What will I do now?

So the wedding is over. All the planning all the little DIY projects. All the crazy trips to Michaels/JoAnns/Hobby Lobby, etc. No more guest lists. No more wedding blogs (well, I'm not able to give that up quite yet). So WHAT DO I DO WITH MY TIME?

As Jimmy says, "she will find something to do". Yes, true story. So what is that? Well, apparently it's reorganizing the kitchen, this week at least. I wasn't really planning on it, but I had an itch to make things more organized and flow better for awhile and last Friday night- it hit me hard. So I reorganized the drawers and the tupperware cabinet. After grilling out, Jimmy and Danny were downstairs watching the game and came up to stuff everywhere....but I put it all back in a logical place :)


Tupperware cabinet after. You are lucky I didn't take a before. It was bad.


Spice cabinet!! WAHOO!! This was what really got me going. None of our spices were organized. Half were on the spice rack on the countertops and half were in this just stacked wrecklessly. Looking for a spice was dangerous! So I found this little spinner at Bed Bath and Beyond and it's actually the perfect fit! You have to de-assemble it when taking in and out, but how often does that happen? I also bought little glass spice jars for all the spices that weren't in fancy containers. Next up...labeling! Luckily I have a knack for paper after the wedding stuff!


Island drawers after. I moved all the pots/pans to the island so you can pull out the drawer and it's easier to get to them and see what your "options" are. It just drove me crazy hunting through the small cabinet by the stove!!


Crock pots galore....and a toaster oven and waffle maker!! Not heavy use items, but accessible when we need them!


Oh, and I've also started cooking healthy meals every night. I stole the idea to use E-mealz.com from Vanessa and we are LOVING it!! So far, the last 2 nights of dinner have been delicious, nutritious, and not too much of a mess to make. JImmy helped me cook on Monday...and let me just say that we will be doing "lessons". He did a great job though! Just a little confusion between "T" and "t" in measuring and he said it himself that he doesn't have the timing down of finishing everything at once. Never fear Jim, your wife Brittany is here and I will help you become a wonderful cook!! But the best part was we got to use the new candlestick holders my grandma passed down to us last weekend!!


Now we are moving on to my NEXT project. Let's just call it an add on. If you had walked around out kitchen, you would know that we had dog bowls EVERYWHERE! And most of the time people that weren't used to them would kick the water over and accidentily run into them. Plus, the dogs all ate whereever and it seemed more logical to separate them. In come younghouselove.com. They had a post about cute little dog bowls that they transformed (used to be people bowls). So we went to Target on Sunday and found these dog "placemats" on sale that do not slide---and best yet, they match the kitchen! And then picked up some plastic, stylish people bowls that now are the dog bowls. Green for boys, White for girl. I'm loving it because there isn't water all over our floor (from spilling it but also from them drinking very sloppy) and they are loving it too!!


Boys are across the kitchen!


Next project?? I actually hesitated posting this picture because it's quite embarrassing. But this is our pantry. When Lauren lived here, 1/2 was hers and 1/2 was mine. Well ever since she moved out, I've just stuck stuff over there and this disorganization is NOT working for me. So bring on the labels!!!

The honeymoon post

So we got married the day before and had a beautiful ceremony and reception...and then we were off VERY early in the morning to Cancun, since it was the only direct flight from KC—so we were off at 7:15AM. Tired. Beat. Married.



Jimmy’s suitcase barely made the 50 lb mark, but that’s understandable since literally my friend Van could fit in there.
Once we arrived, we were greeted with our private transportation that took us to our gorgeous resort: Excellence, Playa Mujeres.



However, we got there around noon and we couldn’t get into our room until 3. So I went off to buy a new ring to “replace” my engagement ring and wedding band that were back in KC getting put together. And then passed out on the lobby couch. It must have been a combination of pure exhaustion and the welcome glass of champagne that we got. Then Jimmy dragged me up for some lunch and then it was back to the lobby to wait and sleep. Once we finally got in our awesome room, we went straight to the bed. To sleep. Get your mind out of the gutter. We were literally exhausted and needed that sleep! But then it was off to dinner for the first night: Italian was where we chose to go. We were a little overdressed, but that’s ok. Then Jimmy started the bath water and turned on the Jacuzzi jets a little too soon and got a little wet, oops!







