The happiest day of my life!

I love telling this story! So. Much.

On September 14th, 2013, I woke up with my  maiden name for the last time. My bridesmaids and I woke up to a boat going through the canal - we had a suite with a balcony facing the aerial lift bridge. It was pretty awesome! The sun was shining and all my favorite girls were with me. It was so surreal that I could hardly believe it was happening until it was over. 

That morning we went down to grab breakfast from the hotel's continental breakfast. Two bridesmaids in front of me and two behind me to patrol and make sure the groom was no where to be seen...so he couldn't see me! 

I had been waiting for this day since the Hubby and I met when we were sixteen-years-old. I know that it sounds a little ridiculous but, I think we both knew at an early stage in our relationship that we wanted to be together forever. Even though I was so excited, I still wanted to savor every second of that morning. My four best friends were making sure everything was going right and helping me get ready.

Normally, a bride is supposed to be freaking out and taking control of everything but, that didn't happen to me. I think it was because I knew that I had one of the best support systems. I had my bridesmaids who I know would do anything for me. I had some of the best moms helping out and making sure we had things we needed, LIKE LUNCH! I'm sure we would have forgotten to eat before the ceremony and I would have passed out during our six minute ceremony. I knew that my aunt would be at the ceremony waiting for me and that my in-laws were going to be so happy to have me as a daughter. Heck, they already treated me like one! 

I remember arriving at the ceremony location and for a couple of minutes I felt the butterflies and had some nerves but, they passed when my aunt came back to meet me. I knew how happy my family was to see me get married and the Hubby's family and all of our friends. 

The ceremony, in Lief Erickson Park, was short, sweet, and to the point. There was a short reading, a knot tying ceremony, we exchanged our written vows, and then the rings and we kissed. It was perfect for us. We tend not to be the center of attention and prefer things to be low-key. My sister-in-law officiated the ceremony. We didn't want someone we didn't know to do it because it wasn't personal enough for us. We asked her and she gladly accepted. It was truly one of the best gifts we got for our wedding. 

After the ceremony, it was time to party. Well, there were countless pictures to be taken and we had a great photographer. Rachel Lee Photography did an exceptional job. She and her second shooter were the whole package. 

The Hubby and his groomsmen. 

Me and my bridesmaids! 

The reception was at Clyde Iron Works in the west end of Duluth, MN. It is an old industrial building that has been remodeled into and event and restaurant center. It was a perfect venue for us. By itself it had enough character - minimal decoration was needed! 

The staff at Clyde Iron was wonderful and very accommodating. Some of our guests have special dietary needs and they were happy to cater to them and our DJ had a technical issue he needed to fix so the staff at Clyde set up the microphone and speakers so we could do our speeches at dinner. Our DJ was fabulous and really knows  how to throw a party! Jesse and I danced to "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds - it's such a pretty song. 

{Dress} The Wedding Shoppe

{Bridesmaids} David's Bridal

{Flower girl} Homemade by the mother of the flower girl

{Tuxes} Savvi Formalwear

{Cake} Stacey Schweikart

{Florist} Buffalo Floral

{Decor} Paper Capers

{Hair} Regency Beauty Institute

{Makeup} Regency Beauty Institute

{Shoes} American Eagle

{DJ} TC Karaoke and DJ Services

{Ceremony} Leif Erickson Park

{Reception} Clyde Ironworks

{Catering} Clyde Ironworks

I'm back!

I have not posted to the blog in over a year. I got lazy and I'm sorry.

In the last year a lot of things have happened! 

I got married to my best friend on September 14th, 2013. It was the best day of my life so far. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. There were minimal issues (so minimal I would hardly call them issues) and everyone had fun! One guest even said to me, "I hope you don't have to get remarried but, if you do, invite me because that was one hell of a party." Planning a wedding is a lot of fun and I never really felt that stressed out about it. I thought I was planning my wedding wrong or forgetting something since I wasn't pulling my hair out or fretting over linens. One of my friends who was married a year before me reassured me that it was okay not to be a bridezilla. 

I got a sewing machine for my birthday. It might not sound like a big deal but, I am planning on using it to do some cool things. I haven't found a "big girl" job since being out of college so, I am looking for ways to make some cash. I have been researching opening and owning an Etsy shop. I love to sew and I love fabric shopping but, I don't need 30 different duvets covers or 20 different makeup boxy pouches. However, I do love to make them! I'll let ya'll know when I have that shop up and running. 

I went to Las Vegas for my bachelorette party with two of my best friends (they were my maids of honor at my wedding) and had a blast! We stayed a little of the main part of the strip which caused for some pretty fun adventures like walking a mile and a half in brutal wind and getting coated in sand because we weren't sure about the bus schedule. We also spent more money on cab rides than we ever did in college (and lost some things in a cab one night - like our camera) but, we will always have those memories and that's what's important. I love those girls and couldn't have asked fora  better vacation! I can't wait to return the favor for both of them! 

I joined an online gaming community, something that I never would have thought about 5 years ago. It's been a lot of fun talking to people around the country and the occasional from across the globe! Before, I had never really thought of people you meet online to be friends but, I have been proven wrong. What a wonderful thing technology has done for us. We can be connected to someone a thousand miles away using a computer and some other gadgets. 

And those are just the highlights. 

So, from here on out, I plan on using my blog to talk about married life, sewing projects, and video games. I haven't quite worked out the details but, I'll probably try to post once a week on each topic. THREE POSTS A WEEK! Let's see if I can stick to it!