honestly, I walked into the store and I was like... I'm not going to find anything here. They had one of every dress, but not in all sizes. So they may of had the dress that I wanted but only had it in a size 6! And there is NO way I would fit into that, so I would have no idea what it would look like on. But Janette was more than wonderful. She helped me pick out dresses, and even ones I didn't think I would like. I get into the first dress. Look in the mirror and instantly am in awe! I walk out to my crowd and my mom instantly starts crying. I climb up on the pedestal and look in the mirror.... and I am like YES!!! I love it, it makes me look great feel great, it has what I want, and what I think Jason wants. But Jason's mom wasn't there yet so I wasn't sure if it was just me or if it looked great. So I try on more dresses, and honestly I have never looked better! The dresses she picked out for me all fit me so well and accentuated all my positive features and hid what I hate! So it was hard to tell which one I liked so much. But my mom wasn't afraid to let me know. I walk out in the second dress and she is like NO! So I try on more and more and the last one I tried on was off the clearance rack which already made me like it. It looked great on me. I wasn’t sure about the color because I always thought white was what I wanted. But it was an ivory. It complimented me very well. Jason's mom finally arrives and she sees me in this one. She likes it... but now it was time... was this dress any comparison to the first one? Janette puts me back in the first dress. And I'm watching in the mirror as she is putting me in the dress. And all I can think about is walking down the aisle to my love. Of course I tear up. Janette puts a veil on me, and I walk out to my audience, stand on my pedestal, and tears fill the crowd. (Except Colleen--- but she was crying on the inside... dang you for being strong!) Is this it? Is this the feeling you get? ... Am I saying yes to this dress? Then DOUBT hits me! What if there’s a better dress out there? What’s my dad going to think? Will he like this one better than the one at David's? Does he want to pay THIS much for it? Sooooo... the suspense continues. I can't say yes to the dress until I get my dad's approval. Even though no matter what he will love it. I just can't do it until he sees it!!

You know, knowing Jason was the one was easy! I couldn't deny that feeling. But finding the dress is HARD! So I am taking my dad to see the dress on Wednesday to see if he loves it. In the mean time my sister is taking me to another store on Tuesday. I want to see all of my option and just eliminate any doubt that I make myself have! Plus both this place and Stephenson's have my colors!! So I can have a colorful spring wedding that I have been dreaming about! =)

Sunday we went to the bridal expo. Didn't really get much out of it- a tooth brush, two tote bags, and a pot holder.... I got a phone call saying I won a free cooking class, but it seems like a set up... so who knows. But Jason went with me, and we got some ideas and talked a lot about what we wanted. So it was good.

Monday we have the house shopping adventure to see if this is it? Just really hoping Jason doesn't get his hopes up. But we did find out today that we have to be out of the apartment by September 30. So we need to GET GOING!

Tuesday- trying on dresses with Mary Jane (and of course Colleen!!)

Wednesday- Taking my dad to see "THE DRESS!" and hanging with our new found friends

Thursday- Engagement pictures

Friday- believe it or not I really don't think we have anything! But I'm sure our schedule will fill up. It always does. Especially now with work. They have a lot of overtime, which is good and bad. It’s good because we need the money! But it’s bad because our schedule is SO full! So it’s hard to fit everything in.

So we will see how this week goes! Who knows we may be homeowners and dress owners by the end of the week! =)

No time for sleep!

Sunday, Jason and I went back to church and Pastor Craig was there! In the middle of the mass, Pastor Craig decides to announce to the whole congregation that Jason and I are engaged! So after mass we had a rush of people come up and congratulate us (love that!) Then we snag Craig after mass, and let him know how it would be an honor for him to marry us. And he said yes! He was so delighted and I think he was glad to do it. Because he is such a close family friend and knew Jason's grandpa really well. And that just means so much to us! We are so excited and definitely just made it a dream come true. Because before we even got engage we talked about how great it would be if Craig married us! So I'm so glad that we have that taken care of now! I wasn't sure what are plan B would have been! So ya! And he's going to do our pre-marital counseling! I'm really looking forward to that!