The next day, we were off to the beach after a delicious breakfast (I’m pretty sure the breakfast was our favorite part). After some application of SPF 50, we quickly found a waiter that brought us lots of drinks. And I think Jimmy had like 5 margaritas before lunch.


Jimmy applying the sunscreen!!!


Our lovely waiter...

After lunch, we hit up the pool! Now at the pool, there were lots of young people, like us, but also lots of older folks and some not from America. Hence, why they were topless. It was awkward, but I think Jimmy liked it. There were also a TON of people that were just fried from the sun. It was awful, so we kept applying sunscreen---but Jimmy still got burned….just that fair skin he has!

We went to the Asian place that night for dinner and Jimmy tricked me and told me he’d split Pad Thai with him. Well, he ended up eating the whole thing (he claims because it was SO delicious) and I was left with my gross chicken fried rice. I was not happy. He thought it was really funny. I’m still mad about it. The funniest part was all the Mexican men that were dressed in Asian attire. Then we went to watch the dancers from the Caribbean. It was ok, but the music video at the beginning was the best.





Tuesday, we were up and to the pool all day. It was nice, but we stayed in the shade to not get really burned and after I finished my book, Jimmy got restless. So we went to walk around the resort and played a few games of tennis. This is when my husband stated that he would beat me. And then I killed him 3 games to 0. I told him I had ridiculous hand-eye coordination, but he didn’t believe me ☺ Then we went to our travel agent company and bought a few excursions, one for Wednesday (Jungle tour) and then one for Friday ( trip to the island for shopping, etc). That night we headed to the Flavor Market, which was a restaurant that had a variety of foods in little portions. It was interesting and not a lot people were there, but it turned out to be delicious!! I did get a rose during dinner- which I posed with, naturally :)





Then we went to casino night and played blackjack with fake money and won a LOT. The chubby dealer loved us, even though he was sweating the whole time....it was rather hot with lots of lights on him. But we didn't stay for the "prize" because we were tired (and Jimmy was burnt).

Wednesday, we were up early and waiting in the lobby to be taken to our jungle tour. It was raining, which was awesome because we had paid money to go on boats in the ocean, but whatever. We met a nice couple from Texas in the van on the way there who got married on our wedding day too, but they were going to swim with dolphins. There were tons of people at the place in which 4/5 of them got on the boat to go to the island (with our new "friends") and then the remaining people were the suckers that were going out on the small little boats mid-storm. So when there was finally a break in the clouds and rain, we all hopped in our boats and off we went. On the way out the snorkel area and through the "jungle" of the ocean, we were behind this French couple and the guy was a crazy crazy driver and Jimmy was getting so angry because it made our ride very rough because he was making big waves!! But we survived, snorkeled and then we were headed back.....that's when trouble hit.


Us in the boat after snorkeling.

Then about 1/2 way back to the place, when we were literally in the middle of the ocean- a very large and heavy rainstorm struck. As if we weren't freezing before, just getting out of the water and speeding across the ocean...the wind made it a little chilly, but then the rain came and all I could hope for was some ocean water to spray up on me so I could feel some warmth. I'm not trying to sound dramatic....but I literally am not sure if I have ever been colder than I was on that boat ride. Thank goodness Jimmy took one for the team and safely got us home. Not sure how he saw where he was going with the rain and ocean water spraying up...but he did. Thank god I married someone with 20/20 vision I guess?



It rained the rest of the afternoon after we got back, so Jimmy got drunk off of mini-fridge beer and I read my book :) Then we got restless....that is when we got picture crazy. I mean we were stuck in a room all afternoon....so here we go...









My drink of choice.....

