You Be My Louisiana, I'll Be Your Mississippi

I'm so excited to share the beautiful engagement story of my sweet friends, Kristen and Andrew. It's not often that, as a couple, you are blessed with another couple whose time you enjoy so immensely. So, when Jeff and I get to hang with these two crazy cats, it's never a dull moment.

Kristen, I am so happy you have found a soul mate in Andrew. It is so comforting to see a couple that works perfectly together. I can't wait to share this marriage journey with you.

How did Andrew swoop ya?

Andrew and I met the old fashioned way…at the fraternity house. Ha! Andrew had recently transferred from Clemson University to Southern Miss and started running in the same circles as my friends.  One night while hanging out with friends, Andrew and I were talking about the upcoming Homecoming game and he asked me to go as his date.  Of course I said yes! I don’t remember any of the game because we were so busy talking and laughing.  A few weeks later my best friends convinced me to invite “the cute new guy from Clemson” to our sorority formal.  We danced all night and had such an amazing time.  He was so easy and fun to be around which is one of the things I love most about him.  We quickly became a couple and as they say, the rest is history. 

What makes this guy special? 

When I first met Andrew, my first thought was, “he’s cute AND funny!” I’ve always been attracted to guys with a good sense of humor, but little did I know how much more there was to Andrew.  Andrew is the greatest man I've ever met, other than my amazing daddy. He is a true Southern gentleman and a man of character. I immediately felt comfortable around him…I knew I could tell him anything and be my true self around him.  I trust Andrew completely and respect him so much.  Most importantly, he is a man of God and I know that he will help me become the Christian woman I was meant to be.  He treats me with the love and respect that every woman deserves, and I’m so very grateful!

Now that we're all gushing over the 'cute guy from Clemson,' tell us about the proposal! 

The day Andrew proposed will go down in history as one of the best days of my life! A few weeks before Thanksgiving Andrew and I decided that after celebrating Thanksgiving at his parent’s house in Covington, LA we would go into New Orleans the day after to spend some time in our favorite city.  Luckily for Andrew, I was the one who suggested this idea so I wasn’t suspicious at all.  We went to see a movie at the Canal Place theatre.  I should have known Andrew was up to something when he volunteered to see the new Twilight movie (which would never have happened otherwise), but I insisted we see Lincoln instead (so romantic, haha!). After the movie we walked down Royal St. and went to art galleries and antique shops before going to Café Du Monde for beignets. While sitting at Café Du Monde Andrew said that one of our friends from New Orleans wanted to see us, and he would meet up with us in Jackson Square.  We walked through Jackson Square and decided to wait for our friend at the fountain that sits in front of St. Louis Cathedral (my favorite spot in New Orleans). At this point I’m still clueless about what’s going on.  We sat down on the fountain and I said, “This has been the best day ever.” Andrew replied, “I know, and I just want to spend every day with you for the rest of my life.” That’s when he hit one knee and everything becomes a blur!  All I know is that I said YES!  After a nice stranger took our picture, Andrew said that we had a dinner reservation to get to and that we needed to hurry.  As I floated towards the restaurant staring at my hand Andrew asked me not to call anyone about the news until after dinner.  When we walked into the restaurant to be seated and turned the corner that’s when I got the best surprise of my life.  All of our family and friends, including my 3 best friends that I hadn’t seen in months, were standing there waiting for us!  That’s when the waterworks really started!  We spent the rest of the night celebrating with all of our loved ones and I couldn’t have imagined a better night or proposal. 

What gets ya' most excited about marriage?

I’m most excited about sharing a home with my best friend! After surviving the struggles of a long distance relationship for nearly two years, we can’t wait to know that we are coming home to each other everyday and have a place that we can call our own. We are just so excited about this next chapter in our lives!

Any planning advice?

Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize! The first thing I did after getting engaged is decide what aspects of our wedding are most important to me and what I wanted to splurge on.  I made my top three list: photography, band, and wedding dress (of course).  By doing this, I don’t get distracted from what is most important- preparing to marry Andrew.  Anyone can have an amazing wedding, but we want our marriage to be more beautiful than our big day!  Also, DON’T compare your wedding to the ones you see in the bridal magazines. Comparison is the thief of joy. Trying to compete with another person’s dream wedding will only take away from the excitement of your own.  

Thank you for sharing your story with all the belles and beaus, Kristen!!

XOXO

Check out more of Courtney Dellafiora's photos here! 

Baton Rouge Belle

Ideal weather. Stunning location. Gorgeous bride. Loving groom. I knew this would be one of my favorite weddings to date...but it seemed as if the stars aligned to make this day nothing short of perfect.

