Bridal Shower Finds

Galvanized Steel beverage tub!

Steel trays (for the perhaps beverages). 

These two will require use of my imagination! 

With the exception of the round trays all of the items were purchased at SAMs Club!! Nicki had requested a pink and yellow themed party and my first thought was a garden theme with a twist! In this case a lemonade stand or at least accents of metal tin accessories. And burlap...lots of burlap and lace!! 

I have been eyeing these items for a while but y'all know me u refuse to pay retail price if I can help it! Sometimes yes but if I can hold out tell a sale I will!! 

Needless to say many of these items were sale priced. 

My one tip this week when it comes to wedding planning is to be patient and when possible check out prices of rental items vs buying them. On some cases it's cheaper to buy the item!! You can always sell the stuff afterwards ( perhaps even to an event planner...lol)

Nicki said Byron wanted to know what I was planning to do with all of the nautical stuff after the wedding. Let's just say one of the rooms in my house will be nautical themed!! lol 

No place like home!!

I'm at my moms home hanging out this weekend. And since the wedding is in my hometown I thought it would be a good time to check out some of the local flavor for guest welcome bags for the grooms parents. 

We started our "scouting" out with a stop on mainstreet at the local welcome center!  

Isn't it the cutest thing ever? 

After we picked up some local brochures we decided to head to some of the local shops which featured unique gifts from the area that could possibly be added gifts to the special bags (I already have something in mind....if the couple approves it). 

  

First stop was the Mobjack Bay Coffee roasters. The owner who was in during our visit was very helpful and even offered us free samples! 

Our last stop was at a local Peanut store. The lady there was friendly as well (they also offer free samples) and told me I could find lots more choices online. I'm not sure yet what we will use or not but I sure had fun exploring! 

It's official we have a date and venue!!

I can't wait to see this venue transformed for Nicki and Byron's wedding next year! We never even got a chance to see the third venue. It would be a month before they could even make an papointment with us and there was no guarantee that the kids would have got the date they wanted. 

Byron finally got to see the site in person a few days ago. 

I'm already imagining friends and family sitting on the front porch! 

While Byron and I walked around taking pictures mom, Marc and Nicki set and chilled!! 

There will be many chances that day to sit and chill!! 

Or walk out on the pier and listen to the waves! 

Soon guest will receive a save the date card inviting them to "Come to Cappahosic"! 

Bridesmaids Meet!!

This weekend some of the bridesmaids got to meet and greet! 

Thanks to our lovely hostess and maid of honor for the big day!! 

We did a bit of pampering courtesy of Arbonne! 

The cousins in the house!!! 

Played a few games!!

And ate a lot of food!!

Oh and cuddled cute babies (Nicki with her godson). 

First wedding dress appointment

Guess who got to try on her first ever wedding gown last week?? 

Of course no wedding dress appointment would be complete without your entourage! Including a few co workers from your job!! lol 

The family representing!!

My candid shots!!! lol

Even though it looks like Trice was posing she was really just using the veil to stay warm!! lol

Two of the bridesmaids and the Bride practicing for the big day! 

Although she didn't say yes to the dress (and I didn't cry so we must not have found "the" dress yet...lol) as you can see that didn't stop us from having fun!! 

This weekend most of the bridal attendants will be getting together at the maid of honors home for a little spa time and to get to know one another!! Of course there will be pictures!! 

Wedding finds!!

My favorite part of wedding planning is definitely setting up the venue! With that comes the opportunity to shop for unique items that can be used in different ways then you would normally imagine. I have to admit scouring the stores for decorations makes me a bit giddy!! That and catching an item on sale or clearance!! My best friends so far have been Target, Marshall's and Ross! I have a few other places on my list to check out. Thankfully the "nautical" theme is widely available in my area!! lol 

You will have to wait to see how I use the items above! 

Latest wedding update

Last week the "kids" finally narrowed down a few possible places for the wedding. Our first stop was the Hermitage Museum and Gardens. It's a very picturesque hidden spot nestled in the city right on the water!

It was top contender for sure!

Before making a final decision my mom suggested coming home to visit a historic home in my very own hometown which is funny because it's actually where Byron first fell for Nicki!! They were both attendants in my little cousins wedding nearly two years ago. 

What's even funnier is that I have a history with the place myself! I along with several classmates had the privilege of singing here in high school (I'm the skinny one on the front row on the right with the big glasses).

The tree we are under is said to be the spot where Martin Luther King wrote parts of his "I have a dream" speech. 

The original owner of the home was an African American man. Several of my step fathers family members would use the facility which at the time was called the Moton Center for family reunions and vacations.

Over the last few years they have begun renovating the properly and have made tremendous strides!

This property is also on the water and if we choose it we would have use of the grounds and the home for that day. 

They even offer rooms for overnight use. 

Nicki and Byron had hoped to view one other property before making a decision but it may not happen for several reasons so they are leaning heavily towards the "destination" wedding!! 

All three venues are beautiful and unique and would each offer a different experience depending on the choice!