Patti & Harry: Engagement Session

Patti had been hoping and praying for her future husband since she was seven years old. Like most girls, she created “the list” which included all of the qualities her perfect man would have. He needed to be smart, kind, have a good sense of humor, have a big heart, love family, and be a gentleman. It was a tall order which she thought could never possibly be filled in her wildest dreams – until she met Harry.

Harry admired Patti quietly from afar, watching her perform cooking demos and help customers plan their family dinners at a local grocery store. Over sautéing vegetables and bagged groceries, Harry and Patti got to know each other during their after school job and quickly realized that they had found the person their hearts had been searching for. Harry fell in love with Patti’s kind heart and passion for life, and Patti loved the way he looked at her adoringly, how he made her smile, and the way he kissed her forehead when they said goodbye. It was the perfect match. They had found the person they had always dreamed of.

After years of dating, Patti found herself wandering the banks of the Chattahoochee River carrying a large, wrapped gift. This was the last location of the scavenger hunt Harry had cleverly taken her on. After following a note which read, “follow your heart”, Patti arrived at Harry’s apartment and was greeted by another note that instructed her to take this mystery gift to the river. Harry surprised her at the river and watched as she unwrapped her gift. As Patti gazed at the painting he had created for her, she noticed a phrase among the beautiful pink painted flowers that would change her life forever. As she read “Will you marry me?”, Harry got on one knee and presented Patti with a ring. He asked her to make his dreams come true and share forever with him. He asked her to follow her heart, and so she did…

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Patti and Harry, even though we just met, I feel like I’ve known you both forever. You truly are such a special couple – so caring, genuine, and loving – you deserve a lifetime of happiness together. I am so excited for your wedding next summer and am so honored that you asked me to be part of it!

Sarah & Slayden: Engagement

Sometimes it takes a difficult time in your life to realize how much you love and care for the person that was there for you all along. That was the case with Sarah and Slayden. Slayden transferred to Sarah's small private high school at the start of their junior year. From the beginning, Sarah wanted nothing to do with Slayden, and even though they had mutual friends, it wasn't until the end of the school year that they got to know each other. During the summer leading to their senior year, the friendship continued to grow. It grew through a very hard time in Sarah's life and Slayden was always there to listen and offer a shoulder to lean on. It was through this difficult time that Sarah and Slayden realized how much they truly cared for each other and that their relationship had grown into something more - love.

Over the course of five years, Slayden and Sarah graduated high school, attended college together, and later this month, will earn their degrees together. Together they leaned on each other through the good and bad, and together they can make it through anything life brings. When they exchange rings and vows this October, they know that together, they will have each other to support and love for the rest of their lives.

Wedding Organizer on Steroids

I LOVE being organized....it seriously makes me happy. It's sad that few things give me as much joy as a label maker and The Container Store. So when my sister got engaged, I knew that my organizational skills were in order - in the form of making a wedding planning binder. When I got engaged I was frustrated by the lack of good wedding planning tools. Sure, Martha Stewart's wedding tips are great and wedding blogs are beautiful, but I couldn't seem to find the perfect planner. So I decided that if I wanted the best wedding planner possible for my sister, I would have to make it myself.

Since the wedding season is quickly approaching, I thought I would share the monster wedding book I made for my sister. It's pretty much a planner on steroids, and I must say, it's kind of awesome.

If you want to make one of these handy-dandy planners for yourself, this is what you need:
- 1 white 3-inch three-ring binder with a clear plastic pocket in the front and back
- At least 5 clear zippered pencil pouches that have three-ring binder holes. (These can be used to hold any clippings, inspirational photographs, fabric swatches, etc.)
- 24 or so tabbed dividers
- Photos of you and your fiance
- And last but not least, you need wedding planner forms. I think that Russell and Hazel has the BEST wedding planner sheets. When I saw them, I literally squealed with delight and practically did a little jig. They are amazing. You can get their free downloads by clicking here. You should use them...you will thank me later. :o)

Happy planning!