That night we headed to the Mediterranean restaurant and Jimmy tried some veal and the food was great. It was also circus night, so we went to that and sat with some of our new "friends". The show was good and we were all hanging around talking after..the girls and the guys separated (like middle school...disregard the fact that we are now all married adults). The girls decided it was time to go, so we told the guys we were ready. Then Jimmy proceeded to go to the bathroom and then to the bar.....I yelled across the room to tell him we were leaving and no one needed another drink. He looks me straight in the eye and then turns around and orders 3 beers. He came back, we left, and naturally, got in a fight. His defense was, "we're on our honeymoon, we can't fight". My response: "Marriage is real life and me being mad at you---that's real"

Thursday we made "spa day". The spa was called Miile--pronounced "mee-lay"--which looks like Milly, our dog, so of course that became the theme of the trip. Every night they would come in to turn down our bed and they would turn on the TV to the spa channel and it always said:

"Miile, our all inclusive spa...."

...becomes in Jimmy & Brittany world..

"Milly, our all inclusive dog..."

Anyways, we made appointments for 2 massages and 2 facials. Yes, I made Jimmy try a facial. It was funny. But the spa was great- the highlight of the "pre spa session" was standing in a shower and having a lady tell me to pull a string to release a bucket on my head that had cold water. Then walking in a pool of cold water, then hot water. Interesting. But then we were taken to the "VIP" room on the top of the building and got the most marvelous massages ever...they had such soft skin!! And then facials. After mine...we were just laying there and the lady came up and said "mrs...look at your husband, he looks like Batman". HAHAHA...he did! Because she didn't put any mask on his beard, so it was just around his eyes and on his forehead. It was so funny :) Overall, it was a wonderful experience and it truly was an all inclusive experience....

Then we got dressed up and went to the Mexican restaurant. And I was really hyper (surprise, surprise). So I took pictures of us at dinner. This is the only one I will put on the blog- as I feel like I'm very picture heavy- but this is Jimmy really mad at me at dinner.



I really like this picture of us :)

Ok done. Then we went to dinner and then to the Michael Jackson show- which was crazy because the guy really did look like him. I guess they travel around and have been for awhile because Vanessa and Chris saw them on their honeymoon!! But they did a great job and put on a great show!!



Friday, our last day, came way too fast! However, the sun didn't come back, as we hoped. We had bought an excursion to go shopping and laying out on the island...but we were not going in the rain again, so we canceled it. They tried to give us trouble, but I kept strong and said- No senor....give us all our money back. And they did. We did sit at the pool, I read two books, but it was a little too chilly to get in the pool and I actually had to put a towel on my legs, but that's ok--at least we were outside! Then that night, we finished up by going to the French restaurant. Jimmy didn't want to go there, but I said "we should try something new!" and he got some duck and venison and I tried escargo (it was sick...). But overall, the best experience at a place we've had because it was very slow and a relaxing dinner. Then we just went back to the room because it was too rainy to do anything!



Of course on Saturday, we got up and it was perfect weather. Sunny, hot, beautiful! And it was Jimmy's 26th birthday!! YEAH! But it was the day for us to go.....so we just went to breakfast and lunch then back to the airport.




Jimmy's HUGE suitcase....

Funny story at the airport. Right after we finished checking in we were so excited, but then I had to go to the bathroom and so did he. So we started walking to them and I ended up following Jimmy halfway into the men's bathroom---I realized it when I was already in there and he turned around and said "what are you doing in here?" and then I ran out! Oops!

So we were on our way back to Kansas City as Mr and Mrs Carter....where my dad was waiting to pick us up with 3 signs on his car. One said : "the Carters", one said "Welcome home mom and dad! love Milly, Willy and Toby" and then the third said "Happy birthday Jimmy!!" He accidentally got there about 3 hours early, but Roger always takes it like a champ had a good attitude about it!

All in all, it was a great trip and we went out to dinner for Jim's birthday to Red Robin with my dad and then over to Ben's new house to hang out with Jimmy's friends :)

OK- done with wedding posts! YEAH!!!!!!!

The wedding post III: Reception!

PS- again...still waiting for more pictures and the CD from our photographers. Not that anyone will go back and check this post again, but I'm going to add more pictures later!! So if you get bored in a few weeks-check it out!