Wednesday my Aunt Karen came in, and we had a blast! For two days straight! Just nothing but good family fun! We laughed so much! It was great!

Friday, we had the whole gang over for lunch then went and saw the Lerner again! Every time I got back there, I re-fall in love with it! Its perfect for us! Just hope that we get everything we want to go with it!

Saturday, I took Aunt Karen and Cristen on the tour of the jail. I'm glad that wanted to see it. I like showing off where I work, and explaining what we do instead of people only thinking what they see on TV.

Sunday we went to Grammy's, she made a delicious meal and we had lots of people there. Even got to see Ben and Amber which was nice. Just happy that we can all be together and have fun.

So we spend a lot of time with Aunt Karen and Cristen and I couldn't be happier. I have loved that we have gotten to see them every single day, I wouldn't change that. Except maybe not working!! Its been really nice sharing all of our ideas with them. I love talking wedding! But some people just don't care, so its really nice to have such a supportive, happy, and loving audience who let me go on and on and on! =)

This week's itinerary!

Monday: HOUSE SHOPPING!! =) Jason has been working non-stop to find our dream house! He is excited about getting a house as I am about getting married! So we both can't sleep! I'm up pinning wedding stuff while he is going through house books, and websites, and pictures!

Tuesday: Aunt Karen and Cristen are leaving =( So we are going to say good-bye to them

Wednesday: HOUSE SHOPPING!

Thursday: Engagement pictures! Still not sure what to wear!

Friday: Dress shopping with the moms!

Saturday: Work stuff

Sunday: Bridal Expo!

So another busy week! But can't wait to get it started!!

It's actually happening!

Tuesday, we met with our possible DJ and his wife (she helps with the photo booth). They were super nice, and explained everything very well. They gave us a great deal and were so willing to help with everything. I sat there talking to these people and kept feeling like I have seen these people before. The wife starts talking about the photo booth and explains some of their rules, like not allowing drinks in the photo booth. Then it hits me.... they "DJ"ed at a friend’s wedding, and they "yelled" at me for taking my drink in there!! So it kinda sealed the deal for me because I already had seen them in action, so no sitting at a strangers wedding. At the wedding I went to they put on a great show, the guy had a great voice and kept the floor packed (most important for me). So we can now check that off our list! I'm very happy, because we saved like $600!

Wednesday we met with the mortgage broker and got pre-approved! The lady helped us out so much and took the time to make sure we understood everything! She told us what we could afford and which loan would be best for us. So that got us really excited and motivated. We went out and talked to a realtor and looked at two houses! It was really exciting! We instantly knew what we liked and didn't like and without even discussing it me and Jason thoughts were exactly inline. We both want the same things, and the same things are important to us! So this begins our journey with house shopping! It’s going to be really fun and exciting and I really think it’s going to bond me and Jason closer together!

