This past weekend we headed to my parents house to celebrate our engagement with our families and members of the bridal party. My mom and I had been planning this party for several months and I was so excited that the date had arrived. When we planned the party, we knew it would have to be in the winter and that the weather could potentially be crap. Kentucky has had almost no snow this winter, but the week leading up to the party we got a ton of snow (10+ inches). The day of the party had the potential to be another huge snow storm, but it warmed up and rained a ton. So imagine 10 inches of snow on the ground and rain pouring on top of that. It wasn't pretty... Some of our guests couldn't make it to the party (due to the crazy weather), but we decided to go ahead and not reschedule since we had spent so much time planning.

We got our invitations from Minted and both my Mom and I were so impressed. Not only did the invitation come out perfect, we also used their free addressing option and saved tons of time.

Mom let me choose the decor and I loved how it all came together!

When life gives you snow, use it to chill your champagne.

We went with navy tablecloths and a little burlap runner. I knew I wanted bright spring flowers since it had been so yucky outside and our florist did a wonderful job! The little bunting above the bar and in the hutch had photos of us throughout our relationship (we also put extra photos on the tables). I had a fun time looking back through iPhoto at the thousands of pictures that I have from our college years. I also scattered Engagement MadLibs around on tables for people to fill out, which provided us with lots laughs when read aloud later.

After our guests arrived we allowed them to mingle and have a drink before my Dad gave a toast and we all had a glass of champagne (the perfect way to start the evening)! We then had dinner (that my mom had catered) and watched the Cats whoop Auburn. The bourbon continued to flow and as the night went on the boys got into some competitive rounds of ping pong. All in all it was a wonderful night. It allowed our families to get to know each other better and spend time in a relaxed environment. Now for (even more of) a photo dump :)

Lindy, Megan and I!

I'm gaining a lot of brothers-in-law and one sweet little sister-in-law!

Three of my five Maids!

Abe's little sister (Amanda) is going to be our flower girl!

Abe and I with his Mom

Abe and I with my Momma

My Dad and I

Abe and three of his five Groomsmen

On a totally unrelated note, we should get back our engagement photos by the middle of this week! I can't wait to see them!! 

On Valentine's Day Lindy, my Mom, and I went to La Grange, KY to visit The Couture Closet and look at wedding gowns! I can't say enough good things about The Couture Closet. It's a beautiful store in the quaint town of La Grange. Each appointment is set up so there will only be one bride there at a time. The dresses are displayed on the wall on wooden hangers instead of being put on a rack. By doing this each dress is really allowed to shine!

When we arrived, they had Valentine's Day cookies for us to munch on while looking around the store. I described what I liked to the assistant and she pulled the perfect dress. I was in love immediately! We chose a few other dresses and then went to the dressing room. I tried on the dress I was in love with first and I instantly knew that it was the one. I couldn't stop grinning as I walked out of the dressing room and to the couches where my Mom and Lindy were sitting. I couldn't take my eyes off of the dress. It was perfect and beautiful!!

I walked around the store looking at myself in each mirror (I really didn't want to take it off!). Just to make sure that it was The One, I tried on four more dresses. These dresses were all pretty, but none was better than the first dress. We decided that I should put back on the first dress and when I walked out and they put a veil on me I knew that it was what I had been looking for. I'm not an emotional person, but I almost shed a tear as I looked in the mirror. Everyone agreed that I was glowing and that it was perfect. We put down a deposit and it should be delivered to the store by May. After that I have 3 fittings scheduled to do any alterations and then it's all mine!

These were taken right after I'd been measured. Couldn't get the smile off my face!

After saying yes, getting measured and ordering my gown, we headed next door for a celebratory drink and some lunch!

It was such a wonderful day! I was so worried that I wouldn't find a dress, or that I wouldn't have the feeling you should get when you know it's the one. I was almost sure that I would have to settle for a dress that I liked but didn't love. Luckily we made the trek out to La Grange on a snowy, windy and cold Valentine's Day and found me the perfect dress!

Any Kentucky brides looking for a gown, GO to The Couture Closet. You won't be disappointed!!

aka around 240 DAYS!

It's crazy how quickly the months go by when you're counting down to a specific date.

Find and meet caterers and then book one*

Take engagement photos* (DONE TODAY!!)

Block out hotel rooms*

Find a florist* and book one

Finalize our guest list*

Save more photos of cakes, flowers and hairstyles*

Find band/DJ* and book one 

Try on more dresses* and then BUY one (WHAT?!)

Find cake bakers and book one

Order Save the Dates and send them

Choose bridesmaids dresses

Find ceremony musicians

Decide on honeymoon location

(* = These are all from last month, oops)

Clearly I'm behind and have a TON to do this month (but I also think the Knot is a bit crazy when it comes to what we are expected to do each month). The main thing I'm concerned with getting done this month is booking a caterer. I've contacted a few and have set up some meetings which is a step in the right direction! 

Today we met with our photographer and took our engagement photos. I was quite fun and far less awkward than we thought! Josh made us feel at ease and comfortable while he snapped away. Now we just have to wait 3 weeks for him to get the film back. Until then we will be anxiously waiting to see how they turned out!

I think Olive secretly wanted to participate in our engagement photos!

This past weekend I went with my Mom and MOH to a bridal shop called Bridal Warehouse. Unlike our experience at Twirl, Bridal Warehouse was a very large room with tons of dresses everywhere. Being a Saturday there were a lot of other brides there and it was kind of difficult to get our appointment started. However, after we met my consultant we felt much more at ease. She was around and helpful without being overbearing. She worked with several other brides in addition to our group, however I never felt like she was abandoning us to work with others. My goal at this appointment was to try on a lot of dresses and narrow down a style I liked.

My Mom loaded down with potential dresses

I tried on about 15 dresses with the help of my MOH, Lindy!

Most of the dresses I put on were immediate no's. I did try on one mermaid dress that made me look amazing. I had no idea my waist could look that teeny tiny until I put that dress on! I also tried on one ballgown that Lindy chose. It was probably the biggest dress I've ever put on my body. The tulle skirt was totally beautiful but the beaded bodice? Not so much.

Me in the biggest ballgown ever...and Lindy cracking up at my face.

After so many dresses, I was finally determining that I really liked natural waisted dresses, especially if they had a corset on the inside. I liked a little poof, but not too much. I was also starting to like lace. The consultant brought another round of dresses and I vetoed many of them. Then we saw one that Lindy said I should just try on (you never know until you put it on your body). When Lindy zipped me up and I turned around she instantly smiled. I walked out and my mom started to tear up. I rushed over to the mirror to see what they were seeing but all I saw was a pretty, very bridal dress. I couldn't see why they were getting so emotional! I liked the dress but wasn't totally in love. I strutted around the shop checking myself out in every mirror, but I still wasn't feeling the emotional connection. They put a veil on me and more tears ensued. I knew I wouldn't say yes unless I really loved something. I wanted to try on dresses and sleep on any decision before putting down a deposit...so we left. I didn't want to try on any more gowns. I wanted to keep that memory of seeing my Mom and Lindy cry and that feeling of "this could be something" in my mind. I came home and sat on my couch and felt guilty about not totally loving the dress.

I know it's important for ME to love the dress, since I'll be wearing it. So I've made another appointment with a bridal shop called The Couture Closet. I have a strong feeling that I'll find THE dress there, but you never know!