After a really fun 2 days leading up to the wedding and then the day of and ceremony, it was time for the reception. All the preparation, meeting with caterers, décor discussions, timeline, decisions that were made…..it was like I was walking into the finale of wedding planning story we’d been living for the last year. And I have to say, the minute I walked off that trolley and saw the balloons and our dogs (dressed up) outside the entrance welcoming us…I was all smiles. And then when I walked into the reception, I’m pretty sure I almost lost it. It was beautiful and perfect. Everything I could have imagined and planned for…and more! What I knew as the commons area of a high school, had been transformed into a beautiful wedding reception just for Jimmy and me! It was perfect!

We arrived around 5:30, 30 minutes before the reception actually started. And here is what you saw....


Here were our greeters---the dogs :) Milly, Willy and Toby said hello to everyone first!! They loved it and thanks so much to my cousins for taking care of them!!

Since Jimmy and I could have a processional at the church because we only had a limited amount of time to take pictures after the wedding before we had to be out of the church, we decided that we would greet every guest as they came in. This was Marilyn’s, our caterer and décor lady, brilliant I idea and we loved it! Getting to see everyone right as they walked in was amazing and we got lots of hugs from everyone. Then came the infamous wedding intro video that Jimmy spent lots of man hours on. It was awesome! After the wedding party and the new Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Carter were introduced, it was time for an amazing meal. With a delicious salad to kick off the meal, then a FULL plate of chicken artichoke, smoked brisket, twice baked potato, and mixed vegetables was delivered to everyone’s table. The Treat America staff did a great job of getting everyone’s meals out fast because I’m sure all the guests were hungry.


Jimmy & I at the dinner table- ready to eat!!


Some really pretty bridesmaid bouquets at the head table!

Next were the speeches and toasts. And these were awesome! I think Jimmy and I have watched these 3 times now on our wedding video, and every time I watch them, I cry every time. My dad did an amazing job of naming the Top 5 things he likes about Jimmy Carter, Bobby was very kind and talked about the first time I met the Carter family and then how he never thought he and Jimmy would be best friends and how they are now, and Lyndsay went on to talk about us growing up and cried a few times…..in which I cried too! They all were so heart felt and thought out and just SO SO kind and wonderful. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family ☺

Then the cake cutting- in which Jimmy shoved a way too big piece of cake in my mouth, our toast, then the first dance (to Brad Paisley, “Then”), then the father/daughter dance (to Darrius Rucker, “It won’t be like this for long”) and then the mother/son dance (to James Taylor, “Sweet Baby James”). It was really fun because per the suggestion of our DJ, about half way through the father/daughter and mother/son dances, he asked all the other father/daughter or mother/son’s in the room to come and join us dancing and it was great and lots of people did!!

Finally: it was party time! They kicked it off with the Cupid Shuffle and Carlo, the DJ’s assistant, helped teach everyone the dance! From there, the rest of the night was honestly a blur!

I remember running over to the faux to booth to take a few pictures with Jimmy.

I remember running over to the sundae bar to get what I wanted so bad…sundae with white chocolate chips and gummy bears and then as I took my first bite being told it was time to throw the bouquet and toss the garter. Then forgetting my sundae on the stage and then getting it later, but never really eating it because I was talking!

I remember getting one beer and then setting it down on the table half full because someone wanted to take a picture and then not knowing which one was mine….and leaving it to go dance.

I remember talking to friends and family and dancing with our friends!! I barely saw Jimmy all night because we were both busy talking and dancing with people!

I remember at the end of the night going to the bar to get a diet coke, eat some cheez its and then cursing myself for not bringing different shoes to change into because my feet hurt so bad!

Then I remember it being last call, the last dance, lights going on and the clean up crew coming in.


