Summer Time and the Livin's Easy...

Hi everyone! I am so happy to report that there are some updates to our planning. Summer has been great so far and for the first time since I started teaching (2008), I feel like I can relax a little. Don't get me wrong, I am still doing work every now and then but at least I feel like I can spend some time doing nothing. Last time I updated, I mentioned that we had booked our honeymoon, selected a photobooth company and decided what florist we were going to use. Since then we have booked our flight to St. Lucia so that is done (yay!) and made appointments to meet with vendors in August to discuss details for the wedding.

So what was next on our list? Find a wedding dress!!! I waited a little too long to take on this task, but the final crunch towards AP exams was tough and I had a hard time focusing on anything but that. I am happy to say that I found my dress and it was ordered in May! Yay! (that rhymed, lol). I have NOTHING to reveal about my dress (sorry!) except that I love it and we are doing some custom things to it. Here are 2 words I would use to describe it: Romantic and Classic. I will tell you that I got the dress at Minerva's Bridal here in Orlando but that is all you get :)


Next on the list was.....Find an officiant!!! This was particularly hard for us, well especially me, because I really loved the idea of having someone we know marry us. However, there really weren't any options so I had to start my research. We had received a business card from a company called Sensational Ceremonies from our DJ but had just filed it away. Then, when doing my research the name appeared again on the weddingwire.com website and I read so many wonderful reviews that we decided to call them. The following week we met with Reverend Steve Swan and felt it was a great match! He had a great aura around him and we felt his personality matched ours.....so we are going to be married by him. Here is the information on our officiant:

 

http://sensationalceremonies.com/locatins-weddings/central-florida/officiants-cfl/rev-steve-swan-officiant-minister/

Another item on our list? Bridesmaids dresses! On June 23rd, my bridesmaids (Katie- Matron of Honor, Amanda, Vanessa, and Dana) met at my house where I treated them to breakfast. Then we headed to Alfred Angelo where we had our first run of trying on dresses. Here is a picture of when we arrived:

We had a few dresses we "liked" at Alfred Angelo, but we couldn't decide on anything and we wanted to find something everyone loved (which is hard to do). Our second appointment was at Bride's by Demetrio's and as soon as we hit the racks to look for dresses there were a lot of "potentials". After watching the girls try them on, we found a dress we all loved! I don't want to show you a picture because I want there to be some details you have to wait for at the wedding! I will tell you that it is long, very flattering, a wine color and very elegant. I can't wait! To be honest, I want a dress too! Haha. Afterwards we went to my FAVORITE restaurant Bento Cafe and had some yummy sushi!

Last week TJ and I went to register at both Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target. The first stop was at BB&B and you can see our excitement before we went there! (well at least in TJ's face.. my excitement face was taken first by myself, although it kinda looks startled more than excited hahaha)

When we got  to BB&B we met with a "bridal registry specialist" (whatever that is) and looked through a catalog for different china patterns. First of all, I cannot believe how expensive nice dinnerware is... it truly blows my mind. Then we started the registry process. This is where I wasn't too happy. The "specialist" walked around with us the entire time, so we had to make decisions on the spot and every conversation we had was now between the 3 of us.... not the 2 of us. To say it was awkward was an understatement. I mean, she was nice and all but it wasn't the experience I had hoped for. Also we didn't get to scan (or as T.J. says "zap") anything ourselves... she did it all. So the picture you see below is the only time we actually touched the scanner while we were there. 

Basically, the trip was a little overwhelming and awkward with the "specialist" following us around the whole time. So T.J. needed a nap, hahaha. 

In the end, we were registered and we were able to pick out some really awesome stuff! But since we weren't thrilled with experience, we decided to make a trip to Target where we could "zap" our own stuff. Also, we thought a few items we registered for at BB&B were too expensive and we wanted more economical choices for certain items. 

 Okay, so a few days later, we went to Target are did some more registering. This was a lot of fun! We were able to zap whatever we wanted and have real genuine discussions about what we wanted without having to worry about some creeper listening in, haha. Here are some snap shots from that day,

So we have a lot still to do! But most of it are details and a lot which we cannot get done until we meet with some vendors. But here are the next tasks:

1. Buy reception decor

2. Wedding favors

3. Invitations

4. Wedding Rings

We love you all very much and cannot believe our wedding is in 4 1/2 months! So excited :-) 

More News :)

Hi everyone! I'd like to say a lot has changed since my last post but we have been so busy we have only gotten a few things done! Haha. One thing we have accomplished is that we have secured our date with our florist, Colonial florist (http://www.colonialfloristorlando.com/) **thanks Mom for taking care of that**. We really love this company. They are a third generation family owned business since 1953 and they do incredible work. They also did my brother and sister in law's wedding. Very excited to have that secured. Now, we just have to plan a meeting before August. This is a sample of what we like in terms of flowers!