Friday! The big day, the day that I was dreading so much! We (me, Mary Jane, Erin, Colleen and my dad) go to David's Bridal and meet with Gloria! Poor Gloria! She asks me what I like, what I don't like, budget, visions, so on so on. And of course I don't really know. All I know is that I want to look stunning and to just blow this boy away when he sees me for the first time! So as she is getting some dresses around, me and Erin go look at flower girl dresses. And of course I let her choose what she wants, and she pulls of the rack the exact one I want!!! (Love that girl) She tries it on and it’s perfect! MY TURN! So I put on my first dress. Walk out of the dressing room, Colleen's eyes light up, I'm still searching for a mirror! So nervous to see how it looks, I turn around and instantly it hits me "IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING!!!!" My eyes fill up with tears as I, for the first time realize that I am a bride! I'm going to marry this incredible man that I have been waiting all my life for! =) The dress is gorgeous, I feel beautiful in it. It feels great, it looks great. Gloria sees my emotion and of course adds to it, gets me a tiara and a veil to complete the look. I'm in love! (With the dress). We try on several more dresses and I keep comparing them to dress number one. We find another dress that I really really like. But it’s so hard to compare to the first one. So we add that to the keep pile. Because it is everything I want. The top, the bottom, the effect! I felt really good in it. Colleen liked it, my dad didn't. I keep trying on dresses and throwing them out, beautiful gowns but just didn't look great on me. Then, Gloria pulls a dress for me that I didn't really think I would go for, because it was very different from the others. But I'm very open minded and ready for something new. I try it on, walk out, Colleen loves it, my dad almost in tears, I turn around.... LOVE IT! It fits so good, looks great, I could move, and breathe, and walk around. Gloria added some embellishments to the dress to enhance the features of the dress and I fall more in love with the dress. It helped that it almost made my dad cry. I must have kept that dress on for 45 minutes (mostly because I was waiting on Mary Jane to get back, but I really didn't want to get out of it.) I was walking around the whole place. I felt like I was the only bride in the store and I owned the "walk way." So Mary Jane comes back and she doesn't like it... (Which secretly made me like it more.) So I stand there staring in the mirror trying to remember the first dress. It was very difficult because I liked them both so much! So I try the first dress back on, and I still love it! What a hard decision lies ahead for me. But I knew I didn't want to get a dress today, I just wanted to find kinda what I was looking for and to see what actually looked good on me. Plus I want my mom to be there to see what she likes and get her opinion, and I want Jason's mom's opinion! So I can't wait to go dress shopping with the moms! (But I'm definitely going to need Colleen there! =)) So I'm not sure when that will be, but I hope soon! Because I want to get back in some dresses! =)

While we were there, Colleen and Mary Jane were trying to help with my indecisiveness with bridesmaid dresses. In all reality, I really don't think I care what the girls want. I want them to feel beautiful and comfortable. I don't really think it matters if the dresses are the same style. So the girls pick out a couple. Mary Jane finds a green one... and I love the color so much. I think that color will look great on every girl. I just keep thinking that green is an unlucky color for bridesmaid dresses. I swear I heard this from somewhere. I really thought Meg told me, but she swears she didn't. So after she told me she didn't tell me that, it kinda made me want green dresses. Especially when I see this color. So after I fall in love with this color, OF COURSE, Gloria advises me that that color has been discontinued.... of course. And the orange I like has also been discontinued! So I'm not sure what were going to do. If I can round the rest of the girls up and see what they like and they like the green we might be able to still do the green. And once I research the unlucky green dresses (anyone else heard this). So this really ended our adventure to the bridal salon. It was WAY better than I image. The way I pictured it, Getting all sweaty trying on dresses, dresses don't fit, they won't go on, lady gets mad, but we shove the dress on anyway, I walk out, everyone gets the disgusted look on their face. I turn around and see every one of my flaws and I look absolutely awful! No matter what the dress was! But it was SO much more than that, the lady was great, my friends and family were great. I looked at the dresses and actually saw what I liked about myself! It was easy, fun, and kinda boosted my self confidence! I can't thank Colleen, Mary Jane, Erin, and my dad for going and being supportive, and not judgmental. Can't wait for the next time, I really want to take Meg and Joy and the moms next!

PS not going to post any pictures or enlist any details of dresses that shall be a surprise!!

So this week......

Sunday... going back to church to meet with the pastor. Really excited to see what he has to say! I really hope he says yes! And I really like that church, so I'm glad we get to go again. I just wished we lived closer so we could go every week!