Here is a picture that one of the ladies cleaning up took of me because she wanted to get all the centerpieces :)

Jimmy talking to a little girl who’s mom was on the clean up crew and giving her our left over cake, and then dragging Jimmy out of the reception to finally get in our car and take my shoes off!! From there, we went to my parents house to change and say goodbye to our dogs and then we were off to the Marriott at the airport. We finally got there at 1AM, checked in, changed, slept, woke up 4 hours later…..packed our stuff back up and were off to the airport…

What a day! I’m exhausted just writing this post ☺ But really, it was an amazing day that really did fly by! It was so fun being with all of our family and friends and we are so thankful to everyone who put so much work into it. Our vendors were all amazing and they truly made the day wonderful!

Wedding planners: Ande & Jill from Something New
Caterers: Treat America
Ceremony flowers: Hy-Vee
Reception Décor: Marilyn Tinker from the Innovative Event
DJ: AMAZING- Jeff Vaughn & Carlo from Two guys, a girl & some speakers and he's also the producer of the Q104 morning show
Photographers: Zach & Sarah Henderson from Henderson Photography
Videographer: Nathan Shriver- his dad, Dave Shriver did the editing

Also, of course a big thank you to both our parents. They all went to lots of extra work to make the day so special- and it wouldn’t have been possible without them and their love and support!

Then we were off to Mexico as Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Carter….

The wedding post II: Getting ready, ceremony, trolley ride!

PS (yes, this doesn't make sense really to post at the beginning) but I wanted to let you know that I'm adding more pictures once I finally get the CD from our photographers....apparently it went in the mail on Wednesday but it still not here!!! AHH- I'm dying because I really want to get our thank you notes ordered......hurry hurry hurry!

6AM: Alarm went off and I jumped out of bed. (confused? Read this post first)

I was getting married today! Holy cow! Surprisingly enough, I really wasn’t nervous. I think it’s because I had mentally prepared myself in the previous weeks for things to go wrong and how I would handle it. For example, the hair ladies don’t show up at the salon at 8AM? It’s fine- I was pretty much just wearing my hair in a bun anyways. No make up lady? I do my make up everyday myself anyways. (While at this point, I had already picked up my wedding dress…I will let you know, I had no back up for this one if it wasn’t at the store or had been ruined. Thank goodness that one didn’t happen). Also, no flowers? It’s really ok, we can go buy some off the rack at a florist near by. The trolley doesn’t show up after the ceremony---it’s ok, that’s what we have cars for right?

So I was ready, prepared for nothing to get in the way of my excitement and anticipation that I was going to become Mrs. Jimmy Carter. And I’m not sure if it was because I had mentally prepared so much, but everything went perfect. I mean everything. It was amazing.

Lauren and I had to drop my dogs off at my parents house before our hair appointment and then we arrived there right as my sister, mom, and Vanessa did. My dad was in charge of bringing Panera bagels for breakfast and he showed up right as we sat down to get our hair done…frantic because he had gone to 2 Panera’s looking for Garden Veggie cream cheese because he knew that as my favorite. What a nice dad! And totally something Jimmy would do too…which is why they are the best guys ☺ The hair was started and finished and then my sister was trained on how to get my veil out and my flower in, and then it was time for make up. The make up lady at A Shear Thing was awesome! She was so nice and funny and did a GREAT job!! Other than the fact Vanessa’s hair do resembled an alien, I think we walked out of there happy….and Vanessa of course fixed her hair when we got back to my parents.


Hahahaha- Katie's hair in the initial stages!


Lauren, where are you?!


Ready for make up!!!

Back at my parents house, we just hung out, the bridesmaids put on their make up and then every hour they handed me a card from Jimmy that were all pretty hilarious. He also wrote me a very nice note….I was worst fiancé and ran out of time and didn’t write him one….that I got to read before I put on my dress. After some pictures with the dogs, talking with the neighbor girls, it was finally time to put on my dress! And then out the door to the church we went.


Here is a picture that the photographer caught of me reading one of Jimmy's cards...

