A prelude to our wedding.

I cannot believe I am finally married! What a crazy past few days it has been! I have no idea where to even start with these blog posts. I don't have the professional pictures yet, so I can't really re-cap or share the details quite yet. I just can't wait to share our special day with you all, but I guess there are some other things that I would probably benefit from getting off my chest..

Weddings are not all they are cracked up to be. I am so beyond thankful for Joe and if I wasn't sure a week ago (I was) I sure would be now, that I 100% married the right person. 

With weddings comes a lot of cost, pressure, and ups and downs. But never in all the nights that I stayed up panicking did I imagine just how cruel and mean people can be. Not just people, but family. 

Friday night; yes, the night before our wedding - I received some really upsetting news from my dad that turned our supposed to be girls night in with my mom and sisters into sadness, anger, and tears. I only bring this up now because I can't pretend that everything was exactly how I imagined. I won't go into details of course, but I think I got maybe three hours of sleep the night before. 

After drying my eyes and finally calming down we had people asking to come and bring extra people two hours before the wedding. Talk about stress..

The point that it really clicked for me that no one else mattered and this was OUR day was when our officiant prayed over our marriage. She spoke about how the person we were holding will be the one to wipe away tears and who will be here until the very end; Joe knew this very well from the night before. That night I had to put all of my anger and sadness away no matter how hard people tried to push me. Note: Someone made fun of the way I was standing during the ceremony... I think I prayed my way through the night to give me grace, and to get through it with a smile. 

I cannot forget to mention all of the amazing from the night, though! Once certain people left, everything was perfect. We had people there who genuinely love and care for Joe and I. These people helped the planning of this wedding for months and they lifted my spirits when I really needed it most. Joe, was my saving grace, he kept me calm and made me laugh even when I wanted to cry. That is what a wedding is about, anyway. 

This post is the prelude to the happiness of the wedding. I wanted to get this out of the way before I share everything else. There are so many happy things and thoughts from that night that I want to spew out all over this page, but I will wait until I have the pictures to back it up. 

Although I am sad it's over, I am just so happy to be married and start this new life as a wife and everything that comes with it!!

Summer 2014 Goals: Recap

Back in June I posted what some of my goals or  "bucket list" this summer. Although we didn't go anywhere too excited (planning a wedding takes all the money) I was actually able to cross off quite a bit of stuff. 

Goals:

1. Take nightly walks   Pretty much every night pup and I meet up with my mom and beanie for a walk. 

2. Find engagement outfits for Joe and I  This seems like SO long ago, I can't believe that we only took our engagement photos at the beginning of summer. 

3. Decide flowers, DJ, Food situation for wedding ALL. DONE. 

4. Pass my summer school class A+ Y'all 

5. Get new bedroom decor/furniture  - Wedding trumps new bedroom decor, after though that is high on the list. 

6. Blog 3-5 times a week - I wish. It's hard, but I try. 

7. Get financially organized and save, save, save. - I feel like this will always be a work in progress. 

8. Start DIY and home made decorations for wedding

9. Get back to using my planner diligently. - I mostly have been using my wedding notebook like crazy to write down notes. Hopefully after the wedding I will use my planner more. 

Summer bucket list:

1. Go camping at least once - Summer is too blazing hot here to sleep outside, spring time for sure!

2. Have at least one bonfire with smores! - Too. Hot. 

3. Take a mini beach trip  You can see that here.

4. Watch fireworks and have a BBQ on the fourth of July

5. Read at least 4 books (not school related) - I read 2 1/2 so far!

6. Plan date nights for every two weeks somewhere new each time - Saving means not too often date nights. We have plenty of eat in netflix dates though. 

7. Get in a body of water this summer - :(

8. Have at least somewhat of a tan - hopefully! -  HAHA I can't believe I thought this was an option. 

9. Go to our local farmers market

10. Get at least two shaved ices  

11. Go to our fair at the end of summer Corn dogs and funnel cakes galore. 

12. See a country concert  We saw Joe Nichols at the fair. 

13. Try some new summer recipes and drink recipes Duh. Remember the hippie juice?

I can't say that I am sad to see summer go. The hundred degree weather is not a friend of mine and I am looking forward to so many things this fall - the wedding being number one! #oneweek

How was your summer, and what did you accomplish? Or did you have many drinks and sit by the beach or pool? If so, I'm jealous. 

Blogger Men Tell All

I casually saw Becca's tweet yesterday about this monthly linkup that her Melissa and Samantha are hosting all about any special man in our life. (How did I not see this sooner??) I must say that I am pretty excited about this linkup because I can only imagine all of the answers us bloggers will hear from these guys. 

