Mondays with Madi : 6 months down, 8 to go!

Hey y’all!

So great to be back with another Mondays with Madi post. This past weekend sweet BRS came to Fort Worth for a visit and we celebrated 6 months of engagement! It’s been a crazy ride so far but so much fun.

And I still just adore this sparkler which adorns my left hand! (Maybe a post about my bling is in our future?)

Right now we’re looking at another 8 ½ months until W-Day and I’m feeling pretty content with our planning progress up to this point.

Here are just some of the bigger tasks we’ve checked off our list so far:

Booked Ceremony site

Found my bridal gown (Remember I’m a traditional gal so I’m keeping it a secret until our big day! But here are some pretty gowns I’ve tried on!)

Booked Reception venue

Asked members of our bridal party (cutesy DIY ideas here and here!)

Developed our theme and placed down payment with our florist

Booked our photographer

Won FREE invitations from Paperfinger

Picked out, ordered and received bridesmaids’ dresses (post to come!)

Booked DJ (post to come!)

I will be traveling home to Kansas City this next month and in that time BRS and I are prepared to tackle some more wedding tasks we have on our list:

Here are a few on our list:

Schedule and have our first pre-marital counseling session
Begin the search for Groom’s/Groomsmen attire
Finalize our guest list
Begin registries
Start our search for Save the Dates

To our current Society Brides and viewers, do y’all have any suggestions on must-have registry items for BRS and I? Which stores have the best registry systems? I’m thinking a post on our registry adventures is in store here in the next month or so!

Destination Weddings- Don’t Let Your Guests Forget These Essentials!

Going on a trip can be stressful, throw in a wedding and everyone is almost to their breaking point! Include a packing list in your wedding invitation that has all of you and your grooms trip essentials. Here is my list!

1. Matching luggage helps me stay organized. The navy blue luggage is stamped with my initials and everyone knows it’s mine. My luggage puts me in the best mood when I am packing.

2. I always feel glam when I am wearing sparkly jewelry. Pick up some wallet friendly pieces at Forever 21 that will transition you from day to night.

3. A cashmere wrap was the best gift I ever received and it keeps me cozy in the plane. It also reminds me of home when I am in a foreign hotel room.

4. Heels might be glamorous but flats are much better for the airport. They are way easier to slip on and off at airport security.

5. My favorite gadget is my iPad and I don’t go anywhere without it. Especially the airport! Find some free wi-fi and catch up on your favorite tv show while waiting for your plane.

Dec

Rachel and Cullen, Purples with Pizzaz

Rachel and Cullen tied the knot earlier this year with bright colors and pizzaz! From being serenaded on a balcony by a Mariachi band to the tears shed by bridesmaids at their beautiful ceremony, the couple added their own personalities to a traditional event. Purple dresses for the bridesmaids and peacock feathers gracing tables were just some of their original ideas. Gorgeous!

Photos by Whitney Lee Photography.

Nov

Western Elegance in Rhome with Traci & Aaron

Traci and Aaron tied the knot Texas style with a “Western Elegance” themed wedding. Held on their property in Rhome, Texas, the wedding was to be held where Aaron had built an altar in the spot he had proposed to her near a tree which he branded “Will you marry me?” So sweet! Her incredible dress is from Brides by Demetrios in Frisco–so elegant! The gorgeous flowers were done by Always Unique Flor al, from Bridgeport, Texas. Catering was done by G-Texas Catering out of Fort Worth and the cake was done by Cakes by Leisha out of Decatur. Adding to the western theme was the Steve Helms Band which provided entertainment. As a gift to their wedding party, they provided cowboy boots for each member to wear. Photography was done by Alex Ham who captured the event perfectly. The two lovebirds planned wedding themselves, using turquoise and brown accented by pheasant feathers as their color palette.

Photos courtesy of Alex Ham Photography.

Nov

Going Tandem with Diana and Braham!

Diana and Braham tied the knot in May 2010 at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden with a cycling theme in mind. Both loving to ride, they decided on the theme “Going Tandem.” Their invitations read: “As we go tandem man and wife, pedaling down the road of life.” So sweet! It all started when they found a print on Etsy.com by Aimee Sicuro of a bride and groom riding tandem and it just took off from there! Loving nature and the outdoors, they chose sage as the basis for their color scheme and it gave them the organic feel they desired. Her dress was designed by Pronovias and invitations done by a high school classmate, Jessica C. Rhodes. Naz Alvarez Photography documented the event and how beautiful did the shots turn out!? Their cake was done by Udele Pandya at the Dallas Pastry House–her guests are still raving about it! The couple even had kippahs made with bikes on them and Diana made her own garter out of recycled bike tubes!

Image by Aimee Sicuro that inspired their wedding!

Images courtesy of Naz Alavez Photography and Diana Lankford.