It Begins…

This morning we wrote the first of many checks for the wedding.  It was actually thrilling!  We signed the contract and paid the deposit for our Church, officially securing our desired wedding date.  I don’t know if I could be more excited than I am right now.

We love our Church and can’t wait to have our family and friends sitting in the pews we sit in every Sunday celebrating our union as we begin our newest journey together.  You can find more information about the church and the ceremony here, but for now here are the main details:

When: Saturday, August 17, 2013

Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, Fairway, KS

Old Mission United Methodist Church

Next mission: scout and book a site for the reception.

Future mission: Choose color for bridesmaid dresses.

So. Much. Planning!

Meeting With Our Minister

Last Thursday Brett and I met with Dr. Michael Gardner, the Senior Pastor at our church (Old Mission United Methodist).  We had our first meeting with him about the wedding.  We didn’t know what to expect since neither one of has been through this before and since Dr. Mike is new at the church, nobody really had any advice about it.

When we arrived at the church, he was waiting for us and greeted us just as warmly as he does after each service.  We all walked back to his office and we sat there and talked with each other like we were all old friends.  We found out that Brett and Dr. Mike have met before and the Dr. Mike actually was the pastor at the church Brett attended as a kid – funny how things seem to come full circle.  Mike did Brett’s confirmation, it seems fitting that he’s the one doing our wedding.

I feel like Dr. Mike is just as excited as we are about the crazy adventure we’re taking this year.  The initial meeting went incredibly well, and we are excited for several things:

1. We are excited to be part of the Old Mission family.  It is a wonderful church with an amazing congregation and I’m so glad we became members.

2. We are excited to start not only our personal lives with one another but spiritual lives as well.  I feel so blessed to have a partner who takes his faith seriously, but doesn’t hold it over me or try to convince me that the way or what I believe is less important than what he believes.  We are spiritual equals.

3. We are excited that we get to have our wedding at Old Mission.  It is truly one of the most beautiful churches – and I can’t wait to take the most important vows of my life there.

So, that’s how the meeting with Dr. Mike went, and that’s where I am with the process.  We will have to meet with him a couple more times before the wedding, and we’ll have to meet with the wedding coordinator sometime next year closer to the wedding.  I am giddy with excitement!

As always, thank you for sharing in the excitement of the next year!

Dress Shopping

Saturday afternoon I had an appointment at the Gown Gallery in Kansas City to try on wedding dresses. It’s this beautiful loft that overlooks downtown and just has the hippest, chicest feel to it.  As soon as I walked in I knew I had come to the right store.  Shout out to Sarah Sapanero for the referral!   Two of my bridesmaids, Jamie and Lauren, went with me for this trip which I deemed the ‘scouting mission.’  I had been preparing myself for the trip and experience, and had told myself that I was NOT going to buying any dress on Saturday because, even if I found THE DRESS, there are other people who I know want to see it beforehand.

So my consultant greeted us and got us seated at a table and brought us champagne and sat down with us to ask me questions about what I was looking for.  When I had scheduled my appointment I mentioned I wanted to look at a specific dress by a specific designer (a designer they happen to be the only shop in KC to carry).  She had that gown already and brought three others for me try.  Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures to share as there is a sign in the store informing you that you are not allowed to take photos.  Bummer.

So, I tried on all four, showed Jamie and Lauren three of them (I felt lost and overwhelmed by one of the gowns and knew it wasn’t going to be the right dress).  The last dress I tried on was the one that I had specifically gone to see.  While browsing Pintrest I happened upon this dress so I repinned it to my Weddings board even before we were engaged.  Then when I was browsing another time, I repinned it again.  And then a third time.  I figured I should probably try on this dress.

And am I glad I did!!!!!!  The dress is gorgeous.  It is very much a ‘me’ dress.  As soon as I tried it on it felt right.  The right weight.  The right fabric.  It was destined to be my gown.

As difficult as it was, I did not buy it on the spot.  But, I will going back soon to buy it.

The whole experience was so much fun.  It made the fact that I am in fact getting MARRIED so real.  And it made me so excited.

I can’t wait for our wonderful day and to spend it with all of the people we love the most.

And I will be rocking a FABULOUS gown during it all!