Category Archives: Wedding

Almost here…

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In less than 48 hours I will marry my Prince Charming. A year of planning has come down to the next day or so. Lots of little details to attend to and square away, but I feel like we will have everything done in time.

My sisters will all be here tonight, my mom got in this afternoon and various other friends and family are traveling from all over to join us in celebrating what is surely to be a great time!

As I think about all of the people that are traveling long distances to be here I can’t help but think how incredibly blessed we truly are to have such quality people in our lives.

So, this post is for you guys – the travelers. The family and friends that waited patiently for SEVEN YEARS to see this wedding happen.

From the very bottom of our hearts, thank you so much. You all mean the world to us and we are so glad that each and everyone of you is here to celebrate with us as we take the first steps into a new chapter of our already incredibly awesome lives. You are the reason over lives are so blessed.

God Bless,

Arianna and Brett

Let the good times roll . . .

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Before we left for St. Louis on Friday for the Tiemann Wedding on Saturday, May 18th we mailed out all of our invitations! It was such an exciting feeling to have that daunting task checked off our to do list. It was so relieving to be able to kick back and enjoy myself for a weekend without stressing about our wedding and get to really enjoy Dan and Danielle’s – which was GORGEOUS, by the way.

As exciting as it was to get the invitations mailed out, I did not anticipate how exciting it would be to start receiving responses! OMG, you guys, it is AWESOME! I love coming home and checking the mailbox and seeing little response envelopes inside. What I love even more is opening those envelopes and finding cards that say ‘Accepts with pleasure.’ We have received five in the last two days and all of them said yes. I can’t even begin to explain how much it means that people truly want to be a part of this day. Blessed comes to mind.

What might be even more exciting, if that’s possible, is the fact that we have our engagement session booked with our A.MAZE.ING photographer, Dustin. I can’t even tell you how awesome this guy is – you’ll just have to wait and see the photos.

We also finalized all of the details for the rehearsal dinner, which will be at Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ’s Freight House location. This place is stupid delicious and I am looking forward to our out of town guests experiencing it.

AND the wedding is going social! The wedding has its own hashtag, #SuddrethWedding, its very own Twitter account (@SuddrethWedding), and it even has its own Facebook page, Suddreth Wedding! If you want to follow along with all of the excitement there are so many ways to connect with us. And if you use Instagram, you can find us there as well with the handle, you guessed it, Suddreth Wedding. As the wedding gets closer and people begin taking and posting photos, tweets, etc be sure to use the #SuddrethWedding hashtag so we can follow and see all of your lovely posts!

Finally, there is still a more time to vote for your choice in the Father/Daughter Dance survey – the results are really close, so make sure you get your vote in and your favorite song wins!

Phew, that was a TON of information. I was going to work on program designs, but I think I’ll have a glass of wine and catch up Grey’s Anatomy instead!

Father Daughter Dance

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When my Dad and I started talking about what we would dance to I immediately suggested MC Hammer’s ‘Can’t Touch This.’ After months of trying to convince him this was definitely the way to go, he won out and I shelved the Hammer Dance.

I compiled a list of twelve songs that didn’t suck and sent them to him, and he has narrowed the options down to four. And that’s where you can help out!

Let us know what you think we should dance to!

Take the survey and help us decide!

Making progress…

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Last week was our first pre-marriage class at our church. We were not really sure what to expect, but one of our ministers recommended we go to this class, so we did. I think we were both pleasantly surprised by how the class went. Since Brett and I have been together for a while we weren’t sure what we would really get out of the class, but there were some great talking points brought up in the class, and it gave us an opportunity to really talk. It also gave us a chance to ask how to handle the fact that we see each other 24/7 since we live together, work together, and carpool to work. We are rarely apart. The class leaders gave us some good advice and seemed pleased that we were able to recognize that was something we should be aware of and that we should not feel bad to ask one another for some space if we need it. All in all, I think we both got a lot out of the class and are glad that we went.

Also last week we designed our save the date cards. They came in this week and we are so thrilled with how they turned out. We have already mailed them out, so be checking your mail boxes for them.