We have also decided on our photo booth company. We really love the idea of guests being able to let loose and take some fun pictures during the reception, so I searched around to find the right company. We decided on Mojo Photo Booth Company (http://www.mojophotobooth.com/) and TJ called them to get a copy of the contract. Once again, I did the research and he made the calls (perfect teamwork). 

And for probably the most EXCITING news, we booked our Honeymoon! TJ and I will be jet-setting to St. Lucia for 5 days. We plan to leave the Monday (11/25), two days after our wedding (ya know, spend the morning after lounging at the hotel pool, hanging out with out of town guests etc.) and we will stay until the 30th. We will be staying at the Sandals La Toc http://www.sandals.com/main/lucia/lu-home.cfm. We are so excited to have this big decision made.

So here are some updates :) Oh, also we sent out our save the dates this week so check your mail!

Vendor Update!

Hi everyone! Sorry it has been awhile since I have updated. Lacrosse season started so my free time is very rare these days. I have really been enjoying the planning process. Yes, I have felt a little bit of stress but overall, it's been a piece of cake. Also, TJ and I have been working really well together as a team. I call myself the "creative vision" and him the "executor".... hahaha. I research and find places, he calls and makes the appointments. It has been working really well for us so far. So here are some updates:

Photographer
Last month my bridesmaid Vanessa and I went to a bridal show in Lake Mary. Even though it was a small event compared the one I went to at the Rosen, I actually enjoyed it more. We were in and out in about 25 minutes. While there, I was able to talk to one of the photographers and was really interested. TJ called and made an appointment with him and voila! We had a photographer. We really liked him so that's one major thing to cross off of our list. Check him out here: http://gregsgallery.net/

Wedding DJ
Initially, TJ and I really wanted a live band to be at the reception. The first band we were interested in was booked so we extended our search to find bands through wedding websites. We found one we really liked but the price was not right. It was way more expensive than we wanted (I mean, most people don't spend that much on their WHOLE wedding, let alone the entertainment). So you can say we were a little discouraged. However, we looked at the bright side and decided to do some research. Wedding Wire has been a great asset during the wedding planning. On there, we found a DJ company we both liked. Great reviews...videos of them at events...good prices.... it looked good! TJ contacted them, made an appointment and the two of us went to meet the owner of the company. 1 and 1/2 hours later we booked them! They has a team of many DJs but we really liked the owner so we booked him as our DJ because he has 20+ years of experience. Check them out here: http://www.orlandodj.com/


I guess you can say we have been really lucky so far! We meet, we like them, we book it! Where's all this stress supposed to come from?

Next on our list is talking to the florist, finding an officiant, and then look for the dress! I'll update again soon :)

Save the Date!!

Choosing a venue is tough stuff! There are so many things to consider... ceremony space, recpetion space... is it big enough? is it too big? do I like the decor? does this fit in with my "theme"? and so many more! Well these questions have plagued my thoughts for days now and we can finally say.... we picked a place and booked it today! Yay! Before I get ahead of myself, let me talk about the third place we visited.

Yesterday we met with Grace at the J.W. Marriott and wow, we were so impressed with how pretty the site was! The hotel was grand and elegant without feeling pretentious or phony. The outdoor space was nice... a small courtyard with a big beautiful winding staircase leading to the ceremony. I would rate it a 7 or 8. The ballroom was decorated exactly the way we liked it and thought that maybe this would be the right place for us! However, after we left we decided against it since the ballroom would have one long wall that was collapsible (not a true wall). We wouldn't mind if the partition wall was a small side one, but the focal point of the room (where the dance floor and band would be) would have it as the backdrop. So.... no go.

That brings me to the big decision. TJ and I are happy to announce that our wedding will be at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel on November 23rd 2013!! Of course formal Save the Dates and then invitations will go out later this year but I just had to share because I am so excited! Please check out the below pictures to get an idea of where it will be held. 