The guys were taking pictures when we got there, so we stayed in the cry room. Then it was our turn to take pictures and by that point I was starving and awaiting Andrew’s (sister’s boyfriend) arrival with the Mr. Goodcents sandwiches. When I saw him, pictures were done and we ran back to the cry room to eat. Ok, and here’s my bridezilla moment. Let me give you a quick background story. When we walked through the church for the first time with Chris, the church wedding planner, she walked into the cry room and said this is where the girls will be the day of the wedding. We can bring any food we want in there, except she warned us not to bring onions because the smell just spreads and gets into the fabric of everyone’s clothes and then when we walk out…we smell like onions. So the one thing I told my mom when she ordered the Goodcents was to not bring in onions. Haha. So fast forward to the wedding day again. I hurry and grab a quarter sandwich, but skip the condiments because I don’t want to spill anything on my dress. So I’m going about my bride way, eating my sandwich and I smell something. I turn around and see my aunt standing there with a condiment tray….with a HUGE PILE OF ONIONS. I lose it. I walk over to my mom and say “Why are there onions?! I told you no onions!” Of course, then she feels horrible and grabs the whole pile with one scoop of her hands and then runs into the bathroom with my aunt and flushes them down the toilet. And, problem solved. Bride is happy. WOW. Thinking back, I cannot believe I flipped out that much about something so stupid, but thankfully family & friends forgive and forget and I pulled it together the rest of the day.

So we just hung out in there until it was time to go! The bridesmaids went out first and I was in the room by myself, waiting. I think this is when I started to get nervous/excited/overwhelmed with happiness. I remember looking in the mirror and realizing that this day was here, the moment that we’d been waiting for the last year of wedding planning had arrived. I hadn’t seen Jimmy all day, so the anticipation was killing me. I couldn’t wait to see him and start this amazing life as one. Then the wedding planner comes in and tells me it’s time. I walk out to see my mom & dad and the ushers waiting. I lock arms with my mom and dad and then the door opens and I’m pretty sure I have never been so overwhelmed in my life. The church was full, everyone was turned looking at us, and then my eyes meet Jimmy’s and I lose it. That deep breath she told me to take, yeah, I didn’t take it. I couldn’t, I couldn’t remember to do anything but walk and get down that aisle! We were off and the wedding video is hilarious because we were almost sprinting down the aisle…my mom and I both crying, and my dad laughing and smiling. About half way down the aisle, my mom stops us to say “slow down!” and we start laughing and then are off again until we get to Jimmy. Several hugs, kisses, and handshakes later, I’m standing with my groom and the ceremony begins.



Great shot walking down the aisle!

It was a wonderful, beautiful, and very personal ceremony and was everything I had ever hoped for! Father Mike has known us both since we started dating and did a fabulous job of making everything very special. There were a few things we messed up on, including Jimmy trying to put my wedding band on my right hand because that’s where my engagement ring was and I had to correct him (really funny on video), but in the end, we walked back down the aisle as husband and wife as happy as can be.
Family pictures went great and very fast too! We got some great ones of my family and then the Carter family. The kids were SO cute!

After we took about 20 minutes to figure out how to tie up my bussle and my sister did a great job of taking out my veil and putting in my flower, then we were off on the trolley with the whole wedding party and their dates. The trolley stops included the Liberty Memorial, JC Nichols fountain on the Plaza and then the last stop was at our house—where the open house was finishing up! They got some great pictures at all the stops and I was so excited to get the CD in the mail!!!
Final stop of the trolley….Aquinas for the reception!





Picture from the Liberty Memorial and then at our house!

The wedding post I: Thursday & Friday

All right- I sincerely apologize for the lack of posting the last 2 weeks since we’ve been back. No excuses. However, I will say….it’s been one of those things that I have had in my mind I need to do a wedding post and honeymoon post before I can start back with “regular programming”. And for some reason (as my sister knows), I have had this block/anticipation with what I’m going to write/say/document for the world as my thoughts on our wedding day. So, here we go…the short synopsis of what literally what the most amazing 3 days. But we’ll start with just the first 2, so you don’t get bored of course.
Jimmy & I both took off Thursday before the wedding and WHAT.A.DAY. Wow. We were supposed to take a whole list of things to the rehearsal on Friday to hand off to the wedding planners (programs, sundae bar stuff, napkins, cheez its and bowls, candles, etc). However, once I took a good look at all the boxes of things that were sitting in our garage, I made the executive decision it would be much less stressful to just take everything to Aquinas on Thursday and put it in my mom’s office so it was there and we didn’t have to worry about it. Great idea. So, packed car loads later, my mom and I had unloaded everything I had worked on from the last year of my life in her office. You could barely walk in her office if that gives you an idea of how much stuff there was.

