Full Swing!

Well 379 days to go, Nursing school behind me, and the wedding planning is in full swing!!!
I've had ups and downs over the past couple of days since passing the boards, but nothing I can't handle.
We have posted some of our engagement pictures for you, we are soo excited about how well some of them came out!! And of course laughed at the not so good, awkward and crazy ones.
I have officially decided on THE dress, I am very excited and can't wait to show it off on August 12, 2011! However, we are still on the search for a bridesmaids dress...the one I thought I liked was too young and casual. But we have time, in fact I'm going with my MOH tomorrow to look for something more elegant!
We are also on the hunt again for a DJ. I have a few in mind but Greg and I need to do some interviewing first.
I'm so excited to plan, guilt free, and will continue to up date you as often as I can!

L, C&G
<3

Engagement Pictures...Check!

And the countdown continues...383 days until the wedding!!
We had our engagement pictures taken today! We can't wait to see the results, and create our Save-the-Dates! We had a wonderful time, and Geneva was really great to work with! There is a chance we'll end up on her webpage so keep watch... http://www.moonshinephotographie.com/index2.php#/rgallery1/4/

I have more great news, I passed my nursing boards! And immediately following the test I went wedding dress shopping again! AND even better...I think I found THE dress! I keep thinking about it...its so "August"...and very unique, so...probably the one! (Can't post a picture of that, it's not fair to the groom!)

Lastly, for now, Greg and I have our first meeting with the Deacon tomorrow since we took our "test". WISH US LUCK!!!

C&G

Successful Wedding Week!!

This week has been super busy with photographer meetings and cake tastings!!

As most of you following me know, photography is THE most important part of a wedding, in my small opinion, next to saying 'I DO!' At one point I told Greg I would give up having a reception to have a good photographer. I meant business I guess. So after almost 3 months of searching and researching we have decided! (I promise, this is the final decision.) Altogether we met with three photographers...but we already had a feeling we liked one the best. Our last meeting was on Monday evening with Mat from Finest Moments. We loved their website, stalked their blog (well I stalked their blog), and then finally met with them! It was the best meeting ever! On our way out of the meeting Greg and I were practically giddy! ...for lack of a better word. This was one of those...you just know...moments. So....we sent the deposit in this morning, and are booked with the best photographer in Cleveland!!! (I might be slightly bias.) Mat and his wife Kristen will be photographing our wedding, and we couldn't be more pleased!! Please check out their blog at... www.finestmomentsphoto.com

Immediately following our meeting with Mat, we met with Deacon Rich! I think Greg and I were both a little nervous. Deacon Rich just explained how everything works, and sent us each an email with a test to take individually. We had a small misunderstanding while we were there...he couldn't find my baptism records! He found all my cousins, and searched in several places, but I was missing! Of course, I panicked, and though I would have to be baptised all over again to get married. But, later I found out of all the sacraments my parents, my sister, and I have been through...all of them being at Saint Mary's of the Falls...my baptism is the exception to the rule. This might have been nice to know before I thought there was no record of my existence in the Catholic Church! Since the meeting and the baptism craziness, Greg and I have both taken the test, but separately of course. I hope we passed!!

Next, we had cake tastings! Our first appointment was at Michael Angelo's Bakery & Chocolatier in Broadview Heights. And we were sold. We really should have just cancelled our second appointment. Their cake was delicious, and the fillings were even better!! We consulted with Matt (different Matt) on a 4 layers cake, but are considering a 5 layer which would make it taller and skinner. But those are details for later. Tier 1 from the bottom will be filled with Strawberry Cassata, tier 2 will be Chocolate Raspberry, Tier 3 will be Lemon Raspberry, and Tier 4 will be Strawberry Cassata again. So much fun, and so yummy!! So, deposit sent, and another decision made!!

Lastly, for now, we are 99% go on a Florist! My aunt is very good friends with the owner of The Cutting Garden. We went into the shop just to get some information, so now we just need to set up a meeting. They did atleast 2 of my cousins weddings I know, and the flowers were beautiful so I have no worries!

L, C&G

.:Wedding Party:.

Okay...after much debate the wedding party is official!!

Best Man: Andrew Beers (Brother of the Groom)
Best Man: Kevin Beers (Brother of the Groom)
Groomsman: Andy Horvath (Brother-in-Law of the Groom)
Groomsman: Shea Castle (Friend of the Groom)

Matron of Honor: Brigitte Gaspar-Smith (Cousin of the Bride)
Bridesmaid: Selby Beers (Sister-in-Law of the Groom)
Bridesmaid: Karen Horvath (Sister of the Groom)
Bridesmaid: Katie Storms-Martin (Friend of the Bride)

Thank you to everyone for supporting us on our big day!!