Wedding Venues

Choosing a wedding venue is tough work! I've spent all this time dreaming up what it should look like,  talking to TJ about his vision, and deciding what we thought was most important in a location. Our major decision: ceremony outside, reception inside....that's about it. And I will be honest we don't hate the idea of an indoor ceremony either, haha. We know that we would really love to have the ceremony and reception at the same location and we like the idea of it being at a hotel so guests can book a room there. I do know that the theme of the wedding that we both like is a rustic/romantic atmosphere (nothing modern). So with that in mind, we started our search last week. Our first stop: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. We loved the "Italian" themed decor and the venue has some great ceremony spaces. I really like their ballroom and the Citrus Piazza. We originally liked the Grand Lawn but realized that for a wedding of 120-150, it would be too large of a space. Plus, it was too open and not as intimate as the Citrus Piazza. Pictures are in the next blog!

Our second appointment was yesterday at the Peabody Hotel. I really like this hotel and really enjoyed meeting the event coordinator Juan. Their ballrooms were absolutely gorgeous but unfortunately did not fit in to our rustic theme. They had these huge crystal chandeliers which I could see being perfect if I were planning a different style wedding. So I do recommend them but I don't think we will be choosing them based on the fact that they were too contemporary for us. Here are some pictures! (once again from google)

So we have an appointment tomorrow at the JW Marriott and we are hoping it will be the right place for us! The pictures online are gorgeous! I will post information tomorrow about how it goes. So it will either be the Marriott or the Portofino. Wish us luck!

 Meet the Groom! My fiance TJ is everything I've ever looked for in someone. He is sweet, loving, smart and a complete goofball. I can totally be myself with him without reservation. Even though we are a lot alike, we are very different in certain way which attributes to why we get along so well. I am stubborn and impatient, he is calm and flexible. I am an unorganized mess, he knows where everything is and helps me stay sane while the house is in disarray. We make a great team and I am very lucky to have him! He is currently a student at UCF studying political science and should be graduating this summer.

Meet the Bride! Hi, I'm Erin (the one writing the blog). I am a 9th grade AP Human Geography teacher at Dr. Phillips High School. I am the assistant Varsity girl's lacrosse coach at DP as well.

** I will have TJ write something about me here later on when he gets home from dinner with his friends :) **

After TJ and I got engaged, my mother and sister in law were quick in the works of planning an engagement party! We checked out a few different places: Historic Inn at Lake Lucerne, The Cypress Grove Estate House, Gargi's lakeside, and many more. However, we settled on the first place that we looked:

Eagle Creek Golf Club 

We met with the event coordinator/catering manager/chef Jennifer and we loved the place. We felt it was perfect for our party. Our "Love" themed event will go perfectly with the date because it is only three days after Valentine's Day! So mark your calendars, February 17th from 4-8, formal invitations are in the mail! :-) 

Our Story

Who knew love could be found at the end of a question like "Hey do you guys want some chicken wings?"?!?!? I learned that on June 12th 2008 when my friend Liz and I decided to head up to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the NBA championship series. While enjoying a few beers we heard a voice come from a neighboring table asking if we wanted some chicken wings. After Liz and I exchanged a confused look at each other we politely declined. However, this opened the door to the first of many conversations I would have with my now fiancé. After debating Celtics vs. Lakers (I cannot believe I was rooting for the Celtics) and some friendly banter, TJ asked if we wanted to join his group for a movie (I want to say it was the Hulk? I don't know, a green monster comes to mind when I think about it haha). Liz was on the phone and shook her head "no" so I once again politely declined. Then TJ proceeded to say "okay, so no movie tonight Erin but how about dinner tomorrow night?". Liz whipped her head around and said "Did you just ask her out?!?!". I had a Girls Night planned the next night to watch scary movies because it was Friday the 13th, so instead I replied "Well I have plans but I could give you my number?". Now, anyone who knows me, knows this is a not normal for me. I have always been very timid and shy when it comes to guys so giving some random guy my number was quite impulsive for me. Well it was the best decision I've ever made. The next night he texted me to see how my girls night was going and I told him it fell through and from there he asked me out to dinner. We have our first date at Bonefish Grill and for the past 4 1/2 years we have been quite inseparable. On December 25th 2013, TJ asked me to marry him and of course I said yes! So this blog is a way for our loved ones to stay informed with all the wedding planning. Some of you are close in heart by far in distance, and even those who who are close by cannot attend everything :-) I hope you enjoy reading this as much as we will enjoy planning it. Love you all!