After that big to do was checked off, I just needed to finish up a few last minute things with the name cards- as I wanted to alphabetize before giving to the wedding planners and also double check them against our RSVP list to make sure I got everyone’s name that was attending. However, I didn’t get to any of that and before I knew it family was already getting in town and we were off to dinner with my family, aunt, and cousins that had just come in town from Colorado. A nice good meal at Jose Peppers does any bride to be good before her big day ☺

Friday came early and poor Lauren had to head into work early to finish some last minute things, so I headed out around 9:30AM to Par Exsalonce where I was meeting all the bridesmaids and we were getting a manicure or pedicure, courtesy of the wonderful groom (he’s nice). It was so great to relax with them while getting our feet and hands rubbed and get to see everyone, as most had come from out of town.

After that we still had an hour or so to kill before lunch, so we headed over to Von Maur to look around. And I think out of nerves, or some impulse, I bought a pair of really cute Steve Madden cowboy boots that were on sale. Wedding day nerves purchase was my justification for that I guess! Then it was off to Nick and Jakes for lunch with the bridesmaids, my aunt Susan, and my mom. It was delicious and they were awesome! The manager even came over and wished me well for the wedding and gave me my lunch for free!!

Back home to get ready for the rehearsal. However, combined with groom to be texting me every ten seconds telling me he forgot something at our house and if I could bring it and attempting to recheck and alphabetize the name cards, I had about 15 minutes to get ready. Luckily, I had gotten to borrow the cutest white dress ever from Jamie Smith with her shoes that she wore to her rehearsal dinner, so there was no delay on outfit choices! There was on minor freak out. After we were dressed and Lauren and I were headed out the door….I was trying to pick up the name cards in alphabetical order (oh yeah, because I had forgotten 3 people and had to make their name cards at the last second) and put in a bag to hand over to the wedding planners…..and I dropped them. I freaked. I yelled, “Lauren!! I am sweating. I just dropped the name cards”. She ran downstairs, told me not to freak out and helped me pick them up and off we went. Thank God for good friends!

We got to the rehearsal and everyone was on time and looked very sharp! Father Mike and Chris, the church wedding planner, did an amazing job of coordinating everyone and walking through how the ceremony will work. I have to say, I have only been to one other rehearsal and it was for the Calcara wedding in November…so that’s how I thought rehearsal’s worked. Apparently not?? ☺ So after we knocked out the business part of the evening, it was off to Barley’s Brewhaus down the street for the rehearsal dinner. It looked SO beautiful and Sue, Jimmy’s mom, did an amazing job of decorating and making it very personal! The cutest thing of the whole night had to have been the little figurines/cake toppers that a friend of hers made that were of Jimmy & me and then our 3 dogs. It even looked like my dress- the chest of the figurine might have been a little over inflated, but we can all hope. Willy was even perfectly positioned on his back with Milly rubbing his stomach and then Toby tail was nice and fluffy! I’m obsessed!




Bride and groom!


Maid of honor, Lyndsay, and her bf, Andrew


Best man, Bobby, and fiance, Hillary! Can't wait for their big day in October :)

The menus, flowers, the video, food, drinks….everything was wonderful and so fun!! I’m so thankful to have wonderful in-laws ☺


Super cute menus Sue made!


Gorgeous flowers she arranged beautifully!

After that, Lauren and I said goodbye to our boyfriends and it was back home. The next day brought an early morning and a wedding!!! Unlike most brides though, I apparently have no problem sleeping. I fell asleep about 2 minutes after my head hit the pillow. Then 6AM came around….and I was ready to get married!!!