                                                     (Old Picture)

Looking at these questions, I knew these would be a piece of cake for Joe to answer. He is a huge sports fan, and he loves when I act get interested in his favorite teams. If there's one thing that people know about Joe, it's that he can talk about sports all day. So here is my interview with my fiance...

1. If you had a blog, what would you call it, and what would it be about?

Thinks really, really long...... 

"Let's talk ball" *he says while laughing*  that's what my blog would be called, and it would be about mostly about basketball. 

2. If you could live inside any video game, which would it be?

NBA2K 

Joe doesn't play video games really ever, unless it's NBA2K on his phone, or some football game. I'm so glad we don't have a gaming system. 

3. Who is your best player on your fantasy football team this season?

*He gets giddy and pulls up his fantasy sports app*

Peyton Manning. *he says confidently*

4. If you could play for any professional sports team, which one would it be?

*rolls eyes and looks at me with a duh face* of course I already know this question, but for the sake of the interview I have to ask... 

The Lakers. 

P.S He really loves Kobe Bryant. 

5. What do you typically do with an hour of free time?

He said "watch sports" which he loves to do, but I'm sure he just forgot to mention that he loves watching all my Real Housewives shows with me too. 

He was actually looking forward to more questions, but I told him he can come back to visit the blog in a month for another linkup. 

So, there it is! Go link up with the other girls men every month.

So Close.

With the wedding almost two weeks away, it finally feels like things are coming together. Even my Knot checklist isn't overwhelming anymore, and it really is starting to set in that these are my last few weeks as a "single" girl. Although Joe and I have been together for almost five years, something about knowing that we will be officially married is really special.

The only things left to do in these next few weeks include - A few more DIY projects (writing in chalk is not easy), place cards, a marriage licence, crossing my fingers that my dress fits, finding a hotel room, and picking out music. I thought things would become progressively more stressful, but they aren't. Knock on wood that everything stays stress free. Even all of the RSVP's have been received, and the seating chart is done (Thanks Wedding Wire).

I did some shopping recently - I was on a mission to find shoes, jewelry, and garters. I found all of those things in one trip to the mall and David's Bridal! Talk about a ton of weight lifted, because finding these things was stressing me out. 

I also ordered Joe's ring this past weekend, and let me just say that women have it so easy - ring wise anyway. I looked over so many reviews online because I couldn't believe how inexpensive men's wedding bands are! I'm not mad though. We need to save all the extra dollars we can! 

Since we won't be taking a honeymoon right away, I will of course be sharing all of the wedding pictures here once we receive them. But...you can also follow me on Instagram and using the hashtag #bishopwedding14 to see updates in real time!

A wedding checklist.

 If I do say so myself, things are getting accomplished. This wedding may not be completely planned but with just a day over a month left to plan this thing, I can honestly say that it will happen with or without these small details. But for my sake let's hope it all gets done.

First dress fitting – The seamstress at David’s Bridal looked at me like I was insane for waiting until September to come in for my first dress fitting. I live on the edge lady. Actually not at all. I literally was swamped and put it off to the last minute but had major anxiety about it. I went in to actually look at the under garments for my dress, and the seamstress insisted that she had to get me in THAT DAY in order for it to be ready before the wedding. I almost had a full blown panic attack, but my maid of honor came to the rescue.  I go in for obviously what will have to be my last fitting / pick up the dress on October 3^rd! You know, only 8 days before the wedding…let’s hope it fits.

Hair/Makeup - By the time you read this I will have finally had my hair and makeup trial FINALLY. Since I am pre-writing this post, I'll have to let you guys know how it went next week or I'm sure I'll say something on Twitter. 

Guest book – Ordered and it is beautiful! Covered in burlap and lace. Just the way I like it.

Bridesmaids dresses have arrived, and they are so perfect. 

Gifts for the groomsmen need to be found and ordered. ASAP.

Garter – Still need to find and order.

Seating chart - This is awful. I have no idea how you ladies with 100+ people managed this. I am having a hard time situating everyone. 

Table numbers and place cards - Purchased, now I just need to get them finished after I get the pesky seating chart done. 

Favors and DIY projects - Still need to buy some more things to finish those.

Find shoes and jewelry for bridesmaids and myself – Nope. Still really need to get on that.

Book hotel room – This will happen with the next few coming weeks.

Order Joe's ring and get mine cleaned- Happening soon!

Music for pre-ceremony, walking down the isle, and of course songs to play during reception (suggestions would be amazing!!)

Create a strict weekend timeline with my wedding party.

We can officially go get our marriage licence as of tomorrow. Tomorrow it'll be 30 days until the wedding!


Also married ladies - did you get a spray tan before your wedding? If so, how soon/long before should I wait so hopefully it wont stain my dress?