My favorite memory of the day was taking Jordan, the groom, to see his bride for the first time. As I drove him in the golf cart he asked me, "So you really like this stuff...like planning weddings, huh?" To which I replied..."You have no idea. I love, love." Jordan simply responded, "Yea, it's pretty special." 

And special it was. The entire day. Olivia was beautiful in the forefront of large oaks, strung lights, burlap, and a perfectly whipped butter-cream cake. I am so blessed to have been trusted to execute Olivia and Jordan's wedding day. I sincerely thank you both. 

Special thanks to my assistant! Kayla, you were awesome! 

Pre-gamin'

Go to any tailgate in the south, and you're bound to find beanbags flying through the air. I'm talkin' the bag 'n board game of cornhole! My favorite kind'a competition, cornhole allows you to play without breaking a sweat, all-the-while holding a cold drink in your 'non-throwing' hand.

So it had me thinking, how awesome would this be to have at an outdoor reception? It's a fun idea for the kids, grandparents, or the 3-drinks-in groomsmen.

Now it's time for my shameless plug...My papa-bear and little brother have started their own cornhole business,

Custom Cornholes by Maurer & Son! 

I've posted some of their work so far and the final products are just amazing! Check out their facebook page for contact information and pricing! 

Custom Cornholes, Maurer & Son

Custom Cornholes, Maurer & Son

I Saw the Sign

As weddings are becoming more DIY...a whole lot'a signs are popping up on Pinterest to get our creative juices flowing. A tiny jot adorning your day is a-little-somethin' cute to entice your guest's course. I wanted to share a few of my fave's with y'all!

Are you opting for no ushers or do you have uneven family sizes? This would be a perfect option for you!

Oh my gracious...Precious idea for bathroom specifications!

Instagram is the new Facebook Photo Upload! Ask your guests to #hashtag any photos taken on your big day so you can enjoy them later! 

Sweet quote perfect for outside the ceremony.

Little note for all your girls primping in the bathroom...Consider putting gum and travel size hairsprays in the bathroom for their convenience, too!

Great option in lieu of ceremony programs! 

As for me...wedding planning is slow and steady! We have booked a church and photographer and hope to have an awesome reception venue booked soon! But you know me...I'm excited to start working on the small things! DIY is my middle name! 

Have an awesome week belles and beaus! 

DIY Bachelorette Invites!

Happy New Years beaus and dolls! These past few weeks have been packed with To-Do's but I'm ready to share a quick and easy DIY Bachelorette Party Invite!

I knew my palate was going to be warm, romantic colors so I went with rose pink, black, and burlap brown.

To Hobby Lobby I went for: Lace, craft paper, envelope/card pack, double-sided tape, ribbon, craft jewels, & paper doilies!

Step 1: Print wording on 5x7 cardstock.

Step 2: Using double-sided tape, attach lace to top of invite.

To help the guests with shopping, I wanted to do something a little different. Cute bustiers with the bride-to-be's sizes was the way to go!

Step 3: Cut out bustiers and trim doilies to size. Glue doilies to back of bustier. Tie sheer black ribbon around the smallest part of the bustier. 

Step 4: Add a little bling to the envelope and a cute poem letting the guest know the evening's dress code.

Poem above:

You're invited to Carly's big night,

with cocktails, laughs, and lingerie that's tight.

So now you're asking, "What to wear?"

Sequins or sweaters, straight of curly hair?

When it comes to your clothes,

pick whatever suits you!

But since we're in Nashville,

it must include boots!

Step 5: Tie it all together with a cute paperclip, put a stamp on it and send it off! 

All that's left to do is have a great time! Can't wait to show y'all some DIY Bachelorette decorations in an upcoming post! 

It was Perfect.

Nearly 12 years ago Jeff and I shared Coach Burnett's Reading class. He was the shy guy that sat next to me and I was an obnoxious 13 year old who thought she was going to make him blush. We quickly became friends, only living a neighborhood apart, and always claiming other boyfriends and girlfriends in our corresponding cliques.

Jeff moved away when we were freshman in high school, and we remained phone-pals throughout our 4 years apart. We wrote letters every few weeks and he would visit every summer.

(Jeff's note in my yearbook freshman year, 2003.)

"...The year would have been empty without you. It's gonna be real hard leaving you. We gotta stay in touch ok? You're awesome and I'd hate to lose touch with you. This is redundant but o-well. Before I go I want a picture of you AIGHT. Have a great summer and life. I love you. -Jeff S."

In retrospect, I'm so glad my hoarding teenage ways had me keep all the notes and letters Jeff wrote. To look back now and know how much he loved me then, brings such faith and hope to the future that has presented itself. 