Count Down and Dresses!!

It is officially 400 days until the wedding!!! So much to do, so little time! =)

Today I went with my maid of honor, Brigitte, to look at wedding dresses for the first time! I must have tried on 40+ dresses, and narrowed it down to 7! We have a few other places we want to look, but I'm definitely getting an idea of shapes, likes, and dislikes!

I know in the last post I said we had settled on a photographer...well I guess I was kidding. We are now debating between 3 who are all from Cleveland. We've had a video chat with one company, and meet with the other 2 next Monday! Hopefully, a FINAL decision will be made!

We also have our cake testings next week, and are very excited about that!! Who wouldn't be excited about testing cake!?

Well...I think that's it for now! But I had to update for the 400 day mark! AND how perfect was it that it was my first day out wedding dress shopping!!

L, C&G

Less Generic...Concrete Details!

It's been 10 days since the last post...so for 10 days our wedding has been officially set for Friday August 12, 2011!!! The count is now down to 421 days until the wedding. Thank you The Knot.Com, I didn't actually have to count. But, the biggest news for Greg and me since the last post is that we are FINALLY college graduates!!! WooHoo! Wedding planning is so much more fun without the guilt for homework floating over my head!

My Future In-Laws want to handle the rehearsal dinner, and I couldn't be more grateful to them! Greg's mom came up with the idea of having it at Pier W in Lakewood, and we LOVE it! Thank you, Thank you!

Our reception hall...well I think I picture the room in my head all day, every day. Everything I decided for the wedding, I picture in this room! I couldn't love it more! I'm very excited about the idea of multi-levels, and opening the outdoor patio to our guests! We've decided on a Cocktail Reception immediately following our 5:00 p.m. Ceremony. Speaking of the ceremony, our first meeting with Deacon Rich is July 10!

We had to find a new photographer. The first one we decided on is actually what got our planning going again, when Greg and I saw her work we got very excited and encouraged! Greg's sister-in-law recommended Moonshine Photography because Geneva is also an Otterbein graduate! However, she is moving to North Carolina this summer and cannot shoot our wedding! BUT she is going to do our engagement pictures before she leaves! We are set to work with her on July 25 right here in Columbus. We want pictures on campus at Otterbein because that is where Greg and I met, and where we got engaged on April 24! Our second choice photographer for the wedding was a recommendation from the first, we got very excited, and then found out she can't do Fridays. So...also a recommendation from Greg's sister-in-law was Ron White Photography in Cincinnati. They did a wedding Greg's brother was in recently, and their photographs were amazing!

We have also found our DJ. Well...DJ kind of. My cousin works with another nurse who DJs on the side, and he is willing to work with us on our big day! I say 'DJ kind of' because Greg and I have decided to create our own play list, and have family members announce dances such as: first dance, father/daughter, mother/son. All we ask for is his time and patience!! We are very excited about this because all we want is a classy, but not too formal party with food, music, and mingling! [We'll see if I stick to it! =)]

We are working on the cake too. We definitely have the picture...I had that before the engagement! =) ...but we haven't booked anyone yet. I'm thinking of using Wild Flower Bakery in Rocky River...we'll see...they don't know that yet!

And the Last big thing we have to book is the Florist! But...I haven't even thought about it, I'm not even comparing them yet. I do however have a picture of the bouquet I want to carry, so that's a start!

Sorry, that was a long post...I guess it was less "generic."

The Honeymoon and Wedding Party are in the works....stay tuned!

L, C&G

August 12, 2011

We have a date!!! As of today, it is confirmed our wedding will be at Windows on the River in the CityView Room on August 12, 2011!!! We are soo excited to finally have a wedding date, and start planning for real! Only 431 days left until the big day!

Today was a big day for me! I finished nursing school when I took my final at 8am. Then, I had two interviews at Nationwide Children's Hospital. One in the NICU, and one in the PICU. Both went well...so here's to hoping! Greg has a few more finals, and a meeting on Thursday to get on track at Wright State for more pre-reqs. Everything is coming together!!

We've been picking details for the wedding without a solid date. We picked a wedding cake...and possibly a cake lady! We are also going with Jessica Miller photography, and hope to get engagement pictures this summer! We are also scoping out honeymoons...but nothing is final yet!

Hope to have more news soon!

L. C&G