Monday we are busy with our back in action Explorer Program at work. Tuesday we got nothing as of yet, maybe we can look at houses! Wednesday MY Aunt Karen is coming in from Colorado with Cristen! I can't wait to see them both! Just wish I could take every day off they were here to hang out with them! But I will have Wednesday and Thursday off so we will make it work! Friday I am taking them, my mom, and Grammy to see the wedding venue! Really excited about that. Because even though I pretend that I'm taking them to see it, I really love going back there!! =)

Especially when they are setting up for a wedding and we get to see it all set up!

So once again our week is booked, but another fun week filled with excitement, fun and great people!

Busy Week

So we have a busy week this week. Yesterday we went to Christian Fellowship church to ask the pastor there to marry us. Its really cool because he married Jason's parents, and Jason's sister. So we thought it would be really cool if he would marry us too. So we went to church and just our luck he wasn't there this week! So we will have to wait until next week to find out if he will marry us! I'm really anxious to find out about his answer!

Tomorrow we are meeting with a possible DJ. Really excited to see what he has to say and what his ideas are. Kinda nervous because its hard picking a DJ. The DJ is one of the most important things to me. I want the dance floor to be packed all night! Non stop dancing and non stop fun. And its hard to know if he can do that without going to a wedding that he is performing at. Maybe they let you do that, I'm not sure. But then again, I'm not really sure I want to hang out at a stranger's wedding. Luckily I know a couple of people that have seen him in action and recommend him highly.

Wednesday we are meeting with a mortgage broker to get preapproved for a house loan! Kinda nervous, and kinda excited all at the same time! Its a big step but we really need to get going on all this house stuff because Jason's lease is up October 1. And considering we can get a house cheaper than he is paying rent... it just kinda makes sense!

Friday we are trying on dresses!!!! I didn't think I would do it this soon, but I have been working my butt off (literally) and dropped 15 lbs already so I'm taking the chance and hoping it turns out well.

So we def have a busy week planned, but we are trying to get all the big things out of the way! So it should be a good week!

So indecisive!

So Monday we met with our picture people! We are using Accent Photography, they are awesome, super nice and so amazing to work with. They are willing to do just about anything, and love ideas and love being creative. We set up an appointment to do our engagement pictures and I am SUPER excited about that! We have a few ideas, not sure how we are going to tie them all together but I know it will work out.

The next appointment was with the flower people. I'm still not sure who is doing my flowers yet, but I've narrowed it down to two places. Monday we met with Country Florist in South Bend. Going in there, I didn't know what I wanted. I just wanted to get some ideas. Coming out, I think I was even more confused. Because I can't find exactly what I want. And I like some flowers but I can't find how they will look together. It doesn't help that I don't know the exact colors of my dresses or tuxes are yet. So I feel really bad for that lady because she was trying so hard to help but I'm just so indecisive about flowers. So maybe I'll wait a little bit before I go to the next place!

On another exciting note! I'm going to try on dresses next Friday! I'm super excited (more nervous)! But I know how indecisive I am, so I need to start early! I see gorgeous dresses all the time, but I'm not sure how they will look on me. So the best way to find out, is try them on! So that will be our next meeting! Stay tuned!

Booked!

Well today we went and showed off the Crystal Ballroom at the Lerner Theater to my mom, and my sister. And they loved it just as much as we did. So a million questions later, we booked it. Friday, April 26, 2013! So keep your calendars open! Now that, that is done we can get the to all the fun stuff. Flowers, dresses, invitations, centerpieces and much more! Can't wait!

Wedding Bliss

I've decided to create a blog to follow the excitement of planning our wedding! We've been engaged for a month and a half, and the planning is much underway.

