Teaser

GULP. I love this picture. And this one is just a tiny, tiny piece of what amazing work he did on Saturday. I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THE REST. No pressure James.

 

P.S. That is not the same shirt I wore in the other pictures...almost the same color, but this one is much softer and flowy...and it covers my behind.

Sassy arm strikes again...

What an awesome, amazing time yesterday.  Who knew it was so exhausting being sassy, fabulous and fun though?  Obviously, I am talking about picture time with James. 

Knoxville is full of funny, interesting and shocking people.  Not that we didn't already know that, but it's just funny to get to experience it.  And we definitely got to experience the "awkward" with James like he wanted. 

Awkward 1: We started out taking pictures as the "bicycle gang" of downtown hovered around our personal belongings.  Once they realized we weren't going to look away long enough for them to snatch and ride, they left us alone.  Basically that happened when we went to pick it up and move on.

Awkward 2: We were taking pictures on a busy street and James was partially hidden by a booth.  This guy saunters by RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.  Luckily, James was in between shots and couldn't catch it.  Or unluckily...you choose.  It was hilarious.  Then he was really interested in this poster right beside our stuff and interestingly enough...our stuff.  It was so so so so so so funny.  Obviously. 

There was the lady that basically leaned out of her car to check out our goods, the busy street, the random kid, the holes in the grass, the bicycle police, the wedding, the dog (we could pick her up if we wanted), and the random purse (that no one ever came back to claim). 

Anyway, you get the idea.  We had such a great time during our fun photos.  I saw a couple that James taunted us with and I absolutely can not wait to see them all.  LOVE IT!

Pictures and Centerpieces

We have our fun pictures scheduled.  I am so so so so excited.  And it was confirmed via Facebook message, that Mr. James Lundy and Shawn & I have a hot picture taking date next Saturday.  Location still unknown, but I'm not sure that I would share that right now anyway!! 

I will share some of his amazing photos with you though - http://www.pbase.com/blp.  Enjoy them and be amazed at the awesomeness that is James.  (Can you tell I'm excited??)

I took Tatum to get his grooming on yesterday (he got shaved and smells like a little old man dog now), and while I waited, I went shopping.  I found all sorts of wonderful stuff.  Lots of jars, vases, containers and interesting pieces.  All at a thrift store and Goodwill...and one antique store.  Here are some photos...

And just one funny picture that James took at Jay and Jenn's wedding...James, I hope you don't mind:

What a great air vent...very glad it wasn't running as we walked up the aisle

Engagement pics - Round 1

We went to the Picture Taking Place to get our first round of engagement pictures and ended up buying a disc with all the pics on it.  They are awesome and I can't get the slideshow function to work on Blogger to save my life.  Sooooooo...you will have to find them on Facebook.  Let me know if you can't see them and I'll have to do some updating. 

Here's a couple to hold you over until you can stalk them on FB:

Another day, another decision done

Jinkies!  I think I know what to do! Potentially free venue.  Free?  Yes, thank you I will take two. 

It will be perfect (as long as I get the thumbs up).  Outside, by the lake, tables, chairs...all provided.  I would have to do centerpieces, food, music, flowers, etc.  I am making up my guest list and checking it twice.  That in itself is a challenge - who to invite, who not to invite, who, if I don't invite them, will never speak to me again?  I don't want the size to get out of control, but I swear my family alone is going to be 70 people!  I will enlist the help of the mystery bridesmaids once they are informed.  Which is going to happen soon.  I promise.  I plan on going out tonight to get two little things that will help me to announce to them my intentions.  Then it will be a super Skype-fest in order to get their opinions and for them to tell me, "Mattea, calm down.  Your eyes are bugging out of your head.  Freak."

Now that I have that little venue nugget tucked safely away in the protected part of my brain, it's time to focus on getting the "treasures" for centerpieces/decorations!!  I am enlisting everyone's help on this one.  I want little vases, glass jars, antique looking brooches.  Vases and (little) jars, preferably blue. Brooches in white or sparkly diamondy colors.  Oh oh, and lanterns - you know the kind that can hold candles (or fake candles).

Here are some pictures to help you understand what I need you to help me find:

Fresh day, Fresh ideas

I've calmed down. It was a momentary lapse in sanity yesterday.  I just had my hopes up, but I guess that happens to us all. So in between working today, I have thought of a couple of other places that I will check on next week (maybe-short weeks at work are always hectic).

This weekend I am going to focus on my sister, brother-in-law, and niece that will be in town. Or. I will focus on my sister, brother-in-law, and niece that will be in town while simultaneously still thinking about the logistics of the other venues. One sounds promising if I want to hold it indoors. Still crossing my fingers for something outside, but at this point I'm not counting anything out.

I was hoping Venue 1 would have tents, chairs, tables, linens, anything that would help ease the cost of rentals. But they didn't. I would basically be paying for a grass field. Granted, it was beautiful, great location and had electricity, but still would be a very large cost for something I am trying to keep affordable and simple. I have even started thinking about not having a DJ...I want the reception to be a blast, but is that really a necessary cost?  I need to talk to my DJ friend and ask him, realistically, what the cost is going to be and see if I can fit in the budget.  I feel like I at least need to have the venue picked out so I can explain more about what I am looking for and the times I would need him/them. 

Engagement picture session #1 will be next Tuesday.  Need to get in touch with JL again and see when we can schedule the fun engagement pictures.  (if you are reading this JL...send a girl an email! ha)

On a completely unrelated-to-wedding note, I got a new computer!  The first post to this blog was the last one I made with my oldie.  That night or the next night, I spilled sweet tea all over it.  Fried some stuff.  Dropped it off with a neighbor, haven't heard anything since.  Great deal on this little girly computer and I am tickled pink!  Happy Labor Day weekend - I hope everyone has an enjoyable time with family and friends this weekend. 

Venue #1 review

It was beautiful. It was scenic. It would be a very very nice place to get married. It will also cost a small fortune. For the amount of money I would be spending, I would prefer to pay someone to set it up and let them worry about it.  For example, The General Morgan Inn.  Pay them a small fortune. 

But in the midst of stress and OCD and questions, I did come up with a couple of other places to check out. I need to get in touch with an old family friend to see if a certain location is still there and available...worst case scenario, we have a field beside the house!  Duh.

I am also open for suggestions if anyone has them.  In the Greeneville, Morristown area...or anywhere in between.  I have also thought about just taking some people with us to Charleston, getting married on the beach and having a reception later.  There are a lot of thoughts running through my head right now and basically I have no clue what I am doing.
Wedding = stress.  Good thing Shawn loves me.

Venue shopping...

Well tonight is the night that we go visit the venue in Greeneville. The pictures are beautiful...I hope it is as pretty in person.  I have my (OCD) list of questions ready and am prepared to take pictures so I can remember the trip. I am a little nervous also. What if it doesn't measure up to what I have imagined... what if I pick it and it rains... what if its cold... what if it is too expensive?  Wish me luck.

We might just elope...