(Snail-mail letter from 2005)

"I cherish every second I get with you. You'll find Mr. Right soon. Everything happens for a reason right?...I'd love for you to be my wife...The spots open for you!"

We decided we should be 'boyfriend & girlfriend' in the summer of 2005. I figured, what have I got to loose? He's a great guy, good at sports, and he's pretty cute, too. We can totally do this long-distance thing. Within six months, we decided we would go to college together. 

As the saying goes, we've been together ever since. Over the years, Jeff has become my very best friend and the love of my life. He has made me a better person, a confident woman, and an absolute believer in true, unfailing love. He is thoughtful and gentle. He is painfully funny and too witty for his own good. He tells me I'm beautiful every, single day and likewise tells me when I'm being entirely too dramatic. He listens when I need him, and believes in my talents and dreams. I know he will take care of me for the rest of his life and I will do my best to be the wife he deserves.

The Proposal...

A few days prior, Jeff promised me dinner somewhere nice on Saturday night. After work and a little shopping, I headed home to be ready for 7. I called Jeff to tell him I would meet him at his place since he had mentioned his parents wanted to go with us. He said he'd rather pick me up in case we wanted to do something after. I wanted to see the movie Lincoln so I assumed that would be our after-dinner plans. 

At 7:10 he arrived at my apartment and told me we were meeting his parents at Rips Restaurant on the lakefront. We parked a little ways from the restaurant. His parents were 'running late' so we had some time to kill. 

Years ago, on a night after ice cream we stopped by the lakefront and came up with a genius (and dangerous) idea of walking out on one of the narrow, stone docks off the lakeside. (Picture below is a good example of what I'm talking about). I'll never forget how nervous I was that one of us would slip, but Jeff held my hand all the way to the post at the end. We had one awesome kiss and I scurried off the ledge as fast as I could!

So as we were walking to dinner, I brought up that very moment and we both reminisced on my 'scardy-cat' ways. As we approached the restaurant Jeff stopped me and simply said, 

"I need to be honest with you. The other weekend when I told you I was going fishing, I didn't"   

In my mind, I'm thinking..."Ok, buck-o. Where were you then?" 

"I was in Memphis because I had to ask your dad a question."

My heart dropped to my toes and my breath slipped away from me.

"Now, I have to ask you a question." He dropped to one knee and said the most beautiful words, "Emily, will you marry me?" 

Through my excessive shaking and borderline hyperventilating, I said "Yes!"...followed by..."Is this real?"

Then he turned to the restaurant and said, "My family isn't the only ones here either, yours is too." 

It was perfect. Everything was flawless. The love that filled the evening was insurmountable and I am beyond blessed and thankful. Jeff has truly made me the happiest girl in the world. 

My family on the balcony of the restaurant

Doing my happy dance!

So proud of my beautiful ring! 

The next day we decided to take a few pictures of the engagement spot. Thank you Shelby Wilson for being our photographer! 

The exact spot he proposed! 

Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you. It is a day Jeff and I will never forget and I am excited to share our planning journey with you! Get ready belles, this blog is about to blow up! 

XOXO-

Future Mrs. Songer :) 

It's All in the Deets

The evening began in a beautifully ornate, Catholic cathedral. Equipped with a stunning bridal party and  adorable groom, the room was difficult to 'one-up.' All until the large wooden doors divided to reveal a spectacular bride. 

The ceremony was thoughtful, filled with words of love and blessings. I thought the night had peaked but this was just the beginning. The second line ended at The Ezell House where it was easy to fall in love with the tiny details harmonizing perfectly.

From the antique dining plates, floral wreaths, photos, and monograms-you felt like you were celebrating a crisp, fall evening with a pretty awesome couple. So I'll do a little less rambling and a little more demonstrating.

The courtyard was complete with floral centerpieces, festive lighting, and heaters to keep us toasty.

Lanterns brought a since of the inside, out. Rustic and beautiful! 

The 'Groom's Room' or what I like to call the 'Man Cave' was adorned with red gingham, sunflowers, poms, and coozies. So awesome, right?

A&W (Abby & Wes) root-beer,  wedding date coozies, and chicken minis at the end of the night. All great favors appreciated by the guests. 

Bar in the 'Groom's Room' garnished with Georgia and Southern Miss spirit poms! 

Perfect spot for frame pics. Me and Kristi taking advantage of a photo-op! 

The receipt from the first night Wes and Abby met. This was one of my favorites! 

Wes and Abby, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful, unique, and just-plain-fun wedding. I pray many blessings for you both and that you would grow more in love every day!

XO