May 22, 2012 we were engaged in Holland, MI ( to read the whole beautiful story please see our wedding website http://www.riesenbergjones.ourwedding.com/ )

As soon as we returned from our engagement vacation, I immediately started an account on theknot.com (a MUST)

We started thinking about possible dates. And of course this is where a huge decision came. Jason is going to start the hiring process for patrol around September. If he gets hired in then he will go to the academy for 16 weeks. Then after that he will go through field training for another 12-14 weeks. And the hiring process is unpredictable and could take a rather long time. So we were really unsure of it we should pick a date or wait out the hiring process. But I'm way too excited to wait. So we decided to do a early spring wedding. (less than a year away!!!!!! panic mode)

I already knew the ladies I wanted to pick to stand by my side. It was important to have my sister, Mary Jane as my maid of honor. Family is very important to me, and I wanted to honor my sister in that way. My sister-in-law, Megan is more than a sister to me, not to mention an AWESOME wedding planner (just needs to be paid in beer), and so we decided to have two maid of honors. Colleen my dear best friend is a bridesmaid, and who has been so supportive and so excited for us since the beginning. She has been through everything and is always there.
Jason's sister Joy is another bridesmaid. She just got married and ready to plan ours. She is very excited about the wedding, and tells everyone we are engaged, even if they already know.
So chosing my lovely ladies was the easy part. But I wanted to make each one feel special and let them know how much it would mean to me if they would be a part of our wedding. I searched pinterest none stop looking for ideas. I found it. Most (okay all) of my ladies enjoy their wine, so this just seemed like a good choice.

Me deciding to have two maid of honors, made Jason's picking rather easy as well. He has two brothers that mean the world to him, and family is also really important to him as well.
He is going to have Jared and Jacob as his best men. Ryan my brother (and Jason's boyfriend) as a groomsmen. And Matt, a friend from highschool as another groomsmen. (he still needs to ask Jared and Matt though).


We started looking at possible wedding venues (way harder than I thought). I really liked the idea that my brother and sister-in-law had about having the reception at a hotel so the guests didn't have to drive. So we started looking at that option. But that was way too expensive for us. We were looking in South Bend, and everywhere we looked was just so expensive, or not the best. So we started looking in the Elkhart/Goshen area. I was hugely surprised by the price difference. So we decided on that area.

We looked at the Bread and Chocolate Company in Goshen. A beautiful place, reasonably priced, and in a good location. There were a couple downfalls though. The event planner was dreadful, so unhelpful, rude and unprofessional. It was like I was wasting her time. She handed me the normal folder and said email me if you had questions. She was willing to offer any advice help, and acted like it was a chore to try to sell her venue. It also didn't have a room for me and all my girls to get ready. Two major downfalls.

We looked at the Athenian Ballroom in Elkhart. The room was okay, kinda small, and looked old and dingy. It could work for us. The guy we worked with was awesome though. He gave lots of advice, willing to help, spent as much time as we wanted, even though he was EXTREMELY busy. He didn't rush us at all. He was really personable and you could tell her loved his job.

We looked at the Crystal Ballroom at the Lerner Theater in Elkhart. And me and Jason instantly fell in love. It was all newly remodeled, gorgeous decor. The two ladies we talked to were more than pleasant and so helpful. We knew that this would be our place. We took my dad, my best friend Colleen, and Jason's mom with us to look at it. And everyone agreed what an awesome place it was. We looked at pricing. To rent the room for a normal Saturday wedding would be $2000, but then you had to meet a $8,000 minimum. On a Friday it would only be $500 and there were no minimums. So that was an easy decision for us. (Even though I REALLY want a Saturday wedding). We don't want our families to spend too much money for our wedding. We want everyone to just have a great time, and to celebrate our love for each other.
We have not booked the place yet, but I am taking my mom and my sister on Friday to look at it, and hopefully we can book it then!!! (so exciting!)

We have so many fun good ideas that we want to incorporate. Most of these ideas we are keeping hidden from everyone until the wedding.
We are still looking for florist, cake people, dj, and I really don't know what else.
There is so much to do, and all of it is so exciting, so exciting that I haven't been sleeping because I have been pinteresting and knotting, and doing all kinds of research to make it a perfect day. I'm so lucky to have some great people in my life that are helping as well!

I'm excited to keep planning and keep blogging!