While we were designing our Save the Dates, we went ahead and designed, ordered, and purchased over invitations, reception cards, RSVP cards, and thank you notes. When we were going through everything, of course I started to cry. Having everything in my hands just made this whole thing so much more real.

Sitting down together and addressing our save the date cards was actually really fun and while it was a lot of work, we did not mind at all. It made us realize how blessed we are to have so many wonderful people in our lives that we want to celebrate with!

We have also completed all of our registries, so be sure to check out The Registries page for details.

Also, we have set aside a block of rooms at the Drury Inn & Suites located off of I-35 and Shawnee Mission Parkway. Further information about how to book a room using the group rate can be found by visiting Places to Stay, Things to do. This page will also help you with things to do while you are in town if you decide you want to explore the city Brett and I call home.

Things are really moving along nicely and coming together as planned. We have a photographer who are just thrilled will be a part of our day! Thanks, Dustin!

We are meeting with the baker this week to discuss cake options and we have been scouting venues for the rehearsal dinner as well as looking at places to cater the reception.

Finally, we have been checking, and checking, and checking, and checking on airfare to Jamaica. One of the disadvantages of living in the middle of the country is that you are rarely able to fly direct to anywhere AND all of the flights are about eleventy billion dollars. So, in the fall we signed up for a credit card that earns miles through one of the airlines thinking that we would be able to earn plenty of miles between when we signed up when we booked the flights to at least earn one free ticket. Well, technically we probably did because we have tens of thousands of miles, but of course we can’t use them because of restrictions and blah blah blah. So, Brett being the clever and resourceful man that he is talked to a bunch of different airline representatives and was able to figure out the best way to get to Jamaica. And boy did he! Turns out we will be flying all the way to Jamaica sitting in FIRST CLASS! I am so. excited. I have never even flown in business class, so I am excited to experience the luxuriousness that comes with this.

So, things are coming together quite well and we are so excited.

160 days and counting……

Dress Shopping: Part 2

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So tomorrow I will be going back to The Gown Gallery. This time to BUY MY WEDDING DRESS! Those four words have me so excited.

I will get to try on the dress that I will ultimately walk down the aisle in. I’ll show it off to the ladies that are joining me for this, of course, and my measurements will be taken.

I feel like such a broken record saying ‘I’m so excited’ over and over again, but truly I am. This whole process has been so much fun. Meeting with our Minister. Booking the Church. Booking the reception venue. Choosing wedding colors.

I’ve loved every minute of it.

Mission: Accomplished!

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So in one of my previous posts I stated that my next missions were to find a reception venue and pick out the color for the bridesmaid dresses… and I did BOTH!

I already posted where the reception will take place, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t already.

On the way home from work a couple of weeks ago we stopped at David’s Bridal so I could look a some colors I was having a hard time deciding on based off the website.  I asked one of the sales people to show me both colors and asked Brett what he though of each one.  He liked the same one I liked and had been leaning toward anyway so that was nice!

I think having the job of naming all of the different colors of dresses would probably one of the coolest jobs.  What color is this?  Pink?  NO!  Rose petal of course.  Which coincidentally is the color I chose for the bridesmaids.  Of course.

So our wedding colors are set; pink and silver.  The church is booked.  The reception venue is booked.

Next missions: buy my dress; hire a baker; find a florist; hire a photographer; send out save the dates; start guest lists.

Whew.  And I thought we were making progress…  so…..

much…….

                                                              planning……..

Okay, gotta run – I have a wedding to plan!

The Fun Continues

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Today we went to look at Mission Theatre in downtown Mission, KS as a possible site for the reception.  We had looked at a another venue earlier and it was gorgeous, but just not feasible.  So, we went back to the idea board and came up with a couple other ideas.

We talked to our friends to see if anyone had been to the Mission Theatre for a wedding, and a few had and said that it was nice.

We walked in and started our tour and as soon as we walked into the actual theatre, I KNEW we wanted this venue.  I can’t wait to see the theatre decorated for our reception and packed full of our family and friends, celebrating, dancing and laughing with us!

Make sure you check out ‘The Reception‘ page to see a picture of the theatre!

It Begins…

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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

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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

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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!